CMR Stampede March 2016

S The Stampede

C. M. Russell High School Great Falls, MT March 31, 2016 Vol. 51 Issue 6 www.rustlernews.com

An open forum for student expression

Drama department performs skit unlike any before. Car accident. Drunk driving. PROM. Page 8

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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.

2015-2016 Staff Editor-in-Chief

The Stampede

C. M. Russell High School Great Falls, MT March 31, 2016 Vol. 51 Issue 6 www.rustlernews.com

Features Editor

Carli Dieruf

Christina Brennan

Online Editor

Entertainment Editor

Isaiah Vang

Clara McClain

News Editor

Sports Editor

Tamara Miller Opinion Editor

JJ Mitchell

Mackenzie George Advertising Manager

Emily Cappis

Staff members

Christy Armstrong Andrew Aron Sophie Aron Josh Botti-Anderson Mary Brown Julia Gremaux Allison Hanson Ian Kaiser Katelyn Morley

Quincy Schmechel Abby Shearer

Adviser

Beth Britton Principal

Kerry Parsons

CMR drama department collaborates with the Great Falls police and fire department to put on Operation PROM -- a realistic play -- an attempt to warn students of the dangers of drinking and driving, with PROM a day away.

The skits were performed at CMR on Mar. 17 and at GFHS on Mar. 18 after school. Photos by Carli Dieruf.

Contents

Cover photo by Carli Dieruf

2- Table of Contents, Carli’s column 3- Welcome the rookies *4- 4-H *5- Teachers with babies *6- Study hall *7- Industrial tech *8- Drama department *9- Western Art Week *10- CMR art department *11- Freshman basketball *12-Track and javelin *13- Football farewell NEWS 14- Tamara’s column, Mural, LGBTQ+, in the news 15- School board 16-17 CENTERSPREAD- Pregnancy 18- Military kids OPINION 19- JJ’s column, editorial, new club 20- Opinion, Student Voices 21- Election face-off FEATURES 22- Barbies 23- Faces in the crowd, parrot 24- Choir, Western art show ENTERTAINMENT 25- Tall Girls review 26- Movie review, game review 27- Dress the press SPORTS 28- Mackenzie’s column, tennis 29- Track and field 30- Softball pitching, stats 31- Folf, aerobics, Guide to MB BACKPAGE- PROM throwback

Carli Dieruf

Editor-in-Chief

February and March have really been hard for me, both mentally and emotionally. In the “short” 60 days that seemed to fly by in the matter of weeks, more life-altering events have happened than I’ve experienced in years.

To start off, I’ll talk about the fact that my step-sister was flown in from North Carolina after being transferred there because of problems she faced with her step family. A long awaited court day came around and a man who has been free for almost three years was finally sentenced to 40 years in prison.

It was a tough time for all of our family, even my dad who has no relationship to any of them. It took a toll on all of us and affected the way we lived for years. After a long wait to get into court, things finally worked out for the best. The sentencing was announced and

the entire left side of the room burst into tears. Justice was served, finally.

After long hours in the courthouse, it was a quiet, joyous ride home. My step sister’s face was glowing, the aching feeling that laid in her stomach for years was eased, her anxiety died down. The torturous wait was finally over. She was free.

Aside from that, my mom, step-dad and half sister are leaving Great Falls. My step-dad found a job in Las Vegas and because of the decline of nursing jobs here in Great Falls, they decided it was best for everyone if they moved there.

Am I sad that they are moving? Absolutely. I’ve spent short amounts of time hiding in my room while packing -- crying while holding onto things that I’ve gotten from my mom that I adore.

It’s difficult. Trying to convince my mom that she really can leave and I’ll be fine, is the worst of all. She has yet to see me cry, so I’ve accomplished one goal so far.

Continued on page 3..

Editorial Policy The Stampede -- produced by journalism classes at C.M. Russell High School -- is a public forum for all voices on campus. These voices include the students, parents, faculty and the community at large.

The opinions and views in this publication are not necessarily those of the Stampede staff, the student body, CMR employees or the school administration.

The Stampede strives to cover the news accurately and fairly; however, when a mistake is made, a correction will be printed in the following issue. All writers are responsible for the content of their articles.

Editors will edit all copy to be free of plagiarism and libel, and all writers will double-check their facts before publication.

Letters to the editor and guest essays are welcome. Letters are limited to 200 words, and essays 350 words. All submissions

must be signed and include a phone number so authenticity can be verified. The editors and/or adviser reserve the right to edit all letters for grammar and spelling as well as content that may include profanity, be libelous, obscene or not meet general editorial guidelines.

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

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

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

March 31, 2016

C

arli Dieruf

Editor-in-Chief

Continued from page 2..

I should be ready for this. I’ve been preparing for college for awhile. So really, I should be more than ready for them to leave, if I’ve been preparing to leave myself. But that’s a lie.

Packing is difficult. I’m still in denial about the whole thing, in a way. I’ve managed to hold it off until the very last minute. It will be stressful to jam a couple weeks of packing into a spam of a few hours but I’ve decided that it will be the easiest way to distract myself for a while from the parts I’m dreading the most -- putting my boxes into the trunk of my car.

I’m not ready for college, and I’m definitely not ready for my mom to leave, but I’ll be okay.

I’ll be living with my dad full time, but will be visiting my mom often in Las Vegas whenever I’m given the opportunity.

Moving is opening up a new world of jobs for both my mom and step-dad and I’m happy for both of them. It’s a tough move for all of us though. None of us are ready. The move was decided over the span of a month and it was surprising, but necessary. I’d explain why it is necessary but I would need a much bigger space to tell you all, and I’ve already spread my column out this month in order to tell you about these two months.

How about the fact that June is right around the corner. The weather is slowly getting nicer which means the year is coming to an end as well. Three months may seem like to much time for those who aren’t in their senior year of school yet. But when you’re sitting in your room, scrolling through text books and dorms on a college website, you wish you could rewind back to September one more time.

Money has never been much of an issue in my family. I’ve been very fortunate all my life and I’ll always be grateful for that. But there’s a difference between my parents being financially secure, ensuring stable living for me, and me being financially secure and providing for myself.

Providing for myself is as terrifying as it sounds. I’ll be making my own money and will only have the money that I make. I’ll be buying my own groceries, house appliances, decorations, and so much more. My parents won’t be in charge of my bills, it will be all me.

I realized that I’m not ready as I put my money into my checking account, 255 dollars, all just to apply for my dorm. That’s when I got really scared. I’m not ready. I don’t know how I’m going to manage my money.

Intro

Say ‘hello’ to the newest members of the Stampede staff

3

Intro to journalism students create pages for March issue of the newspaper

by Christina Brennan, features editor Seven months of training, a partner by their side, and 10 pages in the March issue of the Stampede, the Intro to Journalism students are ready to show their work to the world. Getting a piece together can be pretty tricky, but these kids have got it more than under control. The pieces are thoroughly reported, well written and interesting. Topics ranging from 4H to art and everything in between.

“We are doing a football goodbye to the senior players. It’s about how the varsity team feels about letting go of their senior players,” sophomore Lindsey Robison said.

Deadlines and interviews played a huge part in everyone’s work for this issue.

Some people have found they are stronger with interviews, others do better with working on a deadline and some find they thrive with the design aspect of the paper. Although Robison had the most fun interviewing people and seeing how the underclassmen on the varsity football team felt about the seniors leaving, she said the hardest part about this project was getting her work done on time. “[Deadlines were] a struggle in the beginning, because I was like ‘I’ll get it done and it will be great’ but then the time comes to turn it in, It’s like ‘wow that’s not what it’s supposed to be.’ Make sure you do your piece early on,” she said, putting emphasis on getting work done on time.

On the other side of things, junior Ashton Palen said that interviewing was a little nervewracking for him.

“I was pretty nervous because it was my first time I’ve ever done any journalism, like I was in intro to photo but that wasn’t anything like this. I was pretty nervous, especially since I just moved up here [from Arizona],” Palen said.

He and his partner completed a piece focusing on the art department in school.

Palen was curious about art he sees around the building such as the pillars in the breezeways and the glass cases in the commons. They interviewed three artists and a teacher about the purpose and inspiration behind the decorations around the school.

“Each interview was well over 10 minutes long and I got a lot of really nice quotes. I was able to write the main story pretty fast,” he said.

Palen said that a huge part of working on his piece for the Stampede was compromising with his partner.

“Partner work is pretty hard, but as long as you start working with your partner things will get done pretty fast. Compromise is definitely a major key to working with a partner because you both have completely different ideas and you need to find a way to work together,” Palen said.

With Robison and others continuing on to Yearbook and Newspaper class next school year, the Journalism department is in good hands. The work of the Intro students can be found through page 13, see for yourself what these newbies are capable of; you will not be disappointed.

Late start to a long-term dream

by Christina Brennan, features editor The chaos of yearbook and newspaper on deadline is enough to put fear in a freshman’s heart drive them away from room 326. But if you are not ready to tackle the journalism department head on you may want to look into the introduction class. The intro to journalism class does more than teach students how to interview people and place stories on a page. It teaches the proper usage of punctuation, the history of America through the eyes of a reporter and how to gain confidence in yourself.

“Everyone should take it, even if you’re not going into journalism. I mean Ms. B is the best teacher ever. She is amazing. It’s not just, you get to learn a lot of the US’s past like Watergate and all that stuff, there is a lot of stuff that happens with media and history with media that you don’t think about.

It’s also like a mini English class,” junior Sarah Ljunggren said.

“You have to have your punctuation correct and your sentence format correct so you get to learn a lot and get in depth with punctuation and stuff than you do compared to your other English classes.”

Ljunggren took the class knowing exactly what she wanted out of it, but ended up getting just a little more than she

Learning all there is to know about newspaper design seventh period Intro to Journalism students lay out practice spreads on March 14.

Photos by Christina Brennan.

expected. She said she has formed a bond with the rest of the class. She said that it is like a tiny family. Everyone is very supportive and welcoming of one another.

“I knew I wanted to be a journalist when I came into high school, but I also wanted to take a foreign language. that was really important to me, and taking an art class was very important to me,” she said. “But I totally wish I would have had time to take it as a freshman. You get so many opportunities and it really gets your foot in the door, doing it for four years.”

Ljunggren plans to take both journalism classes her senior year so she can get more experience before she goes to college.

While she is quite excited and passionate about reporting, she said she does not want to apply for an editor position on either publication. She feels she does not deserve it as much as the other students who have been in the program since their freshman or sophomore year. Regardless, her love for the class is obvious to anyone who asks.

“It is just such a great class, to be in,” she said. “If anyone is thinking about taking it, do it. It is such a good experience, and the teacher is just the best.”

4

4-H affects the lives of teenagers

March 31, 2016

Rookie

Freshman Molly Christians sews baby blankets as one of the communiy service events in 4-H. Photos courtesy of Cascade County 4-H.

by Jessica Banks Some people don’t just consider the family they were born into as their family.

Junior Katie Koterba said she thinks of the people she meets in 4-H as her second family.

“All the friends you meet become your 4-H family. My 4-H friends are people I have been friends with my whole life,” Koterba said.

4-H is an organization in which teens and adults work together to give back to their community and make the world a better place, and for some it isn’t just community service and volunteering that they love.

For many 4-H members, the organization is so much more to them. It is a tightly knit family where they can be themselves.

Haley Darlinton, a senior at C. M. Russell High School, says that 4-H gives her the opportunity to meet great people from across the state, and that her friendships made through 4-H will last forever.

Molly Christians, a freshman at CMR, also claims her 4-H friends as a giant longlasting family where she can truly be herself.

It is a common misconception that 4-H is only about raising and selling animals, it isnt, and there is so much more that can be done in this organization.

Leathercrafting

Sewing

Livestock

Entomology Horses

“

”

projects allow her to express Haley Darlinton skills are not limited herself in her own way and to public speaking. develop skills she will use forever.

Christians says that 4-H helps to build her Darlinton also participates in a variety confidence. of projects, including leadership, shooting “Participating in 4-H has helped me to sports, cooking, and woods. She realizes get out there, open up and not be afraid of all of the great qualities and talents she what might happen,” she said. gets from 4-H. Giving back to the community is what “4-H teaches me a variety of different 4-H is all about, and these women work skills, including public speaking, which hard to always make the future a great will be beneficial for my entire life,” place to be.

Darlinton said.

“Being in 4-H creates a brighter future Koterba participates in many of the by making the best better,” Darlinton said. same events; she mainly focuses on photography and sewing, and she works to take these projects to higher levels.

4-H: Then and now

It’s not just about Cows?

Cooking

This organization will not only impact From the dozens of projects to relationships in the future; it develops participate in, these three women all many skills that can not be found say one thing in particular is the most anywhere else. beneficial for them and for their future.

Each 4-H member has a wide variety “Communication is the key to life,” of projects to choose from, and they stress Darlinton said. that 4-H is about much more than just Christians and Koterba agree, each animals. crediting their public speaking skills to Christians participates 4-H, and they recognize Being in 4-H creates in photography, speech, that this skill will be cooking, sewing, archery, a brighter future by used forever. and ceramics. All of these making the best better.

However, the life

by Jessica Banks 4-H not only impacts teenagers lives now, but it has for generations.

Agriculture teacher Jodi Koterba is a lifelong 4-H member.

As a teenager in Oregon, she joined 4-H and continues to be a part of the 4-H community in Montana. She is a club leader and volunteers in many events and activities.

“I never really thought about not being in 4-H; it has just always been a huge part of my life,” Koterba said.

4-H mainly has remained the same from her years as a member.

“As technology has increased, the incorporation of technology in 4-H has also increased; however, the purposes and values have not,” Koterba said.

4-H impacts lives forever, she added. Members learn to cook, sew, speak in public, and be a polite person. She credits her time in 4-H for the person she is today and her willingness to help everyone.

Each summer after school gets out, 4-H members ages 8 and up gather at Camp Rotary for a Cascade county 4-H where they do projects, develop skills, and strengthen friendships with their 4-H friends and family.

Annually member in 4-H works hard each year to put together projects to put in their clubs’ display at the Montana State fair each summer.

Many 4-H memebers raise animals during the 4-H year and show and sell them at the Montana State Fair in the summer.

Rookie

March 31, 2016

5

BALANCING

BABIES

by Sarah Ljunngren Even though this is Leanne Williams’ first child, she knows what to do. The C.M. Russell High School math teacher is expecting her baby girl to come in April. As a teacher she experiences being on her feet all day, dealing with misbehaving kids, and much more.

The physical part of being pregnant is the hardest, she said.

Like Williams, PE and health teacher Lindsey Gustafson and counselor Jacie Schoenen said the physical part of being pregnant was the hardest part to balance. Going up stairs all day, dealing with morning sickness, and having heartburn were just some of the physical factors that they had to go through.

Gustafson, said she was happy that she was able to continue to work out while being pregnant.

“I actually liked it; I stayed healthy and active. I was very fortunate,” she said. Some parts of her job, however, were Leanne Williams captures the attention of her Algebra 2/Trig. class as she teaches on Feb. 19. Williams gave birth to her impossible. For instance, she could not do all the jumping daughter, Myka, on March 29. Photo by Sarah Ljunggren. involved with aerobics. Instead, she shared verbal teachings with the students instead of showing them how to do the moves.

by Sarah Ljunggren Even outside of her teaching job she was physical.

Amanda Kohut thought Gustafson is a softball coach and made adjustments during teaching high school math was a practice, especially because she coaches the catcher and circus, but little did she know that pitcher positions. an even bigger balancing act was to Not only did the teachers struggle with physical factors of come. being pregnant, but they also struggled with the emotions of Almost two years ago, Kohut being pregnant. and her husband, auto tech teacher Schoenen, said her experience as a counselor has been Shawn Kohut, happily welcomed different from other teachers. their twins — and twice the work.

“I felt like I was more emotional than I normally would Being a teacher has had an Jacie Schoenen, Counselor have been,” she said. She also felt that it was hard not to show impact on how she’s raising her emotion. When her students cried she found it hard to also kids, and Kohut has said her life is not cry. truly different now.

“They are their own people and The emotional and physical aspects of being pregnant while “I just have different priorities their own personality,” she said. teaching were just some obstacles they had to go through. now. I was always here early and Kohut and her husband have Another challenge of being a teacher and being pregnant was I could stay till six o’clock at night entered a juggling act, and they deciding on how to raise their children. and it didn’t matter, [be]cause there are getting quite good at it. “I can Williams believes that her teaching habits will not transfer were no two small tiny people do anything now while holding a to her kid. waiting for you at home,” she said. baby,” Kohut said.

“As long as my child is trying in school, I am not going to Even though her priorities have Even though her life can be like a be super ‘teacher’ on them. They need to be working, and if all changed, her ideas on how she will circus, Kohut said she would never they get is C’s whatever that’s fine. They need to be trying,” teach her children have not. want to have it any other way. she said.

Kohut’s teacher persona won’t Being a teacher is hard enough, but teaching while transfer over to her home life, she pregnant is a whole different story. These ladies make doing believes. She said she will support it look like a breeze.

Lindsey Gustafson, PE them no matter what.

Kohut dealing with double trouble

The Boys’ “You just have to take over a lot more responsibilities, and then with our second kid, Carter, I did all the night stuff. Woke up every night.

Finally we learned from the first child, that someone just has to do the night so that’s what I did so [my wife] could sleep and I could not [sleep].”

Jon Davis (Science)

Point of View

“ I was taking polls in all my classes on what name we should name our child and whether it was a boy or if it was a girl. I’d come home with these ridiculous names, like third period named it Megatron.”

Ryan Anderson (English)

“Pregnant women have to go to the bathroom all the time, and when you’re teaching you don’t get to go to the bathroom all the time because you’re always in charge of these people who are inherently untrustworthy and who can’t be left alone.”

Jeremy Comstock (English)

Y D U T S

6 Rookie

March 31, 2016

HALL

19 percent of students have a study hall, but do these students put it to use?

by Loran Fairhurst and Chloe Geary When it comes to the usefulness of study halls, German teacher Anne Bulger holds nothing back. She believes with a fiery passion that study hall is practically worthless.

“No one does anything in study hall,” said Bulger, who currently moderates a study hall seventh period.

Bulger, furious with how students use their time during the period, disapproves of students who take a study hall.

“We are in a place where we can learn hundreds of things for free,” Bulger said. “Sign up for classes instead of a study hall.”

She also said that she disapproved of her students not actually doing anything, and just wasting time when they could be learning something new.

However, not all study hall teachers agree.

Trisha Henneberg and Derra King, two other study hall teachers, said that a study hall can seriously benefit a student.

“It is very useful if they use it,” King said.

Henneberg and King co-teach a study hall class seventh period for students with special needs , many of whom are appreciative of the help and guidance the teachers provide.

“We make our students work,” King said.

And if the students don’t have any classwork of their own, the two teachers find a way to help them with new sections or topics in their other classes.

“We like to help our students.”

Junior finds use in The usefulness of study hall dependent study hall

by Loran Fairhurst and Chloe Geary on student The question: Does study hall help

Anne Bulger, German Teacher

What kids really do in Study Hall Draw/Write 7%

Play on phone 67%

Sleep 13%

Students sleep and do various activities on Feb. 16 during Anne Bulger’s study hall in room 234 seventh period. Photos by Loran Fairhurst.

Out of the 1339 students currently enrolled at CMR, there are 257 kids taking a Study study hall total, with 21 of 13% those students taking a study hall every other day.

74 freshmen, 79 sophomores, 85 juniors, and 19 seniors are currently enrolled in a study hall class.

All in all, that's 19 percent of the student body.

by Chloe Geary and Loran Fairhurst For C. M. Russell High School counselor Julie Graham, the usefulness of study halls is totally dependent on the individual student.

When asked her opinion on the usefulness of study halls, Graham said that it “depends on the kids themselves.”

While she encourages students who have large work loads to make room for study hall in their schedule, she knows that some students don’t use their time wisely.

“If students aren’t using a study hall, it’s a waste of time,” Graham said.

While she says spending time in study hall not getting work done is a waste of time, she also says that the students who utilize this class period seriously take time off of their workload.

“Students who work in study halls can use their time outside of school more freely, and not on homework,” Graham said.

Graham believes that a study hall can be useful to students, but it’s completely individual.

students? The answer? Yes. Or at least that’s what junior Daniel Moultray believes. He said he has acquired great use out of having a study hall, despite what his teacher, Anne Bulger, has to say about it.

“My workload is just way too much. I really need a study hall,” Moultray said.

Moultray decided to take two math classes this year, and thus his workload can be anywhere from one to three hours. Despite the daunting workload, Moultray manages to have some free time.

“It’s about half the time I don’t have homework, though,” he said.

Despite his workload, Moultray said he manages to not have homework, so during his seventh period study hall he said he hops onto his phone to entertain himself.

“I seriously recommend a study hall to anyone. I’ve had one every year I’ve been here.”

Rookie

March 31, 2016

Industrial tech shapes future for students

by Francesca McWilliams What do you want to do when you grow up? All students have been faced with the inevitable question, and the answer may be writer, doctor, or maybe a movie director.

Nate Druessel, a C. M. Russell High School sophomore, is determined to get a different sort of job.

“I’d like to be a civil engineer,” he said.

As a civil engineer, Druessel would deal with building things such as bridges, canals, roads, dams, and various buildings.

Druessel does more than just plan on being a civil engineer, however.

“I am in woods and preconstruction,” Druessel said. ”I think it’ll jump-start my career.”

Logan Huotte, a sophomore, would also like to get a different sort of job.

Huotte would like to be a fabricator.

A fabricator is someone who utilizes technical drawings, blueprints, or other specifications to construct metal products, as well as a number of products ranging from sheet metal parts to metal molds.

So far, he has taken intro into welding, and welding 1. He would like to take Welding 3 and College Welding class Senior year.

Huotte would like to stay in

Welding a way of life for hogan

During period 2 on Feb. 12, sophomores Ben Kaul, Logan Huotte, and Patrick Marko work in Paul Hogan’s classroom. Photo by Lexi Bako.

Montana or move to northern Idaho.

The CMR classes are recommended for anyone who thinks they’d like to pursue a career in this field, and even if they don’t it is always a useful skill.

Attesting to this is Patricia Lankford, an eighth grader at East Middle School.

“I’ve heard a lot about the industrial tech field. I hear it’s fun and pays great. I also really enjoy industrial tech

now,” she said. “We don’t do anything with metals, but I love how hands-on it is. I figure welding would be the best option for my career choice.”

In welding, Lankford would be permanently sticking metals to each other. Lankford says if she isn’t able to land a welding job, she’d like to teach.

“It would be strictly ITrelated,” she said.

roBert Scriver

Robert Scriver was a Montana-born artist. He specialized in Western sculpture.

Born: August 15, 1914

Charlie Wood shop project done by junior Zane Bridgeman.

Junior Alex Plascencia focuses on a welding project on Feb. 12. Photos by Lexi Bako.

7

Died: January 1999

“Symbol of the Pros” is a tribute to professional rodeo cowboys, located in the Monatana Historical Society in Helena.

Scriver was hired on the 50th anniversary of Shep’s death to make a memorial of bronze in Fort Benton.

Symbol of the Pros

Shep

by Lexi Bako Not many people today want a handson job that keeps them on their feet.

Welding teacher Paul Hogan, however, isn’t one of them.

Hogan has always been a welder.

“I probably started around 10 or 11,” Hogan said. “We had a small farm in Miles City.”

Growing up in an environment where he had to help with repairs greatly influenced his career choice, he said. ”It started my career.” Hogan said.

Besides welding, Hogan decided it’s what he wanted to teach. He attended college in Bozeman for four years and got a degree in teaching. He also went to a welding school in Troy, Ohio for two years. Hogan started his teaching job at CMR in 2001.

Welding isn’t just a business career. An artistic path also is an option.

“Welding can be very artistic,” Hogan said. He has taken an interest in creating his own signs in the summer.

“I encourage people to take the career path,” Hogan said.”Welding is very lucrative, and there are many jobs.”

There are numerous industrial tech options at CMR, and students can take the intro welding class and go from there.

With some welding experience, students can get work in art, shops, engineering, and architecture.

“Welding is a good skill to have in your toolbox,” Hogan said.

Shep

Sophmore Bryson Trevena works on a welding project. Photo by Lexi Bako.

8 Rookie

March 31, 2016

The Drama Department Business plays a key role in drama

Behind-the-scenes workers take the spotlight

by Michael Odell Most people may not think about every aspect of the acting industry, but for drama teacher Chris Evans it is more than just how well the actors do or how fancy the makeup is.

“The drama department pays for the right to produce each show, and ticket sales bring in most of the department’s revenue,” Evans said.

“For the most part, we are self sufficient,” he added.

In addition to the money brought in by tickets -- which cost anywhere from $5-8 -- the department holds fundraisers.

Students sell tickets and chocolates for their two main events. Evans mentioned that people also donate money or supplies such as paint or other stage materials.

“Everything you see on stage is what the money goes towards,” he said.

One of the best money making plays that he has done is “American Roulette.”

The department put it on six years ago.

For each play that goes on the play has a playwright. The main playwright cost $1,000-$2,000. For every night of the play they have to pay about $100. The posters and flyers cost money too, but in order to get publicity for each play they have to spend money. The drama department takes a big chance of spending a lot of money to hopefully make a profit.

“If I make $1 per play I’m happy,” Evans said. “I don’t want to lose money.”

by Sarah Cherry the scenes.

As the curtain opens, the crowd roars with applause. The “Almost year-round we have a crew working on the show,” lights turn on and the leading actors appear on stage, standing he said. “I don’t think people realize that it’s a really big job to in the spotlight. Even with their place on stage, these performers do.” are not the most important part of the production.

Between 60 and 80 hours goes into each It’s not about Those with the biggest roles don’t even perform production, and musicals require even under the lights. Their place is in the dark -- learning lines. There more than that. The directors try hard to get behind the scenes. for the students who don’t work in is so much hard work recognition “It’s not all about learning lines,” says the spotlight. sophomore Kaylee Bodge, a member of the that goes into it.

“We try to get our actors to take a stagecraft drama department. “There’s so much hard work Kaylee Bodge class to understand that it’s not all about them,” that goes into it.” drama department assistant Lesli Evans said.

According to Bodge, the behind-the-scenes She added that between Homecoming workers are the reason everyone is where they are. These during the summer and all of the productions during the school students work on stagecraft, lighting, costumes, makeup, sound, year, the students are often working on two shows at once; most and choreography. Even with all of the work put into it, audience of this responsibility falls upon the behind-the-scenes crew. members don’t realize what a big part they play.

“Well, you have stage crew, set building, props, the box office, Junior Loran Fairhurst, a Thespian in CMR’s drama costumes, lighting, and stage management,” Evans said. “If you department, knows how much time and effort goes in behind look at it that way, acting is only a small part of the process.”

BEHIND the scenes

In addition to the actors who appear on stage, an army of drama students works hard to make productions come to life. Here are a few of those behind-thescenes stars.

“

”

On March 1, junior Nick Skovron adjusts the lighting to prepare for the production of “Tall Girls.” Photo by Sarah Cherry. Drama students work in a last-minute rehearsal on March 10. Photo by Michael Odell.

1

2

3

4

5

Christina Brennan

Nick Skovron

Michael Lynn

Kaylee Osentowski

Autumn Place

Makeup

Lighting

Stagecraft

Choreography

Sound

Rookie

March 31, 2016

Artist Spotlight

Jillian Conley, a sophomore and freshman, Harley Clifton, display their artwork from the Young Masters at Western Art Week on March 17. Photo by Trey Behling.

Masters in the process

by Kenzie Nice It may be sport tryouts and competitions that bring everyone together, but for one week in March the artists of CMR, including senior Emily Squires, enjoy one of the biggest events of the year.

“I’m there for the experience,” Squires said as she prepared for the upcoming Western art week shows. The shows take place annually, and this year Western Art Week is set for March 16-20. The shows bring upcoming and famous artists from around the country to show off and sell their best works.

For high school students it’s the chance of a lifetime to get their names out. In addition to allowing young artists to grow and learn, Art Week gives AP students a chance to earn scholarships.

“Feeling proud, that others see my work [is great],” Squires said. Usually, people just see the artwork at school.

But it’s not just AP students who get ready for the art shows. Students like junior Dorie Cameron -- who is in painting and drawing classes at CMR -- are also preparing for the week.

Instructor Ben Pease works with 14 students during the Young Masters workshop on March 17. Rustler artists work on their pieces during the student workshop at the Heritage Inn on March 17. Photos

by Kenzie Nice.

“I’m excited. I hope I get in and [am] looking forward to seeing what other people think of my pieces,” Cameron said.

For both Cameron and Squires, the art show is a way to get their names known and their artwork seen. Both students see the shows as truly being Montana and nature-themed. The work being presented is centered around Western art, and the show has an authentic Western feel.

As the students prepare their pieces, art teachers like Jackie Van Heel are on constant standby to help.

“It’s recognition by jury, and there are monetary awards with first place being $400,” Van Heel said.

And the awards don’t stop there. First place does include a scholarship and $400, but the list of awards works its way down to last place holding a prize of $100.

To the teachers and students however, the biggest prize aside from a scholarship is at the art shows itself. Inspiration is also a big role in the setup for the shows.

Professional artist who come to these shows give students a chance for inspiration and knowledge and recognition from them.

9

Terryn Premo, a junior, shows off her acrylic piece, “Emerald,” for the Signature Montana magazine. Photo

by Leila Collins.

by Trey Behling Terryn Premo, a junior at C. M. Russell High School, enjoys using her hands and her abilities to make something come to life.

“My dad graduated from an art college,” Premo said. “I took over while my dad was away in the army.”

Like her father, Premo is dedicated to art, and his inspiration was passed down the line.

Entering her pieces into competitions and other places, she said she has drawn the eyes from some of the judges and the viewers.

“My last competition was the Colors of Fall, and I got third place,” Premo said.

The piece was an acrylic painting.

Premo’s favorite types of artwork are acrylic painting and graphic design on the computer. Graphic design is the art or skill of combining text and pictures in advertisements, magazines, or books.

Premo uses her artistic talents as the design editor of the yearbook.

She plans on going to college for graphic design and/or majoring or minoring in Fine Arts. Premo said she never did a lot of art in middle school, but now she shows off her talent in art shows

“Hidden acrylic,” painted by Terryn Premo, is displayed in the Young Masters section at the Heritage Inn. Photo by Trey Behling.

and competitions.

“I’m working on an acrylic painting for a competition for the Signature Montana magazine,” she said. If Premo wins, her painting will go on the front cover. “[Art] has made me think of career options better,” she added.

Even the business side plays a big role in her art career. She’s opening an Etsy account for her artwork. Etsy is an artistic version of eBay with handmade and vintage items and supplies.

Charles M. Russell’s Artwork Charles Marion Russell Indian Hunting Buffalo, c. 1883, watercolor on paper (C.M. Russell Museum, Great Falls, Mont., Gift of Sarah Barcus) Came to Montana at the age of 16 and worked as a cowboy and wrangler for 11 years before retirng in 1883 to become a full-time artist.

Charles Marion Russell Lewis and Clark Meeting the Mandans, 1896, pen and ink wash on paper (C.M. Russell Museum, Great Falls, Mont., Gift of David and Sandra Solberg) Russell married his wife, Nancy Cooper in 1896. He was 32 years old while she was 18.

Charles Marion Russell The Exalted Ruler, 1912, oil on canvas (C.M. Russell Museum, Great Falls, Mont., Gift of Friends of the Exalted Ruler) Russell created about 4,000 pieces of art work during his career.

10 Rookie

March 31, 2016

Have you seen

This?

This untitled watercolor peice

by Ha Ngoc Nguyen (class of 1979) depicts a white dove flying on its wings of color.

Devin Hardin used colored pencils and Sharpies to create this untitled work.

First period art workshop students create clay trees on Feb. 24. Photo by Ashton Palen.

Art department decorates school halls

by Ashton Palen In classic Charlie Russell style they The C. M. Russell High School art want to put up nature and landscape room seems to be hidden in a corner of themes on the columns, she said. the fieldhouse, but artists and teachers are “We want to use leaf patterns, animal trying to change that. heads, different things that relate to With the mosaic around the door, the nature,” Van Heel said. They are bringing tiles of the art room painted by the senior the artist’s spirit into their art. art students, and columns Even with the featuring underwater decorations going up on We deserve some scenes, rooms 501-503 are space to show our art. the columns, some artists steadily becoming more do not feel as supported Maygie Li unique. as they would like.

Although sophomore “Great Falls High Sarah Cherry has not yet contributed to School has more support for their artists,” the decorations, she does appreciate them. sophomore Maygie Li said.

“It gives you the feel of an art room and CMR has art from students that have not a classroom. Sometimes in order to get graduated a long time ago, yet we have into your art you have to be in an artistic almost no space to appreciate art from environment,” Cherry said. Ceiling tiles current students. from past artists decorate the room, giving “We deserve some space to show our the space a sense of timelessness. art,” Li said.

Decorating the school with their art is The columns are a start, but the CMR the next step. artists want a bigger place to showcase “We want to finish up the columns,” their talents, she added.

AP art teacher and department leader “It would be great if we could get our Jackie Van Heel said. With all of the art own gallery,” Li said. department working on the columns they should be finished fast and moving on to bigger projects.

The Art

GALLERY

“

”

This piece titled “Reeder’s Ally” is an etching

by John Snyder (class of 1973) and depicts an alley between two rustic houses.

This piece is a woodcut called “The Ol Mill”

by Cindy Williams (class of 1975) and depicts a mill in the middle of the forest.

This pencil drawing called “Lone Student”

by Susan Deal (class of 1973) depicts a single student studying.

This piece of art is not by a CMR student. It is a Lithograph titled “XXe Siecle” by Richard Lindner.

SLIDESHOW

Photos by Ashton Palen.

To see these pictures in color, visit www.rustlernews.com.

Senior artist aims for tattoo career

by Darlene Westie Devin Hardin’s sister inspired him with her tattoos, and she may have helped lead him to his future career.

Hardin, a senior, plans on being a tattoo artist when he graduates, and he said he hopes to get an apprenticeship in the field.

“I’ve always been interested in them so I thought it would be cool to do it,” Hardin said.

Hardin says he prefers to tattoo script, or write, because it is classy, and that out of all the scripts he prefers cursive.

One of his goals is to eventually own his own tattoo parlor.

Hardin has been drawing since he was a child. He said he has always been good at drawing, ever since he first picked up a pencil. “[I like to draw] anything involving people. I love drawing people’s facial features because it’s different on everyone,” he said.

As a student in CMR’s AP Art class, Hardin said he hasn’t really drawn anything other than portraits this year, because that is his favorite thing to draw.

In that class he is focusing on “more than what meets the eye,” or what is inside everyone.

Because of his preference for portraits, Hardin said that if he does do a ceiling tile, he would probably do a portrait.

His advice to budding artists is that “art is hard work, and dedication” and “to believe in yourself.”

Rookie 11

March 31, 2016

Freshman basketball all wrapped up

Athletes reminisce on successful season

by Evan Maclean and Tyler Baker The CMR freshman boys basketball team finished the year with a 12-8 record, and freshman Connor Rearden said he and his teammates were working well together by the end of the season “We had our highs and lows, but towards the end of the season we were clicking as a team and playing very good basketball,” he said.

Rearden isn't the only athlete that said the team progressed throughout the season.

“I feel like we have gotten better, and we are starting to learn each other's strengths and weaknesses,” Cameron McCarthy said.

The Rustlers started out a little shaky, going 3-4 through the first seven games, but they found their groove after a key win against Great Falls High School at the Jan. 14 crosstown game.

Perhaps the largest obstacle for any team, injuries, did not play as big a role as it could have for the Rustlers. Forward Tucker Greenwell sprained an ankle and missed only one game, a lucky break for the team. Guard Jayson Ingalls fell on the back of his head on Jan. 23 in a game against Billings Senior and was out of commision for six games.

“We’ve had to make some adjustments and move people around at different positions, but we have done great taking care of business with injuries,” Rearden said Even though the season is done, the team is always looking toward the future.

“We need to lift, we need to get bigger,” Kellen Hartman said.

Although the season went well, McCarthy said he and his teammates believe that they can always work on passing,catching, and scoring.

“There is always room for improvement,” McCarthy said.

However, the basketball team did great this season. The team feels like they can trust each other on and off the court.

McCarthy has seen excitement from each player and is glad to see support from his team. Support or lack of support can make or break a team.

“It has to be one of the most important things,” McCarthy said “Like McCarthy, Hartman has a lot of trust in his team. Even after all the injuries the team pulled out a great season and showed strength against every team they played.

“We always find a way to win,” Hartman said.

Q&A

Freshman guard Cason Taylor drives to the basket on Jan. 23 against Billings Senior. Forward Cameron McCarthy tries Freshman forward Kellen Hartman looks to pass against Bozeman ot block a shot on Jan.22 on Jan.22. Photo by Wendy Baker. against Bozeman. Photos

by Wendy Baker.

Q: How did the season go overall?

A: The season was good for the most part. We started out a little slow, we were still learning to play with each other, but now we’ve gotten a better handle on it, we’ve gotten a lot better.

with Hunter

Clark

Q: How do you think injuries played a role throughout the season?

A: We didn’t have too many injuries.

Tucker did something to his ankle, which put him out of the Havre game and Jayson got a concussion against Senior, and was out for most of the year. But everyone stays healthy for the most part.

Freshman forward Connor Rearden looks to pass in a game against Bozeman on Jan. 22. Freshman forward Hunter Clark catches a pass and looks to make a move against Billings Senior on Jan. 23. Photos by Wendy Baker.

Q: How do you think the team progressed over the course of the year?

A: I think we have done very well over the season. We got off to a shaky start, but eventually we got over the hump and gelled and started playing more as a team. obviously get in the gym, lift some weights and work on our game.

Q: What was the highlight Q: Did the team come closer of the season? since the start of the season?

A: The highlight was probably when A: Yes we have become closer. At we beat Skyview, just because they had the beginning of the year we didn’t a 6’8” freshman and we just played talk much to each other, but now as a team and pulled out the W. we’re high fiving and encouraging one another. And now we’re also talking and Q: How do you think you socializing off the court as well as on. can improve next year?

A: I think we can all just hang out in the off season and just build more chemistry with each other. We can

Looking Back State Champs 1999-2000 record: 15-5 Coach: Mike McLean 2001-02 record: 17-3 Coach: Mike McLean 2003-04 record:21-1 Coach: Mike McLean 2008-09 record:18-2 Coach: John Cislo 2009-10 record: 17-3 Coach: John Cislo

12 Rookie

March 31, 2016

Senior throws his way to success

by Jordyn Bennett Coaches are ecstatic for the track season, “I’m most excited to see the improvement that the kids I have coached have made from last year,” Coach Nathan Gregier said. Gregier comes back after the long offseason looking forward to seeing how kids have changed and what they remember from the previous year.

Every year he has to say goodbye to some great track participants, and that upsets him. He said he is really glad to see them move on and hopefully pursue the healthy habits they learned at C.M. Russell High School. He is proud of the accomplishments and scholarships that they get because they can turn their hard work into money that will help them get through college.

All of the coaches were track participants in high school, and that fuels their love for the sport still today. ”When I was in high school, I had some really good coaches that taught me how to work hard and be committed to something ,and I think that makes you a better person,” Gregier said.

He is more focused on the positive mental and physical habits that track develops, including staying in shape by building a good workout routine that keeps you healthy and happy. ”I was a track runner in high school, and I fully believe that the reason I am so healthy today is because of my habits in high school; I have never had major health problems, I sleep great, and life is good,”

he said.

“It starts with work ethic, and it spills to academics. If they are successful in here there is a good chance to win scholarships,” Coach Mitch Maki said.

Maki is the javelin coach for the Rowdy Rustlers. He is most looking forward to a couple state champion titles as well as the good weather.

Last year, Maki had three boys place in state -- in first, fourth, and sixth place.

“I have never had that happen before,” Maki said.

Maki rated his excitement towards the upcoming season as a 10 out of 10.

Ryan Anderson is one of two throwing coaches for the Rustlers.

Anderson said he is mainly looking forward to getting back in the ring with returning athletes.

“Good hardworking individuals,” is how Anderson describes his throwers.

Anderson is looking forward to the athletes winning meets and placing in state.

He also looks forward to the anticipation of new throwers coming to the field.

“Beautiful thing about track is that there is something for everybody,”he said.

“Everyone has their own niche.”

Track is beneficial on many levels. It allows practice and training towards other sports as well as other goals some may be looking to achieve.

Besides an athletic aspect, track gives a chance to develop strong bonds and relationships.

Javelin throwers practice outside in prep for upcoming meet. Photos by Sophie Aron.

What drives you to do track?

Kyla Dane

“

shotput/discus

“

Well, I needed something to do with my free time, and track was a great opportunity because I really love throwing shot put and discus. My teammates and coaches keep me going.

Mara Gaibor long jump

It gets me in shape. I like improving in the certain things I’m not the best at. There’s just something about putting all your effort into a 12-13 second event like the 100m sprint that I enjoy.

Walker McAllister hurdles

“

“

Coaches reflect on the 2016 track season

“

CMR track coaches explain technique to athletes during practice over spring break. Photos by Sophie Aron.

started. Pepin is glad to stay in state and even more glad to be in town; that way he can still be there to watch his younger siblings grow up and wish them even better than what he did in high school.

“I’m so glad that I don’t have to travel a long distance to come back and see my family. Like I still get to see all my siblings grow,” he said.

Pepin is most looking forward to allowing himself dedication to just track and not having to concentrate on football and basketball as well.

He is also looking forward to seeing different coaches and learning new things in college. “I’m able to be more independent.”

His favorite part of track is the sense of family. “We’re all like one big family,” he says. Everyone is given an opportunity to excel through college sports and Pepin is thrilled to get his.

by Gabrielle Pope Years of hard work really seemed to pay off for this graduating senior. Trevor Pepin has participated in track for four years and has now accepted a scholarship to a local college.

Pepin started track freshman year and has been throwing javelin and pole vaulting since. He occasionally sprints but only to stay in shape for other sports like basketball and football.

“Basically throwing is my passion,” he said. Track and field is Pepin’s favorite because unlike the other sports he plays they are in a team yet have individual scores and are dependent on only themselves.

Pepin and fellow javelin thrower Shana Cosby both received scholarships to go to the University of Great Falls for javelin.

“It was awesome,” he said. He is excited to continue school with Cosby because she has been throwing with him since he

I just like competing, and I like the process of improving throughout the year.

Rookie 13

March 31, 2016

Final football farewell

SENIORS

for CMR just under a year. With the seniors leaving, there are a few players Jensen believes have the capabilty to lead the team in the following year.

“We will be missing some great athletes, but we’ll have more experience of the defensive side and the offensive line, it should balance out,” Jensen said.

He’s expecting junior linebacker Max Sechena to be one of the players to step up next fall.

Xavier Pace has a different idea.

“I think we definitely have the capability to find a balance if we On Sept. 11 during a game against Helena High School at Memorial Stadium, the Rustlers celebrate a cooperate, everyone just has to touchdown. Photo by Christina Brennan. step foward,” Pace said. He played

runningback his first two years on the team, and last season he changed to corner. Both Pace and Jenson enjoy playing a crosstown game.

“Going out on the field and knowing at some point all eyes will be on you -- that’s scary,” Pace said.

“You go to that game every year growing up, then you finally get to play with the whole town there,” On Sept. 11, senior Jenson said.

Karl Tucker and junior Lane Jensen sit and watch the action at Memorial Stadium.

Junior Xavier Pace preps for the tough game ahead.

Quarterback Karl Tucker gets ready to send the ball down the field. Photos by Christina Brennan.

State Championships 1976

1982

1985

Bozeman

Capital

GFH

Butte

1975

Flathead

1980

Sentinel

Butte

1989

1992

GFH

Capital GFH

2004 Skyview

Helena High

Capital

1986 1984

1990

2001

2009

LOWRY

by Lindsey Robison In the eyes of Karl Tucker, a senior and quarterback for C. M. Russell High School’s football lineup, the future of the team burns bright. Tucker has played all four years in positions such as quarterback, wide receiver; and running back. To Tucker, cooperation and tolerance go hand in hand.

“Always being able to be there for someone, being able to cooperate with people [is important],” he said With four years of experience playing for CMR, Tucker’s highlight is the team’s customs, which he expects to be carried on into next year.

The team, along with his personal mistakes, has molded his character, shaping him into who he is today. And he said he wouldn’t have it any other way.

“Honestly, I wouldn’t change a thing. All the mistakes that I’ve made I have learned from will eventually they’ll help me in the future,” Tucker said. While Tucker goes to college, he will be missed most by Lane Jensen.

Jensen has been quarterback

Coach’s experience on field helps him with job

by Hannah Pospisil Gary Lowry, one of C. M. Russell High School’s most treasured football players, has had an interest in the game from high school all the way to his teaching career. Today, Lowry is in his second year as head coach of the CMR football program.

He played the safety position for all three years of his high school career in the 1980’s. Lowry had an eventful football career; his team went to four state championships.

Although the team wasn’t always victorious, there were still good times to come for the them.

The highlight of his time playing at CMR was “beating the Bison 10-0 my senior year,” he said.

During the time that he has been coaching at CMR, he has seen many teams come and go.

The game hasn’t changed since he played the sport himself, but he has seen growth in the athletes in general, he said. They are evolving.

“Athletes in general are getting bigger, faster, and stronger,” he said.

Playing football has given him an advantage in his job. “[It] definitely enables you to understand the game better. At least for me, you know, experience like that helped me become a coach.”

S

March 31, 2016 rustlernews.com

NEWS

Tamara Miller

CMR library shows support for LGBTQ community

News Editor

As the days get longer and the nights get shorter, the anticipation of graduation is getting worse and worse. As of Saturday, Feb. 27, I signed a contract that will forever change my life.

I enlisted into the U.S. Air Force.

It’s been something I’ve thought about for years, and it wasn’t something I thought I’d be able to go through with. I’ve heard many things about the military, and some things made me so skeptical about joining. I wasn’t sure what I was going to do.

I’ve never been a huge fan of school. Take a glance at my transcript and that’s the truth.

With the fact that I know I didn’t have the best transcripts or the greatest financial support, I wanted to stay away from college. It was always up in the air if I wanted to go to college, but when I learned that the military will pay for it I almost decided that day that I was going to enlist.

However, it wasn’t that easy.

Unless you score really high on the ASVAB test and have a wide range of jobs you want to do, enlisting could be pretty easy (as long as you pass all the basic qualifications). I myself scored a low but good passing score on my ASVAB so I didn’t have a short list of jobs, but it wasn’t too long either.

My first job choice was journalism because of my experiences with it at CMR. I didn’t qualify.

I was thinking about doing broadcasting, but that lands under the journalism section as well. I was stumped. I came across a job titled ‘Security Forces.’ I was kind of interested. However, when countless people -- my family, teachers, friends -told me to avoid that job, I decided to stay away from it.

After talking to my recruiter, my dad and others who have been in the military, I came across a job title called ‘Services’. I will learn how to maintain and operate hotels, restaurants and fitness centers at bases all over the world. I get bored easily, so learning about different things might be perfect for me.

After a few weeks of waiting around, I contacted my recruiter for a meeting about getting this process finished. My dad told me to get the paperwork done and to bring it along and see what happens. When we met with my recruiter at 2:30 at the office, I gave him my paperwork and the process began.

Finally after numerous papers and signatures I finally hit my last one, and I was relieved it was done. I finally had an official game plan for what I’m going to do after graduation. Sometime next month I’ll take a drive to Butte and go to MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Station), where I will sign up for my job and figure out a date of when I’ll be leaving for basic in Texas.

Knowing that by the end of the year I’ll be in San Antonio, Tex., gives me all kinds of excitement. I’ll definitely miss my friends and my family, but it’s something they all persuaded me to do, and helped me stick to it. I’m more than fortunate to be able to serve my country just as my mom and dad did. I’m looking forward to the new adventure right ahead of me.

A group of students enjoy lunch at a table near the wall that once featured a horse-themed mural. Photo by Katelyn Morley.

Cafeteria mural disappears

by Katelyn Morley, staff writer Colorful horses dance across the wall of the Rustler cafeteria no longer. Building engineer Alan Burley had a hand in the creation of the now green and white wall. “[The administration] wanted to give the cafeteria a new face lift,” he said.

The wall that once contained a mural of colorful horses, representing the school’s theme, has been permanently changed.

It is now white with the bottom quarter showing a signature green stripe. The administration has talked about the possibility of having a gold accent stripe on the wall also, Burley said.

The school might change the tables in the cafeteria, he added, and there may be more tables and possibly some different kinds.

Some tables might be centered around the pillars like more of a bistro style. Although these table changes have been discussed, they aren’t final plans, he said.

Burley said that the school is trying to create a more uniform look with white walls containing a unique green quarter along the bottom, such as the look by the DECA store.

Junior Jaetiana Taylor has her own opinions on the removal of the mural. The horse mural in the cafeteria made the atmosphere look more fun to be in, she said.

There is too much change going on around the school. The mural made the building looking fun, and that is important, she said.

The new white with green wall doesn’t seem as unique and makes the school building less exciting, Taylor added.. “[Murals] just make the school more interesting.”

by Sophie Aron, staff writer The CMR media center has recently displayed its support for the LGBTQ community by dedicating a portion of the library to books abourt topics dealing with the LGBTQ community and members within it.

Every month the media center selects a different theme to feature at a table near the windows of the CMR media center. Previous months have included “You may like... if you like” and books based around a main idea.

“Pinterest is an amazing thing,” media center specialist Alicia Carr said. Carr said she thought the colors of the LGBTQ pride flag suited the colorful season of spring and would be perfect for a display in March.

The display is equipped with ribbon dangling down on the table which correspond to the colors of the flag, along with a sign at the top of the table.

The display consists of books, both fiction and nonfiction, relating to LGBTQ topics. Librarians individually picked out the books in order to make the displayed books relevent.

At the end of March, the books will be put back in the main section of the library in order to create room for a new display for April.

The LGBTQ display was featured in the CMR media center for the month of March. Photo by Sophie Aron.

IN THE NEWS Presidential Election

by Katelyn Morley, staff writer This isn’t another piece of propaganda that we’ve all had to listen to since last year. Honestly, the “cut down the opponent” propaganda is getting old. But what is this Iowa Caucus and Super Tuesday stuff all about?

Before the general election there are a few qualifications for the candidacy. The person running has to be born in the United States, be at least 35 years old, and have been living in the United States for 14 years. Then there is basically the process of elimination, which are the state primaries and caucuses.

The state primaries are secret ballots with two different types.

Open primaries allow the voters to vote for a candidate in any party, whereas closed primaries restrict the voter to vote only for someone of their political party. The caucuses allow political parties to try and sway the undecided voters. At the end of this they calculate all the voters in the groups and how many delegates each candidate won.

After the primaries and caucuses are calculated there is a

national convention for the parties to choose presidential and vice presidential candidates. In July, Philadelphia will host the Democratic National Convention, and Cleveland will host the Republican National Convention.

The general election is then finally in view. The candidates chosen at the conventions will continue with debates and more campaigning -- all finally leading up to election day on Nov. 8.

After, the public heads to the voting stations. A registered voter goes in a private section and marks down on the ballot who they pick, this isn’t the final decision though. The opinions head to the Electoral College with delegates that represent each state and put in the final vote for the winner. This delegates typically vote for the same person as the general consensus for their state.

After the winners are announced there is a two-month wait until inauguration in January 2017. The president and vice president then begin their term, working to make their changes and policies according to their views.

Source: https://www.usa.gov/election

News 15

March 31, 2016

District bond may bring changes to CMR

by Tamara Miller and Clara McClain, news & entertainment editors The Great Falls Public School district is asking for a bond to repair many of the schools in the district, but what does that mean for CMR students?

“So far people think we have a good plan, that we have a plan that makes sense, and that touches every single school and therefore every single student,” Superintendent Tammy Lacey said.

They have proposed the following repairs for the C. M. Russell High School infrastructure: fire alarm system, domestic water piping, water main replacement, foundation work, elevator repair, perimeter sidewalk repair, locker replacement, three-way valve replacement, and window replacement.

In 51 years, the building that students use every weekday for nine months has accumulated quite the damage. For instance, foundation and sidewalk repairs are needed to both fix current problems and prevent future ones. The water main also needs to be replaced as it has broken multiple times in past years, causing students to have no access to bathrooms or running water on campus.

These repairs to the infrastructure and other parts of the school would cost $4,364,844.

However, repairs aren’t the only things that are a possibility for CMR. The school board also wants to add a multipurpose space, upgrade the track and field, and add STEM classrooms.

The multipurpose building would be used as an additional practice area for sports and another space for gym classes, as three classes currently happen at the same time in the same space. According to the facility plan that is posted online, the wrestling team needs a proper place to practice, and CMR does not have the adequate workout facilities for a AA high school.

This issue arose in 1991 with no progress towards a solution, according to the school board meeting presentation.

CMR’s Health and PE Department Leader Mike Henneberg highly supports the new gym addition.

“Yes [I agree],” Henneberg said. “For a number of reasons -- physical education, safety and more space.”

Henneberg explained that the building hasn’t been updated since it was built, and with a bigger population there just isn’t enough room anymore.

“During the winter we have lots of uses for the gym,” Henneberg said. “We’re in here from 6 a.m. till sometimes 10 p.m.”

The new gym addition would include a bigger weight room.

“We have eight weight classes, with about 25-30 students per class,” Henneberg said. “The new addition would give us another weight room that is bigger and gives students the opportunity to join the class since ours are at capacity.”

Another gym isn’t the only new facility in the works.

STEM classrooms would be added to give students access to the best current practices in science, technology, engineering, and math and give them a competitive edge in college.

These additions to CMR would cost the school district $6,952,200.

“Right now the board is just laying the groundwork for [the election] which includes adopting the facility plan and setting the date for the elections,” Lacey said.

So while the election doesn’t happen until October, the school board is hard at work, trying to ensure that this request for a bond will go through. They want to ensure student safety, and they can’t do that without public support, according to Lacey.

“From now until October the school board will be embarking on a campaign to ensure that everyone understands the components and that they get all their questions answered,” Lacey said.

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ea G r e l

April Showers bring many volunteers

t Rus

Child through adult sizes available

Tee shirts, sweatshirts, and hats Designs can be stitched on your items - $5 for small designs, $10 for larger designs Meets Mondays in room 325

Room 222

Prices $10-$25

C.M. Russell High School Concepts Project Purposes: Address the

infrastructure, safety and technology needs of a 51-year-old building.

Project overview: Fire Alarm System,

Domestic water piping, water main replacement, foundation work, elevator repair, perimeter sidewalk repair, locker replacement, 3-way valve replacement, windows.

Project Rationale: Upgrade fire alarm system to bring the building up to current safety expectations, wear and tear on lockers is significant as students access them six to seven times per day.

The windows are original to the building and are cracking and not energy efficient.

Estimated Cost: $4,364,844 (Infrastructure plan)

Other schools in the district The oldest school in the district is Roosevelt Elementary at 88 years old.

Multiple elementary schools need foundation work, and Mechanical System Upgrades.

Both middle schools need new Fire Alarm Systems and roof repairs.

GFHS wants to upgrade main campus infrastructure, classrooms, parking and technology.

Total for all issues in district: $98,858,785

Source: http://gfps.k12.mt.us/sites/default/files/ Facility%20Plan%20Final.pdf photo by Tamara Miller

A F F

FFA is a national organization for youth interested in agriculture. It develops Premier Leadership, Personal Growth, and Career Success through hands-on real world experience. To be in FFA, you have to be enrolled in an Agriculture Education Course. There are many levels to choose from. Agriculture does not formally meet during the day but rather be online and by appointment. The curriculum and instruction will focus on life knowledge and skills such as interpersonal relationships, information literacy, problem solving, critical thinking, and teamwork.

All Agricultural Education has Three components: Classroom, Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE), and FFA.

For more information contact teacher Jodi Koterba in room 401 or go to the FFA website at electirccityffa.theaet.com

18 News

March 31, 2016

Military dreams become a reality

Seniors start planning trips down to Texas for Air Force career

by Tamara Miller, news editor As the countdown to graduation begins the plans of what seniors will be doing afterwards are starting to become realities. Some are staying in Great Falls for the summer, some are going to college, and a select few have decided to serve their country. Senior Rose Newton is one of them.

“I have always wanted to serve my country,” Newton said.

Newton will head to Basic Training for the U.S. Air Force in San Antonio, Tex. this summer. In order for Newton and fellow enlistees to go to Basic they are required to go to MEPS. MEPS stands for Military Entrance Processing Station, and it determines the applicant’s physical qualifications, aptitude and moral standards as set by each branch of military service.

MEPS is a two-day trip, and in Montana enlistees are sent to Butte with a recruiter to sign up for what jobs they want to pursue after Basic. “[I’m] not 100 percent sure yet, but I’d like to be in nursing or something else. I’ll pick [my job] in MEPS,” Newton said.

Newton said she has always been interested in the military, and she wants to follow in her father’s footsteps. “[My father] was in the Air Force for 28 years,” Newton said. “I definitely [want to] make a career out of it.”

The Air Force offers plenty of benefits, such as a retirement plan after 20 years of service, college credit, Montgomery GI Bill, on-the-job training and student loan

repayment. Newton said she plans on making a career out of her experience and taking advantage of the college benefits.

“There’s tons of benefits to being in the military,” she said. “They’ll get you some schooling and they’ll even pay for your college.”

Senior Taylor Butterfield also is going to Basic this summer. Butterfield is a little ahead of the game as she has already attended MEPS. “[MEPS] was good,” Butterfield said. “I went down to Butte and had someone from a different town as my roommate in the hotel we stay at. We got up at about 5 a.m. the next morning to get ready.”

The experience made Butterfield anxious, she admitted.

“They asked us a bunch of questions like about our health and more,” she said. “Then they took blood tests, hearing and seeing tests, too. I will say at the beginning it was kind of nerve-wracking because it was [a new experience].”

At MEPS enlistees pick their jobs, if they aren’t qualified for any jobs on the list they are able to list their top 10 preferred jobs. As soon as an opening is available

Be smart.

Be responsible.

Be aware.

What’s your plan?

A message brought to you by the Cascade County DUI Task Force

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they become first in line for it. Butterfield is currently choosing between Supply and Personnel job areas.

“I’d say the Air Force gives you a lot of opportunities,” Butterfield said. “It will pay for college and that they have their own college which is pretty cool.”

Newton agrees. “[There are] plenty of reasons [to join], but I’d have to say join because you want to serve your country and you’ll be willing to fight for it,” Newton said. “You will learn lots of job and personal skills. There’s job security, and you get a decent paycheck.”

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March 31, 2016 rustlernews.com

OPINION

Jaylynn Mitchell

Opinion Editor

It worried me that next year at the University of Montana I would be possibly living with a complete stranger in a room that is the size of a food pantry.

Carli Dieruf, a fellow journalism department editor, and I planned on rooming with each other, but we never finalized it until both of us were looking for a roommate. So we agreed that we would sign up together and hopefully will be living with each together. We find out around the first week of April and we both have our fingers crossed, praying that admissions put us together.

I mean we should. She copied my answers off of my dorm application.

I did my application on a Saturday afternoon and Carli completed hers the following week, so to make sure we will be rooming with each other, I typed my answers on a word document and sent them to her via email. She copied every single answer to hers.

“The answers were hard to follow. They were organized weird so it literally took me over 20 minutes to copy them,” she said. “I made my mom read over them at least three times so I could make sure that they were exactly the same. I’ll be devastated if I’m not roomed with JJ.” Carli and I haven’t really been friends for that long. We didn’t really know each other last year, I mean we did but we never really talked. We were in the same newspaper class but I was really busy with being business manager and I thought that everyone in that class had a bond with someone and I didn’t, until I met Carli.

I found that she was signing up for Editor in Chief for newspaper and I was doing it for yearbook.

When we found that we were EICs together, it felt amazing.

“What could be better than having a best friend that’s an Editor-in-Chief just like you?” she said.

“I remember the day we found out that we got the positions that we signed up for. We saw each other in the hall and bolted towards one another almost jumping with excitement knowing that we were going to get to work together for another whole year. Who knew it would continue on from there?”

Working with her in yearbook and newspaper is one of the top memories I have had in my high school career. I will be talking to the yearbook staff and look at her and she will laugh or give me a funny look because she knows how it feels to be in front of a big group.

We have a bond that is inexplicable. When I found that she was thinking of applying to the University of Montana, I was so excited to have my best friend be doing the same thing that I was doing. We are both worried about starting college, but we will have each other by our sides.

“College sounds terrifying. I have literally had nothing but bad dreams about it lately because I’m so scared. The only thing that is keeping me sane is the fact that JJ will be by my side. That’s comforting,” she said. “If I didn’t have her I’d probably be a nervous wreck. But now I can be a nervous wreck with her.”

We are going to be scared. We are going to have panic attacks, but I will have my best friend by my side through the whole thing, and I can’t wait to start it all with her.

Operation PROM shocks students Driving while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs is something we’ve been warned about since long before our feet could even reach the pedals of a car. There were always guest speakers and announcements to remind us of the dangers, not to mention the real life experiences some of us may have gone through.

On March 17, with the help of CMR’s drama department and the local police and fire department, the student body was shown just what drunk driving can cause. From the students sobbing and rocking back and forth to the forces trying to rescue a survivor from the wreck, CMR was hit with a wave of reality. Thanks to Operation PROM, the student body was shown that this is what happens when you decide to drink and drive.

According to a study done by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2013, 2,163 teens ages 1619 were killed in motor vehicle crashes involving alcohol,

just alone in the U.S. That means that 2,163 different sets of parents were told that their child was gone, snatched away by the cruel hands of fate.

What we at the Stampede really want the students to take away from all this is that your choices don’t only affect you.

Whether you like it or not, you or someone you know could be helping to increase that number. It doesn’t matter if you’ve never been caught or never had a problem while driving intoxicated, it doesn’t justify your actions. Nothing could ever justify drinking and driving.

Students create safe space for others

New club provides support and knowledge for student body

by Christina Brennan, features editor C. M. Russell High School has many clubs to offer with different atmospheres and energies for each. For example, Young Life is energetic while at the same time there is a religious undertone to each Monday night meeting.

Key Club is all about helping others and leaving an impact on the community, and Art Club is where creativity and diversity draws people in. If you mix the energy from Young Life, the community and impact of Key Club, and the diversity of Art Club you will be left with CMR’s newest club: Rustler Allies.

The Allies were founded by seniors Patrick Brennan and Jordyn Voss because they said CMR was in need of a safe place for all to come and express who they are. Overall, Rustler Allies is a support group for anyone who attends.

Brennan and Voss encourage anyone to attend the anonymous meetings on Tuesdays after school. They said that the more diverse the group is the better the club can be.

It was founded because the school needed a group where students and adults can come and feel like part of an intimate community.

“I realized that after students die here at CMR it brings us all together, and I kinda thought why can’t we always be like that, why can’t we be more accepting of each other,” Brennan said. “Because after that happened a week or two goes by and we are all really close, but then that unity breaks. [There was a] need for a group where students can talk just give them a group whether it be cutting or drug use or alcohol abuse or anything like that is just really need, especially for our community.”

While support is a big part of the group, Allies also teaches the members about real- life situations whether it is LGBTQrelated or stereotypes in our community. There are weekly checkups to see how the members are doing and if something is wrong. The rest of the group gives advice to try to help as much as they can.

“We want to raise awareness, acceptance, and provide a safe place above all. And on the side we teach each other things about life and about humanity and all kinds of stuff,” Voss said. “We want to teach kids how to get involved in a way that matters to them. We want to teach them how to make a difference, maybe not by acting but by thinking in a different way and thinking how they speak to other people and treat others. That’s what we want to teach, above all.”

From the experience I have personally had attending the Allies club meetings I can genuinely say that the group is more than a circle of kids gossiping about the latest scandals at the school. We talk to each other about how we are feeling and we help educate one another about real-life problems.

We play games where we break up into groups and discuss a topic; then we come back and teach the others about what we talked about and why it is important.

“We have fun, but it’s serious at the same time. I feel like that’s a really important aspect of it that we really want to keep,” Brennan said about the general atmosphere of the club.

While fun and learning is a large part of the club, Brennan and Voss stress having a variety of members. They said that they are trying to cater to a more diverse group of people and whatever one’s race, religion, sexuality, or age, everyone is welcomed and encouraged to attend.

Brennan added that the most important part is to get teachers involved because the students can only do so much to help one another and the teachers can only do so much to help and understand their students, but together the impact we all can make is what will make a difference.

“If there are any teachers reading this, we need these adults to come to these things, too. That’s the biggest part. And they can participate, too. We aren’t as insignificant as the adults deem us, but we also see ourselves as insignificant so nobody really steps up and does anything,” Brennan said.

“I think one of the biggest parts of this club is just, you are important and you can make a difference, no matter how small, it is still a difference,” Voss added.

As a whole, Rustler Allies is one of the most friendly, accepting and educational clubs I have ever attended. I highly recommend that anyone who is reading this attends. If the atmosphere, subject matter or people don’t seem to be your particular cup of tea, come to the next meeting for the simple reason that there are snacks. You can grab a small bite to eat with us before the meeting starts. I will try to convince you to stay because it is a fantastic community, and you can choose from there whether or not you want to stay for the 45-minute meeting.

The club is completely anonymous, so Vegas Rules always apply. Meaning what happens at Rustler Allies stays at Rustler Allies. The club meets every Tuesday after school at 3:30 p.m. in room 602. Bring a friend, meet some new people, have a juice box, and just have a good time.

20 Opinion

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March 31, 2016

TUDENT VOICE

If you could change one thing at this school, what would you change and why would you do so?

Chance Weidman, grade 9

“I would change the school lunch time, so you could go out longer and don’t have to hurry back, so you’re not late when you walk to lunch and can also spend more time with friends.”

Amanda Huston, grade 9

“If I could change certain things about this school I would change the classrooms. Have the teachers have actual control, and have the kids get some respect. Stop yelling “dabbing” and arguing. It’s not cool; it’s annoying and makes wanting to go to class hard, and esspecially learning difficult. That’s all I’d mainly change about CMR.”

Laura Belle Poitra, grade 11 “If I could change one thing about CMR it would be our school spirit. Our school spirit is great at games like Homecoming and crosstown, but it should be like that at every game for every sport event! Our goal should be to beat the Bison with school spirit since they are our biggest rivals.”

Jarred R. Nichols, grade 12 “If I could change one thing at this school I would change the ‘no-sign’ rule at sports games. The rule would become ‘signs allowed if approved by the adminstration’.

Proper signs at sports games can add school and team spirit to the game.”

Landen Bodily, grade 10

“I would make the food and drinks cost less. I would also provide better food in the Deca and vending machines, enough with this diet stuff.”

Gia Klinker, grade 12

“The spirit of the students I guess, maybe more like the way we are viewed, because in my opinion you are an example of what our school is. They don’t look at the teachers or how nice our school looks it’s the students. In my opinion, you should be proud to be a Rustler and you should try to make your school or even just your high school experience one you want your kids and grandchildren to know about, to be able to leave this school and say you are a proud Rustler and you always will be. If I had to change one thing it would be how the students and people in general view our school.”

Walker McAllister, grade 12 “I would change the whole concept that you can only have one group of friends. I am both an athlete and a musician, and I enjoy being on both sides of the building on any given day. It is nice having a wide group of buddies, and I want other students to realize that you don’t have to be in only one group.”

Michelle Li, grade 10

“I would say if I could change one thing it is our school spirit. We, as a school, have been lacking in supporting our games and athletes. Being a Wrangler I’d love to see more than 12 students show up. As well, during our prep assembly we could be more energetic!”

Sara Basirat, grade 11

“If I could change anything about CMR I would definitely encourage more students to participate in school activities and to show more school spirit!”

Genetic Engineering in Humans

Research must continue, with ethical concerns addressed

By Joshua Botti-Anderson, staff writer Genetic engineering involves the direct manipulation of a cell’s DNA. The DNA, deoxyribonucleic acid, codes for traits required for an organism to live and reproduce.

Natural variation can occur within the DNA, which often is completely harmless, but can be, in varying degrees of severity, detrimental to the organism’s success in life. Many diseases in humans are as a result of genetic variation and inheritance.

Genetic engineering in humans, specifically of medical reasons like the prevention of inherited disorders via direct genetic manipulation of embryos in vitro (in a test tube), is the next essential step in preventing many debilitating diseases in humans, and will inevitably play a large role in the healthcare of our future.

Biology teacher Tom Cubbage, who has spent time doing medical research, reflects on the use of laboratory animals in genetic research, as well as the risks and benefits of conducting genetic research on humans.

“We know that in any of the testing that goes on in terms of a new technique, cloning, or inserting genes from one species into another species, that you could cause serious problems,” Cubbage said.

Cubbage says that using animals as models for genetic research is very important, as it allows scientists to study diseases and potential treatment options without risk to humans.

“Being able to test things out on animals is certainly beneficial both ethically and morally, but also scientifically,” he said.

People of all classes in our society inherit a certain set of genes, which may carry a predisposition for debilitating diseases or conditions that place them at a significant disadvantage to others. Both genetics and socioeconomic status are beyond the control of the individual that inherits them. Health care costs and the ability to afford them largely determine human well-being and long-term success in life.

Even with the significant lowering of costs of genetic engineering, the manipulation of an individual’s entire genome is very expensive, and it is of no doubt that a commercial enterprise offering services of this kind would cater to wealthier citizens.

In spite of this, human genetic engineering offers a solution to the previously uncontrollable, seemingly unfair disadvantages of ‘unlucky’ genetic inheritance.

Because of our ethical and moral obligation to maximize human well-being for all, medical laboratory advances in human genetic engineering should move on unhindered, while the socioeconomic implications that it would have on our society must be addressed prior to implementation to prevent serious ethical issues.

Research has been discovering daily the influence certain genes have over diseases, whether they have a direct influence on the onset and development of a condition, or if their expression has only an indirect, but still significant impact. In this way, therapies can be developed to target specific gene expression.

Employing techniques that prevent genetic diseases before an embryo develops is extremely advantageous,

according to Cubbage.

“The idea that we could actually fix genetic disorders before birth, or early after conception, means that we can prevent potentially lethal and life-threatening diseases like sickle cell anemia and Huntington’s disease,” he said.

Cubbage added that genetic engineering for human diseases offers a permanent solution, preventing a lifelong dependence on medications.

“We could give them a full life, as opposed to giving them a drug that treats the symptoms, that maybe extends their lives without fixing the underlying problem,” he said.

Risks in altering the genes of an organism can include premature lethality, he added.

“When you change the genes in an organism, you oftentimes cause unintended consequences. If you change a gene and you don’t totally understand what its effect might be, you could cause the death,” warned Cubbage. “So, it’s certainly a balance between risks and rewards, and oftentimes scientists have to make those determinations.”

The social implications, and the issues that can arise from human genetic engineering must be taken into consideration when applying the benefits. We live in a society today where issues of equality are constantly surfacing, with numerous attempts being made to address them. Genetic engineering offers a solution to the uncontrollable traits inherited by people born into different financial and social situations, but must be implemented correctly to avoid devastating consequences.

Opinion 21

March 31, 2016

Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton participate in Super Tuesday on March 1, where they presented their speeches and answered questions from their supporters during democratic protests. Belleville NewsDemocrat/TNS

Democratic face off

Carli Dieruf, Editor in Chief Bernie Sanders -- Democrat Let’s start off by talking about the rise of young followers that Bernie Sanders has gained simply by talking about the possibility of free tuition at public colleges and universities. Sanders would propose a campaign that would cost about $70 billion a year. In past discussions, he proposed the possibility of giving more profit to state governments, which would ultimately cut tuition at state colleges by 55 percent.

With college becoming more expensive, students and young adults are eager to find ways to save as much money as possible, and Sanders is promising the change that they have been waiting for.

One of Sanders’ other proposals is to launch a universal, government-provided health care, meaning there will be a singlepayer system where federal and state governments will provide healthcare for all. The estimated cost is about $13.8 trillion over the next 10 years. This will be effective and lifesaving for Americans who have had a difficult time affording insurance and basic healthcare in the past.

Sanders has had more experience with the government than any other candidate.

In 1962, he was arrested for protesting segregation in Chicago public schools.

This proves Sanders has been involved with communities and working towards improving the United States since the beginning of his political career. Sanders was also elected to the U.S. Senate after 16

Christy Armstrong, staff writer Hillary Clinton -- Democrat

years as Vermont’s sole congressman in the House of Representatives in 2006.

For women and men across the United States, being denied the right to control their own bodies ultimately causes a problem. There is an increased fear of raising a child who was not planned -ruining a new child’s life -- or a mother having to carry a child who was produced by rape, along with clinics closing all over the United States, all because of the talk of abortion being made illegal by law.

Sanders promises that abortion is a decision for a woman and her doctor to make -- not the government. He has said multiple times that he will not deny a woman control over her own body. He says that Roe v. Wade is the law of the land, and it must remain that way.

Sanders aims to reduce gun violence by strengthening law enforcement and ensuring that guns can be bought only by those who do not show dangerous qualities. Guns that are designed for “killing human beings,” that are labeled as assault weapons will no longer be sold on the market, instead used only for war.

He is a firm believer in establishing an instant background check, which makes one ineligible if ever involved in any crimes/violence. He does not plan to take away anyone’s guns, but just strengthen certain rules so people who can put others in danger will have a more difficult time purchasing firearms.

Let’s face it. Whoever wins the national election will be facing a Republican majority in both the House and the Senate, and will need to be able to work in such a set-up.

It would assist a candidate greatly to have both a personal understanding of how our governmental system works and experience dealing with multiple sides. Hillary Clinton has worked personally in the Senate and the State Department while pursuing her own political career, and she has seen firsthand how the White House operates while her husband, Bill Clinton, was in office from 1992-2000.

To start, Clinton was elected to and served in the U.S. Senate in 2001, and she later became the 67th U.S Secretary of State from 2009 and until 2013, when she formally retired to pursue other goals. Despite not winning her first attempt at the presidency in 2008, Clinton was largely considered for the Democratic nomination until Barack Obama rose through the polls and moved on to become President.

Another credit in her favor is her ability to work with the media. While Donald Trump may be getting the lion’s share of air time on news outlets, Clinton has shared a fair number of headlines and appeared several times in order to shape her image into a presidential candidate. Compare this with a candidate who has comparatively little mention on news networks despite an incredible social media platform, and it becomes clear how much more name

recognition Clinton will get from older and more experienced voters in the long run.

Aside from her own efforts, her husband has also spoken out in her favor and assisted in her campaign. The former President has been traveling from town to town on the campaign trail to give speeches, drumming up support to great success. However, it is not his efforts alone that allowed Clinton to win the states she has so far, as Clinton has spent just as much time advancing her campaign, if not more, than her husband has.

Already Clinton is making headway in her efforts. She has won the primaries of several states across the south, including Louisiana and Texas, and a few from the north as well. In fact, Clinton won nearly all the states that held primaries during the March 15 Super Tuesday elections. At this point in the election cycle she is in the lead over her opponent and Republican adversaries and will most likely be the one to face off against Trump in the final election, unless faced with a huge turnaround in the latter half of the primary elections.

If Clinton wins, she has promised to build upon Americas strengths, and to protect small businesses from larger and more dominating corporations. She has also promised to continue building upon the progressive movements from Obama before her, such as President Obama’s rules on overtime and open support of the LGBT community.

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FEATURES

Christina Brennan

Features Editor

A favorite song for me is so much more than liking the words and how they sound. For me, having a favorite song is like having someone who listens when I have had a bad day. It is like being hugged in a warm blanket when I need it most. My favorite song is almost like a big tub of ice cream after a bad breakup. It speaks to me spiritually and emotionally. It comforts me when I don’t know what else to do.

I have one favorite song. It has been the same since middle school, and I don’t think it will change anytime soon. It is “Northern Downpour”

by Panic! At The Disco. I remember the first time I listened to it I was completely swept away. I watched the music video for it, and I fell in love with the song right then and there.

I think at the time I liked the concept of placing words around a town and having them be a complete story when arranged properly.

The video is black and white, the music is mostly acoustic and the words are straight from the heart of Ryan Ross. I have a really big soft spot in my heart for black and white anything, and acoustic songs. I listened to that song probably 10 times before I got it off the computer -- since those were the days when Youtube was on a desktop and not on an app in my pocket.

When I started to fall deeper in love with “Northern Downpour” it was the summer of 2013. I was in the driveway of my friend’s house around two in the morning. We were just sitting in my car, windows down, sunroof open, music playing softly in the background while we talked about everything in the world.

I associate “Northern Downpour” with love, friendship, and a time in my life when I felt perfectly happy and content with everything.This song has been through a lot with me -- my first heartbreak, the nights I would lay on my floor because I didn’t know what else to do, when I got stabbed in the back by someone I thoroughly trusted, and all the good times that were made better with this song playing in the background.

I have a special love for each set of lyrics. Some because they make me think of a specific person in my life, others because they were the words I told myself to continue through the day.

The one set of lyrics that stands above the rest is “I know the world’s a broken bone, but melt your headaches call it home.”

When I hear these words I feel my heart warm just the slightest bit. To me I see this as making the best of whatever situation you’re in. It means that even though all this crap is happening and you can barely get out of bed there is something to look forward to. There will be a light at the end of the tunnel. Broken bones can heal, headaches can fade away, and the sorrows I feel are not permanent.

These words hold a special place in my heart.”Northern Downpour” fills me with emotions and memories that I cannot get with any other song. It makes my heart flutter and my eyes water just thinking about it. No matter where I go in life, no matter who comes or goes from my life, I will have this song to fall back on.

It means the world to me.

e i b r a B

February 25, 2016 rustlernews.com

Mattel rebrands -- Barbies made for all sizes to put a stop to body shaming

by Carli Dieruf and Ian Kaiser, editor in chief and staff writer

Barbara Millicent Roberts is a superstar. She’s had about 130 jobs, ranging from pet doctor to firefighter. She’s been to the moon and back, traveled all over the world, and been back in time for dinner. You may know her better by her nickname, Barbie.

When Barbie was first introduced to the world in 1959, she was a simple teenage fashion model. Her big break happened in the 60’s when she went to the moon, four years before Neil Armstrong. Through the years, Barbie has been many things, always changing. The one thing that didn’t change, however, was her dress size. Until now.

On Jan. 28, Mattel announced that Barbie would be getting a makeover, saying they were adding three new body types -- curvy, tall, and petite. On March 1, the new line was released in stores. And not only did Mattel change up Barbie’s body, but they’ve also added a variety of new skin tones, hairstyles, and outfits.

For years, Mattel received endless criticism on its famous Barbie doll, claiming she was too skinny, too white, too perfect. The public wanted a “real” Barbie, or one who looked like an actual woman, complete with different body shapes and skin tones. After 57 years of Barbie, their calls have been answered.

When it comes to the new Barbie body sizes, counselor Jacie Shoenen said that they are long overdue, and she thinks that they will be a good influence on younger girls.

Shoenen said she wondered how sales for the new body would go compared to a regular Barbie and that she also wondered, would it be more under the influence of parents or kids? Will the parents help more with sales by buying them for their kids, or will the kids be more excited for the body sizes?

Shoenen said she was never one to believe that women had unrealistic body standards, and that she enjoyed all of her Barbies and what they came with. All of her Barbies were second hand, she said, and she loved them dearly.

“It was just so different from the life I had,” Shoenen said. “When I got my first job and could afford it, I bought all the Holiday Barbies,” she added.

As much as she loved her collection, Shoenen sold all of her Barbies at a benefit for a cousin who was diagnosed with cancer at 14.

Looking back, Shoenen said, “I remember her clothes. I loved her clothes.”

The new Barbies have caused debate among parents because some say they are “favoring certain body types” and “increasing obesity.”

Sophomore Lexi Boller disagrees with those statements and says that the “plus sized” barbies, along with the other new additions, are a great idea.

She said she has seen many young girls grow up with body insecurities.

Boller believes that being healthy is important, but she steers away from titles about another person’s body. She said everyone is beautiful in their own way, and these new Barbies have helped capture that image perfectly. It is helping young girls develop confidence, she said.

“It’s good for little girls to learn that there isn’t any specific way that a woman’s body should be shaped,” Boller said. “It’s important for kids to learn at a young age that you are perfect the way you are.”

Features 23

March 31, 2016

Faces in the Crowd Sophomore brings animals to life with her artwork

by Christy Armstrong, staff writer For the past school year, sophomore Jillian Conley has been branching out with her artwork to take on more lifelike figures and experiment in new designs and styles.

“I think I [want to] draw more realistically, like look at a picture of a person and be able to draw that,” Conley said, explaining that she only just started making animals for art this year, something which she has wanted to try for a while.

Conley said that she has been drawing for as long as she can remember, and she can’t really remember what inspired her to start or when she would have done so, although she does have one influence.

“When my grandfather was dying I used to draw him pictures, and he always said that he wanted to have another one. I’ve just drawn a lot since then,” Conley said. Her grandfather passed away while she was in fourth grade, and since then she said her art has been a way for her to express herself.

Conley’s goal is to get into the school’s AP senior studio next year, she has put a lot of work into her current projects so she can improve. On one project, in which she was tasked

with making a cardboard sculpture with three drawers, Conley spent extra time in the art room during fifth period on odd days to work on her project and get one-on-one advice from teacher Jackie Van Heel. Conley chose a toucan for the inspiration, as she felt its shape and oversized beak would be fun to experiment with.

“I’ve learned a lot from this class. It’s really helped me. I think something I’ve learned from my bird, and some of my other artwork, is that I have to be not as hard on myself,” Conley said. “When you first start a project, it’s not gonna look as good as when you put effort into it and finish it. In the beginning, with my bird, when I had all the pieces made and paper mache [done], I didn’t like how it looked, but Ms. Van Heel pushed me to finish.”

Conley said she likes the work she’s made on her cardboard bird project, as well as work she’s done on two point perspectives and self portraits, which have come out better than she thought they would. Beyond her art class, Conley has also worked with her art at home and enjoyed painting with her 3-year-old sister.

“If you just don’t think you’re good enough at something,

like me I’m not good at realism, you’ll never get better,” Conley said. “But the more you work on something and put effort into it the more you’ll get better and improve over time.”

Painting a cardboard toucan in sixth period art class on March 8, sophomore Jillian Conley focused on completing her first 3D animal. Photo by Allison Hanson.

Percy the parrot makes a humorous impression

by Carli Dieruf, editor in chief Longtime friends juniors Jack McClendon and Connor McCarthy at one point were both owners of pet parrots.

When McClendon’s family had to move houses, he had to sell his pet earlier this year. But McCarthy was influenced to buy a parrot as well because he thought it was different than a regular pet.

McCarthy has had his parrot, named Percy, for about a year. He explained that he proudly paid for the bird on his own.

He saved up $200 and headed to Petcetera one afternoon on the lookout for a parrot similar to McClendon’s African Grey.

“Jack inspired me to get my own.

They’re so different than any other pet,” he said. “It’s so funny to watch him walk and fly around.”

His parrot chirps a lot, and according to McCarthy, it’s not a very quiet chirp. He is often alarmed when he starts but he finds the noises quite comical.

“He’s definitely a low maintenance pet. It’s surprising, but not much goes into taking care of a bird. They just kind of do their own thing, it’s pretty cool,” he said.

“He just kind of does what he wants at our house. He likes to play with the bells that are in his cage, but he really loves to fly around my room, and that’s probably the funniest thing to watch.”

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Junior Connor McCarthy holds his parrot Percy. “He’s friendly,” he said. “He kind of does what he wants at our house.” Photos courtesy of Connor McCarthy.

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March 31, 2016

Features

Western Art Week Students display artwork for community

by Joshua Botti-Anderson, staff writer The Western Art Week is an annual event held in Great Falls, where Western artists show and sell their paintings and sculptures. This tradition, which has been in place since 1969, begins every year on March 19, Charlie Russell’s birthday. The show takes place in hotels throughout the city.

Jerry Painter, an artist positioned in a first story room at the Heritage Inn, sculpts and paints wild animals native to the Montana wilderness. He reflected on Western Art as it now stands in contemporary culture.

“What was once considered fine art isn’t really as accepted as much anymore,” Painter said. “It’s a novelty.”

Recent modern trends in art have made Western art less popular to consumers than it was in years past, Painter said.

“People like change, and people’s styles have changed,” he said.

Changes in culture have shifted interests, and subsequently more and more artists are changing to meet these new demands, Painter said. The result is a diminished focus on Western art.

“It’s not all about cowboy and Indian art anymore,” he said.

People are, in general, paying less attention to the art that depicts the old Montana way of life, Painter added.

In spite of today’s growing cultural trends that threaten the growth and development of Western art, this year’s show was very successful, according to Painter.

“It’s been great. It’s been a really good show this year. The crowds are good, the organization and the show is good,” he Top: A turkey sculpture by artist Jerry Painter.

Bottom: Paintings by Marcia Ballow, who shared the room with said.

Painter. Photos byJoshua Botti-Anderson.

Painter said that “most artists were happy with the event” and that “sales were strong this year.”

For free literature about abortion and the alternatives, write to: Great Falls Right to Life 500 Montana Ave. NW Great Falls, MT 59404

Chanteur choir poses for a group picture while on tour in Seattle March 4.

Photo courtesy of Garrett Arps.

Seattle and Spokane destinations for annual choir tour

by Andrew Aron, staff writer On March 2, members of the Chanteur choir left for their tour.

Every year the groups go on tour, and this year the singers traveled to Seattle.

On the way there the group stopped at Ferris High School, in Spokane, to watch a jazz choir.

“They were really talented, and it was cool to see because we don’t really have jazz choirs in Montana,” Chanteur junior Kelsey Jensen said. Once in Seattle, the group performed two concerts and had a recording session.

Choirs from across the United States came to perform in Seattle, and the Rustlers were able to watch the Alaskan Chamber Choir, Oregon Chamber Choir and China Harmonic Choir.

“My favorite part would be either singing the Schnitke Hymn at town hall, or exploring Seattle, especially Pike Place,” Jensen said.

“It was an amazing experience, especially to get to perform in such wonderful places.”

Senior Anna Evans said there was one part of the trip that stands out in her mind the most.

“I was able to see the passion that people still had for the arts,” Evans said. “It gave us the opportunity to see our choir outside the classroom.”

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S

March 31, 2016 rustlernews.com

ENTERTAINMENT

C lara McClain

Entertainment Editor

Car shopping is the worst thing to do. It’s time consuming and soul crushing, but once you find the car that you want to own, it seems like the easiest thing in the world.

My car recently broke down and finally died (RIP Scarlett, you will be missed), but I got a newer, better car because my grandpa didn’t want me buying another Saab and having it die on me again. So, he came into town and talked to all the car dealers that he knows here in Great Falls.

Before I knew it, I had a 2007 Volkswagen Jetta that I could call mine, complete with heated leather seats, automatic locks and windows, and a sunroof.

Of course, since it’s a pretty fancy car, it had to have the perfect name. Naming Scarlett was pretty easy, she was an old red car, and Scarlett is an old name that also happens to be a shade of red. It was a match made in heaven, no matter how many times my little brother would make fun of me for giving her such an obvious name.

After some deliberation, where Scarlett The Second, Scarlett Jr. and Scarlett 2.0 were quickly shot down by the more reasonable part of my brain, I decided on the name Magnus (Mortal Instruments, anyone?).

When I got Magnus, I was so happy, I almost forgot that I missed my old 1989 Saab 900. I didn’t totally forget, since Scarlett was my first car and I love her, but when you suddenly upgrade almost 20 years, it’s hard to miss the old car. Especially when I’m still driving a manual, so Magnus is just as fun to drive as Scarlett was, if not more, as he has a turbo engine, so accelerating is extremely fun.

I love being able to open all my doors with a click of a button and not having to crank down my windows. I just have to click a button on the driver’s side down and they all lower automatically and roll up the same way.

No more cranks, no more sticky levers, and most of all fewer mechanical issues.

Scarlett was a great car, but in all honesty in the last few months of her life with me, she spent more time at Sports and Imports than on the road with me behind the wheel. And I spent way more time than I would like behind the wheel of my older brother’s Jeep, which I hate.

So a new car was a must, and when we learned that we would have to pour more money into Scarlett’s engine and continue doing so every couple of months, we decided that she just needed to die for good before we waste more money on a 27-year-old car.

Hopefully, Magnus doesn’t have too many issues, and if he does I’m going to question what happened to him in the eight or so years he lived with his previous family. But since he’s only nine years old, I’m not too worried about it and I’m excited about driving him for many years to come (and I’m sure my mom is as well).

Drama productions brings basketball to the stage

Seniors talk about their last show

by JJ Mitchell, opinion editor For Ethan Naranjo, the fact that “Tall Girls” is going to be his last performance at CMR was a bitter realization.

“I am really going to miss it. Bill Will has been my home for the past four years,” he said.

He was the only male role in the production of “Tall Girls,” that was held at CMR on March 10 -12 and he said he was nervous about it being his last performance.

“It is my last performance that I will do, and I just want to get it right,” Naranjo said, adding that he is ready to take on the task.

“I’ve known all the girls in the play for a few years now, so it’s not that awkward,” he said.

During the show

Starring in a main role for your first major play might be terrifying, but senior Katie Morano said she thought it went very well, considering “Tall Girls” was her first show.

“I knew that the show was good with the cast, and I did feel really good about my part,” she said.

For her first show, she was nervous about being on stage with the other performers.

“I was worried I would forget my lines and making sure I had them down. I was thinking too fast, and I thought I might forget them easily, but we started memorizing them back during Christmas break,” Morano said.

On stage for a major role, she said she had a bunch of emotions running through her head.

“I was very excited, and when I got nervous my adrenaline started to pump and that kicked it and made me push to finish the show,” she said.

Her favorite part of the production was seeing her Ethan Naranjo, Maren Olsen and Carrie Lycett are surprised character and herself break out of by what is on Maren’s phone. Bailey Collins goofs off with her shell.

Kyrstin Hangins while people get ready to watch the play.

“It brought out a new side of me, The cast of “Tall Girls” watches a video to relax for the and I was trying not to disappoint play. Photos by JJ Mitchell.

Senior Maren Olsen practices her lines on March 1. Ethan Naranjo performs his lines with the rest of the cast of “Tall Girls.” Carrie Lycett and Kyrsitan Hangs work on the play before the show.

Photos by Leila Collins.

anyone and then blowing up at the end with my character felt really good,” Morano explained.

With this being her last big performance in the department, she said she is having a hard time letting it go. ”It was very emotional. I have been in this department for all my four years of high school, and it is really hard to walk out of here,” she said.

Senior Bailey Collins is also sad that this was her last play of the year.

“The show went really good, and I was proud and I knew a lot of other people were too,” she said, adding that her nerves kicked in when the actors switched scenes.

“Trying not to fall off the stage when the lights were off and we were running on stage for the next scene [was crazy].”

When the performance was over the cast of “Tall Girls” bowed to end the play.

“It is very sad, but I was proud of myself for not crying.

The department has been very important, and it’s sad that it is over, but I am glad that the play happened,” Collins said.

What was your favorite memory of the play?

“The look on Katie Morano’s face. This was Katie’s first major role in her four years and the fact that she is a graduating senior and the fact that she went out with this BANG, this was FANTASTIC to watch and it is something that she is extremely proud of and so as an instructor if I can help someone

create something that they’re proud of then it makes what I do, as

an instructor, it makes me feel GREAT.” - Chris Evans, Drama Teacher

26 Entertainment

March 31, 2016

Divergent’s pentultimate installment falls short

by Mackenzie George, sports editor Tris Prior burst onto the big screen in March 2014 as the rebellious heroine who broke apart a factions system that divided a dystopian society. Now, two years later, the third installment of the Divergent saga, “Allegiant,” is in theaters. Much has changed since Tris met Four, her mentor and love interest, and discovered how damaged her world really was.

“Allegiant” is Veronica Roth’s final book in the trilogy, but as with most concluding films of blockbuster series, producers split the book into two installments. The last movie, “Ascendant,” will be released in June 2017.

After the majority of the previous movie, “Insurgent,” consisted of wild goose chases, it would have been nice to see a different story instead of Tris and Four running from men with guns. The film starts off slow and is difficult to follow if one hasn’t seen or read the first installments. Tris is displeased with the quality of life in war-torn Chicago and is eager to venture “beyond the wall,” something the current leader (who happens to be Four’s mother) has banned. Tris is certain the grass is greener on the other side and that she and Four will find the answers to civilization in the Fringe.

The group is not impressed when they discover the people beyond the wall are not much better than the inhabitants of Chicago. Thanks to genetic alterations that ran rampant in the early 21st Century, descendants of the modified are considered damaged.

The Bureau, a group who acts as a government, is stealing homeless children away from their parents, wiping their memories, and studying them in hopes of fixing genetic impurities.

Tris works with the leader of the Bureau, David (Jeff Daniels), under the impression that they will bring peace to the people of Chicago. She is not deterred by the warnings she constantly receives from Four, who does not trust David. This puts a strain on Four and Tris’s relationship and leads to Four attempting to return to Chicago without Tris.

With multiple groups waging war in the city, Tris must decide whether to follow Four or stay with David.

With strong actors such as Shailene Woodley and Theo James, who play Tris and Four respectively, the cast is what saves the movie. Peter (Miles Teller) is a returner who has some witty one-liners. Teller’s charm almost makes you forget that Peter is a villain.

The constant introduction of futuristic gadgets disrupts the authenticity of the story and makes it seem more farfetched than it is, even for a dystopian thriller. The special effects keep the plot moving. There are plenty of explosions and gunfights for the action enthusiast.

Tris’s relationship with Four takes a backseat to the three-way power struggle that is costing many citizens Four, played by Theo James, and a crew of insurgents ready themselves for a fight in their lives. In some ways, it is refreshing “Allegiant,” which was released Mar. 18. Murray that romance plays a minor role because Close/MCT. most films -- even action flicks -- find themselves spending too much time on love triangles.

Unless you’ve seen previous “Divergent” movies or are a faithful fan of the books, save $10 and re-watch “Mockingjay” for the same dystopian feel and better-developed characters. “Allegiant,” while slightly better than “Insurgent,” lacks the glow that the first film offered.

“Allegiant” is rated PG-13 and has a running time of two hours, one minute.

Who’s Your Daddy brings challenge to gamers-who can survive the wait until mom arrives?

by Carli Dieruf, editor in chief A new game that has become popular among the gaming side of YouTube is a PC game named “Who’s your Daddy?” where two people go against one another to see who can last until mom arrives home.

One player is the dad, who must ensure that the baby survives. The dad must go around the house covering electrical outlets, hiding the bottles of bleach and soap, checking that all medications are put away, batteries are hidden and much more. The dad is able to redeem special points and unlock cheats in order to more easily keep an eye on the baby.

The dad also is able to cook the baby food and cure the baby by administering pills designated for healing.

If the dad is unable to keep the baby healthy then eventually the baby dies, and that means the player who is the dad loses.

It is the objective of the other player, the baby, to try to do everything in his or her power to die before the mom arrives home. The baby crawls around the two-story house quickly and with ease and tries to find ways to put itself in danger so the dad has a harder time winning.

There are many ways that the baby can hurt himself throughout the game, but if the dad is doing well, the unlocked achievements make it more difficult for the baby. Some other ways the baby can lower its health is by climbing into the bathtub and turning on the faucet, climbing inside of the toilet, eating batteries, climbing and breaking glass tables, climbing inside the oven and turning it on as well as putting a fork or knife into an electrical outlet which results in instant death. There are many other methods, but I will leave those for you to discover if you decide to buy the game. If the baby is able to kill himself before the mom arrives then that

player wins the game.

“Who’s your Daddy?” is the perfect game for anyone who loves to be on the edge of their seat. It may not be scary, but the anticipation will drive you crazy, no doubt.

It is more enjoyable for those who are able to chat over a mic during the gameplay because you can give each other hints as to where you are, what you’re doing, and it can also make the game last longer.

Although the graphics are horrific, the game will have you laughing hysterically as you run like a madman around the house, frantically looking for your child. There is no down time, and that’s definitely one of my favorite parts.

If you have time to check it out, or are already interested in the game, I recommend it to anyone.

It’s a small price of $4.99 on Steam and will keep you interested for hours at a time if you really get into it.

Just be careful if you’re playing as the dad. The oven heats up really quickly.

Photos and gameplay by Carli Dieruf

March 31, 2016

Entertainment

27

Staff members show off their individual style

DRESSTHE PRESS

by Christina Brennan, features editor Style means something different for everyone, and here at the Stampede we encourage everyone to have their own unique style. With a staff of mostly females, the newsroom tends to be a melting pot of different styles and clothing tastes. Fashion does not end with the girls in the room, however. The three men who maintain the balance of estrogen to testosterone also have some pretty unique and trendy styles.

“I try to be semi-fashionable,” junior Andrew Aron said. “But I would never buy a really expensive shirt because I would be worried about ruining it.”

Aron describes his style as functional yet fashionable. He added that when he picks out his clothes he does so with his day in mind. For example, he said he would not want to wear pants that were expensive every day because he would not want to become the person who worries about getting a small rip or stain on his clothes.

“I don’t really care much, like I have grease stains on some pants and it’s not really a big deal,” Aron said.

Although he does not follow fashion blogs on social media, Aron said he finds himself inspired by the world around him. He said that in the beginning of his style career he modeled his look off of how his sister dressed, with plaid shirts and accessible jeans. However, over the past year, Aron said he is mainly inspired to wear things based off of his interests.

“I’m not super trendy,” he said. “But if I see something I’m like ‘ooh that’s nice’ I’ll maybe get it.’ And then thrift stores [also give me inspiration]” When it comes to accessibility over accessorizing, senior Joshua BottiAnderson is in the same fashion boat as Aron.

“I have a pretty basic style. I like jeans; I like plaid shirts -- asymmetrical plaid shirts. Sometimes an undershirt,” Botti-Anderson said while looking down at his plaid T-shirt and jeans.

Botti-Anderson said he describes his style as hip. He said that he considers himself the least stylish person he knows, but at the same time he is picky about what he wears. He said that he isn’t good at choosing what to wear, and in the end the final product is completely unsatisfactory.

“I dress to stand out as an individual. I don’t want to cater to the people’s preferences,” he said. “I try to remain independent in that sense.”

While clothing doesn’t make someone’s personality complete, the thoughts that person has about their clothing certainly can play a role in who they are. For example, Botti-Anderson believes that the best type of material to make a shirt out of is that of a pillowcase.

“I especially like this material because it doesn’t shrink in the dryer,” he said. “It like conforms to the movement of my body without conforming to the shape of my body so it’s super comfy. It is like the ideal clothing. You might as well be wearing the same material that you lay your head on at night.”

Style doesn’t always speak for the person wearing the clothes, but junior Isaiah Vang’s style very much speaks for who he is both inside and out.

“I guess I’m just pretty normal. I don’t really wear really crazy, really stylish clothing. I wear a nice T-shirt and jeans and tennis shoes most of the time. My shirts are either polos or stripes or whatever I find interesting. I’m very boring with my fashion,” Vang said.

Vang has been dressing to impress since he can remember. He said that he usually wears something that expresses who he is as a person. He said he has a mature personality that is reflected in the way he dresses.

Although he is a little more professional with what he wears, Vang said that he likes to spice things up sometimes with his wardrobe.

“I usually wear clothes that are a little more mature, and I consider myself to be more mature,” he said. “Sometimes I add a little twist in here to just show that I can be mature, but I can still have fun and be cool, too.”

Andrew Aron

Isaiah Vang

Josh Botti-Anderson Page by Clara McClain and Christina Brennan, entertainment editor and features editor

S

March 31, 2016 rustlernews.com

SPORTS

Mackenzie George

Sports Editor

It lasts four months -- almost a quarter of the year. Basketball is a long season. The 20-game regular season that begins in November ends in late February, and no matter how enthusiastic players are, the final practices drag. Playoffs spill over into March, and even with the excitement of state looming, some athletes, particularly JV players like me, were ready to be done.

The seniors probably experienced a lot of nostalgia on the final bus trip to Billings. Last year, they made the trek to Skyview and pulled off a double-overtime win to advance to state.

That kind of accomplishment is a memory that sticks with you. This year, CMR was again in the underdog spot and would have to beat Billings Senior to punch their ticket to state.

Playoff games carry a lot more weight than regular season games. They shouldn’t, though.

Both last 32 minutes, and the Lady Rustlers had already faced Billings Senior twice in the regular season.

The bus made a stop in Roundup for a shootaround and sandwiches. And then suddenly we were at the gym. Water bottles were filled by the managers. We set up the iPad so we could film the game.

After an impressive win over No. 1-seeded Billings West Feb. 27, the varsity’s morale was high. The team had made a season-high 13 three-pointers. The offense was clean and they’d been aggressive on defense. So although the varsity team lost to Senior in both previous matchups, we were confident.

There were plenty of lead changes in the first half; on some possessions, we were so focused on the game that we forgot to switch the camera to the correct end of the floor. It was in the third quarter when Senior went on a run. It would have been difficult to come back even if CMR’s shots were falling.

Crosby subbed in the seniors to end the game. But when the buzzer sounded, I didn’t feel a rush of relief. I felt bad for the seniors, who, instead of walking off the court for the last time as winners, were trudging to the locker room.

The fact of the matter is, no matter how tired you get of something, you will miss it when it ends. Tryouts back in November seem like a lifetime ago. So on the bus ride to Billings, I thought I wouldn’t be crushed if we lost. Not the case.

Everything ends. High school will, too.

It seems so far away, but taking a look at the season in review reminds me of how fast things fly by. Coming out of a long spring break, I realized we only have a little over two months of school left. As much as I’m looking forward to summer, there are so many things I enjoy about the spring as well. This spring sports season, I hope to appreciate every practice a little bit more knowing how few I actually have left.

The tennis team assembles for their first practice on March 14. Coach Anne Bulger directs the team. Sophomore Wyatt Stalsberg practices his swing. Tennis equipment waits to be used by eager players. Junior Emilie Ringvold reaches up to return the ball.

Photos by Sophie Aron.

Rallying into a new tennis season

by Quincy Schmechel, staff writer For some athletes, hearing the bounce of a bright green tennis ball is merely the sound they hear after making the trek from the fieldhouse to the CMR tennis courts for springtime gym classes.

For others, however, tennis goes beyond gym class, and tennis athletes were excited when the season officially began.

Though most tennis athletes keep up with the sport throughout the year, official tennis team practices started on March 14.

Players can compete in singles or doubles events, choosing a one-on-one environment or playing with a partner. Whichever they choose, all tennis players and coaches were eager to hit the courts during the second week of March.

Sophomore Gavin Will expressed high hopes for the upcoming season.

“There’s going to be a lot of new people from what I saw at the introductory meeting and hopefully a lot of new talent,” Will said.

He said tennis is a fun sport for lots of people, and he has high hopes for the team this year, despite having lost fantastic seniors on the team after last year’s graduation.

“We lost some good seniors last year, so that’s going to be hard to replace. But now we have some seniors this year and some juniors that are really going to step up,” Will said. “I think there are going to be [lots of good] changes this year that are really going to affect the team.”

Will reflected on personal and team growth that he hopes to accomplish this year.

“I’m hoping to do a little better at divisionals this year and maybe make it to state. I think I’ll be able to really [thrive] in singles this year,” he said. “As a team, hopefully we can get

ourselves together, develop, and come out stronger.”

Junior Roy Munns shared this positive outlook on the team’s growth in the upcoming season.

“I’m pretty stoked for this season,” Munns said. “I’m eager to see how I can improve and how the team changes.”

Munns shared an excitement for divisionals and state, but also an enthusiasm for people new to the team, the promise of the season’s progression, and crosstown. He also mentioned wanting to improve his serves and “slice backhand,” a specific tennis swing he has been working on.

“I think there’s a lot of new promise. People have been staying after practice to play; I think it shows a lot of dedication,” Munns said. “It’s really neat to see how people are already working.”

He said the tennis team has been trying to step it up by doing workouts and trying to get more in shape for the season.

“I’d say we’re definitely stepping it up with fitness. I’ve even heard people complaining about being sore after the first day of practice.”

Munns said he thinks that increased fitness and new talent should push the tennis team to new heights. He said tennis is a good sport to play if you want to push yourself.

“It’s really well-rounded. It incorporates athleticism, mental mind, and physical capabilities,” Munns. “People can psych you out and get you off your game, so it’s really important to stay on your A game.”

“That’s what really makes a good tennis player and makes it a good sport. It’s what gives me such a hopeful outlook on this season, because I want to see myself improve with my team.”

Sports

March 31, 2016

29

The many faces of track athetes

When track comes to mind, many conjure up a picture of a long-legged distance runner or lightning-fast sprinter. But the athletes who go out for track and field each year don’t just run circles around Memorial Stadium. They are powerful throwers and agile jumpers. Here, the Stampede caught up with athletes from each major division of the sport to discuss how they train, set season goals, and why they chose their event.

Sprinters

Page by Mackenzie George, sports editor

When setting season goals, most track athletes will say they hope to qualify for state. This year, Cali Modglin set an even loftier goal for herself: to become a state champion. But considering her success last season, it’s not a far-fetched idea for the star sprinter. Modglin placed fourth in the 100 and third in the 200 last year at the state track meet.

“This season my goal is to go to state for all of the events I participate in and to become a state champ,” the junior said.

Modglin’s success and work ethic make her a leader on the CMR track team.

“I enjoy being a part of this team, and I hope to be someone who others look up to,” she said.

Modglin said her coaches understand how far to push her when something becomes difficult. Her dominance is due to her competitive drive and hard work.

“While working out I always try to stay competitive and never take the easy route,” Modglin said. “I enjoy working out with someone who is faster than me so I can always push myself to become better.”

With two more seasons to improve, Modglin is sure to be a force to be reckoned with come her senior year.

Throwers

Jumpers

There are over a dozen events in track, but athletes can participate in only five each meet. Junior Xavier Pace pushes the number to the max, running the 100 and 4x100 relay, and competing in the long jump, triple jump, and high jump. He’s competed in track since he was in seventh grade. Four years later, he is still participating in the jumping events that got him started.

“I really like jumping, and that was pretty much the only thing I was good at -- that and running -- so I thought I might as well do it for my high school track seasons,” Pace said.

Although jumping requires a lot of technique, once it is learned it isn’t difficult, he explained.

“Once you get the right technique down, your athleticism kind of just carries you the rest of the way,” he said.

All track athletes dream of going to state for their respective events, and Pace is no exception. To qualify, he will have to complete a long jump of 20 feet, nine inches. He missed the mark by just half an inch last year. Pace went to state anyway, qualifying in the 4x100 relay.

Another long jumper who stands out to Pace is sophomore Damien Nelson.

“He’s young, but I think he can be pretty good if he gets in the weight room and practices,” Pace said. “He works hard.”

Sometimes, track runs in the family. Kaylee Beer was introduced to the sport through her older siblings.

“I saw my brothers play and I thought it would be fun,” the sophomore said.

Beer currently competes in the discus and shot put. She has been in the track program for four years. Though she didn’t qualify for state last year, it is her top priority this season. To compete, she will have to throw the discus 113 feet. The shot put qualification is 35 feet, three inches. Beer looks up to senior thrower Kylie Greenwell, with whom she practices.

“She’s the top thrower right now,” Beer said.

Beer begins practice by running a couple of laps before doing a warmup.

“Then we split up into our individual groups, like throwers with throwers, runners with runners, and we go from there.”

One might assume that muscle is the key to success in throwing events, but Beer concentrates on other areas to improve.

“Really, it’s more footwork and your technique than muscle,” she said.

“But muscle helps too.”

Several throwers launch their javelins during a chilly practice on March 29. Photo by Sophie Aron.

Jumping coach Brian Greenwell assists junior Trisha Carlson with the triple jump during an inside workout on March 29.

Photos by Mackenzie George.

Long Distance

Junior Jake Shie has numerous coaches to thank for his participation in track. It was Doug Darko, then-gym teacher and coach, who introduced him to the sport sophomore year.

“Well, when we ran the mile in gym class I had a pretty good time for a mile, so Mr. Darko, distance coach at the time, told me I should do track my sophomore year,” Shie said. “So I took his advice.”

Shie discovered he was “a pretty good runner” after his first season and decided to continue running the following fall in cross country. While some people consider the sport painful, Shie said he loves the feeling he gets after a workout.

He also appreciates his coaches, calling them “amazing.” Like last year, Nathan Gregier and Branch Brady are in charge of the distance runners.

“Yes, they’ll get on your butt a lot for not going hard or for missing practice, but at the end of the day they both are great coaches. I see them playing good cop, bad cop. One will be nice and supportive all the time, while the other will push you to your limit.”

Shie said that workouts vary from seven-mile runs to a dozen 400-meter sprints. He hopes to make the state mile team this season as well as improve his 800-meter time and knows his coaches will be there every step of the way.

“I wouldn’t want anyone else helping me continue my running experience.”

30 Sports

March 31, 2016

Seniors reflect on the season ahead

By the Numbers sports news from around CMR

March 14

First day of practice for all spring sports. Track and field, tennis, and softball programs all started up.

2

The CMR softball team practices over spring break on Monday March 28 at the sports complex. They gathered to talk about plays and the players practices for thier upcoming games.

Photos by Sophie Aron.

by JJ Mitchell, opinion editor Senior pitcher Courtney Schroeder is ready to begin her softball season, and she is excited about stepping on the field for one last time.

“I want to have fun and for all of us to play to the best of our abilities,” she said. “[I want to] enjoy the last season I have with these girls, and winning state would just be the cherry on top.”

As one of the pitchers on the softball team, Schroeder said the hardest part is being mentally tough.

“Pitchers have to be on their game 100 percent of the time. Throughout the whole game we have to be zoned in and understand all situations that happen,” she said.

During practices, the team works hard on everything to get ready for their upcoming games.

“We focus on every single pitch and swing. If we do it correctly in practice, it will make it that much easier to do it every time on the field,” she said.

With the help of head coach Lindsay Gustafson, Schroeder said that she pushes them to do there best and to be there best on the diamond.

“Coach Gustafson wants us to improve on something every practice, and doing it correctly can only help that. Every practice we work hard so game time is nothing different,” Schroeder said. “She is very picky, but in the end it’s the little things that she points out that make all the differences.”

Schroeder said that Gustafson also helps Senior Courtney Shroder practices pitching for the upcoming season during open gym on March with the nerves that she has during pitching 11 after school. The regular season started at a game. She also has her own techniques the following Monday, March 14. Photos by JJ that she uses.

Mitchell.

“Taking a breath is a big thing. I can

always start fresh with a new pitch or swing, and that mindset helps a lot. Having an amazing crew behind me when I’m in the circle is a pressure relief, and I can always count on them to support me,” she said.

Having a teammate who knows what you going through helps a lot when it comes to the big games, and for Schroeder that person is senior Myla Robbins.

“I know that Myla and I can always help each other in tough situations. We each have our strengths, and depending on the game plan we can complement each other a lot,” Schroeder said.

Robbins, another pitcher, agrees that it is good to have a person there who knows what you’re going through.

“Courtney and I are both there for one another. We work well together, and she is great pitcher and player. She pushes me to be a better player all around,” Robbins said.

When Robbins is under pressure during a game, she said she thinks back to what her dad once told her.

“Ever since I was a little girl my dad told me I need a small saying or something that will clear my mind and relax me, and for me it’s a song that I can play in my head and it clears my mind,” she said.

The difficult part about pitching is knowing that all the eyes and pressure is on you, Robbins added.

“You have to remember you don’t have to do it all by yourself. I have a great defense behind that will back me up,” she said.

Robbins has set several goals for her final softball season at CMR. “My goal this year is enjoy one of my last high school season with these girls and to take state,” Robbins said.

Number of Lady Rustlers who made the AllState basketball roster.

Sophomore Addison Gardner earned secondteam honors, while junior Mady Skawinski was named third-team.

196 feet, 2 inches

Trevor Pepin’s statewinning javelin throw at last year’s state meet, which set a school record.

Now a senior, Pepin could have back-to-back state championships if he wins on May 28.

Coach Brian Crosby talks to his players about adjustments that need to be made during a timeout on Feb. 27. The Rustlers played Billings West. Photo by JJ Mitchell.

Sports

March, 31 2016

Folfing in the Falls

31

Great Falls becomes home to three folf fields

by Carli Dieruf, editor in chief There’s a sport that is slowly making its way into CMR hallways and creating a new addition to some people’s to-do lists. It’s a mixture between frisbee and golf, where the player attempts to make a hole by throwing the frisbee into the chained cage.

Senior Ethan Naranjo enjoys playing folf with his dad when he is able to squeeze it in between his busy schedule of work, theatre and spending time with his family and friends. He says folf is a lot different than golf, but he’s perfectly OK with that.

“Golf just takes forever,” Naranjo said. “When you play folf, it’s only three or four throws and you’re on to the next hole. Golf just takes way more time, and it gets boring so quick.”

He said he isn’t open to playing golf, and avoids it if he can. He says he uses the excuse “why would I play golf when I can play folf,” quite often. He enjoys going to flag hill and playing with family. Out of all of the courses available, he said it is the most open and also has the best views.

“I usually don’t score over a plus three, so I guess that could be considered pretty good,” he said. “I’m sure there are people who play more that score with one throw, but I’m not quite there yet.”

Naranjo says that he would like to see more CMR students out playing folf. He pushes that it is more enjoyable than many sports because it’s not as time consuming, but it’s still just as competitive as almost any other sport. It’s easy to get involved, as courses are available all over Great Falls.

“Just give it a try if you’re curiousl; it’s really fun. And it’s always fun to go with family and friends,” he said. “The best part is challenging yourself to try and make it in with as little throws as possible. I’m still looking to beat my record.”

Breaking a sweat

by Quincy Schmechel, staff writer Though it’s not quite as well-known and popular as weight training and the required gym classes, aerobics yields just as many results, even if it is tucked into a small corner of the fieldhouse. When walking into the aerobics room, one may hear peppy music and see teacher Lindsey Gustafson leading her students in a rigorous, calorie-crushing workout.

“There’s really no set curriculum. We have a huge, wide variety of what we do [in aerobics]. There’s so much that we do, which is why I think it’s such a good class because you don’t do the same exact thing every day.”

Gustafson also says that not only does the variety make it more fun, but it also allows her to help students learn how to construct their own workouts and discover things that they like or don’t like. The class works out every day with varieties of different fitness activities, such as yoga, pilates, and other activities.

guide to

mountain biking

by Sophie Aron, staff writer

with jordan christian

WHERE TO MOUNTAIN BIKE NEAR GREAT FALLS: South Shore Trail:

Trail: Chaos

MILES: 18 ASSENT: 1,100’ DESCENT: 900’ Type: Singletrack

Mountain bikers, along with joggers and walkers can enjoy this trail along the river that is managed by Montana Fish Wild Life and Parks. The trail offers track for beginners along with those who are experienced with the sport.

MILES: 0.6 ASSENT: 29’ DESCENT: -75’ Type: Singletrack

South Shore Trail sign welcoming visorts at the head of the trail. Photo courtesy of City of Great Falls. http:// www.greatfallsmt.net/ recreation/mayhem-and-southshore-trails

Marked “experts only” at the start of the trail, Chaos features steep pitches, exposed cliff and along with pleny of challenging sections. Considered to be “impassible” when wet, this trail definitely requires a sunnt day to ride.

When dry, the surface is considered to be farely good and clear.

Teacher Lindsey Gustafson leads her sixth period aerobics class in a workout. Senior Carlyn Mahoney concentrates on following the class’ workout. Photos by Sophie Aron.

“It’s a good way to gain knowledge of fitness and hopefully enjoy working out [while] becoming physically fit,” Gustafson said about the class. “By the end of the class, you should be able to put your own workout together.”

Gustafson also says that a main premise of the class is to teach students to set and reach fitness-related goals.

“It’s an activity class. We do body fat testing and measuring at the beginning of the year. It helps set goals and increase fitness levels for kids,” she said.

Gustafson said that not only is aerobics a good class for kids to take, especially if they are trying to lose weight, but that it is also fun and practical to teach and learn.

“I love teaching [aerobics]. It’s my favorite class period. I love working out and working with kids, so it really provides the best of both worlds. I love seeing kids reach goals, and I love being able to help them do that.”

by Sophie Aron, staff writer With mountain biking growing in popularity, follow along with senior Jordan Christian as he talks about his personal experiences with mountain biking and how he got started in the adrenaline-packed sport.

“I had a friend that was just getting into mountain biking, and I had the money. It’s kind of an expensive sport so I just dove in head first,” Christian said. “Also, I love the adrenaline rush it gives and the challenge it presents. No matter the terrain, you’ll always score a good workout and some butterflies in your stomach.”

Although mountain biking is not very common in Great Falls, there are several trails open to biking.

“We only have a few close to Great Falls. The main one is called South Shore; it’s just supplies for biking beyond Giant Springs and • bike north of the base,” he said. • helmet - full face if possible “It’s solid and has some good • gloves - fingerless descents along with a few ascents. Mostly cross country • water bottle with cage though, and single track. It • tire patch kit has sub-divisions through, • alan wrench which is nice. Similar to a ski • pump hill, it has black diamonds and green runs. The main • pack blacks are called “Mayhem” • camera gear and “Chaos.” Mayhem is • extra bike tube tons of fun, where Chaos is • snacks very technical and difficult.”

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32 Back Page

March 31, 2016

Prom

Artwork (prom ads and tickets) created by senior Katie Belcher.

Out of this World

Promposals of 2016

How did he ask her?

The words space and prom combined together for the 2016 CMR dance inspired a lot of people to attend. Many students who usually would not attend school dances bought tickets simply because of the theme, which was voted in by the student body thanks to a poll taken by the student government.

Junior Sierra Coster attended prom with her three best friends, juniors Ariel Corrigan, Becca Miller and senior Karli Burke. Coster said she has always been skeptical of school dances, but her friends talked her into going. And she was able to find the dress of her dreams after some time searching online.

“It was my first time going, and it was just amazing,” Coster said. “We had so much fun, and we danced the whole time. We were constantly taking breaks to cool down and get water. It was exhausting.”

Senior Connor Klaue, like many

other seniors, enjoyed his last prom.

Both the dance room and the lounge/ photography room were almost completely packed. Students of all grade levels gathered with friends and as couples to enjoy the latest hits and refreshments.

Klaue took 2015 graduate Michaela McKamey, accompanied by nine others. He explained that they all had a blast, and spent the night on the dance floor. He said it was an excellent turn around for prom this year. Klaue and senior Knox Semenza stood out in the crowd with their decorative suits, much different than the black, white and tan tuxedos. The two long-time friends are pictured at the top left.

“The highlight of the entire night would be the fact that I was able to take my best friend to prom,” Klaue said. “I wouldn’t have changed a thing.”

Couples and friends gather together for a night of dancing at the Space Prom on March 18, which was held at the Great Falls International Airport. Photos

by Sophie Aron and courtesy of prom couples.

2/10/2016

3/8/2016

Freshman Kellen Hartman asked sophomore Akasia Denton.

Junior Will Blee asked sophomore Lexi Boller.

Junior Austin Enriquez asked Senior Carli Dieruf.

Junior Caleb Gange asked junior Samantha Payne.

3/2/2016

Junior Lucas Ford asked Senior Megan Packer.

2/22/2016

2/14/2016 Page by Carli Dieruf, Julia Gremaux, Sophie Aron, editor in chief and staff writers.