2009 GHS Voice March

The Voice Gretna High School • 11335 South 204th Street • Gretna, NE 68028 Volume VIII • Issue IV • March 2009

Celebs get in trouble Page 6

How to save your money Page 12

Spring sports begin Photo by Faith Cotton

Who’s your favorite Idol?

Page 6

news 2 school March 2009

Sickness filters through high school

By Hannah Applegate Staff Writer

Flu, colds, strep throat, bronchitis, you name it because Gretna High School students have had it. Especially in the past few weeks. The week of February 23 there was an average of 25.4 students absent that week. That average doesn’t include our highest number of a total of 55 students absent on March 4th. Bacteria spreads quickly through high schools because when people get sick some don’t stay home so then they get all of their friends sick too.

February 23

33 Students

Absent

“I had strep throat.” freshman Kelsey Pierce said. “It was really gross.”

Others weren’t so lucky to get off with just a sore throat.

“I had the flu,” senior Hollie Walker said. “It was an all over flu. In my stomach and throat. I even woke up shivering, then sweating.”

While some were vomiting, others were coughing non-stop.

“I had bronchitis for a month,” Abby Allgood, a sophomore, said. “I’m still not over it either.”

“I also had bronchitis,” freshman Mike Reed said. “But it was only for five or six days.”

Then you have some people who just had a high fever.

“I had a fever of 102 degrees,” freshman Drake Burns said. “I had it for like four days.”

Even though all these diseases are very different, people seem to cure them in all the same ways.

“I cured mine with antibiotics, steroids and an inhaler,” Allgood said.

“I over dosed on Nyquil,” Walker said.

With all these diseases going around how many days are students missing from school?

“I missed a week of school,” Walker said.

While Walker missed a week, some only missed a couple days.

“I missed three days,” Reed said. “I didn’t have much homework

when I came back either.”

All these medications didn’t help them when it came to doing stuff.

“All I wanted to was sleep,” Walker said.

Some students had to deal with this sickness while trying to do sports activities.

“I would be running down the court guarding a girl,” Allgood said. “I would be hacking up a lung and Swans would say, ‘Did you cough up a lung yet?’”

Sickness not only affects people with their schoolwork, but also the job they may have.

“It stinks to go to work sick,” Walker said.

24

25

26

27

20 Students

23 Students

25 Students

26 Students

Absent

Absent

Absent

Absent

Othello: Behind the scenes of the GHS O.I.D.

By Kennedy Healy Staff Writer N Sync, the Backstreet Boys, Jonas Brothers, we all love our boy bands, and we now have our very own here at GHS. The speech team’s varsity OID this year tells the story of a boy band called “Othello and the Boy Band Venice”. The story is a spoof of Shakespeare’s Othello, whose traditional story line features a man trying to move up in military rank.

In this version, band members Iago (Joey Timmerman), Roderigo (Ben Fleck) and Othello (Jesse Merriman) who is married to Desdemona (Molly Motsinger), are trying to move up in their boy band status. Sam Montemarano plays the paparazzi following the stars

everywhere. week of January.

T h e The people who team has tried out were placed 6th at asked to read lines conference, 2nd from the script at districts, and numerous times. is now qualified Three of the five for state. people chosen It all were past state started last champions. Since year with the the auditions, the speech coaches group has been selecting the practicing like The OID team which consisted of Jesscript.

Mrs. crazy on top of se Merriman, Molly Motsinger, Ben Long had jobs, show choir, Fleck, Sam Montemarano and Joey looked at the and classes.

Timmerman qualified for state. script last “ W e year after they practice for already had chosen one. two or three hours at a time, three or “It’s one of the funniest scripts four times a week and every day for I’ve read in years,” Mrs. Long said. districts,” Motsinger said.

Auditions were held the first When does all that work pay

off? At the speech meets, which are the favorite parts for most speech team members.

“The gentle nature of the speech meets allows me to find my inner truth,” Fleck said.

Another favorite part is of course, winning. “[It’s] amazing!” Montemarono said, “I’m surprised every time it happens.”

Mrs. Long’s favorite part is seeing them work together.

“They really play off each other well and feed off each other’s energies,” said Mrs. Long.

The team has done many different shows together throughout high school and they are all friends.

“This years team is really close and we all help each other and make practices really fun,” Motsinger said.

What juniors and seniors can expect on a college visit

By Courtney Murcek Staff Writer

As the year is getting closer and closer to the end students are preparing for college visits, but what year should they get started?

“As soon as you’re interested in one, you should get started,” Mrs. Carraher, GHS counselor said.

College visits are mainly important for juniors and seniors, but you are allowed at any time. Juniors get two visits the second semester and Seniors get two visits second semester if they are going by themselves and as many as they need if they are going with a parent or guardian.

Bailey Hendrix used two visits to go to Grandview College, and Briarcliff College.

What should students expect on a college visit?

“At UNL, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, visits are allowed at any time of the year, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. You start off in the counselors office and she explains what you’re going to do. You then go to the dorms, or where you could be living.

After your dorm tour, you’ll be shown around a department of your interest. For example, Culinary Arts or Engineering. Once your done, you will head back to one of the Guidance offices and this is where you will be able to talk to a teacher or ask questions to a counselor. Either way you will get all of your questions answered.” UNL Undergraduates office of Admissions said.

Thinking about the future can always be tough. Most seniors normally have no idea where they want their lives to go after high school, but most Gretna seniors have made up their mind.

Most of them want to major in Business managing or Healthcare, according to Mrs. Carraher.

“I want to go into Neonatal nursing. I have for almost 5 years now,” Hendrix said.

school news 3 March 2009

Climaxes and falling action of English class

By Lauren Sawyer Staff Writer

Some students may say the best thing about reading a novel in English class is: “It’s a break from grammar.” However, the purpose of reading these novels isn’t to simply relieve students from the burden of determining a participle from a gerund.

“Reading lists are formed to prepare students for college, not provide ‘pleasure reads,’” English teacher Mr. Haun said.

From Animal Farm freshman year to The Hobbit senior year, books are chosen to help propel students to success. Dr. Anderson, the curriculum director, said that he believes GHS’ reading program, especially AR, is helping to boost students’ ACT scores.

Dr. Anderson also believes AR will give students “an edge” on the new computerized state standard reading test that will be given to juniors. A trial run of this test will be held in the spring.

There is supposed to be a happy medium, as teachers try to balance modern and classical books in the classroom. Except, this doesn’t mean everyone enjoys the required reading; leaving teachers to tackle the innumerable complaints of students.

“I tell students that there isn’t another option, because there’s not enough novels for one with our budget,” English teacher Mrs. Schulte said.

Filling out worksheets over novels, isn’t anyone’s favorite thing to do. In some cases, though, reading the book may actually be worse. It almost seems that some authors write books which scream, “You’re supposed to be confused.”

“I hated Huck Finn because it had no meaning,” sophomore Sam Soupir said.

The required reading books do create excitement about literature too, even if it’s for a rather unconventional reason, garnished with a hint of sarcasm.

“Last year I had to read Crime and Punishment, and it was awesome because it had lots of long Russian names with lots consonants,” senior Meghan McMahon said.

This excitement over reading has prompted the addition of new contemporary novels. Marley and Me will be added to the sophomore’s curriculum,

and Code Talkers will be added to senior classes next year.

For some, the benefits of an increased vocabulary, and knowledge of the world are unimportant.

However, with these “novel” ideas it will be hard not to gain a new admiration for the good old paperback.

Even teachers can’t help getting into the spirit of reading.

“I loved the book Where the Red Fern Grows, because it made me cry,” English teacher, Ms. Suhr said.

“That was the first time I understood the power of a novel.”

4 editorial March 2009

Spring Break 6 days short

By Faith Cotton Photographer

Trips to Mexico, California, Florida and other vacation spots are what students look forward to all year.

To get the perfect tan, go shop, and just hang out with friends is pretty much what spring break is all about. But GHS’s spring break is only three days long, and that’s counting the weekend.

So how can students fully recover from homework, friend drama, and sports in such a short amount of time? I don’t think its possible. It’s not that GHS can’t have a spring break though. If GHS did have a spring break we would have to pay the consequence by either starting school earlier or ending later. That’s what most schools do. Schools like Scottsbluff and Millard get a whole week off for spring break.

But they start a few days earlier and end a few days later. But if we did start a few days earlier and ended a few days later, would we really notice the difference?

Students are definitely under an abundance of stress during high school as they progress from one grade to another. Each year

gets a bit harder, freshmen have to get used to the way of high school, sophomores have to concentrate on everything academically. Juniors need to prepare for the ACT, and seniors have to concentrate on finding the right colleges. But, spring break is one of those things that let students and teachers rehabilitate and get their minds in order. Teachers need a vacation to spend time with their families as well. Without a spring break, students can feel more stressed than normal. In result of the stress comes many issues that people have to deal with.

School can also seem neverending without a break. There are 95 days from the end of winter break to the day we get out for spring break. Once winter break is over the months seem to go by as slow as the snow melting.

Once Friday comes, the weekend seems to go by faster than it came.

So then it looks that we are in school non-stop. For school to look as if to be going on without a break, may cause some students to become fed up and ditch. Or they have their parents call them out of school for a couple days to collect themselves. This can then lead to their grades dropping. And there definitely isn’t anything more stressful than a failing grade on a test.

If there was a formal spring break it would also take a load off for the teachers. Teachers have to keep track of whether students need to take, or retake a test, or turn in an assignment.

Some students do not schedule their test retakes immediately and that can also put the teacher behind.

But the big reason schools need spring break is that students just need a break. There are lots of things that students have to concentrate on during their high school careers. Whether its schoolwork, friends, relationships, or family all of those things clumped together can cause problems. Stress, depression, and even laziness affect the way students do in school. Proper school breaks have to be the only cure.

Wou mak ld you w e l o n g the scho ant to e r to o have l year spri ng b a longe reak r ?

Yes No 37% 63%

What wo u ld y o u do on y o ur sp r ing bre a k?

“Go on a vacation.”

Taylor Haug, 12

“I would invite more friends over and party it up.”

Jake Butler, 11

“Sleep a lot.”

Haley Kindschuh, 10

“Go looking for a car and go driving.”

Eddie Vacek, 9

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: Morgan Agagah Hannah Applegate Taylor Bradish Ashley Brugmann Kelsey Charrlin Ethan Dawes

Lindsey Detten Jennifer Goforth Brittany Hannigan Kennedy Healy Kendall Hendrix Matthew Horan McKenna Kerr Courtney Murcek Lauren Sawyer Danielle Spurgeon Jessica Tejral Ashley Zajac Advisor......................................Jamie Hestermann

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.

editorial 5 March 2009

Bad celeb baby names: Creative or curse?

By Natalie Doering Entertainment Editor

I’m all for being original and unique. And I completely understand that to make it in the Hollywood business, it’s essential to stand out and be different. But there comes a point when wanting to be the latest trend-setter is taking a step too far.

And where the offspring of celebrities are concerned, this line is stepped over quite often. These stars and starlets enjoy “blessing” their children with monikers that beg to be poked fun at.

They also designate an alias that may seem funny at the time, but won’t 20 years from now and give reasons for the names that are just plain silly.

When you’re a wee little one entering the school playground, it’s hard not to worry about being made fun of. Even all the Michaels and Jennifers in the world have the same thoughts.

But imagine being named Audio Science, Moon Unit, or Jermajesty, and facing the bullies on the merry-goround. I’m sure this situation plays out with poor Jermajesty having to defend his name time and time again. (Oh, your majesty. We bow down to you!).

Kids don’t like things that are different, and when their peers have an unusual name, that child seems to have a “feel free to ridicule my name” sign stuck on their back. There’s a reason celebrity children go to “special” schools. Sure, it’s because they have more money to their name at birth than I have in my bank account. But it’s also because when you’re surrounded by Pilot Inspektors and Rockets, your name probably won’t be the strangest. Yes, I’m aware of the fact that just because you have a name that isn’t common, it does not mean you are going to be automatically targeted. But if I get the jokes, and my name is Natalie, then is little Moon going to fare much better?

The world is already full of too many bad puns. So why bestow one of them on your child? When you, Mr.

and Mrs. Morrow, bring home little Tu, I assume you chuckle and chortle until you’re blue. But after the first hour or two, I’m sure the excitement of naming your child something that will get laughs from other people, will not make you laugh any more. (Or at least I hope it doesn’t). I can only wish that you frantically call the hospital before they make the birth certificate official, and beg them to let you change it. Or, for all that’s good and holy, I pray that you gave Tu a sane middle name that she can go by. But who knows, maybe once she’s done bawling when she gets older and realizes what her name is, she’ll join in on the laughter. But I wouldn’t get my hopes up. Peaches Geldof , daughter of Bob Geldof, has been quoted saying “I hate ridiculous names. Mine has haunted me all my life.”

Sometimes, I want to smack my head when celebrities try to justify their reason behind their outlandish name choices. Apparently the model, Jordan, gave her baby girl the name Princess because “she’s our princess!”

Newsflash! I’m sure my parents would say “she’s our diva” about me, but they didn’t name me Diva (Thank goodness!) But my absolute favorite has to be former boxer, George Foreman’s, decision to name six of his ten children George. He is quoted saying that “In this career, you have to prepare for long-term brain damage.” I hate to think that boxing has taken away his creative part of his brain already, and now he has to worry about permanent brain damage?

I applaud trying to be creative and unique. But if you’re debating naming your child something outlandish to become one of these things, I suggest you dye your hair pink instead. Because once you get sick of the color, it will eventually wash out.

Unfortunately, naming isn’t like hair dye though. You can’t hold your child under the sink and hope that his name, Diezel, will go down the drain and you’re left with a Jeffery. You can try, but I can assure you that Diezel will still remain Diezel. He just may be a little ticked at you.

makes a good drama and good TV. It’s also the excitement of how they’re going to handle it that attracts viewers. The bad decisions made on these prime time shows can affect teen’s own decisions. kidstvmovies.about.com said that kids who watched shows that glamorized bad behavior, such as sleeping with many people, also engaged in that behavior. The site also said that kids are taking all the drama on TV and applying it to their lives.

What teens need to understand is these prime time shows are put on for our entertainment and just that. The things on shows, like: Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice and Desperate Housewives are meant to be entertaining, but not to be taken seriously.

These bad influences can impact teens in a very negative way. Ac-

cording to parentstv.org, television alone is responsible for 10% of youth violence, not to mention that 62% of teens say that sex on TV can influence kids to have sex too young.

Prime time shows do realize what they are doing, and one in nine shows with sex mention the risks and responsibilities, according to parentstv.org. So we can give the producers some credit. Still, teens need to keep in mind and pay close attention to the risks so they don’t end up like the “role model” actors on television.

So when you’re sitting on your couch watching Grey’s Anatomy and eating your popcorn, just remember that it’s for your entertainment. The bad decisions they make don’t have to be yours. So enjoy that new episode for what it is: a TV show.

Primetime shows should be for entertainment, not example

By McKenna Kerr Staff Writer

It’s Thursday night. 7:50 p.m.

In just ten minutes Grey’s Anatomy will be airing its new episode. You know, the one you’ve been dying to see for the past week. Already taking the precautions by telling your family not to disturb you by any circumstances, you just can’t miss this. Sound familiar? It does to me too; if you’re anything like me this is your usual Thursday night. According to www.ask.com, about 20 million tune in every week, most of them teenagers. If you’ve ever

seen the show then you know perfectly well what it’s about; a bunch of doctors doing their jobs while balancing their personal lives. Like most drama shows, the personal lives of the characters involve physical relationships, and we all know what I mean by that. Is this really setting a good example for today’s generation? I don’t think so.

The way I see it is, it’s okay to watch the shows, because I’m definitely not giving them up. What we need to understand is that what we see on TV is a dramatic exaggeration of real life, meaning that the things on there are probably not going to happen, or at least not to that extent. Teens who watch these shows should realize they are strictly for entertainment and shouldn’t influence our decisions.

Bad decisions. That’s what

6 entertainment March 2009

Students and teachers weigh in on Season 8

By Jessica Tejral Staff Writer

Season eight of American Idol has finally kicked off with new voices to be heard. The top eleven consists of Adam Lambert, Allison Iraheta, Danny Gokey, Lil Rounds, Megan Joy, Scott Macintyre, Alexis Grace, Anoop Desai, Kris Allen, Matt Giraud, and Michael Sarver.

Mr. Ribar, the choir director at Gretna High School, says that to last through the competition you have to have the right look, genre, musical ability, and “special spark.”

A typical person has to wonder how the contestants can last under all of the pressure of showing their true talent and what they can really do, especially now that they have a new method for the process of elimination.

One debate is whether the singers that are 18 and under are mature enough and can handle the stress of American Idol.

“If they have a dream to do it, then they’re not too young,” said freshman Pat Carney.

It isn’t possible for any American Idol contestant to go through the competition without making quite a few mistakes no matter how large or small. Jesse Brennan, a junior, and Ribar both agree that forgetting the lyrics is the worst mistake a contestant can make.

There are always some surprising results that come each year.

While there is some true potential in voices, it seems that some people who make a mockery of the television show get the majority of the votes.

“It could be because of racism,” Ribar said. “There have been some African Americans I have been surprised that didn’t stay on the show longer, but America generally gets it right.”

One American Idol winner Ribar didn’t agree with was Ruben Studdard. He would have preferred Clay Aiken. Out of all of the years of American Idol, his favorite winner would be Carrie Underwood. Second place would go to Kelly Clarkson.

Brennan differs and says that David Cook is the best. People have their opinions and while Carney chooses Taylor Hicks, someone else may go for Jordin Sparks or Fantasia Barrino.

Everyone does have to agree in the end, that they all have amazing voices, and to even last under the pressure and stress is amazing in itself.

Through everything, you have to wonder why American Idol was really started. Is it just some popularity contest or a source of entertainment?

“It’s for people who can sing that are not yet recognized,” Carney said.

Ribar had a little different of an answer in mind.

“Money is the short answer for it,” Ribar said. “But it’s also every aspiring person’s dream to be discovered.”

The Newspaper staff recently took a poll asking 66 random students which American Idol contestant was their favorite.

The votes are in...

Good Boy Gone Bad: Celebrities run into trouble

By Kelsey Charrlin Staff Writer

Celebrities are always getting in trouble. Whether it’s getting a DUI arrest, a drug abuse charge or an accusation of domestic abuse, it all happens. Chris Brown recently learned that there is a price to pay.

But a month ago, after a preGrammy party Rihanna and Brown hopped into Brown’s car where Rihanna found texts from his female manager asking Brown if he wanted to get together after the Grammy’s. At the end someone heard the fighting and called the cops. Rihanna was seen later with a cut lip, and bite marks on her arm and several fingers. As if that wasn’t enough, there also were bruises and welts on her face.

“I thought that was the stupidest move you could ever make,” freshman Shane Nevius said.

“He just needs to go to jail for a little Chris Brown is not the only celebrity who has gotten in trouble with the law and paid the price. Stars like Bobby Brown and Whitney Houston had a domestic abuse relationship, and after 14 years of marriage their fame started to fade away and they finally got a divorce. Khloe Kardashian was arrested for a drunk driving and spent less than 3 hours of her 30 day sentence behind bars. Shia LeBeouf had his license suspended in January or 2008 when in he was in a car accident in July of 2007

while, and Rihanna needs to get herself out of that relationship while she still can.”

Brown turned himself in and was charged with one count a felony and a criminal threat. His bail was $50,000. That wasn’t the end of his problems. He also lost the “Got Milk”, and the “Wrigley Gum” commercial.

“Chris Brown is a jerk,” freshman Lelani Byington said “For him to lose what he did was totally appropriate for what he did to Rihanna.”

As Brown gave Rihanna gifts on her 21 birthday, sources say they have gotten back together, and that they have gotten married. “I think it’s dumb for her to get back together with him. Why would you do that,” sophomore Sophie Schneider said.

“It will definitely hurt his [Chris Brown’s] reputation, and nobody will ever forget about this,” Nevius said.

while drunk.

“They should get the same punishments as we do even though they are famous,” Schneider said. And Lindsay Lohan was also arrested for drunk driving and possession of cocaine. Lohan barley served an hour before she got released in July of 2007.

“I don’t think they are good role models. They can just get away for getting in trouble because they are famous,” Schneider said.

entertainment 7 March 2009

How are we Connected?

Start

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Newspaper staff members randomly selected 22 students and found ways to connect them.(1) Kade Hollendieck participated in One Act with (2)Jen Davis who was in Spanish with (3)Garret Martindale who played eighth grade basketball with (4)Spencer Daly who plays guitar with(5) Tyler Harris who has study hall with (6)Drew Tasler who was on the wrestling team with(7) Nick Barber who played baseball with (8)Blaine Hill who is in woods class with ( 9)Tyler Ortblieb who was on varsity basketball with (10)Ben Barna who knew the football manager (11)Emma Tessier who played softball with (12)Brandi Brown who was in 6th grade science with (13)Amanda Harrig who was in detention with(14) Heather Pecarro who is in 3rd lunch with15) Taylor Musil who was in Spanish with(16) Lindsay Hanson who is best friends with(17) Mackenzie Trombly who dated(18) Nikki Schroder who was in choir with (19)Mark Beran who was on the football line with(20) Dwight Jones who had strength training with(21) Dylan Curran who plays ping pong with(22)Sarah Sieburg.

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8 in-depth March 2009

TE E N STR U G G L E 42% S Depression isn’t funny, it’s serious 65%

Pressure to fit in affects teens’ behavior and attitudes

By Liz Stratman Editor-in-Chief

Pressure: the weight of social or economic imposition, according to Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Whether it’s by changing appearance, behavior, or attitude, teens make meager attempts to be well liked by peers. Aside from all of the pressures high school students face, it may be surprising how much students strive to just fit in at school.

Junior Gabs Tarnick says high school students try so hard to fit in at school because they want to be accepted.

“Everybody’s trying to find a place,” Tarnick said. “That’s why you see freshmen trying so hard to find a spot.

Some people probably think blending in is better than sticking out by wearing weird things.”

English teacher Mrs. Wilgenburg says simply, “no one likes to be alone.”

Senior Brian Bartek says he feels pressured to fit in because he “doesn’t want to get made fun of.” He claims that’s the reason teens try so hard to fit in.

Seniors Drew Tasler and Bartek say the media affects them.

“I live my life by the media and Ryan Sheckler, a.k.a. Sheck,” Bartek said, with some input from Tasler.

Tarnick says she doesn’t let the media affect her.

“I’m not so much into what’s in or what’s popular. When I’m at school for eight hours a day, I want to be comfortable.

I don’t care what people think of me.”

Students say their peers usually have an impact on the way they act.

“Definitely, because I’m always

with them,” Bartek said.

Some students go to the extreme of altering themselves just to be accepted at school. Is this true?

“Yeah, definitely,” Tarnick said. “It’s funny to watch freshmen come into high school then they evolve into someone completely different just to fit in.”

Mrs. Wilgenburg, Bartek, and Tasler agree.

“I think in high school, students get labeled as certain things and are expected to fit into those labels and that might change how they normally act,” Mrs. Wilgenburg said.

How far would teens go just to fit in?

“One of the most c o m m o n ways people try to fit in is by seeing who can be the most fun type of person.

It’s not always popular to look intelligent so people might act not as smart as they are to fit in,” Mrs. Wilgenburg said. “I’m not sure why that is but for some reason that is the perception.”

Brian Bartek

nts ude ol st better o h c l igh s em fee of h th tage o help n e c t r s e g p u the use dr lves e who t thems u abo

80%

the e st those imated per c w warn ho comm entage of a it suic a ll id of the friend or family e who ir inte memb ntion s befo e rehan r d

• • •

Facts About Depression & Suicide Depression usually starts between the ages of 15 and 30.

The symptoms may not be noticeable.

Isolation from others, sudden drop in grades, and the dropping of things important in life, are just a few signs of depression Thousands of people in the U.S. commit suicide each year.

Depression recurs in more than 50% of the people afflicted with it.

Sex: How bad is the pressure? affect teens and the way they think when it comes to having sex.

Hottovy says that she feels the pressure comes from the media.

“Pretty much 90% of the shows in the media influence sexual behaviors on teenagers,” Hottovy said.

While Smith says that it’s a psychological pressure, he also agrees that some of it comes from media.

“Pretty much all media has something to do with sex,” Smith said.

“Celebrities you see with all these gorgeous babes gets people thinking ‘if they can do it with those girls, we can do it with ours.’”

Knowing that the pressure to have sex is out there, is it healthy to talk about it? Senior Lauren Baker seems to think it just depends on the person.

“It depends how open you are to sharing your thoughts and personal experience,” Baker said.

The other 3 teens think it’s a good thing to talk about sex.

“It’s bad to have it bottled up, you need to talk about it with some people,” Smith said.

While students may think that talking about sex is good and healthy, according to CBS News it’s the complete opposite. CBS News stated that teens who see and hear a lot about sex in the media may be more than twice as likely to have early sexual intercourse as those who are rarely exposed to sexual content.

The pressure to have sex can occur anywhere and everywhere.

So how can teens deal with these pressures? According to counselor Mrs. O’Neil being active in high school and involved in groups is a good way to handle it.

“Really there’s no sure fire way [to escape the pressure],” Mrs. O’Neil said.

E R U S S E R P DEP R ES SIO SEX N A LCOH OL DRUGS the percentage of teens who say they can buy marijuana in a day or less

By Ashley Zajac Staff Writer

Most wouldn’t say “it’s just cancer, get over it.” So why would someone say that about depression?

Some say it’s no big deal, but really, it is. Teens are unhappy, but that’s just normal. It’s a mixture of havoc hormones and the constant changes of life. At times growing up can suck.

With going through relationships, those nagging parents, and constantly trying to fit in and make friends, it’s pretty easy to notice moods that swing like a pendulum, back and forth, back and forth.

Depression can be biological, cognitive, medical, genetic, or even situational. Life events like a divorce,

financial problems, or the death of a loved one can contribute to depression.

“A lot of it is home life,” said freshman Kathrine Reeves. “Most of it is.”

Depression can also be the side effect of a medication or can come from negative thinking and low self-esteem.

“I think depression hits different people at different times of their lives,” counselor Mrs. Anita O’Neill said.

And O’Neill said teens are no more vulnerable to depression than adults.

“We’re only human and each human is unique in how we respond. One person’s good day may be another’s bad day,” said O’Neill.

Two-thirds of the people suffering from depression don’t seek the necessary treatment. Family members, mostly parents, are willing to seek more help for their teens than they are for themselves.

• •

“It’s like going to the dentist. My kids go way more than I do. The parents care for them,” said O’Neill.

Not getting help could lead to bigger problems such as suicide, which is the third leading cause of death in the US.

“I have dealt with someone who was depressed,” said Reeves. “You really need to keep an eye on them because they can have second thoughts.”

Getting a friend help won’t hurt them. If you feel something is wrong with your friend, chances are so do their parents or teachers. Give the school counselor a heads up on the matter. They will be more than happy to get your friend some professional help.

“We don’t have a test that says ‘BINGO you have depression!’ We’re not trained specialists but I wouldn’t hesitate to refer someone on if I thought they needed it,” said O’Neill.

Drugs & alcohol become a problem for teens

By Taylor Bradish Staff Writer

According to CASA (Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse) 80% of high school students have witnessed illegal drug use, dealing, possession, or students high or drunk at school.

When teens can’t even go to school without being around drugs, it’s become a problem.

When asked what is a major challenge that teens face, many teens say staying away from drugs - without

thinking twice.

Alcohol is the most widely used substance by teenagers in the United State. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, young people between the ages of 12 and 20 drink nearly 20% of all alcoholic beverages consumed in the U.S.

Drugs are absolutely everywhere, making it hard for teens to resist peer pressure. Teens can’t listen to a song without hearing some sort of drug reference, or go to school without hearing about a crazy story from the weekend.

“I’ve felt the pressure to do

drugs. It’s always right in front of me,” Junior Nikki Hotovy said. “I see some sort of substance every day.”

According to the 2007 Partnership Attitude Tracking Study, the #1 reason students say they use drugs is to deal with school pressure. 73% of teens reported that school stress is the primary reason for drug use. Only 7% of parents believe that their children might use drugs to deal with stress.

“This really doesn’t surprise me!

Teens feel the need to use some substance to alter the mind to relieve stress,” junior Dominic Damone said. “I’ve witnessed this first hand.”

By Brittany Hannigan Staff Writer

High School students are under pressure on a daily basis.

There’s pressure to get good grades and get accepted to a good college.

There’s pressure to fit in and wear the right clothes. And then there’s pressure to drink, do drugs, and have sex.

When four students were asked if there is pressure to have sex in high school, all four of them agreed there is.

“If you don’t have sex then you’re not cool and you get ridiculed,” junior Nikki Hottovy said.

According to senior Mark Beran, this pressure comes from the media and society.

“It’s kind of a media-fed frenzy,” Beran said. “There’s a lot of pressure from society on girls and guys.”

According to research conducted by CBS News that 12 to 14 year old girls exposed to the most sexual content in movies, music, magazines, and on television were 2.2 times more likely to have had sexual intercourse.

Even though teens interviewed agreed there is pressure to have sex in high school, they seem to have different reasons where the pressure comes from.

“It’s more of a psychological pressure. They think everyone is doing it so they feel they have to,” sophomore Eric Smith said. “Sex is probably one of the biggest things that mostly boys feel they need to accompolish by the end of high school.”

Teens are influenced by the media everyday whether it’s from t.v. shows, magazines, movies, books, or even music. These influences can

in-depth 9 March 2009 How do your friends influence your life?

“They encourage me to do something right and not to get caught doing stuff.”

-Brandon Koke, sophomore

What do you think a good friend should be like?

“A friend always has your back, never talks behind your back, and is someone you can trust.”

-Ty Blackstun, junior

What do you think causes kids to steal or vandalize?

“When your parents tell you no, but you do it anyways.”

-Alyssa Jirkovsky, freshman

How do you think your parents support you to do the right things?

“My dad scares me so I do the right thing.”

-Hollie Walker, senior

55%

-By Morgan Agagah

th dru e per c hom gs to h entag e elp e dea of tee lw ith ns wh pro o u s ble ms e y at y the s a s o h e w k o s n m of tee nd who s tage ie ercen nt of a fr rs p e h e t e a par eenag know na with t ua ij r a m

10%

Sources of statistics: Washington School of Medicine. Department of Psychiatry. Ph.D. Martin M. Antony, Illinois Department of Public Health, PBS.org, religioustolerance.org, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA), and 2007 Partnership Attitude Tracking Study (PATS).

: s y a s o h

W

By Lindsey Detten Staff Writer

Chillaxin. Keepin’ it real. All up in my grill. Some of the more popular phrases that make up today’s teen lingo.

But come on. Do teens really say stuff like that? Well, sort of.

“Shake it off,” given by junior Emily Fleming, is a great example of a saying heard around the halls of GHS.

How would it be used it a sentence? It means that something is not a big deal, so if someone accidentally runs into an open locker, or gets vanilla pudding all over her sleeve- a friend might tell her, “Just shake it off.”

Every phrase or unique word has to start somewhere so that it can spread, and become common in our language. Whether it starts with a phrase coined by a celebrity, or just by a regular kid who thought of it in his sleep, a lot of this lingo has a unique story behind it.

Or it is just something that has been said for as

Generations of Jargon

Frequently uttered lingo

long can

Match the teacher with the quote:

as anyone remember?

Senior Joey Nissen uses the word “grip” to mean a long period of time.

He says that this term has been used for . . . a really long time. “ I haven’t seen that guy in a grip,” Nissen said.

Others take a funny-sounding phrase and turn it into their very own creation. Junior Sarah Spahn got the idea for her favorite thing to call people just by the humorous way it sounded.

“If somebody does a stupid thing, I usually call them a ‘fruit-loop’, like, ‘He’s such a fruit-loop,’” Spahn said.

Words can take on very original meanings when combined with others. Sophomore Zach Omar used a combination of the words, sick and nasty, to get “sicknast.” He claims that it means disgusting or really stupid.

What would be the point of sticking together words to create a brand new slang term?

“I used to say ‘sick’ and ‘nasty’ all the time, so it was easier to shorten it to one word,” Omar said.

Slang terms and made up phrases are all around us, and they have become just a big a part of our daily language working as real words.

Hopefully the next time somebody asks, “What’s crackalackin,” you will know exactly how to respond.

1940 Cool

Hip

1950

Teachers and their infamous quotes: how well do you know them?

B

A

D

1 2 3

E

F

“Toughen up, Buttercup.”

__

“That’s ridiculous!”

__ __

“Have a good weekend; make good choices people.”

“There are three types of people in the world: the ones who can count, and the ones who can’t.”

4 5 6

1960

C

“This one’s a doozy.”

“Saquen sus cuadernos.”

__ __ __

Answer Key: 1. D, 2. E, 3. F, 4. A, 5. C, 6. B

10 features March 2009

Groovy

Far Out

1970

1980 Rad

Fly

1990

2000 Sweet

‘Sexting’ could result in charges

By Matt Horan Staff Writer

Sexting. Ever heard of it? You’ve certainly heard of texting. So what happens when teens attach a nude photo to their text? That’s sexting. Depending on how explicit the photo is, if under 18, and caught with nude photos of minors, teens can now be arrested and may have to register as sex offender for as little as 10 years and up to life.

Teens in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana and Michigan have found out the hard way what the risks of sexting are. Sexting has also become a problem in Nebraska, with cases at North Platte and within the Omaha School District. Students may not realize that sexting can lead to jail time, fines, and child pornography charges.

“Teenagers under the age of 18 can be convicted of debauching, which is a class one misdemeanor, public indecency, obscene literature, and a lot more,” Deputy Lance Schickert said.

Being registered as a sex offender could ruin a person’s life. Since it is listed on your permanent record, finding jobs would be even more difficult.

“I think they need to get the information out there so the kids realize what they are doing before something worse happens,” Deputy Lance said.“ I think it would ruin a teens life to be registered as a sex offender.”

An Omaha teen took topless pictures of herself and sent them to her boyfriend four years ago. The boyfriend eventually forwarded them to his friends and the pictures ended on a ton of pornography websites. She is now 19 and her mother is still trying to get the pictures off the internet.

“The girl shouldn't have sent it and the guy shouldn't have kept it,” freshman Kelsey McKay said.

“I think it’s stupid, you’re ruining your personality,” freshman Spencer Daly said. “People are going to think less of you.”

So what is the Gretna District doing to stop teenagers from sexting?

“We are mostly trying to inform the parents more than the students, so hopefully the parents talk to their kids about it,” said Mr. Eledge. “Also, by getting this kind of media’s attention, maybe parents will pay more attention to their kids texting and picture messaging.”

Within the Gretna School District, there have been three incidents that could be considered sexting in the last five years according to Mr. Eledge.

“Sexting hasn't really become a problem in school,” Mr. Eledge said. “It is an issue out of school.” But it becomes a school issue eventually.

“Its when the students come to school, and they talk. And soon everybody knows.”

When it becomes a school issue, students can count on consequences to follow.

“The consequences depend on each individual case,” says Mr. Eledge if caught within the school, it can go from a warning, to an expulsion,” said Mr. Eledge.

g

Sextin

de ing nu * send s via e pictur ssage e m t tex

Charges * Child Pornography charges * May have to register as sex offender * Public Indecency * Jail time

features 11 March 2009 Rumors become vicious cycle

By Ashley Brugmann Staff Writer

“Did you hear she is going out with him again?”

Yes, this is a rumor. Would you believe it if someone told you? Some of you would. That’s a problem in high schools today; they’re full of rumors.

What exactly is a rumor? Well, a rumor is a story that has bits and pieces of the truth exaggerated so people don’t believe it, although people can be gullible at times to where they believe everything you tell them.

Some take rumors to the extreme.

“This girl in my grade caught me talking to her boyfriend so she started a rumor about me,” sophomore Brittney French said.

This girl told everyone French went out with a few guys and that if anyone wanted a date, they could call her.

“The saddest part was, is that I actually got a few phone calls.”

What people don’t get is that rumors can hurt people.

So, why do people start rumors? Is it for fun, envy, revenge?

“I think people spread rumors because they’re jealous or insecure about themselves.”

French said. “So they have to knock other people down to make themselves feel better.”

Sophomore, Zach Omar has some different opinions.

“I think people who get caught up in the drama probably enjoy it and they want to be apart of it,” Omar said.

It’s hard to believe people could believe such stories, even though they know they’re lies.

“It depends, for me, who is telling me the rumor. I’ll believe it if it comes from one of my best friends. You would like to think they wouldn’t lie to you, “ French said

Rumors can be good occasionally, like a person who normally gets bad grades got straight A’s for once; but 99 percent of the time, they are just out there to bring people down.

“Those who start rumors, Karma will always come back to haunt them,” gym teacher Miss Flynn said.

features 12 March 2009

Step by Step to Prom STE

By Kendall Hendrix Staff Writer

P6

Okay, girls. It’s about that time of year again. Prom is just around the corner. Are you ready?

Little do people know that for girls, it’s not an easy thing to get ready for prom. There are many steps to prom that may start months before the actual date of prom.

: P1 E T S Pick out a dress.

“[I bought my dress] about one month ago. It’s purple and pink with a bunch of sparkles.”

-Kylie Hamel Senior

STE

P2

: Got to have shoes!

“I just go off what I have first, then look at clearance racks.”

-Amanda Olson Senior

P STE

3:

Bling-Bling!

“I’m buying long earrings within the next week, so it won’t be all picked over.”

-Alicia Zeeck Junior S

TE

P4

: Are you golden brown?

“I started [tanning way back] in January.”

-Maddy Mulholland Senior 5:

P STE Nice nails!

“I’m getting my nails done the Friday before prom!”

-Kelsey Bernady Junior

:

Who’s doing your hair?

“I go to my hairstylist to get my hair done.”

-Kayla Eichner Junior

Slippery Savings: How to save your money before it’s too late

By Ethan Dawes Staff Writer

“I look on the internet for [cool] up do’s.”

-Amanda Olson Senior

P 7: STE PROM!

“[At prom] we take lots and lots of pictures, dance in one big group, talk to a lot of people and have fun. It’s a good stress release.”

-Mary Kay Brennan Senior

STE

P8

: Post Prom

“At post prom we just hang out, eat a lot of free food, and play all the games.”

-Justine Ward Senior

With the interest rates decreasing and the prices for everything rising, keeping a lock on the purse or wallet might be the best solution for many other ‘impulse spenders’. But what can you do to keep a little green in your pockets?

The easiest way to keep track of money and manage it better would to be setting up an account at a bank and having a direct deposit. That way it would be a lot easier if it was manually managed.

Having this would make it easier for many to deposit and withdraw money to their liking without stressing over lost bills.

“Check the best rates of the banks you have to choose from before you set up your account, not all banks are the same”, said Business Teacher Mrs. Gaebel “You can always earn money too buy putting it into an account that has interest rates”.

Another way to keep a hold of the money would to be a smart buyer and spend things when the price is low enough to where it’s easy to buy without much hassle.

The only downside to this is that the waiting is a bit longer until the price for the item has fallen.

“Saving your money means to be a wise consumer and not an impulse buyer “, said Mrs. Gaebel.

Knowing the difference between those two will mange your cash and will save you a couple extra dollars in your pocket. But it’s a lot harder than it sounds for the students.

“A checking or savings account would be best to hold onto your money, but if I had too I’d choose a plain old piggybank”, said Freshman Jentry Merriman

Staying motivated would be one of the hardest parts in holding onto money. From the new gadgets and all the new apparel that’s going out so fast, temptation would easily start worming it’s way in when the opportunity to buy something brand new that’s hot off the shelves.

”Yeah, I always keep spending my money right away for the things I need for my drum sets,” said Freshmen Hayden Morrison.

Holding onto money has lead students into going to extremes and finding harder ways for them to get their hands on their own money. From duct taping your wallet shut closed to stuffing your “dinero” into the holes of your mattress, students are being creative with ways to hold onto that little green piece of paper.

“ The best way though to save your money and hold onto it is through a savings account that has a fixed interest rate on it and has the best rate, don’t become an impulsive buyer”, said Mrs. Gaebel.

fun 13 March 2009

Car of the month

What is the model of your car?

1991 Mercury Topaz What’s the most frequent place you drive besides school?

Dirt roads and work.

What’s in the trunk and floor of your car?

Subs, jackets, hats What radio station do you listen to the most?

89.7 What is your dream car?

Black Jeep Commander.

Kelsey Lynch Sophomore

Emily Zapotocny, Freshman

What color do you wish mac-andcheese was?

What accessory do you own the most of?

Earrings.

What style of clothing do you think will be the next trend?

What’s your favorite song to sing in the car?

Blue Barbie girl

My confirmation necklace that’s in the shape of an “E.”

In what way do you consider your style unique?

My style is bold and I mix and match everything.

By: Jessica Tejral

Wal-mart, Target or K-mart?

If your life was a movie, what would be the title?

Pat Carney Freshman

Green Take on me

Silky Clothes

What is your most coveted item?

Joey Nissen shows off his car.

Target

Target

Best life ever

the life

Josh Reynolds Junior

Green I believe in a thing called love

wal-mart

By Taylor Bradish

Brit Stock Senior

Pink The life Wal-mart

happy gilmore He’s just not that into you

If you can’t stand the

By Lauren Sawyer Staff Writer

Have you ever cooked mole? Yes, the pudgy animal, thought to eat dirt. Some recipes for mole call for a whopping 100 ingredients in the sauce, alone. As if that wasn’t enough, whatever highly adventurous chef tackles this Goliath of a recipe mustn’t forget the ingredients for the garnishes and actual meat.

Normally, the general public prefers something about, well, 100 times easier. But even these seemingly simple recipes come with a slew of ups and downs.

“I can cook hot dogs, and… hot dogs,” senior Nathan Rockwell said. “I even failed at cooking Easy Mac. I put it on the stove, and it didn’t taste better.”

Even if you don’t know how to blacken a chicken, (no “blacken” isn’t synonymous with “burn,”) everyone has his or her own technique for creating the perfect dish.

“When I bake, I usually slightly under bake, because the food is going to continue cooking after I take it out,” biology teacher Mrs. Childs said.

Secretary Mrs. Turpen shakes a bit of salt into everything she makes to bring out the food’s flavor.

History teacher Mr. Swanson has mastered the technique of making take-out pizza.

“I can put Papa Murphey’s Hawaiian pizza in the oven very well,” Swanson said.

Except Swanson’s culinary expertise doesn’t end there. Swanson flips letter-shaped pancakes for his children.

For some people, it’s not the recipe that’s stopping them from cooking. It’s technology.

“I’ve been grounded from kitchen appliances because I put an aluminum plate in the microwave,” sophomore Shelby Sundermann said. “It sparked and started on fire.”

... get

heat...

Many components test a chef’s abilities, which even effect attempts at boiling the perfect egg.

The salt content of the water, heat of the water when the egg is emerged, and amount of water relative to the size of the eggs, all effect the outcome. Even atmospheric pressure plays an important role in proper cooking.

“I was baking brownies in Colorado and forgot about the changed altitude, so they came out like mud,” senior Kat Brennan said. “The boys I was with scooped them out into balls and ate them anyway.”

Brownies seem to be a common obstacle for many chefs.

“One time I made brownies, I guess I added too much milk, and they wouldn’t cook,” junior Mitch Morey said.

Mrs. Childs avoids boxed brownies altogether. Instead she whips up a fluffy batch of homemade brownies from a recipe she has practically memorized.

It takes a little knowledge to stand the heat of the kitchen. Sophomore Kiley Grandstaff won a purple ribbon (1st) for her braided bread and jelly in separate 4-H competitions.

No matter how skilled the chef is, accidents are inevitable.

Mrs. Turpen makes a widely loved sugar cookie. However, when she was about 13, she found herself in a hot spot of trouble.

“I was babysitting, and I preheated the oven; they had marshmallows and bread stored in there, so it started a fire,” Turpen said. Thankfully, she had the smarts to throw a wet towel in and snuff it out.

Freshman Shane Nevius’ sister made a kitchen fire of her own when she caught a Pop Tart on fire while toasting it.

It seems that most of GHS posses’ sophomore Kory Hurtz’s level of cooking abilities. He can make, “eggs; scrambled.”

Brennan forecasts her cooking future saying, “I’ll just eat Top Ramen in college.”

out kitchen of the

Illustration by Ellen Emanuel

teachers

Favorite

15 features April/May 2009

This past school year we have all become close with each of our teachers. Besides teaching us, our teachers make us laugh and together we make memories that stick with us forever. So here’s some of the little things we will always remember about our teachers...

“Mrs. Potter started rapping in class one day, and it was really funny.”

-Chelsea Pote, Freshman “Miss Flynn, she’s really funny and cool to talk to.”

-Cassie Kirkpatrick, Sophomore “Mr. Depue, because of his story about his experience of cardiac workouts with middle aged men… ask him about it.”

-Robert Berglund, Junior “Mrs. Schulte, because she makes class fun.

She introduced me to the Twilight series.

That’s why I love her.”

-Drew Tasler, Senior

Young and in love:

By Liz Stratman Editor-in-chief

In the state of Nebraska, teens under the age of 19 must obtain a parent’s consent to be lawfully wedded. People under the age of 17 cannot be married in Nebraska, even with a parent’s consent. So why is it that teens feel the need to “tie the knot” at such a young age? If they don’t have intentions of getting married right away, then why not wait to “pop the question?”

“He wanted to show that I belong to him, and he didn’t want to lose me since we go to different schools,” junior Dakota Minarik said.

Senior Angela Rippe’s engagement ring.

features 14 April/May 2009

Engaged in high school

Minarik says she is engaged to her boyfriend of one year. He is a senior at Omaha North.

“We were at Shadow Lake out to dinner with my parents and he took me over to the fountain area at night when it was all lit up and asked me,” Minarik said.

Students may wonder how her parents would react to this big decision.

“He had gotten my parents’ approval before he asked me, so they kind of knew it was going to happen,” Minarik said.

Minarik says they plan on getting married after college because they want to both have a career before starting a family.

However, senior Erin Meier and her boyfriend Brad Grossoehmig are choosing to hold off on even getting engaged until after Grossoehmig returns from the Marines. After that happens, she says they’ll wait for about another two years to get married.

“Getting engaged is something we have talked about for a while now, with him being in the service, it just seems like a good idea so we can stay together,” Meier said.

She says they have been dating

for seven months now. To some, that may seem like a short amount of time, but Meier is sure that this is something she wants to do. And from what she’s heard from friends and family, he has the proposal all planned out, so she’s excited to finally see the way it happens.

“When he asks me to marry him he has some big thing planned, but I don’t know what it is,” Meier said.

“But everyone else, like my family and his family, knows how he is going to do it.”

She says both of their parents are very supportive and excited.

“We all get along very well, so it works out,” Meier said. “Our friends are really supportive too. They just want what we think is best for us.”

Meier says since Grossoehmig lives in California, the distance is hard, but she often visits him.

“Him being away actually makes our relationship a lot stronger,” Meier said. “We’ve really gotten to know one another since all we do is talk, and it takes a lot of trust since we’re both 18.”

Senior Angela Rippe recently got engaged to her boyfriend Andrew Zegers. She says they had been dating

two years when he proposed.

“I don’t know why [he proposed so soon],” senior Angela Rippe said.

“He got it [the ring] on his cruise, and after I asked him [why] and he said he couldn’t wait.”

She was surprised when he proposed because when they had talked about getting engaged, they decided it was going to be at least after she graduated high school.

“Later I found out that he had planned to buy the ring on his cruise and give it to me over the summer,” Rippe said.

Her parents are okay with their engagement, but they think they’re very young to be making such a huge decision.

Meier says that people often judge her boyfriend and her because they think they’re too young, as well, to consider getting engaged, but that doesn’t crush her spirits.

“There is no set time length or anything judging when a couple should get engaged,” Meier said. “It is when it feels right for the couple, and given our situation and how we feel, we are ready for the next step, no matter what some may think.”

five to fifteen and people of all ages through the Ollie Webb Center, and he finds it very rewarding.

“Knowing that I helped somebody, and just to see them smile and laugh makes me feel good,” Lempka said. “Sometimes they even say I love you, which is awesome.”

The Ollie Webb Center is one of the many choices for a National Honors Society project, but why is volunteering one of the expectations?

“So kids can take pride in their community and it also makes them appreciate other people,” Director of National Honor Society Mrs. Ewer said.

Mrs. Ewer thinks it is important for people to volunteer.

“It’s good for kids to know what it feels like when you help other people.”

Not only is it a good life lesson, but volunteering looks good on college resumes.

“It shows the quality of someone’s character if they are willing to give their time to volunteer,” Counselor Mrs. O’Neill said.

If students are looking for scholarships, they should get started on a volunteer project.

“People who volunteer may have a better chance at getting a college

scholarship than one who doesn’t,” Counselor Ms. Carraher said.

Almost all applications for colleges and scholarships are looking for well-rounded kids.

“All local scholarships have spaces for volunteering,” O’Neill said.

Besides looking good on resumes, volunteering just helps students realize what they have.

“No matter who we are and what condition were in, we can always find someone who has it tougher in life than we do, it helps to put things in perspective,” Carraher said.

Give a little bit: The importance of volunteering

By Kennedy Healy Staff Writer

To participate in National Honor Society students are required to do two projects a year, but Junior Ben Lempka went above and beyond after he fell in love with the people he was helping.

“I help people with Down Syndrome and other mental disabilities,” Lempka said.

“We play games, and last time we made a dessert.”

Lempka helps with groups of

story 16 photo March 2009

The Revolution show choir girls strike a pose in the middle of their dance. Show choir has been in competitions and practicing since January and have been practicing since summer.

Senior Jesse Merriman sings his solo during the ballad.

A Re volutionar y Performance

The Revolution show choir girls put on a serious face before they begin singing “Angels.” Show choir has been traveling for many competitions.

Photos by Faith Cotton

Tami LeMaster dances along to the song “27 Jennifers.”

Joey Bressman spins during the song “Real Gone” and keeps a smile on her face.