Marian Network Newspaper - December 2021

NEWS OPERATION OTHERS PAGE 3

FEATURE PET CONNECTIONS PAGE 10

SPORTS TITLE IX ANNIVERSARY PAGE 12

VOLUME SIXTY-SIX • ISSUE FOUR• NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2021 MARIAN HIGH SCHOOL • 7400 MILITARY AVENUE OMAHA, NE 68134 • WWW.MARIANDIGITALNETWORK.COM

The

THE BUZZ

DR. MAE JEMISON speaks at local fundraising event for young women

The first woman of color to become an astronaut inspires young women to pursue their ambitions no matter what challenges may stand in their way.

Story on page 2.

Dr. Mae Jemison speaks enthusiastically to her audience of young women and supporters at Girls Inc.’s Lunch for the Girls on Nov. 11. Photo by ElleianaGreen

News 02

Nov./Dec. 2021

Dr. Mae Jemison defies gravity, expectations, and societal standards

ElleianaGreen & JordanMoser

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stablished in 1975 in the basement where I told a story about my teachof a local church, Girls Inc. began er,” Jemison said, referring to her its mission of empowering young 2001 memoir “Find Where the Wind girls. Every year, Girls Inc. hosts a Goes”, “she asked what I wanted to be Lunch for the Girls to raise money to when I grew up and I raised my hand continue their mission. In past years, and said a scientist. She responded, powerful women have keynoted the ‘Oh, you mean a nurse?’” luncheon, including Michelle Obama, As society continued to dissuade Malala Yousafzai and Chelsea Clinher from her true ambitions, Jemison ton. On Nov. 11, Dr. Mae Jemison, prevailed and later attended Stanthe first woman of color to become ford University and Cornell Medical an astronaut, encouraged the young School. Jemison exwomen in the audience to pursue their pressed her worries ambitions, no matter how far it took for young girls facthem. ing similar circumJemison began by reflecting on the stances. “Children importance of time. “Each second have remarkable is extremely precious because we resilience can do with those seconds as until we as we please, adults tell but we them how can never they are get those supposed seconds to act.” back,” Jemison said.

Reflecting on her childhood in Chicago, Jemison highlighted that dreams have versatility. As a young African American girl, Jemison was told by the world around her that she would never achieve her dreams. Still, Jemison pursued her passions. “I wanted Dr. Mae Jemison to dance,” Jemison said, “but, I Jemison disscusses the countless groundbreaking accomplishments she has made. Jemison also was so grounded in space… and dinosaurs.” She went on to tell a spoke about struggles she faced as a woman of story about how the destruction color working to shatter social stigmas against the ability for women to succeed. of dreams can happen as early as Photo by ElleianaGreen kindergarten. “I wrote this book

From 1983-1985, Jemsion worked as the Peace Corps medical officer in Sierra Leone and Liberia. With several people working under her, Jemison described how difficult it was to be the leading doctor of these camps. Calling on the young women in Waiting for the main event the room, Jemison The crowd eagerly waits for Jemison to take the stage. Attendees said, “Understand enjoyed lunch and socializing with those seated at their table. your purpose when Photo by ElleianaGreen you are somewhere.

Not just at your job, more young girls and I think it’s so but your purpose internally,” Jemison important to talk to them at this age said. “You always have to keep in where they can remember this experimind what you want to accomplish ence,” Evans said. “Young girls are so and what is the greater good.” impressionable. This is the age where Finally, on Sept. 12, 1992, Jemison their curiosity is the greatest. Like the boarded the Endeavor as a mission teacher that told Dr. Jemison to be a specialist. On this day, she became nurse, the decisions young girls make the first woman of color to enter space will influence their future.” and made her childhood dreams come Others were inspired by her words true. She broke down barriers for to not waste a second in pursuing their women in male dominated spaces. dreams. “My mom is on the board for Several women in the audience Girls Inc.,” Jayla Kuhn ’21 said. “I deeply resonated with Jemison’s loved hearing about space. I was not words. Dr. Nicole Evans, a regular familiar with Jemison prior, but she at the Lunch for Girls, brought her kept me entertained. She taught me to teenage daughter for the first time. be present in every moment.”

“Attending these luncheons has been Breaking down barriers for women a tradition for my family,” Dr. Nicole of color, Jemison hopes young women Evans said. “This was my first year will be given the opportunity to do the taking my 13-year-old daughter. I same. “I would not be here without wish I would’ve taken her sooner.” the people who have allowed me to For years, Evans has attended these do better and that’s what Girls Inc. is luncheons and has seen the demodoing every day,” Jemison said. graphics of the audience change. “For the first time I’m seeing more and

The cold can’t stop the teams of Bubbles, Blossom, and Buttercup.

BaileyKollasch

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his year, Robotics Club’s super team of robots are here to save the day with team 16754’s Bubbles, team 20024’s Blossom, and team 20026’s Buttercup. Members of the club banded together to form teams with evenly proportioned seniority. Every group has someone with experience to aid their teammates.

Forming three teams is a big challenge because of the time the Robotics Club needs for trial and error. Not everyone can make it their priority. Thus, the robots’ construction progress was slow. The teams’ skills were finally put to the test on Nov. 6 as they kicked off the season at their first competition at St. Albert’s High School.

“It was nice seeing all of the other teams’ robots and getting ideas and inspiration from them. I got a little bit of help from Prep with our own code because it wasn’t working so well. It was definitely a good environment,” junior Lilith Maxey of team 16754 Bubbles said.

Her team, also known as Gear Death Experience, pulled out all of the stops to create a festive competition.

When they arrived at St. Albert’s High School, Maxey and her team rocked their frog hats, stuffed animal companions and other froggy accessories.

Robots Reconstructed Senior Lauren Ali works to adjust her robot, Blossum. Ali is on the team of 20024.

Photo by BaileyKollasch

Teamwork Robotics club seniors Lauren Ali, Anna Krupka, Jada Williams, and Lucy Hobday, junior Mariana Vazquez Rosas, and sophomore Zoe Vinson work to fine tune their robots before their next competition.

Photo by BaileyKollasch

The team’s first challenge was to undergo a thorough inspection, guaranteeing their robots are safe and the correct size. “After this, we compete in alliances (two random teams in an alliance, four teams total on the field) and score points,” Maxey said.

Each year, FIRST’s Tech Challenge program, which administers robotics competitions, sends different materials for the teams to place in the 12’ by 12’ field — foam mats with tape marking the different zones and encapsulated by plexiglass — at school. The playing elements prepare the teams for competitions and allow them to make adjustments to their robots’ features

to complete the season’s list of tasks FIRST Tech Challenge provides.

Each task is assigned point values depending on its level of difficulty.

During the competitions, the teams have 30 seconds of autonomous work in which the robots must perform the tasks without their drivers, relying only on their coding. Then, the robots’ drivers must complete as many tasks within 2 minutes. The team with the most points total are thus declared the victors.

“This year, we can score points by moving cargo, parking in certain locations, knocking ducks off of spinning platforms, etc.” Maxey said.

2 Minutes Senior Lucy Hobday, junior Lilith Maxey, and sophomore Zoe Vinson race to finish their tasks at their first competition.

Photo by LillieDevine

The Robotics Club faced challenges with their robot partners at the competition, but they were able to learn from the experience. Before their next competition, the club has their work cut out for them. They aim to improve the coding, practice driving the robots, and to keep up their team spirit with team 16754’s new tradition of themed competitions. But they won’t be alone.

Dr. Sharon Genoways, the club’s moderator, matches the members’ enthusiasm, if not more, towards improving their mechanical super team and encourages them to work together to create the best robot they can.

Nov./Dec. 2021

Operation Others represents holiday season, shares with families in need AshleyJohanek

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ince 1967, students in the Omaha area have come together to raise money and necessities to support and provide for families in need.

The Omaha parochial high schools gather each year and prepare for the holiday season.

“You get so much satisfaction and joy knowing that you’re directly helping those in need in your own community,” senior Brianna Dovali said. Operation Others, run by Creighton Prep Director of Campus Ministry Jerry Kinney, provides meals for 1500 families during the holidays.

Before items can be collected, the core teams reach out to the families to find out what is most needed. “The most significant part is receiving the calls for the materials the families need because we get to hear the voices of the families and it makes us feel so close to them. Knowing how much of an effect you have in their life is so touching,” Dovali said.

Every year, each parochial high school is assigned a certain item to bring in. This year, Marian was tasked with bringing in 2000 jars of peanut butter and jelly. “It was a struggle to reach [the goal]. But, due to the generosity of one particular parent, we

(Left) Junior Christina Kleinsmith packages donated PB&J for delivery day.

(Right) Senior Brianna Dovali and theology teacher Mr. Mark Koesters show off the PB&J drive’s success. reached our goal,” theology teacher Mr. Mark Koesters said. This parent was able to bring in more than 500 jars to help the school reach the goal. “I feel great that we met our goal and that everybody came through,” Koesters said. Marian was able to bring in 2001 jars to benefit the families Operation Others helps. “It is a service project that everyone can be involved in,”

Koesters said. He is grateful that Marian girls can participate in this project to support families all around Omaha.

Helen Burns ’14 and her family have helped with Operation Others for more than 17 years and continue to support the growth of the program. “Everyone there is there for the same goal and same mission: to help the community,” Burns said. Though Burns has gradu-

News 03

ated and continued her life, she and her family reconnect during the holiday season to help with packing and delivery day. She appreciates how many students and volunteers come energized and excited to pack the materials and prepare to deliver all that has been raised for these families. “As an adult, it is such an exciting event that my family gets to do altogether. We all end the day with really great stories about the many people we met.

They always tell you about how grateful they are and how meaningful the meals mean in helping them,” Burns said.

Delivery day for many on Operation Others is very impactful and memorable. “It can be hectic, but it’s all worth it in the end,” Dovali said. Through the many hours of driving around Omaha, going door to door handing the families all that was raised for them is very emotional and creates stories that Burns and her family always retell.

“In the end, it’s not one family that stands out, it’s Operation Others being so supportive to all these families,” Burns said.

Delivery day is Dec. 18.

Watch email for full details.

NCYC inspires FIAT with new ideas, deepens faith

ElizabethMonzu

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he National Catholic Youth Conference, or NCYC, was one of the only things that the world did not have to miss last year. That’s because it has been hosted every other year, every odd year, since 1983. NCYC lasts three days and their mission is “to support and strengthen those who accompany young people as they encounter and follow Jesus.” Therefore, the whole event focuses around faith, liturgy, service and recreation This year NCYC was Nov. 18-20 and Campus Ministry took seven juniors to the event in Indianapolis, IN. The trip was funded by Marian to help train young women in ministry leadership. They were all members of the Faith in Action Team (FIAT) of Campus Ministry. Deacon Kevin Fuller and Mrs. Karen Coolidge were the two teacher chaperones. “I think the girls had a great time and took good care of each other and of us adult leaders!” Deacon Fuller said.

Each day consisted of a 90 minute session in Lucas Oil Stadium, the home of the Indianapolis Colts, and two or three breakout sessions during the day. The stadium usually seats the 25,000 students in attendance at NCYC, but this year, the stadium only saw around 10,000-12,000 students.

In addition to this, everyone had to wear a mask inside the stadium and with their breakout groups and had to provide proof of vaccination in order to attend. This requirement for vaccination was a rule by both Marian and NCYC. “I had to sign a form with NCYC saying all were vaccinated,” Deacon Fuller said.

Each day ended in Lucas Oil Stadium for a large group session. “The

“There are many different ways to express your faith and not every person is going to have the same exact view of religion.”

- Maggie Morris ’23

Juniors Maggie Morris, Jessica Gomez, Mariana Vasquez Rosas, Nora Corrigan, Bailey Sommer, Emily Martin and Natalie Pelan pose for a photo after attending the morning prayer session.

Students anxiously awaited their next speakers.

Photo courtesy of Maggie Morris sessions included adoration and Mass.

At the large group sessions, there were famous musicians, witness speakers and keynote speakers,” Deacon Fuller said.

This was junior Maggie Morris’s first time going to NCYC “I really liked that it was very flexible and we were able to pick which things we wanted to go to throughout the day,” Morris said.

Students in attendance were able to choose their breakout sessions at the Indianapolis convention center each day. Marian students spent their days walking around and exploring the different booths and activities.

Morris also bonded with her classmates during the trip and on the long car ride to and from Indianapolis.

“The most exciting part of the trip for

me is seeing the FIAT girls enjoy each other and the experience,” Deacon Fuller said.

Morris said she loved the experience of being able to go on a school trip and said she would be open to go again. “It was unlike what I expected,” Morris said. “It was very lively, and everyone there seemed to have a very strong faith and connection with God.” The National Catholic Youth Conference exceeded the expectations of students and helped them experience Jesus, especially Morris who said, “I learned that there are many different ways to express your faith and that not every person is going to have the same exact view of religion.”

She was able to look at religion with new perspectives. “I was able to see God through different things in my life,” Morris said.

One of the main goals they had by going to NCYC was bringing something back to the community to use for Campus Ministry, especially for all-school Masses. The girls came back inspired by their new experience, and hope that future generations of students will do the same.

04 Opinion

It’s not liberal versus conservative: finding common ground StaffEditorial

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s Marian predominantly liberal, or is the liberal viewpoint more socially acceptable in this facility? In these past two years of high political tension, students have become more divided, with liberal viewpoints seemingly being the most dominant. But not everyone has the same opinions. Some liberal students feel that they cannot confidently express their opinions, and some conservative students feel as if Marian is too liberal for their voices to be heard.

Social media is one of the biggest influences on a teenager’s political ideology. Users can find posts from both sides of the political spectrum, and loads of information about current events. It can encourage people to express their beliefs by posting information on their page, but this type of media can become one-sided when a group only focuses on issues from their side’s point of view. The flood of politically biased posts can blur the line between what is factual and what is opinionated. This can cause issues with misinformation and prejudice against the other side which can increase hostility between both groups. It can also lead people to mistake others’ political beliefs, causing tension between aspiring young liberals and conservatives.

The increased conflict between both parties is sometimes provoked by biased media, creating a struggle for students to confidently express their opinions with their classmates. In a school like Marian which some may see as predominantly liberal, many conservative-leaning students find themselves “faking it” to fit in. They keep quiet during political discussions, and avoid posting controversial opinions on social media. Some conservative students even write essays further to the left because they feel “outnumbered” in classes. This along, with other conflicting actions, is the only way some conservatives feel that they can fit in. Silence on social media, being untruthful on school reflection essays, and biting your tongue during class discussions can summarize how many conservative students feel voicing their opinions in predominantly one sided classrooms. Some conservative students have struggled with this because they would only be speaking for themselves and would make it known that they are (quite literally) the elephant in the room. Differing opinions come by nature, but the fear of a one sided classroom voicing that you are wrong with no

“In order to find common ground, not only do you need to embrace your own opinions, but embrace the opinions of others as well.”

The Network Marian High School 7400 Military Ave. Omaha, NE 68134 netpaper@omahamarian.org

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MHSbeat

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one to back you up, is a fear that many crumble under.

Instances that have instilled this fear include the social media backlash students received after attending the Pro-Life March in Washington D.C. Some students in attendance posted their experience on social media, but were met with negative feedback. Several received hate comments containing backlash surrounding their ethnicity, looks, religious beliefs and mental state. Many ended up deleting their posts or deleting comments and those who left everything up did so

Illustration of political polarization by ElleianaGreen to show how they were being treated. In regards to actual schoolwork, some conservative students take into consideration what their teacher’s perceived ideological viewpoint is and reflect their work based off of it if applicable. Essays may tend to sway away from what they actually believe due to fear of getting a lower grade. Any student can understand the importance of succeeding in a class and students are willing to dance around what they believe in order to do so. However, some liberal students feel that they, too, are unable to speak their beliefs in and out of the classroom. Some liberal Network staff members believe that they can’t talk about social issues that are affecting them because they don’t want to have a negative label or stereotype associated with their name. They’ve encountered racism and homophobia from classmates, making them feel outcasted and unwelcomed. In addition, they feel that bringing up their thoughts on an issue induces more animosity towards them, especially being pro-choice or a part of the LGBTQ+ community in a Catholic school.

Some staff members felt uncomfortable speaking on it because of the fear of receiving backlash from their classmates in person and online. Many harmful words and actions were brought to light as students began holding peers accountable for being offensive. Some students especially fear that speaking up against their classmates could result in consequences

The Network is

a monthly publication of the journalism students at Marian High School, Nebraska’s only Class A Catholic, AdvancED accredited college preparatory school for girls. The Network is a member of the N.H.S.P.A and the N.S.P.A. It is our goal to provide an accurate and informative news source for the student community. Students, faculty and friends are invited to voice their opinion in Letters to the Editors.

Letters must be typed, signed, and sent to the address at left. Or call us at 402-5712618 x1134. An electronic version of this paper and exclusive content can be found at mariandigitalnetwork.com Adviser: Mrs.MarshaKalkowski

Nov./Dec. 2021

“But the fear of a one sided classroom voicing that you are wrong with no one to back you up, is a fear that many crumble under.” from administration and the issue being taken out of proportion. With hate from the other side, no post or comment is safe.

Another big issue for students is the common problem that politics are now set into everything. Any topic can cause an argument. The frequent debate between wearing a mask or not wearing one has become a big political issue. With vaccine rollouts and COVID numbers going down, many students have preferred to go maskless.

This has caused a lot of debate between peers on whether or not they really need the mask.

The reality is, masks are just a necessary thing to protect your classmates and teachers from contracting a severe illness like COVID-19 and protect others’ underlying health conditions. Issues like this regarding one’s health and safety should be kept out of political discussions, yet many feel that it is the perfect topic for debate.

How does Marian combat these tensions between students? One fairly new effort the administration has brought to the table is encouraging schoolwide civil discourse. Civil discourse is a simple conversation about a social issue. It’s not intended to attack a student’s belief but helps students develop a better understanding of each other’s point of view and find similarities between their beliefs. In the past year, teachers spent time learning how to lead these conversations in their own classrooms. Marian also has a student union. The student union is a club that promotes civil debates between liberal and conservative students. The club works to bring both sides of the spectrum together, and is a great medium for students who wish to discuss bigger political topics.

Students are trying to expand their views, and figure out where they lay on the political spectrum. The fear of voicing your opinions shouldn’t stop you.

It’s normal to grow in and out of your beliefs and find yourself supporting new ideas, and it’s ok if you find yourself in between. In order to find common ground, not only do you need to embrace your own opinions, but embrace the opinions of others as well.

Opinions depend on where you are and who you’re with. These will grow and change over time, and so will you. It’s crucial to normalize differing opinions in order to evolve, and Marian is headed in that exact direction. By creating an environment in which everyone’s voices can be heard and welcomed, we can bring both sides together without controversy.

Managing Editors: ElleianaGreen & AnnaRasgorshek Copy Editor: ElizaTurco Photo Editor: ClareDegan Graphics Editor: LivBirnstihl Online Editor: GigiSalerno News Editors: MaddieAdam, MakDarrow & ElizabethMonzu Feature Editors: CarliAhsan, ChiomaAloziem, FionaGautschi & BaileyKollasch

Opinion Editors: AveryKinnison, MelinaPiperis Indepth Editor: JordanMoser Sports Editors: AshleyJohanek & KathrynStec Entertainment Editors: ShannonMonahan & EliseMoulton Photo Essay Editor: ClareDegan Reporter & Photographer: SydneySchroeder

Nov./Dec. 2021

Opinion 05

Makeup is for self-expression, not first impressions

Opinion by ClareDegan ow, my boyfriend is really going to appreciate this extra line of highlighter on my cheekbone,” said no one ever. The stigma of doing makeup to impress other people has always been around, and it heavily affected me as I began doing makeup at a relatively young age. I felt uncomfortable wearing makeup outside my house because of the fear others would assume I was doing it to impress boys.

It did not help that my grade school and middle school had a no-makeup policy. The rule made me think I was too young to wear makeup just like the common societal statement everyone seemed to understand. I was frustrated I could not wear makeup to school because it has always been my favorite form of art.

Since makeup has always been my passion, why did I need to conceal it from the world?

A few years after beginning my

“W

makeup journey, I began developing acne before everyone else in my fifth grade class. Soon enough, this became an insecurity, and I turned to makeup to mask the small blemishes. Every once in a while I wore powder to school to counteract the prominent red bumps. I always knew makeup does not make someone prettier, it simply enhances a person’s already beautiful features. However, makeup helped me through that insecure patch of time, and it gave me the confidence to wear less makeup as I got older.

Assuming a person is wearing a lot of makeup to impress others is a bold and overused statement. Over the last decade, makeup has become a very well-known hobby for many as social media has become extremely popular. As popular makeup artists began surfacing on YouTube, they began emphasizing that rarely anyone wears makeup to impress others, but rather to express themselves.

Political Bias in Classrooms

tional nor an act of impressing the In addition, the popular tutorials person you sit next to during science set new makeup trends and allowed class. average consumers There are many to learn the different reasons why people wear makeup. same makeMany use makeup as up tricks as a stress relief outlet makeup artists. and as a form of art.

Contouring, Some wear it because strobing, highit is a fun application lighting, and process and some wear using tape to it because they want create winged to accentuate their eyeliner are already beautiful feaall tricks and tures. All of these are trends that the examples of applying regular makemakeup for expression up guru uses and not impression. that were once They emphasize the strictly used Clare Degan real reason why people by makeup Photo courtesy of Anna Mantini ’17 wear makeup instead artists. Youtubers changed the of the false stigma of makeup industry by reminding people makeup claimed by society. that wearing makeup is not conven-

“Students should be able to learn in an environment that they are able to grow in their beliefs and values.”

- Junior Regina Anyaegbunam

Editorial Cartoon by MelinaPiperis

Have an opinion?

Send a letter to the editors!

Email us at netpaper@omahamarian.org See online exclusives at mariandigitalnetwork.com

The story of me making the sky my limit, becoming a pilot

Opinion by SydneySchroeder

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looked around and took in the utter vastness of clear skies. The ground was 3,500 feet below me. The only thing I could hear was chatter over the radio and the roar of an engine. I eased out the throttle once I reached the top of the climb and began looking for the airport roughly 12 miles ahead of me. I let out a sigh and allowed myself to crack a smile. “I finally did it,” I thought, although too soon.

My aviation interest sparked when I was quite young. Seeing enough of the solid yellow Boeing Stearman my grandpa rebuilt kindled it.

Built in the 1930s, the Stearman was the primary air trainer for the military in World War II. I remember feeling so proud of my grandpa for rebuilding one. One time, he allowed me to crawl up in the open cockpit and even taxied me down the runway.

I remember a strong musty smell of

old leather and feeling intimidated.

Yet at the time, it was the most exciting thing I had ever experienced. I imagined the Stearman taking off and soaring through the sky, and I wanted

Sydney Schroeder nothing more than to be up there.

I expressed these thoughts to my grandpa, but to my great disappointment he informed me that it wasn’t the best idea to fly that day.

Eight years later, I found myself in an airplane of my own, a Cessna 172, and approaching final descent. A rush of adrenaline suddenly hit me — this

would be the first landing I would complete solo. Before I knew it, the wheels had touched the ground, and I felt a weight leave my chest.

However I wasn’t done yet, I needed to return to the airport I had flown out of. I began back taxiing the runway to take off once more when I saw something that made my heart sink into my liver. I saw another airplane descending on final for the runway I was on. I was stuck with nowhere to go staring directly at an aerial applicator heading in my direction.

I didn’t have enough time or space to take off again. I made a radio call saying that I was still on the runway, but this plane was still on final and making no remarks.

The plane was much closer now, and I was still stuck and unable to do anything to stop it. I made another call just to make sure the plane had heard me and prayed that it would do a go around. The plane angled itself slightly away from the runway at the last possible moment and landed on

the grass runway beside me.

Before I could even process everything that had occurred, I took to the sky as fast as I could, I did not want to take any more chances.

Once my plane was parked, I explained everything that had happened to my instructor. I remember at the time I was the youngest one there and taking up the time of a college student. I was congratulated on my first solo flight and warned of airplanes (much like that aerial applicator) that did not have a two way radio installed.

After going through a couple more things I was good to go. I probably upset a college student, but I really wasn’t thinking about that. While I was driving home, I evaluated everything that had happened during my solo. I was still in partial shock due to how close the plane had been to me, but the feeling of excitement and accomplishment far overwhelmed any negative emotion I had.

At that moment, I knew that this would be my life vocation and what I would pursue as a career. I’ve continued my aviation journey since, and I haven’t looked back.

06 Feature

Nov./Dec .2021

Young alumnae divulge memories, reasons why they returned to work at Marian ElizaTurco

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accepted a job at HDR as a designer.

And so it was kind of known that she was planning on leaving and that this job would be opening. And so once I expressed interest in this job, it was really nice because we had about a month for her to be able to train me and some of the stuff that she did. And so once I started kind of learning her job and how she did things, it was just kind of a natural transition into this position after she left,” Monahan said.

Current math teacher, Miss Megan Han, Class of 2013, was not prone to senioritis. “[Returning] wasn’t something that I had thought about until like, way into my senior year of high school. I thought maybe someday, I would like to be a teacher and if I’m going to be a teacher, I want to do it at Marian,” Han said.

Roadblocks towards making friends with everyone in the office, in the form of former teachers, must be addressed. Going from student to colleague is an at-first awkward experience. “There’s certain parts of it that are definitely weird. For example, I’ll never be able to call Mrs. K, Marsha. Different things like that. When we have all faculty staff, like meetings or retreats, it’s kind of weird to do icebreaker activities with your old teacher. But they’ve been super welcoming, and the familiarity of it all is so nice. I think being able to step into this job, and already have such a good concept of what Marian is and kind Ms. Sydney Monahan ’17 remembers her time as a student involved in journalism, recruitment team of how things work and soccer. Today, she is the school’s Digital Media here was really

enioritis is spreading like wildfire through the Class of 2022. Weeks of AP U.S. Government notes are being saved for the night before the test. Ankle socks are shrinking into uniform-prohibited no-shows. As early action decisions roll in, seniors can’t wait to leave.

So, what’s the deal with returning alums? Haven’t they had enough?

Ms. Sydney Monahan, Class of 2017 and current digital media coordinator, weighed in on what drew her back to Marian.

Monahan graduated with a startling Field Day record of 4-2-1-1. She attended Regis University in Denver, Colorado with an English major and minors in communications and peace and justice studies. Fresh out of college and home for the summer, Monahan was quick to find opportunities.

“I actually started this summer as an intern for the marketing department. While I was working as an intern, the person who was in this position before me, Mary Catherine Ruesch,

Coordinator.

helpful.” Monahan said.

Still, it begs the question, what about this school is so magnetic? Nostalgia could be to blame. “I think my favorite thing was being on the cross country team. I loved it.

I loved running and I loved the team. And it was something I looked forward to doing every year even though it’s a hard sport. We just had such a great team atmosphere.

It was because of that, that I wanted to coach cross country. It was something I was super passionate about,” Han said.

Monahan keeps tabs on her class, sharing updates of traditions, “One of my favorite things, when I was a high school student, was Marian Moms.

I always Snapchat my friends, and they’re always so jealous that I have access to Marian Mom’s or cookies or ice cream. It’s a very nostalgic feeling, but cool to be able to still actively participate in things like that,” Monahan said.

Now, as a teacher, Han stands on the other side of the glass for activities, “It’s really fun to watch. Students get to experience the things that I love so much about Marian. And it’s so fun to be a part of that part of their life journeys,” Han said.

Monahan has garnered a deeper appreciation for the work that goes behind Marian’s marketing. “I think by getting to see some of the background of what goes into that I have a way better understanding of the mechanics of things. I mean, even just things

Miss Megan Han ’13 clearly remembers celebrating her birthday as a student in Mr. Tom Baker’s class, her time on cross country and as a member of Mu Alpha Theta, the math honor society. Today she teaches Honors PreCalculus and Honors Geometry/ Advanced Algebra.

like how snow days are announced.

That’s a completely complicated, multi-person involved decision that as students, you just want to know whether it’s a snow day or not. And obviously, you’re going to be upset if it’s not, but really, truly kind of having the adult perspective of it,” Monahan said.

Years down the line, Han sees herself at Marian, continuing to build bonds with students and teachers. In the meantime, the halls are filled with deja vu moments.

“There are these little moments where it’s like, oh my gosh, I remember what that felt like. Like the closet at the middle staircase where they keep all the Field Day supplies you open that and I’m just immediately transported back to high school,” Han said It can not be denied. Once a Marian girl, always a Marian girl.

Mock Trial members take the stand, gain courtroom experience MelinaPiperis

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rder in the court! The 2021 Mock Trial season has begun, and students have taken the stand.

Marian students are joining high schoolers all over the nation in the Mock Trial Program, a court simulation activity. Senior Malerie Birkel explained that high schoolers use a case file created by the Nebraska Bar Foundation and participate in imitation trials.

A mock trial includes testimony from the witness, presentation of evidence, legal arguments and exhibits. In a mock trial, students play the role of either lawyer or witness. Birkel shared that the lawyers’ jobs are to “write and perform opening and closing statements, direct and cross examinations, and make objectives and respond to them.” Witnesses, on the other hand, “learn their witness statements and then testify during trial.” They also create characters and bring their stories to life through facts

examinations and from their stateMOCK TRIAL TEAM: (Front) Elizabeth Buescher, ments.

Mackenzie Reidy, Riya Kumar, Claire Bentley. (Back) refine their work The team holds Ava Moore, Gabriella Roche, Mikala Christianson, with their coachMalerie Birkel. (Not Pictured) Ruthanne Barrett. es. weekly two-hour Photo courtesy of Kumar Birkel expractices, but many of the members meet outside of pracplained that mock trial requires a tice to prepare. On their own time, unique set of skills, including argumock trial girls familiarize themselves mentative writing, quick thinking, and knowledge of the law and courtroom with cases, work on statements and procedure. Witnesses also need to develop their characters. During practice, they rehearse direct cross remain in character throughout the

trials, which becomes difficult when an opposing team is questioning them. Thanks to mock trials, Birkel has seen improvement in her critical thinking skills. She finds herself excited to write persuasive and argumentative papers since she has gained experience in this through mock trials. Birkel has always aspired to become a lawyer, and “Mock Trial has … solidified [her] interest in the legal system.” She is considering a career in litigation law since she has enjoyed her time in Mock Trial so much.

To support the Marian mock trial team, you can attend in-person trials at the Douglas County Courthouse. If you are interested in joining the team, tryouts are just before the school year begins in early August. Information will be emailed to the student body about two weeks before the fall semester begins.

Nov./Dec. 2021

Feature 07

Harry Potter Philosophy Class Exemplifies the Color of the Senior Class FionaGautschi

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he senior class is made up of many different skin tones— not false labels that are put on by others in society. The six seniors in the Harry Potter Philosophy class created a project to embody this. Hung outside of the Haddix Academic Center for most of November, you could see photos of everyone in the senior class with a background color identical to the sample 11x11 pixels taken from the tip of the nose.

“Working on this project has made me be able to be involved in something bigger than just photoshopping a color behind people’s faces,” senior Bridget McGill said.

The Harry Potter Philosophy and Feminism class, taught by social studies teacher Mr. Tom Baker is a class with six students. “We all sit right next to each other in a little u-shape with Mr. Baker in the middle, and with a larger class, the conversations wouldn’t be able to be as personal as they are with the class size we have right now,” McGill said.

The project was started

in early September and the girls have been working on it ever since. When the project started, students were studying discrimination and prejudice. The girls in the class were inspired to work on a project like this after watching a Ted Talk about the Humanæ project by Angélica Dass. As described in the explanation of the project, “Dass’ main goal is to document humanity’s true colors” and she accomplishes this goal by changing the color of the background to a tone identical to a sample of 11x11 pixels taken from the tip of the nose. The background color tone is changed using Pantone—a color palette that classifies different colors and assigns a number to each color tone.

“My favorite part of the project has been getting to see just how diverse our class actually is after getting rid of all the color boxes,” senior Meredith Bailey said.

“This is such an important topic for us to discuss so hopefully this project made people think about discrimination and race on a deeper level,” senior Anne Masek said.

Watch the Ted Talk that sparked this class project: https://www.ted.com/talks/angelica_dass_the_ beauty_of_human_skin_in_every_color By cataloging every conceivable human skin tone, Angélica Dass illustrates that skin color and race are more complex than they might appear at first glance.

February 2016

2,753,575 views as of 12/3/21

Local Omaha gem, Lisa’s Radial Cafe, exceeds expectations Review by CarliAhsan

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isa’s Radial Cafe, a quaint breakfast cafe, is located on the corner of 40th and Cuming. Open from 6 a.m.- 2 p.m. on weekdays and 7 a.m.

- 2 p.m. on weekends, Lisa’s is the perfect brunch spot. The cafe is next door to Sweet Magnolia’s Bake Shop, a great place to stop for all kinds of sweet treats after enjoying an early morning breakfast. After hearing lots of positive reviews, eight Network staffers, including myself, visited Lisa’s to see if it was really as good as everyone claims it to be.

The building that Lisa’s Radial Cafe is currently in has been standing since the early 1930s. It had always been a diner, but in the 2000s, a new family bought it. Lisa’s Radial Cafe has been family-owned ever since Lisa Schembri first moved in. Lisa’s daughter is the current manager and the rest of the family works to keep their mother’s legacy alive.

Lisa’s is a very small, homey cafe.

As soon as you step in the door, you

know you will have a special personal experience. The workers treat everyone like family, and it is a comfortable environment perfect for a weekend morning brunch with your family or friends. They can get pretty busy on the weekends, and they don’t take reservations. If you have a larger party, as we did, I would advise that you call about an hour before you go and ask them if they can set aside a couple of tables. They were more than willing to accommodate.

The menu has a wide variety of breakfast foods. From the classic “The Works,” two eggs, hash browns, choice of ham, bacon, sausage or turkey sausage, and toast, to the “Radial Specialty Titanic,” a bed of hash browns topped with biscuits, two eggs, and country-fried steak all generously covered in country sau-

sage gravy, you’re guaranteed to find something that suits your taste. They also have a lunch menu complete with sandwiches, burgers, salads and a soup of the day. Their breakfast prices are inexpensive ($6-9), especially considering how large the portions are.

When it came to ordering, everyone had a hard time choosing what to get because there were so many appetizing options. I went with a classic and ordered “The Combo,” French toast, one egg, two strips of bacon, and hot chocolate. The French toast was filling, and Caramel Apple Stuffed French Toast it was perfectly

cooked. It wasn’t soggy like some places serve it. The bacon was crispy, but not burnt crispy, and the egg was cooked enough, but not overcooked to the point of it being too dry. The hot chocolate was very hot when it first came out, but it was the perfect amount of chocolate without being too rich or too sweet.

Others had variations of the French toast with different sides, but one of us tried the Killer Cakes, two very large pancakes with chocolate chips and peanut butter chips. We also ordered the special of the day, Caramel Apple Stuffed French Toast, for the table to share. This French toast was topped with apples, caramel sauce and whipped cream. It tasted exactly like a dessert. I definitely wouldn’t have been able to finish it if I had ordered it for myself, but it was the perfect dish to share as a group.

All of the food was beyond delicious, and we all agreed that we would recommend it to anyone.

08 indepth

nov./dec

Freshman shares unique perspective on holiday season MaddieAdam reshman Julia Ramadan was born in the country of Jordan in the Middle East and lived there for seven years. During her time there, her favorite celebration was Eid al-Fitr, the end of Ramadan, which is a holy month of fasting, prayer, and reflection. The dates of Ramadan change each year, and for 2022, it lasts from April 2 to May 2. Eid al-Fitr lasts May 2-3. Although it is often assumed that Eid al-Fitr is strictly a Muslim holiday, it is a universal celebration like Christmas and is considered less religious than Ramadan.

During Ramadan, those who are part of the Muslim faith are expected to fast from sunrise to sunset every day until the month is over. “[During] Ramadan in Jordan, it’s really frowned upon to eat in public in the daytime because everyone [who is fasting] is really hungry. Eating in front of them is rude and it’s almost like you’re mocking them. In the United States, since no one really follows that, I imagine it’d be harder for people who actually fast to not break their fast,” Ramadan said.

The moment people find out what day Eid is going to be, “everyone’s super excited and out buying decorations,” she said. For Eid al-Fitr, Ramadan’s family puts up lots of different lights, colored moons, and stars. In order to celebrate, there are huge parties filled with Arabic music and dancing. “There’s also

F

really good food, too, but it isn’t a specific type of went to all played a role in what my personality is like food. Everyone just makes what they want, and it’s today,” Ramadan said. Her time in Jordan has allowed always good,” she said. her to experience different traditions in two countries on opposite sides of the world, giving her a special Ramadan sees similarities between the attitudes towards Christmas in the United States and Eid al-Fitr perspective and insight into the holidays. in Jordan. Since Christmas is one of the most celebrated holidays in the United States, “Eid al-Fitr is pretty different here [in the United States], since not many people celebrate it.

In Jordan, it’s sort of like Christmas.

There’s a huge happy mood going around and you tell everyone you see, even if you don’t know them, Happy Eid,” Ramadan said.

Growing up in Jordan gave her a Freshman Julia Ramadan and her brother visiting the Dead Sea. lot of cultural experience. “EveryPhoto courtesy of Ramadan one I met and the different schools I

Happy

Christmas Q & A with Campus Ministry

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MakDarrow ach Christmas season, Campus Ministry works hard to make Marian a cheerful environment surrounded by Christmas spirit. To learn more about the celebrations and activities planned for this year I sat down with Deacon Kevin Fuller, liturgical minister Anna Kolterman and Sister Jackie Thorn. Follow along the Christmas Q and A to learn more about upcoming Marian celebrations and the leaders of Campus Ministry!

What will Campus Ministry be celebrating throughout the month of December?

“The liturgical calendar for the Catholic year always starts during advent ... so what we try to do is celebrate that as much as we can,” Deacon Fuller said.

The liturgical calendar is an annual calendar that gives structure for each day’s mass. Advent consists of the four Sundays and weekdays leading up to Christmas.

On Dec. 8, Marian will be hosting its annual mass filled with lights wrapped around several Christmas trees, candles, and plenty of cheer. “It’s about Mary, but it’s also about getting ready for Christmas,” Fuller said.

Marian will also celebrate by setting up Christmas trees through- out the school, a nativity scene in the main lobby, and lights.

Be sure to keep an eye out for a surprise visit from Santa as well!

How can Marian students get involved in these celebrations?

“FIAT (Faith in Action Team) tries to engage students through the feeling in the building and through the decorations and the excitement, the anticipation of it, and then that mass,” Fuller said.“For the teachers, staff members and administrators, Campus Ministry provides a little advent book, for the prayer of advent.

There’ll be extra ones around that if students want them, they can have them too,” Sister Jackie Thorne said.

The extra advent books available for stu-

Q

Q

dents will be located in the Chapel.

What are you looking forward to for this Christmas season/ winter break?

“I personally am just looking for some time off and just have extra time to pray, but also just to take time for myself,” Thorne said. “I’m looking forward to going to Jamaica … two years we have been planning this [trip] … so I’m looking forward to that,” Fuller said.

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Illustration of symbols by Jor

D

Global experie holidays me

eck the halls with boughs of holly!

Make Nacimientos (nativity scenes) like counselor Mrs. Anna Sparwasser did in El Salvador. Annoy your neighbors and go caroling like senior Claire Koch did while living in Australia. Regardless of how it’s done, the holiday season is a special celebration all around the world.

Sparwasser lived in El Salvador for one year. “Christmas Eve in El Salvador is a really late night,” Sparwasser said. “After church they have a great big dinner, so no one goes to bed until after 2 a.m.!”

After living in El Salvador, Sparwasser experienced different cultures by living in

JordanMo Mexico, Nicaragua, Gua Rica. She was fortunate the Dec. 12 feast day of lupe in Mexico. “It is ve ser said.

“Mass begins before bands play, and they hav people carrying icons of of Guadalupe. It is a gre Christmas season,” Spar Koch also experience other country. “I lived in and a half years,” Koch “We came back here mas Day, so we did an e

c. 2021

Indepth 09

Junior excited for new Chinese New Year celebrations

MakDarrow hinese New Year celebrates the first month on the Chinese calendar.

During Chinese New Year, parents “put money in a red colored envelope and give it to their children until you are 18 [years old]” junior Yifan (Fannie) Jiang said. The importance of hongbao, red envelopes, lies not in not the money itself but the red envelope that encases it. The color red symbolizes energy and good luck. The red envelopes are believed to bestow happiness and blessings on those receiving. Beginning between Jan. 21 and Feb. 20, Chinese New Year marks the first day of the month on the Chinese lunar-solar calendar. The upcoming Chinese New Year will take place on Feb. 1, 2022 but

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will be celebrated throughout the entire week. Each New Year is represented by 1 of the 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac; this upcoming celebration will be the Year of the Tiger.

Jiang always looks forward to watching the New Year’s Eve TV special and eating dumplings at her grandmother’s house. “We celebrate together, cook together, play together, and visit our other extended family,” Jiang said. One game Jiang and her family love to play is poker. The most important part of Chinese New Year celebrations to Jiang is getting to spend

“We celebrate together, cook together, play together, and visit our other extended family.”

- Yifan (Fannie) Jiang ‘23

Holidays

global holiday rdanMoser

time with her extended family “which she usually doesn’t get a chance to do.”

For this Chinese New Year, Jiang looks forward to chatting with her family through FaceTime. Not being home with her family for this holiday season, Jiang is also excited to make dumplings with her host family, the Genoways, as she did with her grandmother back home.

Junior Yifan (Fannie) Jiang and her family celbrate the Chinese New Year in 2016. Jiang is in the front row, far left. Photo courtesy of Jiang

Sophomore family comes together to celebrate Kwanzaa

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EliseMoulton wanzaa is an annual celebration of African American history and coming together as a community as brothers and sisters. Kwanzaa became a cultural tradition after the Watts Riots in Los Angeles, California in 1965. Dr. Maulana Karenga, a professor of Black Studies at California State University, created Kwanzaa after witnessing the disheartening violence in his community. Karenga sought out ways to bring African Americans together by combining aspects from several African harvest celebrations, thus forming Kwanzaa.

Kwanzaa begins on Dec. 26 and ends on New Year’s Day. Each of these seven days represent a different principle such as unity, self determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith.

Sophomore Safiyah Taylor has been celebrating Kwanzaa for her whole life. Taylor and her family partake in different activities each day depending on the day’s principle. Similar to Christmas, during Kwanzaa, Taylor’s family exchanges gifts. “We call [these gifts] Zawadi. These are hand

made gifts that we usually make during Kuumba,” Taylor said. Kuumba is the sixth day that means creativity.

Taylor and her family celebrate the Karamu which is a feast on Kuumba.

During this event the Taylor family and friends come together to share a meal and celebrate their culture.

“Every night during Kwanzaa, we eat together as a family, read a book at the table, talk about an ancestor and pour libations, and light a candle on the Kinara,” Taylor said. The Kinara has seven candles to represent the seven principles of Kwanzaa. There is one black candle in the middle along with three red candles on the left and three green candles on the right. “On the first night you light the black one. On the second night, you light the black one and the farthest red one on the left. The next night the farthest green one on the right gets added. You just go in that order,” Taylor said.

An estimated 500,000 to 2 million people celebrate Kwanzaa each year in the U.S., according to author Kieth Mayes. Taylor and her family look forward to celebrating together this season.

ences make emorable

oser atemala, and Costa e enough to experience f Our Lady of Guadaery special,” Sparwas-

sunrise and mariachi ve processionals of f the Blessed Virgin eat way to start off the rwasser said. ed Christmas in ann Australia for three said. every year for Christearly celebration

there.” Since Christmas takes place during the summer in Australia, Koch and her family partook in similar and new traditions while living there. “Everyone would go to the beach… it was very festive,” Koch said.

“They did a lot of caroling, too. Like, in my grade school and in the community caroling went on a lot.”

Christmas holds a special place in the local community as well. However, it isn’t the only holiday that is being celebrated. Continue reading for information about Marian’s Christmas plans as well as stories of students who celebrate other holidays in the upcoming season.

Sophomore Safiyah Taylor, her mother and brother wear traditional African dress for Kwanzaa in 2020.

Photo courtesy of Taylor

10 Feature

Nov./Dec. 2021

Pet connections bring beloved memories to students

MaddieAdam & EliseMoulton

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hey greet us when we walk through the door after school.

They wake us up in the middle of the night because they are furiously running on their exercise wheel. They follow us around the house begging for treats. They stare at us without a single thought in their eyes. We love our pets.

According to a September report from the Center for Disease Control, there are many health benefits of owning a pet. They can increase opportunities to exercise, get outside, and socialize. Connections with pets have positive effects on the mental and physical well-being of their owner, such as reducing stress and increasing physical activity.

Pets leave a positive impact on the lives of their owners, making them an important part of their lives. Animals

are known to give unconditional love and emotional support, being loyal companions to their owners. Some offer comfort to their humans and can sense when something is wrong, like when their owner is upset. Although pets can’t verbally communicate, they physically do, snuggling up to their owners on their bad days.

Growing up with a pet contributes to early childhood development, and can improve the mental and physical well-being of kids. In fact, children with pets are less likely to develop anxiety, allergies, and asthma.

Whether they have a loving dog that they’ve known since they were a baby or a hamster that bites their fingers whenever given the opportunity, students and their pets form life-long connections that they will remember forever.

Junior Kyra McFadden and her pet cat with diabetes

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hen we first adopted her, we didn’t know she had diabetes, she was abused by her previous owners and they never said anything about it to the people we adopted her from,” McFadden said.

It took Shrub a little bit to come

out of her shell because of her past.

Now, they have a great connection.

“The first day we adopted her, she let me pet her and was purring even though she had just met me,” McFadden said. Shrub hid under McFadden’s sister’s bed for three months until finally coming out.

Since then, McFadden and Shrub have been best friends. The cat’s real name was actually Cherub, but McFadden kept pronouncing it as “Shrub” when she was younger, so the name stuck.

Follow McFadden’s cat Shrub on Instagram @calicoparadise!

Junior Lilith Maxey and her pet pig, Walter

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axey’s family got Walter, a Vietnamese Potbelly Pig, from the Humane Society in 2018. Walter is three and loves to spend time with Maxey’s mom laying on the couch.

Walter spends his day sleeping on the couch upstairs or in his kennel, but when everyone is out of the house, he stays in his kennel so he doesn’t destroy anything or get into anything he shouldn’t. Maxey does pet her pig sometimes, but his hair is rough, and “he only really likes my mom, so it’s not the best idea sometimes,” Maxey said.

The family feeds him a mixture of grains and water, and the pig loves to eat apples and carrots as a snack.

“He eats outside because he can get messy, but he lives inside,” Maxey said. Walter likes to go on walks, but since he hates wearing a harness, he runs around in the backyard for

about an hour when Maxey gets home, unless it’s cold out. One day, Walter escaped through the fence in Maxey’s backyard and made it a few houses up the street. “We had to lure him back with carrots,” Maxey said.

She thinks it’s a little weird having a pig in the house, because Walter is usually sleeping, he’s very low-profile.

Junior Lauren Hebert and her pet parakeets

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ebert’s two parakeets named Angel and Peep are both around five months old. Herbert is teaching her birds some tricks such as saying simple words and training them to be hand held. When Herbert got Angel, the bird was at the bottom of her cage. She could tell she wasn’t doing well and probably wouldn’t have made it. “My friend and I started hand feeding her and after a few days, she was playing with her toys and interacting with us,” Herbert said.

Peep and Angel have separate

cages, but they love to be together.

“We usually let them in the same cage a few times a week. They also have a play set that we let them hang out on,” Hebert said.

Senior Kate Underwood and her pet chinchillas

T Sophomore Scarlett Henery’s pet lizard, Okey Smokey

“W

e love watching him climb his terrarium and eat crickets,“ Scarlett Henery said. Okey Smokey always seems to put a smile on the faces of the Henery family.

The day that Henery’s mom got Okey, her dad and brother were on their way to Oklahoma. Their car broke down and Henery’s mom ended up taking Okey to Oklahoma with her.

This influenced their choice of name, Okey for Oklahoma.

Freshman Margaret Hiatt and her pet dog

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iatt and her 12-year-old black lab, Lilly, have an amazing connection. “She is very intelligent, so I feel like she can understand how I’m feeling,” Hiatt said. Lilly is very calm and loves to take naps.

“When I was in middle school, I used to take naps with her on my kitchen floor every day,” Hiatt said.

he Underwood family has two chinchillas, Lily, who is four, and Ellie, who is two. Her brother got the first chinchilla as a college pet and the second one was a gift.

The animals are pretty easy to care for, and they live together in the same cage and eat pellet food and lots of hay. Despite being simple pets, “they bite me every chance they get,” Underwood said. The chinchillas tend to be pretty calm in the mornings, but other than that, they are rowdy animals. “They spin on a wheel at night but sit on ledges and sleep most of the day,” Underwood said.

Marian students’ pet ownership 183 students responses to Network’s Google survey, November 2021

79.8%

of students own at least one pet

Photos courtesy of pet owners

20.2% of students do not own a pet

Features 11

Nov./Dec. 2021

Astrology enthusiast deciphers and interprets birth chart

GigiSalerno

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hat if your time and place of birth determined every aspect of your life and personality? According to Emma Hennessey and many other astrological believers, it might.

Hennessey, a senior, has been interested in astrology for the last two years. “I became interested in astrology because I honestly wanted answers for things in my life. I’ve always been superstitious about pretty much everything, so astrology fell right in line with my beliefs. I think learning about the planets and how they interact and influence our daily life gave me a lot of comfort.

When I’m going through a hard time, knowing that it’s probably just the planets affecting the circumstances and that they will change soon always gives me peace,” Hennessey said. Although it started as a hobby, Hennessey now believes that astrology actually has merit because of the complexity and insight it holds.

“The signs in themselves are general.

That’s why so many people don’t believe in astrology. I always get ‘when you’re born doesn’t determine your personality,’ but I believe differently. If you base astrology solely off of your sun sign then yeah, it’s not always gonna be accurate,” Hennessy said.

Hennessey explained that there are houses for each placement, which represent different aspects of life such as health, family and money as well as aspects, which is how placements interact with one another.

“All of this makes for an incredibly complex and unique chart to each person. No two are the same, even twins can have different charts,” Hennessey said.

In contrast to astrological enthusiast Emma Hennessey is zodiac novice junior Theresa “Reece” Mueller.

“Maybe astrology has real merit but I haven’t looked into it that much or seen anything that blew me away,” Mueller said. Mueller sent her chart anonymously to Hennessey to see if her interpretation would be accurate. “Once you learn everything

Illustration by GigiSalerno

about astrology like aspects and how the different placements interact with each other you will come to find that it gets extremely specific,” Hennessey said. Hennessey interpreted Mueller’s chart as follows: Sagittarius rising means that Mueller comes off as a fun, energetic person who most likely loves travel and adventure. She likely has very vocal opinions and is a natural leader.

Mueller’s Aqua is in Neptune, meaning that she has strong intuition and creative ideas. This is a generational planet, meaning everyone in Mueller’s generation has this placement, making it one of the less important parts of her chart.

Her Pisces is in Uranus meaning that she hopes to change the world and has spiritual insight.

Gemini moon in the eighth house means that it is common for Mueller to have long term relationships as free spirited people with emotional intelligence and lively minds catch her heart.

Mueller’s Cancer Saturn is in the seventh house, which is also generational. This tends to show a big emphasis on the importance of family relationships. In addition, this generation tends to like financial and material security.

Hennessey pointed out that Mueller’s Leo Venus in the seventh house is an amazing placement. As the planet of love, this placement shows that Theresa likes to be heard and is very passionate in relationships.

It shows that she is very loyal and independent.

In the eighth house, Mueller’s Leo is ruled by Mercury, the planet of communication. This shows that Mueller has a commanding presence, is a leader and good motivator who is not afraid to speak her mind. It shows that she likes to be the center of attention, but may struggle to keep an open mind. It also points to a possible inheritance.

Her Virgo sun in the eighth house shows that

Mueller tends to be an “organized mess,” meaning that her room may be messy, but definitely has a system. She is detail oriented, down to earth, loves to work, modest and efficient.

Mueller’s Virgo is ruled by Mars, the planet of action and money, in the eighth house. This placement shows that Mueller is a hard worker, detail-oriented, systematic and overall, a planner.

She also likely is meticulous in financial decisions.

In the eighth house, her Virgo is in Jupiter, meaning that work is the driving force in her life. Hennessey said that she has probably burned out a few times because of her restless nature.

Last but not least, Mueller’s Sagittarius is ruled by Pluto in the 12th house, which is another generational placement. This shows that Theresa is spiritual, with an emphasis on values and ethics.

When asked what three words best described her, Mueller chose creative, determined and unorganized. “I chose these words because I really like to draw and doodle and all, just whatever I think of or like. My whole planner is full of drawings. I don’t usually give up and forget about stuff, I stick to it and keep going. And unorganized because everything I own is usually just all over the place, there are papers everywhere and my room is so messy you can’t see the floor.

Everything is really messy but it doesn’t bother me much,” Mueller said.

She felt that her Sagittarius rising best reflected her as a person and saw herself least in her Leo Mercury reading. Overall, Mueller felt that the reading was pretty accurate, apart from the fact that she is not very commanding. “I think it was pretty close other than that,” Mueller said. Mueller was not very surprised by her results because she had read similar horoscopes before and while she enjoyed the experience, she believes in astrology the same amount as she did before as she doesn’t like taking astrology super seriously for herself.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that “Consulting horoscopes, astrology, palm reading, interpretation of omens and lots, the phenomena of clairvoyance, and recourse to mediums all conceal a desire for power over time, history, and, in the last analysis, other human beings, as well as a wish to conciliate hidden powers.

They contradict the honor, respect, and loving fear that we owe to God alone” (CCC 2116). Note that this story is purely for fun. An interpretation of one’s birth chart is not intended to dictate one’s life.

What’s your zodiac sign?

Scorpio 12.2%

Sagittarius 6.9% Capricorn 6.3%

Aries 9%

Aquarius 6.9%

Network Google survey responses from 189 students. Illustrations of zodiac signs by BaileyKollasch

12 Sports

Nov./Dec. 2021

America’s pastime disregards American history AnnaRasgorshek n the 2021 World Series championship game between the Atlanta Braves and Houston Astros, shortstop Dansby Swanson connected with first baseman Freddie Freeman to make the winning out. The Braves held their trophy high, celebrating their first national championship in 26 years. But their celebration left a sour taste in the mouths of many.

The Atlanta Braves, Kansas City Chiefs and Florida State Seminoles all celebrate the same way: with the tomahawk chop. A tomahawk is an axe that originates from many Indigenous tribes in America. Fans celebrate with an arm chopping motion mimicking the motion of chopping something with an axe. The Braves have the tomahawks on their jerseys, and often hand out red foam tomahawks for fans to use during the celebration.

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Ryan Helsley, spoke up. “Using our heritage as a mascot — it isn’t the best thing. There have been schools who in the past 20, 30 years have changed their mascots. I don’t see why professional teams are so far behind on that,” Helsley said. While the Braves stopped the tomahawk chop during St. Louis Cardinals games for the rest of the season, the tradition has returned.

This isn’t the first time teams have been called out for portrayals of Native Americans that are seen as offensive.

The MLB’s Cleveland Guardians, formerly the Cleveland Indians, removed a logo with a native caricature in 2019, and changed their name in June 2021. Similarly, the National Football League’s Washington Football Team, formerly the Washington Redskins, changed their name in July of 2020.

In Nebraska, 22 NSAA schools

After being asked to discourage fans from using “the chop,” Major League Baseball released a statement: “The Native American community in that region is wholly supportive of the Braves program, including the Chop,” Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred said.

However, the National Congress of American Indians made a statement contradicting Manfred’s claim: “In our discussions with the Atlanta Braves, we have repeatedly and unequivocally made our position clear — Native people are not mascots, and degrading rituals like the ‘tomahawk chop’ that dehumanize and harm us have no place in American society,” president Fawn Sharp said.

Other players have spoken up too.

In 2019, St. Louis Cardinals player and member of the Cherokee Nation,

currently have Native American mascots, those being the Warriors, Indians, Chiefs, Braves and Chieftains. Only four of these schools are on Native American reservations. “There’s a lot of history behind our mascot, and educating the students and staff about it will change their perspective on whether or not to change it,” said Bellevue East Chieftain, senior Marissa Kelly.

Most recently, Millard South switched its mascot from an American Indian to a Patriot in 2000. Before that, in 1971, the University of Nebraska at Omaha switched its mascot from an American Indian to a Maverick.

Local businesses are also beginning to make the switch, as Mutual of Omaha changed its logo from a portrait of a Native American to a lion in November of 2020.

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Indifferent: 29.1%

Do you think teams Disagree: with Native 9.5% American imagery should change their names/logos?

Agree: 61.4% In a Google survey by Network, 158 students replied with agree, disagree or indifferent

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Nebraska schools have native mascots Infographic by AnnaRasgorshek

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Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson.

Photo source: Creative Commons

Nov./Dec. 2021

Sports 13

Title IX levels playing field for women, leaves lasting legacy

ElleianaGreen & MakDarrow

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sports, but I always thought it was important that schools offer both.” short years, Marian High School Like many women at this time, has become a powerhouse for womHiggins didn’t understand the need en’s athletics, but it wasn’t always to put the two against each other. Not this way. Passed in 1972 by President only this, but Higgins wanted more Richard Nixon, Title IX leveled the opportunities for young women. playing field for women and men’s “Opportunities for women profesathletics. sionally were not popular,” Higgins Although Title IX didn’t apply to private schools, it created competition said. “There were not many women going into medical school or to law and allowed female athletes a chance at athletic success. However, the beau- school. We taught typing because ty of Title IX lies not in the title itself, many thought women would just be secretaries. Sewing was a wonderful but in the stories that paved the way. skill, but not college prep.” Unsure of “The idea of history is for you to what the future held for sports, student appreciate what you have,” current athletes continued to press forward for Marian athletic director Rochelle Rohlfs said. “[Title IX] was the initial equality.

“Participating in sports at the voice that women have a place in time meant we had to raise money,” sports.”

“When I went to Marian there were Roberta Kraus ’72 said. “From bake sales to car washes, we asked people only two opportunities for students for donations.” At the time, female to win trophies: Debate and Field athletes had to raise money in order to Day,” President Mary Higgins ’69, said. “There were virtually no athletic play the sports they loved, unlike male athletes who received funding from opportunities for Marian students, which sounds inconceivable to current the government. “We were known for basketball at the time. So much so that students.” it was easy to raise money, but for othFor years, Field Day served as the er sports, fundraising posed another only opportunity for students to win a obstacle,” Kraus trophy by competing with their class said. In spite of in the school-wide softball game. the barriers womWhile Catholic Youth Organization en in sports were (CYO) leagues existed for young faced with, Kraus women to pursue sports, they didn’t and her teamallow for students to play with their mates persevered school’s name or mascot on their and broke barriers chest. for future female “[Students] participated outside of athletes.

Marian and they didn’t wear a Mar“I began my ian uniform,” Higgins said. “I recall work at Marian in winning an intramural tournament 1974,” previous in basketball. It makes me laugh, athletic direcbecause the jerseys we wore were tor Jim Miller pennies, and our numbers were made said. “Before I out of masking tape.” Still Higgins got there, golf and her teammates continued to play, and tennis were facing criticism along the way. added.” Serving “It doesn’t need to be ‘either or.’ It as the first athcan be ‘and,’” Higgins said. Women venturing into sports faced judgement. letic director for 34 years, Miller “There was a lot of pushback. Many witnessed the growth of sports for co-ed schools made the argument that they could not afford it,” Higgins said. women from their inception. “When I got there, they didn’t have any money “They thought it would ruin men’s for sports. Athletic uniforms had to be sponsored by local businesses.

The gym floors were tile. It was all bad,” Miller said.

In his first year, Miller introduced the track program.

Several years later he introduced the cross country program. Years after that, soccer and softball were added.

“Athletics are for people to work hard and set goals.

Wins and losses are important, but it’s the struggle of trying to get Kim Rudloff jumps to win the tipoff against Cathedral in 1973. better and playing The 12 girls on the varsity team were coached with other people

by Mr. George Stryker. in cooperation.

Photo source: 1973 Marian Yearbook Sports are a place

ixty-six state championships. In 50

In 1967, students won an intramural basketball tournament wearing pennies with numbers made of masking tape. Sophomore Mary Higgins, now Marian’s president, is pictured in her #10 jersey holding the trophy.

Photo source: 1967 Marian Yearbook

for athletes to grow as an individual,” Miller said.

An individual in the midst of major reform, Kraus watched the world of sports for women change. “When I graduated from Marian, I had three or four full ride scholarships to play college basketball,” Kraus said. “College is where I saw the most differences.”

Kraus went on to attend Montclair State University in Montclair, New Jersey, one of the top three women’s basketball programs in the country at the time.

Although the team was not officially in the NCAA, they dominated the women’s basketball scene. Success on the court brought more changes to their women’s collegiate sport programs.

“We didn’t have to share uniforms with the softball team anymore. We didn’t have to wash our own uniforms.

We had a trainer that would wash our uniforms. We actually had a locker room. We had food allowances. We were finally allowed to do weight training,” Kraus said. “It sounds silly, but none of this stuff had ever happened before.”

Today, Kraus has a PhD in Sports Psychology and works in Colorado Springs, Colorado. She teaches young women and men across the country mental drills for anxiety, work relaxation, concentration, and visualization.

Kraus works with collegiate athletes as well as Olympic and Paralympic athletes. Still, Kraus sees major gender discrepancies.

“I see so many men athletic training women’s teams. I see so many men as strength conditioning coaches,” Kraus said. “It’s still very tough to make it in the role of coaching and officiating in athletics, and I think that female athletes need more role models.” Kraus

“Remember history; remember the hard work and dedication that athletes fought for us to have the sports that we do today.”

- Sophomore McKenna Stover

says women need more representation in athletic coaching and management positions. “As male directors continue to oversee hiring, they tend to hire people like them, which has led to a sharp decrease in representation for women.”

As a first-year member in Marian’s Athletic Hall of Fame, Kraus sees her legacy live on in women’s athletics today. As for the future of women’s sports, Kraus hopes that with recent name, image, and likeness legislation, more female athletes will compete at the collegiate level to make money off of their name. Not only this, but Kraus believes Title IX will need to be revisited in the future for transgender athletes.

Miller, Kraus and Higgins reflect on the 50 years of work poured into women’s athletics and its evolution with awe. Today, Marian is Nebraska’s only Class A college prep school. In 50 years, Marian has become synonymous with athletic and academic excellence. This year alone, nine seniors have already committed to play at the collegiate level next fall. “When I walk up to Marian, knowing what we originally had, when we started athletics there and then what we have now, it’s like walking into another world,” Miller said. “With the new renovations, Marian is going to have first class facilities. I always hoped for that.”

Fifty years later, current athletes cherish the advocates who fought for the initial ruling that women have a place in sports. “I play three sports at Marian,” sophomore McKenna Stover said. “Without them I wouldn’t be able to pursue my passion. Athletics are a huge part of who I am.”

Stover, a current member of the basketball, soccer, and cross country teams, cherishes the work of those who paved the way for female athletes. “Athletes today should not take what they had to work towards for granted and should keep that in mind as we play our sports,” Stover said.

“Remember history; remember the hard work and dedication that athletes fought for us to have the sports that we do today.”

14 Entertainment

Nevermind, we won’t find someone like Adele

Nov./Dec. 2021

Review by MaddieAdam

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dele has tugged on the world’s heartstrings once again with the release of her album “30” on Nov. 19.

The music world was given a preview of the album with her first single “Easy on Me,” which reminded fans of her melancholy lyrics and powerful vocals. “After hearing ‘Easy on Me,’ my only expectation was that it would be sad, [but] it wasn’t as sad as I thought and it was definitely really good. My favorite songs were ‘Love is a Game’ and ‘I Drink Wine,’” sophomore Chizzy Okolo said.

Adele’s album, “30.”

The album mixes regretful and sorrowful lyrics with pop tones and strong ballads, making the audience experience her feelings of guilt, shame and fear. Packed with snippets of her own voice in voicemails, along with her child’s voice, Adele finds comfort in her changing life situation regarding her recent divorce from Simon Konecki. “I thought it was really cool how the album was pretty much a message to her kid,” sophomore Kenadie Rudloff said.

Adele preaches about focusing on herself in the face of her anxieties of being a single mother and evolving singer, while slowly developing selflove and appreciation. “This album had a lot of emotional impact on me and I felt that some of the messages that it held really came through and hit home,” freshman Aubrey Thompson said.

As she’s making a comeback with this new album, media attention on Adele has shifted to another subject — her weight loss. Over the past two years, Adele has lost more than 100 pounds, captivating the atten-

tion of social media and the press. gross how the media is so much nicer Nicknamed by a multitude of news to her based on her weight loss — it’s sources and gossip websites “skinny another example of how the media Adele,” the Grammy-winning singer values appearance [over] talent,” revealed in Vogue Magazine that she freshman Abigail McGuire said. was disappointed by the reaction to “30” reflects on Adele’s challenges her weight loss, especially those who with herself, both as a mother and a were bothered by it. singer. In conjunction with the current Those on social media continually media coverage of her weight loss, commented on her physical appearthis album is the perfect culmination ance. “Originally there were people of accepting herself upset that she lost weight because she and growing into was ‘succumbing to beauty stanwho she really dards’ and some people were mad is. After being at her because she wasn’t skinny reminded of enough yet. In reality, people the absolute need to mind their own business powerhouse of because it is her journey and she an artist she wants to feel happier and more is, the world confident in herself,” junior Ceci truly will Urbanski said. never find Adele’s weight loss is ansomeother example of how the way one like women are portrayed in the Adele. press depends on how attractive they are, rather than the talent they possess, even if they are a 15-time Grammy winner. “It’s really Illustration of Adele by EliseMoulton

Psychopathic characters rule Gen Z media LivBirnstihl ollywood has always had a way with making viewers fall in love with the most dislikable characters.

From Loki in the Marvel Universe to Tate Langdon in “American Horror Story,” television writers are blurring the lines between heroes and villains.

The newest method of allowing the villain to narrate portions of the show has sparked a debate over the power of empathy in the entertainment industry. Is it ok to empathize with the villian? What about falling in love with them? At what point does the antagonist become the protagonist? In the Netflix series “You,” the main character Joe Goldberg (Penn Badgley) makes viewers completely question their moral beliefs.

Joe Goldberg, a psychopathic bookstore manager, through his endeavor to find love in very unconventional ways, stalks women until he can maneuver his way into a relationship with them. At first glance,

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his character is a charming guy exploring his early 20’s working in New York. Before you know it, he’s changing his identity and relocating to run away from his various crimes to get the girl he wanted. The most alarming part about it all is that viewers barely get a chance to question all Joe did — and further why it was bad.

Goldberg’s “good” bad guy characterization has opened up a conversation concerning a television trope of a main character being the surrounding characters’ worst enemy, but the viewer’s “best friend.”

In the last ten years, there has been a significant influx in villain apologists. With the 2011 release of “American Horror Story,” audiences found themselves rooting for the bad guy, Tate Langdon (Evan Peters). It became

so extreme that fans all over the world were dismissing his manic behavior because of his appearance, “I don’t know whether to fear Tate Langdon or feel bad before him,” says Twitter user, xbayleaf.

Clearly, nothing has changed since then. After “You” was released, very little was discussed about Joe’s activities; it was all about how attractive he was. Considering the actor that portrays him, Penn Badgley, has a history in the entertainment industry, there was no question that he already had a following going into this character. Even in his past roles, he has always played somewhat of a dislikeable character. So, when he began his journey as a serial killer, a lot of fans decided to dismiss his actions and empathize with him because of his appearance. This is all strategic.

Junior Megan Schneider, a “You” viewer, understands how people can let themselves become sympathetic about alarming traits just because of appearance.

“Casting attractive men is strategic because it makes people question themselves. It also creates a lot of discussion about what a psychopath is ‘supposed to look like,’” Schneider

said.

Due to the overwhelming response the show gathered, the psychology behind why these villains were so lovable became more apparent.

A study done by Carleton University in Canada in 2019 put this ideology to the test by asking 100 women to arrange a group of 10 men based on not only physical appearance but personality and presentation. The men that had the strongest psychopathic traits ended up being the highest ranked overall. They found that those with these traits appear more confident, at ease, likable and socially gifted.

But, wait — aren’t these the traits of a perfect protagonist?

It’s clear that lines are constantly being blurred the more these characters are formed. As more “killer” TV shows are created, the desensitization to harmful traits will become more common, and less questions will be asked about mental stability. When we normalize dangerous behaviors in the media, we normalize these behaviors in real life — and that’s much scarier than Joe Goldberg.

Illustration of Joe Goldberg by LivBirnstihl

Unscramble these holiday words!

1. TOH CEHOLACTO

6. NICAROGL

2. DCNYA ENCA

7. TREAHW

3. TEIEOSLTM

8. NNOMEART

4. SNCTOKIG

9. LLYJO

5. DDSLNGIE

10. DNEREIER

Find the answers online at MarianDigital Network.com or scan here!

Nov./Dec. 2021

Entertainment 15

‘Red Notice’ is a must watch movie over the winter break

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Review by ChiomaAloziem

on’t be fooled, “Red Notice” is not a Christmas movie. However, I advise you to watch this movie over Christmas break.

It’s only available on Netflix but if you don’t have Netflix get the 7-day free trial and cancel after. I would rate this movie five stars because you can’t go wrong with Dwayne Johnson and Ryan Reynolds. The duo is too iconic and funny to not laugh while watching this movie. They really feed off each other’s energy.

There is some foul language so I wouldn’t recommend watching it with your grandma, even though it says PG13.

In the movie, FBI agent Dwayne Johnson is trying to protect Cleopatra’s golden eggs. These eggs are priceless pieces of work that are worth millions of dollars. While doing this, he gets

framed and put into prison along with the second best art thief in the world (Ryan Reynolds). The two work together to try to collect all the golden eggs and restore their reputation while battling FBI agents and the best art thief in the world (Gal Gadot).

Does Reynolds have other motives up his sleeve? Johnson? The FBI? Watch the movie to find out.

The cast of this movie is not your typical Netflix stars. In addition to Dwayne and Reynolds the movie also includes Gal Gadot. Gadot is an Israeli actress, martial artist and model. She played Wonder Woman in 2017 and 2020. She has also been a part of the “Fast & Furious” franchise. Whatever role she plays, she portrays and defines that identity well. Whenever she enters the screen, she captures my attention just by her mannerism. She’s incredibly

talented and I’m glad that Netflix chose her to play such an important role.

The movie has a lot of twists and turns so always keep an eye out for who actually stole Cleopatra’s golden eggs. Also make sure you’re attentive during the movie because you could miss an important clue.

Netflix’s budget for the movie was $200 million which, according to an article on ScreenRant, is the most expensive movie Netflix has produced. The backgrounds, extras and stunts made this film engaging and entertaining. I hope Netflix comes out with a second movie because this movie was well thought out and planned.

I hope Netflix can top the first film.

Photo source: IMDB.com

Timothée Takeover: Chalamet’s career enters a new era

Review by MelinaPiperis

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f you’ve found yourself at a movie theater lately, or have any understanding of current pop culture, you’ve heard of Timothée Chalamet.

While his major Hollywood debut in “Call Me By Your Name” was almost three years ago, Chalamet’s filmography is expanding faster than ever.

These days, I can’t open a social media app without scrolling past his onset selfies and press junket interviews.

His ever presence in my daily activities leads me to believe that we, as a society, are in the midst of a Timothée Takeover. While I’m not immune to his charming smile and curly locks, I refuse to praise Chalamet for simply appearing on a screen. As an avid filmgoer, sci-fi geek, and Wes Anderson enthusiast, I felt it necessary to give my two cents on Timothée’s most recent films: “Dune” and “The French Dispatch.”

While I’m a fan of Chalamet’s previous work, I was cautiously optimistic for his interpretation of Paul in the 2021 retelling of “Dune” as I’d never seen Chalamet take on a sci-fi or fantasy role. While his knack for dramas is undeniable, I couldn’t help but be skeptical of his casting in “Dune.”

Still, I was first to buy the popcorn the minute “Dune” hit the theaters on Oct. 22, 2021.

Let me preface with this: “Dune” is not for everyone. For those of you who swooned for Laurie in Greta Gerwig’s “Little Women,” or if you dream of a bassist boyfriend like Kyle in “Ladybird,” understand that “Dune” is unlike any of Chalamet’s previous

Illustration of Timothée Chalamet by MelinaPiperis

roles. This is a lengthy film, sitting at 2 hours and 35 minutes, and demands attention to detail from its viewers. It is an interpretation of Frank Herbert’s 1965 novel, “Dune,” so to fully understand the story, you may want to check out the book first. If these qualities line up with your personal film preferences, then “Dune” may be for you!

Chalamet’s performance in “Dune” was nothing short of remarkable. His growth as an actor is evident in his performance as Paul, and this role has displayed an element of Chalamet’s talent that has yet to hit the big screen. His ability to convey psychological reactions to invisible realities created an unforgettable performance, such as his experiences with the

‘voice’ and reactions to the agony box.

His effortless depiction of Paul was a pleasure to watch, and Chalamet added a youthful melancholy to the dynamic of “Dune.”

Next up on Timothée’s release schedule was Wes Anderson’s “The French Dispatch.” This film is only available for viewing at Film Streams, Aksarben Cinema, and ACX Cinema, unlike “Dune,” which is playing at Marcus theaters, too. It’s official release was also Oct. 22, 2021, and will only be shown in Omaha through Dec. 2. “The French Dispatch” is 1 hour and 48 minutes of whimsical storytelling and pastel visuals. It is organized into three stories from the fictional newspaper “The French Dispatch,”

one of which is starring Timothée Chalamet.

What I found captivating about “The French Dispatch” was its use of alternative mediums. There is never a dull moment in Wes Anderson’s most recent film, as it’s unconventional means of storytelling create a visual adventure. I was especially drawn to the occasional use of animation throughout the film, which is reminiscent of the art style of “The New Yorker” covers. Anderson also switches between French and English and black and white and color, which keeps viewers interested throughout the film.

In “The French Dispatch,” Timothée Chalamet takes on the role of Zeffirelli, the student revolutionary and leader of the Chessboard Revolution. His ambition (and occasional arrogance) paint a portrait of youthful rebellion and untapped potential. Chalamet’s performance in “The French Dispatch,” was more natural than that of “Dune,” and while brief in the film’s entirety, leaves a lasting impression on Anderson’s audience.

Upon viewing “Dune” and “The French Dispatch,” I believe we are entering an exciting phase of Timothée Chalamet’s career. With each passing film he continues to hone his skills, and his growth as an actor is evident in his recent work. I expect decades of success in Chalamet’s future, and no foreseeable end to the Timothée Takeover. I look forward to more of his films to come, and more reasons to frequent the movie theater.

Christmas concert highlights musical talent in the community

Concert Choir, Select Women’s Choir, Band and the String Ensemble perform Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus” for the last song at the Christmas Concert on Dec. 5. Alumnae in the audience were invited to come on stage to sing along. The choirs were directed

by Ms. Madeline Reddel and the instrumentalists were directed by Mrs. Steph Dickes. The accompanist was Mr. Tim DiBlasi.

Members of the Guitar Ensemble gather their guitars and ukuleles for a photo before the concert on Dec. 6. This was the first semester class of Guitar I. Photos by Bridget McGill

Christmas Jams Spotify playlist curated by ShannonMonahan

Nov./Dec. 2021

photo essay 16

Freshman Retreat 2021 Photos by seniors ClareDegan & BridgetMcGill & juniors LaurenMartin & EllaPlank

Sophomore Shadow Crew member Kenadie Rudloff checks freshman Eliade Bidandi into retreat. Shadow Crew members assisted the freshmen to each of their rooms, where they met with their groups.

Freshmen react to one of the many surprises involved in Freshman Retreat. Freshman Retreat Core Team assisted in planning these exciting events that happened on Nov. 12.

Seniors Abbie Bluvas, Fiona Gautschi and Lauren Cannella smile for the camera while dancing. Many leaders played music during the retreat as a positive way for everyone to bond through singing songs and dancing.

Freshmen Diane Koumaka, Shelby Woodard, Ellie Brabec, Ava Moore, Alaira Hadford, and seniors Carli Ahsan and Claire Koch perform their roll call routine. Each group performed their roll call everytime all the groups met together for the large group activities.

Discover Your Purpose Shadow Crew members Cassie Bauer, Martha Engel, Hailey Eriksen, Claire Fitzpatrick, Ellie Fogarty, Macaire Harr, Emma Koch, Maggie McGill, Chizzy Okolo, Betsy Piernicky, Mia Ramirez, Kenadie Rudloff, Grace Sparwasser, Julia Trainer, Scarlett Wharton, Jenna Woodard and Maya Zier wait to introduce themselves to the freshmen.

Juniors Maria McLeay and Matilda Lang lead freshmen Rocelie Anne Sagaysay and Evelyn Bullock in a prayer on second floor. The groups participated in many prayerful and spiritual activites throughout the retreat.

Freshmen Anaely Jacinto-Torres, Frannie Bazis and Violet Crawford make blankets for Holy Family. This was another service activity that the freshmen and group leaders participated in throughout the day.

Freshman Juan Ando decorates a bib for babies at the Bethlehem House.

The groups participated in various service activities that benefit organizations in the Omaha community.

Freshmen Audrey Carson, Morgan Hockney, Sophie Martin, Ruth Arno, junior Bailey Sommer, and freshmen Alex Martinez, and Harper Hogan, trace their shoes and write something that they stand for. The freshmen and retreat leaders showed what aspect of justice they will always fight for.