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THOMAS STUDENTS MAKE A DIFFERENCE

School Hosts Melodrama, Benefits Childhood Cancer Research, Community

By Kalei Renner STAFF WRITER

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ith the high amount of kids diagnosed with childhood cancer, Thomas Elementary’s “Making a Difference Club” hosted a melodrama play called, “The Day Polly Esther Arrived.” They did this to raise money for childhood cancer research.

“This was our club’s first time doing the melodramatic play,” said club sponsor Ms. Shannon Buttner. “It was a unique and fun opportunity for students in the club to be involved in something theatrically related as our school does not offer any theater or drama clubs.”

This event was held on Nov. 15, in the auditorium of Thomas Elementary. For this event, the club wanted to get as many fourth and fifth graders into the play as they could.

“Making A Difference Club” at Thomas is open to fourth and fifth graders whose purpose is to do kind things for others,” said club sponsor Mrs. Anita DeFreese. “We have 98 members this school year. Our effort in the month of November was to raise money for childhood cancer research.”

As the opening night approached, 22 fifth graders were assigned to be a part of the cast. For the fourth graders, they were tasked to sell popcorn, set out chairs and seat guests as they walked through the door.

“Only fifth-grade students were given the opportunity to try out for parts in the melodrama,” said Buttner. “This is because our club is so large this year with over 90 students.”

Once the play began and the audience members were seated, the fifth graders stunned the crowd with their performance.

Melodramatic plays encourage audience participation, so the crowd was very interactive throughout the play.

“Some of the melodramatic characters were a handsome hero, a kind and pretty heroine and a dreadful villain,” said Mrs. DeFreeze. “For about 20 minutes, the audience was encouraged to shout ‘Boos,’ ‘Yahs,’ and ‘Awws.’”

Along with the interactive audience, nearly 300 people showed up for the performance.

Since there was a large number of people, the fifth graders managed to run out of popcorn and programs. The auditorium was exceptionally full.

“We didn’t know what to expect that night for attendance,” said Mrs. DeFreeze.

“People just kept walking in through the door. We ran out of popcorn and programs.

We had nearly 300 people present for the special night.”

After the play came to an end, guest speaker Alexia Lewis spoke to the crowd about childhood cancer and how it affected her life. She lost her son Knox to childhood cancer.

“Alexia’s journey has led her to share Knox’s story with others so that she can help others through emotionally tough times of childhood cancer,” said club sponsor Mrs. Karen Naylor. “Perhaps the most meaningful for me was when people kept bringing her money after her speech was over.”

At the end of the night, the club raised $936 for childhood cancer. This was more money than what the club expected to receive.

“We raised $936 that night,” said DeFreeze. “We are thankful for our supportive community. It was a wonderful night!”

With the success of the melodrama play, the club will continue to do things to support their community. This month, the club worked on making tied blankets for the Linus Project. The Linus Project is a project where handmade blankets are created for traumatized or extremely ill children. Next month, the club will be making cards for

Silver Ridge. On top of that, they will be doing work for Children’s Hospital.

“Next month we are making cards for Silver Ridge,” said DeFreeze. “We will also be filling “to go” boxes with toys and socks for Children’s Hospital.”

For many years, the club has been doing whatever they can to help their community.

With their past projects, current projects and future projects, they will continue to do whatever can to help and support those in need.

Melodrama Cast This picture includes the 5th grade crew from the melodrama, “Polly Esther Arrives.”

“Only 5th grade students were given to try out for parts in the melodrama since our club is so large this year with over 90 members,” said club sponsor Shannon Buttner. These kids will be expected to do more projects this school year. Submitted photo

PLAYING ONLINE GAME HELPS OTHERS

Nonprofit Rice Charity Website Fights Hunger Worldwide, in Gretna

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By Eliese Simon STAFF WRITER

reerice is a game that has been known for ten years by physics and calculus teacher Mr. Matt Johnson.

He introduced it to his class to minimize random gaming. Freerice is a game that asks students questions over various subjects to help people out around the world; ten grains of rice will be donated to the hungry every time a student gets a question correct.

“Freerice is an online activity, an online game, I have known about it for about ten years,” Mr. Johnson said. “It asks little questions; the first thing that came out was some vocabulary questions. It would give you this word, it said ‘this means,’ and it would give you four of the words and you chose the right (answer), and every one you get right, it donates ten grains of rice to the United Nations World Food Fund.”

Mr. Johnson did not enjoy catching students playing games in class, so he came up with the idea of Freerice.

He set a goal for the class, and if they get one ton of rice by the end of third quarter, they get an assignment

dropped. The goal was later changed to ten kilograms.

“It was actually Mr. Johnson’s idea,” senior Ben Schaefer said. “People were playing this tile slide game with cupcakes in his class, and he thought that collecting rice would be a better idea. He also incentivized it by saying if we collect one ton of rice then we could skip an assignment, which obviously made it a lot more popular. I came across it (the game) through Mr. Johnson.”

The grains of rice collected go to the World Food Programme, which will give it to countries in critical need. Senior Hannah Schmidt enjoys the game because it goes towards a good cause. In her free time, she will play the game to help reach their goal and to help feed others.

“Yeah, it is really nice to know that it is not just rewarding to me, but to other people across the world,” Schmidt said. “I do it in my free time so it doesn’t take up my work time during school and all that.”

Along with Schmidt, Mr. Johnson likes the game because it helps people, but also because it is not just a mindless game. He enjoys referring to it as a nutritious game.

“The word I use is nutritious; it is asking good stuff, plus you are not

wasting your time,” Mr. Johnson said.

“You are using your time for a good cause.”

Unlike other games, Freerice can help save lives in places like Africa and the Middle East. It makes a difference in for communities less fortunate that Gretna.

As of January 18, the group is sitting at 122,770 grains of rice and is working to reach their goal of one ton.

“My favorite part about it is that it is something so easy to do that actually can help real people and solve a real problem,” Schaefer said. “The fundraising is going pretty well, but I do not know if we’re going to reach one ton of rice. We have donated over 117,000 grains of rice so far.”

Senior Brooke Downing is another one who thinks of Freerice as more than just a game. She enjoys it because of the positive impact it has on other peoples lives.

“My favorite thing about freerice is the feeling that I’m actually helping people,” Downing said. “To me, it’s just answering simple questions, but in reality, there’s a much larger impact behind these actions.”

People around the world can use help from GHS. Join the group “Room 713” with the code UAJT5WAH to begin feeding the world. The group is open to all.

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CODE

Freerice in Action Ben Randall (19) sits at his computer to begin a game of Freerice. “My favorite part about free rice is how it’s bigger than a game. Sure, it’s a time waster, but I feel like I learn new things every day from it, and it goes towards a great cause.” Photo by Eliese Simon

Help others at:

beta.freerice.com CODE: UAJT5WAH

2 News H E A L T H

JANUARY 2019

Volume 5 Issue 3

CHANGE FOR STUDENTS’ FUTURES Students, Teachers, Look Forward To Newest Course Offerings

By Anissa Lemons STAFF WRITER

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he future for GHS is changing. Many new classes are being added to the curriculum in the coming years. Dual credit Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Foods and Nutrition are two of new classes that will be offered to students starting in the fall of 2019.

Junior Madison Coleman is planning to take the CNA class. Like Coleman, many of the current students who will be graduating soon are excited for the new nursing class. Rather than having to drive to a Metropolitan Community College campus, students are now able to take the class without leaving the school parking lot.

“I’ve always wanted to be in the medical field,” Coleman said. “I think it’s the best choice for me to go with.”

For years, students wished for the CNA class to be brought to GHS. Now that it has been introduced, teachers are seeing a great number of students signing up for the nursing class. Principal Roger Miller was one to see the increase in student involvement after the new class was introduced.

“From the signups, I think the CNA class will be the most popular,” Mr. Miller said. “We kind of figured that. It’s a good way for kids to start getting their hands wet.”

Another one of the new classes being offered is the Food and Nutrition courses. Students will have the opportunity to enroll in Foods and Nutrition I and Foods and Nutrition II. The classes will focus on food preparation and

cooking food. The chances for current juniors to get into the Foods and Nutrition courses next year are much higher because the class of 2020 will be given first priority.

Since these classes have not been offered before, the classes need to claim their spot in the school. GHS will also be gaining new teachers for the new classes. According to Mr. Miller, the new classes will be located near Mrs. Jami Ewer’s old classroom in the west wing.

“We knew the rooms would be finished this school year,” Principal Miller said. “We’re on schedule to offer them (the classes) next year.”

Students have mixed feelings on the newcoming teachers. Some believe that the change is good, while others wish it was a teacher that they have had in previous years. The new teachers joining the GHS staff are still in the hiring process.

“I’m okay with a new teacher,” Coleman said.

“But I feel like you have better relationships with old teachers, as they know your style of learning.”

Teachers encourage students which plan to go into the medical field to take the CNA class which qualifies as a dual credit class. Taking a dual credit class allows students to gain a college credit while still in high school. “We want these classes to line up,” Principal Miller said. “When kids start taking these classes, they know that when they go to Metro, they have some of these classes done and out of the way.”

While these new classes have yet to come, these courses offer students a greater chance of experiencing possible career choices and allow them to get a jump start for college. There are many changes coming to GHS soon.

• Dual Credit Certified Nursing Assisstant

• Foods + Nutrition

Classroom Progress Some of the new classrooms have yet to be renovated, but others are much closer to completion. “The two classrooms are already starting to be finished.” Said Principal Mr. Roger Miller. The rooms will be used to hold CNA courses, among others. Photo by Anissa Lemons

I N BLO OD I SN’ T JUST F O R G RE T N A ANNUAL BLOOD DRIVE GIVES HOPE, HEALTH TO OTHERS

O U R S C H O O L

By Mary Matya COPY EDITOR

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here are many ways to help the community, such as donating blood.

Every January, the Student Council hosts a blood drive. The 2019 blood drive will be on Feb. 8, and the student body donated pints.

“I became the student council sponsor about 12 years ago,” student council sponsor Mrs. Anita O’neill said. “It’s been going for about 14 years.”

The blood drive offers a way for students to help their communities.

Students can donate blood to help people who need blood for a variety of reasons, including liver disease, anemia, or cancer. The Red Cross brings the blood drive to GHS. “I wanted another way to help out with the community,” senior Serena Wilson said. “It’s a good way to donate something that is easy to replenish.”

Setting up for the blood drive does not take long at all. The student council sets it up in the morning before the first donation time.

“We set it up in the morning,” junior T.J. Huber said. “We usually come out around 6:45 (AM) and we’re done around 7:45 to 8:00.”

Contrary to popular belief, students do not get paid for their donation. The Red Cross does not pay anyone to donate their blood, no matter the type. The only people who pay for blood is at a blood bank where the blood is used for make-up and not for human use.

“It is not true,” Mrs. O’Neill said.

“The Red Cross does not pay. The only people who pay are at a blood

bank.”

For first-time donors, donating blood can seem a bit intimidating.

Luckily, there are a few things to keep in mind the before students donate.

“The morning of, I like to drink a glass of orange juice,” Wilson said.

“If you are going to drink something the morning of, drink orange juice and drink lots of water.”

There are other things to help new donors prepare for their donation.

New donors should keep hydrated and eat breakfast. Donors should also get a good night’s sleep.

“Always eat lots of nuts before, especially protein-filled things,” Wilson said. “Drink lots of water and do not do a strenuous practice the morning before you give blood.”

For students thinking about donating their blood, the blood drive is a good way to get information about donating. Students who have donated before are a good source of information about donating.

“I’d tell them to do it,” Huber said. “It helps saves lives, which is the main thing.”

For the students who are worried about the after-effects of donating blood, the nurses are helpful. They make sure everyone is safe after donating.

“They know that you’re giving blood and that you’ll be a little woozy after it,” Huber said.

“They’re well aware of that and will take care of you.”

Donating blood may seem scary, but it is a good way to help other people who need blood. Blood is one of the few things people can keep donating throughout their life. The blood drive hopes to be a success this year.

Volume 5 Issue 3

JANUARY 2019

News

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GHS ALLIANCE WITH UNMC PROGRAM

Students Shape the Future of Medicine Through Education

By Casey Downing STAFF WRITER

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Arriving On Campus Senior Praise Bothwell, stands on the UNMC campus under the banner of the medical center. “The campus being so close to Gretna provides us many opportunities,” Bothwell said. Each student is given an official shirt and lanyard to identify them as students on campus. Submitted photo

Extracurricular Activities Taking a break from school to skate.

Seniors Olivia Thompson and Grace MacLeod have formed a friendship that goes beyond the classroom. “I’ve made many friends at UNMC that I’m now really close with even outside of the program,” Thompson said. Submitted photo

ach year, two students are selected to represent the school and receive a higher, more specialized education at one of the most advanced medical facilities in the nation, as ranked by Forbes.

These students gain critical insight into the medical field while receiving a college level education at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Representing the school this year are seniors Olivia Thompson and Praise Bothwell.

“We get to take classes that aren’t offered here at Gretna,” Thompson said. “We get insight into the medical field and it really was able to solidify for me what I wanted to do with my future after high school.”

The application process for the program is quite rigorous, with only the top tier of students being accepted. To apply, each student was held to a high academic standard and completed a written essay. The final step was an in-person interview with the faculty of the medical center.

“It was a long process, and I didn’t really think that I’d get in,” Thompson said. “I’m really glad that I did though because it has given me a unique work experience.”

This program has been present for our students for several years now. Each student that has participated is currently pursuing different avenues in the medical field.

Alumna Grace Sullivan from the class of 2018 was selected for this program and is

now attending medical school.

“Working with the UNMC alliance program really catapulted me forward in terms of what I wanted to be,” Sullivan said.

“Working with professionals and professors who knew the ins and the outs of the environment was beyond beneficial to me.”

As the tradition carries on, current juniors will have the opportunity to apply, and the staff of UNMC encourages as many as possible to apply. Current students feel the same way.

“I think that all students interested in the medical field should apply,” Bothwell said.

“Although it doesn’t give you college credit, it looks really good on a résumé for college and gives you a deeper feel for the field.”

The alliance between UNMC and GHS is growing stronger. GHS is already taking steps to open even more doors for students interested in pursuing medicine. Next year, students will be offered a CNA class, certified nursing assistant, for the first time.

“After a survey with current students when we constructed the new wing, we found that the most wanted additions were the CNA classes,” Mr. Curt Mace said. “It’s so nice to be able to help students complete the program right here in GHS.” Whether it is in the hallways of GHS or across the Metro in one of the leading healthcare facilities, these programs help prepare students for their futures in the medical field, and they provide first-hand insight into the chaotic world of providing healthcare for others.

GOVERNMENT SIMULATION EXPERIENCE

SOPHOMORE CLASSES TRY SOMETHING NEW

By Connor Bulgrin PHOTO EDITOR

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his semester, the sophomore government classes tried something new by partnering with a group called Self-Government Works. They are a group that sells the self-governing program to schools. The program helps students understand the colonial days and self-government by a simulation.

The students have to move away from their oppressive leader, which represents King George, and start their own colony. Their goal is to govern themselves in a way that is not oppressive or chaotic. They have to set up their own rules and guidelines to manage their own learning environment.

“It’s way different than anything else that you do in school,” history instructor Mr. Jake Jadlowski said. “I mean it’s still school work but based on what I’ve seen so far the effort’s pretty good, and I think the responsibility that it sort of puts in the hands of you guys makes you care a little more and try a little harder. I’m just saying, people do their homework that never do their homework, so that must say something about the program.

Plus, unchallenged power is amazing.”

The simulation starts with extreme control by the “director,” a prepared video that is a

part of the curriculum, and the teacher who is the more hands-on oppressor. With prompting from the program, the students rebel against the oppression and start their self-governing journey from there.

“It’s fun in class because it demonstrates what the founding fathers and people of that time went through, in their oppression and how hard it is to self govern, and create a system that works for almost everyone,” sophomore Colton Stock said.

“However, the homework packets are long and boring, and it’s hard to keep focus. But the selfgovernment is fun when we do in class activities.”

The program has a different homework style than most classes in high school. The students were required to do their assignments at night so then they would be prepared for the next day in class. It had more of a university feel; however, the class has been modified so that one day in class the students partake in the simulation.

Then the next in class day is a work day for the homework.

“The program is kind of like in a trial period, so it’s not like it’s finalized, but I think there is a little gap in what you are supposed to learn,” Mr. Jadlowski said. “ I think there needs to be a built in a day or somehow to talk about the homework before we do the next day’s thing, so you get the point of it before doing it.”

Students are still expected to learn while doing the simulation. If they start focusing too much on

the simulation or the homework there is a chance that the actual learning may not sink in. Also, the homework could be very confusing and extensive so it could give nothing at all to the student.

“You read about the Mayflower Compact then you have to make a compact, then you read all those charters and have to make your own charter,” Mr. Jadlowski said. “If that stuff didn’t make sense then like the activity isn’t as beneficial as it could be.

And some of those readings are pretty brutal, like very high-level reading. I don’t understand all of it, not that I’m a genius, … But for the most part it is very well thought out and very well put together.”

While most of the feedback is positive and promising, the main complaint is that the readings are difficult and hard to understand. Although there are several good things about the program it can still progress more.

“It’s kind of a hands-on activity, and you get to see what the people coming to America went through,” sophomore Gabe Melton said. “It was kind of strict at the beginning, and there was

quite a bit of homework to do with it. The reading is so like back in their time and it’s very hard to understand and comprehend.”

This is the trial year for the simulation, if it is deemed acceptable and is done again it would take place in the first semester, not the second.

How this class does will determine whether or not the social studies department will repeat the activity.

Based on what I’ve seen so far that it is worth doing it again,” Mr. Jadlowski said. “I would anticipate it would be better the second time around, as I get more familiar with it, and the other teachers. Pretty much I’m going day by day just like you are. I’m trying to stay like slightly ahead so I can kind of point you in the right direction. It’s a fair amount of work doing your homework and like being in character and figuring out how the simulation plays out. But my guess is yes we would do it again next year.”

This new experiment is bringing a different learning environment to school. With the new idea, there has been positive and negative feedback. The future of GHS history classes all depends on the class of 2021.

Playing a Role The “Director” in one of the many videos the students must watch. “Outside of day one and two when I got to be a dictator, I would say the general consensus from talking to people is that it’s alright” Mr. Jadlowski said. “As far as school goes.” The “Director” and the teacher are an oppressive duo when the simulation starts. Submitted photo

4 News

JANUARY 2019

Volume 5 Issue 3

S HOW C HOIR HOSTS PRI ME T I ME Annual Competition by Both Show Choirs, Parents

By Kaleigh Zollman STAFF WRITER

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he show choirs Revolution and Evolution hosted their annual Primetime competition on Jan 12. Groups from Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota and Minnesota were all in attendance.

“Primetime is a show choir competition hosted by Gretna that acts as a fundraiser for the choirs,” sophomore Ellis Deal said.

“It’s really fun because we get to host other schools and make friends.”

In the week prior to Primetime, the show choirs rehearsed for ten hours to get themselves prepared. During these hours, the groups worked on making their dances sharper, practicing costume changes and adjusting formations.

“I really enjoyed decorating our group’s room and hostessing,” freshman Belle Rangel said. “It made me feel really great to be a part of something and to create a cool environment for my group.”

The parent volunteers were a major part

of the success of Primetime. The parents of show choir members spent up to four to eighteen hours preparing the show.

“I think people volunteer their time, whether they themselves were in show choir in their day and they want to relive some of that,” Evolution director Mr. Brandon Shostak said. “It could be as simple as ‘Oh my kid is in show choir, so I want to help and support.’ I would not be surprised if there were over 100 parent volunteers.”

Every year, the show choirs come up with new ways to generate the most profit from Primetime because it is one of the main fundraisers for the groups. Admission to the event is $12. On top of watching other groups perform, visitors could also visit the food court, a photo booth and vote for a people’s choice award. Since Gretna has run into capacity issues in the past, overflow viewing was set up in the commons area.

“With Gretna getting bigger, we have had to think of how can we make Primetime not burst at the seams when

Puppet Pose Show Choir gives members the opportunity to portray different characters through singing, facial expressions, costumes and style of dance. “I love being able to create different backgrounds for all of the characters,” Morgan Secora (22) said. “Once you step on that stage, you are no longer yourself.” The different characteristics of each show make each one unique.

it comes to space and how many groups can we fit,” Mr. Shostak said. “We have to make it a supply and demand sort of thing, where we let directors know we have a certain amount of spots and that will hopefully make them sign up ahead of time.”

Mr. Shostak and Mr. Ribar ran into a problem on competition day- snow. Two groups had to cancel due to poor road conditions. However, the show went on.

“This year, the weather was an issue for some schools,” Mr. Shostak said. “They had to let me know if they were not showing up or running late that way we could keep the competition on schedule.”

Revolution and Evolution took the stage Saturday to debut their shows. GHS was not eligible for placement in finals because they hosted the event. The groups are not allowed to place in finals because the judges for the competition are hired by the Gretna directors.

“I think we really benefit from not competing at the first competition of the season,” freshman Morgan Secora said.

Shining on Stage As a team, it is important that all of the girls look the same. “You don’t want to stand out,” Makenna Dziuraweic (22) said. “We look more professional and uniform.”The same costumes are provided to members, and each girl is required to wear the same hair and makeup.

Photo by James Withers

“We get to see where we are compared to other groups, and it gives us time to run through our show in front of an audience.”

The “Bridge Street Singers” out of St. Francis, Minnesota took home the title of Grand Champion. The show choir season will run through March with both Revolution and Evolution performing at competitions throughout the metro area every Saturday. A week of hard work, tiredness and a long day resulted in another successful Primetime.

First Time The show choir directors used Primetime as a way for Revolution and Evolution to perform with a large audience, but without actually competing. “I think Evolution gets the advantage personally,” Shostak said. “They get the feeling of a what a competition is without being thrown into the pool of already trying to go for a trophy.” This gives the groups time to adjust their show so they can do better before their first time competing.

Photo by James Withers

Revolution: Grand Champions in South Dakota

The Dragon's Closet Prom- An Invitation from Mrs. Eastman

Photo by Emily Parkinson

February 16thJunior and Senior Girls are invited to: The Dragon’s Closet

Photo by Emily Parkinson

Find Prom dresses, accessories at no charge!

Find prom dresses and accessories at no charge.

At least 20 girls get the change to sign up for:

-corsages and boutonnieres -eyebrow waxing

-spray tans -hair appointment

All done free,to make you and your prom night beautiful

Photo by Danielle Larson

Volume 5 Issue 3

JANUARY 2019

News

5

Travelling With MADAME French Classes Plan First Exchange Abroad

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By Emma Mayer STAFF ILLUSTRATOR

Submitted photo

Submitted photo

Submitted photo

lthough only two years of foreign language are required for colleges, four years of each language are still offered by high schools. Despite a large percentage of students only taking two years to prepare for college, others take four to expand their language skills and prepare for future opportunities.

To help students expand their speaking skills, most foreign language classes take a trip somewhere to offer students an opportunity to apply what they have learned to real life.

They are given the chance to communicate in the language they have been taught with actual native speakers of the language. For the first time in GHS history, the French students will have the opportunity to also take a trip.

“It was the students that said ‘we would like to go on a trip to France,’” French instructor Mrs. Mindy Randall said. “Then I started looking around for different companies and picked one that kind of matched the stuff that we were doing. The company that we are going with is based in Montréal Canada, so they are a French company.”

According to Travel and Leisure, the average trip is booked up to six months in advance, flights are usually booked three to six months out for an international trip, and hotels are booked one to two months before. Unlike regular trips, trips taken with a school include finding a company for the trip, finding where to go and holding many meetings. In result of all these details, the planning process has taken longer than expected. “(The trip has been in preparation for) about a year and a half,” Randall said. “There are eight Gretna students, and then there are like 18 students from Millard South going. We have meetings to pass out the information and see who’s interested in going. Then we’ll have some more meetings, where we’re getting together and doing room assignments and talking about what they need to bring for clothes [and] for money.”

Although the preparation that has gone into the planning of the trip has taken longer than most trips, preparation has also gone into the communication aspect of the trip. Traveling to a foreign country can be nerve-wracking, especially a country like France. According to the Eurobarometer report in 2012, 39% of the French population speaks English.

“We’ve also done some speaking scenarios in class that they might encounter when they’re traveling so they can use those,” Mrs. Randall said. “Getting to see some of the places that we’ve been talking about in class and having the opportunity to speak to some real French people.”

Not only does the French trip provide a once in a lifetime opportunity to see France, but it also provides students the opportunity to use the language skills they have learned and developed in class. Practicing vocabulary, scenarios and reading stories are all aspects to help further prepare them for this trip.

Although going to France is an excellent learning opportunity, it is also a beautiful place to visit.

“We’ll be in Paris, we’ll get to see the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Art Museum, eat at local restaurants and then we are going to the Chateau country where we’ll get to see the castles that the kings lived in,” Mrs. Randall said. “We are going to the south of France on the Mediterranean, we’ll get to see the beaches there in Nice.”

The French students leave on June 6 and return June 14. During the trip to France, students will have the opportunity to use everything they have learned in class. The trip will provide opportunities to have conversations with real French natives, eat authentic French food and see breathtaking sights.

History First habited in 7,600 BCE, the Parisii Gallic tribe had established a settlement in modern-day Paris by 300 BCE. They burned their settlement to avoid surrendering it to the Romans. Paris rebuilt and continued to grow under various kings.

p a s i g h ts r i s -Notre Dame: a twelfth century cathedral sits on the eastern end of a region called Île de la Cité -The Louvre: began as one of the world’s largest palaces; now an art museum, it contains Renaissance, classical, and modern element; contains painting such as Mona Lisa -The Bastille: 17th century state prison; captured by French Revolutionary mob on July 14, 1789; demolished by the angry revolutionaries -Eiffel Tower: 984-foot tall truss tower by Gustave Eiffel; build in 1889 for the International Exposition britannica.com

regions -Nouvelle-Aquitane

S O U S I G H TS T H -Occitanie

-Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

-Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur -Corsica

-Avignon: a commune with Pont d’Avignon, a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Pope’s Palace -Provence Region: full of vineyards and hiking trails -Séte: fishing town on the coast called “Little Venice” -Cannes: home to a worldrenowned film festival, farmers market and hiking -Carcassonne: filled with castles; restored fourth century sites tripstodiscover.com

6 OpEd

JANUARY 2019

By Casey Downing STAFF REPORTER

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s every high school student knows, making decisions that will greatly impact the future is difficult. Yet none of the decisions that I have faced compare to the one that Kyler Murray will.

In his collegiate career, senior Kyler Murray finds himself being benched at Texas A&M so he transferred to Oklahoma.

Sitting out a year of football he continued his baseball career and then in his senior season, on every major sports network as starting quarterback for the Oklahoma Sooners in the College Football Playoff. Murray has piled up a multitude of awards over his seasons of football.

One of these awards includes the Heisman Trophy, the award for the best player in all of college football. It seems like this would all but guarantee him a promising career in the National Football League. Enter the Oakland Athletics.

At Allen High School in Allen, Texas, Kyler Murray was a dual sport athlete who competed in both baseball and football. His performance in both sports granted him the opportunity that few earn in their lifetimes; he was drafted out of high school by the Oakland A’s to play baseball and is expected to be selected in the first round of the NFL draft after college.

The national media, friends, family and random sports fans across the country all believe that they know what is best for the 21-year-old phenomenon. Weighing the options facing the young athlete is difficult, and knowing what the future has in store for him is downright impossible. But looking at the long histories and trends of the two sports makes the decision more clear.

Volume 5 Issue 3

Take Me Out to the... Football Game?

Kyler Murray Faces Decision

Photo Credits: Scott Mo1, Creative Commons License Art Credits: Ella Weaver

Although Murray’s ceiling and potential stardom are much higher for the National Football League, he is also putting himself at a much greater risk physically with a smaller monetary reward. If Murray chooses to go to the NFL, he will play the position of quarterback, and standing at five feet ten inches, he will have a hard time seeing over the colossal offensive linemen of pro-football. Sure, other quarterbacks have been successful at his stature, but the good play of a few does not discount the risks of his height hindering him at the next level. Perhaps the most obvious reason Murray should choose a career in Oakland green over one in shoulder pads is the injuries of playing football. Even with the league instituting many safety protocols over previous seasons, playing football does not come without the risk of brain injury. Dozens of players have had their careers and lives halted by debilitating injuries such as CTE, Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, a brain disorder caused by repeated blows to the head or neck.

If Murray would choose a career in professional baseball, he would be choosing a path of longevity. Over the last 15 years According to Gallup research, an average MLB player has a career of 5.6 years in the majors as compared to the much lower 3.3 years of playing professional football. Not only will Murray enjoy a longer career, but also a more comfortable lifestyle. The same data showed that a professional baseball player will make more than double that of their football counterparts each year. When this pay difference is combined with the longer career, it totals a recipe for Murray’s continued success and welfare for years to come.

No one, including myself, can glimpse into a crystal ball and see exactly what the best option for Murray’s future will be, but taking a step back to examine the current states of both sports makes the best choice clearer, or at the very least, more informed. Kyler Murray should choose to pursue baseball if he wants the most success he can achieve as a professional athlete.

Oklahoma Sooners Logo, courtesy of UoO (Public Domain) Kyler Murray currently plays for the Oklahoma Sooners at the University of Oklahoma. He began there in 2017.

By Colin Kitson STAFF REPORTER

C

ollege sports are very exciting for athletes. Some of those players are participating in multiple sports, but it is uncommon to come across.

Kyler Murray is gifted in playing both baseball and football for the University of Oklahoma.

Before this college football season started, he was drafted in the MLB draft by the Oakland Athletics for the ninth overall pick. His plan coming into the football season was to play professional baseball, but at the end of football season, he had other thoughts. After having an extremely successful season with the Sooners, he realized he could definitely play in the in the NFL. He had a total of 54 touchdowns in the 2018 season, 42 passing and 12 rushing and he only threw seven interceptions. There has been commotion with his interest in playing pro football, and it raises the question whether he should play football or baseball. There is no doubt in my mind he should play football.

Looking at it now, Murray has a 4.6 million deal with the Athletics to play baseball in the pros. For most people they look at it financially and believe that he will be better off in baseball, but that is not completely true.

The average amount of time a NFL player spends in the league is four years, and that is exceeded by the stars. That is a short term for money, but the money is much greater short term than what he would earn playing baseball.

Murray is expected to be a first round pick in this year’s NFL draft, and if that happens he has the potential to double or triple the amount of money is he receiving for baseball.

Pick number 32, the last of the first round of last year’s draft, was quarterback Lamar Jackson. His contract is 9.4 million, and he gets all that money if he finishes out his rookie contract of four years. The last quarterback drafted in the first round to not finish out his rookie contract was Paxton Lynch, a 2016 first round draft pick.

On a short term, Murray will make much more money playing pro football. If he goes to play baseball, he still has to develop in the league. If he has a strong performance and develops in 1 ½ years, it will still take him three more years to make more money than 700k. If he went with baseball, he would be waiting four to five years to receive any money over.

Another key point to look at that makes Murray NFL material is his actual success and potential. He had a strong year playing for the Sooners this past season, as he led them to a 12-2 record and all the way to number 4 in the college football rankings. He was very versatile, as he could not only throw but run the ball. As a quarterback, that is not easy to do; the last quarterback to show flashes like that in the NFL was Michael Vick. He was very successful. Also, do not forget he won the award for the best player in college football, the Heisman Trophy. Murray has comparisons to Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson in skill, and he is believed to be just as good, if not better, than Wilson. If he forms out to be a superstar, he will shape a very successful NFL career.

All in all, I believe Murray should choose football for the most money in the shortest term. He has amazing potential according to analysts, and he could compare to some of the great quarterbacks.

CASH MOVES EVERYTHING AROUND ME Highest paid

M L B

Highest paid

Mike Trout: $35.8 million in 2018

Aaron Rodgers: $75.9 million

Clayton Kershaw: $33.8 million

Matt Ryan: $52.5 million

David Price: $30.7 million

Jimmy Garoppolo: $42.6 million

Miguel Cabrera: $30.5 million

Khalil Mack: $41.8 million

Yoenis Cespedes: $29.5 million

Aaron Donald: $41.1 million

forbes.com

forbes.com

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Volume 5 Issue 3

JANUARY 2019

NEWEST TREND

OpEd

7

Hype About AirPods

By Bayleigh Koch STAFF WRITER

A

Photo by Jacey Hammer

fter Christmas break several students returned with the newest Apple product, AirPods.

The wireless headphones are a big hit. I have had my AirPods since October, and they are a huge privilege to my life.

The Airpods almost never fall out, aside from the few times that my hair gets tangled around the bud. Then, it falls out. For me, they are perfect for the gym and running. It is a relief not having to constantly worry about the wire breaking or the cord getting tangled. You can also change it in settings where if you double tap the bud, it pauses and/ or skips the current song that you are playing. Personally, I wear one AirPod 90% of the time.

The little case can be hard to keep track of, but Apple has an app so that if you lose your AirPods. You can connect to ‘Find My iPhone’ and you then play a sound to locate your case, which

hopefully have the buds inside. The case is a charger for the AirPods, but you have to charge the case itself. It is charged by an iPhone charger, so it works well if you have other Apple products.

I have only lost my AirPods once, and I was really lucky to find them. I looked for them for two days when my mom texted me a picture of them. I was super confused and asked where she found them.. She told me I had washed them with my laundry. I was extremely grateful to find out that the charger and AirPods were perfectly okay, even after going through the washing machine. The case itself still charges, and the AirPods inside had no damage, but I do not recommend washing them, just in case you do not end up so lucky.

The earbuds have been a huge help to me, being able to use them at the gym and in class is really helpful. I honestly do not know if I could go back to regular headphones. The wire would bother me now. AirPods are worth the price ($159) in my opinion, and they live up to all their expectations of.

Photo by Jacey Hammer

VAPING EPIDEMIC STRIKES

The voice staff Hazards Evolutionary Cigarettes Bring

Connor Bulgrin: PHOTO EDITOR Samantha Chase: STAFF WRITER Grace Coufal: STAFF WRITER Casey Downing: STAFF WRITER Regan Ehlert: STAFF WRITER Lauren Eurich: A&E EDITOR Matt Goblirsch: STAFF WRITER Brie Goday: STAFF WRITER Jacey Hammer: EDITOR-INCHIEF Gabby Hytrek: STAFF WRITER Delany Jepsen: STAFF WRITER Colin Kitson: STAFF WRITER Bayleigh Koch: STAFF WRITER Abby Leasure: CARTOONIST Anissa Lemons: STAFF WRITER Isabel Mancilla: COPY EDITOR/CARTOONIST Mary Matya: COPY EDITOR Emma Mayer: CARTOONIST Jessica McKee: NEWS EDITOR Zane Mrozla-Mindrup: STAFF WRITER Ben Randall: COPY EDITOR Kalei Renner: STAFF WRITER Emily Shurtliff: INDEPTH EDITOR Eliese Simon: STAFF WRITER Gavin Struve: STAFF WRITER Ella Weaver: EDITOR-INCHIEF Kaleigh Zollman: STAFF WRITER

By Gavin Struve STAFF WRITER

U

pon walking into a bathroom, there is a noticeable fruity smell, but after getting closer to the smell, it becomes almost suffocating. The scent is too strong and smells artificial, soon it becomes apparent that it is coming from a vape. Or maybe from smelling it enough, every single day, it is easy to recognize the origin of the smell within a second. This is the reality at most schools with the rise of vaping and the most popular places to do so, school bathrooms.

Teen vaping use has soared in the past few years as popularity has greatly risen.

Vapes were invented to help ease adults off of cigarettes, but now kids are using them and making themselves much more likely to try cigarettes themselves. According to Wall Street Journal, about 20% of high school students said they have vaped in the last thirty days. That number has risen 75% from last year meaning adolescent vaping has risen exponentially in the past year alone.

Much of this massive rise can be attributed to the introduction of Juul, a wildly popular e-cigarette company that was launched in July of 2017.

Juul’s device was created to help adult smokers quit. “No minor or nonnicotine user should ever try Juul,” a

company spokeswoman told Wall Street Journal. Despite being marketed towards adult smokers, Juul has resonated much more with teens, many of whom had never smoked before. A study by Truth Initiative showed that 15-17-year-olds are sixteen times more likely to be current Juul users than 25-34-year-olds. The young company owns more than 72 percent of the e-cigarette market and is valued at $38 billion according to CNBC. Many teens do not understand the harmful effects of vaping. According to U.S. News and World Report, “63 percent of Juul users did not know that the device contains nicotine.” Nicotine is an addictive chemical that can negatively affect brain development in adolescents. “We have a lot of evidence showing that the adolescent brain is extremely sensitive to the effects of nicotine,” said Suchitra Krishnan-Sarin, co-leader of the Yale Tobacco Center for Regulatory Science to Penn State Medical Center. “Studies have shown us that nicotine can interfere with memory and attention processing.” While e-cigarettes are supposed to be a safer alternative to cigarettes, they are far from harmless. One Juul pod contains just as much nicotine as a pack of cigarettes.

E-cigarette side effects “include increased heart rate and blood pressure, lung disease, chronic bronchitis and insulin resistance leading to type 2 diabetes,” according to the Penn State Medical Center. Penn State

also reported that e-cigarettes contain an antifreeze ingredient and toxic chemicals such as formaldehyde, which is cancer causing. Even with all this information, there is still not enough research to understand all the effects vaping has. On top of this, students caught with vapes in school face disciplinary issues including suspension.

With all the information and known hazards about vapes and e-cigarettes, it seems like a no-brainer to stay away from them. They contain nicotine which is harmful and addictive, greatly increase your odds of smoking cigarettes, can cause cancer and are expensive. If you have never smoked cigarettes, it does not make sense to start using a device intended to help smokers quit. Nonetheless, millions of high schoolers still vape, filling the school bathrooms and their lungs with vaporized chemicals. The number of students who have used an e-cigarette device before is probably closer to fifty percent. Vaping has become inescapable at schools, and millions of teens around the country have already formed addictions. Maybe when more information comes out regarding the hazards of these new devices, it will cause more concern and apprehension for those using them now.

Unfortunately, it seems e-cigarettes are not going away anytime soon, and they will likely serve the next generation their fix for cancerous devices. In a staff survey, twentyfive members were against vaping.

“While e-cigarettes are supposed to be a safer alternative to cigarettes, they are far from harmless.

One Juul pod contains just as much nicotine as a pack of cigarettes. E-cigarette side effects “include increased heart rate and blood pressure, lung disease, chronic bronchitis and insulin resistance leading to type 2 diabetes,” according to the Penn State Medical Center.”

8 OpEd

JANUARY 2019

Volume 5 Issue 3

TIME TO EAT, BREATHE, HAVE FUN

City and Students Benefits From Open Campus Photo by Ella Weaver

I

Photo by Ella Weaver

By Emily Shurtliff INDEPTH EDITOR

n many high school shows and movies, students are allowed to leave during lunch. Characters go to restaurants, go home or even stay at school for about an hour during the day. It would be incredibly beneficial for students if GHS also provided an open campus so we were able to leave at lunch. It allows students to relax, interact with their friends outside of school and go get something tasty to eat.

I know I am not the only person who would benefit from having an hour break during the day. I could go home and play with my dogs, get a head start on homework or go out to eat at a local restaurant. This time would allow me to de-stress and prepare for the next half of the day. This would also allow teachers to be able to have time to themselves to reflect on the day. Not only would I be able to relax my mind, but I would also be able to get up and move around. It is incredibly frustrating to have to sit in a chair all day, so being able to move around and stretch during the lunch hour would be extremely beneficial. I strongly believe that with this hour of relaxation, the second half of the day will be immensely more bearable.

It would be amazing to have the freedom to go out to eat with my friends during the day. This time allows students to see their friends that they do not have classes

with. As a student, I have many friends that I do not get to see at all during the school day.

I would love to be able to have a good time with my friends at lunch without being stuck in a loud cafeteria. Not only would students benefit from going out and interacting outside of school, but nearby businesses would also benefit. All of the restaurants in Gretna would get a large amount of business during GHS’s lunch hour. With students visiting these places daily, it helps the business owners of Gretna.

Giving students this sense of freedom during their lunch hour makes them feel more important and respected. It also allows for students to have more food options.

While GHS does have a wide variety of lunch options, there is still not a variety of things for picky eaters to eat. This is why students should be able to go home to eat food for lunch. This would also help parents save money on things they buy for packable lunches such as fruit cups, Uncrustable sandwiches and other things that are not typically eaten on a regular basis. So, instead of bringing or buying food that is not even appetizing, students should be allowed to go get their own lunch. This would allow me to eat leftovers without spending one-third of my lunchtime waiting to use the microwave.

An open campus would be immensely helpful for students for numerous reasons. If this were to happen, students would greatly benefit from having a break in their day. I know that I am not the only one who hopes that GHS will one day have an open campus.

Photo by Ella Weaver

Photo by Ella Weaver

LOCK, LIGHTS, OUT OF SIGHT

By Mary Matya COPY EDITOR

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ockdowns seem to be a normal part of life for me now. I started lockdown drills when I was in eighth grade. As with any drill at school, there is a set procedure to follow. I remember sitting in the dark against the wall in FLEX class and trying to sleep since all the lights were off. At the end of the drill, the lights came back on and blinded me. I did not feel like anything out of the ordinary had happened. Of course, I knew why we were practicing these drills-I watched the news and read the Omaha World-Herald practically every day.

During the Cold War era, schools had to practice “Duck and Cover” drills because of the imminent threat of all-out nuclear war. The “duck and cover” drills were simple.

Children would kneel under their desk and cover their head with their hands. These drills were especially important for schools in cities that would most likely be targeted in the case of nuclear war. Some schools even gave out metal dog tags so the bodies of the students could be identified later in the case of all-out nuclear war.

My point is that most people

grew up doing some kind of safety drill where there was a threat that was not related to nature. Also, times have changed. We are now more worried about domestic threats to our schools than missiles being launched from foreign countries.

Now, the drill for children in schools is the lockdown drill. The motto of the lockdown drill is “lock, lights, out of sight.” The problem is that the potential threat would clearly know the procedure and would probably strike at a time when students and teachers are at their most vulnerable like during lunch or passing periods.

Even though the doors are locked, there are still ways around locked doors. At GHS, most classrooms have glass windows to see into the room, these could be easily shattered and allow the person into a classroom.

We never practice lockdown drills during lunch or passing periods, because, logistically, how would teachers keep track of all the kids?

Also, there are kids who, without any warning of a lockdown drill, would text their parents that there is a lockdown at GHS. The point is a lockdown drill is not going to stop a school shooting from happening, just like ducking under desks was not going to prevent nuclear fallout. It is just something I will have to continue to do throughout my high school career.

Volume 5 Issue 3

JANUARY 2019

In-Depth

9

Drama Celebrity Drama Through the Years

2009 2014 2016 2018

Kanye West and Ariana Grande Selena Gomez Taylor Swift and Bette Midler and Justin Bieber

When Taylor Swift won Best Female Video at the MTV Video Music Awards, Kanye West ran on the stage to grab he microphone.

With his now famous words, “I’mma let you finish”, he interrupted Swift’s acceptance speech to state that Beyoncé should have won that award. The two have both released songs with lyrics about each other since, and many are unsure where they currently stand. However, the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards are most definitely one for the books.

It will be hard to forget Kanye’s interruption.

In November of 2014, Bette Midler called Ariana Grande “silly beyond belief” and criticized Grande’s performances, saying they were overly sensual Ariana responded to these comments in a tweet with nothing but love. She stated that Midler was a feminist that she always looked up to. In response, Midler apoligized with a tweet as well. Grande then posted another tweet saying “all love here” showing that the two had made up. There currently is no bad blood between the two.

When Justin Bieber started dating model Sofia Richie and posted photos of her on instagram, fans started to send hate her way.

They were upset that Selena Gomez and Bieber were no longer dating. Bieber posted a statement asking fans to stop with the hate, and Gomez responded with a snarky comment saying “If you can’t handle the hate, stop posting pictures of your girlfriend lol”. Bieber then deleted his Instagram.

Gomez eventually apoligized, and Bieber’s account has since been reactivated.

Cardi B and Nicki Minaj

Cardi B and Nicki Minaj are both known to not shy away from controversey, but their recent feud may be a whole new level.

At a party in September of 2018, it was obvious that the two did not hit it off. Cardi B reportedly threw her shoe at Minaj before being escorted out by the police. The two both later posted statements on social media, Cardi B claiming that Minaj made comments about her as a mother, and Minaj claiming that she never made those comments. No other statements have been made.

10

In-Depth

JANUARY 2019

Volume 5 Issue 3

Opportunity Available For Drama Lovers New Drama Class Offered

A

By Grace Coufal STAFF WRITER

s students are signing up for classes, they might notice some unfamiliar choices. They added two new drama classes, drama III and American Drama. It gives more options for the students to experience new things.

“I wish I was able to take this new drama class because I want to get more involved in acting,” senior Jordyn Whitted said. “I took drama I and II freshman year, and after that, I wanted to take more and I could not because I do not want to retake the class.”

Many of the student that finish the drama classes end up retaking them because they like them so much. drama III will be focused on providing students with helpful information on acting to improve their future.

“The drama III will be focused on learning plays and different types of acting,” drama instructor Ms. Kiley Luchsinger said. “This class gives the opportunity to the kids that want to be serious with acting and can see a future with acting.”

Luchsinger is not sure what the curriculum will be, but she wants to focus on student’s ability to act and to show them other methods. Acting forces students out of their comfort zone by making them talk about topics that do not always interest them.

“When I go to job interviews I am grateful that I took drama because I can answer the question on the spot,” Whitted said.

“Drama taught me Improv and without that, I would be more hesitant to answer people but drama put confidence in my voice.”

Not only will drama help the student’s acting, but it will help them later on in life.

For example, It can help with leadership skills. Students that are used to trying new things are more likely to step up and take charge when nobody else will. According to The Guardian, drama classes help with selfesteem and can boost student’s confidence.

American drama will be another class that will be added in the 2020 school year. This class with count as an English credit, and it will be taught by an English teacher. The curriculum will focus on plays and different theories of acting.

“I am excited that they added American drama because at GHS needs more classes that teach kids behind the acting,” Luchsinger said. “I don’t know who will teach it, but I know it will be an English teacher.”

One of the reasons they were able to add these drama classes was so that more students could have a future in acting. When Luchsinger brought the idea of having more classes, drama students came quickly to help her.

“I never thought of adding another drama class until a student took their idea to me,” Luchsinger said. “It made sense to me because as the years go by I see all the kids work hard and make major progress over these basic drama classes.”

Students who wanted to have a career in acting did not have access to more informational classes until there was a new class. Hopefully, students find this class helpful and beneficial. With the addition of these new classes, drama students will find it easier obtaining a job in the acting field.

A Chance to Perform With Peers

Students Embrace Their Acting Side

D

rama is seen as an escape that grants someone the ability to act as someone different than themselves. Students who desire to pursue their acting talents have found an outlet through drama club, which meets on the first and third Thursday of every month.

In the club, students participate in a variety of games and are surrounded by others who have the same passion for acting as they do.

“I chose to join drama club because I wanted a chance to stay in acting while I was in high school,” senior Jordyn Whitted said. “I wanted a chance to meet

Acting Away During drama class, Chuck Sams (22) and Lanie Sichta (22) read a script. They get to tune into their dramatic side in class. They use the skills taught to them by Mrs. Luchsinger. photo by Sidney Olson

new people and have a lot of fun acting.”

As the sponsor, Mrs. Kiley Luchsinger works with the group to oversee activities and help students embrace a new side of themselves. She teaches drama courses at the school and offers advice to those who are interested in a future acting career.

“If you are interested in a career in acting, you definitely need to at least audition for plays at our school, because I know a lot of students don’t,” Mrs. Luchsinger said. “I think you need to be involved in multiple activities that have to do with acting. I don’t think you can be a professional at something if you don’t practice it along the way.”

The club is student-led by four officers.

Senior Serena Wilson serves as President, junior Marek Penny as Vice President, senior Shannen O’Dell as Secretary and senior Jordyn Whitted as Public Relations. AJ Nelson also serves as an alternate officer for the group.

Each officer shares their acting knowledge with the club and arranges group activities.

“This year I’m an officer, so being an officer with the four others is really fun,” Whitted said. “We’ve grown so close trying to plan these meetings and making sure everyone has a fun time.”

The group does a lot of improvisation games to help students embrace another side of themselves. Mrs. Luchsinger sees these activities as a way to teach students how to embrace a new role.

“I think they can learn that there is no normal,” Mrs. Luchsinger said.

“One of the things that I always tell the kids is that ‘If you don’t feel like a fool, you’re probably not doing it right.’You have to go all out with your character if you want to make yourself look good.”

Drama club has allowed students to develop their acting skills and increased their knowledge about how other cultures live. By participating in plays that involve other cultures, an actor must immerse

By Jessica Mckee NEWS EDITOR

themselves in another way of life so that they can portray their character accurately.

Mrs. Luchsinger experienced this first hand when she participated in a Spanish play.

“I always tell the kids I once had to be in a Spanish play where I had to play a family from Spain,” Mrs. Luchsinger said.

“So, I had to learn all the customs and all the cultures, why they did what they did.”

In addition to learning other cultures, the group uses their time to prepare for play and musical auditions. The officers conduct mock auditions to prepare the auditionees for the rigor of the real audition.

“There are two meetings before One Act starts where we’ll do a skit because there are some people in drama club that have been in One Act before,” Whitted said. “We go through basic stuff to make sure everyone feels comfortable on stage to do their best.”

The group also raises funds so that they can go to the Orpheum Theater during the spring. The students travel there to enjoy a show and observe the techniques of professional actors. This summer, they will watch School of Rock: The Musical.

“One big thing that we always go do is go see a play in the spring in the Orpheum Theatre,” Mrs. Luchsinger said.

“So, students can see what they aspire to be if they wanted to go into performance.”

The theater community is welcoming to students of all walks of life. Every student is welcome to join the club, whether they are budding actors or theater veterans.

“My advice for students who are interested in acting is to just go for it,” Wilson said. “The arts community is a very accepting and loving community, that always is looking for new and different talent.”

Regardless of your experience level, anyone who has an interest in acting is welcome to join the club. Drama is a skill that can be useful in many ways. After all, “Life is full of drama, so why not join the club?

JANUARY 2019

11 The Wizard of Oz Production Volume 5 Issue 3

Students Audition for School Musical

“

This year’s musical?” junior Jonah Bricker said. “Wizard of Oz. I don’t know anything else about it.”

Auditions for the musical are in February, and students with an interest in the musical are already planning to audition.

However, practice for the auditions is not necessary at the moment because they are mainly improv auditions, meaning that scripts will not be given.

The song to be used will not be given until closer to the auditions.

“I asked (Mr. Ribar) a couple days ago if we needed to have a song ready, and he said he’ll have us all sing the same thing,” senior Lauren Newstrom said. “We don’t know what that is yet. There’s nothing really we can do right now to prepare.

Just to make sure that our voices are healthy.”

As musical is a yearly school activity, many of the people who were in it one year come back to audition again.

A different musical is performed each year, and the musical can vary from year to year in genre and tone.This proves a variety of new experiences for the people involved.

“Freshman year we did Little Shop of Horrors,” Newstrom said. “I was just a freshman, so I was just an ensemble member. I was only in a few songs, but that was fun. Then sophomore year we did Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor

Dreamcoat… It was a sing-through musical, so there (were) no lines in that. It was all singing and dancing. Last year we did Peter Pan, and I got to be a lost kid.”

The musical takes time and work in order to be successful. This also provides an

stage presence, which is how one looks onstage and is a very important detail to make a musical realistic. Musicals can also provide experiences that are simply fun and interesting to the people involved, though.

“I’m hoping to have fun,” Newstrom

opportunity for many of the people within it to expand on their already present skills. For example, the singing and song memorization are both chances to practice and improve upon their singing abilities. Acting is also something important to the musical.

Bricker mentioned a desire to improve his

said. “It’s my last one, so that’s really sad. A lot of times it can be stressful, and I think a lot of us overthink it. It’s just a high school musical. We should obviously focus on getting work done, but not getting too ahead of ourselves and not getting too worried about everything and stressing ourselves out.”

Drama Through The Ages

By Connor Bulgrin PHOTO EDITOR

T

hroughout history, there have been multiple cases of conflict and drama.

Historical drama can be interesting, boring or even sometimes comedic. Drama can be found throughout the history books that we read today.

United States history is riddled with drama. One of the major times in recent history was the Watergate scandal.

“When you go Watergate you think of Nixon, high drama, I will say most people think he was a part of the break-in,” history instructor Mr. Swanson said. “Break in of Democratic National headquarters, there were five guys, they were part of the Committee to Re-Elect the President and entertainingly known as CREEP.” CREEP was made up of men that were working for then-president Richard Nixion.

They broke into the Democratic National Headquarters to steal top-secret documents and bug the office’s phones. However, the wiretaps did not work and CREEP snuck in again to fix them. That is when they were caught by a security guard and the police.

“Funny part is he wins in a landslide and didn’t really need it anyways,” Mr. Swanson said. “But, to be fair he lost the 1960 election by a razor-thin margin and some think there was some shenanigans in Chicago the might have been something. So he’s got reason to be a little paranoid, but they break in, he doesn’t have any part of that, the difference is he actually tells like the FBI

and the CIA and others to try and help cover it up, and that’s where he gets in trouble.

President Nixion first claimed that his White House staff had nothing to do with it. But it later came to light that they did. The main issue was that Nixion used the CIA to impede on the FBI’s investigation of the crime. This was an abuse of presidential power and obstruction of justice according to history.com.

“So ultimately he’s going to be forced to resign because he would have been impeached,” Mr. Swanson said.

“The Republicans turned on him, that’s important only because he never gets impeached and people think he does.

But it’s even more dramatic because this is one of the most power hungry dudes there is and he’s forced to resign, which had to be incredibly difficult for him.”

The Watergate scandal is one of the more serious issues in American history. Not all historical drama is so sober and grim, it can also be more interesting and odd.

“My favorite historical drama concerns Isabella of France also known as the SheWolf of France.” senior Ella Weaver said.

“Isabella’s story reminds me of a reality tv show like it’s something you could see in the Kardashians. Her husband Edward II was a really entertaining man that historians believe was gay, he wasted all of the kingdom’s money on a couple of men and always ignored Isabella after she left her home to come marry him.

Isabella was born in 1295 and was very different from the women of her time.

She was the only Queen of England that ordered the execution of an English King.

In-Depth

By Abigail Leasure STAFF CARTOONIST

With auditions being an improv routine along with a song to be memorized, there is not much to do for the sake of preparations. The advice given by those who have auditioned before is simply to relax and be confident.

“Don’t stress out about it,” Bricker said. “If you go into an improv audition with ‘Oh my God, I’m going to do so bad’ in your mind, then you are going to do bad.”

The musical is not just comprised of the actors; there are also those responsible for the music, the stage work, the lights and everything else. For those planning to be part of the audience, there is much to look forward to in the play.

“I’m excited to see what (Mr. Ribar’s) going to do with it,” Newstrom said. “He’s always really creative, so it’ll be cool to see what he does.”

The school musical can be fun for both the audience and those participating in it. This is an opportunity for many students with an interest in theatre— both singing and acting. The musical provides an opportunity art drawn by Ape Lad on Flickr to practice and improve upon one’s skills.

To many students, it is also an entertaining show to watch. The musical requires much work for three nights of performance, and it is a common yearly tradition for our school. The Wizard Of Oz portrayed

by GHS students will be seen soon.

A Detailed Look Into Historical Dramas art by Abigail Leasure

She was a different and gruesome woman.

In retaliation, she went back to her home country, brought back an army and she went from one end of England to the other raising an army of the people,” senior Ella Weaver said. “The people followed Isabella, left their homes and rose up against her husband. He died under mysterious circumstances in jail and she ruled the country for years to come.”

While there is drama that ends badly there is also comical and fun history. For example the Great Emu War of 1932. It was a war between the Australian military and a bunch of emus.

“You would expect that man would overtake the giant flightless birds but no the emus won,” senior Sophie Bredensteiner said. “Basically there was this whole bunch of emus that were in Australia when farmers where first farming and doing all that.

Emus migrate and so they migrated more towards the coast where all the farmers were and the emus trampled all their crops, there was about 20,000 of them, and so the farmers went to the government.”

The people asked the government to

help with the problem so they just decided to kill all the emus. However, that was easier said than done, and they had some issues.

“A group of emus is called a mob and they broke out into tiny little mobs,” Brendenstiener said. “They would all run because they couldn’t focus on all the groups, so they would only get like one group at a time. And then they were like ‘Okay well this strategy of just killing them with machine guns on the ground isn’t working, lets put them on cars!’ That also did not work, the emus outran the cars and the cars were really bumpy so like they couldn’t accurately fire.”

The strategy with cars only killed one emu and the car crashed into it so the effort was not worth it. The Australian government waging a full war on emus is proof that history can be funny. After the Australians gave up they made a second effort when they completed their goal.

Historical drama can be confusing and life-changing, or it could be funny and interesting. Learning about historical drama can be helpful to prevent it from happening again in the future.

12

In-Depth

JANUARY 2019

Volume 5 Issue 3

COUNSELORS’ TIPS ON DRAMA

Students Are Able to Solve Problems

By Ella Weaver EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

W

hether their friends are fighting, their parents are divorcing or someone is spreading a rumor about them, students know that the counselors are available to help them with drama.

Counselors Ms. Carole Carraher, Ms. Alyssa Helmink, Mr. Curt Mace and Dr. Melissa Hansen work in the GHS Guidance Office.

While part of the counselors’ job is related to schoolwork, another part of a counselor’s job involves helping students emotionally. Both Ms. Carraher and Dr. Hansen said that they deal with drama on a daily or weekly basis.

“Friend drama is an interesting concept because it’s really kind of about perception in terms of how someone interprets something that is being said,” Dr. Hansen said.

The word “drama” encompasses a large range of situations. Some involve crushes on others or gossip spread by friends. Some drama occurs off of school grounds, such as fights with parents and problems at work. Problems like these have existed for years, and both counselors had their own definitions for what it is.

“There’s all different kinds of drama,” Ms. Carraher said. “I suppose that there’s good and bad with drama. First of all, having a little drama in your life creates opportunities for self-growth and for conflict resolution. So, I think that I’m not going to say that a little drama is a bad thing, but if you live inundated in it… I think that the harm is that you’re not going to be as happy, or as peaceful, or as centered or as focused as a human being when you have drama clouding your world.”

While Ms. Carraher has watched drama unfold in the high school, Dr. Hansen saw drama in her own family.

Dr. Hansen’s daughter is a former “potstirrer.” A pot-stirrer is someone who creates drama in a friend group, or causes unrest, hence “stirring the pot.”

“My youngest daughter was what I call a ‘pot-stirrer’ in high school,” Dr. Hansen said. “She would stir up the little nest of friends, then she would hop to another nest.”

Some drama is caused by pot stirrers.

Some drama, Dr. Hansen believes, is caused by a lack of communication and confusion caused by technology. She advises students offended by online messages to reconsider the context, tone, and potential meaning that they may have missed.

“There’s disconnect in terms of terminology being used, in terms of that one text message,” Dr. Hansen said. “You can’t interpret tone, you can’t interpret body language that goes with it. You are interpreting what’s being read through your own perspectives and your own experiences and your mood is also taken into account when you read it.”

There are various methods to solve inter-student drama. When students feel overwhelmed and anxious by problems in life, Ms. Carraher provides a sheet of coping skills. This sheet is available to all students undergoing problems.

“We have, in our counseling office, a list of 99 coping skills that child after child after child, when they come in with something, I have them circle coping skills that they have at hand and can use,” Ms. Carraher said. “Everybody that I’ve dealt with always has something to use.”

Dr. Hansen works to mediate conflicts.

When students have arguments, she sits down with both of them to facilitate conversation.

“If something has already started, it’s a matter then of deciding if we want to address the situation and have a conference with maybe the counselor and the student,” Dr. Hansen said. “And I’ve had several conferences between where I mediate.”

All counselors have methods to help students manage drama in their lives. Even when the counselors are not available, however, students can be self-sufficient and help themselves.

No matter the cause of the drama, there is always a solution.

DEALING WITH DRAMA 101 Has Something Happened You Need to Talk About?

art by Emma Mayer

• • • •

“You have to control who you are friends with.”

-Katie Koch (18)

“I just walk away.”

Macy Keiser (19)

“I don’t.”

-Madison Peterson (22)

Is anyone in danger or is the situation serious?

Yes- Talk to a counselor or trusted adult No- Are you directly involved?

Yes: Solve the conflict without spreading rumors about others involved.

• No: Determine if you’re just spreading the information (being a pot-stirrer) or actively trying to resolve the situation. If you’re not directly involved, you probably shouldn’t talk about it.

Are you in a fight with a friend or loved one?

• Did it start online or over the phone?

• Yes: See if the fight started over a misunderstanding. Talk in person to clarify.

• No: Take some time to cool off. After you both are calmed down, talk about each of your perspectives.

• Either way: Do NOT talk badly about your friend to other people. This is guaranteed to start drama.

JANUARY 2019

Volume 5 Issue 3

Feature

13

MARCHING, PRAYING, TRAVELING TO D.C.

March Timeline 22 January 1974: Nellie Gray organized and held the first March for Life in hopes of celebrating the reversal of federal case Roe v. Wade. The legislation was not overturned, so Gray decided to continue the marches.

1987 March: Over the telephone, Ronald Reagan promised marchers that he would help “end this national tragedy.”

2003 March: President George W. Bush spoke over telephone and spoke about opposing abortion, but he never discussed overturning Roe v. Wade.

2006 March: Protesters hoped that the nomination of conservative Judge Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court would allow for Roe v. Wade to be reversed. Their hopes are still unfulfilled.

wikipedia.com

Students

Travel.

By Gabby Hytrek STAFF REPORTER

in

Annual

March

for

Life

E

very January, high school students from St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Gretna make the pilgrimage to Washington D.C to participate in the March for Life. This year, they rode on a 24-hour bus trip through icy conditions, traffic, and weather inconveniences.

They even spent an extra 24 hours stuck on the Pennsylvania Turnpike in 2015. The students go to support their beliefs in the pro-life movement.

“The first time I went, I knew I was pro-life, but I didn’t really know how to explain myself,” senior Cassandra VanOeveren said.

“Through the trip, I learned what the pro-life movement is truly about and how to defend it.”

At the March for Life, participants support their beliefs through chants supporting the pro-life movement. They then walk 1 ½ miles to the Supreme Court building. Before the march begins, many speakers come and give speeches in the rally. This year, there were speakers such as Vice President Mike Pence, conservative political commentator Ben Shapiro and abortion doctors that switched pro-life. 2019 year was VanOeveren’s second time participating in the march. She said the most special part to her were the evening rallies, or the nights leading up to the march, because she feels everyone is on fire for their faith. The students also go to a Planned Parenthood and pray on rosaries. VanOeveren feels this is one of the most powerful things they take part in while on their trip to D.C.

“It’s easy to forget what can go on behind closed doors,” VanOeveren said, “To me, that just serves as a reminder that abortion hurts women, we don’t know their stories, so it’s our job to pray for them.”

Sophomore Savannah Hytrek also went to support the March for Life. This was Savannah’s second year traveling with the church to D.C.. Hytrek chose to go again for the chance to make memories with something

Photo by Gabby Hytrek

Walking Along: The student’s in the march walk along the streets of D.C. supporting and fighting for their beliefs. “I’ve learned so much about what it means to be pro-life during this experience.” said senior Cassandra VanOveren, “We really do have the power to change the world.” They walk for a mile and a half before they reach their final destination at the Supreme Court building.

she believes in. The most important part for her is the rally right before the march. During that time, she loves talking about the importance of being there and she feels it has the most impact on her.

“At the rally, we talk about the importance of us being there.” Hytrek said, “It’s a powerful feeling and it has the most impact on you. It’s just so amazing seeing how many people are pro-life.”

Unlike Hytrek and VanOeveren, this was sophomore Mark Staley’s first year participating in the March for Life. He chose to make the trip because of his strong beliefs in the pro-life movement. He feels it’s common sense to support pro-life and he has been doing so all his life. Staley

was most excited to exercise his first amendment right by marching to the Supreme Court. This trip was important to him because he finally felt he was making a difference for his beliefs.

“I’m making a difference by giving the baby a voice,” Staley said. “They can’t speak for themselves right now, and it’s a powerful thing to be that voice for them.”

St.Patrick’s Catholic Church has sponsored this journey to D.C. for 5 years now.

They hope to continue going each year until their pro-life agenda is fulfilled.. Each student that participates in the march is a strong believer in the pro-life movement, and they are all glad to be making a difference for the fetuses they are praying for.

KICKING, INVESTIGATING, LEARNING

Senior Begins Journey into Federal Career; Learns about Crime, Polygraphs

By Eliese Simon STAFF REPORTER

F

rom a background check to an essay, the FBI made its way into senior Amber Szaro’s life through a teen academy. Because she was interested in law enforcement, she applied for the academy where they accepted her. The academy was full of lectures and activities that she was provided an opportunity to expand her knowledge and interests.

“Well, I wanted to do forensic science, and I also kinda wanted a job in the law enforcement field, and I felt like it would be interesting to do the FBI,” said Szaro. “I also heard about it from some

of my friends ‘cause I go to taekwondo. They told me about a teen academy at the Omaha base, and I signed up for that and did an essay for that and got accepted.”

The academy was full of different activities both in and outdoors, which provided them the feel of what it was like to be on the team.

They looked at declassified cases and different equipment they would use when going into the field. Szaro especially liked the different learning styles the academy provided.

“What I liked about the teen academy was how we learned by both hearing lectures and doing activities involving movement,” Szaro said.

“I didn’t dislike any part of it, besides that the building was freezing cold. We had a small tour,

Submitted Photo

Submitted Photo

Doboks to Dresses Senior Amber Szaro poses for her senior photo. She will graduate from GHS in May as part of the Class of 2019. Next year, she hopes to gain a position as an intern.

Aiming High: Senior Amber Szaro wants a job in law enforcement and heard about the academy opportunity through taekwondo. “I also heard about it from some of my friends ‘cause I go to taekwondo,” Amber Szaro (19). “They told me about a teen academy at the Omaha base, and I signed up for that and did an essay for that and got accepted.”

we got to look at unclassified cases like the Von Maur Bombing, we got to look at forensic tools, we got to see a polygraph and see a bomb test. It was super fun.”

Like most people, Szaro’s mind switched about what she wanted to do. She knew she wanted to go into the criminal justice field, but she was unaware of the specific job. It was not until she started watching detective shows that her idea switched and her goals grew towards joining the FBI. “I think it started when I started watching Forensic Files on TV a lot, and I started getting interested in collecting the evidence and figuring out who was the killer or what happened,” Szaro said. “Then, I just continued watching a lot of crime based off of real crime, like the Silence of the Lambs, for example, and I think that watching those shows and movies really helped me want to do it.”

Although Szaro is planning on going to Wayne State College, she does not only want to learn about detective work, but she also wants to be a part of it. She is attempting to get an internship with the FBI, which is complicated to get. Whether it is being an agent or on the response team, she is trying to work her way up to a job there.

“I want to intern as a freshman in college, but it is very competitive, especially at that young of an age,” Szaro said. “I want to go to college and intern in the summers, and after college, I want to go into the agent work of the FBI. Basically, I want to transition from being an intern to working full time at the FBI.” From wanting to go into genetics to the FBI, Szaro’s life is unfolding before her. She is trying to do what she can to intern with the FBI from going to the teen academy and getting accepted, to going through the background checks that go with it.

14 Feature JANUARY 2019

Volume 5 Issue 3

LEARNING ENGLISH, STUDYING TOGETHER

Students from Abroad Study Together, Learn Under Roof of One Room

By Jessica McKee NEWS EDITOR

E

nglish Language Learners, or ELL students, occupy GHS halls and participate in classes. Each student has traveled to Nebraska from countries including Mexico, Guatemala and Afghanistan.

However, these students face challenges as they embrace a new culture and a new language. With these challenges, they collaborate together to tackle assignments. As a result, each student is allowed a place in the ELL study hall, which meets during seventh hour in Mrs. Baijnauth’s room.

“This year, Ms. (Miranda) Brown is working with us,” senior Soraya Rahmanzai said. “She is helping us with chemistry, world history and if we have word problems in math class, she is helping us.”

ELL paraprofessional, Mrs. Brown, works with the students to help them understand their assignments and practice their English. She feels that she has learned much from the lives of her students as she has worked with them.

“I love working with these guys,” Mrs. Brown said. “They’re all just so polite, so kind. They’re really hard workers, and they all have really amazing stories of how they came here. Some of them escaped war or a dangerous environment, and I’ve learned so much.”

Soraya, her family and several cousins moved

from Afghanistan three years ago and joined the GHS student body. The family was embraced by teachers who were willing to give the students a chance to integrate into a new culture.

“It was super hard, but all the teachers helped us out with everything, and as a student who doesn’t know anything, like English, my grade was super good,” Rahmanzai said.

Instead of feeling disadvantaged by her past, Rahmanzai chose to see her classes as an opportunity to learn and grow. As with many students, she wants to succeed in all of her classes. This drive for success has motivated her to see high grades as a college admissions requirement. Soraya plans to go to Iowa Western after graduation.

“If I get good grades on every single test and quiz, I love all of my classes,” Rahmanzai said. “

Working Hard: Minjun Son (22) works on his computer during 7th period study hall. “I’ve learned so much from them, and I wish other people could get to know them too,” Mrs. Miranda Brown said. Each student spends the period studying for tests, working with teachers and finishing their homework.

[Unsung||Heroes] Ms. Kastens Helps Students inside, outside of the Classroom

By Jacey Hammer EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

L

ocated inside GHS is a second year teacher expanding her horizons.

Although Special Education instructor Ms. Mckayla Kastens is on her second year teaching at GHS, it is not her first year within the hallways of GHS. Ms. Kastens graduated from GHS in 2006, and she attended Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa. During her time at Morningside, she discovered her passion - teaching.

“When I went to college, I had to take an education course, and I just really liked it,” Ms. Kastens said. “It was the Foundations of Education. We had to do a 10-hour practicum,

Photo by Jacey Hammer

Gretna Native: Ms. McKayla Kastens is a second year teacher at GHS. She taught at Omaha Benson for nine years. She graduated high school from GHS, and she attended Morningside College.

and I just really enjoyed it.”

Ms. Kastens taught at Omaha Benson for nine years before returning to Gretna. When she was a senior at GHS, Ms. Kastens took College Biology, and science instructor Mrs. Deborah Childs inspired her to become a teacher.

“I had Mrs. Childs for my senior year, and she told me she thought I would be good at teaching,” Ms. Kastens said. “I had never thought about it, and hearing that really inspired me to become a teacher.”

Leadership has always been something Ms. Kastens is interested in. To her, a classroom is like having a team, and each class plays the game differently.

“In high school, I was always around sports, so I enjoyed being apart of a team,” Ms. Kastens said. “I liked to be the leader or captain on my team. Taking those leadership skills into the classroom has been extremely helpful. Classes are like a team, and they’re about getting everyone to work together.”

The best part about teaching for Ms. Kastens is when the students finally understand the concept. She has a passion for making connections with her students about topics non-school related. Building relationships with students is a vital role for success in the classroom.

“I love being able to build relationships with students and just finding a connection with them that doesn’t have to do with school or homework,” Ms. Kastens said. “I just like making connections with the students and knowing them” Outside of school, Ms. Kastens enjoys playing sports and being outdoors. She even participates in a women’s soccer league on Sundays. Ms. Kastens also loves decorating and landscaping. Ms. Kastens coaches basketball, and she is going to be a new addition to the coaching staff of the soccer team. She played soccer in high school, and she was a leader on the field. Ms. Kastens enjoys teaching, and she is a great part of GHS. will continue on her leadership skills in the classroom.

If I don’t get good grades, or I struggle a lot, I hate all of my classes. I always try to do my best in every class to be successful and to be ready for the future, for college.”

Because each ELL student must learn English to integrate themselves into the school’s atmosphere, they look for opportunities to practice. Soraya feels that she has many opportunities to work on the language during a school day. Before coming to study hall, she has conversations with students who help her practice the language and motivate her to study it.

“I always like to talk with people, because talking makes your English faster and makes you practice your English,” Rahmanzai said.

Rahmanzai and her fellow classmates continue to attend study hall and work together to adapt to a new language and culture. Each GHS student can do their part to reach out to these individuals by practicing English with them and becoming friends with them. After all, each one has traveled halfway around the world to learn with us.

Submitted Photo

Soraya Rahmanzai (19)

Hacky Sackin Boys

Students Clipper Kick, Head Stall With a Shared Hobby

By Samantha Chase

M

STAFF REPORTER

ost students have hobbies outside of school, whether that be a sport, club or church-related activities. For juniors Josh Human, Alaric Schiltz and Gene Mannewitz, one hobby they enjoy is playing with a hacky sack. A hacky sack is a small cloth sack filled with dry grain or sand that is kicked into the air as part of a competitive game, and these three juniors often play with one.

“I started playing hacky sack because I like the time period that hacky sack was popular in,” Human said. “I thought that it would be really cool to try something new and try something that a lot of people don’t do and a lot of people don’t know how to do.”

These juniors got introduced to hacky sack their freshman year of high school when Human brought a hacky sack to a band camp, and they have continued to play and improve throughout their high school careers. They play whenever they have the chance to, whether it be after school or during the summer when they are all at band camp.

“During percussion camp this summer when we did sectionals with the baseline, we played hacky sack a lot and played different hacky sack games like snake and blue and gold where you throw it at people, those were probably some of my best hacky sack memories,” Schiltz said. “It usually starts off with just a couple people like Josh and Gene, and then it usually adopts a couple new people that want to come in.”

Playing hacky sack gives these three friends and anyone else who joins a fun activity to do.

They have bonded over hacky sack because of how often they have played it as a friend group.

“My favorite thing is that it is a good social activity, it’s fun to do with my friends and whenever you get a really good save and it’s just like ‘oh man that felt good,’” Mannewitz said. “We generally just play with us three or a few people sometimes join us such as like Noah Hadley, Ben Schaefer and Alice McQueeny, they all join in there sometimes.”

They have continued to play hacky sack since the beginning of high school. They have continually found joy in the activity and are constantly improving their hacky sack skills.

“I continue to play hacky sack because it’s an activity that you never are good enough at, you are always improving and I can always learn new things that will make my hacky sack game better,” Human said.

All three of them play the same instrument

in the marching band, so during band camp, they spent time together, and they spent some of that time perfecting their hacky sack skills. They have been playing for around two years and they have learned new moves and have gotten skilled at the sport.

“It’s a fun activity and it’s kind of good for keeping you in shape and it kind of challenges your hand eye coordination in ways that you don’t do on a normal daily basis,” Schiltz said.

They often play hacky sack after school in the band hallway or during summer band camps.

They play whenever they have spare time and it has become a hobby that all of them enjoy doing.

“It’s super fun and it’s an active thing, it keeps me light on my feet and it increases my reflexes,” Mannewitz said. “It’s the best sport in the world.”

They enjoy playing for the sole purpose of it being an engaging activity that they can do with their friend group and it is a form of exercise. They have played for a little more than two years now and they plan to continue playing and improving for the rest of their high school careers.

HACKY SACKING THROUGHOUT HISTORY

Origin Story: A Native American taught a man a game while in a military brig.

The game required a small bean bag to be kept off of the ground.

Ideas Fly: In the heat of the summer of 1972, Mike Marshall teaches John Stalberger the game. They decide to market the game a mere six months later.

Hard Work: It took 1 +1/2 years for Marshall and Stalberger to find a hacky sack with proper stitching, fabric and shape. They hit the shelves in 1974.

Hacky Sacks Today: In 1975, Marshall passed away of a heart attack. The ever-loyal Stalberger continued to work with the Hacky Sack and promote the game by creating the National Hacky Sack Association. thoughtco.com

Volume 5 Issue 3

JANUARY 2019

Sports

15

THE NEXT STEP: CONTINUING CAREERS

How Students Get College Sports Coaches To Notice CADEN OPFER: CLASS OF 2019

“I am interested in playing football in college, but I also like baseball and have not decided which I would rather play in college,” Opfer said. “I contact coaches by text and show them my interest by talking about the future.”

ZACH WEBER: CLASS OF 2019

“Golf is something I want to pursue in college, but it is hard because coaches do not really look at your high school tournaments besides state,” Z. Weber said. “Coaches look more at your summer tournaments, and I play in many of those to get my name out.”

HEAD VOLLEYBALL COACH MR. MIKE BRANDON “There are a number of methods I use to help my girls get recruited for college volleyball, but the one I use the most is emailing a college coach and explain(ing) how good the player is, and then I tell the college to take a serious look into that girl,”

By Colin Kitson STAFF WRITER

F

or most students participating in school sports, it is not a serious activity to them, but to some of the other athletes, it is something more. It is an opportunity to earn a chance to play at the collegiate level and further their sports career.

High school and college provide many different experiences, most people know that from an academic standpoint, but the athletic side is also more difficult.

The way to be a college athlete is by having the coach of that sport show interest in the aspiring athlete.

There are many different ways to get coaches to notice high school players and actually see them as a potential member of the team.

“First, the coaches see my Hudl and then they watch it and contact me in my twitter direct messages,” senior Caden Opfer said.

Opfer played football for many years and has two offers from colleges to play. He shows interest by responding to coaches and discussing visit dates.

“I am interested in playing football in college, but I also like baseball and have not decided which I would rather play in college,” Opfer said. “I contact coaches by text and show them my interest by talking about the future.”

For senior Zach Weber, he plays tennis and golf, but would much rather play golf in college. According to him, it is one of the toughest sports to get coaches to notice talent.

“Golf is something I want to pursue in college, but it is hard because coaches do not really look at your high school tournaments besides state,” Z. Weber said. “Coaches look more at your summer tournaments, and I play in many of those to get my name out.”

The golf tournaments for the school team are competitive, but coaches want to see a bigger field of players with more competition. They look for the summer tournaments because they are more important than high school tournaments because of the pressure level.

Z.Weber participates in these and coaches have noticed him from these tournaments..

“The scores from my summer tournaments get seen by coaches because I use the NCSA app and then they email me and we talk,” Z. Weber said.

College golf is tough to make because an average of just a few strokes can determine Division 1 or junior college status. When a coach is serious about a golfer, they will ask to watch the golfer play in person.

“They will say they like my game and want to see me play, so they will either come watch one of

my tournaments and we will schedule a day to visit,” Z. Weber said.

Girls sports are just as big on recruiting, senior Taylor Stamm is committed to Simpson College to play softball.

“I had my coaches email the schools I was interested in and then I got in contact with them and sent them my schedule, so they could watch me play,” Stamm said.

For Stamm, it is not just about playing softball. She was also looking for a college that suited her the best.

“I went on many college visits and tried to look for a coach that was building the best program,” Stamm said. “I also had to like the college for itself and not just softball.”

For sophomore Sarah Weber, recruitment by college coaches is difficult.The NCAA rule is that college coaches are not allowed to directly contact athletes, make offers or go on college visits until September of their junior year. Despite this, S. Weber has received notifications from colleges for soccer including, Creighton, Nebraska, Marquette, North Carolina, Clemson, Notre Dame, Stanford and Tennessee.

“The first time I talked to a college was in May at the end of my seventh grade year at a College ID camp, then I went on two visits my eighth grade year,” S. Weber said.

“College ID camps were where the most coaches started to recognize me, but when I started ODP (Olympic Development Program) I was sought after by some of the bigger schools.”

Attending camps is something S. Weber takes part in avidly. She wants to make sure her talent is showcased. .

“I attended an Interregional Tournament in Florida over Thanksgivings three times and also got invited to attend a national camp in Arizona two years in a row,” S. Weber said. “These events exposed me to many elite Division 1 coaches across the nation.”

One of the key factors for a high school coach displaying the athletes talent. The coach lets the kids that are the best play the most, but they also help with the process with of their young talent to make the next step to college sports.

“There are a number of methods I use to help my girls get recruited for college volleyball, but the one I use the most is emailing a college coach and explain(ing) how good the player is, and then I tell the college to take a serious look into that girl,” head volleyball coach Mr. Mike Brandon said.

All in all, being a college athlete is a hard to get into with the struggle of showing off as a notable athlete. It is tough to excel at that high of a level and a hard process to actually get a coach to notice you, but with all the right tools playing sports in college is not out of reach for anyone with the drive.

SARAH WEBER: CLASS OF 2021

“The first time I talked to a college was in May at the end of my seventh grade year at a College ID camp, then I went on two visits my eighth grade year,” S. Weber said. “College ID camps were where the most coaches started to recognize me, but when I started ODP (Olympic Development Program) I was sought after by some of the bigger schools.”

S. Weber has received notifications from colleges for soccer including, Creighton, Nebraska, Marquette, North Carolina, Clemson, Notre Dame, Stanford and Tennessee.

16 Sports JANUARY 2019

Volume 5 Issue 3

NEW SEASON, NEW FIRE FOR LADY DRAGONS Rebuilding Team from Embers of Past

By Zane Mrozla-Mindrup STAFF WRITER

T

Gross ast the uvers p to 33. “I e n a m ) 6 hall (22 e matchup 5 ays off. th p na Mars n’t go ard Jen ns would win as you can. It u G re you ca drago ng Sco as hard l you feel like and who o g Shooti Defense. The to it unti c players enough Catholi ll next year ’s er it and push ho is tough ft te sw would afraid to get a rove. It show p e Don’t b r. You will im mitted photo ge ub n s . lo id y a n s a ll Marsha isn’t.”

his year, the dragons have not found the success that they had hoped for when the season began. They have been plagued by injuries, as well as, other more minor difficulties that they had not anticipated. Despite these struggles, the players have kept their spirits up and, according to their coaches, are in the process of laying a strong foundation for future success.

“We didn’t expect this season to be a rebuilding year,” varsity girls basketball coach Mr. Jerome Skrdla said. “It has become one though because of the injuries that we sustained and the amount of younger players that have had to step in.”

The players that have had to step in this season include freshmen such as Jenna Marshall, Chaley French, and Grace Huntwork. There were also key injuries to Alexis Spier who tore her ACL and Avery Kallman who tore her labrum.

“The influence of the freshman this year really sets them apart,” J.V. girls basketball coach Ms. Makayla Kastens said. “On occasion, you will see three freshmen out on the court at

one time, which is very surprising in such a large school.”

Undeterred by injuries and other problems this season, the team has many aspects that differentiates them from previous years: the amount of freshman that play at one time and the training that they put in the preseason.

“We were expecting to be very good,” Mr. Skrdla said. “After the injuries, the expectations dropped a bit, but we are still hoping to have a winning year.”

The team has not reached its preseason forecast. As of Jan 17, they are four and seven, which head coach Mr. Skrdla has admitted was not what he was hoping for. However, spirits are still high among the players and the coaching staff.

“I think in the future years we will improve,” freshman varsity basketball player Jenna Marshall said. “The benefit of having so many underclassmen is we already kinda know how the program works. We have been in high-pressure situations and have worked through 40 practices so far.”

Through all the turmoil of this season, the spirits of the team remain high, and the outlook for the future looks bright according to basketball players and coaches.

Time Out As sistant coach Ms. Kastens ad a timeout. Gr dresses the tea etna was in th m during e midst of a to Gross Cathol ugh 50 to 32 lo ic. “We’ve take ss to n some hard hi our head up an ts early but if w d work hard e keep every day we’r success further e going to fin down the road d some .” Ms. Kastens photo said. submitted

FROM BENCH WARMER TO SPARK PLUG Determination, Commitment Fuels Senior’s Insertion into Rotation

S

By Ben Randall COPY EDITOR

enior Landon Graver rested his arm against the scorer’s table, reminiscing over the past four years. All the sprints, all the sacrifices; all the changes in his life. But now, this was his time for vengeance.

Time to show everyone, even himself, that he was worthy of this opportunity. Graver checked into the game.

“It was frustrating, for sure,” Graver said. “Being on reserves as a junior, it was really tough. But it was great to finally get a chance to help the team.”

As the opposing team flung up a deep shot, Graver quickly got in front of his man, boxing him out. Hustler, meaning someone giving their best effort, is a term thrown around commonly with Graver, at least by his coaches. Basketball Coach Mr. Bill Heard praised Graver’s drive, work ethic and commitment.

“He’s always in the right spot, and he’s always paying attention to scouting reports,” Mr. Heard said. “A lot of kids snuff those things out. The details, and things he can control...he does a great job of those things.”

Flying through the air to grab the ball, Graver secured the rebound and threw it downcourt to push the offense.

The ball was reversed, flinging from player to player, eventually finding itself back in Graver’s hands. The ball was symbolic of the opportunity given to Graver; tangible, yet only there for an instant.

“It’s been a great season,” Graver said. “For the first part of the season, I really wasn’t doing anything for the team. But it was great to get this opportunity and get in

there and help the team get some wins.”

Graver pump-faked, drawing his defender closer to him, and bounced a pass to the post player, junior Ely Doble. Doble applauded the hard work put on by Graver and the whole team.

“We’ve grown a lot since the first practice, in particular being able to play together more, and incorporate some of the younger players into our team,” Doble said.

“For Landon, I’m happy for him. He’s put in the work, and he’s a smart ballplayer, which really helps us out.”

Doble turned his shoulder and threw up a sweeping left-handed hook which simply floated through the twine of the net.

As the team hustled back down the court to construct their defense, head basketball coach Mr. Brad Feeken looked on, surveying the building chemistry and comradeship in his players.

“Our goals for the season are making it to state, especially because it’s our first year in class A,” Doble said. “Winning that conference championship would be pretty nice too.”

Graver emphatically ran up on his opponent, swiping at the ball while rotating his hips in a quick fashion. This way, he could stay in front of the ball, and stay one step ahead of the game, quite literally. This defense was no natural ability, as it came from years of training and diligence.

“This change in the rotation didn’t happen overnight,” Mr. Heard said.

“Honestly, Landon just kept working at it. He worked and worked and worked; it wasn’t any one big moment. He’s smart and tough, and that’s what he does well.”

After a series of successful defensive stops, Gretna regained possession of the

ball. All of their eyes looked up the court, and metaphorically onward to the upcoming challenges of the season. With the conference tournament looming, the Dragons, who have won nine of their last ten, are poised to be a team to be reckoned with.

“The Bennington loss was big for us,” Mr. Heard said. “We needed to lose. We lost because we did some things that hurt ourselves, and we had to pay a price for that.

It was a big piece for us.”

Advancing the ball up court, Gretna forced up a contested three-point shot. The ball clanged off the rim and into the chaos of under the basket, where one figure came out, adamantly holding the ball. Graver pivoted, his feet barely on the baseline, as the pandemonium around him increased.

“Freshman year, I was down on myself,” Graver said. “I was small, and didn’t play a whole lot. But sophomore year, I fell in love with it. Basketball has made me a better man, and I take on more responsibility for my actions.”

With the ball connected to his hands like metal to a magnet, Graver laid the ball up amidst the close proximity of the opposing team. The crowd cheered, and a knowing smirk appeared on Mr. Feeken’s face, as he took Graver out after the next substitution. Graver knows the importance of the moment.

“To anyone in the same position I was, fighting for minutes in JV or reserves, keep working hard, and your time will come,” Graver said. “You’ll get a chance to be in the spotlight and help the team any way you can.”

The team is strong this year, but different than your average Feeken team.

They have smarts, skill and athleticism, but

also have one key trait that separates the good from the great: perseverance. Maybe Graver was never meant to become the spark off the bench he is now, but he has worked hard, learned from failures and never wasted an opportunity.

New Role Landon Graver (19) warms up against Waverly. For this new season, Graver stepped up and accepted all challenges thrown at him. photo by Ben Randall

JANUARY 2019 Sports 17 TRACK ATHLETES ON MOVE Volume 5 Issue 3

Pre-Season Workouts, Conditioning Starts

By Regan Ehlert STAFF WRITER

G

rab that running gear and hold on to those spikes because it’s that time of year again.

Pre-season track and field at GHS is starting up, putting athletes through conditioning, lifting, and workouts. Runners are excited and ready to get into the track season.

“I’m excited for my team and to hopefully get run in state,” junior Kayla Adams said. “Hopefully I PR (personal record) a lot this year, too.”

Track runners practice on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:45 PM to 4:45 PM. This schedule began about a week after Thanksgiving. Some of the workouts can be challenging and push people to their limits.

“Lifting weights is probably my least favorite thing about conditioning,” freshman Kale Edmonds said. “But I know I have to do it.”

History instructor Mr. Bryce Brunswig is the coach of track and cross country at GHS. He runs the pre-season practices after school.

“It’s more laid back than real practice,” Mr. Brunswig said. “Everyone meets together in the weight room and warms up together inside. Then the different groups (sprinters, distance runners, hurdlers, and throwers) split up and do their own thing.”

This year, Mr. Brunswig is excited for what the season has to come. He plans for this season to be a great one. Therefore, he has goals in place in order to make this happen.

“This year, I’d like to see our team continue to grow, see more people out doing track, to have our underclassmen continue to improve, and for upperclassmen to qualify for state,” Mr. Brunswig said. “Last year, we

Running Faces Bradley Sullivan (20) and Samuel Rowland (19) jogging their laps together in track conditioning.

“My favorite part about conditioning is running with other people.” Sullivan said. “They push you to go further and faster than you would do on your own.” Rowland and Sullivan like to be running buddies for their warm up laps. photo by Regan Ehlert

had a dozen runners qualify. I feel like this year we can improve upon that number and hopefully have more than that.”

Even though most runners are excited to get into the season, some people are nervous. For senior Payton Harter, it’s the last year of doing track and field. She wants to finish her track career strong, so this is a nerve racking time of year for her.

“I’m nervous for this year because I don’t know how it’s going to go,” Harter says. “Plus, the incoming freshmen look pretty good.”

One of those runners is freshman Brooke Blunt. She ran the 100M dash, 200M dash and the 4x1 relay in middle school. She also has goals for this season.

“I’d like to make PRs for high jump, and I want to try and be on the relay team this year,” Blunt says. “Also, I just want to get better with running in general.”

Another underclassman running track this year is Edmonds. After running the 1600M dash and 800M dash in middle school, Kale is excited to get into the track season.

“I’m excited to get to know new people and improve on my times,” Edmonds said. “I’m not really nervous. I’m just going to go out and try my best.”

Track athletes that are doing preseason recommend it to other athletes. The upperclassmen are encouraging the new freshman to continue conditioning.

“I definitely would recommend preseason,” Adams said. “Especially for distance runners because it takes forever to get your mileage up. But it’s also a good thing because you can relax and not stress about your times on race’s or anything.”

Conditioning and pre-season workouts will end the last week of February.

Official practice starts on Feb. 25, and before they know it, runners will be racing in meets every week.

DRAGONS GEAR UP FOR STATE

By Gavin Struve STAFF WRITER

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he wrestling team is inching closer to State with big aspirations. The first half of the season has given way to the postseason with the EMC Tournament, Districts and, of course, State.

“Last year, we finished 4th in Class A at the State tournament, and I placed third at State as an individual” senior Cole Huss said. “This year, my goal is to be a state champion.”

The team graduated several key seniors last year, and they are entering the most important part of this season with a much younger team. However, the youth and inexperience does not stop the team from having high expectations.

“We’re doing well for such a young team,” Huss said. “We started out a little slow at the beginning of the season, but we’ve continued to work hard and get better every week in practice and competition. One of our team goals is to win State as a team.”

One of the main focuses this year with all the newcomers was to master the fundamentals of wrestling. This meant spending extra time at practice focusing on the basics and getting the little things right.

“At practice, we do routine drills, body positioning, stance and motion

drills and the basics,” wrestling coach and PE instructor Mr. Jake Smith said.

“We’re still working through a lot of technical stuff right now. The guys have been improving and their condition and intensity have improved.”

For much of the team, this season started long before official practice on Nov. 12. Months of work and preparation have gone into the training so the wrestlers will peak Feb. 14-16 for State.

“We took advantage of the summer and had open mat practices once a week,” Huss said. “We were then off until November 5, which was the start of conditioning week. Official practices started the following week.”

Staying in wrestling shape is crucial, especially if wrestlers need to gain or lose weight while keeping their strength and mobility. Conditioning takes place every day at the end of practice.

“The average practice is very difficult,” sophomore Luke Figi said.

“It’s an intense workout with nonstop conditioning that usually lasts two or two and a half hours.”

Figi also qualified for State as an individual last year and hopes to make it back this year. Many of the boys on the team have individual goals and aspirations for this season, but they are all helping to score points for the team. The Dragons’ wrestling team hopes the whole will be better than the sum of the parts come Feb. 14.

New Season Individual success for the wrestlers can help the team score and win meets as well. Despite the loss of a talented senior class, there are several successful returners. “Last year, as a freshman I qualified for the state tournament but did not place,” sophomore Luke Figi said. “This year my goal is to make it back to State as an individual.” photo by Kelsey Lowe

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JANUARY 2018

Volume 5 Issue 3

EXPLOSIVE SEASON ABOUT TO BEGIN Louder Than a Bomb Competition Season About Ready To Start

By Samantha Chase STAFF WRITER

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ouder Than a Bomb is a program that allows students to take their creative writing skills to a new level and write slam poetry in the process. This activity takes place all school year, but competitions are just now beginning, and the team is preparing to make a bang with their slam poetry.

“We’ve started doing the group piece just yesterday, and so far that is probably the most eventful thing that we’ve done,” freshman Lainie Sichta said. “I’ve really liked just hearing everybody’s ideas and hearing who wanted to be optimistic about it and who wanted to be dark about it, and that just helped me get

to know the people a lot better.”

One aspect that could increase the team’s chances of placing well in competitions is that the group has a high number of seniors with experience from previous Louder Than a Bomb seasons. The team made it to the semi-finals in competition last year for the first time, and because of the experience level the team has, they have a shot of placing highly in contests this year as well.

“This year we have quite a few seniors which is great, several of them have been involved for three or four years,” English instructor Mrs. Jennifer Long said. “They have done a really good job of teaching the younger kids-- so, hopefully we stay strong even after they are gone.”

Louder Than a Bomb is known for slam poetry, but it also focuses a ton on creative

writing. They often do writing exercises where they are given a prompt and a certain amount of time to write a story based on the prompt.

This translates over to being creative in the slam poetry aspect of the team and can help in English courses with writing skills.

“I’ve always been into creative writing, and my teachers have told me it has been my best thing since like second grade,” Sichta said.

“I’ve been really into slam poetry since seventh grade and I really look up to people who are able to do that so I wanted to be a part of it.”

Although Louder Than a Bomb does compete in competitions later in the season, not everyone participating is required to compete. Some students enjoy competing, but others who do not want to compete are always welcome to go and work on their creative writing skills.

“They just have to show up and write with us, and eventually some of the kids compete with their spoken word poems, but they don’t all compete; not everyone is interested in that aspect of the team,” Mrs. Long said. “So, we need four individual pieces and one group piece to be a complete team, and then we can have as many other people with us that just want to write, participate and cheer on the competitors and want to come.”

Louder Than a Bomb has recently begun putting together their group slam poetry piece to perform in contests later on this school year. Students can no longer sign up to compete because they have already begun to put it together, but every student is welcome to check out Louder Than a Bomb and practice creative writing.

Art illustrations by Isabel Mancilla

Art illustrations by Abby Leasure

MACDARO’S PUB AND PIZZERIA REVIEW Stovetop Pizza Oven Restaurant Enters The Gretna Community

By Jacey Hammer EDITOR AND CHIEF Located at 10746 South 204th Street lies a new restaurant filled with an amazing variety of food. MacDaro’s Pub and Pizzeria is moderately new to the town, as it first opened at the beginning of the 2018 school year. The restaurant is owned by junior Lanie Will’s family. The restaurant was rated four point six out of five stars on Google, and I can agree with that rating.

I visited MacDaro’s with my stepdad, and we were greeted instantly. Our server was incredibly friendly, and he checked on us regularly. We both ordered waters with a lemon to drink. Although my lemon fell on the floor during its delivery, our waiter was honest about what happened. What are the odds of my lemon falling on the floor - especially when it is the last one? On the brightside, my stepdad still received his lemon. It was pretty funny; I could tell the waiter felt really bad.

The inside of the restaurant has an extremely modern look, and it is extremely well-kept inside. There is cut wood placed around the restaurant as decoration. Their pizza is made on a Stovetop Pizza Oven, so this was fitting to the theme. Everything looked so clean and organized.

The menu was overwhelming and full of a wide variety of delicious food. I was starving and every item on the menu sounded scrumptious. We decided to get the fried beef ravioli for our appetizer. Normally, we tend not to get appetizers, but the description underneath the ravioli was labeled “YUMMM!” We insisted that we test their theory. After a short wait of approximately five minutes, the perfect golden-brown raviolis were delivered to us.

There was parmesan cheese sprinkled on top with the tastiest marinara sauce in the middle of the dish. I swear it was the best marinara I have ever had, I would definitely recommend them.

The description was correct. I would for sure order them again.

While we enjoyed our appetizer, we

continued to glance over the menu. There were choices ranging from pizza to a philly sandwich.

They even had a pizza that was basically chinese food for the toppings. I was really debating between a meatball sub or sharing a pizza with my stepdad, but I knew getting a pizza for just me would be way too much. We concluded our debate and ended up sharing the Italian Sausage and Onion pizza. We decided green peppers, hamburger and olives would be the perfect add-ins for our pizza. Adding the meat cost two dollars extra, and adding the vegetables cost an extra dollar per vegetable.

The best part of the pizza was by far the pizza sauce. It was seriously delicious, and I really enjoyed the parts of the pizza with no toppings and just sauce and crust. That is the part I enjoy the most when eating a slice of pizza, so the excellent sauce made it better. The pizza tasted pretty good, but if I went there again, I probably will try out a different item. Although the menu has a variety of options, I wish a personal pizza was an option. They only had one size pizza, other than the kids meal.

My favorite part about MacDaro's was how much the staff helped each other out. Teamwork is a vital part of success, especially when it comes to a restaurant.

Each server made sure our glasses were filled with water, and they always checked in with us to see how we were doing.

Because the staff was so friendly, I was pleased to be there as a customer. I could tell the staff cared about our business. I work in a restaurant, and our service has never flowed the way it does at MacDaro’s.

They have a great team of people, and they seem to have great communication from a customer’s point of view.

After our add-ins, the pizza cost $16.

This seems a little overpriced considering we only got six slices. To be fair, we did add toppings, otherwise, it only would have been $12. The Fried Beef Ravioli ended up being $8, which seems reasonable for an appetizer. Overall, the food was exceptional, and I will definitely be coming back.

Volume 5 Issue 3

JANUARY 2018

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INTO THE SPIDER-VERSE UNDER THE MASK

Becoming the first of a New Generation Behind The Face of Spider-man

By Bayleigh Koch STAFF WRITER

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et me start by saying, nothing will ever beat the original Spider-Man series, but I really did enjoy and I do recommend watching “SpiderMan: Into the Spider-Verse.” The movie was great due to its animations, details, humor and action. If you enjoy movies with animation, a sense of irony, great graphics and intriguing moments, I highly recommend buying a ticket to see movie.

In the movie, Miles Morales is a high school student. His dad is a cop and his mom is a doctor. Miles goes to a private school in another part of the city, but he does not like going there.

He would much rather go to school with the rest of his friends.. Miles is not very close with his father at the beginning; he is closer to his uncle, Aaron Davis. His dad does not like Miles seeing his uncle because of the decisions his uncle has made. Miles and his uncle go to the tunnels under the subway station one night and Miles is bit by a spider. He then goes through several changes and meets with the original real Spider-Man. Spider-Man makes Miles promise to help defeat the enemy. Miles then has to use his new spider skills to fulfill his promise and fix the mess that the time travel machine has created. He faces many challenges and

life-changing events on the way and has to sacrifice many parts of his life.

The movie took place in current day in Brooklyn, New York. The main characters include six different types of Spider-Man. Along with Miles’ family and the other characters there are the classic enemies; Kingpin, Ivy and Scorpion. The characters voices fit well with how the characters were protrayed, and the voices fit the characters perfectly. The characters were written with unique stories, and they each had a different pop of light.

I really enjoyed the humor in this movie. My favorite part was when Miles met the other Spider-Men from the alternate universes. Their stories generally came from the original story, but they were rearranged.

The different times and type of alternate universe they come from is easy to pick out. I recommend it to anyone, as it does not have a specific audience. I was hesitant about seeing the movie at first since I am such a big fan of the original Spider-Man movies. I was worried that since the movie is animated, it would not be good. My initial opinion was entirely off, and I ended up falling in love with the movie. “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” is perfect for a date night or if you are babysitting. I highly recommend this and give it 5/5 stars, and I will be watching it again as soon as I can.

By Isabel Mancilla CARTOONIST Miles Morales is more than just the new face of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. At 13, in the comic series “Ultimate: Spider-Man”, he becomes Spider-Man as well as the first Afro-Latino Spider-Man. His father, Jefferson Davis, is an African-American policeman, and his mother, Rio Morales, is a Puerto Rican nurse. The movie, along with his character, draws from his Afro-Latino roots as well as his environment of Brooklyn, New York.

A person is a product of their environment and Miles is no exception. From his suit and character design to his actions and dialogue, Miles is a character created from soul-heavy culture. Within one of the first scenes of the movie, viewers are given a sense of who he is. In these scenes, Miles is working on his art and singing along to music rather than focusing on preparing for school. His art already takes priority over his schooling, but he understands that he has one chance to go to a predominantly white school that seemingly has better opportunities for students from what Jefferson explains. After a stressful time in his classes, Miles goes to his uncle to decompress from the life he does not want. They venture underground where his uncle gives him the tools to spray paint a wall. Brooklyn is full of graffiti, giving a sense of the rich culture throughout the city.

New York is full of art ranging from tagging (an artistic way that people sign their names through graffiti) to intricate pieces depicting problems or something just from

the artist’s mind. Along with the underground walls of Brooklyn, Miles spray paints his Spider-Suit. He was given the suit by Peter Parker’s Aunt May, and to make it his own, he paints the suit black with red stripes going from the shoulder to under his arms. Along with the stripes and instead of the classic Spider-Man logo on the chest, he sprays a red spider within a circle. Indicating that he is his own Spider-Man, he is not Peter Parker, or any other version of Spider-Man. He ties in his heritage through his artworks including his newly painted suit. Being a young Afro-Latino teenager, he has the ability to bring in a whole new world of art to his universe, especially as Spider-Man. Part of the reason Miles is such an important character in the MC Universe (Marvel Comics/Cinematic Universe) is due to him being the first Afro-Latino Spider-Man to exist. Created back in 2011, Miles made his debut in the comic universe in the issue “Ultimate Fallout #4” following the death of Peter Parker. Readers across the world witnessed the first of a generation, and of a new story. Along with his ethnicity, Miles brought the opening to the Spider-Verse, something that had been on Marvel’s to-do list since the late 2000s. But, was pushed back due to 9/11 with workers heading home to families Marvel creator Stan Lee always loved the idea that with Spider-Man, anyone could see themselves under the mask. Whether the person was gay, straight, bisexual, black, white, latinx, or anything other than what the character was written as, they could be masqueraded by that familiar webbed and crimson mask.

Photo illustrations by Lauren Eurich

Art illustrations by Isabel Mancilla

TEENS AND TRENDS

Students Share Styles and Fashion

By Lauren Eurich A&E EDITOR

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tudents wear vastly different types of clothes and styles that show off their personality. With the various clothing items, there are many fashionable clothing trends. Sophomore Kate Sallee expresses herself in many different outfits and looks.

“I like a good skater girl look, like with the jeans and tighter top,” sophomore Kate Sallee said. “I also like a simple Brandy Melville shirt with some leggings and Nike shoes. I also like to throw it back with a retro vibe sometimes.

A belt, some mom jeans, and some checkered Vans make for the perfect look.”

When trying to find a fashionable look, going shopping is a necessity. Students like Sallee go shopping for some new clothing items fairly often. There are many trendy stores that teenagers like to shop at when finding new outfits.

“I only go shopping about once or twice a month, but when I do buy clothes, I buy them from Pacsun, Forever 21, Urban Outfitters, Brandy Melville, and Tilly’s,” Sallee said. “My favorite clothing brands are probably Brandy Melville and Vans.”

Although some teenagers like Sallee shop at branded stores, other students like freshman Belle Rangel go thrifting to find up to date looks. When thrifting, people can find some fun and fresh pieces of clothing customers cannot find anywhere else.

“I buy a lot of my clothes from Goodwill,” Rangel said. “I am a big thrifter. I get a lot of jeans, denim jackets and even a pair of Adidas from Goodwill once.”

Rangel is not the only student that thrifts.

There are many other students that are part of the thrifting community. Some of those students, such as freshman Chloe Irwin even personalize their own clothes and turn the pieces into their own style.

“When I thrift, I look for interesting fabrics and patterns,” Irwin said. “I go to the men’s section more often because I find a better variety of jeans and shirts there. I also buy dresses and turn them into crop tops. If there is a dress that I like but I don’t like the bottom, I will cut the top, hem it and use the top part of the dress as a shirt. I also like to cut jeans a lot.”

Although students have their own sort of style, many of these outfits can quickly turn into trends overnight. Popular trends like layering and mom jeans have become well-known throughout the school year. Even though there

are multiple trends, many of them are frowned upon. Many teenagers like Irwin disagree with some of the fashion trends that are worn today.

“Fashion trends I don’t like are the denim on denim look when the washes are different colors,” Irwin said. “I don’t like it because it makes the outfit look messy when it is the same pattern or fabric but different colors.”

The internet and media are major factors when it comes to fashion trends. Students like Sallee dislike some trends that are in the media.

“I like some fashion trends it just depends on what they are,” Sallee said. “I really don’t like the trend where girls will wear cropped leggings and then wear a bralette as a shirt; it’s too revealing. There are a lot of trends that I find to be too extra. Cover yourself a little bit more sis.”

Although there are many different genres of clothing, many people have their own styles to express themselves. From shopping to making their own clothes, everyone has their own perspective when it comes to fashion.

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JANUARY 2018 Volume 5 Issue 3

THE COURTYARD CAFE OPEN FOR BUSINESS

Students Enjoy A Coffee Shop Atmosphere In The Dragon Library

By Delany Jepsen STAFF WRITER

D

uring lunch, students can escape to the library for entertainment and caffeine.

Courtyard Cafe is a platform for students to perform their talents. Hot chocolate and coffee are offered, and cookies are sold for 25 cents while students eat their lunches and watch their fellow classmates “It was Library Latte before I got here, and I have been here for eleven years,” head librarian Mrs. Kari Bulgrin said. “When we got the outside courtyard, we changed it to Courtyard Café.”

Primarily, Courtyard Café takes place in the springtime when there is nice weather.

This year, Courtyard Café will start events in January. On Jan. 18, students were supposed to perform a variety of talents during lunch.

This was rescheduled by snowdays.

“I am going to be singing,” freshman Rachelle Matson said. “I have sung at my church before, and I am looking forward to this. I love library events.”

Many speech students perform to practice for their speech competitions.

It can prepare participants for the real competitions.

“I will be giving my Humorous Interpretation for the speech team,” freshman Charles “Chuck” Sams“It sounds like fun, and Mr. White thought it would be a good idea before I go to a tournament and would be good practice.”

Common talents include singing and giving a speech; however, some students decide to perform poetry. It could consist of original works by the student or a poem from a famous author. All of these poems give Courtyard Cafe a poetry night vibe.

“What I wanted to express, I thought would be most powerful if I were doing poetry,” freshman Isabel Rangel said. “The poetry program I do for speech, I find four or five poems I want, and then I piece them together in different ways. I am excited to perform and for my friends and for them to see what I have been working on. It would be really fun to perform at other events as well.”

This tradition has been around for over a decade. Mrs. Bulgrin is carrying on the legacy while trying to change things up every once and awhile.

“It used to be a week-long event, but it was hard because our library is not big enough to hold that many students.” Mrs. Bulgrin said. “One day we might not have quite the draw of attention.”

The library puts on many events during the school year. They include reading under the stars and enjoying a s'mores snack or coloring and enjoying hot chocolate. Many students love coming to library events.

“I think it is a lot of fun because you get to work with kids that have the same interests as you,” freshman Elizabeth Vandenberg said. “I would say go to it because it’s a lot of fun and you might be missing out.”

The library will host events all throughout the year. Listen to announcements for more information.

Freshman Performer “I am excited to perform and for my friends and for them to see what I have been working on,” freshman Isabel Rangel said.

Library Enthusiast “I think it is a lot of fun because you get to work with kids that have the same interests as you,” freshman Elizabeth Vandenberg said.

Library Latte “It was Library Latte before I got here, and I have been here for eleven years,” head librarian Mrs. Kari Bulgrin said.

“When we got the outside courtyard, we changed it to Courtyard Café.”

Event attender “I love library events,” freshman Rachelle Matson said, “I try to attend as much events as possible.”

Photo illustrations by Delaney Jepsen

Art illustrations by Isabel Mancilla

DINOS IN REALITY

Jurassic Park Connects Humans & Dinos

By Colin Kiston STAFF WRITER

W

elcome to Jurassic Park” are the first words the audience heard when they saw the first dinosaur in Steven Spielberg’s 1993 box office hit “Jurassic Park.”

There are four other films within the “Jurassic Park” franchise, but none of them made a bigger impact than the original, as this movie shocked the early 1990s movie goers..

In this film, people are selected to take a tour offered from the park owner and billionaire John Hammond (Richard Attenborough) on the beautiful facility to see the scene of dinosaurs that were created from prehistoric DNA. The chosen ones were: paleontologist Dr. Alan Grant (Sam Neill), his assistant Ellie Sattler (Laura Dern) and mathematician Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum). All the creatures were in enclosures and secured for safety. InGen was the name of the brand that is behind all this technology and Hammond was the founder of InGen. The group is met with two new faces, Hammond’s grandchildren, Tim and Lex Murphy(who played them? ). The group runs off and we are then introduced to Nedry, one of the computer specialists for Hammond’s company, InGen. Nedry seems very in with the norm and no problems seem to come up, until something goes very bad and we find the

truth of Nedry. He actually works for a rival of InGen, BioSyn. BioSyn wants Nedry to steal embryos from InGen so they can have dinosaurs of their own and see how this is possible. In Nedry’s plan to steal this, he would go on to shut down the security system of the whole park and this turns off the electrical fences that hold the dinosaurs. He ends up getting the embryos he needs but, the beasts break free from their contaminants. A Tyrannosaurus Rex got out and started damaging all the vehicles in sight and stooped upon the car with Tim and Lex. At the end Grant, Sattler, and the kids are now trying to get to the power to restore , but are suddenly cut off by two raptors. A T-rex comes to the rescue shortly after they are confronted and focuses on the raptors not the humans and they are picked up by Hammond and able to escape from all the trouble and get back to a safe life.

I believe this movie is something that is very interesting to view. It is an intriguing process that created the dinosaurs. It shows that dinosaurs are very beautiful creatures and very tame, but also very aggressive and dangerous to anything in its path. It brought dinosaurs into the modern day and put them up against humans. The result made quite the movie, that I would recommend to people of all ages.

All in all, the movie is very powerful because it shows how dangerous dinosaurs really were thought to be and shows how scary these animals can actually be. It makes people’s dreams come true seeing dinosaurs encounters with humans.