Marian High School Student Newspaper for October 2011

October 2011

Marian High School 7400 Military Avenue Omaha, NE 68134 402-571-2618 Volume 56 - Issue 3

the network Houston, We Have a Problem NASA Ends Space Shuttle Program

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Let’s Fight For Marian’s Crusaders Saluting the Cheerleaders

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Have No Fear

Small Talk Conversation Tips are Here

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newsflash.........................................pp. 2 & 3 opinion.............................................pp. 4 & 5 features............................................pp. 6 & 7 indepth ............................................pp. 8 & 9 active life......................................pp. 10 & 11 features........................................pp. 12 & 13 entertainment.............................pp. 14 & 15 photo essay............................................. p. 16 printed on 100% recycled paper GO GREEN!

photo by taylorhaag

cover by emilyfischer

To Infinity and Beyond?

Interview with U.S. Astronaut Clayton Anderson Network staff within 48 hours of iniital contact. Let it be noted the humility, and dedication that Astronaut Anderson has for educating the United States on space exploration in every way possible.

Clayton Anderson has honored the Marian community with his input, viewpoints, and words of encouragement as an international astronaut. There is no such wisdom like the wisdom of a man who has spent 168 days in space, and approximately 38 hours shielded by nothing but a space suit, staring out into the vast unknown.

of the heavens. We can be sad about the end of the shuttle’s legacy. But we must not dwell in that sadness. We must use it as a springboard to our next great national achievement. We must push ourselves to solve the technical problems that can get us to places like the moon or Mars. We have lost a symbol of American ingenuity and capability…and if we are not careful, we will lose our preeminence in the world’s space race.

In my opinion we must lead these efforts. We must be the country that sets the biggest goals and achieves them.

Q. Can you explain in detail the involvement you had with the Space Shuttle Program?

Q. What do you think the future of NASA will consist of?

A. You must dream very BIG! You must never ever let anyone tell you that you cannot do something. You can do whatever it is that you set your mind to…it just takes hard work, perseverance and a little bit of luck and good timing. I applied to be an astronaut 15 times before I was selected. 13 times before I even got an interview. If I learned anything, it was to never, ever quit. You should also pursue something that you love to do. [...]

Pursue your dreams with PASSION! You can be whatever you want to be!

A. As an engineer and ultimately an astronaut, A. NASA is working to enable commercial I had the privilege of helping to design early companies to be the “taxi cabs” or “rental cars” shuttle and space station missions. Being able for the International Space Station (ISS). They to fly on those type of missions will build the rockets that will was indeed a thrill. In the early carry supply cargo and eventually days of my career, I spent most our astronauts to the ISS. It is of my time helping to plan or NASA’s hope that they will be design the shuttle’s trajectory… able to sustain that capability or how it would ultimately safely thereby allowing NASA to get into space. [...] Later in focus on the future…traveling to my career I became the leader more distant worlds. [...] NASA of a team, whose goal was to continues to work on the ORION design an entire mission. [...]

Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle Eventually, I was promoted (MPCV), which is destined to be into positions where I managed the people carrier that may one those teams and their leaders day travel outside of our low earth U.S Astronaut and the members of the teams. orbits. NASA is also working Clayton Anderson on probes and robotics that will Q. What do you think the allow non-human missions to United States as a country has lost by the take place. These missions will go to distant removal of the Space Shuttle Program? worlds and help determine how best to work to place humans in those same places. [...]

A. We have lost a wonderful feat of Doing these type of things robotically is safer engineering…possibly the most complicated in the early part of the missions, allowing us to piece of space hardware ever designed. learn many important things prior to risking Her legacy is one of successful and varied the lives of humans. Answering questions capability. They were the workhorses that about our destinations is a key aspect of space enabled us to build an International Space exploration.

Station[...] and place and repair a Hubble Space Telescope that is unlocking the secrets Q. If you could present the young people of

Clayton Anderson redefined the definition of perserverance. His achievements are so profound, Feb. 29 is the official Clayton Anderson day in the state of Nebraska.

As the space shuttle program shut down, Anderson lost the program he dedicated his life to further and excel in.

He helped pave the way for eager, diligent newcomers to the space administration.

However, due to the abrupt shut down of NASA space exploration, many young people must now alter their dream of aero-space engineering and space flight.

In a times of hardship throughout American history, space exploration has offered a relief from wordly issues. It allowed the people of the Earth to reach for the unknown, to live for the hope that someday we will find an earth-shattering discovery.

Unfortunately, the financial state of America has limited this hope.

The space shuttle program, to many, is the greatest technological, inspirational and innovative program the world has ever seen.

The citizens of the United States must now learn to make extraordinary strides that can produce the same hope and achievements as the NASA Space Program created. It is up to the up and coming generations to figure out where and what these achievements will be.

America with a piece of advice to take away from your NASA experience, what would you say?

Former NASA Employee Ted Rickerl on Branch Shutdown

gabriellamartinez-garro

In 2004, it was announced that the space shuttles would discontinue once the InterAtlantis exists; a voyaging space national Space Station (ISS) was completed. shuttle, and the last of its kind. This Though NASA continues to improve its past summer, on July 21, Atlantis arknowledge on other galaxies and planets, the rived home safely, marking the end of age of space exploration appears to be over. an era, one which spanned 30 years of “It’s hard to tell right now what the future discovery. The end of the space shuttle of NASA holds since it is very political. It program not only created an uneasy will depend on how long the current adminfuture for the further exploration of istration is in Washington DC. Their current space, but also created an uneasy future plan is to have commercial companies like for thousands of employees.

SpaceX and Orbit Sciences develop launch Among these thousands was Ted vehicles, cargo ships, and crew transports Rickerl, a former employee of NASA at that will go to the ISS. Johnson Space Center in Houston, who “The worked ISS is with the schedspace uled to program stay in from op1988 eration until until this past at least summer.

2020.

“My Howjob was ever, to plan we are the renat the dezvous mercy of flight the Rustrajecsians to tory provide for the transspace portashuttle, tion to create the ISS proceand also dures for the Study Up. STS-135 crew training for rendezvous and dock- for how ing in the Systems Engineering Simulator. long it astrowill be operated. nauts to follow on-board to execute the “NASA will focus on human space explomission, train them in a Space Shuttle ration beyond Earth orbit. First, they will simulator […] and then monitor the plan to send a manned mission to a nearby operations from the Mission Conasteroid. Then a mission to orbit Mars will trol Center during the flight,” Rickerl be considered. These are long range plans so explained.

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the asteroid mission was no differwould not occur ent than the until sometime after others. It had 2025 and a mission its own unique to just orbit Mars requirements would not occur unand mission til 2035. My feeling objectives that is that they are not we planned for being very ambiand worked totious,” Rickerl said. ward. Everyone The end of the was reminded space shuttle proto keep focused gram truly closes an on the mission era in United States and not get history. For the first distracted. time in 50 years, the “However, U.S. will not be able everyone knew to launch astronauts that this would into space to access Fly High. Space Shuttle Atlantis comes in be their last for a docking, seen from ISS at about 600 ft. mission supthe International Space Station. porting the space shuttle so it made us “Hopefully, this will only be temporary appreciate all that we had accomplished but realistically it will be several years, 2015 a little bit more than any other mission. or later, before the U.S. will launch a human There was definitely a feeling of pride, into space to visit the ISS,” Rickerl said. accomplishment, and appreciation for It seems strange to think of life without being part of such a historic program but space exploration and the space shuttle proalso foreboding about what the future gram. would For hold three since deso cades, many the people space would shuttle, be Laugh it Off. The STS-135 crew getting ready to review the the looking most procedures that will fly onboard. for a complex machine ever built, brought man new career soon,” Rickerl said. into outerspace and was at a time the United On July 21 2011, the Space Shuttle States’ pride and joy. program came to an end. According to Atlantis, the last space shuttle, was an Rickerl, close to 7,000 people were laid extremely emotional time for everyone, off from the NASA contractor, United especially those working closely with the Space Alliance. Rickerl was one of those program. people.

“In some ways, the last space shuttle flight

all photos courtesy of tedrickel and NASA

T

he final frontier. The hope of a better beyond. One of the only pure mysteries left within the range of human contemplation. The universe.

Throughout the history of NASA, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the space exploration sector has become the most prestigious and advanced program of space exploration in the world. Only the most diligent, innovative people are chosen to work within its confines, and only the most extraordinary engineers are trained to explore the mystery of outerspace firsthand. United States Astronaut Clayton Anderson, born and raised in Nebraska, has become a worldwide icon of humility and determination.

Born in Omaha and raised in Ashland, NE, Clayton Anderson graduated from Hastings College, Nebraska with a Bachelors of Science in Physics and got a Masters degree in Aero-space Engineering from Iowa State University.

In 1983, Anderson joined the Johnson Space Center team, he was selected as a mission space specialist in 1998 and reported for training the following August.

To achieve greatness, one must have the capability of great perserverance. On June 8, 2007 Astronaut Anderson launched into space aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis.

This space flight was the transportation to the International Space Station, where a five month long mission took place.

Anderson was the flight engineer and science officer for his tour. He was then chosen as a member of the STS-131 Space Shuttle Discovery mission, which entailed resupplying the International Space Station, this mission lasted from April 5 to April 20, 2010.

United States Astronaut Clayton Anderson was contacted by Marian High School on Oct. 13, 2011. The world renowned astronaut replied to the Marian

photo courtesty of spacefacts.de

michaelamcdonald

Marian Broadens Servite Horizons Overseas

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eeling trapped in Omaha? Ever wished you could travel abroad during high school and connect with other students from different Servite schools? Well, in the near future, those opportunities will become more available to Marian girls.

On Thursday Sept. 22, Head of School Mrs. Susan Toohey, Social Studies and Speech teacher Mr. Luke Ostrander and History teacher Mrs. Kim Remmick departed on their

journey to Italy for the International Servite School Network conference. The conference included Masses, meals, presentations from speakers from the Servite schools around the world, and group discussions about the similarities and differences between schools. “All of the core values tie us together, but the schools are all very different . . . we all come from very different walks of life,” Ostrander said.

One of the goals of the conference was to open up lines of Ciao. Mr. Luke Ostrander, Mrs. Kim Remmick, and Head of communication School Mrs. Susan Toohey pose for a picture in Italy. with the rest of the Servite schools and begin partnerships with them. “I have personally come back with a stronger sense of what the Servites are about, what they do and where they come from, but how we are really connected with the other schools will be seen in some partnerships that we have made,” Ostrander said.

Skype is another tool Marian is using to connect with schools from across the world. Remmick plans to do a Civil Rights unit with one of the London schools through Skype. The Novelettes will read The Help and so will the students in London; they will Skype with each other and share stories of

discrimination in each of their home countries.

“The most valuable things from the trip are the international connections and the possiblities of student exchanges, teacher exchanges, skyping with other classes, and working with other schools--really tightening up that network with new connections,” Remmick said.

There is Delizioso. Italian gelato is dished up. another unique opportunity for made them take down all of their crosses.

Marian girls in the future, Ostrander will be You wouldn’t even know they were a religious taking a group of girls to Canada to visit the school,” Ostrander said.

Canadian Servite school next spring break After the conference each day, Ostrander, in 2013. Also, this spring break, a group of Remmick and Toohey joined many other girls are visiting the Servite school in France. administrators from the different schools and With these opportunities, Marian can open up went to grab pizza and hang out. They started boundaries and make the relationships between to build relationships that are only bound to all of the schools stronger in order to keep the strengthen over the years. “I really liked the Servite education alive. social aspect. Honestly, I loved the lunch. After The three reprensentatives showed the all, I am a part Marian girl, so sitting down and Marian Identity video that can be found on eating with people and talking and getting to YouTube.com. The video presented how we personally know them, as opposed to just sitlive the Marian Identity in relation to two ting and listening with the little headphones on other schools. Three different schools from the was my favorite part,” Remmick said.

UK also presented how they live the Marian The next ISSN conference will be held in Identity. The three representatives added our Omaha in 2012. Toohey was elected President experience to the big group; Marian’s school of ISSN and Ostrander was elected treasurer, so day is different than some of the schools at both are in charge of this next conference. the conference because of the fact we offer As time goes on, extra opportunities and religion classes. For example, the Servite school stronger bonds with Servite schools around the in Canada is federally funded, therefore they world will broaden Marian girls’ horizons. cannot teach religion classes. “A teacher told us about how they had a parent complain about crosses in the school and so the government

photos courtesy of Mr. Luke Ostrander

alexamoore

Future Uncertain for Snail Mail System

graphics by michaelamcdonald

Who do you want to see on a Postage Stamp?

Justin Bieber Jessica McCarthy ’13

photo source blogmas.com

wishes, and invite friends to a party with the click of a button rather than the lick of an envelope.

Almost 41 percent of Marian girls reported in a survey that they haven’t sent any handwritten letters in the mail in the last year. Of the students who do send mail, a majority have only postmarked one to two letters in the past year.

Freshman Julia Tatten still enjoys sending mail because “It’s more personal that way.”

History teacher Mrs. Susan Juza agrees with Tatten. “I think [handwriting letters] is more of a personal touch and much more appreciated.”

Juza regards the time and thought it takes to write letters (such as thank you notes) to be tied with etiquette. Such etiquette is getting lost in our fast-paced world of quickly-typed, shorthand emails.

If fewer people are sending mail, the Postal Service must reduce the number of employees carrying the mail. The USPS already “reduced its career workforce by 110,000 employees” and is planning on reducing the workforce by 220,000 more by 2015. Numbers show that

photo source gossipcenter.com

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veryone is bound to receive the dreaded “window cleaning 4 less” or “HUGE SALE!” flyers that pop up every so often in the mailbox. Most times, residents just throw away the junk and focus on valuable items such as bills, cards, or invitations. However, with online bills and e-vites becoming more common, what is left to mail? This is the question that the United States Postal Service must face as their business is slowly declining.

According to the United States Postal Service’s official website, Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe reported the problems that the USPS is facing to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs back in September. At the moment, the Postal Service does not have sufficient funds to pay for future retirement health benefits.

“The Postal Service is in a crisis today because it operates within a restrictive business model and has limited flexibility to respond to a changing marketplace,” Donahoe said. This changing marketplace entails a world where Americans can pay bills, send happy birthday

photo source whatisthetrend.net

hannahtoohey

Darren Criss Stephanie Huber ’15

the USPS cannot be profitable until they make many changes such as the employee cuts; it will not be profitable until annual costs are reduced by $20 billion.

Most people do not realize that the Postal Service is not funded by tax dollars, but it is self-supported by the sale of postage stamps, products and services. Plans have been set in motion to help boost sales, such as the newly announced proposal that “living or recently deceased individuals will be eligible for commemoration on postage stamps.”

Though some fans may appreciate seeing images of their favorite singers and sports stars on their envelopes, freshman Julia Tatten is not fond of the idea. “I think that’s stupid, they don’t really deserve it,” Tatten said.

Many Marian girls agree with Tatten. Sopohomore Monica Spence said, “I would hate to see Justin Bieber (on a stamp).”

Which fan favorites could shine in the spotlight?

Junior Jessica McCarthy said she’d love to see Betty White make an appearance. Sydney O’Shaughnessy, Maddie Elliston, and sophomore Molly Beelman say they’d love to see Hope Solo on a stamp.

The public is being asked to share ideas on who should be featured on these square-inch stickers. Each year, people supply about 40,000 suggestions for new stamps; but about 50 of them are chosen.

Since 2007, individuals had to have been

Hannah Montana Sloan Nelson ’14

deceased for at least 10 years before being featured on stamps.

“This change will enable us to pay tribute to individuals for their achievements while they are still alive to enjoy the honor,” Donahoe said. Though this remains true, Donahoe’s added explanation seems more realistic. “Honoring living individuals expands the interest in stamp topics and keeps our program timely, relevant and contemporary.”

Donahoe suggested that many of the problems with the USPS stem from the fact that it cannot be run like most other businesses. The Postal Service has a very specific business model that does not allow for much room to expand. Being able to adapt to current pop culture is a new feature that could help the Postal Service stay in buisness.

As the USPS continues to search for ways to increase revenue, time will only tell if the new postage stamp movement, beginning in 2012, will make an impact.

Many are asking if it is even worth it to save the United States Postal Service while this country and its people are trying to stay afloat in rough economic times. With a service that delivers 40 percent of the world’s mail and has been recognized as the “Most Trusted Government Agency” for six consecutive years, it seems inconceivable that the system is headed down a road of extinction. Are we really ready to say goodbye?

newsflash 3

photos by catelinhotz

Are Smart Phones Really That Smart? catelinhotz

Need to know the score of the game? Check. Need to send that tweet? Check. Need to occupy some time by a round of angry birds? Yup, there’s an app for that, too.

Smart phones have become all the rage lately for our generation. From iPhones to Droids to the teeny tiny Palm Pixi, smart phones are sweeping the nation and collecting big bucks like nobody’s business. As a former BlackBerry owner and a new iPhone 4 owner, I proudly praise these phones and the companies that make them.

I am an addict. A fullfledged addict who cannot put down my iPhone without there being a tingle in my fingers and feeling a sense of loneliness and desolation. Sad, I know, but the first step is admitting it, right?

Smart phones are geniuses.

They can do virtually anything I could ever want in a handheld device, and provide a plethora of information at the touch of a button. Without my handy dandy iPhone, I would be lost and unable to browse my newsfeed at all times of the day.

And yes, being able to do so is completely necessary.

I’m not sure what I would do if I could not refresh my tweet feed every 30 seconds to see who is doing what. Why do I care? That is a question I have yet to answer. While I am a firm believer in the cause, some Marian girls have a different outlook on smart phones.

My classmate Emily Rouw has a Rumor and thinks that smart phones would be nice for things such as Twitter and GPS,

but they are over priced. Psh. Most smart phones range from about $400-$800. As a girl who cannot seem to get around Omaha without making three wrong turns and calling my mother for directions to find I-80 (true story), the opportunity to have GPS at my disposal is well worth the price.

Sophomore Hannah Knight contradicts Rouw’s thoughts and believes that smart phones are the gateway to the world and the perfect electronic for your average multi-tasker. Well spoken Hannah, well spoken.

Smart phones are the newest, hottest item on the market today.

They pull in consumers from left and right and will continue to share their wealth of knowledge and entertainment with all who purchase them.

“Smart phones make it easy to access email and internet and they’re really entertaining.

They’re good for students on the go!” Jackie Jensen ’13

“I have the iPhone 4, I think they are appropriate for kids 14 and up to have, but no younger.” Emily Worth ’15

No, Zero Is the Loneliest Number

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never-been-asked-to-a-dance, sometimes-goess there anything wrong with being alone? to-the-movies-alone girl. I’ll just be whomever it Sometimes I think there is. But then I is that I choose to present to them. forget, especially when a “what r u doing Let me make it clear that I’m not the socially tonight” text rudely awakens me from my Friday crippled type of individual, the kind who stays at after-school nap and sparks a deep-seeded home every weekend out of sheer friendlessness. resentment toward the sender. Not that it happens I actually don’t know anyone like that—even very often. those that I consider super-weirdos have people I’ll be honest and say that I’m not much of with whom they share similar interests. So why an “It Girl” when it comes to social activities. is there such an aversion towards being alone? I Sure, I’ll go to the occasional rave, or the slightly guess I don’t know. more common I have also seen the low-key weekend radically social type get-together, but of people. The kind of let’s be real—I’m people who only say not at the top of “We” when describing the guest list when zoeursick their activities (“Hey parties are being held Eunice, wanna come over? or formal dances I’m having a sleepover.” are approaching.

“Well, we already have Spending a plans… but maybe we’ll weekend utilizing stop by later”).

My Primetime In all reality, I’d on Demand and actually prefer not to occasionally eating be like that. In these an entire frozen inevitable 10 months, We will be pizza? It happens. Retiring to broken apart, and completely incapable of my chamber at 9 p.m. only to be awakened by individual social interaction. Or We could take a picture message of some woman’s fierce high the alternate route, and never separate from heels at 1 a.m., sent by Dad, who was evidently one another as long as We both (or all) shall out painting the town red as I slumbered? Also live. Then We’ll probably form a Golden Girlshappens. esque living situation and eventually die at one Sometimes I appreciate the peaceful seclusion. another’s hands after too many irritating years of Namely during the aforementioned Friday aftercohabitation. school nap. Other times this makes me feel sad In this sense, I can appreciate my status as a and lonesome, and I wallow in self-pity while social floater; I’d much rather engage in friendly losing myself in the guilty pleasures that are conversation with Randos than die from a fatal Family Guy and Burger King. But when I start to walking stick blow to the head. stress about my lack of socialization and dearth So, at the moment, I’m undecided. Instead of close friends, I try and console myself with this of sitting at home writing this, should I be out thought: Does it really matter? and about, finding something to do even though I only have 10 months until college, until everybody I know is at Homecoming? Or is it the time that none of this will even matter (bear okay that I’m home alone at 8:21 on a Saturday in mind that this is my excuse for everything, night? Is it okay that I’m wearing makeup and including the cleanliness of my bedroom and nice jeans as an attempt to attract plans? current maintenance of personal hygiene).

As I habitually and ritualistically press the But does it ever really matter? Does the stigma side button on my phone (as I do every five attached to solitude really hold that much merit? seconds, hoping to discover some unread text,) In the long run, I should think not. As I’ve said, I’ve decided that I don’t really care. There’s in 10 months I will probably be mingling with nothing wrong with a little Me Time, is there?

Randos I currently know nothing about. But they I guess I’ve got 10 months to figure it out. won’t know of me as the occasionally reclusive,

Zo and Tell

“I think smart phones are useful for kids in our generation, especially for TWITTER!” Ashlynn Efferding ’12

“I don’t have a smart phone.

Internet access would be a major plus but they’re expensive and some of the stuff is unnecessary.”

Sarah Wangler ’14

Comfortability Takes On Whole New Meaning cassiephillips

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t Marian, it’s pretty safe to say that girls are comfortable. Girls show up to school make-up free, hair swept up, looking like they just jumped out of bed 10 minutes before. This is the typical look of a Marian girl, and it’s comforting to know I’m not the only one who actually looks like this on a daily basis.

You can’t find a better place than Marian to come to every day and be yourself. I am surrounded by other girls who don’t care how they look for school. The all-girl atmosphere gives me the privilege to not worry about my appearance for the day, allowing me a few more z’s each morning.

It’s easy to go on and on about how girls at Marian act. The image of the girl with the messy pony tail, all-natural face, and uniform is common to all of us. But, in addition to these physical similarities, many girls are just as comfortable with what they say.

I will be walking down the hall to my next class and hear girls say something strange, but I don’t think anything of it. I’m referring to things such as a peculiar food recently discovered, or a new TV product advertised. I recently heard a girl tell another girl that the first thing she does before she leaves her house is have a delicious snack of teddy grahams dipped in ketchup and mustard. Another girl behind them excitedly chimed in, saying she did the exact same thing.

There are other things that are said in the halls, the Quad, and at lunch tables that aren’t as weirdly funny as teddy grahams

ink lasts forever the network

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

with an added ketchup/mustard taste. Some things said are just simply inappropriate.

For instance, what you did on a Friday or Saturday night that you would be embarrassed to tell your grandma, probably should not be common knowledge to the girls who sit around you in class. The list goes on and on, emphasizing the importance of comfortability in all forms.

I’m sure other girls have experienced what I have. You are listening to the same girls talking, you’re not eavesdropping, you’re just listening a lot closer than you actually thought you were. It’s one of those extremely intense conversations, and you can’t help but keep your ears in tune. Soon though, it starts to get too personal or descriptive.

You start to feel utterly uncomfortable.

You feel like you have strayed very far from that comfortable zone Marian offers every day.

I have been in that situation, and I cannot bring myself to say anything. I just have to walk away, feeling too uncomfortable to keep listening. I get to the point where I can’t tolerate being around it. Some girls are able to say something to change the subject in the room, but not me. I have to get away from it completely.

I can’t handle that feeling of being extremely uncomfortable. Keep in mind that the next time you say something that you wouldn’t want repeated, make sure it’s not loud enough for other girls to hear. It makes it easier for everyone to remain comfortably happy while keeping their private lives to themselves.

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

opinion 5

Coexist:

Marian Girls Debate the Art of Tuning In

Modern Madness nicolewojtalewicz

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ot many people would expect me to be someone who thrives off of hearing music genres such as Rap, Hip-Hop, Techno and Pop, but I just can’t get enough (reference to the Black Eyed Peas song “Just Can’t Get Enough”...a classic in my book). Sure, every now and then I like to chill out and listen to some Jack Johnson or other sort of chill music, but loud rap and hip hop music is where it’s at for me.

Go into my car’s CD case right now and I guarantee there will be an excess of 20 CD’s that consist of some modern genre of music, maybe four “chill” CD’s, and possibly two random ones that don’t fall into either category. Modern music is obviously the preference here. I love driving in my car with the windows down, jamming out to a hard-core song. There’s something about the beat that makes driving much more exhilarating.

I must admit that one of the best feelings in the world is after you successfully memorize a rap. Don’t pretend like you don’t know what I’m talking about. It seems like only yesterday when I memorized the ever famous rap that Fergi performs in “Fergilicous.” I clearly remember sitting on my bed for hours by myself, reading through the lyrics I had printed out. I replayed that song on my iPod until I got it right. To this day, “Fergilicous” is still on my Top Played playlist on my iTunes. Some may refer

to this as embarrassing, but I consider it an accomplishment.

I don’t mean to make generalizations here, but almost every adult you talk to these days will say something along the lines of (be sure to read this in a critical parental tone), “Rap music is trash. It shouldn’t even be considered music. It’s just speaking.

I can speak . . . does that make me a rapper?” I know for a fact that my dad tells me something like this every time he hears me listening to my music. But what most of these adults don’t understand is that not all rap music or music of similar genres is trash. And hey, I’m sure that their parents didn’t approve of the music they listened to as a teen either. It’s a never-ending cycle ...

Artists such as Kanye West try to avoid vulgar references in songs, and almost every song is now offered in a “clean” version. Most of the time, I don’t pay much attention to exactly what the meanings of the lyrics are, because I just enjoy the beat and flow. However, I will be the first to admit that when I do examine the lyrics, I have mixed emotions. Some modern songs’ purposes are to reflect on social problems, but a majority focus on degrading the opposite sex or engaging in illegal activity.

It’s frustrating to me that some adults pretend that music from back in the day didn’t make any references to drugs,

sex, and illegal activities. One very obvious example of this is “Puff the Magic Dragon”, made popular by Peter, Paul, and Mary in 1963.

It was highly skepticized that the song made an obvious marijuana reference.

Of course the writers of the song continually denied it, but after reviewing the lyrics for several minutes, I would judge that the speculations are completely true.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t find many other songs with similar references to prove my case, but I assure you that there are more examples out there.

Though the music I listen to may be considered “trashy” or “ear piercing” to a large chunk of the population, I still thoroughly enjoy the feeling that modern music gives me. It is easily the best music to dance to.

- When I listen to it, I feel like I have a crazy beautiful life (reference to Ke$ha’s “Crazy Beautiful Life), even though I may just be going through a Taco Bell drivethru or sitting at home on a Friday night.

It doesn’t get much better than that!

Not Modern, But Timeless marylouisewoltemath

I

f people were judged solely on the type of music that they listen to, I could definitely see people classifying me as an older lady who finds enjoyment in reading a good book or spending her free time with her cats.

At least, this is the kind of person I imagine would listen to the type of music that I do. My great aunt Trudy fits this description quite well. Listening to her favorite hits of Mozart while reading the short story “Get To Know Your Kitten Today” would be typical.

Now, I don’t refer to myself as old by any means, and I don’t even like cats if that means anything at all. What I do have in common with great aunt Trudy is music. I’m not afraid to admit it either. My two (young) ears have enjoyed a unique assortment of music over the course of my life.

When most people reach for the radio, it is to turn the dial to the familiar stations such as 94.1, 106.3, and 98.5. Let’s get this straight. I love our generation, but the music...has seen better days.

With all the technology in our world, it’s not surprising that much of today’s music is being fine-tuned note by note

and is void of raw vocals.

When I listen to oldies on channel 99.9 KGOR, I hear the talent of one artist, one drummer, a guitarist, and possibly an organ. When I listen to Nicki Minaj, Sean Kingston, Ke$ha, Kanye West, and other currently popular artists, a lot of the time I hear one artist and one technologized everything else. The soul just isn’t as apparent in songs that have been covered up, tweaked, and perfected (whether this is for better or for worse) by synthesizers and other advancements.

Don’t get me wrong, the music of today contains talent, it’s just a different sort of talent. I’m not trying to put down all popular songs, because I can be caught singing along to “Tik-Tok” as well, and I wouldn’t fist pump to anything other than crazy techno music. I just know that there is a difference between common songs of today and more obscure, older songs, which I prefer.

When I get into the car with my Dad, I begin to scan through the decades using his XM-Radio, which feeds stations of all different varieties. Oh, we go as far back

as music of the 1940’s. And yes, I know all of the words to The Andrews Sisters’ “Oh Johnny Oh.” Embarrassing? Not at all.

More embarrassing would be riding through Omaha while my dad listens to the lyrics of any explicit song played on 94.1 today. There is most assuredly a time and a place for “Sexy Can I” by Ray J featuring Young Berg, but driving my dad to Walgreens doesn’t put me in that sort of mood. I guess we just don’t have that kind of relationship.

While in my room, it would not be uncommon to hear a riveting burst of notes belonging to Beethoven flowing through my bedroom door. Church hymns have frequently been found stuck in my head and I don’t hesitate to sing out a little bit of “Swing Low Sweet Chariot” every now and again. Swinging jazz makes me want to bust a move more than any bassbased song that I hear at formal dances.

It may be hard for many people to understand why a seventeen year old girl would not be listening to the auto-tuned “singing” of Ke$ha on a regular basis.

Instead, I find enjoyment in the pure talent that streams from the natural voices and instruments that most people consider old-fashioned or boring. I consider myself youthful, even cool (I definitely recommend getting to know me). I just have my own taste in music that doesn’t put popular-cultured tunes on the Top 40.

photos by christinarommelfanger

opinion 4

Grace Notes

Golden Oldies Vs. Top 40:

Agreeing to Disagree

W

hannahgrace

e’re all different. We all have our own tastes and interests.

That’s cool.

That’s interesting.

And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Every dystopian science fiction novel would probably agree with me; society plummets when everybody’s a clone.

People exhibit their individuality through their words, their actions and their opinions.

And as a columnist, I love my opinions.

While people share opinions (for example, should the toilet paper roll be placed over or under? This only has two options, therefore if three or more people are discussing their preferences, two must agree), eventually down the line acquaintances reach the point where opinions diverge. I picture it as a thick trunk of a tree that branches off until an individual twig sticks out by itself. Two people of similar beliefs and interests are part of the same branch until they disagree and their views split.

That’s normal.

That’s the definition of individuality.

And I want to discuss that, because the situation can be relatively explosive if handled poorly.

A song might start on the radio, or there’s a book resting on a shelf.

It starts with a comment.

“Oh, wow, I hate these guys. Their music is overrated, and besides, only old people like them anyway.”

My mind scans through the contents of my iTunes. Yep, I have eight complete albums, four incomplete albums, and three singles of this band, for a total of 154 songs and one t-shirt.

But the other person doesn’t know that.

If my reaction isn’t instantaneous, I scramble for a neutral answer while I try to reason the validity of my acquaintance’s opinion. Upbringing, I think. Different upbringing.

For minor topics like music tastes, I now figure to let it go, because there’s only one other response, and it’s embarrassingly ugly.

Frequently, with or without thinking, I’ve responded to such comments with vicious defense (or offense, I’ve been on the opposing team as well). I challenge their reason. I cannot accept their opinion unless they have proof.

I’m actually appalled that I have done this in the past, and that I still have friends, because that’s so annoying. Consider this a mass apology, everyone. If we’re not talking about a life-changing decision or the war in Iraq, then why are we even arguing?

For the less earth-shattering of differences, let’s just respect one another’s opinion.

Besides, no matter how right we think we are, tearing apart the opponent’s argument almost never creates a convert.

In my experiences I’ve discovered that this only makes us cling to our ideals even more.

Although I still can’t resist sliding in a sly comment of my own, something along the lines of “But you can’t deny the impact the Beatles had on modern music.”

I guess we’ll just have to agree to disagree.

Beating the Clock to Take the Wheel

Senior O’Neal strives to drive by graduation

zoeursick

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n the Marian parking lots, there are two classes of motorists: those with yellow stickers, and those with silver stickers. The silvers: the sophomores (and occasional freshmen) doomed to a year of Soph Lot parking.

But on Senior Skip Day, the parking lot is significantly depleted of yellow stickers, and at junior class gatherings, cars bearing these canary-hued parking permits stretch as far as the eye can see.

As one may guess, these stickers are reserved for the school’s upperclassmen—the juniors and seniors.

But there is one car and one yellow sticker missing from the Marian community. This is the car of senior Ty O’Neal. Or, in more accurate terms, O’Neal’s lack of a car-- and license.

This Marian senior will be the last in her class to drive, but graphic by marylouisewoltemath & zoeursick. hopes to catch up to the rest of her classmates as soon as came up, and I began to think that maybe it’s possible. just God telling me to wait-- that it’s not my According to a 2004 survey by the U.S. time.”

Department of Transportation, there are over Everyone knows that the DMV is a place of nine million licensed drivers under the age of fear and loathing for most teenage drivers, but eighteen, adding up to almost five percent of all O’Neal is keeping her eye on the prize that is American drivers. vehicular freedom; she said that her goal is to “I have attempted the permit test without obtain her drivers’ license “the Friday before studying, and failed,” O’Neal said. “Every other graduation.” time I had planned to take the test, something

O’Neal hopes to take (and pass) her permit test soon, and has a good incentive driving that desire.

“My grandpa agreed to buy me a car if I followed three basic rules: graduate, go to college, and continue to love God,” O’Neal said.

Though lacking her own set of wheels, O’Neal said she is fine with carpooling for now.

However, as some underclassmen and most

upperclassmen can understand from their days of parental-ridereliance, she did explain that there are times she finds it to be extremely disadvantageous.

“Being without a car, I find myself stuck in a few [unfavorable] situations: coming early and leaving late, or having to come late and leave early.

There is no independence... just dependence,” O’Neal said.

Even though some of these carpooling situations cause O’Neal some discomfort, she does admit to being a little afraid of taking the wheel herself.

“It seems that nowadays [some] people take driving as a joke. Driving actually freaks me out a little bit because of the chance of accidents and so on.

Not to mention [that] I have my life in my hands, or others’,” O’Neal said.

O’Neal even admitted to a few of her own vehicular close-calls, especially her encounter with a certain Wal-Mart parking lot while practicing with her mother.

“I almost ran into a building, but I put on the brakes [just in time]. I really scared my mom though... her face was priceless.”

Regardless of her fears, O’Neal has high hopes for her automotive future.

“No worries,” O’Neal said. “I will get a license and be the best driver I can be.”

Never too Late for a Last Chance

Genoways sings her way through last chance sing

hannahgrace

M

rs. Sharon Genoways, one of Marian’s physics teachers, admits to having a math and science brain.

Anything art-related that goes beyond drawing stick figures or boxes is above her, but instead of letting that intimidate, Genoways embraces learning how to improve in these areas. She has taken piano lessons and is no stranger to the sewing machine.

During one recruitment seminar for eighth graders, Genoways listened to fellow teachers approach the podium and discuss the classes they offered. Fine Arts department chair Ms. Cathy Pruitte brought up her course for inexperienced singers, Last Chance - Sing!

“Have you ever been asked to only move your lips or carry the flag when everyone else was singing? Do you need to feel more confident in your singing?” Pruitte asked.

Genoways found herself answering “yes” to these questions. She thought, “I am not gifted in singing.

That’s what I need.”

She recalled when her oldest daughter, Sarah, was a baby, and how she tried to sing to her. Sarah would start to cry, so Genoways hummed nonsensical tunes to her instead.

Every semester since then, Genoways checked the class scheduling to determine if she would be able to participate in Last Chance - Sing! Her schedule and the only block the course was offered never coincided - until this semester.

Upon discovering this, Genoways approached Pruitte and said, “I would really love to be able to do that.”

Pruitte responded, “Well heck, I don’t mind.”

Genoways filled her plan period, Block E, with her new elective.

Normally she used that period to plan lessons, check papers, and make photocopies. If she was lucky and had free time she would read. Like most teachers, Genoways spends time outside of the school day for grading assignments and planning thoughtful lessons for her classes. She completes her homework, just like she expects her students to do theirs.

If she needs to work on something or a student requests help during her plan period, then she would simply not attend class that day. Her schedule is also flexible enough that a student could seek help before or Belt it! Last Chance - Sing! students practice singing scales and keeping the tempo. after school From left to right: Anna Vasko ’15, Marissa Whatley ’14, Natalie Descheneaux ’15, Mrs. or during the Sharon Genoways, Gabrielle Jonas ’15. photo by hannahgrace. block she has in Etherhaven (Block H).

In class they are singing scales, and class reminds me that even the teachers still Genoways’ students are most of their songs, like “Ants” and “Climb want to learn new things. I’m in her physics aware that she is always class as well, [so] it’s just like having another the Mountain,” practice scales. They learn available to set up a oneclass with her.” breathing exercises and how to match pitches, on-one meeting at these Freshman Kayla Young agreed, “Having which “is a lot more difficult than you’d think.” times, and that anyone Genoways’ goal for herself is not only to Mrs. Genoways as a classmate is really cool, can drop in during her sing at Mass - on key - but to also get past her because she gives us advice when we are Etherhaven block. Recently though, most playing piano and is always really encouraging.” self-consciousness and sing. If she sings, she’s students prefer emailing her questions Freshman Abby Drobny added, “I don’t normally alone or with her daughter senior the night Texas homework is due, and the think the class acts any differently around two Kelsey Genoways, though at the all school Mass interaction happens virtually. on Oct. 5 she did sing, and she felt better about teachers. We don’t seem to act differently no “I love this class. It’s something I look her range. matter who we sing to. When she’s absent, the forward to. To be able to sit back is great; all class just goes right along, but everyone always Genoways sends this message to her teachers should do that. Sometimes we forget asks where she is.” classmates: having a teacher on the same level “We’re all totally level,” Genoways said. of talent shows that it’s okay not to be great. what it’s like to be a student,” Genoways said.

She does admit that she’s nervous of the “It’s not as if I took a calculus class, and I’m She added, “The girls are supportive. The solo everyone has to perform at the end of the shouting out the answers in the back, because first time singing together, a pin could drop. that wouldn’t be fair to the students.” semester.

I’ve really seen improvement in their singing “People think that just because they can “I don’t do great, but I have a lot of fun,” and self-confidence.” speak means that they can sing, but this is a Genoways said. “After the class, I’m in a happier Genoways’ 11 classmates have similar mood and mindset.” skill. I have a new sense of respect for the girls praises for her. Junior Jackie Jensen said, “Mrs. in choir,” she said.

Genoways is a great classmate, having her in

“I love this class.

It’s something I look forward to. To be able to sit back is great; all teachers should do that. Sometimes we forget what it’s like to be a student.”

-Mrs. Sharon Genoways, Physics teacher

6 features

So Many Books, So Little Time:

English department offers the whole spectrum of literature faithwilwerding

I

g.

ilwerdin

faithw photo by

t is not uncommon to walk down the hallways of Marian hearing the moans and groans of girls complaining about the ‘absurd’ number of pages they have to read in the ‘ridiculously boring’ book from their literature class. As a student it may seem overwhelming, but the English curriculum is the product of careful planning to provide Marian girls with the tools they need to succeed later in life.

As stated on Marian’s website, it is the goal of the English Department to “provide a plethora of opportunities for Marian students to engage actively with classical and contemporary works of literature, including writings from American, British and world authors.”

The majority of Marian girls wish the English department would integrate more modern, relatable books into the curriculum. Marian girls voice concerns about the value of reading books such as I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings and The Scarlet Letter.

“We should have a modern literature class. We should read popular modern classics, instead of just books written a long time ago,” junior Sydney Rhoades said.

“Some of our novels have been around for a very long time, but we’ve chosen to keep them because they’re an important part of cultural literacy,” Ms. Susie Sisson, English Department chair, said.

The English curriculum is regulated by the state of Nebraska and the Omaha Archdiocese. According to the Nebraska Department of Education’s standards for Language Arts, high school students should be able “to use all of the skills in the English Language, including reading, writing, speaking, listening, and communicating using computers.” The College Board publishes a list of books that high school graduates should be familiar with-among them The Scarlet Letter. “As a college prep school we would be doing our students a disservice if we didn’t introduce them to the touchstones of American, British, and world literature,” Sisson said.

Each year, the department sends English teachers to the National Council of Teachers of English Convention to improve and update teaching techniques to

Life in

michaelamcdonald & clancynelson 65. 24. 60. 8. 2011. 12. 72. 7400. Instantly,

3

after putting down this succession of eight numbers, multiple subjects are ready to relate to each given numerical value.

8. There are eight classes in a day. An eight year old cousin just had his birthday last week. The average teen needs approximately eight hours of sleep. The pathetic math joke: Q: Why is six afraid of seven? A: Seven eight (ate) nine!

12. There are 12 months in a year. A dozen doughnuts. Seniors graduate in the year 2012.

Twelve is the highest number on a clock. Today is Oct. 12, 2011.

In our current society, numbers have taken over our day to day lives. Our lives are numbers, believe it or not. Every year, your age grows by one number.

Each day is numbered, placed within a numbered month, within a numbered year. Inside each day exist 24 hours, each with 60 minutes. Each minute contains 60 seconds and a large number of nanosecgraphic onds. Shoe size, height, weight, the list goes on and on.

To add to our already number-oriented lives, we live in a world where our success is measured on a numerical scale.

In every aspect of our life, numbered data and statistical values overpower a human’s own sense of happiness and achievement.

This revelation tends to fly under the radar. Unless the idea of a number-driven society is presented to someone, this theory goes unnoticed.

So, where does this theory fit in the Marian community?

Intellectual ability is measured in numbers. Test scores, GPAs and IQs. It’s all about the highest number. Everyone wants to see 1-0-0 at the top of her test paper. On the ACT it’s a 36. A 2400 is the top score on the SAT. Although not commonly discussed, IQ, or intelligence quotient, measures how smart a person is.

This concept is prevalent in the Marian community. Students strive to earn the best grades possible, and completing the work is only the beginning. After turning in an assignment, the wait begins. “What grade will I get?” you may ask.

Always anxious to see what percent she’s earned, one in four Marian girls surveyed via a Google docs survey this month admit to checking power school at least once per day. Watch out, this obsession can take over!

meet these preset standards. English teachers frequently take part in workshops and professional development to create the curriculum in the best interest of students and continue the excellence that the Marian English Department has achieved.

The curriculum is under constant scrutiny, and the anthologies are updated every seven to 10 years. Often, individual teachers will present a new book for his or her course, and the book will then be reviewed by the department for approval. Some novels enter and leave the curriculum quickly, while others stick around for decades.

Most recently the English Department added the nonfiction book by John Bul Dau, Lost Boy, Lost Girl: Escaping Civil War in Sudan. This book was added to the senior World Literature curriculum in an attempt to include literature from all continents around the world. Titles will continue to be added to the World Literature course in the coming years.

Although the English department tries to create a curriculum with a balance of modern and classic literature, some students feel the ‘outdated’ curriculum discourages participation.

According to a recent online survey, many Marian girls cite their favorite required reading as Jane Eyre, Pride and Prejudice, or Pears on a Willow Tree, while least favorite books frequently include The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglas, Into Thin Air, and Fahrenheit 451. Although these books may seem unnecessary in the study of literature, each plays a vital role in our overall understanding of English.

“There’s a difference between being engaged and ‘liking’ a book. Our job as teachers is to expose our students to all kinds of literature, including literature that they might not choose on their own,” Sisson said.

While many of the books in Marian’s curriculum may not be considered pleasure reading by most girls, they are chosen to keep students culturally literate and expose them to all types of literature.

“I love The Scarlet Letter, and the way we discuss in class.

I love the examples it shows us,” sophomore Abbie Kubat said.

So know that the literature book you are currently struggling to plow through is the product of careful planning for your overall education. And if that isn’t enough incentive to get through it, remember that once you finish your reading assignment you can go pick up The Hunger Games or head to your favorite bookstore and find something to read

Numbers 7

the average Marian girl rates with GPA on a scale of 1-10 as a

There are those need-to-know numbers such as 9-1-1 and those numbers that are committed to memory as a result of repetition such as your BFF’s or your grandmother’s, but for those phone numbers you cannot seem to remember, Mullen offers a hint.

“A trick I have for memorizing phone numbers is is the most singing the number four times in my head,” Mullen common lucky number said.

It doesn’t stop at home either-- numbers are used among Marian girls to identify American citizens. As much as you may like to think that the government knows you personthe average rating given ally, to them, you are only a number. A nine digit number given to babies at birth: social security.

by Marian girls to This seemingly important number is used in describe how prevalent employment and in the later years of a person’s life to grant benefits. A more timely need for your SSN numbers are in their lives will be in job application and college application on a scale of 1-10 is a processes.

So you know your Social Security Number just like you know your name, right? Wrong. Only 72 by clancynelson. source: google survey of 219 Marian girls girls of more than 200 survey respondents claim to have their identity memorized.

Sophomore Hannah Lajba can attest to the stress of numbers.

It’s another set of numbers to remember, but it’s important.

“GPA is the most important thing in my life right now,” Lajba For less practical reasons, numbers are used for fun and said. She finds herself becoming overwhelmed by the power of games. “One, two, buckle my shoe; three, four, shut the door. numbers at school. “I check power school once a day. Once I . .” At a young age, you play games such as hopscotch and guess checked it nine times in one day, which is kind of ridiculous,” that number.

Lajba said.

When you grow older and join sports teams, you are a numFor Lajba, numbers affect her life outside of school as well. ber. The large figures are displayed on your chest and back.

“My grades determine what I do on the weekends and how This constant exposure from a young age helps us grow acmuch social time I have,” Lajba said. customed to the outrageous number of numbers that exists in She also admits that grades affect her mood. “When my our lives. grades are good, I’m happier,” Lajba said.

Over time, many people grow fond of a certain number and Numbers do not only exist at school, they follow you home. claim it as their personal lucky number. Almost 90 percent of Every house has a number, more commonly known as a street Marian girls have a lucky number. address. Many homes also have a telephone number, and several Some girls call their number lucky because it’s the day of residents within that home have personal telephone numbers. their birthday, or because it’s their sports jersey number. Some More than 25 percent of Marian girls can recite at least nine girls have lucky numbers for no reason at all. Freshman Maddie phone numbers off the top of their heads.

Junior Emily Mullen says it’s always easy for her to remember Wood’s lucky number is six. “I don’t exactly know why, I just like it,” Wood said. home phone numbers, but difficult to remember cell numbers.

Whether used for identification purposes or as a superstiPerhaps that’s because you memorize home numbers until you tious game, numbers exist in all aspects of life. You learn them as and your friends get cell phones. After that, numbers are stored a small child and they stay with you until the second you die. in your phone; no need to memorize.

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features 7

Unique Families:

Marian G

Opening Hearts For Right Reasons

Number of U.S

ily.

that’s when the rights were cut off, so I don’t really have any memories of her,” Charlotte says.

Charlotte says that she doesn’t really feel any different being adopted because, for her, it’s never been any other way. “People think it’s kind of weird that I have two moms and two dads. But it’s really... it’s normal for me. It’s just how life is for me, and I know it’s much better than it would have been,” Charlotte said.

The Elsassers had never planned on adoption, but as Mrs. Elsasser says, “Adopting her was a true blessing. We just opened our hearts and let things happen.”

r fam

is on good terms with her birth dad and visits him every other weekend.

Charlotte says, “I’m a hundred percent my parent’s child, but since he was cooperative in the whole adoption process, I’m allowed to see him.”

Mrs. Elsasser praises the situation with Charlotte and her birth dad. “It is absolutely wonderful. It helps her see and understand aspects of her other family and learn about her heritage that we cannot give her.”

Charlotte says that she is a different person than she would have been if she had never been adopted.

“Being adopted has probably changed me in a lot of ways. One thing is that I’ll never drink or do drugs because of my parents. I don’t blame my parents.

Even though a lot of people think that alcoholics are drunks, alcoholism is a disease, and they have no control.”

When Charlotte was 9, her birth-mom fell down the stairs while intoxicated, and got a concussion. She died soon after.

“I hadn’t actually seen her since I was 3 because

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From left to right: Baby Charlotte with her birth parents. Charlotte poses with her adoptive parents after her adoption was finalized.

Charlotte in her freshman English class.

with Chloe Beller A & Q

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here is a girl, and like all children, she was born to a mother and to a father. But this girl has a family life different from the norm.

This girl, Charlotte, was a baby with two parents who suffered from alcoholism. Her father soon made the decision to sober up, but needed to leave her mother in order to do so. With 13-month-old Charlotte, and the lack of a partner, Charlotte’s mom stumbled upon the Elsassers.

Charlotte’s mom met Mrs. Elizabeth Elsasser through work, and soon decided to ask her if she and Charlotte could live with Elsasser and her husband. Aware of Charlotte’s mother’s alcoholism, they obliged.

After some scary events with Charlotte’s birth mom, the state of Nebraska decided to terminate parental rights and allow Charlotte to be adopted. Charlotte was 4 at the time. “The goal at first was to reunite Charlotte with her father, but that didn’t work out so we requested the state to consider us for adoption. It was not the plan at first but it just happened and we are grateful that it did,” Mrs. Elsasser said.

Charlotte’s birth dad is still in the picture. It took him two years, but he has been sober for 10 years now.

Today, Charlotte

Pho

christinarommelfanger

christinarommelfanger

At what age were you adopted?

I was 2.

From where were you adopted?

I was adopted from Guatemala.

Chloe at eighth grade graduation with Caitlin(left) and Kateri (right) who are both Marian grads.

Do you know anything about your biological parents?

No. I know that I was found on the streets and someone came and took me to the orphanage.

Do you feel any different than others because you were adopted?

Not really. Since I was so young when I was adopted, I basically grew up in the United States.

Do people know that you were adopted?

I’m really open with talking about being adopted, but many people don’t know that I am since I look just like my mom.

Do you have other siblings who are adopted?

I have five other siblings, but I am the only one who is adopted. My parents said that if there had been siblings with me when they adopted me from Guatemala, they would have adopted them as well.

My name hasn’t always been Chloe. When I was adopted it was Karen.

n ew Maria s in her n e as s h o p ily e m Chlo ptive fa o d a r e n H a f uniform. ortunity o r the opp given he n. educatio

What is a common question people ask you about adoption?

People ask me if I would ever want to go back and meet my biological parents. I say probably not, because my parents are the people who raised me and who I have known all my life. I just don’t think I would want to.

How does your life contrast from how it would be in Guatemala?

8 indepth

I have parents that care for me here, and the opportunity for education. If I was in Guatemala, I wouldn’t be the person I am now, and my situation would just be a lot different.

Photos courtesy of the Beller family.

Do you know anything else about your life before you were adopted?

Four-year-old Chloe smiles for the camera.

Girls Open Up about Adoption Kelly Cunningham ’13

Where were you adopted from?

South Korea.

S. Adoptions per State

Do you know anything about your life before you were adopted?

I was in two foster homes. I know I got sick and then was moved to a different foster home.

How does your life contrast from how it would be if you were not adopted?

Kelly shows off her egg-hunting I don’t know any different, so I feel the same. I know skills. my birth parents were very poor and that I am more Photo courtesy of Kelly Cunningham. privileged in the U.S. Molli Foxley ’12 At what age were you adopted?

I was adopted as a newborn. My birth mom had a trial week to see if she could take care of me and realized I deserved better so I stayed with a foster family.

Where were you adopted from?

Omaha.

Molli poses for an Easter picture.

Photo courtesy of Molli Foxley.

Do you keep in contact with your birth parents?

My birth mom and I write letters back and forth but it’s not a constant thing.

Regan Curtiss ’13 Graphic by katykohlmeyer http://adoption.state.gov/about_us/statistics.php http://www.altiusdirectory.com/Travel/images/us-outline-map.jpg

Where were you adopted from?

Tennessee.

Do you keep in contact with your birth parents?

No, I do not.

Another Alternative: The Foster Care System

Regan with her parents at the hospital after she was born.

Photo courtesy of Regan Curtiss.

E s s e r E l a b o r a t e s o n Fo s t e r Pa r e n t E x p e r i e n c e T torinietzel

o many Marian girls, Mr. Bruce Esser remains an enigma. The physics genius that roams the halls has a life outside of Marian that includes a family and, only about eight years ago, two foster daughters.

The Essers joined the foster care system because Esser’s youngest daughter, age 12 at the time, knew someone having troubles.

The Essers took her in, but in order to keep it legal, they needed to become foster parents. “It was six weeks of training in the evenings,” Esser said. “We had to learn about child psychology, immunization, appropriate behavior, laws, and the foster care system.

There were 24 people in the training and I was the only male.” His other foster daughter joined them soon after. “When kids find out there are people available to help, they tend to find you,” Esser said. Both girls were between 12 and 14 years old when they joined the Essers.

Judge Judy Sheindlin, supervising judge for the Manhattan Family Court describes the typical foster parent in New York City as “a single woman who has several biological children of her own. She is supported by welfare or social security disability. She is a high school dropout whose own kids are marginally functioning. She does not have the ability to help them with their schoolwork, and she has little hope for a brighter economic or social future.”

Esser, from his experience, said he believes this is true in Nebraska.

The Essers had two foster daughters in the house at the same time and each only a year apart in age. They were about the same age as Esser’s youngest daughter. It was no problem having extra kids around for the Esser daughters. “My oldest daughter was in college at the time, and my youngest daughter was the reason why we took them in,” Esser said.

Everyone received the same treatment in the house. No favoritism or neglect. “They were treated equally,” Esser said. “We would take them to and from school and set up structured time for homework. They had chores. They had their own bedrooms and bathrooms. The money that the state gave us to raise them was put in a trust fund to eventually pay for a car or college.”

Esser, once part of the foster care system, sees its flaws. “This is an important subject; we need to make people aware of how broken the system actually is. The state’s main focus is to reunite the parent with the child. While that sounds like a worthy goal in operation, kids were sent back to abusive parents way too often in order to meet a quota or end a case,” Esser said.

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services website states, “When it is not possible to get the family back together, our goal becomes finding a permanent family that will become the child’s parents.

This is done by adoption or guardianship.”

Esser and his wife petitioned the court for guardianship and received it for their two

foster children. They maintained legal guardianship until the girls turned 19.

Nebraska provides an annual report on the status of the foster care system. The 2009 annual report acknowledges that while the child welfare system works well for approximately half of the children, assisting them and their families to resolve problems, the other half in the system do not fare as well. The report states, “The systematic failures include the state’s slow response to investigate abuse and neglect reports, and 62.5 percent of the cases reviewed in the 2008 federal Child and Family Services Review did not meet the goal of protecting children from abuse and neglect, which includes the timeliness of investigations.”

“To get their children back, parents have to meet certain requirements, such as drug tests, and I think the requirement bar is set too low,” Esser said. “The Omaha Police Department surprisingly does the best at keeping the children in the system safe.”

High rates of caseworker changes, which result in “poorly-coordinated services and inadequate case documentation,” are a problem as well.

In the past five years, the system has gone through a dramatic change that is taking a toll on the foster care system. Instead of running the system through the state, private contractors, such as The Alliance of Children and Family Services and Boys and Girls Home (for profit organizations) are taking over the foster care system in order to save

money for the state. The problem? Three of the five private companies have claimed bankruptcy, resulting in an overwhelming amount of children going through the foster care system in the two surviving companies.

This annual report also provides recommendations to help mend the broken system. The report author, Carolyn Stitt, wrote, “Implementing recommended improvements to the foster care system would not only create a more humane system, it would also generate long-term fiscal savings, and could lessen the impact of the abuse and neglect.”

These recommendations could prevent children being moved from place to place. They also may shield children in the system from drug and alcohol abuse, unstable mental health, future or current homelessness, or continuing the cycle of abuse when they have their own children.

The report then lists nine recommended improvements to the system, one of them being to “Reduce the number of children returned to parents too soon or to uncorrected situations.”­­­­­ Esser’s story shows that foster children can have chances and thrive from them.

Though the experience was rewarding in numerous ways, Esser mostly enjoyed watching his foster daughters grow and graduate from high school. Esser gave them a chance and foster care, though flawed, gives many other children that chance as well.

indepth 9

From Active Wear to Party Wear As the world adjusts to yoga pants, heels and jeans slowly disappear naomijones

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“Comfort is my number one goal; I’m not all about styling.” -Mrs. Lisa Schmidt

eebok, Adidas, Nike, Victoria’s Secret, Forever 21, and many other retailers are all advertising active apparel for men and women. But is that active apparel truly being worn in gyms and dance studios, or just being bought for the label? Math teacher Mrs. Lisa Schmidt said, “I always go with comfort; sweat pants, sweatshirt and t-shirt or track pants.

Comfort is my number one goal, I’m not all about styling.”

Like Schmidt, the average Marian girl will choose comfort over cute, especially when it comes to clothing. The yoga pant is one of the most popular pieces of active apparel among Marian girls. You can score these incredibly comfy pants anywhere from Von Maur ($44) to Kohls ($12). Moms, daughters, teachers, and women in general sport the yoga pant regularly. So far the most popular choice, as seen around Marian, is the Victoria’s Secret yoga pant.

Students have all noticed the eye-catching Victoria’s Secret active wear advertisements. Victoria’s Secret has a wide range of yoga pants with cheetah, neon colors, and “LOVE PINK” detailing. On average, a pair of full-length yoga pants costs $39.50 at Victoria’s Secret. Well, Vicky does have a secret - those pants aren’t solely being worn for yoga classes at

Legacy Pilates, Yoga & shoppers the opportunity to “Choose More.

Your Adventure” from work out, Instead, they are to leisure and travel, to yoga. This being branded as a verifies the conspiracy that active fashion statement, apparel is merely apparel. You can commonly sported choose whether you like JCPenny’s with Nike athletic active apparel selection or other shoes ($85- $145 on retail active wear.

Nike.com) to the mall.

Forever 21’s neon sports bras On the other hand, ($4.50-$12.80) or Reebok’s full body there are those who sports bra ($55) are some options do ruin the knees of their yoga pants many Marian girls opt for. Senior in dance classes, 24-Hour Fitness Katie Frock represented the Marian visits and intense Zumba. population when she said, “I love Just recently, wearing Forever and in time 21 because not for Christmas only is it cute delivery, Marian’s and stylish, it’s Book Store has affordable.” You begun offering the can catch Marian yoga pant ($25). girls in an array Marian’s yoga of active apparel. pant is cheaper Many girls are in comparison to becoming mock Victoria’s Secret; models for not to mention multiple brands’ insanely adorable active lines by to Crusader sporting it to fans. So far, the school and on bookstore has leisure days. sold 52 pairs.

Retailers, like You can order Old Navy, are them through advertising their the Marian Book active apparel Store or online like crazy. Old Refuel While Being Cool on the Marian Navy aired their Senior Kate Nichting takes a website. commercial, quick break to down a bottle of JCPenney’s selling their water while excercising in her most recent ad compression Victoria’s Secret “Pink” yoga for their featured line (starting at pants and Under Armour long active wear gives $15). Their catchy sleeve thermal.

photos by nicolewojtalewicz slogan is sure to be a winner amongst have been focused more on physical activity. many. The Old Navy compression Yet, this commercial shows party commercial says, “Here we are, in people, skateboarders, and rappers Old Navy active, looking tight, yeah and people hanging out, all wearing so attractive.” Another hint at how active wear isn’t so much for working Adidas shoes, hats, shirts, pants and more. Adidas has created an image. out as it is comfort and showing You can see people wearing their off our bodies. “Don’t jiggle it… clothing to parties, school and other when you wiggle it.” Old Navy hints activities. The commercial is aired to compress the jiggle before you on a regular basis drawing in viewers wiggle. with its featured celebrities.

Other advertisements on active Nowadays, active apparel isn’t so wear are veering from the focus on active anymore. There are many who actual physical activity altogether. opt to save the yoga pants for yoga “I like to dance to the Adidas class, while others have made Nike commercial, but it doesn’t really running shorts ($19.99- $32) their represent my view of active wear,” usual everyday outfit. Whether you sophomore Mackenzie Duce said. are lounging around, running on The commercial features celebrities the treadmill, or doing actual yoga, such as Big Sean, Dwight Howard active apparel is efficient for almost and Snoop Dogg not doing any physical activity but just representing all activities.

Adidas. “All the high flyers and low riders, all the in crowd and outsiders, icons, and oddities….”

Plank in Style Workout gear needs to be both comThe Adidas fortable and stylish for Nichting during her vigorous commercial workout routines. focuses on active wear as party wear among the “in crowd” and other social groups. Adidas has always been known for their stylish active apparel, and their commercials

How Many Calories Are You Burning? haileywolf

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merica is desperate to stay healthy, but it seems as if no one wants to put forth the time and effort toward this common goal. Exercise forms a key component in a healthy lifestyle. Running is one the most effective ways to stay in shape. Just about anyone can do it, and it’s free. But running gets boring and it becomes difficult once the weather changes. An obvious solution might be joining a gym, but let’s be honest, gym memberships can be pretty pricey, and who has time to work out every day? Even on a limited budget, there are other ways to roast away calories without running or joining an expensive gym.

Activities performed every day can burn off the junk without the post-workout exhaustion. A piece of chalk can transform the driveway into your own personal exercise space to play hopscotch. Mowing the lawn burns calories and can even earn you a reasonable amount of money. Frisbees are simply given away by companies who seek creative advertising, so why not make your way down do the park and toss it around? Not only can creative forms of exercise help melt the calories away, coming up with a creative workout can help exercise your imagination muscle too. So come on, walk over to the park and hop on the swings!

115 cal/hr

230 cal/hr

260 cal/hr

Photos of Jaqueline Tvrdik ’13 by haileywolf

300 cal/hr

660 cal/hr

Jum p Ro

pe

bee

Fris

Hop

scot

10 active life

ch

g

in Mow

Swing

ing

graphics by nicolewojtalewicz & marylouisewoltemath

Cheers to the Cheerleaders photos by taylorhaag

tumshowed us more support,” Lafferty this year as bling said. another team once a The girls cheer at Marian’s Varsity bonding week at Elite volleyball and basketball games, experience. taylorhaag Cheer.”

Prep’s JV football home games, as “We have hey are the girls Lafferty, the only member on well as performing at various halfsome kind of carrying the the squad who has been cheering time shows for Prep’s Varsity football team bondblue and silver for all four years, puts in extra team. ing every pom poms almost time and effort perfecting Along with the practices and first Friday of every night. They are the squad’s routines while performances, the cheer squad also the month. the students who making sure the squad is dedicates its time to team bonding, We decided can chant the Marian energetic and together for team dinners, and volunteer work. trick-orFight song perfectly each performance.

“We do a lot of volunteering actu- treating (with no mumbling).

Not A Team, But A Sisterhood The Marian Varsity “It’s just frustrating ally. We’ve tied blankets for cancer would be a They are the memCheer squad cheeses it up for a picture after their Friday when we work so hard patients before, and every Christmas really fun bers of not only morning practice. The girls have become incredibly close practicing our our squad adopts a family through way to give graphic by marylouisewoltemath a squad, but a through their numerous practices and team bonding cheers and we get the Salvation Army,” senior Emma back to the second family. experiences. to the games and Wagner said. community The girls that make up the Marian no one cheers with us. We would The squad also trick-or-treated as a squad,” Varsity cheerleading squad are not love it if people cheered with us and for the food bank in mid-October Wagner said. only some of Marian’s most spirited The squad’s volunteer shows so much more about our pupils, but are some of the school’s work not only exemplisquad,” Lafferty adds. most giving and dedicated students fies their compassionate Theresa Randall, the only junior as well. hearts, but displays the on the squad, is preparing to lead the This year’s squad is made up of team’s spirit and overall Marian team with this same positive 11 seniors, 1 junior, 6 sophomores, positive attitude. At the mojo next year. and 2 freshmen. state competition last “I just really want to rep the Sam Chaney and Kelly Neuhaus, year, the team’s positive seniors well next year. They’ve been the two freshmen, share why they and encouraging characmy best friends since freshman year each decided to join Marian Cheer. ter really paid off. and I want to keep up all the hard “I wanted to be part of some“We won the ‘Spirit work they have been doing for us this thing, especially coming in as a Award.’ It’s like the ultiyear,” Randall said. freshman,” Neuhaus said. mate prize at state. Other The seniors have high hopes for “I wanted to be a part of someteams voted us as the the squad in the future. thing too. And our squad is like nicest and most spirited “We hope that next year the girls a family, so it’s perfect,” Chaney squad in all the classes, stay classy and united. We want them added. so we won the award,” to keep being a sisterhood, not just a Don’t let their smiling faces and senior and co-captain team,” senior Libby Blanke said. sassy uniforms fool you though Katie Hoffman said.

Through their incredible work this cheer fam is not unfamiliar with “When we won ethic, volunteer hours, classy perforhard work whatsoever. the award we were all mances, and positive attitudes, it is “We practice three days a week so happy. It was more easy to see why the Marian commufor about an hour and a half,” senior Palms Up for Positivity The varsity squad teams up at the end of practice, important than winning nity should be the ones giving cheers and co-captain Sarah Lafferty said. concluding the morning training session with palms up, signifying positivity. state for us. The award to the cheer squad.

“Plus, most of the squad practices

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The Evolution of Marian Basketball Crusaders Through the Ages emilyfischer & clancynelson

holding a basketball, demonstrating proper shooting form to students ouncing basketballs echo in before a gym class basketball the gym, the smell of popcorn tournament. That same year, Marian emits from the concession had a team that played in the girls’ stand and Marian girls fill the stands Catholic Youth Organization league. chanting, “We’ve Marian grad got spirit, yes and Servite Sister we do. We’ve got Mary Gehringer spirit, how about participated in you?” Religion the basketball teachers Ms. program. As Kathy Tocco or a high school Mrs. Pat Travis senior in 1966, are decked Gehringer was out in blue, not able to serve waiting at the as a member gate, collecting of stage crew admission from for the school parents and fans. musical First Marian Impressions basketball because she games are an had a basketball experience tournament that that many are same day. familiar with.

“Our team However, when won the CYO Marian was in its tournament. beginning stages, We also came in there were second for the no bouncing AAU (Amateur Freshman Barb Johnson being basketballs, Athletic Union) guarded by Kathy Kanouff. concession city tournament. photo courtesy of Marian’s stands, or crazy To top it all off, 1968 Yearbook fans. In fact, I was named organized sports MVP that year!” were not a part Gehringer said. of the Marian high school experience Before the 1970s, high schools at all. were not allowed to have their own No reference to basketball, or any girls’ basketball team, so Marian other sport for that matter, can be participated in the CYO under the found in any yearbook prior to 1966. name “St. Mary’s.”

In Marian’s 1967 yearbook, former The other teams in the CYO teacher Mrs. Peg Johnson is depicted league included Cathedral, St.

B

Bernard, Duchesne and Holy Name.

In these early stages, the girls practiced on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights.

Coached by George Stryker from 1964 to 1976, the team focused on fundamentals-- learning plays, proper shooting form and the basics of teamwork. Stryker had many successful seasons at Marian, but says, “I give all the credit to my players.”

The basketball team is mentioned in the 1972 yearbook, sponsored by its uniform supplier, Atkins Trailer Sales. This same year, basketball became an NSAA sanctioned sport, allowing Marian players to represent the school.

It wasn’t until 1974 that Marian sponsored its own basketball team.

That is also the year that Assistant Principal Mr. Jim Miller joined the Marian community and initially served as the JV basketball coach.

The 1976-77 school year saw the first

full female Varsity basketball league in Nebraska. The state tournament began that year, and Marian joined the Metro conference.

In the next 34 years, Miller was the Varsity coach and saw teams that won 619 games and qualified for the state tournament 25 times. Mr. Roger Wright was JV coach for 21 of those years, with a winning record of 318-40.

According to NSAA records, Marian was the state girls basketball champion in 1985, 2000 and 2001.

The teams reached the finals eight other years.

The Marian basketball program has not changed much since the ’70s; it is still a winning program. In 2003, Mrs. Beth Dye joined the teaching staff and also filled the position of Varsity basketball coach in 2009.

“Since I’ve been here, the program has stayed pretty consistent,” Dye said.

Although no major changes have

Coach George Stryker instructs the Marian CYO team during practice.

photo courtesy of Marian’s 1968 Yearbook

Peg Johnson practicing basketball drills during gym class.

photo courtesy of Marian’s 1972 Yearbook

been made to alter the program in recent years, Dye sees changes in the girls. “I really enjoy seeing the girls come through and mature. It’s nice to see what they become after leaving Marian,” Dye said.

Overall, the Marian basketball program is quite impressive. The team has competed in the state tournament more times than any other high school in the state. The program has seen All-Americans, Miss Basketball winners and girls who have moved on to play Division I basketball; a couple still hold records at Creighton University.

Miller refers to the Marian basketball program as a “very proud tradition.” From its beginning as a small group to what it is today, basketball at Marian continues to encourage excellence.

active life 11

Rapunzel to the Rescue:

Junior Donates Golden Locks to Grandma

colleenfell

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Locks of Love

Guidelines

1. Minimum length is 10 inches, measured tip to tip.

photo courtesy of eileenbaca

ou could call junior hand-sewn into Velcro Eileen Baca a giver. strips which would She gives her time stick into a hat. The and efforts to Polar Plunge, biggest gift of all: Select Women’s Choir, and Victor created the wig musical. Not to mention, free of charge. she also donates about an When reminiscing hour of her time per week on her grandma’s acting on the Board of reaction to receiving Directors for Relay for Life. her hair, Baca said, And her hair? Yep, she gave “She was so happy, she that too. But not just to any cried. I think she was lucky receiver. really overwhelmed This past June, after with emotion. She still learning that her 65-yearbrags about it to her old grandma had been old granny friends. It’s diagnosed with cancer, Baca really funny.” decided to offer her support Overall, Baca cut full throttle. “I’m really off about a foot of hair, close with my grandma, but every inch was and when she found out worth it. “I thought I that she had cancer, she was would hate short hair, really sad about losing all but I don’t!” Baca said. of her hair. So, I told her, Baca also said that ‘You can just have mine!’” she was a little nervous Baca said. about giving her hair Last year, Baca could away at first, but is be seen roaming the halls now thrilled with the of Marian with 30 inch choice she made. “I tresses that would make thought it would be even Goldilocks envious. weird seeing my hair Wiggin’ Out. Eileen Baca stands with grandma SuHowever, this did not stop on my grandma, but Baca from selflessly sharing it’s not.” san Harr after a wig from Baca’s hair was created. her hair with her grandma. “I Baca cut off over 12 inches of hair!

Now, a “hair drive” love my hair, but I had to do it is possibly in the works. heard from her friend about a for my grandma,” Baca said.

Baca said that if enough lady who made a wig one time. So This past June, Baca had to first people would be able to participate, she called her and [Kathleen] just find someone willing to make her she would love to host a drive adored our story. So we set up an hair into a wig. She sought help for Locks of Love. “For anyone appointment and she cut my hair from stylist Kathleen Victor of thinking about donating their off,” Baca said.

Avalon Studios. “Locks of Love hair, definitely do it. It brought my However, creating the wig was doesn’t take direct donations and grandma and me closer together no small task. First, the hair had to no one else really had the resources and helped her a lot with her be cut. Then, it would be carefully to make it, and then my grandma cancer.”

2. Hair must be mailed in a braid or ponytail.

3. Colored or permed hair is acceptable.

4. Bleached hair is not usable.

5. Dreadlocks will not be accepted.

Source: LocksofLove.org

graphic by colleenfell

Carpool Commentary rosalieplofchan

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Marian Girls Speak Out About Their Daily Commute

morning is the only way to stay awake. “We usually listen to a mixture of R&B and rap in the morning at a very loud volume to stay awake. Also, we have to have conversation, even if it’s just small talk,” Neneman said, But not every carpool needs to be blasted with hip tunes in the wee hours of the day, and that is the reason, most students could agree, that the before-school drive must be completed in silence.

Contrary to what one might think, this results in a stronger carpool relationship.

Sophomore Megan Frederes carpools with junior Melissa Mech and sophomore Laura Burnett to school. “The drive to school is basically silent, but that’s how we like it when we’re tired,” Frederes said.

Mech adds, “I think I like

my carpool more because they can respect the silence.

Freshman year, I carpooled with a girl who would never stop talking after she picked me up.”

The drive home from school is often more upbeat than the morning drive. Carpools are able to share music, multi-grade gossip, and give motherly advice to each other.

Being in a carpool is the gift that keeps on giving. What would be a monotonous drive home becomes an everchanging adventure with a good friend.

In contrast to Frederes’ drive to school, the way home includes louder music, more girls, and the carpool even had an initiation of sorts when Burnett joined the group. The carpool drives by Burke High School on the way home every day when the football team is gathered near the street. One

Being in a carpool is a gift that keeps on giving.

“I made my freshman carpool take my notes.

She was willing to do it.”

Molly Harrison ’14

afternoon, Mech and Frederes made Burnett pop out of the sunroof and scream at the boys. Burnett was hesitant, but her desire to be accepted overpowered her initial embarrassment and she did it. She said, “It was kind of an adrenaline rush, but it was mostly just funny and we couldn’t stop laughing. I definitely feel closer to my carpool and it’s a funny story we like to tell.”

The things you would be embarrassed to laugh at alone in your car can be shared with a car-panion. Sophomore Emily Rakoczy relates, “While driving home in the passenger seat with the windows down, a butterfly flew in the window and exploded all over my face! I screamed, both of the girls in my carpool screamed, and then I began laughing.

I couldn’t explain what had happened for five minutes because I was laughing way too hard to get one word out!”

Carpools experience things that no other group of people can experience. Car accidents, people sightings, and Chinese fire-drills (actually don’t) are only the beginning of the fun you can have.

“We once saw a man and his Great Dane sharing the same seat.

Needless to say they were both very large.”

Morgan Saucier ’15 “I don’t even talk to my friend- I talk to her mom.”

Katie Siwa ’15

4 ca % o rp f M oo a l o ria n n a tea re c gu he la rs rb as i

s

here are 172 parking spots in Upper Lot and 27 in the L. There is always room in Sophomore Lot to park, but who really wants to park there? With a student body of 685, carpooling is not only a necessity, but a way of life for 55 percent of Marian girls surveyed. Regardless of whether we are carpooling with our parents (freshmen), our friends, or our neighbors, it’s going down.

Everyone has heard that spiel about how carpooling saves the planet and money, while slowing traffic congestion. Although these are all fantastic benefits, most Marian girls see the greatest benefit of all as the undeniable bond created between carfriends, and having someone to keep them company during the dreaded pre-school and jubilant post-school drives.

The drive to school is often morose, and just being in the car at 7 a.m. makes peppy conversation hard to find. A car-friend can make the drive safer by keeping you awake. Senior Alyssa Neneman drives with two other girls on the way to school and believes a loud car in the

What is your carpool like?

55% of Marian girls carpool

based on a survey of 252 Marian girls and 27 teachers

12 features

graphic by kalanifortina

“Last year I had carpool with Biz Steinauer and Jessica Brandl and we hit a bucket on the way to school one time and it got stuck underneath the car. Some guy asked us if we needed help getting it out... quite embarrassing.” Nicole Liske ’13 photos by rosalieplofchan

How to Have an Intelligent Small Talk Conversation

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he fluorescent light burns demonic images into your eyes as you try to desensitize your taste-buds to the gritty toothpaste. And to worsen the situation, there is a dental hygienist jabbing her rubbery fingers into your mouth and attempting, simultaneously, to make conversation. When you try to tell her that, “Actually, I graduated from eighth grade four years ago,” you accidentally nip at her thumb, most likely drawing blood. Your eyes widen in horror, and you begin to wonder, what could I have done to make that less awkward?

According to eHow, a popular advice website, there are a few things you can do to improve your small talking skills if they do not come naturally. You can practice small talk anytime you have an opportunity. Some effective ways are staying up to date on current events, keeping a mental list of random facts, and pushing yourself into small talk situations.

Think of topics that you can easily discuss. Freshman Emma Fletcher says, “I think TV is a really good small talk starter, and it’s easy to discuss.”

But along with these preparation techniques, you have to put yourself out there.

You have to be willing to make mistakes.

To those who think that small talk is overrated, and that it is a step down from any type of “real” conversation, take a lesson from author Debra Fine. She says that the key to strong relationships is small talk. And while there is not much you can do to fix the dentist office conversation, the previous steps should be your key to small talk success.

The Fine Art of Small Talk written by

Debra Fine gives some steps to a great small talk conversation:

1. Be the first to say hello.

2. Introduce yourself.

3. Smile and shake hands.

I was at Juice Stop 4. Get the person’s name, and be sure to use it “So and my drink was $4.75.

I gave the cashier $5 and in the conversation. went to get $.75, you know, so she could give me a dollar back, and she 5. Use eye contact. thought I was tipping her. was just really awk6. Show interest and listen. People love Itward.”

Katherine Nelsen ’13 talking about themselves.

7. Use appropriate body language.

8. Make a strong end to the conversation.

Shake hands and say good-bye. photos by christinarommelfanger

christinarommelfanger

“Over the summer I went to Steubenville and we had to play these cheesy icebreakers. I had to ask this guy these questions and he just refused to answer. He was just like, “You know what, I don’t wanna talk.” It was the most awkward thing ever.”

Liz Wiggs ’14

“Whenever people in my class have shadows, I bombard them with, ‘What’s your name?

Where do you go to school? What sports do you play? What language will you take in high school? Are you coming to Marian?’ and they usually have no idea what to say.”

Kelsey O’Connell ’15

“One time I went to my boyfriend’s house and he was still getting ready so I went to talk to his parents.

I asked them how they were doing and their response was, ‘Old.’ I didn’t know what to say next so I just stopped talking.”

Annie Spielman ’12

Howard Knows HowTube: Piano Prodigy Learns Through Different Method gabriellamartinez-garro

O

livia Howard appears to be just another Marian freshman: confident, smart and overflowing with promise. But Howard has a skill which she has learned in an unusual way. Years of practice and countless dollars can be put into mastering the piano. For Olivia Howard, skill was just a click away.

“I took lessons for 4 or 5 years but I quit, and by that time I was more advanced than others so I went on YouTube and started learning this way,” Howard said. “I started taking lessons when I was about 3, but quit when I was 7. I was 12 or so when I started using YouTube to learn how to play the piano.”

As she sits down to play, Howard doesn’t just play the notes, she feels them. When she performs the classic Queen song, “Bohemian Rhapsody,” she hardly misses a beat, even as the chords become progressively more difficult. Her left and right hand fire away at the black and white keys, and her face clearly shows the focus imparted onto

the instrument in front ofher.

No matter the medium, the lessons for Howard have paid off.

“I’m just playing for fun right now but I want to keep going with it and play professionally,” Howard explained. Though she hasn’t played on stage yet, Howard, a member of the Ninth Grade Choir, says that during music class in grade school, she would always play for her peers.

Though there are many programs and tutorials on YouTube available to learn the piano, she prefers Synthesia. “I would YouTube songs and try to play it back, but I pretty much use Synthesia the whole time.

The notes scroll down the screen so I can play along,” Howard said.

As for Howard’s preferred style of music, she said, “I usually learn classical music, but lately I’ve been learning more popular music and rag songs.”

Howard isn’t alone in her quest for musical domination, however. She has the support of her loving family, even if they don’t know the difference

between an E and an E flat. “My grandma is the only other one [who plays the piano], but my family appreciates it and loves hearing me play. They always tell me to never give up,” Howard said.

“I am still going to use YouTube, but I am most definitely going to take lessons so I can hopefully play professionally in the future. My dream is to play for everyone to hear, not for my own benefit, but so they can experience something they haven’t before.”

Though she may not be performing on stage at the moment, there is no doubt that her spotlight will shine bright in the future.

Sing Us a Song, You’re the Piano (wo)Man. Olivia Howard sits and practices “Bohemian Rhapsody” before school in the band room. She showcases her talent and ability to learn tunes through an alternative method.

photos by gabriellamartinez-garro

13 features

The Evolution of Horror

Spook Out!

trinitygleason

What’s your favorite scary or Halloween-themed movie?

“Disturbia”

“Hocus Pocus”

“When A Stranger Calls”

Aysa Beasley ’14

going to catch the eye of viewers? Plots or characters tend to stem from people or events currently in the public eye or the thoughts of the public. Some say The Crazies (2010) stemmed from everyone’s fear of contracting mad cow disease, though the likelyhood that it would turn everyone into zombies is slim to none.

A huge reason people find horror movies appealing is because they know that what is on the screen will never happen. It’s something out of their wildest dreams. The whole plot is totally unrealistic; an alien is highly unlikely to rip its way through John Hurts’ stomach in real life. But the unrealism is what helps draw people to scary movies. People don’t want to always watch movies that reflect events in their life. They want to see something that they can escape into.

“Most horror movies don’t happen and realistic movies are every day life,” freshman Brittnay Schmidt said.

Despite the wide variety of subjects and plots for scary movies, there are rules that one must follow in order to successfully endure a horror movie viewing.

“Watch them with others. Don’t watch them before bed, it makes you paranoid,” junior Alondra Mora said.

Also, in order to avoid death, “Follow Randy’s rules (from Scream),” Mora said.

Be aware that if you are in a large group, be prepared to be picked off one by one, like the seniors in Prom Night (2008). It will also benefit you to NOT be the lone pretty girl because she always goes into the house alone, never to return.

“Don’t Look Under the Bed”

Shannon Daly ’12

little quiet towns and neighborhoods.

It was no longer okay to stop at a lonely inn or pick up hitchhikers on the side of the road. Everyone fears something bad will happen to them when they are alone on a drive through the country or on a hike. One’s thoughts are no longer ‘What a sweet song the birds are singing this morning.’ The most common animal has become a subject of fear and horror.

With masterminds like Hitchcock and King, nothing is safe from their grasps.

If horror films do nothing but bring fear into the hearts of viewers, why are they continuously in theaters, grossing more than $8.9 billion since 1995 from just 315 movies (according to the-numbers.com)?

According to the research project, Understanding the Popular Appeal of Horror Cinema by Glenn D. Walters, a professor at California State UniversityLos Angeles, there are three main features of horror film appeal: tension, relevance and unrealism.

Tension is created through mystery, suspense, gore, terror and shock. A movie will start out with some weird mystery the townspeople don’t want outsiders to find out. In The Reaping (2007), things become suspenseful thanks to an excellent musical score created just for that movie as well as the mind racing ahead to figure out what will happen next.

What the mind didn’t predict was the terribly gruesome, yet creative, way the villain tortures the victim(s) and then terror and shock set in when the mind realizes that the victim was just fileted alive and immediately rolled in salt.

Relevance is quite obvious; what is

Mary Pearson ’15

I

t’s undeniable. Fear of the unknown.

Humans are afraid of what they don’t understand.

Writers and directors take full advantage of this fear to turn a profit.

Take Stephen King, possibly the best horror writer known to man, who has written more than 40 books in the horror genre. He thinks of terror as “the finest emotion; and so I will try to terrorize the reader.” His ultimate goal is no different than the goals of horror writers and filmmakers.

Horror stories project an “atmosphere of breathlessness and unexplainable dread of outer, unknown forces...of that most terrible conception of the human brain - a malign and particular suspension or defeat of these fixed laws of Nature which are our only safeguard against the assaults of chaos and the demons of unplumbed space,” according to H.P. Lovecraft, the twentieth century master of weird fiction.

Horror is nothing but fiction yet the scary part is the fact that many films are based upon true events. Psycho (1960), Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974) and Silence of the Lambs (1991) were all modeled on Edward Gein, a Wisconsin farmer with a double life as a murderer and grave robber.

First there was the Twilight Zone, a television show that used the era’s fear of invasions (earthly or other) and science gone wrong to produce episodes that had viewers jumping out of their seats, breathing heavily. ‘Could that really happen?’ they would think, their fear escalating.

Alfred Hitchcock continued that process by breaking the facade of trusting

Ali Paasch ’13

From Hitchcock to Saw

colleenfell

The Thing is coming. . .again

Recently released prequel fares well against ’82 version

kalanifortina

I

t’s 1982, the dead of winter in Antlands and the man shooting at the arctica, and there’s 12 scientists living dog steps out, continuing to fire. on a base together in the middle of Scared and confused, the sciennowhere. What could possibly go wrong? tists shoot back at the armed man, Oh, did I mention there’s a storm apkilling him. They are oblivious as proaching that deters them from having to where this dog came from or any contact with the outside world? why the men are shooting at it.

John As it turns out, this Carpenter’s nice little dog is the The Thing is “Thing”. considered Having all the a classic as essential elements of it was made a great scary movie, in 1982, but The Thing is truly a could still be masterpiece of its considered time. It wasn’t the scary today. kind of movie to Even though scare me so much it is a remake that I had to look in of the 1951 the back seat of my version, The car before I got in, Thing from but it freaked me out Another a little while I was World, viewwatching it. ers give it Film maker credibility Matthijs van Heiand popularjningen Jr. realized ity. Kurt that this concept Russell stars would still be fresh as the brave enough to spark and smart some fear in today’s 1982 theatrical poster.

R.J., whom everyone admires. viewers, but knew On a typical day in Antarche didn’t want to do tica, a sled dog appears on a research another remake. base followed by a helicopter shooting So, he decided to start making at it. The dog runs up to R.J. and jumps a prequel, still bearing the same all over him, licking him and begging to eerie title, The Thing, to be released play. As this is happening, the helicopter October 14, 2011.

entertainment 14

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T H E N A n d N O W

sat with the hood of my coat They find they can kill the “Thing” over my head, my knees by setting fire to it, but still have to deal pressed up against my chest, with the fact that everyone might not and my arms wrapped around my be whom they say they are. This thriller legs as I watched the horror that keeps you guessing until the very last is The Thing unfold on the screen twist. before me. Not only is it scary, it All in all, I found the movie to be very is also unsurwell thought prisingly filled out. They tied with gore. together all The opening the connecscene starts tions to John off in 1982, Carpenter’s Antarctica (yes, 1982 version a prequel of the seamlessly.

1982 version).

The final However, even scene of the though it was 2011 version a prequel and is actually I knew that the opening the “Thing” scene for the wouldn’t be 1982 film. destroyed in Clever, huh? the end, I still So, if you found myself are in the thoroughly mood for a frightened by suspenseful this film. thriller that When the might also film opens, a scare you a group of scienbit, (not to 2011 theatrical poster tists find a frozen specimen and a mention make spaceship in Antarctica, and take you nauseous it back to their base to examat times), I would advise buying a ticket ine it. But, wouldn’t you know to The Thing! However, if you don’t feel it, the alien creature thaws out like thinking and just want a really good and wreaks havoc on the group, scare, I might encourage buying a ticket killing them and transforming to Paranormal Activity 3 instead. into “clones,” only to inflict more Poster source: http://lithiumcrackingstamurder.

tion.blogspot.com/2011/08/thing-thatwas-remade.html

Vala’s Pumpkin Patch: A Classic Way to Harvest Your Time nicolewojtalewicz

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very fall, Vala’s Pumpkin Patch makes Keller said. memories that last a lifetime. When Though they may have a large variety of Vala’s is mentioned, almost anyone crops, that’s not all Vala’s offers. Everywhere that lives within a 50 you look, there mile radius of Omaha is an exciting will have a certain activity to take event pop into their part in. Look head. Whether it’s to your left and watching the pig races, there is a corn munching on the evermaze; look to so-popular kettle corn, your right and or walking through the there is a petting “haunted” house, there’s zoo with goats, a something about that llama, and even place that creates special a camel, all of experiences for anyone which can be Peeking over the pumpkins Vala’s offers a that enters, old or young. variety of mini gourds and pumpkins for their fed by purchasing Presently, Vala’s is 152 visitors to purchase. animal food. It’s acres of land, composed nearly impossible of 52 acres of pumpkins, to check out one acre of apples (Honeycrisp and Golden everything in just one visit.

Delicious to be exact), and several acres of “When I was in kindergarten, we went on a corn, gourds, and other fall crops planted field trip and I was picked to be part of the pig every year. races, and my pig actually won! I got a pig nose Vala’s provides hayrack rides to bring and everything. It’s on my list of top 10 favorite visitors to a variety of these locations. “My childhood memories for sure,” senior Claire friends and I had to wait in line and it was Wieger said. After 12 years, Wieger remembers really cold and crowded, but it was definitely it as vividly as ever. worth it. It’s one of my favorite memories Junior Barbara Pereira, who is originally from the pumpkin patch,” freshman Emily from Venezuela, has made many memories at

Vala’s in her short time in the United States. corn, and fudge. The food is made on site at “I absolutely love the huge bouncy thing. I locations such as the Country Bakery, Pork haven’t seen anything like it anywhere else,” Chop Annie’s, and the Pirate’s Cove Grub & Pereira said.

Grog, just to name a few.

Other attractions included in the purchase However, if you are up for a more laid back of a ticket to Vala’s are the Storybook Farm, a place to chow down on some grub, Vala’s offers hayrack ride to the patch, campfire sites pedal karts, and so much that can be more! reserved One downside to the for specific pumpkin patch is the periods of location. Unless you live time for anywhere west of 168th only $30 on street, be prepared for a Tuesdays and lengthy drive. Though it Wednesdays may be a long drive for and $60 every some, it doesn’t prevent other day of many people from the week. The making the trip at least campsites once a year. can either Yo Ho and a Cup ‘O Cider One of Vala’s “I only live about 10 be catered by many locations to purchase food: The Pirate’s minutes from [Vala’s],” Vala’s, or you can Cove Grub. sophomore Monica Spence bring your own said. “When I lived in my old house though, food along to enjoy. it was about a 40 minute drive, but even then I It is quite evident that Vala’s Pumpkin Patch thought it was worth it.” has ample activities that are enjoyable for any Not only does Vala’s offer a variety of games type of person. So get on down to Vala’s while and activities, but it has a wide range of food the weather is just right, and see for yourself available for purchase, the most popular of just how memorable this place is. which are caramel apples, turkey legs, kettle

Spook Out!

“I loved Tigger from Winnie the Pooh when I was little. I was really excited when I had my costume on.”

Anna Morrison ‘15

“I used to sing this little Elvis phrase when I was little, so my mom thought it would be funny to have me be Elvis one year.”

Kaitlin Houlton ‘14

Long Live The M ellemostek

r. Dynamite, Memphis Flash, Tiger Man, The King. Nicknames for perhaps the greatest Rock ‘n Roll singer to ever live. Elvis Presley.

On Jan. 8, 1935, in Tupelo, Mississippi, a rock prodigy was born. Growing up, Elvis lived in a close-knit community, surrounded by family. His parents struggled financially and moved from house to house in Tupelo.

Presley’s appreciation for music started in the church he and his parents attended, the Assembly of God Church. He was also influenced by African American bluesmen from his neighborhood and country music radio programs that he and his family would listen to often.

At 10 years old, Elvis sang in the Mississippi-Alabama Fair and Dairy show, winning fifth place, which was a prize of $5 in fair tickets. Just two years later, Presley asked his parents for a bicycle; they couldn’t afford it. What did they buy him instead? The guitar that would tip his passion for music into an explosion of stardom.

In 1948, Elvis and his parents moved to Memphis, Tennessee, the country music capital of the United States. At age 19, he officially started his music career when he signed with Sun Records. After his contract was sold to RCA Victor, he became an international rock icon.

From this point on, Elvis remained a prominent entertainer and achieved many great successes, producing 150 records and starring in 33 successful films, according to Elvis.com.

After his many triumphs and successes,

his life was tragically cut short. Elvis died due to a prescription drug overdose that caused his heart to stop beating. Among the deadly concoction were the drugs Codeine, Valium, Morphine and Demorol.

Since his death on Aug. 16, 1977, a number of Elvis impersonators have hit the stage.

Almost 50 percent of teachers have seen an Elvis impersonator. These guys (or women in some cases) pull out their “Elvis” swagger with rockin’ hips and stellar white jumpsuits.

One Marian student, sophomore Natlie Bialas, muses about Presley. “He has cool hair, I like how he can pull off bell-bottom pants. He’s a really good singer and he’s definitely the king of rock. I think he paved the way for future artists.” More often than not, though, Elvis impersonators are a far cry from the king.

Senior Kayleigh Lewandowski has been graced with the presence of an impersonator.

“We were in downtown Las Vegas a couple blocks from our hotel and on a street corner there was a guy dressed in Elvis impersonation attire saying that Elvis was not dead.” Although the occurance may seem out of the ordinary to most Nebraskans, Lewandowski was not phased by the impersonator. “It’s Vegas,” Lewandowski said.

Many people believed that Elvis was alive even after his highly publicized death. He knew that he was the king of rock and roll, so why end his reign prematurely? Although most people have accepted that he is gone, some question his death, to this day.

Religion teacher Mr. Mark Koesters believes that Elvis is dead. But when he passes on, one of the questions he plans on asking God is, “Did Elvis really

“I was 2 years old in that [Big Bird] costume, and I just remember my parents telling me that they picked it out for me because I looked adorable in it!

When I went trick-or-treating, there were so many people that kept saying how cute I was.”

Sammie Sandhoefner ‘13

photos by nicolewojtalewicsz

cassiephillips

“I basically chose my [gorilla] costume based on how warm it was!”

Biz Steinauer ‘12

King...? die?”

Nearly 40 years later, most people don’t question his death.

Instead, they remember him with a light heart. Senior Miranda Dineen recalls a memory from her childhood.

“I remember hearing about Elvis for the first time when his song was the theme song for the Lilo and Stitch movie.”

Through all the uncertainty, one thing remains certain: Elvis Presley created rock and roll and will reign as the King forever, whether dead or alive. graphic by ellemostek

15 entertainment

GNIMOCEMOH SPIRIT WEEK

Who Let the Dogs Out? Juniors Sarah Berger and Haley Snyder planned their face paint together the night before the Spirit Day. “We wanted to go all out on this day, so we looked up ‘easy face paint’ on google and this came up” Synder said.

Phantom of the Marianplex. Junior Sydney Pelster strikes a sinister pose as the Phantom of the Megaplex on DCOM day. “It’s just one of my favorite Disney Channel Original Movies and nobody really knew about it, so I figured nobody else would dress up like it,” Pelster said.

Stephanie Huber ’15 Audrey Burt ’15

Incredible Marian Girls.

Sophomores Maren Haddad, Olivia Greene, Lizzy Hahn and Logan Findley dressed as the notorious Disney characters the Incredibles on DCOM day.

Gnimocemoh!

Before the annual student vs. faculty Gnimocemoh volleyball game,junior Emily Johanek runs and shakes other players hands for good luck. The students lost the game against the faculty by only two points.

Later that night, the Gnimocemoh dance took place at Marian.

The theme was “CarnEvil” and the event brought in $2000. The dance was put on by the Senior Class Officers.

“It was the best Gnimocemoh yet, even though there wasn’t that many people there compared to previous years.

I thought that with the people that did come, it was really fun!” Senior Class Officer Jackie Tondl said.

Abby Pritchard ’14 Maggie Gell ’14

Nicole Methven ’12 Ashlynn Efferding ’12

Monica Spence ’14 Allie Spongberg ’14

16 photo essay

Spirit Week Themes!

Monday: Western Day Tuesday: Face Paint Day Wednesday: Sports Jerseys Day Thursday: Disney Channel Original Movie Day Friday: Blue and White Day

Photos by alexamoore, clancynelson, taylorhaag

Photo essay by alexamoore

Welcome to the Wild West. Junior Marie Roubidoux and sophomore Hannah Lajba pose as wild West cowboys on Monday. “I looked for an hour for an outfit.

My parents lost my cowboy hat and my shoes were too big, but this belt is actually Ronald Reagan’s. I’m not sure how my dad has it...” Lajba said.