● HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH PAGE

Camera crew captures school spirit

ShannonMonahan

The 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.

Field 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 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.

Scan to watch the recruitment video!

ElleianaGreen

Empathy is the ability to walk in someone else’s shoes and attempt to see the world through a different lens. No two people look the same, share the same story, or live the same life, but this doesn’t stop human beings from forming connections.

Sept. 15 marked the beginning of National Hispanic Heritage month, but for the Hispanic community, their culture is not confined to a matter of days.

“My Hispanic heritage is everything to me,” sophomore Diversity Board member Mia Ramirez said. “My mom immigrated from Venezuela and my dad immigrated from Colombia. Spanish was my first language and growing up it meant everything to me. I wish everyone around me understood how my culture impacts my life.”

Family, community, music and food serve as the pillars of Hispanic cultures throughout the world. Currently, there are 21 official Spanish speaking countries, but no two countries are the same. “Music connects my family to my culture back home,” Ramirez said. “Chino and Nacho, a popular Venezuelan duo, make Venezuela not seem so far away.”

For others, traditional foods also bring them back to their roots.

“I come from a full Salvadorian background. I’m a first generation immigrant,” junior Diversity Board member Erika Ramirez-Henriquez said. “My family is huge—and loud, but the food and culture brings us together, especially traditional Salvadoran pupusas.”

Sophomore Ximena Perez Silva celebrates her Mexican heritage with traditional dance. “Traditional Aztec and Mayan dance is very important to my family,” Perez said.

“My family gathers in traditional attire to per-

form at different events in South Omaha. We wear long bright skirts with the cross or Mary on them, and celebrate our history,” Perez said. Maintaining their culture in everything they do, Hispanic-Americans work to make their families proud. “My immediate family is the only family I have in the United States,” Ramirez said. “To see the rest of my family, I would have to put a lot at risk, Illustration by including my own safety.” Ramirez, like many Elleiana other Hispanic-Americans, longs to see her Green family on a regular basis. “The last time I saw my family in Venezuela and in person was when I was 5 years old,” Ramirez said. “With technology it has been easier to communicate, but with the situation, you never know when the electricity will go out. I hope to reunite with my family someday, Jarabe Tapitio, Mexican traditional dance but I know I’m making them proud.” Ramirez-Henriquez, fortunately, has been able to bring several of her family members to the United States. “This year we’ve been able to bring most of our family from El Salvador here because of poor living conditions. My house used to be quiet, but now, it’s always full of energy, and I finally am around the people I’ve been missing my entire life.” As Ramirez and Ramirez-Henriquez lead diversity efforts in the school community, they hope to give students a look into their lives. “It’s hard to fit everything into a month,” Ramirez-Enriquez said. “But as a Diversity Board, we’re working to make fliers to post throughout the school...my hope is that people will relate our stories with their own and educate themselves.” Hispanic Heritage Month highlights the importance of being able to put oneself in the place of another. For many, Hispanic Heritage Month will come and go, but for members of Hispanic communities, their celebration never ends.

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

MaddieAdam

NaomiDelkamiller ‘21

Suicide prevention month promotes awareness and increases support

To 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, 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.

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

AshleyJohanek

Now 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 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

You’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

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 “There’s no by freshman homecoming. You only have four years to spend at Marian, shame in so enjoy them while they last. In the midst of homecoming season and your taking on the peers’ perfect pre-dance photoshoots, I ask that you consider my tried and true dance floor philosophy: no date, no problem.

with your

best friends.” Me(Lina)Thinks

BOO for premature Halloween: Too much arriving too soon

Opinion by JordanMoser

Costumes, 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 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.

The Moser Monologues

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

Opinion by LivBirnstihl

Igrew 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. Considering “Sixteen Candles” was one of the highest grossing movies of 1984, it obviously impacted its viewers then and continues to today.

“Sixteen Candles” is one of many films directed by John Hughes, who is famed for his contributions to the coming-of-age genre. Hughes is revered for his “realistic” depictions of high school, which won him international acclaim as a director. While I’m a sucker for his predictable plots and strategic casting, the flaws laced through his films are infinite. Not only do his movies lack depth and complexity, but their characters experience nothing but minor inconveniences. Hughes’s warped depiction of high school has altered the mindset of teenagers and created unattainable expectations.

The “Pretty in Pink” I’m-in-lovewith-the-popular-kid storyline is a reality check in itself. There is no question that these stereotypical movies have defined an entire generation, but Hollywood missed the mark in

portraying reality to their target audience: teenagers. All these movies do is magnify insignificant problems and glorify the weaker parts of growing up. It’s no wonder younger audiences are afraid to talk about what high school is really like. When it comes to “coming-of-age,” I think that Greta Gerwig has it down. She’s unlocked the secret to telling teenage stories the right way. Unlike Hughes, Gerwig is a woman, and has the authority to write about women. Crazy right? Illustrations of Samantha Baker Her 2019 film and Ladybird by LivBirnstihl “Ladybird” (rated R for language, sexual content, and teen partying) provides comfort and security to every girl watching it. It addresses complex topics and relationship issues that previous movies never touched on; and it does this without glorifying sensitive topics. A lot of people claim that “Ladybird” is boring because the plot doesn’t go anywhere, but I think that’s the whole point. Growing up doesn’t have exposition, rising action, climax, and falling action. 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”

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 “Blonde 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 totally of brown

banANNAas

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.

Paris Hilton used to be considered the perfect example of a “dumb blonde,” with a pretty face, but nothing in her brain besides thoughts about makeup and shoes. Paris played into this stereotype, using her hair color to her advantage in her show, “The Simple Life.” In “The Simple Life”, Paris portrayed herself as an airhead- but in her documentary “This is Paris,” Hilton revealed: “I’m not a dumb blonde. I’m just really good at pretending to be one.” Hilton is actually very smart,

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 Graphic by AnnaRasgorshek when it came to shoe styles, when in reality, she’s a very intelligent businesswoman. The idea that femininity and intelligence can not go hand in hand is flawed. Women can love to shop, love the color pink, and still be smart. Femininity and personal interests should never have to be sacrificed in order to be taken seriously in life. Even if you’re not blonde, know that you never need to hide yourself in order to be successful.

The Network

Marian High School, 7400 Military Ave., Omaha NE 68134 netpaper@omahamarian.org

The Network is

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

Commentary by ChiomaAloziem “Omg 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 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 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 “Once 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?

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.

It’s Graphic by ChiomaAloziem 2021

BaileyKollasch

Little 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 distinguish 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 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.

Photos of Thompson Bauer courtesy of Mrs.AshleyBauer

The different levels of the spectrum

CarliAhsan

Autism spectrum symbolism

Infographic by BaileyKollacsh

Not 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 unfamiliar 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. 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.