2018 May Scepter

SCEPTER THE

+

Hats Off PG. 8&9

Too Taboo PG. 20

The Boys Are Back PG. 36&37

MAY 2018

WWW.PLPULSE.COM A PUBLICATION OF PAPILLION-LA VISTA HIGH SCHOOL

ISSUE 6 VOLUME 55

TABLE OF CONTENTS 4 5 6&7

FEATURES

8&9 Tassel With Extra Hassle 10&11 Friends at First Bell 12

Is There A Doctor in the House?

Digital Dependence College Twintentions

Hats Off

NEWS

13 Stately Honor Joining the March 17 14&15 How Do You Like Those Apples?

18&19 A New Generation of Voters 16 Spread It To End It 20 21

OPINION Too Taboo

Inked

Always a Price to Pay Growing Relationships

ENTERTAINMENT

News Briefs

24&25 It’s Lit-erary 26&27 Pet Superlatives 28&29 High School Horror Stories 30&31 Summer Bucket List

PHOTO BY: CASSIE LINGREEN

Project Unify Soccer Game Unified sports held a soccer game at UNO Dome on April 6. Students of all abilities and a range of local schools gathered to play.

22 23

32 Most Likely To... 33 A Senior Rewind 34&35 A World Online

SPORTS

PHOTO BY: CASSIE LINGREEN

Safe Schools Rally A Safe Schools Rally was held on April 15 at Papillion-La Vista South High School.

36&37 The Boys Are Back Extreme Athletes 42 38&39 Leaving a Lasting Legacy The Next Chapter 43 40&41 Memorable Monarchs The Cost of Competition 44&45 46&47 Senior Tribute COVER: Junior Cameren Preitauer

long jumps at the Millard South invite.

Preitauer recorded a distance of 19’11 and placed ninth in the event.

PHOTO BY: JILL MATHISON COVER DESIGN: DELANI WATKINS NEWS BRIEFS: HANNAH IM

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The Scepter is a school-sponsored publication of Papillion-La Vista High School, 402 E. Centennial Rd. Papillion, NE 68046. The Scepter’s office is located in room 307. The Scepter is printed by aPrintis. The Scepter is a member of the Nebraska High School Press Association.

The Scepter is a school-sponsored publication and therefore recognizes its responsibility to stay within the boundaries that the school administration sets. The Scepter will therefore inform its readers using a high standard of morals and ethics. The Scepter encourages readers to respond in the form of letters to the editor, which can be sent to room 307. The Scepter’s editorial staff reserves the right to edit the letters for grammatical errors and to remove any profanity. The editors also reserve the right to exclude letters that are false in their statements or accusations. The Scepter will not accept advertisements that promote activities illegal to minors. Advertising rates are available upon request.

PHOTO BY: LAUREL GLYNN

NHSTA Seniors Garret Jackson and Camryn Hirschfeld received callbacks for the National High School Theater Award. Above, Garret Jackson.

EDITORS

STAFF

The Scepter

Hannah Im Editor-in-Chief Alexa Busby & Mollee Swift Design Delani Watkins Copy Megan Friel Coverage ChloĂŠ Grimm Entertainment Lauren Dominello Features Alyssa Foral News Faith Workman Opinion Josey Ryan & Devin Vetter Sports Emma Higby Photography Caitlyn Thomas Advertising

PLPulse.com

Editor-in-Chief Asst. Editor-in-Chief Design Convergence Webmaster Media Editor

Kennedy Sautter Kaylen Maltais Julia Harker Trevor Lewis Aidan Cho Izzy Haave

Lissa Lafond

Lily Allpress Sarah Altman

Alex Manning

Emma Betts

Ashley Mason Jill Mathison

Billy Broderick

Lucas Neill

Kaylin Ciatti Megan Davey

David O’Connell

Elizabeth Eidem

Avery Wagoner

Phil Gradoville Tatum Jorgensen

Annie Waldman Joanna Walton Kenzie Ward

Dakota Kelley Cassie Kessler

Jacob Williams

Samantha Simmerman

EDITORIAL: Growing Together Each of our high school experiences are unique; the decisions each student makes to fill four years in these halls are reflective of the individual to develop from who he or she is today. Whether time is spent in the classroom or on the field, there is something to be said about each of our paths.

Some will graduate to pursue further education and experiences, while some are just beginning their journey. Whether the majority of high school was spent in the classroom, on stage or on the field, seniors will choose their path from among the infinite possibilities.

But there is something we all

have in common: growth. With each decision, conversation and lesson, it is hard to ignore the change we have gone through. The decisions may not have been the easiest, the conversations not the lightest and the lessons difficult to understand, but we are all on the path to understanding what opportunities today will lead to.

We have grown to support each together in the classroom through countless projects and on the field as fans and teammates.

But different from past school years, we have also grown to exemplify the utmost strength and unity as a student body and community. In times of uncertainty,

instead of hiding behind our fear, we acknowledged the wrongs and rallied together to bring the matter to attention.

With another school year closing and another summer break awaiting, each individual student has become another step closer to reaching his or her goals.

At our publication we sought to mature with every issue along with readers and report on the topics that interested our ever-changing audience.

But, just as growth begins with the first step, this grandiose task begins with stories. Your stories. Our stories.

MAY 2018

03

is there a

D

CTOR

in the house?

BY KENZIE WARD PAGE DESIGN BY JULIA HARKER & ALEXA BUSBY

Three PLHS staff members have worked to obtain their doctorate degrees in education.

Hospitals, stethoscopes and laboratories. These are all things that are commonly associated with the word doctor. Rarely do people think of textbooks, grading assignments and lesson plans.

In the state of Nebraska, nearly 240 citizens have obtained their doctorate degrees in education.

Currently, two out of 240 are staff members at PLHS. Assistant principal Dr. Angela O’Hanlon and Spanish teacher Dr. Amy Himes have received their degrees.

“I finished my master’s in 2002 and around 2006 I started to feel like I wanted to go back to school,” O’Hanlon said. “I was ready to take classes again and since I already had my master’s in administration, I wanted to continue and see what else I could learn.”

Himes decided to work for her degree after both of her daughters had graduated from high school.

“I’ve been inspired by lots of different people,” Himes said. “I always knew I would get there, it was just a matter of time. I wanted to create a bigger impact on students.”

The process of earning a doctorate degree took Himes three years. Assistant principal Mr. Jeff

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Govier is currently in school working for his doctorate degree.

“I decided to get my degree when I switched from being a teacher to an administrator,” Govier said. “I wanted to get one year in where I was just an administrator, but it was kind of at that time that I knew I wanted to pursue further education.”

O’Hanlon and Himes finished schooling at University of Nebraska Omaha while Govier is attending there. In order to complete the process, one must submit a lengthy dissertation based off of research.

“You go through a process where you have to submit a final dissertation, which is really just a long essay,” Himes said. “Once I submitted that, I received the congratulation approval.”

Earning a doctorate degree comes with many benefits. O’Hanlon had classes involving in-depth information about leadership and analysis on school improvement.

“I knew I wanted to be an administrator, which is why I stayed

How far do Monarchs want to pursue their education?

in the administrative path,” O’Hanlon said. “In the administrative path you can do your master’s and then you can do your doctorate.”

After getting through the master’s degree, the choice is given of either going down the path of specialist, such as a superintendent, or doctorate. Govier decided to do the full doctorate.

“Beyond just benefitting my own education, I got a greater understanding of what all is involved in leading a school,” Govier said. “The biggest benefit that I’ve seen, other than my own selfish person gains, is making connections with other people.”

Although they don’t perform surgeries or meet with you for annual checkups, the doctors in our building have reached the highest level of expertise in their field. They don’t take care of our physical bodies, but rather help our minds to grow and develop every day.

9% No Post Secondary 27% 46% 18%

Associate’s/Undergrad Master’s Degree Doctoral Degree

Poll information taken from 67 votes on Twitter.

FEATURES

BY MEGAN DAVEY PAGE DESIGN BY ALEXA BUSBY

Phone addiction has become normal among teenagers and is affecting their lives.

5+ hours

Poll information taken from 21 votes on Twitter.

3-4 hours

How many

0-2 hours

Poll information taken from 20 votes on Twitter.

MAY 2018

Yes

their phone, so without it there is a hours a day separation from others. Sophomore do Monarchs Alexis Sokolewicz has experienced 65% spend on this first hand. their phones?

“One time I had to go a week without my phone while I was at a camp, and it was kind of crazy,” 19% Sokolewicz said. “I felt like I was cut off from the world and what everyone was doing.”

Phone addiction doesn’t only affect the person addicted, but the 33% people around them.

“Sometimes I’ll get annoyed 35% when people won’t put down their phone,” Sokolewicz said. “I’ll want to talk to my friends or go do something, but they’ll just sit on their phones.”

48% There are varying degrees of how addicted people can be to technology, but all can have poor effects. Although phones have connected people How many throughout the world, they have created divisions between people in Monarchs face to face interactions. confess to an As people share their lives on addiction to their phones, it is important to not give their phones? their lives to their phones.

No

Phones create a world of possibilities, from mobile gaming to video sharing to conversations with people on the other side of the world.

They hold power, but with power comes responsibility and risk.

Phone addiction is becoming more common throughout younger generations as reliance on technology increases. The addiction can vary, such as how some people are addicted to tools on their device, while others feel addicted to the way it connects them to others.

Phones have made a positive impact on the world, but they also have negative effects. Freshman Jackson Ossenfort sees both sides to the results of phone usage.

“I think phones have helped in some ways because you can communicate with people far away,” Ossenfort said. “But it also ruins interactions inside of your school or with people you see in person.”

A large contribution to phone addiction is the fear of missing out. People feel as though they are connected to everyone through

05

college

twintentions

BY PHIL GRADOVILLE PAGE DESIGN BY ALEXA BUSBY

As a set of twins plan to leave each other for college, another plans to stay together.

Courtney & Cameron Nuss You wake up one day and get ready for school, but something is missing. You realize your best friend is gone.

Twins have been going to school together for their entire lives. But some twins go to different colleges after high school.

Courtney Nuss is going to Wayne State College to major in Special Education and Speech Therapy. Cameron Nuss, her sister, is going to the University of Nebraska Omaha to become a Social Studies teacher. This will be the first time they won’t be going to school with each other.

“It’s going to be weird not seeing Cameron everyday,” Courtney said.

“We live in the same house, we see each other everyday. And then I’m pretty much never going to see her.”

Cameron thinks their relationship won’t change with Courtney leaving for college.

“Courtney is never really home,” Cameron said. “So we’re apart most of the time, besides at night and on

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school nights. But that means if I want to go get food, I’ll have to go by myself.”

Although Courtney and Cameron are going to miss each other, they weren’t always this close.

“We use to be worst enemies from freshman to junior year,” Courtney said.

But they started getting close this year, when their schedules began to intertwine.

“We started getting close when we started driving, and sharing our schedule and compromising,” Cameron said.

Courtney moving out will make tackling challenges more difficult.

“I can always go into her room to talk. And now I’ll have to call her,” Courtney said.

With the Nuss twins leaving, they won’t be seeing each other like they used to. The person that they have seen everyday of their life and gone to school with will no longer be by them.

But they both love each other and wish the best of luck to each other at school.

FEATURES

Twinformation

plans to attend...

will major in...

Cameron Nuss

University of Nebraska Omaha

Education

Courtney Nuss

Wayne State College

Special Education and Speech Therapy

Jonathan Kawula

Nebraska Wesleyan

Pre-Med

David Kawula

Nebraska Wesleyan

Pre-Med

David & Jonathan Kawula

Imagine you are going to college with your best friend. Now imagine that your best friend is your twin brother.

Jonathan and David Kawula plan on going to Nebraska Wesleyan and are both going into Pre-Med. It would be a different experience if Jonathan didn’t see his brother every day.

“It would be kind of weird at first, but then as a person I think I’d be able to branch out more,” Jonathan said.

David’s favorite thing to do with his brother is to go outdoors and exercise.

“I like to go on a run with Jonathan and we talk a lot, so it’s fun to go outside,” David said.

David likes when Jonathan is around for support on homework and sports. “[He is] the support and that person I’m always with,” David said.

“We are really close and I guess I see him as a big advantage because we can help each other a lot.”

If Jonathan and David split up there would be problems they would have to face.

“We are best friends right now,” Jonathan said. “And I would have to find another person to get close to and trust.”

Jonathan and David have always done things together and have found that working together benefits both of them.

“Our strength is being together because we get stuff done more effectively,” Jonathan said.

They both have depended greatly on one another and being separated would be a new challenge for them.

“I’m so used to having him around. It would be a big adjustment,” David said. “I feel like I would become more of an individual and independent.”

The Kawulas have always been there for each other and will continue to support each other throughout college.

“We’ve grown up together and we can relate with each other,” David said.

The Kawulas won’t have to deal with good-byes and farewells like some twins. They will be together for a while and will continue to grow stronger as a duo.

MAY 2018

07

Hats Off

BY ELIZABETH EIDEM PAGE DESIGN BY AVERY WAGONER

The 2018 valedictorian and salutatorian reflect on their hard work and dedication over their high school careers.

Two pictures are hung by the front doors of two smiling girls. These pictures commemorate four years of academic dedication and name Caitlyn Harrison and Megan Helmberger as the class of 2018’s Valedictorian and Salutatorian.

Harrison and Helmberger were awarded this accomplishment after accumulating the two highest grade point averages among the senior class of over 400 students. For these two girls, ranking in at the top is something they are very proud of.

“I have been working so hard to become salutatorian over my whole high school career,” Helmberger said.

For Helmberger, being valedictorian or salutatorian is a family affair. Both of her sisters finished high school at number one or two, and because of this, Helmberger has been working towards this goal since the beginning of high school.

Ranking in at number one, Harrison did not always expect finishing at the top.

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“I just wanted to finish high school within the top five percent,” Harrison said. “But it was pretty crazy when I got valedictorian.”

Respectively, Harrison and Helmberger have 4.52 and 4.5 grade point averages, and these stellar numbers come from full-schedules with intense rigor and demanding courses.

“On average, homework takes me about four hours,” Helmberger said. “It can get late.”

Difficult classes like AP Physics or AP Calculus can turn up a few noses, but these courses are these girls’ favorites.

“This is going to sound crazy, but AP Calculus AB has been my all-time favorite class because I love math,” Harrison said. “AP Physics 2 is my favorite class this year.”

Academics are only one part of their lives, however. Harrison is heavily involved with the fine-arts department, and Helmberger is a multi-sport athlete. These memories

add up, but both girls agree that winning the rivalry football game this year is their favorite.

“Storming the field has been my best high-school memory,” Helmberger said.

All of their hard work has led them to the top, and they are not stopping here. Interested in the medical field, both girls are attending college with the hopes to ultimately attend medical or physician-assistant school.

Knowing she can accomplish virtually anything after becoming valedictorian, Harrison looks to her future with excitement.

“I know that I can keep working hard and accomplish other things like this,” Harrison said.

Seeing their picture in the hallway comes as one of the perks, but they are using this accomplishment as an exciting push into the newest chapter of their lives.

FEATURES

PHOTOS: MADYSON MATHISON AND HEATHER SLUGA

Megan Helmberger GPA: 4.5

R

N O IS

N

LY T I A

Future College: University of TulsaOklahoma Future Aspirations: Physician’s Assistant

ME

GA

NH

ELM

BER

GE

R

C

R A H

Favorite Class: AP Calculus

Caitlyn Harrison GPA: 4.52 Favorite Class: AP Physics 2 Future College: Creighton University Future Aspirations: Pediatrician

MEET YOUR CLASS OF 2018 VALEDICTORIAN AND SALUTATORIAN MAY 2018 09

T

ASSEL with extra HASSLE

joleaha o’doherty

BY IZZY HAAVE

PAGE DESIGN BY MOLLEE SWIFT

Juniors graduating early have to put in extra work at school in order to achieve their plans after high school.

High school is structured around four phases that define the overall experience: freshman, sophomore, junior and senior year. However, for some students, this path is not the preferred option to reach graduation.

Some juniors opt out of a senior year and would rather push themselves academically to graduate at an earlier date than the rest of their class.

Meggan Bottass and Joleaha O’Doherty are two of few juniors who have decided to graduate earlier than the rest of their class.

While they all plan on strutting across the stage early, these juniors graduated ahead of time for different

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reasons.

“This past April, I found out my dad had received a job offer from the Air Force base in Anchorage, Alaska, so I decided to graduate early because I didn’t want to leave and do my senior year at a completely new school,” Bottass said. “Plus, this gives me an opportunity to take a gap year, which is a complete blessing.”

Unlike Bottass, who had not anticipated graduating early, junior Joleaha O’Doherty has been planning and preparing for an early graduation.

“I decided to graduate early because while I have enjoyed the extracurricular activities high school has offered, I have always disliked the

meggan bottass

school part of it and it just wasn’t for me,” O’Doherty said. “I also have a lot of friends who have already graduated and watching them move on last year made me want to graduate with them, not to mention I am just ready to start the next chapter of my life.”

To be eligible to graduate early, a student must meet specific academic requirements. You need 45 credits in order to graduate: four years of English, three of math, specific history and science classes, three credits of physical education, and elective classes.

“I need two more credits for English, so I am taking two semester classes online,” Bottass said.

FEATURES

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS 45 CREDITS

ENGLISH TOTAL

8 CREDITS

English 9 (2), English 10 (2), English 11 (2), Additional (2) MATH TOTAL

6 CREDITS

Algebra 1 (2), Additional (4) SCIENCE TOTAL

6 CREDITS

Biology (2), Physical Science (2), Additional (2) PE TOTAL

3 CREDITS

Health (1), Additional (2) SOCIAL STUDIES TOTAL

6 CREDITS

US History (2), World Civilizations (2), US Govt (1), Additional (1) ELECTIVE TOTAL

Though these requirements are not unachievable, they require dedication and hard work to accomplish earlier than expected.

O’Doherty understands the determination it takes to graduate a year early.

“I take P.E on Wednesdays and then I work on my other three APEX classes during study hall and at my other night class on Thursdays,” O’Doherty said. “I am already done with one APEX class and halfway through the second and P.E only involves fifteen classes - so while there are extra hoops to graduating early, they aren’t too difficult.”

With leaving a year early,

missing out on certain high school experiences are inevitable. For Bottass, who recently learned she was not going to be able to fulfill her senior year at PLHS, missing out has been a hard pill to swallow.

“At first I was pretty upset I would miss my senior year here.

Because we’re a military family, we move all the time, but this was the place I’ve spent the longest and we planned on staying forever,” Bottass said. “As everything becomes more real, however, I’m excited and ready to move on because this is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I am glad to be able to do it.”

Graduating early allows students

16 CREDITS

to participate in different activities and opportunities in their regular senior year. O’Doherty has big plans for her career after high school, in which she will spend her time in place of a senior year.

“I plan on attending UNO in the fall,” O’Doherty said. “I’m going to major in psychology and minor in business management in hope of becoming a therapist and eventually opening my own practice.”

The opportunity to graduate early is one that takes dedication and planning. Those who accomplish this hassle can focus on their future endeavors and prepare themselves for any pathway they choose to take.

MAY 2018

11

Friends At

First Bell A

BY ASHLEY MASON

PAGE DESIGN BY KAYLIN CIATTI

Seniors who have been friends since elementary school reflect on memories as their school years come to an end.

We all have that one friend who knows everything about you. They have the passcode to your garage or the key to your house, and is the go-to for when it comes to bringing someone with on vacation.

Some have been friends by family or by choice, but no matter how it happened, these three seniors still carry on their friendship. “ I introduced myself to Asha Christie in second grade because she was the only person I didn’t know in that class, and I just had to be friends with her,” senior Aliyah Telpner said.

Friends bring the best of times, whether it’s on a family vacation, mini road trips, or just hanging out at home.

“Me and Emily Steinbach would play dolls in my basement back in elementary school, which was pretty weird because she’s so quiet, but would always open up to me which was funny,” Telpner said.

Being more confident and trying new things are just a few things that come out of a close friendship.

“I would be a lot less confident and not in as many activities as I am because Aliyah pushed me to keep trying all these things,” Christie said.

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PHOTOS: DELANI WATKINS Left: Aliyah, Asha and Emily pose together in front of the drama room where they participate in shows. In their high school career, they did three shows together.

Right: Josie Andersen and Sean Kelley pose together reminiscing about their elementary school years. They have been friends for years.

B C

PHOTO: MRS. MARY JANSSEN Noah Sadiq and Nolan Anderson pose together in their DECA uniforms.

All throughout high school there are many changes happening in life and friends will come and go, but these few students hope to still stay friends when they ship off to college.

“Our houses are near each other so hopefully we will all still stay in touch once we go off to college,” Steinbach said.

With high school coming to an end, the hope for the phrase “best friends forever” staying true becomes even stronger for this trio.

NEWS

BY SAM SIMMERMAN PAGE DESIGN BY AVERY WAGONER

Select students will travel to Lincoln to participate in Boys and Girls State.

Kaylen Maltais, Kale Ensser, David O’Connell and Tanner Totusek will be representing PLHS this year. They will meet at the University of Nebraska Lincoln on June 3-9.

“

When most high schoolers think of “state,” they envision basketball, volleyball or other sports championships. For some individuals the term takes on an entirely different meaning.

Boys and Girls State is a week long program started by the American Legion and the American Legion Auxiliary in the 1930s. Every year, in every state except Hawaii, juniors meet to explore the way government works on local and state levels.

Sarah Altman, Alexis Delos Reyes, Emilee Foix, Megan Friel,

It’s always good to learn about and be involved in the government.

”

Alexis Delos Reyes

“I hope I get a tour of the state capital building,” Foix said.

Upon arriving in Lincoln, students will be divided into cities named after past presidents. They can

choose to participate in activities such as a mock trial, debate, newspaper, running their own governments or an education system. They might even pick a band or chorus option.

“I’m most excited to meet all the other girls from around the state and in small town Nebraska” Delos Reyes said.

To attend, applicants had to go through a rigorous process involving a nerve-wracking interview; they were asked questions about themselves as well as about Nebraska’s government. “[I applied because] my mom and my sister both went to Girls State before me, and they talked about how great of an experience it was,” Delos Reyes said.

Foix joined after recommendation from school guidance counselor, Ann Herbener.

“I also think it will give me benefits through new contacts,” Foix said.

Celebrities such as Bill Clinton and Neil Armstrong attended Boys State. Other Alumni frequently go on to attend prestigious schools like Yale and Harvard.

“It’s always good to learn about and be involved in the government,” Delos Reyes said.

PHOTO: SAM SIMMERMAN The eight students taking the trip to Lincoln stand with each other in preparation for their week long mock government experience.

MAY 2018

13

How Do You Like Those A

P

A walk down the hallway composes a view of students gazing down at their phones, periodically glancing up to see where they are and what they might run into next. It doesn’t take a magnifying glass to see that almost all of these phones look the same. Many students carry some version of an iPhone, differing only in version and color. Their operating systems display the same screen and run the same applications; most anyone is accustomed to using them.

This brand name will be finding its way into classrooms next school year. After a long process of surveying staff and researching which products would best fit their needs and wants, the district’s Technology Advisory Committee decided to purchase primarily Apple products as well as some Google Chromebooks.

“One of the biggest complaints now is that the devices we have don’t

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P

L

BY DELANI WATKINS PAGE DESIGN BY MOLLEE SWIFT

The district’s technology purchase for next school year will consist mostly of Apple products.

E

work,” Mr. Romie Brown said. “A big thing that I advocated for was reliability.”

Reliability was one of the biggest complaints about current technology, along with battery life, processing speed, and being able to take the wear and tear of multiple school years.

“The goal was to make the best purchase for both staff and students,” Mr. Cory Clemenger said. “[The Technology Advisory Committee] looked a lot at consumer reports and compared them to staff surveys to determine which product would best fit our needs.”

The purchase will bring 19 to 20 new carts of 30 MacBooks and Chromebooks for student use, and teachers will get 13” MacBook Airs.

As technology advances, teachers and other staff try to implement it more and more into their classrooms.

This school year, Technology Bingo

S

?

was created to encourage teachers to experiment with new applications of technology.

“As people are having to figure it out, I think it will lead to more conversations about it, which is another goal we have,” Clemenger said.

The divide between those who use Apple products and users of other products has shrunk, as the operating systems of each share more features with each update. “iPhones have changed the technology game, as more and more people started purchasing them,” Clemenger said. “There has been a lot of blending between systems.”

No matter the product, the purchase of new technology for present and future students is an investment in education.

NEWS

vs

PC

A F F O R D A B I L I T Y More expensive

Cheaper

S E L E C T I O N 9 Basic models

Wide variety of styles & choice

C O M P A T I B I L I T Y Can run Windows OS

Cannot run Mac OS

C O N N E C T I V I T Y Needs adapter for TV

Designed to connect to TV

S P E E D Avg. Startup = 28.7 sec

Avg. Startup = 1 min 13 sec

Stats Source: http://www.dailyinfographic. com/mac-vs-pc-whos-really-winning

PHOTO: DELANI WATKINS Junior Josie Wrobleski and senior Lauren Lafond practice using Photoshop skills in Mr. Dan Johnston’s digital media class. They currently work with PC desktops, but next year, they will use the programs on Mac desktops.

MAY 2018

15

PHOTO: LAUREL GLYNN

Junior Tabitha Dendinger and senior Jake Norris gather outside to participate in the walk out on Feb. 21. The walk out symbolized sympathy for those affected in the Florida shooting.

Spread it

BY EMMA HIGBY The No Place for Hate campaign is a movement to end bullying and discrimination in schools.

Being part of a respectful and safe school is something every student should expect. Bullying and discrimination is seen in schools constantly. The Anti-Defamation League is an organization that combats discrimination and pushes for safe school environments, including the school-wide movement No Place for Hate.

No Place for Hate fights all the negative school situations that students may go through. There is no certain club, per se, but students and faculty spread awareness to end bullying.

“No Place for Hate is where students take the leadership role,” guidance counselor Ms. Sheryl Vansteenbergen said. “All students have been involved here. There are different organizations that take part in spreading a positive school

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PHOTO: TARYN MOORE

Junior Tierra Nissen participates in the Unified Basketball game on Dec. 8. Special Education students had the opportunity to compete in sporting events against schools in the area.

t i d n E to environment.”

To be considered a No Place for Hate school, schools must hold a total of three school wide activities per year and sign the No Place for Hate pledge.

“We have held the ‘Spread the Word to End the Word’ campaign and had the No Place for Hate week where students signed the pledge,” Vansteenbergen said. “We [had] a Day of Silence in April, which [was] the third activity.”

Various groups and clubs around the school contributed to this message in their own way. Some made petitions to have students sign, some made announcements, and others hung sings up around the school.

“I’m part of the Youth Activation Committee, which is through the Special Olympics of Nebraska,” junior Brad Noble said. “We had to make a campaign to end the use of the r-word.

One of the biggest successes during the ‘Spread the Word to End the Word’ week was probably the number of signatures we received.”

Clubs spreading their beliefs was the most effective way of gaining members of common interests.

Whether it is on social media or in person, clubs made a difference in society, even if it is just for one student.

“The [Gay Straight Alliance] is a place where LGBTQ+ students can gather and relate to each other,” junior Laryssa Rutherford said. “We try to make areas safer for those students.”

No Place for Hate is a national campaign to make schools safer for all students. Even though no single clubs were responsible for this, our school has come together to end bullying and to make students feel safe during their time at school.

NEWS

BY JOANNA WALTON

Joining The March

PAGE DESIGN BY DAKOTA KELLEY

Politically active students discuss the importance of protesting.

Kyler Erickson was a guest speaker at the Safe Schools Rally held on April 15 at Papillion La Vista South High School. He is a survivor of an active shooter situation that occurred in 2011 at Millard South High School.

PHOTO: CASSIE LINGREEN

From immigration to tax reforms, there are hundreds of issues affecting the American people, and high cannot vote on any of them. Usually, they do not seem to mind and they continue in their own world, unaware of most any of these issues.

However, high schoolers have lately been the spokespeople of the gun debate after the attack in Parkland.

This begs the question, should they have a bigger role in politics?

Both Grace Khayati and Lauren Silknitter are freshmen who have felt the duty to voice their opinions in organized protests.

“We just wanted to make an impact, no matter how small,” Silknitter said.

She and her friends listened at a protest full of speakers all campaigning against repealing DACA,

yet still felt their actions carried a small impact.

Khayati, who attended multiple protests, including the Women’s March of 2017, said the best part of the protest was “seeing people, women as well as men, coming together for one issue.”

It may be exciting to attend a lively political event like a protest, but do high schoolers, who are unable to vote, have a purpose there?

“People listen to children. They might not as much as adults but they still do,” Khayati said. She cited the major platform the students of Parkland have been given in the gun debate, finally moving law makers to act upon the important issue.

“It is going to prepare you to vote, so you know what the issues are, what’s happening in the world,”

Silknitter said.

Students are also highly influenced by parents’ beliefs, but Khayati and Silknitter believe that should not stop them from voicing those opinions. “[My parents] always taught me what’s right and I think that’s what lead me to be a feminist,” Khayati said.

Silknitter stated that since their parents are not open about political issues and their own opinions, students do not know how to react to national events.

Teenagers are often in the dark about the state of the world, even when the voting age is only a year or two away, and voting is only half the battle. Knowing what you believe is the other half.

MAY 2018

17

a NEW

generation

of VOTERS

BY DAVID O’CONNELL

PAGE DESIGN BY DAKOTA KELLEY

Students start their voting careers in the midst of movements across the country.

Watching your TV illuminate the voting results in the silence of election night, you stare in anticipation that your preferred candidate will win.

As the media outlet announces the

winners, you either flare in excitement or grunt in disbelief. However, some watching were unable to vote because of one requirement: their age.

Seniors and juniors are preparing to vote for the first time at age 18 in the primary on May 15 and in the midterms on Nov. 6. In the state of Nebraska, teens who are currently 17 but will be 18 by the November midterm can vote in the primaries.

Before every midterm, there is a primary election that decides the Republican and Democratic frontrunners in a specific office. Only registered voters in a party can vote for their candidate; a republican voter cannot vote for a democratic frontrunner in a primary election and vise versa.

Historically, midterms reflect surges of voters of the party opposite to the president’s or the majority

in Congress. Political analysts are predicting a “blue wave” or rise in votes for democrats in the midterms.

“The amazing voter change in Alabama that booted a republican senator out insinuates more changes in upcoming elections,” junior Paige Benak said.

Elections follow a certain formula where candidates try to appeal to current issues of voters and campaign on how they will handle problems in order to “win” votes.

“Policies like gun control will be a major appeal because of the recent shootings,” senior Ryan Kisker said.

Voters also reflect a certain preference based on their age or ethnicity. According to the Washington Post, by 2020 there will be more millennial and Generation X voters than Baby Boomers. Data shows that younger, educated people

HOW the primary WORKS To find information about the candidates running for office go to https://tinyurl.com/yb2rx2yo Some states have open primaries where everyone can vote.

In Nebraska, teens who will be 18 by the November 6 midterm election can vote in the primaries at the age of 17.

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To register to vote, go to the Nebraska state government website to register to vote online. https://tinyurl.com/o4svrda In the state of Nebraska, there is a closed primary where only registered party members can vote for their party candidates in a specified office.

NEWS

and minorities tend to vote more for Democrats than Republicans.

“Hopefully the young people coming in to vote will realize that they are the only thing that will bring about actual change,” Benak said.

One example of change is the growing acceptance of non-politicians running for office, one including President Donald Trump who had no previous government experience before serving.

“I weigh what their beliefs are or whether they’re a politician or not,” PHOTO: DAVID O’CONNELL senior Davis Showell said.

Junior Alexis Delos Reyes speaks Democrat, Republican, or at the Safe School Rally at neither, voting is considered a duty Papillion La Vista South stating, by citizens and helps reflect ways to “We must remind our politicians solving problems. The power to vote that in a few short months to is in the hands of younger generations years, we will be old enough to more than ever. vote.”

“Many people believe it doesn’t really matter,” Benak said. “It does.”

MAY 2018

19

Too

OPINION BY ALYSSA FORAL

TABOO We all remember the embarrassment of the fifth grade “know your body” talk. We all giggled our way through anatomy discussions in health class every year since junior high, but as I get older I realize most of the things I should have been taught in health class I learned from a more unreliable source.

Sex education is an uncomfortable and taboo topic, and it comes with a lot of controversy about how it should be taught, what should be taught, where it should be taught.

Abstinence has always been a popular part of sex ed curriculum, but when abstinence is all students are taught, it leaves gaps in their knowledge about the importance of contraceptives and safe sex in general.

Teaching students “just say no” leaves them vulnerable and unprepared when that inevitable first time comes.

In 2007, Princeton conducted a research study and concluded abstinence only programs have little or no impact on teenage sexual behavior, especially in deterring sexual activity.

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PAGE DESIGN BY JULIA HARKER

Students lack a safe and comfortable environment to learn about sex ed.

Demonizing sex won’t help keep kids safe and educated. There needs to be an open line of communication for students to ask questions.

Implementing anonymous question boxes would be a comfortable way for students to ask questions about what they don’t understand.

Debates on whether sex ed should be taught in school or at home have been argued since sex ed entered schools. According to a vice. com article, only 24 states require sex education be taught in schools. The public school system is in place to educate students; sex education is no exception to that.

Along with understanding what safe sex looks like, students need to know more than how to feed their body properly, and how important exercise is. Health classes are only scraping the surface of anatomy.

People should understand how their body functions and the changes it goes through.

Additionally, health and sex education classes lack inclusivity as

there is a disregard for any LGBTQ+ students who are inevitably in the classroom. The GLSEN 2013 National School Climate Survey found that less than 5% of LGBTQ+ students had health classes that included positive representation. LGBTQ+ youth are not included in the talk about safe sex that applies to them, and not seeing an accurate representation of healthy relationships and experiences they can relate to leaves them vulnerable and open to dangers of STDs, and toxic relationships.

Sex education should be an important part in the education system, instead, it’s swept under the rug because it’s uncomfortable to talk about or we think it’s a dirty thing.

Children are being left dangerously unprepared for real life situations that they will have to face. If schools can spend time teaching students about the mitochondria and how to find the circumference of a circle, then there’s time to teach them about real life situations and preventative measure they can take to ensure they’re safe.

Did you know...

•20 states require that, if provided, sex and/or HIV education must be medically, factually or technically accurate.

•94% want schools to cover “real-life issues,” such as potential consequences of having sex.

•99% of Americans believe it is appropriate for young people to have information about STD’s.

•24 states and the District of Columbia require public schools teach sex education (21 of which mandate sex education and HIV education).

•94% think it is appropriate to teach young people about birth control.

THE SCEPTER

Information taken from prochoiceamerica.org and ncsl.org

OPINION

ALWAY$ A

PRI¢E

TO PAY

OPINION BY ALEX MANNING PAGE DESIGN BY DAKOTA KELLEY

Would the world really be a better place if everything was free?

As you scroll through the list of colleges you could go to, you find just the one: it’s the perfect distance from home, has all the programs you could ask for, and they even have classes for your specific major. But as you take a closer look, you notice the cost of tuition, housing, supplies and food make it nearly impossible for you to pay for it. If you take out loans, you’re sure you’ll be in debt for years to come. So, what can be done to fix this problem?

The obvious solution to the expenses of college would be to make education free. For one, free college would grant every person an equal chance to get a further education, resulting in more people finding themselves in successful careers. More opportunities would be available, opening people up to new experiences they never would have been able to do before.

According to the Los Angeles Times, “people with a bachelor’s degree make 84% more over a lifetime than high school graduates,” meaning that more people would be able to get higher paying jobs. Higher paying jobs are not the only benefit to free education, however.

Another positive aspect of free education would be the amount of debt that could be avoided. Student Loan Hero states that “Americans owe over $1.48 trillion in student loan debt.”

The debt college graduates must pay back not only affects them personally, but it affects American economy as a whole.

The more debt that racks up, the more the economy is hurt by the massive amount of unpaid loans.

Not having to pay off any loans, however, would allow people to put themselves in better positions after college, removing a massive hole in the economy. Free education would not just encourage more people to further their education, but they could also live without the constant burden of college debt.

Not only would free education benefit America, but so would free health care. If health care were to be free, there would be no worry of how much a visit to the doctor would cost.

Whenever someone gets seriously sick, one of their first concerns is how much the hospital bill is going to cost.

If health care was free, people could spend time with family instead of having to worry about the massive

blow to their wallets. This would also ensure that everyone has access to medical care in case they were to get sick or injured, removing any social restrictions that don’t allow medical attention to anybody and everybody.

Many other countries already have made education as well as health care free. For example, health care in Canada is available to everyone. Their free health care resulted in fewer ER visits, as well as a decreased amount of duplicated medical testing. To allow free health care to stay in tact, the Canadian government negotiates with their pharmaceutical companies, maintaining the free access for everyone.

Making America’s health care system accessible to everyone would greatly reduce the expenses used on health care. The quality of daily life would also increase, because with less worry about money, there would be less stress.

There’s no better time for America to catch up than now. Making college and medical care expense free would be a major step in the right direction, providing new and equal opportunities to everybody.

MAY 2018

21

INK ED OPINION BY ANNIE WALDMAN PAGE DESIGN BY KAYLIN CIATTI

Students and citizens can have beautiful tattoos and body modifications, but it can be taken overboard.

Whether it be rejection from an employer or odd looks walking down the street, the cause is the same.

Self-expression comes in many forms, some more permanent than others, and can affect how others think of you.

This can be a positive or a negative thing.

Tattoos, piercings and body modifications are fine alone or in reason, but they are often carried out to the extreme. Eye blackening,

wrist piercings and tongue splitting are enough to make a small child run away screaming.

Most tattoos are beautiful, and positive ways to express yourself. On the other hand though, bad tattoos perpetuate negative stereotypes about people, which can carry over into finding a job. Imagine buying a car and seeing that your salesman looks like a wannabe Soundcloud rapper with a tattoo next to his eye. Some tattoos, especially on the face and neck, look a little sketchy.

Dermal piercings are singlepoint surface piercings, unlike other piercings that have two points of puncture. They can be found anywhere on the body, which would make an

unfortunate place to get a sweater caught on. This is the problem with these piercings: they can get caught on places and are a little gross to think about. Something about having jewelry permanently in someone’s arm is uninviting to say the least.

Body modifications, like tongue splitting and horn implants on the head, are the most extreme of all.

They are shocking and sometimes dangerous, with a high risk of infection. Not many people would want to see their doctor with silicone horns and a split tongue about to treat them. These types of things are seen as unprofessional for employers and customers, because of the off-putting nature of them.

Extremes are always going to be around. It is in human nature to become addicted to something and want to top it again and again. Tattoos, piercings and body modifications should not be taken to the extremes though, because it is seen as unprofessional and strange. As they become more common, they become bigger but not better.

PHOTOS: ANNIE WALDMAN

22

Left: Jillian Crews displays her ankle tattoo that she designed herself of a mountain range.

Right: Jamie Saroka shows off his bicep tattoo of the logo of his favorite band, The Descendents.

THE SCEPTER

OPINION

Growing Relationships OPINION BY FAITH WORKMAN PAGE DESIGN BY AVERY WAGONER

Love is what makes the world go round, but when faced with difficult choices, will it last?

As the flowers start to bloom and the Nebraska weather starts to look like it might actually stabilize, there is one thing other than pollen and allergies in the air. The carnivals and lake trips are just around the corner, and the lovers are starting to come out from the Netflix binges and family obligations of the holidays.

While some still try to find that significant other to spend the summer with, others are trying to figure out how to implement their already longterm relationships into their new lives, especially since everything changes once the stress of school is off of a couple’s shoulders. The summer is usually the time of weddings and the beginning of a new era for those still

trying to find love.

Most specifically, for seniors who have been involved in long term relationships, the summer brings hard decisions and conflict of love and life.

College is the major stress that these seniors may share this summer. The decisions are endless: do they go to the same college, and if not then will their long-distance relationship even work? Some even abandon the idea of college all together and will use this 2018 summer to start building a life together.

There is no saying how old you should be to know when you are in love. This is especially true in a society where grown-ups seem to constantly tell us that we “don’t know

what love is when we are in high school,” but coincidentally they have also seemed to raise the divorce rate significantly, so maybe we aren’t so naive after all?

Love is an amazing thing and most days, for me, it’s what keeps me going. There is nothing wrong with sharing your life with another person you trust and care deeply for.

In this day and age divorce is such an accessible thing that it seems most high schoolers were taught not to trust love, but I am telling you it is so worth keeping.

You may have to make hard decisions this summer when it comes to your relationships. It doesn’t mean this has to be the end. Sometimes things don’t work out and you have to sacrifice the ones you love for the greater good...but don’t let anyone tell you that you are too young to love deeply. Fall hard in love, my friends.

Because in the end, love knows the sincerity and meaning of your heart better than anyone.

MAY 2018

23

It’s LIT-erary Freshman

DYLAN BOOTH

Sophomore

SAM CAHILL

Favorite Book:

Favorite Book:

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

1984 by George Orwell

Why?:

Why?:

“Because it’s realistic and not cartoony.”

“The way it’s written and the deeper message behind it.”

Why do you think this book has been in the curriculum so long?:

What message from the book stuck with you?: “Probably the way the world is constructed. It was a wake up call to how we live our lives today.”

“It was a key factor in starting the equal rights movement and showed that racial differences don’t need to cause issues.”

Junior

Senior

MIKAYLA GALGERUD CASEY HIRSCHFELD Favorite Book:

Favorite Book:

Night by Elie Wiesel

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

Why?:

Why?:

“It helps make the hidden realities of the Holocaust come alive.”

“You really get to see what happens in other countries that don’t have the same values as ours.”

Why do you think this book is important?: “A lot of primary sources on the Holocaust are leaving, so we need to preserve the monstrosity of what it was.”

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Why do you think this book is important?: “It gives you a view of the Middle East, Afghanistan in particular.”

BY CAITLYN THOMAS

ENTERTAINMENT

PAGE DESIGN BY MOLLEE SWIFT

Students and teachers reflect on their favorite required reading throughout high school.

Freshman Teacher

MRS. JENSEN

Sophomore Teacher

MRS. DYRDAL

Favorite Book to Teach:

Favorite Book to Teach:

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

Why?:

Why?:

“It is a banned book, but it’s also so relevant through the ages, and we’re still dealing with these issues today.”

“I think because I love the use of figurative language and every time I teach it I learn something new. It relates to society more and more every year.”

Junior Teacher

MRS. BOUDREAU

Senior Teacher

MS. SIRE

Favorite Book to Teach:

Favorite Book to Teach:

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

Why?: “Because I like the time period and it has very memorable characters.”

Why?: “A Farewell to Arms is often considered a classic love and war story, and the kids get to debate whether it is. Kite Runner because it’s a book all students love to read and it’s tragically beautiful, and speaks to kids’ emotions.”

PHOTOS: CAITLYN THOMAS

MAY 2018

25

s e v i t a l r e p u S t Pe LU

KE

Best Cuddler

P R I N C

LUKE AND PRINCE’S OWNER AND PHOTOS: MACKENZIE COFFMAN

Most likely to be Instagram famous

CHAOS

Goodest Boy

&

ABBY

Biggest Flirt

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CHAOS AND ABBY’S OWNERS AND PHOTOS: CAMRON WREN AND CAITLIN GARCIA

ENTERTAINMENT PAGE BY LAUREN DOMINELLO AND ALEXA BUSBY Students’ pets are given superlatives for their best qualities.

JACK TOBY

Most likely to fall asleep mid-walk

Best Bark JACK AND TOBY’S OWNER AND PHOTOS: KRISTINE NELSON

SCO

OBY Best Smile

SCOOBY’S OWNER AND PHOTO: TYLER DAVIS

ZO

E

Most likely to be President

ZOE’S OWNER AND PHOTOS: CORBIN WHITE

MAY 2018

27

High School

s e i r to

S r o r

r o H

BY EMMA BETTS PAGE DESIGN BY JULIA HARKER

Embarrassing moments in high school happen to everyone and teach valuable life lessons.

For students it is hard to recognize that everyone makes mistakes and has done something embarrassing at one time or another.

Freshman Seth Obermeyer learned this early on.

“It was my first track meet and I was competing in the 110 meter hurdles,” Obermeyer said. “I cleared the first two hurdles pretty easy, but then on the third one, I felt my toe get caught and the next thing I knew I was on my back.”

Luckily, Obermeyer was encouraged to finish the race, so he got back up and continued hurdling.

“After one or two more I fell again, then again, and again,” Obermeyer said. “After the second time everyone in the stands started clapping, following with ‘oos’ and ‘ahs’ every time I continued to fall.”

When the race was over,

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Obermeyer could not help but smile, covered from head to toe in battle scars.

“Once I finally finished, all I could do was smile and walk over to my friends, barely able to stand from laughing so hard,” Obermeyer said.

“I did not really feel embarrassed, I laughed at the thought of it [because] it was pretty funny.”

It wasn’t falling that was the worst part for Obermeyer; It was the fact that students, coaches and parents all witnessed it and the word spread fast.

“By the time I got to school the next day, pretty much everyone knew about it,” Obermeyer said. “To this day, at every track meet I attend, I have to hear ‘aren’t you that kid that fell over five hurdles?’”

Similar to Obermeyer, senior Jessica Halski also had a horrifying experience at her first Color of Hope game.

“I was doing a back walkover and I got tripped by someone’s foot and then fell on my head in front of the whole school,” Halski said. “It was really embarrassing because at

that moment I felt like everyone was staring at me, but in reality, not many people saw it.”

What seemed so awful then brings much joy and laughter now.

Senior Morgan Demman had to rap to “It’s Going Down for Real” at a pep rally her sophomore year.

“I was a new student and nobody knew who I was at the time, so that was something I was really nervous about,” Demman said. “It was scary at first just going in front of the whole school, but I remember it as a funny memory.”

It’s important to remember that these moments do not define who we are; instead they help build character and teach valuable lessons.

“Doing something embarrassing doesn’t effect anything.” Demman said. “It’s not like they remember me for rapping in front of the school.”

The embarrassment will turn into a great memory and make for an amusing story to tell friends and family. After all, mistakes are nearly impossible to avoid, so you might as well make the best of them.

ENTERTAINMENT

“

When you run hurdles, make sure you keep your toe up.

”

SETH OBERMEYER

“

I learned to not give up and to keep going, not letting the fact that it hurt show.

”

”

O

TO

S:

EM

M

A

B ET

MORGAN DEMMAN

PH

“

Doing something embarrassing does not affect anything.

TS

JESSICA HALSKI

MAY 2018

29

SUM M ER

BY CHLOÉ GRIMM

PAGE DESIGN BY KAYLIN CIATTI

Instead of an average day at the pool, here is a list of ideas that will help you and your friends beat the heat this summer.

BUC

Explore your city Released from the shackles of school and routine, we are nearly free to go on adventures and explore the unknown. Even if you think you know your city, there’s plenty still to discover. Gather up all your friends and make your way around town. In Omaha, you can visit Malcolm X’s birthplace, feed raccoons at a restaurant, or take a whole day just walking around the Old Market, finding shops in the crooks and crannies of the nostalgic area. An even more exciting way to do this would be taking public transportation and just seeing where it takes you!

Boost Your Adrenaline You can only hang out at a local swimming pool so many times before wanting to change it up. Whether it’s with family or friends, you could never get bored at an amusement park; even if you’re terrified of roller coasters, there will always be your conscious wishing for you to go on the heart stopping and stomach clenching ride. Imagine getting yourself into a seat and getting strapped in, hearing the buzz of enthusiasm and anxiousness from the other passengers. The intensity builds as the ride starts and begins its incline, and dreadfully, before you know it you’re at the climax of the first drop. Ear piercing screams from the other thrill seekers fill the air and in under a minute you’re rushing to get in line to another attraction. There is nothing comparable to the rush of excitement after stepping off a ride and realizing you were just hundreds of feet in the air.

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ENTERTAINMENT

CK E T

L I S T

What To Do:

1. Visit a haunted location.

2. Host a bonfire.

3. Go to a music festival.

4. Go star gazing.

5. Go thrift shopping.

6. Have a cook off with a friend.

7. Take an art class.

8. Have the ultimate water fight.

9. Go to a drive in movie.

10. Go on a relaxing camping trip.

PHOTOS: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Relax Finals are almost over, meaning you can finally enjoy the heat beating on your skin and the tantalizing smell of blossoms and smoked barbecue instead of being cooped up in school for forty hours a week. Summer can be your time to focus on you, especially your mental and physical health after those late nights full of studying. Relaxing is the best way to recuperate, and the best thing about it is that there are so many methods in doing so. You could start with taking a dip in the pool, letting the cool current take your worries away, or bask in the sun allowing the heat to ease the tension from body and your mind. If you find tranquility indoors, take a nap that leaves your eyes hazy but your mind clear, or succumb to the effortless pleasure of listening to calming music. Just let your only worry be not having enough sunscreen.

MAY 2018

31

a world online

BY TATUM JORGENSEN

PAGE DESIGN BY AVERY WAGONER

New technology is changing how traditional ideals are viewed.

Thanks to news sites and apps, reading the newspaper is a rare activity for this younger generation.

A newspaper has sports updates, cartoons, and activities to do, but they can all be seen through the click of a button on your phone. Who needs a physical newspaper when there are apps for that?

NE

W

S

news

youtube

mail

With the use of more technology, communication has been getting easier and easier. With just a click of a button, a message can be sent to another person in a matter of seconds. Before this rapid use of communication, it would take days or even weeks for the other person to receive a message through the postal service. It is now more exciting to receive a letter in the mail than to receive a text message from a friend.

32

Imagine life without your phone and GPS. How would you get anywhere without getting lost? Try using a paper map, or printing directions off MapQuest like we used to. Paper maps are hard to find nowadays and even more difficult to read. Good thing we have our phones and GPS to tell us where to go!

stocks

notes

maps

amazon

calculator

music

facebook

We all have that grandparent that just won’t upgrade to a smartphone, preferring to stick with their flip phone. We consider them “old school,” but smartphones can be very difficult to work if you don’t have someone there to show you how to use it. Old school or not, flip phones are still phones and are easy to operate.

messages

weather

phone

Do you remember the time when you used to beg your mom to go to the mall to pick out an outfit for the first day of school?

Now that tradition has most likely changed to ordering that outfit online. With the increase in online shopping, shopping malls have rapidly declined in popularity.

Online shopping is kicking outlet stores to the curb!

calendar

With the ability to talk online, you are now able to receive a reply in a matter of minutes, making talking to someone face to face go out of date. It is, however, easier to see their emotions when talking in person. With texting or calling, it is hard to see how someone really feels or recognize their use of sarcasm. FaceTime is a great way to see what is hidden through messaging.

Though talking in person isn’t as common anymore, it is still important!

THE SCEPTER

MostL Hide a super-hero alter ego: Joey Silknitter

I mean, we all saw this one coming, either figuring that he is some kind of alien that just possesses knowledge in fields that are beyond normal comprehension, or some superhero, you figure it out.

Be the “Cool” Boss: Caitlyn Harrison

ENTERTAINMENT

I K

BY TREVOR LEWIS PAGE DESIGN BY JULIA HARKER

E

There could always be normal superlatives, but these are way funnier.

L

Get stuck in a horror movie: Lauren Lafond

There are always the ones that go out first, maybe it’s because they tripped on an inconveniently placed tree stump, or took a right when they should have turned left, either way, Lauren is going to go out in some overdramatic fashion.

Drink a gallon of milk and not puke:

Trenton Jordan

As the valedictorian of the class of 2018, Caitlyn will undoubtedly be in charge of people some day.

Hopefully, she will remember her Monarch Pride when she is bossing us around.

Y

t o ...

Get stuck in a elevator: Peyton Czerwinski

If you know Peyton, you know that he always has the best intentions, but be it from trying to jump at the right time to mess with inertia or just bad luck, Peyton will probably just have to spend a few hours in a non-moving elevator.

The man, the myth, the iron stomach. Science says that you will never be able to stomach a full gallon but Trenton will be the one to prove science wrong.

MAY 2018

33

BY KENNEDY SAUTTER PAGE DESIGN BY MOLLEE SWIFT

The 2017-2018 school here has surely had its ups and downs. Here’s a look back on what major events happened around the world and at PLHS.

A SENIOR

Another year has come and gone with its fair share of ups and downs.

With this school year drawing to a close and seniors beginning to say goodbye to teachers and friends, it only seems fitting to review the year from the eyes of a member of the class of 2018.

The 2017 school year kicked off on Aug. 15 with everyone having their new clothes and notebooks.

These bright minds were unaware of the events that were in store for them.

The total solar eclipse was the first, occurring on Aug. 21 only a few days after students began school.

Students filed out of their classrooms onto the football field to view this wonder of celestial bodies.

Some even left Papillion to travel to the path of totality which passed through a part of Nebraska meeting up with the famous Bill Nye. However, the good memories were cut short as something menacing

was brewing in the Atlantic Ocean.

Two hurricanes, Harvey and Irma, were about to rock the southeastern United States, both category four and five at their strongest.

While extended and direct families of some PLHS students were affected, this calamity saw some of the most powerful camaraderie. Students began raising funds for the Red Cross at school such as football games and pep rallies for the rebuilding and aid of those affected.

As the early months of the first semester fell away, students looked forward to fall for candy, the annual school play, and the sweet release of Thanksgiving break. The play this year was “The Outsiders” based on a novel written by S.E. Hinton. The play was extremely successful as many students bought tickets along with families coming to support those who were in the production.

During the colder months of the year, Papillion caught only icy winds from the north. These first winter months were known for three things: anticipated holidays, snow, and finals that were creeping up quickly.

Finals used to be dreaded to the point of becoming a meme, but this year they had seemed to pass by with the days slipping away. People studied hard while others guzzled down their coffee. After the final pencil dropped, everyone rushed for the exits.

Winter break this year was quick and full of cheer with people celebrating the joy in each other’s hearts, passing gifts and warm smiles on to another. Through the winter holidays New Year’s Day came and everyone tweeted out the old “New year, New me.” adage looking towards gyms and healthier foods.

Yet those days didn’t last long, and many soon abandoned those resolutions in favor of the lifestyle they were accustomed to. For many the school days were about to begin and yet again many dreary heads filed into the school’s halls for another semester. For many though, this would be their last winter break at PLHS. The cold days didn’t stop as farther up north the bomb cyclone was slamming the US with a brutal polar wind that would cause Papillion to finally receive snow. This prompted

September 1

October 13

November 1

The football team comes out on top of a hard fought game against crosstown rivals PapillionLa Vista South.

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The softball team takes home some hardware after winning their 14th state championship in Hastings.

The volleyball team sweeps Bellevue West in a quick three sets thanks to the senior effort.

ENTERTAINMENT

REWIND a few highly anticipated, and appreciated, snow days. With the chilly weather came the 2018 Winter Olympics.

The Winter Olympics began Feb. 5 as the most skilled and talented athletes from around the world came together in one of the most competitive displays of physical perfection. Between doping scandals and other cheating methods, the 2018 Olympics were as controversial as ever, but the Olympics showed the world that despite all the scandals, all countries can come together to create something amazing.

During the wonderful month of February, Valentine’s Day passed, and PLHS students warmly celebrated their love for each other. Though the February Winter Formal was cancelled, people of PLHS looked onwards to the days when the winter months and cold melted away.

It wasn’t long before the month of March came along and brought quite the controversy. Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School endured through a tragedy as a school shooter brought terror to the

February 9 The boys basketball team comes back on senior night from a large deficit against Omaha Westside during tension-filled final moments.

classrooms of Florida. Fed up with a lack of solutions to the senseless tenor, students around the world gathered for mass walkouts in protest of gun violence during these last few months.

These protests sparked nationwide debate on the topic of gun violence and awareness.

Finally, the students arrived in April with March Madness passing and Prom approaching, upperclassmen donned their suits and dresses for a night of dancing and great memories.

The theme this year was “Monarchs in Hollywood” with red carpets abound and plenty of cut-outs of paparazzi.

As a senior, I’ve had a good time this year as this year I’ve seen people come together through natural disasters and mass shootings, to the good times like the Olympics and the Solar Eclipse. The 2017-2018 school year has given me high hopes for the future, and for all reading this remember to go “All In” for your future is bright.

February 23 The girls basketball team beats Fremont in order to win their first district championship in seven years.

This Year Was...

“ “ “

” ” ”

Challenging, yet fun.

ANDREW DIKMANAS

It was okay.

ENRIQUE ANDERSON

Meh to yeah!

CAMERON BURTON

March 31 The girls soccer team took topranked Millard North into penalty kicks, winning the game.

PHOTOS: ASHLEY MASON, JOSEY RYAN, KENZIE WARD, HEATHER SLUGA, CORTNEY JOHNSON

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The B ys Are Back

BY DEVIN VETTER Mr. Johnston, Mr. Boyd and Mr. Zurcher have been friends since their time in middle school. They found their way back to PLHS and discovered a niche together in coaching.

Friends are the people that you keep around you at all times. They are the people who are there when you have your first born, when you get married and when you retire.

Three teachers, Mr. Pat Boyd, Mr. Dan Johnston and Mr. Chaz Zurcher, all share a friendship that dates to before their time even as students at PLHS. "I met Mr. Zurcher in 7th grade when we played football for La Vista Middle School," Johnston said. "I have known Mr. Boyd for as long as I can remember."

The three have remained friends ever since, with their companionship beginning with the friendship of each of their parents.

"It is a great thing that our parents were and still are friends,"

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Johnston said. "That is how we got to know each other in the first place."

This year, Boyd was joined

by Johnston in coaching the varsity baseball team.

"It feels good," Boyd said. "I grew up learning the game with them and now we get to pass on what we have learned to other people."

Even with Zurcher coaching on the junior varsity team, the three are still glad they get to coach in the same program.

"We are all doing what we wanted to do which is not only to help kids mature and grow as baseball players, tennis players or football players, but also as people too," Johnston said.

Having been friends for so long, it is interesting to know what first

impression these three had on each other.

"I knew Mr. Johnston when I was very young, so [I feel] I have always known him," Boyd said. "When I met Mr. Zurcher, he was always really goofy but a really good guy and a fun guy to be around."

It is always great to reconnect with old friends that you grew up with, and it is an even better situation when you can connect with them in coaching and mentoring young adults.

This is the case for these three teachers who have been friends for most of their lives.

Some things still have not changed for the trio according to Boyd.

"During baseball season we were always together,� Boyd said.

Mr. Johnston

Mr. Boyd

SPORTS

Mr. Zurcher

PHOTO LEFT: TARYN MOORE PHOTO CENTER: DEVIN VETTER PHOTO RIGHT: KIMBERLY COLBERT

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JAKE NORRIS Leaving a Lasting Legacy

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SPORTS

BY JILL MATHISON PAGE DESIGN BY MOLLEE SWIFT

Jake Norris has created a legacy at PLHS by leading the track and cross country teams in all four years of his high school career.

The Nebraska Track Festival, created by coach Joe Pilakowski, is the best of the best meet and is a huge honor to win. It is Nebraska’s only statewide, all-class meet, where any athlete from any school in the state of Nebraska ranked in the top 10 can participate to show they are the “best of the best,” and that’s exactly what senior runner Jake Norris did.

“My greatest accomplishment so far is winning the 800-meter run at the 2017 Nebraska Track Festival,” Norris said. “It meant more than any other race because the meet was created by coach Pilakowski and I was surrounded by all my friends and family.”

Coach Pilakowski is the head coach for both the boy’s cross country and track teams; Norris participates in both. With him having such an impact on the boy’s track team, it can be hard to believe that coming into high

school, Norris had no intention of even running track.

“I didn’t know anything about Jake before he came up to the high school,” Pilakowski said. “He came out for cross country but was still planning on playing baseball, He decided to run track and hasn’t looked back ever since.”

It is clear that Norris made a good decision when he decided to run track because it has led to him being on varsity for four years, achieving many big accomplishments, and making some of his best friends.

“The environment is my favorite part about track,” Norris said. “I get to watch my teammates overcome obstacles each day and we support each other while having fun.”

Norris is a good runner, a good person and leader. He is not only liked by his teammates but also by his coaches.

“Jake is hard working, committed, and driven in all that he does,” Pilakowski said.

Norris has committed to Northwest Missouri State University to continue his education and running career. Both Norris and coach Pilakowski believe that NWMSU is a

good fit for him.

“I felt like I had the potential to run well in high school, and after many obstacles and life lessons I decided to continue my career,” Norris said. “I think every cross country and track schools have top athletes and I think the competition is a challenge I’ll be ready for.”

“It’s the right type of school for him, it’s the perfect size and caliber of competition for him to compete at,” Pilakowski said.

Norris’s talent isn’t the only factor playing in to his successful career. He has his coaches and supporters to thank.

“Coach Pilakowski has the greatest impact on my performance, he’s always helping me and keeping me on the right path,” Norris said.

“My family also plays an important role by always helping through difficult times and teaching me to persevere.”

Norris’s goal this season is to run a 1:54.8 in the 800-meter run and Coach Pilakowski believes he has the potential to place in the top two to three placers at state in his race.

STATS

800 meters: 1:56.78 1600 meters: 4:34.0 400 meters: 52.07 XC 5,000 meters: 16:04.7

Won the 800-meter run at the 2017 Track and field festival and has placed in the top 3 in over 30 meets.

Statistics as of April 24

PHOTOS: JILL MATHISON Coach Pilakowski talks to Norris after he runs the 800m race at the Titan Classic track meet on April 12.

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BY JOSEY RYAN PAGE DESIGN BY MOLLEE SWIFT

Senior athletes are honored for their hard work and dedication to the Monarch tradition of excellence.

Memorable Monarchs Four years: the time spent in high school. Through these four years, an athlete goes through the hardest, saddest and some of the longest sports seasons of their life. Winning some games, losing some games and eventually it all comes down to one.

From a district semi-final all the way to a state final, the athlete is possibly playing for the last time in their Monarch uniform.

Each of the following seniors were some of the athletes honored as hall of fame winners for each of their sports. They have put their heart and soul into the Monarch tradition, pushed themselves to the limit, and now it’s all coming to an end.

Courtney Wallace and Tom Loseke each shined on the dirt.

Playing softball and baseball, one behind the plate and one pitching, each

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had major success. “[The most memorable moment] as a Monarch would have to be winning a state championship, because I put in a lot of work to be a great pitcher for Papillion-La Vista,” Wallace said.

Being a state champ didn’t come without hard work. Loseke is familiar with the work put in and believes it all pays off.

“Last year was an everyday grind,” Loseke said. “We had to come to the field everyday with the mindset that it was going to take all we had to win.”

Jake Sykora and Michelle Zeng were both stars on the cross country course and in the classroom. Both are involved in AP classes and are multisport athletes, but this didn’t stop them from running hundreds of miles during

their fall sports season.

Tyler Robinson, wearing number one on the football field, rushed for 42 yards per game and scored six touchdowns his senior year for the Monarchs. Robinson stood out on the field and was given the chance to continue his career in college at Midland.

“It’s really humbling knowing that I’m one of the fortunate ones to be able to play my favorite sport for another four years,” Robinson said.

On the tennis court, two threesport athletes, Caleb Feekin and Tessa Hurst, dominated. Feekin holds multiple school records for all of his sports, while Hurst brought home some hardware for tennis.

“My freshman year of tennis was very memorable because we won state as a team, and my doubles partner

SPORTS

and I won individually as well,� Hurst said.

Both athletes dedicated their four years in high school to getting better at each one of their sports.

Megan Helmberger played for the state qualifying volleyball team and made a big impact in getting them there. Not only this, but Helmberger went home each night and studied, did homework and earned herself the title of salutatorian, showing that education truly comes before athletics.

Peyton Savington and Hayden Pudenz were both athletes that competed for the Monarch golf teams.

Savington’s junior year, the team won a state championship. Pudenz has competed at the state tournament.

They have both made an impact on the future of the Monarch golf programs.

On the basketball court, Lexi

Harrison and Peyton Priest both made enough impact their four years to lead their teams to the state tournament in their career. Both had multiple games leading their teams in more than one stat line, but their leadership qualites were the key to their teams having success.

In the pool two seniors that made their mark were Cameron Nuss and Patrick Waldron. Nuss participated in the 200 freestyle, 200 individual medley, and the 200 and 400 freestyle relays; Waldron participated in the 200 and 500 freestyle and the 200 freestyle relay. Waldron qualified for the state tournament, and the relay team placed 16th.

This spring, on the soccer field two seniors who are having success are Leticia Cray and Juan Puente. Cray is a four year starter leading her team

to the state tournament two years and is working towards a third. Puente signed with Midland and is ready to take his talents there, but first he looks to finish his season strong.

On the track two athletes jumped their way to success. Jon Carter and Ally Glaser are both high jumpers and have jumped for four years. Both athletes participated in multiple sports and jumping has just made them better in all of their sports.

With high school coming to an end, sports are coming to an end as well. Those that are playing at the next level still have the chance to put the endless hours of work in and give all they have. Those that are not continuing on in college are giving their all with the chances they have left to play the sport they love, with Monarchs on their shirt.

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41

X

Extreme

BY JAKE WILLIAMS PAGE DESIGN BY KAYLIN CIATTI

Monarch athletes talk about their accomplishment of receiving the Monarch X Award.

At Papillion-La Vista High School, hundreds of students participate in sports to improve their athletic skills, but few have put in the time and dedication to be able to receive one the highest athletic honors that is given to Monarch athletes: the Monarch X Award.

The X Award requires athletes to play a total of ten seasons which means that athletes will have to play a variety of sports all throughout their high school career.

“I played tennis, basketball and baseball for four years,” senior Caleb Feekin said.

Few athletes are able to reach the minimum of the ten sports due to a variety of reasons, such as club sports, school clubs and challenging classes.

“Junior year was pretty hard for me,” senior Jake Sykora said.

Amazingly, some athletes stick it through and continue to play sports for the Monarchs all year round.

“I really wanted to stay in shape PHOTO: JAKE WILLIAMS

Back Row: Tom Loseke, Cole Wilson, Caleb Feekin Middle Row: Jake Norris, David Kawula, Dalton Williams, Jonathan Kawula, Bottom Row: Taylor Hoelscher, Jake Sykora, Tessa Hurst

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Athletes

and be busy, and I was able to hang out with my friends,” Sykora said.

There are also a lot of benefits that come with playing sports all year round, such as new skills, friends and memories.

“Winning our legion state tournament and playing at Pinnacle Bank arena was fun,” Feekin said.

Even with all these reasons to play all year round, the X award is a great way to motivate and honor athletes who have put in so much work and energy all throughout high school.

“It was pretty cool to be recognized for all the work I had done, and to see my friends get [the X award] because they had put in just has much work as I had,” Sykora said.

All athletes walk away from all sports with new skills, friends and memories, but for those who have earned the X award, they walk away with a cool T-shirt and a place on the Monarch X Award wall of fame.

The Next

BY BILLY BRODERICK

PAGE DESIGN BY DAKOTA KELLEY

Some senior athletes choose different paths in the next chapters of their lives.

When professional athletes start the retirement process, it’s usually a big deal for all parties involved.

The club honors the player with a retirement tour or ceremony and the fans reminisce on their favorite memories of the player. Despite all the fanfare, it’s an emotional toll on the athlete to give up the sport that has been in their life for so long and has given them so much.

For high school seniors who are hanging up their cleats for good, the end of the road is not as glorious as Kobe Bryant’s retirement tour or David Beckham’s standing ovation from thousands of people, but it is just as heartbreaking to give up the sport they love.

“It was really sad for me,”

SPORTS

Chapter

senior varsity volleyball player Megan Helmberger said. “I was super proud of the team we had become.”

It’s not just the sport these athletes are giving up, they’re also giving up all the small things that make up their love for the game.

“I’ll miss all the friendships I made along the way,” senior varsity basketball player Cole Lansman said. “Also, beating Caleb Feekin and Peyton Priest in four quarter shooting.”

These athletes don’t just play for fun; they try to take away things from on the field and apply them to real life.

“Soccer has made a huge impact on my life,” senior varsity soccer player Janan Manivannan said. “It helped me grow as a leader and work

well with other people.”

Choosing to end their careers is one of the hardest decisions a senior in high school will have to make.

“I received better scholarships for my academics to the school I wanted to go to,” Helmberger said. “I wanted to focus more on my studies.”

The reality of high school seniors turning their athletic careers into their actual careers are very slim. As a high school senior, there is about a .03% chance to make the NBA in the future and less than a percent for other leagues.

Although these seniors are not having their jersey hung from the rafters in front of thousands of fans, the end is just as emotional.

PHOTO: EMILY BORER Senior Janan Manivannan warms up for a rivalry game against Papillion South.

PHOTO: DAVID O’CONNELL Senior Cole Lansman looks to pass the ball to a teammate..

PHOTO: HEATHER SLUGA Senior Megan Helmberger begins her serve.

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43

The Cost of

Competition

BY SARAH ALTMAN PAGE DESIGN BY ALEXA BUSBY

Monarch Nation explores the merits and detriments of paying college athletes.

During March, Omaha hosted an influx of thousands of Blue Devil supporters ready to jar with the Jayhawks of Kansas. Around 17,000 fans electrified the Century Link Center as the greatest match up of the 2018 tournament went down. Duke, with five national championships to date, faced an Elite 8 defeat at the hands of the team with the secondmost number of wins in all of college basketball. It was a game for the ages, to say the least, with a mere four point spread separating Kansas from Duke.

Every Sunday during the Big Dance, an average of 11 million viewers tune in to watch games as intense as this. These viewers bring with them lucrative TV and merchandising contracts which rake in billions for the NCAA. In 2016, the NCAA made $1.06 billion from the tournament alone. This massive number pales in comparison to the annual revenue of the NCAA, which centers around $11 billion.

For reference, the NBA brings in $6 billion a year.

Over the past ten years, the

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NCAA’s bottom line has been forced through the roof by the stellar performances of the most phenomenal athletes college has to offer. Athletes like Marvin Bagley III drive the value of the game up exponentially through their breathtaking displays and gravity defying athleticism. These extraordinary athletes, however, don’t see a cut. This is where contention arises.

On one hand, there are those who praise athletes for their hard work and demand that they be rewarded financially. On average, college athletes spend 43.3 hours per week outside of the classroom perfecting their craft. When you add school on top, that’s 90 hours a week spent bettering themselves. Because these hours of hard work result directly in profitable victories and merchandising deals, some argue that athletes should be paid akin to those who spend their 40-hour work week in the office.

For most college athletes, especially those who are underprivileged, payment is essential to play. When they don’t receive a

substantial stipend from their school, they are forced to scrounge for part time jobs.

“If you’re the athlete, it’s nice to be paid, because you play, work, and go to school. But on top of that, you still must eat and have money for other expenses,” senior Ally Glaser said.

Glaser, who signed to play volleyball at Concordia college, sees the value of paying college athletes.

While some worry that paying students will decrease their drive and turn collegiate athletics into a stage for player walkouts and pay protests, Ally imagines something different.

“Money is an extrinsic motivator,” Glaser said. “If you are being paid on the side, there is less mental stress, and in turn, athletes can perform their best.”

Monarch senior Caiden Hill agrees. Hill, who will play at Southeast Community College as a shortstop and right-handed pitcher, believes that paying athletes can motivate them to be better versions of themselves.

“If they are being paid, athletes

SPORTS not only have the determination to get the best offer from a school, but they also have the motivation to continue to make money later on,” Hill said.

“They will have a greater drive to get to the next level.”

At the same time, there are those who believe the opposite to be true. College athletics have been historically characterized by a plethora of restrictions all designed to make sure athletes are playing for the right reasons. That means no cars on the side for mom or paid family cruises in the Caribbean.

Worries that college athletics will be corrupted swarm the debate.

Varsity baseball coach Nate McCabe sees the merit of this argument.

“If athletes were paid, the whole recruiting process would turn into a circus of ‘Where can I get paid most?’” McCabe said. “Kids will start to look at how much money they can make over the actual schools they are applying for. This just takes away from the real purpose of college, which is to grow through higher

“

education.”

Many believe that playing college athletics shouldn’t be about money at all. Only around 7% of high school athletes fulfill their dream of making it to the next level. Playing in college is a privilege, and some argue that the game should be based on pride, not on profit.

The argument about whether athletes should be paid, however, can’t be generalized in such broad strokes.

The experiences of a full-ride football player with a stipend at Alabama are much different than those of a D-1 baseball player getting a 25% tuition scholarship.

“It gets tricky when you start talking about several different sports at varying levels,” Glaser said. “Just because a D-1 player might not draw in thousands at each game, that doesn’t mean they aren’t deserving or hard working. If athletes are paid, it could lead to a lot of discrimination.”

This point also brings up the question of how giving money to toptier athletes takes it away from others.

I’m not as big as other guys, so I distinguish myself by giving full effort and bringing positive energy.

”

“When a school has a big football or basketball program, they already have a limited number of scholarships for other sports,” McCabe said. “For baseball, you’re looking at 11.7 scholarships per 25-member team. Paying athletes salaries will only detract from the funding elsewhere.”

The argument is complex, but it doesn’t have to be black or white.

Some argue for other alternatives completely.

“I think that instead of just handing kids a check, there should be a discretionary fund set up and run by a counsel of peers which can give out money based on need,” McCabe said. “This way, you can be personally invested in the success of each student without turning athletics into a forprofit business.”

Whatever you believe, the reality exists that college athletes most likely won’t be paid any time soon. There are too many hoops to jump through, and most athletes need to focus on their vertical jump on the court.

HOW WOULD YOU CHARACTERIZE YOURSELF AS A PLAYER?

CAIDEN HILL

“

I play on the right side, and I lead the team in an emotional way to keep them motivated.

”

ALLY GLASER

MAY 2018

45

The Seniors of the 2018 Scepter Staff would like to thank our dedicated staff members and our amazing readers for giving us the opportunity to share your stories.

2 0

Billy Broderick is a Sports Writer. After graduating he plans on attending UNL to major in Pre-Law. “My Trevor Lewis is the Video Editor for favorite memory is probably taking on the PLPulse. After graduating, Trevor plans Stellanator for a Pulse video.” on attending Costal Carolina University Joanna Walton is a Features to study Marine Biology. “I have had a Writer. Next year she plans to really awesome staff under attend UNL to study Secondary me this year that I trust will make Education and German. “The next year seniors on staff during my two lit.” years on Scepter have always been the ones who know how to have fun.

They know how to let loose and laugh with others, making sure newcomers feel welcome and unintimidated.”

Alyssa Foral is the News Editor for The Scepter and PLPulse. After graduating, Alyssa plans on attending Peru State College to Faith Workman major in English and minor in is the Opinion Journalism. “Scepter has taught Editor. After us about the importance of she graduates each story, and making sure each story is heard.” she plans on Alex Manning is an Opinion Writer. attending UNL to After he graduates he plans on major in Criminal attending UNL or UNO to major Justice. “Being in Biology with a Zoology Intent. on Scepter has “Seniors on staff have helped me helped me grow feel welcomed and made me in many ways and not afraid to ask questions. My I will always cherish favorite thing that happened that. The friends this year is when the whole class I made and played the murder mystery people I helped, game.” Kennedy Sautter is the through the gift of Editor-In-Chief of PLPulse. In fall writing and 2018, Kennedy plans on attending advocating Drexel University to major in through Mechanical Engineering. “The journalism, will always be what seniors on staff have lent us their this program was designed for.” expertise in many areas to help create a great publication on the web and magazine. I’m going to miss all of my friends on staff and THE SCEPTER the good time we had, also the podcast because I worked so hard to create it.

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Members of the staff would also like to thank the seniors for their work with The Scepter and PLPulse: They always had positive energy, even when everyone on staff was freaking out. -Emma Higby The seniors have helped me a lot this year as my first year on Scepter by both making me better at design and just feeling more comfortable. I want to thank them for that. -Dakota Kelley The seniors really helped me become a better writer this year and helped make 1st hour my favorite. -Jill Mathison Thank you, seniors, for being such an inspiration and for all the hard work you do.

We’ll miss you! -Caitlyn Thomas Thank you, seniors, for paving the way for us journalism babies; couldn’t have done it without you! -Chloé Grimm The seniors are helpful and always make me laugh/smile. -Avery Wagoner Thank you, seniors, for taking on all of us youngin’s and turning this staff into a family! -Kaylen Maltais Thank you, seniors, for the numerous InDesign lessons, writing advice, and for showing me the true value of storytelling. -Megan Friel Thank you, seniors, for always making me laugh, and for improving my skills in Photoshop and InDesign, I don’t know what I would do without you! -Kaylin Ciatti I want to thank all the seniors and other staff members who constantly help with my technical ineptitude. -Sarah Altman The seniors have helped me by making a welcoming environment throughout the year. -Annie Waldman The seniors have helped me improve as a staff member and have kept the class fun. -Megan Davey They are a lot of fun to be around, and they are pretty helpful when you’re working on an assignment. -Jake Williams This year the seniors really taught me to really go outside my comfort zone while also helping me with any writing/design flaws. Thanks for all the help because I wasn’t very good with computers! -Emma Betts I would like to thank all of the seniors for making journalism a warm and inviting environment that excites me to go to every single day. -Mollee Swift Without the seniors on staff this year, this publication would not have been pushed to its limits. -Delani Watkins Thank you, seniors, for everything this year. I can’t wait to see you guys doing big things in college.

-Josey Ryan Thank you, seniors, for always being hardworking and having a good attitude! -Lissa Lafond

Devin Vetter is a Sports Editor for The Scepter and PLPulse. Next year he plans on attending UNL to major in Actuarial Science. “My time on staff has been great. I have enjoyed helping out whenever I can and I appreciate all the help I have gotten from the staff, current and former editors, and from Roha.”

Phil Gradoville is a Sports Writer. Next year he plans to attend UNO to major in Physical Therapy. “The Scepter has given me 3 things: independence, (writing) confidence and life long friends.”

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Hannah Im is the Editor-In-Chief of The Lauren Dominello is the Scepter. Next year she plans to attend Features Editor. After UNO to major in Neuroscience. graduating, Lauren plans to attend Creighton University to study “I am going to Neuroscience Pre-Med. “My favorite miss working with memory from Scepter was either a talented and spending quality time with my pals or passionate staff making the bench.” Alexa Busby of writers and is a Design Editor for The designers.”

Scepter. Next year she plans to attend Kansas State University to major in Architecture. “I am going to miss all of the amazing staff members. We have poured our hearts, time and all of our energy into making The Scepter/ PLPulse the best it could be, but I will not miss the bench.”

Julia Harker is the Design Editor for PLPulse. Next year she plans to attend the University of Iowa to double major in Spanish and Neuroscience. “I met friends that I didn’t think I would be friends with ever in my life because we’re all from such different lives.”

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