2010 GHS Voice October

Gretna High School • 11335 South 204th Street • Gretna, NE 68028 Volume IX • Issue I • October 2010

the

Voice Breaking Tradition:

Abundant leadership forecasts strong year Lauren Sawyer Editor in Chief

“Be not afraid of greatness; some are born great, some achieve greatness, and others have greatness thrust upon them,” William Shakespeare once wrote. In this quote, the varsity football team has found common ground with the bard.

On the day of the soap scrimmage, Aug. 20, every member of the varsity football team voted for three seniors to be team captain. Each member submitted a paper ballot to Chad Jepsen, head coach, to be tallied. He was surprised by the result: a five-way tie. Breaking tradition, the coaches decided to allow all five the title.

“We didn’t have to take everyone,” Jepsen said. “There could have been another vote from the top five, but they were all proven leaders.”

In the past, Gretna has only allowed three team captains. After careful consideration, this unique situation was allowed.

“It was kind-of surprising to have a five-way tie,” Michael Chick said. “But I was stoked to be a captain.”

The most significant change in the game is that only four players may go on the field for the coin toss, so a rotation was put in place. Other responsibilities include: leading the team in stretches, speaking with the referee, boosting moral and voting on behalf of the other players.

The other four leaders are Aaron Dittmar, Cole Spurgeon, Logan Henning and Nick Barber. Some were excited for this opportunity for greatness but did not expect it. While others weren’t as enthusiastic but planned to do the best they could. Humble captains, Jepsen said, is exactly what Gretna needs because it means they are team players.

“Not every set of captains in any given year could handle it,” Jepsen said. “But these guys can.” photo by Lauren Sawyer

On the inside: Andrew Jensen ‘12

Powder Puff continues off of school grounds Page 6

Learn how tight schedules and stress affect us Pages 8, 9

Voluntering, Gahan helps at Med Center Page 10

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Briefs Haun’s Boys

By Gabriella Montemarano For the first time ever at GHS, there is one English class period during the day filled with all boys, 19 boys to be exact. English teacher, Jeff Haun, is the instructor of this class.

Haun says it is just “fine”.

“It’s probably made easier by the fact that it’s all guys,” Haun said.

He says he would feel more uncomfortable with a class of all girls.

Drew DeBolt ‘13 said, “I feel like I’m at (Creighton) Prep.

It’s awkward.”

DeBolt said he cannot imagine being in classes with all boys all day long.

Chestnut Ridge Annex

By Ashley Josoff

On Oct. 1, the subdivision Chestnut Ridge located off US Highway 6/31, was annexed by the city of Gretna. Some speculation was raised whether or not it would have an impact on the Gretna Pub-

lic Schools District.

“Annexing Chestnut Ridge has no effect to Gretna Public Schools,” Dr. Kevin M. Riley, superintendent said.

“We go to 168th and Harrison and we’re a big school district.”

news october 2010 Freshman Guide for Survival Lauren Sawyer Editor-In-Chief

These lockers are bigger than in the middle school, an incoming freshman notices. Then the student realizes with a panic, they are big enough to fit freshman. In reality, the most popular problem with high school lockers is that they are difficult to open. (Should anyone really get locked in one though, he/she would have Deputy Lance Shickert to answer to.) With a few handy tips on new students most troubling topics, the transition just might be easier than it is made out to be.

Noodle Bib:

Noodlebib is a program made by Noodle Tools designed to make creating bibliographies a breeze. It’s like the middle school’s Easybib.com only it isn’t free. So students should not create multiple accounts because it may cost the school extra fees.

Instead of creating a new account, open an old one with the “I forgot my password” link is located under the password box.

Forgetting an ID, is not a problem either. It is the same as the server ID. Kari Bulgrin, media specialist said multiple people come in each day to ask for their information.

“I get a little agitated,” Bulgrin said. “I wish they would remember their passwords and I wish more students would come in just to say ‘hi’ to me.”

If Noodlebib locks you out and says your account needs to be reactivated, don’t go ballistic.

Breathe; It will be alright. The ID “gretna” and the password “dragons” will unlock it so the deadline may be met. Also, it may be helpful to create bibliographies at home because the program has a tendency to load endlessly at school- so don’t wait until the period it’s due to find this out the hard way.

Locker Combination:

After a long break, it is easy to forget a locker combination.

The secretaries, Judy Ricchiardi and Nancy Turpen, have a little black book of combos to help you out. If it’s actually broken, they can page a janitor too.

Activity Pass:

Eunice Legacie, athletic director secretary can issue a replacement pass for a five dollar fee.

Her office is in the main office next to the copy room. Activity passes may still be purchased for a 30 dollar fee.

Game Admission: 9/JV and Varsity: $5 adults, $4 students Varsity only: $5 adults, $4 students JV only: $4 adults, $3 students Reserve or Freshman only: $4 adults, $3 students Free admission to football games after halftime

Yearbook:

Yearbooks may be purchased for 50 dollars before Jan. 7. Chelsea Leudke, Lauren Sawyer, Alyssa Stahr, or Mrs. Baijnauth (first left in the English hallway) will collect money and write receipts. Don’t wait! After first semester, the price will be increased.

Database Passwords:

Use the links on the GHS media center page to enter these sites.

More information on the databases in located in the library.

Grolier Online: Username: gpsdhome Password: Grolier Elibrary: Username: 78-17184 Password: bigchalk Opposing Viewpoints/ Student Resource Center Gold/History Resources/Literature Resource: Username: ghsl Password: ghsl EBSCO Host Web Ultra Online: Username: ghs Password: dragons Wilson Web: Password: midday4 *Password changes every October and April

news october 2010

Eight New Teachers start at GHS

3

By Paige Duin

Name: Brendan Raybourn Years Teaching: 8 Class: Algebra I, Name: Gretchen Algebra II Baijnauth Years Teaching: 13 Class: English 10, Journalism, Newspaper, Yearbook

Name: Alan Fanning Years Teaching: 30 Class: MicroEconomics

Name: Kristen Schweitz(left) Years Teaching: 1 Class: Geometry, Algebra II

Name: David Shrader Years Teaching: 34 Class: Business Law, Keyboard

Name: Danika Spurgeon Years Teaching: 2 Class: Speech

Name: Georgia Tucker Years Teaching: 7 Class: High Ability Learner

Name: George Behney Years Teaching:1 Class: Physical Science, Chemistry in the

New Omaha tax enacted Kelsey Charrlin News Editior

During the past year, the city of Omaha has devised a plan to pay off its debt of citywide projects. In Omaha the City Council is in the process of trying to off set the debt by adding a tax. The new tax is set at 2.5%.

This tax will effect the cost of restaurant meals, drinks at bars, and catering in Omaha.

“I think every business should pay for the taxes not only restaurants,” Amanda Thamm 13’ said. “It’s unfair.”

The tax’s revenue is estimated to take in $14.8 million per year. It will be put toward pensions for firemen and policemen, as well as for other Omaha proj-

ects, such as the new sports stadium, home to the UFL Omaha Nighthawks and the NCAA College World Series.

“It’s blasphemy,” Patrick Carney ‘12 said. “I shouldn't have to pay extra money to eat my hamburger just to pay for a new stadium.”

Most students are torn of the idea of losing Rosenblatt, which first opened to host the St. Louis Cardinals, a farm team from 1947. The stadium continued to host other minor league teams such as the Omaha Royals.

Rosenblatt’s next-door neighbor, The Henry Doorly Zoo has purchased the property and will begin excavating the land starting in late 2010. The zoo plans on using the land at

Rosenblatt to add several new exhibits such as an enlarged arctic center and more parking.

Another student Tanner Evans ‘13 shares the same belief as Thamm, he believes that the city should spread the tax around.

“They needed a new stadium,” Evans said. “It’s good but it wasn’t necessary for them to put a tax.”

While other students such as Ashley Brugmann ‘12 believe that Rosenblatt was a historic place and the City of Omaha should not have gotten rid of the stadium because it won’t bring back the years of memories people shared in those stands.

“I don’t think there should be taxes on things people enjoy,” Eric Smith ‘11 said.

“If the government taxes us its them [the government] ruining our future kids’ fun.”

Between the worry of paying higher taxes and the future of the next generations, multiple controversies have come about with the new set back.

“No one likes increased taxes, I don’t know if I could have a better idea [for this situation],” history teacher Jon Swanson said.

While the reporters of the Voice collected students’ opinion on the new tax, we tried to contact the Mayor ‘s office and tried to contact several businesses, we were unable to obtain a statement on the entertainment tax.

opinion and editorial 4 october 2010 Homecoming dance needs new date: lets put more support back into GHS

The Staff’s Opinion

Tickets are sold, the concession stand is open, Friday night lights illuminate the field, parents sit in the bleachers, visitors fill their section, cheerleaders kick on the track, administrators watch from a corner with a precautionary ambulance situated behind them and the football team and coaches are on the sideline. It’s all thereevery ingredient for a Dragon football game. It would be a recipe for success, except it’s missing one crucial ingredient: student fans.

Each year, the student section is left remarkably empty at the Homecoming football game. These events are usually bursting with students full of school pride, dressed for the theme and cheering the team on. Practically the whole city of

Gretna shows up to support the varsity team all season long. Homecoming has always been the exception. The fans are fewer; the school pride is lost.

The excitement of the night has left with the students. And where are they, but preparing for the Homecoming dance. From receiving a professional up-do, to makeup treatment, to pregame pictures- nearly every student has a reason skip the game or leave early.

This is not acceptable. The students that do attend the homecoming game sit grimly with their heads in their hands. These fans have no enthusiasm.

Cheerleaders try to pump them up, but the girls are ignored. A field goal is scored, and the crowd claps and yells momentarily, then dies back down into stone silence.

The players’ support has been

stolen by the Homecoming dance. The pep band and dance team leave after half time and the cheerleaders depart after third quarter. In fact, virtually the entire student section is empty by this time. It’s difficult for the team to play a game well when their school has abandoned them, and so support must be reestablished for this pivotal game.

The answer is simple: remove the conflict. That is not to say, however, that the dance should be cancelled. But rather, it should be moved to the following day, Saturday. This would allow students to support the team.

Everyone would be benefited from the change. Students could make more of an event out of the dance, rushing less during preparation and having time to dine out for a special meal. Teachers who supervise and parents who play

The biggest crowd of the night gathers to watch the fist quarter of the Homecoming game. By third quarter, more than half of the student section sat empty. photo by Lauren Sawyer chauffeur would not have to stay out so late as well. Move homecoming to Saturday and the equilibrium between schedules is corrected and players may receive their due support.

Meet The 2010-2011 Newspaper Staff Lauren Sawyer Editor in Chief Serving 3 years Senior

Kelsey Charrlin News Editor Serving 3 years Junior

Ashley Josoff Staff Writer Serving 2 years Sophomore

Lexi Bucsh Photographer and Sports Editor Serving 4 years Senior

Ethan Dawes Staff Writer and Cartoonist Serving 3 years Junior

Gabriella Montemarano Staff Writer Serving 1 year Sophomore

Kennedy Healy Feature/In Depth Editor Serving 3 years Junior

Chelsea Pote Staff Writer Serving 2 years Junior

Trey Russel Staff Writer Serving 2 years Sophomore

Ashley Zajac Arts and Entertainment Editor Serving 3 years Junior

Paige Duin Staff Writer Serving 1 year Sophomore

Mary Yager Staff Writer Serving 1 year Sophomore Not Pictured, Courtney Murcek

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features october 2010

Social networking growing rapidly Aiden Vela’s Facebook because he also has funny pictures and status about random things.”

Another up-and-coming social networking site is Twitter, but Twitter has not made a big leap into students worlds like Facebook has. For GHS teens it is used to look up there favorite celebrities and see what they are doing during there everyday life.

“I got a Twitter account just to follow people,” Madison Healy ‘11 said.

“Kaka is my favorite soccer player so he is my favorite to follow.”

Swanson also has a fun time on Twitter following celebrities and trying to get people to follow him as well.

“Its kind of depressing because no one cares to follow me, I have two random followers, but I do follow Conan O’Brien and a few political figures which is cool,” Swanson said.

We have all seen social networking sites come and go. They are a great way to talk and catch up with old friends or long distance family. It’s safe to say that the social networking sites are here to stay and we will just have to wait and see what new one will be coming around the corner tomorrow.

Photo by Paige Duin

Why does our school block social networking sites?

From AIM, to MySpace, to Facebook, to Twitter then SkypeAmerica’s social networking has grown over the past few years and continues to grow everyday. Children and adults of all ages are completely drawn into the social networking world and use it as one of their prime sources to communicate with friends and family.

Almost half of the social networking users are ages 50 to 64 years old. But the average age of Facebook users is 38 years old. History teacher, Jon Swanson, is 35 years old and is an active user of both Facebook and Twitter.

“I like Facebook because I can network with other teachers about their effective teaching strategies,” Swanson said.

Although Facebook users average age is 38 years old, many teens are also progressive users of the huge networking site. More than half of teens check their Facebook everyday and 62% of teens get their news off the Internet.

“I like getting on Facebook because I can look and comment on people’s funny pictures,” said Pat Carney ‘12, “I really like looking at

“Our filter covers all grades from elememtary school to high school. So while the things on those pages may not be a big deal for high schoolers, it is for the kids in elementary school. Multiple filters would be hard to manage and take up a lot of time.

It also would cost another several thousand dollars and a yearly subscription.”

- Jerome Skrdla, Tech Coordinator

73%

of americans

Lexi Bush Photographer/Sports Editor

have been a victim of online crime.

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features october 2010

Powder Puff canceled permanently Students cannot accept end of school tradition

Lauren Sawyer Editor in Chief

week is about what the students want to do,” so he would allow

The principal excused himself football practices to be from a conversation with his fellow held on school grounds administrators, connected a hard, for any future game, grey microphone to the sound jack on but not the actual the stage, he switched it on. A bone- game, if it is football. quivering buzz interrupted first lunch “It’s kind-of impossible and introduced the resolute message to make another activity to come. “Ladies and gentleman if I that includes everyone,” could have your attention,” he started. “I Jason Wendelin ‘12, would just like to inform you all that I student council member have cancelled the Powder Puff football said. “I feel bad for the game…” he went on to justify the decision. girls because it’s a long A nagging sense of déjà vu swept tradition they probably over GHS during first lunch as students looked forward to.” erupted in resentment and plans of Volleyball and softball retaliation. Last year, the game was were eliminated as cancelled over lunch due to the weather, alternatives, according and now it has been cancelled permanently. to Wendelin. Dodgeball The students don’t care that Principal and an all-girls class Roger Miller and the administration competition gained cancelled Powder Puff due to the liability the most support, for the school. They don’t care that players but a replacement are injured and then forced to sit out of an was never found. entire sporting season. They don’t believe It is clear, however, that “girls weren’t getting equal playing time” GHS will not officially should be a reason to cancel this tradition. sponsor any future off “When I first heard Powder Puff campus games, yet they was cancelled, I was outraged,” Emma won’t be banned either.

Hulsey ‘11 said. “I told some of the “I can’t stop anyone volleyball parents at a team dinner from getting together Shoving her way to the ball, Emma Connely ‘12 maneuvers around and they wanted to petition it.” with friends and having Cassie Kirkpatrick ‘11 in the Powder Puff football game. The first The decision even stirred up resentment fun,” Miller said. day of spirit week is the traditional date for the all-girl game. for upperclassmen boys. Logan Henning Unofficial coach of photo by Lauren Sawyer ‘11 was psyched to cheer on the senior girls the 2009 juniors Kelsy O’Neill ‘11 made Despite conflicts with softball, the in a borrowed skirt and sports bra. He sure team members had equal play ACT prep class and jobs enough students gave a censored reaction to the time last year. It was as simple as showed up for rotations in players, along decision, “I think it is an unnecessary polling the crowd to find out who still with band members, plenty of cheering removal of fun.” Then added needed a turn. In the end, players went parents and even two local police members brazenly, “They’re fun-suckers.” home without a single injury for supervision. However, this year’s Emily Zapotocny ‘12 wanted to despite playing on a public attendance was less than half of last dress up as well. She hoped that soccer field, not a well- year’s, possibly because of the late notice.

Powder Puff would still happen, manicured football field. “If I would have known about it rather it is school sponsored or “If it’s a matter of equal earlier than the day before, I probably not. Dressing up was half the fun play time, people could have gone,” Becca Gunderson ‘11 of the game and she would have should just get said. “I would’ve liked to go because liked the chance to dawn a tutu over it,” O’Neill it’s my senior year and it’s just sad that while playing a male sport. said.

“In some people had to miss out on that.”

“I wanted to do what sports, there Powder Puff began over 20 years ago at the all the grades before me isn’t equal play time.” request of the cheerleaders, dance team and have done and said In the end, students pulled pep club. Debora Childs science teacher, was extremely fun,” together and organized the sponsor of these activities, organized the Zapotocny said. “I’m a game through status rules, practices and permission to play on upset because it’s a part of tradition updates on Facebook and the football field. She was caught off guard I wasn’t able to participate in.” text messages. On the day of by the announcement of it’s cancellation.

Miller spoke with the Student the game, Sept. 20, secretary “Thinking about injuries, I guess Council and gave them the and past Powder Puff coach I’m not surprised,” Childs said. opportunity to propose a new Nancy Turpen announced the “But I know that the students really game. He believes “homecoming Jessica Tarsikes ‘11 colors for the “supposed” game. enjoyed it; so, it’s a little bit sad.”

Students Sound off

“I think it’s stupid that we can’t play at school, but it was still fun anyway. If we have to play at Plum Creek every year, then we will.”

-Courtney Ballard ‘12

“I was excited to still have the game, at first, but then it was boring because not many people showed up.”

-Austin Goforth ‘11

“I wasn’t really that upset about not having the game because so many people went out it was kind-of useless.”

-Katie Gerdes ‘12

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features october 2010

Siblings stick together from home to school Mickelson sisters spike together “It’s definitely different. If I looked back at my freshman year, I never would have seen myself playing with my sister.”

-Nikki Mickelson ‘11 (left) “It’s really fun. I like playing with my big sister because I feel like I’m learning a lot.”

-Natalie Mickelson ‘12 (right)

Chelsea Pote Staff Writer

They are at home. They are at school. Now they are in the same extra circular activity. Is that too much family to handle? Ethan Dawes ‘12 doesn’t seem to think so.

“I like having my brother do football and pole vault together. He’s under my wing so I can teach him everything I know so that he doesn’t make the same mistakes as me,” E. Dawes said.

This is going to be the first year that the Dawes boys are going to do pole vaulting together.

“He didn’t want to do it at first, but then he saw me doing it and thought it looked fun so he decided to do it too,” E. Dawes said.

Ellen Emanuel ’11 and her sister, Nicole Emanuel ’13, are in both choir and show choir together.

“We are both always busy so it’s nice to see each other at show choir, especially since she will be going off to

college soon,” N. Emanuel said.

E. Emanuel agrees that it is fun to have something in common with her sister, but she doesn’t always enjoy it.

“It can be frustrating because Nicole plays sports and those are just her thing and show choir used to be like that for me but it’s not anymore,” E. Emanuel said.

Like E. Emanuel, Natalie Mickelson ’14 said that it can be hard at times. Natalie Mickelson plays volleyball with her sister Nikki “11.

“She can be mean and yell at me. And it is embarrassing when we get into fights at volleyball,” Natalie said.

Although it can be rough at times Natalie said that it was nice to be able to practice with her sister outside of school.

Volleyball is a big thing in the Mickelson house hold. Although it can be hectic and crazy at times they both agreed that it was fun to have it in common and they wouldn’t want to have it any other way.

From point A to point B Distance between classes Ethan Dawes Staff Writer

With all the halls crowded and as busy as rush hour traffic, students wouldn’t think that things could get any worse than that. But the worst is yet to come. Students face walking across the school and back on quests for their next class period.

“I go from the band room to Mrs. Deane’s and then to Mrs. Childs”, Kyle Christensen ‘13 said.

Walking through the halls becomes more of a 100-meter dash for some.

“I get to class right when the bell rings,” Jordan Dostal ‘14 said, “I don’t have any time for water or anything.

Students walked their normal routes and took a step count by using a pedometer and the results were astonishing. According to Dostal, it takes 3,428 steps a day to get to every class period on time throughout the day. And

the crowd doesn’t help either. Totaled together for a week, Dostal takes 17,140 steps.

“It’s like march of the penguins and it’s ridiculous”, Dostal said.

Without being able to stop in the hallway for lockers, bathrooms or even to talk to friends, students always have to be on the move in order to make it on time for their next class on time.

“It’s like a morning work out,” Quinten Dawes ‘14 said. Dawes also takes a ridiculous amount of steps averaging out at 4,127 steps. In a week, Dawes takes about 20,635 steps in all.

As well as having to be smart, students also need to be in cross country condition to make it to and from each classes.

“If I could, I’d have all my classes near each other so I wouldn’t have to worry about getting there on time”, Christensen said, “It would be nice because I wouldn’t have to walk in as the bell rings.”

Join

Team Pink!

New national honor society Committee Or get FBLA points Saturday Nov. 13, 2010 at Westroads Mall Registration starts at 7:30 a.m.

Walk starts at 9:00 a.m.

See Kennedy Healy for details or to get a packet

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Time management: a juggling act Ashley Josoff Staff Writer

School, sports, a job, and a social life, it seems like a great deal to handle, but for plenty of GHS students this is their daily routine.

“Physics is my number one priority right now,” Abby Allgood ‘11 said. “I’m in golf, and I am the number one fan for volleyball and varsity football, and also I am a social butterfly.”

One thing Allgood does to keep her hectic schedule under control, is keep a planner to jot down what needs to be completed for the day. However, there are other GHS student’s with busy schedules and that also agree that school can get a bit overwhelming.

“I’m in band, have a part time job, fourteen credit hours of college, and manage my brother’s activities,” Ashley Betts ’11 said. “It’s intense.”

Being a member of color guard, working anywhere from eight to twelve hours at Hyvee, taking college classes, and helping manage scouts activities for her brother, Betts finds herself swamped with homework.

“I usually have four to five hours of homework every night,” Betts said.

86,400

9

In-depth october 2010 Betts said besides that, she still needs to find time for family and friends.

Juggling her three jobs takes up much of her time.

”I work three jobs: Valas, Hyvee, and at the Omaha Police Department,” Lauren Faris ‘11 said. “Hyvee takes the most time.”

Along with three jobs, Faris still finds time for school work, cheer, and a boyfriend, is captain of the Cheer squad, does her school work, and still finds time to have a boyfriend and a social life.

“I just do what I need to do and work it around my schedule,” Faris said.

With only 24 hours in a day, being in school for seven, and still needing approximately eight hours of sleep a night, it’s a wonder how some students find the time to get it all done.

“I just do all my homework during class,” Faris said. “I never do it at home.”

Other students, however, have to find time outside of school to do their work.

“I have a study hall, but honestly it doesn’t make a dent in the amount of homework I have.” Betts said.

With being so busy and having so much to do, some may wonder if this has affected student’s grades at all.

“So far, my grades are pretty good,” Allgood said.

“Hopefully t h e y stay that way.”

seconds...

1,440 minutes...

24 hours...

but still not enough time in each day

21 out of 100 random 20 were NHS were members in sutudents... one 15 17 12 14 were act were participated ran G-Club in in 20 played track members FBLA football band 17 were in spanish club

Teenagers try to cope with stess Mary Yager Staff Writer

Wake up at seven, go to school, come home, go to volleyball game at five, get home at ten, go to bed. This is the typical school day in the life of Rian Kirby, ‘13.

“Game days are the worst because I don’t have time to get my homework done,” Kirby said. “I usually take a late grade or sometimes I can get it done during the class before.”

When a person hears the word stress, he or she probably thinks of no time to relax, anxiety, worry and busy days filled with todo lists that will never be completed. While these are definitely part of the stress puzzle, it’s not the whole picture. As stated on anxiety-and-depression-solutions.org, stress is the body’s response to any change in our life. Whether the change is good or bad, stress finds a way into one’s life. Worry, nervousness, and excitement are all examples of stress.

Many factors can contribute to a teen’s stress filled day. Some include one’s schedule being crammed and always being on the go, moving to another house, and failing an exam. Whether the change is for the better or a major setback, it’s going to produce stress. The negative consequences of stress can impact a person’s everyday life in more ways than one knows.

Also stated on anxiety-and-depression-solutions.org, stress may affect your weight. People have different ways of coping with stress. To some people, coping with stress means eating way too much or too little. This may lead to gaining or losing weight. To make matters worse, teens tend to choose junk food as comfort food when stressed. This means calories can add up quickly. Instead of snacking when under pressure, try an alternative stress reliever, such as exercising or listening to music.

“Kids need to identify the coping method that works best for them, whether it’s walking the dog, listening to music, or exercising,” said Carole Carraher, counselor.

Sleep difficulty is also a major factor of stress. As people lose sleep, their body and mind are put under even more stress, which only adds to the problem. The hormone melatonin, which makes one sleepy, is released later in adolescent years and combined with getting up early for school, can deprive the body from a few hours of much needed sleep.

It is said that on average, teens need eight to nine hours of sleep per night. The lack of sleep makes it hard to concentrate on school work, stay awake during class, and sports may be a challenge before or after school.

“I usually get about eight hours of sleep on school nights,” Jamie Carlson ‘11 said. “Or else I’m really grumpy at school.”

Getting more sleep is simple. Try to avoid napping. Even though a student may be tired after school, napping may keep one up later at night. Experts say that exercising regularly may help a person sleep better. Avoid exercising before bed, which can rev one up and make one more awake. Instead, finish exercising at least 3 hours before bedtime.

“I usually only get three to five hours of sleep. I don’t know why, my body just doesn’t let me sleep.”

Alexis Noah ‘13 said. “It probably affects how I perform at school.”

Being tired during the day may make it harder to concentrate in class. According to a study performed by doctors in 2008 and recorded on bupa.com, stress is a major contributing factor to the inability to focus and concentrate. Performing poorly on exams and quizzes could be an effect of not being able to concentrate and retain information.

Simple steps can be taken to prevent or cope with stress. The first solution is to set aside “me” time. Just one hour a week spent with friends or doing something one enjoys can get his or her mind off the homework they still have to finish or a major test coming up and reduce their stress level. Another solution is to schedule and organize. Also, get tasks done ahead of time. Procrastinating adds to stress by giving teens another thing to worry about.

“I manage my time by planning my priorities in my head,” Anna Elbracht ‘13 said. “I also keep an agenda for school which helps.”

When stress is too much, the best solution is to tell someone. A counselor, teacher or parent is the perfect person to talk to when one feels like he or Art by Lexi Busch she can’t handle it anymore. They will help clear their mind and calm them down.

A day in the life of...

Jentry Merriman 6:15 a.m.-Wake up 6:30-7:45 a.m.Show Choir practice 8:03a.m.-3:21p.m.School 3:30p.m.-5:20p.m.- Band and Flag practice 6:30p.m.-8p.m.-Youth Group After her youth group Jentry enjoys spending time with her siblings or running around and hanging out with her friends.

10 Making a difference: Gahan volunteers at UNMC

features october 2010

Gabriella Montemarano Staff Writer

It’s been said that good things happen to good people. Some believe this to be true. Others do not. Whether it be fact or fiction, select individuals take pride in knowing they have done well. Some feel the satisfaction of knowing they have helped someone is the best reward.

There are those exceptional few with character that we can all aspire to live by. Those who take volunteering to a whole new level. Sophomore, Elise Gahan, is one of these rarities.

In May of 2010, Gahan began volunteering at the Nebraska Medical Center. She provides assistance to ailed children once a week for two to four hours. Gahan had to go through various health screenings, blood tests, and even some medical training to become a volunteer. But to her, it was worth it.

Elise partook in a summer program at the Med. Center just before her freshman year. There, Patti Ostronic,

in charge of volunteer services, was a speaker and Gahan thought, “I want to do this.” Since then, she has been working with ill children to make their days brighter.

Gahan goes to a child’s hospital room and joins them in activities such as playing with toys, video games, painting, or going on walks. Unfortunately, sometimes she does not get that lucky. She has held a screaming child undergoing muscle spasms for two hours straight as well as having to dispose of dirty diapers.

There are very good memories too, like the time Gahan was playing with three little girls and they decided to perform “operations” on her. This involved giving her numerous transplants.

When children are there for long periods of time, Elise enjoys playing with them every week until they are discharged.

“It’s sad and happy when you see that they’re gone,” Gahan said.

As a result of all her time and

Life behind a cart Kennedy Healy Feature/In-Depth Editor

George Behney

hard work, Elise has gained so much from this experience.

“I’ve learned things like what buttons to push on an IV pump, medical terminology, and how hard a nurse’s job is!” Gahan said. “But, I have also learned what little things you can do to make a kid’s day. Things as simple as taking them on a walk or taking them to the playroom and getting them new toys to make them smile.”

Gahan thinks she will definitely utilize the skills she has learned at the Med. Center in the future in a career in the medical field. This experience has given her knowledge and practice. She says this also gives her an advantage because getting into medical school is challenging.

“I think it makes you aware of how thankful you are for your health and your family’s health,” Elise said. “There are kids there that have been there for almost half of their lives.”

Gahan would certainly recommend and encourage others to volunteer as she does. She says it is fun and such

a rewarding experience.

“It makes me feel so good because when I do

just a little, for the kids it makes all the difference.

Two hours for me is not a big deal; two hours for them is huge.”

Teachers adapt to portable classrooms

Four minutes of pushing and shoving, floods of people going this way and that. Passing period, the craziest time of the day. Three new teachers have to shove their way through these crowds while pushing a cart every day. This small cart is also all they get to store everything they need for their classes. Here is a look at the crazy life of the teachers behind a cart.

K r i s t y Schweitz is a math teacher who recognizes the positives and negatives of her mobile classroom.

“The start of class is kind of clumsy, and sometimes things fall off the cart, but that’s just my awkwardness,” Schweitz said. “It keeps everyday interesting, moving around throughout the day. I also get to see all the teachers.”

Brendan Raybourn is the other math teacher who uses a cart. He agrees

it has its ups and downs.

“The carts have a terrible turning radius, I have to go out wide, but I don’t have to decorate a single classroom,” Raybourn said. “It’s one less thing to worry about.”

George Behney is the only science teacher who is supposed to use a cart, but he has resorted to using totes because his cart consumed too much space.

“It’s an absolute nightmare, it’s impossible getting around in those things,” Behney said. “I try to stay organized with a single tote, sometimes less is more; I consolidate.”

Behney also had some minor problems with his tote.

“Day four my tote broke, but then I became resourceful and used my good friend, the duct tape,” Behney said.

Behney also can look at the positive side of things.

“If I need to leave the room for a minute there is another teacher there,” Behney said.

Some would think that since the teachers have to go through passing periods they would be more lenient on tardies, but this is not the case.

“If I can get there on time, then anybody can get there,” Schweitz said.

There is also talk going around about decorating the carts.

“Some kids told me they would, but we’ll see about that,” Raybourn said.

Behney had thought about decorating his cart before he got rid of it but decided against it.

“I’d ditch the cart before I’d pimp the cart,” Behney said.

He said he would still be up to some competition if others wanted to have a cart decorating contest though.

“I throw down the ‘pimp my cart’ challenge to anyone who wants to get in the ring, bring the thunder,” Behney said.

Martha Omar, English Teacher is one of our very own cart alumni and has now moved in to her own classroom.

Omar had a few words of advice for the new cart teachers.

“Don’t let the big kids push you around in the hallways, and wait to cry until you get home,” Omar said. “Watch out for the bumps.”

arts and entertainment october 2010

Revolution Additions: Gabriella Montemarano Staff Writer

Ready? And one, two, three and four, five, six, seven and stop! That’s right; we’re stopping the eight-count on seven. Why? Because Gretna Revolution has a new secret weapon: seven freshman boys.

In the past, Gretna has never seen this many freshman boys make the varsity show choir, or even try out. Director Pat Ribar says an average amount for previous years was two or three. Because of these statistics, Ribar was not planning on this many freshman at auditions.

“You never know, but you’re always blessed with what you’re blessed with,” Ribar said.

Zach Omar ‘11 has been a member of Revolution since freshman year. His first year, not nearly as many boys tried out.

“It’s nice to have a bunch of guys interested in show choir because usually there isn’t very many who want to do it,” Omar said.

So who are these lucky seven? The young, new additions are David Beran, Trent Boyer, Alex Coldiron, Logan Herring, Jake Keyes, Logan Langholdt, and Trace Mannewitz.

These boys all had their own unique reason for auditioning.

“My brother, Zac, is in it,” Boyer said. “He encouraged me to do it too.”

Logan Herring says he has been dancing since age three

and

11

The Journey of a Beginner

has

always liked singing.

(Right) Freshmen Trent “At first, it was really Boyer and Jake Keyes scary,” Keyes said. “But, as time went posed for a quick photo on, my peers became more like my after a morning rehearsal. family. I am much more comfortable The two boys excel in their with my singing and dancing.” positions as bass singers.

Along with gaining self confidence, show choir improves performance skills and endurance. It Photos by Gabriella Monis an excellent pastime. Most of temarano all, show choir is a great way to meet new people and make friends.

“It has helped me get to know upperclassmen,” Herring said.

Ribar says that none of the older members treat the freshmen like underclassmen; they treat them like equals, which is positive.

Omar, one of these upperclassmen, certainly remembers the difficulty that accompanies the fun of being in show choir during ninth grade.

“It was very scary,” Omar said.

“I constantly felt the pressure to always be on task and have everything perfect.”

While meeting the elder students is definitely a plus, several of the boys say it is comforting to have so many other freshmen alongside them because it gives them some peers to hang out with.

“It’s nice because I feel like I’m not the only one making mistakes,” Keyes said.

Although the boys are new to the show choir scene, their director He is trying to make it a seems to have everything under control. society without pressure so the freshmen “I get along with the can flourish even more than in the past. boys really well, so I’m trying to “They are talented kids, help get them along,” Ribar said. showing great promise,” Ribar said.

(Left) Goofing off, the freshman show choir performers stop for a photo. The boys have become close friends since the choir season began.

Pictured boys include: David Beran, Jake Keyes, Logan Herring, Logan Langholdt and Trace Mannewitz.

Omar had some advice for these promising young performers.

“Always do your best,” Omar said.

“Know that you’re good the way you are and it just takes practice.”

Twilight and Potter legacies come to a close Mary Yager Staff Writer “Wingardium Leviosa!”, “And so the lion fell in love with the lamb.” These are recognizable quotes from two very popular series’ of young adult novels and movies, Harry Potter and The Twilight Saga.

The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling has been a cultural hit since “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” was published in 1998. Since then, Rowling has published six more books and the first six in the series have become top-grossing movies.

“I think Harry Potter is better than Twilight because it’s more gender friendly,” says Emily Roll ‘13. “I don’t think boys would be embarrassed to go see Harry Potter but they may be embarrassed to go see Twilight.”

While the other movies have only been one part, the seventh installment to the phenomenon, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows”, will be two. Part one is scheduled to be released shortly, on Nov. 19 this year, with part two scheduled eight months later on July 15, 2011. Previews revealed that both parts will be in 3D. “I’m so excited for ‘Harry

Potter and the Deathly Hallows’,” says Kristy Schweitz, math teacher. “They could have made it seven parts and I would be happy. I want Harry Potter to last forever.”

Since Twilight was written

by Stephenie Meyer and published in 2005, “The Twilight Saga” has become a multi-million dollar success.

Along with The Deathly Hallows, The “Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn” will also be split into two parts. As stated on IMDB, part one has a release date of Nov. 18, 2011, and part two will be in theaters a year later, on Nov. 16, 2012.

“I feel like they’re trying to stretch out the series too long,” Emily

Rickers ‘13 said. “If producers stretch it out too long, people will get tired of it.”

Avid Harry Potter and Twilight fan Ethan Darby ‘13 hopes there will be more action in Breaking Dawn than the previous movies.

Because of the violence and action, he prefers Twilight over Harry Potter.

So whether fans go see “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” in 3D, “Breaking Dawn” or both, the two series will be prolonged in hopes to keep viewers satisfied with the conclusion to an era.

12 The Jersey Shore Phenomenon:

arts and entertainment october 2010

GHS Has A Situation Kennedy Healy Feature Editor From “Pimp my Ride” to “The Real World”, and most recently “The Hills” MTV has put out some pointless shows, but somehow teens are absolutely addicted to them. In the most recent MTV hit, “Jersey Shore”, a group of Italians from the East coast live together in one house and throw a constant party while always being followed by MTV’s cameras. The quotes, people, drama, fist pumping, and hilarious episodes have started a phenomenon at GHS. Fan Callie Emig ‘13, watches the show every week. Her favorite episode was when Snooki and J-Woww wrote Sami an anonymous letter saying that Ronnie cheated on her.

“That was pretty eventful,” Emig said.

Sam Soupir ‘11 also loves the show. Her favorite episode is Snooki’s first time working at the gelato shop. Her favorite characters are Snooki and Vinnie.

“I think it is a funny show and they have great gatherings after work,” Soupir said.

Emig’s favorite characters are Vinnie and J-Woww. She tunes in frequently to watch their latest escapades.

(Left) Seniors Alyssa Stahr, Ryan Horst, and Jessica Tarsikes express themselves with their Jersey Shore outfits. The three students dressed up for Spirit Week as Snookie and Pauly D. (Right) Alyssa Stahr, Ryan Horst, and Jessica Tarsikes walk to class.

They were the only students who dressed used the Jersey Shore theme for Character Day during spirit week.

“He’s like the only normal one,” Emig said about Vinnie. “She [J-Woww] stands up for herself, she’s not afraid to get in a fight.”

Meeko Spainhower ‘13, who is 30% Italian says he “GTL’s” or “gym, tan, laundry’s” every day. He actually owns a GTL shirt.

“Dude, I GTL at the GHS,” Spainhower said.

All three agreed it would be

awesome to sign up to be on the show.

“I would pay them to sign up,” Spainhower said.

Emig was just a little bit worried about how she would fit in there.

“I don’t have the big hair and I don’t GTL, but it would be interesting to live with all those people and get to know them,” Emig said. “If they had a blonde hair blue-eyed episode, then I would definitely be on it.”

Get to Know Me in 10 Questions...

1. Do you have any phobias?

“I am afraid of needles and IV’s.

I’ve had some pretty bad experiences with my veins closing and stuff.”

“My dad, because he seems so level headed all the time and his advice is always to point. He’s the kind of person who will give you an honest answer and his morals are very deep.”

5. What is the best advice you have ever received?

9. In your opinion, what is the best song to jam out to?

“I like it, by Enrique Inglesias.”

important thing to maintain success?

3. What movie makes you laugh “Perseverance and determination. If the most? you don’t have the motivation to do

10. What is somethng unique that most people don’t know about you?

something, how do you expect to ever achieve it?”

“I’m related to English royalty on my dad’s side of the family.”

4. If you could bring any food 7. What is your biggest pet item to a deserted island, what peeve? would it be?

“Skittles, I’m addicted to them.“

“Drama, enough said.”

In the end, they all agreed that “Jersey Shore” is a fun and entertaining show.

“It’s pretty much the greatest thing to grace the face of the planet besides GTL,” Spainhower said.

Soupir was the most touched by the show.

“Jersey Shore has personally changed my life by teaching me good quality ethics, and how to live the lifestyle of a true Italian,” Soupir said sarcastically.

On September 2nd this year 6.5 million viewers tuned in to watch “Jersey Shore”, more than any other cable show or broadcast.

8. Who is your role model?

“No matter how bad things get, if you just smile, the whole world will smile back. I know it’s cheesy but it 2. Where was the last place you works.” traveled?

“Germany.”

6. What do you think is the most

“The Hangover.”

photos by Paige Duin

photo by Ashley Zajac

Shelby Dechow ‘12

sports october 2010

The Elite Eight Dominates

13

Paige Duin Staff Writer

Coming from a season with no seniors, the GHS varsity volleyball team now has eight senior teammates, and the season looks bright. These girls have been playing together since middle school. They know how each other play and they have an amazing bond together.

Last year the juniors, now seniors, led the team to Lincoln East High for state volleyball for the first time in twenty years.

“We have the drive. We know how proud we were to make it last year. We’ll do it again,” Halley Samuelson ’11 said.

Gretna’s volleyball team had not made an appearance at state since 1991, where the team lost in the first round. Nebraska State Volleyball will be held in Grand Island this year.

“We are amazing this year. Not gonna lie, we’re doing pretty good,” Brooke Arp ’11 said. “We are much more confident this year and we’re having a lot more fun.”

The seniors drive and friendship is stronger than ever now. At the time of publication, the dragons were undefeated.

“We’re really competitive. We’re going all out on defense to keep up with our opponents,” Riley Haug ’11 said.

The seniors are a great influence to the younger players on the varsity team. The girls help each other out and teach each other new skills to help one another.

“I really look up to the older girls, they teach me a lot,” Rian Kirby ’13 said.

In the volleyball tradition, “big sister, little sister,” where the girls draw names out of a bucket, the new girls are paired up a more experienced girl to help mix the girls.

The chemistry with these girls is another trait they can feel on and off the court. They help each other out and have

With bright smiles, the senior volleyball girls throw up the rock on sign that is on there T-shirts. Many of the girls are also on a club volleyball team. good times together.

“It’s good to play with the same girls for so long. We know how each other play and we have really good chemistry,” Haug said. “This year will definatley be our best.”

The eight seniors this year are Nikki Mickelson, Riley Haug, Halley Samuelson, Brooke Arp, Kelsi Kuhn, Olivia Larsen, Emma Hulsey, and Jamie Carlson. The rest of the varsity volleyball team consists of Elaine Kramer ‘12, Payton Samuelson ‘12, Chandelle Davidson ‘13, Megan Kruse ‘13, Rian Kirby ‘13, and Natalie Mickelson ‘14.

Sports Commentary with Ethan Dawes Ethan Dawes Staff Writer

Tradition is one of the many factors schools.

Education, prestige and athletics are all high on the scale, but one overlooked part of highschool tradition is wearing football jerseys on gamedays.

Adding to the hype and craze of the football season, wearing a school jersey is a rewarding and prided tradition i shows for all the hard work you put in to football.

As for Gretna, wearing them at all except on the field is against the rules.

“The main reason is to preserve the jerseys,” said Roger Miller, GHS principal said.

The football team hasn’t seen new equipment since 2000 when they got new jerseys for the team.

The quality of them is already bad as it is and trying to preserve them isn’t worth it when they have quartersized holes in them.

“My jersey has a hole on the back number, it’s kinda ridiculous,” Cory Roll ‘11 said.

Athletes don’t see any problem in that. Students take full responsibility for their jerseys once they sign a sheet that shows they hold ownership of what they check out.

“I dont know why we don’t, it’s really up to the administration,” said Chad Jepsen

But, now it is fading away from the highschool experience.

According to nbcsports.org, a student at Louisana highschool was sent home for wearing his jersey on gameday.

“If the cheerleaders and dance team get to wear their stuff, then football should too,” Nick Macziewski ‘11 said.

Athletes think they should not take away something that students have worked endless twoa-days for and weightlifting every morning, but the administration thinks otherwise.

“If I let the football team do it, then every other team will want to do it,” said Miller, “Just try to imagine the wrestling team in singlets for a match and that’s not good.”

14

sports october 2010

The little girls cheer camp

Paige Duin Staff Writer

“The girls were adorable,” Bailey Zych ‘13 said. “They were hyper during practice but when they were on the field, they were extremely excited, but nervous.”

On September 17th, at 3:30 P.M., cheerleading practice started for 150 young girls. Every year, Gretna cheerleaders sponsor the Lil’ Girls Cheer Camp. Girls from the age of three to ten come and join the Gretna cheerleaders for the first quarter of the football game.

“They were so nervous,” Abby Fogle ’13 said. “They became really attached to us and it was a good feeling.”

Many of the parents were excited to see their daughters perform as cheerleaders.

“She had so much fun down with the cheerleaders,” said Yvonne Cotton, aunt of Alyssa Schutte.

Schutte, age 3, participated in the camp. “She screamed and shook her poms the whole game. It was great to see her interacting with girls her age.”

During the Waverly football game on Sept. 17, the cheerleading squad leads the little girl cheer camp in a cheer during the first quarter.

Since Palisades, the elementary school, opened two years ago, the number of girls signed up for the camp went up drastically. This year, 150 girls signed up.

The theme this year was for breast cancer awareness, and each girl was given a t-shirt for Gretna Cheer and a set of pink poms.

2 0 1 0

The Dragons met with a victory against the Waverly Vikings 28 to 6. After the banana cheer the girls “spirit” it up. The banana cheer was the little girls’ favorite.

During the first quarter of the game, the track was filled with little girls showing their spirit for Gretna High School.

“The amount of pink during the game was insane,” Nicole Jacoby ’14 said. “The theme was pink-out so they entire student body was wearing pink

and all the cheerleaders were wearing pink. Even some of the parents were too.”

During halftime, the cheerleaders went throughout the stadium asking for donations for breast cancer and raised over 500 dollars. The donations went to Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

New dance team coach

Kristy Schweitz takes control Chelsea Pote Staff Writer

GHS has a new dance team coach

this year, Kristen Schweitz. This is going to be her first year as a high school coach.

“I like getting to share what I know with people and helping them improve,” Schweitz said.

Schweitz was on the dance team in high school at Elkhorn. She also dance all four years in college at North West Missouri State where she was the captain.

“We are going to try and do more competitions this is,” Schweitz said. “We are hoping to do two to four more than they did last year.”

Schweitz and the girls all get along well. She said she is excited to work with the girls and to see how they will improve throughout the year.

“I think it will be a very successful year because they [the team] are a very talented group of girls,” Schweitz said.

“I think they will get even better as the year goes on.”

The dance team smiles for the camera. There are five seniors on the team this year.

sports october 2010

GHS athletes feel the pain Malorie Drapal Staff writer

15

With fall sports in full swing, injuries are bound to occur. Some, however, are wondering if this year’s injury rate is higher and more serious than previous years.

“I tore my MCL when I was blocking someone in football,” Chandler Gunhus ‘13 said.

But football isn’t the only sport where injuries have happened. Two of the girl’s soccer players have recently experienced serious injuries as well.

“I tore ligaments and cracked a bone in my ankle when I fell in a hole during soccer,” Brooke Martin ‘11 said.

Martin will be out for 10 weeks, and said she seen Tom Pancoe, athletic trainer for some extra help with her recovery.

According to Pancoe, football has by far the most injuries due to the extreme contact followed by girls soccer. Nate Hubert ‘12 knows this first hand.

“The bottom of my femur apparently died and they had to take a bone from my shin and graph it into the dead spot,” Hubert said. “It hurt for like a year, but I just played through, thinking it was nothing. Then it swelled up really bad at football camp, so I went to the doctor for an MRI.” Although Hubert hates using crutches every day at school, he definitely thinks they have their perks.

“It’s kind of sweet to get out of class early and never be late,” Hubert said. “And I always get to go first to lunch.”

Hubert has been on crutches for six weeks, and got them off on Sept.

27.

Athlete Malorie Drapal ‘12 also knows what it’s like to be on crutches for a long period of time after her affliction.

“I was running to keep the ball in at a game this summer and so I rolled it back and my knee locked,”

Drapal said. “The weight went back on that knee and sort of bent backwards and popped.”

After waiting a month or so before going to the doctor, Drapal was told that she tore both her ACL and Meniscus. If all goes well, Drapal will be out of sports for 6 months.

According to Med Help’s website, some ways to prevent these types of injuries are: always wear proper protective gear, use correct form when using equipment such as golf clubs or baseball bats and if an injury occurs, don’t play until it is fully healed.

Pancoe said there are several exercises he can do to help the athletes, depending on how serious the injury is.

“It usually starts with an evaluation of the injury,” Pancoe said. “I’ll talk to the coach, parent or physician to see what I think it is and see what we need to do from there.”

National Football league are lining up to take the test. The test is a great tool to help prevent worsening brain injuries, but some GHS athletes didn’t understand the reason of the test.

“I failed the test, and I obviously didn’t have a concussion so I am a bit confused what the point of it was,” Cole Samuelson ’13, said.

The reason of the testing is so that if a player is showing concussion-like symptoms such as nausea, headaches, and blurred vision, they can step out of practice and go into the computer lab and take the test.

“I think that I probably got lucky

on the test because it was so confusing that it was good guessing more than anything,” Matt Jones ’12 said.

For one test questions 30 words would flash across the screen and then the program would ask if ‘Mother’ or ‘Ice’ was one of the words. The main point of these questions was to stress test the brain which causes the heart rate to rise and checking symptoms. The test wasn’t so much wit as it was luck some players thought.

“Hopefully I don’t get diagnosed with a concussion because whether I had actually gotten one or not it wouldn’t matter, I would fail anyway,” Tate

Paulsen ‘13 said.

Many would agree in saying that the test was confusing, in fact even most pros would. In one part of the test athletes would have to click numbers from 25 down to 1 as fast as possible. It was so hard that only a few NFL players reached one.

Even though the test was so confusing though some of the older more mature members of the team understood the reasoning behind it.

“I thought it was a good idea just in case a concussion would occur they would have a baseline test to see if you were okay or not,” Nick Kincade ’11 said.

Concussion Test Makes An ImPACT Trey Russell Staff writer

Its the end of yet another hot summer football practice and the last thing the players want to hear is that before they can head home they are going to be forced to take the ImPACT test.

The ImPACT test is a new method to test athletes of all ages in all sports for concussions. The athlete will take the quiz at the beginning of the season to set a baseline. The test is taken in all 50 states as well as the District of Columbia and across Canada. Its not just high schools that are using this; pros in many sports such as Major League Baseball and the

16

photooctober story 2010

Bailamos: We Dance

GHS students’ faces light up with bright smiles as each learns Spanish dances form professional instructors. On Sptember 15th Every student in a Spanish class learned three dances: the Tango, Salsa and Meregue. Step-by-step, each dance was learned before performing to some sassy music. The Spanish teachers and students agreed that it was a successful, fun event. The DJ at Homecoming played some ethnic music so everyone could show off their new skills.