Marian Network Nov/December 2015

The Network MARIAN HIGH SCHOOL 7400 MILITARY AVENUE OMAHA, NE 68134 www.MARIANHIGHSCHOOL.net VOLUME 60 ISSUE 3 DECEMBER 2015

Terrorism shocks Servite community

clarawertzberger & marykiscoan

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arian’s sister school in Paris, Blanche de Castille High School, is roughly 20 minutes away from Stade de France, the stadium where multiple suicide bombers caused death and mass panic on Nov. 13. The high school is only about 28 minutes away from Bataclan Concert Hall, where 89 people were murdered the same night. According to French Prime Minister Manuel Valls, the death toll from the terrorist attack on Paris is now at 130, and six locations in Paris were under seige.

As the death toll rose that night, so did senior Anna Domet’s fear.

With Domet’s mother almost in tears, her family anxiously waited to hear from Selma Kerroux. The Domet family hosted 16-year-old Kerroux last year for a 10-week immersion experience in the United States, which included an International Servite Schools Network (ISSN) conference held at Marian. Their hospitality was returned when the Domets stayed with Kerroux’s family this past summer in Paris. Domet and Kerroux often communicate by e-mail, iMessage, and other methods.

“I think it’s so important to stay in contact, because you never know when something’s going to come up.

You never know when they are going to need you. I think it’s important to maintain that relationship,” Domet said.

A bird’s eye view Standing atop the Eiffel Tower, tourists and locals see the city of Paris spread out below. Built in 1889, the tower still rises 984 feet from its base after all the surrounding chaos. photo by annporter

Though Kerroux’s mother sisters were safe. With the good news, responded to Domet’s mother a few Sr. Mary then reported the message to hours after she sent a frantic e-mail, all Servite sisters and their associates Domet still felt incredible sorrow. living in the United States and asked for prayers.

“I was disturbed. It kind of reminded me of 9/11. I felt a The sisters at the Motherhouse numbness that kept growing. It was have encouraged the entire Marian just really scary,” Domet said. community to keep the people of Paris in our hearts, since the city is Domet is not alone. Upon hearing still grieving the loss of 130 people. the news of the deaths in Paris, Sr. In Sr. Chantal’s Mary Gehringer, message to Sr. Mary, Provincial of the she described the North American terrorists’ impact on Servants of Mary, one young father. reached out to her sisters in Paris who “I would like to are members of share with you the the Francophone words of a young Servite Community. man, a father of a 17-month old child, “I was here at who was left a the Motherhouse. widower that night.

Like most tragic ‘You have stolen the news, it was difficult Honoring the fallen Jessica Hudson ‘17 draws the Eiffel Tower in the Quad to love of my life, but to grasp the scope show support for those effected by the you will not have my of it, and that it terrorist attacks at Blanche de Castille hatred,’” Sr. Chantal indeed had really High School in Paris. After two nights of wrote. the tower being in complete darkness, it happened. My first was lit with French flag colors for mournthoughts were, At this point, ing purposes. photo by clarawertzberger ‘How senseless!’ sisters in the Marian My next reaction was prayer for all community told the students and involved and especially for the safety faculty to do one thing that cannot and well being of our sisters,” said Sr. ever be stopped by terrorists.

Mary.

“I’d suggest that you send e-mails Sr. Mary Gehringer immediately to the school and let them know that contacted Sr. Chantal Mari, the the Marian students are all praying for Prioress of the Francophone them,” Sr. Mary said.

Community, and she learned that the The Marian community sent a

signed poster to Blanche de Castille to show the students’ and staff’s support.

In Mrs. Janet Tuttle’s French classes, substitute teacher Ms. Kathy Tocco encouraged students to write letters to Blanche de Castille students.

Millions have responded to the terrorist attacks on Paris with prayer, some using the social media hashtag #PrayforParis. They offered support and love in a time of fear, sadness, and uncertainty. Marian’s French students created artwork on the whiteboard in the back of the room to send to the Twitter hashtag on their own time.

“I think all the people in France right now are struggling. We were talking to the [Kerroux] family; they were talking about how people were scared to go back into the city, because they think that something’s going to happen again. So I think they just appreciate that we’re standing with them,” Domet said.

The Servite sisters, Marian families, and many Marian students who visited Paris last year feel a close connection to the terrorism in France.

To cope with events that directly affect the Marian community, Sr. Mary calls students and faculty members to support world peace efforts.

“Christ invites us to seek this evangelical stance through prayer, and to that end, we need fraternal friendship and solidarity,” Sr. Mary said.

Freshmen take student government positions in recent elections lindsaymuse

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he results of this year’s freshman Student Board and Class Officer elections were just as unpredicted as the beginning.

At the the start of the election, 30 girls ran for six Class Officer positions and 35 for three Student Board positions. Each hopeful candidate created a poster with a clever slogan, filled out a survey regarding their thoughts on leadership, and wrote a short paragraph about why they should be elected.

In this unusual start, a preliminary election was held to shrink the candidate pool to the top twelve for Class Officers and the top six for Student Board.

Club Briefs Pg

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On Nov. 11, prospective candidates stood up in front of their 194 classmates and gave short speeches about what they would bring to the table if they were elected into their desired position.

“It was scary to stand up and speak in front of the class, because everyone was good and deserved to be elected,” freshman Student Board representative Cori Johnson said.

Eighteen girls made it through the preliminary rounds. The following week, votes were cast to determine the final representatives. In this round, there were no further speeches; however, the candidates were allowed to hang up more posters.

The winners were sent e-mails the night before and, on Nov. 19, announced over the P.A. in homeroom. In interviews after the announcement, many of the girls elected said they were surprised and flattered, but ready to step up to the plate.

In the aftermath of the elections, it was curious to see multiple family ties in the election finalists. ZaZa Nelson, sister of Student Board member Bunny Nelson, and Bailey Hanus, cousin of Student Board member Andie Hanus, made the cut. In addition, Lizzie Byrne, sister of alum Class Officer Lulu Byrne, filled in her sister’s shoes.

student allergies

athletic signings

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“My sister had a lot of fun with it, so I thought it would be fun, too,” freshman Lizzie Byrne said.

The Class Officers Kristin Bedhun, Lily Blake, Lizzie Byrne, Lily Gonzalez, Carolyn Griffin and Mia McGraff, along with the Student Board members Hanus, Johnson and Nelson, are ready to lead their class. In their own words, the representatives are armed with creativity, organization, compassion, positivity, open-mindedness, commitment, flexibility, imagination, and loyalty. Such gifts will help the elected freshmen to build their class’ unity throughout the rest of the school year.

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2 • News

The Network • Dec. 2015

Open House opens doors, encourages student enrollment collettegillaspie

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arian scored again at this year’s Open House. On Nov. 22, the school warmly welcomed a whopping 259 students to tour its facilities and learn about its activities.

“Including all clubs, activities and sports, there were 52 in the activity fair.

Plus Robotics [Club] was in the STEM Lab, so in all, 53 of our extra-curricular activities were represented, and that’s not even all of them!” Recruitment Director Mrs. Molly Woodman ’97 said.

Students toured from 54 different schools. Though most students visited from the Omaha-metro area, a select few had to cross the Missouri River. A sophomore from Logan Magnolia High School in Iowa joined the ranks of middle schoolers at Open House.

“She is seriously considering transferring to Marian next year,” Woodman said.

While the Logan sophomore was one of the oldest girls in attendance, one of the youngest girls was a fourth grader.

“I gave a tour to a fourth grader, and she asked questions as if she was coming to Marian next year,” senior Clare Crockett said. Clare and her twin sister Morgan have been leading tours since 2012.

tour guides about four years ago. We had “I love connecting with the students a few parents comment that they wished that want to come to Marian and seeing they had an older girl give them a tour at what they are interested in. I love seeing Open House, and that’s where the change what schools they are thinking about. came from,” Woodman said.

Tour guides can really make or break The Crocketts agreed that giving tours someone’s decision,” Morgan said. Woodman has a similar outlook on giving tours. as freshmen in 2012 was difficult, especially when “As far as I can asked quesremember, tions about Marian Marian’s numerous exhas always tracurricular had stuactivities. dent-led The twins tours. I laughed was a tour about their guide all Open House four years experience [of high as grade school]. schoolers.

I loved Tennis Table Pride Tennis Coach Beth Dye and team member Claire Crockett smile with excitement as they welcome potential “I it! It students. Many clubs and teams had tables set up in the West Gym was my remember to give a brief overview of their activity. photo by anniesoener favorite Miss Mo thing,” Woodman said. Now, however, scared me. I had ‘Mo-Phobia,’ but I have freshmen do not have the opportunity to overcome my fear,” Clare said. give tours at Marian.

Fresh faces were not the only new sight “It was suggested to me that we only at Marian on Nov. 22; the BLUEtique revealed its renovated headquarters. use sophomores, juniors and seniors as

“Sales were about the same [as last year], but the response was great. People loved the new store!” BLUEtique manager Mrs. Toni Compton ’86 said. The store was hopping, especially after tours.

Marian sweatshirts were a hot item for the middle schoolers.

Teachers were equally important to the success of the 2015 Open House. They spent their day off at Marian, informing families about its academic programs.

Social studies teacher Mrs. Susan Juza gave an engaging presentation about her department. This was her first year giving it without fellow social studies teacher Mr. Tom Baker.

“I enjoyed meeting all the people and bragging about our school. I loved showing parents this year’s Merit Scholars and saying that our curriculum can create students like this,” Juza said.

Juza explained how the well traveled faculty brings another dimension to the classroom. Overall, families were impressed with her enthusiasm.

“A lot of parents asked me, ‘You enjoy teaching here, don’t you?’” Juza smiled.

“Absolutely, the girls are wonderful,” she said.

(_____CLUB_BRIEFS______) T

he Junior Classical League (JCL) does more than just

cheerlead in togas!

On Nov. 10 at 5:45 p.m., the group gathered in moderator Mr. Mark Koesters’s room for Latin Movie Night. They held a potluck dinner while watching Alfred Hitchcock’s “Rear Window.”

Movie Night is an annual event and the senior club officers chose this movie out of nostalgia, because it’s the one they watched their freshman year.

“Latin club is a great way to interact with other Latin students and engage in a variety of fun activities including movie nights and toga walks,” senior Lauren Beduhn said.

Other events the club participates in are “Donut Feel Good to be in Latin” (a donut breakfast), lunch at Sons of Italy, and going Latin Christmas caroling around the school.

annporter

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he Spanish Club is open to any girl, enrolled in a Spanish class or not, who wants to learn more about the culture of Español.

On Nov. 21, Spanish Club members and their club moderator, Sra. Beth Shanahan, gathered for a 7 p.m. Mass at Guadalupe Church in South Omaha. The group loved being surrounded by the culture and the spiritual environment.

This club also participates in salsa making, sugar skull decoration, salsa dancing, and going to the Cinco de Mayo parade.

“You get to do a lot of things that relate to Spanish but are still fun; like making quesadillas, tissue-paper flowers, and sugar skulls,” freshman member Kate Brashear said.

“People should join because it is fun and you get to see different foods and different aspects of the Spanish culture,” another freshman member Jenna Cusick said.

Fandom

French

racheljohnson

tessamclaughlin

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andom Club has grown considerably this school year and continues to welcome new members.

Mrs. Molly Raabe moderates the club, which meets every other Friday at 7:20 a.m. Members discuss their favorite TV shows, books, movies and more.

Students are brought together over shared interests in a variety of topics and are introduced to new ones.

Each meeting incorporates a different theme. Previous themes include “Gravity Falls,” “Doctor Who,” and works by author J.J.R. Tolkien. “Fandom Club is really relaxed and is a great place to make friends,” senior club president Amanda Skalka said.

If being a part of Fandom Club sounds interesting, keep an eye out for informational posters around the school!

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he French Club hosts many vibrant and delicious events every year. The club has enjoyed donuts on registration day, Sept. 2, and a lunch and movie on Oct. 15. This year’s movie was “Prête-Moi ta Main,” and French Club ate sandwiches and cream puffs.

“The movie was very funny and amusing. I ate a lot of cream puffs, so that’s always good!” senior Kathryn Fuxa said.

Every year, the girls look forward to cookie decorating at the Christmas party, a cheese and chocolate tasting event, and a yearly dinner at Dario’s Brasserie in Dundee, all made possible through club moderator Mme Janet Tuttle. Bon Appetit!

French Club Support French students Rayna Bartling ’18 and Emmanuela Ahianti ’18 show off their work of art in Mme Tuttle’s room. The sophomores had drawn their symbol of support after the Paris attacks.

The Blue Brew Menu Coffee - $1.50 Coffee with Creamer - $2.00 Hot Chocolate - $1.50 Donuts - $1.25 $0.25 off if you bring your own cup/mug Hours: 7:50-8:25 a.m. on Wednesday mornings at the Quad concession stand area

All coffee is bought from the Arbor Day Foundation, and all proceeds go towards FBLA.

graphic by allykmiecik

anyalindholm

Spanish

photo by clarawertzberger

Latin

Dec. 2015 • The Network

News • 3

Revisiting educational travel opportunities marykiscoan

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he next cultural immersion trip occurs in the summer of 2016 when a group of Marian students and faculty will travel to Cambodia and Thailand. Thereafter, due to shifting liability and safety concerns, cultural immersion trips will be planned every other year.

“I feel like a lot of thought and research went into this, and I’m really excited for these trips,” Principal Susie Sullivan said.

Marian is not in a position to take on additional risks related to students’ well-being during travel. Additionally, the cost of insurance to cover Marian for these risks is increasing. Global safety concerns are on the rise as demonstrated by recent attacks in Paris and Mali. In a worst-case scenario, Marian students and their families could get locked into paying for a trip that gets cancelled due to world conflicts outside of anyone’s control.

Marian girls can get excited about the next educational travel opportunity. In the summer of 2018, Marian girls will be offered a chance to travel to Austria and Germany.

Service trips will also be affected by the new considerations. The week-long Winnebago Indian Reservation service trip will still be offered each summer.

“I think that this service trip is special because it's so close to home and it really opened our eyes to the poverty and suffering

that exists only a few hours away,” senior Mairin Rochford, a 2015 trip alum, said.

Although the Dominican Republic service trips sponsored by the Institute of Latin American Concern at Creighton University will continue, they will occur every other summer starting in 2016. This development caused some concern among students who have taken the trip.

The next International Servite School Network (ISSN) trip will be offered to students during the summers when there will be no Dominican Republic trip. The next ISSN trip is in the planning stage now, and may result in a week of service in England, Australia, or France.

Sullivan has encouraged the faculty to look into other travel opportunities and educational experiences offered within the United States.

“I have encouraged faculty to look into Harvard Model Congress in Boston and Model United Nations, which is held in New York,” Sullivan said.

Many Marian teachers have arranged for such trips in prior years, and with Sulllivan’s encouragement, similar educational travel opportunities may expand.

The revamped Marian travel opportunities are here to stay and will continue to educate girls on life skills that cannot be learned in classrooms.

Here comes treble Ellie Messerschmidt ’18, Grace Mortenson ’17, Megan Doehner ’18, Maria Determan ’18, Miss Lauren Morrissey ’09, Katie Williams ’17, and Ione Enderez ’17 pose for a picture before their final performance at All-State Music. photo courtesy of megandoehner

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“If I could go anywhere, I would go to a Spanish-speaking country. It’s exciting because I would be with my friends and see new cultures.”

–Paige Patton ’19

“I would go anywhere, but I’d love to go to England.”

–Kayla Coughlin ’18

“I heard about the Thailand and Cambodia trip. It would be cool to see a new place and learn new things.” –Abby Mahoney ‘19 graphic by tessamclaughlin

Freshmen DISCOVER dreams at retreat Hold Us Together Laura Schmidt ’19, Nya Biel ’19, Audrey Mumby ’19, Olivia Glock ’19, Emma Paule ’19, Emma Mandolfo ’19, Grace Morey ’19, Ashley Stanek ’19, Lily Gonzalez ’19, Maeve Kelly ’19, and Peggy McGowan ’19 embrace during a surprise dance party. During Freshman Retreat, multiple surprises awaited the girls as they bonded with their classmates.

Musicians find forte, friendships at All-State Music Competition noellepick ix musicians from Marian joined top high school musicians from across Nebraska for All-State Music on Nov. 19-21.

Musicians auditioned for a limited number of spots within the chorus, band, and orchestra ensembles. Once participants were selected, they traveled to Lincoln to attend three days of rehearsals, followed by a large group performance where they showcased their talents.

“It’s a competition up until you get to the actual event. Then, you’re all trying to work together to make the music sound as good as possible,” tuba player junior Katie Williams said.

Williams and junior Grace Mortenson joined 150 other musicians in the AllState band.

All-State Music provides high school musicians the opportunity to experience and perform in an environment that is not available anywhere else. “It was really nice playing with a big band. It’s a completely different sound. Marian only has 10 people in our band, so having 150 people is really amazing to play with,” Williams said.

“I want to go on the trip to Germany and Austria. I’ve always been interested in World War II stuff, and I want to visit the museums and stuff. I think that would be interesting.” –Anna Nulty ’17

Junior Ione Enderez, sophomore Maria Determan, and sophomore Megan Doehner lent their voices to the All-State chorus. “The concert was my favorite part. There’s a big difference between singing with 40 people and singing with 440 people,” Doehner said. “The music was so emotional, so when you sang, it felt like your voice meant something.”

All-State Music also allowed musicians to meet people from all over Nebraska. “Meeting all the interesting people from places I’ve never heard of before and seeing all different talents was so cool,” violinist sophomore Ellie Messerschmidt said.

“The girl next to me was interesting.

Normally, you play violin with your left hand, but she played with her opposite hand because she was missing three fingers on her left. I thought it was neat that she made it into All-State even with that disability.”

Through teamwork and collaboration, these musicians shared their passion with others from all over the state.

“When you get 440 people together that love music, you can make beautiful things,” Doehner said.

Service and Sisterhood Lexi Moline ’19 and Emily Wajda ’19 enjoy their time at the Open Door Mission.

Freshmen spent a portion of their retreat at various service sites around Omaha.

Surrounded by Love The Class of 2019 gathers around Mrs. Karen Brown, former attendance secretary at Marian. Brown was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2014 and spoke to the freshman class about the support and love she experienced from the Marian community. photos by anyalindholm

4 • Opinion

The Network • Dec. 2015

Sweating, swearing through hot yoga didn’t help me achieve zen A

mong my favorite things in life are Just Pop’d popcorn, Disney World, and Bikram yoga. Let me quickly set the record straight: I am not an experienced yogi. However, I know enough to understand that Bikram yoga is a breed of its own. I like to think of it as the Hindu version of a sweat lodge. Bikram yoga takes place in a 104-degree sauna that smells like feet. The 90-minute long class is composed of 26 postures that make your body say things like “Ouchie,” “Stop it,” and “I’m gonna pass out.”

By the time class is over, you are a human humidifier or, if you are like me, a freshly-steamed lobster. If you were to look up Bikram yoga, you would see cult-like pictures of practicing students and its founder, Bikram Choudhury, in a tiny Speedo. I have now officially warned you; enter at your own risk.

I remember my first class in Feb. of 2014 fondly, or, rather, it is permanently seared into my brain. Before class, the agile teacher had me fill out several waivers to prevent me from suing in the case of death. After signing my life away and earnestly regretting paying $12 to sweat for an hour and a half, I stepped inside.

I stopped myself from saying throw up, pass out, or die, you must something explicit, but I did chastise stay inside the room,” she said. I had myself, “Way to go, Collette.” The reached the point of no return. Class intense yogis in the room were high started with standing-deep-breathing, on their zen. That, or just high off the which sounds like a train engine rescent of moist toe jam. I awkwardly leasing steam. It felt like a strange yogi tried to find a spot in the room, but it contest to see who could breathe the was packed. loudest. Because I have the maturity I took level of a 7-year-old my place boy, I had to hold column by collettegillaspie in the very back my laughter. back and Later in class, I had lay down, to stifle my laughter facing the again when a woman back wall. flatulated in my face.

Three In the hot room, seconds the smell seemed later, I reto cloud around my alized that body. I was a sweaty I Coll-Ette As I See It someone’s Pig Pen surrounded feet were by a sulfuric haze. stroking One of the weirdmy hair. As a rookie yogi, I was too est poses in Bikram is the half-moonnervous to move my mat. During with-hands-to-feet. My teacher told periods of savasana, which literally me to be a Japanese ham sandwich. means “corpse pose,” I worried that While bent over like a stapler, I my last dying breath would be of the wondered what the heck that was hippie man’s grody feet, wafting atop supposed to mean. I pondered how a my head. Needless to say, I failed to Japanese ham sandwich is different achieve zen. from an American ham sandwich. I Eventually, the teacher walked in. became really hungry.

“Welcome to the torture chamber. You Throughout class, I neglected to must stay inside the room. Even if you contemplate my “third eye.” Instead,

Cyber MOnday Means Cozy Deals

Opposing Viewpoints

tessamclaughlin

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ave you ever watched that scene from “Confessions of a Shopaholic” when Rebecca Bloomwood is physically fighting over a discounted pair of Gucci boots with a stranger? Don’t let yourself become Rebecca Bloomwood on Black Friday. Your fiery passion for pretty things can be put to better use on Cyber Monday.

Cyber Monday is basically Black Friday’s young, hip cousin who drinks green smoothies and works at Anthropologie: so carefree and easy.

Snagging deals online is so much easier than driving from store to store to find nothing but a huge crowd and one decent sweater. Forget that! I would much rather shop in the comfort of my bed, Starbucks in hand.

Shopping on Black Friday is downright scary these days. There is a definite possibility of being found on the floor at the hands of a Walmart stampede. Your biggest fear during Cyber Monday shopping is the WiFi crashing (so you should probably avoid Marian).

Black Friday more than day for shopping

andreahuber

The best Cyber Monday discount is 90 percent less stress! As I said, shopping in bed with Starbucks in hand is almost therapeutic. Maybe a certain online store won’t have your exact size, but at least you won’t have to worry about shoppers who will stop at nothing to snag a few deals.

During Cyber Monday, you have everything you could possibly want at the click of your mouse. Your search engine is now your best friend.

Want an Apple Watch? Fine! Need a fun holiday outfit? Go for it! A new puppy? The world is your oyster, my friend. Try not to go mad with power.

Maybe you found yourself outside of Best Buy at 4 a.m. during Black Friday this year. Hopefully, you were sound asleep in bed after a mildly awkward evening with your relatives, dreaming of the deals you surely scored on Cyber Monday. If you did wait outside of Best Buy at 4 a.m. during Black Friday this year, though, I really hope you beat the other shoppers to the big TVs.

S

ome people get runner’s high.

Others find that public speaking really gets their adrenaline going.

For me, a great sale produces a sense of excitement only found in times of frenzy–and Black Friday is the perfect time for this mass hysteria.

Black Friday is notoriously full of swarms of people fighting over discounted items. Stories of trampled and injured shoppers spot news stations across the nation. Narratives of intense fighting over televisions and furniture are brought up in casual conversations over coffee.

To someone who has never experienced Black Friday, this may sound like the last thing you would want to do. Despite this, I encourage each and every one of you to go at least once in your life. You will not regret it.

Even if you’re not one for sales or shopping, the experience of a chaotic store can be intriguing. It’s a superb opportunity for people-watching, one of the main reasons I join the crowds of shoppers every year.

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 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 by typed, signed, and sent to this address: The Network, Marian High School 7400 Military Ave. Omaha, NE 68134 Or emailed to us here: netpaper@omahamarian.org Or call us at 402-571-2618 x 1134 An electronic version of this paper and exclusive content can be found here: mariandigitalnetwork.wordpress.com Follow us on Twitter @MHSbeat

I people-watched. I glanced around the class and wondered if those people ever ate. I also tried and failed to compete with the all-star yogi next to me.

I promptly lost my balance and fell. I played it off with an “I-meant-to-dothat” look. I fell again.

At the 45-minute mark, the instructor attempted to motivate us. “Alright, that was a good first half,” she said. I had naively assumed class was over.

The good thing about sweating is no one can tell if you cry. I used that fact to the best of my advantage.

Because I was new to the practice, the teacher felt the need to “anonymously” point out all of my mistakes to the class. On several occasions, she stopped class to fix a pitiful attempt at a posture on my part. After some time, though, I think she gave up trying to help the redneck yogi in the back.

Finally, class was over. We ended with another breathing exercise, similar to that of a woman giving birth. The teacher bid us “Namaste,” and the class responded. I responded extra loudly, because “Namaste” was the one yoga word I knew. Everyone slowly turned toward me, but I could not have cared less. I was on my back again for the final savasana, thanking God for an end to my suffering.

Managing Editors: tessamclaughlin & clarawertzberger Copy Editor: kathrynbaginski Photo Editor: elsiestormberg Graphics Editor: makenziefuss Online Editor: noellepick Sport Media Director: lindsaymuse Front Page Editor: marykiscoan News Editors: allykmiecik & anniesoener Opinion Editor: racheljohnson Feature Editors: kellyndaly, makenziefuss, anyalindholm & annporter Indepth Editor: collettegillaspie Sports Editors: devongottsch & lindsaymuse Entertainment Editors: andreahuber & mollymiller Photo Essay Editor: megankeyser Adviser: marshakalkowski

The nicest people turn vicious at the sight of a 60-percent-off price tag on a flat screen TV. Moms hurriedly push shopping carts filled with Barbies and Legos in the aisles of Target. The whole scene is hilarious and ridiculous at the same time. Of course, the sales are great, too.

One of the main reasons that I love Black Friday is because it marks the start of the holiday season. Feelings of nostalgia and holiday spirit follow.

It’s a tradition to come home after a long morning of shopping and turn up holiday jams, heat up cocoa, and decorate the house with tinsel and lights.

Black Friday is about the experience and traditions, not just the sales.

Black Friday is an American tradition that’s not going away anytime soon. Whether you like it or not, there will always be huge sales on Thanksgiving night and early into the morning. Why not join in the frenzy of crazy shoppers and find your family’s Christmas gifts for half price while you’re at it?

Letter to the Editor

I

really enjoyed reading last month’s Network.

However, as a softball player, I was very disappointed with the 13-line story on our championship. Listening to a lot of my friends, they expected it to be the front-page story or, at the very least, given its own feature and not shared space with golf and cross country. This was the first state softball championship in school history. Our banner was one of two in the gym that did not have a number underneath the state champion column. There are many things that got more coverage than softball. One of the things we always talk about as a team is getting more recognition from the student body since softball hasn’t been a very featured sport in the past years; it typically comes behind volleyball and soccer. It feels like this is still the case. It feels like our accomplishment has almost been downplayed. That being said, again, congrats on a great issue!

Morgan Hobbs ‘17

Dec. 2015 • The Network

Opinion • 5

Uniform dependency only slightly concerning racheljohnson

D

aylight savings rolls around, and suddenly everyone is a morning person just because they got an extra hour of sleep. I get the luxury of feeling that way every morning. The answer is very simple: sleep in your uniform. I’m not just talking about your shirt and the shorts you wear under your skirt. I’m talking full on shirt, sweater, shorts, skirt, socks, and if you’re really looking for that extra minute of sleep; shoes.

Okay, you probably shouldn’t sleep in shoes, but no judgment. (If you try that, get back to me, and let me know how it goes.)

My genius discovery happened junior year, when I stayed up too late studying for a government test and needed those extra few minutes of sleep. I’m sure a study exists that confirms getting an extra four minutes of sleep feels about the equivalent to an entire hour, or something like that.

My uniform and I have really bonded over the past year or so. It molds perfectly to my body, and I know every rip, loose button, and bleach stain on each of my polos and skirts. I don’t know what I would do without my beloved plaid skirt and blue polo. We spend 16 hours a day together, if not more.

If that’s not a committed relationship, I’m not sure what is. It’s been right there with me through both my best and darkest times. Who needs a shoulder to cry on when you have 60 percent polyester and 40 percent

cotton there to catch every tear while watching “Grey’s Anatomy” season finales?

I’ve found myself relying on my uniform more than I should, and I am beginning to worry as college approaches that I am going to suffer from separation anxiety. After the two weeks of free dress from Walk-AThon, I have realized that my uniform exceeds sweatpants and a sweatshirt in terms of comfort level. In fact, I ended up choosing to wear my uniform over free dress the majority of those days.

Sleeping in my uniform does have its repercussions. At some point after school, my mom usually has to pry it off me so it gets washed. For the sake of myself and peers, that’s probably for the best.

Those couple hours of separation are completely worth it when I put my uniform back on, fresh out of the dryer, just in time for bed.

Call me crazy, but I would be completely lost without my uniform.

After 12 years of wearing one, I can’t imagine life without it. The only thing better than wearing a uniform to school is sleeping in it. I truly believe that sleeping in my uniform decreases my stress level to some degree.

Tonight, when you’re all tucked in, remember that math test you need to be well rested for, put on your skirt and polo, and go to bed knowing that you just saved yourself three to five minutes of beauty sleep.

Passion over paycheck: child at heart optimistic about dream job

allykmiecik admit it: I’m a materialistic person. time of their lives. Young children Pretty things make me happy. I am have immense amounts of confidence fully aware that I’m going to have to and independence. They don’t worwork hard to fulfill my dream of havry about how their hair looks or if ing a house with multiple Christmas they’re top of their class. They are only trees during the holiday season, be concerned about tying their shoes or able to shop at Whole Foods with zero reciting their phone number and adworry, and to have my children own dress. If there is one thing I could go small baby Uggs without even flinchback and tell my little 5-year-old self, ing at the price tag. it is that ignorance really is bliss.

Whenever I tell people about these Cost has never crossed my mind desires or dreams, they either ask me when thinking about being a teachif I plan on being a doctor or lawyer, er. I have never even considered a or if I’m planning on paycheck when dreaming marrying one. I receive about my future career. a series of laughs when I However, I still plan on inform them that I want having a Pottery Barn-esto major in elementary que home design and education. monogrammed pajama Color-coordinated sets for each of my chilcharts, themed snack dren. times, books full of I’m a firm believer in pictures and words that letting God guide my life. preferably rhyme, and If I feel a calling to greet Ally Kmiecik in 2004 small children with 5-year-olds at 8 a.m. and boogers and loose teeth all excite me teach them the alphabet, I shouldn’t to no end. let my paycheck be a concern. SomeI loved kindergarten; I honestly one has to do the not always glamorthink I peaked that year. I lost apous job of pulling out kids’ teeth and proximately three-fourths of my teeth, putting Band-Aids on scraped knees. was captain of the girls kickball team If I am fully willing and actually excitat recess, and got to wear pigtails ed to do so, I have zero doubt that God every single day. Talk about living the will allow me to live out my vocation.

5-year-old dream.

The lesson of the day (see, I’m getWhen I was in kindergarten and ting good at this teacher thing already) they asked me what I wanted to be is don’t let money control your occuwhen I grew up, I always said a room pation. Do what you love, and love mom. Those ladies are miracle workwhat you do, even if you don’t love ers. To be a kindergarten teacher is to your income. be a 24/7 room mom: a saint, SuperIn order to fulfill your dreams you woman, and prophet all in one. have to find a passion. Find something The thought of teaching children that fuels your happiness, and do a how caterpillars turn into butterflies whole lot of that. It’s never work when gives me so much joy. It is the best you enjoy every minute of it.

I

column by devongottsch

Elevator Ten Commandments that everyone should abide by

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ecently, 14 Marian journalism stuGottsch-ya dents competCovered ed in Orlando at the National Journalism Convention. My group and I were headed to the buses after convention activities to hit up Disney World when I realized I had left my sunglasses in the hotel room (I mean, what else do you expect from me?)

I speed-walked like a mom on Black Friday to the elevator. I pressed the button a solid six times (because that will obviously make the elevator get to me faster) and tapped my foot in anticipation. When the doors finally opened, I realized I was going to face one of the most awkward situations of my life.

There he stood, space cat shirt and all. A teenage boy with greasy hair and extra large glasses was already in the elevator staring at me with wide eyes. I quickly came to the realization that I couldn’t turn back around and run. I slid into the elevator, gave a slight smile, pressed the button of my floor, and stood in the opposite corner avoiding all eye contact. I thought I could deal with his heavy breathing and slight odor of spoiled cheese, but boy was I wrong. It was just my luck; the elevator was going to his floor first. I glanced at the elevator buttons and number 13 was lit up. “Great,” I thought, “13 floors with this kid.

Please, send help.”

Seconds felt like hours in the 6-by-6 cubicle. I was singing “Trap Queen” in my head for distraction when a

movement out of the corner of my eye broke my concentration. His head was hunched over, and he was whispering to a gecko cradled into his arm. Yes, a gecko. At this moment, I felt the corners of my mouth tug into a smile, and I had to bite my tongue in order to hold in my laughter.

As the elevator climbed, so did my anxiety. I took my phone from my pocket and made it look like I was heavily occupied even though I was just staring at my Crossy Road app.

It was dead silent for a while. What happened next was just the icing on the cake.

He asked, “So...do you like Star Wars? ‘Cause I would definitely pick Han Solo over a fight with Chewbacca.” I kid you not, those were the exact words that came from his mouth.

Totally taken off guard, I said, “You’re probably right,” and died a little on the inside.

Okay, let’s just recap this situation, shall we? This kid with a gecko just asked me a Star Wars question. That was probably one of the most eventful days I have had in awhile.

As the elevator door finally opened, he gave a slight bow and said, “Salutations,” and I replied with and awkward, “Alrighty... you too man.” I watched as he and his gecko walked down the hallway. When the elevator’s doors closed again, I’m pretty sure the whole hotel heard me laughing.

From this experience, I have compiled a list entitled “Elevator Ten Commandments” that would make that dreaded experience a little easier for everyone.

ELEVATOR TEN COMMANDMENTS I. Thou shalt avoid eye contact with thy fellow riders. Thou shalt look at the floor indicator, at the door, or at thy feet, but never at the other people in the elevator.

II. Thou shalt expect the elevator to stop at every floor if thou art in a hurry.

III. Thou shalt not kill the person who getteth on with screaming toddler who didn’t receiveth a toy at Disney World.

IV. Remember to letteth the elevator door close and to not holdeth the elevator door open to visit with thy neighbors.

V. Thou shalt always face forward instead of towards the back, unless thou is haveth an important and relevant conversation.

VI. Thou shalt not make jokes about elevators getting stuck, thou shall be punched.

VII. Thou shalt never press a button for a floor other than thy own. Elevators do not haveth an “undo” button.

VIII. Thou shalt not make any references to the movie “Devil” where everyone dies in an elevator.

IX. Thou shalt not talk loudly on cell phone about designer handbags and why thy child’s coach should have put them in the game.

X. Thou shalt not press every button on the elevator; thou art not Buddy the Elf.

The Network • Dec. 2015

6 • Feature

Middle name’s more than meets the eye

Students combat variety of allergies

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anniesoener

t’s that time of year again. Sniffling She suffers from asthma, as well as an students roam the hallways with allergy to warm-blooded animals.

Kleenex in hand. Cough drops are “The first thing people ask me when valued nearly as much as gum, and in I tell them about my allergy is, ‘So that a strange turn of events, students are a means you’re allergic to humans too, bit more stingy about sharing food. It’s right?’ At first I think it’s funny, but the famous season of, “Am I sick, or do after a while it gets old,” Winkelbauer I have allergies?” said.

Sophomore Cassie Palmer is not Winkelbauer’s allergy is caused by only lactose sensitive, her asthma, and her scarbut she is also iest allergic reaction allergic to cats, took place when penicillin, ragshe was in weed, and fourth or fifth all sorts of grade sleeptrees and ing over at 9.87% of students have plants. At a friend’s a tree/grass allergy a friend’s house.

8.52% of students have an animal house, Winkelallergy Palmer bauer had discovassumed 3.59% of students have a ered that that her fruit allergy 3.14% of students have her allergy inhaler a nut allergy list was wouldn’t more extenbe necessary, *Based on a Nov. 17 Google ra sive than she because she was ph Network survey of 251 students. ic thought. “I woke with a friend. That n by m ak nso same night, Winkelup in the middle of enziefuss & racheljoh the night, and I couldn’t bauer discovered her allergy breathe,” Palmer said. It turns out the to warm-blooded animals when she perpetrators were a friend’s grandbegan to show allergic reaction sympma’s cats. When allergies hit, Palmer’s toms around her friend’s dogs. Winchest tightens and breathing becomes kelbauer’s friend’s brother, who also difficult due to her asthma. suffers from asthma, had an inhaler “I went to a swim meet the next on the spot. Winkelbauer feels lucky to day, and I couldn’t see. I tried to put have gotten out of the situation. my goggles on, but my eyes were “I want people to know that, if you too swollen,” Palmer said. She now have friends with allergies or know receives a weekly allergy injection. anyone with allergies, to take it seriPalmer’s allergy onset didn’t hit until ously and not make jokes about it,” she was 8. Palmer’s worsening allerWinkelbauer said. gies were an adjustment at first, but Whoever said lessons have to be now her weekly check-ups and conlearned the hard way wasn’t joking stant caution to avoid allergic reacaround. Allergies are certainly sometions are simply a normal part of life. thing to take seriously, and these girls Freshman Abigail Winkelbauer behave demonstrated this through their lieves allergies are no laughing matter. experiences.

Common A lle rg

s en

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andreahuber he question of “What’s in a name?” her mom’s and dad’s middle names. has been around since the Shake“My mom’s middle name is Marie, spearean days. Names, and more speand my dad’s is Ray, so they combined cifically middle names, can have more them to make Marae. I love the fact meaning than expected. According to that I have a middle name that is very ancestry.com, 55 percent of Amerioriginal,” Moes said. cans’ middle names are commemoraMiddle names can carry much tive of a loved one, while 15 percent more significance, however. For junior have run in the famiMaria Gerilyn Gallegos ly for generations. and freshman Macy Elizabeth, Marie, Gerilyn Salerno, their “...I love the fact that Ann, Rose, Cathermiddle names comI have a middle name ine, and Grace top memorate someone that is very original.” the charts for female dear to their hearts. middle names, but They were named after Sophia Marae Moes '19 what about those the same person, Gernot-so-common ilyn Salerno ’81, who middle names? Significant meanings, died of breast cancer before the girls unique symbolism, and even famous were born. Gerilyn was Macy Salerno’s people have influenced the middle aunt and Gallegos’s mother’s friend names of Marian girls. when they attended Marian together.

While many are named after a Salerno really appreciates the fact grandmother or aunt, freshman that she was named in honor of her Nisrine Balash Bango has a more late aunt. “When I was younger, a lot unique name–she is named after her of people thought [my middle name] dad. “[My parents] told me my middle was really weird, and so did I, but now name was my dad’s, but that’s all I I’m so happy that I have a name that know about it. I don’t really think means something to me, and I love it,” anything of it besides the fact that it is Salerno said. unique,” Bango said.

Gallegos, too, feels very fortunate Senior Kierstyn Marley Davies to be named after a significant person sports a middle name with a little in her mother’s life. “I think it is a more fame. Bob Marley was a favorite really nice way for my mom to rememmusician of her parents, and this was ber her friend, and I feel lucky that their inspiration when naming their my mom decided to use this name,” daughter. “My dad in high school real- Gallegos said. “My mom would tell me ly liked Bob Marley and really wanted fun things she and Gerilyn liked to do my first name to be Marley but settled in high school, and it is really cool to for my middle name,” Davies said. hear about the person I was named However, she has a different opinion after.” on the singer than her parents. “I have Middle names can be fun, symbolic, never listened to Bob Marley, nor do I and commemorative. Even the simknow much about him … I didn’t like plest of names can have significance. [my middle name] at first, but now I Whether it’s a queen’s, a reggae singlike it,” Davies said. er’s, or a great grandmother’s name, Freshman Sophia Marae Moes’s all middle names prove meaningful in middle name is a combination of both some way or another.

OUTSTANDING

JUNIORS

Junior shares time, passion with autistic children Junior brings hope for the holidays makenziefuss

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unior Gigi Hausman turns her musical theatre it’s definitely worth passion of theater into it!” Hausman said. a way to help the comThe volunteer group munity. Hausman, along strives to teach children with several other local with autism about theater students, teach dance and creative movement. to autistic children at Though it is beneficial to Broadway at the Rose, the children, it’s equally Downtown. Hausman rewarding for Hausman. also is involved in Rose “I know how much I love Brigade, which is located musical theater, and it was in the Rose Theater. good to see how much othHausman’s dance ers appreciate it,” Hausteacher has a son with man said. autism, and because of The autism class is this, she started offering taught all year, and the classes specifically for Rose Brigade service projchildren with special ect is once a year. There needs. are about 10 kids in each Friends in Hausman’s class at both Rose Brigade dance classes at Broadand the autism classes. way at the Rose informed The kids in the auher of this opportunity. tism class perform in the Stretch and serve Gigi Hausman poses for a For those who have not dance recital at the end of been a part of the Rose, it picture during a dance the year with all the other class for Broadway at the is a little more difficult to dancers. The performance is Rose. Hausman has been get involved. during a pre-show, so there teaching autism classes Most people who teach since age 10. photo aren’t as many people. The the autism class have been courtesy of gigihausman house lights are up, which taking classes at the Rose makes a more comfortable for several years. Hausman has been environment for the kids. part of the program since she was 10.

Hausman and the Rose Brigade volTo be a part of the Rose Brigade unteers make a difference by instilling Program, you even have to audition. hope and love for theater into the “It is difficult to be a part of Rose hearts and minds of every child they Brigade, but if you’re interested in teach.

collettegillaspie

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unior Sarah Villarreal is an all-star. to life and dance and sing. Really aweJust reading her list of extracurricsome!” Villarreal said. ulars is enough to make most people She plans to visit around Christmas exhausted. Between frequent violin time with Messerschmidt and junior rehearsals, numerous mock trial dinNatalie Sterba. Their agenda will ners, intense robotics most likely include competitions, innobaking cookies with vative SAME (Society the residents and of American Military playing Christmas Engineers) meetings, music for them. and disciplined trap Villarreal spoke shooting practices, passionately about Villarreal volunteers her volunteer work. for two to three “I know that they hours every month. [the employees at Villarreal has been the House of Hope] visiting the House of are always looking Hope for Alzheimer’s for people to come patients ever since and volunteer. The a family friend was people living there diagnosed around are sadly often Stringing generations together Sarah two years ago. forgotten by their Villarreal ’17 practices Christmas songs “I figured if I was family and really on the violin during after school band going to volunteer enjoy any kind of practice. Villarreal and her bandmates will be performing Christmas music for somewhere, it would company,” Villarrethe residents of House of Hope. photo be some place that al said. by collettegillaspie meant something Contact Sarah to me,” Villarreal Villarreal in Homesaid. Typically, she visits with sophroom 320 for more information about omore Ellie Messerschmidt, a fellow volunteering at the House of Hope strings classmate. The pair regularly (4801 North 52nd Street), or visit the performs music ensembles for the res- House of Hope website at http://alzidents and plays games with them. heimers.omahaseniorcare.org.

“It was really life-changing to see a room full of women and men, who **Don’t forget to watch for next issue’s outsadly remember nearly nothing, come standing juniors: Lily Foley and Emma Eaton!

Dec. 2015 • The Network

Feature • 7

Marian’s competitive nature strong, no matter the rival O noellepick ne of the many things that makes Marian great is the student body’s motivation to succeed. This competitive spirit intensifies when competing against rival schools.

However, many students and staff believe Marian has no single, consistent rivalry with any specific high school in the Omaha area.

“These [rivalries] can happen with virtually any school,” junior Rachel Walet said. “We’re different. We’re the only Class A all-girls school, so everyone makes that distinction. A whole school has a common attitude that they need to beat us because of it,” Walet said.

As a member of the softball team, Walet experienced rivalries up close and personal during the 2015 season.

“This year, our rival was [Papillion-La Vista], but last year our huge rival was Millard West. I think it depends on the sport and the season,” Walet said.

A rivalry between the Crusaders and the Papillion-La Vista Monarchs also arose during this year’s volleyball season. “I always had that feeling that we had to beat Papillion-La Vista,” sophomore and middle blocker Sarah Wing said. “Everyone, including fans, gets excited for games against them.

The games are always higher level and more fun.”

Lincoln Southwest comes to the minds of many swimmers and divers regarding rivalries. “At State last year, we beat Lincoln Southwest by half a point,” junior swimmer Jenna Popp said. “Because of the depth on our team, other schools see us as a rival.

They are expecting us to win every meet, every invitational, Metros, and State.”

Rivalries also exist in Marian’s other competitive activities such as

Speech. “Our biggest rival going into Districts and State would be Skutt,” senior Speech Team member Sofia Hingorani said.

“In the past, things have been backand-forth between us. We’re on the same playing field when it comes to skill level,” Hingorani said.

Rivalries can be healthy motivation to succeed. “When we practice, we think ‘Okay, we want to beat Skutt,’ and this fuels us and makes us work harder,” Hingorani said.

Although Marian does not compete against Duchesne Academy in a sport, Network survey results showed that many students considered the school to be a rival of Marian.

As Marian’s Recruitment Director, Mrs. Molly Woodman ’97 experiences this rivalry first-hand during the recruitment process for incoming freshmen.

“The thing that’s so funny to me is that the graphic by kellyndaly eighth grade girls get almost mean to each other when they find out where their friends are going,” Woodman said.

Stereotypes between the two schools also fuel the competition between them. “You always hear, ‘Duchesne’s more academic’ and ‘Marian is more focused on sports,’ which is not true. Yeah, we are really good at sports, but our academics are really strong, too!” Woodman said.

Marian’s competitive nature leads to the development of rivalries with many other schools. Often, these rivalries vary from activity to activity and season to season. They make competition more fun and intense for both competitors and fans. “You should go into every game wanting to win, but when you go against rivals, it’s that much more of a push to beat them,” Wing said.

School commute time well spent Commute Time: 35 minutes

Maggie Prosser ’18 Driving Music: One Direction

Kira Bravo ’19 “[My favorite part] is getting to sleep on the way [to school].”

Commute Time: 20 minutes

Kennedy Gochenour Commute ’18 Time: 1 hour

Carmen Mil er ’17

Driving Music: Bruno Mars and Shawn Mendes

“Talking to my sister on the way to school and from school is fun. And singing.”

Commute Time: 30 minutes

graphics by kellyndaly

Marian girls celebrate Christmas with unique traditions megankeyser

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s the holiday season begins, Marian girls unfold their ugly Christmas sweaters and dust off their holiday traditions. From family contests for the Christmas pickle to trips to Las Vegas, students join in a wide variety of activities during the festive season.

Every year, sophomore Anna Swoboda’s family celebrates Christmas Eve Eve. The tradition began in 1990 when Swoboda’s parents got married.

In South Omaha, it was a tradition to host a party on Christmas Eve Eve in memory of the burning of the Sokol Center. Today, family and friends feast, play party games, and exchange gifts two nights before Christmas.

They bake sugar cookies and bonbons and give gifts to the younger party guests. “It’s my favorite time of the year, better than Christmas,” Swoboda said.

While most families decorate their trees with twinkling lights and glass ornaments, junior Emily Evans’ family hides a dill-ightful surprise between the pine branches. Adult family members hide a pickle-shaped ornament on the Christmas tree, and all the kids race to find it.

The first one to find it gets a little gift. This German tradition is What happens in Vegas...The Tang family poses in front of the known as the “Christstrip. Visiting Mr. Tang in Vegas is a continued tradition for the mas pickle.”

Tangs. photo courtesy of viennatang “It’s one of the

things that make you laugh, a little part of Christmas that contributes to the entirety of the holiday,” Evans said.

Junior Brigid Elbert’s family names their Christmas tree.

When Elbert was 12, she shared the idea with her brother and the tradition began. The family provides their trees with German names like “Gretyl” and “Gunter” because of their German roots.

“Most people are amused to hear that we give names to trees,” Elbert said. “I’ve never heard of it before.”

Some girls stay in Omaha for the holidays, but junior Vienna Tang travels southwest to Las In a pickle A pickle ornament hangs in a Christmas Vegas. Three years ago, Tang tree. Many families partake in the tradition of the started visiting her father who lives hanging of the pickle ornament. photo by kellyndaly in the city.

“It’s a nice family get together, because we never do due to school plus a vacation,” Tang said. She stays and work,” Tang said. for two weeks with her mom and These unique family traditions will siblings in a hotel. Her family goes continue throughout the years in the sightseeing and walks the strip, Tang’s Swoboda, Evans, and Tang housefavorite tourist destination, to visit a holds. “If these memories were to variety of stores and mini-cities. “The stop, it wouldn’t feel like Christmas. I best part is spending time together, would be devastated,” Swoboda said.

8 • Indepth

The Network

Jimenez Shoots for the Stars

Freshman Brittany Jimenez is not just going to dream about her future; she is going to “planet.” Astronomy has fascinated Jimenez since she was 8 years old. She credits her passion to her family. Instead of playing board games, the Jimenez family stargazed. Armed with her telescope, Jimenez would often ponder the vastness of the universe. She is also an avid fan of “Discovery Channel.” “On ‘Discovery Channel,’ there would be documentaries about space and how there are other galaxies out there in the universe,” Jimenez said. She plans to study astrophysics and hopefully to work for NASA one day.

Jorgensen Jives

At 2 and a half years old house to her parents’ old at Nebraska Dance seve feel like when I feel this I should continue it,” sh Angeles or New York. Sh young, and then my dre said. Jorgensen hopes to traveling to conventions choreographing dances.

Dream Jobs

s

Streeter Makes Mummy Proud

Freshman Avery Streeter hopes for a career in ruins, literally.

Archaeology has intrigued Streeter for the past three years. A sixthgrade project on Egyptian gods and goddesses first stirred her interest.

“The Mummy” series, Agatha Christie’s “Death on the Nile,” and Ancient Egyptian and Greek history are all sources of inspiration for her. Streeter even speaks with a sense of wanderlust when she talks about archaeology. “I can definitely see myself at an excavation site on an ancient tomb from the Old Kingdom of the Pharaohs [in Egypt]. I have always wanted to do that,” Streeter said.

Isenberg ‘Shore’ to be Marine Biologist Someday

Sophomore Lauren Isenberg knew she had a liking for biology after taking this course last year. This year, she decided to focus on marine biology. “I really liked the idea of learning about sea animals,” Isenberg said. She has made plans to study marine biology in the future, and her hope is to take AP Biology as a senior. Though everything from whales down to microscopic organisms captivate Isenberg, endangered species have a special place in her heart. “I knew if I could study them [sea creatures], I could find out ways to help endangered species,” Isenberg said.

Nelson ‘Seas’ V

graphics, photos & profiles by collettegillaspie, elsiestormberg & clarawertzberger

Sophomore Lily Nelson is jobs. They are either the people found many influences that hav Corwin, both animal conservat

• Dec. 2015

Indepth • 9

Kampe: Interior Designer by Day, Ghostbuster by Night

When she gets older, sophomore Haley Kampe sees herself designing furniture and rooms. She also dreams of hunting ghosts. Kampe hopes to take some free paranormal investigator classes at the Durham Museum, but interior design will be her main pursuit. Kampe was inspired to go into interior design after attending a career fair earlier this year. She realized that it had been a passion of hers for years. “I’d be able to design things just for other people. I remember loving to watch ‘Extreme Home Makeover’ when I was younger, and I just enjoyed it so much,” she said. Kampe hopes to one day run her own business. In that business, she wants to design furniture and entire rooms for people based on their specific interests.

s into her Future

d, sophomore Cassidy Jorgensen danced around the d George Strait country music. Jorgensen now dances eral nights a week. She never tires of it, though. “I just way about something… that it means something. That he said. Jorgensen sees herself performing in either Los he aspires “to be a professional dancer as long as I’m eam is to be a teacher and maybe opening a studio,” she o spend her weekends s and .

We have all fantasized about our futures, but it can be daunting to actually plan them. These eight students have begun the journey to the unique careers of their dreams.

Value of Shark Tagging

Blanchard F‘law’less in Courtroom

Expensive suits, large courtrooms, and briefcases brimming with paperwork are all items people like freshman Samantha Blanchard associate with lawyers. Blanchard has a passion for law and wants to become a child advocate lawyer. “A child advocate lawyer is a person that will go to court for children who need to be adopted or need to be taken out of their homes to be put somewhere safe,” Blanchard said. Her eagerness is hereditary. “My aunt and uncle are lawyers. I am always really good at stating my point, so my mom thought I should be a child advocate lawyer. The more she said it, the more I thought about it, and the more I liked the idea,” Blanchard said. Presently, Blanchard is taking Novice Competitive Speaking to prepare for her dream career. In her years at Marian, she will take electives that pertain to law.

Whited’s Anatomy

Junior Janna Whited had no idea Netflix, a popular distraction, would lead her to a future career in medicine. “I always knew I wanted to be a doctor, but I just figured I’d be an OBGYN or something,” Whited said. Whited began watching “Grey’s Anatomy” as a freshman. Among the drama and intrigue of the show, there was an air of mystery surrounding the careers of each character.

Fascinated by the profession of Addison Montgomery, a neonatal surgeon, Whited began her research. “A neonatal surgeon is someone who operates on babies less than 30 days old or still inside their mothers,” Whited said. Thanks to Netflix, Whited will work to fulfill her dream to become a neonatal surgeon.

on board when it comes to anything underwater. Ever since Nelson was 10, she has been entranced by shark tagging. “A shark tagger has many important e on the boat with the harpoon to stick the tag in, or they are scuba diving and tagging the shark from under the water,” Nelson said. Along the way, she has ve encouraged her dream. “Two words: ‘Animal Planet!’ Ever since I can remember, I watched ‘Animal Planet’ religiously. My idols were Steve Irwin and Jeff tionists devoted to exploring and protecting wildlife. I have always loved animals, and once I saw ‘Shark Week,’ I was hooked!” Nelson said.

10 • Features

The Network • Dec. 2015

Marian girls dance into Christmas season, Nutcracker roles kellyndaly

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ancing mice, courageous soldiers, and magic lands filled with cake sound like a dream come true. In the timeless Christmas story of “The Nutcracker,” Clara, a young girl with vivid dreams, fights battles with a Mouse King and visits beautiful lands of snow and sweets. Three Marian girls, seniors Natalie Ashbrook and Caitlin Ricker and sophomore Nina Oleynikov, are dancing in the yearly Christmas productions of “The Nutcracker.”

Ricker and Oleynikov are performing with the Nebraska Ballet in this year’s production of “The Nutcracker.”

Oleynikov, with the role of a French cake, is dancing in “The Nutcracker” for the second time this Christmas.

Ricker, in her 10th production of the show, has the role of a butterfly this Christmas season.

“It’s really fun being backstage … because you get really close with everyone when you spend two weeks spending the entire day with them,” Ricker said.

“My favorite part was when you’d be at the Orpheum really late at night and you had a break, and you’d go to

COFFEE

Starbucks perform in such a with your renowned show as friends and, “The Nutcracker.” like, your Oleynikov practicmakeup es every day of the is half off, week with her own and everyprivate workouts on one looks top of that. really gross, Though Ricker but it’s just has cut back over really fun,” the years, she has Oleynikov definitely put in her said. fair share of time in “It creates the practice studio. a real family “My sophomore environyear, I was at dance ment,” every single day Ashbrook except for Sunday said. Ashfor a minimum of brook will be three hours,” Ricker performing said.

It’s a piece of cake! Caitlin Ricker ’16 and Nina as a Russian Ashbrook’s Oleynikov ’18 pose inside a set piece. This decosoloist with lessons take place rative cake is a beautiful center focus for the Land Adair Dance year-round as well. of Sweets. photo courtesy of ninaoleynikov Academy for “The Nutcracker” her seventh has been a Christyear. mas tradition for decades. “It’s really However, it’s not all fun and games fun to go with your family and little for these girls. They are dedicated kids, who get really excited about it … to acquiring the skills necessary to and it’s a good way to get kids really

QUIZ

1. How many hours of sleep did you get last night?

A. 8+ hours B. 6-8 hours c. what is sleep?

2. How much do you depend on caffeine?

A. not at all B. a little c. must have it

results mostly A’s: caramel frappuccino you probably prefer taste over amount of caffeine! next time you’re craving something sweet, try a starbucks frappuccino!

mostly b’s: vanilla latte

3. how long does it take you to order your coffee?

A. a while B. not long c. a couple seconds

you may need a little bit of caffeine to get your day started. try a flavored latte at the nearest coffee shop!

4. what would you order at a breakfast restaurant?

A. pancake or waffle B. french toast c. meat and eggs

mostly c’s: dark roast coffee

5. where do you get your coffee?

A. starbucks B. whatever is close by

c. my house

invested in the arts early on,” Ashbrook said.

“The Nutcracker” truly affects young children. Oleynikov has been going to the show since she was a child. “Ever since I was a little girl, I went to [“The Nutcracker”], and then I started being in [the shows]. I think it’s just a fun show, and it’s really cool, even at this age, to see adults dancing as a profession,” Oleynikov said.

Though tickets are sold out for the Ballet Nebraska show, The Adair Dance Academy performance will be held at the Bellevue Little Theatre, and tickets cost between $12 and $22.

“It’s a really good way to support your community,” Ashbrook said.

The hours spent in the rehearsal room have truly paid off for these girls as their performances have come to pass. Ricker and Oleynikov took the stage Nov. 22, Dec. 5, and Dec. 6, while Ashbrook danced on Dec. 4-6 and has additional performances tonight, Saturday, and Sunday.

After weeks of dedication, the shows have finally come together for a night of Christmas magic.

you probably like your coffee without the extra sugar, but you definitely need caffeine. try a simple dark roast coffee at any coffee shop or brewed at home!

Story behind #MarianInspires Originated by the Marian FEST Chairs, Marian Inspires is a project involving Marian’s social media team and student ambassadors. The goal of the project is to get the community to understand the impact Marian has had on its students. The Marian FEST team constantly has challenges or ideas of what to post to help you out! To participate, on any social media outlet use the hashtag “#MarianInspires” and post your Marian inspirational story or picture.

For more, visit marianinspires.com graphic by allykmiecik & anyalindholm

graphic by racheljohnson

Ministry unites Marian, Omaha, world clarawerzberger

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ancer. The word strikes an array of emotions into many people’s hearts: sadness, compassion, and concern for a specific loved one.

Marian is a powerful community of prayer and love for those with cancer or other serious ailments. The Saint Peregrine Ministry aids in that very purpose.

Sr. Linda Hess directs the ministry for the Servants of Mary via their website. She has lost a brother, grandmother, and other loved ones to cancer, and has used her experiences to bring comfort to others.

“Cancer had touched my life. I guess [the ministry] was an opportunity to be able to walk with others, to be with others, to extend the whole area of healing, compassion, and presence,” she said.

Sr. Linda has been running the program since January of last year.

The ministry has been growing since its conception in the late 1980s. Sr.

Mary Eleanor began the program after seeing a statue of Saint Peregrine at a mission chapel in California. Now, the program has grown to include a daily prayer list and a monthly Mass said for those on the list. The ministry is a program of the Servite Center of Compassion in Omaha and is part of an international ministry for the sick established by the Servants of Mary. Sr. Linda said that though the prayer program is nationwide, it has become something special for the Marian community.

“I’ve had families call me and say, ‘Our loved one died, but what we experienced as a family brought us closer together.’ You can’t tell me that’s not grace, that’s not blessing,” she said.

The Ministry is varied, according to Sr. Linda. Members’ prayers help many people, such as those who have cancer, other serious ailments, or those in gangs. “[Peregrine] is also

known as the patron saint of gangs, because he was in a gang growing up, and I think that’s very appropriate for today,” Sr. Linda said. This aspect of Peregrine makes him even more relatable to Omaha teens.

Saint Peregrine was born in Forli, Italy, in 1265. He joined the Servants of Mary after feeling remorse about being part of a gang. Later in his life, he encountered a huge challenge.

“Saint Peregrine himself had cancer,” Sr. Linda said. “He had a cancerous tumor on his leg, and story has it that through prayer, he was cured, and that’s what gave him the impetus of being with the sick, and he served 20 years after his own healing.”

The Saint Peregrine Ministry greatly impacts Sr. Linda’s vocation and Marian’s community. “So for me, Peregrine is just almost a way of life, rather than a program or minis-

Sr. Linda Hess, OSM ’68 try. He has shown me how to live my life as a healer, as a lover, as a friend, as a minister,” she said.

Sr. Linda encourages everyone to consider getting involved in the prayer program, and incorporate Saint Peregrine’s mission into their lives. “I think Peregrine is very alive and well in today’s world, if we only allow him to be a part of us and part of him,” she said. “I think we need to be the Peregrines in today’s world– someone who goes and visits the sick, someone who wants to heal, but not always physical healing; it could be a spiritual healing, an emotional healing.”

Dec 2015 • The Network

Features • 11

Mass musicians rock celebrations of Marian faith community

megankeyser

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or six years, the Marian community has welcomed and worshipped with three musicians at all-school Masses. With Nate Bray on the bass guitar, Mark Nelson on the piano, and Curly Martin on the drums, Masses are full of energy while the Worship Choir and student body sing “Lean on Me” and “Awesome God.” “I like how the music is upbeat.

It’s happy,” freshman Beibhinn Dunn said.

Not only are the three musicians praised by the students, but all three men are well-known across the whole United States.

Bray started playing guitar at age 11 and grew up performing in church.

“Then I played at a few bands downtown, so it’s just been something I’ve done ever since,” Bray said. He has toured the country and even lived and played in Las Vegas’s entertainment shows. Today, he performs in the Old Market, and his albums are available for purchase online at cdbaby.com.

inducted into the Omaha Black Music Hall of Fame.

“Omaha is the recipient of a lot of the wonderful music that’s come from New Orleans. The African American The Mass Musician Trio Nate Bray, Mark Nelson and Curley Martin jam out at churches the Nov. 5 all-school Mass. photoby megankeyser in Omaha were a Martin also has a long, illustrious receptacle of all this music,” Nelson career. He studied at the Musician’s said.

Institute of Technology in Hollywood, Nelson is a pianist at both Sacred Calif., and has played all over the Heart and Christ the King parishes, world with famous jazz artists like Etta where he met Marian choir director James and B.B. King. In 2005, he was

Mrs. Anna Kolterman. She invited him to play for Marian masses six years ago. He, Bray and later, Martin decided to continue to play because they “feel lucky to be here,” Bray said.

“Marian is very warm and very giving,” Bray said. “It’s a great nurturing place for you young ladies to go to school and prepare to go out into the real world.”

Bray and Nelson recorded an album, “Zebra Logic”, that is available on Amazon under the name ‘Black and White Group’. They recorded album songs at Omaha’s Warehouse Studio. Lady Gaga used the studio right before the group performed.

“I was the next person to play the piano after her,” Nelson said. “It was covered with glitter and lipstick,” he joked.

The trio thoroughly enjoy sharing their talents with the Marian community. Nelson, Bray, and Curly live out Bray’s motto of, “Follow your heart. Do what you’ve been taught.”

Students resolve to relax this holiday season, into new year makenziefuss

N

ew Year’s Day is right around the corner and approaching fast. As Jan. 1 rolls around, everyone has one nagging question on their minds: What will my New Year’s resolution be?

Whether this resolution is getting to the gym more often or finishing all seasons of “Criminal Minds” on Netflix, the one constant is hoping the resolution will still be intact on Dec. 31.

According to a Dec. 2013 TIME Magazine article “New Year’s Resolutions Are Bad for You,” only eight percent of people who make New Year’s resolutions stick to them, and those people usually abandon their resolutions after just one week.

Although one may hope her New Year’s resolution will remain intact, many have very low expectations.

“I always make New Year’s resolutions, and I think I will keep them, but I never do,” freshman Taylor Hofbau-

er said. Hofbauer is not the only one who has these feelings.

Many people who make New Year’s resolutions go into it knowing the motivation won’t last. “I resolve to work out every year, but I never actually do,” junior Brooke Huerter said.

Like students, teachers also have doubts about their resolutions. “I gave up sugar one year, and that actually lasted a long time. I’ve had resolutions to exercise, cut out processed foods, and to pray more often. This year I will probably give up processed foods again. I doubt I’ll last even three months,” theology teacher Mrs. Lori Spanbauer said.

Although there are many low expectations, some people know exactly what they want to do, and they plan on sticking to it. “I do not want to have any points this year,” sophomore Telly Mounto said.

Still others have already checked an item off their resolution bucket list.

“Last year, my resolution was to run a marathon, which I did. This year I’m not sure yet. That’s thinking too far ahead,” theology teacher Mr. Andrew De Leonardis said.

The most popular New Year’s reso-

What is your favorite Christmas cookie?

*Based on a Nov. 13 Network Google survey of 251 students.

lutions are: lose weight, save money, get a better job, get fit, reduce stress, and volunteer. According to USA.gov, instead of resolving not to do something, it’s better to resolve to do little things day-by-day.

Since the holiday season is approachgraphic by elsiestormberg

I am going to work out every day!

Criminal Minds and chips > working out

January 1

January 2

Do you have a favorite Christmas coffee mug?

no yes 52% 48%

graphics by annporter

12 • Sports

The Network • Dec. 2015

Athletes sign Letters of Intent for collegiate sports Augustana University Volleyball

University of South Dakota Volleyball

Creighton University Volleyball

University of Missouri Volleyball University of Sioux Falls Softball

Signing Day On Nov. 11, 2015, eight seniors signed their National Letter of Intent. Pictured from left to right: Elizabeth Loschen, Andie Hanus, Emily Cheloha, Kellyn Daly, Abigail Knapton, Katelyn Gochenour, Brittany Witt, and Sophia Terwilleger. photo by allykmiecik

University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill Softball

University of Oklahoma Track and Field

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Diving

graphic by annporter

Early College Recruiting: Securing future or hasty decision?

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hen someone thinks about college recruiting, something similar to the events in the popular movie “The Blind Side” might come to mind. One might picture 20 different coaches lining up to watch a practice and fight for the same athlete. But, in real life, it’s much different than this.

The recruiting process is confusing, messy, and easily all-consuming.

Every year, countless high school athletes begin pursuing their dream of playing at the college level. While chasing this dream, high schoolers and their parents can get caught up in the recruiting process.

Recruiters have pursued young athletes more and more aggressively in recent years. Girls on my summer softball team have been committed to colleges since their freshman year.

Football players are recruited as early as seventh grade. This is crazy. There shouldn’t be any kind of urgency to make a college decision before you have figured out how to be a high schooler, and college recruiters should wait to see how an athlete will develop past their major growth spurts.

This new trend of early recruiting have played a much larger role in my has countless downsides on both decision process. ends of the recruiting process. As an Athletically, I was nowhere near athlete, I understand the desire to my full potential as a pitcher. If I had know your future college plans, but been pressured into making a decision what is the urgency in committing too young, I wouldn’t have strived to before you’ve play at a school even played two with a competitive The Daly Dose seasons of a high program. These school sport? risks will always Few 15-yearremain present when high school olds truly know athletes have to what they want make a college for their future, decision before which is essential they’re ready. to picking college On the decisions. coaching side of My own the recruiting personal plans for sports column by kellyndaly process, there the future have are a number of unpredictable events changed countless times over the past that could happen between an athlete four years. If I had chosen a college as a freshman, I would have picked a committing and actually playing at the school because of their pre-veterinary college level. A young athlete could program rather than a school with a peak in her development soon after respected English program; I would committing, she could decide that have been terrified to look at a school she doesn’t enjoy playing that sport with a population any bigger than anymore, or she could have a career ending injury. Personally, if I were 10,000; and the cafeteria food would

making an investment of $1,000 to $200,000 on an athlete, I would want to be absolutely certain that it’s a secure one.

In past years, the NCAA has tried to address this problem. They shortened the recruiting window a few years ago, but it didn’t last very long. If this problem is going to be resolved, they will need to put restrictions on how early schools can make offers, whether official or not.

As I blindly navigated my way through the recruiting process, almost every coach admitted to hating early recruiting. However, they don’t have much choice if they want to compete within their conferences.

This cycle of early recruiting needs to end. Coaches don’t want to risk losing the best players to other teams, and prospective athletes don’t want to risk a school’s roster filling up before they can contact a coach. Something needs to change soon, but someone is going to have to make the first move.

Garmin Vs. Fitbit Why Garmin is better, as told by junior Claire Pelan.

Why Fitbit is better, as told by junior Kelly Gehring.

Wearing: Vivofit by Garmin

Wearing: Flex by Fitbit

Why she loves it: • I feel like I’ve been more active since wearing it.

• You try get a certain amount [of steps] in a day, and if you don’t get a certain amount, you have to make up for it.

• Surprisingly, you get two miles of steps walking around school.

• There is an app where you can track your progress and get rewards.

• It’s waterproof, and you rarely have to charge it.

• It tracks how you sleep, and you can set alarms.

• It counts how many calories you burn.

Why she loves it: • It helps a lot when I go on runs or walks.

• When I’m running, it will record my distance for me, and it shouts out my time.

• It tracks your steps.

• It tracks your sleep patterns.

• You can count your calories on it through whatever device you own.

• I wear it almost every day, and I’m always checking to see how many steps I’ve gotten. graphic by tessamclaughlin

Dec. 2015 • The Network

Sports • 13

Three’s a charm: volleyball ends season with third state title

Left: Carly Kelly ’16 cheers on the Crusader volleyball team with her fellow cheerleaders. The cheerleaders and the rest of the student section were fundamental in not only winning the state title, but being presented with the Sportsmanship Award.

Right: Emily Bressman ’19 soars high as she spikes the ball down during the first game of the quarter finals.

Three-peat on the horizon Hannah Mueller ’16, Elise Duryea ’16, Elizabeth Loschen ’16, Brittany Witt ’16, and Sophia Terwilleger ’16 celebrate as the team comes closer and closer to a third state championship. After winning three straight sets for the title, the girls celebrated their “three-peat” with the traditional dog-pile at the center of the court. With nine seniors on the roster, the upperclassman leadership helped give the team the edge they needed to come out on top once again. photos and captions by kellyndaly

Swimmers dive in with new coach

anyalindholm

A

Dressed in Hawaiian attire Marian students cheer on the Crusader volleyball team in the semi-finals. The girls’ hard fight against opposing team Papillion-La Vista South secured their spot in the championship game.

It may be cold, but winter sports are heating up J marykiscoan unior Maddie Mingo, a Varsity basketball player, believes Central, Millard North, and Papio will present the team’s biggest competition. To tackle its rivals, the team practices long hours after school five days a week.

“We focus on perfecting the little things that will make us better and strengthen our bond as a team,” Mingo said.

Senior Jenna Gornall swims the 100 fly and and 100 backstroke. Gornall and her team practice before and after school. She foresees Lincoln Southwest being the team’s big-

gest rival and most challenging opponent.

“Last year we managed to beat them by .5 of a point at state, and this year, we hope to beat them by even more,” Gornall said.

Mingo and Gornall both encourage the Marian fanbase to come cheer their teams on this winter.

“We love when you guys wish us luck in the hallway or ask us how the season’s going!

Y’all rock and we’re also sorry for reeking of chlorine and falling asleep in classes!” Gornall said.

month before the season began, the Marian Swimming and Diving Team woke up to a surprising e-mail. Pat DiBiase was stepping down as Head Coach due to back problems.

Dibiase, who led them to a State Championship last year, was leaving the team in the very capable hands of BJ Christiansen. Christiansen worked alongside Dibiase as an assistant coach for the team last season.

As Head Coach, Christiansen’s responsibilities will change. He now has administrative tasks, as well as the final say on decisions such as meet line-ups and workouts.

Christiansen was excited, but a bit nervous about his new role leading the defending State Champions.

“I’m comfortable with being nervous because that means I care a lot about it. I want to do a good job,” Christensen said.

“All of the girls are adjusting well to our new coach.

He was very excited to take the position as Head Coach, and he shows the every day,” junior Sarah Sutej said.

Christiansen competed in swimming from ages 9-21.

He swam for Burke High School from 2003-2006 and won seven State medals.

Prior to coaching at Marian, Christiansen held assistant coaching positions at Burke High School (2007) and Millard North (2011, 2012).

He has coached for the club team Greater Omaha Aquatic Leopardsharks since March 2008 working mostly with swimmers ages 10-18.

Christiansen plans to lead the team in a way similar to DiBiase, but put his own coaching spin on it. “This season we will be doing a different dryland structure with more weights and more lifting,” Christiansen said.

The Marian Swimming and Diving Team is comprised of athletes from several different year-round club teams, each of which

has their own training philosophy. This season the girls will practice fast swimming as much as they can through pace work. This may be a technique with which some of the girls are unfamiliar, but will result in faster racing speed. “My main priority with training is creating an environment that builds confidence in the athletes from all of the club teams,” Christiansen said.

Three different head coaches in three years might be viewed by Marian’s rivals as a weakness for the team, but that is not how the girls see it. “I’ve had a new coach every year and it’s been a great experience to learn and train differently from each of them,” Sutej said.

The team started off the season by winning the Burke Invite with more points than last year. The goal to be the team at the top of the podium at State is alive and well. “We are back for more,” Christiansen said.

Christmas came early for legendary softball team

devongottsch

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ecember has barely begun, yet the Softball Team already received the greatest Christmas gift of all.

It is a constant reminder of hard work, dedication, and absolute love for the game.

That well deserved gift is more commonly known as first softball State Championship in Marian’s history.

No, Santa Claus did not wrap up this present with shiny paper and a big, red bow; this was a gift that came

from pure talent.

With a new coaching staff and a spark behind them, the softball team was able to take home their first 2015 Nebraska State Championship after a hard-fought battle with Papillion LaVista High School. The ladies in blue came out on top with a final score of 8-5.

Junior Brook Linderman put the bow on the present with a grand slam in the top of the seventh inning.

“The second the ball hit

Brook’s bat we all knew it was gone. The whole moment was so surreal, and the feeling was honestly indescribable. It was like all of our hard work and dedication had finally paid off and it [our season] couldn’t have ended in a better way.

Winning state was the one thing we wanted more than anything, so the fact that we accomplished that goal is better than any present we could ever get for Christmas,” senior Emily Cheloha said.

For the first time in Marian history, the softball banner in the gym is proudly marked with “2015” under State Championships.

This State Championship was not a gift that was simply given to the softball team, but it was a gift that was well earned, deserved, and one that they will cherish forever.

The Christmas season may be just beginning, but the softball team’s legacy is one that will never end.

photo by devongottsch

14 • Entertainment

The Network • Dec. 2015

Students prepare for oncoming snow makenziefuss

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ay goodbye to iced white mochas and hello to steaming cups of cocoa.

Like it or not, snow season is upon us. The snowflakes are here whether or not we are ready. I’ve had my snow boots by the door and my sled out of the attic for weeks now, but preparing for snow is not all fun and games. Soon, icicle-shaped lights from Costco will be sold out, and Christmas trees will be appearing all around the block. It’s time to step up your snow game, ladies.

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One time when I was an altar server, my hair caught on fire with a candle during Mass!

Junior year I fell down middle staircase and had to go home because I thought I broke my arm I fell so hard.

Stessman

1. Wear tights or sweatpants to school. The trek up soph lot is NOT fun in just a skirt. Coats are also recomended.

2. For all the drivers out there, I have two words: ICE. SCRAPERS. Especially if you park outside, these are a must.

3. Indulge in a Christmas-themed beverage from your favorite coffee shop.

These are only around once a year, and let’s face it, they’re delicious. Though the weather outside is frightful, your beverage choice can be delightful 4. Help out by offering to shovel the driveway for family and the neighborhood. You have to pay for that coffee somehow!

5. Treat yourself to three or four more cozy sweaters. I know you already have 10, but what’s one more 6. Pick up that one book you’ve been meaning to read for more than a year, sit by the fire wrapped in a cozy blanket, and then fall asleep. What’s one more day anyway?

7. Enjoy fun, snowy activities with friends and family. Winter is immensely beautiful. Good luck!

When I was in third grade, my friend Ben told a joke as I was drinking chocolate milk. I laughed so hard it came out of my nose!

Pa

Let it Snow The trees just outside the main entrance make a beautiful winter scene.

The first snow of the year lasted only for a short time. photo by megankeyser

Stories

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9 When I went to the movies, the ticket guy grabbed my ticket and told me to enjoy my movie so I replied with, “Yeah you too.” As I apologized, I tripped and dropped my phone.

Steps to being Snow Savvy:

g n i s ras

graphic by elsiestormberg

Gift ideas for Secret Santa allykmiecik & devongottsch

1. Socks and nail polish for your mistleTOES 2. A flashlight for all things merry and BRIGHT 3. A water bottle to keep those melted snowmen in 4. Hand SANTA-tizer to keep away the holiday cold 5. Some baked goods, so at least they don’t get MUFFIN for Christmas 6. Kitchen utensils, what a better way to WISK someone a happy holidays 7. Lip balm, for those wanting a merry KISSmas and a CHAPPY new year 8. TWIZZ the season for candy gifting 9. A salty snack for when Santa CHEX his list twice 10. The best gift of all, Marian Journalism anywhere anytime you have web access.

mollymiller

1. Become a Starbucks loyalty member. Repeat for Scooters, and Dunkin Donuts, or stock up on your favorite caffeinated soda.

2. The Internet can be frustrating, so print out all your electronic notes ahead of time.

3. Use stress relief hand sanitizer from Bath & Body Works.

Brownie points for a holiday scent!

4. Get moving. Release energy (and stress) by going for a run or dancing to your favorite Christmas song.

5. Eat chocolate. Eat more chocolate. Have emergency chocolate close by, just in case.

6. Study in the daytime and early evening. That’s when your brain is at it’s best.

7. Relax. Take a break, and watch a Christmas movie, or treat yourself with a much needed power nap.

8. Go over old tests and quizzes. Keep everything. Embrace the extreme hoarder lifestyle.

9. Eat emergency chocolate. Watch a cute cat video.

10. Relax. You’ve got this. Don’t stress; it’s just a test.

Finals Schedule 2015

Freshly wrapped From left to right, Beibhinn Dunn ’19, Gabby Vescio ’19, and Tomi Huber ’19 pose with shiny, wrapped presents outside of Marian’s newly relocated and remoldeled BLUEtique. photo by tessamclaughlin

Monday, Dec. 14 Block B Block D Block H

Tuesday, Dec. 15 Block F Block C Block G

Wednesday, Dec. 16 Block E Block A

Dec. 2015 • The Network

Entertainment • 15

Proud pet owners care for unique critters

kathrynbaginski ornado sirens blared as the Nelson family One day, Olive was investigating the rushed to the safety of the basement. “We bathroom floor and found the perfect place to have to go get Rudy!” someone shouted. burrow. Somehow, she ended up stuck behind Sophomore Grace Nelson ran upstairs to rescue the drawers for hours. Ricketts’ family had to her beloved tortoise, bringing him down in a saw a hole in the back of the drawers to free the box poked with holes. “It’s going to be okay, hedgehog. “[Olive] was freaking out when we Rudy,” Nelson said. As she comforted her were trying to grab her through the hole we cut,” frightened tortoise, Nelson felt something warm Ricketts said. “She hisses at us a lot when she is on her leg. Rudy had peed on her. scared of us.”

After three years with Rudy, Screech! Senior Hannah Lazio Nelson has become used to the heard a high-pitched noise coming tortoise’s quirks and needs. “We love from her twin sister Taylor’s, room. our tortoise,” Nelson said. “He is a She went in to see Bolt the leopard great part of our family. He is calm gecko screeching at a bug trapped and doesn’t make much noise, so he’s inside his cage. As the girls watched, not much of a bother.” he snapped up the bug as a tasty Olive the hedgehog, Rudy lives in a heated cage that snack, a nice break from his usual owned by Eleanor simulates the temperature of his mealworms.

Ricketts ’19 natural environment. He eats a Six months ago, Bolt moved into nutritional diet of lettuce and suphis new home, a heated terrarium in plemented water. “My sister really Taylor’s room. “Bolt doesn’t like me wanted a turtle, but you have to feed very much; I don’t know why. He likes turtles live goldfish … so we got a my sister more,” Hannah said. tortoise instead,” Nelson said.

Despite picking favorites, Bolt has Nelson values Rudy’s listening ear been a positive addition to the Lazio and the many opportunities she has family. Hannah enjoys taking Bolt to learn from him. “We sometimes outside to play and has gotten used to go over and talk to him in the cage. some of his strange, gecko habits. “I He’s fun to watch. They are very have learned that if Bolt gets really Rudy the tortoise with unique creatures,” she said. scared his tail will fall off. Then he owner Grace Nelson ’18 Unique creatures call for will eat it to get back the nutrients unique diets. When freshman he lost, which is pretty weird,” Eleanor Ricketts goes to the pet Hannah said. The leopard gecko store, she does not head to the has shown the Lazios that everyone dog or cat food aisles. She is and everything deals with stress there for hedgehog food. Olive differently. the hedgehog joined the Ricketts Whether it’s getting peed on Bolt the leopard gecko, owned by Hannah Lazio ’16 family just over a year ago. in a tornado, sawing a hole in and Taylor Lazio ’16 Once a day, Olive roams free a bathroom wall, or watching a in her hamster ball and explores small reptile eat its own tail, these all the nooks and crannies of Ricketts’ house. pet owners have braved difficult, and sometimes “[Olive’s ball] is small, and you have to make disgusting, situations. Though they may not be sure it doesn’t go anywhere it shouldn’t,” fluffy dogs and cats, Rudy, Olive, and Bolt have Ricketts said. This lesson came at the price of a found loving homes and people who accept all hole in the wall. their quirks.

ol o h c s h Hig to g n i d r o c ac es i v o m e th

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Mama D does more than dance tessamclaughlin

Delisi even has a timeline for graduation that is rs. Michelle Delisi ’74 is the organization almost as intense as her yearly timeline. queen and backbone of the school. From Somehow, only Mrs. Susie Sullivan ’80 and she coaching the Dance Team to arranging almost are organizing it. “In a nutshell, I make sure all of the events held at Marian, Delisi shines as everything runs, and runs smoothly,” Delisi said.

Marian High School’s Assistant to the Principal.

Not only does Delisi organize student Delisi is a secret Superwoman. “I’m used to activities, she also puts together a Christmas tea the craziness of my job; I don’t know what I for the teachers and runs the Hospitality would do if I had a normal 8-to-5 job,” Delisi Committee. “If I had to pick a favorite thing about said. Aside from handling Marian’s calendar, being the assistant, it would be organizing the Delisi manages to find time to coach the Varsity events for the faculty and staff, like the Dance Team and the Pantomime Troupe, teach Christmas party and tea. I also love being liaison Ballet and Tap, choreograph the musical, be the to the parent groups; they’re so production manager for the appreciative, and they love doing what musical and play, and handle they do. I feel like they have such a every odd job in between. great relationship with them, and it’s Delisi wants to give each such a fun job to work with the and every Marian girl the parents,” Delisi said. compassion she felt as a Marian’s staff members appreciate student. “She’s always there all the hard work Delisi does for them. for us if she feels like we have a Her kindness goes beyond the school problem, and she always wants walls for many teachers. “She helped us to do our best. She stresses my husband and I learn our first dance that she’s our second mom, for our wedding reception. She met us and she wants us to come to Mrs. Michelle Delisi ’74 does after hours in the gym, and she knew everything from choreographing her with any issues we have, my husband because he was in the the musical to arranging graduapersonal or on Dance Team. musical at [Creighton] Prep, and she tion and everything in between.

Mama D really is like a taught us how to dance to it,” English She is truly the backbone of Marsecond mom to the whole ian. photo by tessamclaughlin teacher Mrs. Amy Bauman ’92 said. team,” junior Amalea Poulos, “She was at our reception; she said Dance Team member, said. we did fine, but I don’t believe that. It’s just really To stay organized, Delisi keeps a master sweet,” Bauman said. timeline of every event she needs to put Delisi works hard to give students the Marian together. “I make notes everywhere, and then at experience they all deserve. “I love the interaction the end of the school year, I go and update [the with the students; you guys just give me such timeline], and I start fresh in June. This is what great energy, and you make the job worth it. You I live by; this calendar does not leave my desk,” make it fun. You make it not seem like a job,” Delisi said.

Delisi said.

M

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megank

The difference between what Hollywood taught us about high school vs.

The real Marian experience “Grease” (1978)

Movie: Famous television hosts sing and announce dance

contests as the student body celebrates in a streamer-adorned gym on prom night.

Marian: Dances include a famous DJ from channel 106.9 and dance circles that put all others to shame.

“Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” (1986) Movie: It’s fairly simple to skip school to steal a Ferrari, cruise all over downtown Chicago, use an alias to sneak into upscale restaurants, and avoid your parents.

Marian: You miss a day of school, and you’re drowning in trigonometry homework.

“Clueless” (1995)

Movie: Makeup is a necessity at school, and the perfect outfit is key to a successful day.

Marian: Wake up, grab a

granola bar, and be out the door in five minutes. I woke up like this. *hair flip*

“The Princess Diaries” (2001)

Movie: It turns out that one girl in your speech class is next in

line for the throne of Genovia.

Marian: Your classmates are training for the Olympics and

modeling for fashion companies.

“Mean Girls” (2004) Movie: High school is full of them... mean girls.

Movie:

“On Wednesdays, we wear pink.”

Marian:

On Wednesdays, we wear spirit shirts.

Marian: We all have our grumpy days, like when the pasta is gone by the time we get through the lunch line, but Marian girls strive to live out the Marian mission.

“High School Musical” (2006) Movie: Every student in

the lunchroom breaks out into song and dance while “sticking to the status quo.”

Marian: The cafeteria

randomly erupts into a series of slaps, claps, and snaps for Marian beat at any given moment.

“17 Again” (2009)

Movie: Zac Efron struts down

the school halls as every girl’s jaw drops, and their hearts sink to the floor.

Marian: Max, the therapy

dog, prances along the halls as every girl gasps and swoops in to pet him.

pictures from moviestillsdb.com

16 • Photo Essay

The Network • Dec. 2015

HUMANS OF MARIAN megankeyser

Seen in Block H Team Sports - Olivia Rudloff ’19

Seen in elevator - Beibhinn Dunn ’19, Taylor Arnold ’19, Morgan McCarthy ’19 & Brenna Werner ’19

As the school year rushes forward, it is easy to get swept up in the commotion and forget about the girls who walk the halls with you.

There are hundreds of stories that walk the school halls.

Millions of memories, lessons, and personalities lay within the Marian emblem.

This is why the Humans of Marian project was started.

There are stories to be shared.

So, here they are.

“What have you learned about life?”

“Always be happy. Just kidding. Change it to ‘Always be prosperous’... Oh wait, go back to ‘Always be happy.’”

-Telly Mounto ’18 “If I didn’t come to Marian, I wouldn’t be as strong. I wouldn’t be comfortable being me.”

-Samantha Fabian ’18

“What have your kids taught you?”

“It’s the little things in life that matter to your kids. They don’t care about money or the things you have. A hug and a kiss is all they want. We make it a point to have them not go to bed mad or in trouble. The last thing we say to them is, ‘I love you.’” - Mrs. Beth Dye, gym teacher

“To the world, you may be one person, but to one person, you may be the world,” -Brandon Stanton,

author of “Humans of New York” Seen in East stairwell - Bethany Bespoyasny ’19, Alexis Jordan ’19 & Audrey Laney ’19 “Describe what you’re knitting.”

“A scarf. I’m going to give it to my sister ’cause it’ll be her Christmas present.”

-Kelly Gehring ’17

Seen in East stairwell

“How did you feel about no snow day?” “I woke up, and multiple tears rolled down my cheek.” -Brooke Huerter ’17

“I have IBD [inflammatory bowel disease].”

“How did you find out you had it?”

“I was really sick for three weeks at the beginning of the summer- super dehydrated and anemic. I lost 40 pounds.”

“Does it go away?”

“It stays with me for my whole life. I leave school a lot and have to miss so much for treatments. I’m on my second right now.”

-Olivia Leatherwood ’16