GHS The Voice October or November 2008

The Voice

Inside...

Gretna High School • 11335 South 204th Street • Gretna, NE 68028 Volume VII • Issue I • October 2008

Are teen magazines useless?

Page 10

Girls Golf Page 11

Class competition heats up

Spirit Week Page 16

GHS welcomes 5 new teachers

school news 2 October 2008 School population surpasses 700

By Danielle Spurgeon Staff Writer

A new bell has rung for Gretna High School. Again this year Gretna sees a new rise in enrollment, leading Gretna into the 700’s

The enrollment has steadily increased the last few years. Compared to 20 years ago Gretna has grown from 284 to 708 students. Ten years ago Grenta had 396 students. Since then Gretna has welcomed an additional 312 students. This year in 2008 Gretna has 168 freshmen, 187 sophomores, 175 juniors, and 178 seniors, making an increase from last year’s 681 students to 708. Having an increase in 27 students may not seem like a lot, but it’s enough to crowd the parking lots and congest the hallways, leaving students with very little elbow room to get into their lockers, and finding a good seat in the lunch room.

As a student body and an administration, students and staff members come across the same challenges, but they are harder to meet and maintain because of the increase in the number of students.

“The biggest challenge is how we have to serve all the kids,” said Mr. Miller, the assistant principal and an administrator at Gretna, “When the numbers get bigger the classes get bigger, and it’s tough!”

Ashley Chozas, sophomore, and Taylor Holmstedt, freshman, said Gretna is a lot bigger than their other schools. Chozas is from Honduras and Holmstedt came from Ashland. Transferring schools is always difficult to do, but according to these two students, Gretna has made it a pretty smooth transition. Both have said that Gretna is a very welcoming school.

“I can’t say that I like Gretna better because at this age we have all our friends and it’s hard to leave them. Even though it’s hard to make new friends, people here are still nice,” Chozas said.

“It’s a lot nicer, it’s not disorganized, people here aren't mean, they are normal, and nobody’s expecting too much out of anyone,” said Holmstedt.

Now the real question is, do we

Ms. Benzel, Math Teacher What inspired you to work at Gretna High School?

I had lots of friends who graduated from Gretna. They encouraged me to work here because of the education they got.

What is your favorite and least favorite part of your job here?

My favorite part of working at Gretna is working with the staff members. My least favorite part of working at Gretna is that I wish the school days would start earlier.

If you could pick any job in the world, what would it be?

I would love to write travel books for companies.

-By Ashley Brugmann

Mr. Depue, Math Teacher What inspired you to work at GHS? The way that the administrative is dedicated to the student was unlike anywhere else.

What is your favorite and least favorite part of teaching?

Favorite: Working with students Least Favorite: Long Hours If you could pick any job in the world, what would it be?

Baseball Coach for the Chicago Cubs

-By McKenna Kerr Mr. Wolf, History Teacher What inspired you to work at Gretna High School?

It’s a very good school system and the location is great.

What is your favorite and least favorite part of teaching?

Least- the preparing for the first year of teaching is the toughest.

Favorite- the relationships you build with the kids.

If you could pick any job in the world what would it be? major league baseball manager for the Yankees

-By Ashley Zajac

Photo by Danielle Spurgeon

As the next bell approaches, students crowd in the hallways trying to make it to class on time. Students try to collect all their books during passing period. like it better bigger or smaller? anywhere between 8 to 10 years.

“A small town school is better Currently as a student body, cause you know more people and you students all are able to maintain good have more classes with your friends. friendships and almost everyone knows Also we don’t want to turn into a school each other, keeping the small town atlike Omaha or Millard,” said junior Ja- mosphere alive. mie Reitmeier.

“I would not like to see us get much bigger,” Mr. Miller said. “I like to get to know each student and the bigger we get the more people don’t know each other.”

According to Mr. Miller, looking ahead at the kindergarten enrollment, which is 226 kids, Gretna may potentially reach the Class A status

708 Students 2008 490 Students 2003 396 Students 1998 284 Students 1988

Mrs. Huttman, English Teacher What inspired you to work at GHS? It was a closer drive for me What is your most and least favorite part of teaching?

My favorite part is getting to know the kids. I absolutely love being around high school kids - they’re funny. My least favorite part would be paper work.

If you could pick any job in the world, what would it be?

A famous actress or movie star

-By Kennedy Healy Mrs. Bulgrin, Librarian What inspired you to work at GHS? Great school district, I live here, and my kid goes to Thomas.

What is your most and least favorite part of teacher?

Least - getting paid once a month Favorite- working individually with students and when the moment they have when they get it “The wow moment” If you could pick any job in the world what would it be and why?

Cinderella at Disney World, because in Florida it’s warm and get to make children happy.

-By Alexa Long

school news 3 October 2008 Class time, lunch divided for choirs

By Liz Stratman Editor-in-chief The teacher dismisses first lunch students because it’s their week for early lunch. Concert choir and show choir students sit in class, wondering if they could possibly be in first lunch today, wishing they had glanced at one of the lunch schedules posted around the choir room and library. The bell rings and by the time they make it to one of the locations to check, proving they do have first lunch, all of their friends are already sitting down to eat.

It’s only the long lunch lines that await now.

The concert choir and show choir students share fourth hour for their rehearsal time. While the sopranos and altos may be singing, the men may be at lunch. When the show choir is practicing their dances in the auditorium, the remaining men and sopranos could be singing, and the remaining altos eating lunch. These are just a few variations of what the schedule might be like.

“You never really know who you’re going to sit with at lunch,” sophomore Zach Omar said.

Unlike Omar, senior Palmer Jeppesen doesn’t mind switching lunch periods daily.

“I like to change it up,”

Jeppesen said.

Choral music director Pat Ribar has a reason for doing this fourth hour arrangement.

“I want to do what’s best for the kids and the program,” Ribar said.

In previous years, show choir students had early morning practices.

Actually rehearsing during the school day is definitely a change.

“The best thing about this schedule is probably having show choir every other day during school,” Omar said. “You’re actually awake during rehearsal.”

While practicing the lengthy show and singing interesting pieces may be fun, dealing with over 100 students can be a hassle not only for Ribar, but also for the students.

“It’s annoying how there are so many people in the class,” Omar said.

But, Omar says it’s nice not having morning show choir rehearsals.

“You’re not so tired, but sometimes it feels like we’re not getting much done.”

Jeppesen agrees that this is a nice change.

“I already don’t like the people in show choir, and they’re ten times worse in the morning. Just kidding, but seriously.”

One may wonder how everything could possibly get done in time for competition season with

Photo by Faith Cotton

Practice makes perfect for the GHS choir students. The students make sure that all their vocals are on key. such limited practice time. Though Can any improvements be rehearsals only run about every other made to this schedule? day during school, and Tuesday nights “If everyone cracked down for a few hours, both students have a and was serious for an hour and a half, positive outlook on preparing such a things would go a lot smoother,” Omar great show. said.

“If we work hard enough I think Jeppesen would like a regular we can get everything accomplished,” weekly schedule so everyone knows Omar said. what they’re doing.

Jeppesen also thinks it’s

As the Revolution show choir possible to clean and perfect the show says, “WE ARE REVOLUTION!” in time for the first competition.

“If we treat show choir like a sport with discipline, then yes,” Jeppesen said.

End of period announcements are given the axe

By Lauren Sawyer Staff Writer

The period is nearing its end. There’s only minutes left; 5 minutes, 4, 3, 2… wait, where are the announcements? As of August 22, 2008; they’re gone.

Well, just the announcements at the end of every period, during which students are called to the office.

Mr. Miller and Mr. Mueller made the decision to discontinue the announcements. Now a handy yellow pass, to go to the office get your message, will be headed your way.

The change has been

receiving nothing but approval from GHS teachers.

“It just became so routine, that the students didn’t listen, and would put off going to the office,” art teacher Mrs. Oliver said. “That just created more names to announce and took more time.”

One of the reasons that students are not called to the office at the end of each class period now is that it simply took too much time for people to get from the north end of the building to the office, and back, without disrupting their next class.

“It’s nice to not have the

interruption, and it allows for there to be a more natural end to the class period,” English teacher Ms. Suhr said.

The disruption of each class was another reason that they were cut; now it seems that the change has altered the school for the better.

“It’s a lot easier for the staff in the office. It gives us more time to do other duties,” Mrs. Ricchiardi said.

The secretaries aren’t the only ones in favor of the modification.

“It’s wonderful; it seems more calm and controlled around the building. And it seems to me, less

students are roaming the halls,” Mrs. Oliver said.

But what do GHS students think of the halt to hourly announcements?

“I liked them [before], they let you know when the period was almost over,” sophomore Lindsay Reuter said.

“Now they’re just wasting paper with those slips.”

But of course, the change wasn’t all bad.

Sophomore Ellen Emmanuel enjoys the new system, saying that it was just annoying last year having the teachers make you be quiet for announcements.

editorial 4 October 2008

When is PDA too much?

By Natalie Doering Entertainment Editor

By Carissa Burkart

n i a C OR c M 52% Oba ma 48% ?

We asked 188 students who they would vote for in the election during lunch and these are the results.

Dear Francesca,

The other day, as I was rushing down the halls I was suddenly jolted to a halt when a couple in front of me decided to share one last kiss. Needless to say, I was late to class and plenty mad that I had to witness that. What are your thoughts on this subject and how do you get around this dilemma?

Yours Truly,

“Stop making out in front of my locker” Dear “Stop making out in front of my locker”,

I completely understand what wretched feelings you are experiencing.

More often than not, as I walk down the hallway, I see a couple kissing here, a couple hugging there, and quite possibly a couple flirting over yonder, right smack dab in the middle of things.

Besides that the problem at hand is, how to get around this issue.

One of the easiest ideas I use would

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

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

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

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

to simply give a little cough and try to maneuver around their irksome behavior. Being the easiest, this means that sometimes it will not always work.

They possibly will turn around, give you the stink eye and not let you pass.

Phase Two is a little bit more difficult but is usually a sure fire way to make this bothersome couple hop along to their next class (which brings up the question…are they always late to their class?). If your expertise is football per say, you may want to try the “duck and dive” move. Try to ease yourself in between the couples (sneakily mind you) and make a jerky dive for your freedom. This should take care of getting around that nuisance of a problem.

But how do I feel about this problem? That’s a fine question, and I’ve got a lot to say about it. But, to condense it into two words would be simple. STOP IT. It’s gross, and no one needs to see it. Can’t you at least wait until the end of the day? It’s only 7 class periods. You know, they say that the heart grows fonder in the presence of absence. So next time you’re longing to kiss your sweetheart, wait. Because no one wants to see that.

Fondly,

Francesca

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

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

The phone number is (402)332-3936.

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

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

editorial 5 October 2008

Teachers turn to Turnitin.com: Plagiarism is a problem of the past

By Liz Stratman Editor-in-chief

Where has the student-teacher honesty policy gone? Students are no longer trusted enough to write an original paper consisting of their own thoughts?

With GHS English teachers using Turnitin.com as a way to cut down on plagiarism, they also enable students to review their work online and check to make sure none of the contents are plagiarized before the final paper is submitted for a grade. Is this really helpful to students?

Looking at the set-up of the site, I was immediately confused after

I logged into the account I had just set up in class. I’m not sure if it was just me not wanting to accept I’d be forced to familiarize with a website I had no desire to, or if I really didn’t understand how to navigate around the site.

Once I enrolled in my English class and clicked on the link, I noticed many different tabs and choices of what to do.

When submitting my first paper, I thought it was annoying how it took so long for the percentage of my plagiarized material to show up by the title of my paper I had uploaded. Luckily, when it finally did appear it had only highlighted the quotes I had taken from the book I did the essay on.

After logging onto my account again, this time I realized the website really is designed to be easily accessed.

It shows starting dates and due dates for assignments, and even has a spot for the teacher to put the grade you

received on the paper. I like how I can click on the paper I’ve submitted and view it on another screen. It even has a word count and the time I submitted the essay in the right corner of the page.

Overall would I say I like this new process? Well, I definitely don’t like having to worry about one more task when I’m completing a paper. But, I do find some aspects of the site useful and beneficial to students. While it may not be fair for a teacher to have the capability of accusing a student of plagiarism when he or she might not have even copied, I do think the process is more efficient.

All the while, I still wonder if Turnitin.com can be a trusted solution to preventing students from plagiarizing. What happens if a student is convicted of plagiarism when they honestly haven’t at all? There has to

be flaws to this site. With so many students writing on the same topic, there are only so many ways to phrase what has happened in a particular scene in a book for instance. I don’t find it fair for students to be accused of plagiarizing under certain circumstances like those.

But how do teachers know if the student’s telling the truth, or if Turnitin. com really has proof of the student’s stolen words?

So I’ll advice students to be extra careful when using this site. Make sure to submit your paper before the due date to check for plagiarism. If a high percentage does appear, you have time to alter your writing so there won’t be any suspicion. Better safe than sorry is the way I look at it. Next time you have a paper due, I suggest you take the extra minute to check it over with Turnitin.com.

Student rights: Who’s actually getting theirs?

By Lauren Sawyer Staff Writer

The First Amendment to the constitution of the United States of America gives the freedom of speech to all Americans. So why are students being denied that basic right?

In the month of August, 23 students were suspended from Millard South for wearing a memorial t-shirt commemorating the life of a fellow student, Julius Robinson. Robinson was killed as a result of gang activity over the summer. His friends were all still seeking to find closure, and hoping to do his memory justice.

So Robinson’s best friend created the shirts for everyone to wear.

At the start of school, students came bearing the message, “Julius RIP,” across their chests. The school

officials just wouldn’t have it. The message was deemed “disruptive,” so the students were all suspended after refusing to remove the shirts.

Now seriously, people get tshirts custom made all the time to showcase their beliefs, and express to the world their personal opinions. I love my boyfriend, I love my girlfriend t-shirts, anyone? Yep, they’re everywhere, and no one gets in trouble for that. And if they had spoken their message, no one would’ve gotten in trouble. Heck, in some cultures, after a deceased person is mentioned everyone involved in the conversation always follows with that person’s name, then, “may they rest in peace.”

It’s simply a sign of respect.

And the most befuddling part is that it has been settled in the courtrooms of America that “symbolic speech” is protected in the constitution as well, so it technically can’t be punishable, unless it is disruptive.

Even though it is a matter of opinion as to whether something is disruptive

or not, I believe that the principals should not have come down so hard on the students, because it wasn’t an official rule.

So what is classified as disruptive? A stampede of zebras racing through the halls would definitely disrupt my personal learning experience.

But a respectful message on a t-shirt?

Absolutely not.

The students down in Missouri aren’t free from strict or teachers either. Amelia Robbins was punished for dying her hair pink for a cause close to her heart. Robbins, a seventh grader in Missouri, dyed all of her hair to a shade of bubblegum pink in memory of her father, and to support cancer patients. Her father died of cancer when she was six years old.

Amelia’s sentence was to be suspended until her hair color was changed to a normal hue. The reasoning once again being, “It’s too distracting.”

A mop of brilliantly colored hair certainly wouldn’t preoccupy

me so entirely that I would miss any amount of class, and I can’t imagine anyone else that would either. So, why the fuss?

School officials nation-wide just need to take a chill pill, because if they hadn’t ever made such a big deal out of the shirts and hair, it is more than likely that the students wouldn’t have paid gobs of attention to the “distractions” anyway. Meaning, the teachers’ and principals’ overreactions are the real cause of the problem. The students were just supporting a cause that meant a lot to them.

However, I would like to say that I applaud Gretna’s tolerance of students’ expressional hair and wardrobe. The Roe v. Wade shirts were gracefully accepted last year, and I’ve definitely seen a fair share of people with artistically dyed do’s traipsing down the school hallways. Thanks for the tolerance, and keep up the good work GHS. You’re setting a lovely example for many other schools.

features 6 October 2008 You’ve been

punked

By Taylor Bradish Staff Writer

Prankster: a mischievous or malicious person who plays tricks, practical jokes, etc., at the expense of another.

An unsuspecting bystander’s walking down the hall and their friend passes them and knocks their books on the floor, they’re on the ground scrambling for papers as half the school is jetting past them in packs, rushing to class while their friend is laughing “BOOK CHECK!” Hilarious, right?

“I put Trix yogurt on Gabrielle Tarnick’s chair in science class freshman year!,” said junior Darcy Shedeed.

She sat it in and the lid was stuck to her butt and she didn’t know untill someone told her.

But Shedeed has had her fair share of pranks played on her.

“I have had a Cheeto puff, dipped in butter, stuck up my nose by Hilary Stover.”

“I have taken an Oreo, pulled it apart, licked off the frosting and then took toothpaste, made sure it wasn’t denture cream because that will make you sick, and put the toothpaste on the Oreo making it look like the frosting

Jordan Gass

“I had a Cheeto Puff... stuck up my nose.”

-Darcy Shedeed Junior and put it back in the package,” said junior, Jordan Gass.

Attending high school alone, a person’s going to get pranked. But if that person happens to be a freshman, it’s pretty much manditory that someone is going to mess with them.

“We sneak our garbage on the freshman lunch trays,” said Junior Jalayne Prorok.

“When we were freshman I bought fake spray paint and I put it on a friend’s car while he was working,” said junior Brandon Frink.

“We play pranks because we like to have fun, it’s funny,” Shedeed said.

Access Denied GHS gets new blocking software

By Faith Cotton Photographer

“Okay class, now that we have picked our topics it time to do research,” the history teacher instructs.

Research is just one of the many tasks you have to do in class.

Sometimes it’s easy; sometimes it’s hard to find anything on the topic. But what if everything that was searched was blocked?

This is a problem at Gretna High School. You’re probably already familiar with the page that says Deep Nines Technology. The school has recently recieved new blocking software. This means administrators decide what’s blocked and what isn’t.

Before GHS received new software the ESU blocked and unblock websites through categories. This means it would block categories such as art, music, or fashion. But now GHS gets to decide what gets blocked or what doesn’t get blocked.

But is this a good thing?

GHS has only unblocked about 150 websites.

Mr. Skrdla has permission to go into Deep Nines Technology and block and unblock websites through categories. But whatever Mr. Skrdla

unblocks it also has to be OKed by administrators, such as Superintendent Dr. Riley.

“There is also a ‘filter’ that all websites run though. It will look at things in certain categories. We cannot unblock a whole category because so many websites can be under that category.”

“The software has blocked categories of sites. We have to go in and individually unblock sites. And right now we have currently opened up about 100 sites,” Mr. Skrdla said.

So how are students going to research for history class? Well for now it looks like students will have to stick to researching either at home or researching the old fashioned way.

“If you can’t get to the Internet you can always use books for research,” Mrs. Craig said.

Congratulations Mr. Burgett, on winning Walmart’s teacher of the year award! A Walmart manager and Mr. Eledge presented the award to him.

features 7 October 2008 Stand up and cheer!

Left Photo: Freshman Teresa Fibich cheers her heart out.

Bottom Photo: Freshman Mandi Wagner pumps up the crowd.

The cheerleaders try to get the crowd on its feet. Eighteen cheerleaders line the sidelines at every home football game.

TCID:BW

Gunderson spends time training horses

By Lexi Busch Staff Writer

mals, butTotosome people, horses are just big bold anisophomore Becca Gunderson they mean so much more.

Ever since Gunderson was 7 she has given up her weekends, time with her friends, and time with her family to bond with her horses and train them for competitions. Gunderson has two horses: named Chanel, who’s two years old, and Major, who’s 8 years old. She has to train them and get to know them for competitions where they get to show off how behaved and how well groomed they are.

To get to that point it takes at least a couple hours a day to get the horses ready for a competition.

“Before the competitions you have to bathe your horses, cut their manes, tails, muzzels and anything that needs to be cut,” Gunderson said. “You have to clean all your saddles and make sure they fit right too.”

To prepare for an event like this it takes a lot of passion and commitment to her horses.

“You have to practice every day to keep the horse improving and you improving at the same time,” Gunderson said, “I usually spend about two hours a day with them.”

When Gunderson has practiced as much as she can, and has groomed her horse to its best, she's finally ready for the competition. Then she’s just hoping that her horse will do its best, and compete to the level that she knows it can.

Even though getting first place is what anyone would want, there is so much more to it than just getting first place.

“It’s a great honor to get first place or even 2nd, but I’m in the 4-H Club, so I do it because I love it. It’s fun to make new friends and bond with my horses,” Gunderson said. “ It makes you want to get first place even more, and the big ribbon, and get your name in the newspaper. Everyone knows your name at the county fair.”

Getting first is great, and bonding with the horse is even better, but at times horses can be very dangerous. So, Gunderson knows that she can be hurt at any time.

“ My horse was jumping and slipped. I did a flip off of it, and it landed right on top of me. I got a concussion and couldn't remember anything for a week,” Gunderson said.

After falling off and getting hurt more than once Gunderson still thinks it’s all worth it in the end.

“ After falling off you always have to get back on Gunderson said. “My life revolves around my horses.”

in-depth 8 October 2008

t n e m i r e p

in-depth 9 October 2008 Staff members Natalie Doering and Lauren Sawyer, and sophomore Lindsay Reutter went to Oakview Mall to see if they were stereotyped. Read more to see if they were.

x E l a i c Actions reinforce So

By Natalie Doering Entertainment Editor

The dictionary describes the word action as the state of doing or acting. But what the dictionary fails to mention is the consequences of actions when they differ between good and wrong. When I decided to set out in this undercover report, I decided to shed my “good manners” and “always does right” image and make the hard decision to take the dark road of being a rude customer, no matter how hard.

Turns out, this story would be harder than I first assumed. Unlike a real customer, I was nervous. Really nervous. Where to start? I asked myself as I wandered aimlessly around the vast mall.

My plan was to go around to various stores and act as rude as possible and hopefully get a reaction out of the employees.

I decided to head over to Charlotte Russe, and I honestly felt like I was going to throw up. I was just that nervous. I dilly-dallyed around for about 15 minutes before I decided that this store wasn’t going to work. Just too many people.

My second store turned out to be another dissapointment. When I went to check out, the lady at Vaniyty didn’t even blink an eye when I took the time to talk on my cell phone for a good minute before paying her. She simply told me that “I didn’t think you were rude at all.” My fellow contributors found this hilarious, and we walked to our next mission: Deb’s. This time the results would be more satisfying.

As I went to make my purchase, I handed the fine young miss my item of choice, and strict instructions to have no

“irritating”

Perceptions based on appearance

By Lauren Sawyer Staff Writer

stereotyp

es

bag. Suddenly my phone magically rang. (For those of you who are confused, Lauren was standing nearby calling me.) It took me a minute or two to hand her the crumpled wad of money, and I could tell her horns were coming out. She smiled curtyly and handed me my receipt. But she seemed fine with it, and as she later told me.

“It happens everyday. I’m used to it.”

Our next store made me a little weary and as I stepped into the place, I questioned my ability of judgment. Hot Topic. I rarely ever shopped at the store, so how could I be rude there? Thankfully, fate took over.

As I was casually looking at some notebooks, the whole display collapsed.

Now, I know this seems unlikely. But I swear this truly, honestly happened. A gentlemen walked over and he kindly helped me, made a joke about the whole situation and made me feel better. I figured this would be the perfect opportunity to see what his views on the whole thing was and he was happy to oblige. He made sure to point out that he rarely feels like a customer treats him rudely. And when I walked out of the store, I had a better view on the story as a whole and few quotes to boot.

But the question still remains. Does a person’s actions dictate how they are treated? Like Llyod from Hot Topic said, “Normally I treat everyone really nice, but If they’re rude to me it changes how I think of them.“ And I think Brooke from Hollister sums it up, well, really nicely. “If they’re rude to me, I won’t be as likely to help them,” she said.

“youthful”

Does an individual’s appearance affect the way you perceive them?

I set out on a quest to find out exactly how much appearance affects the way people view others. My stage: Oakview Mall.

The social experiment had a few steps. First, I went into an assortment of shops at the mall, and observed the way I was treated. Second, I interviewed the workers at the shops.

My results were compared against the way sophomore Lindsay Reuter was treated. You see, she was dressed in, shall we say, a mildly exocentric way. The goal of her outfit was to attract a bit of befuddlement as to her true character. It looked stranger in color, though.

My attire was, for the lack of a better word, rather “preppy.” I was aiming for a look that hopefully most people would see as something a “nice girl” would wear. The effect was, at least, something a tad less questionable than Lindsay’s look.

I paid a visit to Charlotte Russe first. I was greeted when I walked into the store, and after I found myself waiting for an employee to give me a dressing room, the attendant apologized.

Twice.

Lindsay informs me she had a similarly pleasant time. However, the customers were certainly more interested in her fashion choices than the clerks were. I know this because they gave her a few extra not-so-well-hidden, sideways glances.

“I don’t judge people by the way they look, I judge them by their personality,” Anita, an employee of Charlotte Russe said.

So overall, the people at Charlotte Russe don’t treat people differently because of their wardrobe.

Things were certainly more interest-

ing in Hot Topic. Boy, did I ever get the stares of openly perplexed people. The customers didn’t try to hide it. They just gawked at me, while attempting to determine my reasoning behind stepping into the establishment in the first place, I’m sure. It made me feel self-conscious, and like an outsider.

The employees were still acceptably hospitable to me. Except one.

Lloyd. He would not let me ask him one question for this very article. Keep in mind that I asked nicely, he was not busy. Also, my partner in crime, Natalie Doering had already interviewed him, and he knew what he had said to her was going to be published. So why wouldn’t he talk to me?!? The employee reasoned that, “It was against the store policy.”

Hmm, something’s fishy there.

My verdict; his unhelpfulness was caused by the way I was dressed. I came to this conclusion because I was being respectful to him, which should eliminate my personality changing his attitude towards me.

Reuter was complimented on her purse by one of the customers, and the very same employee, who would not talk to me, talked to her.

Overall, Hot Topic was not such an accepting place.

In Sunglass Hut, I was once again welcomed. And, I was judged.

The employee working at the time said that he said he always judges people by the way they dress. That’s because their posture, cleanliness, and overall look, among other things, will tell you about how nice they are, and how active they might be in a conversation.

Other than my encounter with the worker at Sunglass Hut, it was a pretty uneventful experience for us both, there. It seemed that the employees at Sunglass Hut were the only people who thought looks really allowed any insight on a person.

Also, the store Spencer’s is keeping an eye out for potential criminals.

The employees pay attention to the ap-

pearance of everyone, attempting to judge who can be trusted and who can’t.

“Sometimes we have a big problem with theft. So the people between 12 and 18; we watch them the most,” Jessica, a Spencer’s cashier, said.

The customers

paid no special attention to the two of us, leading me to conclude that; at Spencer’s you will be judged by your appearance, resulting in the employees watching you more intently, but for an honorable reason.

When I entered Hollister I was greeted by the ever-helpful employees, so was Reuter. Some customers gave us an extra long look. Once again, they were probably contemplating our reason for venturing into the store, as if staring at us would help to determine that.

After I asked Brooke, a Hollister employee, if people’s appearance affects the way she thinks of them or treats them at the store, she replied, “Yes, it does.

It tells you about their personality.”

There you have it. Some people, generally those who are not being paid to be considerate, (i.e. the customers) are out there making assumptions about you based only on what they can see. The question of how accurate their view of you is, well that’s yet to be determined.

The overall consensus seems to say, your appearance will be judged, but no considerable action will be taken upon based on the assumptions alone.

“Sometimes we have a big problem with theft.

So the people between 12 and 18; we watch them the most.”

“experimental” “energetic”

-Jessica Spencer’s Employee

entertainment 10 October 2008 Will you be waiting in line for the next sequel?

By Taylor Bradish Staff Writer

Jaws, Halloween, Chucky, Saw. Scream. At the end of all these movies people are catching themselves asking, is this finally the last one? Movie sequels often get a bad rap. If the first movie is really good, why do movie producers and director feel its necessary to try and top it?

“Disney movies always have really bad sequels,” said sophomore Madison Healy.

Changing up the characters in a sequel can definitly steer people away from them, like they did in all the “Bring It On” movies.

“I don’t like it when they don’t have the original characters in a sequel. It confuses you,” said sophomore Aidan Vela.

But sequels are not always bad.

“The Bourne movie’s have good sequels”, said Healy, referring to Matt Damon’s trilogy.

“My favorite sequel is Weekend At Bernies 2”, said Vela.

Why would you want to ruin a good movie by having a bad sequel?

If the first movie is good, producers should not try and top it, because most likely the movie will not turn out as good as the first.

“I think having a good first movie, and having a bad sequel can ruin the first movie,” s a i d Vela.

Old Actors, Young parts

By Natalie Doering Entertainment Editor

Olivia Newton John. Chace Crawford.

Nicole Fiscella. What do these actors all have in common? Is it their charming good looks or their brilliant charisma? Guess again. It has to do with the fact that all these actors have, or are, portraying roles quite younger than they actually are.

Take for example, Nicole Fiscella. She happens to play the character of Isabel in Gossip Girl. The age she is supposedly on the show is 16, when in reality, she is 28 years of age. That leaves a 12 year age gap.

Sophomore Lauren Faris says that, “I think it’s kinda weird because she’s not that age.”

But what about when they actually look their age? Is it that big of a deal?

“If they look like that age it’s fine. If they don’t even look that age at all than it’s pathetic said sophomore Cindy Sedlacek.

But when the name Olivia

Name

Newton John is brought up the name flies over many people’s head. Who? They ask. When I refresh their memory with a few belts of “Sandra Dee” their memory is re-jogged. Some can’t believe that she was 30 when she played Sandy in the movie Grease. No way?

They say.

“As long as she can pull it off,” said sophomore, Robert Schram.

And indeed she does. The lifetime gross of the movie [Grease] is around $394 million. So the audience must not care about the age of the actor as long, like Kaylee Hintz, a sophomore, says “As long as they look the part”.

The common statement around here seems to be that as long as they can look the part, why not give it too them? So long as we don’t give George Clooney a role of a 18 year old, I think this drama surrounding old actors and young roles will soon dissolve by itself.

Actual Age

Age Played

Olivia NewtonJohn (Grease)

30

18

Chace Crawford (Gossip Girl)

23

17

28

18

Nicole Fiscella (Gossip Girl)

Katie Cooley, Freshman 1. Dead! by My Chemical Romance 2. Psycho by Puddle of Mudd 3. All These Things That I’ve Done by The Killers 4. Lullaby by Spill Canvas 5. Crooked Teeth by Death Cab For Cutie

By Jessica Tejral

Zach Omar, Sophomore 1. Strong Enough by Stacie Orrico 2. Whatcha Think About That by The Pussycat Dolls 3. Buttons by The Pussycat Dolls 4. Disturbia by Rihanna 5. Freakshow by Britney Spears

By Zenaida Smith

Teen Magazines:

entertainment 11 October 2008

Educational or Useless?

By Liz Stratman Editor-in-chief

Page 44… Top 10 Fall Hairstyles. Page 76… Modern Makeup Tips from the Celebs. Page 124…Horoscope.

As teens flip through their favorite mags, they may notice more than a few advertisements, but also some downto-Earth stories and helpful tips. But, would all high school students say these articles and advice apply to their lives? And are these magazines really good advocates for teens?

Junior Laura Glendenning says if teen readers don’t take everything literally in magazines, then they are okay.

“There are some aspects [of “Cosmo Girl” and “Seventeen”] that give bad ideas, like the pictures” Glendenning said.

Some students may claim magazines keep them informed and up-todate, while others find magazines such as “Cosmo Girl” and “Seventeen” don’t really relate to teens.

Sophomore Mackenzie Trom-

bly says she enjoys reading teen magazines because the advice is always really good.

“I like the embarrassing stories section,” Trombly said. “They’re funny.”

Trombly says there are always a few useless articles in each issue.

Senior Shauna Tietze finds the articles about celebrities useless and thinks some teen magazines aren’t very helpful to her life.

“On the fashion pages,” Tietze said. “I don’t like how some of the clothes are really ugly.”

Glendenning says teens shouldn’t model themselves off of pictures in magazines.

“[These magazines] aren’t helpful for good self-esteem,” Glendenning said.

Though Trombly gets monthly subscriptions to “Cosmo Girl” and “Seventeen,” she finds some parts of the magazines annoying.

“I don’t like all of the advertisements,” Trombly said. “There are way too many!”

Taking a peak into the October 2008 issue of “Cosmo Girl,” aside from

the jean advertisements and perfume samples, the magazine appears to have quite a bit of valuable information. It hits on issues like being eco-friendly, the effects of marijuana use, and dealing with eating disorders. It also offers make-up, fashion, hair, and fitness tips. Sounds good to me. But let’s take a closer look.

Page 48 titled “Shop Talk” shows four modern outfits from Topshop, a new store opening for the first time in the U.S. in New York City. One picture shows a model wearing a long sleeved sweater dress with a dog design covering over the top half and a large bow tie at the neckline. She’s wearing ankle boots with tall, black socks. Does this sound like something a GHS student would show up to school wearing?

Is this style section actually useful?

Between pages 118 and 119, there is a special 2008 edition of Cosmo Girl’s 100 Best Colleges. It lists certain colleges and tells information about each.

Useful? Tietze thinks so.

“I like the funny stories and the college tips.”

Cosmo Girl: October 06 – 50 college Sometimes when we flip through magazines we find that most of them are recycling their ideas over and over.

Take a look at our evidence.

tips vs. October 07 & 08 – 100 college tips (same layout) Cosmo Girl: Post breakup tips – October 06 – “How to heal a broken heart”

vs. October 08 – “One week to a happy heart”

Cosmo Girl August 07 - “Are you too obsessed with him?” vs. Seventeen October 07 – “Are you obsessed with your boyfriend?”

fun 12 October 2008 Alicia Zeeck, Junior What’s the worst thing you ever did as a kid?

I dropped a seashell on my older sister’s head because she didn’t let me into her fort Is there one word you can use to describe you?

Happy If you could make one wish, what would it be?

A lifetime supply of gas for my car What’s the worst thing you ever ate as a kid?

Mushrooms.

Would you rather do the Macarena or dress up like a chicken and freak dance in front of everybody?

Macarena What was your favorite boys’ band as a kid?

NSYNC By-Lindsey Detten

Q&A Lindsay Hanson, Sophomore

Kami Havick, Senior You were given a magic potion that allows you to be invisible for one hour.What would you do for that hour of invisibility?

I would spy on people. Mainly my friends and see what they do when I’m not around.

If you had a super power what would it be and why?

To be able to fly, so I could go to places like Japan.

What is one item you own that you really should throw away but probably never will?

My pair of pink sparkly flip-flops that are all torn up but I haven’t thrown them away because at one point I wanted to get married in them.

You’ve probably heard the saying “They couldn’t pay me enough money to do that job.” What job would that be for you?

A maneur picker-upper -By Courtney Murcek

If I came to your home and looked in your refrigerator, what would I find?

Chocolate sauce, strange cheeses, Fuji water!!

If you were alone in a desert what would your thoughts be?

Woah…dude. It’s hot.

How would you react if you were transformed into a fish?

Hmm, something’s fishy.

If you could add any new subject at school what would it be?

French class.

If you could choose to be any food what would you be?

Chocolate.

If you were an entry in the dictionary which word would people find you under?

Spontaneous.

Style File Stacie Weakland

What item/trend are you ready to retire?

When people wear those super-thin, (like Kleenex) nasty t-shirts with whatever brand name plastered all over the front. They can retire that. I don’t want to retire anything myself.

What article of clothing do you spend the most money on?

Cardigans What is your most coveted item?

My grandmother’s ring What was the first clothing piece that you really adored?

When I was a small child (like four or five) I had the sweetest pair of underwear. They were pink and had ruffles all over. I loved them so much.

Belt: Thrift World $1.98 Tank: Mother’s Closet Skirt: Charlotte Russe $4.99 Rain Boots: Goodwill $5.99 -By Arielle Sichta

Jake Weakland, Freshman If you could merge any two animals, what would they be? What would you call it?

A flamingo and a hippo. I would call it a Flippo.

If you could be in the Guinness Book of World Records, what would you want to be in there for and why?

The world’s best friend because I’m awesome and like having lots of friends.

If you could make a holiday that would get us out of school, what day would it be on and why?

September 11 because it’s a sad day.

fun 13 October 2008

Car Of the Month Jessica Wagner and Katie Sturgeon, Juniors What is the model of your car?

Jessica: 2003 Cavalier Katie: 2005 Cavalier What’s the most frequent place you drive to besides school?

Jessica: Village Point, Target, Cold Stone Creamery Katie: the mall or soccer practice/game What’s in the trunk and floor of your car?

Jessica: soccer ball, blanket, ninja turtle fruit snacks, clothes, iTrip, cd’s Katie: soccer ball, clothes, water bottle What radio station do you listen to the most?

Jessica: mostly my cd’s and iPod, but radio station would probably be 106.9 Katie: i listen to my ipod

Stuff

Random information about people in your school.

What is your dream car?

Jessica: Hot pink mustang with zebra seat covers, 2008(newest one) Katie: Yellow mustang, totally decked out with everything 2008(newest one) -By: Mandi Wagner

Horse

A Break

d o Fo

What is your favorite 80/90’s band?

n o C

Fly

Flying Polar Bea r Giraffe

n

Trey McCampbell

t r e

nc

Co

g

ui

Forever, Chris Brown

What would your dream pet be?

din

ng

Meghan Dennis

Re a

Pe

Feel Good Inc., Gorillaz

nd

Tyler Harris, Freshmen

t r ce

Kelsey Stark

Best reason to skip class?

Mi

sis

Better In time, Leona Lewis

If you could be a superhero, what would your superpower be?

eki ne

Match te song to the person you think likes it the most.

Tel

Music Match

Brett Gross, Sophie Schneider, Junior Sophomore

Fly

Jordan Drake, Senior

Backstreet Tears For The Go Go’s AC/DC Fears Boys

Answers: Kelsey Stark, Forever by Chris Brown; Meghan Dennis, Better In Time by Leona Lewis; Trey McCampbell, Feel Good Inc. by Gorrillaz

Sports 14 October 2008

t u O e TimWith...

Brandon Hubert

Q: How do you prepare for a game?

A: I listen to some rap music.

Q: How long have you been playing football?

A: Since I have been in sixth grade.

Q: What is your most memorable football game?

A: Sophomore year a 70 yard pass to me and I scored a touchdown.

Q: Do you have a favorite football play?

A: Six reverses and a fake hand-off to me.

-Morgan Agagah

Kelsi Kuhn Q: How do you prepare for a game?

A: I listen to my iPod and get in the zone. I like to listen to any good pump up song.

Q: How long have you been playing volleyball?

A: A long, long time, like nine years.

Q: What is your most memorable volleyball moment?

A: When my club team, Premier, beat our rival, Impact.

It would be like Gretna beating Elkhorn.

Q: Who is your favorite volleyball player? Why? A: Sarah Pavan, because she’s a tall, lefty like me.

Q: What is running through your mind before you make a hit?

A: I’m always thinking high swing and snap the wrist.

-Abby Allgood

Jordyn Wollenburg

Q: What’s the hardest thing about golf?

A: Hitting the ball straight Q: What’s your biggest distraction while playing golf?

A: The people who are watching.

Q: Is golf your favorite sport?

A: No, because my favorite sport is basketball.

Q: What made you want to play golf over any other sport?

A: I have liked it since I was little, so I just thought i would stay with it.

Q: What’s your best score?

A: On 9-hole my best score is 47, and on a 18-hole my best score is 107.

-Jordan Meadows

Maddie Strong

Q: How do you prepare for a meet?

A: I mentally prepare myself and I stretch.

Q: How long have you been interested in running?

A: Since the 6th grade when i first started track.

Q: What is your best time in cross country?

A: My best time is 17:42 for a 2 mile run.

Q: What do you think about when your running at a meet?

A: I usually play a song in my head and the people yelling my name.

Q: Do you run on your spare time? Why? A:Yeah i do, so I can get in better shape and get better at running.

Q:What is the hardest thing about cross country?

A: The long and hard practices, and Indian Running. That is hard.

-Matt Horan

Morgan Harpenau Q: What position so you play in softball?

A: Outfield.

Q: What is your pre-game ritual?

A:Varsity puts on eye black before a game.

Q: What is the best part about softball?

A: The adrenaline pumping while I’m on the field.

Q: Who is your idol in the softball world?

A: Caitlin Lowe, because she is an outfielder like me.

-Katie Whitted

Elaine Kramer prepares herself for a spike. Kramer earned a starting job this year as a freshman. Surrounding her are seniors Taylor Haug and Jaclyn Sutton and sophomore Riley Haug.

-Photo by Lexi Busch

Dig This:

By Anthony Jourdan Sports Editor

Entering freshman year of high school is always tough, but it can be even tougher when being named a starter on varsity. Well that is the case for freshman outside hitter Elaine Kramer who was named a starter on this year’s varsity Dragon volleyball team. She says though that there is still work to be done.

“It feels really good to be on varsity,” Kramer said. “I still need to continue to work harder at my position on the team.”

There’s a lot of younger talent on this year’s team, there is one freshmen, 8 sophomores, 1 junior, and only 3 seniors. With developing players there always has to be someone on the team that those players look up to. Senior Libero Taylor Haug says she is going to do her best to be a leader.

“Well, I plan on telling them what they need to fix for the future, and by setting an example by not yelling at them, instead cheering them on,” Haug said.

Kramer thinks having the upperclassmen to look up to is a good thing for all the young players.

“I have made friends with all the upperclassmen on the team,”

Volleyball squad takes advantage of young team

Kramer said. “They also set a good example for me and the younger girls.”

Having such a young team this year always may have its ups and downs throughout the season. One of those is the inexperience of the team. But Haug says it will not make a difference this year.

“I don’t think it will make a difference how the team plays,” Haug said. “All that matters is how we play as a team.”

With so many underclassmen on the team this year, people have to wonder if it motivates the upperclassmen to play harder and better. Haug thinks it definitely helps.

“I think it helps because the upperclassmen already know what we are getting into. So we have to use our leadership skills to pick everyone up,” Haug said.

Kramer says that with her success she says that it will set an example for the younger generation to come.

“Even though I’m an underclassman, I’ve still had to work hard to have the spot I have earned on the team,” she said.

Kramer says she is going try to be a leader this season.

“I’m going to try and encourage my teammates, do my best, and help my teammates to keep their heads up and stay positive.”

Sports 15 October 2008

New faces make their presence felt

By Anthony Jourdan Sports Editor

“Restore the Order.” Nebraska Fans most common household phrase.

The phrase that everyone hopes restores Nebraska back to its old self.

Well the Dragons are looking to do the same with a new and revamped Gretna Dragons football team. There are some new and some familiar faces. One new face on the field is senior linebacker Cameron Debord who says he plans on doing his best to help the team.

“My biggest goal this year is helping the team get out there and win,” Debord said.

Debord says that working harder in the weight room, paid off in the end, earning himself the starting job. There will be a hand-full of other new starters out there. Stepping in for the backfield, which lost all of its starters from last year, is senior quarterback Trent Miller who is leading the Dragon offense this year.

“I’m going to try and give my wide recievers and running backs the ball because they’re good,” Miller said.

There is going to be a variety of running backs coming on and off the field. Junior Ross Labenz who has returned a kick return for a touchdown again Pius X. Seniors Taylor Martin and Ethan Donica are going to be a big key this year too. Martin has already had a 61-yard touchdown run against Columbus Lakeview. Senior Brandon Hubert returns as a key wide receiver already boosting his team with 193 yards and four touchdowns against Plattsmouth. Stepping in at the other two slots are going to be senior tight end Drew Tasler and senior wide receiver Adam Koch.

“I’m going to do my best this year to make plays when we need them the most, and making sure that our team comes out with more points at the end of the game,” Koch said.

“My biggest role this year is to make sure I block the guys I’m suppose to and catch the passes thrown to me,” Tasler said.

Now it comes down to the big guys that we like to call the offensive line. With the experience of returning starter Ben Fleck, the O-Line is looking at some new faces, including seniors Mark Beran, Ben Barna, Dwight Jones,

X-Country!

focuses r Dan Drews io n ju e n li h is e fin ntry had Running for th The Cross Cou . im h of t on many in fr ns and has had in on the task ru e ac pl d ir and th many second uals. gs for individ in ac pl t differen

and juniors Jake Butler and Austin Heesacker.

Experience is always the key when it comes to defense and the Dragon defense has a lot of returning starters from last year.

A new addition to the line is senior Jordan Vanosek who is helping his team at the defensive end position. Nothing much has changed from the cornerbacks positions expect the addition of senior Austin Jeary who has already made his

presence felt in the first game of the year when he returned a fumble for a touchdown. The Dragons defense has proved themselves to be strong enough to make a run, that capped off when they held Columbus Lakeview to 96 total yards.

“Definitely my favorite part about suiting up for game day is getting the chance to hit people,” Debord said.

Getting ready to defend a play against Plattsmouth are seniors Jordan Stirtz, Mark Beran, Davis Hannibal, Ben Fleck, and Cameron Debord. The Dragons went on to come back in that game and win 28-24.

-Photo by Faith Cotton

GOLF! Junior Riley Sc hafer gets read y to sned the soaring at Tib ball uron. The go lf team has w three top finis on had hes and never has placed be fifth place low d le s She ha wing. s Golf Photos by Lexi Busch h r c e a h e t s list a actice a r d p e k m w five Ha s a top or Cari 4! Seni by finishing a m her tea meet.

photo story 16 October 2008

Got Spirit?

Sophomore Austin Goforth dressed up in his nerd outfit for spirit week. Many other GHS students dressed up for nerd day.

Mr. Hammond participates in spirit week by showing off his nerd outfit. Mr. Wimmer also was dressed for nerd day.

Sophomores Robert Schram, Nikki Mickelson, Kelsey O’Neill, Kevin Andersen, and Aaron Dittmar wore their jerseys and hats for spirit week. The whole volleyball team all wore their jerseys to support their team.

Juniors Daina Keehn and Megan McCoy and freshmen Emily Zapotocny and Jordyn Wollenburg all dressed up for Hawiin day. This group of girls looked like they were ready to catch a wave.

Sophomores Sophia Schneider, Brittany French, and Lindsay Reuter and Freshmen Teresa Fibich and Mandi Wagner all dress up in their 80’s clothes for spirit week. More girls than boys were dressed up for 80’s day.

Photos by Lexi Busch