January 12 Marian Network

School January 2012 • •Marian happyHigh • sad • hungry • mad • in love • lonely • excited • happy • sad • happy • sad • hungry • mad • in love • sad lonely • excited • hungry • happy • sad • hungry • mad • in love • lonely • excited • mad • in love • lonely • excited • happy • sad • hungry • • happy • sad • hungry • mad • in love • • happy • sad • hungry • mad • in love • lonely • excited • lonely • excited • in love • lonely • hungry • mad • hungry • mad •• in love • happy • sad • mad • in love • lonely • excited • lonely • excited • mad • happy • sad • in love • mad • in love • lonely • excited • in love • happy • sad • happy • sad • hungry • mad • in love • lonely • excited • hungry • mad • in love • lonely • excited • happy • in love • lonely • excited• happy • excited • in love • happy • sad • hungry • mad • in love • lonely • excited • in love lonely • excited • sad • hungry • mad • in love • lonely • excited • mad • in love • happy • sad • happy • sad • hungry • mad • in love • sad • lonely • excited • hungry • mad • happy • sad • hungry • mad • in love • lonely • excited • in love • happy • sad • in love • hungry • mad • sad • happy • sad • excited • lonely • excited • happy • mad • hungry • in love • happy • sad • hungry • mad • in love • lonely • excited • lonely • excited • happy • sad • hungry Network’s Insight p. 4 • happy • sad • hungry • mad • in love • lonely • excited on Homophobia • sad • lonely • excited• lonely • excited• sad • hungry • mad • in love • happy• sad • hungry happy • sad • hunColor• Theory p. 8 newsflash.....................pp. 2 & 3 gry • mad • in love • sad lonely • excited • mad • in love opinion.........................pp. 4 & 5 It’s Surprise Day! p. 16 features........................pp. 6 & 7 •indepth lonely • excited ........................pp.

8 & 9 • lonely • happy • sad • hungry • mad • features....................pp. 10 & 11 in love • lonely active life..................pp.

12 & • 13 excited • excited • happy • sad • in love entertainment.........pp. 14 & 15 essay......................... p. 16• happy • sad • hungry • mad • happy • •photo lonely • happy sad • hungry • mad • in love • lonely • excited • in love • happy • sad • happy • sad • hungry • mad • hungry • sad 7400 Military Avenue Omaha, NE 68134 402-571-2618 Volume 56 - Issue 5

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printed on 100% recycled paper

GO GREEN!

cover and photo by emilyfischer

Occupy W{ALL} Streets London

Boston

Occupy Boston has chapters for every college in the Boston area, and though inspired by the Occupy Wall Street movement, Occupy Boston claims to have different agendas than those in New York

gabriellamartinez-garro

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oney never sleeps, and as of Sept. 17, 2011, the 99 percent doesn’t either.

The protest, known as Occupy Wall Street, began with a desire of those involved to spread the wealth that has been concentrated to the super-rich. The movement is not led by any one individual, but rather it is led by the ideas of the protesters. People of every race, religion, and age are represented in these protests, truly showing that these Occupy protesters stand up for the everyday human. Though each city is different, their intention is the same: change.

Omaha

Occupy Omaha has a strict no discrimination clause and will not tolerate bullying, harassment, or discrimination against anyone. The first major protest in Omaha was Oct. 15. There is an Occupy Omaha newsletter and General Assembly meetings, as well as an education program available for those wanting to learn more about Occupy Omaha and those wanting to join.

New York

Dallas

Occupy Wall Street began on Sept. 17 in Liberty Square in Manhattan’s Financial District, and has spread to more than 100 cities in the United States and more than 1,500 cities globally.

Occupy Dallas began on Oct. 6, when over a thousand people marched in protest from Pike Park to the Federal Reserve building downtown. Their Occupy camp at City Hall was evicted by police on Nov. 17.

Los Angeles

Occupy Los Angeles has a Flickr, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Livestream, all of which follow the events of Occupy Los Angeles. Occupy Los Angles also has a Declaration of Occupation which helps to sway those to ally with the Occupy movement.

What’s All the Ruckus on the Caucus? trinitygleason

golden girl, Michelle Bachmann, was not a favorite among voting Iowan Republicans. Once very four years the small, Midwestern the ballots were all accounted for, Bachmann farming state of Iowa becomes esreceived just five percent of the votes, coming sential in narrowing down candidates in sixth place. Just a few hours later, Bachmann in the Republican party who are running for announced the end to her bid for presidential the presidency. The Iowa Caucus is the first election. At this time, there is no official statechance for voters to flex their muscles and ment from Bachmann’s camp on whether or show the candidates not the Minwhat they really think nesota rep“I get that the Iowa Caucus sets of their presidential resentative the tone for the primaries, but platforms. The 2012 will endorse there are many more debates to another GOP Presidential bid is full of Republican take into consideration.” hopeful. candidates chomping OrigiKara Stangl ’12 at the bit to win the nally, it was GOP nomination and reported go head to head with that Romney President Obama, with the hopes of beating had won the Iowa Caucus with Santorum and him of course.

Gingrich came in second and third, respecRepublican voters have a lot to consider tively. Romney had beaten Santorum by just this election. Voting for who they like the eight votes but then a few days before the best won’t cut it this election season. Many New Hampshire Primary, it was revealed that voters need to keep in mind that they have to 34 votes were mistakenly given to Romney vote for a candidate that has a good chance of instead of Santorum. Romney wasn’t a winner. winning against not just a Democrat, but an Santorum was. incumbent Democrat.

New Hampshire Primary The time to start the slow process of pickThe candidates still in the race immediately ing off candidates one by one had begun.. It began campaigning in New Hampshire. Canquickly became evident that the Tea Party’s

Iowa Caucus

source: http://www.forbes.com/fdc/welcome_mjx.shtml

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didates such as Romney, Santorum, Paul and Gingrich proceeded with the hope that the great show of support in Iowa would continue in the New Hampshire primary while Perry and Huntsman hoped to turn a new leaf and find a larger group of supporters.

After a week of tough campaigning, the presidential hopefuls waited anxiously for the results that could knock them down or raise them up. Romney believed that he had continued his domination of the GOP elections when the results showed that he had come in first place in the New Hampshire Primary with 39.3 percent of the votes. Libertarian Paul saw continued support with his second place finish and 22.9 percent of the votes.

In the Iowa Caucus, Hunstman didn’t even break one percent of the votes. Lady Luck must have been on his side because he saw his position boost from seventh place to third place in the New Hampshire Primary. Despite his higher standing, Hunstman decided to drop out of the race and endorse his rival Romney.

Gingrich and Santorum rounded out the bottom two with only 49 votes separating them, coming in fourth and fifth place respectively. Texas Governor Perry did not make the top five.

Iowa Caucus Results

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Santorum 24.6 % Romney 24.5 % Paul 21.4 % Gingrich 13.3 % Perry 10.3 % Bachmann 5 % graphic by trinitygleason

photo source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/occupy-london

Three demands were made of the City of London by Occupy London’s City of London Policy Working Group: publish full, year-byyear breakdowns of the city cash account, future and historic; make the entirety of its activities subject to the Freedom of Information Act; detail all advocacy undertaken on behalf of the banking and finance industries, since October.

Proposing Propaganda: Helpful, or Hurtful? michaelamcdonald

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edia can easily affect citizens of each country and fuel the thoughts of political leaders, movements, and beliefs. For example, former Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali founded an organization to control all forms of media and restrict it from citizens. The lack of media was a crucial part of the Tunisian uprising against, and ousting of Ben Ali in 2011.

Without media and representation, it is difficult for a country to function. When the press begins to report biased opinions on specific issues, the citizens of America are instilled with a false sense of knowledge.

Propaganda, one of the most influential types of media known today, is at times controversial and can easily be politically incorrect.

Propaganda is advertisement that aims to alter or reiterate an idea. It has been known to destroy careers, initiate movements and change the way entire communities think.

Traditional propaganda can do much good for a nation. For example, when Uncle Sam pointed his finger at the American public during WWII, crowds of able men lined up to represent the United States.

However, within the modern world, slanderous libel can be passed off as propaganda.

This creates political black holes that draw in controversy, and can sway the American public to pick a side of an issue that they may not actually know the logistics of.

“Propaganda sometimes nicens up the bad stuff, and gives people an opinion when they don’t know the facts,” junior Eileen Baca said.

Sadly, the latter of the two types of modern propaganda has become the most relevant in the American society. Fox News, a television station that is known to display political issues in an ultra conservative light, has been banned from playing in the Omaha Courthouse. The goal is to prevent people publicly watching Fox while in the Omaha Courthouse from tailoring their thinking to the way that Fox News displays the information.

The most pressing issue is that the state has to assume that the American public is not well educated enough to see both sides of the “insert countless political issues here”. The fact that Fox News has been banned from playing in courthouses is trivial compared to the fact that the citizens of the American public adopt the news reports displayed on Fox News and NBC, as well as those written within the New York Times as absolute truth. This shows that the American networking systems often times spin public issues to gain more viewers. Therefore, it is up to the people of America to be cautious of modern propaganda, and stay strong against the biased opinions networking systems have planted within their broadcasts.

Inside Marian’s Budget

A Look Into What Marian Really Spends the Money On cassiephillips

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any things are needed to keep Marian High School running smoothly. Sometimes students do not realize all of the expenses that Marian pays regularly. From paying teacher salaries to operational costs (which include utilities and insurance), Marian spends its funds on things that will improve the environment of the school that girls call a second home.

The basics are paid for regularly. Marian needs to spend money on things such as maintenance around the building to make it safe and better for the students and staff. Bills are paid in order to keep electricity and plumbing running. It’s the little things that make a difference in how the budget works.

Energy efficient lights, encouraged recycling, and regulating classroom temperatures are just some of the things that Marian does to save money and make the environment a better and more efficient place. Even though the tuition of students helps pay these basic necessities, Marian still plans for more money in the budget to defray the rest of the costs.

“Only 84 percent of the budget is generated from tuition, so we need to raise over a million dollars every year in fundraising,” Head of School Mrs. Susan Toohey said. Marian budgets for the extra money in order to make ends meet, and to be able to get the things that tuition alone does not pay for. “The donations we receive are used for many things, but the biggest amount is used for tuition assistance. That need for this year alone was $700,000,” Toohey said.

Four different major fundraisers add income to the budget: the Marian Fund, Marian FEST, Walk-a-Thon, and the Lexus Golf Tournament. The Marian Fund is the biggest, and has raised about $485,000 in pledges. The Marian Fund is a fundraiser that takes place every year, and all members of the Marian community are asked to join. “The fund includes the Servants of Mary, all alums, parents of alums, current parents, recent graduates that make a four year pledge, friends of Marian, and faculty and staff members,” Toohey said.

The second biggest fundraising effort, Marian Fest,

takes place in October and is a dinner auction that students may participate in. In order to figure out a budget to follow throughout the year, Marian estimates how much money is expected to complete budget expenses and revenue for each of the four fundraisers.

Many Marian girls regularly voice their opinions on some of the things that Marian could look into spending money on to improve the school. According to a survey conducted by The Network staff, the most popular suggestion of Marian girls was a new and improved track.

“I think the track we have outside is outdated. If we want to keep excelling in sports, we should have a new track,” junior Jenna Denker said. Other popular suggestions on the survey indicated an indoor pool for swimmers and divers, a variety of lunch food options, and cooking classes.

“I think Marian should spend money on a home economics classroom. It would be another cool addition to Marian. Students could have the opportunity to take cooking or baking classes as an elective. A lot of people would like to learn how to bake and cook, and I’m sure everyone would like another chance to eat at Marian throughout the day,” freshman Mary Woodruff said.

Many students are also anxious about having the Performing Arts Center (PAC) completed. “Marian has so many great singers, choirs, actresses, and dancers. I think that they should have a special place to let their talents shine,” Woodruff said. The new auditorium will be built on the Marian campus, but is not part of the regular budget.

There is a separate campaign dealing specifically with the future center. As 2011 came to a close, Marian is closer to breaking ground on the PAC. Thanks to the support of more than 200 donors, the campaign raised $8,134,977 as of Dec. 7, 2011. Only $1.4 million is needed to start the new building.

Once Fine Arts classes are moved into the PAC, Marian will be adding a new Engineering/CAD lab and

Staff Speakout What do you think about the Anatomy and Physiology class being added to next year’s schedule?

“I think it is a good class to offer, especially if you are interested in a health career.”

Mr. Shawn Gray, Science Teacher

What do you think about the Creative Writing class being added to next year’s schedule?

“I think it’s a great addition to the English courses we already offer.

It’s an opportunity for students who are not prolific writers to exercise their talents.”

Mrs. Amy Bauman, English Teacher

What do you think about the International Issues class being added to next year’s schedule?

“I think it’s a great addition. Our students, and our faculty, are uninformed on global issues, and this class will help fill that gap.”

Mrs. Kim Remmick, History Teacher

Marian Expenditures: for the fiscal year ending May 31, 2011

$4,478,107 Personnel $274,709 Auxiliary Activities $569,032 Department Support $68,811 Athletics $1,100,429 General/Administrative $249,488 Fundraising $61,526 Interest Expense $6,802,102 Total Expenditures source: Marian High School Annual Report, Fall 2011

science room that deals with subjects such as anatomy and physiology. Math and Science skills are important for careers today, and Marian wants to support all students who express interest in these fields to help them succeed in the future.

In any case, Marian spends most of the budget on things that the school does need. In order for the school to run, and be a place of great education for young women, many services are needed to make Marian what it is.

Marian uses the money for improvements and necessities to make the school a better place for the students of today and of the future.

New Courses Join Roster:

Marian Schedule Adds Variety clancynelson

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ugust through May, Monday through Friday, 7:50 a.m. to 3:10 p.m, the students of Marian attend classes.

Some involve numbers and graph paper, while others use paints and clay. A daily schedule may vary from girl to girl, semester to semester, and it is up to each student to customize her schedule to what best fits her interests.

Every February, Marian girls receive a collection of paper forms that, when properly filled in, create schedules for the following school year. Some classes have been around forever, and others are added as need or desire arises.

All freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors are required to enroll in religion and English classes. Other courses, such as foreign language, physical education, and art, which are not mandatory for all eight semesters, allow students to be a little creative with their class schedules.

If you’re a student looking for some variety in your schedule, consider taking up one of the new courses being offered beginning in the 2012-2013 school year.

Creative Writing

Consider yourself to be a writer? Need a creative outlet for your talent? Look into the creative writing class. “This course is so that girls interested in that kind of writing can have a class,” Assistant Principal Mrs. Kathy Tompkins said.

This single semester course was offered at Marian in years past, and is now being reinstated after taking a break from Marian’s schedule. This class is open for incoming juniors and seniors, and does not require any prerequisite classes. The creative writing class is worth one semester elective credit in the English department.

Anatomy & Physiology

Words aren’t your thing? No problemo.

The science department is adding an

anatomy and physiology course. This course is a two-semester commitment offered only to incoming seniors. All participants must have passed first level biology, chemistry, and physics courses in order to be eligible to enroll.

This course offers seniors an option other than a second year of a course they’ve already participated in. Anatomy has been offered at Marian before and is now being put back in to the curriculum. The class does not fulfill Marian’s graduation requirements for science, but is credited as an elective.

International Issues

Neither of those sounding great? What about an international issues course? This course is a one-semester social studies elective offered only to incoming seniors. It is the only truly new course being added to the Marian schedule for the 2012-2013 school year. This class will be a nice way to keep up on all the happenings of the world in a global perspective. There is no pre-requisite for this new class.

Senior Noelle West wishes the classes made it to the schedule just a little bit earlier.

“I would have liked to take the anatomy and physiology class because I like to learn about the body and how it works,” West said.

Junior Katherine Nelsen said she is looking forward to the additions in the schedule next year. “The creative writing class sounds interesting because we’ve never had a class like this before in our time at Marian besides journalism, which you have to try out for, and this one you can just sign up,” Nelsen said.

Tompkins said she is excited to see the number of students these courses draw. If you need to wait a couple years for some variety in your schedule, don’t feel down; it’s something to look forward to. If you’re one who is eligible for the new classes now, take full advantage. Explore all Marian has to offer.

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Buying Your Way Into the White House kalanifortina

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hat I’ve learned from recent United States politics is, why work hard? It seems like today’s politicians get by on riches and rewards. Someday I’d like to see a hard-working, middle-class American rise to accept the challenges offered to him/her by their country.

I’m not saying that all politicians are handed their power, but it seems like I’m hearing more and more about how much they spend on their campaign rather than how many lives they’ve affected with their millions of dollars.

Americans are more likely to be drawn to a candidate with highdefinition commercials and pricier clothes, right?

President Barack Obama was deemed as having the costliest campaign in U.S. history. A record $740.6 million was spent on newspaper ads, television commercials, campaign staff, private jets, national travel, and other miscellaneous expenditures when he ran for the 2008 election.

There should be a limit to how much a candidate can spend on

their campaign. It should be a test of will power and intelligence, not all about who can attract our attention with flashy propaganda.

Excluding all the money politicians spend on themselves, there are sponsors who give the candidates even more.

When someone is struggling to get what they dream of and a person donates just the amount they need to succeed, don’t you think they could use that as blackmail? Some people buy their way into the White House without even running for presidency.

Some candidates’ sponsors end up having a political say in the decisions made by their successful politicians, and not exactly legally. The public may never know the amount a political candidate is actually being donated, which is manipulative and deceiving.

My advice is to research the politician you’re zoning in on, and don’t ever stop; because as the saying goes, you may not be able to ‘wink’ your way into the White House, but you can certainly try to buy your way in.

cartoon by kalanifortina

Life, Liberty, and Disregard for the Law I

n Hollywood, there are three types of criminals: the outlaws who never get caught, the convicts who serve time, and the convicts clad in orange jumpsuits picking up trash off the side of the highway—the free birds, so to speak.

In Omaha, there are two types of convicts: adults and minors. And in the juvenile court system, there are two types of minors: those who spend time behind bars or are otherwise significantly punished, and those who are brought to justice via courtordered community service at the non-profit organization of their choice, in conjunction with monthly decision-making classes which will result in dropped charges—the Juvenile Diversion Program, in other words.

Hoping that you can appreciate sarcasm, I’m sure you’ll understand me when I say that seriously everybody and their mother has partaken in this oppressive system— put in hard time, succumbing to the pressures of The Man, wasting away their lives at monthly 90-minute how-to-be-an-upstandingmember-of-society class and performing the

backbreaking labor that is the food bank’s volunteer program.

Hoping that you could appreciate that sarcasm, I’m sure you’ll understand that I was being facetious.

Where has our generation gone wrong in its lack of a good oldfashioned fear of punishment?

In the 1600s, people would think one dirty thought and immediately prepare themselves for an eternity in hell. These days, kids are zoeursick floating through the Diversion program without a care in the world, trading in their MIPs or shoplifting charges for a couple hours of stacking cans in

a pantry. Why should they be afraid of getting caught? Not that I’m against the system. The Law is the Law, after all.

But kids will be kids.

They make mistakes.

And the Diversion program is nice, if you’re a mistakemaking teenager.

And in all honesty, teenagers aren’t really expected to be held to the highest levels of moral decisionmaking. They’re supposed to be doing (or abstaining from) things based on a fear of punishment or desire for praise. This fear is supposed to be their motivation (or deterrence) and ideally, the Iron Fist of the Law should be sufficient. These days though, it seems as if that fear isn’t leaving many people shaking in their boots.

Zo and Tell

ink lasts forever the network

The Network is a monthly publication of the journalism students at Marian High School,

Nebraska’s only Class A, Catholic, North Central Accredited college preparatory school for girls. The Network is a member of the N.H.S.P.A, N.S.P.A. and the C.S.P.A. It is our goal to provide an accurate and informative news source for the student community.

Opinions expressed on the opinion pages do not necessarily represent those of the entire community. Students, faculty, and friends are invited to voice their opinion in Letters to the Editors. All letters must be typed, signed, and sent to: The Network, Marian High School 7400 Military Ave. Omaha, NE 68134 Or e-mailed to us at: netpaper@omahamarian.org An electronic version of this paper can be found at: Follow us @MHSBeat http://www.omahamarian.org/netpaper

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But even though I certainly don’t advocate blatant stupidity in terms of law observance, I can understand the Diversion system’s appeal.

Mischievous adolescent behavior can often lend itself to bad decisions, and hey, who’s going to turn down a get-out-of-jail-free card?

But I fear for our generation.

What’s going to happen once adulthood is reached, and the teenagerly comforts of the program are no longer available? The Man is not as forgiving as those folks up in juvenile court, and as far as I can tell, if everyone who’s gone through Diversion were to actually wind up in jail, the city would become a virtual ghost town.

Granted, the availability of parking spots would be nice, but I imagine it’d get pretty lonely for those on the outside, with everybody and their mother locked up. In that sense, I hope our generation can reclaim the natural human aversion to the fuzz.

Because I like having friends.

And I like it when the city is inhabited.

And as I’ve said, The Man is not as forgiving as those folks up in juvenile court.

Managing Editors: meganandreasen & taylorhaag Copy Editors: clancynelson & faithwilwerding Photo Editor: ellemostek Graphics Editor: kalanifortina Online/Convergence Editor: trinitygleason Front Page Editor: emilyfischer Newsflash Editor: michaelamcdonald Opinion Editor: christinarommelfanger Features Editors: catelinhotz & torinietzel InDepth Editors: katykohlmeyer & hannahtoohey Active Editors: nicolewojtalewicz & marylouisewoltemath Entertainment Editors: colleenfell & gabriellamartinez-garro Photo Essay Editor: alexamoore Columnists: hannahgrace & zoeursick Reporters/Photographers: naomijones, cassiephillips, rosalieplofchan & haileywolf Adviser: mrs.marshakalkowski

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012; the twenty-first century; the year the world supposedly ends. Society has come so far, but we, The Network staff, feel that society still has so far to go. It’s hard to believe that in these modern times people are being murdered for their morals, slain for their sexual orientation.

Don’t act as if this kind of hatred no longer exists.

Homophobia still lingers in schools and communities throughout the world. Homosexual, transgender and bisexual teens feel threatened in schools, bullied because of who they are. Statistically, homosexual teens are more likely to be bullied in schools, and, therefore, more likely to consider suicide.

Jacob*, a teen at a local Omaha high school, experienced a less than perfect coming out. Once his peers were aware of his sexual orientation, homophobic slurs came at him from all sides. No longer did Jacob feel welcome at his school; in fact the attitudes of his peers made him feel as if these homophobic actions were accepted.

Incidents like this happen to people our age and make students feel as if no one is on their side. Clubs and organizations like the Gay/Straight Alliance (GSA) and Marian’s I.D.E.A.S. Club help combat the negativity of others’ actions. The students at Marian should realize that the tolerant and loving bubble we have at our school is pretty unique; not many other schools can say that its student body is so open and friendly to all students of every sexual orientation.

Discriminating against someone for their sexual orientation is just as wrong and immoral as discriminating based on race, gender, or religion. We feel embarrassed for those who lack acceptance toward homosexuals and bisexuals. We understand that the degree to which one is exposed to different sexual orientations affects their beliefs. However, limited exposure should not be the only basis for any negative attitudes.

In social and public situations, we often overhear derogatory remarks against homosexuals, but do we ever stand up on their behalf? When put in these

situations, we sometimes cower and remain silent, but in order to really make a change, we must take a stand.

If we are going to talk the talk against homophobia, we need to be able to walk the walk. We can’t just pledge to not use derogatory words, we need to stand up to those who do. If you hear someone using language that you know is not appropriate, don’t be afraid to stand up and correct them. Remind them of who they are insulting and the way their words can affect others. We create the social environments we live in, so why not promote an environment that makes all humans feel safe and accepted?

As politically active young adults, we should be involved in ending all human rights violations.

Through rallies and protests, we can change the attitudes and laws associated with the rights of those who seem to have no voice. All people deserve the same rights and to be treated with dignity and respect.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops preaches the respect of human dignity for all and that homosexuals should be treated with respect and compassion. They find it “deplorable that homosexual persons have been and are the object of violent malice in speech or in action” and these types of hateful actions deserve “condemnation from the Church’s pastors wherever it occurs.”

This modern-day movement parallels the Civil Rights Movement of the 60s. Martin Luther King, Jr. fought for the equal rights of African Americans, but that movement for the equal rights of all Americans has transformed beyond race into sexual orientation.

We realize we are young and inexperienced. We realize that in our pocket of the world, Omaha, the lines that (were a century ago) so thickly dividing race and gender from equality, have blurred. But we cannot pretend that we don’t hear the word “fag” used to describe homosexuals. That the terms “gay” and “lesbian” are used with negative connotation.

Homophobia, it seems, is the racism of our generation.

The battle for homosexual equality is our generation’s struggle. We believe it is a battle worth fighting for.

Passive Aggressive Gets Excessive

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veryone has that one friend, teacher, or parent who is extremely passive aggressive. The technical definition for passive aggressive, according to urban dictionary, is “a defensive mechanism that allows people who aren’t comfortable being openly aggressive get what they want under the guise of still trying to please others; hiding aggressive intentions and actions with seemingly non aggressive intentions and actions.

However, my definition for it would be “a way to get your way in the most annoying manner possible.”

Here is how passive aggressive Nicole would speak: “I’m not super against passive aggressive people or anything, but it tends to get a little excessive. Personally, I don’t like to be like that because I think it can get annoying, but to each his/her own right? Whatever, it’s not like I really care. But I kind of do.”

“Honestly, I could do without the constant hinting toward your dislike of my latest clothing purchase. I’m not going to stop you if that’s what you really want to do, but it would be nice if you could refrain. It could make the situation so much easier, but then again it might not. So you could be right. But I kind of doubt that.”

I’m sorry you had to go through reading that. I have willingly decided to discontinue that tone for your benefit. Pretty bothersome, right? I was even starting to annoy myself. But this kind of stuff is easiest to show by example.

Here’s a hypothetical situation I’m going to throw out there. Say your boyfriend texts you and asks if you want to go to Long John Silver’s for dinner one night.

First of all, did he really just text you to ask you to dinner? Rude. Maybe it would be a little nicer if he could call next time. But you’re not going to call him out on that because it’s better to be coy. Second of all, you hate seafood and were expecting somewhere a little more...classy per se. When faced with this situation, a normal person would say, “Actually, could we go to Applebee’s? I don’t like fish very much.”

However, someone who is passive aggressive would reply, “Well, I guess if you want to go there then that’s fine. I was just hoping that we would go somewhere a little nicer that’s all. And the smell of fish is kind of repulsive to me. If you still want to go though then that’s totally alright. I seriously don’t care, I swear. I might just not eat. It’s fine though, I don’t mind. It’s up to you.”

Get over yourself. Seriously.

I don’t see why people can’t just be honest about things these days. Would it really be all that hard to just tell your boyfriend that you don’t like Long John Silver’s? It’s highly doubtful.

Just imagine having a full conversation with someone who speaks passive aggressively. I wouldn’t be able to stand it for five minutes, or even one to be honest.

My real problem with people who speak passive aggressively is that they beat around the bush too much.

Am I expected to know what you are thinking? Should I know that “no” actually means “yes” or vice versa?

I can’t read minds, you know. If I could, I probably wouldn’t have even come up to you in the first place to ask a question.

Take my advice. Be bold. Let people know how you are really feeling instead of purposefully avoiding the obvious. I know that people often speak passive aggressively in order to avoid hurting others’ feelings, but it can easily make situations worse. Many people simply do not know how to translate passive aggressive talk into normal language.

But I admit it does take skill. My several painstaking years of listening to people talk like this have allowed me to be fluent in the art.

But let’s be honest, you are just confusing people by talking passive aggressively.

So, next time your boyfriend asks you to go to Long John Silver’s and you really don’t want to, do us all a favor and tell it like it is.

Take That Medicine With a Spoonful of Sugar Grace Notes hannahgrace

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couple mornings each year I wake up with a sore throat.

Or maybe I notice that I have a need for too many tissues in my pocket.

In either case, I get nervous.

Please, not again. Really? My last cold was two months ago.

Even when three or four miserable days have passed, I still try to convince myself that I’m not sick. I compulsively try to go to sleep sooner and scrub my hands harder, as if I could reverse the bug in its earlier stage.

Hopeless.

That’s my next line of thought. I grudgingly accept the fact that I need to stock up on chicken noodle soup and cough drops. Depression envelops me as I envision the next two to three weeks propped up on my pillows coughing into the night and rubbing my throat when even breathing hurts.

And that is exactly what happens. Sick people become irritable and turn against the world. Just as no one wants to talk to them in case of catching it themselves, sick people don’t want to talk to anyone either. They want to be home sleeping, like everyone else, but even more so (if that’s possible).

The future presents itself to me like this, and then I realize: I can milk this cough for all it’s worth.

Experiences depend on the attitude, right?

Okay, so I’m tired? Then I shouldn’t feel guilty for sleeping the next 12 hours. I need it. In fact, I should stay home and watch the TV shows that aren’t on after 3 pm. I mean, I don’t want to get my classmates sick.

My throat is red, scratchy and on fire? I’d like some ice cream and hot soup, please.

This stomach ache means I actually have the flu? Suddenly 7UP and Saltine crackers taste great again.

When I complain of my runny nose and cough, people jump back 10 feet while simultaneously acting more generous and sympathetic. Certainly my parents become more than helpful with their chicken noodle soup and suggestions that I stay home from school.

I’m even nicer to myself when I feel crummy. For my suffering, I deserve more, whether that’s brewing tea, wearing my comfiest pajamas, or putting off long-term homework for another day.

Curiously, I find that even people who are one sneeze away from full-on hospitalization try to continue their neckbreaking paces of living.

No. Don’t do that. Try to recover to functioning capacity before tackling anything migraine-inducing. Why return to school and infect others with not only your bug, but also your disagreeable mood. See if that one works on the parents.

So maybe the quality of my work drops when I’m sick, but so does my immune system. I see it as a legitimate reason and a small benefit in a world where Puffs tissues always irritate my nose.

Write to The Network at netpaper@omahamarian.org

Your Homophobia Makes Us ALL Uncomfortable

opinion 5

clancynelson

photo by clancynelson

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Senior Saviors. The group of senior TARS (front) Jill Danielson, Kat Dudley, (back) Miranda Dineen, Megan Boler, and Rachel Bormann pose in the wiring closet in Etherhaven where they spend time working on technical issues. sometimes the ball could get dropped,” Technical Services Coordinator Mr. Seth Bryant said.

The help desk can be accessed from the URL: help.omahamarian. org, or through a link on your Google account home page.

But it’s not all work and no play for these girls. Dineen enjoys her fellow TARS. “My favorite thing is hanging out in the TAR room before school and during study hall, and talking with the other TARS. It’s nice to have a safe haven,” Dineen said.

This group of tech-savvy girls are vital to the maintenance of Marian’s technological atmosphere. The TARS’ work has saved Marian somewhere around $100,000, according to physics teacher and Director of Technical Services Mr. Bruce Esser. Their duties have always been somewhat of a mystery to Marian students, but obvious to the average student or not, the work done by the TARS helps Marian a great deal.

“Um...something on the street...like a piece of tar?”

Lindsey Decker ’14

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photo by em

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he Network staff realizes that with emphysema. Emphysema is a lung there are hundreds of awesome disease often caused by smoking that Marian girls out there and you makes it difficult to breathe. Ryan’s should get to know them all, and this grandmother had an oxygen tank to is our attempt to help. This random assist with breathing and Ryan says, student profile tells the story of “Whenever she took out her oxygen for sophomore Betsy Ryan. a little bit, it would cause her to become Betsy is the childhood nickname forgetful and hallucinate. That’s why of Elizabeth Ryan, but Betsy no she would think that my mom or other longer considers herself a child. family members were nurses or doctors.”

“I had to learn how to grow up Ryan wants to warn Marian girls of faster because I had two younger the dangers of smoking. “I know that siblings to take care of,” Ryan said. smoking calms you down, and makes Ryan’s parents divorced when she you feel good at the time, but it is not a was just a baby and she spends good choice to make when in the long alternating weekends with her mom run it can kill you. It’s not worth and stepdad in Omaha and her dad it to smoke now because in and stepmom in Council Bluffs. your future you most likely will “I went back and forth a lot. It’s experience a lot of pain,” Ryan kind of like I lived two separate lives. said.

I have memories from each house,” Ryan says, “The biggest lesson Ryan said.

I’ve learned in my life would be Betsy Ryan is an average teenage to never take the people you love and girl who makes wishes at 11:11, care about for granted. I’ve learned dreams about going to an out-of-state this through my grandma and other college and hates it when teachers friends. I’ve learned you always need to leave smudges on the whiteboard appreciate them, and be thankful.” after erasing. A true Marian girl at heart, Ryan loves Field Day, her Target moccasins and her favorite class is speech. “I like it so far, it’s a lot of hard work, but it’s fun and it’s helped improve my public speaking,” Ryan said.

If she could invite two people to dinner, Ryan would invite the Beatles and Justin Bieber.

“The Beatles. I know they’re not technically a person, but I really like them. I’d love to talk to them and hear about their lives, not just from a biographer’s point of view. And Justin Bieber so I could talk to him. I used to be a crazy fan, but I’m not so much anymore,” Ryan said.

It was hard for Ryan to pick just one significant event in her life where she learned a great lesson, but she does have a cause Family Ties. Ryan, pictured with her grandpa Larry, sister Hannah, and to crusade. When Ryan was 12, mother Nancy, spends a lot of time with her family. This photo, taken in her grandmother was diagnosed May, shows the family hanging out while on vacation in Belleville, Illinois.

6 features

“Someone who works with computers.”

Kinsey Brown ’13

graphic by clancynelson

Getting to Know... Betsy Ryan

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“One of those people that help with technology stuff.”

Katlyn Martin ’15

photos by clancynelson

ARS. We see them lurking the halls. They hide in the depths of their mysterious hangout.

They prove themselves to be extremely helpful during school assemblies, and while working with confused teachers.

But who are they really?

To be exact, they are the “Technical Aid Resource Students,” aka, a group of seniors who are particularly handy when it comes to technology. Among many other tasks, they work at school throughout the summer rewiring and strengthening Marian’s network, and creating Google email accounts for all the incoming students.

For the current TARS, the application process took place second semester of their junior year, and most of their work began when school was out. Things went a bit differently for next year’s TARS. They applied for the program last semester, and have already been selected. Compared to the usual group of five, seven TARS will serve the school next year. These girls are spending this semester learning how systems work so that they are able to work more efficiently throughout the summer and next school year.

During the year, the TARS assist teachers with technical problems in the classroom as well as run the soundboard during Masses, while earning valuable experience and Work Study credit for their time.

An easy way to call for a TAR’s help is to use the help desk through your Google account. “At the beginning of the school year we would get a ton of help requests,” current TAR Miranda Dineen said. People have become able to solve more problems on their own, because the help requests are down to “an average of about five per day,” Dineen said. “We get them from teachers and Sisters,” Dineen explained.

The help desk came about due to a need for an organized request system.

“Before, we would get requests from people and because we had no record,

Do You Know What a TAR is?

TARS Revealed: Tech-Savvy Seniors Serve School

Betsy Replies...

One skill that I wish I had: Being funny. I’m not one of those people who can make jokes and be funny. It’s just awkward...

Last book I read: Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater Last movie I saw: We Bought a Zoo Last song I listened to: “I Won’t Give Up” by Jason Mraz Last restaurant I ate at: Granite City photos courtesy of Betsy Ryan

Grandma’s Girl. Ryan, with her grandma Betty at age 5, remembers going to Illinois to visit her family. She says that her grandma would make cookie dough for her and her cousins to enjoy.

christinarommelfanger

Pink Amid the Blue:

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Senior Claire Crane Finally Has a Sister

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ants ingonyama bagithi Baba! The opening of “The Circle of Life” brings a smile to the baby girl’s face as her sister Claire reenacts the famous scene from The Lion King. The baby’s eyes widen and she lets out a giggle. It’s hard to believe she is almost 3 months old.

As the second oldest of eight siblings, senior Claire Crane is no rookie to having babies around the house. But there is something different about her new baby sister Lucia Josephine - she is the first girl the Crane’s have had since Claire almost 18 years ago.

“When I was younger and knew my mom was having a baby, I would always pray for a girl,” Crane said. But up until about nine months ago, those prayers were not answered.

When the day came, Crane was in the waiting room at the hospital. “I heard someone scream ‘It’s a girl’ so I paced around the room texting my dad until he came to get me. When I held her, I could not stop crying. I did not believe it was even real. I still don’t believe it’s real. Seriously.”

Even though she always wanted a little sister, Crane has no bad feelings toward her six brothers. In fact, she says that growing up around all boys has made her who she is today.

“It keeps me on my feet. I don’t get anxious about many things because I’m so used to it being a little crazy,” Crane said.

There is never a dull moment at the Crane house. Crane says that it is pretty obvious that it is a boy house. “We have a lot of boy toys around. Boys are really loudyeah, it’s always really loud here,” she said.

The new baby girl has changed a few things, but the noise is still the same. “Lucia loves the loudness around here. She doesn’t cry from all the noise. We think it’s because she got used to it when she was in my mom’s womb.”

With the new baby there is much more pink around the house. Many other things have changed, too, but Crane says it’s hard to explain. “The boys are really helpful and responsible. Lucia is never not being held because they fight over who gets to hold her.” photos by Crane is not too worried that the boys will spoil her. “I am sure she will constantly christinarommelfanger

Bundle of Joy. Crane poses with mom Martha and new sister Lucia. Even with Lucia added to the picture, the boys still out number the girls 6 to 2.

Sophomore Shannon Smith Shares Her Story

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be the center of attention in the house, and will always be loved. I am happy that she has so many older brothers that care for her as much as they do. They would do anything for her in a heartbeat; she is well protected,” she said.

Lucia is a wonderful baby, and rarely cries. “She’s smiley, she sleeps well, and she makes cute little noises,” Crane said.

Crane’s days have become more exciting with the new baby. “I look forward to her when I come home from school. I love to take her on walks. I also love to dance with her, especially to Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong. It calms her down.”

She says that although she has been with boys her whole life, she knows she will be more patient and understanding with Lucia.

She is especially excited to make tea parties with Lucia like her mom did when she was little.

Crane’s parents asked her and older brother Will to be Lucia’s godparents. “I was really honored to be asked, and am excited to see her grow,” Crane said. She has not yet decided on college but knows she wants to go away. It is a little bittersweet, because she knows she will miss her little sister and brothers.

“My wish for Lucia is for her to enjoy our family. I hope that even though there is a huge age gap that she’s really close to all of us.”

To some people, the large age gap might seem like a detriment. To Crane, however, it is more of a blessing. She says, “I get to see her grow up and experience the things that I did when I was little.” Many sources agree, saying that the age gap limits conflict between siblings, and the older siblings can help out with the younger kids.

Like any new baby, Lucia is always being compared to her other siblings. “She looks like a combination of all of us as babies, and my mom thinks she looks like her baby pictures. We all have blue eyes. My mom thinks Lucia has blonde hair, and I am the only one with brown hair,” Crane says.

Even though Lucia’s closest sibling is eight years older, she is unmistakably a Crane.

ears of sadness, joy, frustration, and fear are all things Marian students experience as sometimes overly emotional and dramatic young women.

These tears allow us to let go of our emotions, good or bad, and leave us feeling relieved.

For most of us, these tears are normal and ever present. They come at will and as a surprise.

For sophomore Shannon Smith, however, tears are non-existent.

“My mom noticed that I did not have tears when I was a baby because my twin brother Trey had them and I did not,” Smith said. She was born with the inability to produce tears, and as tears are common in most babies, it was fairly easy to notice.

In some cases, people with this inability do not have tear ducts which allow the tears to flow from the lacrimal sac and down the cheek. In others, the duct is partially or completely

to produce tears for a variety of blocked due to an infection, reasons. Of these 195, thirteen inflammation, injury, or a girls say that they themselves tumor. However, this is not cannot produce tears.

Smith’s case.

“My dad, a doctor, says that Smith said that often people will question I have tear “It’s weird because her and say, “So ducts but can’t cry?!” don’t have I can cry just like you and she has to the glands everybody else, but explain to them to produce she can still the tears,” tears just don’t come that Smith feel the emotion of crying as explained. out.”

She was us do.

-Shannon Smith ’14 most“It’sofweird simply because I can born without the glands which are cry just like everybody else, but tears just don’t come out,” she necessary for the production said. Smith noted that when she of tears. Smith has never been clinically tested for this does cry, her voice shakes but she usually just tries to hold it condition but says after being in because she cannot release interviewed about it, she wants to get it checked out emotions through crying.

“It sounds like she’s crying professionally. like everyone else would but it According to the January Google survey conducted by just doesn’t look like she is, her eyes just get glassy,” sophomore The Network staff, 38 of 195 Paige Searl said. girls said they know or have known someone who is unable

As the only one in her family with this condition, Smith has learned to accept it and realize that she is unique because of it.

“I used to want tears but now I think it’s cool that I don’t have them and it makes me different from everyone else! However, when I watch movies and see people have tears, I think it looks cool and it makes me want to have them again,” Smith said.

As a child, Smith had such a strong desire to produce tears that she decided to make some of her own. “I would put water on my face and run to my mom and tell her that I had tears but she never believed me,” Smith said.

Since no future problems seem to be a worry with this medical condition, Smith has embraced the inability to produce tears as any Marian girl would, and accepts the fact that she is unique because of it.

features 7

I Can’t Fight This Feeling Anymore Staffer Shares Her Sensory Experiences colleenfell

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What Can Really Affect Your Mood

’ll be the first to admit it: eating graham crackers with Nutella makes me feel awesome. I can’t quite pinpoint the source of my delight, but that little jar of joy just does wonders for my mental health.

Most people have what we like to call a “comfort food.” Webster’s defines a “comfort food” as a “food prepared in a traditional style having a usually nostalgic or sentimental appeal.” Basically, it makes us feel good. Whether it be ice cream, chocolate, or frozen pizza (guilty as charged), these foods are able to change our mood through our taste buds.

Taste is not the only sense which can affect our mood. Smell, which plays a large role in our taste, can highly affect our moods. However, it is important to consider that we may not only be affected by what we taste, smell, hear, or see, but also the associations to the object.

For example, I love to eat candy canes around Christmas. However, I do not eat them because they are my favorite candy, I don’t really even like them very much. I eat them for the simple reason that they remind me of Christmas joy.

Unfortunately, associations can also affect us negatively. Cherries, for example, are normally considered to be a delicious summer fruit enjoyed by all. However, I can’t eat them and just the smell of them makes me sick to my stomach.

This is all due to when I was 11 years old and on my way to school. I was walking out the door of my house when “Surprise!” Dog puke. All over my

shoe. Awesome. Then, being the clever 11-year-old I was, I decided it was best not to change shoes, but to wipe off the vomit and use a sporadic showerer’s secret weapon: lots and lots of cherry-scented perfume. I am now scarred for life, only being able to associate cherries with... what else? Vomit.

Although senses are large factors, our moods can be greatly affected by other aspects of our daily lives. The last time somebody asked you what was wrong, your response most likely did not include, “The walls are blue.” or “It’s winter.”

However, environmental factors such as colors or seasons can have a huge impact on our moods. Here’s proof that you may actually be happier during the summer: one of the most common disorders associated with seasons is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

This typically occurs when the weather turns dark and dreary, causing a lack of sunshine. The affected usually face depression-like symptoms including an increased appetite, lethargic behavior, or unhappiness.

Color can also play a big part in our subconscious. Does blue make you feel calm? Does yellow or orange make you feel joyous? Does red make you feel passionate? It is quite probable. This theory leads back to sense associationWhy is it that darker colors make us feel sad and reds and oranges make us feel warm?

Color, seasons, and senses are strong enough to change our mood, generally by provoking a memory, conscious or not.

Surviving the

Marian Girls Suffering from the Dold alexamoore

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old, dreary nights with the wind blowing snow around the air; hot summer days with the sun beating down and the sound of children playing in their backyards.

Many people have mood swings when the seaSenior Megan Huelskamp’s sons change. artistic interpretation of SAD Some people created for a psychology feel indifferent project. to the seasons, some prefer a certain season over another, and some become severely depressed when the seasons change. This last reaction is called Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD. Women are more commonly diagnosed with this mood disorder, and this disor-

der affects Marian girls as well.

The most common form of SAD is depression during the winter months of the year. Some symp toms of the disorder are mood changes, depressio anxiety, sleep problems, lethargy, over-eating and social problems. Junior Alayna Stokes claims she suffers from this disorder. She sleeps less at night and eats more during the colder months of the year. “My family noticed the change and my mom pretty much diagnosed me,” Stokes said.

Stokes (as most people who suffer from SAD aren’t) isn’t a fan of the winter season, and she plans to move to a warmer climate when she gets older. “I want to get as far away from the Midwes and its bipolar weather as possible! I’m heading south,” Stokes said.

Although many people have the disorder and do not get clinically diagnosed, others decide to get professional help to cope with the dreary, cold season.

There are many remedies for treating SAD. Some include artificial sunlight--like visiting a tanning bed or using phototherapy or bright ligh therapy using a lamp that emulates the sun.

According to Mental Health America, the cau of SAD can be attributed to Melatonin, a sleeprelated hormone secreted by the pineal gland in t

Looking Beyond Mood R The Meanings Behind Colors clancynelson

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8 indepth

photos by hannahtoohey

olors have carried symbolic meaning for ages. They’re used in the Church, on holidays, and in basic daily activities such as driving. Purple is the color for Advent and Lent, orange and black are worn on Halloween, red means stop, green means go. These symbolic colors are understood by most people in today’s society.

However, colors affect us in ways less obvious, as well.

Whether or not we are aware, our subconscious reacts to the colors we surround ourselves with every day.

Our moods and behaviors can be influenced by certain colors in the environment. This theory of color psychology can be taken into account while analyzing the painted walls in the classrooms of Marian.

According to a Network survey conducted earlier this month, a majority of Marian girls prefer blue classrooms to any other color. Reasons for this preference include “it’s soothing,” or “it creates a relaxing learning environment.”

The favoring of blue walls is supported by several studies.

These particular studies show that people working in rooms with blue walls are more focused and more productive. Keep this in mind next time you’re taking a test in Ms. Rohlfs’s room!

On the contrary, the least favorite classroom color of most Marian students is white. The plainness of a room with white walls is simply unappealing. It is supposed that many rooms sport this plain color because of its purity and neutrality. But it’s not always up to the teacher

to choose the col classroom.

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brain. This hormone, which may cause symptoms of depression, is produced at increased levels in the dark.

So, in the winter when the days are shorter and the nights become longer, the hormone levels increase. This is why phototherapy has been shown to be effective in an overwhelming majority of cases, even though no study has shown a direct relation between phototherapy and an antidepressant effect.

This winter has proven to be very mild with record high temperatures. Attendance Office Supervisor Mrs. Karen Brown has noticed more absences take place during the winter. She doesn’t necessarily think the increased absences can be attributed directly to the winter season and the depression some girls experience with it, but she thinks there may be a correlation with the warmer temperatures we are experiencing this winter.

“This winter hasn’t been quite as bad - fewer kids are out this winter than the last and fewer have been going home, Brown said.

SAD will always be around, but there are many different medications and therapy techniques that can help and be effective. Surviving the cold winters in the Midwest doesn’t have to be such a battle.

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are likely to flare if a person is over-exposed to this bright color.

Colors are a part of our lives that many people take for granted; colors are always there. At a young age, many of us chose a favorite color. Maybe you chose the color pink because it’s pretty, or it’s possible pink is your favorite because it soothes you. The color pink puts people at ease- it melts all worries away.

Whether we know it or not, the colors all around us are affecting our mood in different ways. We can use this information to our advantage!

Feeling down? Try on a yellow dress. Have a friend who is stressed? Make her a card filled with blues and pinks. Don’t know exactly how you feel?

Snack on some skittles and enjoy all the colors of the rainbow!

Ms. Cathy Pruitte, Fine Arts

“They make me feel good.

They give me pep. They give me energy! They light up my life.”

Analysis: According to KnowsWhy. com, blueberries have many beneficial qualities. They slow down the aging process, prevent cardiovascular disease, help the digestion process, and transport energy to the brain. These are only a few reasons why blueberries are a tasty and healthy treat.

Favorite food: Dark Chocolate Acai Blueberries

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“Mashed potatoes are comforting to me.”

Analysis: Mashed potatoes are also carbohydrates. They are comfort ing because they calm and make the consumer dozy. High-glycemic carbohydrates are not good to eat because they are full of sugar whi ch causes an energy low without the following energy high that high glycemic carbohydrates offer.

It is best to eat high-glycemic carbs after a strenuous workout or before play ing in a game because the amino acid s and minerals in them are the most efficient fuel source for muscles and the brain.

photos by ellemostek

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elicious, crispy, crunchy bacon. Senior Taylor Wyatt has something to say about this iconic food.

“Can I just tell you my thoughts on bacon?

I have to be in the mood to eat bacon. I only eat bacon when it’s super crunchy or almost done. I can’t eat that inbetween stuff.”

Being a vegetarian, junior Kate Johnson has taste buds for a bacon less meaty and more veggie. “Veggie bacon

by Morning Star is delicious. I’ve always personally liked crunchy bacon. If it’s not crispy veggie or soy bacon, I can’t eat it. Veggie bacon is always really crispy, which I love. I feel like part of the family when I eat my veggie bacon with their meat bacon.”

The savory substance, any way it is served, is known to hit one’s taste buds just right in the morning, noon, or night. More often than not, we can see the effect it has on our hips, but do we feel the effect it has on our moods?

Certain food groups are known to affect the consumer in different ways. For example, oranges, tuna, and yogurt are said to make one feel energized, according to More2Hug.com. On the other hand, carbohydrates, especially high-glycemic carbohydrates, make one feel calm and sluggish. Wyatt delights in carbs, though, “If I could eat Noodles and Company all the time, I would. It’s my favorite. I like it because you can eat less of it and feel full.”

That is the magic with pasta, though. Eat a little, feel full. Eat a lot, feel bloated.

According to Dr. Clare Collins from TheBiggestLoser.com, the consumer bloats because “If your diet is higher in fiber than you usually eat, there’ll be an increase in gas production in your colon or large intestine. This is because your fiber intake increases and this encourages an increase in the number [of] healthy bacteria in your bowel which produce the gas.”

There is a plus side, though.

Dr. Collins says, “The good news is that your body does adapt to this. The healthy byproducts of these bacteria lower the pH in the colon which inhibits the growth of carcinogenic, or cancercausing, bacteria.”

Basically what she is saying is that pasta can help prevent cancer! Happy news for fellow pasta lovers. Feel free to chow down on Pasta Mondays, Marian.

indepth 9

Reaching Out: katykohlmeyer

Marian Students Lend a Hand at Operation Others Delivery Week Bag it Up. Sophomores Ellen Townley and Amanda Wolf help bag spuds on Wednesday, Dec. 14. Students from Catholic high schools around the metro volunteer to help prepare the boxes for delivery to more than 1,600 families during the week of Dec. 11.

Getting Ready.

Junior Anna Hautzinger readies the boxes for the assembly line.

ConAgra and local food banks donated food, however O.O. did the majority of the fundraising to purchase food for each family.

Goin’ Nuts for O.O. Sophomore Maggie Witzenburg helps with the O.O. efforts by separating pistachios into bags for each family.

Load the Truck. Senior Claire Troia gives directions for delivering the boxes of food to the families. “Delivery Day went really well. We finished by 1 o’clock and that’s never happened before,” Troia said.

Imagine Taking the Trip of a Lifetime. Twice. taylorhaag

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Junior Theresa Kennelly Crowned Female Student of the Year

“The trip was so eyet just takes one single step. You opening for me. I learned look down, examining the amazing that even though we all terrain that is surrounding you. You live in different cultures take your first step back, and start your and countries, we share breath-taking descent down a 100-foot the same values and have a castle wall. lot more in common than Unfortunately, the only way that I ever imagined,” Kennelly most people can even come close said. to experiencing this adventure is by A few months after putting it into words. But for junior the trip, Kennelly Theresa Kennelly, this too-good-to-bereceived a letter stating true moment became her reality in the her nomination for P2P’s summer of 2011.

Student of the Year Award.

Kennelly had the privilege to Kennelly, a humble gal, participate in People to People, an thought she didn’t stand a international program that strives to chance to win this honor. “. . .bridge cultural and political borders However, she wrote the through education and exchange, necessary essay for the making the world a better place for application, along with future generations.” People to People First Day of Adventure. Theresa and a group The Real Deal. “For as many Friends Forever. Theresa asking for a few letters travels to 136 cities, 40 countries, outside the Palace of Versailles. By the end of pictures I’ve seen of the Eiffel and her homestay host and and seven continents, granting lucky the trip, Theresa and the girls in her delegation Tower, it still seemed unbeliev- of recommendation, and friend, Valeria, on their last waited for the response. individuals trips of a lifetime. became great friends. able seeing it right in front of day together.

“On Dec. 9, I was In order to receive a chance me,” Kennelly said. photos courtesy of Theresa Kennelly babysitting and got a text to attend a People to People trip, from my mom saying, ‘Call Kennelly had to complete a lengthy making the language barrier a huge challenge before the best experience of her life would me as soon as possible.’ The application process which included an in the beginning of the stay. unfold. only time I ever get this text is when something interview.

“If we didn’t know what one another was “We arrived in Paris and started touring is really wrong. I called her right away and the “After the interview, they said they would let right away, visiting the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, saying, we would try to use Spanish or she only thing she told me was to call this number. us know within the next week if we were a part [Valeria] would pull out her Italian/English Versailles, and Arc de Triomphe. After that, we I anxiously called the number and the lady of the delegation. It was unreal when I got that dictionary. I was so amazed at how much took an overnight train through France and calmly told me, ‘Out of over 100 applications, call. My delegation leader called me and told Valeria and I had in common though; I never Switzerland to Italy. you are chosen as the Female Student of the me P2P (People to People) would love to have thought a 17-year-old girl from Italy and I We arrived in Venice and made our way Year.’ There is one other high school student, me as an ambassador. Little did I know that could relate as well as we did,” Kennelly said. through the country of Italy, stopping in as well as two middle school students who was the beginning of the best times of my life,” Three weeks later, Kennelly arrived home Rome, Assisi, Verona, Pisa, Naples and many were chosen, but they are not from Nebraska.”

Kennelly said. exhausted and jet-lagged, but with a new sense other cities. We went to everything from the Kennelly said.

People to People is composed of four and understanding of the world. Missing her Colosseum, the canals in Venice, the Trevi As the Female Student of the Year, Kennelly different types of ambassador programs.

Italian family, Kennelly makes an effort to stay Fountain, the American Cemetery, the Leaning is rewarded with an all-expense paid trip this Kennelly was chosen as a student ambassador. in contact the De Zottis.

Tower of Pisa, and the Fossoli Transit camp,” next summer. She is weighing her options, Her delegation, made up of 27 of Omaha’s “We Facebook message each other roughly Kennelly said. deciding between taking a trip to Australia, Fiji, young people, ranged from grades 5-12. every week and call each other on Skype as While in Vicenza, Italy, Kennelly’s and New Zealand, or a trip to Ireland, Wales, “Before the trip, our delegation met once much as we can. We are in the middle of delegation was lucky enough to experience England, France, Netherlands, and Belgium. a month for five months to get to know one finalizing plans for Valeria to come to the a ‘homestay’ by themselves. Kennelly was Either way, Kennelly is thrilled to be going on a another a little better. We learned about all the United States this upcoming summer. We allowed to stay with a host family by herself for trip once again this summer. places we were going to visit (France, Italy, and are both very excited for her to stay a couple three incredible days. She was matched with “To be able to experience another P2P Greece) and what to expect,” Kennelly said. weeks and I am excited to show her Omaha!” the De Zotti family - Valeria, 17, Matilda, 11, trip is an honor. I am so grateful to have been June 14 finally arrived. A 13-hour flight Kennelly said. Kennelly loves talking about her and their parents, Palo and Silvia. given the opportunity to do this all over again,” was the only thing standing in Kennelly’s way trip, an amazing experience she will remember Valeria and Palo were the only family Kennelly said. for a lifetime. members that could speak a little English, 10 features

Speak Out

“Get better grades from Mrs. Remmick.”

Bella Carnazzo ’15

What is your New Year’s “Be nicer to everyone.”

Molly Zabawa ’14 resolution?

An Untold Treasure An Intimate Look into Marian’s Mysterious Library

marylouisewoltemath

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“Stay hydrated and drink a half a gallon of water a day.”

Laura Wiggs ’12

An Inside Look at...

naomijones

fter a girl leaves junior hallway there is not much excitement to be found. Yes, you see the journalism publication room and all of its glories. You also see the orchestra/band room with a happy tune enveloping the hallway’s solemn silence. On some mornings, you will hear Worship Choir singing their praises to God, or a Marian choir student practicing for an upcoming performance.

If you make it past all of these easily intriguing rooms, you find yourself in front of two wooden doors. You can compare them to The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe’s wooden doors that lead into a magical world full of mystery and untold treasures.

In this case, our notorious lion figure is Mrs. Donna Broekemeier. Librarian, yes, but more comparable to a fierce lioness. She has a growl, or yell, that will make you miss the straw on your water bottle and send chills down your back.

To balance that out is her smile and of course that delicious candy bowl filled with Jolly Ranchers, Tootsie Pops, and a variety of chocolates.

Dec. 15, Marian girls were cordially invited to attend an elegant tea and treat in the library before finals took place.

“I decided that it might be something to do for the girls as an introduction to tea drinking and the library. I’m a great tea drinker. I love going to The Tea Smith on 75th and Cass.

A good cup of tea on a cold evening is great,” Broekemeier said. A variety of tea choices was selected from The Tea Smith: Sweet Pomegranate, Green Apricot, Apple Almond, Earl Grey, Lotus Green, and Citrus Passion Fruit.

Mrs. Broekemeier and her husband made tea cakes, almond and poppyseed bread, cherry cake, cookies, orange cranberry bread, shortbread cookies, and tea sandwhiches with meat, eggs, and tuna. Mrs. Beth Shanahan graciously baked delicious scones. Marian girls devoured almost all of these goodies, leaving very few leftovers. Not necessarily Turkish Delights, but right on point with deliciousness.

The Broekemeiers began baking a month before the event was scheduled to make sure they had enough treats for anyone who attended. “My husband was sure that I would be bringing home leftovers and was worried about what we were going to do with them. I told him he didn’t know Marian girls,” Broekemeier said.

As talk spread about the event, Marian girls and staff members became excited for its approaching date.

“It was really awesome of Mrs. Broekemeier. We thought it was cool to try other teas and it was really considerate! It’s a library with tea and little sandwiches,” seniors Shannon Wilson and Karyn Gohr said. A little tea and some treats to boost some Marian morale, now that’s what a library is about!

Broekemeier has been at Marian for 12 years. She said she loves her job in the library because of her purpose and passion for literature. “Well, I love books and I want others to appreciate reading. I have seen many changes since I started as a librarian,” Broekemeier said.

New technology is particularly fascinating to her as the library continues to upgrade year by year. “I love the e-books and I think the iPad is fabulous. I think the library has a wealth of information that is sometimes overlooked,” Broekemeier said. Indeed it is. Take a step into the library and there are many groups you can see tangled together. A relaxation station on the chairs in the front, personal parties in the study rooms, a legitimate study area on a few tables, and a gossip circle right next to that which Broekemeier keeps in check.

When you walk ito the library you are instantly surrounded with a sea of information. Marian’s library has books on almost any subject you could desire. If you can’t find it, Broekemeier is ready and willing to help. “I enjoy a job well done and I especially love it when I am able to help a young lady find a book and come back and say how much she enjoyed it. I also like when I am able to research a topic and find bundles of information for someone,” Broekemeier said.

Broekemeier defies gravity with her librarian skills that would ensure her to win in a match with the almighty Aslan.

She’ll catch anyone who goes against her rules and brings food or drink into the library, “Please eat in the Quad,” Broekemeier said. “Thank you to all the girls who came to my tea and to Mrs. Shanahan for baking scones. I hope some of the girls who came to the tea party who are not regulars in the library come back and see the wonderful things we have in the library,” Broekemeier said. Transform yourself into Peter, Lucy, Edmund, or Susan, and go discover your hidden treasure in Marian’s beloved library.

“Be more girly.”

Claire Andersen ’13

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Laura Davis

great experience to be a part of it and ophomore Laura Davis is related to to be able to perform at the Playhouse,” actor Marlin Brando. First cousin, Davis said. “I got the chance to meet three times removed. Davis is made a lot of the upperclassmen and people for the stage. Get her a spotlight! with the same interests I have.”

Davis transferred from Brownell Talbot half-way through her freshman Davis prefers to be in musicals year. “I really wanted something new. rather than plays, but she has done I wanted to meet new people and was both. During the summer before her tired of the same thing,” Davis said. freshman year, Davis was involved in Davis attended Brownell since prea “Teens in Theater” show at the Rose school and started thinking about Theater. When she was 15, she was in changing schools in eighth grade, but Lend Me a Tenor and played Saunders, didn’t start searching until she was in the opera house’s general manager. ninth grade.

She also had roles in three of Davis shadowed at Marian, Skutt, Brownell’s plays: Aranea in Charolette’s and Mercy. She shadowed a friend at Web, a dancing fairy in A Midsummer Marian in January and made the transfer a week later. “I think it was a good Night’s Dream (“I wasn’t very good at decision. I have more opportunities Shakespeare,” Davis said), and Hoot here, such as choir,” Davis said. the owl in Snow White. “I’m more of Brownell does have a choir and a singer than an actor,” Davis said. “I Davis was a part of it, but it was not don’t want to be in any more plays.” select. Anyone could be a part of it and The first musical Davis was in was tryouts were not necessary like they are Peter Pan at the Rose in November of at Marian.

2010. “I did it and it was a really great One thing Davis continued from experience,” Davis said. Davis’s music Brownell is Latin. Davis is the only Latin teacher suggested she try out. “I student accelerated beyond her grade; thought about it for a long time she is currently taking Latin III while Tiny Tots. Laura Davis smiles in her Brownell and decided to give it a try,” Davis her fellow sophomores are in Latin II. uniform as a kindergartner. Davis attended “At Brownell there was a choice said. “I didn’t know anyone in the Brownell from pre-school until she transferred audition and I picked a really hard between Latin, Spanish, and French. I took Spanish from second to sixth grade midway through her freshman year. song to sing, but apparently they and was getting really good at liked it, because I got in!” it, so I wanted to try something Last year, Davis had a solo a little harder. I heard Latin was in the freshman Spring concert. a little more challenging,” Davis “I sang ‘On my Own’ from Les said.

Miserables. It’s my favorite In eighth grade, Davis and musical,” Davis said. her team of four competed Davis’s family is extremely in a Latin Certamen. “A Certamen is like a game show,” supportive of her singing Davis said. A moderator asks goals. “My mom is especially teams a series of questions on supportive. She wasn’t before Latin vocabulary, grammar, because she wanted me to focus culture, and mythology. In a on school, but she is now,” Davis Certamen that included grade said. schoolers and high schoolers, Davis does not see being Davis placed fourth in the fluent in multiple languages Latin vocabulary quiz and her part of her fututre even though team placed third in the state. she has a nack for them. “It For her senior year, Davis would be interesting and fun is thinking of moving on to French, since Latin V is not an Everybody Cut Footloose. Davis and Creighton Prep to be fluent, but I don’t see me option. senior Nick Tvrdy both participated in the Marian and doing it. In five years I hope Brownell may have offered Prep musical Footloose. Davis was part of the chorus. to be in college in New Davis a chance to York studying vocal start Latin early, but preformance, musical she wanted more in theater, and English or the singing realm. journalism,” Davis said.

Davis is a singer, and “After college I want so, naturally, when to live outside of New she transferred to York, maybe teaching Marian she wanted music or being an to sing. As a transfer she could not join interior designer.” freshman choir so This singing and she waited until her Latin-learning student sophomore year to is making the best audition for Select out of her high school Women’s Choir. She experience. Maybe auditioned and made someday she will be it this year. as famous as her first Davis is devoted cousin, three times to singing and has removed Marlin auditioned for roles in various musicals Brando, whether as an and plays. This year, actor, singer or interior Davis was part of designer. the chorus in the fall To Never Never Land. In 2010, Davis auditioned for and was cast in musical Footloose. “It the musical Peter Pan at the Rose Theater. This was her first musical. was my first Marian photos courtesy of Laura Davis musical. It was a

features 11

Complimentary Coaches Go the Extra Mile “N hannahtoohey

ice try sport, you’ll get it next time!”

“Keep up the hard work!”

“Go get ’em tiger.”

Typical coaches’ remarks. Well, probably remarks from about third grade, but still applicable.

Coaches. They can range from the only parent willing to volunteer, all the way to expert athletes wishing to make an impact on a younger generation. Sports, as with any team project, need leaders and direction.

Marian students playing various sports have been impacted by coaches from outside the halls of the school. Freshman Susie Baca has played soccer for the Omaha Futbol Club with the same coach, Jason McClanathan, for four years. Baca finds it a great component if coaches, “really care about you as an individual, not just the team as a whole.” Baca specifically likes working with McClanathan because he taught her to “really learn about, watch, and analyze the game.”

Baca makes an important point: coaches are not just adults there to supervise a team.

Coaches’ jobs are not to blindly tell their players what to do. It takes a teaching element; coaches must understand the game and help players learn the game just as well. Players often need coaches most when the team’s motivation is lacking - great coaches provide encouragement to keep the team on track.

Sophomore Elena Lisko has had many great diving coaches, but this year’s Marian coach Cathy Hausman has made the most impact.

“She pushes me when I feel that I can’t do something,” Lisko said. Lisko finds Hausman’s motivational words the most important.

Hausman’s coaching helps Lisko most when “physically I can do it, mentally I can’t,” Lisko explained. Hausman gives the diver the wakeup calls when she most needs the kick.

Some Marian teachers dedicate much of their time working as coaches as well; these multi-taskers posess specific qualities impor-

tant in athletic coaches. Varsity volleyball coach Ms. Rochelle Rohlfs said it is important for coaches to remember, “winning isn’t everything; coaches have to keep things in perspective and remember that they are coaching young people.” Cross country coach Mr. Roger Wright agreed with Rohlfs. “If the only goal is to win, your success will be short-lived.”

Rohlfs also said she believes that coaches should not only be great sports coaches, but also a mentor and a life coach for their athletes.

Wright considers enthusiasm the most important quality for coaches. “If you expect your athletes to be excited about participating, you have to demonstrate that,” Wright said.

Rohlfs had especially influential coaches herself when she was on the other side of the athletecoach relationship.

Both her college volleyball coach and high school volleyball and basketball coach were especially influential.

“They challenged me as a person and as an athlete,” Rohlfs said. Just as Lisko sometimes needs a kick from her coach, Rohlfs appreciated her coaches because they were demanding.

Many Marian girls know that this school is a unique place to be. Rohlfs said she believes that this extends to sports teams as well. “The athletic programs are like families. Teams are really truly teams.” Not only can the girls be themselves around their second family, but coaches can, too. “At Marian, I can be all of who I am - I can use faith in coaching,” Rohlfs said.

Both Rohlfs and Wright have won national awards for Coach of the Year; clearly, they are doing something right.

No matter the sport or age level, coaches are always important to the team dynamic. They, just like the student athletes, put heart and soul into their extra-curriculars. And that dedication does not go unnoticed.

“They challenged me as a person and as an athlete.”

-Ms. Rochelle Rohlfs, Volleyball Coach

Sports Briefs Varsity Basketball naomijones

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arsity basketball is fighting to make this season worthwhile, with a record of 4-7.

As they practice hard and hope for a great season, Coach Beth Dye and the girls keep putting their hearts in the game. “My hope for the girls is to keep improving each and every day in practice and carry that improvement over into games. We have set goals to make this happen,” Coach Dye said. Come to the next home game to see what all the talk is about.

Upcoming Game: Jan. 28 @ 5:30 p.m.

Coach’s Suggested Player to Watch: Annie Wolfe ’13

JV Basketball clancynelson

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he Junior Varsity basketball team has had an average season thus far, having won three of eight games. Although the team doesn’t hold a perfect record, Coach Lisa Schmidt said she really enjoys working with the girls on the team.

“We’ve faced some tough competition, but the girls play hard the entire game and they play as a team,” Schmidt said. She is especially proud of the two team captains. “Kara Murphy and Haley Snyder are our team captains and are doing a great job of motivating their teammates to work hard and have fun at the same time. They’ve been great leaders on and off the court,” Schmidt said.

As for the remainder of the season, Schmidt has high hopes. “I’m confident that the team will continue to improve and will play their best basketball by the end of the season,” Schmidt said. The JV team plays almost every Thursday and Saturday for the next few weeks.

Upcoming Home Game: Jan. 28 @ 11 a.m.

Reserve Basketball clancynelson

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eserve basketball holds a record of five wins and one loss this season. The team is coached by Mr. Dan Cheloha, a first-year coach at Marian.

Coach Cheloha said he is so glad to be coaching such a great team of girls.

“The nice thing about this team is that there’s not one player who dominates. Several girls have led the team in scoring. Rosie Gensichen, Emma Mancuso, Simone Duryea, Megan Majewicz, and Hallie McNamara have had double figure games,” Cheloha said.

He is complimentary of each individual player. “It’s nice having the girls improve so much. Chrissy [Blount] has really gotten tough in the paint, and gets a lot of boards and blocked shots. Natalie [Descheneaux] is a great scorer and passer in the paint. Emma [Mancuso] drives and is a great scorer. Megan [Majewicz] is a tall, fast guard who runs the floor well. Hallie [McNamara] does it all: rebounds, scores, blocks, gets assists. Most teams don’t have such versatile players. My other sophomores, Libby Bruggeman and Meghan Langdon, do a great job of hustling and doing whatever the team needs to do to win,” Cheloha said. Show your team spirit at their next home game.

Upcoming Home Game: Jan. 28 @ 9 a.m.

Freshman Basketball gabymartinez-garro

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efore a girl tries out for the Marian basketball team, she has the opportunity to experience the camaraderie of a team.

Since 2006, feeder teams have created bonds between girls from schools around the metro.

Marian is not the only school to offer feeder teams, thus offering the participants a league in which to play competitive games.

A feeder team is a sports team made up of elementary school players, ranging from grades 4-8, who play for a sponsoring high school. Marian’s basketball teams for younger girls calls themselves the “Junior Crusaders.” A feeder team provides a less expensive option to club sports, making them popular among costconscious parents.

Though she did not continue her basketball career in high school, senior Katie Hoffman did not regret her time on a feeder team, who won the Marian tournament her eighth grade year.

She first heard about the team through her

12 active life

school and due to her involvement, her father became the coach. Mr. Hoffman was asked to come back and coach this year’s eighth grade team, who won their last game. Most of the coaches for the Junior Crusaders are volunteers for this non-NSAA regulated sports team.

“There are one or two teams per grade, and we play in a league in Bellevue. There are two seasons. We play around six games per season, and three tournaments a season,” Mr. Hoffman said.

“We put up posters advertising tryouts in the Catholic grade schools and churches. The girls work hard. We have practice twice a week.”

Not all of the members of Katie Hoffman’s original team continued on to play for Marian, but the friendships forged lasted beyond the sports season. “It was a great way to meet people before I came to Marian,” Hoffman said.

“I focused on other activities once I came here, but I knew a range of people when I started.”

arian’s freshman basketball team has experienced a successfull season thus far.

With a solid record of eight wins and only three losses, new coach Mr. Shawn Gray has high hopes for his team’s future.

“They have been playing very well, especially lately. Our three losses were all pretty early in the season. The girls seem to be learning to play with each other and they are learning to play as a team better. Even our 3 losses were close. Our biggest loss was only by 5 points, so all of our losses have always been within 5 points,” said Coach Gray.

The freshman basketball team’s next match is a tournament on Saturday the 28th at Millard North, followed by six more games.

Swim & Dive faithwilwerding

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wim & Dive has had a great start to this season. The swim team’s dual meet record is 2-2 so far this season. They finished fifth at Ram Relays and third at the Burke Invite.

“Training has gone really well this season. I’m happy with where we are at right now and excited to see our gains from training reflected when we rest and get ready for the conference meet and State,” Coach Dave Anderson said.

Diver senior Elyse Brouillette has qualified to compete at the State Competition.

Recently, she beat the Ralston pool record of 435 with a score of 452.

Coach Anderson expects to see some big time drops in the final meets of the season and is confident that all the swimmers and divers will have an awesome championship meet. Their next meet is Jan. 27 and 28 at Westside.

Coach’s Suggested Swimmer to Watch: Alexa Gross ’13 Coach’s Suggested Diver to Watch: Elyse Brouillette ’12

Staying

True

to the

Marian Crusaders embrace Creighton Jays

Blue

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school admission to the men’s and women’s basketball games that take place during Thanksgiving and Christmas break, and many students took advantage of this opportunity.

Director of Creighton’s Athletic Marketing and Promotions Mr. Mike West explained that when this free admission perk began, it was not intended for recruiting purposes whatsoever, but simply as a way to fill the stands. “I went to a game during the 2000-2001 season against Missouri State. They had their cheerleaders and we [Creighton] had hardly 50 people in the student section. After I was hired in 2002, my former employer and CU alum Brian Donlin suggested we give free admission to Marian Crowd Pleasers. Many Marian girls came to the Creighton basketball game on Tuesday, Jan. 10 and Prep students. We ended up to show their support for the Creighton University Blue Jays as well as the Marian Dance team who inviting everyone,” West said. performed at half time. photo by alliebraun Though unintentional, this idea has held lasting effects. watching the team grow and get better over lmost all Creighton students go home “Long-term, students who come to these games on Thanksgiving and Christmas break the years,” Curley said. “Also, while I was at over breaks will one day be in a place where camp in DC this summer I became really good to spend precious time with family they can buy season tickets. Short term, they and friends. However, there is another family friends with a girl whom I later found out was may even decide to come to Creighton,” West Ethan Wragge’s cousin! She’s coming down for that stays behind: the well-respected Bluejay said. a game in a couple weeks and we’ll get to see men’s basketball team. There is a select group Senior Stacy Thiel lives, breathes, and bleeds of girls at Marian who directly benefit from each other again.” blue. “We have season tickets so I’ve been going Since the team moved their home games the sacrifice made by these players. According to every home game for six years. When we to a survey conducted by The Network staff, 40 from the Civic Auditorium to the Quest (now moved back to Omaha, my parents either wantCentury Link) Center before the 2003-2004 percent of students reported that they regularly ed to get Creighton basketbaIl season tickets or season, Creighton’s average home game attenattend Creighton basketball games.

UNO hockey season tickets. They went to one Freshman Kayla Young has been going to dance has been recognized on a national level. game of each and decided we would have more Bluejay games for as long as she can remember.

According to GoCreighton.com, the team finished the 2010-2011 season ranked 22nd na- fun at the basketbalI games. It’s fun seeing how “My dad works for Creighton and so does my the team changes each year,” Thiel said. tionally, below well-known basketball schools grandpa, and they just started buying tickets Something important to note is that Creighsuch as Kentucky, Syracuse, North Carolina, together one year. Now my family gets season ton has two players from foreign countries. tickets every year because we just love going and Marquette. This marks the sixth straight Gregory Echinique is from Venezuela and to the games. It’s good family bonding,” Young season the Bluejays have ranked among the actually played for the Venezuelan national nation’s top-25. said. basketball team this summer. Jahenns Manigat The fact that Creighton draws this many Sophomore Addie Curley can attest to this is from Canada. fans to its games is something to be proud of in love for Bluejay ball. “My favorite part of the There are quite a few players representing itself. The university has even offered free high games is all the energy the crowd brings and

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the Omaha/Bellevue area as well. Antoine Young is from Bellevue West, Josh Jones is from Central, and Taylor Stormberg is from Creighton Prep. These men have very different backgrounds but have come together to create a nationally-ranked successful team.

Freshman Hallie McNamara is yet another strong CU fan. “When I was three, my grandpa had tickets and took me. Since then, I have gone to every game I can. I really enjoy watching all the players, especially Grant Gibbs and Doug McDermott. I just think the level they play at is fun to watch, and criticizing them from the stands is fun too,” McNamara said.

Right now, McDermott is the second leading scorer in the country, and at one point he was leading the country. Not only this, but Doug is also the son of the team’s coach, Greg McDermott. When Creighton hired Greg in 2010, they gained a huge asset in his son.

Grant Gibbs, the starting guard for CU, is a transfer from Gonzaga University. Due to his transfer status, Gibbs had to sit out last year. However, this season he was voted team captain. Without Gibbs, McDermott might not have the scoring ability he currently possesses. Many of the points McDermott scores come from Gibbs’ passes. At the Jan. 7 game against Bradley, McDermott scored a career-high 44 points.

“My favorite part is when the games get really close and you know it’s going to have an awesome ending. I love going to Creighton games knowing that they’re playing a really talented team and leaving with the satisfaction of them winning. I’m super excited this year because I’ve never seen a Creighton team that is so bonded together,” Thiel said.

The Creighton basketball tradition runs deep in the families of countless Marian students. Each game brings with it a fresh, unique enthusiasm that is shared with old and young generations alike. Many loyal Marian supporters are proud that Omaha is home to this richly talented team.

Sister Act: Sibling Swimmers Make Waves on Swim Team faithwilwerding

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hoosing which high school to attend is anything but simple. For many, the prospect of joining a sports team only adds to the pressure. However, for freshmen Brynn Robertson and Summer Baldwin, the decision was not so difficult.

Brynn and Summer grew up around the Marian community, including its swim team.

Their older sisters, Afton Robertson ’09 and Autumn Baldwin ’10, were both active members of the swim team for all four of their years at Marian. “That’s the whole reason I’m swimming,” Robertson said.

Summer has been swimming since she was six years old, and admits that she would have looked at other high schools if not for Autumn and her involvement in the Marian swimming program. While Autumn was at Marian, Summer attended a couple meets, which influenced her decision to come to Marian.

Although Autumn did not choose to continue her swimming career in college, she still supports her younger sister as she follows in her footsteps. “It helps to have her there cheering. She always asks me how I do when I have a meet,” Baldwin said.

For Brynn, her older sister was her inspiration to start and stick with swimming. She joined a club swim team the same year Afton joined the Marian swim team as a freshman.

Brynn was in third grade.

“I always came to [Afton’s] meets and always wanted to be a high school swimmer,” Robertson said.

Afton encouraged Brynn to come to Marian, not only for swimming, but for the academics as well. Although swimming wasn’t the only

reason Brynn came to Marian, it was a factor nonetheless.

“When Afton was a junior and senior, it made me more serious about swimming because I wanted to be as fast as her,” Robertson said. “I am always wanting to be faster than she was at my age and as of right now I am faster than she was as a freshman. So that’s very motivating to me.”

Robertson and Baldwin have undoubtedly become leaders for the Marian swim team. Both girls are members of the Marian’s state qualifying medley relay and 400 freestyle relay teams. Baldwin also qualified for state in the 100 backstroke The Robertson sisters have been key figures in each other’s swimming careers since the beginning, never failing to share their support and enthusiasm for the sport. “My first meet ever, my sister left me a note telling me good luck and all this cute stuff. I still have it,” Robertson said.

They continue to encourage each other in their swimming as Brynn nears the end of her first high school season and Afton, now a junior, continues to swim at Indiana University.

“She gives me legitimate advice to help my swimming and I give her mental advice like calmness and to have fun!” Robertson said.

Baldwin and Robertson both agree that their sisters had a huge impact on their decision to attend Marian and dedicate their lives to swimming. Without a doubt, their decision on which high school to attend was made much easier because of their connections to the Marian community and their supportive sisters.

Off The Blocks. Summer Baldwim prepares for a relay at the team’s meet against Millard South on Jan. 17. The Swim & Dive Team will compete in the State Championship on Feb. 23, 24, and 25 at the Bob Devaney Sports Center in Lincoln. photo by nicolewojtalewicz

active life 13

Out of the Box & Under the Microscope

Miscellaneous or Misinterpreted

marylouisewoltemath

Reporter Experiments Outside the Lab

Experiment 1

Experiment 2

Remember those stuffed animal horse heads that are propped up on a stick and were a pretty big hit when we were kids? Well, I had one that I rode about quite frequently. Ah yes, it felt good to ride little Blackie again.

So, as an 18-year-old high school senior, I pulled Blackie up from my basement and we took a nice trot through the busy pastures of Scheels sporting goods store. In all my childhood years of owning

this fine steed, I galloped as I, and possibly the Lone Ranger, had never galloped before.

The long escalator line was dismissed as I pranced up the inviting stairs (taken two at a time...”woah Blackie!”). A distinct eye roll from a nearby shopper was met with an energetic toss of my mane...I mean hair.

Obvious discomfort was displayed by customers by lack of eye contact and avoiding steps. These reactions obviously made my stallion uneasy and I responded to their responses by saying soothing little “easy girls” and “there, there” into my animal’s ear. My words proved fruitless because my attempts to calm my girl Blackie were only met with smirks and laughs.

Poor Blackie reared on her hind legs in embarrassment and took a full-sprint clockwise around the entire main floor of the store before rearing on her hind legs and bolting out into the parking lot to head towards home and the setting sun.

If you would like to be taken seriously, apparently you have to sit in a chair.

Sitting in a chair at a restaurant is expected.

Whatever. It’s overrated. Same with wearing shoes, but that’s a different story.

People assume that chairs are where it’s at when it comes to sitting, but they’ve probably never experienced the freedom and rebellion of publicly sitting on a spacious floor.

I walked into a heavily populated Cheeseburger

in Paradise restaurant. I disregard the waiting chairs and set myself down on the floor while waiting to be seated. The hostess saw me on the floor and gave me a you’re joking laugh. I returned it with a no, I am serious stare.

Having discovered that I was apparently enjoying the floor as completely natural, she nervously avoided eye contact with me for the rest of our brief interaction.

She led me to a table where I scooted over the chair that was blocking my floor space of choice. I sat on the floor flipping through my menu while unbelieving and curious stares decided it necessary to not leave me alone.

I witnessed a couple of adults shaking their heads in confusion and disapproval in my choice of seating.

Conversations turned from previous topics and towards my sitting style. Maybe they were just running low on waiters, but I didn’t get one.

A more qualified manager handled my table and took my order. Though I did get unfriendly stares, questioning glances, and smirks, my display brought about the goodness of one little girl.

From a nearby table, a little Indian girl dressed in the full traditional garb (possibly met with the same reactions that I had received from time to time), dragged over an extra chair

for me to sit on, though there were plenty already placed wastefully around my own table. I politely refused her offer, but fully appreciate her kind gesture.

If people were exposed to more extraordinary circumstances regularly, maybe regular behavior would seem irregular and acceptance would be abundant. These and other minor-scale experiments were conducted to show that people react with most events that are slightly abnormal with a different approach than they would treat routine behavior.

As a part of a human race that has thrived on new ideas, we should be embracing the unfamiliar, not shying away from it!

photo by alexamoore

I

guarantee that you would be inclined to change your behavior if confronted with “out of the ordinary” behavior, even if the behavior provides no danger other than difference.

There are just those certain situations that are labeled as “abnormal” in our society. Perhaps you do not think that you could be phased by strange actions and situations. At the very least, you would judge the situation as unusual.

Congratulations if you react in the very least.

Most people, however, would alter their own behavior when exposed to abnormal conduct. Why is it that humans are so easily distracted by deviance from the norm? Maybe it’s because uncommon instances are rarely encountered in ordinary settings. On a sunny day shortly after the winter holidays, I set out to conduct a series of experiments that support these thoughts.

michaelamcdonald

Crazy 4 One D1RECT1ON meganandreasen & taylorhaag

T

hey’re British (accents included). They’re boys. What’s not to love? We’re girls. We’re American. We don’t have accents. Opposites attract, do they not?

This past semester, Marian girls have formed a new obsession over the latest international boy band: One Direction.

The boys started out competing individually on Britain’s X Factor in 2010, but due to their impending cuts from the competition, the infamous Simon Cowell decided to mesh these European boys to create the ONE and only One Direction for the rest of the competition.

The five boys that make up this dynamic ensemble include Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, and last, but certainly not least, Harry Styles. The boys range from age 17-20. Girls have gone crazy for their popular music video

14 entertainment

“What Make You Beautiful,” with more than 41 million hits on youtube to prove it.

Although this major hit is definitely considered “pop” music, One Direction has produced songs with variety in their sound and style, including various song covers.

Harry Styles

Although the band got cut during week 10 receiving third place, Cowell, taking note of the band’s potential, decided to sign them with Cyco record company. These attractive young fellows have been seen on random surfaces of Marian ever since December of this school year.

“I love walking

Zayn Malik

through the halls and be able to just look at them while the songs are stuck in my head. It just makes me happy,” senior Emily Rouw said.

Although some students have embraced this new boy band craze with open arms, there are others who stand resistant. “Everyone

Niall Horan

O

handedly kept this book from nly within the mind fading into yet another young of a person living with adult read. synesthesia would Adapted into a first person the word orange feel heavy. voice, the reader is enticed by The letter G tastes like iron on the discovery and frustration of the new mental condition as your tongue. The sound of a it developed. guitar smells like fresh pine Although amateur in and rosemary. In the novel writing style and unoriginal The Beautiful Miscellaneous in most dialogue, the idea and

by Dominic Smith, Nathan overall plot of the story kept Nelson, a teenage boy, me interested. develops synesthesia Not only does Nathan have (according to dictionary.com, to deal with his new condition, this is a condition in which but he also has to deal with an one type of sense stimulation intense family life. evokes the sensation of The demanding family infused in the plot line of the another) after an unexpected novel brings a heightened accident occurs. The Beautiful since of panic in Nathan’s life, Miscellaneous is a science creating fiction photo source: amazon.com an anxious read that read, yet has many also makes dramatic Nathan’s occurrences life more planted relatable within to Smith’s the plot, teenage audience. drawing the The reader in Beautiful within the Miscellaneous first turn of is a wella page. researched This read. book brings The fact insight that the to the antagonist of condition of the novel is synesthesia. not a person, foreign being Throughout the novel, or machine, as an antagonist the reader is able to learn in a science fiction novel about the side effects and might be, but is found within consequences of synesthesia, the protagonist himself brings as well as gaining an inside a uniqueness that adds to the look on what living with integrity of the novel. synesthesia would be like.

If you do not have enough Smith finds a nice balance time to devote to this book of creating a hooking story and the time to reflect upon line that keeps the novel and the non-apparent symbolism, the condition continually The Beautiful Miscellaneous changing in the book, while will appear adolescent. also educating his readers by The sophomoric writing intertwining synesthesia and style and dialogue tends to its effects within the novel. seem rather monotonous and Although it is easy to get has moody, “world-out-to-getlost within the page-turning me” tendencies. plot line, focusing upon the The key to this novel; condition of synesthesia helps thoroughly understand its readers develop relatabilty conflicts and symbolism. Only with Nathan, which is crucial after this will The Beautiful to identify the underlying Miscellaneous transform into a emotions that Nathan faces. smart, worth-while read.

This tactic single-

Rating: 3 ½ out of 5 stars talks about them and puts pictures of them on their lockers and I’m so annoyed about it. They’re so ugly and their music isn’t that great, yet everyone freaks out when I

Liam Payne

Louis

say I like listening to German heavy metal music or that my favorite band is Death From Above 1979,” freshman Mary Hilton said.

One Direction will be opening for Big Time Rush on Feb. 24 in Chicago’s Rosemont Theatre and in New York City on March 9 at Radio City Music Hall. For the lucky juniors and seniors heading to the Big Apple over Spring Break, keep a lookout for this delicious eye candy. “I am so excited to be stepping on the same ground as them.

During the entire trip, even if we are doing something special in the city, I will have my Tomlinson eyes peeled for those sexy boys,” junior Sarah Berger said.

photo source: lets-paint-a-smile.tumblr.com

without

DRAKE

JOSH

Ex-Nickelodeon Star Still Brings Talent, Entertains Audience zoeursick

T

he marquee outside of The Waiting entertainment but fell flat compared to presence and audience connection. The relatablity. Bell certainly lacked nothing in Room lounge in Benson advertises Bell. Though the musical talent was present, songs performed did include a nice variety of the relatability department. The first show the concert to be held on Tuesday, Gettman’s band lacked a strong stage musical styles, but I’d have liked a little more of Bell’s current tour could be described as Jan. 10: DRAKE. more of a jam session than Granted, a finely-tuned musical the DRAKE in performance— Bell even question is not described the atmosphere world-famous as “like playing in the living rapper DRAKEroom.” At one point, Bell without-aeven pulled out his iPhone last-name, but to read off the lyrics to a rather DRAKE song the band wanted to Bell, from cover.

Nickelodeon’s The small crowd, The Amanda comprised of maybe 40 Show and Drake The Waiting Room. The Jan. 10 attendees, provided an and Josh. Not concert was held at the Waiting Room intimate atmosphere that unwisely, the Lounge in Benson, located near 60th and made Bell’s performance concert venue has Maple. Tickets cost $15 at the door. seem almost personal. I chosen to include even experienced some Bell’s last name eye a few lines below contact Signed, Drake his first on the several Bell. After the show, Bell marquee. times, took time to autograph After all, who and felt posters and talk to cares about Drake my heart fans. Nearly the entire Bell? Without flutter audience stayed to take the inclusion of with every advantage of the opCrowd Pleaser. Bell impresses the audience with his opening number, “Makes Me Happy.” “and Josh,” this gaze. portunity. former teen star The has virtually faded defining into the abyss that moment is the adulthood of the Act I. Mitch of a child star. concert Gettman of However, the was Bell’s Omaha’s 25-year-old perf-ormance of “I Found a Way,” otherwise Westside High managed to put known as the Drake and Josh theme song, School opens on a show the which was met by wild applause from the the show for likes of which I audience. Other songs performed included Bell at his Jan. never expected the originals “You’re Not Thinking” and 10 concert. from a guy “Somehow,” and a Beatles medley of songs Some upcomwho gained from side two of Abbey Road. ing shows at celebrity status Overall, I found DRAKE’s concert to be the Waiting via “A Hillbilly surprisingly entertaining, even without Josh Room include Moment.” by his side. Tickets cost only fifteen dollars at Zoë Keating on The opening the door, and with the show’s entertainment 2/14 and Mayact, Westside value factored in I consider the price to be Six-String Splendor.

Along with his day Parade w/ High School somewhat of a steal. And though I slightly vocal talent, Bell shows impressive musiWe The Kings senior Mitch doubt that Bell will gain enough popularity cal skill on the guitar. Bell enchanted the on 2/27.

Gettman, to make frequent appearances in Omaha, audience with a medley of the Beatles’ provided I would highly recommend taking the songs. sufficient opportunity to catch a show.

photos by zoeursick

SPEAKOUT!

Marian girls hit the wrong note when it comes to song lyrics

alexamoore

“In the song “Rolling In the Deep” by Adele, I thought the backup singers were saying ‘stuck in a pine tree, never let me be,’ instead of ‘you’re gonna wish you, never had met me...’”

Kalil Johnson ’15

“In the song “Born This Way” by Lady Gaga, the part that goes ‘Whether you’re gay, straight, or bi...’ I thought it said ‘Whether you’re a geisha or not...’”

Caroline Hendricks ’14

“In “What’s My Name by Rihanna”, I definitely thought it was saying ‘a na na na, poisoning’... I guess not.”

Sarah Reynolds ’13

“The Mass song where it says, “Christ has died, Christ has risen,” I used to think it said, “Rice has died, Rice has risen.”

Jessica Samuelson ’12 entertainment 15

Surfin’ On a Sea of Seniors. Senior Kelly Woodruff is lifted by classmates during the dance party during Surprise Day. Surprise Day was held on Thursday, Jan 12. Bryan Hill Entertainment provided a DJ. “I felt like a free bird flying across people’s arms! It was fun and exciting until I got told to get down by a teacher,” Woodruff said.

Welcome to Final Jeopardy! Social Studies teacher Mr. Tom Baker emcees the opening gameshow, “Surprise Day Jeopardy.”

Each class had 10 random representatives that answered questions for their class. The categories included: Teacher Trivia, Marian Trivia, Field Day Trivia, Identify the Teacher’s Room

by Its Picture, and Identify the Teacher

by His or Her Baby Picture.

5,6,7,8! Zumba instructor, Elizabeth Edwards, teaches a Zumba class for girls.

Surprise Day chairs senior Alexa Moore and junior Sarah Reynolds were happy with the outcome. “We decided on Zumba because we know how much Marian girls love to dance, but it’s also a fun and interactive work out,” Student Board Co-moderator Ms. Maria Hahn said.

Painted Princess. Senior Allie Johnson transforms into a fierce tiger while Deb Withers paints her face. There were two face painters, provided by Bryan Hill Entertainment, on campus during Surprise Day. “Out of all four years I’ve been here, I’ve always wanted to get my face painted and no matter how long the line was I was determined to get it done. I even waited in line before the workers arrived,” Johnson said.

16 photo essay

Twister Time! Freshmen Bailey Nihsen and Madeline Wright compete in a friendly game of Twister during Surprise Day. Other events included a log rolling game called Lagoon of Doom, a Disney Channel Original Movie room, a nap room, cake walk, arts and crafts, and free cotton candy.

Raise Your Voice. Sophomore Sarah Brashear hits a high note with Surprise Day karaoke.

“I sang ‘Drops of Jupiter’ by Train with Julia Tatten. The best part was just singing like no one was there.

It was the best Surprise Day yet!” Brashear said.

photo essay by alexamoore photos by alexamoore and clancynelson