Omaha Marian High School Sept 2017 Network Newspaper

THE NET WORK Marian High School - 7400 Military Avenue Omaha, NE 68134 - www.marianhighschool.net - Volume 62 Issue 2 - September 2017

Walk-A-Thon a ‘hue’ge success

maddierobertson

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tudents flooded the sidewalks of Military Avenue on Sept. 29 with smiles on their faces and a dance party on their minds. Marian’s annual Walk-A-Thon had begun.

Prior to the walk itself was the results assembly which was led by Principal Susie Sullivan and Student Board Vice President senior Lily Heim. They announced the collections from each grade and the overall amount raised.

The senior class, which raised $29,377 (143.7 percent of their overall goal), took the first place 1-mile route. The junior class, which brought in $34,987 (142.6 percent of their overall goal) walked the second place 2-mile route. The freshman class, finishing strong on their first Walk-a-thon, brought in $29,910 (115.5 percent of their overall goal) and walked the 4-mile route. The sophomores, with a grand total of $25,187 (104.4 percent of

their overall goal) walked the 4-mile route as well.

“This win is something I’ve never felt before. I can’t even use my words to describe this feeling,” senior Rachel Brich said.

Brich dedicated the win to an important honorary member of the class of 2018, Nicholas Minaj. Minaj, a baby doll who was brought to pep rallies, sporting events and even Field Day by the class of 2016, was given to Brich by graduate Michaela Moriarty. “This baby holds the fate to our future,” Brich said. Minaj is set to make appearances at several other Marian events along with the Class of 2018.

While a majority of students enjoyed the leisurely walk around Marian, all of the cross country team, a handful of health-savvy students and a small group of teachers deliberately ran during WalkA-Thon.

Sophomore Payton Kirchhoefer enjoyed running with the cross country team on a route that required her to run up Sophomore Lot’s hill.

“I ran with Mrs. McLeay, it was a good time,” Kirchhoefer said.

After the walk concluded, the dance party started. Girls raced down to the Performing Arts Center parking lot in their white t-shirts, eager to coat themselves in colorful powder.

“I think this is the best theme ever,” junior Grace Thede said. “It was great to reach the goal as a class and be competitive in a friendly way.”

The junior class, who got the first pick of powder color after leading the WalkA-Thon collection by the second week, littered the air with teal powder as they finished their walk.

Dance parties aren’t customary for most Walk-A-Thons, but the freshman class

enjoyed the lack of normalcy.

“I feel like this is very different from lots of Walk-A-Thons,” freshman Emma Gunn said.

“It’s a great way to start it,” Gunn said she is looking forward to what future Walk-A-Thons will have in store.

Heim, who organized Walk-A-Thon, was pleased with the outcome of the walk and the dance. “I am so excited that we reached our school goal and that every class pulled their weight,” Heim said. “It’s a good way for classes to bond.”

As the dance party came to a close, Marian was left with $119,463 earned from student efforts, a Halloween movie day for the entire student body, a week of free dress (Oct. 12-18), a free day on Oct. 23 and more than 675 colorful students.

3421 Seniors Franny Tvrdik and Lily Veylupek indicate their first place status. The senior class chose purple powder in memory of one of their junior year Field Day colors.

Second is sweet Juniors Anaja Arthur, Lydia Hogan and Reina Flores enjoy their snow cone treats. Students had the opportunity to munch on the free dessert after their walk concluded.

Powder puffs Sophomores Clara Neary and Payton Kirchhoefer toss their pink powder in the air. Each student received a pack of powder and an additional pack for bringing in more than $200.

Fresh faces Freshmen Katie Hendrick, Callie Cavanaugh, Grace Ellis and Anna Dailey enjoy their first Walk-A-Thon. The freshman class spent more time dancing than walking after scoring a third place finish.

memory so far was seeing everyone pull together for Walk-a-Thon.

What Abel and Steiner both enjoy about working with the girls is, in true Marian fashion, their willingness to work hard and act as true leaders.

“The best part about working with the girls is seeing their ideas come out.

They think of really creative stuff. Both Welcome Dance and Walk-a-Thon themes were their ideas,” Abel said.

StuBo has meetings each week, and once a month they will meet with Principal Mrs. Susie Sullivan and the executive board. During the meetings they have designated time to talk about comments and concerns.

If a student has a comment or concern they want StuBo to cover, they are to tell a Class Officer. They will then tell a StuBo member to discuss and decide whether to pursue talking to Mrs. Sullivan and the executive board.

Neither Abel nor Steiner want to make any major changes to StuBo. “I don’t know if I want to change anything!”

Steiner said and Abel agreed. “I want to get my feet wet first. Since it’s Student Board, I just want to make sure they’re being safe with their ideas. I want them to

flourish,” Abel said.

All in all, this new change has been positive for the duo. They both agree that they really enjoy working together.

“I’m happy to have Ms. Abel as a co-moderator because we balance each other really well! We are both very detailed and organized,” Steiner said.

“I’m really excited for this year because it adds an extra avenue to the school for me of getting to know the students.

Coaching basketball and math tutor have introduced me to a lot of girls but this has opened me to more,” Abel said.

The student body is ready for what these two have up their sleeves with upcoming StuBo events!

WAT Photos by Maddie Robertsen, Anna Cook & Olivia Putnam.

Abel, Steiner take on StuBo moderator roles abbymclaughlin

tudent Board, aka StuBo, is Marian’s student-led team that plans events for the whole school. These events include Walk-A-Thon, Welcome Dance, Surprise Day and many more. Along with new members on the board, there are also two new StuBo moderators: Ms. Jessica Abel,

math tutor and basketball coach, and Mrs. Mary Steiner, assistant director of Student Services.

With this new change comes new responsibilities. Both Abel and Steiner agree that the hardest part has been learning all the new skills necessary to accomplish each task effectively.

“Mrs. Steiner and I have never been homeroom teachers, so it has been difficult with the oversights of things homeroom teachers haven’t had,” Abel said.

Abel’s favorite memory so far has been the Welcome Dance, but she thinks everything has been Conquering Student Board Ms. Jessica Abel and Mrs. Mary Steiner have very enjoyable. each others back. They started their Student Board roles in July 2017.

Steiner’s best

News

INSIDE

Events in Charlottesville p.2

OPINION The Great Breakfast Debate p.4

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I’m happy to have Ms. Abel as a co-moderator because we balance each other really well! We are both very detailed and organized.

-Mrs. Mary Steiner

in-depth

sports

breast cancer awareness p.8-9

miss han’s running playlist p.12

(2) NEWS

THE NET WORK (September 2017)

Charlottesville: A breakdown of hate acts that shocked nation maddierobertson

n Aug. 12, the streets of Charlottesville, Va. erupted in chaos as two worlds collided.

The once quiet town echoed with the cries of white nationalists and right-wing activists. The shouts of counter-protesters soon joined them.

The original intent of the white nationalists was to protest the removal of a statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee. The counter-protesters consisted of citizens protesting racism and fascism.

The protests quickly turned violent, and a car driven by white nationalist James

Alex Fields, Jr. plowed into a group of counter-protesters. As a result, 32-year-old Heather Heyer was killed and 19 others were injured.

The events in Charlottesville sparked a controversy across the nation.

Federal and state leaders were condemned for their statements (or lack thereof) on the matter. Citizens expressed their frustration with their state’s choice to remove certain statues, and to keep others standing.

While not directly linked to Charlottesville, several other violent protests have occurred since the events

How to Combat Racism

that took place. On Sept. 16, police arrested more than 80 people in St. Louis following the protests sparked by the acquittal of a white police officer in the murder of a black man.

And on Sept. 18, Georgia Tech students were encouraged to seek shelter after an on-campus protest erupted after the killing of student Scout Schultz at the hands of a campus police officer. Despite the number of peaceful protests and vigils being held in response to Charlottesville, it is clear that the nation’s habit of violence is still being practiced.

Conflicting Views A law enforcer tries to keep peace between a protester and counterprotester in Charlottesville on Aug. 12. There were almost 250 protesters at the initial scene, but numbers grew as tensions stirred. © 2017, Evelyn Hockstein / For The Washington Post. Used with permission.

How students heard about the events in Charlottesville 188 responses in the 2017 September Network survey

Disagreement may be around forever, but violence, racism and hate do not have to be.

You can do your part to combat hatred in many ways:

Social Media: 46.8% TV News: 34.6%

1. Speak up, speak out- The first step to fixing a problem is acknowledging that there is one. If you witness injustice in the form of cruel words, vulgar actions or offensive content on social media, point out that it isn’t right.

2. Educate yourself- You can’t inform others if you don’t have the facts yourself.

Watch the news, check reliable social media outlets and read the paper to ensure you have a good understanding of current events.

3. Educate others- Not everyone is informed about world news. Even if they are, it can be difficult to understand why events like Charlottesville are so significant. Take it upon yourself to teach others why the protests and the nation’s reaction matter as much as they do.

4. Reach out to leaders- Public figures have the ability to use their platform for anything. Encourage them to use it to reach out to the masses in an attempt to inform them and encourage them to do good.

5. Join a cause- Join organizations like I.D.E.A.S. to learn about and fix issues directly affecting your community.

21.4% of students felt affected in some way by the events in Charlottesville based on the 168 responses in the September Network survey.

People: 10.6%

It was a pretty bad situation. Of course, they were expressing their freedom of speech and freedom to protest, but it was done in such a hateful way.

Don’t give them the power. Don’t give them attention.

Don’t give into their anger. There are a lot of videos of the alt-right. It’s scary. But you need to realize what they did.

Other: 8%

-Omaima Lado ’21

I.D.E.A.S Club brings acceptance, awareness to Marian hayleygolden

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o better combat problems surrounding cultural unawareness, the I.D.E.A.S. Club (Increasing Diversity and Equality Among Students) aims to teach students about other ethnicities and cultures through stimulating conversations and innovative activities.

“We try to do things that will educate the student body about being more inclusive,” theology teacher Ms. Kathy Janata, moderator of the club, said.

The club meets twice a month and talks about the celebration of diversity and problems surrounding stereotypes.

In addition, the club gives students a chance to take a moment and think about the inequalities taking place in the world today, while also looking for solutions to these issues.

“We try to pay attention to current events that cause

Charlottesville Timeline:

February 2017

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separation between people, and help people understand and look for solutions,” Janata said.

Throughout the year, the club organizes various events and activities to further cultivate the minds of Marian students. “We do a couple coffee talks where people are invited in the morning, and we talk about current events, and a diversity day, where we come together and let people evaluate their prejudices and stereotypes,” Janata said.

In addition to these, the club volunteers at Nelson Mandela Elementary School, and is hoping to volunteer at Sts. Peter and Paul school, where former Spanish teacher Mr. Andrew Bauer is now the principal.

In past years, the club has organized events that the whole student body could get involved in. One event in particular helped the girls

The plaque in front of the statue of Robert E. Lee was removed and the park was renamed Emancipation Park.

visualize the adversities that their peers face.

During their theology blocks, the girls stood in a straight line in the West gym for an activity called “The Privilege Walk.” The I.D.E.A.S. club members then read statements about difficulties and privileges.

If the girl had faced the hardship, she would take a step back; if she didn’t, she would stay still.

The concept was the same for privileges, except instead of stepping back, the student with the privilege would step forward.

For example, “If your parents attended college take one step forward, or “If you were ever called names because of your race, class, ethnicity, gender or sexual orientation, take one step back.”

At the end of the event, it was easy to visualize the different privileges and adversi-

August 11, 2017

June-July 2017 A statue of Robert E. Lee was subject to removal due to majority vote of the Charlottesville City Council.

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ties that classmates encounter.

Activities like this one help Marian students start talking about the hardships that still take place in our community.

The I.D.E.A.S. club is open to anyone. The ultimate goal of the club is to provide a sense of openness and acceptance to anyone that wants to join, in addition to educating the students.

“Our goal is to make sure all people feel included and educated, and to provide experience for people to become more culturally aware,” Janata said.

Janata also mentioned that it’s important for all girls at Marian to feel welcome. “We don’t want anyone to feel like they have to leave who they are at the door,” Janata said.

Overall, the club strives to inspire girls to look at the world and its people with respect.

The protest in Emancipation Park turned extremely violent and was declared as an unlawful assembly by law enforcement.

August 12, 2017 White nationalists gathered to protest at the University of Virginia.

graphic by annacook

NEWS (3)

THE NET WORK (September 2017)

Effects of Hurricane Harvey hit close to home juliahingorani

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months to clean up. A devastating 51.88 inches of rain was measured in Houston as of Aug. 29.

The winds of Hurricane Harvey reached up to 132 mph, faster than the world’s fastest rollercoaster.

While communities are ravaged by the tropical storm in southeast Texas, families here in Omaha are also impacted. Sophomore Mia Hennessey’s father, Shane Hennessey, was sent to assist in reconstruction. Shane is a structural engineer at Olsson Associates in Omaha and a member of Nebraska Task Force 1 (an urban search and rescue team).

“He mostly is helping in assessing the damage done to buildings and roads. He is also helping find safe routes and clear roads for people to be able to travel,” Mia said.

Shane and his team was credited with helping a 92-year-old woman who was trapped in her bed for two days because the room was submerged in water.

Shortly after helping the Houston community from Aug. 24 through Sept. 5, he was sent home for 48 hours. Following his short return, Shane was sent to help the victims of Hurricane Irma on Sept. 7 until Sept.

14.

The natural disaster that ravaged Texas and its surrounding areas is one that will not be forgotten for a long time. “It’s a situation that hits home for a lot of the locals here, since it’s a reminder of all that happened with Katrina,” Davis said.

In times like this, uniting together to support those affected is sometimes the most helpful thing that can be done.

original image source: worldmapsonline.com

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atural disasters cannot be prevented; all that can be done is prepare for the worst and rebuild after the damage. Rain and wind destroyed southeast Texas and parts of Louisiana on Aug. 25. What seemed like endless rain has torn apart families and communities.

According to the National Weather Service, Hurricane Harvey reached the shores of Texas and built up to a Category 4 hurricane on a scale ranging from 1 to 5.

A category 4 hurricane is considered catastrophic and expected to inflict major damage.

Harvey continued until Sept. 2, with a death toll of 71 people.

Ranking as one of the most costly natural disasters in United States history, Hurricane Harvey has forced families to begin a new life. According to AccuWeather on Sept. 1, picking up the pieces from Hurricane Harvey will cost roughly $190 billion.

Marian 2016 alumna Claire Davis attends Tulane University in New Orleans and is just one of the millions of people who have been affected by the hurricane. “My flight to New Orleans was cancelled when I was trying to get back to school. I had to come down a day early in order to avoid the storm, and class ended up getting cancelled at Tulane,” Davis said.

Along with Texas and Louisiana, Belize, Nicaragua, Honduras, Yucatán Peninsula and Windward Islands were struck by Hurricane Harvey. Communities in Houston, Texas were hit the hardest in the U.S., enduring the bulk of the storm.

Not only were buildings destroyed, but the water from the flooding likely caused contamination that will take

It’s a situation that hits home for a lot of the locals here, since it’s a reminder of all that happened with Katrina.

Claire Davis,

Marian alumna

How YOU can help

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Support by visiting these websites to donate blood, money, food or clothing

GlobalGiving

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redcross.org to donate directly The Center for Disaster Philanthropy

The Salvataion Army

UNICEF

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Volunteer in affected areas in the upcoming weeks Visit redcross.org to learn more about volunteering and training Send prayers to those who need it most

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Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria at a glance Hurricane Harvey: Southern United States (Texas and Louisiana), Belize, Nicaragua, Honduras, Yucatán Peninsula and Windward Islands Hurricane Irma: Cuba, Florida, Puerto Rico, Cape Verde, Bahamas, Caribbean, Turks and Caicos Islands, Guadeloupe, Havana, St. Martin, Barbuda and other small islands Hurricane Maria: Dominican Republic, Haiti, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, St. Martin, St. Barts, Leeward Islands and other small islands

Hurricane Irma hits the hearts of Marian students mariadeterman

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t could be a week or a month - you just don’t know,” senior Cassidy Jorgensen said. She had the feeling it might be coming - the news that her dad, Ron Jorgensen, would be sent to Florida to help with hurricane relief efforts. Though Mr. Jorgensen was excited to get the call on Monday, Sept. 10, it wasn’t easy for Cassidy to see him leave so abruptly.

“It’s hard because they get a call the night before they have to leave so you don’t really get to say goodbye,” Cassidy said.

In 2005, he was sent into the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and stayed there for three weeks. “Even though it’s hard work, he likes going to help and was excited to get the call,” Cassidy said.

Hurricane Irma was a punch in the gut - yet another Category 4 storm that blew across the Atlantic Ocean and into the United States, downing power lines and destroying entire communities.

From Haiti to Cuba, Puerto Rico to Florida, Irma ravaged the coastal inhabitants one by one, forcing some families to leave everything behind and seek higher ground.

Omaha sent aid in the form of military, doctors, engineers, firemen and OPPD workers who were willing to give a helping hand. Ron Jorgensen, an OPPD worker, was one of hundreds who were sent to Florida to re-

store power and help rebuild communities. He returned to Omaha on Sept. 22 after 12 days of working in Florida with the power crisis.

Winds howled violently, at times reaching a staggering 185 mph, as Florida residents either took cover in their homes or evacuated. Those who chose to stay in their homes risked dangers such as flooding, power outages and lack of food and water.

Nearly 40 percent of the Marian students who completed the September survey were in some way impacted by the destructive hurricane activity.

Sophomore Lauren Zadalis is one student who was able to contact her friend who lives in Miami, Fla. and hear her unbelievable story.

Zadalis spent her lazy summer days at Camp Hubert in Minnesota with her friend Klara Meyer. When they departed after the four week camp, Zadalis didn’t realize that her friend would be where she is now.

Meyer and her family made the difficult, yet necessary decision to evacuate their home. “After my parents saw the image of hurricane Andrew versus the size of Irma, we decided we had to get out as soon as possible,” Meyer said. The family spent an entire night “packing up the house, putting up shutters and sandbags to keep everything as safe as

possible,” Meyer said.

Exhausted, the family left their home at 4:30 a.m. with their dog in tow. The trip to the Florida panhandle that usually takes four hours, took 14.

One of the most problematic aspects of Hurricane Irma wasn’t the storm itself, but the lack of gasoline available for evacuees. With thousands of natives heading north, almost no gas stations in Miami or surrounding cities had fuel to sell. The Meyer family was fortunate enough to make it to the panhandle with the help of one seriously lucky gas station trip.

Twelve Marian students who traveled to the Dominican Republic this summer contacted their host families to seek affirmation of their safety.

The families are situated on a mountain in a community called Venu, which was mainly hit with flooding and harsh winds. Chery, one of the children in Venu, indicated that the community “wasn’t good” but their homes were safe. Luckily, due to their mountainous position, they experienced less damage than the low-lying cities below.

Though Marian sits hundreds of miles from the eye of the storm, students and their families still felt the impact of Hurricane Irma.

(4) OPINION

THE NET WORK (September 2017)

Staff Editorial: You can’t climate change our minds

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n the polar ice caps, sweet penguins try to survive in their arctic homes.

But their homes are being ripped apart because of the melting glaciers. Now, we have a large group of adorable displaced penguins surrounded by human trash and pollution.

While everyone seems keen to support the penguins as well as all other animals, climate change is not only affecting them, but us humans as well. Climate change is not a hoax; it is threatening our lives. The argument against climate change becomes slightly less valid when four massive hurricanes hit within a week of each other.

In the most recent Network survey, 92 percent of the 212 students who answered said they believed in climate. But, 8 percent of the Marian student body still believes that climate change does not exist. The reasonings ranged from not being educated enough on the topic, to just thinking that the earth is just in a natural phase of heating right now. Hopefully, this will help to convince that 8 percent otherwise.

Our Earth is a remarkable place, the only planet capable of maintaining life in our solar system. Yet humans are laying

waste to nature and all of the good that comes from it. The amount of pollution and damage that humans have been able to do in our short time on Earth far outweighs any other species.

Kudos to us on that note; this is exactly why we cannot have nice things. The environment is built to sustain and keep life, and now the very covering of the Earth, our ozone layers, is slowing degrading because of the amount of pollution that humans are creating. The industrialization of the world brought about many wonderful discoveries, but also a terrible consequence.

The logic behind not acknowledging climate change is that, regardless of the scientific proof provided, their position remains unchanged. Skeptics have a distrust of the scientific community and do not believe that the warming of our planet is due to pollution or human influence.

There are people in government power who share these same views, and large oil companies vehemently deny the existence of climate change, insisting the scientific community is lying.

The reality of this issue is that climate change is not a political issue that only

applies to one country.

The environmental consequences are occurring across the entire world, making this an international concern.

The safety and prosperity of the human race is being threatened because of the pollution to our planet. Humans are the largest cause of this pollution, but there are simple United viewpoint The 2017-2018 Network Staff smile as they things that we can do to imagine a future without pollution, dependency on fossil fuels try to minimize the damage and melting ice caps. we have caused. sidewalk, pick it up. You never know what Making an effort to decrease pollukind of serious damage that trash could tion does not mean that we need to be end up doing. creating elaborate plans to stop pollution As a generation, it is our responsibility completely. By simply recycling instead to protect what we have left of our planet. of throwing things in the trash, we can We are living in a time where money help to reverse damage done by pollution. trumps environmental safety.

Bringing your own bags to the grocery Humans have created an immense store can make a big difference in the long amount of pollution, and we need to make run. Carpooling to anything and everya serious effort to minimize that. This is thing can make a massive impact. the only planet we get.

So much pollution comes from our Climate change is a threat to our world, cars, and reducing the amount of exhaust and we should care enough to take action we create is vital. If you see trash on the against it.

Don’t go bacon my heart, I couldn’t if I fried: The great breakfast debate

graphics by shannonmcsweeney

shannonmcsweeney, hailierydel, maggieprosser & katherinemartin

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ancakes? Sign me up. Breakfast is the fan favorite, the star, those other two meals are just placeholders between breakfasts. It’s literally called “The Most Important Meal of the Day.” From syrupy chocolate chip waffles to classic scrambled eggs and toast, breakfast is appealing to all kinds of tastes.

Cereal is my personal favorite, because it’s delicious, has so many options and, maybe this is just my sweet tooth talking, it is also good to eat at anytime of day (fact: Frosted Flakes taste best as a midnight snack). In fact, I love cereal so much that my homecoming date asked me to the dance with a box of Lucky Charms.

Breakfast is even good on the go, just grab a cinnamon Pop-Tart or a banana and be on your way. In my years of schooling, I have perfected the classic “grab n’ go” for a quick fix of food.

Whether you’re a fruit fanatic or a pancake person, there’s a breakfast food for everyone. So, tomorrow morning, “donut” be sad, be “egg-cited”, because there’s a world of breakfast for you to discover.

In Parks and Recreation, my spirit animal and life coach Leslie Knope said,“‘Why would anybody ever eat anything besides breakfast food?” and Ron Swanson responded, “People are idiots, Leslie.’”

I

have a confession: I put a whole slab of unsalted butter in my coffee every morning, along with a big ol’ spoonful of medium chain triglycerides (MCT Oil). MCT are healthy fats that promote optimal brain function and kick hunger in the tush.

The mornings are busy, and my solution to this momentous waste of time was to enjoy butter coffee as my morning sustenance instead of a large breakfast. I do not consume any type of food in the morning; yet I am still capable of functioning and performing everyday tasks without the inconvenience of a large breakfast weighing me down.

This butter coffee idea is from a mad scientist, Dave Asprey, who created and designed something called the Bulletproof Diet. The science behind this fatty coffee breakfast is based on your body’s state of ketosis. Ketosis is your body’s optimal state of fat burning. Your body reaches this state through intermittent fasting, e.g., eating butter coffee in the morning and then proceeding to eat a lunch full of meat and vegetables.

While the act of enjoying butter coffee may seem rather odd, I have experienced increased energy, a clearer mind and better yet, I have not had to deal with the inconvenience that is breakfast.

THE NET WORK STAF F

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 N.H.S.P.A. and the N.S.P.A. It is our goal to provide an accurate and informative news source for the student community. Opinions expressed on opinion pages do not necessarily represent those of the entire community.

Students, faculty, and friends are invited to voice their opinion in Letters to the Editors.

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

Follow us on Twitter @MHSbeat • Follow us on Instagram @MHSpub • Friend us on Snapchat @MHSpub

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reakfast gets you moving and starts your day the right way. Multiple studies suggest that breakfast can benefit your day, and your life overall.

First, eating a meal two hours after you wake up makes you metabolize glucose from food differently throughout the day.

Glucose is taken from your pancreas to your cells to produce energy. When people have breakfast, their blood glucose levels are more even throughout the day.

Without eating breakfast glucose levels spike and lower hourly.

Second, breakfast eaters tend to eat healthier throughout the day. They consume more fruits, veggies and whole grains. Skipping breakfast can cause higher “hunger hormones” influencing a person to overeat during their next meal.

Eating breakfast can also help with learning! There is a direct relationship between breakfast and school performance.

It can enhance memory, attention span, cognition and even creativity.

Some schools even participate in before school breakfast plans, like USDA’s Breakfast Program. These programs make breakfast available to all students. As a result, it can keep kids on track to perform at their grade level of education. Try something new and sit down for breakfast tomorrow. See how it changes your day!

I

. HATE. BREAKFAST. Many people have tried to tell me that breakfast is the best meal of the day, but I am not convinced.

Being on the dance team and arriving at school long before the sun rises does not allow time for breakfast. It is a major inconvenience, and I am not a fan. Eating so early in the morning leads to a painful stomach-ache all day.

Yes, breakfast gives you energy early in the morning, but I do not need the energy boost when I’m already up and active. When I get up for the day, I am wide awake.

Now, moving on to the food itself: Besides bacon, breakfast food is nasty.

The taste is not appealing, and I seriously hate anything sticky. Pancakes and waffles are way too doughy. Cereal is weird and soggy. Fruit is okay, but it is sort of bland. Sausages might be the grossest food ever; they are squishy, chewy and icky. I strongly dislike cinnamon rolls mostly because Shannon McSweeney enjoys them.

Do not even get me started on eggs.

Eggs are disgusting in every way, they should not be so floppy. I’m not here for that.

I respect people who like breakfast, but I will never be one of them.

managing editors: maddierobertson & gracesall copy editor: delaneystekr photo editor: audreyyost graphics editor & online editor: maggieprosser front page editor: allisonostapowicz news editor: juliahingorani & gracesall feature editors: hayleygolden, samanthafabian, juliaveik & lilywatkins opinion editors: katherinemartin & abbymclaughlin indepth editor: audreyhertel sports editors: annacook & audreyyost entertainment editors: sofyherrera & shannonmcsweeney photo essay editor: mariadeterman circulation manager, reporter & photographer: hailierydel adviser: marshakalkowski

OPINION (5)

THE NET WORK (September 2017)

Being brave isn’t always perfect I

t’s 2007. 7-year-old me raises my hand in first grade math, confident that I have the right answer. Yet, I lower my hand in fear that I may be wrong. I sit and ponder in silence, “Why is it that as a young girl I am afraid to be wrong, afraid to make mistakes? Why is it that boys can blurt out the audrey wrong answer hertel without batting an eye?” Just kidding. As a first grader, my biggest worry was if my mom packed my GoGurt in my lunch.

When I was in grade school, the girls were the teacher’s favorites, obviously. That may be because 7-year-old girls are much more mature than 7-year-old boys. Apparently, boys don’t reach their maturity level until they’re 26, but that’s besides the point.

The boys in my class sat in the back of the room, made paper airplanes and threw pencils at the ceiling. But the girls remained front and center with their hands folded, eyes wide and mouths shut. Were they doing this because they actually wanted to learn? Or just to please their teacher and hear the words, “Thank you for being perfect, girls”?

Hertel me what?

The boys would mess around only to hear the teacher say, “Boys, please settle down.” When the girls would misbehave or giggle, they would immediately stop when they heard, “That’s not how young ladies are to behave, is it?”

Looking back, I realize that as first graders, we were being programmed to be perfect. We were being taught not to be brave or make mistakes because when we did so, we were told that we should know better.

This “perfection programming” stays with us our entire lives.

Think about how many times you have raised your hand to answer a question and started your response with, “This is probably wrong but…” or if you were showing something you made to someone and said, “This is terrible but here it is…”

Now how many times have you heard a boy say that?

The reason that girls do this is because we are taught from a young age that we have to

be perfect, and when we don’t get the opportunity to do so, we self-deprecate. We consider our work and knowledge to be worthless, when in fact we should be proud of the things we accomplish.

We shouldn’t be afraid when sharing our creations or opinions with others. We shouldn’t hold back because when we don’t, amazing things can happen.

Could you imagine if Malala Yousafzai wouldn’t have been brave enough to stand up for girls? If Rosa Parks would have moved out of her seat?

If Dorothy Vaughn was too scared to work for N.A.S.A.?

All of these women had many obstacles that they had to overcome, but they did so without being perfect. They were brave. They didn’t let “perfection programming” alter them.

None of us should let it change us either.

Ignore everything that you were programmed to do at a young age. Raise your hand. Confidently answer the question. Don’t self-deprecate.

Have opinions and share them with everyone else. Take risks without fear of not being perfect. Chase your dreams.

Oprah Winfrey once said, “Think like a queen. A queen is not afraid to fail. Failure is another steppingstone to greatness.”

Growing up as a girl is hard because...

katherinemartin

From a young age, girls and boys are encouraged to act differently.

However, being perfect isn’t always the perfect option.

Editorial cartoon by sofyherrera

“Boys tell us it’s gross when our legs aren’t shaved. I will let them grow as long as I want! Shaving our legs should not be an expectation we are supposed to meet, it’s simply a choice.” -Katherine Corpuz ’21

“I grew up with Barbies, and I always admired how skinny they were.

I wanted to look like that when in reality I don’t HAVE to look like anyone else.” - Maggie Mantini ’20

“I love women’s studies and history. Women’s stories get ignored sometimes, so I think it’s important to take time and tell their stories. I feel lucky that I’ve had a lot of people in my life to encourage me to try new things. I love teaching in an all-girls school; I went to a co-ed school and we often let the boys take charge and be the leaders. That doesn’t happen here.

“I played basketball with all of the boys in middle school and a lot of people teased me for being the only girl.”

-Lily Gonzalez ’19

If you see a girl being oppressed, don’t be afraid to call things how they are, if it’s sexist it’s sexist.

We are lucky to live in the time we are in, but we shouldn’t take things for granted. It’s important to know the stories of the women who lived before us.

Girls can find great strength through empowering each other.” - Ms. Susie Sisson, literature and women’s studies teacher

“Growing up my mom always told me I should look more ‘feminine’ and that was not what I wanted to do.”

- Haley Kampe ’18

(6) FEAT URE

THE NET WORK (September 2017)

New clubs at Marian help girls fulfill their interests Club Briefs by: annacook, mariadeterman, hayleygolden, abbymclaughlin & juliaveik

Sundae Wednesday Club Sundae Wednesday combines ice cream and a toppings bar with a scoop of service to form an easygoing, yet highly impactful club. Once a month, senior founders Ellie Messerschmidt, Morgan Hodges, Megan Doehner and Maria Determan will host a toppings bar during both lunches. Girls are encouraged to donate toppings, such as oreos or whipped cream, to expand the variety of sweet treats available! If girls would like to participate, all they have to do

is buy ice cream from the lunch line, then enjoy the toppings bar for $1. The money collected each month will go directly towards the supplies necessary to host ice cream parties for the homeless children at the Stephen Center. Sept. 20 was the first ice cream celebration, which raised $260 dollars. All money not used to purchase ice cream will go toward Christmas presents and other necessities for the guests at the Stephen Center. The first ice cream party will be on Dec. 20 - the last day of finals - a perfect way to share a scoop of service!

Step Club

Young Medicine Club Young Medicine Club, formed by junior Katie Harris, is a newly created group for girls who want to learn more about the medical field. The club will sponsor guest speakers, have internship and job shadowing opportunities and provide hands-on activities. Meetings will take place once or twice a month in the PAC, and are Let’s get medical Ashley Goldsmith ‘20 proopen to everyone. The club is great for motes Young Medicine Club at the club fair. those aspiring to be in the medical field. Photo courtesy of Allison Martin.

Thespian Club

The curtain rises, the spotlight settles, there you are, standing center stage. Or maybe you are backstage, pulling up that curtain and getting props ready for the actors. Perhaps you are in the sound booth working the spotlights and cuing the sounds. No matter what your theatrical forte, the Thespian Club, founded by sophomore Emma Johnson, will offer opportunities for you to practice acting and other skills related to theater. The club will offer five bi-monthly classes covering improvisation, stage design, stage movement and

dancing, directing, acting and singing.

The instructors are all local and the classes will take place on Fridays after school for at least one hour. It is a low stress club with unique chances to learn more about theater.

“To be or not to be” Emma Johnson ’20 gives an improvisation example.

Photo by Maddie Robertson.

Chess Club

Checkmate!

The Chess Club is a new club formed by senior Tara O’Brien with social studies teacher Mr. David Anderson as the moderator. The club will meet every other Wednesday for about an hour in Mr. Anderson’s room (315). The first meeting will be on October 25. “I am excited that Marian students will have an opportunity to learn the game of chess as well as advance their skills. I am hoping a group of students will be interested in representing Marian in the local high school chess league. It is a wonderful, analytical, and exciting game,” Anderson said. Chess Club is great for those who

Girls 4 Girls Club

Toppings time Maria Determan ’18 refills toppings for the first Sundae Wednesday event. Photo courtesy of Lily Heim.

Marian’s Step Club is a great new way to get moving and express your individuality. Step is a form of dance where you move your hands and feet to create beats. “It’s fun and it’s a new way to express yourself,” senior Davine Francis, creator of the club, said.

No experience is necessary. The team is open to everyone, and meets every Friday morning in either room 312 or the lunch room. As of right now, the club

is stepping for fun, but is open to doing competitions in the future.

Step up Club members Nayah Mbilain ’20 and Nyayian Biel ’20 help promote Step Club. Photo courtesy of Allison Martin.

Marian Students for Life Marian Students for Life is ready to educate and live out the pro-life message to all girls interested. “We are trying to spread an awareness about the dignity of all human life and help people become educated on this human rights issue,” co-founder junior Anna Kenney said. The club plans to meet once a month, aside from service opportunities, in room 211.

Possible activities for the club include fundraising, volunteering, guest speakers, educational opportunities and a potential trip to the March for Life in Lincoln and/ or Washington D.C. “We can help support women, by helping women become aware of the incredible resources we

have in our community to help women in need,” Kenny said.

“Anyone and everyone is welcome to learn, pray and grow.”

Promoting life Marian Students for Life members Delaney Stekr ’18, Grace Sall ’18 and Anna Kenney ’19 pose while supporting their club. Photo courtesy of Allison Martin.

Marian School of Rock Checkmate Tara O’Brien ’18 and Nina Oleynikov ’18 pose in front of their poster while working the Chess Club. Photo courtesy of Kathryn Morey.

love to play or for those who simply just want to learn the rules of a timeless source of entertainment.

centered around being nice. It has nothing to do with politics. We want girls to bring each other up and not down.

We shouldn’t be competing with other girls,” Piperis said. At it’s core, the club is centered around equality and the idea of promoting a positive spirit in our community, regardless of any particular political ideology.

When juniors Maria Piperis and Lily Blake realized there was no female empowerment club, they decided to start their own. “We recognized there was a real absence, and we were surprised that there wasn’t a club like this already,” Piperis said.

Even though this club has just started, they’ve already gotten a lot of good feedback. “We had about 120 girls sign up the club fair and about 30 more through the Google survey,” Blake said.

The club plans to do bi-monthly meetings, with affirmations, which are positive and self-empowering thoughts, and possible service work for the Lydia Girls support girls Lily Blake ’19 and Maria House or Girls, Inc. Piperis ’19 work the Girls 4 Girls club booth.

Both Blake and Piperis can’t think Photo courtesy of Allison Martin. of a reason not to join. “This club is

and practice with the main band the club was based on, La Vie. La Vie is made up of all Marian girls: junior Caroline Drew (lead guitarist), senior Anna Cook (pianist), senior Lily Nelson (drummer), and senior Mia Soulliere (bassist). All of the girls love to sing and are excited to share their passion for music while having fun practicing with their Marian sisters.

If you don’t want to rock n’ roll all night, but still want to rock, then join Marian School of Rock. For an hour or so once a month on Friday mornings, the club will meet in the Performing Arts Center band room. It is a stress-free extracurricular and gives students the chance to explore their musical talents. The club stresses inclusivity and welcomes anyone who loves to play or wants to learn to play an instrument, and those who love to sing. “I’m really excited for the club, I think it’s gonna be great to see all the musical talent in Marian and just be able to play together,” junior co-founder Caroline Drew said. The goal for the club is to give students a set Jamming out Anna Cook ’18 and Lily Nelson ’18 show off number of songs to learn their skills while working the Marian School of Rock table.

Photo courtesy of Kathryn Morey. and invite them to jam out

BURN LITERARY/ARTS MAGAZINE Submit your poetry, writing, art and photos to burn@omahamarian.org Deadline: Monday, Oct. 9, by 3 p.m.

Maximum number of submissions: 5 Questions? Email mkalkowski@omahamarian.org or lcisco@omahamarian.org

FEAT URE (7)

THE NET WORK (September 2017)

Marian students keep up with accessories

Popped collar

lilywatkins

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ven with Marian’s strict dress code policy, some students are still able to make their stiff royal blue plaid uniforms their own. Students can wear necklaces, bracelets, earrings, barrettes and nail polish among other items.

For those that came from a private grade school, it is a breath of fresh air.

Common uniform personalizations include popped collars, pencils or pens in button holes and a mess of scrunchies. Among the unique folks who do so, there are still individuals who take it one step further.

For example, this past summer junior Quinn Ruff went on a service trip to Ghana. While there, she made necklaces with locals.

The necklaces themselves are very vibrant; students can see them halfway down the hallway. The beads, which are strung on the necklace, are made from crushed glass bottles and are designed then

fired in a kiln.

She wears the necklaces because she wants to “keep Ghana and the memories close to me.

The relationships I made with the Ghanaian children are forever in my heart,” Ruff said. The necklaces are near her heart, as are the Ghanaian children.

Private grade schools are often much more stringent than private high schools. Victoria Roubidoux, a freshman who attended Saint Margaret Mary, confirms as much.

She was fined a total of $20 for repeatedly wearing nail polish. She recognizes that continuing to do it may have been silly, but she did have to pay for the fines herself when she was only in sixth grade.

Roubidoux is quite happy with Marian’s stance on uniform personalization. “Who was so distracted by my pale pink nail polish? When I came to Marian I was so glad that I could have nail polish on and not have to pay

money and remove it,” Roubidoux said.

But as for those that went to a public grade school, how do they feel? Marian’s dress code is actually “more reasonable and easier to follow,” sophomore Isabella Pantano said. She previously attended Kiewit Middle School.

Pantano said she prefers Marian’s dress code because it is much easier to get dressed in the morning. “I love uniforms, it takes me like two minutes to get ready,” Pantano said. There’s no worry about wearing the same thing as someone else—it happens every day.

Marian not only fosters leadership in the young woman that attend, but creativity and individuality as well. The opinions and styles of students are embraced and supported.Students show their individuality in all aspects of life; even something as simple as uniform personalization.

Who said only 50’s fashionistas could pop their collars?

Necklace

Beads, choker, chains; any material can jazz up your neckline!

Pen in button hole Never be caught off guard for note-taking again!

Scrunchie

Who’s ready for some 80’s aerobics? You are!

Shoes

Putting on the right kicks can really kick the day off right.

Marian girls wear their hearts on their wrists samanthafabian

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ne string, two strings, red strings, blue strings. Bracelets come in all sorts of different shapes, sizes and colors; no one bracelet is exactly like the next.

When it comes to bracelets at Marian, each one is unique and has its own story.

These stories hold a different significance to each girl, and taking the time to understand the bracelet can help one understand the girl.

When walking down the hallway, students can spot freshman Cleo Wear’s bracelets from the other side, as she usually has four or five adorning her wrist at any given point. Wear loves to style her outfits with the accessories because they remind her of her family and past experiences.

Some of her favorite bracelets were purchased in Puerto Morelos, Mexico, where her family vacationed when she was in eighth grade. The bracelets contain a variety of vibrant colors, which she says are a constant reminder of how tropical and bright things were in Mexico.

Although Wear loves to be reminded of her previous getaway, there is a different bracelet that claims the top spot on her wrist. It was made by her sister, Maddie, and was given to her on her fourteenth birthday as a present. It is extremely special to her because of the hard work that

Cleo Wear ‘21 sports her bracelets on her right wtrist.

her sister dedicated to creating it.

She recognizes the work that bracelet making entails and wants others to express themselves through the accessory.

“Wear more and just go crazy and express yourself,” Wear said.

Similar to Wear, sophomore Clàudia Archer’s array of bracelets can be considered impressive. She dons a variety of bracelets on each wrist, and each one is important, seeing as they only come off if they break.

She is fondest of the bracelet that her parents bought for her while they were in South Dakota, which is made from authentic horse hair.

Archer has been riding horses almost since she could walk, and the bracelet captures her love and passion for the sport. Although she took a hiatus from riding when her trainer left, she returned to the sport in the fall of 2015 and is currently riding a horse named Pepe at Ponca Hills Farm.

Along with the horse hair bracelet, bracelets from Spain, Sophomore Retreat, friends and her mother have also found a place on her wrists. The selection of bracelets may seem random, but each one is there for a reason.

“I don’t wear bracelets just to wear bracelets,” Archer said. She believes each

Clàudia Archer ‘20 poses with her variety of bracelets.

one tells a story, and each one adds a chapter to her book.

Bracelets can also be found decorating the wrists of junior Kayla Gornall. She wears seven bracelets on a daily basis, but one of them in particular brings a part of the Dominican Republic to Omaha.

During July of 2017, Gornall took an eight-day trip to the Dominican Republic to perform service work and teach at a vacation Bible school in Aguayo. While she was there, she was given a blue and red bracelet with the words “envision DR” by the organization she stayed with.

Gornall said that she wears the bracelet as a daily reminder of “the love I felt when I was down there.” She was especially fond of the children she taught at the vacation Bible school.

Although her Dominican bracelet holds a special place in her heart, her favorite bracelet was gifted to her by her best friend, Zaza Nelson. It was given to her as a birthday gift, and the proceeds from the bracelet went to women’s education.

Just like the others, senior Lily Nelson sports a stack of bracelets on her wrists on a daily basis. Her most prized bracelet is blue, braided and comes from her mother; it was given to her a couple of days before she started high school. Even now, four years later, she stills wears it as a reminder

of how much she has grown and matured throughout her time at Marian Like Wear and Gornall, Nelson also wears bracelets that don’t originate from the United States. One of her favorites, which comes from Akumal, Mexico, is green and has a small turtle charm on it.

She also has bracelets from other countries, such as Ireland and Peru. She said that bracelets from other countries spark different memories from each of her travels.

Nelson also loves wearing Pura Vida bracelets, which are handmade in Costa Rica. These bracelets help support the a wide range of charities. Because they are handmade, each one is unique, just like its owner.

“I love collecting bracelets! I think that it is a great hobby to have,” Nelson said, and her positive outlook can be shared with others.

Each bracelet can be a representation of the one wearing it, and no matter the color, size or shape of the bracelet, it will always be personalized to the girl.

So, whether Marian girls decide to wear bracelets that are made out of horsehair, come from friends or were even acquired in another country, each one holds a special meaning and has gained its rightful place on the girls’ wrists.

Kayla Gornall ‘19 shows off her unique bracelets.

Lily Nelson ‘18 displays her wrist of personalized bracelets.

(8- 9) IN-DEPT H

THE NET WORK (September 2017)

it’s

PINKTOBER

how to self test According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, women of all ages should try to self-test at least once a month, and if there are any concerns, they should see a doctor.

IN THE SHOWER

While you are in the shower, take a moment to stop your amazing rendition of “Thinking Out Loud”

by Ed Sheeran and self-test for any irregularities. According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, the best way to do this is to use your fingers and move around your breast from the outside towards the middle, checking all areas, including your armpit. Irregularities could include a lump, knot or any thickening of the skin.

Looking in the mirror After you spend 20 minutes getting primed and polished for school, (But wait, who actually does that? Messy buns stay winning.) look at your breasts in the mirror. See if there are any visible irregularities, such as swelling or dimpling of the skin. Then, flex your chest muscles and watch for any changes that occur on one specific side.

while laying down

I get it, some days the weight of your math book really gets to you. So while you are laying down for your post-school nap, put a pillow under your head and the right side of your body.

Feel your entire right breast, checking for any of the previously mentioned irregularities. Shift the pillow to the left side of your body and repeat.

1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. Source: National Breast Cancer Foundation

October is far more than the trips to pumpkin patches, scary movies and falling leaves - it is a month of hope and awareness for breast cancer. Pink is the new orange!

Since 1986, October has held a special meaning in the hearts of women and men around the world who have battled breast cancer.

Raising awareness: Organizations hoping for a cure

For the entire month, organizations such as the Susan G. Komen foundation raise awareness, share survivor stories and fundraise for research. Nationwide and within the walls of Marian, men and women are encouraged to “think pink” and do everything in their power to promote breast cancer awareness.

Think Pink:

The creation of the pink ribbon mariadeterman

T

he use of the ribbon as a symbol dates back to 1979, when Penney Lanigan tied yellow ribbons around trees in her yard. At the time, her husband was being held hostage in Iran, and the ribbons signaled her desire to see him again. She did this simple, yet poignant act that gave ribbons the momentum to become a medium of hope for many organizations.

A little more than a decade later, AIDS activists took the idea and dyed ribbons red to show support for AIDS victims on the national stage at the Tony Awards in 1990.

The red ribbon success was exactly the inspiration the Susan G. Komen Foundation needed to create a ribbon for their own cause - breast cancer awareness.

The pink ribbon success made its debut in 1991 at the New York City Race for the Cure, and has been a national symbol ever since.

delaneystekr

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ccording to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, one in every eight women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. Because of the prevalence, there are several foundations and charities dedicated to raising money towards research for a cure.

The Susan G. Komen organization is known for its breast cancer fundraising. One event that this organization holds is The Race for the Cure, a 5k run where participants race in honor of loved ones who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. It will be taking

place on Oct. 8 in Omaha at Baxter Arena. The American Cancer Society also has a group called Real Men Wear Pink, whose goal is fundraising through various activities, such as golf tournaments. Even the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles has an option to have a customized breast cancer awareness license plate, with some of the profits going towards breast cancer research.Though the means to how these groups raise money varies, the charities are all fighting together to find a cure for cancer and to help their loved ones in any way possible.

Fundraising is not the only goal of these organizations. Awareness is another pivotal goal of these groups because breast cancer knows no age and no gender, and it is a serious problem.

“NBCF’s mission is to help women now by providing help and inspiring hope to those affected by breast cancer through early detection, education and support services.”

The National Breast Cancer Foundation’s mission summarizes the importance of awareness and fighting for those who are affected.

Freshman shares her family story

INTERVIEW WITH AN ExPERT Q: What are the most common signs and symptoms of breast cancer?

A: Changes in breast appearance and feeling new lump in breast.

Q: Are there any ways to decrease the risk of getting breast cancer?

A: Maintain a normal weight, exercise regularly, avoid or minimize alcohol intake.

Q: Are there any ways to minimize the severity of breast cancer if you already have it?

A: If cancer is diagnosed, it is important to follow treatment recommendations of the cancer physician.

Q: What increases the risk of getting breast cancer?

A: Excessive alcohol, obesity, dense breasts after menopause.

Q: Is there any new technology making it easier to prevent, find or treat breast cancer?

A: Breast tomosynthesis (also known as 3D mammograms) can improve detection for some women, especially those with dense breasts.

Q: What do you wish more young women knew about breast cancer?

A: Be aware of what’s normal for you, and report changes. If you have a strong family history of cancer, the advice of a genetic counselor and/or breast specialist is helpful to choose the best screening strategy.

gracesall

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reshman Anna Ulferts was in the passenger seat of her family car when she found out.

The car was off and parked in the garage, and her mom was in the driver’s seat. There was a silent pause, but then Ulferts heard the news.

Ulferts was 12 years old when her mom told her she had been diagnosed with breast cancer. On Sept. 8, 2015, doctors told her mom, Jenny Schwery, that she had stage 0 breast cancer. Stage 0 is not the most detrimental; according to cancercenter.com it is categorized as a noninvasive carcinoma in situ. But after going in for surgery, the doctors discovered that Schwery actually had stage II cancer. This meant that she would need to receive chemotherapy and radiation for the cancerous cells at an invasive level.

“When I was first told that I had cancer, the first thing I thought about was my kids.

Would I be able to see them grow up, graduate from high school and college, get married and have children of their own? I knew I had to fight, fight for them and fight for me,” Schwery said.

For 20 weeks Schwery had chemotherapy once a week.

After that, she had to have 33

separate radiation treatments, required for five days a week for six weeks.

Ulferts’s mom is known by many; she has worked at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Grade School for many years. There she is known there for her ability to pull out any loose tooth presented to her.

“This isn’t something that happens to you, but to other people,” Ulferts said. She was shocked. Her younger brother Drew was only 5 years old at the time, and the whole family dynamic changed.

Time for Ulferts and her brother’s activities, such as golf and swimming, was taken up by treatment and doctors’ appointments. Schwery had to prioritize.

“Life is too short and fragile! I hugged my kids and husband a little tighter and a little longer,” Schwery said.

However, after losing her hair to various rounds of chemo and radiation, things started to look up.

The cancer was disappearing.

Ulferts’s mom has been in remission for two years now.

“The fear of the unknown is a brutal reality,” Schwery said.

She wants people to know that the cancer patient is the same person as she was before, so treating them that way is crucial.

Ulferts says that after the whole experience she and her mom learned to appreciate each other more. “We need to celebrate each other,” Ulferts said.

Schwery still works at St. Vincent de Paul as a seventh and eighth grade teacher aid, but her most important job is being a mother to Ulferts and her brother.

“If I were talking to someone whose family member just got diagnosed, I would tell them that things are going to change, but when you take a minute to look at the support you are given, you feel a little more stable. Take it one day at a time, don’t think about the weeks or months ahead, but right now,” Ulferts said.

Dr. Jennifer Griffin, Obstetrician and Gynecologist at Nebraska Medical Center

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Jenny Schwery and her daughter Anna Ulferts smile for a photo together. Photo courtesy of Anna Ulferts.

Racing for a cure Cancer survivors, along with their friends and family, gather together for 2016’s The Race for the Cure. The next race is Oct. 8 at Baxter Arena.

hile research studies haven’t consistently found it to be a cause of cancer, according to the National Cancer Institue a rising number of studies have indicated that technology could very well be a risk factor.

Several potential causes of breast cancer are unassuming objects we use every day: our electronics.

Math teacher Ms. Sue Altman’s daughter, Lyndsay Altman, 26, was recently diagnosed with breast cancer.

Lyndsay, an

avid jogger, normally put her phone in her sports bra while exercising.

This may have caused a cancerous lump to form in her breast. Fortunately, Lyndsay’s cancer hasn’t spread, and she is currently undergoing chemotherapy.

In the meantime, her mother is warning every student she teaches about the dangers of keeping electronics by their bodies. “You need to keep your phones and computers and iPads away from you. Don’t sleep with them next to you,” Altman said. “It’s nothing new. They’ve been finding cancers caused by it for 10 years.”

Her message doesn’t stop there, however.

While most women don’t get tested for breast cancer until their late 30s or 40s, Altman advises students to get tested as early as possible.

“Please, just listen to the message. Get tested.

Demand! Demand that you can get tested. Ultrasounds and mammograms aren’t that bad,” Altman said.

(10) Feat ure

The Net work (September 2017)

Marian models celebrate 10 years of Omaha Fashion Week maggieprosser

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maha Fashion Week has of models for Omaha Fashion 26). Each of her designers started way to meet new girls from other every year starting with 2008. been supporting local Week is from Develop Model in Omaha. Although some of her schools. I got to go to seminars It was cool to see old styles,” fashionistas for 10 years. Omaha Management. Develop is the designers have moved on to bigbefore the week of to learn how Kaipust said. holds a spring and fall show primary and largest modeling ger fashion weeks such as Des to walk and act,” Kaipust said.

Bongomin shared a story from annually. In the past decade, agency in Omaha.

Moines, Los Angeles and New “On Friday, they did a ‘home- the runway. “For Alesha JohnOmaha’s show has grown into Mixan was a model every day York, they come back to support coming night’ so I got to model son’s collection, I was paired one of the biggest fashion weeks of fall Fashion Week (Aug. 21their hometown. Mixan is new to designs from 2010. They showed up with the cutest little girl who in the United States. the modeling scene, wore a mini dress In the past year Omaha but she said she of the one I wore.

Fashion Week bought their wants to continue The first walk own 30,000 square-foot into college. everyone was building on 15th and Cum“This is my first supposed to go ing. The new space is called year modeling and down the runway Omaha Design Center.

I don’t know what by themselves, With this new area, the my direction is yet, but when it was company extends its reach but I really enjoy her turn she into more than just fashion. doing it. I hope to wouldn’t go until They work with up-anddo it for as long I went. We ended coming models, hair stylas the industry alup holding hands ists, makeup artists, show lows,” Mixan said. and walking out producers, designers and She first signed last together, outside sponsors. It takes on with Develop receiving a standmany resources and people to back in July. They ing ovation,” make the production run so schedule any and Bongomin said. smoothly. all models needed This collection “There are so many ways events and produchad versions of to be involved in Omaha tions. most dresses in Fashion Week. You can volSeniors Abbie kids sizes. unteer and help run the show, Kaipust and Vicky Omaha Fashor you can go to castings to Bongomin are in ion Week impacts model,” junior Mia Mixan the same position. the community said.

Kaipust modeled for the better.

Casting for models usually Wednesday through It has brought occurs in January and July.

Saturday. Bonlight to fashion This is how most teenagers gomin modeled and design that get involved. Recruiters from Wednesday and wouldn’t be Omaha Fashion Week also Thursday. This was available to the Radiant Marian model Senior Vicky Bonlook out for young, naturalboth their first times area if it wasn’t Standing tall Junior Mia Mixan strikes a pose at the end of gomin looks on with a smile while photoly-glowing local girls and in Fashion Week. for the Omaha the runway modeling for Miranda Hanson. Photo courtesy of graphed at the OFW. Photo courtesy of Kathy invite them to come to these “Omaha Fashion Design Center.

Heather and James Hooten.

Rae. tryouts. The primary supplier Week was a great

Marian alumna designs bright future, brings new visual perspective audreyhertel

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hen Hannah Lajba was a freshman at Marian in 2010, she struggled to find shops in Omaha that had clothing to suit her style. So she did something that not many others would do.

She made them herself.

“The first garment I ever made was this straight shift dress made from this white cotton with diagonal ruffles. It had 2-inch straps and little snowflake topstitching in neon green thread... yikes,” Lajba said, describing the dress.

This dress was the beginning of a bright future for Lajba.

In her junior year, Lajba was asked by a friend to bring one of her looks to a cocktail hour at Omaha Fashion Week. “I, of course, say yes and with nothing to show make a plaster dress in a week that eventually turned into a light,” Lajba said.

After this experience, Lajba joined the Kent Bellows Mentoring Program and developed more skill as a designer. In 2014, Omaha Fashion Week had a runway show in which Lajba showed a three-piece collection inspired by the electronic band Gusgus. Lajba later developed this collection into menswear.

She graduated from Marian in May of 2014 with plans of attending the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York City.

After moving to New York, Lajba made several collections and even won the Associates Degree Critic’s Choice Award for a gown inspired by Jane Eyre.

Lajba was surprised when she won the award. “Winning felt odd, I was convinced my friend Katie would get it so I was really shocked when she said my name.

But I started my design process wanting to win the award and that fueled my process,” Lajba said.

Finishing a collection, according to Lajba, is relieving but also stirs a panic because, “You know that next week you’re going to have to come to class with an entire new concept,” Lajba said.

The concept that Lajba is working on at the moment is her pre-collection. It is an “introspection into youth and the wanderlust and imagination that a child has,” Lajba said. She stated that there will be an emphasis on foreshortening the form, layering and a play of colors and textures.

It is evident that Lajba has experience in fashion design, but she also has skills in costume design as well.

“I’ve had an interest in costume design ever since I did the ones for Marian’s ‘Romeo and Juliet,’” Lajba said.

Her relationship with costume didn’t end with Marian’s 2014 spring play but continued onto a larger stage, both metaphorical-

ly and literally; Broadway.

While attending FIT, Lajba had an internship with Parson Meares, a costume company in New York.

“While I interned there I worked on multiple big Broadway shows. I cut out pockets for Hamilton, beaded for Lion King, pulled out the fur on the seams of a coat for Wicked and helped with some of the Rockettes’ costumes,” Lajba said.

Lajba said she hopes to combine her fashion and costume design worlds into one to “bring a new A Marian girl’s creativity Several designs straight from Lajba’s own sketchbook. perspective to design.”

These designs were created for a school assignment. Photo courtesy of Hannah Lajba.

Lajba is currently a senior at FIT and For any Marian girls thinking deals with it by saying, “It’s godescribes it as difficult, about going to design school, ing to be okay. It grounds you.” sometimes more than medical “Constantly have an open mind She said to never give up and school. “Rather than having pathat can absorb everything to never take the easy way out. pers, presentations and quizzes, around you,” Lajba said.

She “You’d be amazed how far you you will have all of that, plus also said that there are many can push your own limits and lab hours of sewing, painting, times when designers get burnt then surpass them,” Lajba said. photoshopping and designing,” out or lose inspiration, but she Lajba said.

THE NET WORK (September 2017)

FEAT URE (11)

Daubert triplets give new school three times the charm audreyyost

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n the past, a set of twins roaming the the girls grew up hanging with the same halls of Marian has not been uncomfriend group, playing on the same sports mon. Yet, this year a set of triplets transteams and wearing the same outfits. ferred from Archbishop Bergan Catholic “When it comes to clothes, Daylee School in Fremont, Neb. for their junior takes our clothes ALL the time! Bodie year. and I will come home with our clothes in “Can you read each other’s minds?” her closet and then she’ll deny she took is a question them,” Greely said. these sisters While shopping, receive multifighting over clothes ple times after can become a huge people find issue. “Well, if I out they are want the shirt, and triplets. Sadly, so does she, why that is not true; should we get two although, the of the same shirts? life of a triplet It doesn’t make is something sense,” Bodie said. that only few They just end up can relate to. taking each others With the help Seeing triple Daylee, Greely and Bodie Daubert clothes to solve that of the Daubert wore the same stylish jumpssuit when they were 5. problem.

Triplets: Bod- The girls have fond memories of their shared style.

For their 16th ie, Greely and birthday, their mom Daylee, we got the insight on what it’s told them they were only going to get one really like to be a triplet. They were born car to share. just minutes apart; Greely first, Bodie About two days before their birthday, second and Daylee a minute later. they were asked to choose one color that Growing up, the girls’ mom insisted they would pick for their car. On the day they wear the exact same outfit until they of their birthday, they came downstairs, were nearly 8. They almost always wore kind of in a slump, expecting to see one the same shirts and jackets with matching car. But they walked out to three Jeep pants. The girls still dress similarly today.

Wranglers!

This past year, the girls essentially wore The girls drew straws to decide who the same prom dress—a two piece white got which color car. “Bodie drives to crop top with different skirts. school, I hate driving! My mom doesn’t All of the girls played volleyball this let me drive to Omaha because I’m not past year for Bergan. Daylee was also the best driver,” Daylee said. involved in cheer and Bodie on the dance Boyfriends, boyfriends, boyfriends. and track team. While some may imagEach of the girls have boyfriends; two in ine it is difficult to share with a sibling, the military and one who is a senior and

Walks For a Cause DZ Dash 4K Color Run

• Sponsored by Delta Zeta Theta Eta • On Oct. 7 at Creighton University • Check-in begins at 10 a.m. and the race begins at 11 a.m.

• Registration fee is $15 (this includes a white t-shirt) • Profits go to the Painted Turtle Camp, a camp for kids with chronic medical conditions

Red Kettle Rally: Mission Walk and 5K Run

• Sponsored by the Salvation Army • Admission is a $10 donation or 10 nonperishable food items for their pantry • Admission for children under 10 is free • On Oct. 21 at Werner Park from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

• Profits benefit the Salvation Army’s human needs fund • Food • Housing • Youth Development • Material Assistance • Behavioral Health • Older Adult Services • Anti-Human Trafficking

Monster Dash

• 5K and 1 Mile Pediatric Cancer Run/Walk • Sunday Oct. 29 at Marian High School starting at 8:30 a.m. (packet pick-up starts at 7:15 a.m.)

• Early Registration: $20 fee on or before Oct. 21 (includes t-shirt) • Mail registration and make checks payable to Gretchen Gall, 9642 Parker St. Omaha, NE 68114 • Late Registration: $25 fee on race day (Does not include a t-shirt) • Proceeds go to Pediatric Cancer Research and Angels Among Us

has applied to West Point. “My boyfriend her mom for about a week while the girls grew up in a military family so it was kind were at camp. Other than that, they are of expected for him to join. He recruited usually together.

Daylee’s boyfriend to join, too,” Bodie “We never really get bored because said. Daylee did have an ex boyfriend there is always someone to hang out who wasn’t liked among the sisters. with,” Daylee said. The girls agreed they “He bought me a cat as a present. My feel as if they have a similar sense of mom didn’t humor. Bodie said like him very they wish one of much. The cat the triplets was completely tore a boy because up my room; being a girl in a we had to get it house with two checked to see other girls the if something same age can be was like wrong competitive. with it, but we “We’ve comended up giving peted a lot over it away because grades; and it’s it was crazy,” hard because you Daylee said. try to be the best All dolled up Daylee, Bodie and Greely Daubert When it comes dressed up for their sophomore prom at Bergan. Even so you’re conto college, Daylee as teens, their mom wants them to dress similarly. stantly competPhotos courtesy of the Daubert family. has thought ing,” Bodie said. they’ll all end up at the same college.

Even so, the girls love being triplets and “She asks us, ‘Well we went to high say it’s always fun to have a friend. school together, so where are we gonna go The girls say they’re thriving at Marian next’?” Bodie said. because everyone has been so welcoming But Bodie says she thinks they’ll prob- and nice. “I really like the opportuniably end up at different colleges finding ties there are, like Youth Medical Club their own path because they’re interested because I really like health and science,” in different things. Bodie is fascinated Bodie said. with science and health, Daylee loves EnThe atmosphere has been great, and glish and writing and Greely said she has they love how they can roll out of bed yet to figure out what she wants to do. bright and early and walk out the door The longest they have been apart was without worrying about makeup. when Daylee and Bodie went to a gym“All of the girls are super inviting and nastics and cheer camp and Greely stayed nice,” Greely said. at home. “I didn’t want to go because I Marian is a big switch considering it’s don’t really like cheer and gymnastics,” all girls, but the Daubert sisters say they Greely said. So she stayed home with have loved it so far.

Out of the Darkness suicide prevention walk 2017 allisonostapowicz

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omewhere over the rainbow, way up high, and the dreams that you dreamed of once in a lullaby,” were the lyrics that kicked off the Out of the Darkness walk to prevent suicide. The walk took place Sept.

10 at Lewis and Clark Landing in Omaha.

The walk brought thousands of people together to raise awareness.

The funds raised benefited the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, who invest in research, create educational programs, advocate for public policy and support survivors of suicide loss.

“The walk felt like a community, strangers coming together for suicide awareness,” Jolie Falcon, a sophomore who attended the walk, said.

Different colors brought a more personal attachment to the walk with each color representing something dif-

ferent. Wearing white represents the loss of a child, red for the loss of a spouse or partner, gold for the loss of a parent, orange for the loss of a sibling, purple for the loss of a relative or friend, silver for the loss of a first responder or member of the military, green for people who had personally struggled with suicidal thoughts, blue for people supporting the cause and teal for a friend or family member of someone who has struggled with and/ or attempted suicide.

Each color was represented by hundreds of balloons that were released into the sky as the walk started and “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” sung by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole, played.

Sophomores Jolie Falcon and Maddie Warrick both attended the walk in support of family and friends who have suffered from depression

and in support of everyone affected by suicide.

Informational booths lined Lewis and Clark Landing with endless packets, hotlines and tips to prevent suicide. Boys Town had a booth which provided “99 Coping Skills” to help deal with depression, along with a suicide hotline for kids and parents seeking help. One booth was a remembrance wall with photos of loved ones lost to suicide.

“I’m so happy I went to the walk and showed my support, I think this cause and issue should be talked about more and I definitely want to be affiliated more,” Falcon said. “It was a very touching experience and I think everyone should support and get educated on this topic,” agreed Warrick.

BE. THE. VOICE. Help to be the generation that ends suicide. If you suspect someone you know is considering suicide call 1-800-448-3000 for help. #stopsuicide This was the motto for the walk.

Having a hashtag helps with publicity, especially on social media. A crowd of thousands went to booths and got food before the walk began.

They were each there for their own personal reasons.

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SPORTS

THE Net work (September 2017)

HAN your mark, get set, go: Firsthand look into Marian’s newest cross country coach sofyherrera

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typical week of cross country (XC) consists of a series of workouts designed to strengthen a runner’s ability to endure the meet at the end of the week. For example: Monday: timed four miles Tuesday: a 45-minute free run (designated time to run anywhere near Marian) Wednesday: timed sprint loops (0.62 miles per loop) Thursday: a glorified 30-minute free run Friday: race day (3.1 miles) All of these workouts are preceded and followed by stretching and warm

up, warm down loops.

Depending on the day of the meet, the schedule may change, but the distance and intensity of the week remains.

While participating in these strenuous activities, runners are encouraged to hydrate, eat right and get enough sleep. However, the key to racing may just be in the coaching.

The ordinary coach supports their athletes, trains them and sets them up for success. It takes a lot of charisma to get the team of 79 runners to be simultaneously pumped

Coach inspiration Miss Han begins the free run. She is often seen accompanying her runners during free run practices. Photo by Sofy Herrera.

up and relaxed enough to run a good race or finish a hard workout.

Miss Megan Han is not your average coach. She is the newest addition to the cross country coaching squad consisting of former math teacher Mr. Roger Wright (head coach), theology teacher Mr. Greg Golka and English teacher Mrs. Alee Cotton.

It is clear that Han has had a lasting effect on her runners. “My favorite thing she’s said to me is you’re always halfway there, as in you can always do more,” freshman Eva Watson said.

“I like how when she cheers me on it’s in a positive way like ‘it is just Soph lot’ or ‘you’re living the dream!’” sophomore Kelly Williams said.

Not only does she possess all of the basic coaching characteristics, she runs with her athletes on free runs and bonds with the team throughout the season by sharing stories and advice from her XC days.

“I love cross country more than anything else… ever,” Han said. Aside from teaching and coaching, Han runs four miles a day, some days eight, one time 13. “I just love being able to get rid of stress by

doing something productive,” Han said. Her love for running is contagious, spreading to her athletes and enabling them to never give up, regardless of the outcome of their race.

Although Han misses the competition of the races and the glory of sprinting to the finish, being a coach has been even more rewarding. “I like being able to be around the runners and being able to help them get through races and become better runners,” Han said.

Having gone to state as a freshman and being a member of the team all four years of her high school career, Han is familiar with the workouts and all the struggles they entail. The beloved 60-minute free run -no walking- was her favorite.

She continues to run it today, while on the lookout for “walkers” (the brave souls who dare to walk during the free run time) with Mrs. Cotton.

With her best mile time being 5:55, and her best 5k (3.1 mile) being 21:40, Han knows the commitment and mental strength it takes to keep going in order to be successful. Although she did not run in college, she still ran during her time in college for fun

and even competed in a physically exerting sport, half marathon with a time it is equally as exhausting of 1 hour and 50 minutes. mentally.

The draw of competition Han’s priceless advice against yourself is someand commitment to the thing Han loves about sport throughout her life running. “Yesterday I has enabled her to coach timed a mile for fun,” Han her athletes not only to run said. That may seem like fast, but not to be afraid to a normal thing for runners run fast. to do, however Han ran it in the striking time of 6:11.

Her commitment has inspired Imagine Dragons the girls to give every race their all. Senior KyTaylor Swift lie Champion describes how One Republic Han continues to energize her Lupe Fiasco with her advice.

“Every time Avicii I’m running a race, I hear The Script Miss Han’s Fall Out Boy voice in my head screaming Linkin Park ‘THERE’S NO REASON FOR Gloria THAT GAP! Gaynor CLOSE IT!’ Best advice The anyone has ever given me,” Chainsmokers Champion said.

Along with XC being a Lupe Fiasco

Miss han’s spotify playlist

• “Believer” • “Look What You Made Me Do” • “NbHD” • “Battle Scars” • “Wake Me Up” • “Hall of Fame” • “Centuries” • “Numb” • “I Will Survive” • “Don’t Let Me Down”

• “The Show Goes On”

Groovin’ on the Green; Marian golf team is far from sub ‘par’ shannonmcsweeney

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o some sports fans, golf isn’t exactly known as the most exciting sport around. Many people assume it’s mostly soft clapping and staying quiet during tee off. The Marian golf team proves this stereotype wrong.

“We have a lot of fun, and meets are always exciting,” sophomore Chloe Herbert said.

Herbert has been a part of the junior varsity golf team since her freshman year.

Even though she’s only been on the team for two years, she still knows all about the team’s traditions.

“We have a team get-together before the season starts, and we always watch ‘The Short Game,’ it’s this movie about little kids

playing golf. We love it,” Herbert said.

The team is coached by head coach Mr. Robert Davis and assistant coach Ms. Connie Cavel.

Cavel does everything she can to help the team, including blessing everyone before an invite.

“If we don’t have time to say a prayer, Ms. Cavel walks around the course and does a little blessing over all of us before we start,” Herbert said.

Even the most exciting sports have a hard time making practice more exciting than just repetitive drills, but the coaches find a way to make it fun, while helping improve each girl’s skills.

“Every practice ends with a game, with teams of golfers

state golf Norfolk Country Club: Oct. 9: Girls Varsity State Oct. 10: Girls Varsity State Good luck at State,

Go Crusaders!

trying to chip or putt for points.

The teams that reach their points get to leave, while the other golfers have to stay and keep going,” Coach Davis said.

The golf team is a tight-knit group of 10 girls in all, and they say they love it when the Marian community comes to invites and tournaments and supports them.

The team doesn’t always get a huge student section because they compete on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

The team makes up for it by supporting each other and trying their hardest to get the lowest score, because medals and trophies aren’t the only prize for winning an invite; the team

Freshman fairway Maddie Fitzgibbons stands after hitting. She competed at Benson Park in the JV Dual against Millard West on Sept. 24. Photo courtesy of Allison Martin. ends their competition by getting a victory snack.

“When we play well as a

Calling all potential basketball players

and swimmers SWIMMING tryouts are scheduled for: Monday, Nov. 13 Mandatory Meeting: Tuesday, Nov. 14 Wednesday, Nov. 1: Final Contact Mr. Christiansen for more info.

Preseason meeting at 6:45am in the West Gym. This is a mandatory bjchristiansen@omahamarian.org meeting for everyone interested.

BASKETBALL tryouts begin on: Monday, Nov. 13:

Time is to be determined.

Contact Mr. Cunningham for more info. pcunningham@omahamarian.org

team, coaches take the golfers to Dairy Queen for Blizzards,” Davis said.

Volleyball state Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln

Wednesday, Nov. 1: Varsity District Tournament

Thursday, Nov. 9: Varsity State Tournament

Friday, Nov. 10: Varsity State Tournament

Saturday, Nov. 11: Varsity State Championship

SPORTS (13)

THE NET WORK (September 2017)

FRESHMAN: Kaydence Skiles pOSITION: first base, catcher, designated player “This year we have great senior leadership, a lot of talent and great coaches...I love everybody on the team, they were so welcoming and made me feel like I fit right in even as a freshman.”

SOPHOMORE: Lydia Larson pOSITION: left field “I’m super excited to make it to state. It’s definitely our team’s biggest goal for the season and it would be really great if we could make it.”

Varsity softball rallies for districts, state

annacook

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ith a record of 9-18, Marian’s varsity softball team “The players are learning how to handle diversity, but hasn’t had the winning streak this year that they’ve we have a bright future for the younger players with great had in the past. However, the team is still confident in one senior leadership,” Perkins said. The future is uncertain another to bring their a-game for districts and state softregarding how the team will do for districts and state, but ball. “We’ve had some games where it’s been very close. with hard work and determination, the girls can overcome We’ve had the toughest schedule this season,” head coach their challenges.

Chad Perkins said.

According to Coach Perkins, the girls have been Earlier in the season the team played Grand Island at “battle-tested.” He is very confident going into districts. an away game and won 6-4. A few weeks later, Marian Districts competition began on Oct. 5 and continues played that same team and lost 0-4. “Hitting is everythrough the weekend. State is in Hastings, Oct. 11-13. thing,” Perkins explained. “First game we just hit better Team members are looking forward to the competition. than the second game.”

SEnior night line-up #12 #2 #1

# 13

JUNIOR: Katie Harris pOSITION: designated player “We have had our fair share of adversity this year...but because of the constant support of our coaches, our amazing senior leadership... we’ve been able to get past these hardships.”

SENIOR: Cammy Gregor pOSITION: third base “The season has been rough but it’s definitely a learning experience. We’re getting a lot of new talent... We won’t host districts but we’re confident that whatever district we’re in, we’ll do well.”

#18 #10

#5 #17

#6 Head Coach: Chad Perkins Asisstant Coaches: Aaron groff, chad marshall & anna milone

Varsity Players: 1 Lydia larson 2 Tara o’brien

3 megan lawson 4 Katie harris 5 Cammy gregor 6 Emma raabe 7 abby hayes 8 quinn ruff 9 jillian teal 10 kaydence skiles

11 grace bentley 12 tatum villotta 13 avery ost 14 olivia rudolff 15 jordan hatcher 16 katie palmer 17 tory villotta 18 abby russell

Coach McLeay leads team of college volleyball recruits gracesall

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pon entering the East Gym of Marian for a home volleyball game on a Wednesday night, the sound of squeaking shoes on hardwood floor and competitive jeering fills your ears. Coaches give a pep talk to the varsity team, including Emily Bressman. The game begins in 30 minutes, when Bressman and her teammates will leave it all on the court for the competitive ambition of winning.

Until the final buzzer, nothing else matters except ensuring the ball does not land on their side of the court, and whose numbers on the blue scoreboard are higher. To a casual observer, this scene is just another high school volleyball team. But after Bressman and the other 13 players leave the confines of the East Gym, they return home to a different type of pressure: committing to college.

Deciding on a college generally doesn’t come until senior year. But as some athletes know, this pressure creeps up much sooner.

For Bressman, colleges were only allowed to contact her about her volleyball future beginning junior year. Until that point, the only contact that was allowed had to be initiated by Bressman or her coaches.

On Aug. 30, 13 days after school started, Bressman announced that she had committed to Creighton University. “It was home,” she said.

Initially, it would seem that Bressman had to brave the waters of recruitment alone. However, she said her coach Mrs. Amy McLeay played a big role in helping make her decision, as was the same for other girls on the team who had already gone through the recruitment process.

As the girls’ coach, McLeay helps with daily practices, offers words of wisdom,

dispels school burdens brought on the court and navigates the overall busy lives of the teenage girls. In addition, she helps them with a tough choice plaguing many students: where to go to college.

As high school athletes, the girls have to make the decision about whether they want to continue playing after graduation.

McLeay’s role is helping the girls once they’ve decided to pursue their passion on the collegiate level. She has them make a list of their dream schools, trying to take into account how close the schools are, as well as which schools have their preferred major.

But these decisions are hard for any eighteen-year-old, let alone as early as freshman year.

“I try to be level-headed and help them appreciate the opportunity that presents itself to the girls,” McLeay said.

Once her player has decided what college she would like to play for, McLeay contacts the schools’ coaches via email or phone to tell them about what the student has to offer. Up until junior year, this is how the recruitment process must work according to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

McLeay knows that deciding on a future is a big decision, and she wants her players to feel a connection to the school as well as the coaches before they announce their commitment.

With half of the team already committed on the collegiate level, McLeay said that once they step on to the court, individual scholarships and other teams must be left at the door. However, she says her girls become great teammates and the college atmosphere increases her expectations of the girls as well as of themselves.

It holds them to a higher standard than

Crusader crunch time Emily Bressman ‘19 stands with coach Amy McLeay at a tournament at Bellevue West. They played Western Christian and won all three matches. Photo courtesy of Amy Wing.

just the high school level. A big motivating factor is seeing Marian alumnae play Division I, II and III volleyball after starting in the same East Gym that they practice in.

Bressman was a freshman when Brittney Witt ’16 committed to Creighton as a senior. McLeay said having upperclasswomen as role models helps her girls visualize where they could be going.

“They only get to be high school teammates once. I want them to enjoy the moment,” McLeay says, and commitment really helps put things into perspective.

Bressman will continue to play outside hitter for her Marian team in the familiarity of the East Gym as the team fights for a state title, until she trades her Marian jersey for a Creighton one.

Varsity Commitments Emily Bressman ’19: Creighton University

Lily Heim ’18: Southern Methodist University

Sarah Wing ’18: University of Iowa

Maddie Wiedenfeld ’18: University of New Hampshire

Maggie Mullen ’18: University of Louisville

Grace Hern ’18:

Colorado State UniversityPueblo

Hailey Zuroske ’19: University of Wyoming

(14) ENT ERTAINMENT

THE NET WORK (September

Marian Dads promote faith, father-daughter bonding juliaveik

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ho are the Marian Dads? They are a homework, etc. group of 20 dads who have daughters “Now that we meet regularly we can start currently attending Marian. The dads meet on to plan things that we actually do as a group the fourth Wednesday of every month in the along with just a support of one another,” Marian Room to discuss how to spend more Deacon Fuller said. time with their daughters while promoting Currently the Marian Dads group is faith.“Our goal is to attract faith-filled dads planning to do a banner raising and another who will encourage their Tootsie Pop greeting at the daughters to pursue a morning drop off outside of relationship with Christ school similar to the one that through action, words, took place on Aug. 23. One deeds and prayer,” Mark of their goals is to promote Jensen, the founder of stronger expressions of faith the Marian Dads group, in the students, perhaps with a said. banner in the school.

The Marian Dads Something Jensen stressed started in the fall of is that every dad wants to be Smiling runs in the family. Marian 2016 after theology a part of his daughter’s life.

Dads founder Mark Jensen poses teacher Deacon Kevin Even if he isn’t a part of a with his daughter, Kate Jensen ’20, in Fuller encouraged dads group like the Marian Dads, front of the school; this was where the to spend more time with he still might need a little help Marian Dads handed out lollipops on their daughters while to know how to be there for Aug. 23. at the Faces of Marian her. event.

“He wants to hear about “It’s just as important your day; your challenges and as mom, so dads weren’t your successes, so talk to him. off the hook just because Perhaps invite him to go for a their daughters were walk, out for lunch or cofhere at Marian,” Deacon fee…I bet he’ll buy,” Jensen Fuller said. “Sometimes said. this is a time when dads Mr. Jensen’s daughter, and daughters can get sophomore Kate Jensen, is a little bit more distant happy to see the support he Theology teacher and campus minister in high school but gives to her growing even Deacon Kevin Fuller is a co-founder research shows, and I more available to other Marian of Marian Dads. He and his daughter, think it’s just kind of students through the Marian Cecelia Fuller ’20 are excited about common sense, that Dads program. the new club. dads need to be avail“I would say that your dad able and around to support their daughters as should totally do it. I know Marian can have they go through high school.” a more woman-centered atmosphere (for obThis inspired Mr. Jensen to take part in vious reasons) and this can be the way your starting a group of dads who would meet to dad can get a connection with the Marian talk about topics impacting their daughters’ community even if he didn’t go here,” Kate lives; faith, driving, friends, social media, said.

Get the point: a rundown of Marian’s funniest points

Humans of Marian

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umans trust what we see.

However, what we see may not always be accurate. This mindset of judging people by first look was thrown away by the project Humans of New York. Humans of New York is a widely known page on most popular forms of social media that was created by Brandon Stanton in 2004. He started by simply taking portrait photos of citizens of New York and telling their stories in the comments. The public was shocked by the stories told because the looks of the person in the picture may not have matched quite what the public thought they’d say. .

Since it began, the page has expanded and he has traveled around the globe, collecting stories and

2017)

sofyherrera sharing advice from the people of the world. Every post is personalized and offers a tidbit of life advice.

Whether it is sad, happy or funny, the bottom line is don’t judge a book by its cover. Here at Marian, students have stories to tell. A humans of Marian account was created by Annie Soener in 2015 as a way for students to give their advice to the whole school. The account has been passed down and currently is ran by Sofy Herrera and Shannon McSweeney. Contact either of them if you are interested in sharing your advice, Marian-style, through this account and follow @humans_of_marian on instagram to be updated with the feed. Below are the first two posts of the school year.

Rayna Bartling ’18 “Do you think you could describe exactly who you are?”

“Oh for sure I couldn’t. I literally don’t know who I am. Some days I’m super outgoing and relaxed, and then some days I’m sweaty. That’s the worst mood.

Can I go on a tangent? Being sweaty is probably the worst feeling in the entire world, and I don’t know why anyone would choose to exercise or be out in the heat if they had the choice to not. You’re wet. Your body is physically wet.”

“So do you not like swimming?”

“No, I love swimming.”

Shruthi Kumar ’20 “I strongly believe in positivity. I feel like the only thing that stops ourselves from being successful is ourselves. So if we can change our mindset to a more positive outlook, we can achieve so much more than what we make ourselves out to be. I feel like putting ourselves down and thinking we can’t do more than we actually can really inhibits us from reaching our full potential. Every single Marian girl has so much potential. Marian girls are just extremely great people that can achieve so much in the world, and I feel like we should all really unleash our positivity. And we do every day at school, and I look forward to coming to school just because of that, because I get to see all the beautiful Marian girls and really feel the love every second in the hallways.”

First Week Freshman reshman year is all about learning the rules and ways of Marian - including the Marian Student “Points” dress code. If a teacher spots you out of the out her own Point iBlock Adds Points Dead Week Disaster correct uniform, you may be in for a sticky lmost everyone has had an incident Block has become quite the point of ead week, the week before finals, is situation. At Marian, dress code violations when they came to school and interest among Marian girls. The newly notorious for causing stress, exhausare the biggest factors for students getting realized that they issued disciplinary device serves tion and major coffee consumption. If points, and for sophomore Lily Weindel, were wearing as a reminder for girls to do their you’ve experienced it, then you know what being out of uniform cost her a disciplinary something they’re homework. If a student forgets, or it feels like to be overwhelmed, tense and point on the first week of freshman year. not supposed simply doesn’t do the work, they fatigued all at the same time. For senior “I was so scared about it! I litto. Whether it’s are sent to iBlock—a 35 minute Anna Swoboda, Dead Week took its toll in erally thought it would ruin my enlaundry day or we program where girls do their home- history class. tire Marian experience and I was just unknowingly work after school. If you skip, you While watching freaking out so much. It was the put on the wrong are immediately given four discia movie about a worst because it was the first week socks, it happens pline points. former Presiand I already had a point,” Weindel to the best of us.

Frieda Nomenyo ’19 For freshman Kaitlyn Roy, dent, Swoboda said.

Junior Frieda skipping iBlock led to more than four couldn’t help but The point came after Weindel wore Nomenyo just happened to be wearing points. The whole incident was comclose her eyes, the wrong socks to school. Although the the wrong socks on the wrong day. and take a nap. “I socks were the right color, they were “Sophomore year we were talking about pletely a matter fell asleep in too short, and therefore, against the socks in homeroom, and it was laundry of confusion. “I Anna Swoboda ’18 DA’s American dress code. “I knew I was wearing the day. So, of course, my socks were green. told the teacher History Class when we were watching John wrong socks and knew it was against the I didn’t think I’d actually get caught, but who assigned it that I wouldn’t Adams,” Swoboda said. dress code. I have no idea why I was so I did,” Nomenyo said.

Swoboda woke up at the end of the class surprised to get the point. I remember The whole situation started when No- be able to make it, and it turns when the bell rang, however she wasn’t picking them out, menyo was having a conversation with able to leave right away. “DA read out thinking how they her classmates about socks. “I pointed to out that inforKaitlyn Roy ’21 mation didn’t a long list of names and my name was were too short, but my socks, not thinking about the color, exactly reach on the list. Everyone on the list had to then just putting them and Ms. Altman looked at me and said stay behind and get a point,” Swoboda on. Rookie mistake, I ‘Did you really just point out your socks the teacher in charge of iBlock,” Roy said. “I wasn’t exactly angry, just consaid. guess,” Weindel said. to me?’ I was like ‘uhh’ and everyone Because it was her first point, SwoEven though else was like ‘FRIEDDDAAAA.’ Then fused.”

Roy texted her mom right before her boda was naturally disappointed, but Weindel was anxious she said ‘Now I have to give you a study hall to tell her the news. “While soon got over it. “More than half the at the time, she’s now point.’ I wrote the point and she signed Lily Weindel ’20 texting my mom about the four points class got a point for falling asleep, so I able to look back it, so I gave myself a point,” Nomenyo I got, I had my phone taken away, and don’t feel that bad.” and laugh. “I find it said.

Although taking a nap cost Swoboda really funny because I was so nervous Despite being a little disapPOINTed, got two more points,” Roy said.

As a result, even though Roy was a point, at least she got some sleep out of about it and remember being so irritated Nomenyo was able to have a good laugh about it and telling my friends,” said about it later. “Our class made up a song dismayed, she learned a very valuable it. lesson: don’t skip iBlock.

Weindel, “At the time I thought it was because I kept getting points that day,” the biggest deal, but now I realize that it Nomenyo said. Although getting a point was just because I was so new to everywas slightly upsetting for Nomenyo, the thing.” situation made for a great story.

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THE NET WORK (September 2017)

ENT ERTAINMENT (15)

Spooky Sounds to bring in the Haunted Halloween Spirit for all musical tastes

hailierydel am a self-proclaimed music connoisseur. My tastes range from opera pieces, to heavy riffs of metal, to the zesty beats of rap. I have accumulated a vast knowledge of different music over the years.

I started playing Guitar Hero at the age of 5 and fell in love with all forms of rock music (thanks, Ma). My mother used to put me to sleep playing a mix of Nirvana and Mozart records. At a young age I was constantly exposed to music.

I began playing the violin at age 9, thus beginning my love and immense appreciation for classical music. I listened up on masterworks, the greatest of musical composers, and I could sit and talk Shostakovich’s piano brilliance and Paganini’s innovative violin playing for hours.

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As the years have gone by, I have listened to every genre of music, and I continue to grow my musical knowledge. Have I heard of that band? Probably. Without further ado, I bring you my wide range of spooky musical pieces.

The concept of evil sounding music dates back to the earliest of musical genres. It makes its first appearance in classical music. Some notoriously evil pieces include: Orff’s “Carmina Burana.” This piece is often set in the background of popular movies and TV shows. A vast majority of people would more than likely recognize it’s haunting sound.

Saint-Sean’s “Danse Macabre,” literally translates to “dance of death” and dates back to the 1800’s. This piece is written in G minor which makes for an

Hollywood storyteller has a story to tell “T

extra spooky sounding ambiance.

Modern scary music is heavily influenced by classical works. A vast majority of modern eerie music has come from movie scores. One of the most popular examples is Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare before Christmas” and John Carpenter’s “Halloween Theme.” “This is Halloween,” composed by Danny Elfman, has been a must have for any spooky occasions. Carpenter’s “Halloween Theme” has become an iconic tune that can put anyone on edge.

Scary music ranges from classical masterworks to modern rock bands. I have compiled a well rounded playlist including the evil sounding works of Beethoven, the eerie soundtracks of popular movies and scary riffs of rock bands. Happy spooking.

allisonostapowicz he secret to life is find something you Elkins has the opportunity to travel frequentlove to do and make a living from it.” ly for his job. “It’s never easy being away from Which is EXACTLY what Hollywood movie my family in Omaha, but traveling creates fun editor and Marian dad, Tom Elkins did. family visits, and maybe even them meeting Elkins’ passion started at age 10, when he some celebrities,” Elkins said. He loves the made short horror films using his sisters as acfeeling of home in Omaha, being able to step tresses. This love for filming and editing contin- outside and smell the freshly cut grass. ued into his 20s when he worked at Godfather’s Elkins knew he wanted to raise his two Pizza and made commercials for the company. daughters in Omaha. “Raising my kids in the Shortly after getting married in his 20s, great city, just felt right,” Elkins said. Samantha an idea of “Let’s graduated from Marian in move to L.A.!” was 2017 and Abigail is currentbrought to the table. ly a sophomore.

Elkins and his wife Elkins’ favorite part of Susan dropped their the job is being with the authings and hopped dience when they watch the on a plane. Soon, his movie, being able to see and passion started to hear people’s raw reactions slowly come to life. to the work he created.

He began as a He loves the aspect of production assistant storytelling with sound and until his first chance picture then seeing it come Tom Elkins stands with his family (Susan, Saat editing arose. together. mantha & Abigail) at Samantha’s graduation in He first started off May 2017. Photo courtesy of Tom Elkins.

He mentioned the hardest as an assistant editor part of the job is the presfor movies such as sure of fulfilling the vision “The Da Vinci Code” and “Red Eye.” of the company paying him.

Elkins now works to compile movies togethAnother difficult part of being a movie editor er, collecting sounds, pictures and film every for Elkins is the time spent away from his famiday to create the story. “My job is basically one ly. “Working in Hollywood can be very difficult big puzzle of sound, picture and film,” Elkins at times and you have to have thick skin, but said. you just have to love and stick with it,” Elkins Elkins specializes in horror movies; this is said. because his first opportunities were in fact scary, One of the many projects he is currently but, even as a kid he had a love for this genre. working on is a documentary of Marian Field “Creating scary movies is so fun because Day. of the audience experience. Everyone coming “I’m lucky because I have followed my together in one room to be scared is communal. dream, but could never have done it without the It’s great!” Elkins said. love and support of people around me. It is a Elkins has put the puzzle together on many gift to be supported, and to support someone is movies such as “Annabelle,” “Haunting in giving a gift,” Elkins said. Elkins is an inspiraConnecticut I,” “Wanted,” “Inferno” and “Flattion to many young people wanting to follow liners.” He not only edited “The Haunting in their dreams. And c’mon, how many people can Connecticut II,” but was also the director of the say they watched baseball and ate pizza with movie.

Tom Hanks at his house?

Spooky Sounds “Carmina Burana: O Fortuna”

by London Philharmonic Orchestra “This is Halloween’’ by Danny Elfman

“Werewolves of London” by Warren Zevon “Spooky, Scary Skeletons” by Andrew Gold “Monster Mash” by Bobby Pickett, Crypt-Kickers “Halloween” by Misfits “Suite (‘The Omen’) by The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra

“Living Dead Girl” by Rob Zombie “Danse Macabre in G minor” by Camille Saint-Seans

“Halloween Theme” by John Carpenter

How to Pumpkin Spice up your life lilywatkins

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utumn is upon us. You know what that means: sweaters, beanies and pumpkin spice lattes galore. Since the fall drink is so popular, The Network has decided to give you the recipe to ease your wallet. Just follow these easy steps and enjoy.

Dollop of whipped cream Sprinkles of cinnamon powder

Dash of love

3/4 cup steamed milk

Recipe: • Place 1 & 3/4 pumps of pumpkin spice (ready for purchase online or at your favorite coffee shop) and 2 shots of espresso into mug • Fill 3/4 of the cup with steamed milk

1 & 3/4 pumps of pumpkin spice, 2 shots of espresso • Stir • Top with whipped cream and cinnamon powder • Enjoy!

Welcome to the first installment of Shannon McSweeney and Sofy Herrera’s comic! You’re in for a wild ride, so get ready to laugh out loud!

Time for school!

Shan?

Spots in upper lot!

Youre kidding me Lucas move!

Not again

Sof?

Soph Hill

comic by shannonmcsweeney & sofyherrera

(16)

PHOTO ESSAY

THE NET WORK (September 2017)

Play that funky music Seniors swarm the front of the dance floor for songs like “Come on Eileen” which brought back memories of Field Day. Though it didn’t look like it at first glance, this Welcome Dance had an impact on Field Day as it was a B.O.S.S. point event.

Glitter me pink Colleen Sully ’20 maximizes her ability to wear glitter for a Marian-sponsored event. This rare privilege speckled the faces of nearly every girl who walked in the door, and will continue to shine in the carpet of the Quad for years to come.

Student Board members attempted to vacuum up the sparkle for nearly two hours after the event ended.

Bump it out Becca Townley ’19 and Mia McGrath ‘19 chest bump amidst the hundreds of students in the West Gym. While some girls sported the $15 bro-tank, others rocked their closet classics.

Welcome to Marianpalooza!

Emori Hamilton ’20 and Lizzy Musilek ‘20 sprint down the Quad stairs with excitement.

Student Board decked out the entrance, Quad walls and gym with Marianpalooza-inspired palm leaves, lights, streamers and ferris wheels.

Come dance with us Quinn Findley ’21, Sarah Gilner ’21 and Alexa Pulliam ‘21 embody the free spirits found at festivals such as Coachella and Lollapalooza. Students from schools all across the Omaha area gathered to attend Welcome Dance; Gilner came from Duchesne to enjoy a night with her Marian friends.

Under the lights Juniors gather close to the stage where DJ JB played some of their favorite songs. From 8-11 p.m. he took requests and even sang along with the student body. More than 700 students attended Marianpalooza - a dazzling success.

photos by audreyhertel, sofyherrera & audreyyost