Prom
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Dr. Riley
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THE VOICE
Photo by Emily Parkinson
FALLEN, NOT FORGOTTEN Behind Displays that Depict Heroes By Ben Randall COPY EDITOR
“E
very Minute Counts!” A voice bellowed that phrase, syllable by syllable, not to anyone in particular, but the vast expanse of the university. Quite often in our youth, we are preached at to be ready for our upcoming challenges, and the adversity that tomorrow will bring. However, hearing those words, and staring at the names of those who fell in the name of our country, can make life seem more present-tense. “Patriotic Productions--they created the “Remembering Our Fallen” exhibits about a decade ago,” social studies instructor Mr. Samuel Williams said. “The Nebraska wall has been traveling non-stop for the last ten years! Often I have helped set it up and constantly encounter new notes from loved ones left behind. There are 15 other state walls touring individual states and two national walls (with all of the nation’s Fallen from the War on Terror) that tour the nation.” The United States has been desensitized to death in certain ways; we see and hear about the deaths of countless veterans and soldiers in action, but it struggles to make an impact with society. However, what is the right way to handle this mass of death and dismay? The Williams family aims to honor the men and women whose stories are lost with elaborate displays all across the country. “Yes, I helped out with the display. I met my parents in the cafeteria after they had already started setting it up,” Mr. Williams said. “Mr. Cahill and Mr. Miller were down there as well assisting with the setup.” Crisp suede flags stood on each end, hovering solemnly in the air above multiple
panels. Within the display, names of those Nebraskans who lost their lives while serving our country are displayed. This display is unique in the sense that it is one of many, representing the veterans of each state, with their names and stories. “The Williams’ go around the country, making sure that the displays are neat and honor everyone who deserves it,” Janitor Mr. Larry Cahill said. “The display must be directly sized to the size of the state, so you can imagine the states like Texas and California have bigger displays.” One name, in particular, stood out, glimmering on the list of names like a beacon in the night: Joel Cahill. Sometimes realizing that we live amongst heroes and impactful figures makes one rethink their problems. People like Joel Cahill put it all on the line and paid the ultimate price in the end. “Joel graduated from Papillion-La Vista High School in 1989, and enlisted in early 1990,” Mr. Cahill said. “He thrived in his new military environment. He hit the ground running and never looked back. Altogether, he was enlisted for 15 years.” A fallen soldier is one that was stripped of his duty, released from his pain, and unshackled from the life that embodied them moments before. A fallen soldier is not a failed soldier. The soldier helped, if nothing else, with the task at hand, and created memories that trumped everything else of importance, sharing crucial moments with comrades turned best friends. “[Looking at the display], I feel sorrowful, grateful,” Mr. Williams said. “Most of the people on the wall are just kids, right out of high school, boys and girls, black and white--often the best of their graduating classes. Cut down in the prime of their youths.” While it is depressing that so much sorrow and pain is overlooked in our lives,
maybe it is better off that way. The beauty of the design of the Williams’ family’s displays is found in their simplicity. They show names, pictures, and stories that found their way into the public domain through familial ties or by chance. Sometimes these soldiers are overlooked, but the Williams’ make sure that every uplifting, and altogether powerful story is shared. “Seeing the display gave me a sense of pride. It was consoling to know that Joel was doing exactly what he wanted to do,” Mr. Cahill said. “He never went into the service reluctantly, he always gave it 110 percent. When I saw his name there, I felt okay. I felt good. I feel pride that his life meant something and that he lived it to the fullest.” Soldiers, from the Blackwolves Army ROTC, around Creighton University looked up faithfully to Mr. Cahill, as he gave a speech that would shake them to their very cores. This speech, given nearly seven years ago, was something of resolve and meaningfulness for Cahill, who just lost his son to the all-encompassing grip of death. Yet, as Cahill entrusted the soldiers with Joel’s story, there was a familiar glimmer in his eyes when talking about his son, the same glimmer that shone in a mid-day conversation years later. “I’m just going to emphasize the mission of the organization: ‘Man does not die until he is forgotten’” Mr. Williams said. “So let’s not forget.” Fighting for one’s country is the utmost act of bravery, and is a decision that depicts great sacrifice. Just like an artist pours not only pastels but their soul into their pieces, a soldier rips his heart out and puts it for all to see in the battlefield. As the glimmer remained in Mr. Cahill’s eyes, the soldiers stared up at him in awe, as he concluded his speech with three, spaced out words: “Every Minute Counts!”
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NEW ART MURAL IN ROOM 840
Students Create Portrait Representing Dragons By Bayleigh Koch STAFF WRITER
A
rt club students have plan to paint a mural in the art hallway by art club sponsor Michael Moore. Mr. Moore is excited about the mural and has been trying to get more student art around the school for years, he is hoping this step will open more opportunities. “I want this to be the students work, not me behind it.” Mr. Moore said. “I tell them what to do kind of but for the most part it is all them.” The mural construction began in February and they are hoping to have it done by the end of March. The art club is in charge of painting the mural while the art teachers came up with the initial idea of the mural. The club started with a meeting and everyone came in with an idea before settling on the current design before adding more details such as: dripping paint, the Gretna tower, pottery, and the dragon.
“All three of the art teachers have wanted to do an art mural.” Mr. Moore said. “We have a huge art department that we are not really allowed to put up on the building.”. “This is the first official mural and we’re hoping doing this will give us more opportunities.” They had to grid it out and since the hallway is too small they had to duragrid (which means measure every brick and then sketch the mural via a grid) the mural and measure it based off that. That took about a week and all the students came on a Thursday night to settle the plan. To make things permanent they painted the sketch with light blue and now they are on the process of choosing the color scheme. “Mr. Miller approved it and gave us the okay and we started right away,” Mr. Moore said. “The kids are great and it is a fun experience for them.” The art club students will be working on this for a few more weeks and they are wanting to have it done by the end of March. Moore and the other art teachers are hoping that this will bring more opportunities for the art club to put up art around the school.