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THERAPY DOGS PAGE 4 MASTERS OF ART PAGE 7 FANDOMS PAGE 8
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VOLUME 1
NEW YEAR, BASE ROOM RENAMED ACC GRETNA HAS TRANSITIONED TO INCLUDE ALL STUDENTS BY CASEY DOWNING
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ith each year comes changes, and one improvement that has not gone unnoticed is the BASE room transitioning to the ACC room. Many students have grown to know the BASE room, but this year it goes by a new name. The ACC room, also known as the alternate curriculum classroom, is Gretna’s transition into the district norm. Other schools in the district have made the move with the intentions of being more inclusive, and Gretna is next in line to do so. With this new title, faculty hopes that people will better understand what they do, how their curriculum is geared towards teaching each individual, and how it is tailored to fit their needs. Instructor Mrs. Ann Ross of the ACC room believes that with the name change more and more students will join the growing trend of involvement and acceptance different types of people. “Every year more and more students become involved, and we expect it to keep growing,” Mrs. Ross said. One student who is definitely involved is junior Logan Davidson. Davidson is a teacher’s assistant who help in the ACC room. He loves to see the growth and development of the students and believes he has grown from them as well. “It is very rewarding to see what kind of impact I can make in their lives,” Davidson said. “But they have also given me life skills and friendships that will last.” Another group involved are the instructors and Mrs. Lisa Salerno is no different. Mrs. Salerno is a Spanish instructor at Gretna, and she is a huge proponent of the ACC room. Mrs. Salerno’s idea on why the name has changed is similar to how many
others feel. “I think that the purpose was to promote a sense of cohesion between the students in the ACC room and the rest of the student body,” Mrs. Salerno said. “It is very important that we are able to move past our differences and I believe the new name helps erase that line of division.” As well as the new name, the alternate curriculum classroom has also increased their use of technology. One piece of equipment the ACC room takes advantage of is called the Dynavox. It is a SGD, a speech generated device, that helps to further communication between the instructor and student. Another important tool is the increased use of iPads. An intricate part of the student’s development is the progression of the fine motor skills found in the hand. The use of the iPads helps improve dexterity while also bringing entertainment. “Technology,” Mrs. Ross said. “in today’s world is obviously a growing factor for us,” On a normal day many of the same things happen in the ACC room just as they do throughout the building. The students are involved in a wide range of subjects including art, science and math. According to Mrs. Ross they have one goal in mind. “The goal each day is to get the students to grow,” Mrs. Ross said. “I know I have accomplished this seeing their smiles and helping them learn something new.” Regardless of change in name this school year the goal of the faculty and students remains the same; to strengthen the bond between the students of the ACC room and their peers in the school. “When I see the kind of compassion that students at Gretna are capable of,” Mrs. Ross said, “it makes my heart sing.”
Power Nap Lounging peacefully Keaton Cogswell wraps himself in a superhero blanket. According to Logan Davidson (19) it is his personal favorite. photo by Casey Downing.
Concert Time Practicing his music abilities, Daniel Kirchner (18) finishes making music on the maracas and transitions to the xylophone. photo by Casey Downing.
Practical Jokes Laughing after hitting Logan Davidson (19) with a ball, Molly Jacques (18) takes pride in her successful prank. photo by Casey Downing
Peaceful Afternoons Benjamin Rowland (19) rests alongside Keaton Cogswell. “It is important for students of the ACC room to have a break,” Mrs. Ross says. photo by Casey Downing
Fame Wall Wearing their medals, the members of the ACC room have decorated lockers. Each year the theme is different. This year,the theme is the Olympics. photo by Casey Downing
2 news
September 2017
Volume 1 Issue 1
THE LIBRARY’S UPCOMING MONTHS WILL BE BOOKED GRETNA PUBLIC LIBRARY WILL BE CHANGING LOCATIONS IN THE NEAR FUTURE BY KJERSTIN CHRITCHFIELD
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he Gretna Public Library has been around for 88 years. In fact, it was first established in 1929 and only had 12 books. It has since then grown to what we see today. But with the growth of the city, the current libraries now do not serve the city’s needs. “A long time ago we outgrew this space (the main library) as far as capacity goes and that was when the children’s library came into play,” library director Mrs. Krissy Reed said. “We did not have the funding to be able to build a new building then so the city purchased that facility for us to use as a way to expand a little bit but as Gretna continues to grow, we are not able to serve the amount of people who come into town and want to use the library, it just does not work anymore. We need a facility that will meet the needs of our growing community.” Although it would be beneficial to have the new library right now, it is not possible because many steps in the process have yet to happen. The process takes time and in the meanwhile the library is doing all they can to prepare for the future transition. “We are still quite a ways away from the transitioning,” Mrs. Reed said. “I wish we were closer to that part of the process but for right now the way that we are transitioning is by working towards our fundraising efforts. We will be starting a feasibility study within this month (September) and that is where we send info out to the community as mailers and then get people’s input back on that
information.” Once the information recorded on the mailers makes it back to the library, the process will speed up. More details can be set in stone and prepared for the final stages of opening. “I do not have a date or even a year on an opening time yet since we are still figuring out much money we need to potentially raise,” Mrs. Reed said. “We can go from there once we have a better idea on that then we will be able to figure out how long that process will be.” Each stage requires patience from both the community and the librarians. Despite the amount of time needed to follow through with it, excitement is held for what the new library will bring. “We are really excited about it,” Mrs. Reed said. “We have heard from people all over the community about how excited that they are and how needed it is in the community. That makes me feel good to hear that from other people that this is definitely something that people need and understand there is true value in having a library that is able to serve the community. That is really special about it. Gretna really supports the library in general and it is nice to know that people understand what an impact a library can make. It is not just a building full of books, part of it too is the librarians who all work here who are trained and went to school to do this it is a very special job to have.”
Mormon Latter-Day Missonaries are frequent users of the library. “Our proposed building layout will have two massive rooms,” Mrs. Krissy Reed said. “We would have more technology space and computers, a maker space area, a bigger teen area for kids to come in after school and have more seating where they can sit around and work on homework and chat with their friends.” The two missonaries come every week to email their families. photo by Kjerstin Critchfield
Builder Blueprint The Gretna Public Library does not have a set date or year for when it will be opening. The floor plan has many new additions that the old library does not have. The librarians and many other community members are looking forward to the addition. photo by Kjetstin Chritchfield
rowsing Books A community member browses among the library’s many options. “I am most excited to have B both of our libraries back in one facility again and not having two locations,” Mrs. Krissy Reed said. “That is a big inconvenience for the community but i do not think that a lot of people realize it is very difficult for the staff too. We have the same staff they just go back and forth between the buildings. It will make things a lot easier for everybody.” With the new library, browsing will be made easier to do without going between two locations. photo by Kjerstin Critchfield
Library Lot The property for the new library has been bought but is currently in use. “The library will be very close the high school off of 204 and Angus,” Mrs. Reed said. “Right now there is a bunch of equipment on it because the city owns that property, so they are using that space to store some of that equipment for the moment.” Until construction begins, the lot will remain as storage. photo by Kjerstin Chritchfield.
Volume 1 Issue 1
September 2017
News
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COUNSELORS CREATE A GOOGLE CLASSROOM PAGE
THE SWITCH TO GOOGLE CLASSROOM TO GET INFORMATION OUT TO SENIORS BY EMILY SHURTLIFF
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Working Hard Dr. Hansen works hard on the Google Classroom page from her laptop. They are currently working on the pages for the other grades. “We’ve got the junior one started,” Dr. Hansen said. photo by Emily Shurtliff
Hands On This is what seniors will see when they access the Google Classroom page from their phone. “They have posted links to the sign-up sheet for meetings, a transcript request form, information about the ACT, and colleges that will be visiting,” Anna Stoltenberg (18) said. submitted photo
New Discoveries David Shurtliff (18) utilizes the Google Classroom page from a computer in the library. He believes this method of communication is a better idea than the website. “I didn’t even know the counselors had websites in previous years,” Shurtliff said. photo by Emily Shurtliff
ne of the many new changes at GHS is the addition of a Google Classroom created by the counselors for the class of 2018. The counselors will be posting updates ranging from information about scholarships to upcoming college visits for 2017-18 seniors. “We wanted to get the information out to students on their preferred medium,” counselor Dr. Melissa Hansen said. “So, that’s why we decided to go with a Google Classroom.” In previous years, the counselors have used a website to post the information that will now be posted to the Google Classroom. They decided that students were not accessing the site to get the information that they needed, so they created the Google Classroom page. “We wanted to communicate with the students and most of the students don’t go to the website; that’s more of a parent avenue,” Dr. Hansen said. “You guys are more on Snapchat and Instagram and I’m not quite sure how to work all of that to get information out, Facebook and Remind 101 are things that you guys aren’t using.” The counselors realized last year that the website was not working well enough to get material out that was crucial to seniors. They surveyed the juniors, now seniors, last spring to ask the students where they wanted to receive their information from. “We surveyed them towards the end of their junior year and they overwhelmingly came up with Google Classroom,” counselor Mr. Curt Mace said. The counselors hope that the google classroom will be a great tool for seniors to use to see their announcements. Senior Anna Stoltenberg agrees that it is more efficient for getting information when needed. “It sends updates to my email which sends notifications to my phone, so I’ll be more likely to check it,” Stoltenberg said. “It’s also on a website I use for other classes, so it’s very convenient and easy to find and check.” There will be different Google Classrooms for each grade because there will be various things posted for each grade.
Seniors will have things such as information about the ACT, upcoming deadlines, and scholarship information. “We needed to break it down a little,” Dr. Hansen said. “We figured the seniors needed their information right away. We’re just trying to be the most efficient.” The Google Classroom was created to make announcements and information more efficient for the students, parents, and the counselors to find. Senior David Shurtliff has high hopes for what the Google Classroom can help him with. “I hope it will allow me to request my transcript so they can give it to me,” Shurtliff said. Underclassmen can look forward to getting their own Google Classroom page sometime in the near future. Sophomore Hannah Kathol likes the idea of having a Google Classroom for every grade. “I think it’s a good idea because soon everyone will have computers to view the Google Classroom and see the announcements right away,” Kathol said. All three counselors at GHS are always open to ideas on how to get information out best. Dr. Hansen wants all students to know that they are welcome to give feedback to the counselors on what information they would like posted to the Google Classroom. “We also told the students that if there’s information that they want to let us know and we will put that information out there,” Dr. Hansen said. There are numerous things already posted on the Google Classroom page. It has been up and running for about three weeks now. “So far, they have posted links to the sign up sheet for meetings, a transcript request form, information about the ACT, and colleges that will be visiting,” Stoltenberg said. The counselors would like all of the seniors to sign up for the Google Classroom if they are not already signed up. Things such as: transcript request forms, information about the ACT, and upcoming college visits will be posted. The counselors plan to post new information every Thursday. The code for seniors to join it is aq53xq.
CURRENT HAPPENINGS: RECORD-SETTING SEPTEMBER
NFL FOOTBALL, WILDFIRES AND HURRICANES CAUSE HAVOC WITHIN OUR NATION BY BEN BICKEL
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eptember has been one of the most eventful months all year. NFL, college and high school football have all kicked off and the nation is watching. But, in other news, the nation has also been caught staring at some of the weather happening in the country, which started in the south. At the end of August through the beginning of September, Hurricane Harvey struck southern Texas. Houston, Corpus Christi and other cities around it felt the full effects of this storm. Coming in as a category four hurricane, it did about $180 billion dollars worth of damage and left many people out of their homes. But Texas was not the only state suffering from a major hurricane this month. Soon after Hurricane Harvey hit the Texas coast, Hurricane Irma hit the Florida coastline. Following Hurricane Irma was Hurricane Jose. Hurricane Irma made landfall on September 11th as a category four storm. It required an immediate and mandatory evacuation of the Florida Keys and other parts of Florida. As the month of natural disasters continues, Mexico was struck by an earthquake with an 8.1 magnitude on the Richter scale. This earthquake killed 96
people, and they are still searching for survivors. This earthquake was one of the biggest to hit Mexico since an earthquake in Mexico City in 1985. While all of these things were happening, wildfires broke out in the western region of the United States, near Washington, Idaho, Utah, Arizona, Nevada and California. These twenty-seven fires have burned almost 180,000 acres of land. That is the equivalent of burning 136,000 full size football fields. This year alone, almost 4,200 square miles of land have been destroyed by wildfires. That is almost enough square miles to cover the state of Connecticut. In other happenings this month, the NFL season has kicked off and is progressing to be in full swing soon. The first game on Thursday Night Football featured Tom Brady and the New England Patriots against the Kansas City Chiefs in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Although the reigning Super Bowl champions were favored, they were rolled in a 42-27 Chiefs victory, with rookie running back Kareem Hunt scoring three total touchdowns in his first game as an NFL player. With hurricanes and football tearing through the nation, reporters will be on high alert this fall season.
Chaotic Currents Texas and Florida are not the only ones being affected by hurricanes anymore. Puerto Rico has also recently endured a category five storm. This kind of damage will take years to fix.
4 OpEd
September 2017
WHY NOT US THERAPY DOGS MARK THEIR TERRITORY BY JESSICA BLUM
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an’s best friend. Woman’s best friend. Student’s best friend. A panting, tail whirling, beast of Labrador is on the tattered floor, wanting to greet every passerby. The gleam in his eyes gives away his current, playful mood. A solution to our growing craze for comfort can be the warm hearts and toothy grins of therapy dogs. In recent years, these hairy creatures have been mentioned frequently in times of tragedy. Within our own walls, therapy dogs are needed. Improvements in health, happiness, and habits could be achieved with a dog roaming our hallways. There will always be negatives to every situation. I see an accident waiting to happen every time my brother gets behind the wheel. There may be danger waiting when a teenager walks alone to the car late at night from his or her job. These cons of life are creating a veil for most eyes. Unable to see potential, media outlets transform our minds to only focus on the murders, the hurricanes, and the devastations that get left behind. Rarely does a story of a cat being rescued flash across the screen, and even then, it feels as if the local news station is trying too hard. Ms. Megann Schultz, a counselor of West Marshall Elementary School in State Center, Iowa, has had nothing but positive feedback from the community and student body of her school. Making the decision to pair with Jasper, her Professional Therapy Dog, she could not be more pleased with the progress she has made connecting with students through him. “The beginning of this year, on about the 5th day of school, we had a kindergarten parent drop her daughter off for school and the daughter became hysterical when her mom had to leave,” Ms. Schultz said. “I was walking down the hallway and from a ways away I could hear the student crying, so Jasper and I stopped to see if we could help. I took Jasper over to the girl and almost immediately her crying lessened. I had her pet Jasper for a couple minutes and then I asked her if she could show Jasper her paper that she was supposed to be working on and within those few minutes the girl was able to get re-focused and a great rest of the day.” Not only did Jasper help the student, but the kindergartener’s teacher was relieved to get a quick and easy solution to create peace and clarity for the student. Just a few moments with Jasper caused the student to regain focus and have a productive rest of the afternoon. “A therapy dog could be an asset at any level,” Ms. Schultz said. “On a very basic level Jasper makes me more approachable; I think often times there is a hesitation to seek out the school counselor when you need to talk because you worry about what people will think, but with Jasper involved, kids can come to see Jasper and then we can talk about what is going on. School is stressful, especially high school, and a therapy dog would be able to help calm and relieve stress for some students. During class he ‘works the room’ which means he walks around to
students and will sometimes spend more time with a particular student, and sometimes we later find out that that student was having a tough time. It is pretty incredible when you can tell that Jasper has picked out the student that needs a little extra love that day.” Breaking through the norm could further enhance learning with a positive, encouraging mammal as our therapist. According to Psychology Today, pets made people “more conscientious, more socially outgoing, and less lonely, receiving just as much support than their family members would provide them.” With students slipping from the healthy, recommended amounts of sleep and more trepidation, any opportunity to improve moods and long-term health is going to be worth a second look. Our counselors circulate various meetings around this topic yet to no avail. Taking all these aspects into account, I still see more benefits from adding a new member to our school, one that walks on four legs instead of two. Ms. Schultz performed a survey at the end of the last school year with the third, fourth and fifth graders, asking them to reflect on the year. “I asked them, ‘Is it helpful to have Jasper at our school?’, Mrs. Schultz said. “Out of 228 students, 14 students felt indifferent or didn’t know if he was helpful and only 15 students said no and several of those students said that they liked Jasper, but that he could be a distraction during guidance and one student just said they weren’t a fan of dogs. That meant that 199 students found him to be very helpful- saying things like “he helps me relax, he helps me listen, makes me happy, helps me focus, people can read to him, helps with feelings of loneliness and one student said ‘he fills in the missing piece of the puzzle at our school’ After reading those responses I felt even more confident that Jasper is making a difference in the lives of students at our school.” Jasper was officially trained through an experienced program; this program placed him in countless test environments with students to see if he would make a good fit, and he passed with flying colors. He knows to stay at the front of the classroom with Mrs. Schultz on a leash; only the students that want to pet him can choose to do so. He only barks when told to “speak,” so he does not interrupt class. The only distraction he proved to be, according to Ms. Schultz, was when he was new and the students did not know about him yet. Ms. Schultz’s decision has proved to be beneficial in multiple ways. More conversations are exchanged in pessimistic tones in our hallways; in an environment like this, any minuscule problem could be magnified within the mind of a teenager. In this day and age, it is easy to get down about ourselves, turning away from the true gifts we are and the gifts in front of us. These gloomy vibes could be eased with the assistance of a therapy dog. Other accounts, like the ones below, also provide a window of hope through their success. The next step is making the ‘student’s best friend’ part of a reality within our high school.
West Marshall
“Jasper, age 4, is a professionally trained service dog trained by a program called CARES Inc. that is based out of Concordia, KS. Jasper is a Bernese Mountain Dog and Newfoundland Cross. Jasper was on a rescue site and someone from CARES saw him and thought he might be a good fit for the program, so they put him in the training program and he did great! He then went to a social home where they exposed him to a lot of different public situations.”
Volume 1 Issue 1 SCHOOL WORK
KEEPING A BALANCE BY CHAYNA DAVIDSON
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BRYAN / HOLLING HEIGHTS
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
Part Lola, Part Ms. Kim Secora “I bring Lola, my 9 year old Golden Doodle, to Holling and Bryan this school year. Having the opportunity to bring Lola to school has helped me establish relationships with students that I probably would not have otherwise. She also has been very helpful working with students who have behavioral challenges or just need a little dog TLC to turn the day around. Staff also love to see the dog and seek us out.” submitted photo
fter a long day of school, students have to go to practice and on top of that, they have hours of homework. Juggling sports and school can be a really tough thing and from experience, I can agree. Being a full time athlete participating in both club and high school, is not an easy thing to do. Having classes, whether it being college or just the regular courses, and loads of homework on top of that, can make your grades go down. If anyone can multitask though, then sports and school work at the same time can be accomplished. The excuse most kids give when they do not get their homework done is normally, “I had a softball game and we did not get home till 11 and I was way too tired to do my homework so I just did not do it.” Many people do this. Sports are the main thing that keeps kids busy and if they excel really well in them, a scholarship may appear for them. But students can also get scholarships from academics. People who are in sports, may have to leave school early to travel somewhere to play and some teachers being as picky as they are, may get frustrated with the students which then can set them back in class. In my opinion, those kids who leave early for sports or who have a really late night with a game, should have an extra day to do their homework. Teachers expect us to get these things done but when these athletes are not home, it is not easy to do their school work. Should everyone always try to get your work done? Yes because it improves their grades and makes the teachers feel like they accomplished something. Most importantly, it makes one feel good about themselves. Work hard in everything the students are participating in, but do not fall behind in school work. Many kids at our school juggle sports and school and it is very hard but most kids are successful. If students are not lazy, things will go the way they want it to go. I am not saying that it is easy, but I am saying it is possible to do both things even if a student is in multiple activities plus school. Get together in study groups and have study sessions and if anyone misses anything, go in early and show the teacher that every day they are making an effort and wanting to excel and do well in school. Ask friends for help especially if one is struggling because if one falls behind in school, the coach has no problem of taking them out of the sport until their school work is made up. Sports are very important but so is school and school always comes first so work hard in everything you do every day and always try.
Part Jasper, Part Ms. Megann Schultz (left)
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
submitted photo
PETER KIEWIT
MIDDLE SCHOOL Part Bubba, Part Mr. Duff Shazam “Bubba works with me in the program for Emotionally Disturbed (ED). He is a priceless addition in my room. He recognizes struggling students and adults then moves close to them to share his calming effects. He is welcomed into class rooms and used through out the building with students struggling emotionally and behaviorally. He is up and ready for work each day when the alarm rings and works hard all day.” submitted photo
Dream Work Hunter Reeves (18) plays soccer and is excelling in school. Her grades proceed her and the hard work will pay off in spring when she signs with Hastings College next fall as a college soccer athlete. photo by Chayna Davidson
Volume 1 Issue 1
September 2017
WE DON’T TALK ANYMORE BY RUTHIE ISAACSON
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ace-to-face human interactions are deteriorating before our eyes. Although the blessings of technology is an extensive list, it has simultaneously become a curse. The addiction to cell phones has caught thousands in its deceitful trap. These electronics convince many that human interaction can be deadly, and by deadly I mean… awkward. Society has begun to cling to our technology as a lifeline. In waiting rooms, school cafeterias, and public transportation, electronics are our crutch. We sit, eyes glazed over, mindlessly tapping on our phone. Busy or not, we must act like it for fear of seeming unoccupied and being forced to engage in a possibly uncomfortable interaction with *gasp* another human. Even with friends, a break in the conversation may arise and, to avoid an awkward silence, is promptly diverted with the faint clicking upon one’s device. In a survey conducted by the Pew Research Center consisting of over 3,000 interviewees, 89% admitted the last time they socialized with close friends, they spent time on their phone. Many people, instead of saying things face to face, would rather hide behind a phone. The feeling of being untouchable is so much a security to us that saying weighty things in person seems absurd. On a device, if the outcome turns undesirable, there are dozens of ways to escape such as changing the subject or leaving messages unread. We have been conditioned to believe that the most painless way to reveal any emotion is over text, whether it be confessing one’s love (accented by heart emoticons of course), berating an ex-best friend with rash slander, or even dissolving a relationship. In a study
OpEd
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HUMANITY’S CRUTCH IS DETERIORATING THE ART OF COMMUNICATION
ran by vouchercloud.net, over half of 2,712 respondents claimed their last relationship was terminated digitally. Our society has been so disconnected by these handheld devices, that it is considered socially “acceptable” to suspend a relationship via technology. Confrontation is terrifying. There is no sugar coating it. We aim to avoid it because conflict is treated as a toxin to our disposition. The mindset overlying our country is that divulging our emotions face-to-face is emotionally draining and impresses on us a feeling of downheartedness. So instead we reach for our phones. We swiftly compile all of our feelings and emotions we could never share aloud into a paragraph of mass destruction. Before the message is sent and unretractable, our fingers hover above the send button. We are hit with a feeling of human compassion that obligates us to pause to reconsider. However, quickly the wave passes and the text has been sent. I, like many others, am guilty of falling to the trend that confrontation is inconceivable and have caught myself sending words over text I would never be gutsy enough to say in person. Granted, I consider myself soft spoken, however I still feel remorse when I hit someone with all of my emotions over technology, where instead of talking things out, they must send back an impersonal text message. As the art of conversation is slowly slipping into the dark, I challenge anyone who has ever chosen a screen rather than face-to-face interaction (including myself), to combat the extinction of human conversations. By conversing face-to-face, our society will become more responsive, empathetic, and kind hearted.
OUT OF STYLE
HAS HOMECOMING LOST IMPORTANCE TO TEENS? BY TRISTAN DUIN
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very year, posters are hung up in the hallway, girls buy dresses, football is played, and a king and queen are announced. Do you think the world is starting to get sick of it? Homecoming is a fine quilt that has been constantly used, and now it is frayed at the corners, covered with stains, and has no need for use. It was about the same as when we were little kids on holidays. We would dress up for Halloween and thrill ourselves to death over candy and costumes. After I turned 14, I stopped caring. Homecoming has been around longer than fourteen years, but my point is the same. I have lost interest. As the years go by, this tradition seems less and less important to the student body. I remember when my sisters were in high school, they would gossip about a targeted
house, vandalized with rolls of toilet paper. Even though it is not legal, it was tradition. Now that I am a sophomore, I feel that tradition has long been forgotten. Homecoming was started in a time when not every person had a camera in their back pocket. It was all about having fun. Our generation puts the utmost effort into their appearance and how photogenic they seem on Snapchat nowadays. It can ruin a teenager’s entire night if he or she does not look a particular way in homecoming photos. Has it really become all about the image of yourself to other people? Not all teenagers are like this of course, but I believe a large population, without assuming how they feel, can relate to what I express. Going back to my last point, homecoming started in a time when it was
hard for kids to entertain themselves. There were no smartphones, movies, television shows, organized clubs, etc. It would have been a blast to go dance with all of your friends all night long… if I were in the 50’s. Even though 800 people appeared up this year, my friends paid for the dance, greeted their associates, and left after a brief 20 minutes. As the idea of homecoming slowly fades away, social media strengthens. Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram, Tumblr, and VSCO are taking over our lives. Last year on my homecoming night, my favorite event by far was taking pictures. I liked the way I looked, and that was all I cared about. I was not passionate about dancing or hanging out with friends: I cared most about my appearance on camera. It is something that I am ashamed to say. There
were probably many of us at last year’s homecoming that were focused more on the social media aspect of the night. When our generation is in our 40’s with a full time job and teenage children, I predict homecoming will either be a small event that no one cares about or it will not exist. There was once a possible time where homecoming was the greatest thing since sliced bread, but that is not the world we live in anymore. If cornonation took place the night of the dance, more people would stay and enjoy the experience. Even if homecoming was moved to Saturday, the attendance would be significantly higher. It has lost most, if not all, value. It is something we sadly have lost all spirit in. Gretna did not ruin homecoming. It is a generational thing.
6 Feature
September 2017
Volume 1 Issue 1
“IT HAS RUN IN THE FAMILY FOR GENERATIONS” MEMBERS OF ZELENY FAMILY SHARE A DEDICATED PASSION FOR THEIR ARTWORK BY TRISTAN DUIN
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ome may say it is just a gift, while other say it is a talent that you develop, but the Zeleny family is blessed, and they constantly work toward their artistic talent. Sophomore Kate Zeleny, senior Sami Zeleny, college senior Sarah Zeleny, and their mother Mrs. Chryssi Zeleny all share a love and strong talent for art. Ever since they were little, all the girls grew up with a fondness for art in their heart. They had artistic influences surrounding them all the time while growing up. Mrs. Zeleny’s mother was a painter who held classes in their basement, and she had a great-uncle who designed Hallmark cards. She noticed her love for art at a young age. Mrs. Zeleny convinced her parents to buy her the giant boxes of 150 crayons rather than the 24 count box, only because the larger box had the colors magenta and teal blue. Mrs. Zeleny continued the family tradition by spreading her passion for art onto her children. “As little kids, we would have ‘craft Sundays’ and listen to a sermon,” Kate said. “We would do crafts at my nana’s house and try to have art competitions between each other.” As young girls, Sami started noticing her affection for art in second grade when she would go in before and after school to color in the art room, whilst Kate noticed her love when she could see her sisters excelling in drawing. It inspired her to attempt her own form. While growing up, the Zelenys expressed art with passion and through teaching. Mrs. Zeleny drew the dinner menu on a chalkboard, and they would practice their cursive style. The girls were taught how to hold a crayon, shade, outline, paint, etc. Even in cooking, they would add swirls to desserts and other foods. When the family would gather sticks in the woods, Mrs. Zeleny encouraged her children to use their imagination and turn the sticks into a cross or something intriguing.
“Teaching in general is art,” Mrs. Zeleny said. “You have the ability to express who you are with students every day. Art can be seen in the way you dress, the way you speak, the style in which you teach. Some people like your style and some people don’t. But teaching is definitely an expressive form of art.” Kids often challenge their sibling to a basketball game or a race of some kind. On the other hand, the Zelenys have their own unique family art competitions. When Kate works with 3D art, she does not feel competitive, but when she does 2D art, she gets much more competitive because that is what her siblings are most talented at. Instead of playing simple board games, the family made a drawing board game, and they play it regularly. They even tried to have it manufactured, but many families would not play the game. Most Families are not as art oriented as the Zelenys are. Art ties into everything they do. Other families do not just sit down together to draw several times a week like they do. “I feel like it’s more of a competition between imagination rather than the final product,” Kate said. Each Zeleny has chosen an artistic path. Sarah was always a big doodler and loves painting on canvas. She used a collection of colors and never finishes a project if she does not share an emotional connection to her piece. Sami is a doodler also, but is more into cartooning. Her style involves scriptural quotes, emotion, and thought. Sami also loves to use pen and ink as well. Kate always worked on realistic drawings. As she grew older, her love became sculpting. Ever since they were little kids, the Zeleny girls had an obsession for art flowing through their veins that has never died out. As the girls get older, their art becomes better and better. From time to time, their beautiful masterpieces can be seen in the school hallways or even on social media. It is always fun to see the next artful achievement a Zeleny has worked so hard on.
Stand Firm Posing proud with her art, Kate Zeleny (20) works with 3D creations more often than other forms of art. Art takes shapes in many different forms, but the 3D creations bring art to life. It has a hands-on approach, warranting well with kinesthetic learners who learn through doing activities. submitted photo
submitted photo
Nothing Squandered Not a stranger to competition, Sami Zeleny (18) takes her drawings to from doodles to sketches with some time and effort. Seconds grade became the year of enlightenment for Zeleny (18) as her potential was strongly displayed within her work then. Down time in class or at home is likely to be profitable for the Zelenys: new art is bound to appear.
Volume 1 Issue 1
September 2017
Feature
THE KING OF LAST SUMMER
7
STUDENT TEACHES LESSON IN VIDEOGRAPHY
BY RUTHIE ISSACSON
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ummer is renowned for its capability to pass in the blink of an eye, and sophomore Kellen McLaughlin, like many students, was fed up with school abruptly cutting off his well-earned break. Taking initiative, he found a way to treasure his summer forever. “I captured one second of video per day for every day of summer in 2017,” McLaughlin said. “I took the videos on my iPhone / GoPro, and stitched them all together using iMovie. The videos range from my vacations to just every day stuff I did at home, but it was a lot of fun to try and find new angles to see the world.” Although McLaughlin’s video lasted a mere one and a half minutes, he was able to feature every summer day. His inspiration was first founded from a suggestion online. This sparked his idea, and thus his project began. “I found my idea for my one second video project off another video I saw on the internet,” McLaughlin said. “It wasn’t quite the same because they had taken more than one second per day and only did it for two weeks, but I thought to myself, ‘What if I took one-second of video every day for the whole length of summer?’ From there,
I made it my summer resolution to try and complete that challenge.” McLaughlin’s summer included shots of him flying down a rollercoaster, bounding into the ocean, and creeping along the ledge of a towering mountain. Along with highlighting his thrilling adventures, McLaughlin featured many of his close friends. Sophomore Noah Netzel starred in several of the “mini scenes.” “What was inspiring about his video is that he showed that it doesn’t take being busy to have a great summer,” Netzel said. By highlighting the most superb parts of his summer, McLaughlin shone with an optimistic attitude. His luminous demeanor not only impacted him, but his companions as well. “His video inspired me to make the most of and find something truly amazing about each day,” sophomore Liz Christensen said. “It taught me and I think many other people just how precious time is, to spend it well, and love every second of it.” For over three months, McLaughlin shot footage for his film. After completing his entire project, he celebrated by releasing it to social media and sharing it with family and friends.
follow this to link for video
Snap Seconds To commence every school year, it can be expected that teachers will ask about how the summer was. Kellen McLaughlin took this question with the sky as the limit and captured close to every valuable moment of his summer.
OUT FOR THE SEASON STARTING CENTER DARIC BURGHARDT INJURED BY COLIN KITSON
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his summer for junior football player Daric Burghardt was going as planned, he was attending multiple camps to get ready for the upcoming football season. Burghardt plays center, and since the center from last year’s team graduated, he knew it was his time to step up and be a starter. Tragically, while Burghardt was at football camp in North Dakota, he suffered an injury that would sideline him for the whole year. Burghardt was ready to play when he got to North Dakota, having been on the road for such a long time since coming from Nebraska, his friends and himself were itching to get on the field. Burghardt was put into a lineman group and was doing very well until suddenly, tragedy struck.
“I was doing a pass blocking drill and my right knee just blew out completely,” Burghardt said. “I tore my ACL in two different parts, my meniscus was flipped into where my ACL was supposed to be, and my MCL was torn all the way through.”
Burghardt sat in a hospital in North Dakota, waiting for hours, because his parents did not come up with him and his friends. Burghardt’s parents, Mr. Mark Burghardt and Mrs. Kami Burghardt, were furious because D. Burghardt was not helped for hours in the hospital. “I was very upset when I heard that my son was not assisted to for countless hours,” Mr. Burghardt said. Senior Noah Burghardt, who is D. Burghardt’s cousin was at the football camp when D. Burghardt got injured. He did not know what happened at first, but quickly was informed. “I had no clue that he was the one who got injured until someone actually came up and told me,” N. Burghardt said. “My initial thought was that I felt guilt because he is a really good football player and he was going to make a big impact, but now he has to miss the season.” The recovery process for D. Burghardt has been going as planned: he has had two surgeries, and is able to drive now. He plans on healing his knee correctly to make sure he can come back as fast as possible. “I have been following all of the doctor’s orders and taking my time with my knee to come back strong and healthy, even though I will still be out for eight to ten months,” D. Burghardt said. D. Burghardt is still receiving help from his parents and from people at school because he has to take it easy. He has been lifting weights almost everyday for his upper body to become stronger for next football season. He will continue to do everything possible so he can get back out on the football field.
8 Indepth
September 2017
Volume 1 Issue1
Fandoms: THE THIN LINE BETWEEN PASSION AND OBSESSION
SUBCULTURAL GROUPS OF THE WORLD REIGN FREE BY KJERSTEN CRITCHFIELD
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andoms have blossomed up across the globe to become quite well known as part of several cultures. These all-inclusive groups can be based off of any category that appeals to others that have popular or communal enthusiasm. A fandom is often described as a collection of people that bond together over their common interests in either media, books, sports, celebrities, or anything with human fascination. “To me, a fandom is a group of people who get kind of obsessive,” English instructor Mrs. Pam Bihlmaier said. “It can be with shows or books or things that they are really interested in.” There are varying levels of obsession with fandoms and not everyone who participated in a fandom has to be defined as a nerd or geek. Fandoms are built to include everyone with the infinite possibilities of topics that they can be based on. Each fandom is unique and has its own perks to bring in more fans and build a larger community. “I think everyone should find some sort of a fandom to belong to,” Mrs. Bihlmaier said. “ It is a lot of fun and there are so many different areas of interest where you can find other fans to associate with.” Some of the more popular and recognized fandoms are related to books, comics, television shows, and movies. These include Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, Star Wars, Batman and many more. Anime is also recognized as part of media fandoms. Sports fandoms are a vast group. Most of the time they are not called a fandom, but in its essence it is. Fans will bond over favorite sports, teams and players. They become a collective group of supporters to root on their favorites. The last group of fandoms can be filed under celebrities. Certain songs
or artists can become extremely popular. Different actors or performers also make the list of which fans celebrate. These varying groups make it possible for anyone to find a way to associate together. “I think people participate in fandoms for the same reason that people do sports, activities or anything where you are with a group of people,” English instructor Mr. Patrick White said. “It is a shared interest. If you have a shared interest with someone, whether it is a fandom or an activity, you can talk about that for hours very easily.” Fandoms are a great way to bond and create new relationships between strangers. They are a fantastic conversation starter and a sure fire way to make some friends. “I like that fandoms give those connections with other people,” Mrs. Bihlmaier said. “For example, that when you see somebody wearing a t-shirt that you relate to. It is kind of cool to see that.” Fans get creative with their passion from live action roleplay, also known as LARPing, and creating merchandise to showcase some of their favorites. Costumes and makeup, otherwise known as cosplay, are only the short of it. Different board games and accessories are also a huge part of the fandom life style. “I am not to the extreme level of obsession,” Mr. White said. “I think that there are awesome people who have the time to dress up and invest the time. I just cannot invest the time.” Fandoms can sometimes be defined as a way of life for those who have time to expend in it. Even if a person cannot invest the time they can still show their support of that group. Both Mrs. Bihlmaier and Mr. White have decked out their room in style to represent this important part of their lives.
“I think everyone should find some sort of a fandom to belong to.” -Mrs. Bihlmaier
Volume 1 Issue 1
September 2017
indepth
9
REAL FANSOES THROUGH A SCREEN EG
WE SE T A H W F O E V O L THE
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ans are characterized by a feeling of empathy for others who share a common interest. They are typically are interested in even minor details of the objects of their fandom and spend a significant portion of their time and energy involved with their interest, often as a part of a social stem with particular practices; this is what differentiates fans from those with only a casual interest. Obsession is not what a fandom is, though some consider it that way. They are seen as mass groups of people who appreciate a person or lone group. Fans genuinely grow around a specific interest and carry on a fascination with the subject itself. “I started listening to Shawn Mendes in seventh grade because one of my friends had me listen to a couple of his songs and I just thought they were incredibly catchy and inspiring,” sophomore Hannah Fiala said. Scientists have established that fans have some of the same triggers in the brain as a person in love. Whether it is song lyrics or multiple movie roll’s, fans manage to enjoy and appreciate it all. “I think a part of my admiration for him has to do with the fact that he is so young and has achieved so many things in his life, and
that honestly makes me believe in my goals that I once thought were unobtainable,” Fiala said. Fandoms have been around for very extended amounts of time. Most of the time, years could go by without a dent in the feelings that were so new at one point. “I went to a Taylor Swift concert, then met her when I was 19 and she had managed pull me up on stage for a few moments and said to me, in front of everyone, that she loved my naturally red hair,” Emporia State University graduate Amy Byfield said. Some fans get lucky enough to meet and talk with their inspirations, and the results are a monumental step in a fan’s eyes, when they see them face to face. The heartstopping moment for the fan is a feeling they’ll never forget. “From the day I met her, I knew I would always admire her, even through all the unneeded controversy she faced,” Byfield said. Followers and fans withstand monumental moments with their favorite. They are there through every false magazine accusation and every new release of music or movie deals. In many ways it is like supporting a life-long friend in their greatest moments.
BY PAYTON SHOUP
Marked Forever Amy Byfield is embraced by her idol Taylor Swift. She first became a fan of Taylor when she was only 19 years old. This is her second time meeting and talking to her. submitted photo
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FAND OMS IN FICTI ON:
A GR OUP T HAT WILL ALW AYS LAST
BY ABIGA
IL LEASU
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igh school is full of both students secretly, and sometimes not so secretly, obsessing over different things. There are many points of interests fandoms are attracted to, and a very common one is works of fiction. Books, movies, and TV shows are a popular topic for fandoms. The gripping plots, tense climaxes, heartbreaking twists, and emotional relationships make them a beloved interest for many people. Although many people admit they do not read often, there are always exceptions for specific books. Many people still adore older books, from J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings to Suzanne Collins’s The Hunger Games. These books as well as others have resulted in fandoms with ongoing interest. There are the Harry Potter fans keeping track of every book J.K. Rowling has published and discussing houses, spells, and spin-offs. Readers of A Series of Unfortunate Events have taken the time to read all thirteen books and anything else the elusive Lemony Snicket has done. Stephen King fans handle more horror than many people would be capable of reading. Junior Jade Vogel discussed her own favorite books, saying that with some of them she can read the entire thing in just three hours. Jade Vogel said, “I am really intrigued
with a book and I can never put it down. And I get really excited when books come out.” Movies, whether they are based off books or their own original stories, often rise to fame as soon as they come out. The Mummy has its critics, but it has still gained a quick following from people waiting eagerly to see their stories. The recently published Star Wars movies have also brought the fandom back, excited for new, modern content. With millions of movies to choose from, it is no wonder people are drawn to these fandoms. Streaming sites like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon have made TV more accessible. The popular fantasy show Game of Thrones has been considered the most popular television show of the year, according to Business Insider Entertainment. Other shows such as Doctor Who, Supernatural, and Star Trek have been around for years, with ongoing fandoms even when the stories on the screen are at an end. These shows and hundreds of others bring people together to discuss the events of what they have just watched. Fandoms based around works of fiction, no matter the media source, have been around for years, inspiring art, stories, and deep conversations. Fandoms bring people together over a common interest and are likely to never fade.
10 InDepth
September 2017
Volume 1 Issue 1
MILLIONS SHARE ADDICTION SPORTS FANATICS TAKING OVER COUNTRY BY CASEY DOWNING
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ities across the country are captivated by sports. America is considered to be one of the world’s sporting capitals and the various industries involved make billions of dollars every year. The allure of the events is easy to see and instantly captivating. According to junior Nolan Rauhut, a lifelong Chicago Bears and Blackhawks fan, the atmosphere is what hooked him. “Having grown up in Chicago my first Blackhawks game as a part of the crowd was an exhilarating experience,” Rauhut said. “It was aggressive, competitive and fast-paced.” Like many people Rauhut, supports the teams from his hometown. When an entire city supports something, it is electric. The enticement of sporting events spans generations with many adults loyally cheering on their team for decades. For example, take Mrs. Lisa Salerno. Mrs.
Salerno is huge fan of the New York Yankees and has been for a long time. Her loyalty comes from her husband’s family who has always been partial to New York after immigrating through Ellis Island. People of all walks of life for many different reasons come together to watch sports. “I believe it is what can bring our country closer together in times of need,” Mrs. Salerno said. Sports without a doubt are a part of the lives of many, either as a competitor or a spectator, their addiction is still the same. People crave to be a part of something bigger and the glamour of athletics is to be a part of that something, to be able to throw on a jersey and instantly belong. Being a sports fan is more than just cheering on a team, it is experiencing something not found anywhere else and to have an entire city behind you.
NBA FINAL GENERATES 26 MILLION TWEETS
Bears Den Representing his hometown of Chicago, Nolan Rauhut (19) wears his Jay Cutler jersey, former quarterback for the Chicago Bears. As of now, the Chicago Bears starting quarterback is Mike Glennon. submitted photo
100+ MILLION WATCH THE SUPER BOWL EVERY YEAR
SOCCER HAS THE YOUNGEST DEMOGRAPHIC WITH 14% OF FANS UNDER THE AGE OF 17 Gold Sea Flexing for the camera, Ben Randall (19), donning a the jersey of Kobe Bryant, has had a love for the Los Angeles Lakers since a very young age. The value of this jersey is bound to increase with time, making fandoms profitable and entertaining.
Volume 1 Issue 1
September 2017
Sports
11
playing for a state championship BY BEN BICKEL
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any students participate in school sports and activities. Along with these students is junior Kierney Skiles. Skiles plays softball for Team Nebraska. She has played softball since since the age of seven. Her dream ever since she was this young was to play for the University of Nebraska Omaha Mavericks. But, this ambition to play at such a high level would not have been possible without her father inspiring her to play the game. “My dad used to play baseball,” Skiles said. “He has been teaching me new things as long as I can remember. I would say he has had an impact on why I play and love softball.” Skiles used to be memeber of of the GHS softball team, but soon after she joined, she decided that it was not for her. Skiles decided instead of going back to GHS softball, she would continue playing for Team Nebraska. “The roster is so big,” Skiles said. “It is harder to get playing time. On my club team, there is 10-12 players on a team. On the high school team there is like 18-20.” Skiles plays shortstop and outfield for Team Nebraska. Team Nebraska only competes during the spring and summer with other club softball teams. “The reason I do club instead of high school,” Skiles said, “is because I just was not enjoying high school softball the same way I was enjoying club softball. I think that the main difference between club ball and high school ball is how much more political
it is. Don’t get me wrong club is still political just not as political.” Skiles participated in softball her freshmen and sophomore year at GHS, playing for the reserve and junior varsity teams. Her freshmen year the softball team won the state tournament. Since then the GHS softball team has earned a second place finish at the state tournament. “I would not change anything about club ball,” Skiles said. “I have played for my coach, Darren Peterson, for three years now, and I have really liked him.” Skiles has also played for GHS head coach Mr. Bill Heard, and assistant coach Mr. Jacob Jadlowski before making the full time switch to club ball. “Really there is not a big difference in the enviroment,” Skiles said. “Each has the same amount of energy, and focus. At club games there are actually just more teams and people in attendance.” She is entering another season with Team Nebraska, looking to replicate the second place state finish that they had this past summer season. Although, there is no state tournament in fall, Skiles’ team is preparing to grab a first place medal at next summer’s state tournament.
V.S. earning new experiences
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nlike Skiles, junior John Cover is a high school and club athlete, playing from both perspectives. Cover has played soccer for eleven years now. He played for the varsity GHS soccer team his freshman and sophomore year. Cover currently plays as the holding midfielder for Sporting Omaha Football Club. Cover has grown up surrounded by soccer. He has learned to follow some professional soccer athletes’ methods on and off the pitch. Cover has used these methods wisely and has been captain for his club team for four straight years. With leadership qualities, he is hoping to become the captain of the GHS varsity soccer team in the upcoming spring season. “The reason I have played for this long is because I have really, really enjoyed playing,” Cover said. “I also am influenced by some of the professionals and strive to be that someday.” Cover’s favorite professional player is Barcelona winger Lionel Messi. His dream is to someday end up playing division one soccer, or maybe even play at the professional level like some of his favorite players are. “I like the competition in club,” Cover said. “ I would say that the competition in club helps me be set up for the less competitive teams in my high school season. But, I would say that the atmosphere that we play in high school soccer is a lot better.” Cover and the GHS soccer team are looking to bounce back this upcoming spring season, after a heartbreaking defeat in the first round of the state playoffs last year to the Elkhorn South High School Storm. Ranking at number eight, first seeded Elkhorn South was going to be an uphill battle. Within one goal, Gretna fell 2-3. However, the
boys soccer team is returning eight starters including Cover in this upcoming season. “If there was one thing I could change with high school soccer it would be to have our season in the fall,” Cover said. “That way when I go back to club ball my team and I are all at the same speed as the rest of the teams across the country. So, when we play club everyone on our teams will have played just as long as everyone else in the country.” Nebraska and Iowa are a couple of the only states in the country to have high school soccer season in full swing in the spring, and club soccer in the fall. The reason for this is Nebraska and Iowa do not make time to field both soccer and football. “Another thing about high school ball I wish I could change is to have more intense practices,” Cover said. “Sometimes I feel like we lack focus and I wish we could come together a little bit more so we can all reach our goal, and that is to practice hard, build team chemistry, and in the end to win a state championship.” Cover still has two seasons left to prove that someday he could become what he has always dreamed to be: a state champion, and an even more achieved soccer player than he already is. Club atheltics are a nifty way to stay in shape for the season, and to face worthy competitors. With all the different areas of the brain active while sports are being played - the movements of the feet, of the hands, and of the eyes alone - the paths the messages from our extremities to the brain become more recognizeable and assist the brain when high school season comes around. Being active within Gretna in these accords is an advantage to any athlete or community member. There is always room for improvement.
12Sports
September 2017
Volume 1 Issue 1
COMPETITIVE STRESSES THE STORY OF COACHES’ TRIPLE LIVES BY ALLISON KIBBY
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he average high school student constantly stresses over the amount of homework he/she has each night. What might elude the average person, though, is how stressful a coach’s life can be. Going from teaching high school students, to trying to coach some of those same students, to arriving home at night to the drama of life. Now that is stress. Some coaches choose this stressful life style while others are presented with the option of coaching. “I volunteered I guess,” head softball coach Mr. Bill Heard said. “My family and I moved to Gretna and so this was a good fit for us.” Coach Heard has been coaching for twenty-one years and has had the experience of a lifetime. Although coaching can be stressful, every coach deals with it in their own way. “I have had a relatively positive experience,” Coach Heard said. “I work with great kids and coaches that make this enjoyable.” Despite the fact that coaching takes up a fair amount of his time, Coach Heard involves his family as much as possible, and his wife and kids love coming to the games. He might not get to spend as much time with his family during the season as he would like, but he would not trade coaching for the world. “No, I wouldn’t choose not to,” Coach Heard said. “This is what I love to
do. This is my job.” Unlike Coach Heard, some coaches were presented with the idea of coaching rather than coming up with it on their own. And sometimes a coach presents that idea to another. “I was student teaching for (Mr.) Heard and obviously knew him because I played for him in high school,” assistant softball coach Mr. Jake Jadlowski said. “ When one of the history teachers took a different job or moved, there was an opening and I was interviewed while I was student teaching. (Mr.) Heard asked that if I got the job if I would want to coach with him. And now here I am.” Coach Jadlowski has been a coach for four years and has put his heart into making sure his players have everything they need to succeed. It also helps that he had already developed a relationship with someone he coaches with. “I spend nearly all twenty-four hours of the day think about and dedicated to my sports (in season),” Coach Jadlowski said. “A lot goes into coaching. But I coach under amazing people and have developed a special bond with them and the players over the years.” As coaches continue their journeys throughout the season, they have taught countless lessons and learned some of their own. Overall, the most substantial lesson that they have learned is that coaching takes dedication and a love for the sport for it to truly be enjoyable.
The Rewards Coach Mr. Bill Heard rewards players Jordan Foss (18) and Emily Reid (19) with their state medals. Coach Heard congratulates the emotional Foss with her gold medal in the State Championship softball game in 2015 (top). Coach Heard rewarding Reid for a job well done on the team’s silver medal in the State Championship softball game of 2016 (bottom). submitted photo
Memorable Night Coaches Mr. Bill Heard and Mr. Jake Jadlowski pose for a photo with Billy Andrews (20) and Brooke Andrews (19). The Lady Dragon’s softball team has just won their districts for the third year in a row. Both the coaches and the players were excited to take another run at the State title in 2016. submitted photo
NEW ADDITION TO OLD FAMILY TEAM HAS ANOTHER CHANCE TO WIN Jacey Hammer
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hroughout many years, the volleyball team has battled it out on the court for a chance to improve. With the help of Coach Wendy Alexander, the Dragons have an enormous chance to succeed. “It is really nice to have a fresh set of eyes in the gym,” junior Kaiya Russell said. “It has helped because she’s new to the program, and it feels refreshing to our team to have a chance. We have a whole new team this year, so it’s only right to have a new coaching talent to accompany us.” Coach Alexander is not new to coaching. She has had the opportunity to coach volleyball for twenty years. This season, she is the coach of the reserve team. “I have coached volleyball for 20 years,” Coach Alexander said. “Most recently I was the head coach at Ord High School, and prior to that, I enjoyed eight seasons as an assistant coach in Broken Bow.” Coach Alexander is a new teacher at Gretna this year. She teaches chemistry and has taught it for 22 years. This year, she has the opportunity to learn from the other volleyball coaches about balancing teaching with coaching. “The Gretna coaches have taught me how to balance my teaching job with my coaching job and family,” Coach Alexander said. “They’ve reminded me to laugh with the players, as well as hold these young women to very high standards. I’m happy to be part of this volleyball family.” The head varsity Coach Mike Brandon has coached the volleyball team for 22 years. Not only has Coach Alexander taught the players a collection of new information,
but she has educated Coach Brandon in many new ways as well. “You never know how much you think you know,” Coach Brandon said. “Bringing in a new coach who is as experienced as Coach Alexander reminds me, hey, there’s a lot you’re not doing or a lot of things you could be doing differently that may be better.” A new coach is an adjustment for everyone. The modification is difficult for not only athletes but coaches as well. The new coaching addition has had a positive outcome. “It is always an adjustment,” Coach Brandon said. “But it is a great adjustment because Coach Alexander is very experienced. She knows the game very well and she is a great coach. She has been an awesome adjustment so far.” The new coach has provided many new resources to the athletes, but her honesty has been the most beneficial. “Coach A is really honest, fair, brave and encouraging,” Russell said. “She doesn’t hold back her opinion, she tells us how it is. That is already proving to help us as we get into the season. She is new to the program, so she sees everyone through a fresh set of eyes and makes everyone fight for positions. Also, she is always smiling and cheering us on, which makes me want to be better.” Coach Alexander has taught not only the volleyball players, but the coaches new information about the sport. They have all learned a lot from eachother. It is only her first year in Gretna, but many are hoping it is not her last.
Team Huddle (left) The reserve volleyball team ends the timeout with a positive attitude by cheering each other on. They are led by Coach Wendy Alexander with their third win of the season. Coach’s Advice (right) As Coach Wendy Alexander signals the serving zone, the dragons get one step closer to winning their game. The purpose of serving zones provides the current server with the information of the most inconsistent passer in the back row of the court. photos by Jacey Hammer
Volume 1 Issue 1
13
September 2017
Sports
JUNIOR AT QUARTERBACK SKILLS LEAD HIM TO EARN STARTING SPOT BY COLIN KITSON
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his football season Junior Quinn Mason is starting quarterback for GHS. He has a large role on the football team being the quarterback, and is looking to make the best of the opportunity he has been given. Mason has been playing football his whole life; and has a strong heart for the game. He has played quarterback his entire career. He knew coming into high school that the quarterback position was what he wanted to stick with because he was good at it and wanted to start of the team. “It has always been a dream of mine to start for the high school team at quarterback and to be an important piece to the team,” Mason said. Mason believes he is very skilled at quarterback and can do things to benefit the team in a positive way. He wants to make it known that it is not all about the quarterback because he is not the only one on the team. “We have played good as a team this year so far,” Mason said. “Our lineman have really stepped it up and nothing would be possible without those guys,”. Mason has been working his whole life in football by practicing and playing in games. Especially in high school, he has been practicing to get where he wants to be and now all that has paid off. Mason dedicates time to practice and to be more skilled for the team and himself. “I work hard day in and day out, I lift weights to get stronger on the football field, I do agility drills to practice my quickness on the field, and I also run to stay in good shape
for season,” Mason said. Teammates such as junior fullback Hunter Chilton feel confident that Mason can get the job done on the field. Chilton is not worried about Mason because he knows he can recover with his abilities. “He is hardworking and has the ability to make something out of nothing,” Chilton said. “He has put in a lot of work over the offseason to get better and he is a great leader for the team.” Chilton feels that Mason deserved the starting spot because of how hard of a worker he is in practice and how much he has improved over the summer. He knows that Mason can throw the ball and also has the ability to scramble. “He earned it because of all the hours of work he has put into the sport,” Chilton said. Mason’s father, Mr. Tom Mason, is quite proud of his son for earning the spot. He believes the coaches went with Q. Mason because it will give them the best chance of success. He also has practiced with Q. Mason for years to transform him into a better player. “Quinn and I would practice in the backyard, on the playground, or in the Gretna youth football and high school program,” Mr. Mason said. “Quinn has always loved football and it has been a goal of his to play on Friday nights for the Dragons.” Mason has played four games so far this season and he has led the Dragons to a 4-0 start. He will continue to practice and will try to lead the Dragons to an exciting season this year.
Quinn Mason
GRETNA COLLEGE ATHLETES A LOOK AT GRETNA COLLEGE ATHLETES BY CONNOR FEE
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any athletes in Gretna High School compete in sports to earn a college scholarship. Their achievements on the field, on the court, or even in the classroom have earned many a chance to have their schooling paid for at the collegiate level. Every year many players have the opportunity to go to college for what they excelled in throughout high school. Gretna graduates, and now college athletes give their thoughts about their lives in college, the classroom, and on the field. Most high schoolers often ponder different questions when considering a sport in college. One question high school athletes wonder is what the practices and atmosphere is like compared to high school football. “College practices are way more intense,” junior at Dakota Wesleyan Payne Ahrens said. “It’s way faster paced too. Expectations are way higher, and I feel you will burn way more energy in college than
in high school.” Football in college has a lot of expectations that high school football does not. In college you may be required to live on campus all summer and come in for conditioning, lifting, film, and so on. The scholarship money players receive puts the pressure on them to perform for longer durations and at higher abilities. College football is also more focused on the technique aspect rather than conditioning all the time. “Practices in college involve a lot more individual work,” redshirt freshman at Wyoming Patrick Arnold said. “They are a lot more form related and broken up, we’re always doing something.” Wrestling however is a different story in college. In high school, athletes are pushed beyond their mental and physical limits in practice. One would think that college wrestling would be insane at all levels mentally and physically. However it is described by some to be easier than high school. “In college there is way less conditioning in practices compared
Football Star Patrick Arnold stands on the sideline as he prepares for an upcoming game. Arnold was a team captain on the 2016 football team. He was also named to the All State Team along with various other awards. submitted photo
State Champion Dan Zeleny stands on the podium as he receives his state championship medal. Zeleny was a state medalist his junior year placing sixth. He was also a record holder on the team for the most tech falls in a season.submitted photo
to high school,” sophomore wrestler at Northwestern College Dan Zeleny said. “We still do lots of live wrestling and drilling, but practices are shorter too and they tend to be around an hour and a half compared to almost two and a half hours in high school. The season is a lot longer and the guys you are practicing with are a lot tougher so practices are still hard. Instead of conditioning you are just constantly wrestling with very high caliber wrestlers so you are always getting better.” What is also very concerning is the time that athletes get to compete. Many division one athletes get little to no time on the field because of the level of competition that is up against them. However many smaller schools that are division three or (NAIA), athletes tend to play a lot more. “Well I started one game as a freshman, and all of my sophomore year,” Ahrens said. “I would have started my junior year but I blew out my knee in practice and may be out for the season.” Relationships are also a big factor in college sports and just college in general. Teammates and coaches are people that will surround each other the whole four years. Making those relationships and keeping them is a must. “Our college coach is one of the greatest guys I know,” Zeleny said. “He is a great role model and man, he never really yells but he coaches very well, he’s a great teacher. All the guys on my team all get along and it’s cool to see us grow especially
in faith here at Northwestern. I love my teammates like a family.” With everything taken into account, the primary reason for going to college is to earn a degree in a field of study. Sports will all eventually end and the real life will start. College athletes must find a balance to be able to work on both at the same time. Arnold gives his side on how he views practices and schooling. “I take practice just as serious as anything,” Arnold said. “It’s practically a job. They are paying me to go to school and to play football at the same time so it is very serious.” Patrick’s scholarship means that he will have to take everything serious. His lifting routine, sleep schedule, and all the way down to his eating habits will affect how he does on the field. With schooling which includes hours of preparation for tests and long essays, it should all be taken very seriously. Everything done in college is geared towards preparing for the future. Arnold, Zeleny and Ahrens all agree that they take their sport and every practice very serious. “Giving effort is a must in my eyes especially since I am getting paid to do so because of my scholarship, so I think one must try,” Zeleny said. High schoolers may not yet know what the life of a college athlete is like, but it is something that must be examined. Giving this a good look students should be able to figure out whether or not it is something for them to participate in. Their college experience may be better or worse with it, it is all something that should be taken into account, and given a good thought.
14 A&E
Volume 1 Issue 1
September 2017
FALL FOR VALA’S CUISINE NOW OPEN, SERVING FAVORITE TREATS BY EMILY ACKER
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t is that time of year again and you know what that means. Fuzzy sweaters, hot chocolate, and most importantly, Vala’s. Not only does September signify the dreaded beginning of a school year, it also means that Nebraska’s favorite pumpkin patch is open. Out of all the beloved things to do at the happiest place on Earth, my favorite thing by far is getting to munch on the delectable treats they serve. People travel from all around Nebraska to eat their food. It is known for various things such as: kettle corn, caramel apples, turkey legs, and cones of cookies. As we first step foot through the gate, I am greeted by the familiar scent of bonfires, mixing with the smell of Vala’s famous freshly-popped kettle corn. I cannot resist the urge and buy a small bag for only $5. Behind the counter, there are bags stacked up the ceiling. I understand all of the hype. Each bite is the perfect combination of sweet and salty. I then decide to take a break from eating for a little bit, and I enjoy the other
part of Vala’s. I venture down to the pig races. I am chosen to go up to the front! My pig’s name is Alexander ‘Ham’ilton, and after running his heart out, he won the race. After all the excitement, I work up an appetite. We decide to take the short walk to the Pie Barn. The line is out the door with anxious people to get their food. I get the chicken pot pie and a bottle of water. The pie was $7, and my bottle of water was $2.50 which seemed kind of pricy to me. Regardless, I am giddy to start eating. Once we finally sit down, I immediately dig in. I can tell it had just freshly been homemade. The crust is buttery and flaky. The inside was filled with diced, white chicken meat, peas, and carrots. I am in heaven. It is everything I had hoped for and more. I have been going to Vala’s since before I can remember. Even though I will be leaving to go off the college soon, I still plan on coming back in the fall to see and relive my childhood. If anyone has plans to go to Vala’s this year, I recommend trying the chicken pot pie and kettle corn.
Nebraska’s favorite pumpkin patch: Vala’s opened on September 15 this year. They have 21 places that serve food and drinks. I went to the Pie Barn and ordered chicken pot pie. This is by far one of the best plaes to eat at Vallas. Phtotography By: Emily Acker
WHO IS “HER” BEGGING FOR MORE ABOUT THIS MYSTERIOUS WOMAN by Emily Shurtliff
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s the famous poet Robert Frost once said, “Poetry is when an emotion has found its thought and the thought has found words.” Many high schoolers do not feel this strongly about poetry but reading the poetry book, “Her,” by Pierre Alex Jeanty helped me to understand this quote more. The book includes incredibly well-written poems about love that just might pique more interest in poetry. “Her” is a one-hundred-thirty-seven page poetry book written by Pierre Alex Jeanty. It was published on February 11, 2017, by Jeanius Publishing. Jeanty is also the author of, “Unspoken Feelings of a
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Gentleman,” “To the Woman I Once Loved,” “Unspoken Feelings of a Gentleman Volume Two,” and he most recently came out with, “Her Volume Two.” “Her” is a wonderful book full of poems about a woman and how she should be treated by her future husband. It comes from the perspective of a man who has once loved her and lost her. While I thoroughly enjoyed, “Her,” I do not think I am going to start reading poetry regularly. The poems were very detailed and kept me reading, but not enough to get me to purchase, “Her Volume Two.” I am not a person who enjoys reading poetry, although I did go into reading the book with an open mind. Jeanty’s poems were very descriptive
and made me eager to know more about the story behind him and the girl he describes. The poems were easy to follow along, unlike the kind of poems that are dissected in English classes. The book also includes detailed illustrations that go along with the metaphors portrayed in each poem. Each page had a different poem on it, and every poem was usually between four to ten lines. Overall, the book was an easy-read that kept me turning the pages. Girls will most likely enjoy this book the most because it is all about feelings and relationships. “Her” teaches all about how men should treat women. It has numerous lessons inside of it about how women should recognize
“Her” by Pierre Alex Jeanty can be purchased on Amazon.
their own worth and how men should love their significant other unconditionally. Jeanty also teaches that one should not ask their significant other to change, but they should be by their side as he or she grows as a person. Reading this book definitely helped me to keep more of an open mind when reading poetry.. The book kept me wondering and made me eager to know more about the story behind it. If you are a person who believes poetry is interesting, then I suggest this short poetry book, “Her.” It is a beautifully written book that teaches a wonderful lesson. “Her” is not available in many of our local libraries, but it is available on Amazon for purchase.
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Volume 1 Issue 1
September 2017
A&E
15
SWIFT’S NEW SONG TANKS “REPUTATION”
A NEW REVOLUTION
TAYLOR SWIFT’S NEWEST ADDITION GIVES ME THE CREEPS
By Payton Shoup
BY MARA HJERMSTAD
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ood girl gone bad. Taylor Swift’s new song “Look What You Made Me Do” brings a dark tone, contrary to her former songs. Swift started her singing career as a country singer, resulting in the peak of her career. Her sound was pure and innocent, so I was disappointed when she switched to modern pop songs. She lost me as a fan when “Shake It Off” was released. Swift started out as a “good girl” singing “Good Girl,” but she has now hit her rebellious stage like many other popular female artists have done before her. Everyone remembers when Britney Spears rebelled and shaved her head and basically went crazy. Luckily, Taylor still has a full head of hair but she has changed her sound into a very eerie tone with this new song. I hope the rest of the album does not continue like this otherwise she is in career ending trouble. “Look What You Made Me Do” is catchy and I can admit that because all of Swift’s songs are catchy, but it is my least favorite song on the radio. It makes me so UNCOMFORTABLE. Every time I hear it I feel like she is going to say something inappropriate for the radio. It makes me nervous to listen to it with my little sister in the car, and I have heard the song several times and I know she is not going to say anything inappropriate but every time I wait. Also, it is awkward in the middle when she says “sorry the old Taylor can’t come to
the phone right now, oh why? ‘Cause she’s dead.” Bring the old Taylor back. By the way, the “old Taylor” made you a bunch of money, so you should be grateful “new Taylor.” The music video makes the song so much more creepy. It starts in a graveyard and zooms in on a tombstone that says “Here Lies Taylor Swift’s Reputation.” I believe this phrase is referring to the critics that have given her bad reviews. For part of the music video she is a zombie, and I get the symbolism she is going for with the “old Taylor” is dead and the “new Taylor is reborn” but she does not need to make herself into a zombie and dig a grave for her old self. She also has some thing with snakes going on where they are slithering up steps to reach her throne. The song does not have anything to do with snakes, so I think she just added
those in to try and make it more creepy. She has several little hidden references in the music video to describe what made her write the song such as on one of the arms of her throne she has inscribed “Et tu Brute” from William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar which is representing how she was stabbed in the back just like Caesar. Also, in her car wreck scene, she looks like Katy Perry who Swift claims to be her nemesis. Music videos are usually strange but there is a line between weird and straight up disturbing, Taylor crossed that line with this one. I give this song a two out of ten. Especially since she modeled the chorus off of “I’m too sexy” and was not even original. I do not recommend this song to anyone. Swift needs to go back to what she knows and quit the bad girl act.
The Cover for Taylor Swift’s New Album “Reputation”.
PAINTING ON THE INSPIRATIONAL PRIDE A LOOK INTO THE EVERYDAY LIFE OF A GHS ART TEACHER BY ABIGAIL LEASURE
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he GHS art program is a way to inspire students to become artists and to guide aspiring artists towards the future they desire. The instructor’s goal is to pass on their love of art to their students. Art instructor Mrs. Amy Oliver has been working at GHS for twenty-six years, teaching classes such as basic art, drawing fundamentals, painting, and advanced arts. She spends nine to ten hours at work daily, five days a week, and she sometimes even comes to work on the weekends to help with grading. It’s a job requiring time and effort, but Mrs. Oliver wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. “Well, first of all, I loved art,” Mrs. Oliver said. “Secondly, my high school art teacher was very inspiring. Her name was Cathy Stastny...And she just...you could tell she was very passionate about doing it and about passing that passion and love on to others. And as far as teaching goes, that kind of runs in my family. My sister was a teacher. My father was a teacher. Grandmother was a teacher.”
Mrs. Oliver has been interested in art since middle school and still makes her own projects outside of school. She mostly enjoys multimedia artwork, making watercolor paintings mixed with ink. Vincent Van Gogh is her favorite artist. His impressionistic art style is appealing to the eye and one of the many reasons he is so well known. The things she loves most about teaching are the painting class, building relationships with students, and passing on her passion for art to students. When asked her least favorite thing, Mrs. Oliver said, “Least favorite thing would be grading artwork because it is tough.” She does not believe creative artwork can really have one value placed on it, and what is beautiful and innovative to one person could be boring to another. Outside of art, Mrs. Oliver does many things. She loves animals, reading, and spending time with her family and pet dogs. If becoming an art teacher were not an option for her, she would have become a veterinarian simply for her love of animals
Artsy Teaching Mrs. Oliver teaches a seventh period art class. Students complete their projects and work on other homework when done. It is a relaxing, laid-back environment for learning. photo by Abigail Leasure
and of helping other people. Her best quality is her optimism, which helps her throughout her day. Mrs. Oliver said, “I’m busy going to my daughter’s activities, just spending time with family. I do a lot of reading and a lot of sketching. I love playing with our two golden poodle pups at home, Barkley and Sulley.” A Bachelor’s degree combined with studying under other teachers was required for Mrs. Oliver to be hired as an art teacher. She studied at the University of Nebraska at Kearney and plans to earn her Master’s degree there as well. Her responsibilities are simply to teach the curriculum and help students grow artistically. “I’m responsible for any student that comes into this room each day, for their well being, and making it a safe and enjoyable environment,” Mrs. Oliver said. Mrs. Oliver also has advice for new artists. Art requires patience, practice, and time as with all skills. She reminds new artists never to give up on their work, and to remain optimistic no matter what.
Getting Crafty Mrs. Oliver works on her own project during the class. She’s finishing the details of a mandala using ink. Her high spirts and crafty career allow for some downtime of her own. photo by Abigail Leasure
A NEW YEAR AND NEW THEME
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high school at night is a lonely place. The tables are put away, and with them the scents and sounds of the day. There is almost no light illuminating the tile floor and low ceiling. A time when almost nobody is around, seems to be the perfect time to create something beautiful. GHS’s mixed varsity show choir, cleverly named Revolution, is always practicing to make the best show they possibly can. Many show choirs participate in competitions that can be presented with single different ideas and dances. Gretna’s team is just one of the few that perform and give their all with each competition. “When you are a part of show choir, the number one rule is to always have fun, with a purpose,” show-choir instructor and teacher, Mr. Patrick Ribar said. Throughout the years, Revolution has changed their ideas of each and every performance, along with inviting back the past performers and reeling in the new ones. “I am always excited to see how this group of seniors started as freshmen and how far they have grown...it’s comparable to a child in that way as you see how they become different people and establish who they are,” Mr. Riber said. Each show throughout every season is different. Show choir is a large commitment that takes over a massive part of each student’s time. New songs and dances are presented and shown to the performers as they practice for hours on end, morning and night, though they are not supposed to compare to past triumphs. “A rule that we have as a group, is that we do not talk about the previous years because it is night and day different; very diverse in the stories that are told,” Mr. Ribar said. Themes are a commonly varied thing that is decided amongst the instructors and coaches, as they always want to leave a lasting and unique impression on the judges. Songs are chosen, adapted, and arranged from a variety of sources. “I definitely think our theme will leave a lasting impression,” sophomore Noah Netzel said. “It’s about everything wrong with society and the way technology is held so highly above human communication,” while newer members are just as eager to please their new found family as they are the judges. Meanwhile every participant also gets used to the idea of what the audiences are going to be expecting with each and every show. “Although the main focus of what we do is rehearsing, and perfecting our show, we all really come together and bond as well and the upperclassmen are great influences that are always eager to help me,” Netzel said. The competition overall takes place for extended months at a time. Bus rides and late nights are also a part of the show choir dynamic. Everyone has a place in the show and everyone matters, thus a real team bond is formed within’ the sport itself. “I honestly can not wait for this season and what it has to bring for this team and I,” Netzel said. The dances get longer and harder with each practice, but there probably is nothing more worth it than the excitement on stage. In a song, vocal lines typically alternate between unison or octave singing, and when they are combined with synchronized dancing, they are able to make something that is said to be incredibly enjoyable to the audience’s eyes. While there is a swing in every one of their steps, this year will definitely be more of a robotic show. As expected though, there are still many weeks until the official performances begin, but there is no doubt that the Gretna show-choir team is preparing for the season to be everything memorable and successful.
16 A&E
September 2017
Volume 1 Issue 1
THE DARK TOWER
THE TOWER OF CONFUSION BY CONNOR FEE
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f one
person has the power to take away somebody’s family and everything they ever cared for, they will most likely be looking to seek justice. This is the case for Roland Deschain (Idris Elba) also known as the last Gunslinger. To this man, the battle between good and evil will never subside in the world. Neither will his journey to destroy The Man in Black, (Matthew McConaughey). Seeing the trailer for this film the hopes for many people were high, especially for me. Watching this movie for me was not the experience I had hoped for it to be. However this is not very surprising considering all of author Stephen Kings book adapted movies have not done very well at the box office. The critics may have given it a little leave way because this is one of the only movies by King that is in the syfy category. However almost every other syfy movie I have seen tops this film. This film is set to take place in modern New York City where a young boy named Jake (Tom Taylor) receives visions in his dreams about a far off world that at the time only exists in his mind. His visions consist of a Dark Tower that hovers over the universe. This tower controls the balance of all of mankind. However frequent the tower appears in conversations, it is never fully explained and confuses the viewers. You are left wondering what it is all about and how it became to be. The only detail mentioned about it is that it is always under constant attack by The Man in Black. The storyline is really about Jake’s visions and nightmares which lead him to the Gunslinger. The two never really formally meet, but their goal is to hunt down and kill The Man in Black. Their journey takes them from one point to the next while they seek their target. Although it was not all that bad, I believe that there were moments that were interesting and made you want to watch more. The moments with Jake and his foresight led you to believe that it was going to be a great movie. To me it was a movie with a lot of potential and did not succeed in doing as well as the book series was. Another thing that may have made it not as good, is the fact that this was the eighth part of the book series. There were seven other movies that should have been made before this one was ever produced. This was why people like me who have not read the books did not fully understand what was taking place. I personally believed that Matthew McConaughey and Idris Elba did a great job in acting in their parts of the movie. Despite their acting it held a six out of ten score on the International Movie Database (IMDB) and scored a low 16% on Rotten Tomatoes. It did not make a point to truly intrigue the viewer and suck them into the movie. The background information was not there, they were missing the pieces to a great film. Before seeing the movie I can tell people for a fact that I was excited. I had high hopes for this movie. With the class A actors and the action packed trailer that left you on edge about what the tower is and what it’s whole purpose was. It really intrigued me to see this movie, and I finally did. And when I watched it from beginning to end I can tell you that it was nothing like I imagined. I give it a rating of 5.5/10. It is definitely a movie that you should wait to rent at the video store or on Netflix. However reading the book series may help you to become aware of The Dark Tower and its wonders.