Marian Network Newspaper - September 2021

The

THE BUZZ

VOLUME SIXTY-SIX • ISSUE TWO • SEPTEMBER 2021 MARIAN HIGH SCHOOL • 7400 MILITARY AVENUE OMAHA, NE 68134 • WWW.MARIANDIGITALNETWORK.COM

INSIDE ● CLIMATE

CHANGE (PAGES 8-9) ● HISPANIC

HERITAGE MONTH (PAGE 2)

● “FOOTLOOSE” THE MUSICAL (PAGE 14) Lolo’s Angels Junior Board Members raise awareness by parading on the Memorial Park Bridge at the Pediatric Cancer Awareness Rally on Sept. 18.

Photo by EmmaDuman, Duchesne senior.

Lolo’s Angels raise awareness for September’s Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month cially considered cancer-free. Hacker ed more than $200,000 in research is currently a sophomore at Creighton grants and $38,000 in toys for pediUniversity. atric cancer patients. They have also After Hacker’s first diagnosis in conducted 57 bone marrow drives and 2012 and relapse in eighth grade, Lo9 blood drives. lo’s Angels Pediatric Cancer AwareThe junior board consists of more ness Inc. was started. Lolo’s than 65 active members, selected Angels, Inc. is a non-profit. from high schools around Omaha This means that Lolo’s Andevoted to spreading awaregels does not make any profit ness and finding a cure for from the money they raise. pediatric cancer. On Sept. 18, Lolo’s Angels, Inc.’s mission Lolo’s Angels hosted a rally is to “fund life-saving research for pediatric cancer. One great for pediatric cancer research, part of the awareness rally is sponsor blood and bone marrow that “students get to interact with drives, raise awareness for pedimembers of the community” atric cancer, and serve kids and Ms. Halli Tripe, director of the families through their cancer junior board, said. journey.” This organization “My favorite part about got its name after Hackthe rally was being forced er’s classmates surprised to go out of my comfort zone her during one of her Illustration by MaddieAdam to be out in public,” hospital stays, makjunior board member ing snow angels just outside of her Regina Anyaegbunam said. Anyaeghospital window and writing “Lolo’s bunam also “enjoyed having people Angels” in the snow with blue dye. honk in support of the cause and being Lolo’s Angels has held several able to see their reactions as they read fundraisers and awareness activities our banners from their cars.” organized by their adult board and The 2021 Lolo’s Angels junior junior board. So far, they have donatboard spans over 12 different schools

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21 senior Honors Journalism II students create the monthly newspaper. Each month, we’ll introduce you to a few of us and tell you a fun fact or two!

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Meet the 2021-2022 Network staff!ornho na m

throughout Omaha, Elkhorn, Papillion, and Millard. Many members of the board are Marian students, such as sophomore Laura Torres-Salvador.

“My favorite part about being on Lolo’s Angels junior board is knowing that I am making a difference for these kids and for their families. The whole organization and the entire junior board does so much to try and help these families, and it’s a great way to get involved and meet kids from other schools,” Torres-Salvador said.

Torres-Salvador and Anyaegbunam, along with the rest of Lolo’s Angels, hope the awareness rally and activities throughout September will inspire others to learn about pediatric cancer.

While September is Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month, it’s important to continue fundraising, educating, and raising awareness for pediatric cancer year round. Even when children survive pediatric cancer, their battle is not over. Remnants of cancer and damage done to the body while fighting cancer affects someone for the rest of their life. Lolo’s Angels raises awareness for the angels, fighters, and survivors of pediatric cancer.

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MakDarrow ne of the most gut wrenching phrases a parent can hear is, “your child has been diagnosed with cancer.” Every three minutes, a parent somewhere in the United States hears this heartbreaking sentence. As the leading cause of death by disease for children in America, “approximately 1 in every 285 children will be diagnosed with cancer before their 20th birthday,” the American Childhood Cancer Organization said. This is a statistic alum Lauren “Lolo” Hacker ’20 knows all too well.

Hacker was diagnosed with Acute Myelocytic Leukemia at 10 years old in December, 2012. She spent the next six months at Children’s Hospital in Omaha and left the hospital in June 2013 — what the Hacker family thought would be the last time.

However, after three years of remission, the family learned that Lolo’s leukemia had returned. 14-year-old Lolo Hacker would not let surgery, four months of intense chemotherapy, or radiation stop her from walking through Marian halls along with her classmates on their first day of freshman year. As of 2021, Hacker is offi-

Liv Birnstihl Graphics Editor

Clare Degan Photo Editor, Page 16

Gigi Salerno Online Editor

Maddie Adam Page 1

Mak Darrow Page 2

september 2021

news 02

Camera crew captures school spirit

ShannonMonahan he hallways looked like a movie set with thousands of dollars of video equipment and girls getting ready for their closeup on Aug. 18-19. The production crew, Eleven Twenty-Three, came to film and produce a recruitment video. In the past, journalism students or Mrs. Molly Woodman, director of admissions, would create these videos to show to prospective students when the recruitment team visited their grade schools. Never has the production been this large.

Thanks to the larger recruitment budget for this year, the production could finally be something extravagant. When President Ms. Mary Higgins finalized the increase in this year’s budget, Woodman quickly realized that, “We can not spend this money on more pencils.” This prompted Woodman to do what she had been dreaming of for years — create a video that would be hilarious and help Marian stand out from other schools. Woodman said that the build-up and planning were the hardest part of making the video. The production crew came several times during the summer and went back and forth with the marketing team to finalize the details.

Eleven Twenty-Three built an elaborate background for part of the video involving a prom scene.

Senior Abigail Bluvas starred in the prom scene wearing a long maroon prom dress. “I had so much fun filming the video and I cannot wait for future Crusaders to see the video and experience how amazing Marian is firsthand,” Bluvas said.

The crew caused chaos throughout the school day. “The video making part was really fun but also uncomfortable disrupting the classes and girls,” Woodman said. The crew filmed videos of students silently cheering and doing the M-Beat in the quad, and worked hard to capture the Marian spirit.

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Scan to watch the recruitment video!

Hispanic Heritage Month uplifts traditions ElleianaGreen

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mpathy is the ability to walk in someone else’s form at different events in South Omaha. We wear shoes and attempt to see the world through a long bright skirts with the cross or Mary on them, different lens. No two people look the same, share and celebrate our history,” Perez said. Maintaining the same story, or live the same life, but this doesn’t their culture in everything they do, Hispanic-Ameristop human beings from forming connections. cans work to make their families proud.

Sept. 15 marked the beginning of National “My immediate family is the only family I have Hispanic Heritage month, but for the Hispanic in the United States,” Ramirez said. “To see the community, their culture is rest of my family, I would have to put a lot at risk, not confined to a matter Illustration by including my own safety.” Ramirez, like many of days. other Hispanic-Americans, longs to see her Elleiana “My Hispanic family on a regular basis. “The last time I saw Green heritage is everything my family in Venezuela and in person was to me,” sophomore when I was 5 years Diversity Board old,” Ramirez said. member Mia “With technology Ramirez said. it has been easier to “My mom communicate, but immigrated with the situation, from Venezuela you never and my dad know when the immigrated electricity will from Colombia. go out. I hope to Spanish was my reunite with my first language and family someday, Ja growing up it meant but I know I’m rab e T everything to me. I wish making them proud.” ap itio everyone around me understood Ramirez-Henriquez, ,M exi how my culture impacts my life.” fortunately, has been able to ca nt r ad Family, community, music and food bring several of her family itio na serve as the pillars of Hispanic cultures throughmembers to the United ld an out the world. Currently, there are 21 official SpanStates.

“This year we’ve ce ish speaking countries, but no two countries are the been able to bring most of our family from same. “Music connects my family to my culture El Salvador here because of poor living conditions. back home,” Ramirez said. “Chino and Nacho, a My house used to be quiet, but now, it’s always full popular Venezuelan duo, make Venezuela not seem of energy, and I finally am around the people I’ve so far away.” been missing my entire life.”

For others, traditional foods also bring them back As Ramirez and Ramirez-Henriquez lead diverto their roots. sity efforts in the school community, they hope to “I come from a full Salvadorian background. give students a look into their lives. “It’s hard to fit I’m a first generation immigrant,” junior Diversity everything into a month,” Ramirez-Enriquez said.

Board member Erika Ramirez-Henriquez said. “My “But as a Diversity Board, we’re working to make family is huge—and loud, but the food and culture fliers to post throughout the school...my hope is that brings us together, especially traditional Salvadoran people will relate our stories with their own and pupusas.” educate themselves.”

Sophomore Ximena Perez Silva celebrates her Hispanic Heritage Month highlights the imporMexican heritage with traditional dance. “Tradition- tance of being able to put oneself in the place of al Aztec and Mayan dance is very important to my another. For many, Hispanic Heritage Month will family,” Perez said. come and go, but for members of Hispanic commu“My family gathers in traditional attire to pernities, their celebration never ends.

Field Day documentary ‘Benson To Baxter’ hits the big screen MaddieAdam

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ield Day is Marian’s most cherished tradition — every graduate, student, and teacher has a story to tell. Class of 2021 graduate Naomi Delkamiller brings these stories to life in her documentary, “Benson to Baxter.” On Aug. 13, faculty and a few students previewed “Benson to Baxter,” a documentary that tells the history of Field Day, from the tradition’s first years to today.

Delkamiller has been working on this project since May of 2020 for her Intro to Humanities Capstone Project. This project allows students to get a deeper look into the humanities while exploring their own interests, including art and history. The inspiration for this NaomiDelkamiller ‘21 documentary came from her NPR Student Podcast submission regarding the absence of Field Day in 2020. “The opportunity was there, and once I realized how much information there was to tell, I didn’t want to stop. This is so much bigger than me, and I was constantly wondering why this story hadn’t been told before.

I’m grateful I got the opportunity to tell it. It fell into my hands, and I felt a lot of responsibility to

make sure I told it right,” Delkamiller said.

The documentary is a compilation of more than 60 years of Field Day, from its first days at Benson Park to its more recent at Baxter Arena, encapsulating the rich history, changes and continuities of the beloved tradition. The role that students play as the driving force of the tradition is emphasized throughout the interviews and footage in the documentary — Field Day continues because the students care.

Delkamiller went through hours of CDs, DVDs, VHS tapes, and her own Field Day footage to capture the true essence of the annual event. She searched through footage during the free time the pandemic gave her, and also worked with a professional videographer to help with interviews, audio and video.

Many teachers, especially Mrs. Jillian Roger, coordinator of the Humanities Scholar Program, played a large role in supporting Delkamiller and her process. “This would not have been possible without Mrs. Roger. She is incredible and always found time to meet with me, support me, and guide me. She was an incredible source of inspiration and strength for me throughout this process. I think it’s also important to recognize the support I got from the administration, teachers and my peers because they knew I was working hard on it. They knew it was a labor of love,” Delkamiller said.

Roger helped her in a number of different ways, such as conducting interviews with her and helping her shoot footage during Field Week. “She did an excellent job balancing a lot of different ideas and perspectives in a delicate way. My favorite part was being able to accompany Naomi on this creative process. It was so neat to see this start as an idea and end up a finished, professional documentary,” Roger said.

The documentary also contains many interviews with important figures within the tradition, including principals, presidents, and the Servants of Mary.

Principal Susie Sullivan said she believes “Benson to Baxter” tells an important story to the Marian community. “Field Day is such a strong tradition at Marian, so it is important we know the history of the event and how it has evolved over the years. It is also tied to the memories of Marian students as well.

Every reunion I have gone to we have discussed Field Day — I may not remember everything about high school, but I can tell you what our Field Day theme was each year and how we placed!” Sullivan said.

This was a large and daunting project, and Delkamiller only has a few more edits to make until the final product is completed. The school plans to release the movie as soon as possible. “Marian gave me so much, so this is my gift back to the Marian community,” Delkamiller said.

September 2021

News 03

Self defense classes teach students ways to protect themselves FionaGautschi

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o help ensure the safety of students, Marian has the Mick Doyle self-defense group teach classes to students about how to protect themselves. Recent statistics about sexual assault show the need for self-defense education. One out of every six women has been a victim of sexual assault in her lifetime, according to Rainn, a nationwide organization against sexual assault.

Mick Doyle, from the Mick Doyle self defense group at 88 Tactical, has been coming to Marian to teach classes since 1995. Inspired by what he saw working at a sexual assult crisis center in Dublin, Ireland, Doyle started teaching self defense classes for women. “One of the most empowering messages that we can get is from survivors who thank us for what we taught, saving their life,” Doyle said.

On Aug. 20, Mick Doyle taught students about how to keep themselves safe. Students gathered in the gym and listened to Doyle talk about what to say when being approached by a potential attacker.

Using Doyle’s techniques, girls were able to try out different self defense moves.

“What do you want? I cannot help you. You need to leave. You need to leave now.” These are four sentences Doyle recommends women say when they are in a situation where they feel unsafe. Doyle teaches that it is important to remain calm and confident while repeating those statements. He recommends that girls familiarize themselves with these statements so they know exactly what to say when in a potentially harmful situation.

Out of the 235 students that filled out the Network’s survey this month, 86% said they learned something new from the self defense presentation and 78.3% said they felt safer than they did before learning the information shared by Mick Doyle.

“People feel that it’s not going to happen to them,

The junior class practices different self-defense techniques while Mick Doyle gives directions.

Photo by AnnaRasgorshek but statistically the numbers keep showing otherwise. Young women are at risk,” Doyle said.

“We know that students are faced with many challenges, and we want them to know safety measures when out in the world,” Assistant Principal Jennifer Christen said. “The self-defense introduction and

talk from Mick Doyle gives students the tools and knowledge to stay safe and think about what to do or how to get out of unsafe situations,” Christen said. It’s important that girls know how to stay safe as they transition into adulthood.

Suicide prevention month promotes awareness and increases support AshleyJohanek

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ow is the time to advocate for suicide prevention. Suicide claims more than 48,500 American lives each year making it the tenth leading cause of death according to the CDC. To narrow that even further, between the ages of 15 to 24, it becomes the second leading cause of death globally. Despite the devastating statistics, there are many ways every member of society can advocate and help those who may be experiencing thoughts of suicide.

Julie Bloomingdale ’86, supervisor of the Boys Town National Hotline, said, “The biggest thing is not being afraid to talk about mental health and suicide. I think sometimes, especially when it comes to suicide, people think if they ask somebody directly about it that it might put the idea in their mind.” She states that that is not the case “If you ask somebody directly if they are having thoughts about suicide, most of the time they are going to be very honest in their response to you. They think somebody cares enough or has noticed some changes in them that they cared enough to ask how they are doing,” Bloomingdale said.

Anyone is susceptible to thoughts of suicide.

Bloomingdale’s biggest piece of advice is to always ask a friend how they are doing. If that friend seems changed or may be experiencing thoughts of suicide, Bloomingdale said, “This is the one secret you don’t keep.” By contacting Boys Town National Hotline or Life Line, a life can be saved.

“When someone reaches out to our hotline, our whole goal is to empower that person. We don’t want to create more chaos in their life, so we will try to help them come up with Illustration by AshleyJohanek

a plan that they buy in to and are willing to follow through with because they are going to be more likely to act on that plan if they were an active part in developing that plan,” Bloomingdale said.

At Boys Town, each member of the hotline is there to help and be understanding of whatever the caller may be experiencing. “It definitely takes a special type of person because you have to be able to separate yourself. It’s important to take one call at a time, and with each call, I try to give my full attention and treat that person the way I would like to be treated or that I would like a family member to be treated.

Over the years, I have developed the ability to give my all in a call, and then as long as I was kind and listened and tried to empower them to change their situation in a positive manner, then I know that I’ve done my job,” Bloomingdale said.

At the Boys Town Hotline, any current world event or weather related situation that causes a stress outbreak is called current event anxiety. With the withdrawal of American troops in Afghanistan, the 20 year battle has come to a conclusion. Many witnessed the Taliban take back over the country they once possessed. After the American removal, many came home to think back on what they experienced.

“Being a veteran does put somebody at a greater risk for suicide,” Bloomingdale said. However, there are many efforts to provide mental health care to veterans and help them get over this distress. Life Line runs a veteran’s crisis line to help veterans remember their mission, move on, and find a safe plan to continue with their lives.

Here in Omaha, the Metro Area Suicide Coalition is a valuable resource for mental health awareness and suicide prevention. “The suicide coalition brings together wide varieties of people from the community. Schools, to social service agencies, to law enforcement, religious groups, and bringing them all to the same table to talk about suicide prevention and what we can do in our community to decrease the numbers,” Bloomingdale said.

At Marian, students can advocate for suicide prevention and mental health awareness by showing constant support. Counselor, Mrs. Anna Sparwasser has had first hand experience at the Boys Town Hotline for nine years. “It’s amazing to be part of that journey with people. It’s an honor. It’s a privilege to be able to help somebody when they are at a really low point in their life,” Sparwasser said. Sparwasser says that participating in walks or any event that sheds a spotlight on mental health issues is really important in showing support. “The best way to help anybody suffering from any thoughts of suicide is support, whether that’s getting them outside support or getting support within the community of Marian,” Sparwasser said.

“With suicide, it’s not very black and white. It’s very gray because there’s no set rules about it,” Bloomingdale said. Suicide can affect any one at any time. It is important to check in on friends and family and ask how they are feeling. It is better to ask now and help them get the care they need.

CONTACT Boys Town 24 hour hotline number: 1-800-448-3000 Can be reached by email and text 24/7 Teen website: yourlifeyourvoice.org or ylv.org Life Line Hotline: 1-800-273-TALK Boys Town is part of Life Line which is the national suicide prevention hotline. Boys Town is a local crisis center that responds to calls in the omaha area Life Line also is a veterans crisis line

04 Opinion

September 2021

No date, no problem: A senior’s guide to high school dances

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Piperis poses with her friends, seniors Kysa Holmstrom and Avianna Gonzalez at their freshman homecoming. Photo Courtesy of MelinaPiperis

group and hid my hand behind my friends in the classic corsage shot. While I’m sure that sounds miserable to those who’ve yet to find a date, that was one of my favorite dances. I didn’t have to coordinate my dress to anyone’s tie, and I alleviated the stress of failing to pin a boutonniere (confession: I still haven’t mastered this task).

Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy going to dances with dates, too. There’s a sense of relief when you don’t have to walk in the gym alone, and it’s nice to have a guy to talk to and stand beside in group photos.

But I have to be honest, high school dances are overrated, and going with a date is no guarantee that you’ll have a good time.

When I reminisce on my high school experience thus far, it’s not glittery dresses and punch bowls that come to mind. I didn’t go to prom with the love of my life who happened to be the incredibly good-looking captain of the football team. I never got a perfect slow dance under the glimmer of a disco ball, swaying cheek-to-cheek with my boyfriend in a decorated gym. I’m sure these moments are great for some, but I don’t mind that I didn’t get them--because I got something much better.

My high school days were spent singing in hallways, ransacking bake sales, and screaming Field Day demo lyrics at the top of my lungs. I never had to worry about impressing the cute boy in my history class, and a blue polo always sufficed for my outfit of the day. Of course, I did my time stressing over finding dates, and I’m no stranger to tears shed over Prep boys. But when all is said and done, things work out as they should, and there’s no shame in taking on the dance floor with your best friends.

If I could leave you with one piece of advice as you navigate Marian, it would be this: enjoy it.

Not every day will be great. In fact, many won’t be. Sleep schedules will be wrecked and lectures

will feel endless. Forgotten homework, regardless of your infinite Canvas checklist, will still be due when you least expect it. Hitting snooze after a long night will almost always result in a trek up soph lot. But even at 8 a.m. in the bleakness of a March morning, a few glimmers of hope never disappear: Marian cookies will be served warm by noon, your royal blue quarter zip is as cozy as ever, and a late start accompanied by a cup of coffee is always just a few days away.

You have the rest of your life to find the person of your dreams, and odds are you won’t meet them by freshman homecoming. You only have four years to spend at Marian, so enjoy them while they last. In the midst of homecoming season and your peers’ perfect pre-dance photoshoots, I ask that you consider my tried and true philosophy: no date, no problem.

night before a Halloween party; I know that if I were to order and have a costume ready months before, I’d more than likely forget about it. Spontaneity creates the essence of the Halloween season and it can all be lost when the season comes around too soon.

This next premature Halloween item might be surprising to be against; yes, they are absolutely delicious, but the Pillsbury Halloween cookies and pumpkin spice lattes have arrived before their time.

Yes, I used to LOVE the Pillsbury cookies (I can no longer eat them due to celiac disease taking over my life) and I can totally appreciate pumpkin becoming what many eat, breathe, and live for, but August is just too soon.

The first day of fall was Sept. 22. That’s almost one month after Starbucks released their pumpkin spice lattes and cold brews on Aug. 24. The popular tastes of autumn are popular for a reason, but when they arrive too soon, they’re taken for granted and the appreciation for the actual season dwindles.

Don’t get me wrong, I love Halloween. I love the treats and decorations, planning costumes with friends, and anything that has the words “haunted” or “scary” in front of it, but when fall arrives too

early, it takes away the true magic of the season.

The crispness of the air, the good-hearted spookiness, and annual smells and tastes are taken for granted when they’re brought about too soon.

Honestly, boo for premature Halloween.

“There’s no shame in taking on the dance floor with your best friends.”

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ou’re walking in the doors of Marian on a chilly September morning, clutching a pumpkin spice latte as you enter the quad. Your barely broken-in blue plaid skirt buzzes as your phone blows up, and similar chatter fills the cove as you fumble through your locker. Weekly writings are no longer a priority because the same thing is on everyone’s mind--will you find a date to the homecoming dance?

When you’re a freshman in high school, homecoming is the most important thing in the world.

Study halls are spent scouring the internet for dresses, and weekends are spent desperately searching for a suitable date. I adored Marian as a first-semester freshman, but I couldn’t help but wish that I knew more boys. The all-girl environment made school feel like a slumber party, but the lack of male attention revoked any relatability to my favorite teen movies. I wanted nothing more than a date to the dance and believed my place in the high school hierarchy depended on it.

I’ve gone to many a high school dance since my freshman year, and I didn’t always have a date. In fact, I was once the only girl who went stag in my

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Opinion by MelinaPiperis

BOO for premature Halloween: Too much arriving too soon Opinion by JordanMoser

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ostumes, carving pumpkins, sugar highs, and all things spooky. What comes to your mind?

Halloween. The weather is crisp, almost as if someone is pumping fall smells and flavors into the air. Decorations are brought out of their year-long storage to complete the fall vibe. Now all that is left is to find the perfect costume.

Finding the perfect costume and decorations should be left for October. As early as September, Halloween stores started popping up in leftover Toys R Us buildings. TikTok has been putting out costume ideas since June. JUNE. Costumes for couples, costumes for friends… name a costume and a Tiktok was probably made about it. Did I watch these TikToks?... Yes. I even enjoyed the few that actually gave unique ideas, but still, watching Halloween TikToks in summer is far too soon. It takes away the rush of finding supplies the

“When fall arrives too early, it takes away the true magic of the season.”

Moser, age 7, and her brother go trick-or-treating at the Henry Doorly Zoo. Photo courtesy of JordanMoser

Opinion 05

Spoiler alert: High school isn’t an ’80s movie

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Opinion by LivBirnstihl grew up surrounded by countless movies glamorizing the high school experience, so when a dance number didn’t await me at Marian, I was definitely shocked. It’d be bold to assume that “High School Musical” was actually plausible, but why was I brought up to believe it would be?

As I’ve gone through high school first hand, I’ve realized that high school films outlined the perfectly unattainable coming of age experience.

As years have passed and culture has changed, the “coming-of-age” genre has been altered and adjusted.

The ’80s are home to some of the first “realistic” high school movies. While teens back then journeyed through self -discovery, too, few movies actually illustrated the true rollercoaster of getting older.

Take the 1984 film, “Sixteen Candles” (rated PG). This coming of age staple illustrates the “ups and downs” of high school, but Samantha (Molly Ringwald) hardly faces such things.

The struggles of this movie are about as realistic as me getting a date with young Rob Lowe. Samantha’s most pressing issues include temporary unrequited love, and her sister stealing the spotlight when it’s literally her wedding day. Clearly, this realistic and accurate teenage girl led a challenging life, and she undoubtedly beLIeVe me raised the

expectations of her audience. Considportraying reality to their target audiering “Sixteen Candles” was one of ence: teenagers. All these movies do the highest grossing movies of 1984, is magnify insignificant problems and it obviously impacted its viewers then glorify the weaker parts of growing and continues to up. It’s no wonder today. younger audiences “Sixteen are afraid to talk Candles” is one about what high of many films school is really like. directed by John When it comes Hughes, who is to “coming-of-age,” famed for his I think that Greta contributions to Gerwig has it down. the coming-of-age She’s unlocked the genre. Hughes is secret to telling revered for his teenage stories the “realistic” deright way. Unlike pictions of high Hughes, Gerwig is a school, which won woman, and has the him international authority to write acclaim as a direcabout women. tor. While I’m a Crazy right? sucker for his preHer 2019 film Illustrations of Samantha Baker dictable plots and “Ladybird” (rated R and Ladybird by LivBirnstihl strategic casting, the for language, sexual flaws laced through content, and teen his films are infinite. Not only do his partying) provides comfort and securimovies lack depth and complexity, but ty to every girl watching it. It addresstheir characters experience nothing es complex topics and relationship but minor inconveniences. Hughes’s issues that previous movies never warped depiction of high school has touched on; and it does this without altered the mindset of teenagers and glorifying sensitive topics. A lot of created unattainable expectations. people claim that “Ladybird” is boring The “Pretty in Pink” I’m-in-lovebecause the plot doesn’t go anywhere, with-the-popular-kid storyline is a but I think that’s the whole point. reality check in itself. There is no Growing up doesn’t have exposiquestion that these stereotypical mov- tion, rising action, climax, and falling ies have defined an entire generation, action. but Hollywood missed the mark in The movie has the essential ele-

Marian girls’ favorite coming-of-age Movies “Perks of Being a Wallflower” “10 Things I Hate About You” “Lady Bird” “13 Going On 30” “Clueless” Timothée Chalamet in “Lady Bird”

source: survey of 125 Marian students

september 2021

ments of its genre, but the ending is a refreshing glimpse of reality. Ladybird’s (Saoirse Ronan) love interest, Kyle (Timothée Chalamet), leads her through the toxicities of heartbreak, her economic situation rifts her social status, and her tumultuous relationship with her mother drives her across the country in search of self discovery. This film was refreshing to watch not only because it was realistic, but because the person who created it was the inspiration for the storyline.

The coming-of-age genre is one that I hold close to my heart, and is a favorite no matter the circumstances.

The progress made so far in terms of the genre’s realistic nature is refreshing and comforting to audiences. Who knows, maybe one day growing up will be like “Sixteen Candles”, but for now, I’ll stick with “Ladybird.”

Not-so-dumb blondes defy gender stereotypes Opinion by AnnaRasgorshek

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londe moment.” The “dumb blonde” stereotype has been in the media for years, but why are blondes so often dismissed as “dumb”? There’s no evidence that hair color affects intelligence, and it could be argued that the “dumb blonde” stereotype is targeting all feminine women, not just blondes.

The idea that feminine women who like the color pink and love to shop are “dumb” is rooted in misogyny.

From Marilyn Monroe to Paris Hilton, feminine blondes have been the butt of the joke for decades.

From fiction to reality, blondes are portrayed as surface-level and useless if not for their appearance. In “Legally Blonde,” Elle Woods proves her intelligence time and time again, but is dismissed by her peers and teachers. Elle refuses to fit in with the Harvard crowd, sticking out like a sore thumb in rooms of totally brown

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and gray suits. Even Elle’s female peers reject her, but despite this, Elle never apologizes for her femininity, and refuses to change herself to fit in. Even after being picked for a prestigious internship, Elle still isn’t trusted, and is treated like someone who needs to be babysat. Elle proved her ex-boyfriend and his stereotypes wrong, showing that you can be both an intelligent Jackie Kennedy and a glamorous Marilyn Monroe.

“I need a Jackie, not a Marilyn.”

Elle’s boyfriend used these words to break up with her. He, like many others, stereotyped Marilyn into the category of ditzy blonde, severely underestimating Monroe’s intellect.

Marilyn Monroe is one of the most over-stereotyped dumb blondes, but she was far from dumb. In fact, Monroe was incredibly educated on politics and the Civil Rights Movement, where she used her fame to help others. While Monroe spent much of her career playing dumb blondes, she was interested and educated on American foreign affairs.

The Network is

so smart that she understands NFTs, or non-fungible tokens (something I cannot wrap my head around no matter how hard I try).

Hilton was only considered smart when it Graphic by AnnaRasgorshek Paris Hilton came to shoe styles, when used to be considered the perfect in reality, she’s a very intelligent busiexample of a “dumb blonde,” with a nesswoman. pretty face, but nothing in her brain The idea that femininity and besides thoughts about makeup and intelligence can not go hand in hand shoes. Paris played into this steis flawed. Women can love to shop, reotype, using her hair color to her love the color pink, and still be smart. advantage in her show, “The Simple Femininity and personal interests Life.” In “The Simple Life”, Paris should never have to be sacrificed portrayed herself as an airhead- but in in order to be taken seriously in life. her documentary “This is Paris,” HilEven if you’re not blonde, know that ton revealed: “I’m not a dumb blonde. you never need to hide yourself in I’m just really good at pretending to order to be successful. be one.” Hilton is actually very smart,

a monthly publication of the journalism students at Marian High School, Nebraska’s only Class A Catholic, AdvancED accredited college preparatory school for girls. The Network is a member of the N.H.S.P.A and the N.S.P.A. It is our goal to provide an accurate and informative news source for the student community.

Students, faculty and friends are invited to voice their opinion in Letters to the Editors. Letters must be typed, signed, and sent to the address below. Or call us at 402-571-2618 x1134. An electronic version of this paper and exclusive content can be found at mariandigitalnetwork.com Adviser: Mrs.MarshaKalkowski

Managing Editors: ElleianaGreen & AnnaRasgorshek Copy Editor: ElizaTurco Photo Editor: ClareDegan Graphics Editor: LivBirnstihl Online Editor: GigiSalerno News Editors: MaddieAdam, KenzieDarrow & ElizabethMonzu Feature Editors: CarliAhsan, ChiomaAloziem, FionaGautschi & BaileyKollasch

Opinion Editors: AveryKinnison, MelinaPiperis Indepth Editor: JordanMoser Sports Editors: AshleyJohanek & KathrynStec Entertainment Editors: ShannonMonahan & EliseMoulton Photo Essay Editor: ClareDegan Reporter & Photographer: SydneySchroeder

06 Feature

September 2021

Let’s talk about microaggressions Commentary by ChiomaAloziem mg I love your hair, is it real?

Can I please touch it? How long is your natural hair? How do you wash it?” I was asked these questions multiple times a month by not only my classmates — but also my teachers. I thought it was normal because my other Black friends were asked the same questions. I didn’t realize that uncomfortable feeling I had was being shared with thousands of other Black girls around the world. No one educated me about microaggressions and how to deal with them.

“Unlike insults or even insensitive comments, microaggressions are very specific. They are the kinds of remarks, questions, or even actions that are hurtful because they have to do with a person’s membership in a group (such as race or gender) that’s discriminated against or subject to stereotypes. A major part of what makes them so disconcerting is that they happen casually, frequently, and often without any harm intended, in our everyday lives,” Director of Diversity and Inclusion, Ms. Devin Owens said.

Accidentally committing a microaggression does not make a micro aggressor a bad person. Microaggressions tend to be jokes or compliments that contain an unnoticed insult about a group of people. Junior Tamyiah Nielsen told a story about how a classmate told her that “She was so tan that she didn’t even look mixed.”

Nielsen has a Black mom and a white

“O

dad. This may seem like a funny joke, but it’s completely incorrect, inappropriate and disrespectful.

First of all, not every Black-white biracial person a person will meet will be a nice, light golden brown. Black people can have a variety of skin complexions. Senior Bella Washington is also mixed, but she has a lighter complexion which may lead some to mistake her as “fully white.”

One religious minority group that often deals with microaggression is Muslim Americans. Freshman Sarah Mohammad grew up Muslim and wears a hijab to school every day. Before Mohammed came to Marian she experienced a lot of rude comments and stereotypes regarding her religion.

“A boy called me a terrorist and was scheming on dropping to the floor with his friend when he saw me walk into the classroom,” Mohammed said.

According to Vox in a 2015 article

by Jenée Desmond-Harris, former race, law, and politics reporter, “Research has shown that microaggressions, although they’re seemingly small and sometimes innocent offenses, can take a real psychological toll on the mental health of their recipients.” Experiencing microaggressions can jeopardize a person’s mental health and physical health. It can also cause depression and anger as well. Most importantly, it can cause someone to be less confident and less academically focused.

This might sound dramatic, but

imagine a friend continually receiving backhanded compliments and remarks in front of their classmates.

Then on top of that, their classmates join in and start laughing at them.

Many would probably feel disturbed and uncomfortable for their friend, that’s what thousands of marginalized groups feel.

It’s completely normal to not grasp that a person’s actions can come off as offensive. However, it’s important to not overreact if someone calls you out for committing a microaggression.

According to the Harvard Business Journal in 2020, there are five easy steps to solving the situation.

First, take a breath and don’t become defensive. The person informing you feels comfortable enough to tell you and wants you to grow as a person. Second, don’t become defensive and listen to why that person is uncomfortable. Next, apologize but don’t repeat it. Actions speak louder than words. Use the internet and understand why what was said was wrong. If you can look up slang terms in the Urban Dictionary, then you can take five minutes to understand the effects of your words. After you discern the issue, continue to educate yourself and beware of prejudice as well.

I love receiving compliments about my hair, especially since I spend

Gr

hic ap

omaAlozie

by Chi m

It’s 2021

more than eight hours getting it done.

There’s nothing wrong with appreciating someone’s hairstyle or having genuine curiosity, but keep in mind boundaries. A person may not specifically tell you their boundaries but try to respect them by reading their body language. You can also respect them by paying attention or listening to them and how they react to certain topics or ideas.

Microaggressions are used every day and everywhere. Sometimes a person who experiences a microaggression may not even notice until later. Other times, a person allows microaggression to happen because they don’t want to make a scene or start drama. However, if you recognize someone saying something ignorant or offensive, say something. It doesn’t matter if you were eavesdropping in their conversation or if they are in a different grade. You sticking up for that person can help educate your peers and stop it from happening again. It’s 2021. Marginalized groups should not have to deal with microaggression.

Love is an open door... but is it the only door?

GigiSalerno

“O

nce upon a time...” Every little girl knows this story by heart: the guy gets the girl and it ultimately ends with true love’s kiss at their fantasy wedding. For generations, society has defined what a woman’s role should be. To get married. To start a family. To cook. To clean. To chase their very own fairytale ending. However, it should be fulfillment, rather than societal expectations that dictate where girls direct their energy.

There is no step-by-step tutorial on life. You don’t get to choose who — or what — you fall in love with. So why does it all feel so predetermined?

Why do girls across the globe start planning their dream weddings at such a young age? Why do teenagers feel stressed to mimic the plot of their favorite coming-of-age movies and make their own teenage love story?

Why is society so obsessed with the idea of love? Is choosing love the only option?

Illustrations of vocations by MelinaPiperis

The truth is, there isn’t one correct answer on how to spend the rest of your life. Everyone is called in different directions, and sometimes, people are pulled in more than one way. A vocation is a sense of belonging to a certain career or way of life that provides a sense of fulfillment.

When you find the right vocation for you, “you are enthused, and there’s an energy around whatever it is that you’re thinking about doing,” theology teacher Mr. Kory Delkamiller said.

That path is different for everyone, but the common thread is a feeling of fulfillment.

Sophomore Madeline Wear has been able to look to her parents, former high school sweethearts, as an example of what love looks like.

“They’re the perfect example of best friends,” Wear said. Alongside 63.3% of the 215 Network survey responders, Wear hopes to one day get married and find her own best friend to spend the rest of her life with. She views marriage as a friendship that can make your life better, but believes her fulfillment in life will come through her own accomplishments at work and in life. She believes “it’s good to work on yourself before you get married, but having someone to help you can make the process easier.” She said that above all else, marriage will bring a friendship and partner to help bring out the best version of herself.

“I guess I’ve just never been interested in love like other people have.

At least, that kind of love.”

Sophomore Eva Kriener plans to stay single in her future as she believes that lifestyle suits her better. “I just feel like more of an independent person; I don’t need to be tied down to anything permanent like that,” Kriener said. She is far from alone in this opinion, as 32.1% are unsure whether they want to get married or not and 4.7% of survey respondents said they want to stay single in the future.

She intends to travel and find fulfillment in “the little things” that life has to offer, rather than in a relationship. “A relationship is just not something I’ve found big to me.

If I can find the right person to be in a relationship with, I would be fine with that, but it’s nothing that I have my sights set on. If I don’t have one or don’t find one it’s not the end of the world for me.”

Sr. Lisa Sheridan didn’t expect to become a religious Sister, a Servant of Mary. At the age of 33, while working as a business administrator at a counseling center, she began to explore a religious vocation. Growing up, Sheridan thought about getting married and having kids. “I knew I didn’t want to [become a Sister] because I had this stereotype in my head and that didn’t fit what I wanted my life to be at the time,” Sheridan said. However, after meeting the sisters through her

counseling job, she realized that the community could be a good fit for her.

“I don’t think I ever felt [a calling], I felt a sense of belonging and couldn’t imagine my life without this.” She now feels as though she’s in the right place, surrounded by women who she considers family. “[Being a Sister] allows me to love more people and be present with more people than marriage would have.” “...And she lived happily ever after.” She changed her future to suit what she wanted, a freedom that was paved for by generations of women before her. Finding the right vocation can be a daunting task, but as long as there is a sense of fulfillment in whatever lifestyle you choose, know that you are in the right place. Lift up the pressure from society to discover what you want and remember: love is an open door...but there are other doors, too.

September 2021

Feature 07

Thompson Bauer scoots forward with parental understanding, awareness

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BaileyKollasch ittle Thompson Bauer is thriving just the way he is. During his first several months, he was a fast learner. He called out “mama” and “dada,” took his first steps — typical baby milestones. Toy cars were fascinating to Thompson, or at least the wheels were; he was completely entranced by spinning them with his finger. A couple months ago, this 18-month-old superstar was diagnosed with autism.

Also known as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), autism is a genetic disorder which encompasses a wide range of conditions defined by difficulties in social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech, and nonverbal communication.

Though some hints have revealed themselves to Mrs. Ashley Bauer and her husband Andy Bauer, such as Thompson’s fixations and the gradual recession of his milestones, they couldn’t distin-

Photos of Thompson Bauer courtesy of Mrs.AshleyBauer

guish whether or not his behavior was a delay in his development until the suggested waiting period for delayed development had passed. Still, the Bauers wanted to know what was going on and decided to investigate. They asked people they knew and contacted Omaha Public Schools where they could receive services from the public school system “I couldn’t tell you that I thought he had autism, you know. I just knew he was delayed,” Mrs. Bauer said. “Most people have this image of what autism is, but we have to remember that it’s a spectrum. So it’s not this cookie cutter of a kid.”

When Bauer returned to school after her son’s sleep-study, she was happy to show her classes the baby photos she had added to her collection. The famous model of these photos, Thompson sat on his bed watching movies and wearing his rather fashionable ponytail of wires which monitored his brainwaves. Thankfully, his sleep-study results declared him to be in the 10 percent window of possibly having epilepsy and not the one out of four people on the autism spectrum to experience seizures.

Stimming is a major characteristic of autism.

Others might see someone on the spectrum full of excitement, flapping their hand, or spinning, for example. But it’s more than that. Especially for nonverbal individuals with autism, they verbalize things without necessarily talking. It’s their own form of communication. Overcoming these barriers is much like taking a unique path to get to the same destination as everyone else. For example, Thompson has not stopped moving though he has no intention of walking. He now opts to do what Bauer calls his adorable “monkey scoot” to get around.

“He’s great! He’s doing his thing—he’s Thompson!...I can tell you a bunch of the great things that he’s doing even though it may not be typical for a

The different levels of the spectrum CarliAhsan ot many people understand the depth of the autism spectrum. Most people view autism as either someone has it or they don’t. In reality, the spectrum is very complex. Autism Spectrum Disorder has many levels and classifications. Autistic disorder, pervasive developmental disorder, and Asperger’s syndrome are all encompassed under Autism Spectrum Disorder.

“The result of a neurological disorder that affects the brain, it is four times more prevalent in boys than in girls and knows no racial, ethnic, or social boundaries.

Today, 1 in 59 individuals is diagnosed with autism, making it more common than pediatric cancer, diabetes, and AIDS combined” (Autism Society of Nebraska).

According to autismspeaks.org, there are three different “severity levels” to help identify people on the spectrum.

Level one is “requiring support.” People at this level need support for social interactions. Without the support, they could keep to themselves and choose not to immerse themselves in situations.

Level two is classified as “requiring substantial support.” People in this category struggle with communication skills and will often form simple sentences or find ways of nonverbal communication.

At this level, friends and family could notice their repetitive behaviors, which those with this disorder find comforting amid the ever-changing world around them, as these behaviors begin to occur more often.

People within the spectrum can become easily frustrated when they are placed outside of their comfort zone, so they resort to these tendencies to alleviate the stress that comes with these unfamil-

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2-year-old,” Bauer said with a laugh.

However, stereotypes around autism exist and continue to separate those on the spectrum from others. They can also have the influence to silence those who have autism by preventing them from receiving the support they need since they don’t believe themselves to fit the mold of being on the spectrum.

“I think we hate using this word, but that’s the ultimate goal, isn’t it? To normalize [autism]...It’s okay to be a little different…it’s okay to discuss,” Bauer said. “I think being more open about [autism] and talking about it hopefully gets more students comfortable talking about it — if they were on the spectrum or they do have a different disability — because it’s only going to help them.”

Bauer’s students have a new normal for art class — one where their teacher would be absent from time to time to support Thompson. But the endearing baby pictures and stories of Thompson’s adventures she shared when she returned began bringing awareness to autism; one monkey scoot at a time.

Autism spectrum symbolism

iar situations.

The final level of the Autism Spectrum Disorder is level three, “requiring very substantial support.” This level identifies those who have severe difficulties with social communication skills. These people will rarely initiate communication. They have a very hard time coping with change and their frequent repetitive behaviors can get in the way of their day-to-day lives.

Situations that may seem perfectly normal to most people could trigger certain feelings and emotions within those on the spectrum. For example, sitting outside on a warm day could be relaxing to some, but others could notice little things around them, like flies buzzing, and feel less in control of their situation.

Noises and other sensory stimuli commonly cause anxiety reactions for those on the spectrum. It can be difficult for them to simply walk outside and hear cars driving, hear the school fire alarm, or hear pens tapping. These everyday sounds can cause them to feel distress or discomfort in their everyday lives.

Many people on the spectrum also love to focus on certain things or topics and become invested in them.

For example, many can master extremely complex puzzles at a young age. Autism Spectrum Disorder is not a limitation.

People with this disorder are capable of accomplishing as many amazing things, if not more, as any other person.

Infographic by BaileyKollacsh Puzzle pieces, though they have been looked down on as a symbol for autism that gives off a negative impression that those on the spectrum are “puzzling,” are used as the main icon for the Autism Speaks organization and the design on the autism awareness ribbon. Rather than labeling autism as something people cannot wrap their heads around, the reveal page of the awareness ribbon explains the puzzle pieces to emphasize how complicated it is.

The rainbow spectrum is often used to describe the autism spectrum because the wide variety of colors are similar to the range of autistic people.

The sunflower is a symbol for invisible disabilities such as mental illness or autism.

Overall, the sunflower symbol was used in a campaign to encourage kindness towards those on the Autism spectrum and has also been used as a symbol for Down syndrome awareness.

Illustrations by BaileyKollasch

CODE RED 08 indepth

Septem 1

Climate change is accelerating

JordanMoser he Intergovernmental Panel on Clidownward before we start facing some mate Change (IPCC) recently released dire effects.” These dire effects include the first section of their sixth assessment heat waves, droughts, floods, an increase report. It addressed the most up-to-date in tropical storms, and maybe even more understanding of the current climate pandemics. “We need to understand how change situation. The assessment has been it’s happening, why it’s happening, and labeled by the United Nations Secretary what we can do to turn it around,” ChalGeneral António Guterres as a “code red ecki said. “I can’t help but wonder how of humanity.” much doom and gloom it’s going to take Code red. Given that it’s a universally before we start changing.” daunting term, valid fears have arisen from Knowing what the report is only can its usage in Guterres’ statement. But what do so much; how does one respond to a exactly is the sixth assessment report? Ac- report like this? Moreover, how does one cording to Dr. Beth Chalecki, a professor who has their doubts about climate change at the University of Nebraska-Omaha who respond? “We need to have more involvefocuses on international environmental ment on the part of the government and on policy and climate change, the report con- the part of the citizens. We need to unsists of concluderstand that these large sions drawn from scale responses aren’t climate research something that your averaround the world. age citizen is going to be “Every five or able to do on their own,” six years, the said Chalecki. “We really IPCC will release need the government at what’s called all levels to be guiding us an assessment in this direction; underreport, and this is lying the government’s the first volume responsibility is our of the sixth one. responsibility as citizens It’s split into to vote.” three working According to the New groups,” ChalecYork Times’ 2020 exit ki said, “Working poll results, around 30% UNO Professor Group One is the of voters responded “no” physical sciento the question, “Do you tists and how we think climate change, know climate change is actually happenalso known as global warming, is a seriing, Working Group Two is the impact ous problem?” For those who have their climate change has on us and the world, doubts about climate change, Chalecki and Working Group Three is the mitigation offers something to consider. “Think about group which is what we can do to fix this the world you would want to live in, in a or adapt.” Later this year or into early next hundred years time. Think about the world year, working groups two and three will you want to leave to your children and drop their reports and the sixth assessment grandchildren. Do you want them to enjoy will be complete. what you have right now? If so, we need Although only the science report has to take steps to make sure that happens,” dropped, it’s given a lot of red flags, hence Chalecki said. “I would like to encourage code red. “What they’re telling us now is people, and students especially, to make that climate change is not only certain to this a part of their curriculum no matter be happening, it’s certain that humans are what they’re studying. Make this a part of contributing to it, if not the main cause,” what they’re studying and register to vote.

Chalecki said. “We only have a short peIf there’s a one word answer, it’s gonna be riod of time to bend that emissions curve vote.”

T

“These large scale responses aren’t something that your average citizen is going to be able to do on their own.”

- Dr. Beth Chalecki

Fires don’t always go away in one day As of Sept. 27, 45,971 fires have burned 5,879,222 acres in the United States.

Dixie Fire = 960,500 acres.

The wildfire season has increased by 100 days since 1970.

Now it is 250 days long.

Oregon Bootleg Fire = more than 400,000 acres.

Wildfire smoke can account for about 25% of air pollution in the U.S.

In 1970, the average was 500,000 acres.

Infographic by ElizabethMonzu. Data sources: National Interagency Fire Center (nifc.gov), Climatecentral.org, National Geographic

Salad containers: The queen o BaileyKollasch

C

onfusion surrounds the mystery of the missing Sustainability Club members when students throw away their garbage after lunch. Plastic lids and Styrofoam plates have no claw to guide them.

Created in 2019, Sustainability Club works to make a healthy, Earth-friendly environment. “We want sustainability to be more than just composting and recycling. We want it to be something that is prevalent throughout the school, whether it be something like plants in classrooms to have a healthier atmosphere or looking at the noise level of different things in our school,” Dr. Sharon Genoways, the former Sustainability Club moderator, said.

The relatively new low-flush toilets, water bottle stations, and automatic lights

from recent construction brough ian closer to the Sustainability C goal, but composting has not be easy. Compost-able utensils are backordered for six months, acc the dean of students Mrs. Kris H which resulted in a complicated tion of recyclable and compostand trash.

“Now you have only half of are sustainable, and then, it just up, you know. We’re all routine Hennings said.

In previous years, Sustainabi members — as well as Genowa Hennings — would stand by the bins during lunch to direct the s disposal; however, this eats up t

Illustr

Natural disasters are not unco

ElizabethMonzu magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck southwest Haiti on Aug. 14. According to the Richter Scale, which is the basis for the magnitudes, this kind of earthquake is major and causes lots of damage over a large amount of land.

Haiti also had a huge earthquake in 2010 that killed hundreds of thousands of people and hit the capital, Port-auPrince. Even today Haiti is still recovering from it, as they are the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere — 60 percent of their population is below the poverty line, says World Vision. Spanish teacher Caitlin Gaule, has been to the Dominican Republic many times, going with students on the annual service trip. “The Dominican Republic is ten times more wealthy than Haiti even though they share the same island,” Gaule said.

To compound this, Haiti does not have enough funding for earthquake and hurricane relief and another big earthquake just struck. “They don’t have the resources to escape everything,” Gaule said.

Haiti, in its infancy was a slave nation ruled by the French. Eventually Haiti revolted and became their own independent nation. “A lot of other countries didn’t want to work with them and support them, so from the beginning they had a lot to deal with,” Gaule said.

The Aug. 14 earthquake killed more than 1,900 people

A

and thousands w because of the well as Haiti’s susceptibility to natural disasters.

Tropical Depression Grace came not even three days later on Aug. 16. It caused flashfloods,mudslides and landslides.

Hillsides and roads were destroyed as well as 50,000 homes.

Many build-

mber 2021

Indepth 09 2

3

of the Harper cafe compost bin

ht MarClub’s een so e currently cording to Hennings, d combina-able items

things that t messes us e people,”

ility Club ays and e colorful students’ the mem-

bers’ time away from schoolwork so not as many would like to volunteer as the school year progresses. Without their watchful eyes, trash manages to find its way into the compost bin, and the company paid to pick up the bin won’t take it.

Styrofoam plates on pasta day aren’t foreshadowing falling back on old habits.

“We’re really trying [to be sustainable]... it’s not like we don’t want to, but we’ve got to find a way to make it easier,” Hennings said while explaining the plan for 2021.

In order to guarantee the amount of trash thrown in compost bins decreases and the bins are used properly, Principal Mrs. Susie Sullivan and Hennings have simplified the disposal process. Salad con-

tainers — often used by Marian students, especially on Marian Moms — ­ are the only items to be composted while other garbage goes in either the recyclable or trash bin.

Hennings and Genoways anticipate what steps Sustainability Club and their new moderators, Mrs. Aleecia Cotton and Mrs. Stephanie Dickes, will take once they put their ideas into action, but for now, Marian will be tackling composting one step at a time.

Every item counts, and students can make a difference by putting their items in the correct bins. Those who want to volunteer to help Marian develop into a sustainable community can start by contacting Hennings at khennings@omahamarian.

1. Seniors Shannon Monahan, Carli Ahsan, Erin Connelly, Ryan Sully, and Anne Masek on the Dodge Street pedestrian bridge. The girls were promoting sustainability at a march on April 24, 2020.

Photo by CarliAhsan 2. A wildfire over the horizon in Pyrgos, Greece. The 2021 Greece wildfires began in August.

Photo courtesy of YiotaAnastasiou 3. A Haitian firefighter among the rubble of a destroyed building. Many Haitians were injured or killed due to building collapses.

Photo source JosephOdelyn, royalty free

Temperatures are rising: it’s still not too late Infographic by ElleianaGreen

4ºC - Worst case scenario, biodiversity reduced by 60% 2ºC - Temperature can be reversed up until this point

Target temperature range from the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement

1.5ºC - Projected to meet this by 2030

1.4ºC - Best case scenario

ration by JordanMoser

ommon, but what happened in Haiti was

were displaced. Haiti’s situation is unusual tropical depression that followed — as

ings were destroyed because of Haiti’s weak infrastructure.

Natural disasters are so much worse in Haiti and they are the most vulnerable country in Latin America because of how they use their land, their low income, and high population density.

Climate change has affected Haiti in ways it hasn’t in other countries due to all these vulnerabilities.

Their drought season has gotten longer — their tropical storms have strengthened and rainfall has become unpredictable. Tropical storms, hurricanes, and floods have been more intense and have A group of Haitians standing together in a food distribution line. After the earthquake sacks of rice were distributed to residents of the area. a faster pace due to Photo source JosephOdelyn, royalty free climate change.

Source: IPCC

Every increase in temperature by 2ºC decreases biodiversity by 25%. If we cut emissions in half by 2030 and to net zero by 2050, we can fix the impending climate emergency.

However, Haiti also faces man-made problems that affect climate change such as deforestation and pollution.

Haiti is among the top ten countries that are most at risk of the effects of climate change because of how they use their land now and how they have used it in the past.

According to the Washington Post, French colonizers in the 1600s cut down the forests to build plantations. Today, Haiti suffers from widespread deforestation and only three percent of their canopy cover remains. This deforestation is the main cause of the erosion threatening the whole country. It has caused a lot of the landslides and mudslides that occur during storms, and earthquakes have more consequences because of this.

As well as erosion, Haiti suffers from small harvests, soil loss, and desertification as an impact of climate change. Therefore, they do not have as many livestock and crops because they cannot get big harvests. They also overfarm their land, which makes smaller harvests.

Haiti is a hot bed for natural disasters, and climate change is making them worse. It is difficult for Haitians to recover from these storms because of the destruction they cause, upending roads and washing away hillsides. Having two major storms in the span of three days is not good for any country but is compounded in Haiti.

10 Feature

September 2021

Project Welcome supports refugees in the community

ElizaTurco roject Welcome is alive and busy this fall with donation drives, move-ins, and blanket tying events.

Project Welcome Club partners with Creighton Preparatory students, as well as local organizations like Restoring Dignity and Lutheran Family Services, to support new and established refugees in Omaha.

Nebraska welcomed twice the national rate of immigrants and refugees in the past decade. According to The

P

Wall Street Journal, more than 25,000 refugees evacuating Afghanistan following the U.S. troop removal have already arrived in the U.S. and are being placed in government or organization housing. Project Welcome assists in furnishing their new homes with the essentials: silverware, sheets, mattresses, and toiletries. They make it feel like a home: placing fridge magnets, cleaning, hanging clothes, and, when possible, meeting the fami-

ly at the airport with open arms.

The club will host a donation drive for an Oct. 30 home make-over for a Karen family of four from Burma. The non-profit Restoring Dignity matched Marian and Creighton Preparatory with the family this past August and will be providing a list of possible donations for the community to provide.

Have questions or want to join the club? Reach out to club officers junior Erin Line and seniors Lauren

Montague and Eliza Turco or moderator, social studies teacher Mrs. Katy Salzman.

Tensions within Greek Life influence college decisions

Scan here to read about the refugee family’s journey and to access donation options at Restoring Dignity rdomaha.org

ElleianaGreen ou made it. Outlasting the rounds of recruitabout them a lot in passing,” O’Keeffe explained, into allowing other victims of sexual assault to tell ment, you’re proud to meet the people you’ll “I have never been part of Greek Life. I still knew their stories and how they recovered from their excall family for the next four years. In a crowded about Fiji though. It was kind of a point of female periences. I found that sharing personal stories was field surrounded by bright and hopeful faces, you bonding. You’d often hear about Fiji being that a lot more impactful for me,” O’Keeffe said. finally don’t feel alone. You’ve found a home, and house. Talking about it helped increase solidarity O’Keeffe, like many others, wants the rest of definitely your future bridesmaids. After all of among women and keep us safe. It was like a secret the community to know that this isn’t just a Fiji your difficult decisions in your senior year of high that wasn’t really a secret.” O’Keeffe, like many problem: several other fraternities on campus have school, you finally know you made the right one. others, gathered in front of the Fiji house for several sexual assault allegations, too. Days after the Fiji You’re exactly where you’re supposed to be. “Zeta nights to protest its removal from campus permaprotests broke out, Sigma Chi, another frat on Tau Alpha is your family now.” nently. campus, announced its self-suspension as they had a That’s how it’s supposed to be, right? An overUpset with UNL’s seeming lack of action and the sexual assault reported over the weekend. “I worry whelming sense of community and acceptance. You frequency of sexual assault on campus, O’Keeffe that the movement is losing its focus,” O’Keeffe can’t help but feel overjoyed at the journey said. “Around campus, several sororities and you’re about to embark on. As a new memfraternities have signs in support for victims, ber of Greek life, you are immediately “in’’ I worry that it has become performative. It’s with different fraternities around campus. important to realize that [the perpetrator] Formals, mixers, and parties will soon is the face of a systemic problem. Lots of fill your calendar. Although you feel such other fraternities on campus also have sexual excitement about meeting new people, you assault allegations. Justice doesn’t begin and remember that not everyone you meet will end with Fiji. There’s a lot of work that needs have your best interests at heart. to be done both inside and outside of UNL. Young women in Greek Life are 74% Sexual assault culture on college campuses is more likely than other students to experivery prevalent, and people should consider it ence sexual assault, said a report from The before going into college.”

Guardian in 2014.

Locally, high schoolers took note of Students at the University of NebrasUNL’s response. ka-Lincoln were reminded of this reality on “I’m still not sure if Greek life is for me,” their second day of classes, as they woke junior Maggie Morris said. “I feel like there’s up to an email from the university explainbeen a lot of things happening in the news A protest sign at UNL. Photo courtesy of UNL student Lauren Andres ing that a sexual assault had been reported that just make it seem not as appealing as it earlier that morning on campus. “I woke up and saw stood in solidarity with the most recent victim of does on Instagram.” With thousands of followers the notification in that email for this particular asFiji and the many others that have been affected by online, major sororities across the country draw in sault. I thought it was really unfortunate and disapcampus sexual assault in the past. “A lot of people more and more potential recruits every year with pointing, but I also realized it was the first week of were talking, and it started to turn into a little bit of their posts. “It looks sugarcoated online,” Morris school, so I wasn’t surprised,” senior English major a movement. [Sexual assault] is somewhat normalwent on to say, “At first it seems all exciting with at UNL, Grace O’Keeffe recounted, “I think it’s ized on campus. I was angry, a lot of people were, bid day, but as the year goes on, they don’t show as really sad that I wasn’t more shocked by it.” so we took to protesting,” O’Keeffe said. “The much of what really goes on.” As Morris begins to As the day went on, anger among students on organizers did a great job, and I respect their ability look into colleges this year, safety on campus is one campus rose — this wasn’t the first allegation for to get things together fast. Steps are being taken in of her top priorities. “Knowing that the victim of this fraternity. This particular frat, Phi Gamma the right direction, and I wish that we could have a the sexual assault at UNL was the same age as some Delta, more commonly known as Fiji, has a history different campus culture, but I’m happy that things of my friends, it reminds me that this type of stuff of sexual violence against women at UNL. “I heard are changing and people are showing support.” can happen to anybody, anywhere, and I’m scared,” Hoping for some form of action Morris remarked. from the University, O’Keeffe took to Others took this opportunity to join in the fight social media to pour out her thoughts against sexual assault on college campuses. on the situation for the rest of the “Campus sexual assault is such a prevalent world to see. Within a few hours, thou- problem, and so many women have to deal with it,” sands of people were interacting with senior Olivia Hovey said. “Universities need to stop and sharing her post to call for change sweeping it under the rug and actually face these within the school’s community. “I’ve problems and provide women resources instead of never had a post on social media get trying to protect the perpetrators.” Hovey’s social that kind of response before. I had to media timelines, like many others, were flooded turn off my Instagram notifications with posts about UNL. After signing the petition because it was distracting me from and doing everything she could online to show her what I really wanted. It was powerful support, Hovey decided to make the drive down to see that so many people felt the to UNL to stand in solidarity with victims. “There same way,” O’Keeffe explained. Calls were a lot of men and women present at the profor Fiji’s removal quickly became a test,” Hovey said, “It was really encouraging to see movement as a petition created by men there because a lot of time they are seen as beUNL students received more than ing the problem, but in this case they were working 400,000 signatures nationwide and to be part of the solution.” public support from campuses across The fight for safety and justice for survivors of the country. sexual assault on college campuses is far from over.

O’Keeffe attended several protests As cases of sexual assault are reported every day, throughout the week in hopes that acmore people have become vigilant in preventing fution would be taken. She witnessed the ture cases. O’Keeffe, Morris and Hovey are hopeful changing atmosphere of the protests as that the raised awareness causes others to realize Illustration of sorority girls by the days went on. “The anger shifted sexual assault is everyone’s issue.

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September 2021

Feature 11

Sophomore retreat renews class bonds

High schoolers experience medical field careers through CNA jobs

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CarliAhsan arian retreats are known for being the best of the best, and each retreat serves a different purpose. Freshman retreat allows students to form irreplaceable bonds with their classmates, while sophomore retreat strengthens those bonds. Junior retreat helps girls give back to their community through service and senior retreat solidifies the class bonds one last time before college. Throughout sophomore retreat, students are supposed to reflect on their relationships with themselves, God, and others to develop and strengthen them.

Deacon Kevin Fuller, Mrs. Anna Kolterman, Sister Jackie Thorn, the sophomore retreat core team, and leaders worked together to plan and execute a retreat that would impact as many sophomores as possible. After an unprecedented year, the team was glad to finally go back to how sophomore retreat has been in the past. This year, the retreat took place at Camp Rivercrest in Fremont, Neb. on Sept. 8. The retreat lasted the whole school day and was filled with many fun, relaxing, and bonding activities. From Mass to small groups to playing basketball outside in the nice weather, the sophomore class had a day full of relaxation and growth.

Sophomore Madison Terranova found the small group discussions to be her favorite part. “I loved getting to know my class better. Because of the retreat, I now know a lot more people in my class, and it’s so great to have more people that I can connect with!” Terranova said.

Riya Kumar, also a sophomore, agreed that she loved having the opportunity to get closer to her class and the people in her small group. “I feel like we bonded as a class, and I learned a lot from the witness talks. My overall favorite part of the retreat was the location and nature hike,” Kumar said.

Following the actual retreat, leaders will have homeroom meetings with their group once a month until the end of the school year. During these meetings, groups will do fun activities planned by the core team to continue the message of the retreat throughout the whole school year.

Sophomores Maggie Tynan, Emma Koch, Anna Bragg and Maya Simet pose on a nature walk during the retreat on Sept. 8.

Photo courtesy of CourtneyLong.

MaddieAdam ecently, more and more high schoolwants to join the medical field. Being more ers are expanding their knowledge of advanced in the field raises your chances to the medical field through Certified Nursing get into medical school. Getting my CNA Assistant jobs. The CNA job itself consists of was honestly the best choice I could make,” doing basic tasks for patients like Wallace said. cleaning their rooms, helping Junior Bailey Sommer received her CNA them move and eat, and montraining alongside Wallace. She works in an itoring their vitals, along assisted living facility, doing tasks such as with assisting nurses and transferring residents to dinner, helping them other medical staff. bathe and change, taking blood pressure, This job provides playing games with them, and assisting budding health care prothem as needed. “I decided to become a fessionals with an early CNA because I want to have a career in look into the medical the medical field some day [as a physifield. To become a nurscian’s assistant or nurse] and this is just ing assistant, students my start. I enjoy my job, and I’m so lucky must be at least 16 years to be blessed with such sweet residents,” old and take a training Sommer said. course that lasts four Senior Meredith Bailey also recently comto six weeks and costs pleted her certification. She took hybrid style around $400-500. classes through Methodist with about seven Junior Tori Wallace hours of online coursework per week, along started her CNA training with a four hour class per week. “I thought through Methodist the moit would be a good gateway to get into the ment she turned 16. After Junior Bailey Sommer nursing field. I’m hoping to study nursing more than 76 hours of class, in college and become a nurse anestheshe had to pass a test, consisting of an in-class tist,” Bailey explained. She works one day a written final, a state written final, and a state week as a CNA for a nonprofit organization, skills demonstration final. Wallace decided along with working part time at Starbucks, to become a CNA because she wants to go balancing earning her accreditation with to nursing school and work in the trauma school and work. unit of a hospital after high school. “I would The responsibilities of this job provide recommend getting your CNA to anyone who high school students an immersive experience in the medical field before they go to college.

Here are some places to get started on CNA training in Nebraska: American Red Cross Clarkson College Metro Community College Nebraska Methodist College CNA Academy Quality Career Pathways Sherry’s Med Class Fulton Homes Education Center Graphic by MaddieAdam

Fidget frenzy: Are Pop Its just a pop up?

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tudents seem to have fidget fever, and Pop Its are patient zero. Over the past few years, fidget toys have gained popularity among children and young adults. From fidget spinners to the new Pop Its, these toys have become a popular way to heal a case of antsiness.

“It just kinda gives your brain something to do,” freshman Aubrey Sumner said. “Sometimes you don’t realize you’re playing with it, but I would say it helps me stay focused on what I’m doing.”

Sumner says she owns about 10 to 15 fidget toys, her favorite being the Simple Dimple, a smaller, more portable version of the Pop It. “They’re so portable, and I usually have them as a keychain.”

Along with the Pop It and the Simple Dimple are several other fidget toys. “I really like fidget cubes, or stress balls are fun,” Sumner said.

The rise of popularity with fidget toys began in 2017 with the resurface of the coveted fidget spinner that first made its appearance in the 1970’s. The toy became so popular that stores would sell out within days of restocking. “Fidget Spinners were just fun and you could definitely fidget with them, but it would be harder to focus on another thing at the same time,” Sumner said. Kids of all ages brought

their fidget spinners to school, using them to help “focus” during classes.

Since 2017, fidget toys have come in many forms. Among the most popular toys is the Pop It, a dimpled piece of silicone made to resemble bubble wrap. Pop Its come in various shapes and sizes, from a simple circle to a Stegosaurus. The toy first gained attention from TikTok users. When users saw their favorite influencers playing with the Pop It, they flooded stores in search of the toy.

Fidget toys are sold everywhere. Many kids and young adults now collect these toys to play with and trade. They can be found anywhere from the nearest toy store to the miscellaneous aisles of HyVee, as well as on the internet. The cost of a Pop It is determined by the toy’s size and shape. One small Pop It costs about $8 while a larger Pop It could cost anywhere from $15-20. With such high demand for more toys, people spend hundreds of dollars to get their hands on one.

But will this fidget craze last? While the fidget spinner gained major popularity in 2017, the toy had lost its heat by early 2018. Similar to most trends among young people, this infatuation with fidget toys will likely become obsolete by next year. “I feel

like I could see it happening, definitely,” Sumner said. “I feel like if people like it, they’ll keep playing with it, but if not, it’ll just go away.”

If the trend were to disappear, the chances of fidgets making a comeback are high. Just as fidget spinners made their iconic comeback, perhaps the newer fidget toys will make their return with more colorful, fun designs.

Freshman Aubrey Sumner plays with her simple dimple. Photo by AveryKinnison.

Sports 12

September 2021

Creighton-Lincoln rivalry continues to divide Nebraskans

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teams. “I like both Creighton and Ne9.2% braska because they both represent the Other state well and I know people who go to both schools. They specialize in their 5.3% own sports and are good in their own University of ways, so I really can’t decide,” Konecky Nebraska said.

Omaha Sophomore Charity Curtis’s family members are big Husker fans. “My family likes the Huskers because everyone grew up watching them, and we’re from 37.9% Nebraska so they like to cheer on our Creighton home team. My dad also likes doing University Husker-themed Christmas lights be47.6% cause lots of buses and Holly the Trolley University of comes by every year,” Curtis said.

Nebraska 206 Marian Junior Mia Wilson values the imLincoln Graphic by students surveyed by portance of supporting your favorite MaddieAdam Network, September 2021 team. “I am a big Creighton fan because my dad went to school there. We love members have attended in the past or by what supporting them and watching the volleyball and school the younger generations hope to attend. No basketball games on TV.” matter what a person’s personal preference is, most Nebraskans have always been known to valwill show support when any of the teams succeed ue their collegiate sports programs. Usually this (except, of course, when it’s an intrastate rivaly passion is driven by what university peoples’ family game).

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MaddieAdam he longstanding rivalry between Creighton and Nebraska dates back to 1923, the first time the teams met to play basketball against each other.

It continues today through annual basketball and volleyball games that fill the CHI Health Center and Pinnacle Bank Arena with devoted fans.

Creighton alum, math teacher Mr. Peter Cunningham said, “I love how competitive all of Creighton’s teams are at the Division I level. They have a powerhouse volleyball team and basketball teams and are really good in all the other sports as well.

Because they are so competitive, recognition is brought to the state of Nebraska, especially the city of Omaha.”

UNL alum, English teacher Ms. Megan Piernicky said, “I love Nebraska athletics because it brings people together as a community. It’s not about football or basketball; it’s about how Nebraska sports bring the state together. It’s a cultural aspect. It’s not about the sport, it’s about the community the athletics form. Win or lose, I will cheer for the Huskers until I die. I am also pro-Creighton because I have a degree from there. I love college sports and living in Nebraska allows me to fulfill this passion.”

Senior Sammy Konecky is torn between the

Fast freshmen help lead the cross country team to strong finishes

FionaGautschi “The Class of the Metro” cross country meet held n most high school sports, it is usually the upperat Walnut Creek on Aug. 28 is the only meet Marian classmen who carry the team. In cross country, participates in where it is divided the freshmen are often by classes. The freshmen, sophojust as good or better than others who might mores, juniors and seniors all race at separate times, and the scores have more experience are added up at the end to deterwith the sport. This is mine the winner. The freshmen often because freshmen placed first, the sophomores third, girls are usually smaller, which can be to their adthe juniors third, and the seniors placed seventh. The freshmen’s vantage while running.

Five freshmen are first place victory helped the team finish in third place out of all 15 currently running in group A with the varsity schools who attended. team and top JV. “Being The XC team huddles before a race. Photo by “I am super proud of the freshErinConnelly men and all we did at the meet to in group A as a freshman get first place at our grade level. It is is such a big achievement. totally a team sport, and we couldn’t have done it I am very proud and honored to be running with such amazing runners,” freshman Margaret Lampert without every one of the freshmen who ran,” freshman Nora Coffey said. said.

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The freshmen on the team this year are hoping to make it to state and run their best possible race.

“My favorite part about the season so far has been cheering on my teammates at the meets and meeting new friends that I wouldn’t have met without cross country,” freshman Lucy Ambrose said.

Marian’s state champion runners over the years have often been freshmen. Emily Sisson ’06 ran a record breaking 17:56 5k as a freshman at state.

Last year, freshman Stella Miner won state, finishing at 18:11. Freshmen being just as fast or faster as upperclassmen is not a new phenomena in the sport of cross country.

Senior India Zier said, “I am definitely slower now than I was freshman year on cross country.”

Although Zier has changed as an athlete since her freshman year, she still always works hard to improve. “My times have changed, but my mindset hasn’t,” Zier said. Zier provides a positive outlook for new freshmen on the team.

Bishop Sycamore ‘high school’ creates buzz over sports security

LivBirnstihl or decades, high school football has become not only an opportunity for athletic ability to shine through, but a spectacle that brings together communities all over the country. So, in the Aug. 29 game between IMG Academy and Bishop Sycamore in Canton, Ohio, it was just another opportunity for both teams to pack the stadium and highlight their skills. Except, Bishop Sycamore doesn’t even exist.

It is already uncommon for a high school team to find themselves broadcasted on ESPN. Most high school football games get little to no coverage outside of the community they play for, so when Bishop Sycamore managed to make their way into a legitimate high school game with the leading sports academy in Florida, it led to fears over the security and verification process of high school games.

Creighton Prep senior and captain of the football team, Jack Piernicky, commented on Bishop Sycamore. “It’s hard as most high schools don’t have much talent or D1 athletes. Those high schools that do [have those D1 athletes] recruit from all over the country. ESPN only wants to air things that’ll make them money. Those high schools that have the money and the elite players will pay to be aired because they believe those players will be on the NFL and give back some money to the high schools. Plus, the high schools do make some money for being on ESPN. That’s why Bishop Sycamore lied about being a high school team,” Piernicky said.

The night started off fairly normal. The teams gathered together at Tom Benson Stadium in Can-

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ton, Ohio and kickoff went as usual. Not long before the first touchdown was scored by IMG Academy, questions arose about the authenticity of Bishop Sycamore High School. Suspicions only increased when a player fell in pain and ESPN announcer Anish Shroff mentioned that the player “wasn’t on the roster [they] were given.”

The roster included a runningback from Baltimore, Maryland, a 28-year-old safety who played for Kansas State, and a wide receiver from Rancho Cucamonga, California. As the game progressed, live updates about the mystery of Bishop Sycamore rolled in. The final score of 58-0 in favor of IMG only further confused viewers.

Yes, a score of 58-0 is strange, but the absurd steps that were taken up to this violent defeat are even more baffling.

According to the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA), “The physical location, practice facilities, and roster eligibility [of Bishop Sycamore] could not be verified.” Not only could the school itself not be verified, the names, ages, and locations of the “top prospect players” listed weren’t even present that day; most of their identities were completely fabricated or they lived in states on the other side of the country.

The players that (surprisingly) actually existed were lured into playing for the team. Being guaranteed a Netflix documentary, the players arrived only to discover that there wasn’t just a lack of practice and training, but there was no Netflix crew.

When it comes down to the root of the scandal, “Coach” Roy Johnson is the one to blame. Not only did he follow through with coercing screen time for a fake football game and collecting all of his plays from the popular video game Madden 2020, but he also has a warrant out for his arrest including a fraud investigation and instances of domestic violence. Better yet, Johnson isn’t the only one dealing with arrest charges. The traveling team had such extensive criminal records that they weren’t allowed to travel by plane.

Yes, the fact that this team played is very much comical, but once speculation began over the creation of the team during the game, Johnson was given the opportunity by officials to leave the game or speed up the clock; both of which he declined.

It’s still up in the air as to whether the high school football verification process will be strengthened, but for now Bishop Sycamore High School will be remembered not because of their faulty defensive line, but because of the complete scam that is their existence.

Illustration by LivBirnstihl

September 2021

Sports 13

Meet a few of the fall sport athletes KathrynStec

all sports are in full swing! Be sure to come to the games to support the Crusader athletes and get BOSS (Building Our School Spirit) points.

At the bottom of the page is an October calendar so you don’t miss any games. Don't forget to bring your punch card!

VOLLEYBALL GOLF CROSS COUNTRY CHEER SOFTBALL

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4:30pm XC meet 9am Golf 4pm Volleyball 9am Volleyball

10am Father/ Daughter Mass & Breakfast

Golf Districts 5pm Varsity softball

Golf Districts 4:30-6:30pm Volleyball

Softball Districts

XC Metros 4pm Reserve Softball Districts Volleyball 6pm Volleyball

8am Freshman Volleyball

4:30-5:30pm Volleyball

State Golf 4:30-6:30pm Volleyball

State Softball

Early Dismissal State Softball XC Districts TBD Varsity State Softball Volleyball

9am Varsity Volleyball

Volleyball Metros

Volleyball Metros 7pm Musical

Volleyball Metros 7pm Musical

7pm Musical

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2pm Musical

No School Volleyball Metros

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Volleyball Districts

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State XC 7pm Musical

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Gnimocemoh Scary Movie Day

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Photos courtesy of MaddieAuman, ErinConnelly, LucyDrexel, HaleyHoffman & SydneyWitkowski

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Presenting freshman Lucy Gerraughty! Gerraughty has been running with her dad in road races since she was in sixth grade. She said she is most excited for running on all the different courses and team dinners.

Gerraughty loves that her team puts in 100% effort at practice, and “includes and encourages everyone no matter what year they are at Marian.” Her favorite thing about the team is going on free runs with them conversing they have while they are running. Outside of the Marian season, Gerraughty runs through her neighborhood and continues to do road races. She truly loves being on the Marian cross country team and says, “I am just so thankful to be part of such an encouraging team, we really are like one big family.”

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Here is freshman Melody Mayer! Mayer has been playing club volleyball at Elite for four years, but has been playing since she was little. This season, Mayer said she is most excited to be closer with her team and to hopefully go to state. She absolutely loves to be on a team because it gives the opportunity to make connections with a bunch of girls, and to see what they can achieve together in the end.

Her shin splints have made playing tough at times, but she says, “I always try to push through and deal with it because they don’t go away.”

Mayer’s favorite thing about playing varsity volleyball as a freshman is the challenge of games, practices, and overcoming all the obstacles as a team to come out with a victory in the end.

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This is junior Brielle Abboud! Abboud has been playing golf since she was young, but has played competitively for three years.

She said she is most excited to improve from last season, individually and as a team, as well as placing better at state.

The team has started the season strong by placing first in their second tournament.

“My favorite thing about the team,” Abboud says, “is how close you get with the whole team because we spend so much time together.”

Along with golfing at Marian, she participates in individual golf tournaments through Nebraska Junior Golf and Nebraska Golf Association.

The biggest challenge she faces is the time commitment and having to balance school and golf, but for Abboud, it’s worth it.

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Introducing sophomore Megan Tyrcha! Tyrcha has been playing softball since she was 5 and has been on the Marian softball team for two years. She said she is very excited to hopefully go to state with her team this year.

Tyrcha loves being super close with her teammates and is happy that softball gives her the opportunity to be more involved at Marian.

She says the season is off to a great start with their win against Central on Aug. 24: which was Coach Chad Perkins’ 100th win. The culture of the sport and her relationship with the girls on the team is Tyrcha’s favorite thing about playing softball.

Outside of Marian, she plays competitive softball for Nebraska Quakes and keeps up her love for the sport.

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Meet senior Annie Ellerbeck! Ellerbeck has been on the cheer team for three years and is varsity captain this year. This upcoming season, she is excited to cheer with a full squad and involve the student section in cheering on Marian’s athletes.

Ellerbeck knows that the cheer team loves it when lots of students come to games, because it makes the games better for the players and cheerleaders, especially when they get involved in our cheers.

For Ellerbeck, the best thing about cheer is her teammates, “We are all super close and it makes 6 a.m. practice much more enjoyable.” Although Ellerbeck is sad this is her last season, it’s exciting for her to be with the team she loves.

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September 2021

14 Entertainment

Kylie Jenner’s pregnancy: Did the speculation harm her social media presence?

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ith the rise of social media and ond child. Jenner and rapper Travis the advancement of technolScott already have one child, Stormi, ogy, it has become easier to spread who turned 3 in February. information quickly. This can be used Jenner has been open about wantto our advantage when we need to ing up to seven kids. Fans felt like contact our friends or do research for now would be the perfect time for a school project. However, the her to have another blessing of quick and effichild since Stormi is cient technology can seem getting older. like a curse to celebrities The pregnancy who desire privacy. speculation started On Sept. 7, Kylie when fans noticed Jenner posted a positive the inconsistency pregnancy test on Instaof Jenner’s nails gram along with videos on her instagram of her family celebratposts and stories. ing the news. Prior News sources had to this, news sources been confirming everywhere were specJenner’s pregnanulating whether or not cy left and right Jenner was actually before she came Illustration of Kylie Jenner by pregnant with her secout to say whether EliseMoulton

or not it was true. Jenner decided to keep her pregnancy with Stormi hidden from the media for privacy. She tried to keep her second pregnancy a secret to alleviate some of the stress.

Were these rumors ultimately harming her social media presence and mental health?

There is controversy about what harm this speculation causes. Some might say that celebrities benefit from gossip, whether positive or negative, for the publicity. Others argue that the celebrities reputation might be harmed based on how fans view them from the rumors, or that their family and personal relationships can be negatively impacted.

Junior Nina McMullen sees this gossip as detrimental to the self esteem of the celebrity. “The public looks at [celebrities] like statues who

can’t be affected by words. Imagine the whole world putting you on a pedestal, that’s absolutely detrimental.”

“In Jenner’s case, pregnancy is something personal. She could feel like she’s letting everyone down by simply not being pregnant,” McMullen said.

Sophomore Macaire Harr sees celebrity gossip as a burden that the celebrity has to deal with. “I think it can make their lives even harder because they are already so concerned about the real rumors, and now they have to deal with fake ones,” Harr said.

Celebrities are constantly living in a world of speculation and rumors.

The phenomenon of fame perpetuates the desire for privacy. However, some argue this is the price to pay for being a celebrity.

Put your boots on, this year’s musical is starting off on the right foot

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SydneySchroeder he fine arts department started off the year with the announcement of the annual musical, “Footloose.”

Filled with a killer soundtrack, headstrong teenagers and vibrant choreography, this musical is off to a great start.

Based on a true story, “Footloose” takes place in a small Oklahoma town where teenager Ren McCormack attempts to overturn a ban on dancing. The show’s small town, Bomont, is based off of Elmore City, a town where dancing was legitimately outlawed. That was until the junior class challenged it after almost 90 years of the legislation.

The town reverend in “Footloose” shows his opposition to dancing by encouraging adults to vote against

it, especially for the senior prom.

Creighton Prep senior John Heldridge takes on the role of Ren with enthusiasm. “I am excited for what this show has to offer. Last year we were held back a lot, and now we get to really show what we can do! I’m very excited to be Ren in the musical and I feel prepared to put on the best version of the character,” Heldridge said.

Heldridge’s past experiences in Marian productions, including “The Birds,” “White Christmas,” and “Freaky Friday,” have more than prepared him for this role.

Along with Heldridge’s enthusiasm is the excitement among the rest of the cast. Sophomore Jadin Martinez loves the community. “Right now we are focused on learning all the singing

parts for everyone, and we’re doing a really good job at learning all together. I think a majority of that is because of how well we all get along,” Martinez said. Strong relationships among these cast members have encouraged everyone to work harder and produce a better show.

Sophomore Ellie Fogarty was cast as Ren’s mother, Ethel McCormack.

“It has been so fun this year. I tried out impulsively this year and I have had so much fun getting to know people and trying new things,” Fogarty said.

Cast members showing up to practices, giving it their all, and having fun is sending a ripple effect of anticipation for the show throughout the community. Make sure to purchase

tickets for the shows Oct. 21-24 and get ready to kick off your shoes for “Footloose.”

Oct. 21 - 23 at 7 p.m.

Oct. 24 at 2 p.m.

Mary Joy and Tal Anderson Performing Arts Center Adults - $12 Students - $8 Poster by AshleyDoehner Avery Kinnison ’22, Abi Howard ’23, Shelby Gerken ’24 and Bailey Sommer ’23 practice vocals with the song “Somebody’s Eyes.”

Photo by SydneySchroeder

The cast of “Footloose” does their vocal practices after school in the music classroom of the Performing Arts Center. Mr. Tim DiBlasi accompanies the cast on the keyboard. Photo by SydneySchroeder

Calling all classes to the fair: Show choir kicks off the season strong ElizaTurco

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omentum show choir is bringing back the 90s this season—the 1890s that is.

This year’s theme, chosen by the choir director Ms. Madeline Reddel, is “Omaha World’s Fair,” drawing inspiration from the grand exhibitions of the 1890s festivals that would showcase new technologies, art and culture’s finest. World’s fairs would attract millions of viewers, just as Momentum hopes to do this year.

“I’m most excited for the competitions, for sure. Our first one is in January,” senior member Isabella Olquin

Summers said. dex, and a to-be-determined hairstyle The tracklist is “top-secret,” Sumand make-up look. mers said, but includes some ragThe past weeks have largely been time-esque songs and modern artists spent on learning Charleston-filled like Sufjan Stevens. choreography. The captains, seniors The outfits are dynamic, switching Avery Kinnison, Ashley Doehner, from long sleeve, Josie Golka and midi-length sophomore Hailey The Momemtum gowns to sparkly Eriksen lead the 2022 tracklist is flapper-inspired rehearsals Wednes“top-secret,” but dresses. The whole day or Thursday includes some ragensemble is commornings from time-esque songs and pleted with tan 7-7:45 a.m. as well character shoes, as Monday nights modern artists like nude tights, span7-8:30 p.m. The Sufjan Stevens.

team has been putting in work since early August.

Reddel is feeling “great” about the team’s progress. “The students have been working really hard so far. I’m hoping we can compete in person this year to show the Omaha community what Marian Momentum is made of!”

Reddel said.

Their first performance, the Momentum Preview Night, is on Jan. 5 at 7 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center.

Listen to Summers and, “Come to the competitions! Support Momentum!”

Self Improvement Suggestions

September 2021

Entertainment 15

Designate a “you” night Stay in, do a face mask and relax!

‘He’s All That’ is not all that

Ask someone new to hang out You never know who could be your new BFF

Review by AnnaRasgorshek

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Make a new playlist Start your fall playlist off the right way! Find some new songs (or rediscover old favorites) that you can blast in the car and sing your heart out to!

Start a journal Whether it’s a daily recollection or once a month, journaling can help you to clear your mind.

Watch your favorite TV show Sit back and watch your comfort show or movie

Infographic by Liv Birnstihl

Meditate Look at the GoYogi app for ideas and meditations!

Read a book Turn off your phone and escape from reality

’m not going to lie, I started watching the Netflix rom-com “He’s All That” as a joke. I was expecting a movie with “The Kissing Booth” level cheesiness, and a knockoff “She’s All That’’ plot. To my surprise, “He’s All That” was much less awkward than other recent Netflix movies, but it fell short of the iconic “She’s All That.”

“He’s All That” does not stray too far from the plot of the original: Padgett Sawyer’s (Addison Rae) online reputation is ruined after a breakup with her boyfriend Jordan Van Draanen (Payton Meyer). Her friends (Madison Pettis and Myra Molloy) make a bet with her: turn the weirdest boy in school, Cameron Kweller (Tanner Buchanan), into prom king, or become a “forever loser,” (I have watched the movie twice and I still don’t know what that means). But unlike the original, the plot relies heavily on social media, and nothing is weirder than watching a movie and seeing scenes unfold through the TikTok screen. Rated TV-14 for language, the movie feels like a Disney Channel Original Movie, but with an occasional curse word.

Netflix uses the film as an opportunity to pack the movie with brand deals. While watching this movie, you are suffocated with advertisements from brands Old Navy, Alo, KFC, Bose, Pizza Hut, Eos, CORE Water, and Lucky Charms. The sponsors were impossible to miss, and it quickly became a scavenger hunt for me: what’s the advertisement in this scene?

While the constant promotion is wildly distracting, Addison Rae’s big screen debut is not all that bad. Considering that she was surrounded by actors who have been in the industry since they were kids, Rae was never overshadowed by her costars. Weirdly enough, Rae seemed much more natural than acting veteran Madison Pettis. Pettis, who stars in “The Game Plan,” has been in the industry longer than the iPhone has been around. But Pettis’ acting was almost comical, coming across as a caricature of a high schooler, rather

than a believable character. Rae’s acting was not nearly as unnatural, but at times it felt like she was uncomfortable in the scene. Her acting was decent enough that it never felt like I was watching an hour and a half long TikTok point of view.

As a relatively short movie, the movie never has time to slow down. It is filled to the brim with entertaining cameos like Kourtney Kardashian, Bryce Hall and Rachael Leigh Cook (Laney Boggs in “She’s All That”), that make the movie bearable, while a wildly unnecessary dance battle makes the movie insufferable.

While the movie is much more tolerable than “The Kissing Booth,” “He’s All That” is not all that. The movie was the stereotypical rom-com, with all the cliches and predictability of the genre. The plot is entertaining, but given the choice between “He’s All That” and “She’s All That,” I would always choose the original over the remake.

Source: IMBD.com

Olivia Rodrigo fans have a ‘brutal’ experience while unboxing her merch livia Rodrigo, the rising teen sensation, released her merchandise in May 2021 following the debut of her album, “SOUR,” featuring the song “brutal.” Rodrigo’s fans are expressing their frustration after just now receiving their purchases.

Along with the delayed orders, there have been numerous reports of people receiving clothing and accessories that look nothing like the pictures on the website.

After hearing numerous complaints from fans, a spokesperson from Ceremony of Roses, the company behind the products, spoke on the issue: “We are committed to providing the highest quality goods and services to Olivia’s fans and are aware of issues with a few of the products. We are working to resolve these issues moving forward and in the meantime, granting refunds or exchanges to anyone affected.”

Along with this statement, Rodrigo’s website addresses the issue on the home page stating: “As we work to keep everyone safe while doing our best to deliver your product on time, please be aware that there may be unforeseen delays in production

and delivery. We appreciate your understanding and continued support.”

Junior Mariana Vasquez Rosas had a positive experience buying her Olivia Rodrigo merchandise. “I bought a “SOUR” vinyl. I’ve always liked records and I just always have wanted one with her music on it. When I found out she was coming out with some [vinyls] I was super excited and I actually went to her website but she had sold out after a couple hours,” she said. Rosas went to Target to look for the vinyl and was fortunate enough to find one.

“I didn’t have super high expectations since I had seen some bad reviews on her clothes and people saying it didn’t look like the pictures. I think it’s pretty good quality and works amazingly,” Rosas said.

Rodrigo has not yet spoken on the issue herself, but fans seem to be pretty understanding. Many people say that this is not Rodrigo’s fault and she should not be held responsible for the mistakes.

Many fans hope to receive their merchandise soon and stay patient, for it has been five months without their items.

Spotify “Staff Favorites” playlist curated by ShannonMonahan

Students can submit no more than 5 entries for publishing consideration by the school’s literary/art magazine. Stop by Room 304 with any questions.

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Fall Submission Deadline: Oct. 15

EliseMoulton bb

Illustration of Olivia Rodrigo by EliseMouton

BURN Magazine

Submit your work to the form in email (https://forms.gle/ypKeL9U1T95MJdK79)

September 2021

16 Photo Essay

FOAM WAT 2021 Photos by seniors ClareDegan, JordanMoser, AnnaRasgorshek, GigiSalerno & ElizaTurco

Totals accurate as of Sept. 27

Juniors Tamyiah Nielsen, Patiang Boules, Hathia Joseph, Wosuk Ando, Gozie Okafor and Christina Laa pose in front of the Kona Ice truck. The truck was in the convent circle on Thursday, Sept. 16 as a fundraiser for the junior class.

Sophomore Maddie Wear and junior Nora Corrigan sell thrift items to junior Aya Khayati at the thrift-a-thon on Saturday, Sept. 18.

Students donated many different thrift items to sell at this event.

Senior Anna Schmidt dries a car at the senior car wash on Saturday, Sept. 18 at Grease Monkey. Schmidt won the senior WAT parking spot in the raffle.

Senior Class Officer Kate Timmerman unveils the senior’s class total.

Junior Lily Guinan laughs with friends during Walk-AThon. Juniors placed second at WAT this year.

Sophomores Shelby Gerken and Jadin Martinez laugh at the foam afterparty.

Freshman Lucy Ambrose grins as her class enjoys their first Walk-A-Thon.

Sophomore Sydney Kelly celebrates in the foam party.

The foam was a big hit among students.

Freshman Lucy Kalkowski sells a cookie to classmate Abigail McGuire in the cafeteria on Friday, Sept. 17. There was one bake sale per class.