2010 GHS Voice April/May

Fiesta!

!

VOICE the

Fun times at prom 2010

Sophomore Meghan Dennis braces herself as Meghan Herriman smashes an egg on her head.

Spanish students got to paint and fill eggs with confetti.

(See Rock Page 2)

Photo by Lexi Busch

Relationships from elementary to college

see page 9 Remembering the retiring teachers see page 16 Last song book versus the movie see page 15 Dangers of texting and driving see page 2 Cheap summer activities see page 19

Gretna High School • 11335 South 204th Street • Gretna, NE 68028 Volume VIII • Issue VI • May 2010

news 2 May 2010

Texting while driving: Is it worth it?

“I don’t have to look at my phone,” Schmid said.

“I’m not one of the people who are stupid about it, I’m

By Kennedy Healy sweet.”

Staff Writer

Even though Schmid texts when he drives, he does have something to say to those who do it

In January of 2008, Indiana high school student carelessly.

“If you have to use two hands or look at your Wil Craig was on the way to a movie with his girlfriend.

It was an every day trip that thousands of teenagers phone don’t do it,” Schmid said.

Freshman Camie Hemphill has a different view have taken. But this trip left Craig with a collapsed lung, and four broken ribs. The couple was hit by another on the situation. After trying it before she decided it is car on the passenger’s side, Craig’s side. The small car too risky.

“I have text and drove before, but I get too was completely mangled. Craig slipped into a coma and remained there for eight weeks. This was all a result distracted, even while looking at the road I swerve,” of his girlfriend’s common mistake of texting while Hemphill said. “I need all my attention on the road.”

She realizes the dangers and no longer texts driving. Craig actually died three times before he came out of his coma. Doctors say it is a miracle he is alive. while drives.

“Now I’ve stopped, especially when I drive my He later had a tracheotomy and had to learn to walk and brother to school,” Hemphill said. talk again because of a brain disease “It’s not worth his life.”

Do GHS students text he received from the accident.

She says her parents text and A recent study released in when they drive? drive, but she doesn’t ask them to July 2007 was conducted to show stop because they have been driving the dangers of texting while driving. for so much longer.

Students Against Destructive Driving

“It depends all on the person and Liberty Mutual polled 900 teens Yeah, and their level of distraction,” from over 26 different high schools all the time!

Hemphill said. across the country were tested. The

Junior Cassie Kirkpatrick results found that texting while shares the view with Hemphill that driving is the highest on the list of it is too dangerous. biggest distractions while driving. It

“It is very dangerous to yourself rated above talking on the phone and and other people on the road,” even driving drunk.

Kirkpatrick said.

The number one age group

She had done it before, but who text and drive are teenagers, 100 students polled getting in an accident while she had many at GHS are included. her full attention on the road made Sophomore Matt Jones recently hit a her not want to risk driving without it. deer while texting and driving on Cornhusker Road.

“I used to text and drive, but then I got in a car

“I was talking to an important person,” Jones accident, and my accident made me more cautious,” said.

The crash damaged the truck to the point where Kirkpatrick said.

She said she cares about people’s safety enough he cannot drive it. His parents were pretty upset.

“It was a week after my 16th birthday,” Jones that she will ask people to stop texting and driving if she is riding in a car with them. said. “I was grounded from driving for a week.”

“If I’m with a good friend I will tell them to Jones continues to text and drive but says he is stop, but if I don’t really know the person, I probably more careful.

“I still do text and drive, but I should have wouldn’t,” Kirkpatrick said.

Wil Craig’s life was altered forever. He now learned my lesson,” Jones said.

Junior Nolan Schmid also thinks that texting walks and talks differently than most kids. He says it is a struggle to get up and look at himself in the mirror and driving is okay, but he has certain restrictions.

“One hand without looking on the road is okay, every day. He also has started awareness of the dangers but stoplights and stop signs are the best place,” Schmid of texting while driving. He speaks at schools across the state and tells his story of forgiveness and redemption said.

Schmid says he is able to do it better than but focuses on one thing. He tells his peers to put down the phone while driving. others.

No

, th

41 at % ’

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59%

I don’t have to look at my phone. I’m not one of the people who are stupid about it, I’m sweet.

-Junior Nolan Schmid

Teen texting while driving statistics

Many teens ignore driving restrictions 48% of people from ages 12 to 17 say they have been in a car with a driver who was texting 34% of 16 and 17 year olds admit to texting while driving In 2007, driver distractions like texting while driving caused almost 1,000 teen car accidents Every year 21% of fatal car accidents involving teens were a result of cell phone use 50% of drivers aged 18 to 24 text and drive Teens say their number one driver distraction is texting while driving According to http://www.edgarsnyder.com/caraccident/cell/statistics.html

news

3 Are you prepared for Nebraska tornado season?

May 2010

By Kelsey Charrlin Staff Writer As the siren cuts through the air, this can only lead to one thing: a tornado. This is one type of natural disaster most Midwest people have experienced at least once in their lives. Whether it’s a tornado watch or a tornado warning, students and staff all need to prepare for the worst.

As the weather clashes several times of the year, tornados mostly touch down during 55% of the year in April and June. On average, 1,000 tornado’s touch ground in the U.S. during one year. One-third of tornado’s take place in “Tornado Alley,” which includes Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and yours truly, Nebraska according to, tornadochassers.net.

With Nebraska in “Tornado Alley,” Midwesterns encounter plenty of tornado watches and

o d a rn

To

March 23, 1913

F4

warnings flashing on the television each year. A tornado watch is issued when meteorologists believe that there are possible conditions for tornado formations. When a tornado warning is issued a tornado has been spotted or radar indicates a developing tornado. When this takes place, head to a safe place such as an interior room or a basement.

“We go down into the basement, make sure that we have food, water and drinks and bedding,” senior Patrick Horan said. “[I would bring] my cell phone, so I can make sure my family is okay or if I need them I’ll call them.”

As local residents listen to the radio, they wait patiently for local police staff and tornado chasers to confirm the tornado has touched down.

“We have to go out there and confirm the tornado sighting,” said Deputy Lance Schickert, “I’ve seen rotation but never a tornado.”

While families head to their safe place we think of items to quickly grab on the way.

F4 1975 Tornado hit Omaha Killed 3 people

May 6, 1975

Easter Tornado hit Omaha and Yutan Killed 134 people

Juniors Taylor Barnes, Alex McDowell and Kiley Grandstaff along with senior Rich Scheer laugh as senior Eric Kula shows them some new dance moves.

July 15, 1988

F4 1988 Tornado hit Omaha Injured 40 people

Sophomore Emily Zapotocny, and seniors Daina Keehn and Brett Gross enjoy the night dancing.

Zapotocny was a prom server.

“I would bring a pillow, my cell phone and my iPod so I don’t get bored,” sophomore Kailey Grossoehmig said.

While local residents are safe inside tornado chasers and police seek for the tornado day or night.

“The scariest ones are when you go out at night and you can’t see anything,” Schickert said.

As students wait for the tornado to pass, they long to look outside to see what destruction has been done.

“The tornado almost hit about three years ago,” Horan said. “It took out trees, our deck down, even took some grass out too.”

As students hope a tragedy like a tornado or other natural disasters wouldn’t hit Gretna and surrounding areas, student think about what they would do next.

“I would volunteer, help repair make sure my family and friends are safe,” Horan said.

F4 2005 Tornado hit Omaha

May 6, 2005

Tim el

ine

June 12, 2008

F3 2008 Tornado hit Omaha Killed 4 people

Seniors Sara Gentzler and Hilary Stover bust some moves. 396 students attended prom this year.

Senior Gesa Mayer gets into the song. The Gretna prom was held at the UNO student center.

Starry Nights

Photos by Lauren Sawyer

news 4 May 2010 Toilet papering taken to new level

By Ashley Josoff Staff Writer Toilet papering, better known as TPing, is something that teens have been doing for years.

Although it’s a mess to pick up, it’s usually just a harmless prank.

Even though TPing is normally considered innocent, teens lately have been taking the prank to a whole new level.

Junior Nick Kincade was hit a few weeks ago with the traditional tping items, plus more.

“They also threw eggs at my house and taped all my trees and car,” Kincade said.

Similar things have happened to freshman Alicia Olson.

“They put hot sauce on my driveway and used car paint to write stuff on our driveway and my mom’s car,” Olson said. “My driveway is still orange and it wasn’t even my car.”

So what’s the reason for people doing things like this?

“I don’t know why they did it; I’ve never even talked to any of them before,” Olson said. “They really just need to grow up.”

When asked about revenge, Kincade said he might

seek it, but he can’t see himself going that low.

“Maybe in the future but not going as far like they did,” Kincade said.

There is no specific law against TPing, however if they are caught students can be charged with destruction of private property, trespassing and littering.

“If anything is broken it’s considered criminal mischief,” Deputy Lance Schickert said. “We’ll usually just ask the homeowners if it’s okay to make them clean it up, but if they do want to take things farther we’ll take them to a judge.”

According to Schickert, the judge can decide students having no penalty to having probation, depending on what was done.

Principal Kirk Eledge says that the school has been getting phone calls from parents about the events that have been taking place. He said that if you know who did it, he recommends that you press charges because it’s considered criminal mischief.

Omaha potholes swallow up cars

By Taylor Bradish Entertainment Editor

It’s practically impossible not to notice the craters that have seemed to take shape in the roads around Omaha. The Omaha Public Works road crew is out extra early this year trying to get the messy roads under control. The roads aren’t usually this bad around this time, but because of the record snow fall, ice and down right cold weather the streets are getting hit harder and earlier. Road crews top priority are holes on the busiest streets where cars drive fast, these places are areas where it’s more likely to cause damage to cars.

Senior Chelsea Vorland is no stranger to the messy roads.

“I was hanging out with my friend and about 20 minutes after we drove to where we were going three of our friends called us and asked if we knew how to change a tire,” Vorland said.

They had hit a pothole and their tire had fallen off. “We spent about an hour in the Skutt parking lot trying to figure out how to change it,” she said.

A similar situation happened to sophomore Cory Roll

“My dad hit a pot hole so hard in Omaha that his tire ruptured.”

-sophomore Cory Roll

“My dad hit a pot hole so hard in Omaha that his tire ruptured.” Roll said.

“Pot holes are everywhere in Omaha.”

Vorland and Roll are not the only ones who have run into some problems when with potholes. Junior Aaron Hurst says when he runs into potholes he bottoms out in his car.

Omaha’s pothole crew is now using hot asphalt in their counter-attack on the city’s numerous chuckholes.

According to Omaha.com, Omaha already has 120 workers spread throughout the community who can be called for the damaging duty. Omaha workers have been on 12-hour shifts. If this doesn’t solve the issue for good, Omaha has not ruled out having contractors resurface small sections of streets with the worst potholes.

“There are some bad ones out there still, but they’re doing a good job fixing them,” Hurst said.

If you run into a major problem dealing with these pesky holes, you can fill out a report on cityofomaha.org.

Potholes like these are the cause of damage to lots of cars. Omaha workers have been on 12 hour shifts to fix the problem.

Students sound off on potholes “Potholes destroyed the front of my car, and my suspension" -Eric Bridgmon, sophomore

Above is some of the damage from freshman Alicia Olson’s tping experience. The words are still on her driveway and were believed to be done with window paint.

freshman, Alicia Olson

“I was driving, minding my own buisneess, hit a pothole and got a flat tire” -Ginny Ostranskey, senior

“Potholes are dangerous and annoying” -Sam Soupir, junior

“They make me mad” -Michael Raines, freshman

news May 2010

5

Where to skate? GHS starts new club

By Ashley Zajac Staff Writer

Man vs. board. You start by nearly breaking your neck but continue with no care. Practice is what makes you jump over and over again. Then the day comes when you finally master that 360 Hardflip. After the great defeat, with two feet on the board you ride off into the sunset…

With a wide variety of students who spend their extra time skating, Gretna put together its own co-ed skateboard club.

“Me and Tim Nohrenberg wanted to skate but we couldn’t on school property, so we found a place to go with the skate club,” junior Brandon Koke said.

The group was added to the school activities for students who are interested in skateboarding as a hobby.

“It was originally my idea to have a skate club,” principal Kirk Eledge said. “It’s nice to have a club to connect the students to school.”

Practice was held at Vinney’s Skate Park in Papillion where members spent nearly three hours skating and mastering tricks.

“We went every Tuesday at about 4pm after school, Mr. Eledge was there sometimes,” Koke said.

“I only went about five or six times because I had to work.”

The indoor facility provided half priced

discounts on practice time and equipment rental for the skate club.

“It costs an arm and a leg to get into that place,” senior Zach Eggert said.

With a place to practice, the group could show off their competition towards other schools.

“I wanted to have a facility where these kids could legally skateboard and have fun,” Eledge said.

Unfortunately the skate club only visited Vinney’s three times because it shut down shortly after they began their practices. Today the club is still together but once again out of a place to skate.

“Even though Vinney’s closed, I had a jolly ol’ time,” Eggert said.

submitted photo submitted photo

From left to right: Principal Kirk Eledge, Chris Clines, Michael Raines, Andrew Wineinger, Colten Witherspoon, Mike Reed, Brandon Koke, Jeff Krajicek, Sararose Luichinger, Jared Berg and Tim Norenberg posing for a skate club group photo.

Brandon Koke rides down the ramp at Vinney’s Skate Park as he practices his moves for Skate Club. The club still gets together even though Vinney’s has closed down. They continue to look for a new place to skate.

Hair today, gone tomorrow

By Lauren Sawyer Features Editor

“Wow, why am I getting breast cancer?” resource teacher Sharron Hanson thought to herself after her diagnosis in August of 2008. From there, Hanson quickly started chemotherapy.

It was only a few weeks before she would look down into a boiling pot of soup and see a clump of hair swirling around, only a few weeks before the shower became clogged with her own brunette hair.

Doctors and nurses had attempted to prepare Hanson for this, but it was still emotional.

Hanson is thankful for the wig she received from the Image Recovery center sponsored by the Alegent Healthcare system, where she had gone to be fitted for a synthetic wig before chemotherapy. When about half of her hair was gone, Hanson had her head shaved so the wig could be worn.

Ockander grew her hair out for 11 months before donating it to Locks of Love.

Happy with the change, Ockander smiles about her new haircut. She had 12 inches cut off.

It’s stories like this that inspired English teacher Mrs. Ockander’s recent donation to Locks of Love, a non-profit charity that produces human-hair wigs for anyone in need under the age of 21.

“I am not able to help them through the physical part of the illness, but I hope I can help them with the

emotional,” Ockander said.

Apprehensive, Ockander sat in the salon March 31 waiting to be called back for her hair to be cut shorter than she’d ever worn it.

“It was the initial, ‘Am I doing the right thing?’”

Ockander said. “Then it was freaky in my ears to hear the scissors snip.”

But when her 4:30 appointment was over, she felt it was well-worth it. She would even do it again, despite her personal preference for long hair, and recommends donating to everyone.

While Hanson did not receive a wig from Locks of Love, she thinks what colleague Ockander has done “is really neat.”

Happily, Hanson completed treatment December of 2009 and has since regained her own hair.

“There is a good side; however, it was probably the best hairdo I ever had,” Hanson said.

features 6 May 2010

Joining the Armed Forces Straight Out of Senior Year

By Ashley Zajac Staff Writer

“Life is a highway…choose the road that leads to success. You make your child strong…we make them Army strong. High stakes, high adrenaline, proof that you’re not most people. I am an American Soldier, Go Guard.”

Air Force, Marine Corps, National Guard, Navy, Army. Each and every branch has its own significance. For high school students it means something different.

Whether it is the reason to simply start fresh or to serve their country to feel important about something for the first time. It’s a different story for everyone.

Hundreds of teens throughout the nation consider the military lifestyle each year. With the help of recruiters they continue to add to the security of this nation.

“With each enlistment, there’s a different level of commitment,” counselor Anita O’Neill said.

Gretna itself usually has about four students a year headed towards the armed forces. Graduating students this year include Alex Hartzell, Kayla Christensen, and a few others who are still undecided.

“I decided in January or February to join the National Guard,” senior Kayla Christensen said.

Along with the soon to be newbies are a couple of veterans.

“I joined the Navy because originally I couldn’t pay for college and enlisting would give me time to think and save up my money,” science teacher Matt Johnson said. “It seemed like the right thing to do at the moment.”

Like multiple students, Mr. Johnson was one of many who enlisted into the Navy straight out of high school.

His career began in the summer of 1981 on June 9th where he served as a nuclear trained machinist’s mate and also on submarines.

Johnson spent 24 years in the US Navy, experiencing a great sense of teamwork, challenges and newfound adrenaline the whole time.

“The thing I remember most is that we had a lot of crazy long hours and even though we worked with people we sometimes didn’t agree with, we got the job done,” Johnson said, “It was the neatest thing being on a comrade ship.”

Today recruiters visit local high schools in the metro and all over the nation searching for new members for their team.

Whether it’s the Marines or the Coast Guard, Gretna High School always has a visiting recruiter from one of the five branches of the US armed forces.

“They’ve been through the works of that branch and had their own experiences to better understand and tell the story,” O’Neill said.

When discussing with recruiters from the National Guard, it is noticeable that they are just there to discuss their career with the military and to even out the pros and cons of it all.

“I’ve talked to one recruiter and he said they question themselves about whether or not they are bringing in the right person for the job and if they want to be out in the field working side by side with that person,” Johnson said.

When asked if recruiters were taking things too far by visiting high schools, Johnson said no.

“I think it’s good to get the younger generation involved. There’s no pressure from recruiters. I like to see people take that opportunity,” Johnson said. “For some schools, like Harvard,

recruiters are not allowed on the property. That’s like a slap in the face towards our country for our recruiters.”

Students are struck with multiple decisions as they drive their pathway to their senior year. Questions such as what am I going to do with my life?

Where will I go to school? Am I going to college after high school? How will I pay for that? Will I have to get a full time job? And will I move out anytime soon, pretty much enters the minds of each and every student.

“College always seems to be the next thing to do even if you don’t know what you, yourself want to do,” Johnson said, “Sometimes kids go and don’t do so well and end up wasting their parents money for basically nothing.”

School counselors help with decisions as students approach graduation.

With things like the ASVAB test given for free by the military, the alumni can learn of careers in different branches of the military. High school doesn’t have special training for the armed forces, but it does hold classes to prepare students.

“We help the students by exploring and getting them connected with recruiters,” O’Neill said.

Johnson enlisted as a senior out of high school and then continued on to college after his services to later become a teacher. Johnson stated he noticed a big difference between himself and the 18 and 19 year olds he became involved with while at college.

“The military, whatever branch it may be, helps you mature and grow up.

Yeah I messed around and had fun, but in the end I still got the job done and grew to better things,” Johnson said. “You cut the apron strings a lot faster while in the armed forces.”

How I Got Involved “My friend got me connected with a recruiter.”

-Senior Kayla Christensen

Nat

ion

al G

uar d

“I decided in January that I wanted to join the Marines so I went and saw a recruiter.”

-Senior Jeff Homan

orps C e n i r Ma “I needed time to figure out what to do in life. I didn’t know where I wanted to go or even what I wanted.”

-Science Teacher, Mr. Johnson speaking about his 24 years of service in the US Navy.

Navy

TOP TEN REASONS INDIVIDUALS JOIN THE MILITARY 1. To feel a sense of pride.

6. Financial issues.

2. To get away from their parents.

3. Full time employment.

4. Multiple diverse careers.

5. Benefits such as health insurance.

7. Tuition pay.

8. Serving their country.

9. To be apart of the brotherhood.

10. Free travel. http://ezinearticles.com

“When I tried to run away from Mr. Brandon’s class for fun this year.”

Molly Dembinski “Playing in state. It’s really fun.

You know your one of the best teams in the area.”

Tyler Brungardt

Junior

Nicole Andrews

Freshman

Maddy Miller

Senior

Jeremy Pote

Sophomore

Dan Glathar

Real Holiday?

May 2010

Senior Memories Info compiled by: Payton Samuelson

“When we TPed Kevin Sharf’s playhouse.

They were going to get us back, but never did.”

Darcy Shedeed

“Junior year at the Platteview crosscountry meet, most rain I’ve ever run in.

It was fun.”

Michael Marfisi

Crazy Days Info compiled by: Chelsea Pote

features 7

“When Alexa and I made a makeshift water slide out of tarp and railroad ties at her house.”

Alicia Janulewicz

“Homecoming football game this year. It was the greatest game nobody ever saw.”

Nolan Samuelson

Holiday? May 17:

Made up What holiday would you make up?

Reason?

May 18: National Visit Your Relatives Day

“It was created so you could visit your relatives that you never see.”

“National Chocolate Day, because chocolates really good and deserves a holiday.”

May 19: National Frog Jumping Jumbilee Day

“It’s when all the frogs jump out of the pond and have frog parties to see who can jump the highest and they eat lots of flies.”

“I would make a National Super Power Day because it would be sweet for everyone to have whatever super power they want.”

May 20: Eliza Doolittle Day

“She has a day because she married Dr. Doolittle and she took all his money.”

“I would have a National No School Day because school can be really stressful.”

May 21: National Waitresses or Waiters Day.

“This day started so we could honor all the people that don’t spit in our food.”

“I would make a National Backstabbers Day because you need to recognize people that stabbed you in the back and make them feel the pain.”

National Pack Rat Day

Reason? “It was made so

pack rats would remember to throw their stuff away.”

What holiday would you make up?

“I would make a National Guitar Day so that everyone can learn how to play and have a good time rocking out in their basement.”

Junior Nolan Schmid

8 features May 2010

GHS students get their tan on

By Ashley Josoff Staff Writer With summer approaching, it seems like just about everyone is rapidly trying to get their summer glow. But, no one wants to take the time to get it the natural way. So many of them resort to one thing: tanning beds.

According to healthcarecentral. com, about 2.3 million teens hit the tanning salons each year.

“I go tanning every day, year round,” sophomore Meeko Spainhower said. “I gotta get my bronze on.”

Skincancer.org says that skin cancer is the most common type of

cancer in the US, and more than 2 million people are diagnosed annually, but those statistics aren’t stopping Spainhower.

“I’m not worried because tanning is healthy,” Spainhower said. “It releases vitamins.”

Other GHS students are a little more concerned about the growing problem.

“Skin cancer runs in my family so I do get worried about it, so I try not to go as often as I used to” freshman Paige Duin said.

Skincancer.org says that teens that are exposed to tanning beds before the age of 35 increase their chance of getting Melenoma by 35%. And the younger you start, the greater your chances are.

Method Outdoor Tanning

Tanning

Spray Tanning

Sunless Tanning Lotion

Tanning Beds

“My mom won’t let me go tanning until I’m 16, cause she thinks that’s the law,” freshman Allie Roxburgh said. “But I said Maddy Miller tans, and she said that I need to wait till I’m older and have a job to pay for it.”

Aside from tanning beds, there are much healthier and safer ways to get the natural looking summer glow.

“I use Jergens Tanning Natural glow lotion.” Roxburgh said.

Another fairly common way to get color is through spray tanning.

“I have spray tanned before, but it costs too much and doesn’t stay on as well,” Spainhower said.

Other GHS students can agree.

“I don’t spray tan just because it’s expensive and I don’t think it looks as

Process

natural as fake baking.” Duin said.

Yet with all of today’s new ways to tan, there are still some students who prefer the natural way.

“I tan easily so I just lay outside,” freshman Alicia Olson said. “It’s safer then tanning beds.”

Medical Education and Research Foundation says that tanned skin is damaged skin, and that a tan produced in tanning beds is no different than tans from the sun.

Pros/Cons

Lie outside on a warm day and let *It’s free. the sun do the rest. *UV rays of the sun are harmful to the skin, and can increase chances of skin cancer.

Walk into the booth, and depending on where you go you will either get it sprayed on by a professional or a machine will spray it on you.

*Spray tanning eliminates exposure to the UV rays of the sun or tanning beds. This decreases your risks for getting skin cancer and premature aging. *Doesn’t last as long as real tanning, which can make it expensive to keep getting it done.

Simply take sunless tanning *Eliminates exposure to UV lotion and evenly rub it onto your rays, so is nearly harmless to skin. skin. *May not look as natural as outdoor or indoor tanning.

Go to a tanning salon, and depending how long you’ve been tanning, lie in the bed anywhere from 4-20 minutes.

*Looks natural and guaranteed to go on even. *Studies say the bulbs in tanning beds are more harmful then exposure to then sun. http://www.ehow.com http://www.all-tanning-beds.com

features 9 May 2010

Relationships: from first grade to college

By Liz Stratman Editor-in-Chief

Complete silence as the previews play. Awkward glances at each other every few minutes. Continued silence as the PG-rating crosses the screen and the movie begins. An unsure chuckle as a funny part in the film occurs. An embarrassed look as she notices he didn’t laugh. A nervous feeling in his stomach. And, the boy wondering whether or not to smoothly slide his arm around her.

A poll of 150 GHS students showed 29% of students dated in elementary school and 55% were in relationships in middle school. The majority of students agree that relationships change dramatically through the years.

“You get dropped off at the movies by your parents, watch the movie in awkward silence and go home with your parents,” senior Jamie Reitmeier said when asked what a typical “date” was like in middle school.

According to the Washington Post, middle school relationships last an average of two to four weeks compared to the average 24 weeks in high school.

Though, only 23% of the 150 GHS students polled said their relationships lasted a few weeks. 48% said their middle school relationships lasted a few months.

Junior Eric Smith agrees with these statistics.

“The longest relationship I had in middle school was probably two weeks,” Smith said.

Senior Lisa Dyke disagrees saying her middle school relationships lasted longer.

“Mine lasted like forever,” Dyke said.

Looking back, students may wonder if dating was practically pointless in elementary and middle school.

Smith and Dyke believe it was.

“You didn’t really hang out with them, you just saw them at school,” Dyke said.

Smith says dating in middle school helped get him ready for high school relationships, but elementary school dating was pointless.

All three students say their parents knew about their boyfriends/girlfriends at the time.

“They probably thought it was goofy,” Smith said. “In first grade a girl broke up with me because she thought I was a slob, so I went crying to my mom.”

Dyke says her parents didn’t care about her dating in middle school because they knew it wasn’t anything serious.

While middle school dating may seem like a big deal at the time, it’s nothing compared to relationships throughout high school and college.

Both Reitmeier and Dyke say the main difference in high school versus college relationships is the gained freedom that comes with college. Because of this freedom, Reitmeier believes his relationships will be more serious.

Smith has a different opinion.

“In college most people don’t want to be tied down

and just want to have a good time, so relationships aren’t that big,” Smith said. “That’s just my perspective.”

Not only do Reitmeier and Dyke say they’ve dated the same person in middle school and again in high school, they also spilled that it was each other.

Today Reitmeier says his ideal date is a bit different than that of his middle school days.

“We’d go to Hooter’s, go bowling and go back to the guys house while wearing a sweater vest,” Reitmeier said.

Smith also has some different ideas for dates in high school.

“I usually go to concerts, movies, mini-golfing and sometimes swimming,” Smith said. “You can do more stuff when you have a car.”

So without the ability to drive in elementary or middle school, what did “dating” actually mean?

“Holding hands on the playground,” Smith said.

“I did get my first kiss on the slide in like first grade.”

Reitmeier and Dyke agree that sitting by each other at lunch was a common part of middle school dating.

All in all, GHS students recognize the differences between relationships through the years. With maturity, a lot can change.

“You don’t really know you’re in the relationship in elementary school, but in high school you ask them out,” Smith said. “In middle school you pretty much just avoid each other.”

Based on a poll of 150 GHS students: 29% of students dated in elementary school, 71% didn’t Out of the students who dated in elementary school, 83% had 1-2 girlfriends/boyfriends and 17% had 3-4 The average elementary relationships lasted for a few days – 42% said theirs lasted a few days, 33% said theirs lasted a few weeks, 17% said theirs lasted a few months and 8% said theirs lasted a few years 55% of students dated in middle school, 45% didn’t Out of the students who dated in middle school, 56% had 1-2 girlfriends/boyfriends, 36% had 3-4, 4% had 5-6 and another 4% had 7 or more The average middle school relationship lasted a few months – 48% said theirs lasted a few months, 18% said theirs lasted a few days, 23% said theirs lasted a few weeks and 11% said theirs lasted a few years

“You get dropped off at the movies by your parents, watch the movie in awkward silence and go home with your parents.”

-Senior, Jamie Reitmeier about middle school dating

fun 10 May 2010

Which cartoon

character would you be?

“Ash Ketchum because it would be awesome to train Pokemon.”

“Minnie Mouse because she is cute.”

Freshman Brie Newman

Junior Alec Wineineger

“Mulan because everyone says that I look like her.”

“Scooby-Doo because he’s funny and awesome.”

Sophomore Daimon Schwartz

Sophomore Katie Whitted

Freshman Zach Mowinkel

“Brownies and elves because elementary gym class was sick.”

Junior Hannah Bockman

“Kick the Can because it was a game of true athletes.”

Senior Nolan Samuelson

Q&A could pick a super-

“Red Rover was my favorite because I was really good at it.”

power what would it be?

“Invisibility because it would be awesome to sneak around.”

“I would want to fly because flying is sweet.”

Sophomore Eric Bridgmon

Freshman Chandelle Davidson “I would want to be able to read peoples minds, so I would know what people are thinking.”

Junior Monica Crockett

If you

“Ghost in the Graveyard was a sweet game and really fun.”

favorite game as a kid?

What was your

Senior Cathy Edmison

“I would be able to heat things up with my mind because then I could eat food while I’m shopping.”

Senior Justin Patterson

summer 11 May 2010

Students relish past summer memories and make plans for new ones

By DeAnna Hanner Staff Writer

“School’s out for summer.

“School’s out for-evah.”

“School’s been blown toPI E CES.”

This song by Alice Cooper has been the anthem for summer since the year of 1972. Summer is the time GHS students cherish. But one senior’s plans will be cut short.

“I would like to take a trip to the beach,” said senior Alex Swarts. “But I start college in June.”

Freshman Colten Witherspoon has different plans for his summer.

“I plan on chill’en with my buddies, fishing, hunting, making it last, and having the best time I can.”

Summer is the time to shed the wool sweaters and break out the flip-flops and shorts. So which do you prefer, going barefoot or wearing flip-flops?

“If it’s really hot, then barefoot because you don’t want weird tan lines, but flip flops in case you step on something,” said senior Darcy Shedeed.

As the season with lots of sun quickly approaches, past summer memories flood back into students’ minds. Some might be triggered by food and

others by a song.

“The song Pretty Rave Girl by I Am X-Ray makes me think of summer because of all the nights that me, Katie Gramlich, and a bunch of others drove around Omaha with that song blasting,” said junior Julie Dimitroff.

“I went on a camping trip with the Lawry’s and Katie Lawry started to sing Take a Bow by Rhianna obnoxiously,” said freshman Mary Yager.

Tanning, parties, and sunshine come to mind when the word summer is spoken. What do you think of?

“I think of laying out, hot guys with their shirts off, watching the sunset, and staying up late,” said Swarts.

Gesa Mayer is thinking along the same line.

“Sunshine, happiness, and ice cream.

“I think of summer as a night sitting around a

Ways to get ready for summer: •Buy a new swimsuit •Get a base tan •Get in shape •Plan vacations/trips ahead of time •Make sure old summer wardrobe fits properly; if not, buy a new one.

bonfire with friends,” said Witherspoon.

Cheap Summer Thrills

•Spend time at the lake or beach •Watch a baseball game at the park •Camp out in your backyard •Go old school with a game of hide and seek •Stay up late/wake up early to watch the sunrise •Movie night with friends “My summer goal is to have •Have a picnic a final shindig with my graduating friends.”

•Have a bonfire -Darcy Shedeed, Senior •Have a popsicle party

“My biggest goal would be to stay fit and get abs...and be able to keep them.”

-Alex Swarts, Senior

“I want to get my knee better so I can dance again.”

-Julie Dimitroff, Junior

in-depth 12 May 2010

in-depth13 May 2010

GHS’s Musical Product ion

Go Grease Lightning

By Kennedy Healy Staff Writer Make-up, nails, hair and…. Grease?

This year’s GHS musical was the one and only “Grease.” The cast and crew consisted of about 50 students who practiced for nearly eight weeks before the big show. From the tryouts in February to the show in April, the Grease cast came a long way.

Pat Ribar was the director, and picked the script because it was an “ensemble show.”

“It wasn’t all about one person,” Ribar said. “They were all important, there were lots of singing parts.”

He also liked the script because it was easy to cast high school students. “’Grease’ includes all the stereotypes of high school,” Ribar said. “Because all the cast had been through high school, they could relate to their roles, it’s structured the same.

Because of that, ‘Grease’ works.”

The musical script they used and the Broadway script were similar to each other, but very different from the movie. They had to cut out only a few parts from the musical.

“We used no references to alcohol, racism, or any bad language,” Ribar said. “In the fifties some of that stuff was looked at as okay, now it is not.”

One of the main groups in the play is the Pink Ladies. Sam Montemarano played Jan, one of the members.

“The show turned out fantastic,” Montemarano said. “It was so funny, I loved my part.”

The cast got along well even after two

months of rehearsing together.

“They’re a lot of fun to work with, the perfect cast for my senior year,” Montemarano said.

The script was also a big hit among students.

“I got to do ‘Grease’ my senior year, how many people can say that?” Montemarano said. “It was sweet because we got to put our own stuff in it.”

The main group of guys in the play are the Burger Palace Boys, which are similar to the T-birds in the movie. Zach Omar played Robert, the class clown and loved every minute of it.

“I fit the part, it’s like me,” Omar said.

“I think it’s a great show, we did really well, and we have a great cast.”

Another lead in the show was Ellen Emanuel who played Sandy.

“I loved it, it was a lot of fun,” Emanuel said.

She also enjoyed the cast, and thought the roles were cast well.

“It was fun because most of us are like our characters in real life,” Emanuel said.

I got to do ‘Grease’ my senior year, how many people can say that? It was sweet because we got to put our own stuff in it.

-Senior Sam Montemarano

Teachers say “Go back to high school!”

“But then again, the teachers acted differently,”

By Mandi Wagner Sundermann said. “They Staff Writer didn’t act like teachers.”

Ryan said she loved working with the students

In the musical “Grease” the GHS during practice and on teachers got to dance their hearts out up stage. on stage during the song “Beauty School “It was so much Dropout.” fun, but the funny

“The message thing is I never of the song [“Beauty Bulgrin and made a musical School Dropout”] Huttmann cast during my high pose, exposing was to give up your school years even their garters. comb and go back to though I tried out!” high school,” director Ryan said.

Pat Ribar said. “The Turpen was excited to be a part message was coming of something so big that so many from the teachers so Teachers perform during people came to watch. it was effective and “Beauty School Dropout.”

“It was the first time in 23 years funny.” since I’ve worked at Gretna that I got

Nine total teachers performed in the asked,” Turpen said. “Up on stage I felt silly, show: Donita Potter, Nancy Turpen, Kari but I knew it wouldn’t matter if we messed up Bulgrin, Melissa Ryan, Theresa Huttmann, because we were there for comic relief.”

Jami Ewer, Amanda Siemers, Carole Carraher

All of the teachers agree practice and and Doug Bertelesen. So how were these the actual performance was hilarious. teachers lucky enough to get on the Grease

“In practice, Ms. Carraher’s hat cast? completely fell apart and someone suggested

“Well, I sent out an email to all the taping it to her head.

It was the funniest thing,” teachers saying if they wanted to be in Grease Bulgrin said.

“Even though we practiced a lot please respond,” Ribar said. “All those that I was so nervous the first night and I bet some responded were in, but then I also had to go of the other teachers were too, but I would do around and beg people!” it all over again in a heartbeat.”

The cast said the teachers did an

Even students agree the musical had a outstanding job, but it was a little different nice touch added with the teachers taking part with the teachers at practice. in it.

“I felt like I had to censor myself a little

“I didn’t really know the teachers were bit, but it was a blast with them on the cast,” in it,” sophomore Teresa Fibich said. “So it senior Sam Montemarano said. was really surprising they were up on stage,

Junior Shelby Sundermann agrees with but they did fantastic.”

Montemarano.

What was your favorite thing about being in the musical?

“Having fun with the students.”

-Amanda Siemers

“Everyone thought it was funny, so it was less embarrassing and made it fun. So many kids commented on how cool it was that we did that, so it makes it all worth it.”

-Jami Ewer “We got to be a little goofy and surprise the crowd with our special appearance. We also got to tell Frenchie to ‘Go back to high school!’”

-Carole Carraher

“Getting onstage again and the enthusiasm in the cast.”

-Doug Bertelsen

Becoming Cha Cha

By Kennedy Healy Staff Writer J e n t r y Merriman had the biggest dancing part, playing Cha Cha Di Gregorio who stole the show at the Rydell High prom and loved it.

“I was really, really happy with having a speaking part my sophomore year,” Senior Colton Fruhling Merriman said. and sophomore Jentry Merriman Merriman compete in went into the the hand jive. production with some experience, but gained even more by playing the role.

“I’ve taken three years of dance and two of show choir, but me and Colton rehearsed the dance every time we ran through the show,” Merriman said.

Merriman rented her flashy red dress at Ralston Costume Shop.

The dance was choreographed by a professional, Nancy Bocek, who came down for a weekend in March to show them the moves.

Merriman was also happy with the turn out of the entire show.

“We had a positive team, we all worked together,” Merriman said. “Singing, dancing and acting together was fun.”

Photos by Lexi Busch

What went into the musical TIME:

130 hours of rehearsal

100 hours of setdesign 8 hours of tryouts

CAST:

50 members

CREW:

Director Pat Ribar

5 members

COSTUMES:

4 rented the rest brought in by students

14 entertainment May 2010 Celeb Wannabes: Former Superstars seek 15 minutes of fame

By Lexi Busch Photographer

From the reality shows to the dating shows and everything in between, every one of these ‘celebrities’ seem to be trying to make a comeback or trying to get famous in the first place.

As much as everyone makes fun of these shows, people can’t seen to turn away from their TV’s.

“Yeah, I watch some of them.

My favorite would have to be ‘Real House Wives of Orange County,’” junior Olivia Larsen said.

The Real Housewives of Orange County is a reality show, on Bravo, based off ABC’s show Desperate Housewives.

It is supposed to be a show about the

every day life of these glamorous housewives and of course, it’s filled with drama.

Another show that has student viewers coming back every week is “Keeping up with the Kardashians.”

“I don’t really watch those kind of shows, but I do like ‘Keeping up with the Kardashians’ even though it’s really stupid,” freshman Mary Yager said.

Although people love some of these shows, a handful of them are just too ridiculous to even watch. GHS students

agreed that shows like “Rock of Love,” “Pretty Wild and Paris Hiltons “ M y New BFF” are not worth watching.

“’Rock of love’ with Bret Michaels is dumb,” sophomore Sarah Fleck said. He’s not really there looking for love. He’s just trying to make a comeback and be famous again.”

There are a lot of shows that have absurd meanings to them, but sometimes the worst part is the people who are on the shows.

“Heidi and Spencer are the worst reality show celebrities because they’re only famous from being on ‘The Hills,’

and no offense to anyone who watches The Hills, but it’s too much drama and they’re only famous for making drama,” Yager said.

These so called celebrities do whatever they can to make it into the ever so famous world of Hollywood.

“I don’t like the show ‘Pretty Wild’ because it’s just a bunch of random girls who aren’t even famous partying and getting in trouble,” Larsen said.

Students agree: there’s too many shows out there that have washed up singers and actors on it or young kids looking for their 15 minutes of fame.

What these celeb wannabes don’t realize is that these shows aren’t going to make them stick around for very long.

“I don’t get why these people want to do these reality shows anyway ‘cause it doesn’t make them famous for long and everyone is annoyed with them by the time the show’s over,” Fleck said.

Water park makes it to Lake Zorinsky in Omaha the new park they talk about what might be in the new water park.

“I plan to attend,” freshman Austin Martinak said. “I hope it has big water slides.”

By Kelsey Charrlin Staff Writer What has bicycling and hiking trails, fishing docks, baseball diamonds, football fields, soccer fields and soon-tocome a 4-million dollar water park on the property in 2010? Lake Zorinsky.

Lake Zorinsky is now constructing a new water park that is located at 156th and F street in West Omaha. While Lake Zorinski is famous for its 255 acres of outdoor fun, it will soon be known for the water park fun as well.

“I am excited because water parks are awesome,” junior Cindy Sedlacek said. “I love water slides, and it is close.”

When students find out there is a new attraction in Omaha they are fascinated.

“My first reaction was ‘I am totally Pumped!’” Sedlacek said.

While the construction team is digging in the dirt creating the foundation of the new park, students hope they have

Students express their thoughts of the new addition to Omaha as they all find out slowly.

“I love the rush feeling when you’re going down a water slide,” Martinak said.

What is your favorite thing about water parks?

“The water slides, because there fun.”freshman Amanda Stites

their favorite attractions. “[I hope they have] lots of slides and a wave pool,” Sedlacek said.

While we wait for the arrival of the new park, students start to talk about their likes and dislikes about different attractions.

“Water park rides are more fun because there are no roller coasters,” Sedlacek said, I don’t like them.”

As students plan on attending

The slides, the crazy twisty slides.”- sophomore Garrett Kastens

“I like waves pool, but there are always annoying people in it but there still my favorite part.”- junior, Hannah Bockman

“I like the wave pool because you can mess around with friends.”junior, Tyler Ortlieb

entertainment15 May 2010

Have you heard the last Can sequels stand up to word on “The Last Song” their originals?

By Kendall Hendrix Staff Writer Nicholas Sparks is a well-known author famous for many books such as The Notebook, A Walk To Remember, and Dear John.

Everyone seems to love his classical sob stories. A recent popular book and now movie of his is The Last Song.

This is a love story that takes you through the troubles of 17-year old “Ronnie” Miller’s life. There were many good reviews on the book but when it came to the movie, viewers weren’t satisfied.

“The movie wasn’t as good because the book spent more time explaining details and went more in depth,” Junior Brooke Arp said.

The problem that occurs when filming a movie based on a book is trying to find the right actors and trying to reenact all the events and emotions spread throughout this 200 plus page novel.

“One reason I liked the book

more was because the actors in the movie can’t express the same emotions felt through the book,” freshman Mary Yager said.

Leaving details and events out of the movie also played a huge role in why people disliked the movie. In the movie The Last Song, many interesting events from the book never actually made it on film.

“I wanted to see Blaze getting hurt in the movie, but they didn’t show it,” sophomore Bailey Toovey said.

Whether being a good thing or a bad thing, before he even sat down to write the book, Nicholas Sparks decided he wanted Miley Cyrus to be the actress playing the part of Ronnie.

“Miley Cyrus being in the movie was the biggest reason I preferred the book, also I wanted to see the mom admit she was the one who cheated, in the movie,” sophomore Stephanie Beyea said.

On the flip side to all the downfalls to the movie, some people did enjoy the movie.

“I liked seeing the movie better than reading it because I didn’t have to think about it,” senior Kelsey Bernady said.

By Trey Russell Staff Writer

Sequels and remakes never seem to live up to the expectations that the old movies leave behind, and this summer the theme for the new releases is just that: remakes and sequels. Some big name remakes include Nightmare on Elm Street, Footloose, Predators, and Red Dawn.

“I love scary movies so I’m really looking forward to Nightmare on Elm Street,” junior Erin Lemon said.

Jackie Earle Haley will play Freddy Krueger in this classic horror movie as he returns from the dead to get his revenge on the children of those responsible for his death.

“I want to see Footloose because there needs to be more musical movies, stuff that makes you want to get up and dance,” junior Michaela Kotea said.

Even with all the options for movie remakes this year there’s still plenty that you could argue that deserve a remake.

“If I could pick a movie to be remade now I would probably have to go with a Goonie remake because that’s one of my all time favorites,” Lemon said.

Remakes aren’t the only theme for this summer’s blockbusters. The other trend fans will be seeing is sequels such as Shrek Forever After, Iron Man 2, Sex and the City 2, Toy Story 3 and The Strangers 2.

“Sequels are never as good as the first movie, but I can’t wait to see Shrek Forever After and Sex and the City 2,” Kotera said.

Even though all of these movies will be debuting this summer some students believe that there are a couple missing sequels.

“I think that they need to make one more High School Musical and call it HSM4,” freshman Leanna Mathews said.

Some students thought farther back in which movies they would like to see sequels too.

“I would love to see a second West Side Story,” freshman Zach Spale said, “growing up I used to watch that all the time and I just felt like the story needed to go on.”

Some other new movies are coming out also have high expectations for many GHS students.

“I want to see Letters to Juliet because it looks really good and super cute,” Mathews said.

The love stories aren’t for everyone and there will be plenty of action movies coming out this summer too.

“I want to see Kick *** so bad because I’ve always seen myself as somewhat of a real life superhero and its nice to have something to relate to,” said Spale.

Another Twilight Sequel to sink your teeth into

By Ethan Dawes Staff Writer Attention all Twilight Fans!

Stephenie Meyer, the author of Twilight and other novels, is coming out with a new saga in the Twilight kingdom. The book features a sidestory of a newborn vampire, or a recently “vamped-up” human, from the original book Eclipse.

“I’m a huge Twilight fan,” sophomore Whitney Silence, “I haven’t heard it ‘till recently but I’m super excited.”

The book is called The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner, a new vampire from the book Eclipse and her tale. According to stepheniemeyer.com, the book was not supposed to be published as a stand-

alone book and was actually a reference for some of the cast members in Twilight like the antagonist Victoria and Bree herself to get some background.

“I’ve heard of it and I think it’ll be cool,” freshmen Ethan Darby said.

The book

will be published on June 5th 2010 and will be also be released to give funding in places in need. For every book bought in the United States, one dollar will be donated the American Red Cross Association for relief in Haiti and Chile.

“I think that by selling books for another cause, it’ll be a good way to raise money,” freshmen Tanner Ryan said.

retiring teachers

16 May 2010

Students wave goodbye to their long-time principal

Photo by Liz Stratman

Principal Kirk Eledge speaks with sophomore Derek Hill at lunch.

Eledge’s favorite part of work has been interacting with the students.

By Liz Stratman Editor-in-Chief

Growing up in the city, Principal Kirk Eledge was out of his element when he entered the town of Gretna. At that point Gretna was a relatively small town with a population that was just a fraction of what is is today, and miles away from Omaha. The majority of land was for farming and not many residential areas had been developed.

Across from the old high school was a feedlot where the development Standing Stone currently is. On the football field, practicing with the team, Eledge remembers smelling the strong aroma of the feedlot across the street.

“I realized there was a lot I didn’t know or understand about the rural community,” Eledge said.

As he settled into the Gretna environment, he found there was a lot to like about the town and school system.

Most students have probably heard

that our very own principal has decided to retire after 30 years at GHS. Looking back, we discover he was much more than just a principal. He is a part of who we, the students and staff, are today.

Before accepting the position as GHS’s principal, Eledge was a P.E. teacher for eleven years and loved it. He also served as the assistant principal for seven years and head football coach for twelve years.

With so much to look back on, he has many memories he’ll treasure forever.

“As a coach in the regular season we had lost to Elkhorn, who was I think number one in the state at this time, 27 – 0, but we later played them in quarter-finals of the playoffs and beat them in overtime.”

Secretaries Nancy Turpen and Carol Doolittle recall their 23 years spent with Eledge at GHS.

“Mr. Eledge used to be a football coach and during homecoming week, the football players and their coaches would put on a skit,” Turpen said. “Mr. Eledge is just really funny.”

Doolittle also admires Eledge’s humor.

“He just has a great sense of humor,” Doolittle said. “He’s always kidding around about his wife, poor wife.”

Through his time at GHS he has taught or been the principal for teachers like Martha Omar, George Behney, Alex Wimmer, Heidi Clark, Vince Burgett, Jennifer Long and Danica Spurgeon.

“It was so many years from the time I was here until the time I came back, so it seemed like a natural transition for both of us,” Science teacher Burgett said.

“For me, from student to teacher, and him, from teacher to principal, it didn’t seem odd or anything.”

Moving up from P.E. teacher to principal, Eledge endured a lot of pressure.

“I was quite nervous [accepting the job as principal] because I was following in the footsteps of Dr. Kevin Riley and wondered if I’d be able to continue what he had made a great school,” Eledge said.

Prior to joining GHS, Eledge says he taught three years at Papillion LaVista schools as a middle school P.E. instructor

“I liked the school and I liked what I did,” Eledge said. “The Gretna job opened up an opportunity to coach wrestling and football at a high school level.”

This opportunity lead to a lifetime career and Eledge couldn’t be happier with how he’s spent his time.

“I can’t see myself doing any other job than in education. It really has been a blessed event for me,” Eledge said. “Not one day I woke up and regretted going to school.”

Eledge says he doesn’t have any regrets about his time at GHS.

“I’ve been really blessed,” Eledge said. “Everything that’s happened happened for a reason, so there’s nothing I’d change.”

Doolittle and Turpen both say Eledge will be greatly missed.

“I’ll miss his positive outlook and sense of humor,” Doolittle said. “He’s a very even-keeled boss.”

Turpen says she’ll miss his calm presence.

While students and staff alike will miss Eledge, he says there will be a lot he will miss from GHS as well.

“I honestly will miss the students because they keep me young at heart,” Eledge said. “But most of all, even on my worst day there’s always someone that makes me smile or laugh.”

With such positive things to say about his time here, why would he want to retire?

“I just felt like this was the time,” Eledge said. “I want to spend a little more quality time with my wife and have more time for my hobbies.”

Eledge’s hobbies include fishing, hunting and camping.

“[After retirement] I plan to get reacquainted with my wife and to spend as much time as I can with my grown children.”

Eledge has so much to be proud of regarding GHS and students keep in mind the hard work and dedication he’s put forth.

“The students at GHS are always appreciative of the things you do and always respectful,” Eledge said. “This is why I’ve stayed so long.”

Leaving it all behind, Eledge says he isn’t worried about the success the next principal, Roger Miller, will bring.

“He’s been here from the very beginning,” Eledge said. “I would say just to continue to be the caring person that he already is and he’ll be just fine.”

While the future of GHS will no longer lie in his hands, Eledge does have some hopes for the future.

“I hope that the parents and community continue to support the school system and I hope that even as we grow larger that the students feel like they’re not just a number and that we really care about them,” Eledge said.

Making students feel like they matter has always been of the utmost importance to Eledge.

“I think one of my goals has always been as we continue to grow that the school still be something personal to the students,” Eledge said. “They should feel like the teachers Eledge in 1981 and administration working as a P.E. teacher. care about them.”

Secretaries Ricchiardi, Turpen, Legacie and Doolittle take a break from work with their favorite boss.

retiring teachers17 May 2010

Rhodes leaves GHS and many fond memories with students and staff

By Lauren Sawyer Features Editor

It all started at one of UNL’s interview fairs.

Superintendents from surrounding Nebraska schools, each looking for new employees, interviewed algebra teacher John Rhodes. He was phoned by several and offered a job; however, “Gretna was the best.” And so Mr. Rhodes began teaching at GHS in the fall of 1973.

Students remember Rhodes as the creator of “alge-words” (used to describe algebra), for stunting our complaints of “When are we ever going to use this?” by giving real-world uses for each subject, and by his ever-cheerful disposition. What they may not know is that he originally taught in the present middle school when it included grades 7-12, so half of his day was spent teaching middle school students and the other half high school.

After starting out teaching algebra, geometry, physics and junior high mathematics, he decided to

1974

specialize in algebra as the school grew and more teachers were hired.

He has remained at Gretna because he enjoys “working with pretty nice people, students and colleagues both.”

While it may seem that giving the same notes period after period and year after year may be a drawback that would influence Rhodes to search for another job, he disagrees.

“I may do the same notes five to six times a day, only they’re not the same notes because each period is a new group of kids with slightly different needs and that keeps me going.’”

Teaching algebra has always seemed to be a good fit for him since he has always liked math. Besides, as Rhodes said with a smile, his dream of playing centerfield for the Yankees died early, so he had to find something else to do.

The die-hard Yankees fan was still able to sustain a passion for sports at GHS. He coached several girls and boys basketball teams and volleyball teams, and he later took on the role of our beloved sports announcer. Rhodes admits he will miss giving the play-by-play at each home game more than anything else simply

1975

1976

because it is so fun.

Happily, Rhodes will be given his position as announcer back after a six-month waiting period following his retirement. (This time must be sat out due to school policy.) Plans to keep busy after teaching include continuing work as a park ranger at Two Rivers State Park as well.

It’ll be a sad day in the heartland when GHS must say goodbye to Rhodes, but he is happy with the change.

“It’s been a good 37 years, and I still like it here, but it’s time to move on.”

Photo by Lauren Sawyer

Algebra teacher John Rhodes references notes to use in his lecture. While he doesn’t mind writing notes every day, Rhodes is overjoyed to leave state standardized testing behind him.

1977

1994 2010 1984

Rhodes was showing a film in Mr. Marik’s room, while teaching physics. The projector jammed against the cabinet, but he didn’t notice it because he was asleep. “It was an oops,” Rhodes said.

retiring teachers 18 May 2010

Making the move from business to family

By Mandi Wagner Staff Writer After 33 and half years of teaching classes such as Business Law, Shorthand, Accounting, and Intro to Business, business teacher Donita Potter has decided to hang up teaching.

But is it for good?

“If I could, I would like to be hired to teach part time for business law,” Potter said.

Although she loves all of the classes she teaches, her favorite is Business Law.

“I just feel like I have so many life experiences that my students

could learn from through that class [Business Law],” Potter said.

Between her year of teaching at Crawford High, five years at Alliance High and 27 years at Gretna High School Potter has taught nine other classes besides Business Law. These classes include Intro to Business, Keyboarding I, Keyboarding II, Shorthand, Accounting, Business Machines, Office Procedures, American Problems and Yearbook.

“I also used to coach volleyball, track, and ninth grade basketball,” Potter said.

Most people also don’t know that Potter placed sixth nationally for Ms. Future Business Teacher of America. So, how did she end up at Gretna High School?

“Well, while teaching at Alliance, my husband was an official

for the railroad. He didn’t like being the boss and wanted to go back to the union ranks,” Potter said. “So, the only way for him to do this was for me to get a teaching job somewhere else…and I just ended up in Gretna!”

One of the highlights of her career has been participating in FBLA conventions, such as state and nationals and seeing students place at nationals.

When asked about her favorite FBLA memory, Potter said, “My favorite national convention was Orlando, FL because I loved the Tower of Terror.”

Business teacher Kris Gaebel has been teaching along-side Potter for 27 years.

“We have a really good working relationship,” Gaebel said. “There’s 27 years worth of memories but my favorites

is all of our FBLA adventures and travels.

Especially our taxi ride in New York City.”

Potter doesn’t have a specific best memory of her career at GHS, because “there are too many wonderful memories to choose from.” She loves all the kids at the school and will miss the people the most.

“I will miss not being able to see my students every day, but I won’t miss hunting down kids when they don’t show up or lie to you about late assignments!” Potter said.

Potter said one of the first things she is going to enjoy about retirement is getting to take her family to Hawaii.

“Hopefully after that vacation I will just get time to myself to relax,” Potter said. “But I do wish to come back in the future and try to part-time teach.”

Favorite memories of business class “I loved hearing Mrs. Potter read in her crazy accents. One time she did an assasin, and it was so funny!” -freshman Bailey Zych

“I’ll always remember when she rapped in class.” -sophomore Tim Stoltenberg

One time Mrs. Potter hit the top of her head with her hand and her fake teeth fell out. It was the funnies thing.” -Junior Colin Vipond

“I loved her stories about Juan and LCP and her funny accents.” -senior Hilary Stover

Leaving teaching and textbooks for book club

By Payton Samuelson Online/News Editor

“And today for noontime jeopardy today: first lunch, Chunky Monkey verses Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood; second lunch, Where’s Trevor? verses Notorious; third lunch, New Directions verses Team Gamma,” rings over the morning announcements every day.

Many people have fun at noontime jeopardy but how many people know that Joan Marotz, the teacher in charge of it, is retiring?

Marotz has been teaching since 1968. She first taught Economics at Lincoln East and later became a sub at Gretna High School in 2002. She was later hired in 2005.

“I like the school district,” Marotz said when asked why she chose to come to Gretna.

Over the years she has taught pretty much everything in social studies with the exception of Geography and Psychology.

At Gretna she teaches the dual credit Economics classes and Integrated Arts.

She also coached Academic Decathlon in the fall and coaches the Quiz Bowl team.

Shane Nevius, sophomore, saw her as a great teacher in Integrated Arts.

“She does a really, really, excellent job,” Nevius said. “She definitely knows what she is talking about when she teaches us.”

Her favorite Ac-Dec subject to teach was the Civil War.

Even though she has had many good times, the highlight of her time here was when the Ac-Dec team had three gold

medalists at Nationals. She also enjoyed the trips to state Ac-Dec all five years.

With memories like these it will be hard to leave.

“We had many fun times at AcDec tournaments,” Nevius said.

Marotz said she will miss all the kids, having fun and her colleagues. One thing she won’t miss is teaching in ten rooms in a five-year time period.

One of her strongest memories is from two to three years ago when she had to get a van out of the bus barn and the lock was frozen so they had to heat it up in order to open it.

Her favorite part of her job is noontime jeopardy. She likes the range of kids that participate.

“It’s not just gifted kids,” Marotz said.

She also enjoys seeing other students succeed in noontime jeopardy.

“Students that don’t always do good in class do good in it,” Marotz said.

With not having to be here every day, what will she do?

“I will be going back to book club,” Marotz said.

She also said she will go work out at Lakeside and probably travel.

“She will be completely missed here,” Nevius said.

Photo by Payton Samuelson

editorial 19May 2010

How do we S.O.S: Savior Of Stupidity say goodbye? Avoid the Awkward Moment

By Liz Stratman Editor-in-Chief Four years. 1,460 days. 35,040 hours. 2,102,400 minutes. 126,144,000 seconds. All spent in one place. All spent in a safe environment. All spent with the same familiar faces. All spent under the roof of a parent. Mostly all spent here, at GHS. With the end of the 2009 - 2010 school year merely days away, seniors ponder how they will say goodbye. For some, it may be easy. But for others, letting go can be extremely difficult.

While we’ve all probably anxiously awaited the end of high school, how can we be sure we won’t miss what we’re leaving behind? The friends that we hope we’ll keep forever.

The knowledge we’re skeptical we’ll ever use. The experiences we don’t want to forget. Granted the majority of seniors will be eager to flee the premises after school is released May 18th, most will likely look back at their time at GHS somewhere down the road and smile at the memories they have and lessons they learned.

Leaving high school is not the end, but just the beginning. An entire lifetime awaits and possibilities are endless. The potential gained in high school will open opportunities for the future. More friendships will be made and more knowledge will be gained.

Though there’s a lot to miss from four years at GHS, high school is only a stepping stone that begins the path ahead. So we don’t have to say goodbye, we can say hello and embrace the new experiences to come.

Editor-in-Chief: Liz Stratman Photographer: Lexi Busch Features Editor: Lauren Sawyer Online/News Editor: Payton Samuelson Entertainment Editor: Taylor Bradish Sports Editor: Hannah Applegate

By Ashley Zajac Staff Writer

You’re sitting in class on the first day of school trying to focus on the new season. Ready for a new beginning, a fresh start as an upperclassman…until that is, you notice something. Something that makes your heart skip a beat and stutter. The perfectly smooth hair, the brand new sneakers, the pearly white incisors, and those two amazing gray-blue eyes that are magnificently highlighted by an array of long, dark eyelashes. It’s him. The one you’ve been dreaming about for the past week?

Month? Year?

Your crush. He’s exciting and extremely funny but whenever you come close to saying hi, BAM! You freeze like window cleaner in the middle of a blizzard. No words come to mind as you stand there wondering what to do.

Breathless, you walk away stupidly, leaving the poor boy behind in the dust, just like Samantha of “Sixteen Candles.”

Face it. We’ve all, throughout sometime in our life, have been crushed on, or experienced the joys or rather the fear of crushing on someone else.

Whether it’s that quiet boy in English class, or that athletic goddess at the gym, someone somewhere is thinking…

“Dang, if only I had their number.”

But you believe they’re way out of your league, that they’d never look in your direction the way you look in theirs and you come to this conclusion as soon as you get the courage to talk to them.

Proceeding to fumble over your words and basically shove your foot clear down your esophagus, you’re back to your

Staff Writers:

awkward moment with them looking at you asking themselves what’s wrong with this person?

How do you get out of this ball that you have been twined in, that moment when you’re approached by that special someone? Well, guys you could always rely on a corny joke. Perhaps something as simple as: Knock Knock.

Who’s there? Interrupting Cow. Interrupting Cow (proceed to say moo in a loud, obnoxious voice.) who? Your little joke will lighten the mood a bit, causing her and yourself to relax. Possibly even continue a conversation as to where you came up with that or how it made itself a part of the interaction between you two. Whatever you do, don’t use the whole “Did it hurt when you fell from heaven,” line. This will most likely get you laughed at. Just kidding, but really, it’s old, and way overused.

If the whole humor thing doesn’t suit you, then become an interrogator and begin to ask random questions such as, “If you had the money to take us on vacation to anywhere in the world, where would we go?” Or you can even resort to Mr. Fact Finder and tell your crush to give you five random facts about

herself and just improvise with the information given. Thus leading you two into a conversation that will keep you concentrated on one another until class ends or you’re rudely interrupted by a teacher or best friend that you have left stranded at the airport in seek of a ride home.

With these simple tips, that may or may not be of any assistance, you can continue a lifelong road of conversations with the one you have tripped over a rock for. But the most important thing to remember is to just breathe. Everyone knows how to do it so just breathe, oh and don’t pass out, and don’t bite your lip, and don’t forget what you’re going to say just before you get to her, and don’t just stare at her, and don’t play with your hair, and yeah I’m just kidding. Just remember the one thing that truly means anything, she’s just as nervous, if not more than you are. Here is some advice that my mother gave me, she says over and over and over…and over again.

“Talk to your crush, because if you’re not talking to him, then someone else is. And do you really want to let them go?”

How often do you feel awkward talking to a guy/girl?

n e t f

44

%O

56%

Nev

er

- Poll based off 100 students.

The Voice News Staff

Kelsey Charrlin Ethan Dawes DeAnna Hanner Kennedy Healy Kendall Hendrix Ashley Josoff Chelsea Pote Trey Russell Mandi Wagner Ashley Zajac Advisor: Jamie Hestermann

The Voice is a monthly publication sponsored by Gretna High School, 11335 South 204th Street, Gretna, NE 68028. The office of The Voice is located in sponsor Jamie Hestermann’s room, room 400. The phone number is (402)332-3936.

Reader response is welcome in the form of suggestions and ideas.

They can be dropped off in room 400 at any time.

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

20 sports May 2010 Livin’ up to the quote: Can the baseball team do it?

By Hannah Applegate Staff Writer The seasons are started and every team is hitting hard at practice and trying to win as many games as possible.

The one team who is going to have to step up and show what they got though is our very own baseball team. Who remembers the quote their coach said at the last pep rally? This is not an exact quote, but it went something like this, “The baseball team is going to do great this year. Were going to do way better than One Act.” So does this one little quote put pressure on the athletes to be that good? Or was this quote meant to act as a motivational thing so the athletes would push themselves?

“Yes and no, but he gives us that strive to do that good,” sophomore Matt Jones said. “He believes that we can beat anyone in the state.”

“No, it feels good because he is confident in us and has our back till the end,” sophomore Jared Blum said.

Baseball has a season record of 6-4 so far.

“We started off the season good

then hit some difficulties,” Jones said.

“We came back strong, confident and focused though and now were winning.”

Blum has a different view of the season though.

“It has its ups and downs, but were going to be ready come state tourney time.”

The team has areas that are really good and areas that need to be worked on.

“I think we need to work on hitting,” senior Josh Reynolds said.

Unlike Reynolds, Jones thinks the team just needs to come together.

“We need to work on mental mistakes and have more confidence within each other,” Jones said.

The coach and athletes can’t change everything though because they do have many strong points.

“Pitching is strong because we have two good senior leaders and everyone can pitch,” Jones said.

Strong pitching is definitely not the only strong point.

“Our defense is really good,” Reynolds said.

“We have depth in the lineup,”

Photo by Hannah Applegate

With a face of concentration Senior Ross Labenz hustles to scoop up the ground ball.

Photo by Hannah Applegate

Junior Ben Giebler gets ready to throw the ball to make a play. The boys baseball team is getting the Jones said. “We can put anyone out there chance to host districts this year. and get the job done.”

With all of this there is one thing that our Gretna High School baseball team has over everybody else.

“We have swag,” Blum said.

Understanding rules and techniques of golf

By Taylor Bradish Entertainment Editor

With the ever so famous Tiger Woods golf, which isn’t always recognized as such a popular sport, it is becoming more and more noticed. As we all know everyone loves to scream and cheer during football games, basketball games, baseball games, you name it. But golf takes on a different course. You don’t really cheer, or exactly break a sweat from physical activity and there is no conditioning.

Although there are just as many rules and regulations in golf, making it is sometimes difficult.

Senior Jordan Mason says you shouldn’t walk in front of other peoples lines, which is the path the ball takes into the hole. And you shouldn’t stand in front of the other golfers.

Although golf may not take a lot of physical strength and you don’t have to be in the best shape of your life, to be a good golfer you have to stay focused and never lose your cool. Need some

more advice?

“Dress according to the weather, be mentally tough, and have a nice easy swing,” sophomore Jason Wendelin said.

Sophomore, Daimon Schwartz, who has been golfing since he was seven says that his best experience golfing has been getting a “birdy” on a hole, which means he hit one under par. Still confused? A par is how many strokes your suppose to take. That means he did one better than he was supposed to do.

Wendelin has been a foot away from a hole in one.

Not only do you have to stay focused but there are quite a lot of things that could go wrong during golfing. You could hit your ball into the water or out of bounds, or you could have shot one bad hole, leading to other bad holes.

Not only can things like that go wrong, but you could run into other little problems.

“I’ve gotten hit by balls before,” Mason said.

Some people cause injury to

themselves while others cause damage to property.

“One time I hit a window on a house, I immediately got off the hole,” Wendelin said.

Photo by Danielle Spurgeon

Huddling in a group the golf team heads home after bad weather rolled in. The golf team has had some tough times getting good weather to play in.

Photo by Danielle Spurgeon

Senior Chase Brion concentrates as he takes some practice swings before he puts.

sports

New heights and new records

21

May 2010

By Ethan Dawes Staff Writer Competition. A test between not only the other team but the limits and abilities of yourself. For some, it’s the wind through their hair as they speed past the finish line. For others, it’s floating through the air and landing in the sand to beat another record. But for senior Bo Shepard, his specialty is high jump.

“I’ve been jumping ever since seventh grade,” Shepard said, “It’s something I’ve always enjoyed since I was in middle school.”

So far, Shepard has taken first in the past five track meets by an easy sweep. As well as taking first, he broke several meet records.

But one meet was different than the others. At Columbus Scotus, Shepard jumped a height of 6’8.5.”

That not only allowed him to take home the gold, but earn his spot upon the Gretna Track and Field record board.

“I keep my mind focused and jump just like the last one,” Shepard said.

A typical day for practice for Shepard consists of run throughs, jumps that are a lot higher than usual.

“By having the standards set higher, it really helps to jump higher,” Shepard said.

Other heights for Shepard were from 6’7” to 6.8.” But one more notable thing from Shepard is that he just recently went back out for Track. Last year, Shepard didn’t take part in high jump, but is now an influential part in the team.

“If I miss and I’m slow then I need to bring it out of the back more,” Shepard said, “I just keep consistency.”

Consistency and strengthening is what Head Coach Mr. Swanson has said again and again.

“Practice makes perfect and our number one goal is to get ready for Districts and State,” Head Coach Swanson.

“By having the standards set higher, it really helps to jump higher.”

Photo by Mr. Marik

While high jumping, senior Bo Shepard, sets a new Gretna High School track high jump record.

Shepard jumped an amazing 6’8.5.

22 sports May 2010

Meghan Dennis the discus queen

By Hannah Applegate Staff Writer It takes a lot of skill to be able to throw a discus. That doesn’t mean it’s difficult for everybody. For some it just sort of clicks. The leading girls discus thrower at GHS is sophomore Meghan Dennis.

Dennis has already broken two meet records and has placed first in every single varsity meet. Also, with her personal record throw of 135feet 8 inches she is becoming a threat to many other discus throwers. So, how does she do it?

“It’s all about fundamentals and strategy,” Dennis said.

Though she may throw far, nobody is perfect when is comes to sports.

“I need to work on keeping my hand flat when I release it,” Dennis said.

That many seem like an easy thing to accomplish, but habits can be hard to break.

I’m just going to practice as much as I can,” Dennis said.

While Dennis works on that, one thing that doesn’t need to change is the length of her throws.

“ T h e length of my throws have been pretty consistent,” Dennis said.

“I usually throw at least in the 120’s.”

A throw of 135 feet 8 inches is not where Dennis wants to stop though.

“I want to hit 140 feet because it will be a hard goal to reach,” Dennis said.

140 feet is a long ways out there, but Dennis knows what she needs to do to reach that length.

“I need to say in the weight room,” Dennis said.

Doubles vs. singles: Personal preference or coach’s decision

By Kendall Hendrix Staff Writer Tennis is a unique sport and since day one the great athletes have been playing both alone and with partners.

In more recent times, playing alone has become known as playing singles and playing with a partner or teammate is known as doubles.

“I personally like singles more because I am much better at it,” sophomore Elaine Kramer said.

There’s pressure in both singles and doubles. In singles it is just one player versus the opponent and they have no one else to rely on.

“One of the reasons I like singles better is because it’s all on you,” senior Alicia Zeeck said.

In doubles though, players have partners working with them and a wider court. This can make things a little challenging. They have to be able to know and completely understand their partner.

“The biggest challenge for me in doubles is that I have to always be talking to my teammate so I know where they are,” sophomore Meghan Harriman said.

Doubles players also have to know where to place the ball. They don’t want to hit their partner or the other opponent’s net player.

“In doubles I worry about hitting the person in front of me,” Kramer said.

Knowing other’s strengths and weaknesses will probably help in doubles too.

“A challenge for me in doubles is not knowing where my partner will hit the ball,” sophomore Taylor Lyons said.

But having a partner in doubles is not always a bad thing. The person in back will be there to get the ball if the net player misses. In this way, it might relieve pressure from players. If one player on a doubles team loses a point or game though, the other partner may be disappointed.

“I don’t like doubles because I would feel bad if I lost a point,” sophomore Amy Gundvaldson said.

Photo by Hannah Applegate

Throwing the discus high in the sky, sophomore Meghan Dennis hopes to break another record. She says she usually throws at least in the 120’s.

Along with that, Dennis wants to accomplish another task that will require much work and dedication.

“I want to break our school record before I graduate,” Dennis said.

With eyes focusing on the ball, sophomore Stephanie Beyea goes in for a swing.

I want to hit 140 feet because it will be a hard goal to reach.

-Sophomore Meghan Dennis

Watching the ball fly, sophomore Morgan Duff hits it to the opponent while playing doubles. The Gretna Girls Tennis Varsity record is 7-3.

Photos by Chelsea Vorland

In deep concentration, senior Emma Tessier serves the ball.

sports

May 2010

We Have One Goal...To Deny Yours

By Chelsea Pote Staff Writer

“Deny! Deny! Deny!” Dave Harvey’s well known statement has been ringing in the ears of his players.

“It’s gnarly that we’re having such a stupendous season this year,” Senior Emily Mulholland said.

This season the girls record is 16-1. Three of the games were no shot games and six were shutout games.

“We have such a good record because in practices we work on what we need to so we can break down the next team we play,” sophomore Jordan Meadows said. “Our coaches are always telling us every practice is important because we are the target of every team, so we always have to give out all.”

Sophomore Taylor Wageman agrees with Meadows and added that they always need to work

their hardest and have lots of intensity.

“In practices we are always working on penalty kicks. Also this year we’re doing lots of running and conditioning,” senior Jessica Wagner said.

The team is hoping to get the chance to go to state again this year.

“We’re a pretty solid team this year. We’re always intense and we work our butts off to stay as good as we are.” Wollenberg said. “Also we do lots of North Carolinas, which I love… not.”

Wagner says they can’t take any team lightly and that every game has to be like they’re playing their biggest rival.

“I think we will do really good in state because we work hard and don’t mess around in practices,” Mulholland said. “Also our team has good chemistry and everyone gets along which makes a huge difference.”

The Lady Dragons just recently won the district title after beating Omaha Gross 3-0 and Plattview 6-2.

Photo by Brooke Arp

Leaving the defenders in the dust, Audrey Petrovich makes a run for the goal. The Dragons just recently competed in state.

What are traditions before games?

“We listen to music to get pumped up before the game. Dub and Hilary also give us words of wisdom in the huddles.”

- junior Halley Samuelson

23

“I say whose gonna bring that blood and pain from the movie She’s the Man.” -sophomore Jordyn Wollenberg

“We almost always get into car accidents because we have races to see who can be there first.”

-senior Emily Mulholland

“Before the games the coaches give us Gatorade and energy bars.”

-senior Jessica Wagner

Gretna Boys Soccer Team Tries To Overcome Tough Losses

By Trey Russell Staff Writer Expectations can be hard to live up to especially when they are set high as they were for the GHS boy’s soccer team. From the beginning of off-season workouts they expected to not end up anywhere but at state.

“We had really high hopes for this season and hoped to end up at state,” junior forward Tyler Ortlieb said.

As the season comes into the final stretch they may be realizing that their goal is starting to slip away.

It won’t be impossible for the boys to reach state as they are currently 13th in Class B points with a record of 5-4, but they will definitely need to finish strong if they hope to make it to the big game.

“Our goal is still to win state,” sophomore midfielder Kade Hollendieck said, “I would say, without a doubt, we still gotta shot.”

All of the Dragons’ losses have been to very good teams and have been good games until the end. Against

Grand Island Central Catholic who is 3rd in Class B points, the boys ended up losing by one in a shootout.

“They were a good team, and we should have beat them, but I guess it just wasn’t our game I guess,” Orleib said.

The GICC game wasn’t the Dragons’ only tough game this year as the game against Norris was also a heartbreaker. The team lost in an epic double shootout in which the game went scoreless throughout the whole game and overtime. Then in the shootout both teams

made 4 of their 5 shots and then in the sudden death shootout Norris scored and kept Gretna out of the nett.

“It hurt a lot more than the GICC game did because we all wanted to win it real bad because of how physical the game play was,” Hollendieck said.

With all the tough losses it can become hard to keep your head up day after day but the Dragons know they must do just that if the expect to finish their season competing for the state trophy.

Striking the ball with all his might, sophomore Kade Hollendeick puts the ball in the net. His goal was not enough for the Dragons to get the win in the Norris game which went into a double shootout.

Photo by Trey Russell

24photostory May 2010

Mock accident leaves real impact

By Lauren Sawyer Features Editor

An ambulance rushes in with sirens screaming. Next, the roar of Life Flight as it touches down on the soccer field, breaking the silence from the shock of the scene. Meanwhile, policemen take driver Sam Montemarano off to the side to run standard coherency tests. On Friday, April 9, students shuffled out to the south parking lot laughing, smiling and joking but fell silent as they reached the mock accident.

To most, witnessing a staged accident doesn’t seem like a big deal.

However, it’s not so funny anymore when students are met with a crumpled car with their friends inside and another student lying in a pool of blood on the ground, not moving.

“It was so quiet, you could’ve dropped a pin in there,” said senior Colton Fruhling, one of four accident “victims.”

“That was the best part.”

Besides Montemarano and Fruhling, seniors Sydney Hollendieck, and Jake Kruse played a role.

Fruhling was taken away by helicopter, Kruse by ambulance, Hollendieck by hearse, and Montemarano handcuffed in a police car. Seeing this happen to classmates really drove home the exact message Fire Chief Dan Whitted meant to illustrate: this can happen to you if you choose to drink and drive.

GHS plans to run a mock accident every four years, according to Deputy Lance Schickert. This should help students understand how real accidents are and what the police and fire fighters have to go through.

After walking a day in a drunk driver’s shoes, Montemarano shared a new piece of wisdom.

“Think if that situation was with your friends, then think again,” she said.

“It gives you a whole new perspective.”

Superintendent Dr. Kevin Riley was impressed with the students’ job, as well as the professionals’, saying he hoped it would leave an impression on students.

No one seems to sum up the true meaning of why the fire department and GHS went to the trouble of coordinating this event better than state trooper Keith Bell.

“We’re here because we care about you and we care about your community.”

With tears in her eyes, senior Sam Montemarano gets walked to the side to tell the police officers what happened. Only four seniors were selected to participate in the mock accident.

Photos by Lexi Busch

While the firefighters put senior Jake Kruse on a stretcher they try to stop his bleeding first. Kruse had to be cut out of the smashed car.

Carefully and slowly the firefighter tries to roll senior Colton Fruhling over to check if he’s okay without hurting him. Fruhling was life flighted into a helicopter and got to take a ride for free.

Laying on the ground, senior Sydney Hollendieck is checked by the firefighters to see if she is alive.

While the police officer uses all his force to hold back Sue Hollendieck as she tries to figure out what has happened to her daughter. Hollendieck volunteered to help in the mock accident because she wanted kids to realize what the parents have to go through.