Marian Network May Issue

Marian High School

May 2012

7400 Military Avenue Omaha, NE 68134 402-571-2618 Volume 56 - Issue 9

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Words of Wisdom Network Staff reflects on Marian experience

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Dreams Become Reality Breaking ground on performing arts center

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printed on 100% recycled paper GO GREEN!

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Hannah Ingraham’12

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New group creates welcoming environment

Emily P

Hearts of Marian

newsflash.........................................pp. 2 & 3 opinion.............................................pp. 4 & 5 features..........................................pp. 6 & 11 indepth ............................................pp. 8 & 9 seniors............................................pp. 7 & 10 active life......................................pp. 12 & 13 entertainment.............................pp. 14 & 15 photo essay............................................. p. 16 photo & cover by emilyfischer

SUMMER VOLUNTEERING: How to Get Involved this Summer katykohlmeyer

“I think that service is life, it opens up your heart more than any other activity can.

Marian doesn’t require service because we want the desire to come from the student.”

Mr. Kory Delkamiller, religion teacher

Heartland EquineH Therapeutic Riding Academy:

TheT Open Door Mission:

Keep Omaha Beautiful:

The TOmaha Food Bank:

The Nebraska T Medical Center: Nebraska T Humane Society:

Big Brothers/ B Big Sisters of the Heartland:

etra provides riding lessons for children and adults with disabilities. It is not necessary to have experience with horses, just a willingness to help out. Opportunities range from being a side-walker who assists the rider during the lesson or being the schedule keeper making sure that everyone is on task.

If interested e-mail Volunteers@hetra.org, or call 402669-1504

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eep Omaha Beautiful is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to the reduction of litter and beautification of the city. Many programs within the organization are aimed towards cleaning up Omaha. You can help elderly citizens clean up their yard or volunteer at the Earth Day celebration at Elmwood Park. To get involved, contact Kay Replogle 402-444-7774.

o volunteer at the Medical Center you must be at least 16-years-old and make a six month commitment. Tasks include checking on patients or helping with fundraisers at the hospital. All of these services help make the patients’ days a little brighter.

For more information call volunteer services at 402559-4167.

he Humane Society only requires two hours of volunteer work a week. Tasks include taking the dogs for adoption on walks, playing with the dogs, or assisting in grooming the animals. It is also possible to become a foster parent for the animals. You must be willing to commit at least 8 hours per month for six months. To become a volunteer go to www.nehumanesociety.org and download an application; you must also attend orientation and training. All of the information can be found on the Humane Society’s website.

he Open Door Mssion provides more than 1,700 hot meals to families throughout the community. Volunteers are always needed and there are many ways to help out. You can prepare and serve meals, work with children, or simply spread the word about the Open Door Mission throughout your school or church. To volunteer, visit www. opendoormission.org/volunteer, fill out a short application, and sign up for the days you wish to volunteer.

he food bank assists more than 21,900 people in any given week. Volunteer opportunities range from delivering backpacks full of food to local schools, or helping with special events. To start volunteering, e-mail Sarah Grobbelaar at SGrobbelaar@ FoodBankHeartland.org.

eing a big sister only requires a few hours of time a month and can potentially make a huge difference in your “little sister’s” life. You would be required to meet at their school and do nothing but fun activities together. You can do crafts, take a walk, or play on the playground. Giving your little sister the invaluable gift of friendship will make a world of difference. Visit www.bbbsomaha.org to fill out an application, and shortly after a staff member will contact you for a brief interview. You will be matched with a little sister within a few weeks.

Omaha Serves: T

his is a program started by Mayor Jim Suttle, and focuses on the challenges the city of Omaha faces while attempting to encourage volunteers throughout the Metro. There will be numerous different opportunities to volunteer in the community. Twice a month the focus will be on different areas of concern in Omaha. There is no age limit or time requirement. For more information, visit www.cityofomaha.org and search Omaha Serves for updates and volunteer opportunities.

Executive Council Meets to Plan Next ISSN Conference trinitygleason

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he beginning of Field Week commenced not only the hustle and bustle of Marian girls striving to get various tasks done in hopes of winning the coveted Field Day trophy, but also the first of many meetings of the Executive Council of the International Servite Schools Network (ISSN). The Executive Council includes representatives from all over the world and three Marian faculty members.

History teacher Mrs. Kim Remmick is the conference coordinator for Marian High School.

“The Executive Council is meeting to plan the next international schools meeting which will be hosted by Marian in 2014,” Remmick said.

Other members of the council include faculty from Servite schools in Australia, France, Canada and California, as well as a Servite friar from Vatican City who arrived the weekend before Field Week.

The Council will be deciding on a number of things ranging from where the conference will be held, the schedule and agenda, discussion leaders, accommodations for guests, and side trips.

The last ISSN conference was held in Italy and only faculty and staff from various schools attended.

2 newsflash

The Council’s hope for the 2014 Conference is to also involve students. Marian students could have the chance to host a foreign student during the conference.

While hopes are high, the road to success has a few pot holes and blackouts for the Council.

Remmick admits that there are several challenges in planning the 2014 Conference.

“A big challenge is that there isn’t a standard way to communicate with every school. We can’t e-mail everyone because we have a Servite school in India that gets the Internet one, two hours max a day. So, sometimes we have to use snail mail,” Remmick said.

Even if the Council was able to reach all the schools and get them on board, roadblocks are still present.

“A large part [of getting everyone here] is financial complications,” Remmick said.

The ISSN includes schools not just in financially-strapped India, but also schools in Global Grin. The members of the Executive Council smile for the camera after a Chile and poorer areas of England. refreshing tea before heading back to work. Top row from left: Mr. Luke Ostrander, Mr. “Not everyone can afford to come,” Remmick said.

Carl Morisette, Mr. Peter Bowen, and Mr. Regis Bergonier. Bottom row from left: Mr. While some schools might not be repreRyan Wiles, Mr. Chris Weir, Fr. Eugene Smith, and Mrs. Susan Toohey. sented in the 2014 Conference, there will still photo by trinitygleason be around 100 teachers and students present.

Hearts of Marian:

Sharing the Love Every Wednesday Afternoon

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nicolewojtalewicz

earts of Marian is a recently developed group that gathers on Wednesdays in the Marian chapel to pray, meditate, and discuss how to overcome many challenges that life presents. Though many may have heard of this group, few have experienced the benefits that it reaps.

In a quote directed to the youth of the world, Pope Benedict XVI said, “My dear young friends, I have in mind so many of your contemporaries who have been wounded by life. They often suffer from personal immaturity caused by dysfunctional family situations, by permissive and libertarian elements in their education, and by difficult and traumatic experience.” This quote is a main inspiration for Hearts of Marian.

The group was started by several mothers of Marian girls from St. Wenceslaus grade school in hopes of bringing Marian girls into a comfortable atmosphere to reflect on their relationship with God and themselves. The environment welcomes everyone, whether they feel they have a strong relationship with God or they don’t know Him at all.

An average Hearts of Marian gathering begins with friendly hellos and hugs from mothers Susan Heim, Jean Ahsan, Christine Vosik, and Kristy Gustafson. Mrs. Heim usually reads a brief Bible passage or shows a YouTube video to begin. Students are then asked to open their hearts through journaling or silent meditation, followed by a group discussion of how God spoke to them through their contemplation.

Students involved in Hearts of Marian have hands-down agreed that this is their favorite part of the group experience.

It is a time to be able to share your thoughts or worries on a certain topic, without fear of being judged or embarrassed.

“I love being able to share what I thought about during meditation time, as well as hearing thoughts from others,” junior Theresa Kennelly said.

“It’s so interesting how someone may say something that pertains to a situation I am in, and they end up helping me without even knowing it.”

After the group discussion, students are given the opportunity to experience something they have described as

“overwhelming, but in a good way,” and “an ultimate sense of peace and relaxation.” As the students lie on the ground and center themselves, the group leaders go around and say prayers over them. Often, the Holy Spirit brings either an image or a word into their mind, and they share this with the students. On certain days, when time permits, the entire group prays over one girl at a time, filling them with love and support.

To some, the whole concept of a prayer group may be slightly intimidating, especially if it is a new experience.

However, Hearts of Marian is more than just a prayer group.

It is a support system. It is a loving community that brings you closer to people that could impact your life - it’s a safehaven.

You wouldn’t say you didn’t like a new restaurant before trying it first, right? So why rule out Hearts of Marian before giving it a shot? You may be surprised what the Lord has in store for you.

ICAN Empowers Community of Global Leaders

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meganandreasen

omen’s leadership is not limited to climbing the ladder to a CEO position at any said corporation. Women’s leadership means participating in a global conversation and focusing on holistic growth of self and world. These are lessons that Ms. Susie Sisson’s Women’s Studies class had the privilege of absorbing at this year’s ICAN (Institute for Career Advancement Needs) Women’s Leadership Conference at the CenturyLink Center on April 4.

The $70 admission cost for Sisson and each of her 12 senior students was covered by Marian’s leadership budget, enabling the women to attend.

“One of the best ways to empower young women is to surround them with accomplished, intelligent, inspirational women. This is why I took my class to the ICAN Women’s Leadership Conference. It was a great experience for all of us.

It’s so important for young women to be able to identify positive role models so they have an idea of what they themselves can accomplish,” Sisson said. At the conference, the students were able to immerse themselves and be influenced in a community of global leaders. They finally had the opportunity to witness firsthand the power that women hold and were able to fully recognize the potential that lies inside each of them. “The conference inspired me to try and achieve more in life, but I have always wanted to be an elementary school teacher” senior Hannah Manganaro said. “I need to speak out and stand up for what I think is right. Women really can be successful, we can do it!” It was important for the girls to see present day examples in action, advancing the mission of the women of influence who paved the way; women that the students have learned about in the classroom.

The ICAN conference reinforced everything the students have been learning in class this semester. The girls got to hear from a variety of speakers in keynote addresses by President and CEO of ICAN Mary Prefontaine; nationally renowned Arianna Huffington, Editor-in-Chief of AOL Huffington Post Media Group; local chief operating officer of Methodist Women’s Hospital Sue Korth, and Jeannette Walls, author of The Glass Castle.

“My favorite part was listening to Jeannette Walls speak.

She know she has made mistakes and is able to ‘Hey, I made mistakes.’ She is not afraid to talk about her past. She was amazing. She’s an incredible woman,” Manganaro said.

Huffington told them to silence the negative voices - or the “obnoxious roommate living in my head” as she called it - that is so often the cause of dreams and opportunities that are not pursued. She stressed that failure is not the opposite of success, but merely a stepping stone to success, and of the world’s requirement of powerful, effective leaders. Elo-

I am woman. Twelve seniors in Ms. Sisson’s Women’s Studies class gathered at the Century Link Center on April 4 to attend the ICAN Women’s Leadership Conference. The $70 admission fee for each student was covered by Marian’s leadership budget. photo by susiesisson quently, and profoundly stated: “It is often the things that go really wrong, that open the door for things that go really right,” Huffington said.

In breakout sessions that afternoon, the 2,000 women who attended the women’s leadership conference were pushed to think globally, of the larger picture outside of themselves, but also to take care of their body and focus on their inner self. Julia Moulden spoke about three types of new radicals: activists, entrepreneurs, and innovators.

She stressed the value in realizing, “I may not have all the answers, but I’m going to stand up and make a difference.”

Mallika Chopra, founder of intent.com, provided an aura of calm and sent a crucial message of well-doing, sleep, and exercise. Chopra gave critical advice in eliminating the three C’s: criticizing, condemning, and complaining.

Listeners were urged to make choices, not sacrifices, and to take responsibility - let go of guilt and victimization. “It begins with the clear intent of what is going to give you empowerment and happiness in your life,” Chopra said.

Perhaps one moment that hit strikingly close to home was when Sharon Carleton, 1990 Marian graduate and President and CEO of women-centric Omaha advertising and public relations firm Ervin & Smith, received the Best Places to Work for the Advancement of Women Award. Carleton was a vital example of the educational and life skills gained with an invaluable Marian foundation and where they can lead if students continue to cultivate them.

“I hope the girls learned that they have the potential to make a difference in the world. I also hope they learned the importance of networking and getting involved in their community, even at a young age,” Sisson said.

As Mary Prefontaine shared in the opening remarks at the conference, young women were encouraged to go out and “share your lion heart. . . disagree without being disagreeable. . .make the world a more civil and caring place.”

Marian Girls To Take the Capitol this Summer gabriellamartinez-garro

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his summer, the U.S. Capitol teachers and 25 students are selected will be introduced to some for participation.” new faces. Juniors Katie This year, Anderson was chosen Warneke, Poorna Ramasubramafor participation after an application nian, Megan process. Along with “I’m so grateful for his acceptance, AnderWoodruff, and governthe opportunity...I’ve son and fellow government teacher teacher Mr. Tom never been to D.C. ment Mr. Dave Baker chose three Anderson will so that will really be a students to particivisit the Capicool experience,” pate in the leadership tol as they program.

- junior Poorna complete their “They’ve learned participation Ramasubramanian about government in University in class so I think of Nebraska at [that through this Omaha’s Civil Leadership Program. program], they’ll get a better idea Unomaha.edu states, “This program of what government actually looks is aimed at high school governlike,” Anderson said. ment teachers and their selected The program focuses on governstudents. Within this intensive week, ment in both a local, state, and courses are taught on local, state, national level. The students have and national government. The week- already spent the day in Lincoln long program attracts social studies visiting the state’s Capitol. Time was students and teachers from all over spent meeting with lobbyists and a the state. Of these applicants, 8 state senator.

“It was fun to go to the capitol and meet people from other schools that we will spend more time with this summer. We got to listen in on part of a committee hearing which was interesting to listen and see the procedure of that. Also, I had forgotten how beautiful the architecture and paintings inside the building were. It was nice to look at on our tour,” Warneke said.

To focus on the local government, Warneke, Ramasubramanian, Woodruff, and Anderson will spend a week at the University of Nebraska at Omaha studying foreign policy and government. Then this summer, Marian will be represented in Washington D.C. as this group works to learn more about government on a national level. Their itinerary includes going to the White House, the Capitol, and visiting other important monuments and sites in D.C. “I'm so grateful for the opportunity, I think it'll be lots of fun and

I'm excited to be traveling with Mr. Anderson, Katie, and Megan! I'm sure we'll have a great time! I've never been to D.C. so that will really be a cool experience,” Ramasubramanian said.

“I don't plan on entering politics, I actually want to go into the medical field and become a doctor, but I think knowing about the government will always be beneficial because so much of it affects our lives.

But I mean, I don't know. It could turn out that I get to college and suddenly want to major in political science,” Warneke said.

Regardless of what these students’ future plans are, their new understanding of government will provide them with valuable knowledge and experience for the future.

“I think this program will help me gain a complete understanding of the government. A lot of what I know about the government is from textbooks and the media, but I think

it'll really help to kind of see it in action in person and be able to put a place to the whole system. I'm taking government this semester too, so I think it will be really cool to see and understand it in person,” Ramasubramanian said.

Anderson looks forward to the future of the program and hopes that UNO will continue with it. He has also been pleased with the progress of the program so far.

“Talking to the lobbyists in Lincoln was insightful - getting out of the textbook,” Anderson said.

“I hope to be able to use what I know from government class and better understand what we see and learn,” Warneke said.

Without a doubt, these students and teachers will gain valuable knowledge and experience from the leadership program.

newsflash 3

A Farewell to Van Man: All the Things I Couldn’t Say in a Graduation Address

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Zo and Tell

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t’s been real. It’s been fun. Its been real fun, and is it too cliché to say it’s time for our goodbyes? For the past four years, we have lived within the walls of a truly magical place. A place of heart and acceptance.

We have called hallways home. We know all too well the sound of the meaningless bell for second lunchers and the screeching chairs of the room above us.

As we entered through the doors of Marian High School on August 18, 2008, we can truly say we had no idea what we were in for. Had we known that we would soon be overwhelmed by the classic hits blasting out of the jukebox, or the frantic chase of Sra. Deisy as we shoveled the last bites of baked goods into our mouths while simultaneously sprinting down sophomore hall, we would have tried to capture every moment of it. However, the challenging thing about life is that there is no agenda. No daily planner to fill out and no schedule to follow.

They say that laughter is the best medicine. At Marian, laughter is not only a panacea, laughter is our food and drink. Sure there are bad days, but sit through a block of Mrs. Remmick and you’re sure to chuckle at least once. Your fellow students are crazy: no-holds-barred, off the wall, crazy hilarious. That’s what’s so great about Marian: we’re all a little mad here.

Never be afraid to be yourself. It sounds so cliché, but

never has there been a place where it has been more true. Marian as a high school has prepared the Class of 2012 to succeed in college and beyond and has prepared us for things that we cannot yet foresee.

Marian as a home, has created the family we stand by today. A family of sisters and mentors that have shaped each one of us uniquely, diligently, and lovingly. We walk throughout the halls knowing that not only have we left our mark upon them, but that Marian High School has occupied our hearts. As we graduate, our hearts will open up once again, only to be filled with everything Marian has dreamed for us: greatness, and the ability to experience life and all it has to offer.

Above all, one of the most important things that Marian has offered us is an everlasting imprint on our heart. A place in our heart that will always radiate truth, love and joy. A place in our heart that will forever be Marian.

Confident, independent, thinking leaders. The catchy new slogan for Marian is a 100 percent accurate statement. One day soon, we are going to be in charge of the world. As Marian girls, we have this advantage: we can think. Never let yourself be brainwashed. If the so-called facts aren’t adding up, do not resist the urge to dig deeper and discover what you believe.

Hallway Etiquette Annoys Marian Girl alexamoore

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ust as it is common knowledge to say thank you to adults, wash your hands before dinner, and always buckle your seat belt before driving, it should be common knowledge to have hallway etiquette.

Whether I’m in a hurry to class or just taking my time walking through the hallways, I know it’s common courtesy to walk at a pace similar to a professional speedwalker. Nothing is more annoying than the group of three girls walking at a snail’s pace down the hallway, leaving you with an awkward and insufficient space to get around them without bumping into the oncoming traffic on the other side of the hall.

With seniority comes a sense of pride that enables me to gently nudge those who I feel aren’t walking at a fast enough pace for my liking, but then again, nothing is more annoying than an upperclassman who thinks she can do whatever she wants because she is merely a senior.

If you plan on stopping mid-strut to talk to a friend, don’t expect me to have ninja-like reflexes and somehow not walk directly into your backpack.

Unfortunately, you will have to feel me bump into you and awkwardly apologize for something that isn’t my fault. Please, converse with your friends by your locker.

ink lasts forever the network

The Network is a monthly publication of the journalism students at Marian High School, Nebraska’s only Class A, Catholic, North Central Accredited college preparatory school for girls. The Network is a member of the N.H.S.P.A, N.S.P.A. and the C.S.P.A. It is our goal to provide an accurate and informative news source for the student community. Opinions expressed on the opinion pages do not necessarily represent those of the entire community. Students, faculty, and friends are invited to voice their opinion in Letters to the Editors. All letters must be typed, signed, and sent to: The Network, Marian High School 7400 Military Ave. Omaha, NE 68134 Or e-mailed to us at: netpaper@omahamarian.org Follow us @MHSBeat An electronic version of this paper can be found at: http://www.omahamarian.org/netpaper

4 opinion

Words of Wisdom

staffeditorial

cartoon by marylouisewoltemath

am not the Valedictorian. Nor am I the Salutatorian. I don’t even know what those words mean, which is probably a contributing factor to my lack of such a title. I got an F on my first semester PreCalculus final.

I’ve had Saturday school twice, and I’ve been tardy more times than I can count. I certainly had no hope of being zoeursick selected for May Queen, and my nomination for myself as Prom Princess clearly went unnoticed.

I will not be Marian Girl of the Year.

And I will not have any chance to make a speech in front of the whole school, (or even just my class), so this is my moment, and by Jove, I’m taking it.

Let us begin with the obligatory professions of gratitude: I thank you for reading what I write, and I thank you for not submitting any harsh letters-to-the-editor victimizing me as a person.

Thank you.

I thank my 2012-mates for their exceeding loyalty and support on the occasions during which I’ve lost my phone or come dangerously close to being caught playing Bubble Shooter. For the times I’ve been dodging frantically throughout the school, only to hear “Zooch, I got it!” being shouted from across the hall, or for the times that my classmates have assured certain teachers that I was, in fact, “taking notes” on my laptop—I thank you.

I thank whoever figured out that inserting a certain consonant between the http and the :// would grant automatic access to a certain social networking site. I thank the girl who discovered that (for a brief period of time) the vending machine was malfunctioning in the form of 15-cent Reese’s, and shared that information instead of hoarding the snacks for herself.

I thank the security guys for the ride up Soph Lot nearly every morning. I thank the administration for only issuing half a point per tardy, or I’d probably have Saturday school for the next 10 years.

I thank Señora Shanahan for hemming my skirt on several occasions, and for occasionally letting me win in our foot-races to class. And, I thank Mrs. Broekemeier for loaning (okay, giving) me 60 cents junior year to make copies of somebody else’s chemistry notes in the library. *Editorial Note: the Network staff does not condone any of the aforementioned rule-breaking behavior and discourages any student from partaking in such activity. Zoe Ursick personally entreats the students of Marian High School to abide by all rules as stated in the Student Handbook. If a student choses to break the rules, Ursick urges students to accept the consequences without complaint.

I’ll admit, there are times when I’ve hated school and everything about it, as is normal teenage behavior, but there is nothing I will regret about my experience at Marian High. (Note: that is entirely false, as I have many regrets, but this is still my moment and I am milking it for all it’s worth.) Also, as is normal teenage behavior, I’ve come to meet many individuals whom I would rather rip off my nails than socialize with.

But, I will not let their presence in the world rain on my parade, for there are many Marian-dwellers who are certainly not my best friends.

And, if anything, Marian has taught me to deal with my foes in a ladylike manner. If I went to a public or even co-ed school, I’d probably be more apt to engage in a passing-period brawl. But as a Marian girl, I can just avoid my nemeses like the plague and privately try not to puke when I see them on Facebook.

Marian has actually taught me many things, now that I think about it.

I have learned to survive for over a week without showering (thank the Lord for dry shampoo) and many, many months without shaving my legs.

Because really, all of Marian is like a home. Especially in the fact that I can walk around looking like an ogre and nobody can say anything about it. In fact, the only way it could be more like my own home is if I could go around all day in my pajamas. (Which technically, I guess I sometimes do, but you get what I mean.)

I am breathing a contented, happy sigh as I write this. For as much angst as MHS has caused me, I’m realizing that, man, I’ve got it good.

In sum, I would like to conclude my final column of The Network (feel free to cry; it’s way understandable that you’ll miss Zo and Tell) with a rhetorical, deeply-thought-out question. You may take it as a means of inciting profound thought, or just as the kind of joke it was intended to be (seriously, this one always gets me some good laughs): Remember when I was a cheerleader sophomore year?

Time for Goodbyes

Knowledge of proper hallway etiquette is something that comes with age, but applies to everyone and should be taught at orientation for freshmen. With the passing period rush, I personally do not have time to stand in the hall and wait for people to move. The other day, I nearly tripped over a girl who decided it was a fantastic idea to stop and tie her shoes in the middle of the hallway. Sorry, but unless your plan for the day is to get trampled, please try and get to your next class before tying your shoes.

Don’t get me wrong, I am fairly impressed with the way each new freshman class adjusts to the hallway rules, but those first few months are semi-rough. Also, I don’t know what makes it okay to shove people so hard they almost fall to the ground. Yes, I am aware I am short in stature, but that does not mean I am okay with being pushed. I understand you don’t want to miss a single second of Mrs. Remmick’s class, but please don’t kill me on the way there.

Yes, you should have all learned the etiquette early in the year, but it’s not too late to practice. Although there are 180 seniors leaving and the hallways will be less crowded, don’t forget to always practice the proper hallway etiquette.

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

Moving On And Shedding Our Skins W

e all talk about how we’ve grown and developed over these last four years, and as I reflect over my time here, I acknowledge that is the truth: we have matured. I’m almost an entirely different person now than I was four years ago.

Almost.

I don’t always start my work at the last possible moment, but when I do, I make sure it forgives any tardiness I may have incurred.

But sometimes I fudge it and I have to admit that not only was my timing wrong, but also that the disastrous result was actually cringe-worthy hilarious.

Seniors, you know what I’m talking about. I’m sure we can all think of one time this has happened. It wasn’t funny then, and it isn’t that funny now, but we can still manage a sheepish grin and a shrug.

And that’s the beauty of our class. We’re laid back with a sense of humor. We don’t take ourselves too seriously. Our class exhibits a unique culture promoting relentless positivity with no delusions of our shortcomings.

Except when we get down to business. We play hard, but we work harder.

Seniors, we have nine days left until graduation. How

seriously have you dwelled on the thought that we’re not all going to be in one place again (because how often does full attendance occur in reunions)? That senior year has just slipped past us? That we’re actually stepping off the comfortable ledge onto God knows what?

In other words, have you spiked your panic levels yet?

Well, it’s crunch time.

Here, let me pinch you (figuratively): this is the last Network you will receive on a Friday morning while music blares hannahgrace out the hallway speakers over your head. This is the last time you’ll be reading the Network in your homeroom desk. Any future issues will fall into your hands by mail.

Boom. Reality check.

There won’t be any more Marian Mom’s scotcheroos, late start Wednesdays, weird sophomore hall smells, hugs at Mass, or locker decorations.

No more tunnel of terror or Latin club movie nights or AP classes. Not another minute killed by reading small stall talks. We won’t experience another class retreat, Prom, nor the frenzied chaos that is Field Week. High school is over.

The end.

Grace Notes

PRO-CON:

Keep ’Em Away T torinietzel

he cuteness of a chubby baby and the excitement of a toddler cannot cover up the constant crying and need for attention.

My lack of love for children may send some people into cardiac arrest, but I am comforted by the future quiet I will experience in my home.

I don’t need multiple financiallycrippling clones of myself running around (causing me sleep deprivation) to be happy.

Children are not my thing.

Ten, 20, or even 50 years from now, I will be childless and happy.

Some say my viewpoint will change, but I doubt it. My fellow classmates love the idea of getting married and having children; they can’t wait to pump out babies. I, on the other hand, dread the thought of getting fat just to produce a mini-me. Sorry future husband, no babies for you.

On a rare occasion, one may witness me laughing with a child. But, like I said, rare occasion. After about 20 minutes, I am ready to flee to the sanctuary of quiet and serenity. As a result of my limited time with children, I don’t know what to do with them.

Let me paint a picture for you.

Recently, the senior Sociology II class partook in an Easter egg hunt with kindergartners. I not only had to spend time with one 5-year-old, but two. One child had the personality of a 15-year-old Prep bro. As a fellow Network staffer observed, I talked to

him like he was an adult. The other was a clingy girl who wanted to be smothered with love. Newsflash, I don’t know you, therefore I cannot love you back. All the children running around that day was a nightmare.

I cringe when I hear children cry. I become annoyed when they complain. I get frustrated when they require me to do everything for them because they “don’t know how.” No time to learn like the present, right?

Like I said before, sometimes I don’t mind kids.

I have young cousins and I love seeing them (for small increments of time). I like the way they love me and I love them back. But, I prefer to love them from afar.

The closer I am to them, the more I dislike them.

That goes for all children.

I’m a dying breed, though. The people who want kids have kids and then teach those kids to have kids when their time comes.

I will have no descendants to pass on my preferred way of childless living. I understand children are the future, but I want no part in it.

Raising children can be someone else’s problem.

Classes higher-strung than ours would be driven over the edge with this revelation, but we take it all in stride. We’ve weathered every disappointment and success, embraced every mistake and ingenuity. We know we’re not perfect, and we don’t pretend to be. We accomplished our best at Marian these last four years, and no one can say we didn’t try.

Except for fourth quarter. We didn’t really try there.

The years spent here molded us into the women and class we are today, and even though we all have regrets, who knows if it would have worked anyway. What’s done is done, and high school is finished. We will still maintain our close ties to each other and get ready for the next adventure. That, too, is an attribute of our class. We’re sappy and sickeningly sweet to everyone. Don’t worry though, it suits us at this point.

So when I say that Marian has created a different person in me, I don’t mean that at all. Marian molded us, but it also peeled the layers of doubt and insecurities from us. We’re like onions, or potatoes. We’ve grown and then our gross outer layers were peeled.

What I’m trying to say, underneath the weird metaphors for vegetables, is that Marian didn’t so much change as uncover the person that was there all along. We, as a class and as individuals, have developed intellectually, spiritually and emotionally, and one of the most important realizations we’ve made is that it’s perfectly awesome to be ourselves. Our realistic, yet hopeful, selves.

Children

The More the Merrier nicolewojtalewicz

I

like little kids. And I mean that in the least creepy way possible. Naturally, when someone says something of that sort, assumptions are made and people jump to conclusions. Of course, this should not apply in my case.

Children are great. They are at a point in their life where they think “your mom” jokes are funny, chasing boys at recess is entertaining, and there is no such thing as a dumb question. I will be the first to admit that they definitely are not pleasant company all of the time, but I’ve got to say, they keep you entertained.

In school, there is always that one student who seems to ask the most outlandish question during class.

The teacher avoids the question, everyone gets in a good laugh, then class time proceeds. While spending time with kids, this is not the case.

There is absolutely no possible way to avoid a question when a little kid asks.

And they are so witty!

I have had the great privilege to nanny for two summers of high school. Indeed, this does mean giving up hanging out with friends during the day and trying to convince children to behave, for those of you that were wondering. Anyhow, one of the kids I watched, a 4-year-old named William, never ceased to stump me with his questions.

I noticed he had a nervous look on his face before going on the carousel at the Children’s Museum. I will never forget the look of absolute horror he got when I asked

him if he had butterflies in his stomach. How could one even begin to think of a response to “How do the butterflies get inside of my tummy when I’m nervous?”? So darn cute.

This is the kind of stuff I love about kids.

They don’t think they know everything, but they want to. They want to learn how to understand things.

And by far the best part of all is that I can act like a kid myself when I’m with them.

At what other point in my weekend could I play hide-and-seek or make forts out of blankets, besides when I’m babysitting? I can’t think of many opportunities that would present themselves. How many people are out there that I could talk to in an accent and keep them laughing for an hour, besides kids? If I used my Mexican accent for an hour straight at a party on the weekend, I assure you I would kindly be asked to remove myself from the gathering.

I can never understand why people don’t like kids. I myself am looking forward to having a large family of five children when I’m older (I apologize in advance to my future husband, for this will not be compromised). It may be the fact that I have four brothers and sisters and a huge extended family that has attributed to my liking of kids, but I don’t mind it. I get just as happy seeing a cute little baby as most normal people would get over seeing a little puppy dog, though of course I enjoy those as well.

I look forward to the days when I will get to raise multiple “mini me’s” and mold them into the children I have always wanted. And to all of those haters that say children are a nuisance, I would simply like to remind them, you were once a child yourself.

The editors would like to congratulate their staffers for earning the Nebraska Class A2 State Journalism Championship.

The following seniors earned individual All-Class titles at the NSAA/NHSPA state tournament on May 7.

Zoe Ursick, First place in Headline Writing Crusader Yearbook team of Allie Braun, Kat Dudley and Annie Townley, First place in Yearbook Theme Development Kalani Fortina, Second place in Entertainment Writing Network team of Hannah Toohey, Kalani Fortina, Clancy Nelson, Trinity Gleason, Gabriella Martinez-Garro, and Hannah Grace, Third place In-Depth Newspaper Coverage Colleen Fell, Third place Sports Feature Writing Emily Fischer, Third place in Headline Writing

Hannah Toohey, Third place in Column Writing Kat Dudley, Fourth place in Yearbook Theme Copy Writing Kalani Fortina, Fourth place in Editorial Cartooning Hannah Goracke, Fifth place in News/Feature Photography Hannah Grace, Fifth place in Column Writing Carolyn Zuegner, Fifth place in Editorial Writing Nicole Wojtalewicz, Fifth place in Graphic Illustration Abby Johnson, Sixth place in Yearbook Theme Copy Writing

opinion 5

Youth Leadership Omaha:

Two Sophomores Learn through Year of Service and Leadership christinarommelfanger

O

nly 40 high school sophomores from the Omaha area were selected, and two of Marian’s very own were included. Last August, Nora Neary and Leah Plofchan applied for a spot on Youth Leadership Omaha (YLO), “an interactive leadership development program which informs, motivates and increases the awareness of selected high school sophomores from the greater Omaha metro area through issue-oriented seminars and interaction with community decision-makers,” according to its website.

Both Plofchan and Neary were very excited when they heard of their selection.

“Information for YLO was posted on the Marian website so I decided to apply.

I answered some questions online and got an invitation for an interview. After that I was contacted and told I was in,” Neary said. The program began in November of 2011 and ran until April 2012.

YLO involves “basically taking a field trip to different places once a month, in order to show different leadership opportunities and leaders in Omaha,” according to Neary. Each seminar had a theme, and a different Omaha leader came and talked.

Some of the highlights of the seminars included Health and Human Services, Justice and Government, and Media and Arts.

“The most interesting part was going

to jail opportunity. It gives the gradubecause ates another chance to serve the we got to Omaha area, using much of the talk to the skills they learned this past year inmates through YLO. and we Looking back at the experilearned ence, the girls agree that if they about how had to do it over again, they the jail definitely would. “My favorite works and part was probably the closing reeveryone treat. It really tied things together who’s and a sleepover at a retreat center involved,” is always a good time,” Plofchan Neary said. said.

The girls were able to see On new parts of Omaha and meet a April 11, diverse group of students from there was all over the greater-Omaha a closing area. Both Neary and Plofchan ceremony said that one of the best parts of for the the experience was meeting and high learning about new people who school have different racial, ethnic, and students religious affiliations than they and have. family For incoming sophomores who members. Dynamic Duo. Sophomores Leah Plofchan (left) and Nora Neary (right) participated in are interested in learning about Creighton’s Youth Leadership Omaha program for the 2011-2012 school year. Photo by “We all leadership roles, applications for christinarommelfanger. received the 2012-2013 will be listed on senior year,” Plofchan said. diplomas at the graduation, and if we still http://business.creighton.edu/centers-proBoth girls are interested in continuing want to be involved next year, we can be in what they started this year, and the Amgrams/youth-leadership-omaha starting in the YLO Ambassador program junior and August. bassador program seems like the perfect

Teacher, Student Interact Outside of Natural Habitat marylouisewoltemath

R

emember the first time that you saw a teacher outside of a regular school day? What was your instinctive approach? Fight or flight?

Did you avoid eye contact so as to not risk the obligation of greeting the person who knows, God forbid, exactly where you sit in their classroom? Or did you meet them boldly; head on with natural interaction.

For some reason, it becomes an outrageous way to start a conversation to be able to say, “Oh my gosh, guess who I saw at the mall?” (Pause for dramatic effect and insert any teacher’s name here.) It is just unexpected to most that a teacher and a student interact over anything other than the designated curriculum.

Summer! It happens every year. The students enjoy their time off and take their minds away from the long school year while the teachers obviously stay at school in their classrooms for two and a half months. Well, maybe not quite.

Though it may come as quite a shock to some, teachers do have lives outside of the classroom, as senior Shiloh King will discover as she shares a summer job with Marian’s Spanish teacher, Señora Beth Shanahan. The two coincidental co-workers will be sharing employment at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo over the summer.

Shanahan knew that she wanted a summer job and decided she wanted something different. “I think that they saw on my application that I spoke Spanish and became interested in hiring me...a lot of people

6 features

come through speaking Spanish.”

King has worked at the zoo since last April and is eligible to work any area of the zoo including the train and rides.

She likes being able to work outside in the fresh air while most of her classmates have jobs working indoors. She says that you can’t take anything too seriously and have to just laugh. She recalls a memorable moment when one of the peacocks almost hopped on the carousel.

Her favorite part of the zoo is the big cat complex. “I’m definitely a big cat kind of person,” King laughs.

Both King and Shanahan will be working with general admissions. King discovered that she would be working with Shanahan when her employer asked if she knew a Beth Shanahan. King had never taken Spanish and so had never encountered Señora Shanahan in all of her years at Marian.

“I knew that name sounded familiar, but it took me a minute to realize that they were speaking of a Marian teacher since I have never had her as a teacher.”

King recently introduced herself to Shanahan out of curiosity of who she’d be working with over the summer. Her advice for Shanahan is simple.

“Wear comfy shoes, bring bug spray, sunscreen and purchase a big cup from the concessions.”

So the next time that you see a teacher in your local grocery store, don’t duck into the next aisle over, give a warm hello!

Who knows, you could end up sharing shifts!

Shoot Me an Email...

Just Promise Not to Judge emilyfischer

“W

hat’s your email address?” It could be asked by an out-of-town uncle, a potential employer, or the cashier at Bath and Body Works trying to sign up customers for floods of coupons. For me, embarrassment usually follows this simple question.

“I’m sorry?” they all say when I give my email address. “Could you repeat that? Slowly?”

“Fish4Tennessee,” I say, blush creeping up my cheeks. “Fish like the animal, four like the number, and Tennessee like the state. Two n’s, one e, two s’s and two more e’s.”

Confusion.

Why Fish4Tennessee? Well you see, when I was finally given free reign to become an adult (as I saw it) and get my own email address, I was in seventh grade and a huge fan of the Tennessee Volunteers women’s basketball team. I felt the need to proclaim my love for the team with what seemed to be a “hip” email address.

Freshman Lizzy Van Dyke has experienced similar shame

in sharing her email address. “I recently had to get back on it for a password from a while ago but my account got all messed up and I asked my brother to call Cox to fix it. They asked for my email address... Just picture an 18 year old boy reporting that their email was chocolateroxmysox@cox.net.”

When asked for an explanation of why she chose the address, Van Dyke blushed and said, “I was in fourth grade and I really liked chocolate. It’s really embarrassing now. I try not to use it too much.”

Sophomore Courtney Boler had a childhood nickname that she thought was perfect for an email address. “My family called me Boo Bunny so when I got an email address, I wanted that to be it. But I ran into some problems because I couldn’t use it on some sites due to ‘inappropriate language.’ When it ran together it looked like boobunny.”

Junior Rebecca Adler-Garcia was “Catholicgirl130” because her mom created the email address for her.

Sophomore Addie Curley

kindacute139 boobu

nny

wi

nt

ey

ch

d l i

8 4 5

was (and is) “Wintergirl15.”

“I made it in the fifth grade because my birthday is in the winter.”

Counselor Ms. Kathy DeBoer says, “It’s important for students to think of the big picture when choosing an email address.

Think about who will be receiving your emails- both at the college level and beyond. Email names that seem cute or trendy at the time can completely send the wrong message about a candidate down the road. It won’t reflect you in a positive way.”

Gmail offers a forwarding service that makes it possible to have email from one address sent automatically to another. It can come in handy particularly when applying for colleges. Colleges can send messages to a student’s school email address and the student can receive those emails at a personal account.

So remember, next time you ask a classmate for her email and she responds with, “Vballerrox123,” suspend your judgements and be thankful you’ve updated your email address since seventh grade.

pink

lvr4

qu

ee

4

nt

ut

t3 k n 28 ga mo l1 5 cinnabon_sugarplum

er

Emails taken from a student survey provided by The Network staff.

Seniors Get a Taste of College Sports in Summer 2012 catelinhotz

A

s summer 2012 quickly approaches, many Marian girls find themselves in the back of math class daydreaming of bronzed skin and ice cold lemonade. However, for 11 current seniors, their summer is looking a little differently thus far. These 11 girls will become college athletes as soon as they graduate and will have to start preparing for that title this summer.

Senior Jackie Tondl will be playing soccer at Texas A&M. Her preparation will be rigorous in order to fit the level of play she will be immersed in.

“The biggest thing is going to be getting into the best possible shape of my life in order to pass the fitness tests and keep up in the weight room so I can play,” Tondl said. Tondl plans to work with Marian Varsity soccer Coach Ed Dudley four times a week on lifting techniques, speed, and agility. She also plans to work on her ball-handling skills once a week with her club coach. On top of all the formal training, she will be required to condition and run constantly in order to be ready for the Aggies this fall.

Aside from the four soccer seniors (Ava Ambrose, Erin Stewert, and Emily Nulty) planning to continue play at their respective colleges, seniors Ashley Jansen and Kate Elman will also be joining them in rigorous training for their upcoming volleyball season at Creighton University.

The girls, along with the rest of their team, will be required to put in at least 12 hours of conditioning per week over the summer. The conditioning includes weight lifting, cardio, and practicing skills at open gym at Creighton.

“I’ve seen the facilities we will be in and I’m really excited to start training!”

Elman said.

The girls will have to prepare over the summer in order to be ready for their preseason, August 7-21, followed by a trip to Florida for their first tournament which will take place August 23-26.

Molly Petit will also be joining Jansen and Elman in their volleyball training as she will be playing for the Midland University Warriors.

As the school year is coming to a close, senior Jessie Koraleski is also looking ahead to what is in store for her this summer. Koraleski will play tennis at Rockhurst University in the fall.

Although the season will be just as time consuming and strenuous as athletes playing other sports, her training is a bit more casual.

“Basically my coach just wants me to play a lot. There isn’t any big training that I will have to do,” Koraleski explains. Koraleski takes this casual training as a gift and plans to spend a lot of time with her friends this summer before they all part ways in the fall.

Senior Superlatives...

Taking a Second Look at Sarah Steffes

kalanifortina aker, traveler, service-oriented, intelligent, and beautiful. Is there anything senior Sarah Steffes can’t accomplish? Though she is quiet when she first meets people, she definitely opens up after a while.

A world traveler, Steffes has been to Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and countless other places in the United States. “I enjoy traveling because I get to explore other cultures and learn about people from different places,” Steffes said.

She’s also a big fan of British music.

Her sister is the one who introduced her to this genre of music and she’s been hooked ever since. “I just can’t stop listening to it,” Steffes said. “My favorite band is probably The Wanted, but I also really like the Rizzle Kicks, too.”

Steffes’ two younger sisters, Camille and Megan, are 12 and 16. She loves having two sisters who are fairly close to her age because they all get to share clothes.

“We all get on each other’s nerves at times, but in the end I’m glad they’re my sisters,” Steffes said.

Baking is another passion of Steffes’.

“I’m not a great baker,” Steffes said, “But there’s a few recipes I’m really great at making.” She claims to make the most delicious oatmeal chocolate chip cookies in her whole family.

B

clancynelson

Most likely to get married first... Rachel Bormann Best smile... Moira Delaney Prettiest hair... Colleen Fell

“We had a competition of who makes the best oatmeal chocolate chip cookies and I won, hands down.”

The Steffes family’s pet is another one of her favorite things. Mr. Jingles, a Yorkie Poo, is 4 years old and full of spunk. “When he was little, my sisters and I would dress him up in baby clothes and treat him like a little baby,” Steffes said.

Though his name is Mr. Jingles, he’ll respond to almost any name. Sarah is positive that Mr. Jingles loves her the most out of everyone in her family because she gives him the most space. But after being cradled like a baby for most of his puppy years, who wouldn’t want space?

After graduation, Steffes is set to go onto Creighton University as a confident, independent, thinking leader where she will study biology and pre-medicine. She wants to be a pediatrician because she loves kids and she loves service.

What better place for her to be?

It’s obvious to anyone who meets Steffes that she’s a smart, happy, and sweet girl. Marian should be proud to be able to say that she spent four whole years within its walls.

Fifteen years from now, you could be waiting for her to see your children for a regular check-up at the doctor’s office!

These senior superlative titles are based off of opinions by members of the Class of 2012 gathered in homeroom. They do not represent the opinions of The Network staff.

Most likely to be a billionaire... Jessica Brandl Most distinct facial expressions... Kelly Woodruff Most likely to win The Hunger Games... Molli Foxley Most likely to be famous... Sarah Ervin Best at accessorizing the uniform... Dominque Hebron Most likely to teach at Marian... Taylor Haag

Most recognizable handwriting... Nicole Wojtalewicz Most contagious laugh... Megan Boler

The Class of 2012: Met our Big Sisters!

Inter-GLOW-actic Gnimocemoh Our first Prep dance! ...was canceled.

ut o t e “G

ay!” w l l a ur h

of o

2009

2008

Our Journey Together

Discover Your Destination Retreat & our first Ships & Sailors game.

photo by clancynelson

Most likely to have 10 children... Clancy Nelson

“We inhale the

paint fumes every day...”

Frosh Freehand takes third (the first time).

Goodbye, Ms. Kish! features 7

NEBRASKA MISSOURI

UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA AT OMAHA . cassie adams . mikayla brohman . claire crane . jill danielson . ashlynn efferding . sarah ervin . kalani fortina . kelsey genoways . jenn gillespie . hannah grace . kaitlin gray . dominique hebron . veronica hill . laura kramer . rachel langenfeld . annie loveless . haley lovely . jonnisha mccleod . alexa mcdonald . elle mostek . kelly nelsen . ana nelson . cassie phillips . hannah raabe . maria rokes . caitlin rosenthal . jacque smith . emily swett . stacy thiel . bridget tuttle . savannah uden . emma wagner . hailey wolf . UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA AT LINCOLN . maria barmet tler . anna bashus . rachel bormann . mariah davis . moira delaney . abby diaz . kat dudley . erica english . colleen fell . taylor gillogly . karyn gohr . hannah goracke . megan huelskamp . abby johnson . allie johnson . shelby johnson . erin king . kayleigh lewandowski . gabriella martinez-garro . kate mendell . lizzie mensinger . addy mueller . clancy nelson . alyssa neneman . lauren pedersen . emily pieper . macy potts . meg rogers . maddie schlotfeld . anne spielman . cassie thompson . claire wieger . lauren williams . shannon wilson . CREIGHTON UNIVERSITY . jessica brandl . grace dickerson . kate elman . erin fitzsimmons . haylee frisbie . jenna glass . ashley jansen . sara kelly . nicole methven . taylor novacek . hannah portis . jessica samuelson . amanda sharp . marissa smith . sarah steffes . kelly woodruff . UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA AT KEARNEY . emma huerter . liz meister . brittany thompson . DOANE COLLEGE . libby blanke . MIDLAND UNIVERSITY . molly pettit . WAYNE STATE COLLEGE . chloe linstroth .

ROCKHURST UNIVERSITY . emily benak . trinity gleason . naomi jones . ty o’neal . jessie koraleski . NORTHWEST MISSOURI STATE . maddie anderson . bridget brich . emily rouw . SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY . rachel lee . nicole wojtalewicz . MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY . erin stewart .

TRUMAN STATE UNIVERSITY . hannah ingraham . UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI . zoe ursick .

KANSAS UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS . miranda dineen . annie hupp . shiloh king . alexa moore . maggie steier . carolyn wolfe . taylor wyatt .

BENEDICTINE COLLEGE . kim barry . aly garrett . hannah manganaro . morgan schumacher . laura wiggs . marylouise woltemath .

CALIFORNIA IOWA SANTA CLARA UNIVERSITY . marie mcnamara . katie scheer .

UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO . georgia andresen . rosalie plofchan . CALIFORNIA POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY . katy kohlmeyer .

LOYOLA MARYMOUNT UNIVERSITY . olivia hershiser .

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES . noelle west .

IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY . megan boler . elyse brouillette . rachel lukowski . DRAKE UNIVERSITY . rachael kreski . pearl schroer . carolyn zuegner . UNIVERSITY OF IOWA . megan devereaux . sarah hoffman .

ILLINOIS LOYOLA UNIVERSITY CHICAGO . tori nietzel . hannah toohey . annie townley . DEPAUL UNIVERSITY . cassie edet . biz steinauer . NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY . emily nulty .

PENNSYLVANIA DICKINSON COLLEGE . faith wilwerding .

VILLANOVA UNIVERSITY . allie braun .

ARIZONA MICHIGAN NEW MEXICO NEW YORK OHIO OKLAHOMA TENNESSEE TEXAS WASHINGTON, D.C. ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY . jenna walter .

MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY . katie schaenzer .

NEW MEXICO MILITARY INSTITUTE . alex hanus .

NEW YORK UNIVERSITY . christina reyelts .

MIAMI UNIVERSITY . alex frey .

UNIVERSITY OF TULSA . katie hoffman .

UNIVERSITY OF TENNESEE MARTIN . molli foxley .

TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY . jackie tondl .

GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY . alec morand .

Describe the class of 2012 in one word:

MINNESOTA INDIANA COLLEGE OF ST BENEDICT & ST JOHN’S UNIVERSITY . taylor haag . christina rommelfanger . ST THOMAS UNIVERSITY . kaitlin bacon . haley elsome . allison keller .

UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME . sarah singer . claire troia . INDIANA UNIVERSITY . catelin hotz . PURDUE UNIVERSITY . kara stangl .

WISCONSIN MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY . megan andreasen . emily fischer . michaela mcdonald . kate nichting . anna rosenlof .

FLORIDA UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI . ava ambrose . UNIVERSITY OF TAMPA . muireann greely .

On

AUGUSTANA COLLEGE . sarah lafferty .

UNIVERSITY OF SIOUX FALLS . shannon daly .

1 .6%

SOUTH DAKOTA The bat in Soph Hall.

New principal, new rules.

8 indepth

2010

Facebook blocked - OMG!

Sophomore Seuss creates the smallest Walls ever & wins another third place finish with the Grinch!

Discover Your DestinaSonia? tion Retreat & our Where you 1st at?

Ships & Sailors game.

Memorial is ours!

Cotton ball wigs...

A

Class of 2012, Who Are We and Where are We Going?

y

t-

n

1,729 miles from Omaha to San Luis Obispo

ru sin gp

44%

56%

en cil s

sen

ior sp ref e

ru sin gp

en s

1,448 miles from Omaha to Tampa

ior sp ref e

never

sen

46%

3%

red

36%

blonde

never

once a month wear glasses or contacts

once a month

54% once a week

once a week

more than once a week

black

4%

do not wear corrective lenses

57%

more than once a week other

other

brunette

How often do Marian seniors wash their skirts?

0

10 10

20 20

30

40 40

50 50

percent of Marian seniors

60

70

80 80

n a scale of 1 to 10, how nervous are you to go to college? (1 being terrified, 10 being confident) 3 5%

9.4% 4

5 16.4%

10.7% 6

7 18.9%

18.2% 8

9 11.9%

4.4% 10

1.3% other

source: survey results taken in senior homerooms

Sarah Ervin stunk up the entire cafe by microwaving her fish...

Wassup, upper lot?

Out with the hunter green, in with the royal blue plaid.

Hannah Portis dragged across the Sokol Arena during demo.

2011

%

3% 2

Government is life.

Farewell to Schad and Kathman!

Near-death Field Night run-in.

indepth 9

Senior Scholars

Get to know the top three students of the Class of 2012

christinarommelfanger & hannahtoohey

What college will you be attending?

What college will you be attending?

University of Tulsa, Oklahoma

What is your intended major?

Katie Hoffman: Valedictorian

cheer squad, NHS tutor, Marian Big Sister, reserve soccer team sophomore year, Harry Potter Club, Polar Plunge, Operation Others

What inspired you to pursue this career?

Being in Mr. Esser’s class for the last two years showed me how awesome the physics world can be. He taught me that there’s not always going to be an answer, but you can be the one who finds the answer.

What was your reaction to title of Valedictorian? Really happy. In shock. Everyone here

is so smart; it was overwhelming because so many people deserve it.

What advice would you give a freshman who hopes to be top of class? Freshman year counts;

if your goal is to be the top of your class, take as many honors classes as you can. Don’t just aim to be at the top if it makes you stop taking classes you are passionate about.

What's your ideal place to live? Panama Beach City, Florida or Australia What's your guilty pleasure? Diet pop What's your best high school memory? Mr. Hacker’s Chemistry II class was really fun.

What are you most looking forward to in college? Freedom of being on my own and doing my

own thing; [It will be kind of scary without my sister, but it will be good].

University of NebraskaLincoln

What is your intended major/ career goal? I want

University of NebraskaLincoln

Engineering Physics minor? Spanish

What are some of your activities from high school? Captain of

What college will you be attending?

Cassie Thompson: Saludatorian

to major in Bio-Systems Engineering and then hope to move on to med school from there minor? in Spanish.

What is your intended major/

career goal? Biological Sciences (biology major) with a premed focus, and I hope to eventually become a pediatrician.

What are some of your activities from high school? SWC, Show Choir, Recruitment Team, Choir Council,

musicals and spring plays

What do you feel passionate about? I very passionately

Kat Dudley: Saludatorian

What are some of your activities from high school?

Yearbook co-editor, cross country, track, volleyball, Class Officer, Esprit de Corps, TAR

believe in respecting others and human dignity.

What was your reaction to title of Salutatorian?

but don't let getting that number one (or two) spot consume you. Honestly, the title is not worth ruining your high school experience over. Have fun, and whatever happens, happens.

Where is your ideal place to live and why? Anywhere warm, like Texas or Arizona. I hate the cold. But I would have to live in a big city, too. I can't stand small towns.

What is your guilty pleasure? Ghost Adventures. I don't know why but I find that show incredibly entertaining. But that might be because it's hosted by Zak Bagans. I love him for no apparent reason.

What is your best high school memory? Opening night of Footloose. Nothing will ever compare to the pure joy and energy I felt that night. Also, getting third place in Field Day freshman year. That is a close second.

Where is your ideal place to live and why?

What advice would you give a freshman who hopes to be top of class? Work hard and study a lot,

What are you most looking forward to in college?

The freedom. Being able to go to bed and wake up when I want to, and eat whenever I feel like it, and stay out as late as I want.

That will be nice. I guess just being on my own.

Who's your favorite band/artist? Billy Joel. Without question. I don't dislike any song he's ever made.

When I hear Salutatorian I hear 'second best.' Just kidding.

My reaction is that I am proud of the work that I have done throughout the years and it has paid off.

Santorini, Greece because my favorite color is blue and Santorini's buildings/houses/whatever are all white and it is surrounded by the bluest water I have ever seen.

What are you most looking forward to in college? Being able to have ice cream every day in the

cafeteria and not having my mom [who's a dietician] telling me how bad it is for me.

What is your guilty pleasure? Sending pictures/videos of myself doing random stuff to seniors Jackie Tondl, Taylor Gillogly, and Rosalie Plofchan.

What's your favorite TV show? Bones Who's your favorite band/artist? PJ Simas because he is self-made and puts out music for sheer enjoyment and not for monetary gain.

What's your most embarrassing childhood memory? When I was in fifth grade my hairstyle consisted of a slicked back ponytail and with two of the thinnest strands of hair that I thought were bangs.

What food do you eat when you study? Burritos or ice cream

Defying the Odds trinitygleason

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First Non-Catholic May Queen Joins Ranks

n mid-April, the senior class made the biggest decision since choosing Prom Queen: who was to be chosen as the girl who best embodies the spirit of Mary, the mother of Jesus. When Campus Minister Mrs. Lori Spanbauer made the announcement during homeroom, cheers were heard up and down senior hall in every homeroom.

Tyesha O’Neal was named May Queen. While most were not surprised O’Neal was voted as the 2012 May Queen, she was.

“I was shocked. My eyes were watering a lot because I never thought someone as quiet and shy as I was in the beginning [of high school] would get such an honor,” O’Neal said.

Not even O’Neal’s mom believed the news O’Neal had for her. “At first, she was like, ‘It must be an April Fool’s thing,’ but then she started crying and sent a mass text to everyone in her phonebook,” O’Neal said.

O’Neal may have thought that many of her fellow classmates weren’t aware of her, but it was obviously a misconception.

The Class of 2012 took a huge notice of O’Neal and all of the qualities that she embodies.

“It means a lot to me [that my class selected me]. In previous years I never thought many of my classmates knew me well and I was always one to put myself down so that others could take the spotlight. For my classmates to believe in me when I didn’t believe in myself means a lot to me. It shows that the Class of 2012 is one who doesn’t doubt others and helps others to fully live out their purpose,” O’Neal said.

Of course the senior class thinks the world of Ty O’Neal;

let’s face it, everyone does. She was picked because she best represents Mary, the mother of Jesus.

“I think I represent her sense of obedience and compassion; she was obedient to God in all that He asked of her and in my walk of faith, I have listened intently to what God has asked of me. I believe I am compassionate because I think putting others before yourself is one of the greatest things in life. If you do it graciously, it makes you empathetic with others,” O’Neal said.

There was some concern over whether or not the May Queen should be Catholic since Catholics have a special adoration for Mary. Obviously, it ended up not being a problem, though O’Neal, who lists herself as a Christian, was surprised.

“I never thought anyone non-Catholic would receive such an honor. I am pleased to know that my class sees me as a woman as representative as Mary. I’ve learned so much in my four years at Marian about Catholicism and what it represents; our two denominations are similar so I feel I am well-equipped and prepared to talk about Mary, thanks to my religion teachers and pastor,” O’Neal said.

With the depth of knowledge that O’Neal has accumulated over the past four years at Marian, she has one last thing to share with everyone.

“Never compromise yourself for anyone or anything. Always remain steadfast and remain faithful in all that you do; good will come of it in the end. Anyone who is spiritual and believes in any sort of religion is phenomenal to me because in life you should believe in something,” O’Neal said.

Strut Your Stuff. Senior Tyesha O’Neal leads the procession of First Communicants of alumnae daughters at May Crowning on May 8. At the ceremony, the Chamber Choir sang “The Magnificant” and the senior members of the Select Women’s Choir sang “Ave Maria.” After a Litany of Mary when the First Communicants placed their roses at the feet of Mary’s statue, the Handbell Choir played another version of “Ave Maria.” photo by trinitygleason

!!

la sue

August 20, 2011 : Our last first day of high school!

CarnEVIL!

Movie Night: The Lizzie McGuire Movie 10 features

2012

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“We’re all floating on a sea of love” Senior Retreat

Co

Check out the Senior Spirit: We’re Closin’ up Shop! timeline by rosalieplofchan

Seniors’ Flowers Galore No More

Fine Arts Center Dream

ach May, Marian underclassmen look forward to bringing their favorite seniors bushels of gorgeous flowers to hold as the graduates process in and out of the Senior Honors Assembly. If they aren’t bringing flowers, they are picking out who has the best shoes, looking up when they spot a pair they find uber-fabulous. At this time, they are either able to easily identify a senior or are forced to peek behind a flowery mask to identify the mysterious Marian girl.

According to the moderators of senior events, the Marian community is striving to eliminate the awkwardness of having some seniors with an abundance of flowers while some only hold a few.

It was officially decided and announced at the April 4 senior class meeting that seniors will each be given one flower for each of the three graduation events. “This is in response to parents’ concerns that some seniors are not remembered while others are abundantly showered with gifts and flowers. This will also alleviate the huge mess for the senior teachers, graduation committee, and maintenance staff to clean up,” Assistant to the Principal Mrs. Michelle Delisi said.

“Say one person gets one flower and someone else gets a lot...

I think now it’s more fair and comfortable for everyone to each get one flower,” senior Dominique Hebron said.

The new flower arrangement goes as follows: a flower will be provided by the Marian Moms at Senior Honors Day, multi-colord gerber daisies will be carried during the official graduation ceremony, and class officers will purchase the flower carried during the graduation Mass.

Despite the immediate assumption that underclassmen will be unable to give their beloved seniors flowers this year, there is still an opportunity to do so. Before the honors assembly, senior locker assignments will be posted outside of senior hall homerooms and flower-givers will be able to place their flowers or graduation gifts in the appropriate senior’s locker.

“I think it is sad underclassmen can’t give them [flowers] to us, but they can still put them in our locker, so we’ll get them either way,” senior Nicole Methven said. This is a slight change from the tables in the quad covered in beautiful flowers each previous May for the graduation season, but surely something the Marian family can adjust to in no time.

Post flower-change reactions have been positive. Parents really pushed for the change to make the graduation ceremony more enjoyable without concern for the different numbers of flowers seniors carry. Seniors have been accepting of the change and are glad they are still able to receive flowers.

clancynelson

naomijones

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SPEAK OUT: What is Your Summer Goal?

cassiephilips

“I love horses. I’ve been riding since I was 6. This summer is going to be big for me because it’s the first time I will be competing out of Nebraska. It’s very exciting.”

-Maddie Neuhaus ’15

Closer to Becoming Reality

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through the construction’s completion. Instead, drivers will adies and gentlemen. Boys and girls. Marian High School need to enter through the sophomore lot on 72nd Street. Refer is proud to present to you its new performing arts center. to the graphic for entry and exit specifics.

After years of planning and preparation, ground is ready Another to be broken proposal that the on the newest administration addition to the is considering Marian campus. is to request Construction of parent drivers the performing after school to arts center, which wait until 3:20 will be located p.m. so that atop the current student drivers staff parking lot, can more safely is scheduled to exit the campus. commence on the The congestion first of June this will only be year. The 13-month temporary and undertaking is final details will scheduled to be be communicated completed by July to parents and 2013, ready to be drivers. enjoyed during the The 2013-2014 school performing arts year. center benefits Major others Marian excitement was academic areas stirred when a as well as fine $1.3 million gift arts. Relocating was donated to the speech and the performing band rooms to arts fund. Soon the new building after one generous will make room anonymous donor to expand offered support, Marian’s science another supporter Performing arts center. For more information, refer to the Capital Campaign facilities. The came forward with Advancement tab on the Marian website. extra space will a gift of $200,000. be transformed So what will into science the state-of-the-art and engineering facility bring to the labs during the Marian community? summer of 2013.

Most obviously, it will Supporters include a 400-seat of Marian and auditorium, equipped the fine arts with full male and program will female dressing be able to show rooms, a sound and their support by light control room, purchasing name and a spacious foyer. plaques for the The performing arts auditorium seats, center will also provide or personalized a new home for a stars displayed mirror-walled speech in the hallway classroom, a band of the new room, and lecturebuilding. These style AP classes in the opportunities auditorium. are available The great addition for gentlemen does not come without involved a price, though. in Marian Aside from obvious original map source: Google Maps productions as well. monetary costs, the To kick-off the construction phase, a ceremony will be held construction of the facility will prohibit vehicles from entering on May 24, the last day of school for underclassmen. campus from Military Avenue from the date of groundbreaking

Servite Sisters Share “I have so many goals I want to accomplish this summer. I think since there is so much to do, I am motivated to do all of them. During the school year there is so much you have to do. During the summer, there is time for everything.”

-Claire Adams ’14

“I am going to make a short film for the Omaha Film Festival next year. It’s something I want to do because I want to become a director. My goal is to submit it before college.”

-Claire Andersen ’13

“My goal is to work out and condition this summer. When I start playing volleyball at Midland University next year, I want to be ready and prepared for the season.”

-Molly Pettit ’12

rosalieplofchan

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Healing Touch Therapy

ister Suzanne Vandenheede, OSM, CHTP, a friendly and familiar face at Marian, has a passion for helping others.

Sr. Suzanne, along with Sr. Mary Hogan, OSM, CHTP, has been working in the Healing Touch Ministry for more than 14 years.

When Sr. Suzanne heard about Healing Touch in 1998, she decided to give it a try. In order to be certified in Healing Touch, she went through five weekend-long training sessions, gave and recorded 100 free treatments, and read and wrote reports on 15 books.

Now seasoned Healing Touch therapists, the sisters meet monthly with a group they formed called the Eastern Nebraska Healing Touch Community to practice the art of Healing Touch and discuss what they learned.

The group has eventually sponsored its own training classes for people interested in Healing Touch and bring in professional instructors.

Healing Touch is a type of therapy that focuses on selfhealing in the seven chakras of the human body. Chakras are energy points in the body located at the crown, forehead, throat, heart, area above the navel, lower abdomen, and at the base of the spine. These energy points can be found by holding a pendulum above the body. The way the pendulum spins or moves determines whether the energy is positive or damaged.

If certain chakras are closed, extra focus can be placed on them during the therapy.

Healing Touch is not a massage therapy, but some massage therapists do incorporate it into their practice. Healing Touch is a gentle, self-healing therapy which focuses on the energy flow in the body. Some of the benefits of healing touch are elimination of toxins, anxiety relief, restoration of peace, relaxation, and stress relief.

Healing Touch is offered at the Servite Center of Compassion, and has been offered at the last two faculty/staff wellness days. The sign-ups at these sessions fill up quickly. If students or parents are interested in these sessions, sessions are offered in the Servite Center of Compassion adjacent to Marian for a fee of between $25-$45. To make an appointment, call Sr. Mary Hogan at 402-951-3055 or Sr. Suzanne Vandenheede 402315-9853.

Healing Touch is beneficial for people with varied pains and illnesses including arthritis, cancer, grief management, premenstrual syndrome, fibromyalgia, and multiple sclerosis.

Not only does Healing Touch help with the symptoms associated with these problems, it also makes the patient feel generally peaceful and uplifted. Sr. Suzanne had one cancer patient for two years who came to her regularly for treatments.

The woman had recurrent cancer and she told Sr. Suzanne that Healing Touch was the best thing she did as treatment. Healing Touch truly does impact the lives of many and it is a rewarding way for the Servites to continue to live their mission.

features 11

The Basketball Dye-nasty Ends, The Schmidt Season Starts Varsity Basketball Coach Position Filled Internally

cassiephillips

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ost of the Marian community knows her as one of the P.E. teachers. She has also spent her years at Marian teaching Computer Applications and Women’s Health. You may often hear her being referred to by students and staff members by her last name, “Dye.” Along with her teaching duties, Mrs. Beth Dye has also taken on the responsibilities of both head Varsity basketball and tennis coach. With these two titles, she has led her teams to excel.

Dye recently broke the news that she will no longer be coaching Varsity basketball.

“I need to devote more time to my family. There were too many nights away from home, especially with a young son. I am also expecting again at the end of September,” Dye said. Even though she has had to let them go, Dye says that both basketball and tennis play an important role in her life. “Basketball has always been my first

love, but I like the mental aspect of tennis.”

When Dye announced she would no longer be coaching, many people in the Marian community wondered who would take her place. Mrs. Lisa Schmidt was offered the position, and has recently accepted the role.

Schmidt dedicates a lot of her time at Marian as a math teacher and the Marian Bookstore Coordinator.

Before accepting the Varsity position, Schmidt coached both the Reserve and Junior Varsity teams. “I do feel prepared for coaching a Varsity team.

Especially after being the reserve coach. I have been an assistant on Varsity for thirteen years, where I sat on the bench and kept stats,” Schmidt said. Schmidt has had experience in basketball before coming to Marian and coaching. She attended Wayne State on an academic scholarship, and played as a walk on athlete.

“Dye gave me a lot of confidence and encouragement. She was a great coach. . .”

- senior Megan Huelskamp

State Sports Schedule Track

Friday, May 18 Time: TBA @ Omaha Burke High School Saturday, May 19 Time: TBA @ Omaha Burke High School

While coaching tennis, Dye was recognized as the 2009 High School Tennis Coach of the Year. She is also the recipient of the Omaha Tennis Association’s Outstanding High School Tennis Award of 2009.

When Dye left as Varsity tennis coach, basketball became her new dedication. This year’s Varsity basketball team was composed of nine girls, along with three team managers.

As a whole, the girls are accepting of Dye’s decision to do what is best for her family.

“We’re all understanding of Dye’s reasoning and we want to be supportive of her and her family, but we are definitely going to miss her.

As a coach, she could easily relate to us, and knew us all really well. We are thankful for the years she put into the program, though,” Junior Anna Bartolomei said.

Senior Megan Huelskamp, another member of the team, feels the same way. “Being a first time member of the varsity team, Dye gave me a lot of confidence and encouragement. She was a great coach, and I am so happy that I was given the opportunity to be a part of her team.

We’ll miss you Dye!” Freshman Cassie Jones says that Dye encouraged her to play. “I’m really sad she’s

leaving because she inspired me to be a basketball player. I am also thankful she put me on the varsity team to play with the upperclassmen. I’ve had a wonderful experience with her as my coach, and I will miss her!”

Sophomore Maddie Carlisle says she remembers being terrified of playing on varsity.

“I was so scared going on the team because I was the only sophomore, but she made me feel very welcomed and at home,” said Carlisle.

Dye says she will miss basketball at Marian.

“I am going to miss getting to know all of the girls in the basketball program, especially my varsity girls.” The basketball team is clearly a team full of strength and courage. As a coach, Dye hopes she instilled important qualities in all of the girls on her team.

“I hope they learned a better sense of teamwork, dedication, loyalty, and time management skills. Sports teach you so much more than just the game, and you will learn life lessons along the way.”

As Dye says goodbye to the varsity team, Schmidt is ready to add to what Dye has started. “I always look forward to seeing kids improve throughout the season. I want them to work hard, and have a lot of fun,” Schmidt said.

Soccer

Wednesday, May 9: Omaha Marian v. Lincoln East Time: 9 a.m. @ Morrison Stadium Semifinals: May 11 @ 6 and 8 p.m.

Finals: May 14 @ 7:15 p.m.

Tennis Thursday, May 17: State Tournament Time: All day @ Koch Tennis Center Friday, May 18: State Finals Time: 1 p.m.

Marian Girls Hit a ‘Home Run’ With Intramural Sports faithwilwerding

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he sun is coming out, and the books are closing. Many Marian girls see this as the perfect opportunity to lay poolside and be lazy. Intramural sports are an excellent way to keep in shape and fill some time on those tedious summer days.

“I would absolutely recommend intramural sports during the summer because, at least my experience is, there is a lot of free time that I could be spending with my friends,” sophomore Maria Mathey said.

Mathey will play softball this summer through the Rainbow League. Rainbow League is a league with “modified” fast pitch rules. Rainbow League emphasizes fun and fundamentals instead of competition. Mathey has been playing on the same intramural team since seventh grade.

Her team is composed mostly of Marian girls, but this year also welcomes a few girls from Duchesne and Mercy. “I continue to play intramural sports because I always have a great

12 active life

time and it’s a great way to stay in touch with my friends over the summer,” Mathey said.

“I love softball, and all sports, but I don’t think I’m ready for high school level, so this gives me an opportunity to play the sports I love in a fun, relaxed environment,” Mathey said.

Sophomore Rachel Ervin also plays summer softball for the Rainbow League.

“I like that it isn’t completely competitive, our team is naturally good, we’re all great friends and our coaches rock. It’s a nice way of staying close with grade school friends!”

Ervin said.

The Rainbow League season runs from early May through late June. Teams generally play 14 games a season, mostly on Friday and Saturday evenings.

In addition to softball, other summer intramural sports leagues to get involved in include sand volleyball, swimming, and ultimate frisbee.

Volleyball/Sand Volleyball: Teams need to guarantee their positions in the Digz Omaha Party and Sports Arena by May 20. The session runs from June 11 to August 12. Teams can sign up at www. thedigz.com. The total cost is $180. This includes a $50 fee that will be refunded at the end of the season if your team plays on all of their scheduled nights and times. Teams can be co-ed or single sex.

Ultimate Frisbee: Teams can be organized with the Summer Omaha Ultimate League. To register, go to www.omahadisc.com. The matches take place on Tuesdays at 6 p.m. from May 15 to July 31 at the Council Bluffs YMCA. The cost is $30 per team.

Raquetball: Events take place with the Omaha Sports Club. Matches are at Prairie Life Fitness on 132nd and Center. Raquetball consists of a “play-on-your-own” schedule, where you and your opponent set your own match time each week. Go to omahasportsclub.com for more details.

State Trap Results

colleenfell

Q A

On Summer Athletic Conditioning

taylorhaag

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ummer sports are nearly in full swing, but the question lingering on the minds of many Marian girls is, “How can I prepare myself and stay in shape for my school sport?” If you are one that has been constantly worrying about this, the Marian coaches are here to help. They have the perfect insight on the do’s and don’ts of summer athletic conditioning.

Questions: The 43rd Annual Cornhusker Trapshoot meet began on Friday, May 4 in Doniphan, NE. The meet had more than 2,000 competitors.

Singles Results:

Kelsey Genoways, Maddie Worth, Savannah Uden, Lori Nevole and Anna Vasko placed 2nd in the ladies team competition Kelsey Genoways tied for 4th place individual Briana Rakes and Hayle Frisbee- perfect rounds of 25 straight

Handicap Results:

Kelsey Genoways, Maddie Worth, Savannah Uden, Lori Nevole and Anna Vasko placed third in the ladies team handicap competition.

Lori Nevole was the handicap champion Haylee Frisbie was 5th in Ladies Handicap.

Savannah Uden was 9th in Ladies Handicap Lori Nevole and Anna Vasko had perfect rounds of 25 straight.

Overall Results:

Kelsey Genoways, Maddie Worth, Savannah Uden, Lori Nevole, and Anna Vasko- 1st place, they are the Nebraska Girls Team Champion

State Champions Lori Nevole tied for 2nd overall Haylee Frisbee was 7th overall Brianna Rakes was 15th overall

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2.

3.

What should girls be doing this summer to stay in shape for your specific sport?

Are there any scheduled work outs for your particular sport this summer? If so, can you give any details of these work outs at this time? (dates, times, places, etc.)

Do you have any advice or encouraging words for your athletes this summer?

Soccer Coach Mr. Ed Dudley

“A

ll of the players on Varsity and most of the JV team play club soccer, so for part of the summer, it will be necessary for them to train with their club team.

I train lots of different players from different sports during the summer.”

[If interested in having an athletic training session with Ed, please contact him via his Marian e-mail.]

Dance Team Coach Mrs. Michelle Delisi

“D

ance Team girls should be sure to work on their flexibility and run for endurance. Each girl will be receiving a “workout” schedule for the month of July. The schedule needs to be complete when they return to practice in August. Be sure to work hard and give it your best! The end results will be so rewarding!!!”

Swim Team Coach Mr. Dave Anderson

“G

irls need to train with their club teams and compete in as many meets as possible. Work hard! We can be very good next year with our returners and incoming freshmen.”

Volleyball Coach Ms. Rochelle Rohlfs

“I

n order to stay in shape, volleyball players need to attend open gyms and training sessions. Open gyms are two times a week and the schedule is posted on the Marian website. Put all of your goals onto a calender right now so they remain a priority throughout the summer. The traits of commitment and work ethic are earned and displayed to your teammates in the off-season.”

Trap Team Coach Mr. Bruce Esser

“T

rap is a year-round sport. We typically shoot in the summer and compete in the Cornhusker State Games in late July. There is also a schedule of other shots that occur during the summer and some of the girls on the trap team can choose to participate in those shoots as well.” [If interested in the summer trap shoots, contact Mr. Esser via his Marian e-mail.]

Basketball Coach Mrs. Lisa Schmidt

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ome to open gyms, play as much basketball as you can, and work hard on fundamentals of the game. Even if you are just shooting baskets in your driveway, you can work at an intensity that will provide a good workout and help you stay in shape. This summer, Coach Dudley will be working with the basketball athletes on strength, agility, and speed during our open gym workouts in June. Dates and times will be listed online. Remember that basketball players are made in the off-season.

Set goals and make a plan to achieve them. It’s not enough to say you want to achieve something - you must choose to work hard consistently and make the summer count. It’s not easy to make that commitment, but it will pay great rewards in the long run!”

Cross Country/Track Coach Mr. Roger Wright

“M

ake sure you stay in shape and run the 300 mile club.”

A Winning Smile. The girls on the winning State Trap Team show pride in their trophy.

photo courtesy of Mr. Bruce Esser

Softball Players & Cheerleaders

“M

ake sure to stay posted about workouts online and check your regular form of communication.”

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Summer Music Festivals

katykohlmeyer

June 16th - August 5th Cities throughout the U.S. Tickets: start at $76

June 27nd - July 1st, July 3rd - 8th Henry Maier Festival Park - Milwaukee, WI Tickets: general admission $14, 3-day pass $36

August 11th Stinson Park at Aksarben Village - Omaha, NE Tickets: general admission $35, VIP starts at $150

July 18th - 22nd TD Ameritrade Park - Omaha, NE Tickets: 1-day pass $15, 3-day pass $30, 6-day pass $60 for grounds only & mainstage tickets vary

June 7th -10th Manchester, TN Tickets: 4-day general admission pass $259

August 3rd - 5th Grant Park - Chicago, IL Tickets: 1-day passes for $95

ellemostek

Have you been itching to go shopping but have little spending money? Do you like to craft? Do your wrists feel bare? If you answered ‘yes’ to any of the previous questions, then I would recommend that you make a beautiful and trendy beaded braid bracelet that will surely cure your shopping fix and prepare you for summer fashion.

What you need:

1. Hemp cord or waxed linen cord. A bag of 6 colors of hemp cord is on sale at Hobby Lobby for only $3.20, regular price $5.99. Quite the deal.

2. Twenty to twenty-four small beads, depending on how big you make the bracelet. I would recommend that the thinner the cord, the smaller of beads you will need.

3. Any two-hole button.

4. Scissors.

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1. Cut the hemp cord into a 26-inch piece and 19-inch

piece. Fold the longer strand in half. Align one end of the shorter strand with both ends of the longer strand. Fold the excess over the top of the folded piece creating two parallel loops.

tutorial credit to HonestlyWtf.com. photos by ellemostek

How to: D.I.Y. Bracelet Making

2.

2. Tie a knot about half an inch down from the loops. Snip off the extra fourth strand, leaving 3 equal strands of equal length.

3.

3. Start braiding the strands. After about an inch or so, braid in

the beads. Thread a bead onto the outer left strand. Push the bead against the base of the braid, and cross the left strand over the middle. Now thread another bead onto the outer right strand.

Push it to the base of the braid and cross over.

6.

4. the beads 4. Keep a finger at the base of the braid, holding in their place and keeping the braid tight. Continue threading on beads before each strand is crossed over. Your bracelet should start to look like this.

5. Finish the bracelet with another inch of

5.

braided cord, measuring it against the wrist.

Tie a knot.

6. Thread on a two hole button – two strands through one hole

and one strand through another. Secure it with another knot. Trim the end. Voilà! Your beautiful bracelet is finished and you are ready to start showing it off!

“Almost, Maine” Showcases Raw Talent, Gets Laughs meganandreasen & hannahgrace

This year, the spring play took on a new spin. On April 24 through 29 , Marian and Creighton Prep actors joined forces again to perform “Almost, Maine,” written by John Cariani. Set in a fictional location in a town called Almost, Maine, the play is composed of nine short scenes that express love and sometimes loss. These nine vignettes focus on a few characters, themes, and setting at a time.

“It is a newer show that I felt highlighted the talent that we have at Marian and Prep. Each year, I select a play that represents a specific genre to expose the students to a variety of theatre. Two years ago, “Sneaky Fitch” was a Western melodrama/farce, last year’s “The

14 entertainment

Crucible” was an excellent example of classic American drama, and this year’s “Almost, Maine” is a light romantic-comedy. I hope to rotate genres every four years, allowing students whose talents are stronger in drama to have chances as much as those whose talents are stronger in comedy,” director Mr. Luke Ostrander said.

“Almost, Maine” defied conventions again with two casts instead of one. Cast A and B performed on alternating nights, which added a bit of variety to the production.

“There was so much talent, it was nearly impossible to cast certain roles. I decided, with the support of Mrs. Delisi and Ms. Crimmins, to separate some of the roles to allow for more talent to be featured on stage. We also added another

“The advantages of having small preview night and another show to vignettes is that each student’s role allow for more individual performances,” Ostrander said. is the same size, allowing them to be “Almost, featured for an individual Maine” burst scene that with sentimental, heartwarmhas its own ing moments beginning, and did not lack middle and end. From in hysterical a directing comic relief, either. A mixture standpoint, it of intense laughis much more ter and intermitproductive to tent “awwhs” have blocking could be and I’m Glad You Found Me. Creighton Prep senior heard polfrom the Mickey Madrigal, junior Lauren Tussey, and senior ishing audience. MaryLouise Woltemath perform their scene entitled, prac“Sad/Glad.” photo by clancynelson Each tices vignette with two or three people in one scene was simple and easy to follow.

than with ten people in one scene, especially with the busy schedules of the directors and the students,” Ostrander said.

Freshman Julianna Curley agreed that performing small vignettes had its advantage.

“I enjoyed having the play split up into several vignettes because it reduced the stress level,” Curley said.

The students’ adaptability to playing quirky, fun, diverse roles was a major strength of this year’s play. With an intimate atmosphere, there was a closer connection between the actors and actresses and the audience. Throughout the duration of the performance, the soul was able to experience emotional pangs that simultaneously filled it with joy.

Hot Spot Pit Stops: Your Guide to Surviving Summer Road Trips colleenfell

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hh, family roadtrips.

We’ve all experienced the fun, long, and sometimes grueling car traps in order to have “quality bonding time.”

However, many times along the way, we find ourselves in what seems the middle of nowhere. Here is a list of carefully-planned out roadside attractions to assure you can avoid God-knowswhere, Montana or Wherethe-heck-are-we, Idaho.

1. Kool-Aid Museum Hastings, Nebraska Come visit the birthplace of the fruity, sweet drink invented by Hastings-born Edwin Perkins in 1927. Here, visitors can view artifacts including the original Kool-Aid Man costume and enjoy free Kool-Aid samples!

2. Carhenge Alliance, Nebraska This series of sculptures is a replica of Stonehenge. Built in 1987, the structure consists of 38 vintage cars covered in gray paint.

3. UFO Watchtower Hooper, Colorado Located in the San Luis Valley, this watchtower is considered to be one of the best places in the world to spot UFOs. Are aliens your thing? Then be sure to visit at night when extraterrestrial visitors are easier to spot.

9. Mitchell Corn Palace Mitchell, South Dakota This free museum takes visitors through the agricultural history of South Dakota. Redesigned each year by local artists, the outside walls of this palace display murals completely constructed of- you guessed it- corn.

Ending Spot: Mount Rushmore

3

Ending Spot: 11 10 9 5 Chicago 2 4 1 7 8 6

Ending Spot: Niagara Falls

Ending Spot: Grand Canyon 4. Albert the Bull Audobon, Iowa Albert, the World’s Largest Bull, was built in 1964. The bull is a perfect replica of the Hereford Bull, except for the fact that this cow is nine times the size of a life-size cow.

5. World’s Largest Strawberry Strawberry Point, Iowa This 15-ft. fiberglass sculpture is located just in front of City Hall. The big berry was built in the 1960s and is located in Strawberry Point.

7. RV Museum and Hall of Fame Elkhart, Indiana This northern Indiana museum highlights some of the key points of the history of recreational vehicles from the first 1913 RV up to the 1980s.

6. World’s Largest Truckstop Walcott, Iowa This 30,000 sq. ft. stop just off I-80 features not only the necessities of a laundromat, showers, and bathroom, but also boasts a 300-seat restaurant, a dentist, and a movie theater.

8. A Christmas Story House Cleveland, Ohio In the heart of Cleveland, fans can visit the original set of the 1983 film, complete with the leg lamp, Red Ryder BB Gun, and fans can even try on the pink bunny suit for themselves.

10. Dinosaur Park Rapid City, South Dakota Smack dab in the middle of the Black Hills, Dinosaur Park sits on the grounds where remains of Late Jurassic and Early Cretaceous dinosaurs were discovered. Today, the park features seven life-size, kid-friendly, climbable dinosaurs, including the triceratops and the tyrannosaurus rex.

11. Cowboy Town Buffalo Ridge, South Dakota This interactive replica of an “Cowboy town” portrays the 1880s Wild Wild West. However, guests will have to guide themselves through the exhibition, as the town is populated solely by robots.

Homemade Ice Cream Recipe michaelamcdonald

Ingredients:

-2 cups whole milk -1 cup sugar -¼ cup fat free powdered milk -8 eggs -1 cup of heavy whipping cream -1 teaspoon of vanilla extract Directions: To make homemade ice cream, combine all ingredients and put into a freezing container. Set up your homemade ice cream maker and start to surround the barrel with ice and salt. Turn on machine and keep replacing salt and ice until the cream is completely frozen. Store in freezer to keep solid. Serve and enjoy.

Carly Novacek ’14 Photo by colleenfell

What’s Your Favorite Road Stop?

“We love the World’s Largest Truckstop!”

Olivia Hershiser ’12 Sara Kreski ’14

“There’s a great gas station in Ogalalla.

They have the cleanest bathrooms!”

Maggie Witzenburg ’14

Going Viral: Internet Memes Take Web by Storm kalanifortina & zoeursick

“I

don’t always call my mom at school, gain popularity through personal blogs or but when I do, it’s from the bathroom media sharing sites. next to the library.” These are the words Internet memes run abundant throughout of The Most Interesting Man in the World, the annals of the web, especially on sites notable like quickmeme.com, memebase.com, and spokesman reddit.com; popular memes also feature other for Dos categories such as Socially Awkward Penguin, Equis beer.

Paranoid Parrot, and Success Kid. And he has Typically, a meme follows a simple format: gone viral. background photo or graphic, text on the I don’t upper half, always MIMITW: correct The people’s caption spelling, begins but when with an I do, I “I don’t Google it always…” first.

Success Kid: Basically the and ends I don’t opposite of Paranoid Parrot, the with a always Success Kid meme will make a “but when make my statement (call mom in bathroom I do,…” own lunch, by library) followed by a successSimple as but when I ful result (Mrs. Broekemier doesn’t that! do, I forget come in). it at home.

I don’t and text on always finish my the lower half— sentences, but normally set in the when… aforementioned Impact And once typeface. To make your sentences like these own memes, or peruse are typed over these entertaining timea picture of The killers, visit any of the Most Interesting previously mentioned Man in the World, sites. But beware: don’t using white Impact log on unless you have font, you get an plenty of time.

Internet meme.

You may not always Paranoid Parrot: The first line will state an A meme, by look up memes, but ordinary occurrence (Get called to the office definition, is “an when you do, you will be during class) followed by an irrational scenario browsing for hours. idea, behavior, on the bottom line (I’m getting expelled). style, or usage that spreads from person to person within a culture.” Online, these take the form of photos or graphics that

entertainment 15

Junior Java: Pipin’ Hot Spirit. Juniors storm the floor as the results are announced at Field Day on May 4. The juniors took the first place title overall along with many first place titles in various categories. Field Day was held at DJ Sokol Arena on Creighton University’s campus. Junior Courtney Neneman is enthusiastic about the fact that her class won Field Day. “It was the best feeling in the world knowing that all of our hard work finally paid off. This made us so much closer as a class and I’m so happy that we got to share the victory together,” Neneman said.

F i e l d d a y

Check Out the Senior Spirit: We’re Closing Up Shop! Senior cheerleaders dance during their performance on May 4. They placed first in the cheerleading category and the seniors took second place overall.

“We’ve all become very close due to the 6:20 am practices every day. The feeling of getting first made every practice count, and I’ll definitely miss it next year,” senior cheerleader Rachel Lee said.

Freshmen in Wonderland.

Freshman sing their hearts out as the Queen’s cards and flash smiles during the freshman demonstration.

The freshmen took third in demo and third place overall.

Sophomore Snowdogs. Sophomore Paige Taylor plays Effie Trinket from The Hunger Games for the sophomore Judges Booklet skit. The skit placed second in the category, and first for the Judges Booklet itself. The sophomores took home a fourth place title.

Overall 1. Juniors 2. Seniors 3. Freshmen 4. Sophomores

Cheerleading 1. Seniors 2. Juniors 3. Sophomores 4. Freshmen

Costumes 1. Juniors 2. Freshmen 3. Seniors 4. Sophomores 16 photo essay

Judges Booklet Skit 1. Juniors 2. Sophomores 3. Freshmen 4. Seniors

Theme 1. Juniors 2. Seniors 3. Sophomores 4. Freshmen

Judges Booklet 1. Sophomores 2. Juniors 3. Seniors 4. Freshmen

Demonstration 1. Juniors 2. Seniors 3. Freshmen 4. Sophomores

Mascot 1. Juniors 2. Seniors 3. Freshmen 4. Sophomores

Walls 1. Juniors 2. Seniors 3. Sophomores 4. Freshmen

photo essay by alexamoore photos by mrs. marshakalkowski & sarahworthington