The Voice April 2018

WINTER GUARD PAGE 2

MRS. ANDREWS PAGE 9

SCHOOL SAFETY PAGE 13

VOICE

THE

ISSUE 7

MUSICAL PAGE 17

2 9 13 17

A P R I L 2 0 1 8

WORLD OF WHEELS

VOLUME 4

STUDENTS CUSTOMIZE PEDAL CAR

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By Macy Keiser STAFF WRITER

n August 2017, Industrial Technology instructor Mr. Jason Novotny entered the Summit Racing Equipment Pedal Car Challenge, hosted by the World of Wheels. The World of Wheels is an opportunity for car designers to show off their talents at the nationwide event. The World of Wheels encourages younger students to get involved in it as well. The organization donates a small pedal car to numerous schools. Each school receives the same car. The students are allowed several months to customize the pedal car and allow their creativity to shine. This past March, all of the pedal cars from different schools were displayed at the Centurylink Center for the World of Wheels event. The pedal cars were finally judged and were given awards.

“This is the first time I’ve ever tried this,” Mr. Novotny said. “It was just the opportunity to have kids try something different than we normally teach in our classes. We don’t do body work. We don’t do paint, things like that in our typical industrial tech classes. So this would be something different.”

The first step in the customization of the pedal car required the construction students to brainstorm. They found ideas through websites like Pinterest and incorporated them into their car. The construction students were encouraged to express their creativity through the pedal car design.

“It’s just really unique, we made everything ourselves,” senior Timothy Weimer said. “We did all the welding, we just kind of collaborated and [it’s a] mixture of all our ideas, and [it] turned out really good.”

The students sketched out the car parts,

which were then fabricated through the 3D printer. They also went to stores to find parts from larger vehicles. The headlights applied to the pedal car were actually derived from a semi-truck. Lug nut covers off of a semi-truck were also attached to the back of the pedal car.

“A lot of it was made out of metal,” Mr. Novotny said. “So we used some of the metal out of the welding shop. Some of the parts had to be fabricated on our 3D printer.”

The construction students proved this project to be beneficial. They broadened their knowledge with new techniques such as bodywork and painting. They gained a new perspective on customization. Skills were improved in correlation to their welding habits.

“Seeing it from when it started to its finished product is pretty cool,” senior Jordan Valentine said. “Because I like seeing projects from start to finish and I don’t know, its just cool how its set up.”

Many of the construction students garnered life-long lessons from this project. The lessons learned were simple but meaningful.

“I learned that you can fix a lot of mistakes with very simple things,” Weimer said. “It taught me how to think a little bit differently, how to problem solve a little better, make ideas come out of nowhere.”

These students have worked hard for several months to produce their final masterpiece.

Their pedal car won third place out of five of the numerous pedal cars. They agree that this type of project is something they would enjoy continuing in the future years to come.

The World of Wheels is a unique opportunity to view showcased, restored and customized cars. The Pedal Car Challenge at the World of Wheels was viewed as a beneficial and exciting event for the GHS students involved.

Hard Work The construction students enjoyed participating in the customization of the pedal car for the World of Wheels. They spent hours upon hours, months upon months, of hard work. “It was just something different,” Tanner Tierney (18) said. “Like, I would have never guessed that we were going to decorate a little pedal car, but it was fun doing it.”photos by Jessica Blum

Pedaling Pros Every student saw their progression throughout the months of work. It required much thought and creativity. “It’s pretty neat just to see that all the brainstorming it takes and all the problem solving it takes,” Industrial Technology Instructor Mr. Jason Novotny said. photos by Jessica Blum

STUDENTS NOMINATED BY SENATOR SASSE MILITARY ACADEMY NOMINATIONS AWARDED TO TWO STUDENTS

By Allie Janulewicz STAFF WRITER

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eing nominated to enter a military academy is a momentous achievement. To get accepted into the majority of the U.S. service academies, a high school student must first be nominated by either the president, vice president, a United States representative or an United States senator.

Nebraska Senator Ben Sasse nominated two students, Seniors Greg Matya and Kobe Everson, to the United States Military Academies. Matya was nominated to go to the United States Naval Academy, and Everson was nominated to attend the United States Air Force Academy. Service academies provide potential members of the military with different types of military training, such as tactics someone would learn while in the military.

“I have always wanted to be a pilot, and thanks to the Civil Air Patrol, I was introduced to military aviation, and that with childhood experiences inspired me to apply for the academies and join the military,” Matya said.

“I would like to go into the Marines as a pilot if possible, but I may learn of something I like better at a later date, so I will be keeping an open mind.”

Attending one of the five service academies in the United States is a substantial honor because the academies provide the opportunity for preparation to be a military officer along with a high-quality education.

All of the branches in the service academies train people to serve as commissioned officers. Not only is there physical training, but there is also mental training involved for these students.

“The process started with a preliminary application last February [2017],” Matya said.

“After going to the Naval Academy Summer Seminar, I learned that I really wanted to go and liked the feel of the academy. After that came a long process of detailed applications, health exams and interviews for both the academy and congressmen. I would like to give advice for others. Apply early, and try to get into the summer programs to check out the life. Get involved, join [the] program that you enjoy and [that] will help prepare you for the life at the academy. Get in shape, the academies are very difficult, and being in

shape can also help with sports.”

Being a student at a service academy is much different than being a student in college.

As well as getting an education, students are being trained to serve in the military. The experience is distinct because it includes military studies and physical training. There are higher expectations, military discipline, less freedom and strict rules for students in a service academy.

“I have wanted to join the military ever since I was a kid,” Everson said. “My parents, who both served in the Air Force, also played a huge role in inspiring me to join the military. I expect to be shaped into a new and improved me. The military will give me valuable traits and solidify my American values.”

The five service academies include the United States Military Academy, the United States Naval Academy, the United States Air Force Academy, the United States Coast Guard Academy and the United States Merchant Marine Academy. Completing the hard work to get nominated and accepted into one of the five service academies is an achievement. Attending a service academy is a considerable way to prepare to be a service officer for the United States.

2 News

April 2018

Volume 4 Issue 7

SMOOTHIE A DAY KEEPS DOCTOR AWAY DRAGONS

JUICE STOP FINALLY MAKES ITS WAY INTO GRETNA RECOMMEND

By Jacey Hammer NEWS EDITOR

T

photo by Jacey Hammer

he city of Gretna was first introduced to the Beanery in 2003, and Scooters joined the city around 2015. A new type of smoothie is making its way to the town, and that is Juice Stop: home to real fruit smoothies.

“Juice Stop offers a product that is not offered in the Gretna market: real fruit smoothies,” owner Mrs. Malia Meyer said. “You can make it into a meal by adding protein of any vitamin.

We feel Gretna is underserved and has a lot of people who are interested in our products.”

When a new location opens, many old, experienced staff members help out the staff of the new location. The Gretna location is now hiring employees over the age of sixteen.

“In the beginning, we do bring

staff over from our other locations just because the experience is nice when you are opening a new store,” Mrs. Meyer said. “However, we are always looking for hard workers with great attitudes and smiling faces to work behind our bar.”

Juice Stop opened Saturday March 17, but the project has been an ongoing process. The closest location from Gretna before was located in Lakeside Plaza on 171st and Center. The Gretna location is near El Vallarta off of Standing Stone Drive.

“The Gretna location should be opened up by March 19, if not sooner,” Meyer said. “We have been working on the space since the holidays, so we are looking forward to opening this spring.

We think Gretna will be a huge success.”

Juice Stop’s website includes their list of top ten smoothies as well as job applications are on the site. For people looking to apply, the website is www. juicestopsmoothies.com.

SMOOTHIES HOME RUN -

LEMONADE, ORANGE SHERBERT AND STRAWBERRIES

PENALTY FLAG –

STRAWBERRY, PEACHES, STRAWBERRIES, RASPBERRY SHERBET

BUTTERFLY –

LEMONADE, STRAWBERRIES, RASPBERRIES, RASPBERRY SHERBET

JAB STEP –

RASPBERRY, PINEAPPLE, STRAWBERRIES, RASPBERRY SHERBET

FREESTYLE –

MANGO, MANGOS, PEACHES, STRAWBERRIES, PINEAPPLE SHERBET

RIGHT HOOK –

PEACH, BOYSENBERRIES, PEACHES, PINEAPPLE, VANILLA NON-FAT YOGURT photo by Jacey Hammer

e l x A e Do ubl

WORLDS CUP –

SKIM MILK, CHOCOLATE, PEANUT BUTTER AND VANILLA NON-FAT YOGURT

g a l F y t l a n e P

y a l P r Po we

TRIPLE CROWN –

ORANGE, VANILLA NON-FAT YOGURT AND ORANGE SHERBET

SINGLETRACK –

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WATERMELON, RASPBERRIES, STRAWBERRIES, MANGOS, VANILLA NON-FAT YOGURT, RASPBERRY SHERBET

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t e k c i W St ic k y

SCISSOR KICK –

STRAWBERRY, PINEAPPLE, STRAWBERRIES, PINEAPPLES, PINEAPPLE SHERBET

Volume 4 Issue 7

April 2018

News

3

TEAM THAT FLIES

WINTER GUARD ACHIEVES SUCCESS

By Bridget Christensen STAFF WRITER

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t has been a groundbreaking season for the GHS Band program. They received the school’s first ever Class A championship title for marching band and are continuing that success this winter.

On Saturday, March 10, the relatively new winter guard team competed in the Heartland Winter Arts Association competition and the percussion ensemble Kaotic performed in exhibition. The event was held for the first time at GHS and is the first band-related competition to be hosted at GHS. During the contest, over twenty winter guards and percussion groups from Nebraska and Iowa competed for the title in their category. Winter guard consists of both male and female participants accompanied by recorded music; the performers compete using a combination of flags, rifles, sabres and dance moves. Percussion groups also include girls and boys and feature most

Synchronized Silks On cue with her music, Alisa Dierkhising (18) prepared to execute a toss that was a part of a larger sequence. “I enjoy learning a show, practicing, putting in the hard work, and have an amazing end result,” Dierkhising said. The group placed first in their division during their competition. photo by Bridget Christensen

marching band percussion instruments.

Hosting the competition required detailed planning. Both of the band directors, Mr. Andrew Norris and Mr. Landon Barada, worked diligently to make sure that the contest would run smoothly.

“Because this is our first year hosting, all logistical considerations were a challenge,” assistant director of bands Mr. Landon Barada said. “We really had to overthink everything to ensure the best possible outcome.”

Throughout this experience, the staff learned many tactics for running a competition, and they plan to use this knowledge in the future. Both directors agreed that they would be interested in hosting the Heartland Winter Arts Association (HWAA) event again and will improve the contest for next year.

“We are new to the HWAA circuit and are still becoming familiar with procedures, so that was a challenge in planning,” head band director Mr. Andrew Norris said. “After hosting this weekend, we have a better understanding of what we can do differently to make it run smoother.”

The students that participate in the band program also helped put on the contest.

They monitored rooms, ran the concession stand and did several small odds and ends.

Their work together made the experience of hosting the competition enjoyable, according to captain of winter guard junior Emma Peters.

“It was really fun because we got to represent our school and we had a lot of extra support in the audience,” Peters said.

“We also made a lot of money that will go to the band.”

During the award ceremony, the group was pleased to receive first place in the Scholastic Regional A category. The one member spoke about how proud she was of this accomplishment as this was their first competition of their season.

“I think our season so far has been amazing,” freshman Grace Hanson said.

“I really enjoy our show, and I’ve heard positive feedback about it.”

The winter guard’s shows vary from year to year, much like the marching band shows. Last year was focused on forming the

program and learning the basics.

“The year before this was a nice, pretty show,” senior Alisa Dierkhising said.

“However, this show is very different. It is about a military Utopian society, and during the show, we break free from that and find the light.”

Members of Kaotic worked throughout the past few months to put together their performance. All students played on a wide arrangement of instruments to create an overall sound. After the competition, the group approved of their performance.

“It has been a lot of fun, and we have put a lot of work into it,” senior Colton Prince said. “Our biggest accomplishment is how quickly we were able to put our show together.”

Kaotic does not compete as a group, but they did perform at the pep rally on March 13 and will play during halftime at basketball games. The winter guard will continue their season with two more contests. They travelled to Elkhorn on March 24, and the championship competition was hosted at Bellevue West on April 7.

Anticipating Victory Winter guard members Emma Peters (19) and Alisa Dierkhising (18) listened to the results of the competition. They received first place in their category and Peters said, “we had a pretty good run which put us in first place by 7 points!” photo by Bridget Christensen

Award Ceremony Once all the performances were completed, representatives from each group stood, waiting for the results. There were over twenty schools in attendance, including a college-aged winter guard. photo by Bridget Christensen

Hitting Rhythms During Kaotic’s performance, Maddie Gulizia (19) flashed through her part of the piece. The group only played in exhibition, but helped winter guard host the competition. photo by Bridget Christensen

SINGING SONGS OF SWEET VICTORY

EVOLUTION TAKES GOLD IN LAST COMPETITION AT OMAHA NORTH

By Abigail Leasure STAFF WRITER

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how choir performances begin with a packed audience from different schools in the area.

Students and parents alike wait for the lights to come up and for the performance to start. Each performance lasts just a few minutes, but the music and dancing can make it feel longer, like a concert. When it is done, the audience jumps to their feet in applause even after the students have disappeared. The last show choir competition took place at Omaha North on March 3, where Gretna Evolution, GHS’ womens varsity team, won first place in their division.

“I thought it was really cool because we had a lot of really tough competition, and we had also added some things to our show that we didn’t have for any of the other competitions,” sophomore Ella Beauchaine said. “Like we do ‘Crazy Train’ for our first song, and we weren’t allowed [yell] ‘all aboard!’ until the last one. It was this thing where it wasn’t endorsed, but we weren’t going to get in trouble if we did it...Also, during our second to last song, we did the dance break, and it was kind of a dubstep dance break, so we got to add just like shouting and encouraging each other when we did it. It was just really cool that we could do that for our last competition. We didn’t get to go to some of the competitions, and [even though] we couldn’t make finals, we still did really well.”

Competitions can become stressful with the pressure of performing in front of such large crowds. Many people find

the competitions to be a chance to show the practice they have put into their performances and to view performances other schools have created.

“The competitions are honestly so much fun,” junior Emily Austin said. “You get to spend a lot of time with your friends, but then you also get to look at other groups and see how they work and what their shows are like. We spent so long between all of them that we just get to show off what we can do and have a good time.”

There are hours of work put into these performances, and the majority of them take place in practices before and after school. Up until the end of the season, performers had an increasingly packed schedule.

“There were like three [practices] a week, I’d say, and they were usually in the morning,” Beauchaine said. “It was in the morning, so everyone was kind of tired.

Most of the time we would work on just one song. Towards the end, we would run the show multiple times...I think we improved a lot through the amount of practices that we had.”

Next year, a new season will begin with both old and new singers. With auditions beginning in May, many who used to be in show choir are now left with much more extra time. Some have moved on to band or the school’s production of Peter Pan “I miss show choir,” Austin said. “I know that a lot of people in show choir are doing musical, and I guess now we just wait until auditions roll around again in May.” Show choir has earned great achievements during the 2017-2018 season. The hard work necessary for the performances has paid off in the end.

Winning Gold Show choir members pose with their trophy. In addition to Evolution’s first place, Revolution won third, and Neolution won second in their respective divisions. “I feel like we became closer...I feel like we did become more communal and more family-like towards the end of it,” Beauchaine (20) said. submitted photo

Striking a Pose Back turned to the audience, the singers pose dramatically in their performance. “Show choir is great,” Emily Austin (19) said. “It doesn’t matter what group you get into because you have a fantastic time, and the people in the groups are always incredibly talented and so kind.” submitted photo

4 News

April 2018

Volume 4 Issue 7

TRIP ACROSS THE OCEAN FOR A MONTH IN GERMANY

SENDS STUDENTS WITH THE GERMAN EXCHANGE PROGRAM

By Mara Hjermstad STAFF WRITER

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n the past October, twenty students from Germany came to America and stayed with their own host families for three weeks.

The trip ended with a sad goodbye at the airport terminal, and now, Gretna’s own German students will be traveling 4,685 miles to see them again. After their time with the hosts, they flew to Washington D.C. to spend a week there before returning home. Now, GHS will be sending students back to Germany to do the same and to tour Berlin, Germany’s capital.

“I’m excited to see everyone I saw before,” junior Nolan Rauhut said. “Just

everyone who came over here with their hosts.”

Rauhut was one of the twenty that hosted a German student in October.

He is the only male student that will be traveling to Germany from May 28 to June 20.

“You have to be German II or above,” junior Claire Meerian said. “There are not many other qualifications other than that.”

Meerian did not host a German student, but she has met the qualifications to be able to make the trip to Germany. There are not many requirements to go to Germany, but the student must prove to be serious about furthering their education. The trip all

Zoo Day Omaha has one of the best zoos in the world so when the German students came from Germany their hosts took them to the Henry Doorly Zoo. After a day filled with laughs, they stopped to take a picture outside the ape exhibit. Introducing them from left to right is: Charlotte. Luise, Tia, Luise, Runa, Chiara, Inken, Tim, Jori, Leon, and one the ground is Alina and Benno. photo by Mara Hjermstad

together cost about $2,700. Over half of the cost was airfare.

“I always wanted to go overseas to visit anyone,” Rauhut said. “Especially with the exchange student program.

I thought it would be an awesome experience to go over there and experience their culture.”

In Germany, the laws are naturally different than the laws in America. For example, eighteen years old is when citizens of Germany receive their driver’s license. Also, the legal drinking age is sixteen years old. Most of the students going to Germany will be of the legal drinking age there, however, it is not currently legal for them to drink in the United States. When signing up

for the trip, the participating students needed to have their parents sign a waiver for them to be able to drink.

Mrs. Huttmann is going along with German instructor Mrs. Kellye Deane, so the student to teacher ratio would be ten to one. While in Kiel, they will attend classes at Gymnasium Wellingdorf, which is the school that their hosts attend. They will shadow their host’s classes for the first few days, but they will then go on to their own classes. After the students spend three weeks in Kiel, they will spend one week in Berlin. When they return, they hope to have a better understanding of the culture in Germany and improve their language comprehension.

Sad Departure When approaching the terminal, the hosts and their new German “siblings” could not let go of eachother. This was the final picture of the group as a whole. “Knowing I will never see all of the group together again made me sad,” German student Jori Ohl said. photo by Mara Hjermstad

faith brings opportunity

SENIORS WIN SCHOLARSHIPS

By Bayleigh Koch STAFF WRITER

Scholarship Smiles Two of the three winners, Davidson and Alfrey.“My parents are so happy for me.” Davison said. “They know that I have worked extremely well for this and they are very proud.” Chayna will be using her scholarship money towards college. submitted photo

Scholarship Seekers Two Gretna students, Chayna Davison and Emma Hopkins recently won the Give Your Life To Your Story scholarship. The two girls wrote essays before going through a series of interviews. Then the judges chose three final winners. submitted photo

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eniors Chayna Davidson and Emma Hopkins were recently awarded scholarships due to their consistency in dedication to Campus Life. The two girls are thrilled about being awarded the scholarships. After working hard with God on their faith the girls were given an amazing opportunity.

“When I received this scholarship, I was filled with extreme joy and honestly, I cried because I was so happy,” Davidson said.

The director of Gretna Campus Life Mr. Brian Pruch nominated both Hopkins and Davidson. The top five essays that were submitted went into interviews, and then the board of directors chose three winners, two of them being our Gretna students. Within a week of that, I got the email saying I got the scholarship,” Hopkins said.

The scholarships came from Campus Life, a local religious group that aims to help spread the word of God. Both Hopkins and Davidson were involved in Campus Life for a few years. Davidson and Hopkins had been involved in the religious group since their sixth grade year. In order to receive the scholarships, they wrote essays. After their essays were selected and the girls were nominated into the top five, they went through a series of interviews. Along with a number of other contestants before the final three winners.On March fourth, at the See The Story event at Embassy Suites, the girls

each received a scholarship of $2,000. The presentation was in front of 1,500 people in Papillion.

“This scholarship means that I have worked extremely hard, and it is in honor of Nick Alfrey and Kayla Wilkins who both went to Elkhorn High School and sadly passed away in a car accident,” Davidson said.

After being committed to their faith for several years, both girls felt like God was paying them back. Their hard work and determination towards their faith lead them to great things and opportunities. The scholarship money can go towards many things: housing, college, books, food, etc.

Davidson will be using it towards college, and Hopkins will be utilizing the money on a laptop for UNO. “This means that God had given me this life that I am so thankful for.” Davidson said.

Their involvement in Campus Life brought both opportunities and other chances that may not have been possible without their work in the religious group.

Davidson was extremely grateful and proud of herself for making such a huge accomplishment.

“They were extremely proud of me!”

Hopkins said. “They came to support me at the even and they normally don’t attend.

It was super rewarding to have my parents there sitting with me through out the night.”

Not only are the girls proud of themselves for their achievement, but their families support them as well.

Scholarship Stance Cole Alfrey (18), Chayna Davidson (18), and Emma Hopkins (18) are scholarship winners of the See The Story competition. The two Gretna students, Hopkins and Davidson are extremely proud of their achievement. Both girls were in Campus Life since their sixth grade year. submitted photo

Scholarship Winner Emma Hopkins (18) was given a scholarship by Campus Life. She will be using the money towards a laptop or college. Emma was not the only senior, as two others received them. One being Gretna student, Chayna Davidson. submitted photo

Volume 4 Issue 7

News

April 2018

5

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION STUDENTS FLOCK TO FILM

By Kjerstin Critchfield PHOTO EDITOR

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he Omaha Film Festival took place March 6-11, and GHS students from the film club and Mr. White’s Intro to Mass Communications class were able to attend two days of the week-long festivities.

On their website, Omahafilmfestival. org, the festival is described as giving independent film artists a platform for sharing their work and creating a dialogue with the community while celebrating the artistic, educational and historical importance of motion pictures.

The various courses and opportunities present different reasons for an individual’s attendance.

“I went to the festival because I am interested in film,” senior Matt Brown said. “I am also the unofficial head of film club this year, so I felt like it was a good idea. Plus, I went last year and I really enjoyed it. I got to meet a lot of really cool people and learn some cool things.”

Another member of the film club shares the same interests as Brown and has pursued his interests. With the same love for film, they were able to attend the festival and the various classes it offered.

“I signed up to do the cinematography session with Ben Drickey, and he has made a bunch of different documentaries and movies and works on commercials,” junior Matt Goblirsch said. “He taught us how to set up lighting and how everything works on a set. The other session I did was screenwriting,and my group and I

had an idea for a movie. Basically, we wrote down a quick little plot of it, and then we went up on stage and pitched our ideas to professional screenwriters.”

With the advice of various other producers, screenwriters and filmmakers, students could explore many topics including stage makeup and making documentaries. Along with workshops, attendants received a pass to watch films in the Village Pointe theater.

“I got to meet some cool people, too,” Brown said. “One of the makeup guys did a few music videos for Rob Zombie, and one of the screenwriters was a screenwriter for Moana and Wreck-It-Ralph Two. She worked with Pixar a lot.”

All of the people who attended were given opportunities to learn from each other through workshops and classes.

This presented unique experiences for those to meet and share platforms, tips and tricks.

“The film festival was a place for aspiring filmmakers and other directors and people like that to come together,” Goblirsch said. “The students can learn things from the professionals and that is the part that we went to. After that, there were movies, and that is a way for aspiring filmmakers to get there movie out there and try to make it popular.”

After their two days of fun, students returned to school with their newly attained knowledge. With a better understanding of information and new facts gained, they are ready to continue on their journey forward in exploring the art of film.

submitted photo

SOMETHING TO TALK ABOUT

SPEECH TEAM QUALIFIES FOR STATE

By Ruthie Isaacson COPY EDITOR

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he speech season has come to a close, but not before finding much success. Speech coach Patrick White, while still in his beginning years of coaching, is leading the team through a season of growth and achievement.

“I have been coaching speech team for three years now,” Coach White said. “I was an assistant coach when I was student teaching, and my first year teaching, I became the head coach.”

For most members, the speech season ended on March 11 at districts, where the top four in each category were accepted to move on towards the state competition.

However, Gretna’s team qualified for state in many categories, including Duet Acting, Informative, Oral Interpretation of Drama, Interpretation of Humorous Prose, Oral Interpretation of Serious Prose and Persuasive.

“Speech team was an important part of my life when I was learning here at GHS, so I knew the importance of it, and I wanted to

provide other students that are interested in it that same opportunity that I had when was in high school,” Coach White said. “Also, I think it’s an opportunity to work with some of the most talented kids in our school not only on performance, but also just your basic kind of speaking skills, and developing as just overall good people.”

The speech competition was held on March 22. state qualifiers from Gretna include senior Emelia Rau, senior Brady Netzel, senior Parker Jahn, junior Sarah Ference, junior Nicole Carraher, junior Jedidiah Merriman, junior Sophia Montemarano, junior Tristen Menichetti and sophomore Trystan Nord.

“The state speech team is a group of fantastic individuals, and an opportunity to work with them is just too good to pass up,” Coach White said.

Six students from each category were admitted into the final rounds of State. GHS’ duet with Emelia Rau and Brady Netzel advanced and placed fifth at State. The Dragons also advanced in Oral Interpretation of Drama with Jedidiah Merriman, Sophia Montemarano, Trystan Nord and Nicole Carraher, who were awarded State champions.

April 2018 6 OpEd Students Walking OpEd February 2018 6 For Their Lives

Volume 4 Issue 7 Volume 4 Issue 5

PRESSURE OF ACADEMICS

Protests are Integral to Students’ Futures

By Ella Weaver right toTHAN protest is important, too, for two reasons.THOUGHT JUNIOR YEAR IS HARDER ORIGINALLY

By allowing students to protest, students is important for all students to learn about, and their

STAFF WRITER

gain the space to develop their own opinions, separate from their parents. Formulating individual opinions is necessary for students to Strong Affirmations An inspirational sign hangs on the table where ribbons were n March 14, walkouts were planned mature anddollars develop theirlike worldview.

If students confuse me on what myhanded best is. t seems to be common knowledge middle schooler, twelve seemed out. The ribbons are orange becasue it was Jaime Guttenbergs, a victim of the across the nation. The walkouts were are not allowed to protest, risklast Parkland favorite After all the minuteshootings pushing, I color to wear while dancing. Overall, the ribbons served that junior year of high school is a good amount of money because I had administrators orchestrated by student bodies who as both remembering the students and protesting for change. photo by Ella Weaver and harming their my ability finished first to semester with only one the hardest year. Junior year is no income silencing or any waystudents of making money. sought to protest for changes gun I entered analyze theschool, worldI around “two.”Furthermore, I was still devastated considering my when students start to take harder in When high was no them. laws, make their voices heard and remember student protests are wanted important finaldemonstrations grade in the class was a 93%, just one classes, especially dual credit classes. I am longer offered any money, but I still the victims of school in America.

The percent away from ofgood thegrades.

First IAmendment including thebeing a “one.” Due to the halfway through, and Ishootings have experienced to try and get kept my gradesrights March 14 walkouts were planned in special fact that I have a “two” on my record, freedom of ofspeech and but the right to now assemble. the difficulty first-hand of being a junior. up for the first two years high school, remembrance of the victims the February I feel Within school, ofthis an big ageweight that on my shoulders that Before this year, I had neverof really in the first half of yearhigh three, I was hitstudents with a are To Date GHS offers an online gradebook so students 14 Parkland school shooting, where 17 people I am really going necessitates and adult actions.

Manyto have to push myself and parents can check their grades whenever they want. studied for a test before because I have heavy dose of reality. I had mature just been gliding were 19-year-old Nikolas through Cruz. high theaway rest of high school. I do not Each student or family is provided with a username and high-schoolers mereto months or into years alwaysmurdered excelled inby retaining information. school but thatare proved be going to login to their individual gradebook. This is want to end up

TheseI never protests were As a result, learned whatmerely study another more difficult when I tookon three dualown, creditattending college,with from living their or a grade point average password the page that opens after submitting their username and lower than a 3.75 and not qualify for the addition to work the longstanding techniques for me and Itradition struggledof student classes. I decided to aonly take three working full-time job dual to prepare for a family. password under the Parent-Student Records link on the best academic for college. GHS website. photo by Mara Hjermstad protests in America.

Ininthe Eastclasses when it came to test day mylate dual1960’s, credit in credit for my first semester Seniors, when they because turn eighteen, are able scholarships to Withbut college becoming increasingly L.A., a walkout classes.Chicano I tried tostudents study fororchestrated my tests, but it I did not want overload is a duty, vote.toThis is notmyself. only aItcivic something more expensive, the didprotest not paythe off. quality My scores and I good I didrequires not takeopinions more because to of were their low, education.

In thething that and a solid belief system. scholarships become and more important for financial was not happy with myself. with two weeks left of the semester had more 1964-65 school year, students at the University If students are able to I prepare for college and assistance.

My suggestion to sophomores I started my junior year with a grade a “two” in each of those classes and one of Berkeley protested the on-campus ban vote for the future leaders of our nation, then is to take dual credit classes because they point average of 4.0; needless to say, I did more class.

When I saw those grades in of political activities. In 1970, after Nixon’s they should be able to have their voices heard. are worth it for college, especially at the low not finish my first semester with the same the online gradebook that GHS offers, I announcement of the expansion of the Vietnam

School administrators and principals price that GHS offers, but do not overload GPA. Losing my 4.0 was crushing.

I was began to work harder, and I talked to all my war, students orchestrated walkouts across the have legitimate concerns about protesting. on classes and stress out.

Dual credit classes extremely disappointed in myself.

I have teachers about the possibility of getting my nation; some protests ended in death, such as They worry about students missing class time are good, but so are scholarships and always put so much pressure on myself to grades up by the end of the year. one located at Kent University. Even students and not having enough supervision during the keeping a cool head throughout the rest of obtain satisfactory grades; any test grade GHS is great in the fact that I can in other nations have lead protests, such as the protests; still, having students’ voices heard high school.

With my senior year ahead, I that came back lower than a 94% would check my grades at anytime and see what thousands of students in Tiananmen Square in can have incredible importance and meaning. have felt the weight of grades and school always be upsetting.

Other people would I need to do to maintain a good grade in Beijing, China who were murdered or arrested for Students are valuable members of society with while selecting receive anfor 88% and think and that freedom. it was stillAllaof class. since I can check grades, protesting democracy the Sadly, responsibilities andmygreat potential.

To form classes. our I selected eight dual credit classes, but I made sure to include a good, but I would freak out. so can my mom.

When my mom saw that aforementioned protests helped change the world. own opinions and be heard, we must protest and study hall to stay ahead of my homework. I My obsession with getting good I had lowerspeak gradesour thanminds. her expectations, As Thurgood Marshall, the first

These protests today are being fought for am determined for my grade point average Nice Job A perfect score awarded on a document grades started in middle school when my she began toAfrican-American get on my case about getting Supreme Court justice said: reasons just as important as the earlier student analysis in World Civilizations II. The document to not drop any lower than it is now, andWhaley mom promised me for every “one” I got, I things done.“When That was a really good “mom” Passion Shines Devin (21) and Victor Carmona (21) hold their ribbons you see wrong or inequality or injustice, analysis are used to provide information for the essays protests. Students are protesting for action against from Wednesday.

Both boys held ribbons handed out by various I will do everything in my power to make would receive a dollar, and if I got all ones, thing to do,speak and I like that she pushes me on the tests. that Theywere consist of documents from students, different out, because this is your country. This is including Rachel Branton, Destiny Bomberger, school violence and what they view as their right and Kelsey Lowe.toStudents from by all sources with questions pertaining each. photo that happen. then my earnings would be doubled. As a to do my best, but sometimes my grades Ella Weaver your democracy. Make it. Protect it. Pass it on.” grades participated. photo byMara to survive in high school. Such a momentous fight Hjermstad

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The VOICE STAFF Advisor: 2 0 1 Gretchen 7 - 2Baijnauth 018 Jessica Blum EDITOR-IN-CHIEF EDITORIAL EDITOR

Ruthie Isaacson COPY EDITOR

Jacey Hammer NEWS EDITOR

Jamison Karas FEATURE EDITOR IN-DEPTH EDITOR

Emily Acker SPORTS EDITOR

Allison Kibby ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

Parker Jahn VIDEO EDITOR

Kaitie Correll STAFF WRITER

Ben Bickel STAFF WRITER

Casey Downing STAFF WRITER

Emily Shurtliff STAFF WRITER

��r� �jer�st�d STAFF WRITER

Kjerstin Critchfield PHOTO EDITOR

Abby Leasure STAFF WRITER

C�r��n Critchfield STAFF WRITER

Tristan Duin STAFF WRITER

Colin Kitson STAFF WRITER

Bayleigh Koch STAFF WRITER

Allie Janulewicz STAFF WRITER

Hannah Morrison STAFF WRITER

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Johann Ott VIDEO

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��di� ��st STAFF WRITER

Matt Goblirsch STAFF WRITER

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Mrs. Gretchen Baijnauth ADVISOR

The Voice is a �onthly ���lication s�onsored �y �retna �i�h �chool� ����� �o�th ���th �treet� �retna� �� ������ �he of�ce of The Voice is located in advisor Gretchen Baijnauth’s room, room 623. The phone number is (402) 332-3936.

Volume 4 Issue 7

7 READ OR LISTEN

April 2018 I have a large collection of books that I love to read rather than listen to them. Audiobooks have never given me the same feeling of getting lost in a book like a paper book has. Reading one of the books I have allows me to forget about reality for a while and feel like a character in one of the stories.

OpEd

Are Paper Books Becoming Less Used?

By Bayleigh Koch STAFF WRITER

A

By

Abby Leasure ARTIST/CARTOONIST

ccording to PBS, the war between which is better began in 1932, when the first official audiobook was created. In my opinion, I am 100% for real books but many people would argue with me about this.

Books are the originals, the real deal.

Now, it is easier to listen to the book and do other tasks at the same time, but the experience is not the same. When I read a book, I get lost in another world. I escape from reality for a little while, and in that moment, I feel like a character in the story. When I am reading, I fall into a new dimension and I am drawn towards the next thing that is going to happen within the book. If I listened to it, I do not believe I would be as interested, as I am more of a visual type person. With audiobooks, I do not get the same feeling.

Paper books have distinct qualities that audiobooks do not contain. If the book is old, the pages could be wrinkled, ripped and wilted. New books can be stiff when you open each page, bending the binding a little farther each time to be able to read all the words. Each

book holds a new world and a new life.

With each adventure different emotions are felt and it gives me that little bit of joy to be able to experience that.

Audiobooks definitely come in handy when I need a quick read or something to pass the time, but it is never the same. With audiobooks I tend to get distracted and tune out the recording. I have listened to a few audiobooks only because I prefer paper books more. It is nice for a road trip if I get car sick, but I still end up tuning it out. Not to mention the fact that the voice is usually boring: completely monotone, no emotion whatsoever, at least from the one’s I have listened to. I am not a person that wants to listen to that. When you have a short attention span, like me, it is hard to stay focused listening to a boring voice, even if it is an interesting book. There are some perks of listening to a recording; you can do other tasks like clean the house or do your chores.

For me, I would be too distracted.

In the end, I prefer the original, and much better, paper books rather than audiobooks.

8 OpEd

BACHELOR IS BETTER THAN BACHELORETTE

April 2018

The Battle Of The Reality Shows

MORE DRAMA EQUALS MORE ENTERTAINMENT

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Photo Credits: Ella Weaver

BACHELORETTE STILL TURNING HEADS

THE SHOW THAT CONTINUES TO CAPTIVATE AMERICA

By EMILY SHURTLIFF STAFF WRITER

early everybody has heard of one of the most popular reality shows on television, “The Bachelor”. “The Bachelor” has been around for fifteen years, and it only seems to get more crazy. “The Bachelor” is better than “The Bachelorette” because of the countless amount of drama it displays.

For those who do not know, “The Bachelor” is a reality TV show where a single man, who is known as the bachelor, searches to find the love of his life. For two months, the bachelor dates between 25 and 30 women and sends a number of them home each week during a Rose Ceremony. The women that he decides to keep dating receive a rose, and the women without a rose are forced to leave. At the end of the two months, the bachelor chooses one woman, and more often than not, proposes to her. While all of this is going on, all of the women are living in the same house. There is plenty of drama between them, not to mention that they are all dating the same man. “The Bachelorette” is nearly the same thing as “The Bachelor”; however, a woman is dating nearly 30 men instead of a man dating about 30 women. Most of society is in love with “The Bachelor” and it feels like it is all that I hear about on Mondays. It is often trending on Twitter on the day that a new episode airs, and there is conversation about it all over social media.

For many reasons, “The Bachelor” is better than “The Bachelorette”. Nearly 30 women are all fighting to marry one guy. There is about a one in 30 chance that this will end in marriage for a woman, so it gets very competitive. The girls are not allowed to have their phones while living in the bachelor mansion, so the only people they have to talk to is each other. Girls often have to talk about their feelings, or everything boils up inside of them. So, these girls are all talking to each other about their feelings for the same man and jealousy arises. This jealousy causes fights and drama which make “The Bachelor” much more fun to watch.

For example, in the most recent season of “The Bachelor”, Krystal was known as “the crazy one”. She freaked out multiple times and all of the other girls hated her. Krystal and the other girls were always screaming, fighting and sometimes ignoring each other. For me, Krystal made the show more entertaining. She created drama that a man typically would not, and she kept me on my toes. Krystal gave the viewers a common enemy and created a topic of conversation among social media.

“The Bachelorette” is not as interesting because it does not have people like Krystal to entertain the viewers.

“The Bachelorette” was created as a spinoff of “The Bachelor”. “The Bachelor” has had 22 total seasons, while “The Bachelorette” has only 13 total seasons. They both aired in the same year, so clearly “The Bachelor” is more popular than “The Bachelorette” because it has more seasons.

I recommend everybody watch “The Bachelor” rather than “The Bachelorette”. There is more drama so it is more entertaining, and it seems to be more popular.

“The Bachelor” and “The Bachelorette” both air on ABC, so grab the popcorn because this cat fight is about to start!

Volume 4 Issue 7

The Bachelor began on March 25, 2002, with the host Chris Harrison. The Bachelorette was the spin-off that was able to be created due to The Bachelor’s success.

It was started on January 8, 2003.

Bachelor contestants stay in “Villa De La Vina, which has 6 bedrooms, 9 bathrooms, and cost $8.75 million in 2008. The Bachelorette show originally took place in Villa De La Vine, but now is filmed across the world.

When The Bachelor began, each episode was only an hour long. Since 2009, episodes have been two hours long! Bachelorette episodes vary in length, from 40 - 125 minutes, depending on if they are a special.

Upsets aren’t only for sports! In Season Six, two Bachelors initially competed for the women’s attention and the choice of best potnential husband. Brad Womack once chose no woman by the end of the series.

The Bachelorette has come under fire for various accusations, including scripting the episodes and a lack of diversity.

Although there are still protests about how natural the drama is, Season 13 showed the first African-American bachelorette.

Courtesy of Wikipedia

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By CASEY DOWNING STAFF WRITER

illions of people have been charmed by the hit TV show “The Bachelor.” Its immediate and lasting success has led ABC into introducing a similar spinoff, “The Bachelorette.” The series revolves around a single bachelorette, who is typically a reject from the previous season of “The Bachelor” and a pool of romantic interests. These potential spouses all compete for the bachelorette’s hand in marriage. All of the rules of “The Bachelorette” are adopted from the rules of its parent show. The main difference between the two shows is that in “The Bachelorette” viewers can gain a glimpse into different men’s mindsets when trying to find their love.

The opening ceremony begins with the bachelorette, waiting in front of a mansion. She then greets each male contestant individually when they exit the limo. Each episode consists of dates with the pool of men with the intention of narrowing down the candidates and getting to know them. These men try to impress the bachelorette with anything from a simple get together to a quite elaborate date. These dates take place all over the world: romantic spots across Europe, unconventional locations such as Iceland or the Czech Republic and some as exotic as Hong Kong and Thailand. After the dates have concluded, the episode ends with what is known as the Rose Ceremony.

This is the most symbolic aspect of the show and is often where the emotions flare. At the ceremony, the bachelorette gives a rose to the men she sees promise in. Those left without a rose, the rejects, are sent home.

During each rose ceremony the pool of contenders gets smaller and smaller, and in the final episode, the bachelorette must decide between the remaining contestants in what is known as the Final Rose Ceremony.

With popularity comes criticism, and “The Bachelorette” certainly has its share of critics. As the seasons have continued many have called out ABC and the producers of “The Bachelorette” for scripting a ‘reality show.’ These angry viewers claim that all of the drama and fireworks that have made the show a hit are nothing more than good TV. The other side of the coin is the passionate fans. They can see themselves in contestants, navigating the treacherous waters of the dating world. Even in its thirteenth season, “The Bachelorette” still draws in millions of viewers and rating continue to go up, many tune in every week to watch. Part of the allure of this fast-paced dating show is the predictions by the fans during this drama filled show, that never fails to keep people guessing on who the bachelorette will choose.

“The Bachelorette” succeeds in showcasing what other TV dramas fail to capture, men’s emotions. This is why I believe that “The Bachelorette” has greater substance than “The Bachelor,” because it glimpses the lesser publicized side of dating and as a man, I can connect deeper with the show. Love it or hate it, “The Bachelorette” and all its heart-wrenching moments will continue to be a mainstay on ABC in the seasons to come. With all of the passion, intrigue, and betrayal engulfing both contestants and spectators alike, its popularity will continue to rise.

Photo Credits: Ella Weaver

LOVE IS ACCEPTANCE YOU MATTER AS MUCH AS I DO

By Jessica Blum EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

O

pening subconscious gates to relieve the tensions within my body, I finally sense emotion once again as I cry. Most of the time, I act like a sponge, soaking in all the information I learn in school as well as the opinions and perspectives of those surrounding

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is a broad term for our future.

In order to mend personal annoyances and subconscious conflicts, we are going to have to be able to step up from the norms; we are going to have to realize our human nature, but then challenge ourselves to improve upon it one, small task at a time. For instance, walking through the hallways and smiling at someone who has not been seen all day or who is trying to avoid contact. It is easy to become unattached from the social world and get caught up in the rush of homework and job anxieties.

Thankfully, there are other habits we can adopt to make life easier on ourselves and our school.

What many do not realize is that our school’s environment can be affected by the smallest of ripples. A single person’s grey, thundering cloud comes barreling into their friend circle only to affect each day of that circle for the worst. From there, a chain reaction occurs. Getting each person noticed is what keeps our healthy environment thriving. Without acceptance, the grey cloud keeps thundering until someone, if anyone, notices. Imagine not being noticed in a moment of extreme desire for attention: these are the days that start a fire deep within a human’s soul, one that can be hard to erase after it burns through more instances. If not careful, the fire can catch onto anything in its path, leading directly to the last place to turn: the end.

I come from German and Czechoslovakian heritages which determine my looks and culture at times, but I still have a soul yearning for happiness just like

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me. The only reason my friends and family accept me during these weak times is because they have given their time and energy to stop thinking and reacting in order to listen to who I am. Acceptance is scarce within our communities and within our nation.

Walking through the hallways of GHS, one can wonder how many contacts they truly have that are willing to lend an ear to the real obstacles troubling them. It is often too easy to bottle up emotions only to have them explode on one trusted person later. For me, the stress and anxiety of parental and teacher expectations, homework, my jobs and scholarships were all disturbing my inner peace. I held on to so many emotions and fears that I had to cry in order to release my stress in a physical form. Those people we often break down to, though, are usually few and far between. If only we could see what acceptance could do for a peer or friend.

The easy way out for some can be acting as a sponge without wringing the absorbed material out. It is fine if I put on my mask and take it all in for a while, just to let it come out all at once in a future cry. Unfortunately, this is the opinion of a single-minded teenager who has had barely less than two decades worth of experiences to be making hasty generalizations. What if one thing led to another, and 20 years are subtracted from my life because of all the lost sleep and deprivation I have faced through the school, home, job and church branches I have expended myself to.

To get to the point, acceptance

flFlashbacks and Farewells

Mr. Shrader

OpEd

April 2018

Volume 4 Issue 7

ay 25, the last day of school will be a bittersweet day for me. I have been a special education paraprofessional for 22 years. Over the years, I have always told my students, “I know college isn’t for everyone but find some job you enjoy.” I did, and I love this job. Always have, and always will.

Seeing many changes over the years, I used to stay in Mrs. Goldenstein’s room most of the day to work with students. Now I go into the classroom, into mostly the history classes. Being in the classroom, I had the opportunity to interact with other students. I also joined in on discussions and helped my students with homework and tests. I always ask the teacher what their policy is before I do anything. They all have a different teaching, but I have so much admiration for them. Like most teachers, I have come to know them through their different styles of teaching, for each one finds their own groove. I love to see how it settles out for them, and being here this long, I have grown into the styles as well.

Between classes, you will find me in the hall. I love hall duty because I love greeting the students.

Going to most of the football games, I get to know many of the football players. Football is one of my favorite sports. When I was talking to Mr. Shrader, the football coach, I told him I had a play that would work. They called it “the Deb play.” So, when I saw three receivers line up on one side, I knew they were going to use my play. And yes, it worked.

Besides my love for football, I have always enjoyed taking my maroon 2011 Chevy Camaro out for a spin. Gretna, its car show and the people always find a way to make me smile.

One thing I need to mention as well are my co-workers. We have a great SPED team. I look up to all of them.

I have also made many lasting friendships with students along the way.

One memorable, lasting way that I keep them in mind and send them off is to create a scrapbook. Scrapbooking has found its way to weave lasting remarks with the students moving on in their futures. I am going to miss GHS. I just want to say “thank you” to all the students who stop when they see me and ask how my day is going. What more can I ask for?

- Mrs. Deb Andrews

9

the rest of us. It does not matter who we are on the outside, but on the inside. Coming to terms with this takes time, but once we come to that, acceptance can be met in order to sustain a vivacious environment in which we spend seven hours of our day.

It is startling sometimes to know that I see all my teachers more often than I see one of my parents, but I am becoming enlightened of their acceptance as time goes on. For not only are there friends and peers willing to listen, but teachers as well. Acceptance comes in many shapes and forms, but it only takes one shape or form to extend the feeling towards someone else after already found. I can start as a role model in saying, I love you. Now, it is your turn.

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April 2018

Volume 4 Issue 7

DRAGON NEVER SATISFIED POWERLIFTER ROAD TO HEAVIER WEIGHT

By Colin Kitson STAFF WRITER

T

Working Hard Schroeder (19) squatting in the weight room at the school, preparing for an upcoming meet. He was happy with his placing at Peru State but was not with his state placing. He is still overall proud of how far he has come so far. submitted photo

Reaching Goals Schroeder (19) pulling 405 pounds to end his deadlifts at the Peru State meet last year. His total in that meet was 935 pounds where he took third in the 165 pound weight class. This year in the Peru State meet he got his total to 1,135 pound total and he took first place in the 181 pound weight class. submitted photo

he powerlifting team had an outstanding season this year with solid performances in their meets and many high placements. Many members who competed walked away with medals in at least one meet. One powerlifter on the team that stands out is junior Ryan Schroeder; he has been on the team since his freshman year and has proved he is one of the top powerlifters in his weight class of 181 pounds in the state.

Schroeder has a large number for his totals, but still is not satisfied. He knows he can only improve if he works hard and puts his mind to it.

“My best squat is 420 pounds, best bench is 250 pounds, best deadlift is 480 pounds and my best three lift total is 1150 pounds,” Schroeder said.

He is proud of his squat and bench numbers, but his deadlift does not impress him. He wants to pull 500 pounds, and he has been going for this goal for a long time, trying to get after it.

“The road to 500 has been rough,” Schroeder said. “I have failed my third attempt with deadlift at the last meets, and I have never wanted an individual number more in my whole entire life.”

Schroeder has been struggling to pull the heavy weight. At the last meet, he almost got the bar all the way up, but then he dropped it and got very dizzy, almost passing out. The lift portion is one of the most important things he strives for in lifting.

“I watch my failed 500 attempt from February about three times a day, and it kills me,” Schroeder said.

Schroeder goes through some intense preparation when it comes to maxing out on a certain lift. He wants to make sure he

can lift as much weight as possible, so he will do anything to make that possible.

“How I plan to max out for a lift, well it is kind of dark, moments before the lift I play loud music and I get dialed in,” Schroeder said. “I think about every time someone ever did me wrong, said something mean to me, or something bad happened, or just anything that did not go my way. Anything that makes me angry. I can lift because all my anger comes out during the lift.”

Schroeder is not entirely unsatisfied with his lifts, for he knows improvements will be made, but he is still proud of himself for how far he has came. He knows he is impressive for what he can lift, and that makes him feel good.

“To be honest, the lifts I am proud of the most has got to be my heavy squats and deadlifts,” Schroeder said. “I like the fact that I can put 400 plus pounds on my back and walk it out like I normally would and the deadlift, I just love feeling heavy weight in my hands, and I feel like an animal afterwards.”

Schroeder has been placing well since his freshman year and is very glad with his career and especially being at the young age he is now. He will look to get up in numbers when he gets older and can lift more.

“My best finishes to me are getting second at state my freshman and sophomore year, getting fifth at powerlifting raw Nationals, and taking first place at the 2018 Peru State meet and receiving the best pound for pound heavyweight lifter award there,” Schroeder said.

Schroeder has shown why he is one of the best in powerlifting when it comes to his age and weight class. He has been working tirelessly since he began lifting and does not plan to stop. He will prepare and train intensely for his national qualifier that is coming up, and he is looking to have a 435 squat, 260 bench and that 500 deadlift.

“I WANT TO BE A MISSIONARY NOW” BEHIND THE SCENES OF A MORMON MISSION

By Kjerstin Critchfield STAFF WRITER

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ost children who are born or raised by doctrine of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, or the Mormons, learn many songs and parables that teach their truths. A line that is commonly sung is the phrase, “I want to be a missionary now.” As they are now preparing to leave high school, this is coming true for several seniors.

“I want to serve a mission because there is no feeling in the world that brings as much joy as serving other people,” senior Noah Petty said. “I’ve wanted to serve one more recently, but I never really knew for sure until last summer.”

While not every member of the church is required to serve a mission, it is suggested that if a person is eligible and capable of serving, they should. Other requirements including paperwork and statutes have to be completed before a missionary can be assigned to a location.

“It’s all online except a medical form and a dental form,” Petty said. “I have everything completed and will be submitting it soon, probably April first. After they are submitted, I have an interview, and then I just wait for my mission call to arrive in the mail.”

While missionaries are serving, they are required to put all of their time and dedication toward their work. During their absence at home, they are given a name tag that designates what church they are from and their name. They temporarily

replace their first name with the title of Elder for males or Sister for females, and then their last name. They set aside other matters in their life for 18 months or two years while they are teaching their beliefs and gospel to others.

“I was just accepted to BYU, but they will hold my spot,” senior Max Mannewitz said. “When I get back, I will just be behind by two years.”

Missionaries are sent all over the world including Gretna, Nebraska. No matter where they go or what language they speak, they all have the same goal: invite everyone to join their church.

“We go out and teach people about Jesus Christ in an assigned area of the world,” Elders Ethan Russell and Ryan Haire said. “We can go to any city or town in that specific area that we are called. We are called to serve in the Nebraska Omaha Mission which covers all of Nebraska, parts of Iowa, Minnesota and South Dakota. We try and talk to everyone so that we can give everyone an opportunity to learn more about the Savior Jesus Christ.

Our male missionaries serve for a total of two years, and female missionaries serve for 18 months.”

The church offers various classes that help prepare missionaries before they leave. Doctrine, and in some cases, language are taught. The first few weeks of an individual’s mission are spent in the MTC, or Missionary Training Center, to give them their final training before they officially head off to their assigned location.

“I am preparing by attending early

morning seminary each weekday morning from six to six forty-five at my church,” Petty said. “It is kind of like a Bible study type thing where we learn about the scriptures in our church. I also attend mission prep classes most Sundays for an hour.”

As missionaries, they are hit with many wild experiences and, often times, new foods, but they will eat it to be respectful.

If they do not eat the food or are rude in any other way, they risk offending and losing the ability to teach that individual.

“My mission has changed absolutely everything in my life,” Kelly Mannewitz said. “My weight because we eat a lot of weird food, and we have to eat it to be nice, my testimony, my desires, my love for sleep, everything [has changed], but I love it so much.”

Like many missionaries, K. Mannewitz has multiple people that she looks up to.

Their leadership and example taught her and influenced her decision to serve.

“I had lots of influences in my life to serve a full time mission including my grandparents, my cousins, my dad, church leaders and lots of other great friends that have dedicated themselves to the Lord,” K. Mannewitz said. “To see the real joy that they felt as they forgot themselves and working the the Lord’s vineyard really helped me take a giant leap of faith and serve.”

Serving a mission is not always easy, for many reasons. Despite the struggles and trials missionaries can face, one reminder of their reason for going is only a song away.

Cheesin’ Companions (Mannewitz far left) Mormon missionaries are sent in pairs of two or three, but they can still come in contact with other companionships at zone and area conferences that gather all missionaries in that region together. Companions often are not together for more than two six- week long tranfers, and they do not get to pick to whom they are assigned. “A mission is a time where I get to go somewhere new and spend two years doing service for others and teaching people about the church in the process of doing service for them,” Petty (18) said. submitted photo

Simple Symbol All active missionaries are required to wear their name tag wherever they may be.

Mormonmissionprep.com says, “the Mormon missionary name tag may be a simple name badge, but it is a symbol of the Church they represent and of the Savior whose messengers they are.” The badge is worn on the left side of their chest, over their heart, to be a constant reminder of their commitment to the Church and themselves. submitted photo

Volume 4 Issue 7

April 2018

SCOUTS SOARING HIGH WITH ACHIEVEMENT

11

Feature

BOY SCOUTS EARN EAGLE AWARD

By Kaitie Correll STAFF WRITER

T

he highest award in the Boy Scouts of America is the Eagle Award. According to Scouting Magazine, only 6 percent of Boy Scouts advance to the rewarding rank of an Eagle Scout. Numerous challenging requirements must be fulfilled in order to obtain this position. Merit badges, interviews, board of review, paperwork and other project essentials must be completed by the age of eighteen. There are only thirteen GHS students who have challenged themselves to earn such a deserving title. In order to become an Eagle Scout, each scout created a service project in which to benefit the community and devised a plan to see it through.

Senior Troy Sheer completed his Eagle project in 2014. He remodelled the flower boxes in the front and back of Thomas Elementary School. He also created a butterfly garden in the back parking lot.

His project took over 360 hours of arduous work.

“For me to take on this huge project and take on a lot of responsibility was a huge change,” Sheer said. “At that age, I really didn’t have any responsibility, and I didn’t have to worry about anything, so taking a leadership role really changed me quite a bit. I had to mature into the role.”

Senior Max Mannewitz also achieved this award. For his project, he planned and hosted a 5K race to raise funds to fulfill a wish list of books for the Gretna Public Library. This event took place in September of 2017.

“Scouting has taught me to be more responsible,” Mannewitz said. “It has taught me what’s really important in life and what people look for in a good person. I want people to know what a scout does and what a scout can do because a lot of people know about the scouting program, but a lot of people don’t know what they do. I want them to know what a scout stands for, and what they can do as well as how they lead.”

Other Eagle Scouts that received this award include senior James Anderson who repainted and cleaned out a garage for St. Matthew’s church, senior Ryan Brace who rebuilt the park benches located at Peterson Park, senior Grant Creveling who painted the United States maps as the Elementary schools, senior Drew Correll who painted the United States map and foursquare at Aspen Creek Elementary, senior Colton Prince who created mobile flower boxes for therapeutic gardening at Silver Ridge, junior Nolan Rauhut who created Project Linus blankets, senior Trevor Ernst who built a gaga ball pit at Gretna Elementary, senior Will McQueney who repainted and put a chain around the tank in front of the American Legion, senior Noah Petty who taught children how to play drums using buckets, senior Corban Critchfield who created bags for walkers at a Veteran’s home, and junior Reece Clark who created whiteboards as well as provided markers and erasers to a school in Papillion.

After lots of hard work and dedication put towards their projects, the Boy Scouts are recognized for their effort at an official Eagle Award Ceremony. These Eagles are benefiting the community, one project at a time.

Strong Supporters The entire Cross Country team proudly participated in the event to help their teammate and friend, Mannewitz, raise money for the library to fulfill their book wishlist. The race was a practice run for the long distance runners. His friends were very eager to run the course. Submitted photo

Growing Garden After over 360 hours of hard work, Troy Sheer (18) completed his project. He designed and planted flower boxes and a butterfly garden at Thomas Elementary school. “I think it was the satisfaction of knowing I’d completed something so much larger than myself was my biggest motivation,” Sheer said.

Submitted photo

A TEENAGER BREAKING BOUNDARIES

P E R F E C T

RYAN SCORES PERFECT ON ACT

By Tristan Duin STAFF WRITER

M

Star Student Kaitlyn Ryan (18) has been studying for years to acheive her perfect ACT score. “I’ve taken the ACT 7 times in total,” Ryan said. Her hard work is taking her to Grinnell College this fall. Submitted photo

any people may say, “I wish I got a perfect ACT score” or “they only did so well because they’re smart,” but after all the hard work, dedication and relentless effort that senior Kaitlyn Ryan has put into becoming the first GHS female to score a perfect 36 on the ACT, no one has an excuse not to be their very best. After spending her sophomore year abroad in Germany, life coming back to America was a lot to handle. Ryan was supposedly left behind in many things, including her classes.

In Germany, Ryan did not get very many chances to practice her English skills, which affected her reading and comprehension.

Even mental math became tough because her math class in Germany was information she had already learned. Skipping Algebra II and heading straight towards College Trigonometry was not any easier. Ryan even had to take Biology as a junior, while the majority of students take it as a sophomore.

“Yes, it was a struggle,” Ryan said.

“Luckily, no one noticed, and I got back into it after a month or so. In Germany, we ran a block schedule, so I was in school from 9:30 to 2:30 most days, with an hour off for lunch. Coming back to our scheduling killed my sleep schedule. GHS also assigned way more homework than my school did, so I was really overwhelmed for a while.”

Ryan had taken the ACT six times before she earned her final and perfect score. Her scores ranged from 27 to 35 and then the final 36. After each time, Ryan was still motivated to do better. She has not stopped preparing for the test since she started in seventh grade.

“I bought a bunch of ACT prep books that had practice tests in them, and I would run a practice test whenever I had a weekend free,” Ryan said. “For me, it was all about increasing my consistency. I knew how to take the test, so I had to eliminate ‘silly mistakes’, and to do that, I had to be really comfortable with the format of the test. I took the test as often as I could as well, so I could get used to the atmosphere and time pressures.”

Every high school student taking the ACT has a purpose for it. Many students take it only because colleges require it, but Ryan had higher goals in mind. M.I.T. was her dream college, and she believed one way of getting there was scoring perfect on the test. When she visited the school, Ryan was unimpressed, but her mind became set towards Grinnell College, which was another powerful motivator. Ryan’s parents, Mrs. Jamie Ryan and Mr. Steve Ryan, also offered awards for each higher-numbered score she received. Some bribes included cash prizes, a car and a cruise.

For all the aspiring teenagers taking the ACT who want to get in their dream college, Ryan’s best advice is to focus on consistency and comfort. She believes that simple mistakes are usually the only thing that is holding anyone back. She also recommends taking timed practice tests to improve, while focusing on getting faster and building a trust in the mind’s instincts.

“It’s really great,” Ryan said. “I hope that I’ll be able to inspire other girls to try and get perfect scores, and I hope that this shows that girls can do everything guys can. Last year, of the 17 seniors from Nebraska who received perfect scores, only 4 were female. It’d be good to improve that ratio. A perfect ACT is a pretty well regarded achievement, so I’m glad I could contribute to improving society’s view of female academic performance.

12 InDepth

Volume 4 Issue 7

April 2018

school safety: What is the next move?

METRO SUPERINTENDENTS DISCUSS SCHOOL SAFETY SAFETY MEASURES ACROSS TOWNS

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ccording to KETV, as of February 22, there have been 34 threats directed at schools in the Omaha metro area since the shooting in Parkland, Florida.

Since the 22nd, there have been no threats brodcasted through the media. Schools respond differently to situations like these, but overall the superintendents across the EMC Conference and the Omaha metro area are in agreement: this needs to end.

In order to keep schools safe, Millard Public Schools officials meet with other schools in the Omaha metro area to discuss safety plans and strategies. Along with Gretna Superintendent Dr. Kevin Riley, Millard Superintendent, Dr. Jim Sutfin, attended meetings with Congressman Don Bacon to discuss school safety topics.

“We have well-established safety plans,” Director of Student Services for Millard Public Schools Mr. Bill Jelkin said.

“These plans and procedures are practiced, reviewed and updated regularly by school staff, district security staff, law enforcement and State auditors. Our safety plans follow the Standard Response Protocols (SRP) and contain numerous response plans within, and we promote the active shooter response of lockout, get out and take out.”

Arming teachers was introduced after the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut in 2012. The idea was reintroduced after the Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Congressman Don Bacon originally agreed with this method of placing a gun in the hands of teachers for protection.

“The meeting last week with

Congressman Bacon was called by him to talk about student safety,” Dr. Riley said. “He came in with the belief that arming teachers was a good idea. By the time he left our meeting, he had changed his mind. So we felt we had expressed to him our concerns with that. So my question is: why do we throw out these simplistic solutions to such a complex problem? It’s what we always do.”

For most districts, having a relationship with nearby law enforcement is a crucial part to safety in school buildings. The Norris School District has an active relationship with the Lancaster County law enforcement. “​Norris has a full-time School Resource Officer and we have a cooperative relationship with Lancaster County Sheriff department,” Norris Superintendent Dr. John Skretta said. “We have redoubled our training efforts in the wake of the recent Florida shooting to continue to build upon staff knowledge to ensure students are safe.”

Blair Community Schools has also made connections with their local police and fire department. Keeping this active relationship can lead to more security in the building, and it brings more comfort to students.

“We have an excellent relationship with the Blair Police Department, the Washington County Sheriff and the Nebraska State Patrol,” Blair Community Schools Superintendent Mr. Rex Pfeil said. “The Blair PD provides an SRO for our district, and the BPD, WCS and NSP have a representative on our District Safety Team. We also have an excellent relationship with the Blair Fire and Rescue.”

The newest ideas that have been proposed include metal detectors, more cameras, more training and armed guards,

but these additions will be extremely pricey.

Because of small budget funds, many districts are unable to afford to make these changes.

“In light of recent and past tragedies,” Mr. Pfeil said. “I understand why those things have been discussed, but the practicability of many of them, cost and overall deployment procedures, leave big questions. In response to calls from state and federal leaders for placing guns in the hands of teachers, training and arming teachers is not a good idea. Teachers have enough on their already overloaded plates. To me, the idea of arming teachers is an over-simplistic solution to an extremely complex problem. The bigger goal should be fostering a culture of safety and providing support to people that need it.”

Safety in schools is not the way it used to be. Lockdown and lockout drills are still a relatively new edition, although they have been practiced for years. Security cameras and securing entrances is one of the many physical aspects of making schools safer.

“I believe schools have done a better job of physically making their schools safer,” Waverly Superintendent Dr. Cory Worrell said. “This would include securing entrances and adding security cameras. I would like to see us improve on working with students and families who need support. This would include getting students help who might be working through some mental health issues. If you follow the legislature and LB 998, Senator (Lynne) Walz’ bill, this bill is proposing to put a social worker in each ESU across Nebraska. Those ESU’s would then work with the school districts in its service area to provide training and support to school districts on how best to serve students and

families that need extra help. This would be a good step in giving schools and districts the support they need. However, this is one idea where we need more support.”

Each school has their own strategies when it comes to school safety, but no school stands alone. School safety requires a collaboration of ideas to prevent tragic events such as Parkland, Florida.

Helpful Connections Gretna Public Schools has an active relationship with law enforcement, which helps make schools safer. “We have one of the most sophisticated collaborations with law enforcement,” Dr. Riley said. “It has been going on since 1991.”

This relationship has been successful.

A SCHOOL’S DAILY SCARE STUDENTS SHARE THOUGHTS

S

Standing Together In honor of the Parkland shooting victims, students wore orange ribbons. Backpacks and shirts were decorated with the strong symbol of remembrance. This was one of various efforts to unite the students and stand against gun violence. Photo by Ella Weaver

68% of

students say their family owns a gun A survey conducted with 20 student responses

Preparation Posters Emergency posters are hung throughout the hallways and classrooms of GHS. Each poster gives instructions on what to do in case of an emergency. These posters are crucial and important, especially if outside guests are at our school and they are unfamiliar with the emergency procedures. Photo by Kaitie Correll

sometimes 8% NO 15%

YES 77%

Do you feel safe in GHS?

afety in schools continues to be a riveting discussion in today’s current events. Intruders and the severity of such attacks are increasing. Everyone has a different outlook on how schools should handle these situations. Many worries surround gun laws themselves. Most opinions in the news are coming strictly from adults, broadcasters and politicians, but students have opinions as well.

High schools nationwide are concerned for the safety of their students and faculty. Many people are working to find solutions and ways to prevent violence in and around schools. At GHS, students were asked their opinions on safety measures in their school.

“I feel safe at my school, but I think there should be stricter rules on how people are let into the building,” senior Sammi Yates said. “There should be a better check of ID at the front of the building instead of just letting everyone in. Overall, I think we have a pretty safe school.”

Our school has many students with different opinions about this topic in particular. Students have come up with many ideas on ways to improve our school’s safety and security, but others have concerns on what is considered to be crossing a student’s privacy boundaries.

“If our school had metal detectors people would be stopped for wearing belts,” sophomore Carmel Hemphill said. “I think that students should have privacy in their schools and there is a line that shouldn’t be crossed.”

An argument that has been sprialing recently in the news is whether teachers should be allowed to have guns in classrooms to protect themselves and their students. This thought has been extremely controversial. Some see it as a danger, but others

see it as a positive to enforce protection.

“I don’t always feel safe in the school because our teachers do not have guns to stop an intruder,” sophomore Levi Schweikert said. “Teachers should be allowed to carry guns if they want to. If it makes certain people uncomfortable, we could have more resource officers.”

Arming teachers is not the only new idea for an attempt at safer schools and environments.

Another big question has been if guns should be legal for anyone. The battle of the Second Amendment is at an all time high across America.

“I appreciate all of the ideas trying to make us students safer, but I think the best way to make schools and the country safer are to make guns a lot harder to own,” Hemphill said. “If people have mental illnesses, are compulsive or are showing red flags, they should not be allowed to own a gun.”

The argument over gun policies in the United States has multiple different stances because it affects all different types of people. For someone who has never been around guns, taking them away can seem like an easy solution. Although, for gun owners removing guns can be seen as a threat to their second amendment rights.

“I do not think guns are the problem in safety situations,” Schweikert said. “I’ve hunted my whole life, and I do not think gun laws should change. Guns don’t kill people, people do.”

Student opinions bring a whole new level of raw thoughts and ideas that the media seems to lack. Contrary to popular belief, kids often pay attention to issues in the news that impact their everyday life. Gun violence and safety in schools are something very relevant to young people that can have life changing effects.

Volume 4 Issue 7

13

InDepth

April 2018

SCHOOL SHOOTINGS SPARK DISCUSSION ON SAFETY TEACHERS SHARE THEIR THOUGHTS

A

s tensions rise throughout the United States on the debate over gun control and restrictive gun laws, many teachers are bravely stepping forward to express their personal feelings on President Donald Trump’s proposal of arming educators with weapons in the classroom.

“My opinion is I don’t think teachers should be armed, it just brings more weapons into the building,” business instructor Mr. Dave Shrader said. “I get the concept behind it, but in my mind, there are a lot of other things that need to be answered before we go that far, a lot of other questions we need to think about.”

A recent survey was conducted of the GHS teachers in order to collect their thoughts. Of the 45 of 116 teachers that responded, it was observed that if teachers were to be required by law to be armed with a gun in school, 42.2 percent of the teachers would discontinue teaching, 31.1 percent would continue teaching and 26.7 percent were unsure whether or not they would continue to teach.

“I would seriously consider another profession if random teachers in all the high schools or other schools had guns,” Spanish instructor Mrs. Lisa Salerno said.

“You are asking people who do a job other than law enforcement for a career to make the decision to possibly end someone’s life.

I think that even a trained law enforcement person can struggle with when to shoot and how to approach that use of force, but it certainly shouldn’t be left to people whose

main job is teaching to make those decisions and live with the consequences.”

The Parkland shooting has heightened the fear of numerous students and teachers.

Over half of the teachers that responded confess that the shooting in Florida enhanced their fears. For others, the fear has always been there.

“Since Columbine, my fears have been heightened as high as it can go,” Mr. Shrader said. “The teacher that was killed at Columbine I knew from college, so it brought it home a little bit towards me that this is a serious matter that we need to be aware of and do what we can with. I think we are doing the right things here. Our procedures that we do for lockout, lockdown, ect. As long as we practice these drills, students and teachers take it seriously, we do it the right way, that’s a step in the right direction.”

Results from the survey show that the majority of the teachers support restrictive gun laws. Vice Principal Mr. Todd Mueller shared his reasoning for supporting limitations on guns, while not banning them entirely.

“I, myself, happen to be a gun owner, so do I think that guns should be banned like some people say? I mean that’s the one extreme, right?” Mr. Mueller said. “Collect all the guns and destroy them. I don’t think that’s right. I don’t think that’s fair. I don’t think that’s going to solve the problems. I am a member of the NRA. I know one of their arguments is they don’t want the background checks and all those things to take too long.

I think if you’re the exact person that can’t

52% of teachers say the florida shooting has heightened their fears of school shootings

would you continue to teach if the law required you to carry a gun?

YES 32% Not Sure 25%

NO 43%

wait four weeks to have a gun, you’re the person that should not have a gun.”

As the discourse about guns continues, others claim that background checks before purchasing a gun should be the main focus.

With stricter inspections, the ability for irresponsible people to obtain a weapon would be more difficult.

“I think that background checks should be more stringent,” Mr. Mueller said. “There needs to be more communication between the various parties that do background checks. From the mental health aspect to the police aspect to those types of things.

There is certainly some people that are able to walk in and buy a gun that I don’t think are mentally in a position where they should own a weapon.”

Background checks have been in question, as well, during the debates attempting to alter the way guns are handled.

Every teacher has their own opinion as to whether or not guns should be banned or encouraged.

“I was raised around guns,” Mrs. Salerno said. “My dad was a member of the NRA for a long time, but I just think that some of the common sense that we used to take for granted is disappearing. I don’t believe that any private citizen needs to have military weapons. I’m not about abolishing the Second Amendment, but I think we need to have more common sense on background checks and what kind of weapons private citizens need to own.”

Flyers are posted throughout the school and in almost every classroom containing

NO 10% Not YES Sure 57% 33%

information on what to do in the case of an emergency. The poster addresses the procedures that should be taken during urgent situations.

“These procedures aren’t just whims that people have thought up,” Mr. Schrader said.

They are things that have been tested. Things that have been ideas put together by people that have been in those situations. Ideas that have been brought up by people that know.

It’s not just a fly by the seat of your pants deal, and I think what we are doing here is good procedure.”

Lockdown drills are also conducted throughout the school year to ensure that everyone is trained in the case of an emergency. Teachers talk about school safety with their students and prepare them on how to react and what to do should the situation arise.

“I’ve talked about it with my classes,” Mrs. Salerno said. “I’ve been surprised since the Parkland shooting they haven’t wanted to talk about it, but I can tell it’s because I think it feels more real. But I’ve told them we will throw things at the intruder, that they know I will be in front of them and that we will do whatever we can to slow them down, if not stop them.”

Most teachers believed through the survey that with their assistance, students would be prepared in the event of a shooting.

With the words of our instructors, the sense of protection is clear. Their mission is, as it always has been, safety and making the steps in the right direction for a greater solution.

Do you think students are prepared to go into lockdown during a serious threat?

80% of teachers think

arming staff with guns would not be beneficial

this survey is out of 40 responses from teachers & staff

In an effort to spread love, post its paired with inspiring messages were placed on every single locker on the one month anniversary of the parkland shooting. Many students have been active in raising awareness of gun violence.

photo by Bridget Christensen

photo by Bridget Christensen

14InDepth

April 2018

Volume 4 Issue 7

EVERYONE IS RESPONSIBLE LAW ENFORCEMENT SPEAKS ON SAFETY

T

he first mass school shooting took place on April 20, 1999, in Columbine, Colorado and took the lives of thirteen individuals.

Information gathered from the Education Department has assisted Washington Post writer David Ropeik to draw the conclusion that since 1999, school shootings have been less and less common, and the odds of student being shot with a gun at school is approximately 1 in 614,000,000. However, due to the recent events at Majory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., many feel unsafe in their surroundings; this tragedy particularly targeted students and has sparked fear in schools across the nation.

At GHS, these anxieties can be eased by speaking with the Resource Officer Deputy Dale LaSonde, or as students refer to him, Deputy Dale. He can offer lots of inside information about how GHS is protected from shootings, and how the school as a whole can prevent any possible dangers.

Any threats made towards GHS or students can be detected through social media, emails, words or by tipping the districts tip hotline website. All of these warnings are significant and do not go unnoticed.

“First, we will isolate the suspect, whether that means arresting them or going to their home,” Deputy Dale said. “Second, we will continue to investigate the situation thoroughly until a decision can be made.”

Questions can arise about what to report on and how serious a threat should be taken in order to require action. Individuals may also wonder what to be on the lookout for in regards to another student’s behavior.

“There is not a perfect science to figure out who could be a school shooter, and listing specific things is inaccurate,” Deputy Dale said. “If anyone is seeing something that makes them uncomfortable, report it. It

doesn’t matter how small.”

Many safety measures are performed by the school to ensure student safety during their time at school. Deputy Dale explained several ways in which GHS is secured.

“One, being physically present as law enforcement,” Deputy Dale said. “Two, through safety protocol being followed, [three] having a locked campus after the school day starts and [four] having anyone that comes into the school check-in and wear ID.” However, there is a call on the students to do their part in protecting their school. The administration can put policies in place, but it is the student’s job to follow protocol.

“One may think or assume that school safety relies on the shoulders of Deputy Dale or the administration,” Deputy Dale said. “However, in reality, the responsibility of school safety relies on us all. Whether that is reporting something, or sitting by the kid who is sitting by themselves. We are all responsible.”

Students can help Deputy Dale and the administration by following safety policies and taking lock down drills seriously. They should also refrain from opening doors for individuals that arrive after school hours. Students should have them push the button and wait for the all clear for the sole purpose that students are not aware of why an individual may be entering the school.

In the future, students can remember Deputy Dale’s remarks about everyone’s duty to work together to protect the high school.

As the next decade approaches, GHS will grow and change significantly. However, the school’s faculty and administration will continue to produce policies that defend the students and teachers.

“We will not stop trying to grow and improve our safety protocol for the future,” Deputy Dale said. “We will evolve as the students evolve.”

Lockdown Drill Practice lockdowns are conducted at GHS to help ensure safety and help the school be prepared to the best of its ability should anything happen. Drills are taken seriously by classes as teachers instruct students what to do if this situation should arise.

Photo by Kaitie Correll

Showing Support Deputy Dale LaSonde wore his orange ribbon on Wednesday, March 14. “We are a family and I think of all of you as my foster kids,” said LaSonde. The ribbons were worn to support the victims of the Parkland, Florida shooting and to promote school safety. Photo by Ella Weaver

SCHOOL SAFETY IN THE EYES OF A PRINCIPAL MR. MILLER’S PERSPECTIVE

A

s principal, Mr. Roger Miller has had to deal with a variety of threats and take each one seriously. His role in preventing and solving crises is to find the context of the threat, the students involved, the level of severity and the best solutions. Many Gretna students remember the previous threats in the middle and high schools. As students, however, we are unable to fully understand the principals’ and administrators’ perspectives and roles in this emergencies.

“It would be the administrator and deputies responding to the situation,” Mr. Miller said. “They have to be represented as well.”

Mr. Miller explained that each threat to the student body has to be treated as a new problem in context. The only set procedure is to immediately remove the threat from the school and then proceed to investigate.

Although there is not a list of rules to follow for every threat, Mr. Miller feels that this is a good thing for Gretna High School.

“Some schools have absolutely zero tolerance,” Mr. Miller said. “So, if they bring a butter knife, they’re expelled. We’ve always prided ourselves on trying to not do that.”

Gretna does not, in fact, have a zerotolerance policy on weapons. If a student accidentally leave a pocket knife in his or her pocket, that student is punished differently than a student with a gun.

Administrators always attempt to find the context of the threat, and they can alert other administrators to threats.

“We [the administration] meet weekly and talk safety every week,” Mr. Miller said.

“It’s good practice for us to continually talk about this. We’re constantly talking.”

During meetings, administrators discuss threats and violence at each school, along with how each problem was solved.

Learning how the other principals deal with problems also helps the development of plans for the future. All of plans share the same principle when preventing threats, however. The counselors prove to be one key factor when discussing safety.

“The counselors have extensive training,” Mr. Miller said. “Through our county, there are numerous resources we can use.”

One way that students report threats is through the counselors. They can also report threats through TIPS, parents, teachers and directly to the principals.

TIPS is a website accessible through the high school’s webpage. Students are able to leave anonymous tips and warnings for administrators.

“The thing we try to do is be visible and know our students,” Mr. Miller said.

“We have to rely on other students; we’re constantly asking our teachers to watch our students. What we, as adults, try to do with this building is be constantly watching.”

There is a large network of information that Mr. Miller uses to help protect his students. He went on to say that knowing students is key to preventing crises, which may be problematic when Gretna grows as a school district. Although it is hard, Mr. Miller is firm that it is an important job.

“All we want is for students to feel safe,” Mr. Miller said.

Administrative Perspective Mr. Miller, principal, smiles next to the table of orange ribbons. Although no walkout was organized by the school or students, the orange ribbons and sticky notes served as a memorial to murdered students. “I want there to be more conversation at this moment,” said Mr. Miller. Photo by Ella Weaver

15

April 2018

Volume 4 Issue 7

InDepth

2018 school gun vi

olence timeline

January 4th Seattle, Washington 0 killed January 10th San Bernardino, California 0 killed January 10th Sierra Vista, Arizona 1 killed January 10th Denison, Texas 0 killed January 15th Marshall, Texas 0 killed January 20th Winston-Salem, North Carolina 1 killed January 22nd Italy, Texas 1 injured January 22nd Gentilly, Louisiana 1 injured January 23rd Benton, Kentucky 15 injured 2 killed January 25th Mobile, Alabama 0 killed January 26th Dearborn, Michigan 0 killed January 31st Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 1 killed February 1st Los Angeles, California 5 injured February 5th Oxon Hill, Maryland 1 injured February 5th Maplewood, Minnesota 0 killed February 8th Bronx, New York 0 killed February 14th Parkland, Florida 17 killed February 20th Massillon, Ohio 1 killed March 2nd Mt. Pleasant, Michigan 2 killed March 13th Seaside, California 1 injured March 8th Mobile, Alabama 1 injured March 7th Birmingham, Alabama 1 injured 1 killed March 7th Jackson, Mississippi 1 injured

IF YOU HAVE CONCERNS OR WANT YOUR OPINION HEARD...

CONTACT YOUR CONGRESSMEN Representative Don Bacon - 02 1516 Longworth House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515 (202) 225-4155 Representative Adrian Smith - 03 320 Cannon House Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20515-2703 (202) 225-6435 Representative Jeff Fortenberry - 01 1514 Longworth House Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20515-2701 (202) 225-4806

InDepth Contributors “METRO SUPERINTENDENTS DISCUSS SCHOOL SAFETY”

By Jacey Hammer NEWS EDITOR “A SCHOOL’S DAILY SCARE”

By Lydia Yost STAFF WRITER “SCHOOL SHOOTINGS SPARK DISCUSSION ON SAFETY”

By Kaitie Correll STAFF WRITER “EVERYONE IS RESPONSIBLE”

By Bridget Christensen STAFF WRITER “SCHOOL SAFETY IN THE EYES OF A PRINCIPAL”

By Ella Weaver STAFF WRITER

16 Sports

April 2018

Volume 4 Issue 7

BASEBALL BONANZA TEAM HOPES FOR WORK TO PAY OFF

By Ben Bickel STAFF WRITER Senior Players Cade Herrman (18) is a returning varsity starter who pitches for the dragons. Herrman helps out the dragon pitching staff and puts in hard work. Collier Buttgen (18) is also a returning varsity player and helps the offense in whatever way he can. submitted photo

In Action Tanner Huber (19) throws a ball from behind the plate. He now plays catcher for the dragons baseball team. He is a huge help behind home plate with his size and athleticism. submitted photo

S

pring baseball is back, and the players and coaches are ready. After last year’s loss in the state tournament, the team is only looking to improve before their big jump to class A. The team only has one obvious goal: go to the state tournament and win it.

The big opponents on the team’s schedule this year are Skutt, Norris, Elkhorn and Waverly among other opponents that could prove to be challenging as the season progresses. Norris is the reigning EMC champions, and GHS is out to challenge their title. With a pool of 85 players out for baseball this year, the coaches plan to put a roster together of boys who can work day in and day out.

Assistant coach Mr. Jeff Depue is entering his eighth season as a coach with the team. Coach Depue also played in high school and has loved the game.

“I feel like I have learned from

other coaches,” Coach Depue said.

“The game is a lot different since I played.”

Coach Depue played baseball in Grand Island when he was in high school and has decided to bring his knowledge of the game to the high schoolers, right here in Gretna.

“It is hard to say what the strongest part of this team is,” Coach Depue said. “But I think I would say it is the athleticism we have here.”

This year’s team has many returning players who experienced last year’s loss in the state tournament, and this year they are looking to complete the journey that they began last year winning a state championship. The team has been doing workouts since the end of Christmas.

Headed by Coach Mr. Jake Wolf, the boys are determined to win a state title and finish what they started last season. The boys will play about five games a week, with a couple days of break up until the second week in May, when the state tournament begins. The road has begun, and the team is not looking to get anything else but a class B state championship.

OUTFIELDER OUT FOR SEASON PLAYER INJURES FOREARM AND BICEP

By Colin Kitson STAFF WRITER

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he baseball team is full of talent and one of those players is junior Caden Opfer. He has been playing baseball all his life and has formed a love for the game, for he is skilled when it comes to the sport.

Unfortunately, Opfer has missed out on this season so far, as he has not been able to practice for their upcoming first game: he sustained an injury to his left arm, his dominant pitching arm.

Last year, Opfer was a swing player for both junior varsity and varsity last season. He benefited the team in many ways as he played outfield and gave the team his all.

“Last season was a good experience for me as I played swing and overall a good season and I was happy to get out the next season and play,” Opfer said.

By the time this season was on Opfer’s radar, he was ready to go, but then he noticed his arm was throbbing. He did not think much of it at first, but then he got the bad news that he had strained the common extensor in his forearm which made his bicep overcompensate for his forearm.

“When I went to the doctor and heard the injury, I was in shock and did not know how long I would be out for,” Opfer said. “I was hoping I would be able to come back and play.”

Opfer injured himself in the last week of February by lifting and throwing the baseball. He has since stayed off of lifting and throwing in order to make sure it can heal properly.

“The pain when I do anything involving my left arm is like a constant stabbing pain that restricts me from doing anything,” Opfer said.

Opfer is going to miss the first few varsity games for this year, but he hopes to return shortly after. He does not want to miss any more practices because he knows he cannot afford to miss out on the playing opportunity.

“Sitting out at practice has been boring for me, and I want to just get out and play, but I should be back the fourth week of March,” Opfer said.

All in all, Opfer is preparing for his return to the team and cannot wait to get out and play what he loves. When he comes back he is expected to be a big contributor for the team this year and hopes the team can be successful this season.

Batter Up Caden Opfer (19) watches as a ball soars into the air after making solid contact with his bat. He is expected to play his first game the same day as everyone else, the first game of the season. Opfer will take the risk and play the first game of the season because he cannot miss anymore of the sport he loves. submitted photo.

Volume 4 Issue 7

April 2018

17

Sports

Warm Up The boys soccer teams prepare for their practice. They run sprints down the football field to make sure they are ready to play soccer. By the end, the players are tired but it helps them become greater soccer players. photo by Samantha Chase.

SOCCER IMPROVEMENTS

TEAM INCREASES CHANCE AT VICTORY

By Samantha Chase STAFF WRITER

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or many athletes, being on a varsity team is a dream come true. This season, the boys varsity soccer team has dreams of winning state, and are willing to stay motivated and do whatever it takes to make it to the state tournament.

One thing that could affect the team’s outcome of making it to state is the high amount of freshman that are on the team.

This year, five out of the seventeen varsity athletes on the boys soccer team are freshman playing at the high school level for the first time.

“There is a lot of inexperience being a freshman, but I think this year we have a lot of talented freshman that could really benefit the team,” sophomore Jake Cover said.

Although having a great number of freshman on varsity does have its downsides, there are positive aspects to it as well. Being on a varsity team as a freshman can give young players an opportunity to learn from their mistakes and improve in upcoming years.

“I feel like since there are a lot of freshman this year, in coming years, we will be a lot closer and know how to play better as a team,” freshman Caden Linsea said.

Being on varsity means that the coach believes a player will benefit the team, and the player is expected to perform at whatever level it takes to do so. Each varsity athlete is able to bring something to the team to win games and to increase their chances of making it to the state tournament.

“I think I could help with playmaking and setting up goals,” freshman Patrick Long said. “I also think I could bring a little more optimism to the team and help everyone stay positive.”

Another important aspect of the game on and off the field is being able to bond with the

team. The soccer teams have been practicing and conditioning with each other for months now, so that has been a great opportunity for players to get to know each other and work as a team better.

“We have intense practices every day as a team, and outside of practice, we have team bonding to make sure that the team can play together well,” junior Zac Voss said.

Playing varsity soccer can make players push harder than they have in the past and live new experiences. School season is much different than club season because of how hard players are expected to work and the intensity of practices.

“I prefer school season,” Linsea said.

“You can play against older people, and that’s a new challenge to your career as a player.”

Even though winning state is the main goal of this year’s season, athletes are making new memories on the journey to their goal of the state championship. Playing soccer at the high school level can challenge a player’s abilities and give them an opportunity to make memories they would not have made in club.

“I like the experience of playing with people I go to school with,” Cover said. “It’s different because you get to go play other cities that are around, and it feels like you are playing for something bigger than you are in club.”

In order to have a shot at state, players have to want to push themselves to the limit and be dedicated to playing soccer. Athletes must enjoy the game in order to be motivated to succeed this season.

“Being on varsity means a lot to me,” Long said. “It means all the hard work I have put in has shown, and that I get to represent the school.”

The varsity team is practising every day to help them out this season and to have a shot at making it to the state tournament. The team believes that they have the talent, and that they are willing to put in the work to make their school proud.

Sneak Peek GIRL’S SOCCER TEAM

Kick Off During practice, Jake Cover (20) and Collin Malizzi (21) are playing against each other during a scrimmage. They both have the goal of getting the ball away from the other one. The varsity team often scrimmages to improve being in a game setting. photo by Samantha Chase.

Chasing Game Running, Caden Linsea (21) and Patrick Long (21) both chase after the ball. These two athletes are trying their hardest in practise in preparation for games. “Being on varsity means you get to play in the state tournament and represent you school well,” Long said. photo by Samantha Chase.

18 Sports

April 2018

Volume 4 Issue 7

SHOOTING FOR THE WIN

TRAP TEAM TRIUMPHS THROUGH THE SEASON

By Ruthie Isaacson STAFF WRITER

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he Trap Shooting Team, registered as part of the Ashland 4H team in the Central Division, recently participated in a shoot at Lincoln Izaak Walton on March 17 to kick off their season. The team took home many wins, as well as at the following completion on March 25 at the Ashland Gun Club.

In comparison to high school sports such as basketball and football, trap shooting is less well known. Some may not even be aware how exactly the sport works.

This unappreciated sport involves shooting at clay targets at randomized angles. There are two categories for school competitions; singles, where the shots are taken 16 yards away from the trap house; and handicap, where an individual stands behind 16 and 27 yard away, dependent on their skill level.

In this male dominated sport, junior Maddie Figi feels that she has found a passion for the game.

“Shooting trap as a girl and just in general is pretty unique and makes for great conversation starters,” Figi said. “The friendships and bonds I’ve made in trap will last a lifetime because most everyone there thinks the same way I do and believes the same things I do.”

Because many are not aware of how this uncommon sport works, it can be considered dangerous. At GHS, trap shooters are not allowed to sport their team shirts if guns are featured.

“People think it’s dangerous and that’s why it can’t be school affiliated but we take caution when it comes to everything,” Figi said. “And we’ve never had anything bad happen at any of our practices or meets.”

There are five positions (posts) where shooters stand. They begin at the 16 yard line and shoot shoot 5 targets, then they move to the next position and shoot five until they finish all 5 posts. Then they do it again.This will determine his/her score.

Thus, a perfect score is shooting 50 out of 50 targets. The better a shooter scores, the further away they will shoot their second set of 50 targets, which is known as a handicap.

Occasionally there will be a “shoot-off”, where competitors have the same score and they compete in another set of targets.While from an outsider’s perspective, this game might seem unique, competitors find it no different than any other athletic event.

“Trap to me is like any other sport,” Figi said. “There is the rush of adrenaline when competing and the bonds formed between teammates.”

Divided into two teams based on age, the junior members are in grades 6-8, and the senior team is for students who are in grades 9-12. Seniors compete on Saturdays, and Juniors on Sundays. Competition usually lasts all day. There are about 40 members on GHS’ team: 12 freshman, six sophomores, 14 juniors and 11 seniors. In total, the team has 61 members that are veterans (four females, 57 males) and 11 new members.

“Our team is looking good this year,” Coach Schulte said.

Freshman Garrett Plambeck and junior Nathan Schulte both received numerous awards at the March 17 competition. Both boys received 3rd place handicap team, 3rd place singles team, High Overall Runner-Up Team. Plambeck received the 22-23 Yard Handicap Champion.

“For me trap shooting is a way to be around my friends and practicing something I love,” Plambeck said. “Also it’s really a mental challenge more than people might

Placed Positioning Nathan Schulte (19), Larry Colson (19), Zach Peters (21), Garett Plambeck (21), Christian Ray (18) represent the Ashland 4H 3/24 trap team. In their category, the group took the title champions at the March 24 competition at the Ashland Gun Club. GHS and GMS students make up a substantial amount of the Ashland 4H team. Submitted photo

think because it tests your patience and your hand-eye coordination.”

Schulte received the 24-25 Yard Handicap Runner Up. As the season advances, the team grows closer with each win and loss.

“My favorite thing about trapshooting is the people,” N. Schulte said. “The people there are great and supportive and everyone wants to win but yet they want to see everyone succeed. And I love how I can shoot with my friends who love to shoot as well.”

The Eastern Cornhusker Trapshooting Conference for the central division was hosted at the Ashland Gun Club on March 23rd and 24th, 2018. Junior Larry Colson III, junior Nathan Schulte, freshman Garrett

Plambeck, freshman Zach Peters were part of the Ashland 4H Team 1, and were awarded Senior High Team Singles 1st place and 2nd place for High Overall Team. Senior Greg Matya received Senior High Team Singles 2nd place with his team, Ashland 4H Team 2. Junior Nathan Schulte was given Senior High Male Single champion, and 2nd place as High Overall Male. Eighth graders Hunter Smith, Randy Koke and Josh Jackson received High Overall Junior Team 4th place with the rest of their Ashland 4H JR Team 1.

Check out the team in action on April 14 at Lincoln Trap & Skeet, April 21 at Lincoln Izaak Walton and the All-Conference Shoot on April 28. Seniors will be competing at Lincoln Trap & Skeet and Juniors at Lincoln Izaak Walton.

TENNIS BRIEF GOLF BRIEF

By Corban Critchfield STAFF WRITER

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Swing Back Running up the court is Rachel Gabblenz(21). With her racket in hand, she swings and hits the ball to the other side. She managed to gain the point. photo by Corbin Critsfrield

Fast forward During Practice Makayla Kissler (21) is swinging her racker. She predicted when to swing and takes aim. The ball flies across the court and her opponent misses. photo by Corbin Critsfrield

he tennis team has been working to step up their game. “We lost a number of varsity members so we are looking to last year’s JV players to jump into the mix,” Coach Sarah Benzel said. Most of the players are still new and haven’t got the basics down yet, they continue to work hard and push themselves. “We think they can progress quickly once they have more time on the courts,” Coach Benzel said. In recent games, Senior Angela Gahan and Sophomore Ruthie Isaacson played singles against Roncalli but lost their match 4-8. Senior Chayna Davidson and Sophomore Elena Rubio Abad played together in doubles winning with a score of 8-5 and Senior Jill Brion and Junior Trinity Ortlieb play in doubles with a score of 8-1.

By Corban Critchfield STAFF WRITER

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he golf team is back at it again with four state qualifiers from last year.

These include seniors Jacob Weber and Micheal Mefford along with Juniors Zach Weber and Colin Kitson.

The team is excited to see two new freshmen, Colton Stock and Christopher Atkinson. They have been working to improve and the team will finally move up to class A when districts happen.

That means they will have to face new competitors they have not faced yet.

“These guys are seasoned and are up to the challenge,” Coach Kyle Slusher said.

“I’ve been impressed with the way they have conducted themselves so far. This is my first year helping Coach Boehler and I’m excited to see what this group can do, they have a lot of potential.”

Their first home game is on Tuesday, March 27th at the Tiburon Golf Course.

Cloudy Day After walking up to his ball, Michael Mefford (18) is ready for his turn. He sets his ball down.

He is getting ready to tee off in the tee box. photo by Corbin Critsfrield

Measuring Up After hitting on the green, Alex Mannewitz (20) is taking aim. He is attempting to putt the ball in. He is with other teammates trying to get the ball in the goal. photo by Corbin Critsfrield

Volume 4 Issue 7

April 2018

TRACK SEASON TAKES OFF

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TEAM COMES TOGETHER, SUCCESS

By Allie Janulewicz STAFF WRITER

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rack and field is a popular sport that includes different styles of running such as sprinting, long distance running and hurdling. There are around 130 people on the GHS track team this season. Track also includes other jumping and throwing events. Track and field is a sport that tests how far a person’s performance can go by how much they can endure. The winner is the person to get the fastest time, throw the farthest or jump the highest. Track and field is a competitive sport that requires concentration and focus.

“At first I didn’t start as a manager,” junior Serena Wilson said. “I was a pole vaulter before I tore my ACL and other ligaments in my knee. Track managing is fun because I get to meet lots of people, and everyone gets to know each other.

Each event has its own little family, and we all come together to form a bigger family.

Relationships definitely grow in track.

People try their hardest and have fun while doing track. Our coaches really care about each individual, and everyone is willing to work hard.”

Even though during practice people are focusing on working hard, there is also time to make connections. When there is a break, students talk and joke around with each other. With that, the team forms a bond and everyone becomes a family. In each event, people are there to encourage

each other and push each other to do their best. Teammates in track work as a team and help shape their peers to be the best that they can be.

“Track is a fun after school activity,” sophomore Caden Webster said. “It’s fun for calming down and to be with friends.

It is a good place to go. My favorite thing about track is after jumping over a hurdle, looking back over it, and thinking ‘Wow, I just did that.’”

People in track challenge themselves, mentally and physically. Players push themselves to get the best time and perform to the best of their ability. Track, like most sports, require all of a player’s attention and concentration. After a challenging practice, players are often left feeling tired, but accomplished.

“I think my greatest accomplishment has been my character development,” senior Mazie Larsen said. “I have certainly learned how to persevere. There’s days I want to quit. There’s days I wish I could walk a workout instead of try, yet I’m still on the track every day. I have not let myself give up, and I think that’s a great lesson that I’ve taught myself, and hopefully I’ve helped display that to those around me.”

Each person in track may specialize in one or more events. Jumping and throwing events are called field events.

The rest are running events and every event comes with its own challenges and required abilities. A player has to be concentrated and in the right mindset.

While a person’s teammates are there to encourage them, it is important to stay focused.

Getting Ahead Warming up, a group of girls start with their two laps around the track. They run together and keep their pace. “I like passing girls when I run,” Madi Haddix (20) said. “I love sprinting hard for a short period of time.” photo by Allie Janulewicz

Establish Pace Boys in track warm up with a jog. They do this before stretching to prepare them for practice.

“During track we expect people to try their hardest and have fun,” Serena Wilson (19) said.

Photo three: Warming up, a group of girls start with their two laps around the track. They run together and keep their pace. “I like passing girls when I run,” Madi Haddix (20) said. “I love sprinting hard for a short period of time.” photo by Allie Janulewicz

TRACK GAINS NEW COACHES NEW COACHES APPROACH SPRING SEASON

By Macy Keiser STAFF WRITER

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Circle Up The track team welcomes Assistant Coach Jessa Sughroue this season. She has a passion for running and coaching. “I think you have to have a little bit of patience, and creativity, and persistence,” Ms. Sughroue said. photo by Macy Keiser

Hard Work Coaching requires diligence and hard work.

Assistant Coach Bryce Brunswig is a perfect example.

“Putting the time and effort and you’ll get results,” Mr. Brunswig said. “You’ll become a better person in that process” photo by Macy Keiser

Team Lunges There is more to a sport than the athletic aspect of it. Assistant Coach Chad Schmeckpeper teaches the athletes more than just how to throw shot put and discuss. “We talk a lot about how to prepare yourself mentally, the things you can control as an athlete verse the things you can not control, things like that,” Mr. Schmeckpeper said. “And just being a good person in general, cause there’s more to athletics than just the sport itself.” photo by Macy Keiser

he 2018 GHS track season began with three new track coaches.

Each of these coaches have lofty goals and aspirations for the team this year. They all dedicate their time and effort training the athletes, and hope to see great results. They not only strive to improve the track team’s athletic performance, but also to encourage the individual character development of each athlete.

Because Coach Spencer Stednitz moved to Elkhorn South Storm, GHS was short a track coach. Activities Director Mr. Chad Jepson approached Assistant Coach Bryce Brunswig to see if he would be interested in coaching the track team. Coach Brunswig accepted the offer and currently trains the mid distance and distance runners. His passion for running resonates from his early experiences of track and field in high school and college.

“Coaching is just an extension of teaching,” Coach Brunswig said. “It takes patience, it takes the ability to plan, a willingness to work with students. You want to improve throughout the year and you want to have your best performances at the end of the year. So when we design the training and our workouts, we’re hoping to get better and progress throughout the year, and then to have our best performances at the end of the year.

It’s about seeing that progression for anyone even if they’re on JV, seeing the progression and your getting better throughout the year.

That’s kind of the grand of scheme of things, its in putting in this work and seeing the progress that you make.”

Assistant Coach Chad Schmeckpeper is new to GHS this year. He moved from Westside High School. Football and wrestling were only a few of the high school sports he participated in. He has coached football in the past and now coaches the

throwers. Coach Schmeckpeper has always had an appreciation for throwers and has admired the athleticism. He encourages the athletes and creates a positive environment for them. Coach Schmeckpeper also works hard at instilling character development and enhancing mental toughness in his team.

“True athletes are explosive and powerful,” Coach Schmeckpeper said.

“What I try to do as a coach that I think of as successful, is I make sure I treat every athlete the same. [It] doesn’t matter if they’re a freshman just starting, never done it before, or if they’re one of the top athletes in the state.

I’m going to coach them the same, I’m going to have the same expectations, I’m going to get excited for them the same, I’m going to hold them accountable the same way.”

Assistant Coach Jessa Sughroue coached the Gretna Middle School track team last year. This year, she joined the track coaching staff at GHS. She currently coaches the mid distance and distance runners. Coach Sughroue has been running since she was nine years old. She has competed in track throughout middle school, high school, and college. She is driven and has a passion for running. Coach Sughroue brings with her years of dedicated knowledge and experience that she hopes to apply to bring out the best in her athletes.

“Running is my sport,” Coach Sughroue said. “[To] other people, their favorite sport to play or to watch is basketball or football or baseball, but running has always been my sport. I feel like as far as coaches go, like I am as enthusiastic about track as I can possibly be. So I hope to just bring a lot of positivity around the sport.”

The three new GHS track coaches will prove their dedication to the sport. They all sacrifice their time, energy and talents to train the athletes. They encourage each athlete to reach for the sky and bring out their high ambitions throughout this season. GHS is fortunate to have these three new coaches join the track team.

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April 2018

“UP, UP AND AWAY”

Volume 4 Issue 7

MUSICAL CAST GEARS UP FOR PETER PAN

By Tristan Duin STAFF WRITER

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Tribal Dance Throughout the hard work, Cailyn Sykora (20) preservers through it and works hard to be a better entertainer. “I look forward to performing to as many people as I can, and making memories with talented people that have the same interests as me,” Sykora said.

Sykora was casted the part of Chirping Otter, a tribal indian. photo by Tristan Duin

his upcoming spring, the GHS musical cast will be performing, “Peter Pan” for people of all ages to come and see. Since Feb. 23, musical director Mr. Patrick Ribar and his group of singers, actors and dancers have been working to create the perfect musical that will make audience members jump from their seats with applaud and excitement. It is not always easy to make a musical. An excessive amount of work and dedication must be present in all the performers and directors for the show to be outstanding. The musical will consist of three thirty-minute acts with an intermission between each.

Musical rehearsals tend to last for about three to four hours, but may even be longer during production week.

“At a typical musical practice, we play a fun game to get in character, and then we practice our blocking and lines on stage,” senior Tyler Harpenau said. “We make sure to have fun while also being serious.

Everybody is a leader of their own, and we are very good at understanding when it is time to get to work, and when it is time to have a little more fun.”

A central part of Peter Pan’s character is his ability to fly and help other characters such as the three children to fly as well. Mr. Ribar and the production team will work to create an illusion to the audience that Peter Pan, played by senior Nicholas Harmon, Wendy, played by senior Macy Rasmussen,

Michael, played by sophomore George Ames and John, played by sophomore Patrick Osborn, will be flying. To create this illusion, the production team will have equipment installed into the auditorium on April 14, and the four cast members will all be wearing specially made harnesses to ensure their safety. It is an elaborate pulley system, and there will be parents backstage pulling ropes to lift the cast into the air.

“I’m a little nervous to be honest,” Harmon said. “I’ve been in rigging before at my gym where I’d train double-backs over a trampoline, but this is over a hard wooden floor, but hopefully I’ll be able to catch myself if I fall. I’m excited though. I’m one of the only people that get to fly, and I have to sing while doing it, so that’ll be a challenge.”

For the seniors graduating this year, musical is an amazing way for performers to end their high school careers. From “Schoolhouse Rock,” to “Little Shop of Horrors,” to “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” to “Peter Pan,” the seniors have created unbreakable bonds with the directors and each other, all while having the time of their lives.

“I chose to do musical because it is something I love,” Harpenau said. “It simply is a part of me. Not a lot of people can stand in front of hundreds of people and sing and dance and act, but the ones who can, they do it, with pride, with dignity, and with satisfaction of knowing they are doing what they love and being loved by others for doing it.”

Continuous Effort During rehearsal, Ella Beauchaine (20) performs a tribal ceremony dance with her cast members.

“I think we’ve gotten a lot done but we still have a long way to go,” Beauchaine said. “Practices are frequent and very busy.” Beauchaine was casted the part of Muskylung, a tribal indian. photo by Tristan Duin

New Message

by@MaraHjermstad.STAFFWRITER.org FINDING LOVE ONLINE: THE UPLIFTING STORY OF A HIGH SCHOOL TEEN Dear Readers, First things first, I will admit it, I cried. I have always had a soft spot for sappy romance movies and “Love, Simon” was no different for me. “Love, Simon” is based off of the book “Simon vs. the Homosapiens Agenda” by Becky Albertalli. The main character, Simon, is lovable from the beginning and easy to relate to as an awkward teen. In the opening, viewers get introduced to his friends who are all outgoing and hilarious; Leah is the reliable best friend for 13 years, Nick is the sporty friend with a killer afro and Abby is the spunky new girl who just moved to town but already runs the place.

And then, there was Blue. Blue is not his real name, but it is his internet alias to keep his identity a secret because he, like Simon, is gay. Blue comes out anonymously on their school’s gossip blog, and Simon decides to email him and come out to him. However, Simon does not come out as Simon, he comes out as Jacques. Over many email exchanges, he begins to fall in love with the man behind Blue. We get to follow his train of thought about who he thinks could possibly be his mystery man. One day, he makes a horrible mistake and ends up getting blackmailed. He is forced to get Abby to hang out with and like a boy named Martin, who happens to be the one blackmailing him. If Simon fails to do this, his secret will be released to the whole school. Simon makes several more mistakes as he tries to keep his secret, but those mistakes will end up jeopardizing his relationship with his friends. Instead of backing down to the bullies, he decides to embrace his true sexual identity in hopes that his bravery will make Blue strong enough to come out, as well.

The music was perfectly placed and increased the audience feelings during appropriate times. It was a well-crafted movie, but there were some points where it moved a little slow especially in parts not dealing with the main conflict.

It is a satisfying movie with several great relationships to experience throughout. Nick Robinson did an excellent job portraying what the life of a gay teen can be like. Also the casting of Jennifer Garner as Simon’s mother was very moving, which is what most expect from her ever since her great roles in “Miracles From Heaven” and “13 Going on 30.” I would rate it an eight out of ten. Even so, I thoroughly enjoyed the movie, and I would definitely see it again.

Love, Mara

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Volume 4 Issue 7

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Wrinkle In Time (PG), directed by Ava DuVernay, takes the audience on a journey through space to save main characters Meg Murry’s (Storm Reid) and Charles Wallace Murry’s (Deric McCabe) father. This confusing, captivating film is based off of the novel that was written by Madeleine L’Engle and published in 1962. In the beginning, the intent of Meg and Charles is clear: travel across the universe to somehow save their father. However, as the movie progresses, their intents change, and their characters are tested to their limits.

As it was, Meg and her parents lived happily, going about their daily lives and anticipating the arrival of their newest addition Charles Wallace Murry.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Murry are scientists, hoping to crack the “code” of the body and the cosmos. But one fateful night, when Mr. Murry discovers the way to travel across space in a split second, he leaves without a single goodbye.

After four years without their father, Charles and Meg have had enough.

Together, along with their new friend Calvin (Levi Miller) and with the help of three “universe travelers”, Mrs. Which

April 2018

(Oprah Winfrey), Mrs. Whatsit (Reese Witherspoon) and Mrs. Who (Mindy Kaling), they embark on a journey that will change the fate of all existence.

Eventually Charles, Calvin and Meg are left alone to face the IT, a “being” of pure darkness and hatred. Each move they make on this unforgiving planet tests their will and their courage, but it leaves them even stronger than before.

For the first ten to fifteen minutes of the movie I was quite intrigued and found myself anticipating an extremely good movie. After that, however, I found that the plot got harder and harder to follow, leaving me confused at several points in the movie. During one part of the movie, I became so distracted from the purpose of the movie that I became slightly uninterested. Eventually, the plot explained itself in the end, but it still left me with several questions. Even though the film was confusing at certain points, I ended up enjoying the movie. I think that the confusion throughout the film allows the ending to be even more satisfying because it answers so many questions. Upon my final evaluation of A Wrinkle in Time, I would give it a 7/10 “voices”.

A&E

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A Wrinkle In Time

AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY ACROSS THE UNIVERSE

By Allison Kibby A&E EDITOR

LET’S TACO ‘BOUT TASTE JUAN TACO B R INGS T HE FLAVOR

By Emily Acker SPORTS EDITOR

Flagship Commons This is a new food court in Westroads Mall. They recently updated it and added multiple new restaurants. Flagship Commons has a new modern look to it. photo by Emily Acker

Chips and Guacamole With my meal, I got a side of chips. The chips tasted fried and they were lightly seasoned. They were delicious and I ate them all. The chips plus a side of guacamole cost $4. photo by Emily Acker

Taco Truck While at Flagship Commons I decided to try Juan Taco. The pickup station is shaped like a taco truck. It was very clean and well maintained. photo by Emily Acker

Taco Craving I ordered a beef baja taco with guacamole, chips and water to drink.My meal cost $7.50. My friend ordered a beef bowl with chips, queso and a fountain drink. She payed $13. photo by Emily Acker

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s many Omaha-area shoppers know, Westroads Mall recently completed a remodel of their food court in early 2016 and added many new restaurants. It now goes by the name of the Flagship Commons. A friend and I decided to take a trip to the mall for an afternoon of shopping and eating, and after debating, we decided to eat at Juan Taco.

The exterior of Juan Taco is shaped like a food truck. I thought this was very unique and cute. They had a wide variety of options on their menu. There were only two people in front us, so we got up to the front fairly quickly. I knew for sure that I wanted a taco, but they have two different options: Juan and Baja. Juan had a hard shell and a soft shell with beans, lettuce, salsa and cheese. The Baja has two soft shells, beans, cheese and salsa. I was put on the spot, so I ordered the Baja style beef taco for $3.25 without much thought.

I also purchased the tortilla chips with guacamole for $4.00 with a water to drink making my total $7.25. My friend ordered a beef bowl with chips and queso. The beef bowl contained rice,

cheese, beans and salsa. It cost her $13 total. It only took about five minutes for our names to be called after we ordered.

Next, we had to find a spot to sit. We went on a Saturday, so it was extremely busy and there were people everywhere.

Despite this, we did not have a problem finding a spot. There is plenty of seating throughout the food court, and we ended up sitting at a high top table. I enjoyed the food. The taco was not too spicy, which I appreciated because I do not like things with too much heat. The only thing I would change in the future would be to request my taco without beans because I am not a huge fan.

There were a lot of beans in there, but it was my fault for not requesting them off. I enjoyed the guacamole, and I was given multiple huge scoops.There were chunks of avocado in the guacamole, and it tasted homemade. My meal had enough food to fill me up until later that night.

I would definitely recommend going to Juan Taco at Flagship Commons in Westroads. It is delicious and fairly priced. I will definitely be returning there the next time that I am craving Mexican food.

22 A&E

April 2018

Volume 4 Issue 7

FLYING WORM, A VINTAGE MASTERPIECE QUALITY CLOTHES OPTIONS OFFERED AT GREAT PRICES

By Lydia Yost STAFF WRITER

W

hen most people think of a second-hand clothing store, there is a bit of a negative condentation. In some cases, people find that the clothes are not great quality, and the store can be unorganized and cheap.

In today’s fashion, vintage clothing has gone from hand me downs to fashion forward and can be found in stores of all kinds. The Flying Worm, also known as “The Worm”, in the Old Market is a top-of-the-line vintage clothing store. It is located on the corner of 12th and Jackson Street. The prices are hard to beat, and the clothing is beautiful.

The store opened in spring of 2009 and has taken off. It is unlike a Goodwill or a Plato’s Closet in the sense that The Flying Worm is organized into clear sections.

Along with being separated into men and women, the types of clothing each have an individual section. Many thrift stores have racks that are overflowing and impossible to sort through, whereas The Worm’s racks are neatly organized.

Another one of my favorite parts of the store are their prices. While a bit more expensive than a simple second-hand store, their prices are remarkably cheaper than retail stores. The Flying Worm is a perfect mix of a good deal and a good product in return. According to their website, the store also has the largest selection of men and women’s vintage in

all of Omaha.

In my opinion, the Flying Worm has all sorts of clothes that are stylish and perfect for any style. Personally, I have gotten a great pair of jeans and unique sunglasses for under $40. I had no idea it was a vintage store until I was told because the products all seemed to be name brand. The store sells outfits for going out and just lounging around. Also, there is always a rack filled with something new and improved every time I go in. From army jackets, to sunglasses to brands like Champion and Nike, the Flying Worm has a look for every occasion.

The Flying Worm is a colorful and bright boutique in the perfect location for shopping. Surrounded by other stores and around many food options, it is prime for

making a day trip to downtown Omaha.

The store is open seven days a week and always has a friendly employee ready to help customers. Right across the hall from the Flying Worm is their sister store, the Antique Annex. This store is a great place to look for records, jewelry, and knickknacks after purchasing clothing at The Worm.

The Flying Worm is a fun-loving store with all sorts of good finds at reasonable prices. Selling both men’s and women’s clothing, there is something there for anyone. The friendly employees, fun style and great location make for a perfect vintage store. The Flying Worm is one of my favorite stores and would personally recommend it to anyone looking for fashion forward, affordable clothes.

1125 jackson st, omaha, NE 68102 Monday-Thursday | 11am / 8pm Friday-Saturday | 10am / 10pm Sunday | 12pm / 7pm insta: @theflyingworm facebook: @flyingwormvintage twitter: @theflyingworm

Colorful Coats The Flying Worm often has sections of clothes outside of their store. The pieces are usually eye catching and bring newcomers into the store. The racks change often to show off any new looks and offer discounts on the displayed clothes. photo by Lydia Yost

Storefront The Flying Worm is located at the corner of 12th and Jackson street. They are open seven days a week. This store is the perfect place to look for any type of stylish outfit. photo by Lydia Yost

“LIFE AS WE KNEW IT” WILL KEEP YOU ON YOUR TOES YOUNG ADULT NOVEL CREATES A GREATER APPRECIATION FOR LIFE

By Emily Shurtliff STAFF WRITER

I

magine a life where the electricity is gone, stores and restaurants are closed, news sources are down and it is almost always below zero degrees outside. This is what the characters in the book “Life As We Knew It” are experiencing when a meteor crashes into the moon, physically moving it closer to the earth.

“Life As We Knew It” by Susan Pfeffer is a year-long diary of high school sophomore Miranda Evans’s life when it drastically changed for the worst. On a ordinary night in May, a meteor crashed into the moon, and many were excited to go outside and watch the impact. However, scientists could not predict what immense problems would arise. The moon actually shifted closer to Earth, changing the gravitational pull on the Earth. Tides got larger, wiping out entire cities on the coast. Giant storms and

tornadoes destroyed cities. The electricity went out, and nobody really understood what was happening. Miranda and her family live in Pennsylvania and struggle to stay alive in their small town. Miranda’s diary describes her life through this horrific time, and things only seem to get worse.

She fights to be strong while helping her family survive.

“Life As We Knew It” kept me on the edge of my seat throughout the whole book.

It displays life as imperfect and there are events out of our control. Miranda steps us through her life as a normal 16-yearold would, and she has problems that any teenager can relate to. For example, even as the world as she knows it is ending, she dreads doing homework. I am not the biggest fan of science fiction novels, but this one is as realistic as they get. There are no zombies wandering around, just normal people going through real hardships. It makes me think of how lucky I have it because I know

that there are people going through similar things like Miranda.

Our lives can change in a matter of minutes, and “Life As We Knew It” is a reminder of that. Reading this book has made me appreciate my own life more. It teaches the lesson to live life to the fullest and not to take anything for granted. I recommend this book to people of all ages who are searching for a book to read. It is engaging throughout the entire story. This book is a little over three hundred pages, but it is a quick read because it is organized in separate diary entries. “Life As We Knew It” is the first part of a four book series. The other three books are named “The Dead and The Gone”, “This World We Live In” and “The Shade of the Moon”. I have not read the other three books yet, but after reading this one, I am certainly going to. “Life As We Knew It” is available at the Gretna Public Library and the GHS library. It is also available for purchase on Amazon for $6.19.

23 WINTER GUARD VS COLOR GUARD FORTNITE TEAMS EXPLAIN DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE TWO April 2018

Volume 4 Issue 7

A&E

BATTLE ROYAL TAKEOVER

By Samantha Chase STAFF WRITER

D

uring marching band season, a few members of the band participated in color guard. Color guard is a uniformed group of people who either perform with a flag or a rifle. The point of color guard is to interpret the music that is played by the marching band during a performance.

“I think fall color guard is hard because there is more people that the band directors have to focus on,” freshman Maggie Cook said. “So, we do not get as much one-on-one time with directors, and you have to try to figure more out on your own.”

Another similar activity to fall color guard is winter guard. Winter guard uses many of the same skills required in color guard, but instead of blending with a marching band, winter guard members perform in a gymnasium with background music.

“The main difference between winter guard and color guard is in winter guard, you can do a lot harder stuff,” junior Marin Bartman said. “But a plus to winter guard is when you’re inside, you do not have elements like wind influencing the stuff you want to do.”

Although these two activities have

many similarities, there are some differences that allow members to choose which one they prefer. Color guard could be seen as more appealing to some members because it feels like the member is part of a bigger group.

“I like fall color guard a lot better with the marching band,” Cook said. “You feel like you are a part of something a lot bigger than just the winter guard.”

On the other hand, winter guard could be seen more appealing than color guard. Winter guard gives members the opportunity to focus more on getting better at flag and rifle tosses rather than making sure the band and the guard work well together.

“I like winter guard better,” sophomore Cierra Johnson said. “It focuses more on the guard aspect of it rather than the guard and the band. It gives an opportunity to focus on guard more than you can in color guard.”

Winter guard and color guard are different activities, but the bond that guard members make apply to both.

Having practices and competitions all the time allow guard members to form close friendships.

“A lot of the girls are in color and winter guard,” Johnson said. “We spend a

lot of time together during the fall, then with winter guard, I think it is an even closer bond because it is a smaller group, and you just end up spending a ton of time together practicing.”

Another aspect of guard that applies to both fall and winter is either using a flag or a rifle. These two items are used to perform with and interpret the music, in the fall it is marching band music and during winter it is music played on a speaker.

“When I first started, I used flag a lot more,” Bartman said. “Now, I prefer rifle because it is a lot harder than flag, and when you catch it right, you get a feeling of gratification.”

One thing that guard members of both fall and winter guard like are new members joining. To be in color guard, band membership is a requirement, but anyone is free to join winter guard and learn what guard is all about.

“I do encourage more people to join,” Cook said. “It is really fun, and you learn lots of new things you would not have learned otherwise. It is just really unique.”

Although color and winter guard have their differences, there are still many factors that apply to both of them. Being on guard is a unique experience that can not be found anywhere else.

Rifle Routine For part of their routine, the winter guard switched out their flags for rifles. Rifle Is harder to perform with because it is a smaller and more difficult object to catch. “I prefer rifle because I think it is neat and uses more skills to catch,” Cierra Johnson (20) said. photo by Samantha Chase.

Flag tossing Gretna hosted its first ever winter guard competition on March 10. The winter guard team was excited to finally be the hosts of a competition. Sophie Larson (21) performed with her flag at the first ever Gretna winter guard competition. photo

by Samantha Chase

Working hard During practise, guard members work on using a new object to perform with, sabres. Sabres are similar to a fake sword to throw and catch. Catching sabors is more difficult than catching a flag or a rifle because of how thin and small it is compared to flag and rifle. photo by Samantha Chase.

High Tosses Three winter guard members form a triangle and toss their flag and catch another members flag. This action requires a lot of practise and skill to do successfully.

They work on this part of the show for a long time in pratise to perfect this skill. photo

by Samantha Chase.

Raised flags The winter guard team all hold up their flags for a small part of the show. The winter guard won their competition on March 10 with hopesof continuing to win more competitions. “I hope to continue to learn more about guard and to win competitions,” Marin Bartman (19) said. photo by Samantha Chase.

I

By Ben Bickel STAFF WRITER

n 2017, Epic Games released a game called Fortnite. Fortnite is a popular game that has been all over social media. There are two game modes: Save the World and Battle Royale. Save the World costs $40; therefore, it is less popular than the free game mode, Battle Royale.

Fortnite Battle Royale is a game mode that consists of 100 different users.

It is similar to the Hunger Games. All the users, that are in the game, jump out of the battle bus down onto the map with many different locations. For example, one of the most popular landing spots is called Tilted Towers. When landed, the goals are simple. Collect loot, and do not die. While all of this is happening, there is a safe zone. Players must remain in this safe zone or the incoming storm will come in and deplete the health of the player. This process of competing against the storm and other players continues until there is one player left, the player who wins the game. Battle Royale has three different modes: solo, duo or squad. This way, gamers can play with their friends and win as a squad or a duo.

Players also have the ability to customize the style of their avatar.

Fortnite releases special outfits to spice the game up. They also give gamers the option to use emotes. Emotes are actions that can be used in game after knocking out an opponent. An example of an emote in Fortnite would be the wave or worm. These little things that Fortnite add to the game make the gameplay more attractive and fun.

I have played this game for about four months, and I would say that it may be one of the most entertaining games I have played in a long while. I feel that the special customizable skins and the emotes add a factor of humor into the game. Fortnite also does very well at keeping up to date with what the users want. If the users do not like a certain weapon in the game and want it out, Epic Games will hear this and remove it from the game. I also enjoy the special events that they have during the week. A special event is a game mode that adds a different twist to the game, making it more enjoyable to play.

The game has, over time, built up more hype than any game I have seen since Modern Warfare 2. Fortnite is being played by men, women, little kids, moms, dads and even grandparents. The game is open to all ages and is appealing to the eye. Epic Games, the creator of Fortnite, is made up of marketing geniuses and have put together a wellthought-out piece of entertainment.

The game is still young and is in beta, but it has massive potential to become an even larger game than it already is.

If I were to rate the game, I would give it a solid 8.7/10. My problem with this game is that servers are not always great.

The game still has many glitches that have to be worked out, but it has room to improve. The longer the game is out, the better it will get.

24 A&E

April 2018

Volume 4 Issue 7

NEW TWISTS ON OLD FAVORITES:DISNEY REMAKES TIMELESS CLASSICS

By Casey Downing STAFF WRITER

Disney has now transitioned into an era of doing what few others have been able to accomplish: successfully remaking classic films. Many production companies try time and time again to build on the success of a past movie.

They do this not by reinventing it but reinvigorating it in the hopes of creating a modern box office hit. Most of the time these movies flop and do not live up to its original, but Disney has defied expectations by producing multiple liveaction remakes that have become instant

classics themselves. Recent live-action remade movies, such as “The Beauty and the Beast,” “The Jungle Book” and “The Lion King,” incorporate plots from their originals with all the magic of today’s technology and creation ability.

“The Jungle Book” follows the story of Mowgli and his adventures while living in the jungle. With the help of computer animation, Disney was able to transform the cartooning of the original 1967 classic into an epic and immersive landscape of the Indian jungles.

Through the use of a modern computer generating platform, commonly referred to as CGI, Disney made it seem as if the

young actor, Neel Sethi, was walking among real life animals. Another aspect that adds to the draw to these remakes is their all-star casts. With celebrities in the likes of Emma Watson, Bill Murray and Idris Elba, it is not surprising that these movies have drawn a big crowd.

Another star-studded film in the works is the remake on Disney’s “The Lion King.” Not only was the original perhaps Disney’s most popular movie, but it is one of the most popular films of all time.

With the shadow of the original looming mightily, Disney has undertaken the ambitious goal of following it up with a remake in the near future. The cast of the

upcoming movie combines the classic voices of James Earl Jones and John Kani, while also introducing modern music superstars like Beyoncé Knowles-Carter and Donald Glover, more commonly known as Childish Gambino, to play the main characters of the film.

The goal of these remakes is not purely profit. Each Disney movie has a deeper message behind it, and they are all meant to encourage their viewers to pursue their passion and follow their dreams. Disney hopes that these new twists on old movies will help inspire the next generation just as their originals had inspired the generation before them.

STUDENT PREFERENCES OF THE LIVE ACTION REMAKES SO FAR

Karlie Kuhn (right) - High School Musical; Kate Leiting (left) - Beauty and the Beast photo by Casey Downing

Gino Zocco (left)-The Jungle Book Zach Voss (top right)-The Jungle Book Merrick Andres (bottom right)-The Jungle Book photo by Casey Downing

Bailey Sullivan - High School Musical photo by Casey Downing

Brooke Downing - Beauty and the Beast photo by Casey Downing