2008 GHS Voice December

The Voice Gretna High School • 11335 South 204th Street • Gretna, NE 68028 Volume VII • Issue III • December 2008

Winter sports on the move

Photo by Faith Cotton

One act takes state!

Page 16

Big hit movie Page 11

Do you believe?

Page 8

Best gifts for 08 Page 10

news 2 school December 2008

Inside the suit: Mascot David Manning

By Danielle Spurgeon Staff Writer

As game time approaches, he steps into his mystifying costume.

While anticipating another Dragon win, he swoops on to the field and ignites a fire under the Dragon fans.

Hiding inside the mysterious dragon suit is the one and only, David Manning, currently a sophomore at Gretna High School. Before enrolling at Gretna, Manning was the T-bird mascot at Bellevue West. He practices about two hours each week, and has undergone professional coaching while he was attending Bellevue, the training consists of learning how to do tricks and familiarizing himself with the specific costume.

Manning goes to many of the away games. He pumps up the crowd at football, volleyball, and basketball games.

“At the basketball and volleyball games I basically just babysit the little kids, I don’t do as much crowd stuff as the football games,” Manning said.

There are many aspects of

“My favorite part is just getting the reactions out of people and the little kids.”

-David Manning Sophomore

being a good and respectful mascot, Manning said. These include several important qualities, such as being able to keep the crowd entertained at all times, involving the younger fans, and the most valuable quality of all is being hospitable to both teams.

“My favorite part is just getting the reactions out of people and the little kids,” said Manning But, Manning cannot talk while in character and when in costume he has to leave his human form outside and become “The Dragon.”

“Some of the littler kids actually think I am a dragon and want to give me hugs, others are just scared,”

Manning said.

Although being a school mascot may sound fun, there are some downsides as well. The costume wreaks of smell, it gets kind of heavy, and it is overly hot and humid under the mask, but after a while Manning said he got used to it. Manning washes his costume every time he uses it and soaks it in febreeze.

“There can be a lot of harassment, people trying to figure out who you are,” Manning said, “It ruins the character.”

Even though the dragon costume is not exactly perfect, it is heads above the character he portrayed before.

“I like it better than the Bellevue T-bird, Chunder. The dragon costume is much more animated,” Manning said.

Of all the pros and cons, such as the hot and the cold, the good weather the bad weather, and the wins and the defeats, the most rewarding moment is having fun while getting people to smile.

“The best reaction is seeing a smile on the people’s faces,” Manning said.

Photo by Faith Cotton

The mascot, David Manning, is preparing to pump up the crowd. Manning goes to all of the games including those that are away.

As semester winds down, students’ stress heats up

By Brittany Jeary Staff Writer

It’s almost time for Christmas, a joyful time of year, but that also means the big finals are near. While the world goes on their merry way, students are glued to their textbooks, cramming definitions, equations, and diagrams into their brains.

The big day had come. All hearts were racing, rivers of salty liquid flow through the creases of the young flesh.

What causes this anxiety?

What makes you cringe when you feel the chilled, thin, but smooth paper slide between your fingertips? What causes that death grip of the pencil and the frightening harsh look of the lead as it pierces the paper with answers? Your goose bumps are equivalent to the peak of Mt. Everest. Will it ever stop? What is it?

Studies show that this is a

disorder in which one’s body reacts to change, also called stress. There are two types of stress, good and bad.

Good stress is a feeling of happiness and excitement like before a big game and bad stress is a feeling of madness, terror and sadness like before a test that you’re not prepared for.

“In the past I never worried about tests,” sophomore Zac Boyer said.

“Now I have to study to feel prepared and sometimes I even get nervous” 48.3% of teens have moderate to high stress levels. This is almost half of all teens in the United States.

When talking to a few teens about how they react and cope with stress, and the everyday struggles that are unavoidable, we have found the responses were quite interesting. After interviewing students of all ages from GHS, studies found that the number one stress teens face around here is the rush of high school.

“It’s all so different, a big stretch from 8th grade,” says freshman Amy Gundvaldson about her first

quarter at GHS. Gundvaldson as well as many other classmates stated that their toughest class this year will be Physical Science CP. “The hard thing about it is the fact that I don’t always understand the material,” said Gundvaldson.

When in a new environment like high school, it can be stressful to fall behind. A good tip is to keep reading, studying and asking questions and soon it will become a routine. Tests are a big portion of a student’s grade and can become a big stress factor.

“I have tried many study skills this quarter to help make science easier, and the best thing for me is to read, ask questions, and reread the section until it makes sense,” said Gundvaldson.

Stress can cause many tempers, mood swings, and a change of how one’s body reacts to simple situations.

At times like this when a students body is changing, it is nice to have someone to talk to who is facing the same or similar dilemmas.

“I like talking to my close friends because they are supportive and understand what I am going through,” says junior Brandi Brown.

Friends are always good for venting stress too. If they are true friends, then they will listen and comfort you.

“I wish the kind of stress that gets bottled up inside would just disappear.” senior Angela Rippe says.

It can be quite hard to deal with all the high school stress alone, especially being a girl because they talk about each other. Lend an ear every once in awhile. A good way to make stress disappear is by letting it seep into the air and fade away when talking it over.

Another good person available to talk to is the school counselor.

Here at the high school they are Ms. Carraher and Mrs. O’Neill. They are both helpful, caring and can help in any way needed.

Show

By Kelsey Braesch Staff Writer

Imagine yourself walking into the mall with a wallet full of cash. You’re there for maybe an hour or two and when you walk back out, your wallet’s completely empty.

What do you have to show for it?

A couple of shopping bags dangling from your arms. Then you think to yourself, where did all my money go?

“I spend most of my money in Hollister, American Eagle, and Abercrombie and Fitch,” Sophomore Ryan Horst said.

“The Buckle, and Forever 21 are my favorite stores,” Sophomore Hannah Bockman said.

Stores like these just happen to be the higher name brands, which makes prices on clothes and accessories higher.

According to Abercrombie and Fitch’s website for shopping online, a winter jacket for a girl costs anywhere from $100 to $300 and a pair of jeans costs from $70 to $100 in both boys and girls. “Clothes are priced way to high,” Bockman said.

Horst, on the other hand thinks prices are just fine.

“I really don’t think prices are that bad. I think they’ll get worse though.”

Let’s face it. Spending money is way easier and faster than making it. But there are a lot of things teens need, some necessary, like clothes, food, and hygiene products, and some not so necessary, like accessories, electronics, and music. Either way teens admit to spending money on stuff they don’t need.

“I spend so much on whatever,” Horst said.

But other teens, like Bockman, said she usually has her mom buy things like accessories and nose rings; items she just wants, and then she buys the things she really needs.

Junior Chris Link says he “for sure” spends money on things he doesn’t need. Like, “more food than I need.”

And these aren’t the only teenagers from Gretna that spend money on things

school news 3 December 2008

E M the money

they don’t need. A recent poll from about 130 students said that most teens spend their money on food.

“I spend most of my money in Taco Bell,” says Link.

Bockman said she also spends most money on food like “chocolate, or just food in general.”

While some people can’t seem to hold onto their money for very long, some said that they’re either trying or actually do save their money for important things like college, or a vehicle. Almost 100 students said they save their money for those two things. While only 20 said they don’t save their money at all.

“I realize I spend too much money, so I’m trying to save, so that I don’t end up bankrupt by age 17,” said Bockman.

Some don’t even have to work for their money because they can just get it from their parents. When asked where teens get the most of their money from, they indicated parents, or work, which must mean teens spend a lot of money a weekend right? Horst and Bockman answered with, “maybe like 25 dollars,” While Link guessed $50.

Well to figure out how much teens spend in about a month The Voice asked Horst, and Bockman, to track everything they bought and how much everything cost.

Since it was homecoming week the money really totaled up for Horst. He went to four homecomings, which meant spending 25 dollars on his four dates’ corsages, and four entries to homecoming dances for a total of $46. And since it was October, haunted attractions like Scary Acres were open which costs anywhere from $5 to $25 per person. Horst decided to buy three sets of the $25 entries totaling up to $75. Even eating out for dinner a couple of times had cost him $80. Horst ended up spending $460!

Bockman, on the other hand, only ended up spending a total of about $100.

Spending $60 of her money on food, and water, at places like The Beanery, Mckenny’s, Applebee’s, and iHop. But $40 of her money went to her nose rings, and a birthday gift for her mom.

Where do GHS students get their money?

Allowance

The Voice surveyed more than 130 students... here are the results.

Other Parents

Work

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editorial

December 2008

Thrills of Last Minute & Door Buster Shopping

By Liz Stratman Editor-in-chief

Not only do I love being the first in line outside the door of a particular store on Black Friday every year, I also enjoy fighting the crowds just weeks or days before good ‘ole Santa Claus comes to town, going from store to store to find that perfect gift for that certain loved one.

Now call me crazy, but this rushed feeling sort of gives me a thrill.

Like on Black Friday when the snobby lady decides she wants to try and cut in front of you so she can get the last digital camera you‘re clearly running towards.

Don’t get me wrong, I get down-right angry when stuff like this happens, but that’s when you just have to get aggressive.

Let’s face it, even though we’re all supposed to be in the happy “Holiday spirit” this time of year, some people are down-right mean, and if you stand back all shy-like, you’re not going to get any of your shopping checked off your list. Though I feel bad having this attitude sometimes, I’ve come to think it’s okay as long as no one gets hurt.

So this thrill of mine...Some would probably say last-minute shopping is more of a stressed, panicked feeling rather than an excited thrill. I mean, you are fighting the crowds and the freezing cold when you’re likely to have to search more than just a few stores to find any selection because stores get picked over so quickly.

For me, I didn’t really choose the dealing with crazy people, lastminute shopping thing. It kind of just happens every year because being so busy leaves so little time to shop. I’m one of those people who has to make their lists of what all they need to buy for each person and what store each item can be found at. This is because I hate hate hate getting people such ordinary, generic presents, so it takes a lot of thinking before I can decide what the perfect items are for each person I want to buy for. But this extra planning requires more time and I’ve discovered this is why my Christmas shopping is always so delayed.

I’ve come to think that I either have great luck in the shopping department, or the holiday spirit is just kind to me, because no matter how late I have to go shopping,

I always get the perfect present I’ve been searching for. The thrill of the hustle and bustle of it all just adds to my happiness.

Kaylee Hintz

The Voice News Staff 2008 Cornhusker Award Winner

Editor-in-Chief........................Liz Stratman Photographer...........................Lexi Busch Photographer...........................Faith Cotton Sports Editor...........................Anthony Jourdan Entertainment Editor.............Natalie Doering Staff Writers: Danielle Spurgeon Lauren Sawyer Taylor Bradish Advisor......................................Jamie Hestermann

Contributors: Morgan Agagah Abby Allgood Hannah Applegate Kelsey Braesch Ashley Brugmann Kelsey Charrlin Ethan Dawes Lindsey Detten Lynn Fibich Jennifer Goforth Kennedy Healy

Kendall Hendrix Matt Horan Brittany Jeary McKenna Kerr Alexa Long Jordan Meadows Courtney Murcek Tori Paulsen Payton Samuelson Becca Schollaert Arielle Sichta

Eric Smith Zenaida Smith Jessica Tejral Kelsie Troudt Mandi Wagner Hollie Walker Katie Whitted Ashley Zajac

The Voice is a monthly publication sponsored by Gretna High School, 11335 South 204th Street, Gretna, NE 68028.

The office of The Voice is located in sponsor Jamie Hestermann’s room, room 400.

The phone number is (402)332-3936.

Reader response is welcome in the form of suggestions and ideas. They can be dropped off in room 400 at any time.

Editorials are solely the opinions of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of The Voice staff or Gretna High School.

Style File

style 5 December 2008 with Olivia Gahan

By Lauren Sawyer Staff Writer

What’s your favorite article of clothing?

My burgundy cardigan from The Giving Tree, which only cost me $8.

What influences your style?

I like playing with colors, patterns, and textures.

What’s your favorite store?

My favorite store is either The Giving Tree, because the clothes are so unique, or The Gap, because the clothes are comfortable.

What She’s Wearing...

Cardigan- Gap, $15 Sweater Vest- Urban Outfitters, $35 Tank Tops- American Eagle, $10 Gap, $10 Scarf- Forever 21, $5 Jeans- Delias, $30 Shoes- Target, $8

grade. They’re green and white, blue and white, and orange and white.

What’s your comfiest outfit?

I would wear a sweatshirt with a bright tank top, my Delia’s jeans, and my splattered Vans.

What’s your most coveted item in your closet?

My 40+ pairs of shoes.

Total: $113

What’s your oldest article of clothing that you still wear?

I still wear some tank tops from Aeropostale that I got in 6th

What influences you?

By Faith Cotton Photographer

Is there more to the way people dress besides where they buy their clothes?

People have many reasons for the way they dress. Whether it’s from UGG brand boots to Volcom brand tshirts, everyone dresses somewhat different. But is there something that influences the way people dress?

There are many types of styles out there these days.

Punk, prep, gangster, comfy, and many others. Whether they are

new trends or are just re-circulating through the decades people show and express their style in many different ways.

“My brain influences my style,” said sophomore Tim Nohrenberg.

People’s style is often influenced by the way they dress, talk, and the music they listen to. Fun bubbly music such as pop or techno can influence a fun and bright sense of style.

Sad or harsh

sounding music such as screamo or heavy metal can influence a somewhat dark or plain sense of style.

People that talk in a somewhat urban or slang-like dialect can reflect on how they dress. The same can go for someone who speaks very proper or any other dialect.

“Bob Marley influences my style,” said Junior Chris Link.

“I’m definitely one of a kind.

In some cases it’s your everyday people that do the influencing along with celebrities.

Celebrities, bands, friends and family can all influence a sense of style. They can be good or bad influences.

“Austin Cave influences me,” said junior Chris Link.

“Rihanna has a great sense of style because she wears color and she’s not afraid to do crazy things with her outfits and she always looks amazingly good!” said soph-

omore Erin Lemon.

It is also important for people to dress apart from others because it separates people apart. It would get pretty plain if everyone dressed the same way.

“It is important not to look like everyone else, because if everyone looked the same the world would stink, and it would be ugly and not fun!” said sophomore Kristen Rozmiarek. She tries to dress crazy and original by wearing pink leopard print skinny jeans, and fun graphic t shirts.

6 features December 2008

Car-of-the Month

Summer

If you could be any four legged animal what would you be?

ild

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us

M

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W What is your favoirite holiday treat?

Summer

Bear

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Vanessa Hudgens

Jordan Stirtz, Senior

Skittles Coo kies

r te s te Ea a l o oc h C

Ricky

ichea m r Ca

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If you could be any celebrity who would it be?

Chocolate Covered Cherries

SUmMer

Teresa Fibich, Freshman

t a C

What is your favorite season?

Robert Schram, Sophomore

Derek Talburt, Junior

Spring

Shauna Teitze, Senior

Tupac Amanda Bynes

What is the model of your car?

96’ Ford Escort What’s the most frequent place you drive to besides school?

My friends’ houses What is in the trunk and on the floor of your car?

Broken subs, a baseball bat, and a broken hatchback cover.

What radio station do you listen to the most?

The deck is broken so I have to go by seek.

What is your dream car?

Mine!!!

Additional Comments?

It’s not pink, it’s fuscia.

Q and A:

-Anthony Jourdan, Sports Editor

Lauren Frink, Freshman

Nolan Schmid, Sophomore

If you owned a yacht, what would you name it?

Pearl.

If you owned a yacht, what would you name it?

The Schmiyd.

What animal would you most like to house in your backyard, if you could? Why? A Giraffe because their cute.

What animal would you most like to house in your backyard, if you could? Why? A lion because they’re cool.

What fear do you want to get rid of forever?

Roller coasters, I hate them.

What fear do you want to rid of forever?

Spiders

Jen Goforth, Junior If you owned a yacht, what would you name it?

Peanut Butter and Jelly.

Austin Cave, Senior If you owned a yacht, what would you name it?

Martin Luther King Jr.

What animal would you most like to house in your backyard, if you could?

A Kangaroo, because they’re cool.

What animal would you most like to house in your backyard, if you could? Why? A ferret, because they’re fast and sweet.

What fear do you want to get rid of forever?

Spiders.

What fear do you want to get rid of forever?

Death.

features

December 2008

7

Can cost and counseling cause corn-fed compromise?

By Zenaida Smith Staff Writer

“Corn.”

That is the one word senior Alexis Winnicki can think of to describe the great state of Nebraska.

But the farm culture that Nebraska is so well known for does not concern many college-bound students here at Gretna High School. Students feel suffocated by this stereotypical view of their home state; some remain indifferent to escaping this view while others are determined to leave it behind as they search for their future academe.

As their senior years begins, counselors provide website after website giving information on colleges and scholarships. All of them focused in Nebraska.

Is this home-state focus causing kids to settle?

“Sometime all kids know is UNO, UNL, and UNK,” school guidance counselor Anita O’Neill said.

The three University of Nebraska schools average 88% of their students to be from within the state. Even Nebraska’s private universities have high in-state rates. Doane College has a rate of 70% and Wesleyan rates incredibly high at 92%. When a Wesleyan representative was asked if he valued diversity he said it was one of the university’s five core values, yet he also said the college usually only recruits out-of-state for its sports and still only in the Midwest. So what does attract that eight percent of out-of-state students?

“Alumni relatives, our theatre program, athletics, and national recognition,” the Wesleyan rep said.

For some, subjective interests are the only factors that should bring students away from home.

“Location is not a top priority,” senior and soon-to-be UNL attendee Andy Wolk said. “My top pick for a school would be a school in Michigan because it has the best [music] programs, but it’s too far and too expensive. And I would never get in.”

Tuition costs are the most prominent concern for students choosing Nebraska colleges.

For example, UNL’s in-state tuition amounts to about $7,000 and out-of-state costs are about $10,000 more, according to the College Board website. The second concern for many is the fear of the distance. Students like Wolk find that school in Lincoln is convenient to come home if he needs anything. Others are overcome with homesickness during their freshman year. According to the latest statistics reported by the University of Nebraska schools, they do not retain 23% of their students after their first year of school.

“Sometimes students come back to their dorm after Christmas break and all their roommate’s stuff is gone.”

-Mrs. O’Neill Counselor

Some leave because they cannot handle the pressures of college life and classes. Some leave because they change their mind about what school to attend. But the majority of college freshman leave so they can have the security and convenience of staying at home and often choose a community college, according to O’Neill.

“Sometimes students come back to their dorm after Christmas break and all their roommate’s stuff is gone,” she said.

In last year’s graduating class, 30% of students went straight to a two-year college rather than leaving home for a four-year college forty minutes away like UNL. There does not seem to be a strong desire to experience culture outside of the Midwest.

Wolk backed this up when he stated his value of area culture.

“It’s not very important to me, but I’m going to be exposed to a lot more. I’m sure I’m going to explore.”

On the other hand, Winnicki, a senior determined to leave Nebraska and planning to attend Kansas State University, said it is vitally important to her to leave comfortable, unexposed Gretna.

“You need to know what the outside would is like,” she said. “It’s not like what you grew up in.”

Winnicki falls into the group of students scared to go too far from home, but she still values getting an experience outside of Nebraska. So what is so good about Kansas, nearly Nebraska’s twin neighbor?

“Same terrain, different people,” Winnicki said.

She also chose KU because of its specific and adaptive paleontology program, not common in many areas. Winnicki is of a handful of students who have futures tailored to very specific careers that are not as easily accessible in Nebraska.

O’Neill said that as a counselor she can only encourage students to go to a top school specially oriented to their interests. She can search for schools that would suit them, compare them to local schools, and consult books for how they rank nationally in a specific area of study. Yet, if a student is determined to stay in-state because they feel it is right for them, she does not push for them to go out-of-state.

In O’Neill’s words, it is the “time

Senior Jordan Drake and counselor Ms. Carraher confer about colleges. Ms. Carraher looks for scholarships for students, and helps with college applications. for seniors to make their own choices.”

But the choice is not always so simple with so many factors to consider, and the high school’s emphasis on Nebraska schools is not necessarily forcing kids to compromise their desires; rather, it encourages them to seek where they can find comfort.

“Far away sounds great, but you will know no one,” said O’Neill. “And there really is no difference [in public universities] o t h e r than distance and tuition.”

Ultimately the students are fast approaching adulthood and can decide what is best for them, keeping both their dreams and fears in mind. Many, like Wolk, choose a University of Nebraska school despite how lame they think their Nebraska roots may be.

“Nebraska? The state itself – not exciting. Yet its colleges are pretty good, so I hear. Like when you hear them say ‘serious care’ on Nebraska Medical Center commercials, you know it’s good.”

8 in-depth December 2008

Do you believe...

By Liz Stratman Editor-in-Chief

Fact or Fiction: Life on earth will cease to exist in the year 2012. There’s no correct answer to this statement. Though most people would love to receive a perfect fairy tale answer proving the world won’t, in fact, end, it’s only a matter of belief as to what may happen on December 21, 2012.

Could life on Earth be greatly affected by a major event? Will December 21 be just like a normal day? Is the Mayan calendar, in fact, accurate with their last day December 21, 2012 marking the end of the world?

The Mayan “Long Count” calendar marks the end of a 5,126-year era on December 21, 2012, the winter solstice. According to Universe Today, the sudden end of the calendar stirs up religious, astrological, scientific, and historic reasons why the calendar foretells the end of the world as we know it.

Proof shows that the Mayans have tracked all solar and lunar eclipses, even predicting changes in the rotation of the earth and the speed of the rotation. Though the Mayan calendar was put in place 2,300 years ago, it has proven to be one of the most accurate time keeping systems known to man.

“The Mayans are smart people,” junior Riley Schaffer said. “They made a calendar and it’s predicted so many things that have really happened like the Twin Towers and the Holocaust.”

She believes since the calendar was ac-

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curate before, something significant would have to happen in 2012.

“If our world would anticipate something like this, something major has to happen. If it’s not the end of the world then something else, like major chaos; where the world is going to be changed by something we don’t expect,” Schaffer said.

Junior Jared Gottberg thinks 2012 could be the beginning of the end.

“I think it could be the beginning of the end with all of the rumors of Obama being the Anti-Christ. The Rapture might happen when Obama is reelected for his second term. Then the actual end of the world will be in 2019, because the Rapture happens 7 years before the end of the world,” Gottberg said.

According to beliefnet.com, Protestant Christians say the Rapture is “an end-time event when born-again Christians will be caught up into the air and meet Christ in the sky.” They believe it will occur during a time related to the tribulation (the seven-year period before the Second Coming of Christ when the Anti-Christ will reign). Many people predict mass chaos will occur for those left behind, events such as airplane or car crashes or high crime. References to the Rapture have been interpreted from the Bible though none of the verses directly call it the Rapture. The Rapture has been predicted many times in the past, but nothing has actually happened.

By Lauren Sawyer Staff Writer

Myth 1: Chewing gum takes seven years to pass through the human digestive system

What do you do when you’re starting class, smacking away on a piece of gum, and you suddenly remember that gum isn’t allowed at all?

You swallow your gum, of course. But isn’t that bad for your digestive system?

“I believe that [gum takes seven years to digest] because it always feels like it’s stuck in there,” junior Lindsey Detten said.

The reason parents probably told their children not to eat gum is because they realized that eating a substance that wasn’t originally designed for human consumption, is probably not a good idea.

“I don’t believe that because Mrs. Childs said it doesn’t, and Mrs. Childs is always right,” junior Adam Kauffman.

Those little colorful wads sure are sticky, The Voice asked thirty students if they but truth be told, gum goes on its way just the believed in six make-believe characters. same as everything else that you eat.

These are the numbers of students who According to Snopes.com, “Although do believe. chewing gum resists the body’s efforts to it break down, it doesn’t linger in the stomach.”

Exactly like sophomore Alex Pennisi said, “It’s just like food.”

2012

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Is everything your parents tell you true?

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in-depth 9 December 2008

Aside from many “threats” people may have predicted, the Mayan Doomsday Prophecy is just based off of their calendar that wasn’t designed to calculate dates after the year 2012. The Mayan Long Count calendar starts at “0.0.0.0.0”. Each zero goes from 0-19, tallying the Mayan Days. Their first calendar day began on August 11, 3114 B.C. So in 2012 will the calendar simply switch over from 12.19.19.17.19 to 13.0.0.0.0 or not?

Gottberg says there are a lot of theories, but none can be completely true.

“This is just an idea of mine, it could happen, but it’s not what I believe,” Gottberg said.

Gottberg thinks little changes going on now could foreshadow the future.

“A number of Prophecies are being fulfilled in the world today, like Europe’s new currency. Before the Rapture happens, the world is supposed to shift over to one currency,” Gottberg said.

Senior Rachel Leapley doesn’t believe the world will actually end in 2012.

“They’ve [Mayans] already predicted it’d end before, but it didn’t; like when it turned 2000.”

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Myth 2: If you go swimming less than one hour after eating you will cramp up, and might drown

Would you be thrilled if your cause of death was: “Went swimming too early after eating?” Apparently some parents believe that could actually happen, so they tell their children that they might cramp up and drown, if they don’t wait long enough before swimming afterward.

Senior Silas Peterson doesn’t believe that would happen because this wacky tale was “busted” on the TV show Mythbusters. You can see the myth busters work for yourself on discoverychannel.com.

“I believe it, because my mom told me so,” sophomore Olivia Gahan said.

No matter what the sources you have are; eating and then swimming before an hour is up, won’t make you drown, I mean, some people even eat while swimming.

“The digestive system does divert the circulation of the blood toward the gut, and to a certain extent, away from the muscles.” Dr. Melissa Stoppler MD of medicine.com said. “ But neither the American Academy of Pediatrics nor the American Red Cross makes any specific rec-

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horn a horse with a is e er th t u o ior somewhere ly pony.”- Jun k ar sp e it “I believe that h w le t not a fairy ta in its head, bu ne Dominic Damo “I don’t believe in mermaids, but maybe sea monkeys.” - Sophomore Jessica Remaly

ommendations about waiting any amount of time before taking a swim.”

So don’t worry, you’ll be just fine.

Myth 3: If you cross your eyes too long, they’ll stay that way

Have you ever crossed your eyes for a funny photo, and then they stayed that way?

Parents either think telling their children that is funny, or crossing your eyes really is bad for you, but either way they’ll still say, “Don’t cross your eyes, or they’ll stay that way.”

“I never did believe that,” junior Jocelyn Dittmar said. “I tried it, and it never worked.”

This one might happen. According to the research of Cynthia M. Piccolo, on MedHunters.com this will happen, “Only if you leave them that way.” While Dr. Sharon Lehman MD, from kidshealth.org says that, “it can’t happen.”

“I think it depends on how long they’re crossed,” Junior Ty Blackstun said.

Myth 4: Eating cookie dough will give you food poisoning

The smell of chocolate chip cookies wafting out of the oven is ever-so-tempting, but isn’t eating the cookie dough as you’re baking the best part? The adult figure in your life might not believe that’s so wise, being as it can make you sick.

“No, I don’t believe it that because I’m a cookie monster, and I’ve eaten thousands of pounds of cookie dough, and I’ve never gotten sick,” junior Ryan Cook said.

In reality, you can actually get food poisoning from nibbling on cookie dough, as you’re baking up a storm.

“Only sick chickens lay salmonella-contaminated eggs,” according to Dr. Mercola of mercola.com.

“If you purchase highquality eggs the risks are dramatically reduced.”

But never fear if you do get salmonella, it’s easily treated with probiotics, which are helpful bacteria.

“It’s never happened to me, but it could happen because there’s raw eggs,” freshman Becca Schollaert said, “but people eat raw eggs for breakfast, and they don’t get sick.

Singing a skeptic tune

By Natalie Doering Entertainment Editor

I guess you could call me a nonbeliever. I don’t believe in fortunes, most urban legends, and ghosts.

The fortune telling craze is just ridiculous. People claim to know what your life holds for you, but half the time I’m sure the teller doesn’t even know what’s in store for them. I found a site that made you pay $199 per month just to get your daily fortune. Correct me if I’m wrong, but unless you do something drastic shouldn’t your future stay the same day by day? And even though they do tell you facts, they are often vague facts and let the mind hear what it wants to hear. They also use things like “as a teenager you fought with your parents” which is true about many people. Luckily, its becoming a misdemeanor in some states such as New York.

One other thing that makes no sense to me is when people believe in fictional stories such as Bigfoot or mermaids. The sad fact to all you believers out there can be summed up shortly.

Some people are just really good at using Photoshop.

Another crazy thing for me to fathom is ghosts. Sure, I believe in people watching over me from heaven, but no matter how many pictures I’ve looked at on Google they all seem hard to believe. I even went on a ghost tour last year while I was in Sante Fe, New Mexico and was the only person with my hand down when the tour guide asked “Raise your hand if you believe in ghosts”. Maybe if the TV shows about ghosts weren’t so overly dramatic I might believe a little more.

Someday, in the far future if someone can convince me, I just might believe. But as of right now I’m content in my beliefs.

10 entertainment December 2008

Where to find the best...

By Natalie Doering Entertainment Editor

Of course Grandmas cookies, and homemade Hot Chocolate will always beat these items off the list, but next time you are out and about I suggest you try some of this items for the holiday season.

Where to find the best...Hot Chocolate? The Beanery Recomended by: Chris Applegate, Junior What my take on it was: As I sat down to enjoy that first sip of my drink, I was worried it was going to be like all the others I’d tried in the past. Bland. But when the liquid hit my lips, I realized how wrong I was. My tastebuds exploded with flavor. It wasn’t too much chocolate, but too little either. I highly recomend this drink.

Where to find the best...Fudge?

Cabela’s Recomended by: Ben Stoltenberg, Freshman.

What my take on it was: Of course I’d devoured this fudge before, but it was

always in the sample range. So when it came time to try it in a good size proportion I was amazed at how rich it actually was. A little too rich for me though. Next time I might try some other then this.

Where to find the best...Cookies?

Eileen’s Cookies Recomended by: Brandon Schmit, Freshman What my take on it was: No matter how many times I have Eileens Cookies, its like the first bite all over again. The frosting is to die for, and it melts in your mouth. Of course, I’ve never ventured farther away then the plain ‘ole sugar cookie, so maybe next time I might try something new.

Where to find the best...Eggnog?

Roberts Brand Recomended by: Maggie Hobbs, Sophomore What my take on it was: This eggnog is the best out there, I think. It has the right type of flavor to it, but isn’t so strong that you can only have a few sips before you put the glass down. So next time you go to HyVee (where you can find it) I suggest going to the aisle and picking one up.

Top holiday gifts this season

By Lexi Busch Photographer

Best Gifts

Laptop A dog Car Telescope High School Musical movie Family Guy seasons Dirt Bike ipod Video games Clothes Wii

Worst Gifts

Underwear Socks Snow Globe Doll Star Wars action figures Denim Jacket Gum Matching clothes as your siblings Barbie

Our gift experts were.....

Ben Lempka, Junior Logan Henning, Sophomore Jordan Mason, Junior Dean Wood, Sophomore

Black Friday: What it’s all about

By Lauren Sawyer Staff Writer What do a heated neck massager, a blue sweater from Forever 21, and three coats from The Buckle have in common?

They’re some of the items GHS students woke up at the crack of dawn to buy.

The day after Thanksgiving, also known as Black Friday, is a bargainhunter’s dream. On this day, stores mark down the prices on their inventory, in many cases 50% off. Then millions of people throughout the country come racing to get a head-start on their Christmas shopping.

The Black Friday markdowns also succeeded in luring GHS students through store doors.

“It’s like a rush,” senior Stacie Weakland said.

Weakland went shopping with senior Kelsey Palm, and purchased gifts

for her and for her family; her favorite purchase was a heated neck massager.

Weakland bought everything on her list for under $100.

The highlight of Weakland’s shopping experience was at American Eagle when an “adorable old lady with flaming hair,” said, “You’re too good to settle, you should wait to get married.”

Weakland didn’t know the lady. They were just standing in line, and the lady started talking to her.

Even though the lines are historically long, at Wal-Mart especially, the outstanding opportunities to save some cash pull in others as well. This all starts with the advertisements that show the best deals and door busters.

“Reading the ads I get on Thursday gets me pumped up to go,” said junior Riley Schafer. Schafer ended up buying three coats from The Buckle, among other

things.

It’s a holiday tradition for junior Riley Schafer and junior Emily Lawry to go Black Friday shopping together.

Emily Lawry loves to brave the crowds because it’s nice to spend some time with her friends and for the great sales, her favorite purchase was a blue sweater and she also bought some cute leggings.

While Schafer and Lawry got up at 4:00am and were at the mall right when it opened, sophomore Zach Omar slept in a bit then went shopping later in the afternoon.

“I think that Black Friday’s a great idea, because you can get such great deals,” Omar said.

With all the reduced prices, door prizes and, “door busters,” why would anyone skip getting some shopping done?

Junior Amy McManus said, “I don’t go Black Friday Shopping because I hate crowds, and it overwhelms me.”

Other GHS students don’t go because they enjoy their beauty sleep.

“I have sleep deprivation, so I don’t want to arise that early,” senior Mark Beran said.

And it certainly can be dangerous, what with people getting trampled and injured every year as aggressive shoppers shove their way through the doors.

Ultimately, some people even get killed from the beating they take.

“People get really desperate and greedy,” said Junior Brandi Brown.

Overall this special day isn’t too bad. Ask anyone who goes out and hits the stores, the deals make the day.

“I think it’s cool that it’s a nationwide shopping event,” freshman Jenny Davis said.

entertainment 11 December 2008

Students say was worth the wait

By Danielle Spurgeon Staff Writer

As fans wait in the cold blustery weather, the lines grow longer and longer with every drop of the temperature. Midnight is minutes away and the anxiety levels rise as the hot new Twilight film premiere approaches.

From best selling book to the big theater screens, Twilight was a huge hit for people of all ages. The film is about a young teenage girl who has fallen in love with a boy who just happened to be a vampire trying to keep his secret.

With disapprovals from their families and friends will this romance work its way out? Or not? Students will have to see the movie themselves or just ask one of GHS’s die-hard fans.

Jessica Schram, senior at Gretna High School, got her tickets two weeks before the premiere on the internet.

She has read all the books and is even starting to read them for a second time.

“There is just something about it, it’s so good!” Schram said.

Schram waited four hours outside and inside for two hours just to make sure she got a good seat at the midnight premiere.

“I saw the movie three times over the weekend,” Schram said..

Chelsea Luedtke and Erin Lemon, both sophomores, saw Twilight its first week in the theaters. They agreed that it was totally worth the wait.

“I liked it so much, that I wanted to stay for the next showing of the movie,” Luedtke said.

“Even though I haven’t read the books it was still really good, it made me want to read the books,” Lemon said.

Twilight was directed by Catherine Hardwicke, who had the biggest sales ever for any female director of all time.

This movie made $7 million in the first midnight premier and $70.6 million in the box office the first week. New Moon the next series to the Twilight movie is now in production, the crazed fans will be anxiously waiting.

“It’s just an all around a great movie!”

Schram said.

Taylor Swift CD Review: ‘Fearless’ tops charts

By Natalie Doering Entertainment Editor I don’t know if you know this about me but I’m a huge country music fan. I do everything a true ,crazy fan does. I’ve gotten up at 2 a.m. just to get a meet and greet. I’ve made signs for a concert. I’ve even had the opportunity to take some goofy pictures with my favorite country stars like Joe Nichols and Rodney Atkins. So it might come to you as a surprise to know that I’m not the biggest Taylor Swift fan. I feel her songs are overplayed on the radio and her voice isn’t the kind I like to listen to.

But when I sat down to listen to her new CD, Fearless, I tried to forget all the negative things that I used to feel about her and just see the songs as they were. Songs. I didn’t

decide to listen to them in order, but chose to take the route of choosing them by their creative song titles.

Sadly, I can’t tell you all the songs that are good and bad, but I’ll share a few with you.

The first song I decided to venture down was “White Horses” a piece about how she isn’t that princess in a fairy tale he thinks she is. At the end of the chorus she expresses that “It’s too late for you and your white horse to come around”. After the song was done playing I couldn’t resist to listen to it just once more. But, I couldn’t just listen to it twice. No. I listened to it 3 times. Unfortunately, the repercussions of listening a song that many times in a row is that you’re constantly singing it in your head. It was a good song with a good message, and I enjoyed her voice in the piece, it was peacefull yet strong.

After listening to a few more of her tunes, I came across another song that put me in a good mood. “Breathe”. About a girl who was sad that a guy had either left her or she had left him. My favorite line in the chorus is “You know it’s never simple, never easy.” At the end, she goes on to say that she can’t breathe without him, but she’s going to have to. It was a good resolution to a perfect song.

Likewise, there were a few songs that I just didn’t see the meaning behind or just didn’t like. “Fifteen” just wasn’t my piece of cake. Sure, it was about being fifteen and I’m fifteen, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to “Believe somebody when they tell you that they love you”. Just because we’re young doesn’t mean we believe everything we hear. But I’m just basing this argument

Taylor Swift on weak thoughts. Because the truth is, I absolutely, positively loved Taylor Swift’s new album.

Of course, all her songs were love stories, but what girl doesn’t love that? I don’t expect the boys to go out and rush to get her new CD, but I say they should at least give it a try or at least buy it for their girlfriends.

After listening to the collection of songs the other day, I was on my way to the store when my favorite song from the album, “Love Story” came on. And this time, different from the previous times I’d heard her songs; I turned it up and sat back to listen.

story 12 photo December 2008

Erin Lemon shapes her clay into a smooth round pot.

3rd Hour 3-D Design

Jessica Wendt shapes a piece of clay to get it ready to work on.

Jaclyn Sutton’s mask was set down to get painted.

Timbre Backen paints her pig mask bright colors like firecracker red and bright pink.

Clay projects are put on the stable after they have been fired so they can get painted.

Student teacher Mrs. Watson helps Chelsea Vorland with her box project.

Emma Hulsey paints her pot a dark black color.

Madison Healy cut pieces of clay out for an upcoming project.

sports 13 December 2008

Inside the mind of a basketball player

By Danielle Spurgeon Staff Writer

With 3 seconds left on the time clock, you glance at the score. Down by two. What do you do? Pass the ball to an open shooter, go for the lay-up to tie the game, or shoot the three, hoping to sink it and seal a victory.

Being a basketball player is more than just knowing how to shoot, rebound, dribble, or run lines. It’s a mentally tough sport of complete knowledge. Players have to know the game and the court like the backs of their hands. The key to being a good basketball player is having the mental edge over the opponent. Having the edge is key when shooting a free throw in a critical game.

“Thinking I’m going to make it, that’s what goes through my mind as I’m shooting a free throw,” said Bo Shepard, junior.

Before games many players

will listen to music to mentally prepare and get focused.

“I listen to some music, like girl music and some rap,” said Shepard.

Shepard has been playing ever since he was about 5 years old.

“My whole family played ball and my dad was the coach. It just goes way back, ya know,” said Shepard.

Conditioning is also important in basketball. Most players said that’s the worst part. Little do they know all their hard work goes into helping them become more mentally ready.

“During practice there is lots of running and usually a couple kids throwing up,” said Cole Spurgeon, sophomore.

Although conditioning may be difficult, it pays off in the long run.

Being prepared mentally and physically can result in an advantage against the other team. Having this advantage can lead to more wins throughout the season.

“The best part about playing is winning games,” said Ben Barna,

Dragons Uncut

senior.

Playing in front of a crowd can be nerve racking at times but as the game progresses, concentration and focus take over and the nervousness begins to fade. As players step onto the court taking their starting positions, several thoughts run through their heads.

“JEEZ Barna’s aggressive!” said senior Stefan Katsampes.

“This is really cool, because Dillon Berry is in the crowd watching,” said Shepard.

“JEEZ I’m mean!” said Barna.

Basketball is a strenuous sport both mentally and physically, but the driving force behind it is to have fun.

“We don’t worry about the wins and losses, we play as hard as we can and that’s all we ask for,” said Coach Hoffman.

What’s on their Ipods?

Boys basketball players aren’t always serious.

Ben Barna Senior Q: Have you had any injuries playing basketball?

A: No I only give out the injuries.

Q: How do you keep your head up when you lose a game?

A: I look at Brandon’s pumpkin pie haircut.

Q: Do you like being known as a basketball player?

A: I prefer to be known as a WWE superstar.

Q: How does it feel to play in front of a crowd?

A: I love it when they chant my name.

Q: How would you describe practice?

A: Gaptha! It’s a word we made up on the team.

Stefan Katsampes Senior Q: What goes through your mind as your shooting a free-throw?

A: Jeez! Barna’s big and mean!

Q: What’s the best part of playing basketball?

A: Coach Drake and Brandon’s chics.

Q: How do you keep your head up when you lose a game?

A: Look at Brandon’s forehead.

Q:What’s it like in the locker room before a game?

A:Brandon’s serious and everyone else isn’t.

Q:What’s it like to be in the zone?

A: Zipppy zooooooo...!

Ben Barna- Cupid Shuffle by Cupid Stefan KatsampesRockstar by Prima J Tanner Miller- Heart of a Champion Cole Spurgeon- Can’t Be Touched

sports

December 2008

14

What Were You Thinking???

“Somebody just stepped on my J’s”

“Man Mr. Rath looks good in purple”

“Wow this is fun”

Club Sports: Are They Worth It? Athletes fine tune their skills during the off-season.

By Abby Allgood Staff Writer

Most people look forward to December because it means presents and cookies. But for sophomore Emma Hulsey she looks forward to the start of the Premier Volleyball season.

“I never get tired of volleyball,” Hulsey said

Like most club sports, the club volleyball season is at a different time than the high school season. Beginning in December, Hulsey, like many other athletes who play club ball, will be spending about four nights a week at Premier practices and about every other weekend at tournaments.

That intense schedule isn’t just for club volleyball. Senior Katie Hurd, who plays soccer for Arsenal, says she has about three practices and up to five games a week during the fall season.

Sophomore Colin Vipond said he puts “about eight to ten hours a week” into Arsenal soccer.

With tournaments every other weekend and all those practices focusing on just one sport, wouldn’t the athletes get burned out?

“Sometimes it gets a little old,” Vipond said.

Hurd disagreed, saying she loves soccer and never gets sick of the practices. Hulsey said it also helps to motivate her. “The girls are fun and it helps me get better for (high school) season,” She said.

Practicing and playing with the same girls almost every day a week makes the team really strong.

“Premier is like a second family,” Hulsey said.

But is that the only reason to go out for a club sport? Since starting Premier in 8th grade Hulsey says she has “improved a lot all around.” Mr. Brandon, the high school volleyball

“I never get tired of volleyball” -Emma Hulsey Sophomore coach says he usually sees a big difference between girls who play club and those that don’t.

He says the biggest difference is in skill refinement and judgment.

“Club girls have more repetition, they have more games under their belt.” Brandon said.

Vipond also said he has seen the most improvement in “skills and knowing where to be on the field.”

Katie Hurd believes that she has seen so much improvement because she’s constantly playing soccer.

Does being a club athlete

guarantee more playing time?

According to Brandon, that’s a definite no. He says he bases playing time off skill level, but he also said that club girls have more experience.

“The more time you spend doing something, the better you are at it,” Brandon said.

So is spending all that time and money worth it?

“I think it depends on your goal. If you want to play collegiate ball you should go out.” Brandon said.

Club sports are also during college coach’s off-season so it’s easier for them to go scout at a club tournament than a high school tournament.

Overall is playing club worth all of the hours and dollars spent?

“There’s only so much that high school sports can offer,” Vipond said.

sports 15 December2008

Former Dragons step up big in college

By Anthony Jourdan Sports Editor

From football to soccer, basketball to volleyball, there seems to be a former Dragon helping a team in every sport in college. Even though the intensity level is definitely higher the former athletes that attended GHS seems to be taking it very well.

2007 graduate and football player Spencer Goff now kicker at Minnesota State Mankato, says it is extremely different than high school.

“It is a night and day difference,” Goff said. “You get very few chances to screw up before they just look at the next guy behind you.”

Goff has proven that he can handle this by hitting 14-17 PAT’s and was 3-7 with field goals with a long of 37 yards.

“It is a non-stop all-year around commitment with very few days off all year,” Goff said. “It’s a cut throat sport.

You can be replaced very easy so there is no time to not give your best.”

Another GHS student who graduated with Goff in 2007 was defensive lineman Alex Stover who know plays for the University of Wyoming. Stover says the biggest difference is you don’t have many second chances.

“The biggest difference is that you are part of a business and you only have one goal. To win games,” Stover said. “ If you’re not playing well or you mess up, there are a handful of other players behind you that will do just as good of a job if not better. You only get a few second chances, third chance almost never come around.”

Another key college player is 2008 graduate Carissa Gregory who has

helped the Benedictine Lady Ravens as their starting goalkeeper. She says the hardest part of the transition from high school to college was the commitment.

“The hardest part was the time commitment,” Gregory said. “The speed of play and the college girls shoot a lot harder than high school players.”

“It’s a cut throat sport. You can be replaced very easy so there is not time to not give your best.”

-Spencer Goff 2007 GHS Graduate

She has helped the team by saving 34 goals while playing for a total of 740 minutes. Gregory said that she knew there was a chance to earn the

starting job.

“I trained all summer and went into the season knowing that there was a chance to start but a small one, so I would have to do everything I could to win the spot.”

Gregory’s teammate, Alyssa Cirian, who also graduated in 2008 has started only five games and yet leads the team in goals with 17.

Other players that have helped their college teams that attended GHS are Tom Lunzman who had 84 tackles and six interceptions for South Dakota School of Mining. Cara Gustafson has held the St. Bonaventure Bonnies basketball team to start out the season at 4-0. Also, Kristin Kritenbrink has led the South Dakota Coyotes with 324 kills, which led all players for the season.

Photo’s by Lexi Busch and Faith Cotton

Mr. Bruggeman shows off his skills as he teaches a new technique to the wrestlers.

The wrestlers capped of their season meet with a 2nd Place finish at the Cozad Invitational.

The girls basketball team gets pumped up before their game against Ashland-Greenwood. The Dragons will look for leadership around the experience of the seniors this year.

WRESTLING Junior Kelsey Rogers looks for somebody to dribble around.

The girls rebounded back from an 0-2 start to even their record at 2-2.

Junior Ryan Hartnett wrestles with his freshman brother Mikey. Hartnett started the season strong with a first place finish at the Cozad Invitational.

BASKETBALL

story 16 photo December 2008

Jesse Merriman tries not to cry while 3 mob members point guns at him. Merriman won best actor in the state of Nebraska.

One act members show off their dance moves across the stage. Sugar took first place at the state one act competition.

Zenaida Smith acts out a scene in “Sugar.” Smith got an honnorable mention for her acting.

Photos by Lexi Busch

“Sugar” has a sweet victory

Jennifer Gotrik sells cigars to the hotel guests. Gotrik was one of many students who participated in one act this year.

Mob member Mark Beran holds up Cole Sprugeon in the middle of the stage. Sprugeon had to practice freezing while having a scared face.