QUIN Tess ence The Definition Issue Volume 1 Issue 4
CONTRIBUTORS
EDitors-in-chief: Hannah Klemme and Gabby Giesler Copy Editor: Lily Yates Staff: Kayley Anderson, Tom Hermanek, James Keeley, Sara Zaleski, Allison Young, Peter Quinn, Allison Heithoff, Molly Gubbels, Ava Dreessen, Maria Koliopoulos, Nessa Woosley, Sam Wiegand, Maria Miller, Bobby Killgore advisor: Mr. Elliott
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in this issue...
3
3
Companionship
19
Libricide
37
Melody
6
Escapade
22
Redolent
39
Icon
9
Vemödalen
25
Motley
41
Mentor
11
Nominal
28
Lucidity
43
Legendary
14
Anomalous
31
Symphonic
45
Abode
17
Indulge
34
Drapetomania
31
22
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from the editor
Q
uintessence: the essence of a thing in its purest and most concentrated form. When I think of the word ‘Quintessence,’ a long list of things runs through my mind: layouts, late nights, and an abundance of stress and tears. This magazine has brought me an immense amount of happiness over the last year, but believe me, it hasn’t been an easy ride. Two years ago, I had no intuition that I’d be in the position I’m in today. As a junior, I semi-accidentally found myself in Mr. Elliott’s seventh period Newspaper class. I had no idea what I was doing, and maybe that’s still true today. Fast forward two years later, and I’m a senior accompanied
by surreal feelings and sentimental thoughts; I’m just days away from leaving the place I’ve called home for a good chunk of my life. If I could leave you with one piece of advice, I ask that you try something new in the next year, maybe even something that scares you. In the most cliché way possible: you never know where you’ll end up. I, for one, thank God every single day that I ended up in Mr. Elliott’s seventh period Newspaper class. I can’t imagine my life any other way. Thanks to Mr. E and the rest of the staff for putting up with me and my (barely) organized chaos. It’s been real guys. This is Klem, signing off.
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com•pan•ion•ship (n.)– A feeling of fellowship or friendship By: Gabby Giesler
“We adopted both Faith and Buddy.
Our stepmom waited in the parking lot outside the Humane Society until their doors unlocked so she could get Faith as a puppy. She’s so spoiled. She has ‘her’ chair and gets mad when anyone sits in it. She won’t eat her food unless there’s a perfect amount of gravy.” -MD
“B
macy & Faith Damewood
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uddy was rescued from Big Dogs Huge Paws. He was wandering in a field with another Great Dane and was in pretty bad shape. He loves to take naps in my bed. There’s not a lot of room for the both of us, but we make it work.” -JD
Jarrett & buddy damewood
Matthew & Casey Harrison
“M
y brother’s girlfriend’s brother had Bear but couldn’t take care of him. He wanted to know Bear would be in a good home, so my family and I took him in. We communicate through inflected words and doggy head-tilts. We’re homies.”-KD
“I have three older siblings who have
kyle & bear dudzik
all gone off to college and moved out at some point in Casey’s life. I haven’t. I’ve been with her since she was seven weeks old. She loves car rides. It cracks me up how excited she gets and people in other cars are always smiling at her.” -MH
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Mckenna, Dudley & Daphne kirkpatrick
“My relationship with my dogs is a
little obsessive, but in a healthy way. I just can’t get enough of them. It’s impossible to be around them and not be happy. They always put me in a good mood and are excited to see me when I get home. Dudley and Daphne each have their own crazy personality. Their endless energy is overwhelming at times, but their cuteness makes up for it. They are a part of my family and make my life a lot more fun.” -MK
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by Lily Yates
es • ca • pade (N.)
it's getting late - still driving. intently, we chase sun below horizon.
trou • vaille something lovely discovered by chance; a windfall
an act or incident involving excitement, daring, or adventure
It’s easy to find oneself bored. Bored with the relentless, ever-pushing current of life, with the everyday routines that manage to make even the most fantastic human feel somehow mundane. Faced with this challenge, we may choose one of a few options, each with a hazily defined outline. There is acceptance, a resigned plunging headfirst into the lukewarm pool and the intent to stay there. There is depression, where restlessness or apathy become the only two items on the menu. But finally, there stands, defiant, the option of autonomy. If a newly-mundane overcomes their doubt to choose this path, they can find themselves empowered, seeing the ordinary in extraordinary ways, go-
ing somewhere, albeit with no definite direction. It is through this feeling that I stay afloat. And so, I will teach you just a bit about how exactly I propel myself into this sort of you uncomfortable sanity. The root movement here is one phrase: create adventure. When I first type that wellworn word, adventure, all I can conjure up in my mind are J.R.R. Tolkien books and maybe an image of a map. But what most people fail to realize at face value is the fact that the word adventure can mean so much more, or often in my case: less. The key to creating adventures is to start small. Wake up in the morning darkness
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sturm • frei the freedom of not being watched by a parent or superior; being utterly alone
we went for games, but the warm dregs of our drinks showed us more.
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and decide to make a new kind of coffee today. Decide, spontaneously, to drive a new way to school that may take you past fields and farmhouses (or not). When you get two cookies at lunch, give one away to the first friend you see who’s not smiling, with a smile of your own; don’t explain yourself. Put on an old t-shirt, sweatpants, and no shoes successfully begun to incorporate them into each day, you may want to consider taking the next step: incorporating others. Bringing others along for the ride may seem like a lot of work, or a little weird, but can be fulfilling on another level in the right situation. Find a little town library and freak out the librarian with six teenagers’ eagerness
to be there. Pick a book for a friend, and let them pick one for you. Sing karaoke at Applebee’s on a Friday night. Get together your own service project showcasing your most helpful talents; surprise people in need who never expected to be helped in the first place. List stores or restaurants or museums you have always wanted to visit, or have heard talk of but have never given yourself the opportunity- schedule it. Call up your most intriguing acquaintances, and get to know new faces by watching a far-off conspiracy documentary together, always with popcorn included. And finally come the bigger, more rare adventures. Sign up for a random club and go to a practice, or a meeting.
Even if you decide it’s not for you, you have connections now, and one item checked off the list of your infinitely possible interests. Write your name on that audition sheet, because I can tell you the regret will scratch at your skin for months after if you back down now. Plan that trip to Europe, apply for that Ivy League, donate a month’s salary, buy that apartment. In the end, knowing that you grabbed your life by the wrist and took it somewhere uncharted will better you in ways you didn’t think possible. Start small. Turn up the volume. Live in an adventure you create on your own terms. Because someday, you’re not going to wake up again. At
age 16, it seems like the end is unreachable somehow, too distant to be real. But the realization that becomes more and more impressive to me every day that I do open my eyes is that of the fact that I can’t waste this. I can’t waste my time slaving over results that will look good in ink on paper, but that will sap me of my excitement for life. By extension, I refuse to let the people I love do so either. At the end of the day, you only get one of these things. You’ll never be 15, or 16, or 17 again. So I ask you to consider joining me over here in my ridiculous, rosecolored world, and to feed the birds sometime. You might just discover something that changes your outlook for good.
book stores at night can feel untethered, free-floating - alive.
res • fe • ber the restless race of the explorer’s heart before the journey begins
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··
ve·möo·dal·en (n.) The frustration of photographing something amazing when thousands of identical photos already exist—the same sunset, the same waterfall, the same curve of a hip, the same closeup of an eye— which can turn a unique subject into something hollow and pulpy and cheap, like a mass-produced piece of furniture you happen to have assembled yourself. By: Sara Zaleski
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Your first kiss. I hope that you smiled when you read that line. I hope that those butterflies that flittered inside of of you once upon a time, returned. I hope that you have forgotten the supercilious replies received by your eager boasting, because despite what these comments told you, your excitement was valid. Then to those that have yet to share in this phenomenon, please continue to dream about those 80’s romance flicks. Sketch out the fireworks over Epcot as the fountain begins to burst or plan out that picnic at sunset; there is so much beauty in your anticipation. It seems that society is forever the enemy, because in stark contrast to what it shows on screen, it tells us not to care. This is to say, that it devalues our emotion. While Sleeping Beauty’s kiss can wake her from an unending slumber, our’s should be nothing more than a regular happening. This once in a lifetime experience becomes the norm, so keep your joy to yourself. While this silence over an innocent moment of glee is unfair, this invalidation can quickly become a very serious issue. Recognizing exterior signs of mental illness, such as depression or anxiety, should be learned abilities by all people. But, the interior battle often begins long before these become evident. You know yourself more than any other human, so those senses of something being a little, if not severely off, have the right to be addressed. Please, do not take this as me downgrading the severity of these mental states, I would just like plea with society to allow room for these individuals to speak. You are not being melodramatic or self-pitying if you feel the need to speak up; please speak up. Just because someone centuries ago felt the same pain that you do now does not make your experience any less real. You are an unique individual, made of an unrepeatable code; do not attempt to fit into a skeleton from the past. The beauty of human emotion is that, no matter what the medical books tell us, it will never be a mass-produced piece of our humanity. Share what your heart craves to share with the world, whether it be the shocking awkwardness of that first kiss or something more serious, your life experience is for you alone; ask questions, tell stories, and live. This is a movie without a script and a questionable plot line, we’re all a little lost.
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Nom•i•nal (ADj.) very small in amount; far below the real value or cost
By: Allison Heithoff
So much of high school is discovering your style while at the same time following the trends, but most of us can agree this doesn’t always come cheap. Many times you find yourself either having to sacrifice looks or your bank account. There is a way around this, however, with the help of something know as a consignment shop. For those of you who don’t know, a consignment shop is in essence an upscale, higher-end version of, say, a Goodwill or a thrift shop. It is these places that people bring their nicer brand name clothing and shoes in hopes to receive a commission. It’s basically a win-win situation. The seller gets a little cash for items they have spent a pretty penny on but no longer want, and the buyer gets brand name items at a fraction of the cost. Omaha is blessed with a heap of these consignment shops, but I have chosen three here to feature. Whether you go looking to buy or even to sell some clothes, these are all great places to visit, especially if you’ve never been to a consignment shop. Every time you walk in there is a new selection of items, and there is beauty and an element of surprise in walking around knowing that no two things in the store are the same.
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ABSOLUTELY HER
811 Tara Plaza
Absolutely Her is the biggest consignment shop in Omaha and houses the most inventory. From athleticwear to jeans to purses, this place just about has it all. Plus you can enjoy a free cup of coffee or other drink of your choice while you shop.
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2.
SCOUT: Dry Goods and Trade
5019 Underwood Ave
This store is unlike any place I have ever been to and is such a delightful store to stop by in Dundee. You can find just about any style here from boho to retro, and it definetely houses some of the most unique items out of the three consignment shops. It is cozy and quaint, with countless nooks of unexpected treasures.
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3.
THE TIMELESS WOMAN 16909 Lakeside Hills Plaza Suite 103
Just as the name suggests, this store is filled with timeless and classy options. Located at Lakeside, it’s pretty well in the neighborhood of Skutt Catholic. Here would be a great place to go if you’re looking for a dress for an upcoming dance that no one else will have. It is also a great shoe destination for any occasion.
APPS For the consignment shop experience in the comfort of online shopping, check out these two apps. Find popular clothing and styles from brands such as Kate Spade, Anthropologie, J. Crew, H&M, Forever 21 and more at up to 90% off retail price. You can even upload your own items to sell.
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THRED UP
VINTED
a•no•ma•lous (Adj.) deviating from what is standard, normal, or expected.
By Ava Dreessen
Beauty and perfection are adjectives that are often mistaken for each other. As humans, we have a difficult time embracing the truth that we were just born to be flawed. We all know a certain part of us, whether it’s physical or psychological, that does not fit the standards we, or influences surrounding us, have set for ourselves. For myself, one of those parts are my pinkies, which are slightly
crooked; a trait that runs among my siblings and me. Many other students within Skutt Catholic have their own abnormalities that they have decided to share. From double-jointed appendages, to defects apparent since birth, these students have learned to accept the fact that they were born purely anomalous.
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(From left to right) junior Lukas Dreessen, junior Amanda Pohlman, and sophomore Max Korensky show off their own tongue-talents. These students, along with many others, are afflicted by a hereditary condition that allows the easy folding and flipping of their tongue. “I found out when I was in kindergarten that I couldn’t see out of my right eye. I soon went into cataract surgery, but it ended up not making a huge difference. They figured out that my retina is not attached to my eye, so I have some vision, but it’s considered legally blind. It also leaves my eyes slightly different colors.” Amanda Pohlman Joint Hypermobility Syndrome, or more commonly known as being “double-jointed”, is a condition where joints can easily move beyond the normal range expected for that particular joint. For junior Michaela Slattery (pictured left), this affects her elbows. For sophomore Andrew Bleyhl (pictured right), this affects his pointer finger. “Most people get pretty freaked out by my double jointed arms,” Slattery stated, “I have to admit, it’s pretty entertaining,” she continued.
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The minor flaws we possess in ourselves, be it entertaining or embarrassing, are what we have to learn to accept throughout our lives. There is a lot of beauty that comes with the acceptance of our imperfections. And if it makes a few people nauseous along the way, that’s all the more better. We today have a tough time knowing that absolutely everyone is imperfect, and being able to spot these unexpected flaws may help to admit our own Sophomore Hannah Friedt stretches her thumb to the limit
Junior Ross Kathol defies odds by licking his elbow
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In•Dulge (V.)
to allow oneself to enjoy the pleasure of
By: James Keeley
I
f you have lived long enough to learn how to read this sentence, you have lived long enough to learn that life isn’t always a walk in the park. Times get tough and days grow longer. Despite this, and in a sense caused by it, it is
vitally important to take time out of your busy schedule and treat yourself. You deserve it. Buy yourself that shake you’ve been craving, double down on those fries. You’re a hardworking human-being, so why not. Indulge yourself.
The Flatiron Cafe
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Family owned and family run, The Flatiron Café has been a fine dining staple of the Omaha community since its opening in 1975. Its warm atmosphere lends itself to a sense of sophistication rarely found in Omaha restaurants. Not to mention the food.
After placing my order for the ‘Tornadoes of Beef’ I honestly wasn’t quite sure what to expect. What I received blurred the lines between food and pure ecstasy. If you’re looking to impress, look no further than the Flatiron.
Lisa’s Radial Cafe
A comfortable, cash-only pocket of breakfast heaven down on 40th and Cuming; Lisa’s Radial has been serving up fresh coffee and eggs for decades. Lisa’s serves fresh food for breakfast and lunch every day. They take no reservations, but complimentary coffee and a
pleasant block to take a stroll more than makes up for it. The Radial Raft is a must-try: a bed of hash browns carries two eggs amidst a sea of hearty gravy. Frequented by everyone from Warren Buffet to Doug Mcdermott, Lisa’s Radial never disapoints.
mula
Mula Mexican Kitchen and Tequileria serves up fresh, nonGMO food at an affordable price. You cannot go wrong with your order; whatever they end up bringing to your table will no doubt end up being a symposium of Mexican flavor. Make sure to stop
by on two-dollar taco Tuesday’s to get the most bang for your buck. Right off of 40th and Farnam, in the backwater district, Mula will provide you with a flavorful lunch or dinner.
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lib·ri·cide (N.)The “killing” or permanent damage of a book or other preserved manuscript 19
by Kayley Anderson Centuries ago if you wanted to print a book you’d have to have it copied by hand, letter for letter, word for word, page by page, until finally another imperfect copy of the original. Each page was adorned with colorful illustrations and page headers to enhance the book’s quality. They were considered not only a means of recording important events or words but also as a form of delicate art, made mostly by monks in monasteries or craftsman in castles. Nowadays we have the good old paper back novel made possible by Gutenberg’s invention of the printing press and it’s many modifications over the years. We replaced hand written words with computers equipped with fonts and page headers with carefully drawn illustrations to be copied over and over. But even this seems to be fading into something different and more mechanical, technology has encompassed practically everything in our lives including our so called ‘written word’. Somehow reading electronic books feel harsh and impersonal; after all you can’t write your own thoughts in the margins or fold over the pages with your favorite quotes circled on them.We’ve left behind the old fashioned idea of merely bound pieces of paper and found different ways to tell the same story. We’ve made it quicker, faster, and forgotten the artistic aspect of creating something tangible and unique. But the fact is that no matter how ‘paperless’ of a society we become, there will always be something about that hand written book or that old paper back novel that brings us right back again.
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“There are worse crimes than burning books, one of them is not reading them.� -Ray Bradbury
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red·o·lent (ADJ.) strongly reminiscent or suggestive of something By: Hannah Klemme
T
h ey told us these past four years would fly by, but no one really believed it. The thought of leaving was never a reality until the countdown was posted, and suddenly the days got shorter and shorter. It’s a bit of an abstract feeling when you think about never seeing some of these people again until our ten year reunion rolls around. Although we are set-
ting out on new adventures, our time here at Skutt Catholic has allowed us to create unbreakable friendships and memories that will stay with us for the rest of our lives. Remember that it’s okay to be excited to get out of the monotonous routine of high school living, but never forget the times that brought you joy and the people that helped you become who you are today.
Jordan Graham “The one thing about high school that will always make me smile was being in the stands during football or basketball and cheering on the team with my fellow Skyhawks!”
Eric Kros “I’m definitly going to miss seeing my friends everyday. This year I also loved leading the student section and it was so fun going crazy at all the football and basketball games!”
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Ben eliason “I’m gonna miss Mr. Storm the most when I leave Skutt. From yelling at me to do my homework to being the most sarcastic person I know, he will always be my favorite teacher.”
Michael white “I’m going to miss Mrs. Salerno more than anyone because she is truly my mom away from home. She has taught me how to perservere and fight for the things I believe in.”
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Alexa Narke “My favorite activity in high school was speech. Speech has shaped me into the person I am today and has provided me with countless opportunities even outside of the activity itself.”
Emily Mize “I owe all my happiness over the past four years to my amazing friends. From Village Inn runs after football games, to driving around town all weekend, they have truly been a blessing.”
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Mot•ley (ADJ.)-
Incongruously varied in appearance or character By: Molly Gubbels
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Being an only child, I never had the luxury of receiving hand me downs from older siblings, an activity which I’m sure many of you loathed. Nonetheless, as a directionless preteen coming out of my dreaded scene phase, antique shops became a sort of haven for me. Antiques really hit home for me because I was really at a time in my life that I didn’t know who I wanted to be, but I knew that I had to stand out somehow. Believe it or not, I was a really “break the system” kind of kid and I was absolutely obsessed with being unique which is something that antiques really embodied for me. You see, if you’ve ever entered an antique shop in your life, chances are the same things that were there then, won’t be there today. This is because the amazing treasures that line their walls are constantly cycled
through to ensure that you’ll always be amazed by what you find next. One of my most prized possessions, as a journalist, is an old typewriter that I found in Kansas City. This typewriter is one of the most run down pieces of junk I have ever owned. The ink is constantly fading and the keys stick every time you attempt to type something, yet it remains one of the first items I have ever felt any real sense of care for. To this day, I make it a goal of mine to type every single birthday card I ever present to someone. There’s just something utterly unique and genuine about the way that the keys clack and the bell dings as an indicator that I have finished the line. Though they may seem out of date, antique shops have become a second home for me.
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Lu•ci•di•ty (n.) by: Maria Koliopoulos
the ability to see things clearly; rationality; sanity The line is drawn, but it’s not always clear. Cataracts occur when the lens of the eye becomes clouded over, usually causing eventual blindness. When this lens is removed, the eye is left without any way to focus, and visual definition deteriorates to the point where it’s difficult even to count fingers. This is a situation common in adults, and it’s usually corrected with a prosthetic lens as soon as the original one is taken out. When it comes to children, however, the process is much more complicated, as the eye is still developing. In most cases, a replacement lens can be inserted as it would be in an adult situation, and the patient goes back to a fairly normal degree of eyesight. In other, far more rare situations, however, rather than a permanent, surgical replacement, contacts or glasses correct vision by day, and the world is a blur at night. The sun is up. Tree branches shatter the sky into millions of fragments; you can almost count the sharp blades of grass below your feet. Every rippling puddle ever-bends what you know to be true, and light ricochets off the wet cement, flooding your pupils. Everything is thrown at you more quickly than you can catch it. Corners are so sharp they make you dizzy until you become once again accustomed to being able to see. Individual flecks in the irises shine green, blue, gold until they dizzyingly become one.
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The sun begins to roll down. The moisture leaves your eyes as the sunlight leaves your corner of the earth. Air makes its way into the newly vacant gap between a small disc of plastic and the sensory orb it aids. Everything becomes double, four fingers are now a shaky eight, and everything moves slightly when you blink. Weakened by the clarity, your eyes allow the highly defined image spread out before you to falter. The sun rests, and you should too. Without help from your plastic saviors, everything becomes its own bubble of blur. Streetlights become orbs three times their original size, and when you blink, the intricate pattern of circles within the blur swirls around. Your life becomes the trendy blurred background of a high end camera with no subject to focus on. The world is softer, and although you wouldn’t be able to see anything if it were to come, the fuzz of this blue-tinted atmosphere embraces you. You find your way on memorized paths and follow your ears. Colors carry emotion, the slightest tinge of blush- your only emotional cue as you try to interpret another being. Perhaps you cannot count the flecks in her eyes any longer, but by now it is what they whisper that matters. Amorphous shapes sing to the backs of your eyelids until they fall, swirling into the harmonies. The sun rolls out of its slumber. Tree branches shatter the sky into millions of fragments, and the grass is sharp once again.
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Sym•phon•ic (adj.)
Suggestive of a symphony especially in form, interweaving of themes, or harmonious arrangement By: Allison Young If I had to choose one sound to listen to for the rest of my life, it would be an orchestra tuning and warming up. All of the various stringed, wind, and percussion instruments in unison playing one chaotic, unorganized swell is my true bliss. The instrumental clangor should not sound as beautiful as it does, and maybe it’s just me, but that sound is my definition of magic. The more time that passes, the more the Justin Biebers and Taylor Swifts of the world take over the music industry and the melodies of Tchaikovsky, Debussy, and Sousa fade away. Most of you probably haven’t heard a single one of those names, but trust me, you’ve heard their music. Whether it be in the Nutcracker around Christmas time or snippets of U.S. Army marches, their works have graced your ears. While you may say you don’t like classical music, that might not necessarily be true. If you listen to it and genuinely try to understand it, you’ll have a newfound appreciation of all music. There are also more classical pieces than what you might consider ‘old’ and ‘boring.’ There are so many new classical composers that are still evolving the genre and writing amazingly detailed and beautiful pieces. Though today’s most popular music may differ from most classical music, contemporary music owes its existence to classical composers who wrote some of the very first intricate pieces of music. Samples of famous symphonies and concertos can be heard in every genre, and truly set the foundation for creating all music. The amount of time you’ve spent putting extensive work into your favorite sport or activity, musicians put in also. Whether it be ear training, memorizing, or even learning music theory, the work is there. Instrumental musicians even have to put physical work into playing; take marching band as
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an example. The average high school marcher marches about 5 hours a week, not including performances, which is intense physical activity. They have to march at tempos up to 200 bpm (beats per minute), carry an instrument, create a good sound with enough air support, and do it all in time with perfect form. And just like sports such as football, baseball, and volleyball have select/club travel teams, Drum Corps International (DCI) is an organization of what is essentially a professional marching band (excluding woodwind instruments). The multiple corps in DCI travel all summer, sleeping in high school hallways and gyms, where they practice all day then perform at night. Talk about dedication. Possibly the most rewarding thing from all of this work for any musical is the final product. The sound of the perfectly tuned brass instruments striking a chord in unison is so gorgeous and powerful that it can move someone to tears. Even just the sound of a drum roll can make a person’s heart race. In vocal music, the lyrics to a song can convey the emotion, but instrumental music requires true heart and passion to convey feeling. Not all musicians can convey this special feeling, but with true emotion and heart, the message can be conveyed. This beautiful experience is so pure and divine that I’ve never heard anything like it, and it just feels like the way music is supposed to be played. Instrumental music is what I and many others do, and I genuinely couldn’t imagine my life without it. My best memories from my short lifetime have been with people I’ve met making music, and they’ve changed my life in a way I never thought possible. I’m not alone in this here at Skutt Catholic, and they’re too talented and interesting to go unnoticed. So to all you sports kids, I see you, but here’s to my band kids - this is for you.
Mi•nor (adj.) based on a minor scale, tending to produce a sad or pensive effect
“I started playing music with the piano when I was seven, and now I play eleven instruments. My favorite would have to be the trumpet because it can be very loud and obnoxious but also soft and tender, and I think my personality is similar to that. Dedicating time to music has strengthened my creativity and cooperation, and I love trying to perform to the best of my ability and feeling the emotion that comes with it.”
vir•tu•o•so (n.) a person highly skilled in music or another artistic pursuit
“Ideally, I want to get a doctorate in music at Juilliard and spend my life playing or teaching music. Music has changed my life for the better and I’ve made my best friends in band in every state I’ve lived. I love being able to change others’ perspectives of music for a brief period time when I perform.”
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dis•so•nance (n.) a tension or clash resulting from the combination of two disharmonious musical notes
“You can’t have harmony without dissonance. To hear a chord resolve after dissonance is like seeing a character in your favorite book finally overcome their conflict and reach a happy ending. Music is just like other art forms in storytelling and expressing feeling, but music is definitely most suitable to my personality.”
plaª•gal ca•dence (n.) the chord progression of IV to I, or subdominant to tonic
“I started playing music 13 years ago and I never looked back. In band, you could be the coolest person in school or the same. You’re constantly surrounded by supportive people all with the common goal of using notes and rhythms to create magic.”
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Drap•et•o•man•ia (N.) An overwhelming urge to run away from home or a bad situation By: Maria Miller
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The word ‘drapetomania’ describes the overwhelming urge to run away from home, a bad situation, responsibility, or a relationship. Anything you could possibly escape from, and most of us have a lot of things that make us want to get away. Everything from GPA and the ACT to overbearing parents and extensive time commitments to activities. Because of all of the stuff being thrown at me, I experience drapetomania
A little bit past the first right on the trail is a spot where I can tether my horse to a tree, and climb down the large rocks to a small patch of sand surrounded by soft, shallow water and mud. The patch is covered in animal tracks and what I can only describe as extremely thin trees as if someone planted a hundred twigs in the ground which grew about five feet high and sprouted leaves. It is a perfect place to sit with my feet in the mud or sand, watch the the river roll by. I can usually spot the fish splashing around in the current from where I sit. I have been going to the sandy patch to be alone with my thoughts since I was eight, and not a single effect of it has worn off or become mundane.
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more and more every day until I find the time to indulge in it. I’m lucky in the sense that I have three very effective treatments for myself, but they all start the same way: walking down an open dirt trail on one of my horse’s backs. I usually choose Whiskey, a buckskin mare that I have owned since I was eight because she knows this ritual very well after years of being a part of it. The trail is lined by corn and soybean fields and it leads down the side of he Elkhorn River from about 12 feet above.
If I do not stop at the secluded, sand covered island, the trail will eventually break off into a fork. If I travel right, it leads me down a path that is wider and darker than the others. It is surrounded by trees that are beautiful, but dangerous. They produce vibrant leaves, and sometimes in the spring and summer, they bloom flowers. But they are covered in vines with three-inch needles. Some of these needles are in bunches, while some are spread across the vine sporadically. In the middle of the path which they dapple, there is a bridge with one of its sides completely covcovered in vines, but the other side remains completely void of all vegetation. There is something really melodic about the way a horse’s tranquil hooves beat against the hollow pavement of the bridge. The whole path has this horrifically lovely translucence about it that can somehow make all of my troubles fade away. If I chose to lead Whiskey left, we end up in a forgotten cattle pasture. There, trees have grown around a watering hole kept alive by the overflowing river and the rain. It is almost invisible, and I only discovered it myself recently. You can see the thousands of footprints left by the surrounding wild animals imprinted into the mud. The wind whistles through the trees slightly, and even on the windiest days it can only barely creep through. My horse munches on the grass that covers the areas not completely taken over by water. There are plenty of fallen logs to climb on, as well as jump over. I could stay there for weeks, but eventually, Whiskey starts to miss her own pasture and I cannot run from my life forever.
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mel·o·dy (N.)
Musical sounds in agreeable succession or arrangement.
By: Sam Wiegand
M
usic allows a form of self expression unlike any other. Artists throughout all of history have used their own music to share their issues and beliefs. Music can definetely define a person. Not only does it define people, but it can define situations. Even if it doesn’t define a situation, it might fit well with it. ‘Melody’ is
a musical term that describes the agreement of sound. Throughout this issue of Quintessence, a lot of ideas and words have been defined in a ton of unique ways. On this page, a playlist has been compiled that melodically unites the themes expressed in this issue. So take a step back, and let music define a magazine that defines other things.
Com·pan·ion·ship Lean On Me // Bill Withers
MOt·ley Home Sweet Home // Mötley Crüe
Es·CA·PADE Born to Run // Bruce Springsteen
Lu·ci·dit·y Oh, Maker // Janelle Monae
Ve·mo·dal·en Sound of Silence // Disturbed
Sym·phon·ic An American Elegy // Frank Ticheli
nom·i·nal Sharp Dressed Man // ZZ Top
Drap·et·o·man·ia Runaway (U & I) // Galantis
A·nom·a·lous Just the Way You Are // Bruno Mars
Mel·o·dy Bohemian Rhapsody // Queen
In·dulge Chocolate // The 1975
I·con Home // Edward Sharpe ane the Magnetic Zeroes
Li·bri·cide Paperback Writer // The Beatles
Men·tor My Hero // Foo Fighters
Red·o·lent Rivers and Roads // The Head and the Heart
leg·end I’ll Be There For You // The Rembrandts
A•bode Omaha // Counting Crows
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Artwork by:
ANNE WATTS 38
I . CON (N.)
by Tom Hermanek
a person or thing regarded as a representative symbol of something
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A beautiful, unique set of streetlights adorn Abbott Drive, the thoroughfare that spans from good ol’ OMA to Riverfront Drive and the edge of downtown. The lights greet visitors to our vibrant city and offer a ‘welcome back’ to its residents driving toward downtown from Eppley Airfield. These lights, officially named the ‘String of Pearls,’ were made possible by a donation from the Peter Kewit Foundation to the city in 1999 as part of an effort to beautify one of the first streets traveled by the city’s visitors.
A Drive of Shattered Pearls Hailstorms in both 2011 & 2014 caused costly damage to the String of Pearls, which posed expenses of hundreds of thousands of dollars in repairs after each storm. Repairs on the String of Pearls began in late 2014, and the white globes that line Abbott Drive have been returned to their original state. The lights were also upgraded to energy efficient LED bulbs, which reduce energy costs and produce more light.
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Men•tor (N.) An experienced and trusted adviser
By: Nessa Woosley High school is a time of self-discovery, adventure, and sometimes stressful preparation for the future. Some leave with no clue what they want to do in college and beyond, while others figure it out along the way. Having a guiding light is essential to everyone’s journey through life, and some are lucky enough to find them in high school.
Trent Hixson and Brad Hildebrandt
Trent Hixson, a junior, is well know for being a football player, wrestler, and an overall great person. He considers his mentor to be Mr. Brad Hildebrandt. Hildebrandt put Skutt Catholic on the map for high school wrestling. As head coach for 22 seasons, he led the SkyHawks to 17 wrestling state titles. These titles are partially what landed him a spot in the NebraskaOmaha Athletic Hall of Fame as well as the title of Omaha World Herald’s Coach of the Year in 2005. Also, in 2009, Hildebrandt was named the Wrestling USA Magazine National Coach of the Year. Retiring after the 2015 season, the wrestlers he’s shaped over the years continue to carry on his legacy with a 2016 state title. “He made me wrestle. It was funny. I was called to the office, and had no idea who he was. Brad asked me to try wrestling for two weeks and then I could quit, but I don’t like quitting,” Trent explained. Hildebrandt coached Trent throughout his freshman and
sophomore years, and continues to help him in practices. “Brad’s a great coach and an even better person. He sees hidden potential in people and brings it out,” Hixson commented. Hildebrandt leaves a lasting impression on everyone he comes into contact with. He is a very genuine person who could make anyone laugh. “He gives respect to everyone no matter how long they’ve been wrestling,” Hixson elaborated. “Brad didn’t give me any less respect because it was my first year wrestling than someone who had been wrestling their entire life.” Hixson said. Trent considers Brad to be his mentor because he was a big influence on who he is today. “He helped get me into wrestling, which has helped me both physically and mentally. It has helped me with football and making commitments. I really appreciate what he has done for me over the years,” said Trent.
“He sees the hidden potential in people and brings it out.” 41 -Trent Hixson
Courtney Riedmann and Chris Storm Senior Courtney Riedmann has been heavily involved in the arts department her whole high school career. It goes without surprise that one of the most influential people in her life has been her show choir, concert choir, and chamber choir director for the past four years, Mr. Chris Storm. Some of the traits she admires most about the best choir director around are his unequivocal devotion, dedication, and determination. “Everything that he does has a purpose, and that is to see his students fall in love with music and communicate a message. If at the end of the day we are fortunate enough to be given an award, then that is just icing on the cake. However, true success isn’t the number of trophies or awards in the case, but how we were able to connect with what we were performing and how much joy it brought us,” Courtney commented. Mr. Storm isn’t focused on winning trophies; it is all about conveying meaningful messages. He has made it very apparent to his students that a hunk of metal means nothing when compared to touching people’s lives with music.
without him. He impacts students in a positive way, preparing them for what lies ahead. A truly stand up guy, Mr. Storm’s attitude towards life is sometimes hysterical. He is a seemingly very professional and serious person, but when class goes off on a tangent, you really begin to see his humorous side. He always knows how to lighten the mood with jokes and a sarcastic comment or two. Even on days where focus is high and work gets done, you can’t get through a class without laughing. How he manages to keep of all 54 showchoir performers and 71 chamber and concert choir members on track at all is mind-boggling.
“Everything that he does has a purpose, and that is to see his students fall in love with music and communicate a Mr. Storm gives all of himself to seeing that his message.” students succeed as people and an ensemble. “I think some of -Courtney Riedmann his qualities have shadowed down
Mr. Storm is a highly qualified director and is dearly loved by his students. Alongside making beautiful music, he teaches life lessons and how to be a better person- not just for the ensemble, but also in the real world. The program would not be what it is today
on to me as well. When I do something I give it my 100% all and never accept anything less. I do what I do merely because I love it and I know this is something that will make me eternally happy,” said Riedmann. When asked how Mr. Storm helped guide her over the years, Courtney confessed, “Essentially what Mr. Storm does every day is what I picture myself doing ten years down the road. I am extremely fortunate to have found what I am so singularly passionate about at such a young age. My initial dream or goal is to be a focused show choir director.”
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adj= of, described in, or based in legends. Remarkable enough to be famous; very well known.
FR• IE• NDS
The 6 friends hangout place, Central Perk. There are a ton of shows that don’t last very long and of the most binged watched TV shows on Netflix. The gets canceled after one or two seasons. Shows that stay sitcom follows the misadventures of six 20-something around for eight, nine, or even ten seasons are very rare year-old friends as they navigate through the pitfalls to find. A long running T.V show that really stands out of life in upper Manhattan. The pals’ names are joey from the rest is Friends. Friends’s first episode aired on Tribbiani, Chandler Bing, Ross Geller, Monica Geller, September 22, 1994. This show is considered to be one Phoebe Buffay, and Rachel Green. of the greatest sitcoms of all time as well as being one
The 6 friends at the Pulitzer Fountain, which closes the theme song for each episode of every season.
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Joey Tribbiani is Italian and has seven sisters. He works as an actor and he spends most of his time trying to get big parts. However, he is a relatively bad actor and the one big role in his career was playing Dr.Drake Ramoney in Days of Our Lives. He lives with Chandler, who helps him pay for photos and acting lessons. Joey confides to him probably the most, because they are best friends. Joey is good-natured and well meaning, but not very smart. He is one of the best characters in Friends. Chandler Bing is an average looking guy and is undoubtedly the funny one of the group. He uses humor as a defense mechanism. Chandler works at a high paying job, but somehow, none of the friends know what his job is. Monica once lost her apartment to Chandler and Joey because she lost a bet to them on the question: what is Chandler Bing’s real job? Chandler is afraid of being in a serious relantionship, but ends up being married to Monica at the end of season 6. In the last episode, Chandler and Monica left to settle into their new house with their newly adopted children. Ross Geller is Monica’s older brother and is a profesor of science at New York University. The friends tease him about the fact that he has always had strong love feelings for Rachel. He has had many misfortunes with his love life, but in the last episode, Rachel and Ross got back together after professed their love for each other.
Monica Geller was teased often about being overweight in high school. Monica is a neat freak and loves cleaning (something as an audience member will never understand). Now, she is fitter and works as a head chef at a top restaurant in Manhattan. She eventually wants to get wiith the right guy, have kids, and a family. Rachel Green starts out a spolied, bratty, rich kid living off her father’s money in the beginning of the show. She met the group after walking out on her wedding day. She found Monica and the gang at the local hangout, Central Perk. Monica then let Rachel move in with her. She then told Rachel to get a job, who chose to be a waitress at Central Perk. She went on to work in the fashion industry and become fully independent.
Phoebe Buffay is the quirkiest one of the group. She often makes a surprising revealation about her early life before she met the five other friends. Phoebe grew up on the streets and didn’t have a great childhood. She unknowingly mugged Ross when she was 14. Phoebe now plays guitar at Central Perk and thinks she will make it big. Ross, Rachel, Monica, Chandler, and Joey dont think she will make it but they let her play with her play anyway. Her “real job” is a masseuse and is described as adorably weird. She may be weird, but is at the end of the day a beloved character in Friends.
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a·Bode (N.) a place of residence; a house or home By: Peter Quinn
T
o those who don’t live here, Omaha, NE sounds like the most unappealing and uneventful place in the United States. Contrary to that belief, Omaha offers an array of things to view and visit. There’s way more here than just rolling cornfields. Venturing downtown will present many things one would not expect to find in Nebraska. These include, but are not limited to, TD Ameritrade, Century Link Center, and Henry Doorly Zoo.
Henry Doorly Zoo
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Henry Doorly Zoo is one of Omaha’s gems. Next to the San Diego Zoo, Omaha’s zoo is one of the largest in the country. The array of different habitats that are displayed there make it feel as if you are changing continents just by walking another ten feet. One of the more infamous of these exhibits is the desert dome. This is the enormous glass dome that looms above the rest of the zoo. The desert dome resembles a dry, arid desert environment, scattered with cactuses and creatures of all walks of life.
Century Link Center The Century Link center attracts many crowds as well. They host a variety of activities, ranging from basketball games to car shows. The artwork displayed out front is also great, especially the abstract clock that sits outside.
TD Ameritrade TD Ameritrade is known for attracting a crowd due to the fact that the a College World Series is hosted there. Every summer, baseball fans from around the country to come watch their favorite teams.
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