CMR Stampede Dec. 2011 by CMR Stampede

the

stampede

shining stars

Students rustle up some Christmas spirit

An open forum for student expression NEWS....................Frutti Tutti: Music students manage the distribution of tons of fruit pg. 02 OPINION...................A New Resolve: Tips for realizing those resolutions pg. 07 ENTERTAINMENT...................Youth Groups: Establishing Wednesday connections pg. 09 FEATURES...................Caffeine Cravings: Feeding the coffee, soda addiction pg. 11 SPORTS...................Diving In: CMR swimmers prepare for the season pg. 20

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c.m. russell high school great falls, mont. dec. 15, 2011 vol. 47, issue 4

happeningnow

Reality check: You do in fact have a voice. No. Seriously. I know that that is hard to believe. Adults everywhere have spent the past 14 to 18 years attempting to convince you otherwise. But you do have a voice, and you can exercise it. There is a downside though. Unfortunatly, because most adults refuse to listen to our voices, we need to speak in unusual ways. “Real” adults have the luxury of simply speaking. We are confined (primarily) to speaking through our money. And CMR students are already speaking out. Regardless of whether grinding is “okay,” the students of CMR said that they wanted to be able to grind at dances. Because of that, they didn’t buy enough tickets for Morp. And that’s amazing. Just because teenagers are younger than adults doesn’t mean that our opinions should be discounted. And we should voice them at any opportunity. Being involved and speaking out is a crucial part of growing up. Maybe teenagers have to do so with their dollars. This might mean shopping at stores that listen to the opinions of teenagers. Or boycotting a school dance because they don’t agree with a new policy. Regardless, students need to speak up. The more students allow adults to repress their opinions, the less other adults will care about their opinions, and the less teenagers will have the power to make a difference. Teenagers have the ability to make a difference, but this will only happen if we use our voices, through any way possible. So speak out. Because you do have a voice. I promise.

Indulging your citrus tooth

Students also sell combination sausage by caroline perkins When waking up on a chilly winter morning, there’s a variety of and cheese boxes, candy, nuts, foods that one could eat for breakfast, but band director Russ Kel- and coffee. “The boxes with three logg said he loves to eat “grapefruit with honey.” It’s a good thing that he likes grapefruit because each December things was our idea,” Dell said. Tour offers students the experience of going to a difhe and his students are surrounded by the large citrus – and everyferent part of the United States, where they play music for smaller thing else that they sell to make money for the music department. Every year, Great Falls gets the fruit fever, and spends thou- schools and with college students. If a student doesn’t raise the sands of dollars on what has become an annual tradition for fami- amount of money required for tour, they have the option of paying lies. With an assortment of fruit – including Gala apples, oranges the difference. Senior Becca Harden, a member of the Chanteur choir, was the and pears -- to bags of raspberry gummies and Sunkist Fruit Gems, top choral seller, with sales exceedKellogg said residents try to buy as ing $1300. much as they can, even after the sale She admits that she doesn’t finished. have to do that much to make that “It’s like Boy Scout popcorn amount of money. and Girl Scout cookies,” he said. “I keep it pretty simple,” she Great Falls residents wait for the said. “I don’t go door to door. Peochoir, band, and orchestra students ple take it to offices.” to hand them an order form each The goal this year for each stuyear. The students sold more than dent was $450. In Chanteur, Hard$102,760 in product -- easily 24 tons en said only 19 out of 55 students of fruit in one month. made that goal. Since she is a senior, The music department holds the Harden said she really wants to go annual fruit sales to raise money for on tour so she jokingly told her felmany things, including tour for the low musicians that “ if you don’t three top groups. Equipment for the make money, I will kill you.” music department is also purchased Conducting the annual sale is with the proceeds. Forty percent of hard work, Kellogg admits. everything sold goes to the music Packing fruit into a car, seniors Jordan Kemp (left) and Gabriella Kaiser carry boxes of oranges on Dec. 8. Photo by Kelsey Smith. “Even with hundreds of teenagdepartment. ers turning in their order and trying By selling fruit, the instrumentalists and vocalists earn their way on tour and get experiences they to deliver the fruit they sold, I still look at the positives we’re getting out of doing the sell,” he said. might not otherwise have. And with all that’s going on, Kellogg still manages to make fruit But fundraising was not always centered around fruit. Instead of selling fruit, student musicians sold fruit cakes, delivering them fun. “I think I’d probably be a cherry because I’m really sweet, or a in the student parking lot instead of the fairgrounds. “Our fruit cakes had high alcohol content --made with rum,” raspberry because there’s a little bit of an edge to them.” orchestra director Dennis Dell said. “The older people were glad.” While fruit is the top seller, it’s not the only kind of food sold.

24 TONS of FRUIT

18000 16000 14000

Pounds of Fruit

katie hodges

print editor-in-chief

Chasing Sanity

Dec. 15, 2011 The Stampede

12000

10000

243 baby elephants that weigh 200lbs.

161 offensive linemen who weigh 300lbs.

8000 6000 4000 2000 0 Gala Apples

Del. Apples

Gr. Smith Pears Oranges Grapefruit Apples Types of Fruit Sold

is EQUAL to...

24 cars that weigh 4000lbs.

9,700

purses that weigh 5lbs.

388,000

eggs that weigh 2 oz.

Dec. 15, 2011 The Stampede

Cheer squad gives exchange students new sense of home

Playing for the FAITHFUL

Jake Settera helps band open for BarlowGirl in Minneapolis by jake settera

After spending 17 hours on a train, talking to a drunken old man, paying $25 for a cold steak, and getting no sufficient sleep whatsoever, one could only hope that something better was to come. In this aspect, I was entirely right. Recently I traveled to Minneapolis MN with three fellow band members, and four more accomplices. Our mission was to merely open for a concert, on December 4th, in a church suspecting 1500 attendees, no big deal right? Not so much. It turned out to be much more than that. It evolved into a ministry opportunity, a bonding experience, and overall just a fun time. We went with the name “Candra,” it was the title of our worship leader’s recently released CD, and it was simple. The following two acts of the night were Ross Turner, 2006 worship songwriter of the year, then BarlowGirl, bestselling new Christian artist of 2004, and nine time nominee of the GMA Dove awards. It was an amazing experience to travel 900 miles across the country to do a very out of the ordinary thing for a Sunday worship team. “The coolest part of our trip was that we went with the intention to do ministry,

After two laps and some energizing stretches, foreign exchange students Ida Anderson and Verna Weber are exited and ready for practice. Photo by Deja Lacey

three months later we were looking at nothing. At 11oclock Saturday night we were informed that we would be conducting the worship session the next morning at Maranatha Assembly of God in Forrest Lake Minneapolis.” Lead singer and pianist Candra Niswanger said, “It was totally a god thing that was laid in our lap.” Her daughter Madyson Oakes, senior, managed the merchandise booth. “I loved the atmosphere and hope in the future we get to do it again! “She said. “I also enjoyed watching my mom, she did amazing and this is only this beginning.” Niswanger said she hopes to do similar events in the future, “I think we will continue to try and do these kinds of events,” She said. “It’s my heart and I want to continue this for sure.” Niswanger is a singer, songwriter, published author, and currently the worship pastor at Faith Center Foursquare Church in Great Falls. We as a band are currently working on a new album, and we performed two songs from this new album at the event, and two from our previous album. If you would like more information about our ministry, visit www.candraall4him.com.

by deja Lacey

From top to bottom, Candra opens with her band for the BarlowGirl Concert in Minneapolis Dec. 4, Jake Settera sings at a practice in his home church, Settera stands on center stage several hours before the performance. Photos courtesy of Payton Oakes.

Gå, kjemp, vinn! No matter what language you say it in it all means the same thing: go, fight, win! Before coming to Montana, Ida Andersen and Verna Weber both knew that they wanted to be a part of a cheer squad. The cheer squad gives Andersen a sense of belonging and a feeling of school spirit, and it allows Weber to enjoy her high school experience. “Cheerleading just makes more sense here. I don’t think I would have joined in Norway,” Andersen said. Other than the focus of the team, the cheer attire is more explicit and revealing in America. “I don’t think I would be comfortable in the outfits because I would worry about showing too much,” Andersen said. “The tops reveal the girls’ bellies, and the skirts are very short,” Weber said. Even though styles are different in their home countries, they both agree that it’s OK because this is not home. “Some things are different because we aren’t in Austria, but I think my friends would be proud of me because I got what I wanted. I was proud of myself when I made the team,” Weber said. According to Andersen, sometimes the biggest fear in someone’s life is “not being able to remember the steps because if one person messes up its affects the entire team. I hope to be a good representative of the school.”

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Happy New Year from Key Club! Come meet with Key Club! Tuesday at 6 p.m. in room 325

Happy Holidays! from

CMR Journalism Happy New Year!

Dec. 15, 2011 The Stampede

Yuletide philanthropy The Giving Tree inspires holiday helpfulness

Right: A 15-year-old male’s tag is left on the tree for someone to take and buy a Christmas gift for. His favorite colors are red, green, and black, and his shoe size is ten. He wishes for an iPod Nano this Christmas. Top and middle: Counselors Jacie Schoenen and Brenda Lowry helped start the tradition of the giving tree in the office, giving students a chance to help out during the holiday season. Photos by Kelsey Smith.

by lindsey buck You won’t find your brand new Xbox 360 hidden in the branches, or your favorite ugly ornament hanging, or that dusty old star from last year at the top. Your cheeks will be rosy red for a very different reason this year. “It’s a demonstration of giving and the good feelings that come with,” teacher Dave Stukey said. As a member of The Company, Stukey has had the opportunity to participate in what most would call a noble program: the giving tree. The giving tree inspires vast amount of students to get involved with helping others during the holiday season. Tags are hung from a tree with specific ages and genders of children of impoverished families. Students have many tags to choose from, and can select a child to buy a present for. “They identify needy families. You see kids who go without and it’s sad,” Stukey said. Stukey recalls his inspiration for being so involved in the program as a desire to help others due to his gratitude for his own life. Also inspired by the humbleness that comes from helping others, counselor Jacie Schoenen recalls that she first got the idea of incorporating a giving tree into the counseling office from Great Falls High.

“We saw all these gifts. We didn’t know anything about it. We started talking and we knew we had to do it here,” she said. Even through a late start on Dec. 1, 28 students were registered for the giving tree in 2010. This year, however, 60 CMR students are participants in the giving tree. According to Schoenen, part of her inspiration for her activeness in the program comes from a student nominated for the giving tree. This student explained that he had a job and did not need extra help during the holiday season, and even turned around and pulled his own tag from the tree to help someone else out. “I think it’s great to help your family. We’re a family here,” Schoenen said. With the inspiration from the tree, other departments of CMR are also getting involved. Members of HOSA are putting together items to send to Afghanistan to help soldiers, while various classrooms are arranging baskets to help the Great Falls Rescue Mission. Key Club is also putting together food baskets to help needy families. “Kids are kids regardless of geography,” Schoenen said, “I think it all makes you realize that you’re part of something bigger.”

Becky Parsons sets example, helps 11-year-old by lindsey buck A pack of Crayola crayons and the movie “Flipper” was all it took. “What mainly inspired me was knowing that families can’t afford to spend money on Christmas, so getting someone a Christmas present that is less fortunate will make their Christmas ten times better,” senior Rebecca Parsons said. As a company manager, Parsons is one of many students to participate in this year’s giving tree, an event that allows students to purchase gifts for needy students in the community and at CMR. According to Parsons, her drawing of an 11-year-old girl has taught her “the happiness of being able to help out the less fortunate.” Even though the holiday season is a crucial time for giving, Parsons said she believes that “people should be giving all year round.” I think there are a lot of [lessons taught] but the biggest would probably be not taking advantage of what you really have and finding ways to serve the community,” Parsons said. Parsons said she highly encourages other students to get involved with the giving tree, as it teaches life lessons as well as putting a smile on a child’s face. “When we get older we will know how great of a feeling it is to be able to share and give to others.”

Dec. 15, 2011 The Stampede

Students prepare to graduate at semester

Early grads work to start life after high school

Students Danisha Robinson, Kayleigh Handa and Karlie Reilly work together in their early graduate first period English class on Dec. 5. Photo by Alyssa McClain.

by whisper harris

Early graduation is one of the most rewarding experiences for some students. This year, there are 10 students who have decided that early graduation is for them. At the end of first semester they will say “goodbye” to CMR and “hello” to a life outside of high school. Student Skye Ljunggren said that she decided to graduate early because she “wanted to focus more on life outside of high school and get a jump start on some of [her] college courses.” College is one of the major reasons why students choose to

graduate early, but not the only reason. According to counselor Julie Graham, there are several reasons why students graduate early, including having time to spend with family and friends, being able to work and save money for college, and some students just want to be done with high school. There are other reasons, but Graham said that the reason is not what makes the difference. It’s “each student’s self determination and willingness to work hard,” that truly makes the difference, she added. To someone who has no idea what it’s like to graduate early, it may seem hard knowing that a whole year of English must be put into one semester, but Early Graduate English 8 teacher Brian Crosby said it is possible. “I don’t think that you have to learn English 7 to take English 8,” he said.“The early graduate class is treated just like the regular English classes I teach.” Most of the students participating in early graduation agree that it hasn’t been too hard. “So far it has been easy because of all the helpful teachers and counselors,” senior Karlie Reilly said. “It was a little more work, but it wasn’t too difficult,” senior Chantry Navarro said. Students agree that the overall process has not been too hard. But do they feel that they made the right choice? Reilly does. “I knew I made the right choice the moment I decided to Chantry Navarro in his first period early graduate class on Dec. 5 Photo by Alyssa McClain. graduate.”

Making choices, early graduation by whisper harris

Seth Garrett, one of the ten early graduates reads a book during his first period English class on Dec. 5 Photo by Alyssa McClain.

If a freshman, sophomore, or junior is considering early graduation, they first need to talk to thier counselor. Together, they will see how many credits the student has. If at the end of junior year they have enough credits to complete only the required classes of English 8 and Government with 23 credits it will be possible to graduate early. When that is done you will fill out academic variance paperwork. The committee will then approve it or not. If approved here’s what in store for senior year: Students must complete English 7 in summer

school or take it during the year, so that going into the school year they can take early graduate English 8. They will also have to complete their government credit. If from there they have the required credits then you can take electives or have opens. If class credits are still required, then those must be completed. Students who choose this path complete their high school education at the end of the first semester of their senior year. As for “graduating,” early graduates are welcome to come back and walk with their class at graduation.

Tramelli named top Montana associate principal of 2012 by greighsen adams

With countless hours of hard work and dedication, Julie Tramelli has been able to do more than ever before. One of CMR’s three associate principals, Tramelli won this year’s Montana Associate Principal of the Year award. “To get this award, it is a very intense process. Once she’s nominated for the award, the organization has to document all the candidate’s worthiness,” Principal Dick Kloppel said. “I received a call from the director of the school administration of Montana. I was in total surprise,” Tramelli said. Now that she has won this award, she is able to possibly receive a higher recognition. “She has now been elevated for one of the top 50 in the

nation,” Kloppel said. “I was just surprised. There are just so many other people I work with that deserve the recognition,” Tramelli said. Tramelli has worked as an associate principal at CMR for five years. “I feel like I have the best job ever because I get to work with kids and teachers. I feel like I have really good communication with students,” she said. Along with having good communication skills with teachers and students, Tramelli believes in trust between her and her students. “I separate the behavior from the person. Everyone needs to have a confidant. I feel like they respect the fact Talking with a student in her office on Dec. 8, Associate Principal Julie Tramelli offers her assistance. Photo by Jake Settera. that I have a job to do.”

opinionvoice it

In case you didn’t know, your generation sucks. Your dancing is disgusting and appalling. You have too much technology and it ruins your social skills and makes you dumb. You put three l’s in spelll because your grammar skills are awful. You should probably just give up. Everywhere I go all I hear about my “generation” is negative, negative, negative, because insulting people is the first and best way to make them change what you want them to change, right? No, not right. Sometimes, dare I say, I do agree with adult viewpoints on my peers and me. There are some things we participate in that we may regret later, and it might be justice when adults classify these things as “stupid.” However, complaints don’t lead to change. If all the time spent on negative reinforcement towards high school was spent on positive reinforcement, maybe there would be encouragement to commit acts that could be classified as “smart.” An “actually Bobby, spell is spelled with two l’s,” rather than an “is that an F on your spelling test? You’re grounded,” would be nice every once in a while. I think we’d all feel slightly more inspired to change our “crazy teenage ways” if we were encouraged to choose better options, rather than scorned. Always keep Thumper’s classic words in mind, “if you don’t have something nice to say, then don’t say anything at all.”

Loss of school traditions has students worried about what will disappear next The sad sigh sweeping through the halls of the school is the wind sweeping away CMR’s dusty traditions. Students have classified our school’s annual events as outdated, old fashion, and things of the past. With this mentality, the casualties have been Morp, the football players’ songs at pep assemblies, and the signs for the athletes at sports events. And just like the battles of war, there seems to be no clear victor. From opposite sides of the trenches, the opposing forces have thrust bombs into high school rites of passage. The fighting began over the uncouth dancing at the homecoming dance. Staff members were appalled at the “grinding” displayed by the students. But this isn’t the first instance where the administration has noticed a high tolerance for indecent language and messages. Too often there have been inappropriate songs played for the football players at pep assemblies and well as unacceptable verbiage on the signs meant to support athletes on the sports teams. These many losses have been incurred without the bat of an eye from the majority of the student population, besides the outrage at being censored. Here’s what we’re arguing: looking through a microscope at these issues won’t solve anything, it’s a bigger picture that’s getting torn apart. School traditions are the back bone of any high school experience. Don’t step on the skull. Throwing the powder at the football games. Decorating lockers. Senior girls wearing camouflage at sports games. These are the experience many students will share with their kids on their first days of high school. But, if we continue to dissolve these valued traditions, what will be left to tell our kids?

voice

BOX

our

lindsey buck

Buck Talk news/opinion editor

Dec. 15, 2011 The Stampede

Charles M. Russell High School: The Stampede The Stampede, published approximately every four weeks, 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. The Stampede accepts letters but limits the length to 200 words. The Stampede reserves the right to edit all letters; anonymous letters are not accepted. The Stampede maintains membership in the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, the National Scholastic Press Association, the Journalism Education Association and Quill and Scroll. Some material courtesy of American Society of Newspaper Editors/KRT Campus High School Newspaper Service.

art by mandi monroe

editor-in-chief katie hodges online editor elizabeth stanley visual content editor corey allen design editor meg smith news/opinion editor lindsey buck business manager tayler korb features editor kristi gange sports editor alecks leavey entertainment editor caitlyn aakre adviser beth britton

staff greighsen adams ida anderson peyton fulbright whisper harris kendra hix de ja lacey katlyn mckay mandi monroe stephanie mccracken ryan murphy caroline perkins kaidin phelan zach pottratz jake settera luke sisko keeli telleen jennifer verzuh cover photo by kelsey smith

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Dec. 15, 2011 The Stampede

Established handbook rules should be followed

Student violations of dress codes disgusting, unnecessary by jennifer verzuh

Do you remember that huge yellow packet all students were handed at the beginning of this school year? Teachers told you it contained all of the school’s rules and regulations and maybe they even went over parts of it with you and then told you to keep it. If you’re anything like me it’s probably buried in the backseat of your car or in the land dump. But recently I fished out the packet and found some interesting information in it. According to the C. M. Russell 2011-2012 Student Handbook, students are not allowed to wear excessively tight or low cut shirts, baggy pants, pajamas, tops with less than a 1” shoulder strap, or skirts that are more than 5” from the floor. The handbook also states that if any students break any of these rules they will be asked to change into “appropriate” clothing immediately, either at home or at school. Repeated violations will be met with consequences. Seems like a reasonable dress code, doesn’t it? Goes very well with the whole “school is your job” lecture we often get from teachers. The only problem is despite what this document claims, my eyes are still assaulted on a daily basis by the clothing (or should I say lack of clothing) on students. Baggy pants, tight shirts, PJs, cleavage, boxers, bra straps, and booty shorts can be seen on members of the student body any day of the week, and, unlike the school policy states, I’ve never seen a teacher comment on anyone’s in-

appropriate clothing. Think back, to let’s say, oh I don’t know, yesterday, or the day before that, or even the day before that, in, well, any of your classes. Were any of your fellow classmates dressed in what the school’s handbook might deem inappropriate? If the answer is yes (and from my own experiences I’d be shocked if it wasn’t), did any of your teachers say or do anything? I’m just going to make an assumption here and say the answer is no. I might be alone in my thinking here, but I for one actually wouldn’t mind these rules being enforced. I’m just plain tired of seeing boys’ underwear as they attempt to pull their pants up from around their knees and girls’ chests virtually popping out of their tube tops. I don’t want to be a traitor to my fellow students, but do they not see how what they’re wearing can make people view them? Despite the attention it gets you, trust me ladies dressing like, well like a you-know-what, isn’t worth it. You look cheap, guys get the wrong idea, and plenty of girls will no longer want to hang out with you. As for guys, it’s just embarrassing for you, and it will not make any girl interested in you, that’s for sure. CMR administrators and faculty: this is a call to action. Either enforce the rules or don’t make them. Have a policy, set consequences, and stick to it.

A visual glance at common school dress code violations

Cleavage Spaghetti Straps:

Tops must be at least the width of two fingers Tight Clothing

Daisy Dukes: Shorts must surpass the length of the wearer’s fingertips

Slippers:

Slippers and pajamas are NOT allowed.

New Year’s resolutions challenging yet worth it by kaiden phelan

Lose 20 pounds

New Years can be a fun time. You’re just finishing off the holidays, you’re playing with your new toys and probably still digesting your Christmas dinner. Then on the verge of Jan. 1 you have a party and stay up late to make sure you’re awake for a new year filled with hope and a new beginning. But that isn’t what happens because we have invented something to torture ourselves once a year, and this invention is a surefire way to start off January with failure and desperation. What a fun way to start the new year. New Years resolutions are the terrible invention that I’m talking about, and almost everyone takes part in this self-esteem destroying practice. You have to focus on your flaws and then pledge to fix them, and this would be easy enough except for the fact that you just received a bunch of toys.

So you have the choice between working hard and losing 20 pounds or sitting on your couch and trying out all the features on your new phone, and this results in the average resolution lasting about a week. The whole time you keep telling yourself “I’ll do it tomorrow,” but you never do and then you just give up. After this grueling seven days of laziness you look back and realize how pathetic you are. Then you have to rebuild your self-esteem and you finally accomplish this feat just in time to make more resolutions. According to a 2008 study by the Opinion Corporation of Princeton, N.J., not very many people are successful when it comes to resolutions. Wow, that is a shocker. The study states that three out of four Get people don’t achieve Good their resolution each year, and that one in s Grade four will never accomplish their resolutions.

These numbers sure are motivatMake ing. Not. Even a hardened tactician More y would not charge e n o M into battle with $$$ those odds. But maybe you want to be like Han Solo and say “Never tell me the odds.” Hey, that’s fine because according to the same study 38 percent of Americans never set resolutions, which leaves a lot of people doing exactly the same thing as Solo. But if you are going to plunge into the deep end of resolutions, then you will want to know a few tips. There are many tricks and little tips out there to help you, and I have traversed several websites to find the best of the best for you. The first tip, and maybe the most important, is to be realistic. If you make a resolution that is impossible then obviously you won’t reach it.

But if you make a resolution that is attainable then you greatly increase your chances of actually completing it. Plan ahead is the second tip; if you plan what you want to do and get prepared it will make your resolutions a little easier. The third tip is to reward yourself every time you either reach your goal or get closer to reaching it. This is important because it will condition you to work harder to attain your goal. The last tip is to keep trying; if you keep trying and you never give up then obviously you will eventually reach your goal. Happy Holidays.

Win State Competion

Dec. 15, 2011 The Stampede

Lins shares driving advice for teens by mike lins Three weeks ago I thought I was in the movie “Final Destination.” I was in a car wreck – rearended by a teen driver -- that totaled my wife’s new car and sent me and three other students to the emergency room via an ambulance. This wreck has impacted my life in many ways; I had to quit coaching basketball since I’ve been unable to physically teach skills to the players. I also couldn’t hunt this year because of the pain in my neck and shoulders. I’m worried about the longterm effects on my health, including arthritis. That week I was almost in two other accidents because of teens not driving safely. Speeding, texting and just careless

driving by teenagers has really been apparent this year. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association, teenagers account for 7 percent of the driving population, but they account for 14 percent of driving fatalities. Car accidents are the leading cause of death for young people between the ages of 15 and 20. In the United States, more than 8,000 teenagers die in car crashes every year, and another 350,000 teens are injured. I remember driving carelessly when I was younger, but it seems young drivers are more distracted with the inventions of cell phones and other electronic devices. Ultimately, I’m begging readers to consider what is at stake when driving carelessly. Is it worth taking a life or seriously injuring someone? Please be safe when you’re driving -- for everyone’s health.

What’s goin’ Classy vs. Trashy on, by beth stanley Have the days of Sinatra and Martin been long lost? Throughout the CMR parking lot, Lil’ Wayne, Flo Rida, and Jay Z can be heard blasting from cars with their bass trembling. Is this really something teenagers enjoy? Having their eardrums pounded with loud curse words and a man yelling at them to “make it rain on dem ho’s.” This demeaning language cannot truly be enjoyable, but rather a way to show your friends that you are, by today’s definition, a “G.” Though the music of the 1950’s may not be your taste, there are certainly alternatives to “Move B***h Get out the Way” by Ludacris. The Beatles, The Plain White T’s, and Garth Brooks are all artists that give a positive message in a nicer, not so in-your-face manner. Songs like “That’s Amore” by Dean Martin give listeners that feel-good feeling and provide a classy upbeat rhythm that is universally acceptable. I am sure that 80 percent of teens who blast their music in the parking lots do not actually listen to music at that decibel when they are by themselves. I’m not saying teens should not listen to rap or hip hop. Often times these rappers do a have a good message to get across, just think twice before you turn the dial up on the newest Kanye West song. Is this really something you enjoy? Or are you just trying to put on a cool façade for your fellow classmates? The bottom line, listen to what you enjoy at a reasonable volume.

This holiday season hear the choirs singing not the sirens ringing

Don’t drink underage and never drive impaired

Visit us on Facebook! A message brought to you by the Cascade County DUI Task Force

CMR

Dec. 19 CMR Holiday Concert 1 Civic Center 7 p.m. Dec. 20 CMR Holiday Concert 2 and 3 CMR Auditorium 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Dec. 22-Jan. 2 Holiday break Jan. 5 - 6 Univ. of Idaho Jazz Workshop 6th, 7:30 p.m. Concert Jan.13-14 Speech and Debate at Bozeman Jan. 16 Martin Luther King Day -- No School Jan. 17 Period 7 Finals Jan. 18 Periods 1-3-5 Finals Jan. 19 Periods 2-4-6 Finals Jan. 20 End of Sem. 1 -- Early Out 12:15 p.m. Jan. 20 Last day to purchase yearbook for $55 - price increases to $65 Jan. 23 Jan 26 Stampede Distribution

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kristi gange

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It’s supposed to be

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Dec. 15, 2011 The Stampede

Apparently, this is the season to be jolly. Really? Then why was the task of buying presents invented? This is the question that rattles around in my head as I prepare to buy Christmas blessings for my loved ones. Everyone always says, “I appreciate hand-made gifts so much more.” But what if you’re terrible at arts and crafts? Do you just draw a stick figure and tell them that you did your best? This is my dilemma. It’s never hard to compile a list of things that you want, but when it comes to getting other people that elusive perfect present, that’s when I spontaneously combust. So the solution if you are artistically inept is to just make every present you buy sentimental in your own way. So do not just hand out preloaded Visa gift cards, instead opt for the photo in a frame idea. While it may be corny, it’s a better Christmas memento than 18 meals at McDonald’s. While it may not always be a jolly season, it’s the perfect time of year to extend your holiday efforts. Everyone appreciates generosity during the holiday season; especially those who aren’t as fortunate as a lot of us. So give back this season. Get involved around the school. Participate in the Giving Tree donations in the Company or the counseling center. The journalism department is donating to the Rescue Mission and to get involved, just stop by Room 326. Anyone can receive presents for the holiday season, but it takes a special kind of person to give back. Be that person this Christmas. You’ll never regret it.

Above: Hannah Patrick and Michelle Bragget practice Holy yoga at Bethel Lutheran Church on Nov. 9. Above right: The Bethel Lutheran Church youth group (from left to right) Becca Johnson, Katie Smith, Hannah Patrick, Kelsey Smith, Michelle Bragget, Bridger Scholten, Zach Pottratz, Payton Sexe and Marcus Martinez. Right: Payton Sexe demonstrates the “Cobra” while doing Holy yoga at Bethel Lutheran Church on Nov. 9th Photos courtesy of Kopper Frick.

Local youth groups provide Christian connections Faithful teens share weekly Wednesday experiences

“I’ve been doing it for four years, and I love it,” Krantwashl Junior Hannah Patrick, a member of the Bethel Lutheran said, “My favorite part would have to be worship [singing].” Church high school youth group said she enjoys spending her Worship is singing, but you’re singing to praise God. Much Wednesday nights at the church. like Patrick’s church, Krantwashl’s church has a schedule. “My favorite part is spending time with my friends and “We start out by playing a game, singing, and then we talk meeting new people,” Patrick said. “This is my first year, and about loving each other and the Bible,” she said. Krantwashl’s I love it.” church also sponsors many volunteer events for the To further establish connections, Patrick “My favorite part is spend- students. said her youth group sponsors many events. “We help with the kids,” Krantwashl said, “We ing time with my friends and “We have lock-ins, we went roller-skating, meeting new people. This is also fundraise for the Food Bank.” and one week we did Holy yoga,” she said. A my first year, and I love it.” Her church partakes in many events that help lock-in is where a youth group spends the night them fundraise. It’s a good time for the kids. Hannah Patrick in the church. “We have all-nighters, we go skiing, we do gaThey do activities like Hide-and-Seek, board games, and they rage sales,” she said. “And we do the harvest parties at the faireat food. Youth groups usually have a “curriculum” that they grounds.” follow. The Bethel Lutheran Church youth group uses a curricuSo if you’re looking for a fix for your Wednesday night, you lum from a national association; therefore, the youth group has should go out and explore the different opportunities for youth a special name, Logos. groups. So that the next time that someone asks you “What are Along with Patrick, sophomore Sierra Krantwashl also finds you doing this Wednesday?” you can say with pride, “I’m going herself devoting her Wednesday nights to singing and games. to youth group!” Krantwashl is a member of the Harvest Springs Community Church youth group. by zach pottratz

Dec. 15, 2011 The Stampede

ustache ovember

Razors exiled during month of November by alecks leavey and kristi gange In a generation where grooming and manscaping have become daily chores to maintain a “clean” image, one month out of the year men and women alike cast away their blades and surrender their shaving cream to raise awareness about prostate cancer. “I really do practice good hygiene,” junior Amanda Tripp said. While “No Shave November” usually applies to men and their pursuit of facial dominance and cancer awareness, Tripp decided that women could also participate in the freedom that comes with not shaving for a month. “It’s a male-dominated holiday because a lot of girls think it’s gross, but in reality it is for a good cause,” she said. While Tripp is proud of the fact that she got involved, she kept her hair growing from one person in particular: her boyfriend. “He goes to college, so he doesn’t have to know,” Tripp said. “It’s my little secret.” Whether it’s deciding to grow out a rug on your face, or in Tripp’s case refusing to shave her legs, November allowed people around the world to support the fight against the largest diagnosed cancer in men.

Senior Johnathan Bush accepted the challenge for this cause too, but also because he found pride in his ability to grow facial hair. “I decided to partake in no-shave festivities to express my manliness and to intimidate my enemies,” Bush said. The rules are simple: resist all temptations to end the itchiness for one month and then gloat about your hairy accomplishment. Bush believed the final product was worth the prickling on his face. “The itch of my beard was minor compared to the overwhelming sense of manliness I received from the beard itself,” he said. Now that December has begun, both Tripp and Bush have said their goodbyes to their masterpieces and embraced the smooth feeling of their skin. For Bush, the feeling will last until November rolls around again. “I will definitely participate in the future,” Bush said. “I hope more people become aware of the fact that ‘No Shave November’ is to promote cancer awareness.”

d e y o nj facial e I “ ga n i ” w gro rophy. t Mustache Synonyms: -Facial rug -Flavor saver -Lip caterpillar -Misplaced eyebrow -Cookie duster -Handlebars

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Are you lacking the necessary hormones to raise a furry friend? Have no fear you bald-lipped citizens! With a Sharpie in hand and creativity in mind, you too can sport your own stylish ‘stache. Caution: don’t try and shave this.

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Garrett Lankford

Crazy for caffeine

by keeli telleen

It’s one of the few addictions you can get away with legally: caffeine. And just because it’s legal doesn’t mean it is without danger. You see them every day, students and teachers carrying their travel mugs and 10 percent post-consumer recycled fiber coffee cups from Starbucks or other favorite local coffee houses. Personally, my biggest problem doesn’t involve shady deals to score the right coffee beans or going through withdrawals. It’s getting to school on time. I’m on my way and I just cannot pass up the Mountain Mudd drive-thru, even though it’s 8:49 a.m. (I have a 1st period open). So I walk into AP Gov. with a sheepish grin, coffee in hand. Oh hey, Mr. Halverson. I’ve even gone so far as to purchase a pre-pay beverage card where I can just drive up, order, and get a punch to receive my 20oz. drink. It’s quite convenient, making it that much easier to foster my addiction. Still, I usually stop at one cup. Sophomore Brett Williams, on the other hand, treats himself to an average of eight cans of Mountain Dew every day. Even as I’m

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The Price of Addiction Here’s how much you could spend in a year if you buy these drinks 5 days a week:

talking to him, he’s holding his half-empty (or half-full for you optimists out there) 2-liter Dew bottle. “I usually start with one can at about 7:30, then spread them throughout the day,” he said. “It’s just tasty; pretty much everything else is gross… milk?” For some teachers and secretaries, Wednesday is also known as “Latte-da Day.” The secretaries go out and get coffee for those who enjoy it. Band director Russ Kellogg has a 20oz. cup of coffee every day, but gets an extra shot-in-the-dark on “Latte-da Day.” “I don’t like sweet stuff,” Kellogg said. Math teacher Terri Dahl is very specific about her daily drinks. “If it’s a can, Diet Dr. Pepper. From the fountain, it has to be Diet Coke from McDonald’s,” she said seriously. Williams mixes it up once in a while, too. “Sometimes I’ll throw in a Coke or a Mountain Dew White Out,” he said. Variety certainly is the spice of life. So whether you get your fix from three cans of Mountain Dew in the morning or a triple-shot white chocolate mocha with non-fat milk (but keep the whipped cream and add caramel drizzle please), stay safe friends.

Starbucks Grande Cinnamon Dolce Latte: $4.25 x 52 weeks x 5 days =$1,105 20 ounce Coke: $1.29 x 52 weeks x 5 days =$335.40 Medium Java Mudslide, Mountian Mudd: $3.98 x 52 weeks x 5 days =$1,034.80 16 oz Rockstar: $2.49 x 52 weeks x 5 days =$647.40 5 hour energy: $3.49 x 52 weeks x 5 days =$907.40

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Dec. 15, 2011 The Stampede

Filling the

PANTRY

Culinary arts teachers shop for a solution to recent budget cuts

much you need. It’s not like you can carry by stephanie mccracken Battling a dwindling budget, culinary around a measuring cup,” Stark said. Kirol also said that buying in bulk at arts teachers Diane Kirol, Teri Forde, and Danielle Stark have had to find ways to re- Sam’s Club can assist with saving money. Not only do all three culinary arts duce their grocery bill. Cutting a class, raising student fees, teachers have to work around the budget, and determining what and how much to but they also have to go through the same buy are only a few ways they have tried to long grocery shopping routine as they have for years. make due with a smaller “If I’m organized I budget. kind of enjoy it,” Stark Kirol said they have said. ways to deal with the Going culinary budget grocery being F our d shopping cut by ozen eggs several 10 pertimes cent this year. “We ran eight classa es in the past; now we week is all only do seven,” she said. part of the job. Along with a class “You to use your own being cut, student fees were r flou time, yourhave f o own gas,” Kirol said. raised to make up for the money s g d ba n When they can’t go shopping lost. The culinary 1 fee rose u o p during a free period, they have to go durto $15 from $10, and culi- Four 25 ing the weekend, something Kirol said she nary 2 and 3 students pay is used to. $25 instead of $20. “I don’t mind it,” she said. “It’s very They also plan ahead before going shopping. Writing out a list and determin- time-consuming, though.” ing how much they will need of a certain Above: Danielle Stark shops for vegtables at Albertson’s for stir fry. Botttom left: DianeKirol shops for eggs product for seven classes is key. at Sam’s club for cookies. Bottom right: TeriForde checks out at Albertson’s after taking her class shopping. “It’s hard sometimes to measure how Photos by Stephanie McCracken.

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Businesses provide for community, give back to charities By Jenee Osterheldt, McClatchy Newspapers (MCT) It’s a wild world in retail. Especially this time of year. It’s all about shopping. It started with Black Friday, Cyber Monday and flash sales -- it’s buy, buy, buy. That is the motto of the Christmas creep, when holidays meant to be about family, faith and appreciation go consumer crazy. Don’t get me wrong, I love buying gifts. And I believe in a bargain. But this year, the holiday season seems to have gone more commercial than ever. Thanksgiving pretty much took a backseat to the big deals, with some stores opening up as early as 9 p.m., when the dishes are still in the sink, and the football game is still on. I get it. We all want to save money. It’s just important to remember what the holiday season is about. Spend time with your loved ones, be thankful for one another and spread some holiday cheer. If we’re going to get out in the find-it-for-less frenzy, let’s look for Toys for Tots drops, Harvesters bins and the Salvation Army bucket, and help make a difference. Every year, I break down a few holiday gifts that give back, the kind of buys that help people who are barely getting by. Whether you’re shopping online or daring to hit the streets, consider adding these gifts to your shopping lists: CHARITY POT BODY LOTION. Lush Cosmetics specializes in hand and body lotion made from fresh, organic fruits and vegetables. And the Charity Pot Body Lotion, $21.95, is made with fair trade cocoa butter. The proceeds (100 percent after taxes) go to the organization featured on the lid of each pot. Charities include UNICEF, WaterCan and the In-

ternational Fund for Animal Welfare. You can buy it at lush.com, or at a Lush retail store. BROWNIES. Greyston Bakery is on a mission to help low-income individuals and families become self-sufficient (greyston.org). In addition, they are all about creating jobs for people who are considered hard to hire. The New York bakery’s slogan is “We don’t hire people to bake brownies. We bake brownies to hire people.” They also specialize in brownies made from natural ingredients and no preservatives. The Coffee & Brownies Gift Box, $28, is one of many gifts they ship. greystonbakery.com TEAM JACOB. Just kidding. But you could adopt a gray wolf for the animal lover in your life. World Wildlife Fund offers symbolic adoptions of more than 100 species. Your donation of $25 includes a species adoption certificate, information card and color photo. Donations of $50 or more come with that and a plush toy version of the “adopted” animal. All proceeds benefit WWF. worldwildlife.org CITY YEAR JEANS. J Brand jeans designed denim with a cause in mind: City Year, a non-profit that fights the national high school dropout crisis. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the jeans --$90 to $144-- go to the education-focused organization that unites young people of all backgrounds for a year of full-time service to keep students in school and on track to graduation. jbrandjeans.com TOMS EYEWEAR. TOMS is known for its one-for-one effort involving its shoes. For every pair you buy, a pair is given to a child in need. The same goes for their cool sunglasses, $135 to $145. For every pair of shades bought, someone in need gets medical treatment, eyeglasses or sight-saving surgery. Go to toms.com or shop at a Nordstrom.

Dec. 15, 2011 The Stampede

Technology under the Christmas tree

All I want for Christmas is...

What’s new, what’s hot, what’s on your list this year by zach pottratz

Santa’s elves must have earned degrees in rocket science this year. How else do you think all the new gadgets are made? If most of the things on your list are iPad, Xbox, or PS3, chances are they’ve been made by elves. But if you don’t believe it, you’re going to need a few key tips to get your family what’s hot, and what to get to make it on Santa’s nice list this year. The newest gadget out on the market is the iPhone 4s, and who doesn’t know what an iPhone is? It’s really an iPod, with the ability to call. The iPhone 4s comes with a few new applications. The first is the all famous one, Siri. Siri is a new and improved voice-controlled personal assistant; it gives advice and can make notes and calendar events. Along with Siri is a new app called iCloud. iCloud is a place to store all of your content like photos, videos, songs, and apps, which can be wirelessly transferred to your device. It’s basically syncing your iPhone over a Wi-Fi connection. Along with the new phone and apps, you get an all new software, iOS 5. There’s nothing really special about the iOS 5 (unless you like the name) except that you can take a picture by double clicking the home button at the lock screen. Now iPhones are good and all, but the newest installment of the Droid series--the Droid Razr--came out last month. The Droid Razr is one of the top-of-the-line phones out on the market now. It comes with Verizon 4g LTE, which unfortunately doesn’t work in Montana…yet. It also comes with 1 GB of RAM, which isn’t all

2-6 months

-Aqua di Gio -NFL gear

-Diamond cufflinks

7+ months

-Homemade coupons -Modern Warfare 3 -Life insurance

fromGirls to Guys

-Music (iTunes cards) -Hats/caps -New Oakleys

“An iPad 2”

Cori Bonilla, 10 “An Electronic Drumset”

Katelyn Smith, 9 “A Perry the Platypus iHome”

Megan Geary, 10 “A New iPad”

Gifts and Rifts 0-1 month One of the biggest pains to face as an adolescent in high school arises during the time of most stress: the holidays. The problem? What the heck to get that special guy/girl in your life. Well, step away from the socks and back up from the lingerie. The time has come for a gift giving revolution. Here’s how to get the gift that will earn you major brownie points until two months from now when you forget Valentine’s Day.

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that great. That’s about 240 songs and 384 pictures. Now I’ve wanted a Droid for a long time, ever since they came out actually. But all the specs that I have personally looked at say the Droid Razr is an amazing phone. It has a good camera, good internet connection speed, and unbelievable graphics. Now, the last new gadget out on the market is the Kindle Fire. I know people who buy a reading device and never read on it. They are dumb because the Kindles and the Nooks were made to be reading devices, not tablets, though they can function as both. The Kindle Fire features a 7-inch full-color touch screen, which can support books as well as movies, newspapers, magazines, and games. The Kindle Fire can also connect to a Wi-Fi network. The Kindle series has actually outperformed the iPad 2 for reading because of the E-Ink screen on the older Kindles. E-Ink is a material that is processed into a film and then formed into a display. It is supposed to resemble paper in that it doesn’t require a backlight, and it is very low in energy consumption, thus making the Kindle battery last up to a month. If you’re thinking about screaming to your mom and dad about the newest gadget out on the market, it might well be one of those listed above. And if you’re looking on Christmas Eve for the perfect gift for the so-called perfect sibling of yours, you should definitely look at the newest gadgets for some inspiration.

oe J ’ O p u C o s s e r Across from the p s E westside Albertson 1352 3rd St. NW Great Falls, MT

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Jetta Slater, Teacher

-A Mix CD -Chocolate -Teen Vogue subscription

“One of [those] projector phones”

2-6 months

-Birthstone necklace -Chanel No. 5

Ashleigh Lehotsky, 9

-1/2 carat diamond studs

7+ months -iPod Touch -Themed gift basket -Louis Vuitton purse

“an iPhone”

Sarah Carpenter, 11

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Dec. 15, 2011 The Stampede

There’s nothing worse than a bad driver. I haven’t had much experience driving in snow until earlier this month and all I can say for myself is that at least I try. I turn my lights on, even if it isn’t dark, and I travel at a pace I know won’t get me killed. Not only that, I make sure I can see out my windows before traveling, even if that makes me late to school or work. I drive myself to school every morning and it isn’t a long distance, at most a half mile the long way. In this short distance, I am amazed at the number of terrible drivers I see. People who speed through stop signs as though they don’t exist, drivers who haven’t properly cleaned their windows, and others who don’t care to turn on their lights. And to those people- yeah, I know your car is red, but it doesn’t mean that I always know you’re moving. It upsets me even more that most of these bad drivers aren’t fairly inexperienced as I, but rather those who have been driving for much longer. I understand that you think that because your license has been sitting in your wallet a while might mean you knew what you were doing at least once. But that doesn’t give you the right to act however you please because you once earned the privilege to drive. The Montana Department of Transportation reports that there were 189 highway fatalities last year and 186 so far this year. PLEASE. Slow down, turn your lights on, wipe your car off, put your seatbelt on, and turn your phone to silent and place it in the back seat. Drive safely, and do not become another tally mark.

entertainment

Snow forts, food comas and colorful fruitcakes fill vacations of faculty, students compiled by luke sisko and katlyn mckay

Jacob Weill

Like many CMR families, sophomore Jacob Weill’s family stays home during Christmas break. Weill’s family eats clam chowder every year as well as his year round favorite dessert: pie. “We get an orange in our stocking every year; it must be southern because my dad’s from the south,” Weill said. The one thing that Weill likes the most about Christmas break is “snow forts. Because I really like building things.”

Julie Anderson

Teacher Julie Anderson doesn’t have much time to rest during her holiday season. “We go to my dad’s side of the family and have dinner. Christmas morning we go to my mom’s and have Swedish pancakes and open presents.” After all the food, her family goes “home into a food coma, and then we go back to my mom’s at around 4 p.m. and have a big turkey dinner.” To Anderson, large families are better than small ones for holiday celebrations. “My mom’s side of the family is huge for ‘Christmas design.’ [My mom] has around 70 Nativities. Without my mom’s side of the family, Christmas would be very difficult.”

Paul Northey

Teacher Paul Northey seems to have a full list of plans for the Christmas break. “For food on Christmas Eve we eat cold ham, potato salad, Christmas cookies. Grandma Northey makes light fruitcake and my mother makes dark fruitcake,” Northey said. He also spends his Christmas day dinner with his mother’s side of the family. His family attends the Methodist Church and then father’s side of the family gets together for a cold dinner. “I travel to Livonia, Mich., for the Christmas break,” Northey said. “After dinner, presents from aunts and uncles are opened by kids. Then teenagers and some aunts and uncles go to midnight service where traditionally candles are lit and “Silent Night” is sung,” he added.

CMR drama department puts on final showing of Poe Project

Senior Marquis Archuleta, the masked murderer, dances with unsuspecting senior Erica Easton in “The Masque of the Red Death.” Photo by Deja Lacey.

by greishen adams

The whispered words grew quieter behind the dark curtain with each passing minute. “The Poe Project” cast members rehearsed final lines and touched up makeup before the big performance. Prop heads were on edge making sure everything was in place and ensuring that no one talked, afraid the audience might hear them. “Please don’t talk, there’ll be plenty of

that at the cast party,” said junior Emily Sherman, one of the prop heads at the play. Many students in the performance have been acting for a long time and know what they are doing. Senior Marquis Archuleta has been acting for as long as he can remember. “My first play was ‘The History of Rock and Roll.’ I like acting because I have the power to persuade people,” Archuleta said. Senior Mandi Engen almost breaks under pressure in “The Tell-Tale Archuleta’s director, Emily Cell Phone,” one of the short plays within “the Poe Project. photo by Townsend looked forward to Deja Lacey. “Acting is a great way to show who I reworking with him. “I’ve worked with Marquis for four ally am without being frowned upon in the years,” Townsend said. “I knew he would do public view. It’s nice playing death. It’s a fun experience knowing that nobody really a good job.” Townsend directed “The Masque of the knows who I am,” Simonson said. Stagecraft teacher Tom Spencer and his Red Death,” and took an orginal route while directing it, setting the whole piece to music. design crew put together the sets. The col“I wanted to use music instead of words,” umns, staircase, and portrait of Poe added to the drama. Townsend said. Drama director Chris Evans said Poe’s A motif of Poe’s is death. To some, death may seem a hard role, something that takes work is dark and entertaining to effectively skill to fully deliver. No one plays death pull in a great audience. “Edgar Allen Poe was Stephen King bequite like senior Paris Simonson. fore Stephen King,” Evans said.

Movie Magic

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delightful tales and woes of the Parker family; mostly because any true Christmas believer has watched this classic time and time Three holiday classics again. However, I will share a few by meg smith memorable moments to get your Christmas radar buzzing. Number 1: In a wondrous surprise, the Parkers receive a giant, tight-wearing, Buddy much-too-sexy lamp. the Elf, what’s your Number 2: Ralphie pulls the biggest favorite color? mistake a kid can make in front of their very Anyone who has heard conservative father: he says the “f” word. of, watched, or been enlightened Number 3: They execute the perfect about this delightful Christmas ruined-dinner move…a Chinese classic understands the hilarity of Christmas dinner. the previous line. These few hilarious moments are The charmingly naïve human-elf is only teasers into the many laughs Buddy, and he was raised at a little place awaiting the lucky viewers of “A some like to call…the North Pole. Christmas Story”. Inept at making toys with any kind of And remember kids, skill or fitting into the elf factory, Buddy “You’ll shoot your eye sets out on a quest to find his is Santa out!” real dad in New York City. Clause real? Before long, Buddy One very stoic mother-daughter The becomes infatuated magic in Christmas is dissipating. Santa pair seems to think not, but their good with one of friend Fred Gailey still feels the magic of Claus is drunk on his float and the parade Santa’s “little Christmas in his heart. starts any minute. Coincidently, he happens to be an incredible helpers” at Cue…Kris Kringle, the real Santa Claus. a shopping Appearing out of what seems to be thin air, lawyer invested in proving Santa Claus is real. mall, has Then, Kris and Fred strike up a deal. Fred will let this bearded wonder takes the city by storm in his Kris stay with him so Kris can work on the mother- attacked a perfect Santa act. so-called However, every Christmas story has its Scrooge. daughter duo in the “believing” department. “imposter But tragedy strikes again when Kris fails a His name is Granville Sawyer, and he is responsible for checking Santa’s mental health. second examination and is placed in a mental S a n t a , ” has But he becomes heartily offended when Santa hospital. Christmas seems to be ripping apart at and

grand of Christmas, Ralphie Parker desperately wants the one toy his parents loathe to give him: an official Red Ryder carbine-action 200-shot range model BB rifle with a compass in the stock. A true classic, “A Christmas Story” delves deep into the family values surrounding the happiest time of the year. The bickering brothers, the nagging mom, the oblivious husband, and the ridiculous lines at every shopping mall in the country all combine to create a Christmas brew of perfect, hot spirit. The perfect moment? Poor little Ralphie, in a predestined fate for all little kids, shamelessly sticks his tongue on a frozen pole on that fateful day at the playground. Thus begins a most memorable Ralphie Christmas. I won’t waste time recounting the

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questions his own psychological balance. After the examinatin, Sawyer sets out to destroy Santa’s image in a very public trial. Essentially it comes down to this:

the seams during this low point in the movie. And although it seems all has been lost, and no one may ever believe again, can’t Christmas make a comeback?

Dec. 15, 2011 The Stampede

completely decorated the entirety of a toy store. However, Buddy soon finds something to be desired in his father, a big-wig working in a children’s book company, and he sets out to impress him. First, he moves in with the family and garnishes the entire apartment with Christmas decor. Second, he wins over his half-brother in an epic battle of snowballs. Third, he prepares a breakfast of spaghetti for the family with the four major food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corn, and syrup. But even after he wins over the affections of his newly adopted family, he sets out to save Christmas. Santa Claus has crashed in Central Park and the only way to get the sleigh running is to spread Christmas cheer. And “the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.”

M ira

More than a Christmas Stroll by ryan schossler

When it comes to clever ways of raising money, some Rustlers took to the streets during the 2011 Christmas Stroll in downtown Great Falls. The band broke away from the mold of selling simply hot chocolate and cider by selling wassail, a combination of different juices and Red Hots candy. “We were selling to raise money for the band to help us raise money for tour,” sophomore Drew Austin said. “It [the wassail] was different; it made us stand out,” Austin said. The band raised $326 by the end of the night. “It went fantastic,” Austin said. “I guarantee we will do it again next year.” Perhaps the biggest attraction of the stroll – except for Santa – was the annual Polar Plunge, where people gather donations and jump into frigid water all in the name of charity.

‘’This is my first Polar Plunge,” senior Megan Ammons said. She and a friend from Foothills Community Christian School raised more than $222 for the Special Olympics. They even allowed a little girl who had no jumping partner to hold their hands and take the plunge alongside them. The actual jump? Freezing. “I couldn’t breathe when I got in,” Ammons said. “Getting in the hot tub was just so warm and amazing. It felt so good.” Ammons hopes that more Rustlers will take part in the event in the future, despite how cold the event is. “I just froze my butt off.”

Fundraising for tour and other activities, junior Sarah Carpenter and senior Olivia Moulton sell their prized hot chocolate at the Christmas Stroll. At left, Carnahan’s Towing truck is annually decked out in the season’s brightest. Photos by Beth Britton and Jennifer Verzuh.

On the 13th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:_________________.

nothing, she was in the kitchen*

Who is your rudolph, he’s the only favorite reindeer? Why? one i know. Santa gives you a $500 gift card... to where?

Mashed potatoes or

sweet potatoes? If you could rewrite any Christmas classic, what would it be?

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Frosty the Snowman, ‘cause he’s just creepy.

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Dec. 15, 2011 The Stampede

leavey

mashed sweet potatoes The Night Before Christmas

WalMart with a tag that said “dont spend it all in place”

victoria’s secret

Mashed potatoesIt’s a DANCE!

mashed potatoes

ONE

Howard’s Pizza Sweet, with butter and brown sugar

Rudolph- Bully I would change “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Mr. free starts with Frosty. He is Potter would die from the evil. Ebola virus me.

* The Stampede does not support stereotypical gender roles.

Seasonal sounds top charts, hearts by luke sisko

Have a holly jolly Christmas this year with “Glee Christmas Album Volume 2”. This album is a 12 track album filled with happiness and joy. When I listened to some of the tracks I felt really good about myself and made me feel really good inside. My top 3 favorite songs in this album are “Extraordinary Merry Christmas,” “Santa Baby”, and “Let it Snow.” These tracks bring warm uplifting joy to my day. I am sure you’ll enjoy it as much as I did! If you have been a longtime Glee fan you are in for a treat if you haven’t got a chance to listen to it yet. Simply spectacular in my opinion. You can have a Buble Christmas this year with Michael Buble’s “Christmas” album. This album is filled with 15 heartwarming tracks that will put you in the holiday spirits! Featuring my favorites like “Holly Jolly Christmas,” “Cold December Night,” and “Ave Maria.” The song “Cold December Night” is a more upbeat song for some of you pop music fans out there. He has a great voice, and I think all of you should take a listen to it as soon as possible. You’ll feel the streets shake this Christmas with Ministry of Sound’s: “Addicted to BassClassics Album.” This enormous three CD package includes various hits from your

favorite Drum & Bass and Dub-step artists bringing in the best in bass hits this year with full force. My favorite Bass classics in this wild pack are songs such as “Bass Cannon,” “Night,” “Pjanoo,” and “Body Rock”. These tracks are great for all you bass junkies out there. I highly consider it for most that have never heard of Drum & Bass or Dubstep music and what it sounds like in general. It is such an amazing album filled with the best in progressive sound and high end drops that will leave you breathless and heading banging all day. You’ll be rolling in the deep snow this year with Adele’s “21” Album. This album is a very emotional but uplifting 11 track album. Some of my favorites on this one are “Rolling in the Deep”, “Someone like You,” and “Rumour Has It”. My most favorite song that really hit me mentally and emotionally was Someone Like You. It is such a powerful song and Adele literally put her heart into it. I recommend all of you should listen to the lyrics. They are truly powerful and they mean a lot. “21” was named the best album of the year according to “Rolling Stone.”

19 Teachers’ Favorites: Holiday Edition Dec. 15, 2011 The Stampede

What’s your favorite Christmas gift?

“I love my music boxes, and if I got nothing else, I would be happy with a music box.” -Amanda Kohut

“My Harley Davidson was a pretty good gift.” -Dennis Mora

Your soul will be mellow and chilled out with Owl City’s “All things Bright and Beautiful” album. This 12 track album brings in tracks that are very relaxing and sensational for your holidays. My favorite tracks in this album are “The Real World”, “Angels”, and “Galaxies”. A 10 out of 10 for me. Just press play.

“Spending the first Christmas with my son meant more to me than any material item.” -Ryan Anderson by deja lacey

Comedies and dramas invade theaters this December

by jennifer verzuh

December is typically Oscar bait season, but this year while we do have some promising films coming out it looks like there will be some definite flops as well.

NOW PLAYING

New Year’s Eve: If you saw 2010’s “Valentine’s Day” then let’s be honest, you’ve already seen this film, which despite an A-list cast including Robert DeNiro, Zac Efron, Lea Michele, Ashton Kutcher, Hilary Swank, and others appears to be nothing more than a messy romantic comedy with too many people for any real character development to take place.

DECEMBER 16

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows: Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law reprise their roles as the famous literary duo Holmes and Dr. Watson in the sequel to 2009’s “Sherlock Holmes” that finds the two attempting to bring down

Professor Moriarty (Jarred Harris) in the spy franchise, which finds producer J.J. Abrams. with help from Gypsy Sim (Noomi IMF agent Ethan Hunt (played Carnage: Academy Award Rapace), which from the trailer by Tom Cruise) and the rest of his winners Kate Winslet, Christoph promises to be just as exciting, team forced to operate outside the Waltz, Jodie Foster, and former funny, and adventurnominee John C. Reilly star ous as the first film. in this smart and funny film, Young Adult: Both based on the acclaimed play, the screenwriter and as two sets of parents who director of one of my meet up after their sons get favorite films of recent into a fight, proving that you years, “Juno”, reunite don’t need a large cast, elabto create this comedyorate stunts, or multiple sets drama that I am defito make a great movie. nitely looking forward to seeing this holiday DECEMBER 21 season. The Girl with the DragAlvin and the on Tattoo: The bestselling Chipmunks: Chipand award winning Swedish wrecked: Do we crime novel by Stieg Larsson really need a third Noomi Rapace and Robert Downey Jr. star in the upcoming makes the anticipated jump mystery “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows.” (Courtesy movie about singing to cinema in its first English Warner Bros. Pictures/MCT) chipmunks? Did we language adaption, starring even need one? So, unDaniel Craig and Rooney Mara, less you’re babysitting there’s no government, looks to be an inter- which if it’s even a fraction as good excuse to see this film. esting and fast paced addition to as the Swedish version is by far Mission: Impossible - Ghost the series, that I predict will ben- worth seeing. Protocol: The fourth installment efit greatly from the presence of The Advenures of Tintin: The

Secret of the Unicorn: The plot, cast, or trailer for this film, inspired by a series of comic books, hasn’t made much of an impression on me, what has are the men behind the scenes. Academy Award winner Steven Spielberg, and one of the best directors around, directs and Peter Jackson (the genius behind “Lord of the Rings”) produces this animated adventure flick.

DECEMBER 25

War Horse: Spielberg also directs this war drama, inspired both by the children’s book and Tony Award-winning play of the same name, which follows the story of a boy’s beloved horse in World War I which looks to be an impressive film, that shouldn’t be missed. The Darkest Hour: I’m not a big fan of science fiction and I have a feeling this film, about a group of survivors of an alien invasion in Russia, isn’t going to do anything to change my opinion of the genre.

keepingactive

alecks leavey

notes from a

smart-aleck sports editor

Dec. 15, 2011 The Stampede

It’s a Christmas miracle! After months of searching, players and owners have finally discovered the key to unlocking the nation from the NBA labor dispute. Alas, the fighting between millionaires and billionaires is over. I just feel bad for the select few who were too impatient to sort things out and moved to Asia to play basketball. Have fun earning Yen while everyone else makes bank playing for the United States. This shortened 66-game regular season is going to make a lot of professional athletes look like tired old men, with back-to-back-to-back matchups likely to occur. Be ready for some long nights on planes and even longer games on the court, you pampered batch of athletes. The injuries plaguing the NFL are direct consequences of poor preparation and the loss of offseason practices, and the same will probably happen with these ballers. Hello weak knees and sloppy free-throw shooting. I wouldn’t be expecting to see any otherworldly play these next few months given the extended vacation. And would it honestly be shocking if the “dream team” of the NBA suffered the same fate as the “dream team” of the NFL? No, but really, the Miami Heat are much better at basketball than the Philadelphia Eagles are at football. The real reason to be happy this holiday season is not because of family or presents, but because you now have a basketball team to root for if your favorite football team is a dolphin, buffalo, or is spelled J-E-T-S. So get jerseys and foam fingers out, and readjust your schedule for more games and less homework. We have basketball again.

Thundering down the lanes, swim team members work on their strokes at a recent practice. Photo by Kelsey Smith

Swim teams dive in Boys, girls swim teams look forward to new season, despite lack of numbers

by katie hodges The CMR girls may have taken state the past four years, but to do so for a fifth time will be anything but a cakewalk. “Our goal is to have the CMR girls take their fifth year [at state],” coach Julie Anderson said. “It’s not a cakewalk. They’re going to have to fight for everything they want and they know that.” After seeing times from a meet in Kalispell and Havre, Anderson is looking forward to the first Great Falls meet, set to take place this weekend. After facing Havre on Friday, Saturday will be a meet focused on relays. “It’s kind of a fun meet,” Anderson said. Although both the girls team and the boys team lost quite a few seniors last year, Anderson said that the younger team members are strong. “We’ve got some young kids that are stepping up to the plate,” she said. Senior leadership is also helping the team. “The seniors are showing everybody how it’s done,” Anderson said. “It’s a family.” And it’s not only seniors who are stepping it up, according to Anderson. Underclass who have especially stepped it up this year include sophomore Brandon Miller and freshmen Elijah Parker and Jessie Whiteman. “Even though he’s [Miller] not a captain, he’s really encouraging the other guys to step

up to the plate,” she said. Miller, who swims the 100 and 200 freestyle, managed to drop his times at the Kalispell meet, but wants to improve more. He hopes to shave three seconds off his 100 freestyle and wants to get his 200 freestyle under two minutes. “I’m just really kicking myself […] trying to get in front of people.” For Miller, this involves extra dry land training, which includes exercises such as running and pushups. Alicia Fowler has noticed more people participating in dry land training this year in order to improve. Fowler, a sophomore, isn’t expecting practices to be easy this year. “I’m expecting really hard practices,” Fowler said. “Our coach really wants to win, and he has a lot of determination.” Fowler’s season is already off to a good start. She placed 5th in 200 freestyle and 9th in the 100 freestyle at the Kalispell meet Dec. 2-3. “It went really well,” Fowler said. “It went better than I thought it would.” Fowler still has things she wants to work on, including improving her stroke to become faster. “It’s better to fix it now than later,” Fowler said. “You work on getting faster.” Although the girls swim team lost three

Swim team members prepare to dive into the water at a recent practice (top). Junior Shelby Sechena works on her kicking during warmups. Photos by Kelsey Smith.

seniors last year, Fowler said the team has been working harder and trying to prepare. The boys team can relate. This season has presented some unique challenges for the boys swim team, as they have only five competing members. The team lost four seniors last year. “We really tried before the season to recruit,” Miller said, but added that it was difficult with other sports such as basketball and football competing. Despite being limited by small numbers, Miller said that the size has not held the team back, and said that they are working with the athletes they have. “I want us to be really close,” Miller said. “We need to be a good example of a tight-knit team if we want to be successful.” Anderson echoed that sentiment. “They [team leaders] need to bring them in as a team,” Anderson said. Anderson feels that if this happens, the year will go well. “It seems like it’s going to be a real fun year,” she said. Great Falls is hosting the state meet this year, and Anderson is excited for it. “We’re looking forward to making a statement in our own pool,” Anderson said. “I still have some work to do to put my face out there for state,” Miller said. “I know where I want to go and what I need to do to get there.”

Dec. 15, 2011 The Stampede

Basketball underway with new faces, new goals

Varsity girls aim for improvement, results, wins placed fourth at the state championships in Butte. This year the team has a lot of returning experience as well as new talent, Olson said, and sometimes there’s a learning curve with that. “[It] takes time to get a feel of what we’ve got. We’re trying to find people to fit the roles of the previous seniors,” Olson said. “We lost four to five good seniors.” As the year begins and new players start out, Olson already expects the team to be deep in the guard play. One of the seniors for this year is point guard Lexi Pyette. Pyette plans for a good year of playing with her teammates, and hopes to achieve her personal goal of keeping a good hold on the ball. “I’m excited to win,” Pyette said. KayDee Parsons, a sophomore, for her first year on varGirl’s varisty basketball coach Chad Olson has sity plans to letter. coached at CMR for 8 years. Photo by Lindsay “[I am looking forward to] Garpestad. by kendra hix

With the basketball season just heating up and off to a good start, math teacher and CMR girls varsity basketball coach Chad Olson expects a good year. “We realistically could be a top three team,” Olson said. “The kids are really trying.” Last year, Olson and his team

CMR Boys/Girls Varsity Basketball Schedule 2011-2012

Boys Date: Time: Versus: 1/5 7:30p.m. Helena High 1/14 4:30p.m. Flathead 1/20 7:30p.m. Billings Skyview 1/21 4:30p.m. Bozeman 1/26 7:30p.m. Butte 2/3 7:30p.m. Billings West 2/4 4:30p.m. Billings Senior 2/10 7:30p.m. GFH 2/17 7:30p.m. Bozeman 2/18 4:30p.m. Billings Skyview 2/24 7:30p.m. Billings Senior Girls Date: Time: Versus: 12/15 5:45 p.m.Helena High 12/20 7:30 p.m. Capital 1/7 4:30 p.m. Butte 1/10 7:30 p.m. GFH(crosstown) 1/20 7:30 p.m. Billings Skyview

dominating with my fellow Lady Rustlers,” Parsons said. When it comes to a goal of the team, Pyette said she plans on helping everyone maintain a positive attitude. “We’ve been lucky,” Olson said. “We have good team chemistry; the girls care about each other.” The team hopes to have the opportunity to win every game, Olson said. “(I want) to improve for upcoming years,” Parsons said. “We want to be the hardest working team in the state,” he said. With hard work comes competition, and Olson expects some from Bozeman and Missoula Sentinel. “Bozeman is always a good rival,” Pyette said. “Anything can happen; you have to come out and play every game.”

CMR Lady Rustlers take down the Glacier wolfpack in a 52-47 win on Friday Dec. 9. Photo by Jake Settera.

Rustler boys shoot for state by ida andersen

Even though last year’s season didn’t turn out as well as expected, varsity boys’ coach John Cislo has faith that the boys will achieve goals this season. “We had a lot of injuries last season, and we lost our point guard pretty early on. The boys did a good job, but we were in a tough situation,” he said. “I expect our boys to compete at every game, show up at every practice, give everything, [and] then I think we can achieve goals,” Cislo said. What’s different this season are the four new starters, different drills, and a handful of boys who a r e competing at the varsity level for the first time. “It’s a whole different thing from junior varsity. So those boys have to learn to make those adjustments quick,” Cislo said. One of them is point guard Cameron

Oswood, who also is a team co-captain this year. Like Cislo, he thinks that the Rustlers will have a successful season. “We have a good chance of making it to the state championship,” Oswood said. Co-captain shooting guard Luke Stenzel agrees. “My goals are high,” he said. “I think we’ll make it to state” Both Oswood and Stenzel have been in the game for a long time. Stenzel said he has kept on playing basketball because he gets pumped by the game and the excitement that comes with it. “I started playing basketball when I was about five years old. I picked up balls as a kid, and I had a tiny hoop in my room,” Stenzel said. Oswood has played basketball since his first years of elementary school. “My siblings played basketball, so I was kind of just brought up around it and just started to love the game,” he said. The boys practice every day after school during basketball season, which started in November and ends in March.

Boy’s varisty basketball coach John Cislo used to play high school basketball at CMR and says that coaching gives him an opportunity to still be in the game. Photo by Lindsay Garpestad.

Dec. 15, 2011 The Stampede

Frosty temptation

Students, teacher give insight on winter plans

LOCATIONS ◊ Deadman ◊ Mizpah Ridge ◊ Obrien Creek ◊ Silver Crest Located in Lewis and Clark Forest about 52 miles southeast of Great Falls. Call 236-5511 for information. ◊ North Fork Waldron Creek Located in Lewis and Clark Forest about 52 miles northwest of Great Falls. Call 1-(406)-466-5341 for more information. ◊ Green Pole ◊ Rock Creek Located in Lewis and Clark Forest about 110 east of Great Falls. Call 566-2292.

by kendra hix As the snow falls most Montanans get an itch, an itch to tame the mountain. Whether it’s snowmobiling, skiing, snowshoeing, or any other multitude of winter sports, the itch gets scratched. One of those Montanans is senior Darby Lacey. For the past nine years, Lacey has trained during the summer and the fall for the ski racing season. In the winter months, she trains on the weekdays and saves the weekends for racing at ski hills across the state of Montana. “I couldn’t imagine doing anything else,” Lacey said. Like Lacey, who found her winter passion at the age of two, sophomore health and physical education teacher Amanda Ferderer has been ice fishing –her chosen winter activity-with her family since she can remember.

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“We usually take the camper and go for a weekend,” Ferderer said. Ferderer and her family usually fish at Pishkun Reservoir or Tiber Dam, and she said that spending time with her family in the middle of the freezing weather is why she enjoys it so much. Time with family is what draws many Montanans into the wilderness during the winter months. Sophomore Brandon Knowles said winter brings a time to be together. “[I like] being able communicate with my family when we’re together,” Knowles said. Knowles skis, sleds, and snowmobiles near Showdown in the winter months. He also sleds at Verde Park in Great Falls. Lacey encourages everyone to go out and enjoy the winter weather. “Be open to new things,” Lacey said. “Go with friends.”

RENTALS

Ski and Snowboard Rental -Showdown Ski Area 69 miles south of Great Falls on Highway 89 Cross Country Ski Rental -Bighorn Outdoor Specialists 206 5th Street South Snowshoe rental -Bighorn Outdoor Specialists -Showdown Ski Area *For information on prices: Showdown: 1-(406)-236-5522 Bighorn Outdoor Specialists: 1-(406)-453-2841

Dec. 15, 2011 The Stampede

High school hockey heats up CMR students on high school team strive for success in first year, last year

at the national level. Hockey runs in Dylan Garton’s blood. The “I’m definitely looking for us to win state youngest of three, Garton grew up playing and go to nationals again this year” Garton with his older brothers. said. “It’s fun to play with family,” he said. “My The Great Falls hosts the Terry Casey Mebrother Dalton [2010 CMR graduate] talks to morial Hockey Tournament every year, which me and helps out a lot.” faces teams from all over the middle United Garton, a senior, has had the opportunity States and Canada against each other. The to play with his brother on the Tier III Junior Americans will have a chance to defend their team, but his main commitment is to playing as 2011 Casey Cup victory in January. a forward for the Great Falls Americans on the The Americans are off to another good start high school team. this year. As of right now they “It’s a hard-hitting game.” have a winning record of 9-1. “It’s a hard-hitting game, and Dylan Garton I like that it’s fast-paced,” he said. Garton, who is also an assisSophomore Bridger Croft, tant captain for the Americans, also a forward, is finding out in his first year says that hockey has taught him a lot about on the high school level team that it is indeed teamwork and leadership, and there is a strong faster and more competitive than the lower lev- team bond. els, but he is adjusting well. “It’s kind of sad that it’s almost over for “I like how we have night games and that me,” he said. “Most of us have been playing towe get a pretty good crowd,” Croft said. “I nev- gether since we were five, and it’s my last year er get bored.” to play with these guys.” Garton agrees, “it’s a good feeling.” You can catch the Americans live in action The Great Falls high school hockey team in- this weekend against Miles City. They play Satcludes players from both GFHS and CMR. They urday Dec. 17 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday Dec. 18 have consistently been a force to be reckoned at 10:00 a.m. at the Great Falls Ice Plex. with over the years, winning state championships and making appearances in tournaments by keeli telleen

Above: Skating the puck up, senior Daniel Morris works on his handling skills and shooting. Top and bottom left: Sprawled out on the ice, Dylan Garton participates in a drill where players practice getting up quickly from the ice. Below: The Americans circle up to listen to their coach. Photos by Keeli Telleen.

Dec. 15, 2011 The Stampede

Madrigal Dinner- A Magical Night Drama, orchestra, choir recreate Medieval age in biannual dinner showcasing fashion, songs, talents, food

Far right: Senior “King” Paris Simonson entertains the dozens that gathered at the Madrigal Dinner on Dec. 10. Middle top: The audience and servers wait for the night to begin. Middle bottom left: Senior Christina Morris prepares to serenade a table of Medieval sympathizers. Middle bottom right: Junior Jen Verzuh and senior Leisha Michelson paint pictures of the King’s Court. Top left: junior Larsen Blake, freshman Jack Leavey and sophomore Blaise Wegner stand in place of director Chris Evans. Blake and Wegner played trumpet for the occasion. Above: Band director Russ Kellogg makes conversation about medieval knights and jesters as he hands out tickets. Photos by Beth Britton.

by caitlyn aakre Closing night of Madrigal Dinner. A room filled with scarlet and gold. Thespians clasp hands. They exchange their “break-a-legs” and prepare to perform. An hour earlier, senior Sam Shie was sitting in a chair in a makeshift dressing room of the Columbus Center while fellow senior Leisha Michelson was preparing to take a curling iron to Shie’s hair. “I feel like a poodle,” Shie said with a joking expression enough to make Michelson roll her eyes. Shie played a fortune teller, and Michelson played a paintress. Thespians were not the only ones involved in the Dec. 9-10 dinner. Down the hall, string players, under the direction of orchestra teacher Dennis Dell, were warming up their bows to serenade audience members as they entered the historic Columbus Center Chapel. The Russell Ayres were also involved. “I’m a part of the King’s court,” senior Jordan Kemp said. “It just means […] I get to be entertained,” she said. She and

other members of the choir sat at the banquet table at the front of the dinner hall and enjoyed their feast after first singing a few songs for the crowd. The king was played by senior Paris Simonson. “I descend from the high kingdoms of London,” he said in a seemingly perfect British accent. His queen, senior Keeli Telleen, had more to add. “The sleeves [of my dress] are a bit scratchy,” she said. “I’m really digging my crown and cape.” As it was time to enter the floor, choir director Jennifer Cantley had some advice for the young actors. “Decide who your lady or gentleman is, of which castle… and stick to it.” And as the trumpet players sounded their horns, it was showtime.