The Voice February 2016
Volume 2 Issue 4
Science Nerds Rejoice! Four New Elements Have Been Discovered
The periodic table has been updated for the first time since 2011. It is no secret that the Scientific community is celebrating over the discovery of four new elements: 113, 115, 117, and 118. Their advancement means humanity is one step closer to figuring out if predictions about the energy levels of the periodic table are correct. The more the scientists know, the more they can know if they are correct about their predictions of the periodic table. However, it’ll take a whole other element to make that decision. “What happens when we find 119?” said Mr. Stednitz. “That’s when we really figure out if we are right about the patterns of the periodic table.” Element 119 might not come as fast as hoped, though. Discovering an element is no easy task. The process can take time and the team of scientists have to find it more than once for it to be a true discovery. To make the process even harder, the elements are not found in nature. “It depends on the element,” said Mr. Stednitz. “They [the elements] are so radioactive that it could take months or years. They [the scientists] can find it once but finding it again is the hard part.” Even with the discovery over, the researchers have another
obstacle on their hands: naming the new additions to the periodic table family. That job falls onto the shoulders of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry, or the IUPAC, “They [the IUPAC] haven’t named them yet,” said Mr. Stednitz. “It’ll take six months to a year to name it.” Then comes the next discovery. A majority of the elements have uses, such as gold for jewelry, copper for coins and so on. So, what can be done with the 113, 115, 117, and 118? “Right now we don’t know. Their half-life is minutes because they are so radioactive,” said Mr. Stednitz. “In my opinion they won’t have any uses besides information about the periodic table.” The update of the periodic table also means that GHS science material is possibly out of date. In reality, however, the discovery does not change the teaching of the sciences at GHS much. “It won’t really affect our curriculum a lot besides something fun to talk about,” said Mr. Stednitz. “We’re getting new textbooks next year anyway but it usually takes 2 to 3 years to update the periodic table.” The process of this discovery is far from over. There is much more to be discovered about the new elements and elements to come.The excitement of these elements may be short, but their impact is endless. By: Amanda Minckler
A Quick Look at El Niño A Change in Pressure Patterns Means a Change in the Weather
By Charly Jungjohann
Every two to seven years the pressure patterns in the Pacific Ocean change.
Normally begins around Christmas time and lasts about 18 months.
Subtropical jet streams send winterstorms to the Southwestern United States and casues high precipitation and flooding.
It can be followed by La Niña, its opposite, but does not have to be.
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February 2016
“This potentially could be a bad winter, due to the fact that the climate is still growing,” said JJ Jungjohan, senior. “I think that it is a natural phenonmenon that we just have to accept.”
news
volume 2 issue 4
A Look into the Phone Policy at GHS
Students and Teachers Adjust to the Electronic Guidelines
A
By: Cassandra Kostal
new policy, put into effect at the beginning of the school year, has been extremely popular among students. The rule, which allows students to use their phones during passing periods and while at lunch allows students to be connected to the latest information throughout the day. “I think it’s working well,” said Mr. Roger Miller, principal. “One of the problems we had before when students were not allowed to use their phones was it was kind of like a cat and mouse game. Kids would try to use their phones all the time.” Not only do students appreciate the change, but many teachers have hopped on board, and technology use has become increasingly popular in many classrooms. Various teachers have shaped learning
games and activities around the ability to access the latest gadgets. “I mainly allow students to use their phone or tablet to review using Kahoot,” said Ms. Molly Conner, Spanish teacher. “I also will also allow them to use them if I have finished teaching and there is a couple of minutes before the bell.” While the use of technology has been implemented for the sake of a higher education, students have also appreciated being able to access their devices throughout the day for the purpose of communicating. Whether it is with friends, bosses, or even their parents, being able to stay connected has become vital for today’s teenagers. “What I use my phone for most during the school day is to check my work schedule, to check my tractor pulling news, and to text my friends and family back,” said Madison Beaman, freshman. With the ability of students to have
greater access to their electronic devices comes problems that were not unexpected. While the use of technology is beneficial in classroom settings, issues do arise concerning how much time of each period students are actually supposed to be on their phones. “I think it has been both good and bad,” said Mrs. Allison Brown, math teacher. “Students are definitely more distracted which is a hurdle to overcome, but it also has been nice for students to have access when a lesson calls for it.” Overall, teachers and administrators have been pleased with the success of the new policy as the school year picks starts up again at the start of second semester. While the plan of the administration is to eventually go one to one, where each students has their own electronic device, easing restrictions on cellphones has been a good start.
Passing the Time Kylie Groves, sophomore, Broderick Diez, sophomore, and Ben Rhodes, junior use their free time in study hall to take advantage of the new cell phone policy.
volume 2 issue 4
news
February 2016
3
High School Student Turns Four T Katie Gasper’s Unique Birthday is Cause for Celebration By: Kelly Arnold
he chances of being born on a leap day and being a so-called leapling or leaper is one in 1,461. Katie Gasper, sophomore, is that one. Leap year occurs to keep the calendar in sync with the seasonal rotation of the Earth. One full rotation making a year is actually 365 1/4 days long, so to even this out, every fourth year there is a leap year that adds a day to the end of February. Leap years are 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2016. An easy way to figure out if it is a leap year is by dividing the year by four, it the year is divisible by four than it is a leap year. This year will be a leap year. Since these leap day babies last birthday was in 2012, some may feel like they are missing out having one birthday every four years. “It is nice sometimes, because on the years I do get my birthday it makes it more special,” said Gasper. “ But on the years it is not a leap year, I don’t get that special day and miss out on being celebrated.” There is a belief that people born on leap day have diverse talents, personalities, or maybe even super powers. These powers, talents, and personalities are said to reflect the kind of person the leapling is. “It is true for me, I am very special, and I guess my special talent is that I can juggle and eye twitch,” said Gasper. Since leap year is only every fourth year, leap day babies only get one out of four birthdays. Some may feel the loss of that special day and feel neglected of that special day to be celebrated. “It is not very fun to not get a birthday, and on the day it is not my birthday I got made fun of,” said Gasper. “A joke I get a lot is: It is not your birthday so I can’t sing you happy birthday.” There is a plethora of jokes that can be directed towards leap day babies, mostly about being six years old when they are really 24. Leaplings do not usually take offense to these kind jokes and take them lightly. “ I get many jokes mostly about how young I am, or that I am really acting my age,” said Gasper. “The best joke I got is: so are you going to be 64 when you get your driver’s license.” Many leap babies struggle with what day to celebrate when there is not a February 29th. The popular dates to celebrate are February 28th and March 1st, the 28th being the most popular. “We let Katie celebrate her birthday on whatever day she chose, either February 28th or March 1st,” said Mrs. Jodi Gasper, mom of Katie Gasper. “She typically decided to celebrate it on the 28th so she could open her presents sooner.” “I was born in 2000,” said Gasper. “So technically I am 4 years old.” Katie was supposed to be born on Saint Patrick’s day, but was born two weeks early. She was on the news the day after her birthday for being the first baby born on leap year in Omaha in 2000. Leap year is the most unique birthday a person can have, “Leaplings” should celebrate this unique commodity about they have and embrace their uniqueness.
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February 2015
Feature
Volume 2 issue 4
Color My Cares Away
A Trend in Coloring Books Reduces Stress for many Teens
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By: Kayla Calvert
Volume 2 issue 1
oloring is a nothing but a mindless children’s activity; or so it was believed until the recent growth in popularity amongst the adult population. Using colored pencils or fine tip Sharpies, teens and adults are coloring the stress away. According to CNN, a 2005 study shows that coloring, like meditation, reduces anxiety by switching the brain’s focus from other thoughts. This led to the first publication of adult coloring books in 2012. “Students benefit from coloring because it is a calming, mindless activity, and it takes kids back to their childhood,” said Mrs. Sarah Kuester, art teacher. Tori Schriener, junior, has taken to coloring to fill the void of boring study halls when she has no homework. “I feel a lot more focused after coloring,” said Schriener. “If I do too much homework, I lose concentration.” Schriener times herself to see how long it takes to complete a page. Her current duration is six hours and twenty-seven minutes, but her record is over nine hours. None of these were completed in one sitting. Adult coloring books and other coloring pages were available to GHS students during finals week in the library. Mrs. Kari Bulgrin, librarian, provides students with coloring pages because she believes it is relaxing to sit and color in the library and take some time off of electronic devices. They can also be a positive distraction from the long school day. “I think they’re fun and better than doing homework,” said Taylor Wendlant, junior. “A lot of kids in my class had them, so I got one.” Adult coloring books are able to be purchased at Barnes and Noble, Amazon, or Walmart. Free coloring sheets and helpful tips can be found at coloringbooks.net. The Gretna Public Library has coloring sheets available for anyone who would like to stop in and color.
Feature
February 2015
5
Hoping for a Quick Recovery Future Uncertain After Broken Collarbone
A
By: Lauren Foss
split second injury sent chills down the spines of the spectators as Jada Ruff, senior, dove to the ground during the holiday tournament girl’s basketball game in late December. A broken collar bone was the culprit, sitting Ruff out of the game for four to six weeks, though she is wishing for a thorough and speedy recovery. “I dove on the ground for a ball and my right shoulder was caught underneath me,” said Ruff. “Their post came flying in to get ball and landed on my left shoulder, crushing me.” As a senior, an injury of this caliber was the last thing on Ruff ’s mind, whereas her future plans were front and center. Not only did this blow shatter her bone, it also shattered some certainty of her future.
“No other coaches can see me play, but after talking to coaches they have said that my injury won’t stop them from recruiting me,” said Ruff “but future coaches won’t be able to recruit me until maybe the end of my season.” As far a treatment goes, Ruff has constantly been wearing her arm in a sling, even sleeping in it, to ensure a speedy and clean recovery. Nobody wants to watch a prominent leader of the team go through this, and Ruff especially did not imagine missing this much of her final season of high school basketball. “It is very frustrating to watch as a senior from the bench. You can watch and yell, but there is no promising it would have an effect,” said Ruff. “It is a different experience on the bench from being out on the court.”
Photo by Lauren Foss Making an adjustment Jada Ruff, senior, has limited use of her dominant right hand until her collarbone heals. Doctors estimated a four to six week recovery period.
Potential Beyond the Bench
Benchwarmers Prove They Have What it Takes to be in the Game By: Ben Bickel and Mara Hjermstad
T
he celebration specialists, the ones that cheer on their teammates hoping for a victory, the kids that get the water for their fatigued teammates. These kids are also known as benchwarmers. Benchwarmers, commonly known as the ones who ride the bench throughout high school, often are not known for who they are. Jacey Hammer, freshman, who played for the freshmen volleyball team, explains that being a benchwarmer is a little heart breaking, but motivating at the same time. “I’ve accepted the fact that I’m not the best player on the team, but it just pushes me to try harder and if I keep trying maybe one day I won’t be a benchwarmer anymore,” said Hammer. Most benchwarmers say they are motivated to go to a whole other level of play and try to break into the varsity lineup. Emily Reid, freshman, shared that even
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February 2016
though she is playing on the bench, not playing as much, she still gets the feeling of victory. “We all share the consequences of losing and the pride of winning,” said Reid. Reid participated in Gretna High School softball, playing every game on junior varsity. Due to her performance, she was invited to sit the bench for varsity. Reid looks at the positive side of being a benchwarmer, as many do not. So many people that sit on the bench have a negative view towards the coach, the game, and the other players on the team. “I just practice and practice and practice, and hope that my improvements will help out the team in whatever way possible, because the last thing I want to do is let them down, or disappoint them,” said Hammer. She has accepted the role of the benchwarmer, but is practicing, and training to improve her game so that one
sports
day she will break the barrier and hop into the starting lineup. “I think I need time to develop into a good player that can help the team. Most of the time I feel in the game and a part of what is going on,” said Reid. “I know that I will eventually get off the bench but often get my chances.” She did. The championship game at state softball, she stepped up when one of her teammates went down, and played to the best of her ability. “It’s one of the most important job on the team if you think hard about it, someone has to do it, and it keeps everyone working hard everyday, because if they don’t work hard then they are the ones sitting on the bench,” said Hammer. Benchwarmers are probably not the stars, the ones that win championships, but there would not be a bench, or subs without them. Sometimes, they can do more than just warm up a bench.
Volume 2 issue 4
From Recreation to Passion
Bowling Team Recognized as Being More Than Just a Club
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By: Paul Schiavone
Photo by Paul Schiavone
hildren crowd the congested arcade room after finishing fresh pizza. Families overflowing with joy and laughter gather around for birthday celebrations. The near subtle crashing of wooden pins onto metal can be heard echoing in all directions. Polyurethane bowling balls race down the tracks of each individual lane, yearning for a strike. It is not often when someone finds the time or the chance to go bowling with friends or family. However, this is not the case when it comes to the bowling team. Though the bowling team has not yet been sponsored, it is still a community-funded club. Even though bowling isn’t considered a sport; this does not dampen the spirits of bowling team member Austin Hillman, senior. “In our eyes, it is a sport.” said Hillman “We warm up, we have scrimmages, we play together, we practice just as much as any other sport.”
Hillman has been a part of the team for four years and was encouraged to join from a friend. The bowling team practices three days a week for an hour and a half a night and competes at tournaments every weekend. Tournaments consist of bowling to matches a day against two different teams. As for other members, Alex Acker, senior has played on the team for two years. “It gives me experience in working as a team,” said Acker. “I figured it was a good idea to join because I thought it would be fun.” Ben Rickers, senior, recently decided that the GHS bowling team was the right choice for him. “This is my first year of bowling and I love it,” said Rickers. “I’m actually really passionate about it.” The bowling team continues to work hard during practices and are hoping to make it to the State Tournament on February 13 and 14.
Photo by Paul Schiavone
Photo by Paul Schiavone
Following though Alex Acker, senior, keeps his stance as he waits for the results of his shot during a practice.
volume 2 issue 4
Awaiting the results Austin Hillman, senior, stands and watches his shot as the bowling ball speeds toward the pins.
Team effort The GHS bowling poses for a team photo after practice. Row 1: Kati Harmon, Maddie Schulz, Alisa Dierkhising, Maddie Dierkhising, Amber Votek, Michelle Weber Row 2: Michael Liu, Ben Rickers, Austin Hillman, Pat Bates, Nate Meier, Girls Coach Jami Weber, David Gatlin Row 3: Assisstant Girls Coach Dewey Wyatt, Rhett Barnes, Stephen Ortlieb, Head Coach Anthony Jourdan, Sam Nelson, Alex Acker
sports
February 2016
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The Science of Attraction T Love Is More Than Just Butterflies In Your Stomach By: Emily Acker
here are five major factors in attraction: sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch. Although everyone has their own preferences, when it comes down to it science is the main cause of attraction. “Normally within the first milliseconds of seeing someone, we already are ‘sizing them up’ for attractive features” said Olivia Osborn, junior. “But then for the next four minutes everything is about body language and tone of voice.” When meeting someone, the first thing a person will notice is how they look. All cultures have their own ideal beauty trends, but there are two that are fairly consistent: long hair and clear skin because it shows that a person has good health. People who are found most attractive have a symmetrical face. “Women biologically look for tall, well built men.” said Osborn. “It’s so they can protect them.” Women’s voices become higher when talking to a man they find attractive. In studies, men tend to be more attracted to women with higher voices because it shows that they have a high estrogen level. On the other hand, women are drawn to men with lower voices because it shows a high testosterone level. The speed and the tone of people’s voices make up 38% of the way they are perceived. Our noses sense a natural body scent that is referred to as pheromones. Women can sense a man’s Major Histocompatibility Complex molecules , also referred to as MHC molecules. These are what is used to fight diseases. Men with the opposite MHC molecule will be found more attractive to women rather than men with the same. This is because it will make their offspring more immune to certain diseases. It may seem like everyone has their own idea of the dream partner, but science plays a major role on who and what people will find attractive.
“We pretty much spend most of the time laughing.”
Illustration by: Gabby Moore
“I think of late night runs to McDonald’s and car rides, listening to music while he sings along to it like he is Lil Wayne himself.”
“I just love being around him and listening to his thoughts on life.” 8
february 2016
indepth
volume 2 issue 4
Making It Last
What Lies Behind a Long Lasting Relationship By: Katie Stukenholtz
I
n high school, relationships come and go with ease, and being in a relationship is quite common. However, it can be challenging to maintain a relationship. Of the 49% of 16 to 18-year-olds who have claimed to be seriously involved in a relationship, 24% felt pressure to date and 14% said they would do almost anything to keep a boyfriend or girlfriend according to education.com. One of the keys to a successful relationship is trust. For some, it is difficult to trust; for others it is simple. No matter which one applies, not a single relationship can last without the presence of trust and the willingness to put in time. “I think we’ve lasted so long because we are both willing to put into the time and effort into our relationship and not break up over the most dumb things ever,” said Kennedy Holman, junior. Honesty and trust rank as the top factor in having a lasting relationship as stated by stageoflife.com. Another important aspect of long lasting relationships is how those involved deal with conflict. There are many different types of behaviors when it comes to conflict. There is the fight response where the person is likely to argue and stay mad for long periods of time, the flight response where the important issues are often avoided, and the freeze response where someone is prone to freezing their emotions. Despite all the different behaviors, successful couples know how to handle the problem and move on.
They focus on taking care of the issue at hand instead of assigning blame to the other person. They also are able to grow their relationship after the conflict is resolved. Everyone is different and another way to have an endearing relationship is to accept each other’s quirks. It is simple to judge others, but in an actual relationship people should feel comfortable to be their real selves and not afraid of being judged
by their significant other. According to education.com 61% of teens who had been in a relationship said they had a boyfriend or girlfriend who made them feel bad or embarrassed about being themselves. Most high school sweethearts are not going to end up together. However, a relationship has a better chance of succeeding with trust and understanding.
Photo illustration by: Sophie Anderson
“I honestly can’t
think of anything I
don’t like about him.”
“We can talk about anything and most importantly joke about anything.” volume 2 issue 4
indepth
february 2016
9
Power Behind A
Personality
pproximately 7,393,910,864 billion people live on Earth. Out of all those people, you have approximately 7,393,910,863 options. So, with those odds, how are you going to find your ‘one true love’? According to the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, we like people who are similar to us. “Personality (specifically IntroversionExtraversion) had an effect size half that of body weight but twice that of WHR (waist to hip ratio).” said Adrian Furnham Ph.D. Meaning that someone’s personality can make them more attractive to you, because it is half as important as body weight and is twice as important as the waist to hip ratio. Another study, done by Swami and colleagues in 2010, asked men to rate attractiveness of different pictures of women. The men that had positive personality knowledge had a wider range of body sizes they considered attractive than the men who only were going off looks. This supports the idea that someone with a good personality is more attractive. So what personality traits make someone more attractive?
By: Sophie Anderson
Dr. Furnham found that people who are agreeable and are more open are more likely to be attractive. “He (Tom Kienow, junior) is really outgoing, super fun and really easy to get along with!” said Andrea Atkinson, sophomore. Conscientious people, or those who are hard-working and dutiful, are also found to be attractive. Openness to new things, being stable, and positivity are all found to be attractive, according to Dr. Jeremy Nicholson. Research done by Fletcher and associates done in 1999 also uncovered the preference of many to have a soul mate that is warm, trustworthy, supportive, and considerate. These may seem like a no brainer to a lot of people, but those were the most important traits found in a study done on undergraduate students. In our parent’s and grandparent’s day, it was always thought that love was a matter of the heart. We now know that there is a scientific component as well. There is an element of science that can be a determining factor in who we are ultimately attracted to.
“The way he talks and
views the world blows my mind sometimes.”
Photo illustration by: Sophie Anderson
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indepth
volume 2 issue 4
Instant Chemistry Does Love At First Sight Actually Exist? By: Jayden Anderson
L
ove at first sight is something that is featured in countless childhood fairytales and movies, but as children grow into teenagers, the belief in love at first sight fizzles away. Students from GHS agreed that love at first sight is a figment of our imagination. “No I don’t believe in love at first sight,” said Jordan Ames, senior. “I would say love is something that has to be developed.” Love at first sight is not an exact science, and it can mean something different to each person. Since people have all had various experiences with what they think love at first sight is, everyone has their own slightly modified definition of what it is.
“My definition of love at first sight is meeting someone,” said Kylie Groves, sophomore,”and automatically falling in love with their personality and the kind of person they are.” Many people construe love at first sight as meeting someone for the first time, but on the other hand, some perceive the saying more literally. “When you see someone for the first time,” said Kortlan Franke, sophomore,“and you just know deep down that they are the person you want to spend the rest of your life with.” None of the students that were questioned believed in this seemingly magical phenomenon, although scientists may have evidence supporting it. Photo by: Jayden Anderson
Believe it or not, it is biologically possible for someone to fall in love with another person upon seeing them; however, this does not mean that a lasting relationship will come out of it. A poll taken in 2014 shows that 41% of men and 29% of women have had love at first sight experiences. It is nearly impossible to test love in a laboratory, but scientists are finding various ways to gather information. Different parts of the medial pre-frontal cortex have the ability to make quick judgments about physical appearance and if the person is “the one” or not. A study in Ireland tested this in a speed-dating type environment, in which they showed participants other participants’ pictures before meeting them. When the person initially showed interest in another person based on their picture, 63% of the time they continued to show interest after meeting them. Our brains can actually judge what we think about someone based on appearance better than we think. Whether love stemming from an initial appearance dies out or creates a lasting relationship, it is indeed scientifically proven to occur. Even though the idea of love at first sight was introduced to us all through fairytale love stories, scientists are proving that maybe every little girl’s hopes for “the one” may come true one day.
Meagan Hollman, sophomore.
The individuals who provided quotes for this section have been kept anonymous
volume 2 issue 4
indepth
february 2016
11
“But My Mom Said...”
Photos by Jamison Karas
Parents’ Opinions Sway the View of Teens By: Jamison Karas
S
ince we were little, we were taught to follow the leader. When Mom started singing, you joined her. When Dad jumped in the water, you did too. They taught us how to walk, talk, our abc’s, and how to tie our shoes. Our parent’s influence extended beyond these essentials t h o u g h . Over time, the nursery rythmes stopped, and political beliefs, religion, and social opinions caught our attention. Of course we repeat what we heard from our parents at home. They were right about the abc’s and tying shoes, right? In a world where politics, social issues, and religion are thrown at us everyday it is easy to find the answers in the opinions of our parents. Growing up with my parents being polar opposites, I was presented with many viewpoints to the issues and topics that seemed foreign in my eyes. I saw my parent’s conflicting opinions and learned how to find my own. I was never pressured into a certain opinion or belief, but I cannot help but notice this
A Minor Angst
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february 2016
is not the case for everyone. Often times when politics and social issues are heard around the kitchen table, the conversation is typically onesided, so the opposing view is never mentioned. According to a youth survey done by Gallup, 71% of teens say their social and political ideology is about the same as Mom and Dad’s. When I listen to discussions I wonder if the beliefs of those around me are genuine or if they are just memorized statements being repeated. At some point in time we should question the beliefs that have been instilled in us our entire lives. We should keep an open mind and gather information from outside of our family home. If we are aware of our religious options it will expand our views beyond the opinions we are raised with. We should challenge our childhood beliefs by listening to both sides of political and social issues. What we learned around the kitchen table should not be discarded, but we should allow for the possibility that with more information our minds might be changed.
op/ed
By Gabby Moore
volume 2 issue 4
Me, Myselfie, and I
Liberate Yourself From Social Media Validation By: Angela Gahan
nior. oone, ju Justin B
Kirsten Fed or, junior. Sally Stolten Jayden Lin berg, senio dley, junio r. r.
e. phomor ussen, so m s a R y Mac
Photos by Angela Gahan
volume 2 issue 4
I
f I am being honest, it takes me on average 32 attempts to get the perfect selfie. When I upload my photo onto Instagram, after applying a few filters and editing the picture a little bit, I wait in earnest for notifications to start coming in. This is a common scenario for many social media addicts all around the world. The rush of getting tons of likes and retweets is like no other. It validates me as a person and makes me feel so much better about myself. Most days, I feel like a potato, but there are days when I feel on fleek. Those are the days when I want to post selfies and receive validation. I want to know that people think I am pretty. Through social media, many people portray themselves as beautiful, flawless human beings to get attention from other social media users. We look to other people to make ourselves feel good. The validation we receive online is not consistent with the praise we receive in real life. When someone receives great amounts of positive feedback online, they assumed that is how it will be in real life as well. When that does not happen, people may get disheartened. However, social media is not only composed of girls taking tons of selfies, some people desire to be known as funny and witty. By getting tons of likes on clever tweets can make someone feel like they are an amusing person. Within the magazine Elle the problem of social media validation is addressed by Robert Leahy, PhD. “When people get praise for even the most mundane things, it dilutes the ‘like’ by making its value less special. In turn, the ‘like’ itself becomes more normal. And once that happens, people start to expect ‘likes’ in all facets of their life, both online and offline,” said Robert Leahy, PhD, a clinical psychologist in New York City. The big problem with getting so many likes online, is that is leaves people feeling less liked. A University of Michigan study published in the Journal of Social Issues found that college students who base their self-worth on approval from others, have more stress, anger, academic problems, relationship issues, troubles with drug and alcohol use, and symptoms of eating disorders. So what can you as a social media addict do to liberate yourself from caring so deeply about what others think? Well, take a step back and examine yourself. Identify your own core values and stick to them. On Instagram, people may think it is not a big deal to like every picture on their feed, but by doing that, people are just adding to the validation problem. Only like things you actually like and that align with your beliefs. Remember that not every person is going to relate to or appreciate everything you post. “Wherever you go, there are going to be some people that simply don’t like you. That’s human nature, and once you accept that, it’s so liberating,” said Leahy. So whether you are about to post your next internet breaking selfie, or tweet out a hilarious comment, make sure you are posting for the right reasons. Advocate who you truly are instead of creating an online image of someone you are not. The further you drift from your values, the more miserable and disheartened you will feel. In sum, just do you.
op/ed
february 2016
13
Making The Grade
% A+ 97
Students’ Retention is Put on the Backburner By: Abbie Wesely
“
Is it on the test? No? Okay, let’s move on then.” This is what students learn to do from the day they walk through the high school doors for the first time. To the general teenage population, it seems that grades are the only thing that matters. Retention of material is not really important if you are never going to use it again, right? However, I believe that when
“Students are so focused on their grade that they don’t actually take the time to learn the material,”
students focus solely on memorizing information for tests, they are losing the ability to critique information or understand it at a deeper level. “Students are so focused on their grade that they don’t actually take the time to learn the material,” said Spencer Stednitz, chemistry teacher, “and instead, they spend more time focusing on the things that are only going to be on the test.” High school students do not concern themselves with tests that are not graded. If it will not affect their GPA, it is considered meaningless. For the most part, there is no motivation to try on tests such as L to J, which are non-graded weekly quizzes that supposedly test a student’s retention throughout the year. “If the test is not graded, I know that I wouldn’t put as much focus and effort into studying for it,” said Abby Brown, senior. “I may even ignore it completely if I have other classes to study for.” This is the behavior of most students. Whether a person is memorizing vocabulary ten minutes before the test or copying a worksheet just to prevent a late grade, these kinds of things happen
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february 2016
on a daily basis. It is simply the reality of high school. Students everywhere have found ways to do the bare minimum and get away with it. “Some things are worth memorizing--addresses, PINs, your parents’ birthdays. The sine of π/2 is not among them. It’s a fact that matters only insofar as it connects to other ideas. To learn it in isolation is like learning the sentence “Hamlet kills Claudius” without the faintest idea of who either gentleman is--or, for what matter, of what ‘kill’ means,” said Ben Orlin, author of When Memorization Gets in the Way of Learning. All in all, high school students have mastered the habit of memorization. The final grade on the top of the test can mean life or death, and high schoolers will do whatever it takes to pass with a decent score. If the information is not on the test, then it seems insignificant to study it. Ultimately, students are not actually learning, it is all just temporary memorization. Students who understand information and not just memorize it are known to do better not only on standardized tests but on those involving more complex understanding. These are also the skills demanded in the workplace. Thus, students should be taught to think critically, not just prepare answers for standardized tests. Studying in this manner actually gets in the way of learning or seeing the bigger picture and prevents students from transferring information across topics. Being able to apply information and knowledge to real-world situations is what is required in the fastpaced information age of today. Students coming out of high school lack analytical and critical thinking skills; however, these are the skills that are needed and wanted in the workplace. By simply memorizing facts but not being able to put them in a meaningful context, students are not able to think critically or evaluate a situation. It is like knowing the pieces of a puzzle but not being able to put the pieces together in a coherent picture. The responsibility of changing this focus on memorization to learning belongs jointly to students, teachers, curriculum planners, and school administrators, as well as state and federal government departments of education. Together the shift away from standardized testing and rote memorization must take place if students of today are going to tackle the challenges of tomorrow.
op/ed
volume 2 issue 4
Excuse Me?
Being Politically Correct is Taken Too Seriously
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By: Sophie Anderson
s I started writing this, I began with the intent to offend nobody and then I realized that is the definition of being politically correct. There are definite lines within our society that should not be crossed; however, people taking offense to some phrases has gone too far. Our form of communication has transformed from that of our parents. Phrases that were common then are now considered offensive. For example, according to the University of Wisconsin, the term third-world is not politically correct because it implies that westernized countries are the standard to compare all other countries to. The University of Wisconsin also said that politically correct is not “politically correct” either by saying that “Over time, PC has become a way to deflect, say that people are too “sensitive” and police language”. We all know about Donald Trump and his candidacy for the 2016 presidential election. Arguably, what he is best known for is his no filter way of discussing issues. Although many people agree he has taken it too far, he is still a frontrunner in the presidential race. There is something about being brutally honest that is appealing to the American people. It is a refreshing sense of understanding someone and not having them sugar coat everything for you. It is never justified to put people down and make them feel bad about themselves. For example, the
saying take it like a man is not necessary. It is meant to advise someone to hide their feelings which is not right. “I believe that the phrase take it like a man is wrong. The meaning behind the phrase basically tells someone to bottle up their emotion and if they need to let it out, fight,” said Mazie Larsen, sophomore, “However, fighting will get you suspended and emotions are a human necessity.” The other perspective on the phrase indicates a derogatory meaning of ‘take it like a man’: which is the issue with the phrase. It is not right to tell men, or anyone to hold their emotions in. “I am not offended by ‘take it like a man’ because depending on the situation, chances are I need to quit being a wuss and just deal with it,” said Kortlan Franke, sophomore. It is also not right to keep your opinion to yourself. Our country was built on many important aspects; one of them being the importance of freedom of speech. There are many controversial topics that have to be addressed in our society, and unfortunately all opinions offend someone in some way. In my opinion, the desire to be politically correct has squelched public debate about important issues facing our country and in our world. That is unfortunate. In the future, I would hope that we move away from being so politically correct so that people, all people, are comfortable expressing their opinions.
Why We Don’t Say..... “‘I’m so depressed,’ because depression is not something to joke about,” Joe Homan. junior.
volume 2 issue 4
“‘Take it like a man,’ because gender does not verify bravery and toughness,” Mazie Larsen, sophomore.
“‘That’s so gay,’ because gay and stupid are not interchangeable,” Timmy White, junior.
op/ed
Photo by Sophie Anderson
“‘That’s retarded,’ because mental disabilities are not something to laugh at,” Maddie Johnson. senior.
“‘I just want to die,’ because suicide is a serious issue,” Easton Meadows, sophomore.
february 2016
15
A Series Reborn After Over A Decade
Disney Attempts to Rebuild a Legacy with New Star Wars Movie By: Carter Hunter
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fter ten long years of anticipation, the Force is awoken with the newest addition to the Star Wars series. For thirty eight years George Lucas, the creator of Star Wars, has transported viewers to a galaxy far far away. The new trilogy produced by Walt Disney film did it yet again under the direction of J. J. Abrams. “Overall I liked the movie, and believe that the newest trilogy has a lot of potential,” said Mr. Ryan Garder, math teacher. “The 7th movie served as a great set-up to the future movies, yet maintained a balance or even a tribute to the old.” The excitement started when the first trailer was released October 19, 2015. Within the first week, the video was viewed over 58.2 million times. This spurred the new release into a worldwide phenomenon. However, with Disney film taking over the Star Wars legacy, some viewers were a little skeptical that it would not quite capture the essence of the dramatic lightsaber fights, action packed space battles, and plot twists that we have come to know and love. The movie has gone above and beyond many expectations and obtained many high regards like receiving a 95 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and being honored by the American Film Institute as one of the 10 best films of 2015. While some movie goers have yet to see the jaw-dropping film, they are well aware of the big effects that the movie has had on film making. “I’ve never really watched them because I didn’t feel like I’d be that interested in them.” said Corbyn Ayer, junior. “I did like the parts of them I’ve seen however.” After thirty eight years and eight films, the majority of the series out there would have died down by now. Yet somehow,
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February 2016
the Star Wars industry is only growing. The rising anticipation from The Force Awakens caused the movie to excel, but this brings to question how is it that these movies are still so popular. “I believe these movies are so popular today because the first generation Star Wars viewers have introduced it to this generation’s kids.” said Tanner Huber, freshman. “Also I think that Star Wars has done a lot of advertising including commercials, toys, and even kids’ tv shows.” After the first five days that the film was released in theaters, Disney had a total worldwide opening record of $529 million from 74 countries, making it only the second time in cinematic history -- behind Jurassic World -- that a film opened with more than $500 million globally. The grand total amount of earnings for the film is now somewhere in the ballpark of $1.95 billion. After being so successful with The Force Awakens, Disney has announced that two more films are yet to come. Thus making The Force Awakens the first in a trilogy. Star Wars VIII was originally set for May 26, 2017, but has been delayed to December 15, 2017. This is due to the fact that producers believed it would help bring in more revenue if it were released around the same time as The Force Awakens which managed to make a sizeable amount despite not being released in May like the rest of the Star Wars films. Even though it may be hard to imagine because it seems so far away, Star Wars IX is set to release some time in 2019, depending on the success of Star Wars VIII of course. Many of the Star Wars accomplishments are now being attributed to the sharing through generations. It is this same idea that will carry the trilogy on for years to come.
Entertainment
Volume 2 issue 4
Get on the Boat! Sushi at Hiro88 By: Lauren Foss
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ushi has become an extremely popular meal choice for students. With exotic flavors and a relaxed atmosphere, students are able to experience fresh, worldly tastes instead of the same old burger-and-fry joints when dining out. Popular sushi eateries such as Blue, Baby Blue, and Tokyo Sushi were similar to a downtown Omaha restaurant I visited with some friends, Hiro88. While the restaurant also offers many full meal dining options, they are known for their eclectic sushi menu and fresh seafood. The restaurant gives mature and expensive vibes, but if visited during happy hour it will not burn a hole in your wallet. The menu is large in size and varies from chicken strips to seaweed salad. Originally, I was searching for the best sushi downtown but was persuaded into ordering the elusive seaweed salad along with a couple of sushi rolls; the California Deluxe Roll and the Spider Roll. The sushi was extremely fresh and full of flavor, and was easily some of the best sushi I have ever had. The seaweed salad was almost like munching on strange and flavorful crunchy noodles, something I might order again if I was in such a mood. Overall, the restaurant was high quality and comfortable. The option of happy hour made the meal easily affordable. The service was speedy and the staff was considerate and polite, worthy of a hefty tip!
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Entertainment
February 2016
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A New Spin on Dinner and a Movie The Alamo Movie Theater; Order While You Watch By: Layne Staley
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february 2016
Entertainment
volume 2 issue 4
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ew Drafthouse Cinema In the Area On the second of November, the Alamo opened its doors for the first time to the public. For both young people and adults, the Alamo offers a new experience to its customers with in-theater dining, strict viewing policies, and comfortable seating. Keeping this in mind, the theater seems to have mixed reviews so far. “It was definitely different,” said Josh Meyers, junior. “I was not used to it, but overall, my experience was pretty good. The theater was a lot nicer than other theaters I’ve been to.” Founded in Austin, Texas in 1997, the concept of Alamo was originally set on a love for movies and beer. This is still true today. The younger people attending cannot take part in this unless accompanied by an adult; however, those over the age of 18 can still enjoy the unique environment Alamo offers. “This theater is different than others because of the ‘Cinedine’ we offer...we have a different business model as far as they [other theaters] go,” said Derek Dillon, Alamo employee. “We have service all throughout the theater, through every portion of the film.” The food is not the only new part about the theater. The Alamo also supports local and national events, and plays classic films throughout the year. In honor of David Bowie, the artist and performer who recently passed away, the Alamo will be playing a special showing of Labyrinth, and The Man Who Fell To Earth. “The atmosphere was more sophisticated than other theaters,” said Sara Luedders, senior. “There were no annoying kids that messed around the whole time.” Because of Alamo’s strict age policy, the Drafthouse is designed for people looking for a better space to relax and enjoy a movie. It is easier to watch without screaming children and loud teenagers. “We have also have a strict ‘notalking-no-texting’ policy,” said Dillon. “If you’re caught talking or texting once in theater you get a warning; if you’re caught a second time you get kicked out. We advertise this place as a movie haven for movie lovers- it’s a sanctuary, and we’d like to keep it that way.” On the website, the Alamo’s founder, Tim League, promises that “...as the Alamo Drafthouse grows, we remain dedicated to keeping the movie-watching experience safe for movie fans, serving quality food and drinks, and upholding high presentation standards.” Whether you are looking for a quiet space to watch a movie, a fancy restaurant for dinner, or a place to see the newest film, the Alamo is surely a good choice.
volume 2 issue 4
Entertainment
February 2016
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The Voice
February 2016
Editor in Chief
Roy Thompson
Copy Editor
Amanda Minckler
News Editor
Amanda Minckler
Feature Editor
Roy Thompson
Sports Editor
Cassandra Kostal
Opinion Editor
Kayla Calvert
In-Depth Editor
Jamison Karas
Entertainment Editor Kiersey Bush
“I would say not necessarily famous like where everybody knows me, because then I feel like everywhere I go I couldn’t be normal anymore and I wouldn’t like everybody taking things from me.”
- Garrett Ostdiek-Wille, junior
“We (Hannah Brandon and myself) decided it was a good idea to get corn, and then everyday we would grab corn out of the locker and sprint down the hallway and throw it everywhere. We got two Saturday schools. They were confused as to why we would do that…and we didn’t have an answer.”
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- Shannan Slattery, senior GHS Twitter Accounts
@GretnaMedia @Media_GHS @GretnaGuidance @GHSDragons1 @GretnaBaseball @DragonVB1 @Gretna_Football @Gretna_Dance @LibHSDragons15 @GretnaSoftball
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his year’s show choir theme, “Class Clown,” is based around acrobats, bearded ladies and tightrope walkers. Show choir members perform as students and clowns in a fictional high school. In this fantasy, the audience is shocked and scared by the creepy clowns and how they represent the adult world. The group has already begun the competition season and has upcoming performances at Elkhorn South and Omaha North. Come and catch a glimpse into the crazy world of GHS show choir.