the
Lance
8701 Pacific St. Omaha, NE 68114 Volume 60 Issue 7
FEATURE Learn more about the new principal Jay Opperman on page 8 April 8, 2016
“SHOULD I STAY OR SHOULD I GO?”
Faculty announce plans for upcoming year L I B BY S E L I N E
MANAGING EDITOR
Graphic by Nick Gross
March 15 was decision day for Westside High School faculty. It was the day they signed contracts for the next year and committed to teaching in the district again. While the majority of staff chose to stay, more than 10 staff members chose to not work at the high school. According to Sally Shepherd, Vice President of an organization of teachers called the Westside Education Association (WEA), the teachers have had a “rough” year. Changes such as the recent budget cuts and the announcement of the retirement of principal Maryanne Ricketts can be difficult for teachers to adjust to. Shepherd believes this may have contributed to teachers’ decision to leave. “I think [the past year] could have [contributed to [teachers’ decision to leave,]” Shepherd said. “When [a teacher] gets tired and just worn down [a teacher may think] something new will reinvigorate [them] as a teacher. It could’ve contributed to some teachers as to whether or not they apply for other jobs.” However, there is no central reason for why these teachers have decided to leave. Teachers will leave for other reasons including wanting to teach in the same district their kids go to school in or moving to a new neighborhood with their family. Although teachers may leave because of the salary, this is not because teachers are being paid less than other districts. The salary schedule the district follows cannot be compared to salary schedules of other local area schools. In District 66, people will first get paid according to their degree and the amount of time they have been teaching in general. Then, if a teacher chooses, they can take advantage of different opportunities such as earning a National Board Certified Teaching certificate and becoming a team leader to earn more pay. “Westside is all about rewarding teachers who want to take on leadership and do more because we have high expectations,” Head of Human Resources Department Enid Schonewise said. “If I’m a teacher who has been teaching for seven years, but I can’t add more days or take on additional responsibilities [the salary schedule] is not a super strong schedule for me. If I’m taking on coaching and leadership I can make a lot of money.” Every year, members of the WEA meet with Human Resources and they discuss and vote on a schedule. It is then taken to the board to be approved. This year, 85 percent of the WEA members that participated in the vote voted for the new salary schedule. At the board meeting on Monday, April 11, the board will approve or veto the new schedule. “If the teachers don’t like [the salary schedule] they vote it down and then we have to go back and renegotiate,” Schonewise said. “So it isn’t that the school board says ‘teachers this is what you get paid’ and then [the teachers say] ‘Ugh. I don’t like it. I’m going to go somewhere else.’ They’re apart of the process and we agree on it together.” The salary schedule at Westside for the 2016-2017 school year will not be affected by the budget cuts. Budget cuts will not directly affect the teaching environment and Human Resources Department claims that no teacher that had a continuing contract lost their job. Staff that are in charge of programs affected by budget cuts are going to be reassigned and not fired. For instance, the elementary Spanish program has been cut from the elementary schools, but the Spanish teachers will not be fired. They will instead be placed as a teacher in a different job within the district that needs a replacement. All Westside High School teachers leaving will be replaced unless the program they specialized in is going to be cut. Schonewise ensures that all teachers leaving will have great replacements. “We don’t just replace [teachers leaving] with brand new teachers; we go after the best teachers,” Schonewise said. “We have not said ‘Oh, you can’t bring in the best teacher.’ We will continue to hire the best teacher even if it costs a little bit more, [which is what] we always do here.”
2
NEWS
FAREWELL FACULTY
KYLE AVERY
Q. Why are you leaving?
“There’s no reason why I wanted to leave, I wasn’t looking for a new place to go, but I’ve been here for twelve years and when you’ve been somewhere that long it’s kind of nice make sure you’re keeping things fresh and invigorating as an educator and not letting things get stale for yourself. I think it’s a good challenge for me to go and try something new. And I’m a Gretna graduate so it’s kind of like going home.”
SHAWN BLEVINS
Current Position: Vocal music director
new position: Vocal music director at Gretna Middle School
Scott Cosgrove
Q: Why are you leaving? “To finish my education and do my student teaching.”
Current Position: Art instructor and varsity football coach
offensive line coach, PapillionLa Vista
Nick Joslin
new position: Teacher
“My first year of teaching was my sister’s freshman year of highschool and she went here, so having taught her and all of her friends was a pretty unique experience.”
Elkhorn South
Q: Why are you Leaving Westside?
Michael Fauss
“My family [lives] in Elkhorn. [My husband and I] want to be on the same school schedule as our kids.”
“The Christmas cards the business department sent out this year. It will forever be a favorite memory.”
new position: Business Teacher
and JV volleyball coach, Elkhorn South
Q: Why are you leaving Westside? “Is there one reason why I’m leaving Westside? No, there’s not. There are a variety of different things that have happened in the past couple years. This opportunity, more or less, takes away those problems. Plus, I’ll be on the same schedule that my kids are. I’m going to be in the area that my family is in. With an opportunity where you talk about family first, I couldn’t turn it down.”
Q: What is your Favorite memory from teaching at WEstside?
instructor, DECA sponsor and head volleyball coach
“A lot of it has to do with location. I live in Elkhorn. Next year I’ll have two kids in school, and my wife works nights, so to be able to be on the same schedule as the boys. It will be nice to be able to help with the carpool in the mornings to school.
current Position: Math instructor new position: Math instructor,
Education Assistant
current Position: Business
Q: Why are you leaving?
Q: What is your Favorite memory from teaching at Westside?
“[Westside] made me realize how much I love working with students who need help the most.”
Jessica Fauss
“Westside’s been amazing. For a young kid, a 22 year old out of college to come in and get his first job here was pretty incredible. Westside gave me a start, it has inspired me to be the teacher I am, the coach I am. It’s been nothing but awesome to work here under the modular scheduling, and with the staff. I’ve developed great relationships with everybody, it’s just really molded me into who I am.”
new position: Art instructor and
Q: What Impact has Westside had on you?
Current Position: Special
“It’s closer to home. It’s closer for my family, just new opportunities and something fresh I’ve been at Westside 17 years so, just looking for new challenges and again just probably proximity is the biggest thing.”
Q: What impact has Westside had on you?
Q. What are your Final thoughts? “The biggest thing for me is that I sort of feel like I’m not leaving. I’m just going down the road and I’ll still have connections with the students and teachers and community here. I still plan to come back and watch performances and make sure I watch these particular students graduate, because they’re important to me, and the hardest part is leaving the people. So, I think about it not in terms of leaving but just switching things up. I’m still sort of going to be here just in a different capacity.”
Q: Why are you leaving?
Q: What are your Final Thoughts?
Current Position: Chemistry Honors Team Leader
new position: Chemistry
Instructor, Elkhorn South
“It’s very hard to say, I’ve been with Westside for over a third of my life and it’s hard to leave...I have a lot of friends, a lot of colleagues that I’ll miss. I’ll always root for Westside. I think people are mistaken if they think it was an easy decision or it was something I did on a whim and not think about it. It hurts to leave, you know, you leave some people in some bad positions, but when it comes around to it, my family comes first. I love Westside, if there were some different situations, I would stay in a heartbeat there’s no questions asked.”
NEWS
3
REASONS FOR LEAVING 6.5%
* Swanson and Hillside are not included in Number of Teachers Leaving because all staff will remain constant at these schools. Data Courtesy of Peggy Rupprecht Graphic by Casey Arritt
Matt Rasgorshek
Liat Shyken
Q: Why are you leaving? “I have done a lot at Westside. It felt like it was time for me to move on [and have] something different [and] new challenges. Creighton Prep is really excited about starting something new.”
“I am leaving WHS because my family (6 kids and husband) is moving out of state.”
Q: What’s the Impact Westside has had on you?
Q: What are your final thoughts? “I’m proud of the students that have gone on to journalism or not; I’ll always cherish the memories I had with students. The awards are nice and my colleagues have been awesome, but it always boils down to the students.”
Current Position: SpeechLanguage Pathologist
new position: Hoping to find
Current Position: Broadcast
a similar job, something that relates to student advocacy, consulting etc. within field (Autism, behavior disorders, transition skills, executive functioning).
and online advisor
new position: Journalism advisor, Creighton Prep
Jeff Wagner
Charlotte Weyler
Q: Why are you leaving? “It was a hard decision. I applied for the principal job here [at Westside] and did not get that position. I think it’s just that point in my career where I’m ready to take that next leadership position. I’ve been an assistant principal for 16 years and I’ve got my doctorate degree. So that opportunity [to be a principal] closed here at Westside and it opened somewhere else, and I needed to take it”
Q: What are your final thoughts?
Current Position: Assistant Principal
“It makes me teary-eyed, it makes me sad to think about leaving Westside because I’ve lived here, [my] kids have gone to school here, I’ve coached here, lived in the neighborhoods here, my wife volunteers here, so Westside’s been a huge part of our life of every facet for 16 years. Leaving all that is really hard.”
new position: Principal at Bellevue East
“Westside has many impacts, all positive, on my career/life. I cannot capture in words the things I have learned here. I have grown immeasurably as a person and professional with the guidance and respect from parents, fellow staff and my supervisors. I know that I will take many lessons and much knowledge with me. I have learned about inclusion, respect, teamwork, serving the whole child/all of a person’s needs, community and so much more.”
Q: Why are you leaving? “Quality daycare in Omaha is horribly expensive. Between the cost for my two youngest to be in full-time care and my oldest being in before and after school care, a huge percentage of my pay will be going straight to daycare. I miss out on a lot being a working mom as it is, so I am choosing to see this as an opportunity to enjoy the time with my two youngest while they are small. The district is kind enough to allow staff members the chance to take a year of leave and then return somewhere within the district; I am leaving with the hope that I can return to Westside High School after a year.”
Q: What are your final Thoughts? current Position: CB American Literature and Composition
new position: Stay-at-home mom
Teachers not featured in this spread that have publicly announced their leave: Maryanne Ricketts, Susan Schlegel and Carrie Turner
Q: Why are you leaving?
“I’m beyond excited to spend this next year with my children, but I’m going to miss working with the students and staff here at Westside.”
the
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EDITORIAL
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 Nata Ward, Jace Wieseler; Managing Editors Jack Cohen, Libby Seline, Celena Shepherd; Production Editors Madigan Brodsky, Jim Schueneman; Design Editor Casey Arritt; Cartoonists Nick Gross, Raven Young; Staff Writers Alexander Bergin, Benjamin Brodkey, Shannon Chinn, Sam Cohen, Sarah Hermann, Cole Hopkins, Emma Korengel, Kayla Kyle, Trevor Mumford, Nicole Petersen, Bella Radler, Steven Simon, Nolan Tracy, Elise Tucker, April Van Unen; Photo Editor Mitch Francis; Adviser Jerred Zegelis.
Graphic by Jim Schueneman
SAVE SAVE THE BAND
LIBRARIANS LESS JANITORS
CUT SENIOR PROJECT
SAVE SPANISH
Editorial
Band teacher not cut but what about the rest?
The loudest voice may not always be the right one If you have followed the news regarding the district budget cuts you are likely familiar with the recent uproar and dissent within the community concerning the controversial changes. Due to a $5.4 million shortfall in funding this year, 33 proposals were drawn up with a sense of gravity and urgency. These cuts include the removal of senior project, multiple staff positions and the elementary school Spanish program. When introduced to the Westside community, these change were met with misconception, backlash, and in some cases, panic. However, as recognized in the previous issues of the Lance, the situation is complicated. No one wants to make these cuts, but in the face of such numbers, something must give. During their meeting on Monday, March 21, the Board of Education released the finalized budget cuts for the 2016-2017 school year. All proposed budget cuts will be enacted, with the exception of proposal 4: the elimination of an instrumental music teacher. On one hand, this is a shining example of what can be achieved through the teamwork and efforts of a collected community. Westside alumni, including Omaha Symphony conductor Ernest Richardson, professional musicians the Potash Twins and Tim Halperin, all spoke out against this proposal, taking to social media to express their discontent. Westside students, staff and community followed suit, as well as organizing a protest at a board meeting, showing up in large numbers in identical red band shirts, standing in solidarity as their speakers presented the case to the board members. In large numbers they spoke, and we heard. However, as responsible and intelligent citizens and community members, we must ask ourselves the question, “Is the loudest voice always the right one?” Surely it can be inferred that the community attention and intensity of the protests of the band members is the main, if not, the sole reason for the withdrawal of the proposal by the board. KETV and other major news sources covered the uproar in the band department, putting added pressure on board members. One of the main arguments for the retainment of a band teacher is the benefits that music has on students. Research has shown time and time again that music education has a positive influence on the well-being of students both in the classroom and carried over into their lives at home. However, does the Spanish language program not also provide benefits to students, including increasing their chances of being employed, as well as countless intellectual advancements? The band supporters argued that cutting a teacher would cause strain in
that department, but band is not the only area where teachers feel spread thin. The special education department has described the already difficult situation meeting the needs of the fluctuating number of students coming into the high school, while the music department has seen an overall decrease in student numbers. Meanwhile, while band received no cuts, the special education department had not one, but two proposals regarding their resources, both of which have been enacted. But, the supporters say, music has been described as “saving” people in times of need. This is more important than the mental skills and the strain on teachers. The truth is instruments and sheet music are not the cure for everyone. Sometimes, professional help may be needed. A chemical dependency counselor on site helps students separate themselves from problems at home to focus in the learning environment. However, after proposal 13, which suggested the removal of the chemical dependency counselor at the high school was approved to be enacted, this will no longer be an accessible option to those who are in need. Perhaps it is solely a problem of priorities, and these decisions are up to the individual. The board members, too, despite common misconception, are human. They do not know the right or wrong answer anymore than we do, but from what we have seen and heard, they are doing their best to balance the needs of students and the pressing issue of a budget shortfall. The Lance and Westside journalism as a whole are not against the retaining of a band instructor in the district. In fact, we applaud our peers in standing up for something they believe in and protecting the livelihoods of the people they care about. This sentiment is very likely to be misconstrued in the upcoming weeks, especially as community members solely read the headline of this article and take to social media without finishing the page. But, as it is the job of all citizens to question the world around them and the job of all journalists to be the watchdog of the people, the staff of this publication must be the one to raise the question. Especially in this digital age, where information can be transmitted in the simple press of a button, we must stress the importance of knowing the full story. So, from one group of students trying to better the world around them to another, we appreciate the efforts of our peers. However, as a whole, as a community together, we must not fall victim to the “tyranny of the majority” that our founding fathers worked to protect us from so many years ago. Just because we hear the most about one topic does not make that topic the most pressing. Just because a group of people speaks loud does not mean we should ignore the individual drowned out in the crowd. To the general public: pay attention.
“It can be inferred that the community attention and intensity of protests by the band members is the main, if not, the sole reason for the withdrawal of [proposal 4].”
OPINION
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Your voice, your choice: Young people should vote
The United States to many people is a place of hope and freedom. Somewhere that has the people ruling and the government taking the orders. Many of our defining moments are about breaking chains and progressing forward and the people are behind these decisions through protests, petitions and most importantly, voting at the polls. We brag endlessly about our beloved republic but the truth is not all of us are using ALEXANDER B E R G IN that freedom to our STAFF WRITER advantage. In 2012, only 54.87 percent of America turned out to the polls, according to The American Presidency Project, and more specifically 41.2 percent of people aged 18-24 voted in that same election. This is a problem and it’s time we take advantage of the liberties given to us and show up at the polls. Voting gives you power. Many say your vote doesn’t matter, but it definitely does. Your single vote may not be the deciding factor, but if everybody voted we would attain elected officials chosen by the whole public and not just those that turn up. Having a vote is having a voice, and that’s what the United States is all about, right? We said no taxation without representation, yet half of the population seems fine with having others decide for them. This country is for every one, not just a portion of people that live here. A lot of people might then say they don’t know who to vote for or how to vote in general. This, my friends, is an easy fix. In today’s world, you can always find access to the internet. It’s easy to look up a political comparison chart or look up video and analysis of what’s different between the candidates, there’s not much reason not to be informed besides simply you don’t want to be. There are always ways to find information; you just have to go find it. Another reason people say they don’t vote is they believe they are choosing between the lesser of two evils. Many people think the candidates aren’t good no matter which way you go, so they just don’t vote at all. This I partially blame on the media as they have a tendency to over-exaggerate what people say and what they can mean. Truth is, most candidates are not aiming to end the world or begin violence. Even if you truly believe the candidates are evil, why would you not vote for the lesser of two evils? It’s the lesser one. Imagine choosing between a severe flu and a terminal disease. Both are bad, but most people would want to choose for their own and not just leave that up to a coin toss. It is the same scenario when elections come up. Do you want other people to choose for you or do you want to be able to choose for yourself? Besides the fact of being able to choose your representatives, voting is important because when you don’t vote, you lose your credibility to complain. When you vote, you’ve done what you can to make the country somewhere great for you to live, but when you don’t you’re saying that you don’t care about your government. It’s like asking someone to get you a drink and don’t specify which one and when they come back you complain about what they brought. If you want the government to behave a certain way, you need to use your vote, and your voice, to do so. Voting is one of the most prevalent and important rights in the United States. It’s amazing to me that anybody would think not exercising this right is the solution to fixing this country. Let’s show the world what our generation has to say and get out to those polls.
Graphic by Casey Arritt
WHo ya gonna call? controversy! Female reboot causes confusion and backlash
When it was announced in early 2015 that the cast of the new Ghostbusters remake was to be all-female, there was already worry and backlash. After all, the original is a classic, and tampering with even the formula could turn a few heads. But most were reluctantly on the sidelines about the film, until Thursday, February 3 rolled around. The instant the official trailer for Ghostbusters 2016 was released, there was outcry from more than one side. On one hand, you have those believing the movie will be terrible sheerly because of it having women in it. Others are more mixed. Some are quite positive. Despite personal opinions, there has been quite some talk EMMA KORENGEL over the motivations of Sony STAFF WRITER pictures in having an all-female cast. On one hand, it could very well be they genuinely believe that these women are funny enough to handle a reboot of one of the most classic comedies of all time, but some speculate it could be a move of pandering for cash or a shield from criticism. However, oddly enough, never once within the trailer is it pointed out or mentioned that the cast is female. No “Girls can be Ghostbusters too!”, no straw you-go-girl catchphrases. This seems promising for the writing of the film, as most people are tired of this message being told and not shown. Having such an obvious female message would also alienate most male audience members, which could severely chop at profits, most likely why this decision was made. The cast themselves holds promise. Kristen Wiig and Leslie
Jones haven proven themselves notable players on SNL, with Kristen making a name for herself in many well-remembered skits, like her Casablanca parody and The Maharelle Sisters. Melissa McCarthy is hot off of her box office and critical success Spy. If anything, most are uncertain about Jones’ onenote performances and Kate McKinnon’s film ability, after her most notable SNL moment is her impression of Justin Bieber. Many seem more offended at the idea of women replacing classic female characters than the actual movie or cast. Granted, this is to be expected. With a national classic like Ghostbusters, regardless of gender, a reboot with new people will turn a few heads. However, as can not be avoided with this issue, gender is obviously a big point. Many try to say that women are essentially “stealing” the film from it’s original audience, and wonder how they would react if a popular all-female movie was converted to males. But this is exactly the problem. There haven’t been many notable blockbusters, much less any classics, with an all-female cast for some time now. Even so, I doubt a male remake of Bridesmaids or Spice World would necessarily be frowned upon with the intensity of Ghostbusters 2016. Was the decision for a female cast made to prevent critique? Was it made for money? Is Jones’ character too stereotypical? Will the jokes be better or worse? How will the special effects look in HD on the big screen? All of these, although being debated on the short 2 and a half minute long trailer, will only be resolved when the final film is out. And, even if some are already condemning it, if you want to know for yourself, you’re probably gonna have to cough up a few bucks for a ticket. Corporate genius at work.
“With a national classic like Ghostbusters...a reboot with new people will turn a few heads. However...gender is obviously a big point.”
PowerGrade A
To the weather. The early spring weather, with more days in the sixties than in the forties, makes the excitement for summer much stronger throughout Westside’s halls, while kids are counting down the days until freedom.
C
To the budget cuts. While it is good that the administrators are coming up with a compromise to help save some money in the budget by freezing their salaries, there has been much backlash in the community about what is being cut.
F
To AP testing after seniors leave for summer vacation. Although the testing days are nationwide, the seniors won’t have anything but summer time and graduation on their minds.
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FEATURE
CONTOUR and CONFIDENCE Junior’s fixation with makeup is what boosted her self-esteem A PRIL VAN U N E N STAFF WRITER
Makeup is more than just an artform for junior Sammi Johnson. She started at just 12 years old with the basics: glittery blue eye shadow and her makeup addiction has been growing since. Today, her collection is worth approximately $1,500. Her passion is more than a hobby or a collection, it gives her self confidence. “I had terrible self confidence when I was young,” Sammi said. “Now that I have gotten into JUNIOR makeup, I feel more comfortable with myself.” Sammi was inspired at a young age by her best friend at the time. She described her best friend as being a “tom boy” and playing multiple sports. When her best friend came to school wearing makeup one day, it was the first time Sammi had ever considered using it. She noticed makeup’s effect was completely transformative. “I was never that type of popular person or [the] prettiest girl,” Sammi said. Her mom took her out and bought Sammi her first pencil eyeliner. The feeling of wearing it was inspiring. The simple black eyeliner and mascara boosted her self esteem. She feels that makeup is what gives her the confidence to get up in the morning. What she uses for her daily face makeup alone costs around $150.
SA M M I J O H N S O N
“I am always expanding my collection,” Sammi said. “I try to keep track of it all but there’s so many things.” Sammi’s job at Baker’s supermarket funds her collection. Sammi has over 30 eyeshadow palettes and a VIB Rouge card from Sephora, which means she has spent over $1,000 there in a year. Her passion has earned her free makeovers and free makeup on her birthday. “My personal favorite thing about makeup is eyeshadow, there’s so many looks you can create,” Sammi said. “It’s hard to chose a specific favorite when everything is so unique.” Sammi Johnson’s older sister, Alex Johnson, works at Urban Shutter Photography as a photographer. Alex often calls upon her younger sister, to do the makeup for her photoshoots. They are currently working on a siren/mermaid themed makeup look. Though the makeup done for photoshoots is stunning, Sammi knows that if she wore that on the streets she would receive odd looks. “The worst thing you can possibly do is talk down on a girl’s makeup,” Sammi said. “You have no idea how she feels about that. You see all these high end makeup brands like MAC cosmetics doing these extravagant photo shoots but if someone actually wore that they would be judged.” Sammi has her own personal experience with being judged for her make up. She recalls wear-
“The worst thing you can possibly do is talk down on a girl’s makeup.”
ing blue eye shadow and green eyeliner, trying to mock looks found in magazines like Glamour. Some even calling her self-centered and narcissistic for her makeup. “They probably love their makeup and that probably makes them way more confident,” Sammi said. Sammi uses makeup to express herself and grow as a person. It has helped her find something she’s good at it and truly loves to do. The same way people do their hair or dress themselves, makeup is how Sammi makes herself feel beautiful. “Some people say, ‘well that’s not your true face,’” Sammi said. “A lot of people wouldn’t like me with my true face. My makeup is for me.”
Junior Sammi Johnson does her makeup Tuesday, April 5. Johnson has a makeup collection worth approximately $1,500. Photo by Kirsten McCormack
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FEATURE
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PRACTICE POLITICS
Senior prepares for future in politics through mock campaign BELLA R A D L E R
STAFF WRITER
In 2012, senior Jackson Frerichs couldn’t help but notice how the whole country stopped to pay attention to the presidential campaign. The importance of the matter enticed him and provoked his immersion into politics. His fascination has resulted in his election for president last semester in AP Government class and his running as the Republican candidate for president again this semester. “ Y e a h I’m a pretty big freaking deal,” Frerichs said. “No, SENIOR but actually, whatever I do I try to do well, other people might consider me an overachiever.” Frerichs expectations for himself are high. He is a co-captain of ATSC, a member of Congressional Debate through the Debate Club, a DECA Officer, and a member of senator Deb Fischer’s Youth Advisory Counsel, which is comprised of two students from every school in the metro area. They meet at least once a month in a UNO community involvement room and discuss important issues in an attempt for the senate to understand the youths’ perspective on these issues. “They’ll just throw out an issue and the students will debate it amongst ourselves,” Frerichs said. “I think it’s important to know not only what
JAC KS ON F R E R I C H S
you believe, but why you believe it and be able to communicate that to others.” With an understanding of politics and the ability to persuade others, Frerichs decided that running for class president in AP Government class would be a good challenge. “I wanted to experience [campaigning] and then I realized I enjoy it a lot, it’s sort of a challenge,” Frerichs said. “It’s a logistical nightmare, which is exactly what I like.” This practice of campaigning is beneficial to students because they learn how to debate and it’s a very similar atmosphere to that of an actual political campaign even though it takes place in a high school auditorium. Frerichs put in between ten and 15 hours into preparing for his campaigning last semester, and significantly less time this semester because he now feels more comfortable with the routine and speaking about the topics. “In AP Government, we get a lot more in-depth with how the government operates, we really analyze current events,” AP Government teacher Jon Preister said. “Someone like Jackson can really see how our government operates and start to see if that is a career choice [he] would like to pursue down the road.” This practicing of campaigning is more than just an upper hand in the high school elections for Frerichs. He wishes to pursue the political field in
“My mom doesn’t want me to go into politics because she doesn’t want anyone to be mean to me.”
reality, and these mock campaigns are a perfect way for him to feel more comfortable. Frerichs goals are to major in political science, become immersed in policy analysis for a while and to eventually go into public service and become a politician. “My mom doesn’t want me to go into politics because she doesn’t want anyone to be mean to me,” Frerichs said. “But I like to think [my parents] are proud.”
Senior Jackson Frerichs poses for a photo on April 4. in the journalism room. In government class he is running for president. Photo by Abegale Headlee
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FEATURE
Q&A: Fresh face, fresH TAKE CE LE N A S H E P H E R D
to implement for achieving the goals.
MANAGING EDITOR Q: What was the number one factor that drew you to Westside? Q: Can you tell us about your family? A: The history of innovation and quality education A: My wife Tiffany and I have four children. Pat- attracted me professionally and also personally rick is a senior in college, Elizabeth is a sophomore for my children. in college, Daniel will be a [sophomore] next year, and Katherine will be a seventh grade student next Q: What are your hobbies? year. Our intention is to have Daniel and Katherine attend Westside. A: I enjoy time with family, watching my children participate in activities, playing cards, sports in Q: Have you always lived in Nebraska? If not, general and running. where are you from and how has growing up there shaped you as a person? Q: What is your favorite vacation spot and why? A: [No.] I grew up in Fargo, North Dakota. Sports and a few teachers in high school probably were the A: Going to the lake in Minnesota. I associate it impetus for pursuing a career in education. I had with family and great experiences [such as] sailsome teachers and coaches at Fargo North High ing, water skiing, and other water sports. School that left a lasting impact on me and were models for how I wanted to influence others as a Q: What is your favorite movie or television seteacher and role-model. ries?
Q: What do you look forward to most about A: Favorite movie, tough! I have a few. The FugiWestside? tive with Harrison Ford and the first three Bourne A: I am excited about the focus on personalizing
learning for students and the overall quality of education. From the interview process and research I did in advance, I am impressed with the staff, students and community. This attracted me to apply for the position, and I am excited to work in such a great educational environment.
movies with Matt Damon.
Q: What kind of music do you enjoy? Do you have a favorite artist or band?
A: [I enjoy] Classic Rock and ‘80s alternative. Bruce Springsteen for classic rock and U2 for alternative. Yes, U2 was considered alternative in the ‘80s.
Q: Do you have any changes you’d like to imQ: What are three books you think everyone plement at Westside? A: My first goal is to understand the culture and his-
tory of Westside. This will be done through meeting people and gaining knowledge. My current vision is to build background knowledge and then working with staff, students and community [and then] look for areas of growth on which to focus. Authentic change [and] growth only occurs when people identify common goals and have input in the strategies
should read?
A: The Energy Bus [by] Jon Gordon, Mindset: The
New Psychology of Success [by] Carol S. Dweck and Unbroken [by] Laura Hillenbrand. All three of these books are about the energy, attitude, and approach a person brings each day and how this can impact individual well-being, relationships, leadership and success.
Principal to be Jay Opperman will take over during the 2016-2017 school year. He grew up in North Dakota and enjoys playing cards, sports and running. Photo by Madigan Brodsky
SPORTS
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Swingin’ for success
Sophomore golfer looks to return to state men was a dream come true,” Hickey said. “I didn’t expect to make it. The thought of qualifying was far off in my head the whole year. When I did qualify I was in awe, I couldn’t believe I made it.” It was a great experience for Hickey, who, despite not playing his best there, still had a positive outlook on his experience. “Playing in state was one of the best golf experiences I ever had,” Hickey said. “I didn’t play good enough to be in contention for the tournament by a long shot, but getting to play in the tournament was a great experience and prepared me for more tournaments in my future.” Hickey, has also had the privilege of playing alongside his older brother, senior Cameron Hickey, who is currently a senior. The Hickey brothers are also members of the Westside Varsity Hockey Team. “Having my brother, [Cameron] on the team is awesome, we always compete against each other and push one another to get better,” Hickey said. Golf has been in their bloods their entire lives and they love to compete with one another. “[Mike] is a really good team member, he treats everybody equally, he pushes our top level players to play even better,” Cameron said. “The fact that he was able to make state as a freshman will knock down the mental barrier for him to do it again.” Mike and Cameron definitely agree one thing, and that is their goal for this season. “[Our goal is to] make state,” Cameron said. “That’s it. We know we can do it, we just need to work hard for it.” This season both Hickey brothers will compete in varsity tournaments. The first tournament for the golf team was held March 28 at the Benson Park Golf Course.
NOL AN T R A C Y
STAFF WRITER
For sophomore Mike Hickey, golf has been second nature for just about his whole life. Hickey has been an avid golfer for almost ten years. Hickey began playing golf competitively now for about three years or so. Hickey was a member of the varsity Westside golf team last spring, and played varsity throughout the whole season. Playing varsity was far from a given though. “Last season my main SOPHOMORE challenge was [just] trying to play in varsity tournaments,” Hickey said. “Every week before the next tournament me and a few others had to compete with our scores and other factors to secure the last couple varsity spots. It was hard having to play against upperclassmen every week to try and get a spot on the varsity roster.” Once Hickey managed to get on the varsity roster, the work was still far from completed. “Playing varsity as a freshman was a great experience,” Hickey said. “Playing in the varsity tournaments gave me experience for the rest of my years on the team, and playing on the varsity courses made me a better overall golfer.” Last seasons hard work and effort paid off though, for both Hickey and the Westside Golf Team. Hickey was able to qualify for districts, and eventually earn a spot in the state tournament in Lincoln, which was held at the Highlands Golf Course. Hickey was one of only five freshmen at the state tournament, competing against 66 other high school students. “Qualifying for the state tournament as a fresh-
M I KE H I C K E Y
“Playing in state was one of the best golf experiences I ever had.”
Sophomore Mike Hickey practices his short game ahead of the season. Hickey as been plaing varsity since his freshman year. Photo by Abby Lang
postseason problem
UNL is missing out by not joining postseason tournament T RE VOR M U M F O R D STAFF WRITER
Let’s act out a scenario: Say you were a senior playing basketball at a large state university. The season hasn’t gone as great as it could have, but the hope for a positive end to your career is still in view. The conference tournament occurs and your team goes farther than expected, but ends up losing to a ranked team. Although the loss marks the end of the regular season, you have confidence that a post-season tournament will make up for everything. The only problem occurs when your coach tells you there won’t be a postseason tournament. Now what? How can you properly end your career if you don’t get an extra shot at redemption? This is the reality of players on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Men’s basketball team. Under the leadership of Tim Miles, the Huskers had an overall record of (16-18) with a conference record of (6-12). Looking at these numbers, it would be easy to argue that they had a rough season. Even with the competitive nature of the Big Ten Conference, a University like Nebraska should not have 12 conference losses. Aside from their record, they had a solid winning streak in the Big Ten tournament, beating Rutgers and Wisconsin. However, the sharp-shooting Maryland Terrapins brought their regular season to an end.
In normal circumstances, a team like Nebraska would have participated in a post-season tournament. The team’s administration apparently thought otherwise, because according to Omaha World Herald writer Lee Barfkencht, cornhusker coach Tim Miles said that “we were all in agreement that the 2016 Nebraska basketball season should end in Indianapolis.” The Nebraska Huskers basketball team had a chance to play in two different postseason tournaments: the CBI or the Vegas 16. Both tournaments are geared towards teams that finished with sub-par records, but have a pretty hefty entry fee as well. The CBI costs $40,000, while the Vegas 16 costs $50,000. These factors, with the addition of many others, most likely affected the Huskers administration’s decision, but I question if it was the right choice. In fact, I would say that it was a horrible mistake for them not to participate in a post-season tournament. There are many reasons why I feel a tournament like the CBI would be beneficial for the program and they all focus on how it would impact the players. It is first essential that we look at the seniors. They’ve put in so much work over the last 4 years that ending a career with a season full of disappointment wouldn’t be fair. I could see the Huskers doing extremely well in the CBI or Vegas 16, even to the point of competing for a title. The seniors would get their last bit of enjoyment out of their careers, hopefully
“They’ve put in so much work over the last 4 years...”
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bringing with it a sense of closure. It is also important to picture the effect a tournament would have on the roster’s younger players. This would give these players a new experience and a chance to showcase their talents, almost previewing the season to come. Looking at everything as a whole, Nebraska is missing out on a substantial opportunity this post-season. I could see their administration arguing that it’s a lot of money and that the tournaments aren’t prestigious enough, but that doesn’t matter if they have the chance at bringing home the hardware. If the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s basketball team is really looking towards the future and success in the seasons to come, they made their chances that much more desolate by ending the season early.
Graphic by Jim Schueneman
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SPORTS
The Greatest adventure
Football coach for 28 years pursues other passions STEVE N SI MON
STAFF WRITER
Assistant Learning instructor Rick McKeever poses for a picture Wednesday, April 6. McKeever has been coaching at Westside for 28 years. Photo by Dana Cox
This year he’s showing football receivers how to run routes, block defenders and catch passes as well as helping track athletes develop the perfect running form. Next year, though, he could be anywhere: Pikes Peak, The Grand Canyon, who knows. Assistant Learning instructor Rick McKeever greatly enjoys coaching high-school athletics, nonetheless, this year will be his last. Most coaches retire because they don’t have the energy or the time or the body just can’t take it, but for McKeever it’s exactly the opposite. McKeever is choosing to step away from coaching after 28 years at Westside in order to pursue his passion for physical fitness and the outdoors. As a coach of football, track and at one point basketball, he’s given thousands of hours to the Westside athletic program and works toward improving the abilities of every athlete he encounters. McKeever not only focuses on the improvement of each athlete but the overall betterment of the teams he coaches as well. McKeever has a definite purpose as a coach, he said, “I want every kid who goes out [for a sport] to have a great experience and I want to make them the best athlete they can be.” McKeever has made an impact on each of the thousands of athletes he has coached. One former athlete coached by McKeever, Alex VanLent said, “McKeever developed me as an athlete but also taught me how to be a leader and have the right attitude in any situation.” Although he is certainly an accomplished and experienced coach, McKeever will be retiring from
coaching in order to spend time with his family as well as make time to do one of his favorite things, go on adventures. “Coaching has been the greatest adventure of my life,” McKeever said. “But I’m an adventurous person and there are other things I want to do in my lifetime.” The “other things” that McKeever speaks of include in large part, outdoor, physical activities. Throughout his life, McKeever dedicated to physical fitness and can currently be found in the weight room working out every morning at 6 a.m. After this season, McKeever will transition to using his free time to go from flood lights and turf to starlight and rocky terrain. More specifically, McKeever plans on hiking at places such as Pikes Peak and the Grand Canyon and possibly others. He came to revel in extensive hiking through the ascension of multiple 14,000 foot mountains throughout his life along with his appreciation for the outdoors. As a “fitness fanatic,” and someone who appreciates the outdoors, the excursions McKeever has planned fit well into the lifestyle he lives. McKeever will remain an educator at the high school and his impact on the school and the lives of its athlete’s will be long lasting. The epitome of not only an ideal coach but also a physically fit person, McKeever will reap the rewards of staying in great shape all of his life when he is able to take on new adventures even after his retirement from coaching. After dedicating innumerable hours toward creating profound experiences for others and helping them to pursue their passions, McKeever will now be taking the time to produce some remarkable experiences of his own and do what he loves most; being adventurous.
Me, Myself and Iron
Senior aspiring to become professional power-lifter COLE HOP KINS STAFF WRITER
Setting goals, hard work, and dedication are all things senior Ethyn Rad strives for in his life. With high aspirations of becoming a professional power-lifter Rad is determined and focused on achieving nothing less than what he is capable of. Rad has always led an athletic lifestyle, he’s always been involved in sports such and is an accomplished wrestler. Rad was highly motivated and would spend extra time in the gym working out for his wrestling. He simply enjoyed lifting more than the other aspects of his sport. He then decided to pursue body building. This didn’t last too long and he found himself most interested in becoming a power-lifter. Power-lifting was also in his family, his uncle was a talented and professional competitor for years. Ever since he became interested in weight lifting Rad has spent lots of time developing in the sport. As mentioned earlier it all started as an interest in body building. Body building is a sport where contestants are judged based on their physique and how aesthetically pleasing they look. For example Arnold Schwarzenegger was a body builder. After being training for that sort of contest for a while Rad decided he would rather take up power lifting. Power lifting is a competitive sport where contestants are scored on how much total weight they can lift between four different lifts. The lifts four lifts consist of the bench press , deadlift, squat, and hang clean. Each contestant gets three chances per lift to move as much weight as they can. Then the heaviest lift from each category is added up to give the final composite score. Professional power-lifters compositely score upwards of 2,500 pounds with squats reaching over a 1,000 pounds and bench presses over 700 pounds. Although the competition is simple and straight forward the training and preparation is fairly complicated. Power lifters essentially train 24/7 between work outs, strict diets, and sleeping schedules. Rad understands the importance of staying focused to achieve his goals. Even when it comes to
holding a job Rad said, “If a job doesn’t fit into my workout schedule, I just won’t take the job.” Rad also has developed ways of staying on top of diet while still going to school. Things like protein shakes are always on hand during the school day. During his “bulking” stage Rad consumes over 4,000 calories a day. He is disciplined and never skips meals. In a usual day during the bulking phase, Rad consumes 6 eggs and oatmeal in the mornings, which is usually followed by a protein shake. Then about three hours later he’ll usually have another shake. Then lunch an hour or two after that and followed by another shake. Then Rad trains has another shake then has dinner consisting of usually some type of meat like chicken or steak and then finishes off the day with another protein Rad also takes supplements such as creatine, amino acids, as well as normal proteins. Rad is currently on what he calls a “cutting” stage. This is when power-lifters start to consume less, do more cardio in their training, and focus on cutting fat and unwanted size. Bulking and cutting work well together because the bulk will produce a lot of muscle as well as some fat and then cutting just eliminates the unwanted fat. This plays a huge advantage when competing because it allows Rad to compete at a lower weight class. In the world of Power lifting being as strong as possible and as light as possible is ideal. As far as working out goes Rad spends on average 6 out of the 7 days a week training. He believes that with hard, constant work he could potentially go pro and become a sponsored athlete. Right now Rad has achieved a composite score of 1,285 pounds. With a 295 bench, 315 deadlift, 380 squat, and a 295 hang clean weighing in at 170 pounds. Rad also recognizes the struggle of wanting to remain a natural athlete. “Power lifters are known for their use of anabolic steroids.” said Rad “In fact in completion athletes are divided into regular and natural categories. Regular basically meaning that most contestants are using anabolic steroids while naturals means they are not.” Rad is focused on remaining a natural athlete
as he feels like he can prove to people who are interested in the sport that taking performance enhancing drugs is not a necessity. When it is all said and done, Rad has a long road left ahead of him before reaching a professional status but he is focused determined. Rad told us “If anything I hope that I can inspire others to work hard for their goals as well whatever those goals my be.”
Senior Ethyn Rad works out in the Westside weight room. Rad sticks to a rigourous excercise routine. Photo by Cedric Homan
A&E
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HOROSCOPES Horoscopes by April Van Unen, Design by Casey Arritt
Aries 21 mar – 19 apr Newness is in the air and you are entering a vibrant time in your life. Start a new hobby or try a new food. Stepping out of your comfort zone may be scary for you but leave your mind open to new ideas.
Cancer 22 jun – 23 jul Lately, things have felt pretty heavy and unpleasant. Instead of focusing on a hard issue, stick to something trivial and light. Not every interaction has to be profound to show your intellect. Libra 23 sept – 22 oct You’re going through a phase in your life where all you want to do is relax and it’s not the end of the world. Don’t force yourself to mix things up if you don’t want to. Don’t beat yourself up if you don’t feel like getting much done today. Capricorn 22 dec – 20 jan Friends are not those who judge you. Whatever you are going through, friends will help you think of a solution so don’t hide your feelings from them or push them away.
Taurus 20 apr – 20 may Compromise will be difficult. You don’t agree with someone’s seemingly unreasonable requests but you may have to give in to keep the peace. Today it may be beneficial to choose the path of least resistance.
Leo 24 jul – 23 aug It is likely that you will overreact today. Overreacting is not a good way to make new friends so try to avoid large social situations until your temper is stabilized again. Scorpio 23 oct – 22 nov You have a specific vision of what you want your life to look like. Don’t let that keep you inflexible about things. Find new ways to do things and experiment with change.
Aquarius 21 jan – 19 feb Don’t lose sight of your personal growth when focusing on needs of those around you. Don’t give too much of yourself to others today. Make sure you leave time for yourself.
Gemini 21 may – 21 jun Have an intellectual discussion today. Expand your mind and try to learn something new from someone else. Be confident in your communication style so you don’t have to be dogmatic.
Virgo 24 aug – 22 sept Don’t be afraid to ask for what you need. Let your family know that you need time with your friends. Others will be understanding today.
Sagittarius 23 nov – 20 dec Adapt your energy today. You may be feeling stressed out about a complicated situation. Try to focus on having calm vibes.
Pisces 20 feb – 20 mar It’s not a good idea to go against your instinct today. Make sure you are sure about the new people possibly coming in to your life. Get opinions from people you trust before making any final decisions.
THE POINTS AREN’T THE POINT
Students find outlet through poetry club SH A N N ON C H I N N STAFF WRITER
The UNO Thompson Center was filled with the energetic buzz of teenagers with voices waiting to be heard and certain warmth one doesn’t normally find at any other type of competition. Group hug after group hug and connections made through the understanding of each other’s words and emotions in are found in every room. The one thing that stands out among all the rest however is the snaps. Snaps, which are the poetry slam’s world form of clapping, and murmurs of agreement stand as reminder to the poet that their words mean something as audience members snap to lines that they find ring true to their own feelings. Students from all over Nebraska gathered at the UNO campus March 20 to share their own written poetry and compete in performances against other schools in a competition known as Louder Than a Bomb. Sophomores Katie Monochie and Rebecca Onken, and juniors Erandi Ortiz, Emily Hammans and Alexis Shirley are all a part of the club Louder Than a Bomb that meets to write and practice poetry. “I’ve always liked to write poetry and I thought it would be really fun to do something like this,” Monochie said. “Hearing people throw their hearts at you is just amazing.” At the competition, these students perform slam poetry, a competitive style of poetry in which poets recite original works to earn scores from several judges. “I went to my first poetry slam [last year] and it opened my eyes, I was crying and being super dramatic and I loved it so much,” Monochie said. Most students in the club have never compet-
ed with their poems before, so in the time before performances they were filled with nerves as they anxiously waited to get in front of the microphone. “I got in [the room] and I was sweating so much I couldn’t snap, and I was basically having an inner panic attack,” Shirley said. The seats were filled with heavy hearts but voices were strong as poems about sexuality, depression and self-identity were performed. The poems shared at the competition came from the heart, and are used as an outlet to express very personal stories. One written by Ortiz for example, was inspired by emotions she has felt while living in Omaha. “The inspiration behind my poem was basically the segregation and degradation of the American Dream and the harsh reality that is often found in urbanization,” Ortiz said. The young writers and performers in the club said that poetry is used as way to deal with emotions in a creative and helpful manner. “Just writing one to two sentences has helped me more than years of therapy combined,” Ortiz said. This is why Ortiz decided to join the club and write poetry, but she regrets not finding this creative outlet sooner as she could had used a more enriching way of dealing with her feelings in previous years. “Do you know how much money I’ve spent on therapy and none of it has come close to helping me like writing has helped me?” Ortiz said. Monochie, Onken, Shirley, Ortiz and Hammans did deal with minor setbacks, with a majority of their team being absent from practices due to other obligations. This forced some of the club members to step out of their comfort zone and perform.
“I was really heavily considering not doing this because of all the anxiety,” Shirley said, “But at one point I said I kind of owe it to myself and to my team-mates to pull through.” Despite this, after the competition ended and many tears and snaps were shed, the Westside team earned second place in their room, receiving high scores for their poems and performances. But, as the Louder then a Bomb motto proclaims, “the points are not the point; the point is the poetry.” Go to Westside Wired to hear the members of the club perform their pieces!
Sophomores Rebecca Onken and Katie Monochie, and junior Alexis Shirley perform a poem for Louder Than a Bomb. Photo by Shannon Chinn
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A&E
OMAHA FILM FESTIVAL K A YLA K Y L E , S A R A H H E R M A N N , E L I S E T U C K E R
STAFF WRITERS
The Omaha Film Festival has been a staple for movie lovers since 2005. The Omaha Film Festival ran movies from Tuesday, March 8 until Saturday, March 13. The festival started out as a little indie
movie event that didn’t have much of a turn out, but now the festival is home to big feature movies and noteworthy flicks. There are 500 entries each year and 90 of these are chosen to showcase. There were movies as well as animated short films being shown. Here are four of the movies that range from action to drama to animated shorts.
Eye in the Sky This action/thriller film starring Alan Rickman and Helen Mirren is a breathtaking view into the world of the war against terrorists. Eye in the Sky is about a colonel (Mirren) and lieutenant general’s (Rickman) plan to bomb a group of Syrian terrorists. When a complication comes into view, they must make a hard decision of whether to bomb the building that houses the terrorists or wait until the British soldiers can capture them. This feature film did an amazing job of showing us a side of wars that aren’t often talked about in movies. Rickman and Mirren were superb in their roles and all the actors showed true emotion during throughout this emotionally draining film. Because this was one of Rickman’s last films, there was a roaring applause during the ending credits, giving us chills down our spine. This was an excellent film to show on opening night, and a perfect final movie for Rickman to be involved in.
The Invitation The Invitation: We didn’t want to visit Los Angeles or even go near the city after we saw The Invitation. This horror movie is about a group of friends getting together years after they got a mysterious invitation from two of their friends. The main character and one of the guests, Will (Logan Marshall-Green), becomes paranoid that something bad is happening and the movie follows him as he tries to figure out what’s going on in the house. The gore-horror flick started out a bit slow for us. It was intended to be a suspenseful horror film. However, it went on a little longer than necessary which left us a little bored and impatient. Overtime the movie showed off its true colors. Packed with horror and gore, this film made us want to turn away because of all of the disturbing imagery. The fear of the people and gore kept our eyes locked to the screen. The plot seemed a little generic at first, but the audience will be shocked when it comes to a close. It wasn’t your traditional hqorror movie with ghosts or the usual tropes. It held a lot of authenticity that will stick with viewers for a long time.
Coming Through the Rye This movie is your classic teen coming-ofage story except it had a quirky twist. Coming Through the Rye, set in 1969, is about an eccentric 6-year-old boy named Jamie Schwartz (Alex Wolff) who often encounters problems at his boarding school. Convinced that his fate is to play Holden Caulfield, the main character of the book “The Catcher in the Rye”, he decides to run away and live out his dream. While on his journey to find the author of the book, J.D. Salinger, and convince him to make his book into a play, Jamie learns lessons about self-worth, love, and bravery. This movie is incredibly moving, reminding its audience to never give up on something that they are passionate about. The film also introduces many new and upcoming teenage actors including Alex Wolff and Stefania Owen.
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