GHS The Voice May 2008

The Voice

Inside...

Gretna High School • 11335 South 204th Street • Gretna, NE 68028 Volume VI • Issue VI • May 2008

Students check out Starmites Page 3

The Smith Family Zoo Page 11

Spring sports come to a close

Tug of war heats up Page 24

School News

May 2008

Page 2

Dissection: fun or not?

By Jessica Wagner Staff Writer Gleaming scalpels and preserved frogs lay lifeless on the biology tables. As students filter in, a rotten stench fills their nostrils. Teachers instruct students to put on rubber gloves, and those oh so attractive goggles.

It’s dissection day in biology class, and students have different reactions and opinions on the procedure.

Many students, such as Kayla Christensen, cringe when making the first incision.

“I hated doing it,” Christensen said, “it was all ucky.”

Others such as Sara Gentzler cut right in.

“Yeah it was ballin!” Gentzler said.

In pairs, partners had to decide who would make that crucial first incision. What was going through their heads when they made the cut?

“This is the nastiest thing I have ever done,” Christensen said.

Both Gentzler and Christensen thought that it was like being a doctor. Gentzler thought that it would have been worse if it was a person.

Some students wonder why the dissection is even necessary for the curriculum. The procedure is done after learning about the different systems of the human body, biology teacher Mrs. Childs said.

“The frog’s anatomy is very similar to a hu-

mans, so it helps us to understand ourselves,” Mrs. Childs said.

The students have always dissected frogs.

But a new controversy has arose. There has been a decline in the amphibian population. That could mean down the road students may have to dissect a different animal.

“I wish we would have dissected a worm,” Christensen said, “It’s small and you wouldn’t have to do much.”

Christensen will get her wish, as students dissect earthworms later on in the year.

Mrs. Childs said that no one has ever thrown up or gotten sick. But Christensen could have came close when her lab partner flicked the frog eggs on her.

“I almost threw up,” Christensen said,” it was so nasty,” Students agreed that one of the worst parts of the procedure would be if the frog was one of the few that ended up with eggs like Christensen’s and Gentzler’s.

“It was definitely nasty with all the eggs,” Gentzler said, “Mr. B had to come dig them out for us.”

Another part students didn’t like was the goggles that left the marks on your face, and the disgusting smell.

“Yeah the goggles were ugly, and they left

marks,” Gentzler said.

Although there were some downsides to the process, students each had their favorite part.

“I liked looking for the brain, because it was not required,” Gentzler said.

Not only was the dissection fun and entertaining, it was a good hands on learning technique.

“I learned that frogs’ hearts have three chambers in their hearts,” Gentzler said. “And their tongues are weird. They attach at the front.”

Overall the dissections went well, and students learned about the anatomy of frogs, and how it is similar to humans.

“I would probably do it again if I need to,” Gentzler said.

Gentzler will have a chance to do dissections again if she chooses to take college biology. The college biology students dissect sheep eyes, fetal pigs, and sometimes hearts.

Even though the students are seniors some are still reluctant to dissect.

“I still have to pair students up with someone who is willing to do the cutting,” Mrs. Childs said.

Gentzler will be taking college biology as a senior, as well as many other students.

“The dissections will probably be my favorite part of the class,” Gentzler said. “They are a lot more fun than listening to a teacher lecture.”

What’s so cool about Library Latte?

By Amber Gresser In-Depth Editor Like Christmas and Independence Day. The first snowfall and the beginning blossom for cherry trees everywhere.

Library Latte comes but once a year.

An annual treat for high schoolers all around Gretna.

400 dollars of cookies, lemonade, and lattes, out of the pockets of our very own librarians.

“The intentions have never been to make money for the library,” Mrs. Schrack said. “We do it to showcase the talented kids we have here.”

“The entertainment and the caffeine” are sophomore Brett Gross’s favorite things about Library Latte.

Will Griffey, Gill Gunderson, Tessie Stednitz, and a group of speech mem-

bers are a few of the students that performed.

To watch these performers, like munching on popcorn in a movie, students can buy cookies for 25 cents, lemonade for 50 cents, and a latte for $1.25, a low price, according to Schrack.

“I like the cookies, because they’re cheap,” senior Amy Nitchals said.

Schrack says that she doesn’t charge enough to gain any money, though, and only barely breaks even, which she then donates half of to National Honor Society.

For National Honor Society students that work for Library Latte, the treats are free.

“I like the OID,” senior Lainey Law-mumm said, who also works it.

With treats and a whole lot of talent, why not have it more often?

“It requires a lot more time for me. I can’t take more time out of

Senior Pat White, juniors Joey Timmerman, Molly Mottsinger, and Ben Fleck and sophomore Sam Montemarano all give their OID for Library Latte. my regular job,” Schrack said. “And it loses its significance.”

So Library Latte will hopefully continue to come but once a year, long

after we say goodbye to Schrack, who is leaving us after this one. Talented GHS students performed a final farewell to her on March 10 through the 14th.

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School News

May 2008

Starmites is out of this galaxy

By Liz Stratman Design Editor To be transported into a parallel universe and become a superhero isn’t a normal routine for the average high school student. But that doesn’t mean a teen can’t save the universe in a musical.

Most students probably have never heard of Starmites, the musical which takes place not only on Earth, but in a parallel universe, innerspace.

So why did vocal music teacher Mr. Ribar decide to pick Starmites for this year’s musical?

“It’s really funny to me Sophomores Liz Stratman, and Sam Montemarano and juniors and it’s never been done,” Ri- Joe Menousek and Adam Schmit practice dancing for Starmites. bar said.

With a completely Eleanor’s mother, played by Emily Smythe, different musical, the wishes Eleanor would outgrow her comic book obaudience shouldn’t have any prior views or opinsession. ions.

Junior Adam Schmit is Dazzle Razzledorf, “No one has preconceived notions of how it’s one of the Starmites. supposed to go,” Ribar said.

“Dazzle is the youngest, dumbest, and mayIn the musical, characters appear on Earth be the bravest Starmite,” Schmit said. and in inner-space as Starmites (protectors of innerPosing as a nightmare for the Starmites, the space), Banshees (mysterious creatures), or Droids Banshees answer Diva‘s every command (the Queen (half lizard, half humans). of Inner-space).

“The characters in it [the musical] are in Playing a cannibalistic Banshee named Mahigh school and high school kids can act best as high Junior Joe Menousek practices being a starzii is sophomore Leana Wolt. school kids,” Ribar said. mite for the musical.

She is excited to see the exotic Banshee cosOne of the main characters is Eleanor, played

by Tessie Stednitz, an outer-space comic book geek tumes. who ends up saving the universe and falling in love, says Ribar.

Sophomores Sam Montemarano and Adam Kauffman and Juniors Adam Schmit, Joe Menousek, and Joey Bressman practice their dance routine. Left Photo: Seniors Tessie Stednitz and Josh McManus play the lead roles.

May 2008

School News

Page 4

Seniors still have time to apply

By Lauren Sawyer Staff Writer It’s 11:45 pm. The computers are humming, as you stay focused, aiming to finally finish the scholarship essay you started at eight o’clock this morning.

After spell checking, having your mom correct your punctuation twice, and rewriting your entire essay, because you forgot to save early and often, and lost your entire first draft after a very unfortunate battery failure, you complete your scholarship essay. Click submit, and yes, meet the deadline of 12 am. Sound familiar? If you’re a senior, it probably does.

Students everywhere dread trying to get into college and completing the scholarships. It can be exhausting and stressful going to interviews, writing essays, and meeting deadlines. However, should students still apply for college and scholarships?

“First of all I think that it depends on each individual student. However, I truly believe that some sort of post secondary education a student can complete will be invaluable,” Ms. Carraher said.

If students still want to go to an affordable

school, but closer to home, Mrs. O’ Neill recommends Metro Community College for a two year education, with a tuition of about $700 for summer courses. For a four year college, Mrs. O’ Neill says to try Wayne State College, which has a tuition of about $2,200 for summer classes.

Ms. Carraher revealed her favorite school, “I suppose I should say UNK,” Ms. Carraher said. “Although, when I attended there, in the dark ages, it was known as Kearney State College. Go Lopers!”

Even though there’s still time to apply for college, is there time to get any financial aid?

“We have two tubs filled with available scholarships,” Ms. Carraher said. “We update those tubs weekly. If students are interested in receiving money, we encourage and invite them to come in. Routinely check those tubs for the latest update on scholarships.”

Mrs. O’ Neill said to fill out the government’s

FAFSA forms every year in college. FAFSA has a work study program, where students get a job on campus.

They give out loans, with lower interest rates than banks. Also, FAFSA gives out grants, which don’t have to be repaid.

Ms. Carraher holds one scholarship program closer to her heart than others, the Horatio Alger scholarship program.

“It gives students who have faced, and survived extraordinary hardships, and have financial need, a great deal of money,” Ms. Carraher said.

Students who find themselves in need of a scholarship, but don’t know which to choose, the counselors will be happy to help. Ms. Carraher says if she finds a student who qualifies for a scholarship, she specifically gives it to them and tells the student to apply for it.

So is it really good to go to college, and apply for scholarships.

“They are terrific,” Ms. Carraher said.

Students spend class time in halls

By Jasmyn Krueger Staff Writer “Can I go to the bathroom?”

This request is sometimes just an excuse to get out of the classroom. More than likely, the person who asked this will also make a pit stop at his locker to grab a stick of gum and banter with the cutie in the next room down. By the time the student gets back to class, a girl is awkwardly doing the “potty dance” because she’s been waiting for him to return for 10 full minutes.

This seems to be a major concern at Gretna High School. During a thirty minute time frame during seventh period, a total of 88 students were found walking through the hallways. Many were simply wandering, for they were walking up and down the same hallway. Because this is near the end of the day, it is expected that many kids will want to get out of class. A tally that took place during third period proved otherwise. A grand total of ninety-nine students were found walking aimlessly through the halls. This was also recorded during a thirty minute time frame.

“From an administrators standpoint, this is a little bit frustrating, because they are not out there for any real purpose,” Vice principal Mr. Mueller said.

Students have a different point of view. They do feel they have reasons to be out and about during class time.

“Usually I am out in the hallways to help out teachers, and sometimes I really do have to go to the bathroom,” freshman Jared True said.

The numbers continue to grow as the school

year nears its end. This is most likely because students are anticipating summer and are no longer interested in learning about the civil war.

“Immediately after the bell [indicating the beginning of class] rang, I counted a total of 65 students before I lost count.” Mr. Mueller said.

It is no surprise that the students in the hallways during third period are the same one’s found out and about during periods four, six, and seven.

“I’ve noticed it’s always the same students in the hallway. There’s really nothing we can do about it but question them about where they are supposed to be.” Mr. Mueller said.

Being out in the halls can cause some problems when it comes to not being on time.

“When two students are late, and only one gets marked tardy, it’s not fair to the other student,” Mr. Mueller said.

Another issue is that teachers don’t want to take the time to write passes everytime one of their students leave the class.

“I understand that writing bathroom passes takes time out of the lesson, and just handing students a ‘bathroom pass’ saves time, but I also see why doing this might be necessary.” Mueller said. “The only problem is that these passes do not show where the student is from or what time they left.”

John Peters chats with a friend at his locker during seventh period.

School News

May 2008

A

Blast

from the

By Chelsea Luedtke Staff Writer Flipping through the 1995 yearbook, a picture or two catches your eye. Jennifer Simpson the cheerleader, Jennifer Simpson the actress, and Jennifer Simpson the writer.

But who is this Jennifer Simpson?

It is the teacher of speech, drama, creative writing, and freshman English. It is Mrs. Long! She went to Gretna High in 1995. She is one of many teachers that went to Gretna.

Classes with Ms. Carraher, like English, and music were her favorite classes but she hated anything to do with science or math. Mrs. Long knew that she would be a teacher when she was in high school.

“Yeah, I always knew I would,” Mrs. Long said on whether she knew if she wanted to be a teacher or not. “There is nowhere else I would rather teach.”

Some of Mrs. Long’s former teachers continue to teach today. Mr. Miller was one and Mr. Mueller was his student teacher. Everyone knows Mr. Richards, but so does Mrs. Long, because he was a substitute teacher when she was in school. It was also Mr. Haun’s first year at Gretna.

“Some girls had boyfriends older than him,” Mrs. Long said. ”He was just a baby. We ate him alive!”

Mrs. Long and her high school best friend Ann Sackett are still friends and were even each other’s bridesmaids.

Her most high school memorable moment was when she had frog dissection in biology class and her lab partner almost fainted, and almost left the room.

Mr. Wimmer was a 2003 graduate of Gretna, who also remembers a fainting memory.

“When I was a sophomore, I fainted in choir and I bit my lip,” Wimmer said.

He also remembers when he started his first game as Defensive End his senior year in football.

You may know him as the band director, or the guitar teacher. Besides band and jazz band, he was also involved in concert and show choir, National Honor Society, power lifting, soccer and football. He was also voted as having the most unusual laugh in the yearbook.

His favorite classes were music and Mr. Mueller’s psychology class. His worst was Mr. Setter’s Physical Science CP, freshman year.

There have been some changes to the high school since Wimmer was in school. The biggest change is the buildings have flip flopped. Some other changes are that students can take more classes now

PAST!

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Students

to Teachers...

More GHS Grads

Mrs. Long, Mr. Wimmer, and Mrs. Krajicek are just three of the many teachers that graduated from GHS. Others include Mr. Stednitz, Mrs. Koch, Mr. Ruff, Mrs. Wilgenburg, and Mrs. Clark.

Mrs. Long and they can take more duel credit classes.

“Everything else is the same, which is not a bad thing,” Wimmer said.

Mrs. Krajicek knows of other changes since she graduated from GHS in 1976. Like the school is a lot more strict now.

“You used to be able to leave the school,” Mrs. Krajicek said. “I was the TA and I would count the pop money and write a deposit and take the Driver’s Ed car and go to the bank.”

There are some other differences like students that were in National Honor Society didn’t need a pass to go anywhere. There were also more class choices, Mrs. Krajicek said.

From working in the library all day she probably knows most of the books in there. She said that there are some books in the library that are the same.

“They are old and they smell,” Krajicek said.

She was involved with tons of activities like G Club, Spirit Club, and National Honor Society. She was also vice president her senior year and was the first president of FBLA at Gretna. She was also involved with band. She played the clarinet and was a drum majorette. She also lettered in volleyball, track, and for academics. She was even the homecoming queen.

Mr. Marik and Mr. Rhodes are the teachers that used to teach Mrs. Krajicek. She thought it was weird working with them at first.

“I still have to call them Mr. Marik and Mr. Rhodes,” Krajicek said. “They will always be my teachers and it is hard to think of them as peers.” .

Mrs. Krajicek

Mr. Wimmer

Editorial

May 2008

Letter to the editor

Now is the time to move forward The moment I have been anxiously waiting for is almost here. I have counted down the days meticulously and felt each day creep by. And sometimes I wished high school would just end, and other times it came faster than expected, but finally it’s our graduation from high school!

Growing up my parents would ask me, “Will you ever leave me,” and I would confidently say, “I promise to visit.” My goal throughout high school was to go to college. Not just any college, but a college a significant distance from home. And that’s exactly what I plan to do.

All high school students experience the gnawing dread of waking up every morning and dragging themselves to school. Seniors in particular are prone to this feeling. As much as I am thrilled to be ending this part of my life, the feeling of nervous excitement takes over when I think about the changes that come with moving away.

Soon, there will no longer be someone to wake me up when my alarm clock “forgets” to go off. No more

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Common dislike for Edward from the movie Twilight

By Christie Berglund Editor-in-Chief

homemade breakfasts. Plus, I lose my room that I had to share with no one and acquire a bathroom I share with everyone. I get to start all over in a brand new zip code. All of this is daunting and thrilling all at the same time.

I will be walking on a new path in life and I haven’t a clue which one it will be.

The most obvious thing in the world to recognize is that time changes everything. Carpe diem! Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “It was a high counsel that I once heard given to a young person, ‘Always do what you are afraid to do.’” I couldn’t agree more with him.

There have been horrible parts of my life I wish I could forget.

Still, some of the parts - like my faith and unexpected friendships - made life more tolerable as I’ve been chugging along. And some parts I’ll never forget, as cliché as that sounds.

To the Voice Staff: I just want to say “YAY!” and “Thank you!” to your paper for the story on Twilight and the issues surrounding bringing these haunting characters to life. It is an English teacher’s dream come true when a book comes along that generates this kind of passionate discussion. In fact, as you may or may not be aware, our school district as a whole has invested a great deal of time and resources in the last few years on discovering new ways to get students to do EXACTLY what the Twilight series has accomplished. Students are seeking out these books on their own time and will (the goal of the AR program) and devouring them (no vampire pun intended). Then, through discussions, debates, and secondary resources like your article, readers are relating their own understanding of the novels to real life experiences and other pieces of literature. If I were going to teach the Twilight novels, and let me tell you, I would love to, an assignment I would create would be to do what your article did: Cast the movie.

And on that note, my personal feeling is that Robert Pattinson is as perfect an Edward Cullen as there is ever going to be. Truly he is a character

of such rare beauty, such nearly nonexistent chivalry, that no mortal will ever be able to make up all that Edward is. But that is why as a civilization we will not ever stop writing fiction, and hopefully as lifetime learners we will not ever stop reading fiction. The human imagination can go so infinitely deeper into fantasy than a film ever could. So cut the guy some slack! Plus, there are some new pictures surfacing on the Internet from the set of the movie and seeing Robert in character and in Edward’s world does transform his image in the right direction. Dream boat.

So, thank you Voice staff for helping fulfill our district wide goal of teaching strategic reading. And if you haven’t, please do yourselves a favor and read these books before you see the movie. I felt out of the loop when all my students were talking about this series, so I decided to see what all the fuss was about. I can honestly say that the love story between Edward and Bella is one of the most intriguing, beautiful sagas I have ever read. After inhaling the 2000+ pages of drama and unrequited love come and discuss it with me!

Jennifer Long, English teacher

Kids’ cartoons have adult humor

Spongebob, Fairly Oddparents, The Simpsons, Family Guy, and South Park are just a few cartoons that America is obsessed with. We watch these TV shows like the news. Some people will even have parties for new episodes (kind of weird). But have you ever thought about the kids that watch these things? All the adult humor, that is almost always obscene, going into these children’s minds.

The humor in some cartoons isn’t always unsuitable for kids. For instance Spongebob Squarepants is a young fry cook that is obsessed with his two neighbors. But, sometimes the jokes in these cartoons are geared toward adults more than kids. Then the kids are stuck asking their parents what the jokes mean. And that can be a little uncomfortable.

This has happened to me be-

By Faith Cotton Staff Writer

fore. I was baby-sitting my little brother and sister and, of course, we had to watch Spongebob. Spongebob and Patrick thought of an idea and Spongebob said, “Patrick your genius is showing!”

The Voice News Staff Editor-in Chief........................Christie Berglund In-depth Editor........................Amber Greser Photographer...........................Anthony Jourdan Design Editor...........................Liz Stratman Design Editor...........................Britt Hannigan Advertising Manager...............Laura Cejka

Staff Writers: Cassi Milroy Taylor Bradish Kelcie Pinkes Alexis Busch Natalie Doering Jasmyn Krueger

Brit Stock Jess Crawford Faith Cotton Jahn Kuiper Natalie Miller

Advisor.............................................Jamie Hestermann

and Patrick looks down at his pants and says “What? Where?” I stared blankly at the screen feeling extremely uncomfortable, when my brother looks up at me and asks, “What does that mean?” I didn’t know how to answer his question so I just got up and walked way. This is what I mean when I say that these kid cartoons aren’t always suitable for kids. They are just plain awkward.

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

Page 7

Taking the road less traveled The road that I have traveled to become a United States Marine is full of happiness and hardships. On the journey I have become more intuitive with the world around me and have learned more about who I am as a person. My presumptuous ideas of the military were wrong. I thought being a Marine would change me, but I found that the road to becoming one is just as life altering.

The onset of my journey began last July when I was suddenly stricken with a sense of patriotism after watching an edition of Home Makeover which involved a Marine veteran. The pride that he portrayed was so overpowering that I felt a need to investigate. While researching I found characteristics that a Marine exemplifies: courage, leadership, and determination. I concluded that these were things I wanted to be, so I applied to get more information.

In the following weeks I talked to many different recruiters both over phone and in person. They talked of how the Marines have changed their lives and what a mess they would have been in if not for the service. Their passion and conviction for their duty was something that was unknown to me and was something that was part of my final commitment to join the Marines.

I chose to be a Combat Correspondent which is one who writes and speaks on the behalf of the Marines. After I signed

my papers the guy said, “Out with old, in with the new. You’re part of the Marine machine, are you ready?” At the time, I sure thought I was ready, but how could I know what was in store.

The weeks to come was all part of my baptism into the Marines. I learned all of the workout techniques that were supposed to make me Marine tough. Once a week all the recruits would come together and run, do situps, pull-ups and other fitness workouts to prepare our bodies for boot camp. We were ripped up, swallowed, and spat out, or at least that is what it felt like. We also studied Marine history and discussed the different character traits of a Marine. Every week I was more psyched for my patriotic duty.

Months passed and my training persisted. I made an extra effort to prepare myself by joining school activities such as cross country and newspaper. Everybody around was excited for me, and they all cheered me on. Secretly my mind was starting to doubt. I realized how short of time I had with the people in my life now and the thought scared me. In a few months time I would be torn away from everybody and everything I knew and then

put into a strange setting with strange men. For a while, I was depressed. I didn’t want to change from the world I loved so much. My mind and body was ready for the Marines, but my heart was not.

Then during one of our weekly meetings Gunnery Sergeant Wiseman reminded me why I was there.

“Without my mother’s consent I joined the Marines” said Wiseman.

“I did it because I had to support my mother and three brothers. I cared for them all and my brothers all looked up to me, so it was up to me to be a man.

I joined so I could be part of a team, a team that would serve to protect our country and all those who live in it, like my mom and three brothers. Yes I had to leave them behind, but I did it so every day I could work to keep them safe.

That’s why I became a Marine.”

I finally understood. I am going to leave behind my loved ones, but I have to move on and do my duty so I can keep them safe from harm.

In retrospect, I am glad for all the trials I have had to go through to become a Marine. In realizing that I was going to be leaving all my friends and family behind, I have valued my time with them more than ever before.

I have learned so much from the Marines and I have so much more to experience. I am on my way to becoming one of the few, the proud, a Marine.

and everything you put on the net can be viewed by anyone who knows what they are doing. Yes, even if you put your Myspace or Facebook on private, there is probably someone you don’t know looking at it.

The internet is like dirt, some places are muddier than others, but you always leave a footprint of where you have been. So everywhere you go on the internet, those site records that you have been there for however long they want. Also, nothing on the internet is anonymous. Where there is a will, there is a way. If they want to figure out who you are, they will.

Another good point they made was that nothing on the internet is “free”; some one always pays for what you do even if you are not aware of it.

If you do not want your pictures and comments splashed across the news headlines, do not put them on the internet.

Don Kohtz who is also the for-

mer Assistant Attorney General for Nebraska told us what could happen to people who make stupid decisions. He said that even if we think that it was not bad at the time we still could get in big time trouble. And also he said many pranks pulled online are considered felonies. If you make a dumb decision when you are younger you still have to put it on every resume you fill out.

Another thing we learned was to be aware of what you are doing. Even if you might not mean to hurt someone, it could end up very very bad for everyone involved. So before you send anonymous text messages, think about it. If it does hurt someone bad enough that they want to find out who did it, they will. Moral of the story? The internet is like a gun, just waiting for someone to pull the trigger. If you do not want something bad to happen do not even load it.

Tanner Smith, Aaron Dittmar, Kory Hurtz

By Jahn Kuiper Staff Writer

Letter to the editor

Students realize dangers of the net

Have you ever done something really stupid at a party and regretted it later? Well we definitely have. I’m sure you heard about those guys who thought they could get away with sending “anonymous” text messages under a teacher’s name. We thought it was funny at the time, but it was not. We did not realize jobs and reputations were at stake. Like Deputy Lance told us, kids have to think 72 hours in advance, instead of going with the flow like most high school students do.

Since the incident, we have learned a lot about why it was a dumb decision. We recently had a meeting with some very qualified people who track down hackers and people who try to ruin other peoples lives via the internet. They taught us that if you do not want everyone to know your secret, do not put it on the internet. Anything

May 2008

Constructive or destructive?

Constructive comments coming off as criticism

By Liz Stratman Design Editor

Constructive criticism can be helpful, but where’s the line between constructive and just down-right mean?

When I notice errors or mistakes, I feel like I should correct them.

It’s easiest when I can fix things on my own because then I don’t run the chance of someone getting defensive on me. Unfortunately, I often feel like the “bad guy” because I like everything right so I tend to point out others mistakes.

People sometimes take my comments as negative criticism, but most everything I say is intended in a positive way.

So why can’t people just take the critiques and not get so defensive?

My intentions are only to better whatever they happen to be doing. But am I the one turning my comments into negative criticism? I would hope not.

I try to think things through in my head before making a comment.

Too bad that doesn’t always happen.

When I know how to do something and someone is doing it wrong, it’s kind of automatic for me to assist them in doing it the right way. Am I impatient for not waiting to let them figure it out on their own? Or am I kind for helping them?

I guess I can only hope that most people see my comments in a positive way. I’ll try my best to word my comments in the nicest way possible. Maybe the thought of negative criticism can be avoided.

Features

May 2008

Page 8

79%

On High Impact:

By Laura Cejka Advertising Manager Right from the beginning of a teen’s life, influences take charge and collide with what that teen wants to be and who he or she chooses to be.

These two different people mesh when that teen decides what he or she wants to be impacted by.

At first, teens are influenced by their parents, trying to model after them and change their own ways of accomplishing goals based on what their parents approve of. Parents also instill their beliefs, religious or other, on their children, building a moral pedestal for them to stand on when they start to drift towards their peers. Once that parental influence begins to fade, teens look to their friends to fill in that gap.

They seek out advice from their peers on numerous issues like how they should dress, how they should act, and what they should be involved in. The choices a teen makes usually determines which friends he or she spends time with and gets influenced by.

Finally, teens find even more influences in and out of school. In our survey we found that most GHS students are involved in 1-3 activities with some students exceeding seven activities. Clubs, sports, and jobs are meeting grounds for finding new friends with common interests, thus finding the friends that influence them.

Teens rush through their lives constantly finding new things to be influenced by. Sometimes teens choose the wrong influences and pay for their mistakes, while others choose to be positively impacted and benefit from it.

the percentage of GHS students that don’t work

teens find out how choices influence them 62% 55% Freshman Brittany French said that her family makes a positive impact on her life.

“My mom has made the biggest influence on my life because she’s really in to what she does” French said. “I’m adopted, but I’m still in touch with my birth mom. My life would be different if I didn’t know her.”

School counselor Mrs. O’Neill knows that teens’ values change as they find new influences.

“At first you might have a perfect set of values, but the more you hang around people who do something bad, the more you allow yourself to do the same thing” Mrs. O’Neill said. Lose the negative things. You yourself are the director of your own future.”

the percentage of GHS students involved in one or more activities

34% 62%

the percentage of GHS students that are the youngest in their family

the percentage of GHS students who believe their family has a high income

the percentage of GHS students who agree that religion influences their life

73% 52% the percentage of GHS students with married parents

the percentage of GHS students who agree their friends influence the way they act

percentages based on a survey given to two randomly selected homerooms of GHS students

Changing the world one baby at a time

By Natalie Miller Staff Writer Today is the day! Your family is bringing home a new baby. But there’s a catch. The baby could be leaving you at any time. What goes through your mind when you finally have to give it up? Are you upset?

“It’s sad to see them leave.

They’re so cute and so much fun, “ said Olivia Gahan, a fellow freshman at GHS. The Gahan family has been a cradle care home for almost two years.

They take in babies that don’t have anywhere else to go. According to the Nebraska Children’s Home website babies are put into cradle care if there is no family available to adopt them at the moment or if the birthparents need more time to decide the adoptive place-

ment.

Taking care of these babies is no easy task. They come with dirty diapers, health complications, continuous crying, and stinky formula.

“It’ s hard for my mom, she has to get up late at night a lot,” Gahan said.

Although caring for the babies has its struggles, the rewards outweigh the bad times by a long shot.

“It’s strengthened our family bond and it gives us an opportunity to put others before ourselves,” Gahan said.

The love and the connection that the Gahans share with these babies is endearing no matter size, shape, or intellectual ability.

“The first baby we had was a Downs baby,” said Gahan, “His parents

didn’t want him, because they thought the most rewarding things you can do it would be too much work and it made with your life,” Gahan said. me really sad.”

Even though the pasts of some the babies may be sad the Gahan family feels that its all worth it in the end.

When you give the babies to their families, they’re so happy, “ Gahan said, “It makes you happy.”

At the end of the day Gahan can’t imagine her world without those cuddly Gahan holds Enrique, a baby her family previlittle bundles of joy.

“It’s one of ously cared for.

Features

May 2008

GHS student steps into the ring

By Monica Crockett Staff Writer Vikki Sorrentino gets dressed in her sports bra and shorts in the locker room. She tapes her ankles and laces up her shoes. Sorrentino stretches and listens to songs like Lose My Breath by Destiny’s Child, Face Down by Red Jump Suit Apparatus, and Thanks for the Memories by FallOut Boy on her I-pod. Before stepping into the ring, Sorrentino puts in her mouthpiece and headgear, and pulls on her gloves. She looks out into the crowd and sees her mom, dad, and 8-year-old sister there supporting her.

She was ready to begin her boxing match.

“Shake hands,” the ref says. “Let’s have a clean game, now back to your corners.”

Sorrentino is one of the few female teenage boxers.

What does Sorrentino think about before her fight?

“I think of stuff that makes me really mad. Like my mistakes I’ve done before in matches,” Sorrentino said.

Sorrentino has been boxing since she was 7, or in little league. In the summer and fall Vikki weight lifts for two hours a day, and trains for an additional two more at DBC, a boxing fitness house, in Omaha.

“It’s hard,” she said. “I hate doing it because they push you a lot and it hurts a ton. You get no breaks.”

Sorrentino goes to local tournaments usually twice a month. The tournaments last two days, and Sorrentino fights about four people per day. Boxers are divided into weight groups, like wrestling. Sorrentino goes up against females, mostly the same age as her.

“I’m proud to be in the sport that proves we’re [girls] just as good as guys,” Sorrentino said.

Sorrentino has been knocked out a couple of times

“Iʼm proud to be in the sport that proves weʼre [girls] just as good as guys.”

-Vikki Sorrentino

and broken her nose three times. She has knocked someone else out and broken a girl’s nose.

“I feel bad because all the ambulance people have to come,” Sorrentino said.

The goal of the sport is to get an opponent down for 10 seconds. Once the boxer is down she cannot be hit. There is one judge or ref inside the ring. Then, three judges outside the ring are making sure the boxers aren’t holding the rope or opponent. Sorrentino says that holding the rope allows a boxer to catch her breath and that is cheating. There is a point penalty and after so many lost points, the boxer will be disqualified. The judges will say “pull up,” meaning to get off the rope or to not hold the opponent. If the boxer doesn’t listen the judge will say, “knocked out,” meaning the boxer loses the match.

Vikki has been disqualified before. This happened when she was 7, and it was her first fight.

“When I was little, I was scared and I ran out of the ring,” Sorrentino says.

A match is three rounds. After each round the opponents separate, get a drink, and patch up any injuries.

After someone is knocked out or disqualified the match is over.

After the match, when Sorrentino sees the ambulance people come for the girl she just knocked out she thinks, “Oh my gosh, I can’t believe I just did that!”

Sorrentino’s dad, Raf, is her coach. He usually knows how the boxer fights. Raf Sorrentino tells Vikki strategies and the opponent’s weakest hits, and she is told sayings before her fight to pump her up.

“You only get one chance, so hit them hard,” Raf Sorrentino says before each match.

What does Vikki say to girls with boxing dreams?

What does she say to all those males who laugh at the idea of girls boxing?

“Go for it, because a lot of people, especially guys, are negative about it,” Sorrentino said. “If you really want to do it, do it. They are just scared ‘cause they don’t want to be beaten. A lot of girls are better than them.”

Page 9

Students change over the summer

By Faith Cotton Staff Writer Everyone is always pumped for summer. Chillaxin’ out with your friends. Going to the pool, vacationing, and just hanging out. But what about the friends that you don’t see? What are they doing? Who are they with? Are we still friends?

When that first day of school arrives all you want to do is find them and discuss your summers. But when you can’t find them because they are with a different group of people all you can do is think, “WOW, You’ve changed” But when we think this, is it for the better or worse?

Well, it all depends on the person. Most people think that their friends change for the worse or they just don’t think they like them anymore. But that’s not always true. Some people change for themselves.

“I think most people change for the better because, since we are around each other so much its good for a little change, attitudes become more positive, they don’t really hangout with new people, and the maturity levels of people are different then what they used to be.” said sophomore Nikki Hotovy.

When you stop talking to a friend. The first thing you want to know is what you did. “What did I say. Did I say something wrong. I think I kept the secret.” But it isn’t always YOU. Some people just like to change for themselves. They will mature, change their style, or their music tastes, because they feel they need something different in life. And that may lead to new friends.

“I think I change in both negative and positive ways. I admit I’ve changed for other people just to stay friends with them but most of the times I change for myself. I find new meanings to life,” said freshman Eric Smith.

May 2008

Features

Does Names are your name butchered define you?

Staff Writer

By Lita Adsit

Staff Writer

By Cassi Milroy Parents start picking out names for their babies a few months after they find out they’re expecting.

Names are chosen to be given to children for many reasons. Family members names get passed down over generations, after what a name symbolizes, and some are just unexpected names based off what you look like.

Family names are passed down over generations to keep the name going so the person will be remembered.

In this instance, senior Cindy Fibich was named after her great-great grandma to keep the name going.

“I was planned to be named Felicia, but after I was born they found that the name didn’t fit so they named me Cynthia; this being my grandma’s name,” Fibich said.

Fibich believes her name fits her because she’s the only Cindy and it’s a one of a kind name.

Likewise, senior Alena Vala was named after her aunt in Czechoslovakia because she was a really sweet, nice lady.

Junior Michaela Byington was also named after a family member.

“I was named after my dad, Michael. It fits well because I’m a daddy’s girl,” Byington said.

On the other hand, some names are just randomly chosen for many different reasons.

Junior Alexis Winnicki’s parents chose her name because it was pretty and unique.

Names may be chosen because they sound pretty, but how much thought is put into picking out a name? Some people think that their name defines and describes them.

Alexis means “defender,” and she feels it fits her perfectly.

“I’m a peacemaker when people are fighting,” Winnicki said.

Alena and Cindy both mean “light”.

“It fits because I am a bright light just like my name,” Vala said.

Many people wish they could change their name.

Winnicki would choose Augustine because it is beautiful and it’s her dream name.

“Nicole, because it was my play name when I played house and I think it’s pretty,” Fibich said.

Byington said she’d choose a name her little sister could have had, being Isabella. She added that it also reminded her of Italy.

Vala said she would probably like something unique, like “Stella or Giaviana.”

Will the following people report to the office: Melissa Sedlacek, Zenaida Smith, Alicia Janulewicz, Ryan Zapotocny, Kashia Dyas.”

As the secretaries read the announcements before the final bell of the day rings, they struggle to pronounce some of GHS’s commonly mispronounced names. Mrs. Turpin gets the joy of pronouncing lists of difficult names every afternoon. Sometimes students correct the secretaries, but usually no one complains when their name is completely butchered.

“Sometimes I do, but usually I just let it happen,” says junior Zenaida Smith in response to the corrections.

Dealing with the frustrations of getting everyone’s names right isn’t a big deal for some people “I just mumble my way through them.” Mrs. Turpin said.

Melissa Sedlacek, a junior, is one of those students with a hard to pronounce last name.

Usually people pronounce her name as Si-’d ‘la-ke and Si-’d ‘le ‘chek.

Smith’s name is often butchered.

“At a speech meet I had to spell my name, and the lady thought my name was Zena Ida.” Sedlacek and her family live on Pflug Road, pronounced with a silent “p.” Once a telemarketer was just trying to get in touch with her dad.

“We had a telemarketer call and asked if there was a ‘Michael Sedlackey on puff lug road,’ so they pronounced my road and last name wrong.” Sedlacek said.

The “sound it out” method of learning how to spell, in kindergarten, doesn’t always work so, “I came up with a song in my head, I still sing it sometimes,” Smith said.

Even adults have trouble spelling Sedlacek’s and Smith’s names.

“In the newspaper they put an ‘L’ instead of a ‘Z’ once, but usually they leave out the ‘I’,” Smith said.

“They usually put an ‘H’ in the ‘chek’ part of it.” Sedlacek said.

Where did these unique names come from?

“My parents decided to have their first born spelled with an ‘A’ and their next born with a ‘Z’ that way it would be like A-Z and if they had a third it would be with an ‘M’ so it would be in the middle.” Smith said. “At first they were gonna name me ‘Zoey’ but my mom has a cousin named ‘Zenaida’ so they went with that instead.”

Sedlacek’s parents obviously didn’t get to choose her last name but, “it’s Czech, it means ‘little farmer’.”

“Even though their names are butchered on a daily basis the girls don’t get emarrassed or frustrated “I just kind of go with it, my name isn’t that important, it was given to me.” Smith said.

Page 10

May 2008

Features

Page 11

Let’s take a trip to the zoo...

The Smith Family Zoo!

By Danielle Spurgeon Staff Writer Most kids come home to their dog Skip and their cat Snowball, but not freshman Ashley Smith.

She comes home to a baby snow monkey named Jimmy.

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be different from all your friends who have cats and dogs, while you have a zoo in your backyard?

Well that’s where the Smith family comes in. Stacy, Kip, and Ashley Smith have a barn filled with exotic animals. From snow monkeys and kinkajoos, baboons, fennex foxes, snakes, alligators, and birds to kangaroos, they have them all.

Kip and Stacy Smith are members of Wildlife Encounters and raise all these exotic animals to put together programs for young children and different organizations.

They travel all over the state and sometimes even out of state to perform. They have even appeared on the talk show, Live with Regis and Kelly.

“It’s really fun to introduce these animals to the kids,” Smith said.

She says that all her friends love going to her house, because they think it’s really cool that she kind of has a zoo in her backyard. Smith and her friends even get to play with the animals.

“I play with the furry animals,” Smith said,

Photo by Monica Crockett

Freshman Ashley Smith holds her snow monkey, Jimmy.

“I’m not a big fan of the other ones.”

Smith also claims that a lot of people don’t believe her and they think she makes it all up.

“Once when I was in Kindergarten my teacher told me I had an imagination, so I went home and told my mom and came back the next day with a tiger, and everyone thought that it was fake, until it started moving,” Smith said.

Smith’s favorite animal is the baby snow monkey named Jimmy. He is funny and playful. She also likes the foxes, because they are the nicest, really soft, and fun to play with. Smith says she likes growing up with the animals, and it’s good that they don’t have to sell them or anything.

“We rarely ever get rid of our animals, so most of them we keep year long,” Kip Smith said.

Each animal has its own big cage outside, but in the winter they each have a cage in their big barn, which is in their backyard. Smith says that there are very few times but they do occasionally let the animals inside the house.

For instance the monkeys are nice and can behave when watched in the house, same with the kangaroo. The Smiths have had this set of animals for about two years now.

“I’ve learned a lot about animals and I’ve gotten to travel to a lot of different places,” Ashley Smith said.

Gretna High model struts her stuff

By Courtney Randall Staff Writer She is fierce, confident, but she falls. Minutes before a runway rehearsal a model is given another model’s dress and tall stilettos to wear down the catwalk, which were both a few sizes too big.

To calm the nerves of the thought of something going terribly wrong she repeats in her mind, “Everything is fine, everything is fine.” She starts down the runway strong then nearly loses her balance as she turns at the end of the runway. Unable to regain her stability, she stops and just sits down before the fall becomes worse. Looking around the room in embarrassment and in hopes that nobody noticed, she realizes that everyone is already looking. She simply gives off an innocent smile then gets up and walks back down the runway while yelling at herself in her mind.

Modeling can either make you or break you. So far for sophomore Timbre Backen’s experience with the industry, it has been going pretty well for her. Especially since she has only been a model since last spring.

“I won Best Walk at a runway show. That was really exciting cause there was like 80 models!

I won Miss Photogenic at a Miss Teen Nebraska pageant too,” said Backen.

Backen gets most of her encouragement and inspiration from her family. The rest comes from formal model and talk show host Tyra Banks.

“She is just so crazy and isn’t afraid to be anybody,” says Backen Backen gets pretty good pay and she doesn’t mind it either.

“The most I have ever been paid was for this commercial I did for the Cox Communications ad. After it was finished I was paid $270. And for hair shows I will get about $17 an hour and those can last from 4 to 6 hours. The money is a big bonus!” said Backen.

Backen explained all the fuss of the day of a hair show. The beginning of the day is not too difficult, but it can get a little crazy. “ I have to show up two hours early for hair shows with my hair cleaned so the stylist can do my make up and pretty much anything that they want to do with my hair,” says Backen. “Then we have to sit around for hours acting all bubbly and nice to all the clients that are there for the show. I try not to go to too many of them because I’m afraid that they will do something crazy to my hair that I wont like,” says Backen.

She has been involved in all different types of modeling. From hair shows, to runway walks and photo shoots to pageants, she has done it all.

“It is really fun having different photographers wanting different looks,” says Backen. She has had agents fly in out of state from New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago.

The model does most of her work in the summer and that gives her more time to focus on school and other activities.

“I haven’t had to take much time off of school. I have only had to skip twice because most of my shows are on weekends or nights.”

It isn’t all fun and games for Backen though.

She has to stay looking healthy and good for when it is time to work.

“The week before a pageant I will always watch what I eat closer and I do some small workouts too. In the end it usually works out fine,” says Backen.

Watching her diet is not all that she has to deal with though. The industry is filled with tons of girls!

“There is always those few girls who just have to start drama and that’s all they do. But at times it’s not too bad. Plus they are avoidable,” explained Backen.

Backen stays confident with the time being and enjoys what she does.

“I try to just take the opportunity while it’s here. I’m not tall enough to pursue it as a career, so it’s more for the fun then the money. I’ve always been told that I should model and I have wanted to for forever, so now I am and I’m having a blast!” said Backen.

Center

May 2008

Grad Parties “Last year because our moms started talking,” Hill said.

Hill explained, with a smile, why she decided to combine her party with Smith.

“Because we’ve been BFFs for a long time and [Tara’s] house is bigger, and I’m using her,” Hill said.

Hill isn’t exactly sure what her theme is, but she has an idea.

“Kinda luauish, bright colors, and we don’t have anything Gretna,” Hill said. “We both love summer and bright colors.”

Smith estimated how much their party will cost when combined.

“It’s definitely over a thousand,” Smith said.

“Our budget is a thousand, but we’re still planning.”

Hill excitedly listed all the festivities that will be at the graduation party.

“Were going to have a cotton candy machine, bubbles, and were going to have a big blow-up jousting game,” Hill said. “We might have a chocolate fountain and way later we’ll have Guitar Hero. We’ll also have food and our senior slide show.”

Smith and Hill are planning to dress their dogs for their party.

“Our Jack Russell’s will have matching outfits with pink boots,” Smith said.

Hill expects there to be a huge turnout at their combined

By Taylor Bradish Staff Writer

party

including friends and family.

“I don’t even know. Our friends will be about 200 from school,” Hill said. “About 700 in all.”

Hill explains what she hopes to find by throwing a party.

“Just fun and great times and good memories, bonding with our good friends and finishing out our senior year,” Hill said. “It’s going to be the time of your life if you are invited, but pretty much everyone is invited.”

As we go on, we remember, all the times we`ve had together. Famous lines out of the well known graduation song we hear around the time the seniors are about to part their seperete ways, and go into the so called “real world.” Four years of laughter and tears, and it comes rushing to an end. As ex-

cited as everyone is ready to graduate they’re going to miss highschool, and the memories are going to last forever.

“I got my moms explorer stuck in the snow at Carissa`s cabin, so Avery, Carissa, Hanna and I had to dig it out,” said senior Heidi Blum.

“Me, Jeff, and Tyler going to watch Marky play football every Friday,” said senior Scott Doggett.

Those are definitely certain memories that stick out for Blum and Doggett.

Everyone has things they did, that made their time

Seni r ath etes

college

to freshmen athletes

By Jahn Kuiper Staff Writer

As spring rains drizzle down we are reminded that the school year is near to the end. Most high school students spend their summer in the shadow of knowing that they have to come back next year, but the seniors are preparing for what lies ahead. Then there are a select few that through their high school achievements have created for themselves the opportunity to do college athletics.

If asked, these future collegiate athletes will give many different ideas to why they want to do college sports. “That’s how you make friends and meet new people in college,” Bryce Arp said. Bryce hasn’t decided where he is going to play basketball yet.

“I’ve been playing all my life and I can’t imagine not do-

ing it,” Kaylee Heberly said. Heberly has accepted a scholarship to play volleyball for Midlands College.

“I love baseball and that’s the only reason why I’m going to college,” said Jesse Manzitto. Manzitto has not decided were he is going to play baseball yet.

“Why would I want to go to college and just study?” Rhea Mason said.

Mason has accepted a soccer scholarship to South Dakota State College.

Even though they all have different ideas to why they want to do college athletics, they all agree to why it’s going to be tough. “We’re going to bust our butts in conditioning and it’s going to be really hard to balance homework with the team,” Bryce Arp said.

Even with the prospect of hard work ahead of them, all of these seniors

here worthwhile, for Blum and senior, Mitch Reinig, it was sports.

“My favorite memory of highschool in general would be playing sports, and winning state.” Said Blum.

“The Yankton baseball tournament. Go karting with the team, and getting kicked out,” said Reinig.

As freshman, you look up to the big bad seniors.

For Blum it was Kara Gufstasen and Natalie Fleming.

For others, they look up to teachers.

“As a freshman, I looked up to Mr. Brandon,” Reinig said.

There’s always memories that you know you’re never going to forget.

“In 8th grade me, Jesse, Tom and Tyler, went on the Washinton DC trip and were jumping across the beds in our hotel room, the bed broke so we went and got a huge bag of bubble gum, chewed it, and tried to put the bed back together with the gum, we were all so scared we were gonna have to pay for the bed but

are ready to move on to bigger things.

“I’m excited to be in an atmosphere away from my parents...” Allyssa Cirian said. Cirian accepted a soccer scholarship to Benedictine College.

“I’m most excited about being independent. Also, I want to meet the guys on my team,” said Bryce Arp. “I want to win a championship and check out all of the goodlooking guys,” Rhea Mason said.

Though faced with unknown all of these seniors are ready for the work ahead of them. They embrace these hardships knowing that eventually they will be rewarded, maybe by success or by the friendships they make. Mason ended with, “One thing’s for sure, I’m ready to get the heck out of here.”

they never found out,” said Doggett.

“Freshman baseball, with Coach Louis, I’ll never forget that,” Reinig said.

As your four years of getting up at the crack of dawn, or maybe waiting till the last possible minute before you’re going to be late to school to crawl out of bed come rushing to an end, you still realize that high school has helped mold you into the person you are today. And the memories and friends made, will stay with you forever.

Mark Mintken - Emporia State - football Nolan Debord - Dana College - football Dan Janovich - Kearney - baseball Kaylee Heberly - Midland - volleyball Carrissa Gregory - Benedictine - soccer Alyssa Cirian - Benedictine - soccer Rhea Mason - South Dakota - soccer Amy Stigge - Bellevue - soccer Jay Omar - Kearney - baseball Scott Doggett - Ellsworth - baseball

college commitments

The time has come for seniors to say goodbye to their old lives. Seniors have reached the point in their high school careers when it is time to start planning for graduation, and most have been planning for awhile now.

Graduation parties are a tradition for almost every senior student.

There is almost always a theme and amazing food. The graduation party is, most of the time, a bigger ordeal for the senior girls than it is for the senior boys.

Senior Allyssa Cirian is throwing a Hawaiian themed party and explains why.

“I wanted it to be Hawaiian because we’re having leis and I’m wearing a grass skirt,” Cirian said. “I like slushies and I thought they were Hawaiian.”

Cirian also decided she wanted to have the party at her house for a couple of reasons.

“At my casa because that’s where my brother had it, and it’s really open on the outside,” Cirian said.

As for activities, Cirian has a few things in mind.

“My mom and her friend want karaoke and I guess we could throw a game of Twister, I like Twister.”

While planning her party, Cirian ran into a few problems.

“Yeah stuff went wrong! I wanted a snow cone maker, but my mom thought they were slushies so she ordered a slushy guy,” Cirian said. “I was livid.”

Cirian has high hopes for her graduation party.

“Lots of money and spending time with family and friends, reminiscing, crying, tears, people asking me not to leave, but having to anyway,” Cirian said.

Seniors Natalie Hill and Tara Smith have decided to combine their parties. Hill confessed how long she has been planning their graduation party.

May 2008

And so we talked all night about the rest of our lives Senior memories . . .

The long lived tradition.

By Christie Berglund Editor in-chief

Center

Page 12 Page 13

“This is not the end. This is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.” -Sir Winston Churchill

Sports

May 2008

Page 14

Baseball team learns from class A competition

Photo by Anthony Jourdan

Senior Ryan Schuetz swings to hit the incoming baseball. The baseball team worked very hard this year against their class A competition and few class B teams.

Flat 4

By Anthony Jourdan Photo Editor This year’s baseball team has had many up and down battles with some pretty tough schools, with each outcome different. We saw some Class A and tough Class B teams on this year’s schedule like Papio South, Omaha Roncalli, and Ralston which they beat 5-3. They now carry a 6-7 with a couple of games left to go on their schedule. According to right fielder Jake Huber, it helps playing harder teams a lot.

“Definitely playing harder teams is good for us,” Huber said. “Playing teams you kill every time out doesn’t help you as much.”

Playing tougher teams this year usually resulted in some struggles like close losses and really big defeats. Senior catcher Jesse Manzitto says playing hard is the most important thing.

“Sometimes we don’t play as hard towards the end of the game but I think we have learned that it will come back to haunt us,” Manzitto said. “I think

that everybody has now learned to play as hard as they can from the first inning to the last.”

When all is said and done, Manzitto and Huber both agreed that making it to state was the team’s big goal this year. Manzitto says that their tough schedule will help them if it comes time for state.

“Yeah it helps us out a lot because the competition is better and it makes us less intimidated when we do see those teams in Districts and State,” Manzitto said.

When asked what each and every player’s role was on the team this year, this is what Huber and Manzitto had to say.

“We all need to step up,” Huber said. “Playing as a team is the only way we will have success this year.”

“For me I would say my role is to be a team leader and help my team out the best I can,” Manzitto said.

makes for great defense

By Lexi Busch Staff Writer The Gretna girl’s soccer team is on fire this season. They have been playing game after game and winning most of them, bringing their record to 5-1 so far this season.

Some might say its because of the way the team has switched it’s defense from a diamond to a flat 4 over the years. It has come into full effect as of this year.

“I like running our new defense better, Junior Abbie Harvey said. “It has made our defense a lot better.”

When a team runs the flat 4, the players have to be quick to run it. The team moves in a bowl shape unit and they push toward their goal. The goalie has to be even more active when running the flat 4 because they have no sweepers defending their goal.

With the old defense, the diamond, the team said that no one could be off sides and that really hurt their defense.

“No one can be off sides with the old defense, senior Carissa Gregory said “with the new defense you can catch people off sides and get the ball.”

Most colleges are now running the flat 4 and most high schools are starting to run it now too. They think it makes it harder for the forwards to score a goal.

“It makes it harder for the forwards because they have to make diagonal runs,” senior Alyssa Cirian said.

For the Gretna verses Elkhorn game they switch up the defence a little more, just so the players knew exactly where to be.

“Their was to much extra space and we didn’t know what to do and now we know where to be and what to do,” sophomore Hilary Stover said.

Also, with the newer defense they had to shut them down by more movement through their midfield, so the other team would have to play an outside game. “ I think [the newer defense] has made us stronger, but if it fails I think our other one is just as strong,” said Stover.

The Gretna girl’s soccer team has been work ing hard and changing their defense a lot, but it seems like it is working out for the better.

“We have won more games and our defense is better,” Harvey said.

Photo by Chelsea Luedtke

Sophomore Hilary Stover hangs mid air as she kicks the ball to an open teammate. The girl’s soccer team brought on a new defense and has been very successful.

Sports

Page 15

Tae Kwon Do

By Jessica Crawford Staff Writer

it up a knotch s k ic

k

Student: Yaw! Master: Front kick!

Student: “Front kick” yaw!

Master: Side kick Student: “Side kick” yaw!

Master: Well done, but you still have much to learn.

While Tae Kwon Do may be a form of basic self defense, there’s more to it than that.

“Tae kwon do teaches you discipline, and respect,” junior Lance Wilford said.

He should know because Wilford and his brother, freshman Matt Wilford, are two of Master Rick Staack’s newest black belts. Both of the Wilford brothers are in training to become masters, like those before them.

“It’s a development of a person physically and mentally,” Staack said.

May 2008

Lance Wilford gets his black belt

Staack is the main teacher, a.k.a master, of the Tae kwon Do classes.

Tae Kwon Do is a martial art that takes a lot of time to learn.

To gain one’s black belt there are many requirements that need to be met.

“I had to go through all 10 belts in order to get my black belt,” Wilford said. “I’ve been doing Tae Kwon Do for four years.”

“Only when you have gone through some years of training will you recieve your black belt” Staack said.

Once students reach their black belt, the next step in their learning is training to be a master/ teacher.

“It’s a great experience to help the students that are in the lower levels of Tae Kwon Do,” Wilford said.

Triple jump, distance and hurdles, oh my!

By Brit Stock Staff Writer The shot of the starting gun. Grunts from throwers. The sound of clipped hurdles. Mats “swooshing” from landings. Jumpers pounding into the sand. All of these are sounds that can be heard at any track meet. There are many, many different events that take place at each meet. Events range anywhere from running to throwing to jumping. One student from each event described why they picked their event, and the little details about each event.

Shot and Discus

Sam Felici, freshman Why did you pick this event? Because I did it in middle school.

Any routines before you compete? Warm up.

What goes through your mind in the middle of competing? Beating the next kid.

Best thing about this event? You don’t have to condition as much.

Worst thing? It’s kind of boring.

Long Distance

Sprints

Jaclyn Sutton, junior Why did you pick this event? Because I’m not a sprinter and it was the only running event left.

Any routines before you compete? I listen to my Ipod then run a couple laps.

What goes through your mind in the middle of competing? I usually sing a song in my head to get through the race.

Best thing about this event? It keeps you in shape and you get very nice calf muscles Worst thing? Running in the cold weather.

Lynn Fibich, junior Why did you pick this event? I always loved running and I feel I do well in it.

Any routines before you compete? Stretch and warmup.

What goes through your mind in the middle of competing? Nothing because it’s such a short distance.

Best thing about this event? Hanging out with the other people in the event.

Worst thing? Conditioning at practice.

Pole Vaulting

Hurdles

Allison Brucker, junior Why did you pick this event? It looked like fun.

Any routines before you compete? Warm up and run through.

What goes through your mind in the middle of competing? “Let me get over the bar.”

Best thing about this event? Getting over a new height and just jumping in general.

Worst thing? Not getting over the bar.

Stephen Pedersen, senior Why did you pick this event? Because I’m not really fast or strong so it’s kind of intermediate.

Any routines before you compete? Go over a couple hurdles, stretch, and work with the blocks.

What goes through your mind in the middle of competing? You don’t really think, it’s more of a reflex.

Best thing about this event? The adrenaline rush.

Worst thing? When you fall.

Triple Jump Anna Weigandt, junior Why did you pick this event? I never really picked it, but my middle school track coach recommended it and said I had good coordination-so I ended up having to do it.

Any routines before you compete? I always do a couple of jumps in the air.

What goes through your mind in the middle of competing? Hitting the board, sometimes nothing, and a goal in my head of what length I want to reach, like 37’8”.

Best thing about this event? I enjoy doing it and I usually stress the least about this event out of all of my events.

Worst thing? It’s frustrating getting all the phases together correctly.

High Jump Jamie Reitmeier, sophomore Why did you pick this event? Because it’s fun, and it’s better than running.

Any routines before you compete? Measure our marks, run throughs, and jump to stretch our legs.

What goes through your mind in the middle of competing? Rhythm, focusing, putting your knee up, and arching your back.

Best thing about this event? You don’t have to run to condition, you get to jump on a mat, and it’s fun to set a new personal record.

Worst thing? When you do bad you feel like an idiot.

May 2008

Sports

Senior leadership brings victory to the dragon clan

By Jahn Kuiper to us.”

Staff Writer The boys soccer team starts six As the frigid rains of early seniors who all feed the fire for spring pour down and the gusty the dragon clan. These leaders are winds blow upon the nets, the bold and confident in their team. men clad in green and gold step “We really got no real big upon the field while the crowd weakness and we play with a lot cheers the battle cry. These men of heart,” O’Neal said. “We can are led by the elite few who been compete with anyone in state. Our battle-toughened for four years defense is especially good.” and now stand as the inherited Together the team is deterchiefs of the dragon clan. It is mined and united on one misupon these men that the glory or sion. demise of the team is balanced, “The season started last sumand they welcome the challenge mer and we’ve been working all with a confident grin. year toward our goal,” senior Lee “This is the most talentHenning said. “We want to beat ed team Gretna has ever had, and Skutt in districts and take State.” it is lead by a great group of seThese warriors fight for pride niors,” senior Dylan Wellenstein and the passion for the game. said, “Both the coaches and the When they work together they players believe that.” can conquer any foe on any field.

The Gretna Dragons boys There are high hopes for this seasoccer team has had tremendous son within the team, but among success with a 7-3 regular sea- Chasing down the ball, Jake O’Neal and Brian all the success there is one thing son record. They have had two Kraijcek try to beat the Plattview defender. that will stick in their mind. close, well-fought losses to Skutt Gretna beat Platteview 5-0.

“I remember when Brandon and Elkhorn. But where has their Frink told Tyler Johnson that success come from? every game,” senior Jake O’Neal said. he was a ‘dynamic player’, O’Neal said.

“The seniors have set an ex- “So then the team comes together and “We always complement Brandon on ample for the underclassmen by giving works as a whole. We all know we his excellent vocabulary skills.”

100% of themselves in every minute of have to work harder than the guy next

The Beautiful Game: Soccer around the world

By Jahn Kuiper Staff Writer

They call it the beautiful game.

All who gather to see it know its magic and might. It speaks a common language that the whole world listens to on the edge of their seats. The field is battle ground for tribes and warlords who seek conquest and glory for their banner. It is no mere game but a belief; a faith in something greater than yourself. Soccer holds the whole world in its hand. ...ya but not in the U.S.A.!

“In the U.S. soccer is an afterthought to more american sports like football and baseball,” Andy Schaffner said.

Schaffner was a foreign exchange student from Switzerland at Gretna High School through the 2006-

2007 school year. He has played soccer in both the U.S. and Europe and has observed some major differences.

“There are many differences between soccer in U.S. and the rest of the world,” Schaffner said, “People are a lot more passionate about soccer in the rest of the world than they are in the U.S. Businesses close when our professional club team is playing and if you can’t get tickets then everybody goes out to the pub to watch it. It’s really fun. But to Americans, soccer is a wussy sport with not enough action.”

Also, on the teenage level soccer is much different as well.

“I’ve played club soccer all my life when I was younger. In Europe we don’t have school teams, you only play for your club. All sports are organized outside of school,” Schaffner said.

There are even fundametal

changes in the way the game is played.

“The game is much more agressive in Europe. Everybody gives all they got untill they have nothing left. It really is a passion for the players and coaches”, Schaffner said, “Also since it is our only big sport, there is a larger concentration of talent.”

We as Americans may never know what it is like to be in stadium stuffed with thousands of the most loyal fans in the world, but it is interesting to see how the culture in America is so drastically different than many other nations. So maybe next time we flip through the chanels and pass by a Premiership Soccer Leage game will be to understand why 100,000 fans would stand in the freezing rain to watch a game who’s final score is 1-0. Schaffner ended with, “Soccer is a beautful game if you give it a chance.”

Page 17 High school senior golfers

By Laura Cejka Staff Writer Swinging away on the Tiburon golf courses is where you’ll find the boys golf team almost everyday after school for a two hour practice. At their last tournament, the boys finished 3rd. With many successes at previous tournaments and beneficial practices being a tremendous help in their ranking, the boys golf team is on par to do well at the state tournament.

Leading the team are seniors: Ryan Boyer, Dustin Lower, Mick Crockett, Dan Dudney, Ian Cook, and Matt Edwards. First year team member Mick Crockett gave his testimonial on how much fun he has had this season and why he decided on golf as his spring sport of choice.

“I chose golf because I had nothing else to do after basketball season and I wanted to show off my expertise in the sport” Crockett said. “This season has been fun ‘cause I’m the best golfer on the team.”

Matt Edwards talked about the way this season worked out for him and mixed in some obvious yet helpful tips for other golfers.

“I’ve been playing for three years” Edwards said. “I didn’t play baseball, so I played golf, but this season has been fun and relaxing.”

Edwards didn’t go too far into detail about what his strategy is for golfing, but the advice he gave could be very useful.

“Hit it far” Edwards said.

“I use Callaway. They’re excellent clubs.”

Crockett mentioned that his strategy is different from his teammates in the way he uses specific clubs.

“I use three clubs, a seven iron, a pitching wedge, and a putter.”

Even though the senior’s time on the high school golf team is running down, some of them plan to continue playing in college including Ryan Boyer and Mick Crockett.

Sports

May 2008

Page 17

Sports cancelled due Tennis players to bad weather compete for the spot

By Taylor Bradish Staff Writer You wake up to the sound of a thunderstorm. Your’re thinking in your head, Great! The game is going to be canceled or in some cases, whoot whoot! The game is going to be canceled. That is beside the point.

The point is, when you wake up in the morning on game day, you know there has got to be a big chance of a game cancellation.

What really goes into canceling a game?

“Player safety, above all else,” said Athletic Director Mr. Mueller.

For instance, if he thinks it’s to dangerous to drive there.

Tearing up the field is a factor that also goes into the decison of calling off a game or not.

“If it’s in the beginning of the season we don’t want to tear up the field that early, because then its going to be torn up for the rest of the season, toward the end of the year, thats really not that big of a deal,” Mr. Mueller said.

Finally, the rescheduling part

Damage done to fields like this keep players off them. is huge.

“It’s hard to reschedule games.

And also the communication part is a big deal, “ Mr. Mueller said.

“It’s a pain in the butt because it messes everyone up, we try and make the meet up on a day that works for both teams, the athletic directors have to make sure this can go on, Eunice has to re-rent and the secretaries have to let the teachers know when the meet is going to be made up so the players can get out,” Ms. Flynn said. “Its just a big cluster.”

By Britt Hannigan Design Editor Have you ever wondered what makes the difference between the Varsity tennis team and the JV tennis team? Or how you make the Varsity team? Matches and competing against your teammates. That’s what decides which team you make, or if you even make it at all.

“They’re called challenge matches,” Mrs. Craig said.

Challenge matches are done to see who gets put on varsity and who stays on JV. “Pretty much only the top six are considered varsity,” Mrs. Craig said.

Each team member challenges each other for their position.

“We do them every Wednesday and Friday to decide singles and doubles,” Mrs. Craig said.

It works the same way for tryouts. When trying out, you have to challenge each other.

“For try-outs you challenge the three closest people to you,” Mrs. Craig said.

But all through the season there are opportunities for players to move up.

“Well we do them to get practice in and to keep them practicing,” Mrs. Craig said. “And to get the top six and to find out their best spots on the team.”

Senior Andi Daly said that she would rather do this than play drills.

“It makes you more aware of how your playing because you could lose your position,” Daly said.

Students hit the gym during summer

By Jake Butler Staff Writer

There are five months remaining until football season starts and already players are in the weight room with sweat dripping from their faces and the goal of starting burning in their skulls. Only 22 of the most strongest, quickest and smartest players will start on either side of the ball not including special teams.

“The most dedicated and hard working students will stand out” said Coach Jepsen, and time is of the essence.

One shot to prove to the school you have what it takes to play the game.

Bo Shepard will be an oncoming junior next year and a quarterback for next season.

“It’s hard being quarterback.

The game is on me if we win, I look good and if we lose I’m blamed.”

So off-season training for Shepard is playing catch, memorizing plays and working out to build strength and speed.

“I’m in the weight room mostly, but when it comes closer to the season I’ll be passing and things like that,” Shepard

said.

“My goal is to start JV next year, and this program will help me with that”.

Kevin Yager is a center in football, he also will be a junior next season.

“I really think this program helps because it builds muscle and endurance,” Yager said.

Being a center requires strength and leg power to get the ball snapped and block the guy in front of you.

“I’m very dedicated. I love the sport and showing support helps the team” Yager said.

The only problem for all players is finding time to lift three to four times a week.

“I’m in track so if you’re just staying active and showing improvement you really only need to be in there about two times a week.”

Sophomore Jordan Berg is also taking advantage of this program. he will be a junior next season. He plays end on

offense as well as special teams.

“Weight training helps me be come bigger and better so I can play my best in practice and in games” Berg said.

“I think this program will get more students interested in going out for the sport,” Berg said.

The bigger the team the better.

The team next season is already gaining size.

“My goal is to start varsity and have a wining record and obviously this program will help,” Berg said.

Coach Jepsen is the football coach for Gretna High School and next season will be his second year for coaching the dragons.

“My goal is to make students better athletes by being stronger and faster for next season,” Jepsen said.

Ask yourself will we be ready next season?

“We are already ahead. We are having line meetings, more students are

going out for the sport and of course this lifting program,” Berg said.

It eventually comes down to will the students really use these to there advantage. “Students need to be in as much as possible, obviously what you put in is what you get out of this program,” Jepsen said.

Coach Twarling is the assistant coach for Gretna High School. He is helping the players work out by giving directions and motivation.

“Off-season weight training helps build strength, speed and explosion. It also helps with injury prevention which is crucial with the sport of football because it is so physical and an aggressive sport,” Twarling said.

The program was designed to allow players to increase overall strength and to motivate.

“It’s a great opportunity to allow students to have fun and break records and be competitive,” Twarling said.

May 2008

Entertainment

Rubik’s Cube takes the world

By Natalie Miller Staff Writer Behind all those twists and turns of confusing colors, is there a solution? Is there really a trick to solving the ever infamous Rubik’s Cube or do you have to be a super genius?

Hungarian professor of architecture, Erno Rubik, developed the cube in 1974. His puzzle became the new “it” thing during the 70s. People across the globe put their minds to the test by trying to solve this crazy conundrum. But the Puzzle Craze didn’t kick the bucket in the 1970s. It’s still going on in today’s world. Speedcubing has set the trail for the blaze.

From the Rubik’s Cube Professor to the old fashioned 3x3, people are able to crack these brain-twisters in under a single minute. The fastest time ever is set at an astonishing 7.12 seconds

by Georgia’s very own Andrew Kang.

But we have a couple of our own Rubik’s Cube celebrities here at GHS. Freshman Justin Bennet claims that his fastest time is 42.45 seconds.

But how is solving this frustrating contraption possible in such little

time? There is a trick. There are six specific steps to cracking the Rubik’s Cube. Where does one start?

“To start with, you start a face.

Any one, and you try to form a cross of the same color. You have to line up the edges with all the sides,” Bennet said.

For all those pure “average” people out there, you are not alone.

Some get stuck on the very first twist.

How is forming a cross of the same color possible? Some have even resorted to peeling off the stickers and visiting everyone’s best friend the Internet.

And then there’s those who get angry and start doing things that are violent.

“I tried to throw it at the wall,” Senior Pat White said.

But what kind of complications do these speedcubing demons come across?

“I’d have to say solving the middle row. Probably because it’s the most challenging,” Bennet said.

Some people actually consider speedcubing a sport. With regional

By Jasmyn Kruger Staff Writer

as its name sounds. In Human Tetris, the player must wait patiently at one end of a long platform for a wall with a human-shaped cut-out to slide toward them. Then, when the wall gets close enough, they must fit through the hole to get the other side, or risk falling into a pit of slime.

I watched in amazement as person after person tried to fit into these oddly shaped holes and failed horribly. This game was harder than it looked. Yet I couldn’t take my eyes off of it. It might have been the music playing in the background. Maybe it was the scared looks on these poor people’s faces as they looked forward to what was sure to be immediate doom. Whatever it was, I just couldn’t make myself look away.

About four minutes later it

Students meet celebs

By Olivia Larsen Staff Writer

and international competitions and all, some of the smartest people from all across the world band together and compete. Will we ever see one of our GHS Rubik’s Cube celebrities at one of these competitions?

“I’ve considered it. I don’t ever think I’ll be good enough to,” Bennet said.

Oh well. Next time you want to put your mind to the test, pick up a Rubik’s Cube and solve away.

Wasting Time on YouTube opens eyes to game shows Hello. My name is Jasmyn, and I am a YouTube addict.

“Hi, Jasmyn.” A small group of middle-aged men reply blandly.

I admit that I have seen everything from that silly puppet show with Harry Potter characters singing to some blonde cry baby screaming obnoxiously about Britney Spears. Whoever came up with YouTube is, in my opinion, a genius. It enables anyone from anywhere to make his or her own movies and put them on the web for the rest of the world to see. I feel that if someone took the time to upload a movie, it must have some value.

One day while I was surfing the web, I came across a link that said “Human Tetris” that just screamed my name. I tapped my pointer finger down and waited for the page to load. Suddenly, a man’s voice blared through my speakers. He was rambling about something in a language I didn’t understand.

The clip showed a game show produced in Japan, and let me tell you, the object of the game is as awesome

Page 18

ended abruptly and I found myself in shock. This foreign game show had to be THE best thing I had ever seen.

It fired up a cannon inside of me that made me just want to jump for joy because it was just that cool. I had to find more shows like it to satisfy my craving.

YouTube didn’t have anything to my liking, so I turned to Google.

The first thing I found was a clip called “Fully Clothed Japanese Grandmothers Make Soup”. Although this is an odd name for a game show, the producers weren’t kidding. As the title says, the show features women late in their life.. making soup.

I also came across a show called “School Teacher Fencing Mud Wrestling” which came along with a slogan: “Your favorite teachers-wrestling with swords!”Let’s talk about entertainment!

I believe these game shows have sparked my interest in foreign cultures, no matter how odd they are. I think it’s intense.

The Wedding Planner, Failure to Launch, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, and Fool’s Gold are only a few of the movies that this handsome hunk has starred in.

Who could this successful actor be?

Matthew McConaughey.

What happens when two Gretna High School students come face to face with this People magazine’s sexiest man alive?

In March of 2006 Matthew McConaughey visited Live with Regis and Kelly. Two GHS students also happened to be on the set that same day.

Freshmen Ashley Smith and Madison Healy were the two lucky girls. They got to meet McConaughey because Smith’s parents own Wild Life Encounters and they supplied animals for the show.

“It was crazy and surreal,” Healy said. “I was really nervous because I didn’t want to mess up. Ashley started crying after he left.”

Smith and Healy were not the only GHS students to meet someone famous.

Another GHS freshman, Jessica Tarsikes, just happened to be at a Lincoln hospital visiting her friend.

Larry the Cable Guy was also there. His wife, Cara, was having a baby.

“It was strange because you’re at a hospital visiting a friend and the next thing you know you’re talking to a famous person,” Tarsikes said. “It reminds you that famous people are still real people like us.”

Larry the Cable Guy’s real name is Dan Whitney. He is known for his one liner Git-R-Done, but when Larry’s not on the road he’s living in Florida and Nebraska.

Premiering on talk shows and running into famous people. What could be next?

Backstage passes.

While at the Big and Rich concert, freshmen Emma Hulsey and Sarah Warren were making new friends.

Hulsey’s dad got backstage passes for the two girls from American Express, where he works. They were both nervous meeting them.

“We got to take a picture with them and we got to talk to them. They just talked to us like normal,” Warren said. “They were celebrities and I didn’t want to say anything weird.”

May 2008

CD’S: Bye, Bye Bye?

By Kelcie Pinkes Staff Writer They can get scratched. They often get lost.

Plus you get at least 5 songs you dont even want.

Those are just some of the things you despise.

What are the diffrences between a downloaded song and a Cd are there really many diffrences between a downloaded song and CD? Many students would say that there is alot between a downloaded song and a CD. “ Okay, I’d rather spend a dollar for a song than 16 dollars for a cd,” junior Nick Drake said.

It looks like in Drake’s opionion he likes going for the cheaper stuff than the expensive.

But how much does the download songs cost compared to a CD. Drake said “ 99 cent and a cheesebuger”.

So it just might be that cheap.

Could we live without CDs? Junior Derrick Taylor couldn’t.

“I don’t know about everyone else. Music influences moods and I listen to it every chance I get. It’s a way of life really.” But in Drakes way he has a different opionion about CD’s. “ Yeah, so we don’t have to keep up with the CD’s,” Drake said.

Plus CD’s cost much more.

“16 to 20 dollars” Drake said. “ About 11 to 15 bucks” Taylor said.

Does anybody remember the first time a CD came out probaly not well the very first time a CD came out was probaly the early 1990’s. Now does any body remember when I-tunes came out probaly so but if you dont know I-tunes came out about 3 to 4 years ago doesn’t seem long well that is probaly because it hasen’t been but know CD’s it has been really long.

So the next time you think about buying a CD think of when the first CD came out and the next time you buy a downloaded song think of when that came out.

Entertainment

Page 19

Students remember the past: Childhood books turned into movies

By Liz Stratman Design Editor Who hasn’t read a Dr. Seuss book? They’re kid’s classics; what we’ve all grown up reading. So it’s no wonder many teens still enjoy the work and rhyme of Dr. Seuss. Instead of picking up a book, teens have the option of watching Dr. Seuss on the big screen.

With “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” “The Cat in the Hat,” and the latest, “Horton Hears a Who”, students hope to relive their childhood days, if only for a few hours. But do all childhood books that have been made into movies have the same effect?

Sophomore Molly Dembinski says out of all the little kids movies, Dr. Seuss movies are the best.

“They’re like the funniest movies ever,” Dembinski said.

Sophomore Alicia Tompkins says Dr. Seuss movies are cute for kids.

“I think they’re pretty funny,” Tompkins said.

Dembinski and freshman Zach Omar agree children’s movies are better than childrens books.

“I like the movies more because they don’t get over in like five minutes,” Omar said.

Though Omar enjoys animated movies over picture books, he has different opinions about the “Curious George” books.

“I like the books more because the pictures are amazing,” Omar said.

Dembinski says “Curious George,” the movie, is pretty similar to the books.

“He [Matthew O’Callaghan, director] did a good job turning a book into a movie,” Dembinski said.

Like the “Curious George”

collection, Omar prefers the “Garfield” books over the movie.

“Oh, most definitely the books,” Omar said. “You can use more imagination.”

Dembinski disagrees, though she owns some Garfield books.

“I like it [the movie] better than the books,” Dembinski said.

While students may disagree on liking certain books over movies or vise versa, they generally enjoy character’s voices chosen for movies previously books.

In “The Polar Express,” Tom Hanks plays many characters throughout the movie. But is his voice what one would’ve imagined while reading about those characters in the books?

O v e rall Dembinski and Omar believe when casting an animated movie that originally was a book directors do a nice job.

“They choose actors really good,” Omar said. “Especially like Steve Carell in ‘Over the Hedge.’”

Tompkins says she would pick different actors for certain characters.

So could any little kids book be made into a movie? Or is there a

fine line between funny and pointless?

Omar thinks The Teacher From the Black Lagoon should be made into a movie.

“It always made me afraid to go to school and scary things attract me,” Omar said.

Dembinski would like to see The Hungry Little Caterpillar become a movie.

“It’d be like the best movie ever!” Dembinski said.

Whatʼs on Your IPod? Ryan Reuter Junior “Life by the Drop” Stevie Ray Vaughn “Time” Pink Floyd “All Along the Watchtower” Jimi Hendrix “My Parties” Dire Straits

May 2008

Flash Back

Page 20

Summer

A to Z Summer Survival Guide

Apply 2 pounds of sunscreen evenly on body daily.

Babysit that pesky 5 year old down the street from

What’s the best thing about summer?

Talburt- Sleeping in.

Glendenning- Watching the stars Barnes- Relaxing

you....you’ll need the money.

Sophomore Derek Talburt

Call in your local radio stations to win those tickets to the show you’ve been dying to see.

Doing belly flops off the high-dive probably isn’t the smartest idea

Eating all those chips and pop will eventually catch

happy. And when the momma’s not happy.....no one’s happy.

Grass doesn’t mow itself. Time to break out Old Betsey.

Hot lifeguards tend to be taken...and pretending to need CPR doesn’t change that.

Ice cream trucks aren’t as exciting as they were when we were 6 years old.

Letting your room look like a F-5 tornado hit it

doesn’t make mom and pops hand over the car keys any faster.

Making wheelies on your motor scooter will end up in scrapes and bruises.

No amount of chocolate can fix a broken heart.

Period.

Orange tans make you look like an oompa loompa.

Go the natural way.

Pretending to get chicken pox for the 4th time won’t get you out of going to grandmas.

Quiet is essential when you go fishing.

Running up your cell phone texting bill can turn out to be pretty expensive.

Scratching your poison ivy doesn’t make it go away.

But don’t worry Dollar General sells calamine lotion for two bucks.

Traveling 20 miles per hour over the speed limit will most certainly result in a ticket.....most times.

Umbrellas don’t protect you from lightning Vigorously scrubbing the bugs off your hot rod won’t attract the babes any quicker.

Wishing that your summer vacation would last longer is a lost cause.

X-treme dirt biking may be fun but its also dangerous. Wear your helmets kids.

Young kids like to run out in the streets. Don’t floor it. Give ‘em a brake.

Zoolander plays on reruns all the time. Don’t worry.

Turn off the tube and get some fresh air.

By Natalie Doering

Freshman Taylor Barnes

up to you once you have to run that first mile in gym.

Fighting with your siblings doesn’t make your mom

Page 21 One thing you can’t live without in the summer?

Talburt- Four wheeler Glendenning- Hide and seek with the Knihals Barnes- Spending time with my pony

Sophomore Laura Glendenning

May 2008

Ever miss school?

Talburt- No! Glendenning- No! Barnes- Yes. Do you hang out with your friends more during the school year?

Talburt- No. It just depends on different friends.

Glendenning- Yes. Barnes- Yes. What’s the most fun vacation spot?

Talburt- Minneapolis Glendenning- Grand Marais, Minnesota Barnes- Texas

Lifeguards Life

guards.

By Lisa Dyke Staff writer Sitting in the chair, glancing over the pool, lifeguard Katlin Radke spots a young boy gasping for air. Without a second thought, she dives in and cradles the young boy. She leads him to the edge of the pool and lies him down on the cement. Another lifeguard hurries to take him to the first aid center to find bring his mom after they determined he was okay.

“My heart sank,” Radke said after describing her first save. “I was so nervous but didn’t have another second to think about what to do.”

Radke has saved around 15 people since she has been a lifeguard at Mahoney State Park.

She has been a lifeguard for three years now.

Some people think lifeguards are only there to get a tan, but in reality, they do much more to get to where they are. For example, training.

Lifeguards have to go through training and classes before they are certified.

It took Radke and most of her classmates around two weeks to get the life guarding licenses.

“I had to go through training class, CPR class, and first aid class before I got mine,” Radke said.

Lindsay Brison, who is a sophomore at Gretna High school, also helps out around the Gretna swimming pool. She teaches three swimming lesson classes every morning, six weeks out of the summer. Brison has been doing this for a year. To get her license it only took her a day to get both her CPR and first aid license.

“Most places will make you do inservice,

which at Mahoney it is around two hours extra a month of CPR or saving techniques,” Radke said. “ I have to renew my CPR every year and my first aid every three years,” Brison said.

They have both gone through many challenges throughout their life guarding careers.

According to Radke, back boarding is one of the most difficult things they have to do. When a swimmer has a spinal injury the lifeguards have to secure them onto a back board so they do not get any further injuries.

“Once we thought a women had a spinal injury so we had to strap her onto a backboard. Radke said, “*I never thought it would be that hard when we had to be cautious and aware how she was responding.”

“Lowering kids off the diving board and being very patient with the kids,” Brison said was her most difficult challenge when she is working teaching swimming lessons.

Both Radke and Brison had many reasons why they wanted to be a lifeguard. But they both agreed that they truly like to help others.

“I have always wanted to help kids for about a year before i started training,” Brison said.

Style

May 2008

Style File

Kelsey Rogers, Sophomore What do you base your style off of?

“Whatever is comfortable most of the time, but sometimes I like dressing cute.”

If you had $40 to spend at one store where would you spend it and what would you spend it on?

“Forever 21 and shoes.”

Whats your favorite brand?

“Forever 21.”

What is one item you wear the most?

“Earrings.”

Where do you get most of your clothes?

“Online so they fit.”

Page 22

Students show their different hairstyles

By Lexi Busch Staff Writer When you walk down the hall, you see many different hair styles and types.

Some are curly, straight, wavy, or even crimped. It makes you wonder what does their natural hair really look like?

Some girls will come to school one day with crazy curly hair and the next day their hair will be straight as a board. So, how much time does it really take girls to do their hair in the morning?

“My hair is naturally curly, so it takes me about and hour and a half to straighten it on a good day,” freshman Sam Soupir said.

Freshman Madison Healy is one of the lucky ones with her natural wavy hair.

“I like my hair, It’s naturally wavy and easy to work with,” Healy said.

Healy says she can wear it straight or curly depending on her mood. If she’s feeling crazy she’ll crimp it. If she’s feeling laid back she can just straighten it really quick. But if she gets up too late she can go with her natural wave.

With hair like Soupir or freshman Jenna Hannibal they might need to use some products to keep their hair how they want it.

“I use Bed Head hair spray to keep my hair where I want it and sometimes I use Kenra Straightening Gel to keep it looking straight,” Hannibal said.

Hair varies from all sorts of different styles and types and there’s always new types appearing in the halls.

“I love to see girls with new hair styles because then I get a great idea on how to do my hair different the next day,” Healy said.

Derek Sties, Sophomore What do you base your style off of?

“What looks good, I have a mix of styles.”

If you had $40 to spend at one store where would you spend it and what would you spend it on?

“Hollister and calogne.”

air

traight H nibal - S

n Jenna Ha

Madison H

ealy - Stra ight Hair

Whats your favorite brand?

“Champions and Hollister.”

What is one item you wear the most?

“Blue button up sweat shirt.”

Where do you get most of your clothes?

“Hollister and Champs.”

Sam Soupir

- Curly Hair

Madiso n

Healy

- Curly

Hair

May 2008

Car of the month

By Taylor Bradish Staff Writer

Jessie Manzitto , Senior What kind of car do you have?

1999 Chevy Blazer What is the inside like?

Cloth, very nice.

Where did you get your car?

At an auto auction.

Why did you pick the car you did?

Because it is murdered out!

What is your dream car?

Lamborghini Mercilago Any special details to your car that you want to brag about?

There is a fog machine, JL Audio Subs, NOS- I swear to God, and a security system.

Hallways Casey Kelly, Sophomore Q. If you could live in any other time period, which one would you choose and why?

A. The fifties because the Notebook is my favorite movie.

Q. If you could go on a date with any celebrity, who would it be?

A. Channing Tatum.

Page 23

Q&A Taylor Haug, Junior

Q. What’s the largest line you’ve ever stood in and why?

A. College World Series bathroom line

Q. If you had one superpower what would it be?

A: To fly because I want to fly.

Q. If you were given 1000 fresh roses what would you do with them?

A. Dry them out

Shelby Sunderman, Freshman

Q. If you had a parrot and could teach it to say any appropriate word or short phrase what would it be?

A. WHAT’S UP?!

Q. In which Olympic event would you want to compete?

Why? A. “Laundry basket Olympics. It’s very unique.”

Andrea Sawyer, senior Q. In your opinion what is the funniest looking animal?

A. Llama Q. Which of the seven dwarfs personifies you

Name 3 things in the back of your car?

Baseball bat, subs, and DVD players.

Q. If you suddenly became a star and had to choose a stage name, what would it be?

A. “Shaniqua.”

the best? Why? A. Happy, I can find the good in any situation

Photo by Taylor Bradish

Q. What particular sound annoys you?

A. “Chalkboard scratching.”

Q. If you could add a new room to your house what would it be? Why? A. An art studio so I’d be able to have a place to paint (other than the basement).

Get your Mom a Geranium for Mother’s Day! Plus support our local Gretna boy scout troop 363 Saturday May 10th 9 AM- 1 PM At McKinney’s Jesse Manzitto shows off his Chevy, while standing on the roof proving that it really is built like a rock.

Flowers from Sun Valley Gardens

$15

May 2008

tug

Senior Holly Talburt trys to pull the girls to victory. The senior girls unfortunately never had a chance to advance to the later rounds.

Photo Story

Page 24

of war

Sophomore Katie Sturgeon, Hannah Dittmar, Kathy Edminson, and Tina Martinez try and pull their way to victory. The sophomores failed to make an appearence in the finals of the tug of war competition.

Sophomore Ty Blackstun tries his best to keep his balance in a regular competition. The sophomores would never end up making it to the finals.

Juniors Katie Hurd and Kylie Hamel keep tugging away. The juniors girls made it to the finals but would end up losing 2 to 0 to the freshmen.

Seniors Scott Novak and Jon Roberts tug their way to victory by winning the class competition for the guys. They defeated the freshmen in the finals both times they faced them.

Left: Freshmen Nick Barber and Dan Siebels pull their way to victory many times during the competition. But the streak would fall short as they would lose to the seniors in the finals.