Common Sense Volume 19 Issue 4 February 19, 2019

C ommon Sense Millard South High School • 14905 Q St. • Omaha, Neb., 68137

Feburary 19, 2019

Volume 19 Issue 4

Another championship brews

Sophomore Conor Knopick stares at the scoreboard to see how badly he beat his opponent from Gretna. His 19-4 tech fall helped spark a Patriot rally that sealed the victory over Gretna. Photo by Josh Ferdico

Junior Blake Smith breaks in the new Penn State style singlet against Gretna. Smith won this match 9-6 helping to lead the Patriots to a 56-15 victory over Gretna on Senior Night.

Photo by Josh Ferdico

Garrett Carbullido Staff Reporter

One state championship down, one more to go. This is the mantra the Millard South wrestling team is carrying for the next two weeks.

On Feb. 2, the culmination of a season’s worth of hard work resulted in the wrestling team defeating Columbus, Omaha Burke, and Lincoln East for the Class A State Dual Championship. However, unlike most high school sports, wrestling has two state tournaments, so their goal is only halfway accomplished.

The second state tournament is the individual meet state tournament which differs from the dual state tournament by pinning all state qualifying wrestlers of one weight class against each other rather than pinning an entire high school team against another.

Page 4-5

Columns about ACT, stalkers, and joining a sport along with the staff editorial.

Page 6-7

According to head coach Nate Olson, the key to winning the individual state title is getting every varsity wrestler to score points at state and fighting through the consolation rounds, so they don’t have to rely on a few outstanding performances.

“We have to fight through every match and minimize the bonus points we give up while gaining as many bonus points as we can ourselves,” Senior Gavin Peitzmeier said.

Although the individual state tournament is usually the most difficult tournament the team faces in a season, it might seem less daunting than usual after the Patriots decided to add two new tournaments to the regular season schedule.

Music and movie reviews.

Page 8-9

“My favorite part of this season was participating in the Flatwater Fracas and the Council Bluffs Classic for the first time ever. They proved to be really tough two-day competitions that pushed us to our limits early in the season. They exposed some weaknesses that we had, but have since fixed, as well as some strengths that we continued to groom all season,” Coach Olson said.

My coaches have forced me to practice more from the neutral position and shoot more shots. It’s helped me become more confident in my offense and be more aggressive during matches,” Peitzmeier said.

As the season comes to a close, the Patriots will continue to fix any weaknesses and hone their skills as they look to claim their second state championship of the season.

Coffee houses and a Swedish bakery hit the spot

Page 11

Players push themselves in off season lifting program

2

News 2• 19 • 2019

Drama makes the books with Recommended Reading for Girls

Halle Benson Asst. Entertainment Editor

Being the first high school to produce Recommended Reading for Girls is an honor Millard South gets to hold.

The play is about a woman who comes back home to take care of her sick mother who is going through chemotherapy. However, when she arrives she finds that her favorite childhood storybook characters have come alive in the house.

It has been 6 years since the last performance of Recommended Reading for Girls. The Omaha-based playwright, Ellen Struve, was weary about letting a high school perform her show, but she knew Millard South could do it.

“When Ellen first talked to us (the cast), she expressed how much she loved the show and how excited she was to for us to bring it into a new light.

All we wanted to do was make her proud,” said sophomore Oliva Palmer.

Palmer performed as Jackie in the production of Recommended Reading for Girls.

For the last couple of months, the drama department at Millard South has been busy working on their most recent show, Recommended Reading for Girls. The students spent hours and hours putting together costumes, sounds, lights, props, and set pieces to bring this show to life.

“Sometimes it is like really hard and it can be draining, but it is also really worth it,” said sophomore Max Smelser. Smelser worked on the show as sound reinforcement and helped with building the set.

The drama department had their first performance of the show at the Nebraska State Thespian Festival last month, then performed the show three more times a week later. It is quite a rare and unique opportunity for shows to perform at Nebraska State Thespian Festival. The last time Millard South did a performance at the festival was over ten years ago.

On the Saturday performance of Recommended Reading for Girls, the show was adjudicated to be performed at the International Thespian Festival.

The International Thespian Festival is a week long convention for theatre kids all around the United States to watch shows, audition for colleges, and participate in workshops. If Recommended Reading for Girls passes the adjudication, the show will be performed in front of thousands of people.

While the drama department still has a couple months before finding out about Internationals, schools all across Nebraska want to do Recommended Reading for Girls after watching Millard South perform it.

Jackie, played by Sophomore Olivia Palmer (center), tells a gory tale to the storybook characters. Photo by Kimmy Jordan.

Amy Saunders (Bella Sanders) is offended after being teased by her mother and sister. Photo by Josh Ferdico

Marilynn Saunders (Erin Weidenhamer) cries happily when she finally returns home after a long journey. Photo

by Kimmy Jordan.

Online testing is far from a blessing Deniece Radford Staff Reporter

Tests seem to gradually be turning more digital. Many quizzes in class are taken on district-issued laptops, many math finals are online, and now the sophomores are taking their Analytical Writing Assessment on their computers. Students say this can often be inconvenient, annoying, and awkward. Technology hasn’t seemed to quite meet the needs of testtakers, whether it be through flexibility or scratch work.

“It’s faster, maybe not with math and stuff, but writing is definitely faster, because I can type instead of write it out,” sophomore Kylee Ellison said. Many agree that taking math tests can be difficult on computers, a common theme while tak-

ing the NeSA. in the back of the room to make sure that

“I think writing would definitely students aren’t browsing the internet be one of the tests to take online, but while taking a quiz. Other times, they definitely not even use browsmath. I like ers specifically scratch paper,” made for certain Ellison said. tests which “I feel like it’s prevent access to hard to stare at the internet. a screen and a “Online tests are problem for a easier to cheat long time. It’s on. If it’s a safe – Sophomore Kylee Ellison a lot easier to browser, like for use paper for a math test, we me,” she said. have to show our

When taking a test on a computer, teacher our screens while we’re testing teachers use many methods to prevent because one kid discovered how to get cheating. Some walk around or hang out out of the browser. So that allowed for

“ I feel like it’s hard to stare

at a screen and a problem for a long time.

”

much easier cheating. Also, it gives me a headache after a while,” freshman Travis Cloyd said.

In just a few years ACT, SAT, and AP tests might all be online. Already this has been experimented with, but many schools are still sticking with the old pen and paper. For many students, this is an unwelcome change, leading to strain and stress. We’re in a phase of transition: we grew up writing, but are now typing. The digital age has changed the way we take in information, so it’s no surprise that it’s changing the rest of our education system as well.

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News 2 • 19 • 2019

No pass policy implemented to reduce tardies

Maddie Rynes Editor in Chief

Students needing to use the restroom at the start of class are going to have to hold it a few more minutes. As of Jan. 14, a ‘no pass period’ policy has been implemented. This policy states that during the first and last 10 minutes of a class, along with Pride Time, no passes shall be written by teachers and no students should be roaming the halls unless for emergencies or nurse-related reasons.

“The real reason is we really needed to address the tardies in the hallway,” assistant principal Matt Geerts said. “The numbers of students in hallways and not in class has been increasing, and this is just one measure we can do to bring that number back down.”

According to Geerts, three areas of data were used to come to this decision: observations from security guards, observations from administrators, and the number of tardies from blocks 2 to 4.

Administrators and security guards were noticing a large number of students in the halls during class and had difficulty recognizing whether they were late to class or had a pass to go somewhere.

Some teachers are in support of the policy as it is meant to keep students on time and in class. However, many teachers have stated their objection to the policy. One of their main reasons of dissent is that they have taught their students to go when class has not yet started or when work time is available at the end. They want those core 70 minutes of class to get through to each student, not to have to pause a lesson to write multiple passes. Another concern is testing, as many teachers have the rule of if a student leaves the room during a test, even if it was for an emergency, their test would be graded as is.

“I trust that they’ll go to the bath-

room, do what they’re supposed to leave class before activities begin rather do, and come back. I don’t want to tie than wait another 10 minutes and then in special privileges to being able to risk missing not only their own lesson, relieve oneself,” government teacher but interrupting another teacher’s.

Nick Kintzle said. When asked about the

“I go to pre-calc after third block, effect of the policy, his response was, “It and that’s my normal bathroom time, impacts instruction more than anything and I’m walking from one side of the else. It changes the way that everyone school to the other, so it’s really difficult tries to build and design a lesson.” for me to get there on time and go to the

“During academic time, to me, is the bathroom and not miss any class,” junior worst time for kids to leave. Do I think a Kali Herbolsheimer said. kid should come to me and get a pass?

While the main reason to install this Yes. But policy was I think if to reduce the bell tardiness, has rung other conand they sequences have a are in place pass from to further me to go hold stuto the dents acbathroom, countable.

I would Students rather it are allowed be at the 3 tardies to beginning each class – Social studies teacher Nick Kintzle or the end. period, and From an on the 4th, academic a 45 minute standpoint, it makes the most sense detention is given if a teacher submits a to go at the beginning or the end,” an behavior referral. Once you hit 6 tardies, anonymous teacher said. “Kids being and the teacher submits a behavior refertardy and kids being in the bathroom ral, an afternoon school is given, which aren’t the same thing.” is a 2 hour detention. At 8 tardies, 2

While some students are unphased, afternoon schools are given. In the attensome have expressed dissatisfaction. dance system, teachers are responsible Many say they do not want to miss class, for marking students tardy to class. Then so they go during Pride Time where unthey are supposed to look individually at less an activity is planned, they are often students’ records and submit an online getting homework help, talking to classoffice referral for them to receive those mates, or on their phones. For numerous consequences. classes, especially honors or AP, time is

“If it’s to 1st block, we monitor that valuable as you may be taking notes or because it goes directly to the office. doing an activity such as a test for the 1st block is pretty well monitored. Every entire class. In those cases, it is easiest to other block, it is dependent on the

“ It impacts instruction more than anything else. It changes the way that everyone tries to build and design a lesson

”

teacher,” assistant principal Michelle Klug said. “There are some teachers that are a little more consistent with attendance, and there are also some teachers who are a little more consistent with referring students to the office. If I’m not as consistent with keeping track of how many times you’ve been tardy, then I’m probably not submitting a referral. That’s how they [students] fall through the cracks.”

Automatic notifications to the office of when a student has exceeded their 3 ‘freebie’ tardies for a class are not a possibility because Infinite Campus totals tardies from blocks 2-4 together, rather than looking at tardies to one specific class. However, looking individually at a student’s attendance, it does show how many tardies he or she has to each block.

According to data collected by assistant principal Andy Pinkall, tardy referrals during the school day have increased from 824 to 1054 when comparing first semester last year and this year.

A few things to look at in the future, administrators say, are if this policy reduces or increases the number of students counted tardy, along with how often teachers’ lessons are being interrupted by bathroom breaks.

This policy is an effort to reduce tardiness and truancies, and its influence will be looked at after time has allowed it to settle.

“This is just the first step into the larger tardy policy. There’s a lot of different avenues we could go,” Geerts said.

“But we needed to kind of get the ball rolling and have a starting point. If this is working, then do we add something to make it even better? If it’s not, what is the next step? Bottom line is we want kids in class.”

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Opinion 2 • 19 • 2019

Finding my place by making a splash Being in high school is all about having fun, making new friends, and opening yourself up to new opportunities.

When I first came to Millard South I had no clue what to expect, I was a very shy and timid 8th grader transitioning to 9th grade.

My mom noticed an email from the school stating that there was an activity fair and that they encouraged students to come and see if there were any sports or clubs that they were interested in participating in.

I, of course, had no plans to join anything, so this wasn’t on my radar, until my mom practically forced me to go and at least check something out because Alexis Gamble she thought that I should interact with other students Staff Reporter and get involved in my school somehow. This of course scared me and I reluctantly agreed.

Upon entering Millard South, I was completely overwhelmed by the amount of hustle and bustle of everything. I walked around the cafeteria and nothing caught my eye. I’ll admit that I was being stubborn about the whole thing because I didn’t want to have to talk to random people and join an activity where I knew no one.

After one lap of the booths, I was ready to leave, but my mom wasn’t leaving until I found something to sign up for. She led me to more booths to get information but I didn’t want to do any of them. Finally we ended up at the swimming and diving booth, which intimidated me, but my mom forced me to put my name down and grabbed the

papers with all the information. She told me if I really didn’t like it I could quit.

The first day came along and I obviously had no prior swim experience so I joined the JV practice and learned some fundamentals of competition swim.

The best part about swim is that it’s a no cut sport, so everyone can feel included whether they’ve been swimming since they could walk, to people like me who knew absolutely nothing about swimming.

I went to time trials and almost drowned a couple times, but made it through and stuck with my spot on JV. I actually ended up liking swim. I liked it so much, I participated in it every year.

From my freshman year up until now (being a senior on varsity), I have fell in love with swimming. Even though practice can be actual death, and there are many swimming events that I actually hate, it was never enough to make me want to quit.

Swimming is not only a sport that races against the opposing team, it’s a sport that races against yourself, each meet trying to improve your times to make you better than you were yesterday.

Another reason I think I enjoy swim so much is because the friendships I’ve made while participating in this sport are irreplaceable. They made 5:30am practices not so bad.

So if you are ever debating on whether or not you should or shouldn’t join a sport or activity, I’d advise you to step out of your comfort zone and go for it. It may seem like something you would hate, but it could turn out to be the greatest choice of your high school career.

Sorry, but I can’t help you with your ACT Getting a high ACT score is absolutely a great thing.

It opens up countless doors, makes numerous scholarships available to you, and reaffirms that maybe your 12 years of schooling was actually worth something. However, there is perhaps one minor, but irritating drawback.

I can’t tell you how many Jack Towne times people have either asked Staff Reporter me for ACT advice or, only halfjokingly, asked me to take their ACT. The latter, first of all, is all but impossible and the people asking know that. But asking for advice, at least from me, is equally fruitless, and I want to make clear why.

I don’t know how to tell you that when things are grammatically incorrect, they just sound wrong to me. The English section on the ACT just makes sense to me. I think it’s probably due to me reading so much. So, since I learned everything I know from books, why are you looking at me? Read more, and you’ll get a better Reading and English score.

Another thing: No, I did not study extensively for the ACT. I did the John Baylor Prep offered here at school, and nothing

else. I did not sit in my room for months before the test, reading practice passages and doing 10 math problems a day. I did what I was made to do in my classes, and nothing more. I really have nothing for you.

If I were to give you one piece of advice it would be this: Do exactly as I did. Take a heavy workload of AP and Honors classes.

Read. A lot. And do the John Baylor Prep. All of these will prepare you to do well. Constantly practice reading and writing and solving problems at a high level, and I guarantee you’ll be happy with your score.

Most of all, I advise you to not worry about it too much.

People get worked up in a frenzy too much over these stupid tests. They aren’t the be all end all of college admissions. You can go to a great college at a discounted price without getting a 36 on the ACT. There’s even growing evidence that these standardized tests are a terrible indication of intelligence or academic achievement - I think most could figure that out for themselves - and are often biased towards certain groups doing better than others.

So stop bugging me, and stop worrying about it. If you do everything right, work hard in school, maybe read a little, get a good night’s sleep before the test, maybe bring a granola bar and a bottle of water, you’ll do just fine. I have no doubt about it.

A surprising summer school experience This past summer I decided I wanted to enroll in summer school. Cross training and everyday living to be more exact.

I decided to try summer school for many reasons, but mainly I just wanted to get a few graduNatalie Fedde ation requirements out of the Staff Reporter way. When I walked in on the first day I wondered if summer school would be a run down nightmare like it is in the movies or if it would be way easier than regular school which I had heard from a few former summer school students. To my surprise, neither of these were the case.

First of all, summer school is nothing like how it is portrayed in the movies. For example, the movie Summer School makes summer school appear to be for unmotivated kids taught by unqualified teachers who were forced to show up. Both of these statements are false. For one, most of the kids in my classes were taking summer school to get ahead, not because they were lazy during the school year. Also, every teacher there had volunteered, and all of them were qualified to teach. None of them were forced into it. I have also heard from movies and books that summer school isn’t air conditioned or that the students don’t get lunch. This could not be further from the truth. All of the classes were air conditioned, and there was a free meal program.

I guess it was wrong of me to look to pop culture for an accurate representation of summer school.

Even though summer school wasn’t awful like it is in the media, it wasn’t a breeze like everyone made it seem. There was still homework and tests like regular school, but because summer school happens over the span of five weeks, we had to learn everything extremely fast. Each class was three hours long and was

the equivalent of two or three days of a normal class. Because of this, there was a rule that any student who missed more than four days automatically failed their class. On top of all of this, it costs about $230 to take two summer school classes. If you get sick or just can’t come for some reason and end up missing four or more days then all of that money you paid is wasted. I got sick about halfway through summer school, but I was lucky enough to only miss one day. Summer school definitely wasn’t as easy as my friends had made it out to be.

The last misconception I heard about summer school was one that I hear all the time: that summer school is for kids who failed their classes to make them up. At least three people asked me about this when I was doing summer school. Some of my family was confused because they know I tend to be a pretty good student. It took me a while to explain to them that summer school can also be a way to get classes that you don’t want to take during the school year out of the way. Almost every one semester class that is a graduation requirement is available for summer school. I personally wanted more room during the school year to take other classes, so I took cross training and everyday living to get them out of the way.

It’s a good thing I didn’t believe everything I have heard about summer school. If I thought summer school would have no air conditioning or was just for kids struggling in school, I definitely would not have signed up. I am so glad I signed up for summer school because now I have two classes out of my way, and I can focus on what I really want to do. I get to spend my sophomore year taking fun classes and pursuing my interests. I guess the moral of the story is don’t believe everything you hear.

You might end up missing out. Summer school sign ups are open now from the Millard website. Hurry fast to get the classes you want because they fill up fast.

Natalie Schamp Staff Reporter

Support drama department

When scouring the area for the best school, Millard South’s drama department caught my eye. I fell in love with the idea of five productions a year and set out to learn as much about the school as possible.

After scouring the school’s website and handbook, I decided that Millard South was the school for me.

Although I wasn’t involved in any productions for the first semester I was here, I went to every show. And honestly, I was surprised by the lack of people in the large, elegant auditorium. Even more surprising was waiting in a line that almost backed up to the south doors for show choir premiere.

What was it that inspired art patrons to appear at the premiere but never at a play?

I had been raised with two older sisters that loved the arts. One performed in every musical our school put on and the other ended up getting an art degree. Love for theatre seemed natural to me, it was hard to understand why anyone wouldn’t share this love with me. Students pour their blood, sweat, and tears into these productions. They spend almost every day to create something beautiful for people to enjoy, and not that many are enjoying it. Despite having a large and impressive drama department, the general enthusiasm at Millard South for drama is lacking.

So, why should you make the effort and spend the money to come to one of the shows? Well, chances are you know someone in the show or someone who worked on it, and it’s nice to support your friends. It’s a form of entertainment, it’s a nice two hour break from the world. Whether it’s a comedy, musical, or drama, ultimately it’s performed for your enjoyment. The more people in the audience the better the energy for the whole show, it’s way more fun to perform for a huge crowd than a small one. Lastly, it’s not that much money to come and have fun for two hours.

Please come and support your drama department and have fun while you’re doing it!

5

Opinion 2 • 19 • 2019

‘Hostage Time’ comes to Millard South

New tardy policy enforced

If you’ve ever seen the bathroom during a passing period, you know that there can be a line out the door, and now with the new tardy policy, you’re unable to check in with your teacher and take a few minutes before class in order to use the restroom. Administration says the new policy is needed to cut down on tardies to class, but it infringes on students’ rights to take care of business before class starts, is disruptive to classroom instruction, and punishes everyone except the students who are loitering instead of going to class.

Not only is it ideal to use the restroom before instruction has started or during work time at the end, but Pride Time is another window of opportunity that is now off limits due to the policy change. Student use Pride Time for a variety of purposes including getting last minute homework completed, working out their schedules for the next year and other district requirments but also a time where they can sit on their phones for 10 minutes, get a drink or leisurely use the restroom without the line.

Passing periods often do not allow for enough time to wait in line and use the restroom without being late to class. It is different from schools with seven or eight periods who have more chances inbetween classes to go, whereas our school only has 3 or 4 passing periods each day.

Administrators report and data shows that there has been an increase in the number of tardies to periods 2, 3 and 4 compared to the same time period last school year. During first semester of this year there were 1,054 referrals for tardies and in 2017-2018 there were 824. Teachers send in referrals after a student reaches 4, 6, and 8 tardies in his or her class. Students often fall through the cracks this way, as teachers get busy and do not spend the time to count up the tardies for offenders. The total number of actual

tardies is much higher than the number of referrals. A solution to that is to have teachers produce their own way of tracking tardies, whether it be an old fashioned paper copy or through Infinite Campus’s report of tardies. Even giving warnings on the 2nd or 3rd tardy would help prevent having to give the referral, therefore reducing tardies.

While the new pass policy may only be the starting point for reducing tardiness, this seems to be an extreme measure that could have been preceded by other measures. Administration and security say it is difficult to distinguish who should be in the halls during those first and last 10 minutes and who should not, but there is oddly enough a very simple solution: ask students for their pass. If the student doesn’t have a pass, send them or walk them back to class. If a student has received a pass from their teacher to go in those first or last 10 minutes, there should not be an issue. We understand there are students who abuse their passing periods and are late for socialization reasons, but this policy seems to unfairly blanket the student population.

Another solution to cut down tardies for students with histories of being tardy is to use this policy for them once a certain number has been reached. At teacher’s discretion, students may be told that they may not leave class at the beginning or end of the period. If administration then believes it fit, they may implement this for all of that specific student’s classes.

While attendance to class is vital to a student’s education, this policy has created more problems with student rights to use the restroom and teachers reorganizing lessons to suit this rule.

If some students are abusing their right to be tardy, let’s crack down on referrals and consequences for accumulating tardies for those offenders. Group punishment didn’t work in elementary school and it doesn’t work now.

Dangers of romanticization stalks young viewers In late December, Netflix added You, previously aired on Lifetime. The show is about Joe, a bookstore manager, who meets Guinevere Beck, an attractive grad student who goes by her surname.

As Beck walks into the store, Joe latches his attention on her, Maddie Rynes and from that point Editor in Chief on, she dictates his life.

He google searches her, watches her in her apartment and even breaks in, and hangs out at the bar while her and her friends are hanging out. He continually pines for her until one day, he magically saves her from a threatening situation and starts a romantic relationship with her.

Throughout the show, we see Joe’s psychotic tendencies unfold as he falls deeper in ‘love’ with Beck.

He tries to remove her from her friend group by harming her best friend, he intrudes on her private therapy sessions, and he manipulates her by hiding his dark secrets.

The show has become a bit of a guilty pleasure for many, but there’s an underlying theme in many social media posts related to it. These tales are detrimental to young, impressionable girls who often are not experienced with dating, as it can lead to romanticizing abusive and dangerous men. The media consistently backs

these messages by calling these characters heartthrobs, while ignoring that the actor is seperate from their character. In an interview for Entertainment Weekly, the interviewer even said “That’s one of the things that makes Joe different from other portrayals of serial killers. It’s why I found myself feeling bad for him for even a brief moment when Beck locked him in that cage,” as if he didn’t murder her best friend and try to kill her.

Millie Bobby Brown, a teenage actress from Stranger Things, posted on her Instagram story with commentary of “He’s not creepy, he’s in love with her”, with many people attacking her, rather than realizing that this is the world she grows up in; this is what has been shown in movies and TV shows for decades. As a fourteen year old girl with a young fanbase, this can be a dangerous message given over media as many other young girls look up to her.

This isn’t the first time we’ve seen young girls be wowed by boys who they interpret as romantic; many girls recall an app called Wattpad, where many stories were written by fans of famous boy bands, such as One Direction, 5 Seconds of Summer, and more. Plotlines were written about members of musical groups in a different light, where they portrayed the evil man who kidnapped them or the reckless boy at school with a “dark secret”. The stories often involved a young girl who readers could relate to, being at first defensive and appalled by behavior of such boy, but later giving into the reckless rush of the trouble-filled dangers of an abusive relationship. The girls narrating the story are simple, sweet, and impressionable. However, these emotional and often sexual relationships change them, as they believe the ugly traits of a boy is what makes him special and worth the pain.

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Unfortunately, fictional stalkers are not the only ones getting attention; even convicted murderers are part of the romanticization of abuse, but there seems to be blurred perspectives about where to distinguish it.

Recently, the movie trailer for Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile was released. The film is told in the view of Bundy’s at-the-time girlfriend Elizabeth Kloepfer, who for a long time couldn’t believe he was the man mutilating women. She states, “In my own mind there were coincidences that seemed to tie him in, yet when I would think about our day-to-day relationship there was nothing there that would lead me to think that he was a violent man capable of doing something like that.”

There are women who idolize men like this, who send love letters to prisons after watching the news, women who cannot fathom their guilt, but there is a difference between romanticizing cruel men and stating their tactics. Ted Bundy was described by witnesses as a handsome, charming man. He would often court young girls and leave bars with them, taking them to other locations to harm them. There is a difference between fantasizing about a murderer and describing how he used his traits as an advantage over women, as many coin him a “handsome killer”. He was not someone you would suspect, as witnesses described him as “one of us”. This is what made him so successful in his gruesome behaviors. His peers from college and

While meant to be a source of entertainment, the line between fantastical elements shown in You and the real cases of convicted murders are often blurred.

Romanticization of dangerous men is harmful to many young girls, and may lead to real-life threats.

Entertainment Editor Sadie Brower

Staff Secretary Hailey Bos

Asst. Entertainment Editor Halle Benson

Staff Reporters Cassady Alberico Alexis Gamble Cale Goodman Alex Kopf Natalie Schamp Jack Towne Garrett Carbullido Natalie Fedde Cameron Merritt Josh Ferdico Alex Engleman

News Editor Isabel Kimminau

Buisness Managers Maggie Reimers Nicki Kreutzian

Asst. News Editor Carson O’Connor

Online Editor RuthAnne Hale

Sports Editors Allison Kirkebak Carina Covington

Asst. Online Editor Elena Garcia Tapia

Asst. Sports Editor Jacob Haas

Social Media Editors Makenzie Morford MacKenzie Wolken

Opinions Editor Lindsey Assman

Cartoonist Tori Barkus

Asst. Opinions Editor Deniece Radford

Chief Copy Editor Myranda Carbullido

Adviser Christine Kaldahl

6

Entertainment 2 • 19 • 2019

The new MANTRA: Bring Me the Horizon Tori Barkus Cartoonist

Popular alternative band, Bring Me The Horizon, has been around for a while, holding a fairly prevalent spot in the alternative music scene. Bring Me The Horizon is commonly known to be popular amongst the so-called “emo” or “scene” kids. They’ve released a total of six albums, their first one, Count Your Blessings, was released in 2006. Throughout their music career, they’ve had ups and downs as far as testing the waters with a new sound. They started out as more of a hard rock band, some may even say metal.

They’ve been fairly experimental with their music over the years, facing criticism from fans the more their music changes.

They still release rock music, but the type of rock music they’ve released currently is incredibly different from their older releases.

Their fourth studio album, Sempiternal, is a lot softer than their first three albums. And by soft, I mean it’s not nearly as “metal” or hard-rock as those albums, but it is still a pretty hard rock album compared to something like Black Veil Brides’ album Wretched and Divine, for example.

Bring Me, The Horizon’s most recent album, amo, released Jan. 25, is probably their most unique album yet, but at the same time, it’s not. This album isn’t bad, I actually enjoy the majority of it as far as the music goes. Some of my person favorite tracks are MANTRA, mother tongue and heavy metal (feat. Rahzel). MANTRA is very reminiscent of their older music older as in Sempiternal era styled music.

However, I think that there’s something that seems to overshadow the good of this album.

Oli Sykes, lead vocalist, has been fairly vocal about this album and not in a promotional sense. He’s said recently

that he understands why people hate this album. And I have a slight issue with this.

This album feels like it’s a continuation from That’s the Spirit, almost like it’s the scraps of what didn’t make it onto that record.

I’m a little frustrated with Oli’s comments about this record, because from the way I’ve interpreted them, he sounds like he isn’t all that proud of what he’s put out for the world to hear. As someone

who shares art on social media, I understand not being one hundred percent happy with your work, critiquing it and everything, but not being so bold as to say “Oh, yeah, I made this and I’m going to share it with you, but it kind of sucks and I get why you’d hate it, because so do I.” It ruins the good of the work. Sykes didn’t seem to happy with the outcome of That’s the Spirit and he was pretty vocal about that as well. And for me, as a fan, when

the artist isn’t happy with their work and doesn’t seem like they put their heart and soul into their work, it makes it more difficult to enjoy.

With that being said, I did still really enjoy the music and I do really like the experimentation Bring Me The Horizon has been working on lately. It works for them and Oli has the right voice to be able to mix it up and scream when he wants, but also sing something, ballad or rock song.

Breaking barriers with On The Basis of Sex Isabel Robb Photo Chief

Supreme Court justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has led the charge for gender equality throughout her life. On The Basis Of Sex, a new film portraying Ginsburg first as a Harvard law student and then throughout her first big case, artfully shows the passion she has for her work while bringing up a topic that many refuse to acknowledge still exists in our country today.

The movie immediately gave a picture of Ginsburg’s success in a male-dominated occupation. In her class, she was one of nine women allowed at the table. When invited to dinner to meet with the Dean of Harvard Law School, these women were asked to state their names, where they were from, and why they were taking up places that could have gone to qualified men. The discrimination against them was glaring.

When it came time to find a law firm to work for, Ginsburg was denied a job at 13 firms due to her gender before ultimately being offered a professorship at Columbia University. There she taught the next generation of lawyers that discrimination on the basis of sex was legal, and they must right that wrong.

When Ginsburg’s husband Marty, a lawyer as well, showed her the case of Moritz v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue, Ginsburg’s world of teaching law rather than

practicing it caved in. Charles Moritz was a bachelor who was caring for his aging mother, and he was denied a deduction from his taxes as a caregiver because the law stated that only women could possibly occupy the caregiver role. Ginsburg saw the case as an opportunity to overthrow not only the assumptions of women’s roles in society but the assumptions of men’s, and that they cannot do the housework of women.

In her portrayal of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Felicity Jones expanded upon the character of the iconic Supreme Court justice. She brought insight to a woman who has managed to keep her personal life just that in an age where information became increasingly easy to access. Jones also masterfully aced Ginsburg’s quiet yet prominent presence in a room and in an argument.

Ultimately, the movie left me with a feeling of pride and satisfaction that made me proud to be a female. Even more amazing than the feeling it left me with was the fact that it was based on the true story of one of our nation’s most important justices. On The Basis Of Sex has a message of equality for the sexes that still needs to be heard. Ruth Bader Ginsburg proved that the country will change without the approval of any court, but that the laws must change along with it. And while a movie about lawyers trying to win a tax case may not seem interesting, I can assure you, the willpower of Ruth Bader Ginsburg will make you hold your head a little higher and walk with a little more purpose than when you walked into the theater.

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Entertainment 2 • 19 • 2019

Glass: Expectations Shattered movie.

I personally enjoyed the first movie “Split.” I liked the thrilling and kind of scary vibe of the movie, but “Glass” seemed more like a superhero movie rather than a movie about multiple personalities, which is what I was expecting.

I will be spoiling the movie in this next part, so if you are planning on watching and want to see what happens for yourself, I wouldn’t continue on.

This movie is all about how these three characters are put in a mental hospital and are forced to believe that their “super powers” A.K.A. the strength and intelligence, are all made up and were just used as coping mechanisms, which turns out is a lie and they are actually real, it’s just that Dr. Ellie Staple (Sarah Paulson) is trying to kill and get rid of all the people in the US that are similar, almost like comic book characters, which I still don’t understand.

I don’t think the second movie tied in very much with Split, besides the fact that it had the same characters, and less than a handful of flashbacks.

Another thing about this movie that just doesn’t satisfy me is how unreal this movie is. For starters, I want to know how these super strong villains that are kidnapping and killing teenage girls (in open- but abandoned- factories that David found within a walk around the town) and haven’t been found even though the police are seriously patrolling the area looking for activity like this.

Also while the men are in the mental hospital, it Alexis Gamble seems like there’s about three guards in the whole en Staff Reporter tire facility. If you’re in a building filled with these super

humans and unstable patients, you’d think there would

Ever since “Unbreakable” (2000) and “Split” (2016) be more guards on duty, right? Apparently not. These came out, people were speculating that there would be guards were also killed so easily, they were unprotected a sequel to the well reviewed movies. Finally the people and made terrible choices. They could’ve at least made got what they were wanting… but was it worth the some parts of this movie wait? I’m going to be quite frank, I don’t think so. realistic.

Although the acting by Samuel L. Jackson (Elijah),

The scenes and Bruce Willis (David), and of course James McAvoy (Kevin the setup were kind of and personalities) were spectacular, the plot, scenes, funky as well. They don’t and scenarios just really missed the mark for me. I left describe in detail about the movie feeling very confused about what I watched. how Elijah escaped his

This could be something where I missed a scene room the first couple of or important part either from this movie or the first times. I just don’t get how couple, and just couldn’t connect the pieces together, he could get out with but it seemed like everything was a little off in this his wheelchair, through

a dead bolted door that only opens to a key card, and not be seen by the hundreds of cameras or the three guards on duty. Either the scenes go into too much detail and are irrelevant, or not enough detail and leave me wondering.

There’s so much more that I found wrong with the movie, like how Elijah is in a wheelchair while being heavily sedated, and the caretakers just leave in him the chair all the time. During night they leave him sitting in the chair just staring at the blank walls instead of putting him in a bed. I just don’t get it. Other confusing bits include how the “superhumans” literally walked out of the facility (of course with a couple run-ins in the basement). But it took them probably a total of maybe 15 minutes to get out. Maybe I’m being too picky, but it was weird.

It ended with David, Elijah, and Kevin of course dying, and Dr. Staple going into this bar/coffee shop and telling all the people that ended up being a part of her plan (which was about 30-40 people who had no part in the movie before this part) and telling them that she succeeded and was going to the next town to find more people.

She then takes a quick stop at a comic book store and after hearing some boys talk about villains plans, she realizes her plan of killing these three men actually failed and the whole world saw the live stream from the security cameras. Yeah I thought the ending was really bad too. It was just so confusing.

All in all the movie was somewhat okay, the amazing acting made up for some of the negatives. Would I recommend this movie to my friends? Sadly no. I think in order to fully grasp and understand what’s actually going on, you may have to see Split and Unbreakable. I don’t think it was worth the money I paid to see it, but you can be the judge for yourself.

A Sadistic Game

Natalie Fedde Staff Reporter

Escape rooms have spread like a pandemic across the nation. Everyone loves the stress of a good horror movie. Combine that with the mental skills necessary for puzzle solving, and you have a perfect recipe for consumer attraction. Both video games and real life have made the foray into this genre of horror, so it’s no surprise that film would venture into this genre as well. The new movie Escape Room was released in theaters on Jan. 4, and while it hasn’t gotten much exposure to media, it is sure to be enjoyed by anyone who likes a good thriller.

Right off the bat, Escape Room jumps into the middle of a super intense scene with no context, grabbing the watcher’s attention immediately. Once the viewer has been pulled in, they won’t look away again for the entirety of the movie. Escape Room grabs the attention of the viewer and doesn’t let it go. With its confusing puzzles, brushes with death, and constant plot twists, Escape Room is the embodiment of a thriller.

While this movie is amazing in the realm of suspense and fear, Escape Room, like most movies,

is not perfect. The basis of the plot of Escape Room is people attempting to get out of an escape room.

For those who don’t know what an escape room is, it is a room filled with puzzles that lead to codes and hidden keys that open locks. People are locked in the room then try to solve these puzzles and escape.

Many of the puzzles and riddles in Escape Room were challenging yet conceivable, as they should be.

However, many of the puzzles were a little bizarre and not truly intellectual puzzles. For instance, one of the puzzles was just melting a block of ice. Also, some of the rooms themselves looked very interesting but were not done justice. A few rooms were skipped over quickly, which was sad since they were so intriguing.

Despite these minor complaints, I would definitely recommend Escape Room to those who love thrillers or people who love to solve puzzles. It will leave the viewer kicking themselves trying to decipher the riddles and keep them biting their nails, hoping for the safety of the characters. Escape Room is not fit for young children or people who are easily frightened as it does have some gore and some unsettling scenes, but it is a great pick for any adrenaline junkie who wants to get their blood pumping.

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Five coffee shops in Omaha you probably don’t know about

Entertainment 2 • 19 • 2019

Sadie Brower Entertainment Editor

Omaha is known to be the home of many unique and trendy restaurants, but what many people don’t know about is the authentically crafted coffee made in shops all around town. As Midwesterners, we don’t take much value in the classic coffee shop style and would rather grab a quick Starbucks on the way to work… but I think this partly comes from us coffee drinkers not knowing about all of the greatest caffeine spots in our city. So in hopes of spicing up your daily caffeine fix, I decided to travel around Omaha to find the best spots to study, make friends, gain some likes on insta, and of course drink the best latte.

1.

Myrtle & Cypress

This modern coffee house has uniqueness in every corner, from its authentic coffee to its adorable interior design. The midtown coffee spot makes for a perfect study spot but also makes for a great hangout area for lattes and conversation. Other than the classic mochas and lattes, Myrtle & Cypress has perfected, their most popular delight is the “Cafe de con miel”. This Honey latte brings a unique and sweet twist to a perfected latte made with hand crafted ingredients and honey that is to die for. All in all Myrtle and Cypress is definitely a place I would come back to if I were in the area, for the high quality coffee and Instagram worthy design, but the distance and price sets it on an even playing field with other coffee houses in Omaha.

Address: 517 N 33rd St, 68131 Instagram: @myrtleandcypresscoffee

2. Zen

Zen is one of my new found loves that is a necessity for every down town visit.

This is the perfect spot to hang out and chat with your friends or study for hours. Zen is definitely not the closest spot to get a quick coffee but if you’re in the mood for a drive, the abundant amount of unique latte options makes it worthwhile. Along with the basic yet delicious iced coffees and mochas, Zen offers incredible flavors including, butter beer (my personal favorite), caramel dream, pumpkin spice, white rose, vanilla silk, and even more. Finally if the coffee quite doesn’t hit the spot their delicious assortment of pastries is sure to make your insta followers rave.

Address: 230 S 25th St #3, 68131 Instagram: @zencoffeeco

Myrtle And Cypress, Photo by Sadie Brower

3. Whisk + Measure

Whisk and Measure is one of the best places to sit down with a good cup of coffee in West Omaha. Not only is it a short drive, but you could stay here all day sipping on lattes or tasting their many pastries from the bakery. Their popular drink of choice was the classic vanilla latte, which had a perfect sweetness to coffee ratio. Other than the charming interior design, Whisk and Measure is known for their heavenly baked goods for almost every diet you can think of including paleo, dairy free, gluten free, keto and more delicious healthy treats.

Address: 2505 S 133rd Plaza, 68144 Instagram: @whiskandmeasure

Whisk + Measure, Photo by Sadie Brower Archetype Coffee House, Photo by Sadie Brower

4. Archetype

Archetype coffee house is known for their stylistic, modern design and their classic craftsmanship when they make their coffee. This modern coffee shop, located in the Blackstone district, has places to study and get work done but is also a great place to swing by for a caffeine boost on your way to work. Archetype’s most popular drink is also a vanilla latte but this one has a special twist thanks to their handcrafted vanilla syrup.

This authentic spot is definitely on the top of my favorites list for it’s perfectly brewed coffee, and the charming area surrounding it.

Address: 3926 Farnam St, 68131 Instagram: @archetypecoffee

Want to feature your pet in our next issue? DM @MSHSCommonSense on Twitter or contact a member of our staff!

5.

Aromas

Aromas coffee may be a name you’ve

seen before, but have never gotten the pleasure of tasting the delicious coffee.

One reason Aromas got added to my list of favorites is they don’t just have a location in downtown Omaha (called Hardy Coffee Co.) but also in Westroads Mall (a perfect area to study or meet with friends). Although this popular location may burn a hole in my pocket, stopping by Flagship Commons for a quick, sweet raspberry mocha after a day of shopping is certain to brighten any mood.

Address: 10000 California St, 68114 Instagram: @aromascoffeeomaha

6-month-old rat Remy loves stealing paper and hiding it. She loves nibbling on almonds, and is oh-so-cute and cozy in her blue blanket.

9-year-old Shih Tzu Sam enjoys goose jerky and riding in the car, although he won't look out the window. As pictured above, he politely waits for permission.

Entertainment 2 • 19• 2019

9

Shandy’s Bakery serves up Swedish sweets Kristin Kaipust Editor-in-chief

Immediately greeting customers with a friendly face, owner, Shandy Thorell, creates fresh Swedish treats in her new bakery at 13811 T Plaza.

“I grew up in a Swedish community and I am more than half Swedish,” Thorell said.

“Everything I make, I grew up eating.”

The bakery is known for its Swedish Rye Bread and Scandinavian Almond Cake. It opened on Dec. 15, but is not the first time Thorell’s goods have been on the market. They can also be found at various craft fairs and farmers market.

Many of the goods were sold, even before then.

“I was writing my first book and while it was in editing, I needed to put food on the table for my four children,” Thorell said. “We had very little but enough to make some baked goods. I started baking cinna-

mon rolls on the weekends and making the kids walk around selling them.”

Shandy’s is tucked back off of 138th Street but is not hard to get to. The inside was very small and was full of shelves stocked with the baked goods.

The goods were not single serving and needed to bought as an entire loaf or package. They were well priced, each item costing around six or seven dollars.

The bakery offered a straight sightline into the kitchen. When I walked in, I could see more goods being baked which gave the shop a very authentic environment.

“As of right now, I bake everything myself,” Thorell said.

“During the summer months, my daughter, Shelby, will move home again and help me bake.”

I tried the Scandinavian Almond Cake and the Apple

Freshly baked Kringles cooling to be sold for the next day at Shandy’s Bakery located at 13811 T Plaza in Millard. Photo by Kristin Kaipust.

Snickerdoodle Bread. Both were very flavorful and had a good texture. They stayed moist, even after a few days.

Overall, Shandy’s Bakery was very welcoming. The abundance of goods stocking the shelves all looked and smelled

delicious. It was a friendly environment that I will gladly visit again.

Concerts with Cass: Guster Edition Cassady Alberico Staff Reporter

Rock bands tend to get in a rough spot about ten years after their creation.

The angst and the passion that flowed through their early music starts to wane, the artists themselves mellowing with age. Some bands break up because of this, unable to capture the youth that proved vital to their music. Other bands evolve, changing their sound as their life experience deepens. After 28 years, Guster has been around long enough to witness this evolution several times over.

Some background on the band: Guster was formed in 1994, they are an alternative rock band that hit their commercial peak in the mid 2000s. You’ve probably heard some of their hits in grocery stores over the years (I always get Overexcited about that), but they are not super well known. Most of their audience is now in their ‘30s and ‘40s, considering the band’s rising popularity 20 years ago. I became a fan of Guster because of my parents, my mom used to play their album Lost and Gone Forever every time we went on a road trip.

Guster is a band that I enjoy for their

sound more than their lyrics, unlike my other favorite band Death Cab for Cutie.

The variety of instruments that they use on their early albums sets them apart from the traditional guitar-and-drums setup. With the use of banjos, bongos, and cymbals, their percussionist deserves a lot of credit for their uniqueness. As Guster aged, it began dropping

some of its percussion instruments in favor of new sounds. Piano, a trumpet, xylophone, even a keytar at one point.

This change leads us to modern day Guster.

With the release of their seventh album Evermotion, Guster’s sound changed dramatically. Enlisting Richard Swift of The Shins/Black Keys fame, Guster’s sound became more weightless, more effortlessly resounding. Think Guster meets the Shins while smoking a lot of weed.

I’m not kidding, the band has been completely honest about the effect of marijuana on their new sound, speaking on their inspiration in the commentary of Evermotion. 2019’s Look Alive is only slightly deviant of this new sound, varying more in tone and musicality. I personally prefer Look Alive, as that albums best songs bring back the old song writing gusto (Guster-o?) and inject it with a dash of new sound.

All of this evolution and growth leads us to February 8th, 2019.

Guster was in Omaha to perform at the Holland Center with the Omaha Symphony, I had bought my reasonably priced $39 ticket months in advance and was ecstatic for the show. I had seen Guster once as a young child and once at the Slowdown in 2016. Walking into the Holland, I was worried that their new album would cause this concert to be full of newer, more electronicsounding songs. After the somber opener Empire State, lead singer

Ryan Miller greeted the audience with his signature friendliness. Then the real show began. Hearing anthems that had previously only been played by the four man band being backed by a full orchestra - it felt like a Kid Dream come true. They played songs from their entire history, using a stage full of instruments throughout the night. While I expected the audience to demand new singles, I was much Happier with the truth. Based on audience applause, songs from Lost and Gone Forever received the most amount of standing ovation. Two Points for Honestly good taste!

My biggest qualm with the concert was the quality of the audience and the restrictions of the venue. The Holland Center is an amazing feat of architecture, the sound in that building is unparalleled. But its theatre-style seating meant that the hippies like me couldn’t dance! I had to Keep it Together, sit in a comfortable chair and limit myself to excessive head bopping. All was not Lost and Gone Forever though, for when the audience stayed standing for the last number, I slipped into the isle and danced my heart out to Come Downstairs and Say Hello. This leads to my only other complaint - the quality of the crowd. It was all old people! Who judged me for dancing! I’m not against old people, but come on, put some effort in! Sing along, dance a bit, Look Alive!

Guster is an rock band, you’re supposed to rock out to their music.

By the end of the show, I was having such a good time that I didn’t want to leave. “Don’t Go!” I shouted to the stage, my desired Long Night of music ceasing before 10 p.m. Alas, the contracted hours of the Symphony stopped me from getting What I Wished for.

Walking out of the venue, I considering how much of a spectacular feat it was to put all those moving pieces together. The Symphony, the Maestro, a band used to their own style in a much more formal venue. This concert was one for the books, and Guster wholeheartedly agreed. The band posted this later on Instagram:

“This was a career highlight and members of Guster cried actual physical tears on stage tonight. To everyone in that room with us, thank you. This was beyond.”

10

Sports 2 • 19 • 2019

AquaPats swimming in their glory Allison Kirkebak Sports Editor This year, Millard Souths’ swim team is the biggest it has ever been with 74 student-athletes on the roster. So far Varsity and JV have had a total of 10 meets for the girls with a dual record of (2-6), and 10 meets for the boys with a dual record of (6-2).

“We have seen a great deal of improvement from both the girls and boys teams,” Head Coach Tyler Hammond said, “Swimmers and divers have been working hard, I look forward to seeing what we can do when we are fully rested, shaved and tapered.”

Early on in the season, a couple of records were broken by some senior athletes during their last high school season. Senior Zach Boyd broke the 23 year old, 11-Dive record. Also, senior Hunter Smithson broke the school record in the 200 Free.

“I want to win state, that’s what I’ve been training for this whole season. I also want my team to perform they way we’ve been training all year. Everyone has been pushing themselves as hard as they can and seeing all the hard work pay off will be amazing,” Smithson said.

There have also been many achievements made involving the state tournament. Smithson, senior Connor Lammel, and junior Trevor Edwards have all earned automatic state qualifying times. Also, junior Katelyn Boyes and senior Bryan Botkin have achieved secondary state qualifying times. Also, senior Brooke Rathbun, senior Olivia Greve, junior Ashlyn Curry, have achieved secondary state times in the 400 Free Relay.

“It was exciting getting secondary state

qualifying times,” Boyes said, “I had gotten them last year, and I really wanted to have the same general time and overall season as last year.”

In order to swim and/or dive at the state meet you must achieve a qualifying time. In diving you must achieve a score of 300 in an 11 dive meet. There is also a secondary state qualifying time that can be used to qualify for the state meet.

Sometimes there are not 32 qualifiers in an event, which is rare but has happened.

In the event that this happens they go to the secondary state qualifying times list, the higher ranked you are in the state the better your chances are of being able to swim that event at the state meet. Millard Souths’ current automatic state qualifiers are Smithson, Edwards, and Boyd.

“We prepare all season for Metros and State meet. Shave and Taper is how we get ready,” Hammond said.

“Basically, we taper down the practice intensity and yards allowing the body to recover and come back stronger/faster.

Shaving is pretty self explanatory, shave the hair for less resistance through the water. Swimmers also “suit up” putting on “tech suits” which are fancy suits designed to allow the swimmer to travel through the water faster through compression, water permeability, and reduced friction.

They are very high tech swimsuits!”

Metros will be held at Millard West on Feb. 8th, and the state tournament will be held at the Bob Devaney Sports Center on Feb. 21st-23rd.

“We are on the right track to have a successful Metro and State championship meet.” Hammond said.

METRO RESULTS Boys 4X100: 4th Boys 200 Medley: 11th Boys 4X50: 5th Girls 4X50: 9th 100 Free Boyes: 11th 200 Free Boyes: 13th 200 IM Smithson: 2nd 100 Back Edwards: 8th

100 Breast Mitera: 9th Goldsmith: 16th 100 Free Smithson: 4th Edwards: 8th 50 Free Lammel: 9th Botkin: 13th 11-Dive Boyd: 1st Rathbun: 9th

Star senior breaks record Allison Kirkebak Sports Editor In 1995 the 11-Dive School and Pool Record was set by Shawn Schuessler with a 456.40. This year, senior Zach Boyd scored a 515.65, and this is now a school and pool record.

Boyd has committed to South Dakota State University to further his academic and diving career.

Senior Zach Boyd prepares to do his 11-Dive. He proceeded to score a 515.65, getting first place at Metros.

Photo by Paige Fleming

Senior Hunter Smithson swimming backstroke in the 200 IM at the Metro Conferences. Smithson was runner-up in this event. Photo by Paige Fleming

11

Sports 2 • 19 • 2019

Finicky Fans Big miss by the Bears sparks heated debate

Alex Kopf Staff Reporter Senior Gage Thomas is performing a hang clean of 225 pounds. An alumni of the metabolic cycle program, he is committed to Morningside College to play football. Photo by Jack Towne

Gains in the gym = gains on the field Jack Towne Staff Reporter

it gets people out of the ‘too lazy to actually lift’ state.” Regarding the results he’s seen in himself and his teammates, Isaiah said “ I have seen huge progress from this just in how much I can lift in

Four days a week, football players excitedly rush into the the amount of time we have, plus I feel like it really helps the footweight room around 4 p.m. and, buzzing with anticipation, take ball community with all these young guys just starting out lifting, apart the racks and platforms and reassemble them in new they are really having to push themselves and become more of configurations. As Trevor Wragge, the strength and conditioning an athlete, trying to get up to that higher level.” coach, barks off orders and starts the countdown, the first round

Everyone who has gone through it can attest to its difficulty, of lifters step up to their racks. 24 minutes from the first alarm, but also to its results. The stated purpose of the metabolic cycle many of them will struggle to walk. is to “shock the system”, triggering a

It may come as a surprise to many release of testosterone and spurring For most athletes, it pushes that in January, eight months away muscle growth. The focus of the lifting them to nearly their limit from the start of the new football program for football players has shifted season in August, the football team has in recent years, and is now squarely cenevery day, which is what entered the most important phase of tered on increasing muscle mass. By all makes you stronger. their offseason lifting program. accounts, this has succeeded beyond all

To get a feel for what the metabolic expectations. The team as a whole saw –Junior Isaiah Harris cycle is really like, you have experience impressive gains last offseason - an averit. “ Well, it’s very hard, probably one of age of six pounds of muscle per player. the hardest workouts I’ve ever done,” junior lineman Kohl Herbol- This lifting program has a direct correlation to the improvesheimer said. “We bench, clean, and squat, and most people can ment of the Millard South football program over the last few agree that squatting 3 sets of 10 with 80 seconds per set at 75% years. As the players have gotten bigger and stronger, they have of your max weight isn’t fun.” been able to translate their physical growth to growth on the

Junior running back Isaiah Harris had a lot of positive things field. In other words, it is no coincidence that the football team to say about the cycle. “ I think for most athletes it pushes them went from 1-8 to 9-2 in two years. It’s a product of hard work, to nearly their limit every day which is what makes you stronger, sweat, and a lot of metal being moved.

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South supplies socks Fighting the footwear epidemic through charity Carina Covington

“The idea for the Sock the Court came from a video of a Sports Editor

hockey team that did a stuffed animal drive where they had

everyone bring an animal to donate to a local children’s charity.

“Most people do not know this, but socks are actually the When the time came, they did a countdown and had all the fans number one need for the homeless. This fundraiser does a great throw their animals onto the rink,” Student Council advisor Kyrie job of not only raising socks, but educating people about the Nehls said. need for them,” Student Council committee head George Abelak Student Council added their own twist on ideas they had por said. seen before. Student Council decided that socks were a huge

The fourth annual Sock the Court fundraiser took place need in the Omaha community and wanted to make the donaduring the boys varsity basketball game on Friday, January 25th. tion process interactive. They came up with the idea of Sock the The goal of this fundraiser is to collect Court, throwing new socks into baskets donations of socks and raise money placed on the basketball courts, giving Most people do not know to purchase more socks for homethe students a fun way to help out those this, but socks are actually less shelters in need. Student Council in need while still collecting a lot of donamembers set up a table to sell socks for tions. the number one need for the a dollar per pair during the girls varsity Two of the organizations that benefit homeless. basketball game and the first half of the most from the Sock the Court event the boys game. During half time of the are the Lydia House and the Open Door –Junior George Abelakpor boys game, students can throw their Mission. The socks donated from the pair of new socks from the stands and event are taken to the drop off center try to make it into baskets on the court floors. location at both organizations. The event usually brings about

Sock the Court began after guest speaker Mike Smith visited 400-500 pairs of socks in for donation.

Millard South in 2017 to share his inspirational message and raise “My favorite part of being on the committee for Sock the awareness of those in need in our community. Mike Smith motiCourt is educating people on how they can impact the homeless vated student council to create an event geared towards helping with something as simple as socks,” George Abelakpor shared. homeless shelters by donating a simple but much needed item: socks.

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The sports world is filled with success and failures, some the most defining moments in a team’s history.

On Sunday January 6th 2019, the entire city of Chicago was in shock and disgust as Chicago Bears kicker Cody Parkey missed a game winning 43 yard field goal. A field goal that would’ve sent his team to the next round of the NFL Playoffs.

After making the first kick before being iced by Eagles coach Doug Pederson, Parkey’s second attempt was tipped and resulted in what will forever be remembered as the ‘Double Doink’ bouncing off the goalpost and crossbar.

I believe that this missed kick, like many fails in sports history such as #1 Virginia becoming the first 1 seed to lose to a #16 seed, or Marcus Williams missing the clinching tackle in what resulted in the ‘Minneapolis Miracle’, should be viewed as a test of true fans of the team they will supposedly ‘die’ for. Every fan is there to see the team succeed but it’s the real, loyal fans that stay through success and tragedy.

For example, since the 2016 World Series victory by the Chicago Cubs, look how many ‘cubs fans’ have come out of nowhere. Where were these supporters in 2012 when the Cubs almost set a club low in a 61-101 record for the season? Or in 2017 when the Atlanta Falcons were on the top of the world and then blew the infamous 28-3 lead with just over nine minutes left in the third quarter?

The point I’m trying to make is that the sports world has a severely bad case of ‘bandwagon fans’. You know the ones, that kid who has 5 different NBA teams or “only likes the team for Lebron.” Every team has them and they’re hazardous wherever they are.

I think that if the sports world is to remain the greatest we have to embrace these embarrassing or sad moments in our various team’s history, but also we need to stick by our team however they perform.

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Sports 2 •19 • 2019

Junior Kenna Bray pulls up for a deep 3 pointer against Millard Wess as the Patriots improved to 17-3 on the season.

Junior SF Jayme Horan accelerates down the court after a Wildcat turnover in the Patriot’s fashionable 20 point win.

Patriots Persevere in Battle of Q Street Josh Ferdico Photographer

Senior Deshon Thompson goes hard to the paint against Q street rival Millard West.

Thompson finished with 5 points in the Patriot’s 61-42 loss.

Briar Cliff commit Nolan Benak attempts a contested three against the Wildcats in the annual Hoops for Heart game. Benak finished with a team leading 8 points as the Patriots fell to the Wildcat Senior Kenzie Hoit brings the ball down court in the reassuring win against rivals Millard West as the Patriots beat the Wildcats 58-38.

Point Guard Maddie Krull looks for an open pass in Friday’s rivalry game against Millard West. The Patriots took the game with ease outscoring the Wildcats 58-38