CMR Stampede April 2018

S The Stampede

C. M. Russell High School Great Falls, MT April 5, 2018 Vol. 53 Issue 7 www.rustlernews.com

Rustlers walk the red carpet at prom 2018

Stampede -- 4.5.18

WHAT’S INSIDE

An open forum for student expression since 1965

18 Orchestra director shares early music passion

21 Rustlers raise rug at State AA

24 Immersion school expands with bison harvest

The Stampede

C. M. Russell High School Great Falls, MT April 5, 2018 Vol. 53 Issue 7 www.rustlernews.com

The Stampede staff strives to produce a publication that is relevant to the CMR student body while maintaining journalistic standards.

We help to provide a free exchange of ideas and establish a student voice in the school community.

2017-2018 Staff editor-in-chief Mackenzie George

online editor Gabrielle Pope photo editor Julia Gremaux photographer Sophie Aron adviser Beth Britton

16 -- Foreign language,

Dancer profile 3 -- Student Gov convention, 17 -- Cost of prom

Quincy’s column,

Journalism day ENTERTAINMENT 4 -- Gun control, 18 -- Video production,

school shootings

Gabby’s column, 5 -- School threats

Music faceoff 6 -- ACTs, dropouts 19 -- Peter Rabbit, 7 -- Driver’s Ed,

Jazz band

Budget cuts, State BPA 20 -- Drama Hall of Fame,

All Northwest, OPINION

Early music month 8 -- Editorial, Emily’s column, Feminism SPORTS 9 -- Arming teachers, 21 -- Basketball,

Gun education

Spring sports 10 -- Short takes, 22 -- Hockey league, 11

scholarship struggles

March madness, Julia Gremaux read her February Stampede underneath the Lacrosse Washington Monument in Washington D.C. FEATURES 23 -- Tennis profile, 11 -- Washington D.C. trip, Each month, CMR students have the opportunity

Softball jamboree,

Clara’scolumn to be featured in the Stampede. It’s easy! Show us

College signing 12-13 -- Prom where you read YOUR Stampede by taking the latest 14 -- Bio dissections BACK PAGE issue to your favorite place around Great Falls (or 15 -- Club corner, 24 -- Immersion school some other exotic location). Snap a photo and direct

Street law tours message it to @RustlerNews on Twitter. We’ll pick

#WHEREIREADmyStampede

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

staff writers Grace Carr McKenzie Connell Callan Garner Dorla Gittins Breanna Hyatt Sophie Kluge Maygie Li Austin McIntosh Gauthier Paget JJ Slater Quinn Soltesz Holly Spragg Kaylebb Stahmer

principal Kerry Parsons

Cover photo by Beth Britton.

MackenzieGeorge

editorial board Emily Cappis Clara McClain Quincy Schmechel

NEWS

Editor-in-Chief

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

our favorite and include it here each month. limited to 200 words, and essays 350 words. All submissions must be signed and include a phone number so authenticity can be verified.

The editors and/or adviser reserve the right to edit all letters for grammar and spelling as well as content that may include profanity, be libelous, obscene or not meet general editorial guidelines.

Anonymous letters are not accepted. Submissions can be dropped off in room 326 or e-mailed to: stampede@gfps.k12.mt.us.

The Stampede maintains membership in the National Scholastic Press Association, the Montana Journalism Education Association, the Journalism Education Association and Quill and Scroll.

Some material courtesy of American Society of Newspaper Editors/KRT Campus High School Newspaper Service.

Behind-the-scenes activities result in memorable night Immortalized in movies and books, prom has grown into a fixture of the high school experience. Dresses have gotten bigger, venues have grown larger, and themes have become glitzier. According to a Yahoo Style 2017 survey, teens are now spending an average of $600 on prom.

As with many events, it is difficult to imagine the behindthe-scenes work before you are immersed in it yourself. I found this year that planning prom was half the fun of the dance (and a little stressful -- you are literally throwing a party for 500-600 people). This year, our goal was to make the event as inclusive as possible. We wanted to stretch the recognition beyond the prom court -- the king and queen in particular -- and recognize other students. Our theme, a Night at the Oscars, was well-suited for passing out additional superlative awards.

But before more than 500 students packed the Civic Center on March 24, about 20 students, streamers, lights, and coffee in hand, spent the morning ensuring that the venue would be ready for them. I was beyond impressed with the help the seniors received in putting on prom this year. Though the event is technically a student government responsibility, other students arrived willing to work, and in less than three hours the spacious event center was transformed into the Academy Awards. It is a testament to the work ethic and volunteerism that remains strong at CMR, despite dwindling numbers at other schoolsanctioned activities. There are still students at this high

school who are eager to help to make CMR the best it can be.

As always, the stagecraft crew wowed with larger-thanlife Oscar statues that helped us stay true to our theme.

Chris and Lesli Evans helped from 8:30 in the morning to the tail end of the dance that evening. Pat O’Connell snapped photos both at his home and at the dance. Other student photographers ensured that the night would be documented as well.

Even immersed in cliches, prom can be one of the most enjoyable nights at high school. Amid tests, staggering homework loads, and the stress of sports or concerts, it is a night where kids can simply have fun. What makes prom special is not the formal photos or which restaurant a group chooses. It is the conversation shared with friends over dinner, the goofy shots in the photo booth, and the laughter on the dance floor.

The night flew by faster than I could have ever imagined. As I observed my classmates throughout the night, I realized how much prom differs from pop culture.

Whether with a date or with friends, whether you sit down for dinner or grab chicken nuggets on the way over, and whether you never leave the center of the dance floor or simply relax in the back, it’s a night where you can be whoever you want to be. There’s a certain freedom to that, which has allowed prom to remain a fairly significant high school experience.

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Students government sends 15 representatives to convention

by Callan Garner, staff writer Not knowing what to expect, sophomore Andi Newbrough went into the student government district convention with excitement, looking forward to representing her school.

“It is an opportunity for schools to meet and talk about what other schools are doing, work on leadership skills, and then talk about our district plans for the future,” Newbrough said.

Held in Geraldine, Montana, on March 22, Newbrough and her peers branched out and talking to other schools about what is going on in District II. Listening to speakers talk about leadership skills and attributes that the students can not only work on in sports, but in school as well, Newbrough was delighted to bring what she learned back to C. M. Russell High school.

“We all have to be able to accept criticism from our peers and superiors. Which will play a large part [in our daily lives]. So we will have to work as a united front,” she said.

Newbrough ran for Vice President of District II and won, along with sophomore Kaylee Karjala who won Parliamentarian. Giving a

small speech, Newbrough and Karjala are prepared to bring their thoughts and ideas to a larger stage.

The newly elected officers have already begun planning what they know needs to be done for their constituents.

“With learning how to work as a team, it is going to be really big in student government, especially for the sophomore class. We have to plan for Morp and senior year isn’t that far away either so we have to start saving up for all of those activities.”

With a new drive, Newbrough looks forward to her upcoming years in high school and being able to serve the student body; this is something she has in common with senior Olivia Bauman.

“I have loved serving in both the district and state sides of student government,” Bauman said.

Bauman said she is proud to be passing the torch on to such capable hands.

Newborough has big shoes to fill, following in Bauman’s position, but she is beyond ready for the challenge.

“I am really excited to represent CMR and our district,” she said.

Left: Andi Newborough gives her campain speech. Courtesy of Ryan Anderson. Top: Student government representatives pose after road trip to Geraldine, Montana. Photo by Quinn Soltesz.

Photos by Gabrielle Pope and Mackenzie George.

CMR student journalists take University of Montana campus by storm

by McKenzie Connell, staff writer On March 22, a team of young journalists and CMR staff boarded two vans at 5 a.m. in the morning. They left for Missoula to receive awards and participate in the lectures lead by professors at the University of Montana’s School of Journalism’s annual High School Journalism Day. “I thought the classes created a different perspective on journalism,” sophomore Grace Carr said. “They talked about using social media and your phones to tell a story, which I thought was a great class because it was teaching us how to tell news to our generation.”

The schedule consisted of the students checking in, and then receiving awards from the annual Montana High School Newspaper competition. The awards include the Pacesetter, which takes multiple months of issues and compares the quality of them overall. The CMR Stampede, earned second in the AA category. The Sentinel Konah took first, and the Bozeman Hawk Tawk came in third.

“I’m pleased that the Stampede staff’s work placed in the top three, considering that everything from photography, design, writing, and overall content is taken into consideration,” teacher Beth Britton said. “The students should be proud of themselves.”

Editorial Board

Quincy Schmechel

Part-time employment does more than build character I’ve heard before that if everyone worked a customer service job at least once in their lives, the world would be a better place.

When I first applied to Ford’s Drive-In, I was unsure to say the least. It was late last June and, having quit my previous job in February to concentrate on academics, I was broke to the point of gritting my teeth and hoping my transactions were approved when buying a bottle of water. I’d gone up to Ford’s to grab a milkshake with some friends when the carhop offered me an application.

What did I have to lose? I’d already been waiting on a call back from the Country Club for 2 weeks. I accepted the application.

After I got the call back and had my interview, it wasn’t long before I started work in early July. However, I wasn’t prepared. In my naivety, I’d wondered how hard it could truly be to serve burgers and fries, or how complicated making a milkshake could truly be. I had no idea.

Keeping track of lots, learning correct abbreviations for writing tickets, memorizing a menu, and running with a myriad of food and drinks in hand isn’t rocket science. But it might as well be when you’re first learning. Not to mention,

hangry is only a vague concept until you’re working in the customer service and food industry.

I’d previously worked at a small grocery store, but it never could have compared to the interesting (to put it kindly) types of customers and behaviors I’ve encountered in my time car hopping. Through simple tasks, I’ve built my patience and understanding for strangers up to its zenith, but more than that I’ve come to appreciate people working jobs like this to support families. I work only part-time, and it’s to pay for things like my car insurance, gas, and saving for college. I don’t (yet) have to worry about supporting myself with my combined income from paychecks and tips. Working at Ford’s has truly taught me to step into others’ shoes and extend kindness to strangers, especially those who are simply doing their jobs.

But should it have ever taken a job to teach me this? The world would be a better place if we all worked customer service jobs, sure. But more than that, the world would be better if we all were better able to empathize, step back, and be patient with those we encounter.

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A National Movement

Parkland shooting spurs students into action nationwide

by Callan Garner, staff writer The date Feb. 14, 2018 will now and forever be a day of remembrance; some would even argue it was the day a revolution was started.

Students of all ages began protesting for varying degrees of gun rights, while others believed it to be just a way to honor the death of 17 community school members. As the unorganized belief sets spread like wildfire throughout the country, more than 2,000 miles away, the Great Falls Public School district was engulfed in the flame. Fighting with the decision to allow students to partake in the National Walkout on March 14 vs. trying to turn the situation into a more community-based, positive impact, both the administration and the school body struggled to know what to do.

“We thought it would be best if we did something surrounding the issue of being kind to one another instead of making it about political issues,” senior Molly DeMarco said.

Helping lead the student body and administration through this time of uneasiness due to the unknown, Demarco didn’t know what to really do. There was no way she or her peers could do something that would appease everyone.

“There were a lot of people who were upset, saying we took away their right to walk out. But there were still students who went outside to protest, and if you wanted to, you could.”

That’s just was senior Echo Sundstrom did. Exiting his connections classroom with about 20 other students, Sundstrom stood outside in silence for 17 minutes. Wanting to represent the lives lost in Parkland, Florida, the protesters felt that this was one of the best ways to gain the attention of the community.

“I’m not mad at administration or anyone else who was behind the idea [of 17 days of kindness], because I feel that in this situation they have to. As an obligation to their job, they are required to keep students safe and keeping us focused on education. I understand that they have to; I just wish that they did not,” Sundstrom said.

With hopes of starting the conversation among people, one of Sundstrom’s main goals was to just bring awareness about the entire situation.

“I would like it to get people talking about teenagers having a voice, and how we will use that voice,” he said.

All around Montana, teens joined together in a national level walkout. Some schools specifically punished students for partaking, while others just punished students because they were skipping school.

Due to this possible punishment, rumors circulated throughout CMR saying that students wished they could walk out, but were too afraid of the punishments. Unable to find anyone to speak on this topic, the only punishment that was actually given was if the walkout attendees were late to class, they then received a tardy.

Students also stated that they did not know where to go.

Wishing that there would have been more of information, Sundstrom said that was the only thing he would change about the entire thing.

“The only thing I would have done differently was have someone in the main lawn telling kids to meet at the flagpole,” he said.

But for the 20-plus students who did attend, conversation

ceased when they realized they were doing this for remembrance of the 17 lives lost, instead of the political debate sweeping CMR’s hallways.

However controversial, many still found the 17 days of kindness to be inspiring. “[The 17 days of kindness] is really good. Because for a lot of people, it hits really close to home,” junior Kai Stewart said.

Sophomore Ryan Lawson, also believed the 17 days of kindness to be useful.

“What [CMR’s student government] did was more beneficial.

They made you think about kindness and all the victims.”

Alternatively, other students found it to be less powerful in comparison to physically walking out.

“I don’t think sitting around in connections, talking about how we feel is going to enact any sort of change, or do anything to fix the problem. Sure it might make us in CMR feel closure over what happened, but I don’t think it’ll make any impact on any other part of the world,” Sundstrom said.

After the walkout, many more opinions and feelings surfaced.

Students who walked out did not feel as if they had the impact they had desired, while others believed the entire thing was just a waste of time. Yet, there was a sparked conversation between many students, which is what Sundstrom had hoped for in the first place.

“I feel like it sparked some conversation within CMR and GFHS, but I’m not sure if it got much further than that. Granted, even if we may not have made a huge impact, I still think it was a movement of solidarity with the people of Parkland, Florida and with all the other high schools in the nation who participated.”

Possible gun control spikes controversy

by Mackenzie George, editor in chief Student voice is not just imperative; it is the very foundation upon which the #NeverAgain movement was constructed.

This is intended to unite rather than polarize the student body. Even if we disagree individually on the source of the problem (guns, mental health, etc.), we can all come to the consensus that our current situation is inexcusable. It is abhorrently wrong that teachers must spend time exploring places for students to hide within a classroom or divvying up tasks for the event of a school shooting.

Yet this is a relevant discussion that many teachers are deciding is not only useful but imperative.

A USA Today article quotes Rory McVeigh, the director the Center for the Study of Social Movements at the University of Notre Dame. McVeigh grew up in the 60s, he said, and “some of the goals that we had may have been unrealistic from an objective perspective.

“That’s one of the beautiful things about being 18 years old -- you may still have this sense that you can make the world a better place,” McVeigh concluded.

I hope I never reach an age where I feel that it is impossible to make this world a better place.

Countless individuals dedicate their life to this goal every single day. This is why we elect lawmakers, seek justice, and provide aid for others. This burden should not -- cannot -- fall solely on the shoulders of half a dozen 18-year-olds. It requires all five of those First Amendment freedoms: speech, press, religion, petition, and assembly.

I hope you joined us in holding doors, inviting others to lunch, and sharing your appreciation for others. These small challenges are not just because of the horrors of school shootings. They are reminders of what it means to be human. What are we doing if we are not striving to improve the conditions of our world?

Benton, Kentucky Jan 23 Winston Salem, North Carolina Jan 20

Nashville, Tennesse Feb 9

Los Angeles, California Feb 1

Students gather near the flagpole to protest the 17 lives lost on Feb. 14, 2018.

Photos by Callan Garner.

Savannah, Georgia Feb 24

Parkland, Florida Feb 14

Mount Pleasant, Michigan March 2

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Big Sky joins the protests

Montana faces nine school shooting threats

by Sophie Kluge, staff writer Since the Parkland shooting on Feb. 14, there has been 11 school shooting threats in Montana.

Although none of the threats have been carried out, it still proves that the Parkland shooter inspired others.

In Great Falls, there has been two school shooting threats and one bomb threat since Feb. 14. SRO Nick Taylor said the threats are concerning and that the administration takes each one to heart.

“We take every threat seriously,” said Taylor, who is also the only person at CMR to carry a gun.

With the threats being so prevalent, Taylor said they are doing everything they can to ensure a shooting doesn’t happen here, even though there are things that the school isn’t allowed to do.

“The legal actions would include like the right to search people’s phones, the right to do the things we should or could do to ensure that everybody is safe,” Taylor said. With the majority of the threats being online and on social media, Taylor said that they rely on relationships students have with teachers and administrators to tell them things that could result in school danger.

As far as being prepared for an active shooter, he said that teachers are doing more to make sure they would be able to protect their students if needed.

“We are actually teaching teachers how to fight and better barricade classrooms, teaching them what they can to make kids safe,” Taylor said. With the number of recent shootings, some people are calling to arm teachers. Taylor said that that strategy could prove to be useful, but it does have its drawbacks.

“As far as arming teachers, I feel like there could definitely be some benefits to that, just as far as having more guns in the school, but at the same time I know some of the restrictions that go into that,” he said, and restrictions like funding and extra training time.

Noah Turoski, a junior, doesn’t think arming teachers is a good idea because that isn’t the role of the teacher.“I think the job of the educator is to create better citizens, and I don’t think that fosters the right kind of educational environment.

I think that arming educators creates more options for accidents to happen,” Turoski said.

Along with that, both of his parents work in the education field, and he doesn’t believe that his parents should have to shoot a person to save someone else’s son or daughter. As far as the problem that is creating these shootings, Turoski

Darby school has a threat Feb. 19

believes it has to do with gun laws.

“I think part of the problem is that there’s an abundance of guns, but I think the bigger part of the issue is that there isn’t enough regulation,” he said. Along with the decrease in mental health help, he believes that the easy accessibility of guns is what is causing this problem to grow.

“You can get a gun from your cousin or your uncle, and I think that is definitely a big deal,” he said. On the other side of the argument is senior Tyler Johnson, who believes that having just one gun in the school is not enough.

“I think we could get a few more firearms in the school with people that are trained to use them,” Johnson said. He also said that schools can do better to prepare for an active shooter than to just sit in a corner with the lights off.

“It just seems a little pointless for us to go sit in a corner and wait for it to be over,” he said. Small town students and staff make their voices heard at CMR High School in Great Falls. Photo by Julia Gremaux.

The main thing Johnson said he would like to see happen is the arming of teachers, even if it is just a few. bullying prevention program) and other “Obviously don’t arm every teacher in the by Holly Spragg, staff writer Chris Kloker has had his own experience anti-bullying systems seem to only call out building, just one or two a floor,” he said, but the bullying and not help the kids deal with.

Turoski disagrees due to the fact that the guns with a school shooting “I went to a Class A basketball “We need to teach kids how to react would be stored and locked away, making it hard and get through it,” Kloker or even impossible for the teacher to get the gun tournament and a kid came said. He added that parents in time. The two also disagree on the Connections in [the school] and shot the We have become aren’t seeing the signs and period that CMR held on March 14. Johnson assistant principal as well numb; nothing shocks that adults need to teach the believes that the time was way more useful than as a substitute teacher,” he said. He was in fourth us anymore... The youth how to use guns and what some students used it for.

“I thought it was a way better idea than grade with his grandma in President’s Twitter feed what they are fully capable of. walking out because losing 17 minutes of free Lewistown at Fergus High makes more headlines.

Chris Kloker Kloker has also noticed education because you want one thing to change School. He has said that he how few of these shootings isn’t going to make anybody change their minds,” can remember the clothes he have made top headlines in the media.

Johnson said. He also said that he liked the ideas was wearing that day 32 years ago.

Kloker said one of the main and “We have become numb; nothing proposed in the Connections because it could reappearing causes of school shootings shocks us anymore,” he said. “The actually be useful.

President’s Twitter feed makes more “Doing nice things for people could be the and violence is bullying.

“Bullying is so rampant right now,” headlines.” difference between 17 dead and 17 alive,” he said. On the other hand, Turoski said that the he said. He also added that OLWEUS (a discussion ended up blaming students for the school shootings.

“There are more reasons this is happening and there are better ways to address that,” Sophomore Aine Brady has added that she was a little angry because Turoski said. The one thing the two can agree on, experienced more than one type of school it happened in the middle of her game. however, is that CMR is doing all it can to make violence. In her 7th grade year at North Brady said that she found out what sure a tragedy like Parkland experienced doesn’t Middle School, she was put in a lockdown happened from her mother later that day. happen here. during her volleyball game after school.

She said that it was a kind of “surreal and “There isn’t much that the school district and A student had attempted to kidnap a crazy feeling because you normally only administrators can do besides banning guns, and teacher after school hours. hear about that happening on the TV.” that’s already on the premise,” Turoski said, and “I was confused,” Brady said about her Johnson said that arming teachers would be the initial feeling during the lockdown. She best route to take.

Chris Kloker reminisces about childhood experience

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Aine Brady recalls scary NMS incident

Philipsburg school has a threat Feb. 21

Helena Capital school threat Feb 20

Missoula Big Sky school threats Feb. 22

Billings public schools threats Feb 21

Havre school shooting threats Feb. 23

April 5, 2018 rustlernews.com

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Students prepare for the ACT

by Sophie Kluge, staff writer Every year, juniors at CMR have to take the ACT, a college entrance exam that tests one’s academic ability.

Counselor and ACT organizer Christine Perkins said that the test allows colleges to know each student’s academic progress, and it also satisfies the junior assessment that the state requires.

Although the test can be scary and stressful, the students are provided with a range of resources to help them do well.

“Every junior is given a test booklet called “Preparing for the ACT Test” that has practice tests and questions plus the math, English, and science classes are all doing practice in their own classes,” Perkins said. Along with those, they are also provided with websites that allow them to take practice tests and identify their weaknesses so they can work on them before the test.

Tessa Grasseschi, a junior who wants to attend a school in Boston for engineering or environmental sustainability, hates the test.

“The ACT should burn,” she said. Although Grasseschi is aware that this test is important, she said that now, more than ever, colleges are pushing aside ACT and SAT scores for various reasons.

“Some schools don’t take ACT scores anymore because if you’re rich enough you can get a tutor and it basically makes your score go up,” she said. After learning this, Grasseschi said she is no longer that anxious about the test.

Unlike Grasseschi, junior Vivi Luna is concerned about the ACT and what the test means for her future.

“I am very worried as to what the effects will be,” said Luna, who is also taking the SAT. Even though she has not done a lot of studying, Luna said she has high hopes for her score.

“I feel pretty confident about it even though I haven’t studied that much,” Luna said. Grasseschi differs from Luna with how they view the score of the test. Grasseschi said that it depends on what college you’re going to, but “more colleges are more concerned with who you are as a person than how you take a test.”

Luna, on the other hand, thinks that this test will determine her future.

“If you want to get to certain colleges, you have to get a good score,” Luna said. Either way, the two are stressed for the test just because of the pressure that is put on them to do well.

Something that has changed this year from previous years is the date. This year’s test was a month earlier, March 20. Although this throws off teacher’s curriculum, the ACT board knows what they’re doing.

“This just means we prep a month earlier,” Perkins said. Even though the test is a month earlier, Perkins said that CMR usually does pretty well.

“We’ve got some great students here that take it seriously and prepare for it, and their scores reflect that.”

DROP OUT RATES

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Number of students who have dropped out each year

Number of dropouts

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Student dropout rates improving with new Graduation Matters initiative

by Grace Carr, staff writer number of students who are dropping out. Blair and her In 2009, Charles M. Russell High School had 85 students cut out lifesize outlines of kids in green and students drop out. By 2017, this number had decreased to yellow paper and placed them along the walls of CMR’s 35 students. The improved dropout rate is believed to be Commons. due to the Graduation Matters initiative. “[The cutouts] represent individuals who dropped out “Graduation Matters is an initiative that is trying and helps people try to conceptualize what that means,” to increase the number of students graduating from Parsons said. schools,” CMR Principal Kerry Parsons said. “The school According to Blair, 32 cutouts were made to represent district and our community participate fairly heavily. Our the number of students who had dropped out so far during goal is to increase the number of kids who graduate.” the 2017-18 school year.

Amanda Blair is a teacher at CMR who assists students “[The goal was] to make an impact and start a and is involved in the Graduation Matters conversation about staying in school and initiative. She works with kids on school not dropping out,” Blair said. work and encourages them to stay in Parsons produced a similar concept school. while he was the principal at East Middle “[Graduation Matters holds] a couple School. Empty desks were placed in of forums a year to find out more facts the front lawn of the school building to about dropout rates, importance of represent the number of students who school, and how a diploma provides more dropped out. opportunities,” Blair said.

The purpose of this representation is to By holding these forums, faculty can Kerry Parsons provide a visual for people to observe and remain updated on information that may gain a better understanding of the issue. lead to a decrease in dropout rates.

Nine years ago, CMR’s dropout “We have been trying to decrease the dropout rates numbers were more than double what they are today. for a lot of years,” Parsons said. “We’re exhausting every With the persistence of school faculty and encouragement possible option to keep kids in school.” from others throughout the community, we can continue Teachers and school faculty recognize the to decrease the number of students who choose to drop disadvantages of dropping out of high school and are out. doing their best to prevent more kids from doing so. Some of the consequences include a decrease in financial safety and overall well-being.

One of the solutions offered to students is credit recovery, a class that allows them to make up courses they have not passed in previous years. Scholarships are also given to students through this program.

According to Parsons, there are a variety of reasons students drop out.

Some kids are disengaged from a very young age, making it more difficult to get students involved in school.

For others, it is a drug or alcohol abuse problem.

“Some students are convinced they will drop out before they get to high school,” Parsons said. “I’ve had some students come to me who are considering dropping Thirty-two paper cutouts were made and hung in the Commons out. Sometimes we are fortunate and convince them to of CMR during Graduation Matters Week. This representation stay, but sometimes we are not.” was meant to give everyone a visual of how many students Blair believes “they lack a sense of belonging.” have dropped out this year. Photo by Julia Gremaux.

February was Graduation Matters month, and a few of these days were used to spark conversation about the

“We’re exhausting every possible option to keep kids in school.

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Operational levy to be voted on in May

by Quincy Schmechel, editorial board Most are no stranger to the idea that money makes the world go ‘round, bur hearing the phrase “budget cuts” still makes people in GFPS clench their teeth.

After last year’s series of budget cuts, students and staff at C. M. Russell High School -- as well as community members -- have felt the loss of teachers, counselors, and other employees of the school district. Unfortunately, there’s talk of similar cuts reverberating through the district again.

Now, there’s an obvious objection that arrives quickly in the minds of many: “What about the $98 million bond that taxpayers just passed? Where’s that money gone?”

What most don’t understand, however, is that the money passed by the bond can only be used for infrastructure. This means that the money can be used for roofing, new buildings, sidewalks, repairing boilers, etc.

It cannot, however, be used to maintain programs or pay employee wages.

That’s why GFPS is hoping to pass a new Operational Levy for $1,349,048 on the ballot in May, which will be used for exactly what it sounds like. The levy would be part of a new property tax paid each year in perpetuity and would cost the average homeowner less than $20 per year, or $1.66 per month. The money from this would be used to pay for teaching staff and educational programs.

“There’s a lot of reasons to pass the levy,” School Board Chair Jan Cahill said. “One is in order to meet contractual obligations the district has with teachers and classified staff.”

Since Great Falls is the second largest school district in the state, fulfilling these obligations requires more revenue than many members of the general public may realize. Between raises, teachers going back to obtain additional schooling, and maintenance of the GFPS facilities, bills add up fast.

According to Cahill, with the continued inflation of the prices of utilities and upkeep, it becomes more difficult to split budgets appropriately each year.

“When the city raises fees for [utilities], the district pays that as well. And with roughly 10,300 students, that’s a lot of money,” Cahill said.

Furthermore, these are all expenses that cannot be avoided by the district.

“If we don’t have the levy pass, we still have these contractual obligations,” Cahill said. “They don’t just go away. That’s when we get into the unfortunate [situation] of needing to eliminate programs and [staff].”

Cahill said that this is the situation GFPS has found itself in frequently over the last decade, as only two levies have been passed in the last 10 years.

“We’ve [had to] cut about $8.9 million out of the operating budget in the last eight years,” he said. “If it’s not successful then we’ll be looking at a variety of cuts that will include eliminating some programs at the high school level and cutting staff.”

He said that these cuts have had severe reverberations felt throughout the district, especially at the high school level in recent years.

“The students may not realize what programs have been reduced or eliminated,” Cahill said.

“But many classes have more students in them now because we’ve cut staffing in both CMR and Great Falls High.”

In coming years, the district hopes to avoid cutting any more programs or employees and to be able to continue to provide the academic opportunities and extracurriculars it offers. But it will rely on the Great Falls community for its support.

“I hope that the voters recognize the need to maintain high quality school and will support providing the additional revenue through the levy

John Stewart is teaching his drivers ed class. Photo by Julia Gremaux.

New drivers learn to navigate spring roads

by JJ Slater, staff writer Getting a driver’s license is an invigorating moment for any young high schooler, but before the license comes the learning.

The only drivers ed class this spring is being taught by teacher John Stewart May through June.

Students must be 14 and a half by the time of sign-up, and it costs $150.

Freshmen Anthony Rodden and Colsen Slater participate in spring sports, and the practice schedules can cause problems with drive and class time.

For anyone worried about the conflicts, CMR does offer a summer class from July to August.

Students receive a driver’s permit after passing a written exam a few weeks into the class.

Rodden, Slater, and freshman Jude Corner believe the class to have its challenges and an even amount of easy lessons.

Many students have minimal driving practice before enrolling

in the class, and they may even participate in their first drive ever during it.

Some students, however, have driving experience with older siblings or parents. Slater shared that he sometimes drives his dad’s truck while camping, and Corner has driven with his sister before.

Driving is believed to be a necessity in high school to get to different games, concerts, and to meet up with friends. Many school-related activities, like going out for lunch, require a car and license as to not rely on parents for transportation. Slater believes a license is necessary to get a job and be able to hang out with friends.

Rodden knows the best part of getting a license is having a bit more freedom.

“I’ll be able to drive to school. I won’t have to walk everywhere,” Rodden said.

Records are breaking with this year’s BPA chapter

by GabriellePope, online editor CMR’s BPA is off to an outstanding amount of qualifiers for the national conference this year. Seven of the 11 members have qualified, advisor and business teacher Jessica Goosen is more than thrilled to be taking seven qualifying members to Dallas Texas, where nationals is being held on May 9-13.

“They did very well at the state conference, they all placed at the top in each competition so to see what that is going to look like in the national level is pretty exciting,” Goosen said. In the nine years that Goosen has advised BPA, she said the most students she has taken to nationals has been three, so this year the club has more than doubled the amount of students who have qualified.

At the state BPA conference March 11-13, one of the students, sophomore Amiya Williams, qualified in two of her three events. Her team placed first in Small Business Management Team and she placed second in Presentation Management which was an individual event. When it was announced that Williams and her team placed first she said they were surprised and also very excited. “The judges kept complimenting us, but we were worried that they complimented everyone. Then when

they announced that we were first place that was just really awesome,” she said.

Williams wasn’t the only person to place first, senior Cece Grassechi qualified first in her event, Fundamental Spreadsheet. “Getting first place in Financial Spreadsheet was my favorite because I’m such a nerd, I love Excel so much, but at regionals I only placed fourth so I didn’t think I would do to well,” Grassechi said.

She qualified for the national convention last year as well, but she is expecting the dramatic change in how many peers accompanying her to make the trip more enjoyable. “The entire team did really great. Last year it was just Morgan [Campbell] and I, and this year there are so many of us going. Even those who didn’t qualify they were just right there. It was a good competition for all of us,” she said.

Williams and Grasseschi weren’t the only two to qualify for nationals. Sophomores Quinn Soltesz, Lauren Rich and Samuel Sophomores Amiya Williams, Lauren Rich and Avery; Junior Cameron McCarthy; and Seniors Cece Grasseschi Quinn Soltesz receive their first place award for Small Business Managment Team event on and Morgan Campbell.

March 13. Photo courtesy of Jessica Goosen.

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April 5, 2018 rustlernews.com

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The definition of feminism contains more than meets the eye

by Holly Spragg, staff writer Feminism is defined as the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes, according to Merriam Webster.

Intersectional feminism is the equality between sexes no matter race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or religion. Some members of society regard feminism as something taboo that shouldn’t be spoken about, if so it is only seen as controversial. Most people label feminists as angry women who are “man-haters” or “feminazis.”

Feminism is often confused with misandrism, the female equivalent to misogyny. Misandrists believe that women are the better gender. These are the “manhaters” and “feminazis.”

Feminism is here for all equality, from prison sentences to opportunities. It is also there to so anyone can be as feminine and masculine as they want. Feminism exists for everyone -- not just women.

Some men believe feminism isn’t there to help them, when in fact it supports men being allowed to express their emotions, cry, and do what they want without being scrutinized for it or feeling emasculated.

When approached by men attacking the feminist movement, I often have to sit and listen to what they describe as equality and inequality.

However, according to Business Insider, as of 2015 the majority of women in the country made 21-25 percent less than men for doing the same job.

Women in Montana made 26-30 percent less than men. This doesn’t acknowledge the fact that women of color make far less than that of the national average for Caucasian women.

The #MeToo movement was founded

by Tarana Burke in 2006, but it went viral in 2017. Its goal is to help and allow victims of sexual assault to call out the abusers or just tell their stories. #MeToo has been criticized as being whiny and full of false accusations.

The movement is here to empower women and to let them know that they are not alone.

Young girls are often sexualized. People read articles, look at pictures and covers of

magazines, and see little girls in stores and think that she is “too young” for that, or that she shouldn’t be wearing that. If she is too young to do that, wear that, think that, she is too young to be sexualized for that.

Sometimes when discussing women and sexual harassment or assault, men chime in with the classic “men get raped,too!” and try to use that as an excuse for why they should be an equal partner in a conversation about sexual assault.

Yes, men get Art by Maygie Li. raped, and people do not believe it to be possible for a man to be raped. The survivors struggle with people thinking it did not do anything to them and makes them less masculine. While this is true and important to make sure it stops, it is not on the same level as the sexual predation women deal with.

From a very young age, girls are hit with the classic “boys will be boys.” That is not

how it should happen; we should not just pass off awful and offensive behavior as something natural for boys to do. What are we telling our female population when we allow this behavior to be normalized?

Women walk in the night with keys in between their fingers just in case. They are very rarely alone at night just in case. Women hold a mean face and wear their hair down so someone can’t pull them back. Sexual harassment happens everywhere at any age.

If they choose to report it they are often faced with a sea of people asking questions such as: “What were you wearing?” -- “Were you drinking?” -- “Did you lead them on?”

They can also be approached with such statements as: “You were asking for it.” -“You know you wanted it.” This is victim blaming, when someone who is the victim of a crime is held entirely or partly at fault.

Feminism is recognizing that men get sexually assaulted but knowing that it happens to women more and on a greater scale, and that is not equality.

Being a feminist and believing in feminism is not something to be ashamed of; it is something in which to take pride.

Staff encourages students to diversify their education Are you often classified as an art kid, a science geek, or even someone who is a nerd point of view for classical literature? We at the Stampede feel that every student attending C. M. Russell High School should be given the chance to break past the mold that peers, and even adults, cast upon us.

Sure, being talented in a particular field is important when applying for a job, but it is not always beneficial to close yourself to other opportunities for personal growth. Those people who are well rounded, always attempting to try a new hobby or learn a subject, are usually those who accomplish the most.

One place that this idea is preeminent is when applying to college. Everyone always says, “Do lots of extracurriculars” or “Take different classes”, and for the most part, they are steering you in the right direction.

College admissions departments will look at your

OUR

Emily Cappis

Editorial Board

From

grades first, and that will get you into consideration, but it is the clubs, sports, and unusual classes that you participate in during high school that will get you accepted.

Being a diversified learner is also something that will lead to personal growth. Expanding your knowledge by taking that sign language class, or giving computer coding a spot on your schedule, could make all the difference in who you choose to become. Maybe after having a positive experience trying new things, you choose to pursue that skill even further. After that, you may look into schools that have it as a degree.

The classroom, especially in high school and college, is a place to try new things. Being categorized as a “type of student” is a disadvantage to young people, as it sets them on a course to avoid new experiences, and thus takes away from all of their amazing perspective accomplishments.

Editor anticipates beginning and end of tennis season

60 days left. My final days of free education are coming to a halt, and that freaks me out as I have made clear.

What does bring me some calmness in the midst of the senior year storm is knowing that I have one last season of tennis. I have played tennis for 10+ years, and have spent three -- soon to be four -- of those 10 years playing for CMR. As cliche as it sounds, every time I have my racket in my hand the world around me disappears. My mind is solely focused on getting that little yellow ball back over the net. Playing tennis opened a lot more opportunities for me, and I met one of my best friends when I started tennis.

The first day of the season my stomach always fills with butterflies, and nerves are a constant. I always

get in my head the first couple of weeks, watching the other kids around me thinking they are so good that I am not going to get to play on varsity. I love tennis despite the nerves because I love the people who I play it with. I have been fortunate to have such a wonderful team the last four years; whenever you are one of the last kids on the court you have the whole team behind cheering… loudly. Being on the tennis team has taught me so many things, dedication being a big one for me.

I learned how to be a member of a team, which is something I never experienced before high school. I will never forget the first day of practice when we all brought our shovels and helped clear the courts of the remaining Montana winter.

We blared our music loud so we could have some

form of entertainment while shoveling. There were even kids who were throwing snow at each other. In my mind it was a good team building activity, and we got to know each other a little bit. I admire the hard work that kids put in to learn a new sport, and tennis is harder than it looks being played by professionals.

It has taken me 10 years to achieve a consistent forehand, and it still isn’t always perfect. Tennis is one of those sports where you can always improve whether you know it or not. This year I am hoping for lots of improvement, despite my dread of running during practice and maybe even a state title if we are getting a little wild. I truly hope for the best for my team, and thank them for constant cheering, laughs, and kindness they have provided me with these last for years.

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April 5, 2018 rustlernews.com

Opinion

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Public school teachers packing heat FOR AGAINST

by Allie Lightfoot, guest writer

I believe teachers should able to bear arms in school or we all should at least have the open minds to have a conversation.

When it comes to the current turn of mass school shootings, I feel that if teachers had the ability to carry a weapon on school grounds they would be able to save the lives of their students. If we give them the right training and new procedures, it would be the strongest preventive measure we could take as a nation.

Ultimately, guns don’t kill people, people kill people. The Idaho State Journal said “The Montana House discussed a proposal to allow full-time school employees who met certain shooting standards to carry concealed weapons in classrooms and on school property, but ultimately voted it down.”

Discussion is great and all, but ultimately something needs to happen.

I think arming the teachers is the best option. If teachers really worry about the outcomes of school shootings they should consider how this training would prevent mass numbers of casualties in the event of a school shooting.

How dedicated the teachers really are to keeping their students safe in the worst of times says a lot about who wants to be in the classroom and how far they are willing to go to protect their kids.

“I have different holsters that go

on different [body] parts. And so depending on my outfit is where the gun goes,” said Kasey Hansen, a teacher in Utah, who has taken advantage of Utah’s laws permitting her to carry.

She always has her gun on her person, so it’s hidden and would not be a threat to anyone unintentionally.

I don’t see the issue with confident t e a c h e r s carrying guns they usually would outside of school?

If we deny teachers to have firearms, then what else would help students in the middle of a school shooting?

While some of us would like stronger gun control or even a disband of assault weapons, it either will never happen or take years to be passed. We as a nation should at least try to equal the playing field.

As we all know, physical strength only goes so far when fighting people with guns off. Overall, school shootings continue to be on the rise. Instead of doing nothing, let’s do something, let’s live.

by Clara McClain, editorial board

While arming certain teachers in their classrooms could lessen the casualties in the event of a school shooting, I’m not sure that’s the solution American students need right now.

Though it might be a short-term solution for a problem that has affected the United States for decades, it’s like putting a Band-Aid on a broken leg; it may look like it’s working, but in the long term it’s going to cause more harm than good.

S i n c e President Trump has taken away the $250 tax writeoff for teachers who purchase school supplies and equipment with their own funds, why would he be willing to pour millions of dollars into the training of teachers to carry firearms on school campuses? Looking at the budget cuts that are happening around the country, expecting any teachers to get qualified training is not in the realm of possibilities.

Instead, we will end up with teachers who are uneducated and would ultimately be a danger to the students, themselves, and the first responders in the even of a shooting. The police would

have to worry about stray shots from a teacher instead of just keeping eyes on the attacker.

At the end of the day, teachers are civilians and they lack the tactical knowledge necessary to be helpful in an active school shooting. They might be able to shoot the center of the target every time in a range, but that’s not the same as shooting at something that is firing back. Furthermore, the individuals planning these attacks and carrying them out have an intimate knowledge of how the school works and how the staff will react to an active shooter.

Having teachers armed in the school would just give them another obstacle to work around, and if the shooter is determined enough, they will find a way to separate the students from the teachers. Already, there has been an incident in California where a teacher discharged his weapon and a 17-year-old student was injured. The school district did not call the parents or paramedics to report this incident; the parents had to call the police department themselves to report what happened. The student does not have life-threatening injuries, but if we add more guns in classrooms, we might not be so lucky next time.

The answer is in finding a way to keep guns out of the hands of those who want to cause mass harm -- not arming the teachers who at the end of the day are there to provide an education for their students.

When speaking about gun control, education is crucial

by Clara McClain, editorial board To make anyone take you seriously when talking about gun control, make sure you have enough information on the issue to be knowledgeable about it.

For example, as we talk about the problems with the civilian ownership of AR15s, we have to accept that even though the AR15 is the most popular model of semi-automatic rifle, banning them will only make consumers look to different models of this type of gun.

In effect, banning all semi-automatic rifles would be a better solution, but even then semi-automatic rifles only account for a small number of gun deaths in America.

Semi-automatic handguns were the weapon of choice for the shooter at Virginia Tech on April 16, 2007 (the most deadly school shooting), where 33 people died, including the shooter. The only other school massacre that had more casualties was the Bath School Disaster in Bath Township, Michigan on May 18, 1927, during which a man angered by his rising taxes planted bombs on his farm and on school property. The other mass shootings that had a higher body count were the Las Vegas

shooting on Oct. 1, 2017 -- which claimed the lives of 58 -- and the Orlando Pulse nightclub shooting on June 12, 2016, when 49 people died.

At the end of the day, the solution doesn’t lie in leaving the gun issue alone or taking all the guns away. There needs to be a middle ground found, like better registry and licensing programs to help prevent more tragedies.

Additionally, labeling semi-automatic guns as “assault weapons” hurts the argument because it shows that whoever is speaking doesn’t have enough knowledge of guns to have a good conversation about the issue. “Assault weapon” isn’t a good classification for weapons because it doesn’t mean anything concrete as opposed to semi-automatic weapons.

A popular argument against stricter gun control maintains that even if law-abiding citizens don’t have guns, criminals may still be armed with weapons, meaning that citizens won’t be able to protect themselves and their families. However, the same thing could be applied universally to all laws. After all, even though sexual assault is illegal, people still get assaulted

all the time; that doesn’t mean that it shouldn’t be illegal.

When an individual brings up the Second Amendment protecting their right to bear arms, what they probably don’t know is that the individual right to bear arms has only been protected since 2008 following the Supreme Court’s decision in DC v. Heller. Before this, the Second Amendment had never been taken to mean that private citizens had a right to own guns.

The right to own a gun should not infringe on the rights of students and teachers to survive.

After the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995, the purchasing of large quantities of ammonium nitrate fertilizer was restricted. As an effect, a similar bombing hasn’t happened since. Fully automatic weapons, grenades, and rocket launchers have all been successfully outlawed in the United States, and we don’t see violence with these weapons. Why are these guns any different?

Students need to be safe in schools, and if making some people mad by making it harder to get a gun is what it takes, let’s do it before more schools turn into battlegrounds.

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April 5, 2018 rustlernews.com

Opinion

Short Takes

by Emily Cappis, editoral board

Short break puts students on short fuse

The 2017-2018 school year has one of the shortest spring breaks our district has ever seen. A “lengthy” five days where two of those days are the weekend, is what our district saw begining from March 29- April 2. Many students are in protest of this, me being one of them. The scheduled breaks in the next two years offer students and staff more time off from school. In March 2020, the break is scheduled for April 4-12. I believe a longer break would be refreshing for students, and give them a much needed recharge.

Juniors have spent months on end studying for the ACT, recovering from junior research, and preparing for their first AP tests. Seniors are in a pool of extreme senioritis, preparing for possibly their second round of AP tests, and stressing about college, jobs and the future. Things like this are hard for students to handle along with extracurricular activities, and an eight-hour school day. I would rather spend a couple of extra days at school in June if it meant that I would have a longer relaxing time in the spring when life gets hectic. Simply put, I wish our district would provide a longer break this year for both students and teachers.

by Kaylebb Stammer, staff writer

Announcements matter

Morning announcements have become ubiquitous to CMR students during third period. In my geometry class, it’s an enjoyable part of the morning, with singing along to songs and joking around about what is shown. Everyone, including the teachers, can partake in watching the fun and interesting things made for their amusement and knowledge.

Some students say their teachers rarely, if ever, show the announcements. That’s one less thing students get to look forward to during third period that can get them through a long day.

Morning announcements matter. They are made for the enjoyment of CMR students and staff. It is a valuable tool to enlighten students about things going on at CMR and the surrounding community.

“It’s a good way to get information across to students that’s different from announcements over the intercom,” said Kerry Bjornstad, a geometry teacher. She said announcements show things that students need to know. Third period gets a time extension solely for the announcements.

Everyone should recognize the value of morning announcements as both a tool for getting information to the students of CMR and a fun part of the day.

by Paige McCorkle, staff writer

My generation is addicted to technology

On any given day at CMR, I can look down the hallways and see almost every student moving like zombies, looking down at their phones. Whether we like it or not, technology has become a part of our everyday lives. We rely on it for so many things. We use our phones for information, social networking, school assignments, entertainment, and much more. Did it ever occur to anyone that many of the problems we experience come from constantly being on our phones or social media and not having enough connection with each other?

Sophomore Kylee Smith has other feelings about the use of technology. “There are downsides, but I’m all for it for the educational purposes,” Smith said.

Smith said that people get disconnected with reality easily when people have phone in their hand.

Our phones play a big role in how we connect with those around us in our mental health as well. How are we supposed to have a healthy mindset when we’re constantly on our phones and refusing to have human contact with those around us? You can’t.

Changing how much time we spend on our phones and using technology productively will dramatically improve our mental health. No one should depend on a device to make themselves happy

10

Students face difficulties with scholarship applications

by Maygie Li, staff writer

Many seniors have applied to colleges and have enrolled into the college of their choice, but the obstacles in many of these students’ way is the finance to pay for schooling.

Students struggle with the college application, but once they’ve applied, there is much more to do. Many students spend hours trying to find the right applications and fulfill the requirements to rack up scholarships.

The process of applying for scholarships can take anywhere from 10 minutes to months. After applying for college, the difficulties of applying for scholarships are just as tedious and stressful; scholarships have a vast range of questions, essays and letters of recommendations, but how does one keep track?

Silas Andrews, a senior attending Montana State University, in Bozeman,has remained organized while applying for multiple scholarships.

“I’ve actually used Microsoft ACCESS and EXCEL to write down a bunch of possible scholarships, their rewards and requirements, and what I have available to me. Write down the necessary links, explore the scholarship school and other scholarship sites, and write down the dates,” Andrews said. “The process stops looking so immense and looks more like another set of homework assignments.”

Students may work their hardest but not receive a scholarship at all. The qualifications are high and the number of students who apply equals to more competition, so students do everything they can to stand out. What are some of the questions to prepare for?

Andrews says “every scholarship is unique in a sense, so each one has a different way to choose who deserves it.”

Sometimes the questions are unique and unrelated to the type of scholarship whatsoever, so it’s interesting to see the questions the committee needs answered to be eligible for the reward.

Scholarships have asked a variety of interesting questions.

Senior Sarah Cherry, who will attend

Colorado Mountain College, School of New Media has signed up for about 30 scholarships, and has yet to hear word from, but she wonders the same thing in why the various of questions are so odd and how they apply.

Scholarships have asked “If you have participated in any Civil War reenactments [or] do you enjoy duck calling? The [questions] are just so far out there I don’t know how they would qualify you for a scholarship,” Cherry said. Are they unique questions the scholarship committee needs to know?

But whether or not the questions are out of the ordinary it’s important to note that students should explore many things, so it can benefit their resume for college and scholarships.

There are many obstacles that students need to overcome or achieve in order to sign up for many of the rewards, but the process is definitely worth it for anything that can downsize college tuition.

“I don’t think it’s too expensive because it’s an investment. I think that degrees pay for themselves if people are getting something in an in-demand field, and while it looks expensive on paper, you get experience, knowledge, and future wealth out of it,” Cherry said What are the chances of getting an award? Why are there so many restrictions? It’s important that all students get a chance to win and apply.

“There are a lot of scholarships specifically for women, but I seen that there are women in the STEM field, because women are often seen as disadvantaged [but] I think it is important that everyone gets a chance to a college education,” Cherry said.

“I hope that within each pool [of scholarships] it would be based on achievements.” regardless of whatever difficulties, students should continue to pursue their goals in scholarships, colleges and their future.

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Montanan explores the

CAPITAL

by Julia Gremaux, staff writer Washington D.C. is definitely not like Great Falls. Our nation’s Capital is full of diversity, history, art, and lots of souvenir shops. Everyday my family and I walked about 10 miles to as many locations as possible. We saw the White House, all the war memorials, and museums.

I was there a week and I still do not feel like I soaked in all of the history that I wanted to. While you are looking at all of these pieces of history you feel like you are in a trance. Everything seems unreal and goes by very fast.

For about 30 seconds I laid my eyes on the U.S. Constitution, and it was glorious. When you blur out the mass of people crowding you in line to get

a glimpse of this piece of history, you feel like you are back in time watching those 39 delegates sign this piece of parchment.

My favorite part of the trip -- besides the food -- was the White House museum, the least crowded museum in the entire town and in my opinion the most underrated museum there.

They showed a video about all of the Presidents and first ladies’ opinions on what it was like to live in a house that housed all of the nation’s greatest.

Sounds boring in writing, but it was the most heartwarming and united video I have ever seen on the leaders of our nation. It told of their struggles, memories, and goodbyes held inside the house.

ClaraMcClain

Editorial Board

On, March 18, senior Julia Gremaux and her family visited the National Mall that is full of the nation’s most historic landmarks. This includes (top left) the National Cathedral, (top right) Korean War Veterans Memorial, (bottom left) the State Capital Building, and (bottom right) the Lincoln Memorial.

Moving away from home a daunting thought for senior My high school lasts are sneaking up like a ghost in the night.

This is the last issue of the Stampede for which I will be writing articles to be published.

April 26 marks the beginning of my last orchestra tour with Chamber.

The number of weeks left in senior year has dwindled to single digits, and soon I’ll be walking across a stage in the Four Seasons Arena to gather my diploma. Then, I’ll be off to Virginia for college, leaving everyone I know behind and trying to survive 2,000 miles away from my mom (and my dogs and cats).

What am I going to do?

When I’m sick, my little black cat Zimmer keeps me company, and when I’m upset, Triton, my black lab, cuddles me and give me kisses until he makes me laugh.

Soon, I won’t have any fur to pick off of my clothes and complain about, and my mom won’t be a shout away from me.

I’m excited and terrified about this next chapter in my life.

Going far away for college has always been a dream of mine, but will I be able to do it?

I know how to cook and clean and take care of myself.

How will I fare away from home? I’ve never spent more than a few weeks away from my house, and I’m used to where I am.

Maybe that’s a problem and that’s why I need to get away from Montana and explore what my life can be like across the country.

That doesn’t make the idea any less daunting. I’m going to be pretending for extended periods of time that I’m a real adult. Obviously I’m not, and I don’t know how I’ll handle it.

However, with check-in dates creeping up on me and class registration already done, I have to accept the fact that this is happening whether I want it to wait or not.

So look out, Virginia. This little Montana girl is coming to you soon, and I’m determined not to fail.

Senior Clara McClain standing in front of the main building of Southern Virginia University on on Oct. 15, 2016. Photo by Clara McClain.

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April 5, 2018 rustlernews.com

Features

14

On March 14, Biology 3-4 teacher Nathan Gregier -- AKA “The Shark” -- assists junior Logan Tracy in a dissection. Junior Karissa Birdsong cuts into a shark during second period. Juniors JJ Slater and Karissa Birdsong work together to complete the assignment. photos by Beth Britton and Trey Behling.

Erica Hill, 12

Brandon Mills, 10 Vitor Rossato, 11

Madison Robbins, 11 Mikaila Dern, 11

DISSECTION

by Breanna Hyatt, staff writer When it comes to having her students perform dissections, Biology 3-4 teacher Christine Sundly emphasizes the importance of studying the complexity of organisms.

“Mainly what we do through dissections is try to teach the way animals change through the different phylum so we look at the difference in respiratory systems for example,” Sundly said.

“We always start with the simpler animal -- not that one animal changes into another -- but we look at the simplistic organism then we move to more complex organisms.”

Sundly said the more complex an animal is, the more complex its structures are.

“So by doing various dissections we can see that increase of complexity of the structures,” she said.

Learning about dissections is

important, Sundly stressed.

“I think the main thing is that humans tend to -- and I’ve said this in Bio 3-4, too -put ourselves up on a pedestal,” she said.

Sundly, who said her favorite thing to dissect is a squid, pointed out that in order for students to understand the animals, they need to know that some animals don’t require certain things like a respiratory system, and they aren’t less important than humans.

“We think we’re the most important things ever, and that’s not true. We just don’t know a whole lot about some of these animals,” she said. “So maybe we’re the weaker ones because we need lungs.”

Senior Emily Edmister, a former student of Biology 3-4, said that a lot of things struck her interest in the class while dissecting things like sharks, frogs and squid.

“I basically enjoyed seeing all the different body parts, seeing the different

Russell Gagne, 11 Teagan Taylor, 11 Brynn Klinefelter, 11

Biology 3-4 students explore the complex systems of sharks and other organisms

origins,” Edmister said.

She is interested in biology more than She explained the most challenging any other science classes, she added. part to her is taking notes in the class but “I really like classes [that have] at the same time getting through bone to do with learning about life and when dissecting. growth,” Crabtree Edmister said the said.

“Chemistry is shark is especially not my strong suit, so “I want to learn about the challenging. learning about different body parts in humans just “You want to see the seeing how different it is from life and other types of brain, [so] you have to cut animals. I want to learn how to reproductive organisms through the skull,” she do autopsies and [forensics].” interests me a lot more said. than any other type of Emily Edmister Edmister said she science classes.” is interested in using Crabtree also admits the skills she learned in there is something forensics. challenging in the class.

“I want to learn about the different body “Probably just being confident in that parts in humans seeing how different it is you’re doing the right thing and cutting from animals,” she said. “I want to learn the right thing open and knowing that it’s how to do autopsies and [forensics].”

OK if you mess up just to have confidence Current Biology 3-4 student senior in yourself.”

Brooke Crabtree, said her favorite thing to dissect is the sharks.

“

”

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corner ... ..... .. ... . ...ART CLUB .....

club

April 5, 2018 rustlernews.com

Features

Several clubs at CMR have their spotlight and are well known. For Art Club, it’s a hidden joy for those who know about it.

Art Club is advised by teacher Betsy Rogstad this year. Rogstad and art teacher Tess Jacobs swapped responsibility of the club this year.

Rogstad loves the kids in the club the most. The activities they do vary each year.

“We do different stuff all the time,” Rogstad said. Currently the members are glass etching. Glass etching is embedding an image onto the side of a glass such as a window or cup.

The art club has an upcoming activity that will join together with Great Falls High in the spring.

“This spring we’re going to make kites,” Rogstad said. She said that the clubs will pick a day to fly the kites as a group.

The club also gives back to the community and has fundraisers about once or twice a year.

“This year we went to the nursing home for the holidays, and we painted their windows with tempera paint,” Rogstad said. She also said the money they receive from the

15

by Austin McIntosh, staff writer Tuesdays after school in room 503

Officer Clint Houston teaches the Street Law class on Thursday Mar. 28.

Photos by Trey Behling.

Art club students are working on glass etching in the club. Art club director Betsy Rogstad has plans to do kites in April with Great Falls High.

Photo by Austin McIntosh.

fundraisers go to road trips for the club. The club visits art museums around Montana.

In April 2018, the club plans to visit Montana Art Interscholastics (MAI), an annual gathering of students who have a strong connection to art at Butte High School. MAI’s goals for art kids are to provide experiences to students by introducing them to professional artists and display students’ art pieces for others to see.

It is an opportunity for art students to enjoy.

Street Law Tours by JJ Slater, staff writer There aren’t many classes that take field trips, but thanks to the Street Law class students can dive into local police departments and government facilities.

Street Law is a semester-long class open to juniors and seniors. It is taught

by Gregg Dart on Tuesday and Thursday, while Officer Clint Houston teaches on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. During the semester, students tour the police station, county jail, federal courthouse, and can take part in an optional ridealong.

Students toured the police station in February, and they received a complete tour of the building with its different sections, including patrol, investigation, and support. The students were also

shown the gym, weight room, and the room where debriefs take place.

According to junior Brynn Klinefelter, the station was bustling with jobs being done. The number of tasks that need to be completed in just the Great Falls station was surprising.

“I want to be something that has to do with law,” said Klinefelter, and Street Law provides a good first glance of that type of work for any student.

When asked about the most interesting thing she learned Klinefelter shared, “The officers gave prisoners a happy meal from McDonald’s when they were held at the police station after being arrested.”

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April 5, 2018 rustlernews.com

Features

Olson dances her way through life Foreign language students visit UM

by Holly Spragg, staff writer Athletes everywhere have practiced their sport for many years, and for some it has almost been a lifetime.

Samantha Olson is a junior who has danced since she was just over two years old. She said her mom danced when she was younger so she decided to enroll her daughter at Miss Linda’s School of Dance.

“From there the love and passion for it just grew, and I haven’t stopped dancing since,” Olson said. She added that she is now at Sole Dance Academy.

Dance is a sport with many styles, and Olson has done just about everything.

She said that she focuses in ballet, tap, contemporary, and hip hop. Her strongest style is jazz/contemporary.

“My favorite style that I have done would be Bollywood,” Olson said. “It was so interesting and fun to do.” She added that it is was cool to learn more about a different culture.

Olson and Sole Dance Academy went to a national competition in Las Vegas over the summer and won first place. She competed in the title competition and got third place.

“Along the years we’ve won and placed

highly all over Montana and the country,” she said. She added that they have won special awards such as an entertainment and technique award.

Olson said that dance has brought many things to her life, including meeting new people, seeing new places, and making memories and bonds that will last a lifetime.

“I have been dancing with the same girls since I was around 8, and that has created such a strong bond,” she said about friends and the second family she has developed through dance.

“Dance has enabled me to show how I’m feeling through movement and place a picture to words and sounds,” Olson said.

Sports have the ability to teach discipline and perseverance to the athletes who practice them.

Olson is no stranger to this.

“The passion and drive has created a motivation for me to push through anything no matter the circumstances.”

16

by Grace Carr, staff writer There is one time each year when Charles M. Russell High School students can learn how to salsa dance, have their name written in Hindu, and experience different languages. This opportunity is called Foreign Language Day. “The University of Montana Department of Foreign Languages offers it to us,” Spanish teacher Sara Buley said.

For many years, Buley has taken students interested in pursuing a language while in college to the University of Montana in Missoula. The trip took place this year on March 2, when students crawled out of bed and left Great Falls at 5:15 a.m.

“There are classes to visit and special presentations geared towards certain languages,” she said. “I think it’s a really good opportunity. It also encourages kids to go to college and continue in language, no matter what language they practice.”

There were a variety of classes students visited, including Intro to German, Intro to French, Spanish 101, Putin’s Russia, Salsa Dancing, and Dances around the World. They also learned what languages and foreign language clubs are offered at the university.

“I thought it showed me more and taught me more about other languages and the importance of learning a new language,” sophomore Jadyn Martinez said. “I definitely would recommend it for other students.”

Sophomore Teagan Tuss agreed that this experience was useful and fun.

“I learned about the study abroad program,” Tuss said. “Salsa dancing [was my favorite activity] because it was different, and it was fun.”

Tuss said she definitely encourages students to attend future trips.

“I encourage students to go because, whether or not you go to the U of M, it gives them the idea of going to a college campus while school is in progress,” Buley said. “I have really enjoyed it, and I go every time.”

S

April 5, 2018 rustlernews.com

Features

the

CO$T of prom

by Sophie Aron, staff writer For months, students anticipate prom night -- picking out the perfect dress, getting their hair done and spending the evening with a date or friends. But with the costs of prom continuing to rise the past several decades, it has created a financial burden for many families. Is it all worth it?

According to Visa Inc., the cost of prom in the United States is on average around $600, excluding promposals. With the promposal included, costs can rise above $800. With the cost being so high, the annual tradition is just out of the picture for many kids. Although there are ways to get around this high cost, such as a preThe cost of prom varies quite significantly depending on which part of the country you are in.

Northeasterns, on average, spend almost twice as much as those in the west.

Information from VISA Inc, created by Sophie Aron.

17

WAYS TO

owned dress and self-styled hair, it still is a pricey event.

While the amount of money may seem crazy to some, to others it’s worth every penny.

Senior DeLayne Doucette said she can see both sides • Shop for your dress at consignment shops, online or rent your dress/tux of the argument.

• Have a friend help you out with hair and “I think it’s a bit make-up ridiculous, but I could see how some people would • See if a friend has a dress that you could borrow, or swap previous worn dresses believe the experience is • Make your own corsage and boutonniere worth it. I personally don’t believe the price is worth the experience,” she said.

Doucette had the biggest issue with the fact that prom lasts such a short amount of time, three hours, and then after those few hours, it’s all over. Despite all of that, she has attended prom for three of her high school years with no regret.

Although many American teens don’t bat an eye when spending hundreds on prom night, Spanish exchange student Celia Aizkoretta had a hard time grasping the amount that teenagers here spend.

Aizkoretta explained that even if they had something like an American prom in Spain, she can’t imagine that people would spend the same amount of money that teenagers here do.

“I think that it’s unnecessary, in my opinion, but I can see why people spend that much. We don’t really have anything like this [in Spain], except senior graduation where people dress really nice,” she said. “People don’t like spending that much [money] because most teenagers don’t have a job, and their parents won’t pay for it.”

Although Aizkoretta doesn’t completely agree with the money spent on prom, she is glad that she had the opportunity to experience the American tradition.

SAVE

Students head south for the short spring break

by Julia Gremaux, staff writer Senior Sophie Aron and her French foreign exchange student, Gauthier Paget, filled their short five-day spring break to the maximum, starting off with Las Vegas and ending with endless beaches including Laguna Beach and Long Beach.

“I was really happy that we were able to go somewhere for spring break this year, especially to escape the cold weather! Even though I love winter a lot, it definitely was nice to get away for a bit,” Aron said. “ And of course it’s always interesting seeing the people roaming the strip, all walks of life, really. Anything from middle-aged men dressing up as women and performing lap dances to old men pretending to be babies. There is really something for everyone.”

This being her last high school spring break, Aron says it was something special to spend this time with her family.

For junior Paget, being that this was his first American spring break, seeing all of these iconic places all at once felt unreal. “[It was] such a good time and an experience printed into my mind,” Paget said.

With such an active host family, this trip wasn’t out of the ordinary as he has now seen Canada, New York, California, and most of Montana.

“It was super cool, and I was happy to be able to go explore more of the U.S. with them.”

The Aron family along with Gauthier Paget spent their spring break in Las Vegas as well as at several beaches along the California coast. Photos by Sophie Aron and

Gauthier Paget.

S Entertainment

April 5, 2018 rustlernews.com

Lights, Camera, Announcements

by Quincy Schmechel, editorial board

often have to find a new way to cover the same topic. Regarding coming up with new ideas for each announcement by the time it aires, Crosby said, “You’re kind of always a day late.”

While finding new coverage can be an onerous task, students work hard to create the announcements and try to take pride in their work.

So when teachers don’t show announcements, it’s “disappointing at times” Crosby expressed.

The announcements exist for the same reason journalism does in the world; both allow community members to understand the events and happenings in the world they Teacher Brian Crosby talks with video production students fifth are surrounded by. Knowing game period on April 3. Photo by Julia Gremaux. themes, intramural sports, and driver’s

by Emily Cappis, editoral board ed sign up dates enables students to participate in Room 228 is stacked with computers, CMR and take full advantage of the opportunities keyboards, and cameras. The room is filled it offers. with these items for a good reason: it is used to One student taking full advantage of create the daily morning announcements and video production is junior Bailey Wadsworth. for the video production class offered at CMR. Wadsworth took the class to pursue his interest in Teacher Brian Crosby, the creator of Rustler News, photography and film was tired of students not listening to intercom I knew taking the class production. announcements, so principal Dick Kloppel and “I knew taking the would supply me with the Crosby found a solution. class would supply me knowledge I would need “It incorporates my background in journalism,” with the knowledge to know about movie Crosby said.

I would need to Bailey Wadsworth know about movie Crosby believes that it is hard for students to understand the importance of journalism, but still production, “ he said. focuses on teaching them its impact in the real Wadsworth’s favorite part about the class is world. having the freedom to choose what he wants to “We spend a lot of time first semester talking cover, and how to cover it. about journalism, first amendment issues, the “[Video production] has given me great skills history of broadcast, and how that works into that will be useful in my future,” Wadsworth said. what we do,” Crosby said.

When creating the announcements, students have a short amount of time to put together something for the whole school to see. Students

“

Gabrielle Pope

Editorial Board

”

18

How premium music apps measure up

Pandora

Spotify

Apple Music

Price: $ 4.99 Student discount: No

Price: $ 9.99 Student discount: Yes

Price: $ 9.99 Student discount: Yes

Unlike its counterparts, Pandora doesn’t offer a student discount. However, it’s already the price of Spotify and Apple Music after their discounts.

Spotify knocks its price down to $4.99 per mo. upon proof of enrollment in a college. This is easy to set up and, yes, it works for students who have taken Dual Enrollment classes!

Like Spotify, Apple Music offers a student discount which bring the monthly subscription price to $4.99 upon proof of enrollment. Apple Music also works with Dual Enrollment.

Download ability: No

Download ability: Yes

Download ability: Yes

Number of songs: 1.5 mil ion

Number of songs: 30 mil ion

Number of songs: 30 mil ion

On-Demand Music: No

On-Demand Music: Yes

On-Demand Music: Yes

Social media infiltrates and affects in more ways than one Social media. It’s involved in just about every aspect of our lives. Our whole lives are as immediate as a click away. Posting photos of the food that we’re eating onto Instagram, posting our whole night on Snapchat stories, Tweeting the score of the game we’re watching -- our generation has become so equipped to share every move they make with every “friend” or “follower” they may have.

This lifestyle has many benefits, including being able to remember small things that brought joy for many years to come, connecting to people who aren’t in your life all of the time and learning a new social etiquette. But with all of the good things that social media brings, there are just about as many bad things that come out of it.

When your whole life is documented and broadcast through the lens of a cell phone, everyone becomes apparent in every second of your life. There is no selection of who can see what you’re posting and who can’t. When you post things on the web for everyone to see, that’s who sees it -- everyone. That includes potential employers, old friends, parents, grandparents, teachers -- all the people you don’t think about seeing your post can see what you’ve posted one way or another.

With the widespread use and knowledge of social media, by now most teens already know that what they post or snapchat or tweet doesn’t really ever go

away. So why do we see so many people posting unnecessary things on their social media accounts?

I think it has to do with a need to feel appreciated or noticed, whether that be in a good way or not. There are so many questionable things that I see scrolling through Twitter or flipping through snapchat stories and I’ve come to realize that people want to inform other people that they are social beings.

We take pictures with our friends and then want to show everyone that we are capable of maintaining friendships. We think of something funny and tweet about it to show others that we have a sense of humor. We rant on Facebook about the latest political move to show the world that we are educated in what is going on in the world around us. We Instagram our food to show others that we can eat healthy.

Social media provides a platform to show ourselves off in a way that we never would do in person. So if it makes you feel good, then tweet that funny thought you had, or post that cute selfie you took with you and your girls, but always keep in mind that when you put something out there, you’re putting it out there for the world to judge.

And as my Mom always says, “Don’t post things that you wouldn’t want your grandma to see.”

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April 5, 2018 rustlernews.com

Entertainment

The Russtones The jazz band

Peter Rabbit creates controversy

by Maygie Li, staff writer The movie that came out on Feb. 9 -- “Peter Rabbit” -- has created some controversy. The children’s film is about four bunny rabbits -including Peter -- who move into a friendly neighbor’s vegetable garden, but when Thomas McGregor moves into the household he is not pleased with this situation. A battle between a new owner and Peter break out in the movie.

There is a specific scene in the movie that’s causing some parents to react in a certain way, and they were not pleased with the scene whatsoever. During this segment of the movie, Peter Rabbit is flinging fruits at McGregor, but due to his allergies of blackberries, McGregor has an anaphylaxis reaction, reaches for his EpiPen and collapses.

Parents are disclosing that this movie is making light of allergies and is being insensitive of the children and how they may react to such scenes in the movie. Is it appropriate for a children’s motion picture to display such reactions and scenes?

Many parents said that scenes like this shouldn’t be exhibited in the first place, and others state that if they wish to produce such films the studio should have included a caution or trigger warning.

Erica Davis, a French teacher at CMR,

by Gauthier Paget, staff writer

has two boys around the age appropriate for a movie like Peter Rabbit, and she said she understands parents’ concerns.

“I could see if it was something really scary to [the children], something shocking like that would be scary to them,” Davis said. “If my children had severe allergies like that I’m sure I would be upset by it, too. If I thought it was scary, then I would [show them] so we could talk about it after, and it could be a teachable moment.”

Was this an insensitive disregard for allergies, or are parents overreacting? Ever since the movie’s release, parents have demanded an apology from the producers.

Based on many critical reviews, this $50 million movie is having a hard time trying to reach more than three stars.

Many claim that “Peter Rabbit” was trying too hard compared to the children’s novel

by Beatrix Potter, while some say it lacks sensitivity. The New York Times published an article that states Sony has apologized for the scene and the reaction of the movie, later on the filmmakers have also stated a formal apology.

CMR has a diversity of activities, including the CMR jazz band -- the Russtones. Chris Cloker, the band teacher, explains this band “is a group of musicians who audition to get in and they form a standard big band, that was popular during the 30’s [and] 40’s.” Jack Kittleson, a junior, plays trombone in the jazz band.

Jake loves “the energy we have of a band. We just get a lot of power.”

Kittleson was introduced to jazz in his youth.“I thought jazz was cool,” he said. He explained that he loves the freedom that you have in jazz music, and as trombone player he has an important role in the band. He can do solo and improvisation, one of the characteristics of the music genre.

Photos by Gauthier Paget.

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April 5, 2018 rustlernews.com

Entertainment

by Austin McIntosh, staff writer

ILLIAMSON BILL W

hall of fame

What is the Hall of Fame?

The Hall of Fame, located in Bill Will Hall, is a place where memories of theatre are shared everyday. It was created after drama teacher Chris Evans became interested in the history of CMR drama. He said that the more he puts things up, the more alive the history of CMR drama becomes.

D EV

IN SPRIGGS

Although Evans never met him, he heard many great things about Devin Spriggs and decided that he should be the first one on the wall because his drowning affected his class in 2010.

Q:

Q&A What is early music?

music is anything A: thatEarly is pre romantic era so anything that is before 1800.

20

by McKenzie Connell, staff writer

Steve Olson

did you choose Q: thisWhy style of music?

[Because] it’s a lot of fun, it A:offers a lot of rhythmic variety for the students, and it is just more exciting cause it’s different, [and] not a lot of people specialize in it.

do you enjoy Q: earlyWhymusic?

I think it’s the greatest Q: How was the concert?

A:genre, because it offers such a wide variety of harmonic great, it was A:a lotIt was exploration and it takes of fun and I think people who specialize in it to be able to play it, or play it well.

the audience really enjoyed it and the kids had fun.

SPENCER TOM The hall of fame is named after Tom Spencer. He taught for 44 years. He taught Evans a lot about drama and stagecraft when he was in high school.

PA THE

RENTS

“I wanted to thank the parents for sacrificing, for sitting out in the car in 30 below waiting for their kid to get out of rehearsals,” Evans said.

All Northwest: The Process

Top: Matthew Mickolio focuses on his concert. Bottom: Malcolm Contreras, viola player. Far Left: Chamber Orchestra bows to the cheers of the audience.

Left: Concert Orchestra student performs. Photos by Beth Britton.

DE LUND CLY The first drama teacher in the history of CMR. He is currently a professional actor in Minnesota.

DICK

KLOPPEL Principal

of CMR from 2000 to 2015. He entered the hall of fame in 2015. “He was one of the greatest girls basketball coaches in Montana who supported the arts, and we wanted to say thanks,” Evans said.

E HAYNES

S h e never wanted to be an actor, so she got into casting. She graduated in 1978 and works as a casting director in Hollywood, extensively specializing in casting Native actors.

REN

The choir members who made All Northwest in March were sophomore Brennan Clements, Abby Allison, Leanna Schearer, Serena Hinojosa, Maddy Griessmer, Courtney Flickner, Bearen Buckler. Not pictured: Karissa Birdsong, Audrey Bateman, and Jozette Wells.

Photo by Dorla Gittins.

O’ PAT

C O N NE LL

“ P a t O’Connell has been journaling the history of CMR for a long time,” Evans said. To discover what’s’ been happening in school, take a look at the thousands of pictures he has taken, for free.

by Dorla Gittins, staff writer All Northwest is an honors choir festival for high school singers. It includes six northwest states -- Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana. This year, All Northwest was held in Portland, Ore., on March 7-10, and 10 CMR choir students participated.

“It’s an incredible experience [to be a part of],” choir teacher Lynn Ryan, who is on the board of directors for All-Northwest, said. “It’s a huge honor.”

Ryan said the audition process is extensive, and that the 160 students selected to be part of AllNorthwest work with a famous director for several days. The students also attend a dance and explore the city, she added.

One singer who experienced All Northwest is sophomore tenor Brennan Clements.

Clements said the audition process was not difficult.

“Well, the audition itself was relatively easy,” he said. “We only had to sing about a 30-second tune.”

Clements said that he sent in a recording for the audition.

“In 7th and 8th grade before I moved here the auditions for the honor choirs I was in were in front of judges, and I only had one shot to get in,” he said.

“With this format I was able to record and pick the best recording to send in.”

In the end, Clements had a good experience.

“It was good, but it was exhausting,” he said. “We pretty much had a two-to three-hour rehearsal before and after every meal.”

The participants did more than rehearse, he added.

“Well, we had two hours for every meal so I was able to walk around and see stuff, and we had a dance on Friday night which was fun.”

S Sports

Rustlers raise rug at State AA

by Quincy Schmechel, editorial board On March 8, both boys and girls basketball headed to Billings for the AA State Tournament. After an exhausting weekend culminating in the championship on March 10, the Rustler boys came away with a golden state title and a rug for the Thunderdome. Despite the Lady Rustlers’ fighting efforts, both their Thursday and Friday games resulted in emotional losses against Billings West and Helena High School.

The tournament started off as the boys faced off against the Glacier Wolf Pack on Thursday in an electric game culminating in a victory for the Rustlers of 51-49 after a nail biting overtime. Junior Bryce Depping shined at the freethrow line throughout the game.

“The first game was intense,” Depping said. “We got down by, like, 15. But we came back. We cut it to 5. Then they got up again, then we came back, cut them down, and tied it,” he recalled.

Depping says that the first game of state had its own pressures -- a giant arena, more spectators than the Thunderdome could ever hold, and far higher stakes.

“After we tied it, we won,” Depping recounted. “But I think that’s what made it so nerve-wracking for the fans; we were the one seed and they were the four seed.”

Depping said that in tight situations like the overtime against Glacier, it’s important to keep a level head. He said that despite the intensity he experienced at state, he was confident in the Rustlers’ victory after overcoming a 15 point deficit.

SPRING Sports

By Gauthier Paget, staff writter

Track and Field Long distance runner Gordon Gentry is a member of the 2018 track and field team. Gordon Gentry said he just wants to “have a good track team and be really competitive.” His goal for the 2018 season is to “go to state by running qualify times and placing at individuals.”

He was doing cross country at the beginning of the year. “Building a team relationship“ is something he enjoys. “I just enjoy running and team sports.”

April 5, 2018 rustlernews.com “I was more nervous when we were down by 15,” he said. “But when we cut it, you kind of knew we’d come back and win.”

Depping notes that a lot of other teams would have struggled to make the comeback, but the Rustlers’ “teamwork and unselfishness” set them apart.

Senior Sam Vining also felt that the Rustlers’ identity as a team carried them through the tournament.

“Playing at State was really unfamiliar,” he said. “Since none of us had ever made it, in the beginning of the first game we were kind of timid and nervous.”

Vining said that the unfamiliarity and nerves the team encountered didn’t hold them down long, though.

“Once we got a feel for what it was like to play at State, we became more confident and we rode that confidence throughout the tournament,” he said.

That confidence shone as the Rustlers faced the third crosstown clash of the season on Friday, when they met the Bison in the semifinals at the Metra.

“I thought it went good for us,” Depping recounted casually. “We got the ball moving right away and whooped them pretty bad.”

Depping said that the Rustlers learned from the tight game the night before.

“We came out like we were supposed to,” he said. “We didn’t play slow like we did the first game.”

Senior Garrison Rothwell said that the Glacier game also helped him find his footing in the tournament, and spurred him to overcome his nerves as he headed into the semifinals against Great Falls High.

“I was a little nervous, knowing that they were a good team,” Rothwell said, noting the Bison’s 2nd rank in the state and 3rd place at divisionals. As the Rustlers rode their momentum to cruise past the Bison, winning 62-38, Rothwell said the victory was about more than advancing in the bracket.

“The main part of the game against [Great Falls High] was not only to go to the championship, but it also proved who was the better team,” Rothwell said. “They had won one and we had won one, so it was the tie-breaker. There was pressure on the whole team, but nothing we couldn’t handle.”

Vining agrees that there were few pressures the Rustlers couldn’t handle on the court.

Tennis Exchange student Celia Aizkorreta of Spain is competing on the CMR tennis team this year.

“It’s a big team. I thought it’s going to be a smaller team,” she said.

Aizkorreta used to play tennis in Spain, she said. “[I] wanted “do something that I knew,” Aizkoretta said. “I’ve done it for a long time.”

She likes the sport at school.

“There are a lot more people to play and hang with,” she said. Joining the tennis team was an opportunity for her to make friends and improve her game.

Photo by Julia Gremaux

21

“As individuals, we were all capable shooters and defenders,” he said. “What set us apart was how well we played together and how smart we played.”

Rothwell agreed.

“As individuals, I think our overall want for winning State is what helped each of us to play as a team rather than someone playing for themself,” Rothwell said.

“It’s all about our unselfishness, it’s how good of a team we were,” said Bryce Depping about the winning mentality that carried the Rustlers into the championship against Bozeman. “We knew our roles on the team, and we knew what we had to do.”

Depping recounted going into the championship game.

He said the boys were ready to play after their hefty victory against the Bison, and they started off the same way: quick, confident, and ready to control the pace of the game as they moved the ball around the court.

“We came out right away,” he said. “They scored five quick ones, and then we came back and started playing fast the whole game. From there, it was a clearcut win.”

Rothwell also noted the importance of the Rustlers’ starting momentum.

“By the championship game, we all knew how we had to start off,” he said. “Beating Bozeman three times before really helped with the overall [mentality] of going into the championship game.”

As the buzzer rang and the scoreboard displayed the Rustlers’ victory of 81-69 over the Hawks, there was an overwhelming sense of accomplishment, pride, and excitement in the arena; but for those on the court, it went farther than another simple win or even a state title.

“As a team, we had all played together for a long time,” Rothwell explained. “Most of us were on a travel team together through elementary and middle school.

“Being able to hang a rug was an amazing feeling because it will always be there as a reminder of getting to play, to see each other every day, and [of] the friendship we all have.”

“It was the best feeling ever to hang a rug with some of your best friends,” Vining agreed. He also expressed that the victory was made sweeter due to the obstacles the Rustlers overcame as they found their identity as a team.

Rothwell concluded, saying, “The feeling was amazing, being able to win. But not only to win; to win with all my friends and showing how hard we worked.”

Softball Softball player Madi Moore said she wants to put “a lot of effort and definitely work hard for a great softball season.”

Her goal for the 2018 season, she said, is to “stay calm on the mound, have a good batting average this year, and keep my team motivated.”

Moore has played softball for a long time. She started to play because her “mom played for the University of California - Los Angeles.

“I want to show her that I can get as high as she can,” Moore said. “I want to show her that her daughter can do the same thing.”

She loves this sport after nine years of practice.

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April 5, 2018 rustlernews.com

Sports

GFAHSL plays on the local level

by JJ Slater, staff writer Club sports can form many friendships that no one could see coming, and sophomore Keaton Slater is no exception to this. Over his nine years of playing and his first season on the Great Falls Americans High School hockey team, he has noticed this team compared to others he has played on is “more close knit” and that “[we are] a lot closer friends.”

The practices and games help the different grade levels mingle and create strong friendships.

These relationships don’t only apply to teammates but also coaches, Slater said, and he plans on playing for head coach Aaron Quick his entire high school career so a healthy coach-player relationship is key.

During his first year on the high school team, Slater said he experienced memorable moments, but his favorite was the team’s win over Havre. It was their first win and a needed one, too. “[We] beat them pretty hard,” he said.

Slater is not alone in his love of the sport.

During his 14 years of playing hockey, the dedication and love he has for the game is apparent in senior Jamison Mclain. The last four years he has spent his time playing for the Americans High School Hockey team.

The 2017-18 season paid off in the aspect of becoming a captain and his responsibilities of being a positive influence, setting working expectations for the team, and helping the team succeed.

Even though Mclain said it wasn’t the greatest season due to having a young team, he drew enough attention from the University of Providence to be signed for the next college school year. He has and will continue to be playing the forward position.

In the end, Mclain said he will take away many memories from these four years of high school league, including playing his first high school game playing alongside his brother, Kelby.

Great Falls lacrosse team thrown into action

by Gabrielle Pope, online edior she got introduced to lacrosse five years ago and became The Great Falls Fury lacrosse team is back in full swing even more engaged through the years, being able to call with two great captains leading the team. Sophomore Izzy herself captain has been quite an honor.

Castriz, who started playing lacrosse in the second grade, “It felt like a huge accomplishment, so being captain is now helping senior Maddy Griessmer lead the team to a showed that I tried really hard,” she said. With a sense of successful season. gratitude comes a sense of worry, that her co-captain Castriz Castriz used to live in Florida, where the sport was more is feeling. widespread.

“There’s a lot of pressure to be everywhere and be on “Everyone played there. It was the most time. That is going to be a pretty difficult part. common sport. Every boy and girl played I wish people knew I also have to be on top of everything so I know it. It was probably even more popular than what to tell my teammates when they have football,” she said. Castriz said when she more about lacrosse. questions,” Castriz said. She is not only worried moved to Montana and the sport was not as about the new sense of responsibility, but she Izzy Castriz well known, it was kind of shocking to her. is also ready to gain a new perspective from the Griessmer got introduced to the sport in a completely team. different manner from Castriz.

“I was really excited. I thought it was a cool opportunity, I thought it would be cool to start off a new sport, and I and I was up for the challenge,” she said. also really liked it in gym class,” she said. Griessmer wasn’t The one thing that both captains feel is lacking is the love expecting to fall in love with the sport as much as she did, but and recollection of lacrosse through the town. Castriz said the sport isn’t the only thing that she loves about lacrosse. it might be hard to support this year’s season in the stands “I honestly just love the sport. It’s really fun, and I love the because there is only one home game, but she wishes that team. We’re all wild together,” she said. there was more that people knew about the sport in general.

Playing on a team has had more benefits for Griessmer “I wish people knew more about lacrosse. Since some than just having fun. people don’t really know a lot about the sport they kind of “Being on a team has definitely helped to boost my underestimate all the work that goes into it. I think that confidence. I’ve also learned how to stand up for what I people don’t take it as seriously as if I were to play softball or believe in more,” she said. Castriz has similar thoughts as to volleyball or something. I honestly believe that is just a lack what importance being on a team has brought her. of knowledge,” Castriz said.

“It’s so nice to be a part of a team. Essentially we’re a Griessmer claims that the sport is one of the most fun family. Because we are together everyday and we all travel sports to play, and the group of girls that make up the Great every weekend so it’s really nice to have a group of girls that Falls Fury make the sport even more entertaining. you know have your back,” she said.

“I want to expand the love of lacrosse through the town,” Being captain of the lacrosse team has its perks and Griessmer said. downfalls for the girls, but they are both eager to help guide If you would like to come support the Great Falls Fury in the team in the best way possible. action, come to their home game on May 5.

Griessmer wasn’t too fond of sports growing up, so when

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March Madness:

Tournament engages the CMR staff and students

by Quinn Soltesz, staff writer Springs means a multitude of things to people: the change of the seasons, a break from work or school, and the annual NCAA March Madness Tournament.

This gathering of the 64 best college basketball teams is greeted each year with intense bracket making, friendly competition, and, most importantly, excitement.

Charles M. Russell High School is no exception to this enthusiasm.

March Madness has taken over classrooms in a variety of ways.

Science rooms Great Falls Americans High School poster for the 2017-2018 season. have started a Photo by JJ Slater.

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March Mammal Madness competition where students choose which mammal they think would win in a fight. The winner is then determined by a panel of nationwide evolutionary biologists.

Students enrolled in Spanish or French 3-4, 5-6, and 7-8 have the opportunity each day to participate in March Music Madness. The songs are all from Latin or French artists and are sung entirely in the languages being learned.

In his sophomore English class, Jeremy Comstock has continued his annual tradition of a “Haiku Battle Bracket.” In this twist on the NCAA Tournament, English students have five minutes to create a haiku which is judged against a fellow student’s.

Comstock explained his love for the competition and why he chooses to implement it in his classroom.

“One of the ways to avoid staring off

into the abyss is to throw yourself into things like college basketball,” he said.

Bracket-busting games have long been occurring for those who follow the tournament. Even when he went to high school, March Madness was something every student looked forward to.

“I used to have to sneak a portable TV, with an antenna, to watch games during the day. Now kids can just stream them,” Comstock said.

Sophomore Hayley Cochran follows the NCAA tournament, even entering into bracket leagues with her friends and family.

“It becomes a really big competition within my family. We bet [on the tournament],” she said.

No matter which team cuts down the net, the C. M. Russell community will continue to enjoy March Madness for years to come.

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April 5, 2018 rustlernews.com

Sports

Seniors look to continue their athletic careers in college

by Callan Garner, staff writer Sports season may be over for some Rustler athletes, but for others -- including senior Liam Sexton -- it is just beginning.

After playing football for upwards of seven years, Sexton is finally seeing all of his hard work and effort pay off. Sexton has been recruited by two schools to play college football. Both Carroll College in Helena and Rocky Mountain College in Billings asked Sexton to sign with them for the upcoming college years. Going with the school where he felt more comfortable and at home, Sexton signed with Rocky Mountain College. “[It] felt like I could grow as a player and as a person as well,” Sexton said. “[I] really enjoy being out there in the game itself.”

Signing with a college allows an athlete to continue his/ her athletics at the collegiate level.

Offering different benefits, some colleges an offer financial aid and others just give the reassurance of having a solid home for the next four years.

Both Sexton and senior Akasia Denton said this was one of the biggest benefits of being able to sign with their colleges.

“I would say the biggest benefit I have now is peace of mind knowing I have a home for the next four years,” Denton said.

After signing with Rocky Mountain College, Denton, like Sexton, will also be going up to Billings in the fall of 2019.

Having to prepare for the upcoming seasons, all athletes who sign must work to maintain or improve their physical fitness, along with learning what the colleges expect.

“As a freshman I will definitely be smaller (than the previous athletes). I need to make sure I am strong enough and that I can compete at a collegiate and high caliber level, much like the other kids,” said senior Matt Houlihan, who signed with MSU Billings for baseball. “I don’t want to be the freshman on the bench. I want to be out there playing.”

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Liam Sexton ~ Football

Rocky Mountain College in Billings Major in psychology Honorable mention linebacker for all state Captain Lettered Senior year Photo courtesy of Liam Sexton.

Akasia Denton ~ Basketball

Rocky Mountain College in Billings Double major in communications

and psychology Shooting Guard

Photo courtesy of Akasia Denton.

Matt Houlihan ~ Baseball

Montana State University - Billings Majoring in physical therapy Played baseball since he was five Won Most Improved player

Photo courtesy of Matt Houlihan.

Crabtree’s early start to the sport helps develop her love of softball

photos by Julia Gremaux

Senior reflects, prepares for final tennis season

by Grace Carr, staff writer Watching her tennis coach accidently get hit in the face with a ball is one of the many highlights of Serena Hinojosa’s tennis career.

Hinojosa is a senior at Charles M. Russell High School, and she currently plays singles, but she played doubles for the first two years of her tennis career.

“I’ve been playing since my freshman year, but I’ve been on varsity since sophomore year,” she said. “My little brother just started playing, but I am the first in my family to start playing.”

Hinojosa said she is excited to play this season because her seniority allows her to compete at the level she wants to. She is also looking forward to taking more trips this year.

“The trips are really fun,” she said. “It’s like a bonding experience. It’s a great way to meet people from across the state.”

Her memories from last year also add to her excitement for the upcoming season.

“On the bus rides home we would sing obnoxious songs,” she said. “And the trip to Billings [was my favorite] because we got to pay a lot of games.”

by Kaylebb Stahmer, staff writer Part of the draw softball has for senior Brooke Crabtree is the fact that it influences a possible career field. Crabtree wants to be a PTA, or a physical therapy assistant. She said softball can help her in this field because it has taught her that muscles and everything in the body is joined together, and all of that influences your mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing.

As a softball player at CMR, where she has played since her freshman year, Crabtree remembers that she started her softball career in 4th grade when her parents took her to softball tryouts. She has played ever since.

“My parents took me to the tryouts, and I never played softball before that. Before I did softball I did swimming and it just wasn’t my gig. I wasn’t a fan of swimming as much, and then softball just took over and I really enjoy it,” she said.

Crabtree’s favorite part of softball is her relationships she has with her teammates and the life lessons she never thought she would learn.

“I enjoy the relationships I’ve built with my teammates and probably just the fact that you’re always active, you’re always part of a team here, you’re going to learn something new every day, and even past softball you’ll learn life lessons you never

thought you would learn,” she said.

Crabtree thinks highly of the softball program at CMR and is appreciative of the coaches and the other girls on the team.

“Softball at CMR is a great program; it has great coaches, it is a very consistent program in regards to the coaching staff and the learning ability that everyone partakes in,” Crabtree said. “It’s full of great girls. We’re all held up to high standards, and even past being an athlete, you have to be a student athlete.”

She’s very thankful for the coaches, and looks forward to this being a great season.

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April 5, 2018 rustlernews.com

Back Page

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A FULL-CULTURE IMMERSION

Immersion program expands with bison harvest

by Mackenzie George, editor in chief The Native American immersion program that Paris Gibson Education Center unveiled last fall sparked renewed interest in education and culture for many Native American students.

Now, well into its second year, the school is thriving under the direction of Jordann Lankford.

The immersion school, home to about 30 students last year, became a safe haven as well as a fun, stimulating learning environment.

From first bell to last, the classroom is abuzz with discussion and packed with culture. Students smudge -- a traditional spiritual cleansing -- before settling into a curriculum carefully crafted with both Native American and Great Falls Public School curriculum elements, which teacher Jordann Lankford wrote last year.

Only one student in the immersion school qualified as a senior last year. Thanks to Lankford and the new curriculum, she caught up on units and graduated on time. Of the 24 students currently enrolled in the immersion program, 18 worked with Lankford last year.

“Our retention goal was 50 percent,” PGEC Principal Drew Uecker said. “We decided if we kept 50 percent of these kids, that would be a success. And we’re well over that now.”

Last year, Lankford split her time between CMR and Paris.

Now, she works with the immersion kids full-time four days a week.

“It’s a little bit more helpful just because I’m here for them longer and so they use me as a resource for longer,” Lankford said. “It’s more concentrated.”

One of the keys to the program is having someone like Lankford at the helm; as Uecker said, she acts as a mentor and “somebody that just understands some of the struggle, understands the trauma they have dealt with,” he explained.

“Being part of a group is huge for them,” he added. “It’s not going from class to class. They just need that comfort and security of being part of a group.”

The curriculum certainly aids in this idea. Bison harvests

-- a new addition to the program this year -- has allowed students to truly meld their high school education with their culture. Just as it was crucial for tribes to utilize all parts of the bison, the immersion students take care to use the animal in nearly every facet of their education.

“We’ve been able to do art projects from the materials of the bison; we do culinary arts because we use the bison meat,” Lankford said. “They got biology units [for harvesting the bison], but from that, they’ve done art, culinary arts, and community service projects with it.”

Though community service is requisite for some students, everyone participates in these activities. Lankford explained that the immersion school did a community feed with the bison. They also created their own hand drums with the hide, which are displayed at Paris in an art case.

“They’re phenomenal,” Uecker said.

The immersion program, joined by CMR and GFH students, carried out a second harvest on March 20.

“I definitely see them growing as people as far as having more ambition to get projects done. They’re always like, ‘Can we do something for the Rescue Mission?’” Lankford said with a smile. “Just around school, too, I hear them all the time with other adults, and they’ll say, ‘Can I help you with this?’

Or they come in and they say good morning, or I hear them interacting with other people, and it’s ‘please,’ and ‘thank you.’”

This year, all six seniors are on track to graduate. Lankford said the loss of the lone senior was “still sad, but these are the kids that I started with.

“Now they’re going to graduate. It’s really, really awesome, but -- I’m just being selfish and it’s sad,” Lankford said. “It’s really fun to watch them grow and have the confidence to interact in situations that they might not normally have when they first started.”

Students from the immersion school headed to Fort Belknap on March 20 in order to perform their second bison harvest of the year. The students utilize every part of the bison in order to prevent waste. They were accompanied by multiple adults, including their teacher Jordann Lankford, who said “it’s really fun” to watch the students grow over the course of the school year. Photos courtesy of Drew Uecker.