Issue 3

THE 8701 Pacific St. Omaha, NE 68114 Volume 61 Issue 3

November 18, 2016

ANCE

* FEATURE Check out the sports featured on pages 14-15

TEACHING HOPE Middle school instructor battles kidney disease

L I B BY S E L I N E & DA NA C OX than 30 percent function in both of her kidneys.

volleyball and teach and thought her exhaustion was because of the amount of activities she was EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OF LANCE & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OF WIRED involved in. During her physical in March Four days of the week, Westside 2016, Widdowson’s doctors bemiddle school PE instructor Virgie Widcame worried. They soon disdowson comes home and watches blood covered she was at stage six of filter out of her body. the disease, which was chronic WESTSIDE MIDDLE SCHOOL INSTRUCTOR She reclines in her brown leathkidney failure, and needed to er chair and wraps her body in a polka discuss treatment plans. dot blanket. She cleans the catheter in “I remember going home and her chest and hooks it up to a dialysis just crying because this is a semachine. The blood leaves her body, rious life change,” Widdowson but she feels nothing. After a couple of said. “It changes your day-toseconds, her eyelids become heavy, but day things, your outlook things, with the help of her “dialysis buddy” she how I react to people, what I eat usually stays awake so she can work or and what I do...It’s a big time have a conversation. commitment, too.”

Thirty minutes later she checks her Within a month, Widdowson blood work. This process is repeated evhad a surgery scheduled to install ery 30 minutes for the next four hours a fistula on her left arm, which so her blood can be properly cleaned so would help a vein pump clean she can live. oxygenated blood to WiddowWiddowson suffers from a genetic son’s heart and assist her in didisease called IgA nephropathy. Accordalysis, a process that would filter ing to the Mayo Clinic, over time, this distoxins in her blood. However, ease prevents the kidneys from eliminating waste at all; I felt nothing.” this fistula failed. Doctors attempted to add a fisfrom a person’s blood. Although she was born Nine years later in November 2015, Widdow- tula again, but this surgery also failed. In June, with this disease, she didn’t realize she had it son began to feel “crappy” and had the symptoms Story continued on page 2. until 2006 when doctors discovered she had less of a cold. She continued to coach basketball, “[Upon diagnosis] I didn’t think anything of [the disease],” Widdowson said. “I didn’t feel bad

VIRGIE WIDDOWSON

“I remember going home and just crying because this is a serious life change. ...it’s a big time commitment, too.”

Instructor Virgie Widdowson leads the kids in an activity during PE class on Wednesday, Nov 16.

Photo by Taylor Baca

2

NEWS

CONT.: Instructor’s life changes upon diagnosis Left: Instructor Virgie Widdowson coaches the Westside Volleyball team during a game. Photo courtesy of Jaime Robinson. Right Instructor Virgie Widdowson attends a benefit for her in her hometown. Photo courtesy of Virgie Widdowson.

doctors decided to give Widdowson another fistula in her arm and also insert a catheter. tired,” Widdowson said. “Doctors say, ‘how are you working everyday?’ [and] I say ‘I Although the catheter had a higher chance of infection, the doctors determined Widdow- don’t know; I just go. I would go crazy [if I didn’t teach. Teaching] is the normalcy in son needed to start dialysis soon. my life right now.”

Two days after her third surgery, WidOne of the hardest parts of this disease for Widdowdowson started dialysis. After months son is accepting help. Widdowson considers herself to passed by, doctors also determined that be a giver, but being the giver she is makes it hard for her WESTSIDE MIDDLE SCHOOL INSTRUCTOR Widdowson’s fistula was working very to accept the same kind of help from others. She finds it well. However, Widdowson learned how hard to accept because she feels like she can never repay to do dialysis on her own though a caththem for what they have done for her throughout this eter and usually only completes dialysis long journey. through her fistula with a nurse present.

“I finally started accepting other people’s help, but “I’ve learned more about my blood and before people would say ‘Oh what can I do?’ and I stuff...more than you should ever know,” would just tell them oh no it’s okay I got it,” Widdowson Widdowson said as she laughed. “My dad’s said. “[But I realized] they are struggling too because like ‘you could heal a country now because they want to help you, but there is nothing else they can of [how much you know about blood].’” do now [that I am on dialysis].”

Widdowson believes she is more “in Widdowson is currently on the donor list and is waittune” with her body and knows how to ing for a kidney. People cannot help her medically, but keep her body healthy. However, physical she does appreciate the support she has received from activity is a part of Widdowson’s job. Acpeople. tions such as walking up the hill from the “Everyone has done a lot to help me, and I’m like middle school track to the gym is hard for ‘how do I repay them?’” Widdowson said. her and she has to be mindful of her fistula Her supporters are thankful for Widdowson. She in her left arm. She is often tired, but deteaches them positivity and admire her strength. spite her illness, Widdowson still teaches.

“I am amazed by her perseverance and her positive attitude,” Westside Middle “Physically, there are days you feel good and days you feel crappy, but you have to School math instructor Vicki Tomlinson said. “I think she is amazing, and I pray a keep pushing on...and sometimes I can’t make it to things because I’m so physically kidney is in the near future for her.”

VIRGIE WIDDOWSON

“Doctors say ‘how are you working everday?’ [and] I say ‘I don’t know; I just go....I would go crazy if I didn’t teach. ”

IN BRIEF Flu Prevention

Vine Shuts Down

Flu season is nearly here. For many teenagers, however, the main line of defense against the flu is not available. This season, the flu mist is not being offered, as it is no longer recommended by the CDC. The reason for this is because FluMist has not been working. “[The FluMist] was appealing to many people because they didn’t have to get a shot.” said Sarah Smith a physician Fontenelle Clinic in Omaha. “But over the past two years it has shown to be not effective, less than five percent I believe.”

Young children are some of the people who need the most protection from the flu, as their immune systems are not strong yet. The FluMist was not working, leaving many vulnerable.

“In previous years, they recommended [the FluMist] for younger children, but this year they are not.” said Dr. Fawn Jin Methodists Physicians Clinic said.

For those who prefer getting vaccinated via FluMist, you will have to wait until 2018 as the CDC recommends against this method of vaccination in both 2016 and 2017.

FluMist is the only flu vaccine that is non-injection, meaning this year, all who want to be protected from the flu need a shot, according to the Lincoln-Journal Star.

In previous years, it has been recommended for people with egg allergies to avoid a flu shot, but this year, the CDC says that vaccines are safe for those with the allergy.

They just need to be administered in the presence of a health provider who can recognize symptoms of allergic reactions.

Briefs by Theo Jansen

Anyone who was on Twitter on Oct. 27 read that Vine, the social media that allows a user to share six second videos, is shutting down. Freshman David Goodwin is one of the many students at Westside who was disappointed with the announcement.

“It’s a real tragedy,” Goodwin said. “It was my first social media, and I love reminiscing on it. It’s a real knife in the heart.”

There are several reasons for Vine shutting down. Now, other apps, such as Twitter and Instagram, have features thaat allow users to share videos. Snapchat for example, allows people to you share ten-second videos, four-seconds longer than the six-second videos from Vine.

With these other apps on the market, Vine has gone down in the App Store and its top apps. It used to be in the top 50 worldwide apps, and now, it is all the way back at 223 earlier this month. In the specific category of photo apps, it has plummeted from five to 21.

Twitter, the company that owns Vine, is also at an all time low. Its stock has been hovering around $18 a share for the past few months. In 2014, the stock value peaked at $69.

With Vine not profitable and Twitter already having financial problems. Twitter cut nine percent of its employees. Also many popular accounts of Vine have left for other platforms. Instagram and Twitter both allow more time for the videos, and a potential possible audience.

“It always sucked,” freshman Edward Fleming said. “Now people are just realizing it.”

NEWS

3

Painting Peace

U.N. ambassador visits elementary students MADIGAN B R O D S K Y & G EO R G I A W I M M E R

MEDIA COORDINATOR & STAFF WRITER

In a lesson taught to students at Prairie Lane Elementary School, U.N. Ambassador to Nigeria Ibiyinka Alao tells the story of an oyster, who lets irritants inside of its shell, but chooses to make something beautiful out of the ocean’s impurities.

This lesson about finding the positive in every opportunity was one of many shared throughout Alao’s week long residency at Prairie Lane during the week of Oct. 24.

Alao was selected by the president of his country to become the U.N. Arts Ambassador to Nigeria and U.N. Ambassador of Peace after he won first place in the United Nations International Art Competition in 2004.

Alao first came to Omaha in 2006 when the United Nations sent him to speak at schools and to connect with various programs through libraries and other communities.

Alao said he believes that art is a very important way to preserve culture and uses this view, along with many life experiences, to help teach positivity and integration to the students he meets across the country.

“Part of the purpose of the residency is to demonstrate how all the subjects are related to each other,” Alao said. “Each grade had a different project that I did with them. For some it was a workshop, some it was to write, but for everyone

DEB KRUSE

it related to an [appreciation] for art. I would describe to them that art is frozen music and writing is the vapor of art.”

During his week at Prairie Lane, Alao spent time in each classroom, creating different works of art with students across all mediums. He customized the art he produced with each grade level to ensure that the messages he was sending were understood and appreciated by all ages. In fifth grade classrooms, Alao created tessellations to help students v a l u e shapes and their formation. In sixth and fourth grade classrooms, students worked on producing paintings based on their own interpretation of a story. On Friday, Oct. 28, all classes presented their creations at a celebration full of dancing, music and storytelling, which was meant to mimic how art is displayed in Nigeria.

“In West Africa, the reason that we don’t have a lot of art galleries or art museums or theatres for performances is because we typically just put them all together,” Alao said. “There is a stronger awareness that art is for the people. And so sometimes, it seems almost atrocious to think about having art in a building, because it should just always be present with you.”

During his first time in Omaha in 2006, Alao visited Sunset Elementary School where he met and quickly developed a friendship with Westside

Instructural Coach

“The feeling of love and hope and peace in the school this week is [palpable]...”

KORT A. IGEL D.D.S., M.S. 10801 Pacific Street, Suite 200 Omaha, NE 68154

402.330.1152 igelorthodontics.com

Smiles start here.

Instructional Coach Deb Kruse. Kruse says that she could truly feel the sense of love that Alao helped produce at Prairie Lane during his recent residency.

“The feeling of love and hope and peace in the school this week is [palpable],” Kruse said. “The happiness has been amazing. The kids running up to him, going home and talking about Ambassador Alao. It’s going to last with them forever.”

While the students at Prairie Lane were the ones Alao set out to educate, he says that his takeaway from the residency taught him not just about the children he set out to connect with, but also about himself.

“You never really stop learning in life,” Alao said. “This week, the kids in this school and the teachers in this school have really opened my mind in really unique, beautiful ways…. It will stay with me forever.”

UN Ambassador Ibiynka Alao speaks to students, teachers, and parents at Praire Lane Elementary School on Friday, Oct. 28. Photo by Georgia Wimmer.

4

NEWS

money talkS (LOudly)

Local businesses report disruptive students N I CH O LAS V I N C E N T I N I STAFF WRITER

Long lines of middle schoolers fill Dunkin’ Donuts at 90th and Center Wednesday afternoons. Only a few blocks away is Westside Middle School, which has an early dismissal. This causes hordes of students to swarm Dunkin’ Donuts, Planet Sub and Smoothie King in the recently opened Loveland Centre strip mall.

This year, middle school students have been loitering and disrupting the businesses there. Some of the trouble started earlier this year when students were throwing footballs in the parking lot and the ball was hitting cars.

The police were called during this incident.

David Stiles, co-owner of Planer Sub, has noticed disrespectful behavior especially in his restaurant.

“This year started out kind of rough,” Stiles said. “They’ll bring products from other stores in here because we have a bigger space.”

On a recent Wednesday, Dunkin’ Donuts had the most students and noise compared to the surrounding stores. The food in Dunkin’ Donuts is cheaper than the food in the surrounding restaurants which contributes to the greater number of students.

“The noise level gets a little crazier but they’re kids” said Dunkin’ Donuts employee Ashley Krecklow.

The situation at Smoothie King has been similar to the one at Dunkin’ Donuts.

“The only problem is the noise level,” said Smoothie King employee Wes McCann. “They come in, buy their drink, and leave most of the time.”

The problems have been brought to the attention of Westside Middle School, and Principal Russ Olsen made sure to inform the parents of the situation.

“I sent out a PSA in our newsletter letting parents know that there were concerns about students loitering, and I think it started a proactive conversation,” Olsen said. “A few parents thanked me, except we can’t do much to solve the problem from the school side.”

While the Loveland Centre may be a new issue this year, it isn’t the first time Olsen has received reports of students behaving similarly at other businesses.

“In years past, we’ve had the same thing going on at Arby’s and Taco Bell across the street,” Olsen said. “We [at WMS] just want to help students make good decisions.”

Employees at Loveland Centre are also trying to help students make better decisions.

“I try to help out the kids as much as possible.

I try to be on the even side of everything,” Krecklow said.

Planet Sub has tried to get a return to normalcy ever since the trouble started earlier this year.

“We’ve put some new practices in place, and it seems to have settled down a bit,” Stiles said.

“I sit out here and monitor them, and if they get wild I say something and they tend to get scared and run.”

One of the new rules is seating and restrooms are for paying customers only.

Security guards have also been hired by Loveland Centre to help monitor and control some of the mayhem. The guards are no longer allowed in Dunkin’ Donuts because employees there feel they can handle the students better

themselves.

One thing all the businesses can agree on is that the students bring in good money, especially during such a slow time of day.

“They bring in lots of money,” Krecklow said. “We sell a lot more doughnuts and frozen hot chocolate than we normally do.”

Westside Middle School students interact with each other after school at Dunkin’ Donuts.

Photo by Lili Fogland *Photo was blurred to protect students’ identity.

GOOD FOR BUSINESS Marketing students learn from local businesses STEVEN S I M O N suggested a promotional plan. The business purNEWS EDITOR

Seniors Emma Dirks, Madison Barger, Kati LeFebvre, Mason Snover and Kalan Ferate visit Pets-R-Us in Rockbrook Village on Sunday, Nov 14 for their Marketing 2 class. Photo courtesy of Katie Harmon

Senior students in Marketing 2, a business and leadership course, have partnered with real businesses from the the Westside community.

Business instructors Katie Harmon and Sarah Schau initiated these partnerships with five local businesses: Planet Sub, Dunkin’ Donuts, Dynamic Fitness, Pets-R-Us and Score Vision.

Every marketing section works on a different project depending on which business they’re working with. Students meet in class with business contacts to discuss new ideas that can help the business grow.

“I think the greatest benefit of partnering with these businesses is the authentic learning,” Schau said. “Students get to apply what they learn in class to the real world.”

This is the first time entire classes have partnered with Omaha businesses, but after less than two months of coordination, students have sold ads, created promotional plans, conducted market research, and even made live sales calls.

“The students have total freedom in coming up with ideas,” Schau said. “They propose their ideas and then either get feedback or start to implement them, but they have to abide by the rules of the business.”

A specific example of the mutual benefits of these partnerships is the work one class has done with Dunkin’ Donuts, a new franchise location on 90th and Center. According to Schau, students conducted a survey of over 300 students and staff members. The class analyzed the results and

chased ads in The Lance and also solidified the student discount at Dunkin’ Donuts.

DJ Reezac, a local businessperson involved in the ScoreVision partnership and a Westside alumnus, said “I’ve been blown away with how eager and professional the Marketing 2 students have been.”

Reezac, a former Marketing student said he realizes that there are challenges that come along with these partnerships.

“We’re talking about real-life dollars and getting someone to write a check for a large amount is difficult,” said Reezac. “The major challenge is students overcoming the disappointment of potential customers repeatedly saying no.”

“All of the students have come up with some really great stuff,” Schau said, “I’ve even had other businesses contact me wanting to work with our Marketing 2 students.”

Ethan Jasa, a Marketing 2 student, is a member of the class that is partnered with ScoreVision.

Jasa said he has made sales calls and worked on scoreboard ads.

“I want to pursue a career in business, specifically selling,” Jasa said. “This partnership has helped me understand how selling works in the real world.”

Many students who take Marketing 2, like Jasa, have an interest in going into the business field in the future and maybe even majoring in marketing.

“Thanks to these internships, I think I’ll have an advantage over the competition in the future,” Jasa said.

EDITORIAL

5

The LANCE The Lance is a school-sponsored publication of Westside High School, Westside Community Schools, 8701 Pacific St., Omaha, NE 68144. The Lance office is located in room 251. Phone: (402) 343-2650. The Lance is an in-house publication.

The paper is distributed every month to all students, except in vacation periods. Subscription rates to others are $25 prepaid. The Lance is printed by White Wolf Web, in Sheldon, IA. Advertising rates are available upon request. The Lance editorial staff reserves the right to edit all ads for clarity and grammatical errors.

The editorial staff reserves the right not to publish any ads that are libelous or that contain non-factual information.

The Lance editorial staff also reserves the right to nullify contracts at any time without prior notification. The Lance also refuses ads that promote activities illegal to a majority of the student readership.

Reader response is welcomed in the form of letters to the editor.

Letters should be less than 300 words, signed by the author and sent to room 251. Names may be withheld upon special request. Lance editors will decide whether to honor such requests.

The Lance editorial staff reserves the right to edit letters for clarity and grammatical errors. The editorial staff also reserves the right to not publish any letters that are libelous or that contain non-factual information.

The Lance is a member of the Nebraska High School Press Association, the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, the National Scholastic Press Association and the Quill & Scroll Society.

The Lance staff recognizes that the administration of Westside Community Schools controls the curriculum and, thus, sets the parameters of the production process of school publications. The Lance staff also recognizes its own responsibilities to inform, enlighten and entertain its readers in a way that reflects high standards of journalism, morals and ethics.

Editors-in-Chief Celena Shepherd, Libby Seline; Managing Editors Jim Schueneman, Sam Cohen; Media Coordinator Madigan Brodsky; Design Editor Bella Radler; Copy Editor Emma Korengel; News Editor Steven Simon; Opionion Editor Alex Bergin; Sports Editors Trevor Mumford, Nolan Tracy; Arts and Entertainment Editor April Van Unen; Staff Writers Ryan Adkins, Maryam Akramova, Malia Battafarano, Cindy France, Destinry Howard, Theo Jansen, Sophie Knight, Tristan Newman, Aaron Norton, Nicole Petersen, Reese Pike, Julia Steiner, Nick Vincentini, Georgia Wimmer; Photographers Taylor Baca, Lili Fogland; Advisers Timothy Kaldahl, Jerred Zegelis.

Editorial

Students should respect local businesses Your teenage years are the ultimate battle between acting like an adult and being a child. You start pushing away authority, making your own decisions and are given big responsibilities. However, older people still view us as little kids.

Recently there have been many situations where businesses around schools have had to make rules or precautions specifically to make up for students’ bad behavior.

Students have gone into stores just to waste time or wait for a ride. Things like being loud, being reckless with merchandise and being a nuisance in the store lead store owner to get angry. Then they do things like limiting the amount of students in the store at a time or having kids leave their backpacks outside to prevent theft.

Westside is struggling with this problem in the Loveland Centre that resides very close to the middle school. We are not the only ones, though. Businesses around the 90th and Pacific area, including a gas station and fast food restaurant have had problems with students in the past.

The thing is, if we are going to ask for freedom to go out by ourselves, we need to act like we can handle it. We are just citizens when we walk out

into the real world by ourselves. Stealing isn’t funny. Making someone’s property a mess is unnecessary and rude. If you are not a paying customer, you do not have any business bothering the people that work at the store or the other customers around you.

Being a teenager is a time when you can make competent decisions on right and wrong. We know how to act when we go out. We do not own the world, and the world owes us no patience.

When we visit another person’s property, we are guests on their grounds.

They are providing a service and we are providing money for it, as equal parts of a deal. We owe it to the owner to act respectable and treat the business, including staff, with respect and dignity. People don’t go to a friend’s house as a guest and steal their stuff, make a mess and leave. That would be considered highly rude, so why would we do these things to respectable business owners?

It’s time to seriously get our act together people. In what way, shape, or form should any adult trust or listen to teenagers if we are going to act immature, and frankly quite rude? Next time you just walk over to your favorite area after school, make sure you’re not wasting anybody’s time and act right.

“We do not own the world and the world owes us no patience...”

Warrior Voice

Should schools intervene when students are misbehaving at local businesses?

lukes loontjer, freshman

“The school shouldn’t intervene. The businesses make their own decisions for what the students did wrong.”

Sam Adamson, sophomore

“No, because if it’s after school or has nothing to do with school, then I don’t think they should.”

Kelsie Watson, Junior

“No, I think that that’s a separate thing from school and that it has nothing to do with school.”

Asher Rosenquist, senior

“If it’s off school property, then it doesn’t really matter. I think it’s like out of their jurisdiction if it’s beyond the campus.”

6

NEWS

Election Recap

WHS students react to Trump’s victory S OPH IE K N I G H T voted “red” in past elections were won by Trump.

STAFF WRITER

On March 23, 2015, Texas Senator Ted Cruz announced his candidacy for president. One by one, 22 other major party candidates announced bid for The White House.

After 597 days, it came down to the final two representatives of the Republican and Democratic parties, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, additionally the third party independent candidates, like Gary Johnson, Jill Stein and Evan McMullin. Scandal after scandal, American voters were pushed back and forth between now President-Elect Trump and Clinton.

In sophomore Caleb Duncan’s words, “it’s like choosing between a hangnail and a canker sore.”

With Clinton leading the polls and Trump losing in the polls, many news anchors claimed he didn’t have a chance on Tuesday, Nov. 1.

Then the tables may have been turned by the FBI investigation of Clinton’s emails and The Clinton Foundation. Coincidently, Trump was up in many polls, down in others and tied in Colorado by late Wednesday, Nov. 2.

On the night of Nov. 8, Trump immediately took the lead in popular and electoral votes. Clinton took many states that have commonly voted “blue” in past elections. Many states that have commonly

This election there were 12 very important states that were crucial to the candidates. When it came down to these 12 swing states, it was a really tight race. Many states like Florida and Pennsylvania could not define a winner for hours because, the race was too close to call a winner.

Clinton won four swing states and Trump won the remaining eight.

Around 1:30 a.m. on Wednesday Nov. 9, Vice President-Elect Mike Pence introduced Trump to America, as “America’s champion.” President-Elect Trump explained that Clinton had called his headquarters and privately conceded the presidency, and both candidates had congratulated each other on the hard fought race.

As freshman Cole Gilliland watched the electoral vote rise and saw a Trump win in sight his fist burst into the air.

“I wasn’t really that confident because, you know, Hillary was supposed to win,” Gilliland said. “My boy Trump kinda pulled it out, definitely got more confidence as the night went on.”

After the long awaited race finally came to a close, America awaited a speech from Clinton. The same Wednesday morning Clinton publicly conceded and acknowledged the pain and division throughout the country, but suggested Americans should give Trump a chance by saying “We owe

CARLY KINNEY

JUNIOR

“My first feeling was sadness and dark. It’s just like scary for everybody and I just was worried.”

him an open mind and a chance to lead.”

On election day, many Westside High School students entered Westside in cotton tees suggesting their political views. Later that night, devastation hit for some; dreams came true for others.

Gilliland may have felt “inspired”, but many other Westside High school students are upset with the election and inspired in a different way.

“I was way confident with Hillary winning,” junior Carly Kinney said, “My first feeling was sadness and dark. It’s just like scary for everybody and I just was worried.”

As the transition of power continues, many Americans remain scared or even happy. Many are happy that their voices are finally being heard, and others feel they can’t speak loud enough. President Obama reminded us on election day that “the sun will rise tomorrow”.

Graphic by Emma Korengel

Opinion

Citizens need to unite after the results of recent election THE FACTS • Voter turnout fell to 58% this year, from almost 62% in 2008, according to The Telegraph • Donald Trump won the electoral college, but Hillary Clinton won the popular vote by a margin of more than one million, says US Weekly.

• Donald Trump won the male vote at about 53 percent, while Hillary won the female vote with 54 percent.

Also according to the New York Times, 67 percent of whites without a college degree voted for Donald Trump.

Dear America, I’m not taking sides today.

I’m not going to ask “what were you thinking?” or “how could you do this?” because I believe you knew exactly what you were thinking during this election. You wanted the best for this nation. Don’t we all?

Half of the country woke up on Wednesday, Nov 9 and feared for their life. They were afraid that their right to live freely would be violated in LIBBY SELINE the next four years.

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF The other half of the nation felt the need to defend their choice. The nation was broken into two pieces, and both sides struggled to cooperate.

Wake up, America. You’re not just one citizen or a group of people. You’re a melting pot filled with unique individuals of different backgrounds.

Respect the fact that women are scared of being sexually assaulted, and the results of this election increased the fear.

Respect people of different ethnicities and their rights. It is the characteristics of their personality that matter — not the color of their skin

or their religion.

Additionally, respect the fact that one person — even a very powerful person — does not always represent a group of people. Regardless of who a political party member supported, not every republican is evil; not every democrat is a liar. Most people do mean well even if they don’t understand a certain viewpoint.

But America, you elected a president who during his campaign disrespected many minorities, and many people ask “what were you thinking, America?” Although it’s unlikely he will build a wall or deport people of a certain faith during his presidency, he represents hatred.

Trump will have the power to appoint supreme court justices and sign laws into action. The question most people are asking themselves is if he will destroy the “progress” made to help people of color and in the LGBT community in past eight years.

Maybe he will but maybe he won’t. There are certain checks and balances in place that will make fulfilling some of Trump’s promises difficult. However, having Trump in the power seat is not reassuring to many citizens because he represents all they’ve feared.

Nevertheless, many people did support Trump and his beliefs. These people should celebrate because they have a voice in office. However, if Americans want Trump’s presidency to run smoothly, we need to learn to respect each other for the sake of our country.

So, it is not the time for jokes about hanging pro-Trump posters or to chant “Trump” in public places or to blame the failure of our country on a group of people. Today is not the day to attempt to calm people down or say “the sun will come up again tomorrow” because some people think life would be better if it didn’t rise again. It’s time to listen, keep an open-mind and also raise our voice.

If you wish to publically celebrate Trump’s victory, celebrate. If you wish to protest Trump’s stance on immigration, protest. If we are ever going to accept the outcome, people need to be allowed to express their emotions and not hide them to have better character.

This gives us no excuse to act disrespectfully.

The results of this election brought us an education opportunity. People should use this time to teach the country their views, which will not come through bickering or shouting offenses at each other.

The scars from this election cycle will not be forgotten. Friendships were broken. Families quarreled. There was a division among Americans. Will this separation be easily fixed? No. However, if we want the next presidency to benefit everyone, we need to speak up and help others understand. This, America, is how change begins.

NEWS

7

Voices Raised

Students across the Metro protest election results MA D I GA N B R O D S K Y your opinion, but you must be respectful of the MEDIGA COORDINATOR

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary does not have a current definition for “The 2016 Election,” but if it did, the entry would not likely be a reassuring one.

With headlines beaming “Welcome to the Election from Hell” and comedians like John Oliver referring to the past 15 months as “the electoral equivalent of seeing someone puking so you start puking and then someone else is puking and pretty soon everyone is puking 2016,” the outcome was predicted by many to be far from satisfactory, regardless of the electee.

Across the country, the responses to Donald Trump’s victory have been split. “Not My President” protests have been occurring since Wednesday, Nov. 9, and Trump supporters have been eagerly championing their candidate both on and off social media.

The tension between both perspectives has been felt in Omaha since the conclusion of the election, with the first notable protest arising downtown on Wednesday, Nov. 9. Students at Central High School also participated in a staged peaceful walkout protest on Friday, Nov. 11.

According to the World-Herald, approximately 1,000 students gathered in front of Dodge Street in Central’s hour-long walkout protest before they were urged back into school by teachers and administrators. Dr. Edward Bennett, principal of Central High School, said that after Central staff was made aware of the possibility of a protest, they quickly made their expectations clear to students through four grade-level assemblies.

“We said the same thing each time, which is if you’re going to do it, you need to understand the ramifications of your actions,” Bennett said. “You need to remember that it’s Veterans Day, and people will take offense to that unless you’re careful about how you handle yourselves.

You need to understand that if you do anything behavior-wise to contradict the message, such as getting into a fight at a peaceful rally, you hurt the message you’re trying to get across, and then you always have to understand that not everyone feels the way you do. You have the right to

opinions of others at all times.”

Bennett said that he cannot confirm that these assemblies ensured the protest’s peacefulness, and he says he knows that Central students are typically “incredibly well behaved” and that many even stayed after the protest to help clean up litter off of Central’s front lawn.

“They met all of our expectations and more,” Bennett said. “So whether they would have done [that] on their own, it’s hard to speculate. I’m guessing it would have been very well done and I’d like to think that we helped them understand and make sure that they sent the right message.”

Central’s peaceful protest set the example for many other schools in the Metro, encouraging approximately 125 Northwest High School students to partake in their own walkout on 90th Street and Military Road, according to the Omaha World-Herald. Students at Bryan and South soon followed suit, and a video of Millard North students chanting both “love Trumps hate” and “build a wall” in their cafeteria was released on social media. The debate continued on social media over the weekend, and Principal of Millard North, Brian Begley, asked parents to discuss how to appropriately express opinions with their students, according to WOWT. Inspired by the Central protest and tensions felt across the country, Westside students also participated in their own peaceful protest after school on Friday, Nov. 11.

Senior Salik Ford said that he chose to attend Westside’s protest after hearing about it from a friend. While Ford said that he disagrees with the view that Trump “isn’t our president,” he said that he feels like the treatment of minorities at Westside needs to change. In this way, Ford said he believes Westside’s protest was unsuccessful.

“I feel like it was effective for the students,” Ford said. “...It gave them an [empowering] feeling and that’s about it… but I don’t really think that anything else changed at all.”

Principal Jay Opperman said that he appreciated the appropriate nature of Friday’s peaceful demonstration, and said he believes that it was a good example of positive protesting.

In contrast to the action of Central administra-

tors, Opperman said he decided that the atmosphere of the building was too tense on Friday for a school-wide assembly to be effective. On Monday, Nov. 14, Opperman met with Superintendent Blane McCann in regards to future steps that could be made to tackle a larger, more institutional challenge of communicating respect.

“I don’t think it’s a one-time fits-all thing,” Opperman said. “Sure, we could have an assembly, [but] in my opinion that doesn’t fix anything. What really fixes that is an ongoing conversation… We’ve got to create some different ways to have two-way dialogue, just to help all groups of students out. I’m not saying a one time assembly is bad, but I’m not saying a one-time assembly really gets down to the heart of communication and teaching.”

Contrary to anecdotal reports of an increased number of fights after Trump was elected, according to Assistant Principal Aaron Bredenkamp, no physical fights have occurred at Westside since the election. Out of the 23 fights that have occurred since the beginning of the school year, five of those have happened in November, and all of them before the 8th. While another 11 instances of “physical aggression” occurred during the week of the Nov. 8th, Bredenkamp says that none of them were related to the election.

“I think overall, what we’re feeling is a tension,” Bredenkamp said. “And that’s hard to track. I think that some students have a lot of emotions and feelings that haven’t been addressed in the past that are now starting to boil over into this subject.”

Opperman and Bredenkamp agree that this tension is partly due to the prevalence and occasional misuse of social media, but “the bigger issue” is about respect.

“There’s tensions that existed before the election regarding race and equal rights and treatment of people, and we’re a diverse school,” Opperman said. “Some of those things that really do exist are probably even more evident to us, and we’re acknowledging what already exists.

I think going forward, the big thing for us is [going to be] really trying to communicate with students [on] what are positive and appropriate ways to deal with feelings of uncertainty.”

Juniors Jalaiah Survillion and Tia Ford protest the election of Donald Trump outside of Westside’s main entrance on Friday, Nov. 11th.

Photos by Siena Gailloux

8

OPINION

PSAT memes deserve attention If you’re like most upper-classmen here, chances are you’ve probably taken the PSAT. Heck, some of you may be planning on taking it later on. For those who seek a test-run of the often intimidating real SAT, the PSAT serves as a good chance to see what you need to improve on. However, it’s not the most exciting event of the year. Most people show up tired already, and having to listen to the pre-written CollegeBoard-issued spiel about not having mechanical EMMA KORENGEL pencils and not using a COPY EDITOR calculator on the reading section certainly doesn’t help. So when all is said and done and students file out the door, most people are looking for both entertainment and a way to vent.

Thus came the memes. A trend emerging only recently in 2014, PSAT memes have quickly risen to one of the top-tier seasonal events to capitalize on with jokes and edits. It’s not uncommon to see PSAT in the trending tags of any website for hours after the titular test. PSAT memes often highlight particularly odd or boring test paragraphs from either the reading comprehension or grammar sections. Basically, things like these are to be expected when you make thousands of teenagers read the same stale paragraph all on the same day and don’t factor in the joke potential of the content included.

For hours after the Oct 19 PSAT, social media outlets were bombarded with this year’s rounds of jokes, including ones about an article with dolphin clicks and toadfish mating calls, star aligning to make stick figures, lazers, fake artisian bagels, christmas trees and more. This certainly isn’t a small event, and it makes it all the more special to understand these memes only if you’ve trudged through a 5 hour test.

You earned them. These are hard-earned jokes, people. (Alas, not all can be so lucky, because if you took the October 15th test you would only understand jokes about glowing mice brains and eating nuts).

Unfortunately, these memes do not come without consequence. The College Board has often weighed in within the PSAT 2016 tag with vaguely-threatening quotes like “Please remember: Discussing test questions may cause your scores to be cancelled.” In the past, they’ve shown a range of emotions varying from harsh disapproval to nonchalant acceptance. However, PSAT memes, technically speaking, exist in a legal loophole. Indeed, they do discuss test questions specifically, but not necessarily answers. They cover test material in their content but don’t explicitly tell you the answers to questions related to the memes. In short, yes, you can make PSAT memes freely and widely as long as you just don’t tell the answers. And the College Board can’t do squat. They are near-illegal content and I can’t think of anything better to do after sitting through an arbitrary and lengthy standardized test. Push the limits of jokes. Risk getting your scores cancelled. It’s power to the people at it’s finest.

To be 100 percent honest with you, I feel like College Board, regardless of the iffy legal zone these memes occupy, should really stop being so worried and uptight about innocent jokes. I guarantee you that you will never find somebody who actually enjoyed the PSAT, and the least you can do after making these people go through hours of testing, is allow them to poke fun at the ridiculous subject matter you inserted into your college-required arbitrary standardize test.

So whenever you take the PSAT and start seeing it in the trending tags, feel free to participate, because a joke is always more funny if you’re walking the razors edge of consequence.

Graphic Graphic by

by Bella Bella Radler Radler

PHONE-Y RULES

Faculty members should not take away phones I use my cellphone in IMCs. I admit it. While there are so many other kids on their phones more often than I am, I still get my work done. While you can not get around cellphones in academic areas like IMCs as a whole, wasting your time on your cellphone, which might be associated with games or texting, is often frowned upon by teachers. Phones are taken day in and day out at Westside because it “decreases productivity” and “good work ethic.” This though has to be learned as a time management skill.

American Literature and HuTRISTAN NEWMAN manities STAFF WRITER teacher Jordan Klepfer sees students on their phones in the English IMC daily. How Klepfer acts on these issues though is something seen in both himself and other teachers.

“I am okay with students using their phones as long as it is benefiting them academically,” Klepfer said. “I feel that it’s okay to have some social interaction when they’re not in class and it’s not occupying more than 10 percent of your schooltime.”

However, too often phones are used in classrooms secretly and then nonchalantly tucked away. People ultimately are going to do the wrong thing. We can’t escape that as imperfect people. Westside’s Student Handbook states that cellphones aren’t permitted in academic areas. But does everyone care? No, not really.

“I am more interested in seeing a person that develops skills in their own life, where they can control their

own choices. To the point where they are going to be successful and rise above the average person,” Klepfer said.

These skills, such as time management, are something which must be learned in a student’s experiences in order to shape a successful person. In other words, people have to figure out these things for themselves. People do learn best on their own and through their experiences and beliefs rather than being told to do something. Taking cellphones only influences a student to act out against authority.

The overall design of modular scheduling in high school is something to be beneficial to students and decrease their overall workload once they get home. It’s the belief of some teachers that there are certain students who waste their time in open mods. Rather than using open mods for their intention, it’s believed students aren’t using their time wisely.

Teachers though try to influence students to get their work done because it is within the purview of their jobs.

Despite what Westside’s Student Handbook may say, many students ignore the rules as regular citizens ignore laws. I personally believe though that badgering students on what decisions to make on a daily basis is wrong. At the end of the day, we learn through our experiences. That is the even broader goal Westside values: building success in people for real life. We have to figure that out for ourselves, whether it be now or later.

“These skills, such as time management are something which must be learned to shape a...person...”

PowerGrade A

96

To Thanksgiving break: You’re the much needed, and much loved, mid quarter break that both students and staff relish. Plus, we enjoy being able to stuff ourselves with food and sleep the other three days.

C+

To the broken bathrooms: It sucks that the bathrooms broke because it was super inconvenient for a lot of people. However, the bathrooms were fixed really efficiently, which helped get Westside back to its normal greatness.

F

To the many cliques of Westside: Open up to new people! It is difficult for students who can’t find a right group of friends because people aren’t inclusive. There are also many benefits by introducing yourself to new people. After all, high School is a time to go out of your comfort zone and explore.

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OPINION

9 Graphics by Isabella Radler and Sam Cohen

MINIMUM WAGE PRo...

crease the quality of life skilled or entry

level workers. However, the outcome tells a different story. Increased minimum wage not only results in the shutting down of businesses, it also raises unemployment rates and increases inflation as well.

Economics explains it all.

Consider this situation: you are the owner of a small company. It has been performing moderately well. Recently, the government has passed a law to raise the minimum wage. Your company isn’t the most successful one out there and this increased minimum wage could be what makes you go out of business.

In order to make a profit and pay your employees the new minimum wage, you raise the prices of your products. A few weeks later, your business is not doing well. No one is buying your products anymore because the prices are too high. Soon after, you are forced to shut down because your company is not making any profit.

According to Forbes Economics & Finance Magazine, many companies are shutting down because of increased minimum wages. An increase in the cost of resources, such as employees, will increase a company’s total costs until they are greater than the company’s profit. At this point, the company will shut down because they are losing money. Not only will this cause less goods to be produced, it will also raise unemployment.

In addition, companies may decrease their number of employees. The problem is less employees means less work done, which results in not making enough product to meet quotas and higher unemployment rates in America. Individuals would much rather work

for a little money than be unemployed altogether. Among the many, teenagers are a significant group who are victim to this situation.

According to economist John C. Goodman on Townhall, a news and opinion website, “What matters is [that youths] learn the life skills of showing up for work on time, following orders, conducting themselves in appropriate ways, etc.” He also adds, “If they learn those skills, their wages will rise through time without any help from government.”

Increased minimum wage isn’t fair to the hardworking individuals who took the time to increase their skills through education and previous low-paying jobs in order to get one with a higher salary.

Additionally, the economy suffers from high inflation because of it.

According to the United States Department of Labor, “Congress sets the minimum wage, but it doesn’t keep pace with inflation. Because the cost of living is always rising, the value of a new minimum wage begins to fall from the moment it is set.”

An increase in employee wages results in an increase in the prices a company charges for its products. As the prices increase, customers get less for their money.

High inflation will cause workers to receive less for their money and further economic decline.

If the minimum wage continues to increase, companies will continue shutting down and the economy will be on a never-ending downhill ride to disaster. To prevent this disaster from happening, America needs to decrease or abolish the minimum wage to empower companies to start growing again.

Minimum wage laws protect us from corporate manipulation, exploitation of workers, and poverty among other things for all of us. Without many exceptions, if you are employed somewhere in Nebraska, you will be paid at the least $9.00 an hour, but some people think there should be exceptions to the rule.

Some believe that the minimum wage should be determined by age.

The general consensus here is that a teenager or young adult does not need to be paid as much as older adult that need to make a living wage.

The belief is that if you have ALEX BERGIN a smaller minimum for younger OPINION EDITOR workers just getting experience, you and your company will save money that you can then pay to your older workers therefore giving them a higher wage. A teenager doesn’t need as much money as say a parent supporting a family, so supporters believe this wage gap would make sense.

Unfortunately, the world isn’t perfect and this system would be too flawed.

Corporate greed is something many Americans are affected by now, and many times the only thing standing between a billionaire and making more money from his workers is labor laws. If we had a lower minimum wage for

young people, several problems can arise.

Employers could now hire younger people they they don’t have to pay as much, making it harder for older people and people with families to get jobs. No one is forced to hire certain people, generally, when being chosen for a job, so why at all would a company choose to hire someone for $15.00 an hour when they can hire someone to do a similar job if not the same job for $9.00 an hour.

That aside, it is not right for two people who are doing the same job to not be guaranteed the same x amount of minimum payment. Regardless of who you are, if you are doing a job at the same efficiency and getting done just as well, you should be guaranteed at the very least the same wage.

We also can’t just say that older people are the only people that need a living wage. We never know what a person’s circumstance is. A good chunk of teenagers either help support their families, or just support themselves separately from their families.

As you get older, you pay phone bills, car insurance, gas, food, school fees, going out and so on. If young people aren’t able to get

a somewhat decent paying jobs, they will not be able to have financial security if they need it.

This split in minimums leads to unfair sacrifices on the working man’s behalf, and we are smarter than to let that happen.

Minimum wage is considered by most to be one of the biggest problems in America, and it has become a fairly popular idea in both the government and in society to increase it once again.

My question is, simply, why?

What is the “catch” behind the promised increased quality of life? How much will the United States have to suffer because of this change? Is it even worth it?

The answer is no.

According to economist Michael Lafaive on Mackinac Center for Public Policy, a free market think tank, “Minimum wage laws are regarded by economists of all stripes as among the CINDY FRANCE least efficient tools for boosting STAFF WRITER the welfare of those at the lower end of the earnings spectrum, inevitably harming many of those they are intended to help.”

Lafaive continues, “Minimum wage laws have been shown to eliminate job opportunities 2 and cost many of the least skilled workers their 2 jobs.”

The govern2 ment raises minimum 2 2 2 wage with 2 an in2 tent 2 2 to in-

2 for low

2

“Increased minimum wage not only results in the shutting down of businesses...”

CON...

“We also can’t just say that older people are the only people that need a living wage. We never know what a person’s circumstance is.”

10

FEATURE

What’s Next?

Westside alumni share stories of life after graduation MA LI A BAT TA FA RA N O, REESE P I K E next Foundation project. The result: the TV by the cafeteria.

“I thought, ‘We’ve got great grads,’” Seline said.

The project shows just that. While former Representative Brad Ashford, Governor This summer, Westside Foundation Chairman Sue Seline visited the University of North Pete Ricketts and singer Tim Halwperin are relatively well known, there are countless Carolina with her daughter. Inspired by an alumni showcase there, she came up with an other Westside grads with interesting jobs who aren’t famous. From podcast hosts to sea idea that—after a UNO donation and a whole lot of interviews—would turn out to be the turtle experts, here are some alumni with fascinating career. *These interviews were conducted via phone/email.

STAFF WRITERS

Yuechen Zhao

Job Title: Product manager at Meixin Finance Group Graduated: 2011 College: Harvard Elementary School: In China and Louisiana

Standout Teachers and Their Impact:“I think all of my teachers had a huge impact on me as I made my way through high school, but if I were to choose, I might have to choose my English teachers, like Mrs. Rector and Mr. Vander Tuig. I always felt that my English was not as good as my fellow classmates’ [because English isn’t my first language] and [I] struggled with every essay and assignment, but they helped me grow and helped me gain confidence. I’ll also never forget Mrs. Rector helping me write and rewrite my college essays, draft after draft, going over every detail with me everyday after school. I can’t thank her enough.”

Favorite Memory: “My favorite Westside memories were definitely the marching band competitions.

Though many times we were cold, miserable and suffering from lack of sleep, I loved the experience of going to each competition location and putting on the best show we could with my fellow bandies.”

Impact of Westside: “I am extremely grateful for Señora Davis, my Spanish teacher. She had a Georgian accent, and I didn’t know for sure why I was taking Spanish in the middle of America, but it has allowed me to do a lot of different things and travel. I have had the opportunity to work in different places like the Galápagos Islands because I can speak Spanish fairly well, which is because of Westside–Also, my physics and chemistry teachers provided hands on lab support.

It was the best.”

Favorite Memory: “In 1975, there was a huge tornado in Omaha that went through 12 miles of town and people’s homes were destroyed. Some of my classmates Job Title: Senior Veterinari- lost everything. The camaraderie and spirit that developed and the way we helped each other through that an at the Houston Zoo horrible tragedy was one of my best memories.”

Graduated: 1976 College: Iowa State University Elementary School: Hillside

Joseph Flanagan

Kurt Andersen

Jennifer Ahn

Job Title: Violin Performance Major Graduated: 2015 College: Manhattan School of Music Elementary School: Swanson

Standout Teachers and Their Impact: “I had several exceptional teachers among them Messrs Sedlacek, Hughes and Higgins who were, apart from my parents, my first true intellectual sparring partners.”

Favorite Memory: “Blessedly, Westside didn’t make me take math classes after sophomore year.”

Job Title: Host/Managing Editor of Studio 360 on NPR and writer of books, essays and cultural commentary Graduated: 1972 College: Harvard Elementary School: Sunset Hills and Swanson

Michelle Sullivan

Job Title: Kids Development Executive at Amazon Studios Graduated: 1991

Alia Conley

Impact of Westside: “Westside is a place where I made some lifelong friends—people I still stay connected with and enjoy seeing. When I was at Westside, I was busy figuring out what I enjoyed doing and what I was good at and fine-tuning my sense of self. There’s a lot of personal growth that happens between freshman and senior year. While academics were really important, a lot of the true learning and biggest impact came from outside the traditional classroom—learning that life doesn’t end when you don’t make the drill team, for example, or the sense of accomplishment and leadership that comes from putting out a student newspaper.”

Favorite Memory: “I have great memories of SAB and all the events we planned at the school—that kept me busy. I always loved when we could host outdoor parking lot dances, including one where 311 played.

There was one guy who wore shorts every day to school even in the winter—I definitely remember him.”

College: Pepperdine University Elementary School: Oakdale (kindergarten)

Impact of Westside:“I loved the independence of the schedule, the rigor of classes and the flexibility to get involved in a variety of activities. Working on The Lance staff made me realize I wanted a career in journalism. I loved interviewing students and teachers, writing in my bedroom until 2 a.m. to craft the perfect story and the last-minute adrenaline rush of putting together an informative product with a wild team. It was a highlight of my time at Westside.”

Favorite Memory: “Hard to pick one. It was all fun.”

Job Title: Crime and Breaking News Reporter at the Omaha World-Herald Graduated: 2008 College: UNL Elementary School: Paddock Road

Darin Ruf Darin Ruf

Impact of Westside: “I met and started dating my wife while I was [at Westside] and made and still have some of my best friends from there. I still keep in contact with many of my old coaches and teachers, as well. It helped me realize how far hard work, good time management and staying humble and grateful can take you in life.”

Favorite Memory: “Meeting my wife and finally getting the courage to ask her out.”

Job Title:Professional baseball player for Philadelphia Phillies Graduated: 2005 College:Creighton University Elementary School: Saint Wenceslaus

Susan Bazis Standout Teachers and Their Impact: “All of the teachers at Westside that I’ve worked with have made an impact on me in some way. However, the teachers that influenced and inspired me the most were the ones that encouraged me to pursue a career doing the thing I love: playing the violin. They were the ones who wrote letters of recommendations, came to performances outside of school and were willing to talk to me about my potential career as a violinist. I’m forever grateful for those teachers for nudging me towards pursuing what I love.”

Favorite Memory: “There are too many wonderful memories from Westside, so it’s almost impossible to choose just one…My personal favorites were almost all music-related, from my experiences as a member of the show choir program (WE and SI) to being in choir and orchestra, but my favorite non-music memory is probably spending time outside of class with friends.”

Job Title: Douglas County Judge Graduated: 1986 College: ManhattanSt. Edwards University for a year and a half; transferred to and graduated from UNO with a criminal justice degree; Creighton Law School.

Elementary School: Loveland and Rockbrook

Impact of Westside: “I feel that I was very well prepared for college because we had open mods our senior year so you could come and go as you wanted to. You really had to have good time management to get all your homework done, which was very beneficial for college.

My roommate and all my friends in college did not have that experience and, needless to say, their first semester in college they didn’t do very well because they didn’t know how to manage their time. [Westside’s preparation] allowed me to get good grades, which allowed me to move on and obviously get into law school.”

Favorite Memory: “It was kind of like everybody got along in my class...and the relationships that you have across kind of the whole school obviously was a really good experience. I think there were definitely great teachers that taught us a lot and taught us how to be human beings and how to treat each other and it was all just a really good experience.”

FEATURE

11

Stranger strings Orchestra students explore alternative music MA RYA M A K RA M OVA that is appealing to all the students.

STAFF WRITER

Orchestra is commonly associated with playing classical music like Beethoven, Bach and Mozart. While this can be true, a small group of orchestra players in Westside are dedicated to playing more than just that. Warrior Core Orchestra doesn’t play just classical music.

They play contemporary, rock, pop and jazz.

Warrior Core is a new club at WHS whose mission is to give members the opportunity to see a new perspective on music. As of right now, there are ten members, but more are expected to join. There has already been an addition of a few more members after a recent concert on Oct 24.

“I joined because I enjoy playing the violin,” freshman Tyler Williams said, “[it] was different than your classical music.”

The name Warrior Core, jokingly called Supplement String Quartet, was created by string teachers Viktoria Matheson and Lanny Stutheit. Matheson teaches strings at elementary schools in the Westside district, while Lanny Stutheit is the strings teacher for WMS and WHS. “We started Warrior Core to show the students a different perspective,” Matheson said.

Warrior Core started when Matheson went to the American String Teachers Association Convention and met Mark Wood, who is one of the pioneers of alternative orchestras.The idea formed when Mark Wood questioned the teachers about how they are choosing music

The 2016

2017

“How many of my students are actually going to be classical musicians?” Matheson said.

“Probably not a lot, but do I have people who realize there are other genres of strings playing that they are not aware of.

Stutheit said he had a similar view as the reason for starting Warrior Core.

“We felt as if there was music out there that we didn’t get to typically play in orchestra,” Stutheit said. “There are a lot of different styles of music and this [club] allows us to expose the students to different styles of string playing.”

The club meets Tuesdays and Thursdays after school in the orchestra room.

Matheson said she feels that Warrior Core has many benefits, such as helping players perform better in class as well as letting the members explore a different style of playing and becoming involved and a flexible schedule.

“I just really wanted to get more into music,” said Lydia Spier, a junior who also plays violin, “[and I want to] play [it] and do things a little bit more my way.”

A flexible schedule is one of the main benefits of Warrior Core. Anyone not able to join this semester, can join second semester. The founders agreed that most of the students are busy, but they still should be able to join.

“It’s meant to be a flexible group that you come and go as your schedule allows,” said Matheson. “People are busy. I get it.”

One of the goals for the club is to be able to play at a Stormchasers baseball game at the

end of the school year. The other students said they hope to also be able to play at other places, such as retirement homes and recreational places.

Warrior Core is described by members as funky, fantastic, amazing, different and energetic.

“Warrior Core Strings is a group that plays an alternative kind of music that reaches students that may not go a classical route in music, but may want to continue in an alternative route,” Matheson said.

Freshman Adrianna Gower plays her cello during Warrior Core practice on Nov. 10. Photo by Maryam Akramova

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12

FEATURE

Rising to the challenge

Club vice president takes on charitable mission, helps others J ULIA S T E I N E R STAFF WRITER

The scent of rising dough spilled out of the ovens of ten students, a gentle reminder of the good deed they were doing. Just hours before, the Westside volunteers had been packed into the kitchen of junior Miki Ibarra’s grandmother, preparing and kneading dough with care. The following afternoon, Wednesday, Nov. 16, four of those students, including Ibarra, arrived at the Open Door Mission to serve loaves of bread to hungry citizens.

The Service Learning Council, or SLC, delivers freshly-baked bread to the Open Door Mission every year for National Bread day, Nov. 17.

Ibarra coordinated the event with the help of English teacher Jordan Klepfer, the SLC sponsor.

Like most Westside high-schoolers, Ibarra’s journey as a volunteer began when she learned of the required service learning hours—but that wasn’t the only force driving her. Klepfer, Ibarra’s homeroom advisor, encouraged her to join SLC. Now, she serves as SLC vice president.

“Miki is one of the most ambitious people I’ve ever met,” Klepfer said. “She always wants a challenge.”

He added that Ibarra possesses a unique drive for impactful volunteer work—work that will make a mark.

“I feel great whenever I can do anything to help, no matter how big or small,” Ibarra said.

Despite the idea that the world can’t be made perfect, seeing the smiles of those she’s aided encourages Ibarra to keep doing what she’s doing.

“It feels really rewarding to help people,” Ibarra said. “They’re usually very thankful about it.”

She said she believes knowing that someone is appreciating your effort makes the job all the more worth it. The exchanged gratitude isn’t the only valuable part, either.

“We learn skills along the way that we can use in the future,” Ibarra said.

She noted how many of their nonprofit endeavors are educational. Baking bread, caring for animals, doing yard work—all beneficial skills to be gained from the experiences.

Even more striking than the educational benefits however, are the relationships developed with people.

“It’s nerve-wracking at first because you don’t really know what to expect going into [the job],” Ibarra said. “Once you get more comfortable with a volunteer situation, that helps.”

Friendships form despite the daunting prospect of walking into a new challenge. She said she believes that the most intimidating, yet fulfilling, aspect of volunteer work is the human-interaction that goes along with it.

“We bring joy to people by wanting to help them,” Ibarra said, “and a lot of people think that teenagers are selfish.”

However, Ibarra said she believes that volunteering shows people in this generation care.

She also said that contrary to the general belief that places like homeless shelters are gloomy, wherever they volunteer is “usually a very happy environment.”

From her perspective and experience, there are a wide variety of ways to help the community.

“When people think volunteer work they think

RAISE YOUR SCORE

of going to the Open Door Mission and serving food, but it’s those other things we do in [SLC], that people wouldn’t expect us to do, that broaden my horizons,” she said.

Ibarra said she believes that it’s more important give time rather than donate money. With this in mind, she chooses to volunteer so she can positively influence the world.

Ibarra is looking into colleges with volunteer programs, and aspires to because a student ambassador who organizes volunteer activities at one of those schools. Her vast interest in the work has her considering nonprofit company jobs, even going to a seminar about the career.

“I would say one of her best character traits is that she’s determined, industrious, and she just likes to be accomplishing things,” Klepfer said.

Junior Miki Ibarra makes dough for bread. Photo by Julia Steiner

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SPORTS

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am C

by S phic G ra

Q:

As a senior, what legacy do you wish to leave behind as you exit the Westside football program?

o he n

LEAVING A LEGACY

Story by Trevor Mumford

Bennett hellman “Most importantly, I want to contribute to the continuation of true Warriors in our football program. I just want my legacy to be my contagious work ethic spreading to the younger players and pushing them to try to outwork me.”

Derek duin “I’m a hard worker and I’d like to leave that legacy behind. A lot of football takes place in the off season, like lifting in the mornings during summer, lifting during the winter, knowing your routes and knowing your game plan. I’d like to say I worked hard during my four years, and I hope that stays behind as I leave.”

TreVonn Wright “The main impact I’d like to have is more so on the underclassmen and other players. I want to have impacted them and helped them improve as a person and improve their football game.”

Zane watanabe “I hope to leave the legacy that I was the dude that was always positive, and if someone came off the field from like an interception, I was always the guy that would cheer them back up.”

Darlando Hill “For legacy, I always try to work hard, and I hope that it’s a good example for people to come in the future and work hard and have a good work ethic. You don’t have to be the biggest person to be good. You just have to work hard.”

Jackson Pflug “I hope they remember me as a [guy who] leads by example [and] just comes everyday and works his hardest. A guy who doesn’t cause any problems and does his job.”

14

SPORTS

FALL SPORTS REVIEW Football

After losing nearly all starters from last season, head coach Brett Froendt knew this season would propose some difficulties. Despite the inexperience, Westside was able to earn a state playoff spot by winning three district games. They completed the season with a respectable (5-5) overall record.

For the fourth season in a row, the softball team failed to reach the state playoffs. The team displayed poor defense at many times throughout the year, leading to many close losses. Head coach Kevin Dunn led the team to an overall record of (13-19).

Senior Emily Yowell up to bat during their season. Photo by Siena Gailloux

Boys cross country

Sophomore Ethan Goldner warming up before running in state championships in Kearney. Photo by Celena Shepherd

Anytime a team goes through a coaching change it is likely for them to take some time to get things figured out. That seemed to be the case this season for new head coach Beth Peitzmeier and her team. The girls finished the season in the first round of districts at Papio-La Vista South. The team finished with an overall record of (16-20).

Senior Emily Newton serving at the Westside invitational on Oct. 14. Photo

by Biruk Tewodros

Senior Henry Flott and sophomore Deuce Johnston running down the field during the Millard South game on Oct. 2. Photo by Ande Bilyeu

Softball

Volleyball

Girls cross country

The girls’ cross country season came to an end for most of the squad after districts, as the team was not able to earn a spot at state. However, senior Taylor Brtek was the lone female from Westside to compete at state, after finishing in the top fifteen at districts.

Seniors Taylor Brtek and Megan Algya running in the district A1 championship in Lincoln. Photo courtesy of Sally Shepherd

Senior captain Milo Greder didn’t take long to pick up where he left off last year. His success this helped lead a talented varsity team, that earned a spot at the state championship meet in Norfolk. Westside had a few top finishers in Greder (second) and sophomore Ethan Goldner (thirteenth).

Greder and Goldner were also named to the State All-Class team.

Boys Tennis The boys tennis team came into the season with high expectations.

Much of the hype surrounded senior Dillon Ketcham, who far from disappointed this year, despite missing quite some time with mono. As a team though, Westside saw a fair share of struggles and many close losses. Ketcham was the lone representative for Westside at the state championships.

Senior Dillon Ketcham during a match taken on Oct. 7. Photo by Dana Cox

SPORTS

15

WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW Boys Basketball

Coach Brian Nemecek looks to improve upon last years mediocre season.

Nemecek however will be forced to start a very inexperienced lineup. With no returning starters besides senior Anthony Bratton, Westside will need to rely on a plethora of players that haven’t played many varsity minutes.

Senior Anthony Bratton dunking the ball during the Westside vs. Bryan basketball game. Photos courtesy of Hannah Bowes

Boys Wrestling

Girls Basketball

After coming up short to Millard West in the state playoffs last season, Steve Clark and his team will look to have more success this year. Third year returning starter and potential All-State guard, Quinn Weidmann will need to be a key factor if Westside wants to get back to Lincoln for state. The girls will begin their season in the Early Bird Classic Tournament, which begins on the first of December and is held at multiple metro high schools.

Junior Caroline Leibel dribbles down the court at the State basketball game.

Photo courtesy of Hannah Bowes

For head coach Michael Jernigan, this winter might include more success than years past. A solid group of returners including senior Darlondo Hill, who has placed at state the past two years, will lead the team. Hill has yet to be a state champion however, and that will surely be his main focus as the season begins this December.

Senior Kobee Brewer prepares to take down his opponent. Photo courtesy of Hannah Bowes

Swimming and diving

Coach Doug Kreklow looks to get back to the glory days of Westside swimming and diving this winter. The team looks to rebuild after a not so impressive campaign last year. With multiple returning seniors, Westside will have a chance to get back to the old winning ways. The first swim meet is Dec. 1.

Junior Nathan Munguia competes in swim meet against Creighton Prep.

Photos courtesy of Hannah Bowes

Under Pressure

Student athletes feel pressure before playing sports for future school RYA N A D K I N S sion One schools will typically recruit during the STAFF WRITER

For most high school athletes playing in front of their home crowd is no big deal. The pressure to play well when they’re wearing their school’s colors is little to none. However, that all changes when his or her future is on the line. When college coaches are watching, athletes are playing for their career.

T h e NCAA has multiple rules about times when college coaches and high school athletes can communicate. There are various time frames when contact is forbidden and visa versa. In order to avoid violating the rules, college coaches will make an effort to find times where they can come watch players. A coach might also try to get the athletes to come to his or her campus for a visit. Before the student’s junior year, some coaches will even make an effort to get in contact with players though parents. Divi-

season and Division Two schools normally wait until the D1 schools are done. That way athletes who have not already committed to a D1 school will be more likely to commit to a D2 school.

When athletes are playing to represent their school, they know that one play could change an opinion.

“I love the game,” junior soccer player Peter Novoa said. “I’m not worried what [fans] think about it.” Varsity basketball coach Brian Nemecek said hebelieves that if you love the game and are competitive when y o u play, then you have nothing to worry about.

Even though the pressure from high school coaches and fans isn’t always evident, there is still a huge amount coming from the appearance of collegiate coaches.

“When college coaches are watching you, you’re always going to feel that pressure,” junior

QUINN WEIDEMANN JUNIOR

When college coaches are watching you, you’re always going to feel that pressure.

basketball player Quinn Weidemann said. “It’s scary, but you have to fight through it.” The majority of the pressure that college coaches put on athletes is to preform well every time. The players know that one off night could change his or her future.

Junior Peter Novoa practices soccer Tuesday, Nov 16.

Photo by Hannah Heim

16

A&E

CABARET NIGHT LIVE Students fundraising performance successful

Above: Freshman Choir sings during Cabaret on Sunday, November 6. Photo

by Adrianna Bollinger Far Left: Junior Sam DeVries performs alongside the rest of ATSC while theyperform their ballad.

Photo by Adrianna Bollinger Left: Senior Sam Thomas performs a song called “Quiet” by Natalie Weiss. Photo by Adrianna Bollinger

Above: Seniors Audrey McCann and Nathan Wallace perform a skit between soloists at Cabaret. Photo by Dana Cox Right: Sophomore Josh Dobson plays the piano during his performance of “It Will Rain” by Bruno Mars. Photo by Dana Cox

17

HOROSCOPES Aries 21 mar – 19 apr

You are a great friend who is always there for others.

You’re generous and willing to lend a hand to anyone who needs it., but lately, you may be feeling underappreciated by those who you call friends. Don’t let yourself be taken for granted. Keep in mind that real friends will fight to keep you in their life. Today: make a final decision about a relationship.

Cancer 22 jun – 23 jul You may have a tough exterior but you are undergoing some emotional distress. You should consider talking to someone and opening up to them despite your fears that they will look past you. Talk to someone who you have a secure foundation with and let your true emotions emerge. Today: reconnect with a friend from the past.

Libra 23 sept – 22 oct Your love for excitement will make you many new friends. You have an ability to connect with people from all walks of life. Use your enthusiasm and positivity to bring something new to the table for those who are close minded.

You have a unique ability to connect people. Today: defend a friend if someone speaks badly of them.

Capricorn 22 dec – 20 jan Your personality is geared towards leadership. You have a natural sense for achievement, and this will help you excel in life. You may not be very spontaneous, but you are very creative and should unleash that passion. There are plenty of things that can be improved with a little creativity. Today: practice your creative skills through drawing or some other medium.

Horoscopes by April Van Unen

Taurus 20 apr – 20 may You have probably heard that you have a strong sense of perseverance. You never give up and have a knack for inspiring others. While someone or something may be trying your patience, you need to focus on persevering. Pulling through is a strength of yours, don’t forget it. Today: go on an adventure with friends.

Gemini 21 may – 21 jun You are very down to earth. You are very in touch with the world and yourself. It’s important to stay connected and not lose yourself in the chaos you may be going through. Do things for yourself often and keep yourself happy. Don’t let people try to dictate your actions. Today: take personal time to relax and de-stress.

Leo 24 jul – 23 aug

Virgo 24 aug – 22 sept

You are fully capable of success by yourself, but you might find you are happier finding success with someone else. You may often feel the need to have an audience validate you. Practice your independence and breaking away from relying on how others see you.

Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that you must have others to make you happy. Today: spend some alone time thinking and reflecting.

Scorpio 23 oct – 22 nov

You are very intelligent, which means you probably have an excellent memory. The downside of having a good memory is you may be spending too long reflecting on the actions of others and evaluating their meaning.

Try to keep yourself from over thinking at times. You may be reading too much in to something going on currently. Today: try scrapbooking or journaling important events.

Sagittarius 23 nov – 20 dec

Do not let others be fake with you. Make sure others know how much you appreciate frankness and honesty.

Others will try to hide things from you so trust your gut when it tells you someone is lying. Don’t make excuses for another’s behavior recently. Today: if you feel someone is lying to you, confront them.

Aquarius 21 jan – 19 feb You are wiser than most of the people who surround yourself with. You are very observant and gather your information through observations mostly. Your friends might not think you are catching onto something that is going on but you are well aware. Using your observation and wisdom, you can decipher what exactly is going on behind your back. Today: pay attention to small details.

You have no shortage of ideas due to your adventurous mindset. This makes you a great conversationalist which is a trait that really stands out. Your charisma will help you land jobs or forge friendships, but stay away from the mundane. Go after what peaks your interest and don’t settle for anything less than exciting. Today: go somewhere new.

Pisces 20 feb – 20 mar You will typically go out of your way to help a friend. You often take a friend’s problem and make it your own. Don’t lose your identity by taking on too many peoples problems at once. Focus on yourself for a little while. Your friends will understand, especially since you are normally always there for them when they need you most. They will be there for you in turn. Today: relax with a hot shower or bath.

Graphics by Bella Radler

18

A&E

Movie Review

The Fundamentals of Caring APRIL VA N U N E N way but this movie pulls it off. It contains a lot of jokes about

A&E EDITOR sex, depression and serious issues that would normally not be

Released theatrically on June 24, 2016, The Fundamentals of Caring is a touching and comedic movie. Rob Burnett wrote and directed the movie for Netflix and Sundance. The Fundamentals of Caring a “life lesson” movie about a young adult, Trevor, who suffers from Muscular Dystrophy and is confined to a wheelchair. His caretaker is a middle-aged man, Ben, who is suffering from depression as the love of his life is leaving him.

The movie has a stellar cast. Paul Rudd plays the main character Ben. Paul Rudd is known for his other roles in Ant-Man and Clueless. The movie also includes Craig Roberts from Neighbors and singer/actress Selena Gomez.

The movie starts with a slow introduction. It seems over melodramatic and takes its time to piece together what’s going on. Ben, is obtaining his license to be a certified caretaker for the sick, elderly and children. Ben is also avoiding his wife, who is trying to convince him to sign divorce papers. The beginning is very dull until he attends a job interview as a caretaker for a “young boy” named Trevor (Craig Roberts). This is where the story becomes more comedic.

Trevor is a young adult, confined to an electric wheel chair by his muscular dystrophy. He is very cynical and constantly mocks his new care taker in a dry but humorous way. This can be a good thing, as this type of humor is hard to find in a tastefully done

taken lightly. There is a point when the humor may be too much though. The jokes lose relevancy as the movie progresses, and plot points are added that are not necessary for the film and makes the watcher lose focus on the actual meaning behind the movie.

The characterization is done poorly. It’s not the lack of characterization, in fact this movie may have too much of it. Each character has a complex backstory that is sad and is a tear jerker for no real reason and could’ve been left out of the movie. An example would be the character Dot, played by Selena Gomez.

Her character served no purpose in moving the plot and was added in to the film over halfway through. She is an angsty teenage run-away and her backstory is vague and doesn’t justify why. The irrelevant tear jerking backstories make the characters lose their realistic feel as they just seem thrown together.

Despite the over-done characterization and choppy plot, I give the movie credit for its cast and unique humor. Trevor’s character also brings a new point of view to the table I haven’t seen in movies yet. It takes his disability and holds it a new and more positive light.

The movie has an important lesson at the end about catharsis and redemption. The ending is bittersweet as Ben signs his divorce paperwork and moves on to a new chapter in his life, finally overcoming his inner conflicts. The movie’s decency and amiability pulls it through at the end. I give this movie 3/5 stars.

Kindness, conversation & care for your loved ones.

12/31/16

402.350.8230

bloomcompanion.com

A&E

19

The Lance’s

e g e l l

Co Graphics by Sam Cohen

Survival Guide

C EL ENA S H E P H E R D L IBBY S E L I N E

We spend classes looking forward to our after school nap.

The dark circles under our eyes reveal the Netflix binge we are guilty of from last night...and every night before that.

EDITOR-IN-CHIEFS The days of cramming for tests and crying over bad grades are over. It’s our Let’s be honest, seniors have no idea what they’re doing. Most students have senior year and there’s only one thing on our minds: college. We may not be developed early onset senioritis, and we’re no exception. qualified to give advice because we are just as confused as the typical senior, but We seniors trek through hallways with our heavy backpacks weighing us here’s our best attempt. down.

1.

What do you want?

Step one is figuring out where to apply. This is the question that has haunted people since the beginning of their existence, and it’s finally time to answer. (It’s okay; you can scream if you need to; this is stressful.)

Start by asking questions such as what you envision yourself doing in the next ten years and research schools that you believe will help you get there. If you can’t answer, try figuring out what you want in a school. Big? Small? In Nebraska or outside of Nebraska? Additionally, use websites dedicated to helping students figure out where they want to go. Truly, the most important thing to do is talk about it. Counselors, parents and even friends can give you insight on where to go, and they know more about you than any website.

2. Power through the confusion

After you figure out where you want to apply, it’s time to learn how. This may be more difficult than you imagined, but you’re not alone. Naviance is a great resource because it allows people to see if applications can be submitted through the Common App or a different website. Every Westside High School student should have access to Naviance, but be sure to visit the university websites because they give additional insight on how to apply. Now you know where to go, so it’s time to complete it.

3. Don’t procrastinate

Procrastination often becomes second nature to the typical senior, but do not wait.

Most applications are very thorough and take time to complete, so set aside a good chunk of time to finish. It’s important to give your desired college your full attention.

Applications are boring, but once you get started it goes by quickly. Ask questions and remember it’s normal to be intimidated or scared. Be aware that it does cost money to submit most college applications.

If you qualify for free or reduced lunch you can get this fee waived.

4. “I have to write an essay?”

Some universities require an essay. To start, take a moment to breathe. Anybody can submit a good essay — even if you’re not the best writer. So, pick a topic unique to you. Don’t list your accomplishments or talk about a generic experience. Everyone is competing against millions of other high school class presidents and band geeks, but there is nobody else like you. If a girl who wrote about her trip to Costco can be accepted to five Ivy League schools, you can find a topic unique to you. It doesn’t have to be dramatic or life changing as long

as it reflects you. Additionally, be concise.

If you can say everything you want in less than 500 words, there is no reason to write more than that. Ask for peers and counselors to edit.

5. “I’m too stupid to apply here.”

Oh, shut up. You are smarter than you know and more capable than you believe, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Sorry that was sappy, but seriously you can do it. Don’t be discouraged by things like your ACT score or money. There is an abundance of scholarships available and prep classes. Don’t be afraid to take the ACT of SAT again, but also remember a score doesn’t define you. If you love a school apply, even if you’re not sure you’ll get accepted. That’s called a “reach” school, and plenty of us seniors have them, so you’re not alone. The worst that could happen is rejection. Don’t make a decision out of fear: apply anywhere and everywhere. Keep in mind if a school doesn’t accept you then it’s not for you.

6. Cry

Let your emotions out. Applying to college is a symbol of becoming an adult, which is tough to accept when all you want to do is take a nap. So, cry. Also realize you are not alone because there are millions of teenagers that feel the same way.

7. Hit the button

Apply. In the words of Shia Labeouf “Just do it!” There’s nothing to lose. After you apply, don’t forget to send in a copy of your transcript through Naviance and your ACT or SAT scores through their websites.

8. Scholarships are your best friend

It’s no secret that college costs an arm and a leg. Seniors, I know you don’t do your homework most of the time, but consider looking for scholarships instead of watching that extra Netflix episode or taking your regular after school nap. It will pay off.

Wouldn’t it rock to graduate college debt free? To make this dream a reality listen up!

Scholarships are your best friend. Since we live in Nebraska, we are eligible for the Midwestern Student Exchange Program or MSEP. The states that participate include the following: Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and Wisconsin. Through the MSEP public colleges in these states charge students no more than 150 percent of the in-state tuition and private institutions offer a 10 percent reduction on their tuition rates. Each school determines their admission criteria for the MSEP separately.

Be sure to check your school’s website to view their requirements. Don’t forget to accept help. Let your counselor know that you need scholarship money so they can assist you. Check Naviance because tons of local scholarships are posted there.

Lastly, apply for financial aid. The FAFSA deadline moved up this year, so grab a parent and get on that. Education Quest in Rockbrook Village offers free assistance to help with the FAFSA application or any college questions. Use your resources and apply for every scholarship you can. Even the small ones add up!

9. How to Accept Rejection

Let it out. It’s okay to be sad. Some of us dedicated our high school career so we could be accepted to a school. We sacrificed sleep, food and time with friends.

It’s hard to accept that a university said no to you after you did everything for them.

Most of the time, you will be disappointed; don’t bottle up that emotion. You are not the problem! Did a school not accept you? Yes. However, that does not mean you are stupid. Maybe you didn’t fit their criteria of a student that would do well at their school, and although it’s hard to realize, maybe it was for the best. If you’re ever going to accept the news, you need to realize it is not your fault. Everything you did to prepare for this school was not a waste of time. Was it hard? Most likely.

However, you learned a lot and picked up skills such as time management, too. This advice does not mean “look at the bright side” because, yes, it sucks and you need to accept what happened. Only after that can you begin to think positively about the news. It is encouraging to realize the growth you’ve made in this college process and throughout high school.

10. Acceptance: You did it!

Congratulations, all your hard work has paid off! Getting accepted into college is a huge deal. Tell your friends and family so you can rejoice together. After you celebrate this great accomplishment in your life there are some additional things to consider. Maybe you know exactly where you need to go and all you need to do is pay the deposit to keep your spot. For other seniors it’s time to begin deciding what college you see yourself at most out of the ones you applied to. I know you can barely decide between Canes and Lighthouse for lunch or what shirt you should wear tomorrow, but part of becoming an adult is making choices, and you’ll have to make a big one sooner or later. Ultimately, pick the school that’s best for YOU.

20

Eight things to do before fall ends

A&E

DESTINY H OWA R D STAFF WRITER

Fall is here but sooner than later it’ll be over before you know it. We all have our favorite things to do around this time of year but just incase you don’t I have a few ideas. Here is a complied list of things to do before fall is over and winter sets in!

Visit Vala’s Pumpkin Patch Cost: $11.25 (Mon-Thurs) $17.99 (Fri-Sun) Vala’s Pumpkin Patch is super enjoyable and fun for all ages. This can be a family activity or outing to hang out with your friends. Attractions include Hayrack rides, mazes, haunted graveyard and trails, playgrounds, unique photo opportunities, and most importantly, lots of delicious food.

Take a drive and admire Fall scenery The trees are changing pretty colors and the leaves are falling. Get out and take a drive and admire the scenery. This only happens once a year!

Make S’mores

Have A Slice of Pumpkin Pie

This gooey treat is good anytime of the year but especially yummy during the fall season.

This simple treat, using three delicious ingredients is easy to make and fun eat. Grab some friends, a bag of marshmallows and sit around the fire. Beware, you may end up with sticky fingers!

This one of numerous ways to eat pumpkin is arguably the best. When cooked right it’s the perfec desert for fall.

FRIENDSGIVING

Rake Fallen Leaves into a pile and Jump in Them

Have a “Friendsgiving” There is nothing better than getting together with your friends, and who doesn’t love thanksgiving? Combine the two and share a meal with some of your closest friends.

We’ve probably all done this as kids, but if you haven’t its never to late to give this a try.

Just rake the leaves in your yard into a pile and jump in them. It’s that easy and good for all ages.

Watch your Favorite Scary Movie If haunted houses aren’t you thing and you’re thing and you just want to stay in the house for a scare, there a plenty of scary movies that’ll get the job done. Fall is the time to cozy up re-watch your favorite horror movies.

Start Holiday Shopping The Holidays is right around the corner and early gift shopping is one way to be prepared and organized for the season. Black Friday is coming up and it’s the perfect time to shop and save.

Graphics by Sam Cohen and Jim Schueneman