voice the
The Voice
Volume XI, Issue X Senior Edition
Congratulates the Senior Class of 2014
May, 2014
@gretnamedia
Keeping Our Green In Gretna Rumors of School Store Circulate Keyes / Reporter Pencils, notebooks, school gear, and snacks; will all of these items be sold at the future student store? Now that Gretna High School is a bigger school, students are wondering and asking for a student store. Other schools like Millard West and Burke High School currently have student stores for their students to buy snacks and other items they might need throughout the day. “I only use it when I have cash on me,” Katylnn Oddo, junior from Millard South. “Which is hardly ever anymore. It does not help me in my daily life because it’s just a store. Prices range from $.85 to $2. I like it because I like food and when I have money, its pretty great. People should have them because who doesn’t like food? Plus the school gets a lot of money from it. They sell chips, ice cream, diet pop, and leftover food from lunch. Dominic Nastasi, senior and Mr. Jake Wolf, History teacher both do not feel that it is necessary for GHS to have a student at the moment. “Personally, I feel that the school does not need some other means of marketing their merchandise,” said Nastasi. “The school has just spent millions of dollars on the new addition, plus new projectors for almost every classroom. The school makes, how do I say this, adequate meals for the students. My stepsister goes to Millard West and she tells me she has over 8 different choices for lunch, we have main, side, salad, or sandwich. Why would we bother with a student store if we can barely afford to feed the students?” According to Mr. John Heckenlively , Activities Director, this is not a rumor, but it will not be happening to GHS anytime soon. “At this point I think it’s a discussion that is up in the air,” said Heckenlively. “It’s a great idea, and it would be very convenient to the people. There are a lot of details to it though, like where would it be, who would run it; the students or staff? And where would we get our products from?” As one could obtain, there are multiple unanswered questions that have to be answered first before GHS could open up a student store. “It’s an idea that came after the edition was done,” said Heckinlively. “Right now we’re just researching about it and what other schools are doing so it’s hard to put a date on it at this point.” Hearing about this rumor, Mr. Roger Miller rebuttal towards the thoughts of Nasatasi. “The reason we have the number of choices at lunch is due to the population number,” said Miller. “As our size of our student body increases the number choices at lunch will increase.
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May 2014
Gretna Just Got Freaky Fast The Location that Hosted the Stores Oski’s, Scoops, and The Green Apple Transforms into Jimmy Johns Zollman / Reporter The incredible smelling sandwich chain will be opening a store on May 27th. Jimmy John’s will take the place of the old Green Apple spot, right next to Runza. Ending Subway’s three store monopoly on Gretna, the general manager of the franchise opening in town, Jesse Johnston, is excited to bring the sandwich shop to the city. “We’re excited to come to Gretna because it’s a new market,” said Johnston. “It’s a relatively small town and does not have a lot of variety for restaurants, so I think we can run with that.” The store will include a drive through and their legendary delivery service, which makes them famous for their “freaky fast delivery,” It will also seat 15 people inside and more on an outside patio. “We have our own type of style,” said Johnston. “We like to keep everything sharp and unique. We also have a clean
code. You look at other fast food joints and you think “Wow this is not really clean”, but we keep home standard cleaning.” Lovers of the chain will not have drive to one of the other 14 restaurants in the metro area anymore just to get their favorite sub. It will be easy to get to after school and perfect for a snack on the way home from the outlet mall. “The idea is that we will be busy, we are hoping for a busy store,” said Johnston. “We’re shooting for 20,000 served a week and we hope to stay busy for a while.” The spot being occupied by Jimmy John’s has hosted multiple restaurants previously. The earliest was Oski’s, an old fashioned ice cream shop that was closed in 2008. Scoops, another ice cream place took its place in 2009 and was closed in 2010. The latest occupant of the spot was the Green Apple, a deli that made sandwiches and soups, which opened in 2011. In February of 2012, the
Green Apple was broken into and closed later that year. The spot is not the best at keeping occupants, some even say it is cursed because of it’s inability to hold tenants. “I’ve lived in Gretna for almost ten years,” said Josie Lowe, freshman. “Sometimes my family would go to Oski’s and later Scoops for ice cream. Restaurants in that location in the past may have failed, but I think Jimmy John’s is very popular and will stay in business.” The store is opening in late May, and getting the building ready should not take long. Johnston says they will be ready for applicants soon. “Hiring has not really started yet, ” said Johnston. “We are getting some “Now Hiring” banners so we will be ready for hiring once those are up and around.” The date for the store opening has already been pushed back a week and Johnston hopes to be open on the 27th, but it might be delayed again. Delayed or not, Gretna is ready for “freaky fast”.
Rising from Saw Dust: The construction crew is preparing for the new Jimmy John’s store, opening May 27th. The store will is located in the old Green Apple spot, near Runza.
Speedy Sub Sandwiches Straight into the Car: The new location will feature a drive through window and will also have their infamous “freaky fast” delivery service available
News
Printing’s Next Dimension
Teacher Gains Grant for Newest 3D Printer Staley / Reporter Phones, computers, and televisions are all forms of the new technology that is evolving around the world. Whether people are playing a fun game on their phone to occupy them for a while, or they are searching for information about the latest happenings in the world, technology has become an everyday use for many people in their lives. Gretna High School will soon be receiving a new piece of technology of their own. Mr. Doug Bertelson, science teacher at GHS, has been given a grant to use a new 3D printer for the school. “3D printers appeal to me on a technological side,” said Bertelson. “I will be learning a lot right along with the students and other teachers.” Bertelson heard about the grant from a Bellevue East teacher last summer. He discussed the possible uses for the printer with some high school teachers. Then, Mr. Skrdla and him came up with a plan. All that was left was writing the proposal and coming up with a budget. The longest part of the process was picking which 3D printer to get. The smaller ones start at a cost of about $400. The more expensive ones are the commercial ones, which can go into multiple thousands. The printer has a piece of glass on it that acts as a base. It is almost like a fine-tipped hot glue gun that is computer controlled. It traces a layer out, lowers the plate, then traces out another layer on top of the previous one. A three dimensional object is created when the layers are all stacked. The layers are usually about 25 layers per inch. The images made from the printer can be made from a few minutes to several hours. It all depends on the size and how thick the layers are. “I would want to use the 3D printer for pictures on assignments to make it stand out more,” said Elyse Barna, Sophomore. “Both teachers and students could use it to make learning more fun.” Bertelson’s goal is for students at GHS to be able to use the printer in a fun way, such as solving problems with the printed pictures they created. The idea for the printer first started with the Team America Rocketry Challenge, which part of the rocket club participates in. The rocket club could build custom parts for the competition rockets to improve it’s flight. This is why Bertelson wants to begin using this for the robotics club, the rocketry club, and the entrepreneurship class. There are also other possibilities for the curriculum, though. “The overall goal is to give students a chance to experience some of the cutting-edge technologies out there for smallscale manufacturing,” said Bertelson. The printer arrived around May 6th. Bertelson hopes to have it set up and running by the end of the school year. The whereabouts of the 3D printer is still being decided. The printer can be loud at times, so it will be away from class spaces. Bertelson has an area in his storage room and a few other places in mind for the set up, though. Having this new piece of technology at GHS can be a highly beneficial tool for improving the education of the students and also be a fun tool to use for schoolwork.
News
The Biology of Being a Substitute Mrs. Wegiel Must Fill in While Ms. Childs Takes Care of Family Kahler / Reporter Sadly, GHS had to say goodbye to Ms. Deb Childs early this year due to some family medical issues; however, Mrs. Noelle Wegiel is now managing her classes for the remainder of the year. Mrs. Wegiel began as a substitute at GHS only a few days ago, but that has not stopped her from experiencing the school and its students. “So far it has been a wonderful experience at GHS, I’ve been welcomed very warmly by the administration and faculty,” said Wegiel. “Teaching has been great, the students are all very respectful and polite, completely on task in the classroom which makes teaching even more fun. Ms. Childs’ students have responded really well to me. I came in to meet her students and introduce myself before she left, so that made the transition pretty smooth.” Mrs. Wegiel has taken over for Mrs. Deb Childs until the end of the year. Mrs. Childs is currently in Florida with her son while he receives medical treatment. Mrs. Wegiel will not become a full time teacher at Gretna, but is glad to have had an opportunity to teach here for a while. “I actually just accepted a job in Millard Public
Schools,” said Wegiel. “But were I in the market for a teaching job, I’d definitely consider GHS!” Teaching is in Wegiel’s blood. She’s been a teacher of some sort for most of her life, although going through college with a biology major. “My entire professional life I’ve spent in education,” said Wegiel. “I’ve taught water aerobics, gymnastics to preschool kids, I taught marine biology summer camps in Florida, and one summer I worked as a graduate research assistant to a professor who was a freshwater mussel expert” Wegiel has taken to the students at GHS very well. She says that she enjoys the classes she has been teaching and feels that the students are very accepting of her. “The students are fantastic,” said Wegiel. “They are polite and genuinely seem interested in what I have to share, they are respectful both towards me and their peers, they get their work done, and attendance seems to be perfect! I also like how they seem very interested in their community activities that their classmates are involved with.” Although Mrs. Childs is not here to finish of the school year, Mrs. Wegiel is happy to have taken over. She seems to get along great with the students and is looking forward to a great end of the year.
Keeping It Black and White: Mrs. Noelle Wegiel explains by drawing an example about a new chapter in her College Biology class’ Ecology unit.
May 2014
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Cartoon by Annie Sullivan
Girl Power: We Need A Real Representation The Importance of Strong Female Roles in the Media
Human/Reporter There are key elements that make any work of fiction memorable. From movies to TV shows to books, audiences look for action, adventure, romance, and… representation? While it may be a more overlooked aspect of some media outlets, the role of fair female representation in fiction is extremely important. In the past, female roles have largely been diminished or even nonexistent. Girls have always been the weak ones, the damsels in distress, or the prize for the male protagonist. A l m o s t every fairy tale includes the beautiful princess being saved by the charming p r i n c e . However, in this day and age, there has been a greater call for realistic representation of females in different media outlets. While great strides have been made from the days of old Disney movies, there is still a lot of work to be done. For one thing, women need to stop being represented as the damsels perpetually in distress. W h i l e situations like these m a y
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May 2014
legitimately arise in film or a TV show, there reaches a point where there are too many of these situations to simply be a coincidence. Let a girl be the one who saves the day for once! While there are some examples of these kind of female characters, like Hermione from the Harry P o t t e r franchise o r Marvel’s Black W i d o w, there are far too f e w
examples present in the media. Yet another way women can be better represented in media is to create plotlines for them that do not revolve a r o u n d romance or a man.
Of course, this is not to say that there should not be any romance or love interests. However, a female character should have more of a personality than who they are in love with. One good example of why this is an issue can be found in what is called the Bechdel Test. A movie passes the Bechdel Test in three steps: first, the film must have at least two women characters; second, they must have a conversation; third, the conversation must not be about a man. Easy, right? In actuality, it is surprising how many movies fail this seemingly simple test. Failures of the test include the movies Avatar, the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy, and the newer Pacific Rim. There are some wonderful examples of movies and TV shows with strong female characters in recent years. Some of the most obvious ones that come to mind are the movies Brave and Frozen. Both include strong female leads who have plotlines and personalities that consist of more than who they are in love with and who is in love with them. While these movies have been praised countless times for their emphasis on their female characters, they are only a few in a vast sea of weaker, inaccurate female characters. More works of fiction should have female characters that add to the storyline and are more fulfilling to read or watch than the average damsel. After all, girls in real life have more problems than boys around them; why not characters, too? In the end, what does this all really mean? For one thing, while many recent movies, TV shows, and novels have featured strong and realistic women characters and are making great strides towards representation, there is still a long way to go. Having solid female characters should not be an option. It should be something that happens in every work of fiction, just like there are strong male characters in every work. It is important that both content creators and general audiences become more aware of the importance of female representation in media so more strides can continue to be made. Art by Jade Naber
A natural emotion experienced by everyone molds a person into who they are. People are different because of when they use it and how they react to it. Apathy is a lack of interest or concern about anything that comes up. Whether it is a missing neighborhood pet or an injured civilian, apathy comes and goes depending on a variety of things. I believe small doses of apathy are necessary for people who want to stay calm and relaxed. If every single thing that popped up in life was required to be exciting or heart-wrenching, it would only be an eternity of a PMS-ing society. A teenager’s future is their most asked about subject. “Where are you going to college?” “What do you want to be?” “Have you met anyone special?” “How many kids do you want?” and eventually, so much builds up that the student decides it is not currently important. If teenagers did not have apathy, they would emotionally collapse and their minds would spiral into the fog of lost souls, eventually to be cast into Mordor. Still, not everything should be brushed off the shoulder so easily. Do not suppress emotions that you need to let out. When my favorite characters are at death’s door, I am grabbing the nearest pillow and clicking the “next episode” button in my blanket fort and ice cream at hand. Feeling anything is five hundred thousand times better than feeling nothing at all when it comes to stuff you care about. But sometimes relaxing and sitting inside your own thoughts is even better.
Naber/Features Editor
Is Apathy OK?
Holman/OpEd Editor
I am all for not caring...in certain areas. I personally have $0 in my Bank of Cares about many things, such as: what people think of me, what I look like on a daily basis, and social norms surrounding when I should be eating. However, school is one area where I believe everyone should insert a little more effort. I am not just some Honors student preaching about something I do not understand, Receiving an education is an extreme privilege that is often taken for granted, and effort in high school is essential for college success. It is obviously easier to choose the regular course options and squander your potential, but it will pay off in the long run. You do not realize how much your decisions affect your future until it is senior year and all those scholarships are going to the kids who didn’t drop Spanish Club after the group photo. High school is currently the hardest thing that most of us have had to deal with. Sometimes the world just piles and piles on responsibility and obligation, and it just becomes too much to deal with. We have our bad days where absolutely nothing will be accomplished and that is okay. Take a 3-hour nap, watch a season of Bob’s Burgers, and eat your weight in Doritos. However, after your pity cry about your life, you have to get up and get your stuff done. A G.P.A. does not define you or Art your level of by Jade Naber effort, but it will define your future and your possibilities.
Counterpoint
*grunts*
Point
*swoon* “Talk apathetic to me.”
Opinion & Editorial
The 2014 Courtyard Café A
Brand
New
Schmidt / Copy Editor Imagine soaking up the sun, listening to some tunes from fellow classmates and enjoying lunch outdoors. Thanks to the great privilege of Gretna High School’s new courtyard, the annual Library Latte has now become Courtyard Cafe. During the week of April 28 to May 2, Courtyard Cafe was held in the courtyard at all three lunches. Performances from the jazz band, Vintage, both OIDs, Louder than a Bomb and many other assorted students were just a few to show off their talent to their peers. In the past, Library Latte sells cookies, mocha lattes and caramel lattes. With the new procedures regarding purchases, buying the supplies for lattes was too overwhelming this year, so the cafe is only selling cookies this year. “I thought it [Courtyard Cafe] would be fun to do outside,” said Kari Bulgrin, GHS Librarian. “Mrs. Childs has worked really hard on the courtyard and I want
GHS
Tradition
students to enjoy it. It was started by the librarian before me, and is a great way to showcase students and their talents. I love the tradition and plan to continue it as long as I am here.” Due to the rain and weather conditions during the week of Courtyard Cafe, it was mostly still held in the Library. Bulgrin says she still plans on continuing Courtyard Cafe for years to come, but hopes the weather will corporate later on in the week. “It was the risk we were willing to take when we changed it,” said GHS Librarian, Jeanne Krijack. “We are seeing how the forecast is on a day to day basis and playing it from there. Hopefully it will be nice Friday and Vintage will perform.” Every one kept the faith, and fortunately, Courtyard Cafe was held outside towards the end of the week. It was a big hit for all the lunch periods and gave students a new view of the talented people that walk through the halls of GHS.
Meet the the Editors of 2014-2015 Voice Staff
I’m Charlie Ames and I’m the new Editor in Chief. I hope to bring important changes to our issues and lead this staff in the right direction.
I’m Samantha Hannigan and I’m the Op/Ed editor. I hope to make sure the opinions of the staff are loud and clear.
I’m Amanda Nelson and I’m the new Eeature Editor. I hope to bring new ideas to the paper.
My name is Jacob Dart and I’ll be the Managing Editor for the GHS newspaper and I plan to bring forth the best possible effort tomake the Voice interesting and fun to read for everyone.
I’m Maddy Perkins and I’m the new In-Depth ediror. I hope to bring lots of new ideas and a new outlook on the paper next year.
I’m Becca Human and I’m the new Copy Editor. I hope to help make stories look and sound flawless!
I’m Layne Staley and I’ll be Sports Editor next year. I will bring a lot of ideas and effort to the paper.
Not pictured Nick Mefford: Video/Website Editor
May, 2014
Feature
I’m Roy Thompson and I am excited to be the Web and Photo Editor to make the Voice beter and more enjoyable for GHS.
I’m Amanda Minckler and I’ll be the News Editor next year and will bring creative design ideas to the paper.
I’m Brenna Zollman and I’m the new Arts and Entertainment Editor. I hope to add a sense of pop culture to the paper.
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Texting and Driving...is the Text Really That Important? Mock Car Crash Simulation Informs Students About Safe Driving Habits Perina/ Staff Writer A warning that all teens need to hear. Do not text and drive, nor drive under the influence of drugs and alcohol. Those two statements are being preached to teenagers, and adults in this day in age. May 2nd, GHS presented a mock car accident to the students to warn the dangers of making bad decisions while driving. This mock accident had featured acting by students that attend GHS, so it impacts the student body on a more emotional level, by the thought of losing their friends and classmate. This event was suppose to be on the down low, but rumors were going around about the mock accident the whole week before the presentation started. One part that was not known was the assembly after the accident. The assembly was meant for the students to think about their decisions they make while driving and how their decisions will affect the people who care about them. “It was suppose to be secret because it makes more of an impact emotionally, it makes people think as they are watching it. We want students to be safe.” said Deputy Dale LeSonde, school resource officer. Statistics say that eleven accidents happen a day due to texting while driving.
Twenty-three accidents happen a day, because of the result of driving under the influence. “In 1995 I was hit head on by a drunk driver. I also have witnessed and assisted in numerous of tragic accidents.” said Deputy LeSonde. GHS is not the only school who has put on a event to warn students about these major dangers. Articles show many schools showing similar presentations from the year 2007 to the present. This issue has been going on for a long time. Nine years ago many of us did not have cell phones or knew the dangers of drunk driving. Now us students are living through the years that texting and driving are at a max. “I just want people to think not just of themselves while driving, but also the people around they. How would they feel if they lost a loved one by someone else texting and driving.” said Deputy LeSonde. Next time someone thinks that looking at that text for five seconds won’t hurt anyone. Think again and close your eyes. Imagine your family or the persons family you got in a crash in, and think about them finding out that their child is injured or dead because of one text. That text is not as important now.
Top Photo: Junior Rachel Schollart agonizes over the tragic sight in front of her during the mock car crash. Bottom Photo: Seniors Lindsey LaMountain and Logan Langholdt with junior Grace Kimmnach as they see the tragidy of the accident during the crash simulation. The students act worried about the severity of the crash and the well being of the students
Top Photo: Seniors Trace Mannewitz and Luke Beran wait anxiously to hear the news about fellow senior David Beran after the mock car crash. Bottom Photo: Seniors Jessica Weishahn, Mati Phelps and Zoe Bullard wait on the side in anguish as they watch their friends in the simulations terrible situation.
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Top photo: Junior Paulie Clines, was pronounced dead on the scene of the mock car crash. The firefighters close his eyes and wait to have his body carried away.
May 2014
Feature
More than a Math Equation
How Location Affects Seniors’ Opportunity
Does where we grow up affect what we do?
Ames /A&E Editor
E
xperience plus perspective equals opportunity. The equation seems simple enough, but its meaning has a much larger impact than that of which is noticed. Without a perspective on an experience, one cannot have an opportunity, which raises the question: are experiences limited? The answer? Maybe. What maybe causes these limitations to happen can be described in only three words: location, location, location. “My parents are in the military, so I’ve moved around everywhere,” said Amanda Everhart, senior. “That’s what helped me become more independent. ” While changing location can be difficult, more often than not, it provides the perspective and experience needed in the “opportunity equation”. Living in more than one place can allow one to meet new people and learn new things, both of which add to one’s life portfolio. “I think moving will definitely help with adjusting to college” , said Everhart. “Coming here into high school-that was hard, especially with all the groups that were already here. Moving will help with college because everyone will be going into it new.” Like moving from one location to another, staying in one place can have an equally important impact on one’s perspective and experience. Not experiencing life outside of one’s hometown (in this case, Gretna) can determine some major choices in one’s life. “I think it’s good and bad,” said Kari Stritz, senior. “Bad in the way that we haven’t experienced other places- we’ve always been in this ‘dome’. But it’s also good that we haven’t had to experience those hard times.” The opportunity equation is flawed in but one way: location is not the only factor that provides the addends. While location can “make or break” one’s experiences and perspective, it is ultimately up to each individual to plan what he or she does in the future. Opportunity equals perspective plus experience multiplied by each one’s personality and determination. Longer, but still effective.
*Poll based on the votes of 100 random GHS students
Senior Luke Beran cries over his brother’s (David Beran, senior) “injured” body in the Mock Car Accident of 2014.
May 2014
Senior Quiton Dawes rounds his final lap around the gym for the first Class Competition of 2014.
Senior Jamie Schuetz shoots a foul shot at the 2014 Girls’ State Basketball tournament.
Senior Section
V7
ΚΚΓ
ΑΟΦ
A Greek Life
I Won’t Unfriend You
College... Later
How Seniors Are Staying Connected
LaMountain/News Editor
2014 A Look Inside Fraternities and Sororities Keyes/Reporter
G
reek life is big part of most college campuses around the country. It is not like someone would see on Jersey Shore with the loud “fist pumping” parties and red solo cups everywhere, it is so much more. It was actually based off of philanthropy and brother/ sisterhood. In the mid to late 19th century, students gathered together in the hope of learning more than what was actually taught in the classroom and to meet more individuals like themselves. Throughout Greek life there are many aspects of being apart of this traditional college lifestyle. Rush and traditional rituals are the two most commonly known parts within the Greek life. Incoming freshmen every year write their names down on a ballot and hope they get an interview and bid-card (an offering to become apart of the chapter). It can be an opportunity of a lifetime, the ability to gain life long friendship and support. “I am looking at a few different ones, these include: Alpha Omicron Pi and Kappa Kappa Gamma,” said Jessica Weishahn. “I want to establish a close group of friends at college, almost like a family. I can bring many traits! I love to cook, I have good study skills, and I just like to have fun!” If you are like Jessica and wanting to join a fraternity or sorority The Voice was able to meet with Micah Wagner (cousin of Reid Wagner) a current
Alpha Omicron phi
member of Acacia Fraternity at UNL to get the true details about what is takes to be apart of the traditional Greek life. “Advantages of living in the fraternity house include being around for the small fun events that take place such as late night sand volleyball or 2 AM bball outside. You grow closer to the guys in the house because you are always around them and you learn so much about each other in creates and forms a strong brotherhood for in house guys, this does not mean out of house guys won’t have a strong brotherhood. Also living in a fraternity house there’s rarely a dull moment and always something to do.” Besides all the fun and games Micah and his brothers always make time to serve their community. “What makes our Chapter so unique is the diversity in our brotherhood, we don’t discriminate by major, or just trying to get all athletes,” said Micah. “We have all different background ranging from the brothers going into teaching, law school, pre-med, psychology, engineering etc. Another aspect our chapter is known for is our high regard for community service, the motto of our fraternity is “Human Service” and we each have a minimum of 12 hours of community service a semester, though this is the minimum most guys in the house get 20 plus hours.” There is more to fraternities and sororities than one might think, so before you judge them for what you see on the big screen, go and experience them for yourself. Even if one is planning on living in a dorm, one might want to consider the advantages of Greek life and what it has to offer.
Kappa kappa gamma
Rebel Cody Jackson being”killed” in Show Choir’s 2014 show “Revolution” by the collective members, Logan Herring and Trace Mannewitz.
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May 2014
Dart/Reporter
S
enioritis is in full effect as the class of 2014 prepares for their departure from Gretna High School. Some will head off to college, some plan to travel, and others will go to work right away. But it is not always as exciting as it may seem. A few seniors, excited as they may be, just can not accept the fact of leaving the friends they have made here at GHS. Graduation may be coming up fast, but many seniors are ready to keep in touch with the great people they’ve come to love. “I plan to keep in touch with my close friends and my friends who will still be in high school.” said Hannah Derouchey, senior. “Many of my friends are going to school at UNL or in Lincoln and some will stay in Omaha so I plan to see them often. I also plan to come back to see my friends who will still be in high school dance or play sports occasionally.” Leaving behind some of their friends can be challenging, but some of the friends they have come to know in their grade makes this problem a little easier. Two seniors in particular plan on attending the same college. They even share the same dorm room. “Most people I will probably just text or if I’m really close I’ll hang out, but I may come back to Gretna to see a marching band competition or One Act, especially if my sister is involved.” said Maisie Habron,
senior. “I will be rooming with Sarah Stage, [a good friend of mine here at Gretna].” Some college kids now share the same heartbreak of leaving their “besties.” So instead of just accepting this, they continue to visit and hang out with their friends. This eliminates both the idea of never seeing them again, and the agonizing awkwardness of having to text them back with “We SOO need to hang out soon, I haven’t seen you in forever!” “I’m going to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in Lincoln, NE.” said Derouchey. “I plan to keep in touch with my close friends and my friends who will still be in high school. My brother, parents, and friends at the high school [I will miss the most], and will visit them often.” College can be difficult. College can get lonely. But with that, college can be a great place to get to know more friends. Staying connected with high school buddies is a great way of relieving some stress. After leaving this year, be sure to keep all friends close. But remember, there are always new opportunities in college. Don’t let those great memories pass you by. I think most of the people I would miss I would be in contact with anyway, but I may miss seeing a few of the teachers. And it will be kind of weird not to see random people that I never really talked to but have been in school with since preschool.” said Habron. “I will still be living here until I leave and then I know a lot a kids going to Lincoln that I will probably see around every once and a while.”
Mick Stoltenberg and Nick Kwasniewski comfort each other after losing the semi-final game.
How One Senior Will Be Spending Two Years Before College on a Mission Trip
A
s his peers dream of dorms, roommates and majors, senior Trace Mannewitz has been anticipating a letter he has been waiting for since his youth. The letter arrived and was opened with an anxious audience in early April. Mannewitz departs to southern California for his Mormon mission on August 20th. In the Mormon faith, after finishing high school, members are strongly encouraged to leave home for two years and go where God and their church send them. “You send in an application to the leaders of the church who pray about what location of the world you will be sent to,” said Mannewitz. Mannewitz is going to join the Arcadia mission in California that includes east Los Angeles and surrounding areas. Before going there, he will spend six weeks in Mexico at the Missionary Training Center to learn Spanish. Although venturing to California may seem like a vacation to many, this trip is strictly for the errands of God. While he is there he is on a strict schedule starting with wake up time at 6:30 a.m. At 8 a.m. they do personal scripture study for an hour and then companion study for another hour. Then the rest of the day until 9 p.m., they are out talking and teaching with an hour for lunch and dinner. “There are a lot of guidelines that we have to follow like what music we can listen to,” said Mannewitz. “We also can’t watch
Johnna Wollenburg awaits as a friend applies war paint for the 2014 Powder Puff game.
The Call: Mannewitz opens his letter announcing his call in the company of his friends and family. They had a dry-erase map where people at the opening could guess what state or country they thought the church would call him to.
movies or form any strong relationships.” They do have to form some sort of relationship with their partner in the mission. Every six weeks new transfers come in, but most of the time they keep the same companion for three to six months. While there, they get $400 a month to spend on food and other necessities. This money comes from the $10,000 they must pay to go on the mission. Mannewitz has been saving up this money since he was eight with some help from his family. His father, William Mannewitz II, also went on a mission when he was younger to Fresno, California. Mannewitz is the first of the three boys in his family to go on the mission, because he is the oldest. It is going to be a difficult time for both Mannewitz and his friends and family because of the communication restraints. They are able to
email home on Mondays and can only call on Christmas and Mother’s Day. “I’m really excited to go, but I am scared of all the changes I will be missing at home,” said Mannewitz. When Mannewitz does come home, he is set on going to college. However, it can be complicated trying to find schools and scholarships that will still be available in two years. He talked to admissions at UNL, and they advised him to apply when he gets back. For right now, though he is just preparing for the years ahead. He appreciates the support he has from his family and friends and is confident in what his mission is while he is there. “We will do service and help, but the largest part is bringing people to Christ and trying to spread the gospel,” said Mannewitz.
Mati Phelps gets her stage makeup put on by Jackie Moore for the 2014 One Act show.
Senior Section
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Senior Memories Throughout the 2013-2014 School Year
Top Photo: The GHS dance team performs at a game. Bottom left photo: Senior Trace Manneweitz and Logan Langholdt weep during a One Act practice. Bottom right photo: Senior David Beran performs at a the Cookie Walk.
Bottom left photo: Seniors Hannah DeRouchy, Abby Felici, Faith Sorensen, Haley Annson, and Jenna Pote pose during spirit week. Bottom right photo: Seniors Jake Ridpath, Peyton Debord, Faith Sorensen, Lyndsey Harpenau and Katherine Bonn stand in the crowd during a football game.
Senior Section
May 2014
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Football Players Move on to Higher Accomplishments Connor Shedeed and Derek Templeman Play Football for the Shrine Bowl Submitted by Sherene Al-Turk Nebraska Shrine Bowl Connor Shedeed knows work ethic. He was a safety for the Gretna Dragons, a team that he claims, works harder than any others. His work ethic followed him to Florida where he played in an all-American game in the Buccaneers’ stadium. He had twoa-days for five days straight until game day. During his junior year, his work ethic was put to a test after his L-4 vertebrae. His injury, which occurred during playoffs, took him out for the rest of the year. He was in a back brace for six months, then physical therapy for another two. “It made me realize what I had in front of me,” Shedeed said. He’s part of a very competitive school. “Everyone wanting to be the best makes us better overall,” Shedeed said. “We just push each other all the time.” For Shedeed, the competition isn’t for football, but also for wrestling. After his injury, he was out for his junior wrestling season, but still went to practice, just as a manager. His senior year, he won state in wrestling, a tournament in which he came in under ranked. The competition is visible in the classroom as well. “I think our teachers have done a
good job of preparing us,” Shedeed said. “Our classes are set up like college. We have to do all the work.” Shedeed isn’t too worried about college because of the preparation he received at Gretna. He’ll be playing football at Ft. Hayes State University in Kansas. It’s because of the mentors he had while at Gretna, especially Assistant Principal Todd Mueller, a former football coach and “good life mentor.” “He really knows how high school is just a small part of your life,” Shedeed said. “He constantly tells me just to have that confidence in your head.” On June 7, Shedeed will be playing in the Nebraska Shrine Bowl. He’s anxious to play against the best in the state and excited to see how other schools run their programs. Bottom Photo: Senior Connor Shedeed moves out of the way to avoid being tackled by his opponent.
Submitted by Sherene Al-Turk Nebraska Shrine Bowl Derek Templeman will remember a few things about his time at Gretna High School. He’ll remember the night of September 27, 2013, his 96-yard touchdown reception against Crete, ending in the Dragons defeating the Cardinals 31-0. He’ll remember his friends on the football team and learning “how to play to the game at a higher level.” But most of all, he’ll remember the work ethic of Gretna, a school Templeman claims has “a lot of diversity in terms of athletic ability.” “We’re the hardest working in the state,” Templeman, a wide receiver for the dragons, said. At Gretna, his fellow students were his support system. They picked him up when he was down. His school showed him how to “reach further than the standard and what you think you can do.” One person in particular who helped him was his chemistry teacher Spencer Stednitz. Stednitz, inspired Templeman “to push through unfavorable conditions, and do things that you have to do, even if you don’t want to,” Templeman said. This summer, Templeman will be
playing in the Nebraska Shrine Bowl on June 7. But the game is just one of the things he’ll remember. He’s looking forward to meeting the kids. He hopes to help kids, be a role model, “inspire kids to carry on and give them hope,” Templeman said.
Top Photo: Senior Derek Templeman runs down the field getting ready for the next play.
Big Dreams Are Becoming a Fast Reality for Future Husker Mick Stoltenberg Prepares Not Just for College but for Playing College Sports
Hannigan/ Sports editor For many high school athletes, playing their sport in college is a dream. For senior Mick Stoltenberg, his dream is becoming a reality. Stoltenberg has been drafted by the Nebraska Husker football team to play as a defensive end. This is something that Stoltenberg has always wanted and to him, it is a dream come true. “I grew up around Husker football,” said Stoltenberg. “I have always wanted to go to UNL and be a Husker football player.” Stoltenberg was not only at the spring game, but was among the players, coaches and new recruits. He had lunch and stood on the field and when the game started went and sat in the stands. Having a good season his junior year and gaining weight, coaches started contacting Stoltenberg interested in having him come play for them. For
May 2014
Stoltenberg, UNL has always been the place he wanted to go. He knows Andy Janovich and Jared Blum, who are already on the team. He supports and stands behind the head coach, Bo Pelini. With a lot of returning returning players, playing time depends on how well you do during practice. “You will get a red shirt or not,” said Stoltenberg. “Players who get a red shirt won’t play to give them an extra year.” Apart from Stoltenberg being excited about this huge accomplishment, his family is just as excited as he is. “ My family have always been Husker fans,” said Stoltenberg. “They were really glad that my school is paid for.” Stoltenberg does not know what he is going to major in yet but is going to three classes over the summer to become more comfortable with the campus. Stoltenberg is ready for what lies ahead and is excited to be apart of the Husker football team.
Top Photo: Mick Stoltenberg, senior stands with his teammates on the last game of the season. Bottom photo: Number 58, Stoltenberg takes his defensive stands during the scrimage at the begninning of the year.
Sports
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5 Things to Do, Hear, See, Eat, & Read Do: Maha Music Festival
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s thrilling as your “2009 S u m m e r Jamz” mixtape may be, some people crave experience outside of their comfort zone. On any other day during the year, Stinson Park in Aksarben Village is another park to take walks in or have picnics, but on Saturday, August 16, it is going to be home of the Maha Music Festival. This festival is nonprofit and is run by volunteers that was started in 2009. Families are more than welcome and if children are under ten, they do not have to have a ticket to get in. The only thing is to keep children away from are the craziness that happens in front of the stage. There are calmer parts of the festival to help the children stay away from the pit of action. The festival runs from Noon to Midnight and has an amazing line up including: Death Cab for Cutie, The Head and the Heart, Local Natives, The Both, Doomtree, The Envy Corps, Radkey, Twinsmith, Matt Whipkey, and M34N STR33T. Matt Whipkey is an Omaha native who has won artist and album
of the year from the Omaha Arts and Entertainment Awards. M34N STR33T is another Omaha native who has a debut album “Mutants of Omaha” released and will be bringing their rap type of music to the festival. Headlining the festival is Death Cab for Cutie, who records on the West Coast and was formed in Washington, has had a grammy nomination and a number spot on the Billboard music chart for one of their albums. Their most recent album is called Codes and Keys and they are working on a new album now so they will have plenty to show off at the festival. Other bands and performers come from across the country to bring music together for the twelve hour festival. Tickets are fifty dollars to see all the bands for the entire day and food there is from local businesses. Aksarben Village has a free parking lot and garage reserved for parking at the festival. No big fancy cameras are allowed, but people can still take pictures of their favorite artists with smaller cameras or phones. The festival happens rain or shine so, ditch your Walkman and hit the Maha Music Festival.
Last year the music festival had their record attendance of 5, 100 people. They have an amazing line up this year and are hoping to sell out and get an even bigger festival and attendance for future years to come. To see this many bands for only fifty dollars is a steal so join Omaha for the fun of the festival.
Amanda Minckler
Hear: Bruno Mars
See: Lewis & Clark
his summer, Bruno Mars will be performing live in Omaha at the Centurylink Center. He was just recently the halftime performance at the Super Bowl XLVII. This artist is most known for hits such as“Grenade,” “Just the Way You Are,” and “Locked Out of Heaven.” His Moonshine Jungle Tour has been receiving many positive reviews. The tour will have 94 locations in North America and 153 total throughout the world.
he Visions of Lewis and Clark exhibit features kites that bring creativity and art into a tribute to Lewis and Clark’s great discoveries and triumphs. The program goes on all summer, beginning May 12 and ending August 23. Admission is free, and can be found at the Joslyn Art Museum, Lauritzen Gardens, and other locations depending on the date.
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Layne Staley
Olivia Kahler
Eat: Cupcakes
Read: Four
ith the weather heating up, the new outlet mall is the perfect destination for an afternoon out. When you are done shopping, Cuppycakes is a great place to get a quick snack. The sweets shop not only sells cupcakes, but also cheesecakes and other pastries. It even offers gluten free alternatives. The store is located between Crabtree and Evelyn and Ann Taylor LOFT in the Nebraska Crossing Outlet Mall.
ith summer right around the corner, it is time to catch up on those long book lists. Instead of spending the summer reading a large novel, Four: A Divergent Collection by Veronica Roth is the perfect read. It consists of four short stories all in the point of view of Tobias “Four.” This book will be coming out July 8, 2014
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Brenna Zollman
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May 2014
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Amanda Nelson
Arts & Entertainment