Common Sense Volume 19 Issue 5 March 26, 2019

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

March 26, 2019

Volume 19 Issue 6

Q Street unites for an inclusive experience

Coach senior Carly Renken passes the ball to junior Sarah Spohn. Photo by Alex Engleman.

The Patriot bench waits in anticipation to see if the team will score a two-pointer. Pictured: Marysue Horbach, Miracle McDonald, Ian Kelly, Brandy Kent, Jaiyda Martin, Carrinton Burkard with Carly Renken in front, Isai Francisco-Gaytan, Corin Urrutia, and Aidan Kilcoin standing in back. Photo by Maggie Huson

Isabel Robb

sanctioned does not mean that they are no longer an opPhoto Chief

tion for players.

“It’s a movement, so it’s not going to go away and

In a perfect twist of fate at the Q Street Classic Uniit’s not even going to dwindle,” says senior Carly Renken. fied basketball game, the teams tied at 26-26 at the end “We’re going to create more opportunities, whether of overtime. there’s backlash or not in one way or another.”

Beyond being an amazingly exciting kickoff for

Millard South, and the entire Millard district, will not spring break, the game only solidified the unity and be sponsoring any sports that are not NSAA sanctioned. inclusion that Unified sports have been representing for Instead, those will be sponsored by Special Olympics Sophmores Wyatt Geary and Jack Lawrence share a moyears.

Nebraska. If students want to create a Unified team

“Our goal with unified sports is to create true incluthrough the Special Olympics, they can use school facili- ment on the court as both teams trade out players in the second half. Photo by Isabel Kimminau. sion,” says activities director Steve Throne, “and the defini- ties under the same guidelines as any outside activity tion of true inclusion is the creation of true representawould and will compete with other Unified schools in tion, and through that creation, the area who have teams.

South name and play as representatives of the school. we can create friendships.” “[Millard and Special Olympics Ne “Unified bowling [and track are] both Special Olym This spring, Millard South braska are] not so much as not working to- pics and NSAA, and they’re under a delegation called will be piloting a new Unified gether anymore but just being completely Millard South,” Renken says. “We would just have our own track program. This will include separate, so like Unified volleyball team, delegation through Special Olympics and not actually two events - the long jump and we can still have a Unified volleyball team Millard South.” the 100 meter dash. under Special Olympics, but it’s no longer

So despite all of these changes coming to the Uni And because Unified track, a Millard South sport,” Renken fied program, students just like Unified bowling, will be explains. can still come out and sanctioned with the Nebraska This means that the Unified support Millard South School Activities Association sports teams that are not yet in a way that continues (NSAA), then it will qualify as a NSAA sanctioned - basketball, to promote the incluMillard South sport, just as any volleyball, and cheer - will sion and representation other varsity, junior varsity, freshhave to raise their own funds, the school is striving to man, or reserve team would be. dedicate their own time outachieve.

“When we have a Unified side of school hours. Unified “If anything that I’ve track meet, I want a full student events like the Q Street Classic seen, which I’m very Sophomore Corina Urrutia cheers on section there. I want people to proud of as a student at the Patriots during the game’s halftime. and the Unified softball game go to our Unified bowling events Photo by Maggie Huson. will still be held, because they Millard South and as a and cheer on our athletes,” says are one-time events. leader in the Unified movement, is that people are stepjunior Kali Herbolsheimer. “It’s a “We can still use Millard South students, ping up and saying, ‘Hey I wanna be a part of this,’ or ‘Hey big thing for them to be able to do it, so I really hope that but we would have to find our own time, space, and I wanna know why X, Y, Z isn’t happening,’ which I think people realize that and that they take the time to support funds to create that,” says Renken. is really cool because people who haven’t been involved that.”

However, this does not mean that we will not have before want to get involved because of this, and that’s

Just because not all of the Unified sports are NSAA these sports. In fact, they will all still carry the Millard really cool to see,” Renken says.

“

It’s a movement, so it’s not going to go away and it’s not even going to dwindle.

–Senior Carly Renken

Page 2-3

Show choir season wrap-up

Page 6-7

Student finds that volunteer firefighting ignites a passion for his future.

Page 8-9

Skate Daze prepares to say goodbye March 31st

Page 11

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Hockey team wins state championship

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News 3• 26 • 2019

Show choirs shine bright then shake the room Sadie Brower

Entertainment Editor

Millard South Show Choirs have had a year to remember, from the endless amounts of snow on competition days, to scoring the highest placements we have seen in years. Stage One and South on Stage have each gone through many changes and difficulties on the journey to the 2019 season, but have become stronger than ever because of it.

With any growing program, like Millard South show choir, change becomes normal. This season Millard South has welcomed a new director to the Show Choir program, Katelyn Hinderer. Hinderer is a junior at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln who is pursuing her dream of teaching music by beginning her career as the director of Stage One and assistant director, next to Amy Wesely, of South on Stage. Hinderer has contributed a tremendous amount of hard work to her shows, thanks to her endless love for music and her students, bringing Millard Show

Choir to a new level.

“Adding Miss.

Hinderer to our show choir program has been life changing for me,” director Amy Wesely said. “It allows for different people’s focus in rehearsals and different perspectives to help the shows.”

Stage One, under the direction of South on Stage show choir poses at the end of their fourth song, “Hot n Cold/Burn” at UNO Show Hinderer, brought Choir Festival. The ensemble took 2nd place overall. Photo by Viv Schmeding. their group to new just have fun and give joy to the audience,” Wesely said. heights this season “And they delivered just that in the midst of lots of hardwith the theme “Shine.” The show provides an uplifting ship.” and powerful statement on self worth

This blast from the past includes a mixture of new through many songs including: Let the Rain, Feelin’ Good/ Good to Be Alive, and and old music like, Tuttie Fruitie, Shake the Room, and Burn. The group achieved 6th place in finals at Sioux Falls Shine/ Do Life Big. Roosevelt Executive Showcase, along with 2nd place This group of women showed the finishes at the UNO Show Choir Festival and the Omaha Show Choir world what Stage One can North Viking Cup. do with 4th place at Millard West Music The show choir program is in the process of buildLives, 2nd at Sioux Falls Roosevelt Execu- ing new and amazing things which means making more tive Showcase, 3rd at Elkhorn South and more exciting changes in the future. In the season Crystal Cup, and 1st place at Omaha of 2020 Millard South will be adding a third director to North Viking Cup, in the Women’s Dividirect Stage 1 and Hinderer will become the primary of sion.

South on Stage, while Wesely works with both. Be sure to South on Stage, directed by Wesely, watch for the Millard South program as they begin a new has an equally successful year with a journey to become the best this program has seen. show that will make you want to jump

“In the future I am so excited to be adding a new out of your seat and dance. The group strives to bring light and positivity to ev- director giving us a new perspective on our groups!” ery performance with a 50’s/60’s themed Wesely says. “I am also excited to see our underclassman step into leadership in the upcoming years.” show.

Stage One show choir performs their second song, “I’m Me” at Elkhorn South “I always wanted South On Stage to Crystal Cup. The ensemble took 3rd place in the women’s division. Photo by Viv Schmeding.

Midwest feels the Bern at rally Carson O’Connor household name whose once radical ideas have been News Editor embraced by a good portion of the American public

and democratic presidential hopefuls. Raising the mini “Iowa began the political revolution in 2016 mum wage, healthcare as a human right, aggressively and with your help in this campaign we are going to combating climate change, and reforming our broken complete what we started here,” Bernie Sanders said to criminal justice and immigration systems have all ena raucous crowd of around 2,500 people at the Midtered the public discourse in large part due to Sanders.

America Center in Council Bluffs on March 7.

More than anything though, Sanders’ agenda cen This proclamation was met with a chorus of ters on what he views as America’s biggest problem: “Bernie!” chants, but as he has done in his two previous wealth distribution. campaign rallies in Chicago and Brooklyn, he empha “We will no longer tolerate the greed of Wall sized his campaign mesStreet, the greed of corporate sage: “It ain’t Bernie, it’s America and the millionaire you. It’s not me, it’s us!” class, greed that has resulted

Sanders countered in our country having more Trump’s policy initiatives income and wealth inequaland values early and ofity than any other country on ten in the speech, and the earth. That is going to end,” “Us” message was a clear Bernie proclaimed. example. The slogan is in He continued: “While three stark contrast to Trump’s families own more than the 2016 campaign where he bottom half of the American positioned himself as the people, more than 20% of our only person capable to fix children live in poverty veterwhat ails the country. ans sleep out on the streets.

“I want to welcome Senator Sanders’ speech you tonight to a camresonated with attendee Alex paign which says loudly Houchin from Lincoln. and proudly that the un “It was on message, like he derlying principles of our has been for 40 years. It’s so government will not be honestly rare to see a national greed, will not be hypoclevel politician that says everyrisy and will not be hatred thing you hope to hear from and lies, it will not be a national level politician,” he Bernie Sanders rallies these Midwestern followers at the racism, sexism, homopho- Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs on March 7. said. bia and religious bigotry,” Photo by Carson O’Connor Pat, an attendee from Sanders said.

Council Bluffs, echoed this

Beyond disavowsentiment. “I support Bernie ing Trump, Sanders picked up right where he left off because he has a track record of being a good guy from in 2016 by outlining his bold policy initiatives. He was the sixties. He’s always standing up for all these causes regarded an underdog and an outsider last election, that have been on the right side of history.” initially polling at three percent in Iowa. But once

Senator Sanders is one of the frontrunners in a caucus night rolled around a year later, Sanders won 50 crowded democratic primary field. There will be chalpercent of the vote against Hillary Clinton. lenges in differentiating himself from progressives and

“When I first came here to campaign in 2015 the overcoming establishment democrats. He claimed in truth is a whole lot of people didn’t know who the his speech to have won more votes from young people junior senator from Vermont was. Many people don’t than Trump and Clinton combined, but he’ll need know where Vermont is as a matter of fact,” Senator to rely on an even larger youth turnout to help him Sanders joked. achieve a different result in 2020.

All that changes this time around. Sanders is a

Kaipust, Hua both hope to entertain at state speech

Freshman Joey Kaipust and sophomore Jessica Hua will represent Millard South at the State Speech Contest in Kearney March 20. Photo by Maggie Huson

Lindsey Assman Opinions Editor

“I think my favorite part of forensics is winning.

It’s a lot of fun to win and have that feeling,” freshman Joey Kaipust says through a slight chuckle.

Kaipust and fellow teammate, Jessica Hua, are both hoping to do just that at the NSAA State Speech championship on March 20 in Kearney. Both Kaipust and Hua are first-year members on the Millard South forensics team.

Sophomore Jessica Hua said she is excited to be able to showcase what she loves in the upcoming competition.

“I enjoy being able to express something that I’m passionate about. It’s thrilling to see a judge or fellow opponent understand what I’m saying,” she explains with a smile.

Hua is a skilled writer who has been creating short stories since her late elementary years. She competes within the entertainment category and her speech is a satirical speech revolved around how to write a story.

Kaipust will also compete within the entertainment category. Throughout the course of their season, he has perfected his satirical speech about the dangers of driving on the interstate, saying, “I’m honestly tired of my speech at this point.”

Although the performers may be tired of their speeches, the judges certainly won’t be. The road to Kearney has been a successful, and humorous one that will hopefully end with the sweet feeling of victory that Kaipust love so much.

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News 3 • 26 • 2019

College debt 101: Cale Goodman Staff Reporter

As we fast approach the beginning of spring, high school seniors’ college search is coming to an end. Final decisions must be made over the next six weeks. Where will you spend the next four years of your life? What career will you end up pursuing? These life changing decisions spark a great amount of excitement among students. But the elation from a college acceptance letter can deflate quickly when paired with the hefty price tag that comes with it.

Students taking on massive amounts of debt has become the norm and families are looking for creative alternatives to avoid becoming yet another statistic in the student debt crisis.

Some parents went to the extreme and took the idea of “any solution possible” to another level. As just revealed in a recent national scandal, parents have been bribing prestigious universities in order for their children to gain admission to these institutions. Dozens of wealthy families shelled out millions of dollars in “charitable donations.” They even went to greater lengths by photoshopping pictures of their kids participating in sports when, in reality, they had never even played the sport. This sparked national outrage among families who are going about the admissions process by the book. These feelings are understandable

because they actually put in the work to illustrate their legitimate accomplishments, unlike those whose egos took priority over the law.

An example of this is a teenage girl who did not play soccer. She magically became a star soccer recruit at Yale. This cost her parents $1.2 million. Additional tactics range from altering ACT and SAT scores, faking disabilities, and making up accomplishments - all used to gain admission. There is now an ongoing FBI investigation into these crimes.

Most families cannot pay full retail price for their children’s college education. Because of this, other tactics must be utilized in order to give students a shot at attending and affording college.

One legitimate strategy is negotiating with colleges to gain a few extra thousand dollars in aid each year. When a college accepts you, they often will do everything in their power to have you attend. They have accepted you for a reason. When I started the college application process this year, I personally didn’t know that negotiating tuition rates with colleges was even possible. But after much research, reading many articles, and talking to multiple admission/ financial aid counselors, I learned that you can save thousands a year on tuition just by simply asking nicely.

After corresponding with Blanka Nikolic, admissions counselor with the

E-learning exceeds expectations Nicki Kreutzian Business Manager

When school gets cancelled, don’t expect to have a free day off school.

Instead of having a traditional snow day, any more weather days called by the district will have additional requirements attached.

The hope is to meet the state-mandated instructional time requirements but avoid having to continue school into June.

According to an email sent out by the district to all Millard families, any future snow days in this school year will be an opportunity to explore e-learning. Teachers will still be expected to report to school and have been asked to prepare work that can be completed at home.

The most recent snow day marks the sixth one for the 2018-19 school year.

Many were pleased about the piloting of e-learning.

James Sutfin, the Millard Superintendent is hopeful for the future of e-learning.

“Overall, I think the first attempt was successful. We need some refinement across all grade levels and we will work on that,” said Sutfin. “I am hopeful that this type of activity can replace some snow days. Blended learning needs to be part of our future.”

Students were asked to download lessons or complete packets of homework during their time off. Other teachers asked students to reflect on their community service or to take quizzes online.

The first day was not without struggle. Heather Phipps, the associate superintendent, said that she has heard many teachers talking about how best to address student questions and what kind of assignments to hand out. Several students have expressed their appreciation to her to keep forward momentum with their learning.

Many students, though, are indifferent to the addition of e-learning to snow days.

“I guess it doesn’t really affect me. Most of my classes already have online stuff, like math lessons, and they can just email stuff out to us,” said senior Andrew Oltmanns.

Many AP classes have begun assigning online assignments to keep on schedule and be prepared for their exams.

“It’s nice that we don’t have to play catch-up on the days we come back,” said junior Kayleigh Casey.

“It’s basically just doing homework from the comfort of your own home. I mean, it does take away from the actual snow day, but what else would you really be doing?”

Although extra homework might take away from the magic of snow days, keeping school out of June will preserve the excitement of summer. After checking twitter for that highly anticipated message, keep an eye on your email for your snow day assignments.

What you need to know about slashing the price tag on college tuition University of Vermont, I learned that there are several avenues both students and their parents can use when appealing for more financial aid and scholarship money.

“If there has been significant changes to the academic information since the original application, we’d love to see that. This could include changes in overall GPA, an increase in ACT or SAT test scores, or even a change in overall class ranking,” Nikolic said. “We also will re-evaluate scholarship award amounts if the family feels that the information we had at the time of application review was incorrect.”

The lesson here is to always follow up directly with both the financial aid and scholarship offices. Ask them exactly how they’ve calculated the particular package being offered to you. If you do plan on appealing their decision, find out from the school what that process looks like and what works best for them. The easier you can make it for the university (and yourself ), the better.

There are other negotiation strategies you can employ. You first must convince admissions and the financial aid staff that you deserve a reduction in tuition. This negotiation process is a lot like shopping for a car. The financial aid and any scholarships awarded to you are just initial offers. You might feel like it is disrespectful, or that it will be a waste

of time asking for thousands of dollars more on top of what they have already offered you, but negotiating the overall price is certainly acceptable and practiced by many families trying to make up the financial shortfall they face.

Leveraging your top school choice with other offers you’ve received is another way to negotiate. If your favorite school hasn’t quite offered you enough aid or scholarship money, show them other offers you’ve received and ask them to match or even beat them. Have you been faced a certain hardship or circumstance? Divorce, parent unemployment, or any unusual circumstances that your family may be facing may better your chances. Sell yourself as a valuable member of your community and state your accomplishments, grades, and work experience during your high school career. Demanding a discount or appearing entitled to more financial aid is not the way to go. Convince the school why you should receive a discount. The worst they can say is “no.”

Negotiating with universities is a viable option for students who want to come out of college with a minimal amount of debt or even graduate debt free. I encourage students to appeal to their college of choice in order to receive a possible increase in the amount of aid.

Students have until May 1 (national decision day) to complete their negotiations.

Omaha Women’s Day March

Supporters of women’s equality march in solidarity to bring light to the issues that pervade in society. Photos by Isabel Kimminau.

Isabel Kimminau News Editor

“I wanted to have an experience with a strong community and to show my support by standing with them,” said junior Nikki Siekman when asked about why she participated in the Women’s March.

The Omaha Women’s Day March, formerly known as the Omaha Women’s March, occurred on March 10.

The March changed both its name and date in order to occur closer in International Women’s Day (March 8).

“This year’s theme was to call attention to the difficulties of indigenous women,” Siekman said. “We all wore red in support of that,” she explained. “It’s important to recognize that discrimination and abuse still exists in minorities.”

Many other groups came together to show their solidarity on the issue as well. The LGBTQIA+ group was one that was prominently featured in their support of the March and the issues at hand.

The March began with speeches from many of

“

these groups, including those from the trans community, indigenous women, and former refugees.

Each of them preaching for peaceful resolution and equality.

“The speakers had a way with words that still resonates with me. Their messages were beautiful and so important, everyone should hear them,” Siekman said. After all the speakers concluded, the march portion of the event began. Starting in front of city hall on 14th and Farnam, the March covered about a mile of distance, stopping only a few blocks north of the start point.

“The unity of the people around me was incredible,” Siekman said. “It was my favorite part.”

Still, the crowd faced dissenters, mostly along the start of their journey. Many took this in stride, however, and sang songs or chanted messages about love and peace.

“My overall takeaway from the event is just that we need to stop spreading violence and learn to spread love,” Siekman concluded.

My overall takeaway from the event is just that we need to stop spreading violence and learn to spread love.

–Junior Nikki Siekman

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Opinion 3 • 26 • 2019

How my car got stolen and I lost trust in humanity Living in a nice part of West Omaha, I’ve never been paranoid about crime. I have a reasonable trust in the general public to be decent and not steal a bag I set down, my phone, my keys, or my car. Unfortunately, that trust was proven to be misplaced on Jan. 19 when my car was stolen while I was Ruthie Hale working.

Online Editor I was working at Baker’s Grocery Store at Lakeside, cashiering away from 2 p.m. to 9:15 p.m., when someone took my 1998 Honda Civic from the parking lot, starting a monthlong ordeal that has been one of the worst experiences of my life.

When I walked out that night after clocking out, I wandered around the parking lot, looking for my ride. I gave up, went back inside, and called my mom. My mom didn’t believe it was really gone, but after driving around a bit, she, too, was convinced and we called the police.

When the officer arrived, he told us something that I wished I had known when I first got the car: Honda Civics are SUPER easy to steal. If a thief knows what they’re doing, they can get it going with no keys in 20 seconds. The officer let us know that it would probably be found in a few weeks, but that there was no way to guess if it would ever be drivable again.

So we waited, just hoping it would be found because my family could not afford to buy me another car. In the meantime, I was forced to go back to my freshman/sophomore days of begging for rides from everyone. I got to spend my off blocks bumming around the school. It was

HUMILIATING. You don’t really realize how convenient it is to own a car until it’s taken away from you. So to all you car owners: be thankful. Appreciate your personal transportation, because it is an asset that not everyone has and too many of us take it for granted.

Not only was the ride situation humiliating, so was telling people. I thought I could write this whole thing off as a quirky anecdote, but it felt so gross. I’m not even sure that I can put it into words, but when something as valuable as a car is stolen from you, it makes you feel small and weak and violated.

When you have trust in the general public and it’s broken, it hurts more than you think it would. It is hard to really, truly, come to terms with the fact that there are people in this world that hurt other people for their own gain. And while everyone knows this in the back of their mind, sometimes it takes an experience as personal as this one to really let a tough truth like that sink in.

I did get my car back. My mom got a call from an impound lot on Feb. 8, and we paid the towing fee to get it back. I thought it would be a happy moment. I was really excited to get my car back, and I smiled the whole drive to the lot. But once I saw my car, I felt violated and gross all over again. My car was a mess. There were clothes and tools and parts everywhere, not to mention the trash, cigarettes, and beer bottles. The window was half rolled down and stuck, the ignition had been ripped out and was hanging by the wiring, the steering column was broken, there was damage to the front bumper, and one of the tires disappeared and had been replaced with the spare.

The repairs took a while, but I finally got my car back in working condition on Feb. 20. I have no idea who took it or why. I barely have a clue where it was recovered from. I haven’t been in contact with the police nor do I want to. I just want to put this fiasco behind me as quickly as possible. I doubt anyone has been caught, and I’m not angry enough to put energy into wanting justice or revenge. I really just want to move on and prevent this from ever happening again to me or people I know.

I now have anti-theft precautions, namely a club on the steering wheel, which is a device that makes it so you can’t turn the steering wheel until you unlock it. Now, since I got the ignition replaced, I have to use three keys to get in and operate my car: one for the doors and trunk, one for the new ignition, and one for the club.

It’s a hassle, but there is no way I am ever getting my car stolen again if I can do anything to prevent it.

When your trust in society is broken the way mine was, you can’t ever go back. I won’t ever be able to leave my car unlocked when I’m out of my car, even for a short period of time. I will always have a sinking feeling in my stomach as I walk out to my car, unsure if it is still where I left it. I’m still in the process of cleaning up the disgusting war zone that my car was in when I got it back. I don’t think I’ll ever to go back to how I felt before my car was stolen, but I’m not sure I would want to even if I could.

This experience has been awful, but has forced me to come to terms with the world as it is.

Under certain circumstances, underclassmen should be welcome at prom, otherwise wait your turn

With prom right around the corner, a question I hear a lot of people asking is, “Is it okay for underclassmen to go to prom?”

The short answer is yes, Natalie Fedde but the long answer Staff Reporter is a whole lot more complicated than that.

Prom is a magical night where upperclassmen get to have fun with their friends and their dates to celebrate their last years of high school. As a sophomore who has been invited to prom, I believe that it is perfectly acceptable for underclassmen to also attend.

However, this only applies under certain circumstances.

The best example of a situation where there is nothing wrong with an underclassman going to prom is when an upperclassman asks an underclassman to be their date. Some upperclassmen date underclassmen. It would be unfair for them to be forced to go to prom without their significant other just because they are in a different grade.

Another reason why it might be okay for an underclassman to go to prom is if they are asked by a

friend who does not have a date to go with. Prom is supposed to be the night for upperclassmen to shine, and if bringing an underclassmen date or friend will make the night more enjoyable, it is one hundred percent okay.

While it is sometimes great for freshmen and sophomores to go to prom, there are also times when it is probably not the best decision. It becomes a little bit too much when underclassmen begin looking for upperclassmen to take them to prom, and, in some cases, begging. Recently I have noticed many freshmen and sophomores frantically searching through their upperclassmen friends to find someone to take pity on them and bring them to prom. This is over the line. Juniors and seniors should feel comfortable asking whomever they would like and shouldn’t feel pressured to ask an underclassman just because this person wants to go.

In short, if a freshman or sophomore really wants to go to prom, the best thing to do is wait it out. There is always a chance that they will be invited by an upperclassman, but it’s not the end of the world if they aren’t. Junior and senior years will come. If you are patient and just wait a year or two, your magical night will come, and it will feel even more special because it’s your night.

Bullying @jsutfin for snow days is not #BeKind

Is it a snow day or a go day?

Now that is the question. Snow days used to be fun with the snow day rituals, now they are full of hateful tweets. Students used to make playful memes regarding our superintendent, Jim Sutfin, begging for snow days. Now, anyone can expect to find hateful comments and death threats after any tweet Sutfin makes regarding the weather.

It is ironic that the Millard Foundation pushed the #BeKind movement while people are increasingly spreading more and more hate regarding snow days. The roads can be dangerous some days but people need to learn how to drive with caution in winter conditions. People should not have to be told this

Hailey Bos Staff Reporter

but it is not okay to harass people online, especially the superintendent.

We need to understand that

Sutfin is only one man and cannot predict the weather. He tries to keep the district safe but also keep us in class. Hateful comments are not going to influence his opinion.

There has been controversy on whether or not a student can face punishment from their posts on social media platforms because it is not during school hours. I think that if it is disruptive and hurtful especially to someone like the superintendent then there should be consequences. Students should be able to see some repercussion from their actions online because they will have consequences for their digital footprint later in life.

Halle Benson Staff Reporter

AirPods invade

The AirPods are taking over.

Everywhere I go, I see people walking around with little, white music machines sticking out of their ears. People are wearing them at school, at their jobs, and at almost every place in public. I have seen so many people wearing AirPods at school, my friends and I have started to see who could find the most throughout the school day.

Last year, millions of people around the world spent $159 to buy themselves Apple’s newest product. I did not. Originally, I thought the idea of earbuds without a cord was very stupid and another way for Apple to get people to spend money on their products. Then, I tried them out for myself and my view on them changed completely.

The first thing I noticed while trying out AirPods is how comfortable they sat in my ears. I only had the AirPods in my ears for 10 minutes and I did not want to take them out. My music sounded really clear in my ears and I couldn’t hear my family trying to talk to me.

After trying out AirPods, I tried using my earbuds again. I couldn’t hear as clearly as I could with the AirPods, and they felt weird in my ears. I missed the feeling of AirPods in my ears. Plus, I had to turn the volume up on my earbuds in order to not hear my family talking in the other room.

I don’t see myself buying AirPods any time soon, though, because I have a perfectly good pair of earbuds from Apple that aren’t broken yet. AirPods are worth buying if you have the money for them. They are really useful and easier to adapt to phones that don’t have headphone jacks. I give it 5 years before everyone is using AirPods.

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Opinion 3 • 26 • 2019

Staff Editorial:

With slight modification, E-Learning a good solution to excessive snow day problem

March, 7, 2019, marked the sixth snow day of the year and this was also the first E-learning day in school history. It didn’t feel like it was that big of a deal, because in most cases a lot of teachers plan ahead already. Also it is definitely preferable to extending the days in order to achieve the amount of learning time that the district requires.

E-learning days should be something that the districts looks more into because it is an effective way for students to still learn without having to go to school and deal with the bad weather.

E-learning was a creative solution to the problem of having more snow days than the district has planned for the school year. It was able to solve problems affecting both teachers and students. For students it solves the problem of snow days interrupting their learning. The problem that it solves for teachers is them working their contracted amount of days without having to continue work further into the year.

Despite being an effective solution, there are some things that the district should keep in mind as they move forward with this new idea. First of all E-learning days should only be used after the district has exceeded its planned amount of snow/cold days. The main reason for this is that doing lessons over the computer isn’t nearly as good as being in the physical classroom and having the teacher explain it in a way students can understand it.

One problem with this new idea is how many days the students have to complete the assignments. Five days is a lot of time for someone to complete an assignment, and there will be a lot of students that choose to wait until the last minute to complete the assignments that they were given. There are many students who won’t worry about doing it until the day before it is actually due. If this is the case, it sort of ruins the point of having E-learning days on snow days, because students most likely won’t prioritize doing the work on their day off and it will just become extra work for them to do later. Three days would be a sufficient time frame. That would allow teachers to at least address and go over the E-Learning assignment before a week has passed.

Even with this small setback, the idea is still a creative solution to future problems. Also it is important to keep in mind that E-learning is something that won’t be used very often considering that this school year was unusual compared to the amount of snow day we typically have during a school year.

Art by Tori Barkus

College admission scandal illuminates larger financial divide

Thirty-three parents have been charged with what’s been called the largest college admissions scandal in history. These parents paid anywhere from $15,000 to $75,000 for higher standardized test scores.

Schemes ranged from faking a learning disability to get extra time and a private proctor, or flat out having a tutor take the test with a fake ID. Photos were doctored to deceive participation in athletics and coaches were paid off to recommend students that had never played.

This scandal has many kids who applied to the same schools rightfully angry. Some have even participated in a class action lawsuit against the schools involved with the scandal. Hard-working students who earned admission by their own merit were pushed out of spots. However, it also opens up on how money really affects college admissions decisions.

At the most prestigious colleges in the country, rich kids outnumber poor kids 25 to 1. Competitive colleges are out of reach for even the most academically talented students from low-income backgrounds.

Many of the most prestigious colleges offer comprehensive financial aid to low-income students who are accepted, but getting accepted is a challenge when you’re strapped for cash. Rich kids can afford private SAT tutors or can afford to not take up a part time job to help pay for a car or save up for college.

They can also afford the expense of joining elite teams

and enrolling in private musical lessons.

When students arrive on campus, a kid from a lowincome background will immediately feel the culture shift. When growing up surrounded by kids of a similar background, most students don’t feel like their peers have an unfair advantage.

But when it comes to college, the divide between privileged students and those who are struggling to make ends meet becomes evident. Some kids worry about the cost of a flight home to see their parents once a year at Christmas, while others are concerned about the growing cost of their partying habits.

Is the admissions process inherently rigged? Are we allowing students who don’t necessarily need or want an elite education to push out deserving, academically talented students? Or, has this truly highlighted the discrepancy between hard-working students who come from a less privileged background and those born with a silver spoon in their mouth.

While we can all be justifiably outraged by parents lying, cheating, and scamming a path for their children to the top, maybe we also need to take a look at the differences between the best that a low-income kid from a Wisconsin dairy farm can do and the achievements of the son of a ‘90s television star. Achievements shouldn’t be colored by economic background or ability to pay.

Common Sense Common Sense is the official publication of Millard South High School 14905 Q Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68137. School district guidelines determine the suitability of advertising content. To place an ad or inquire about rates, call (402)715-8363.

Common Sense is a monthly publication produced in Room 130. Common Sense uses desktop publishing hardware and software: Apple Imac computers, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, and Google word processing software. Printing

by White Wolf Web in Sheldon, Iowa.

Letters to the editor are encouraged. All letters must be signed with the student’s first and last name, grade, then submitted to Mrs. Kaldahl. Unsigned letters will not be published. The staff reserves the right to edit letters for grammar, length, and clarity. Letters of profane nature or other infractions of school or district policy will not be published.

Photo Illustration by Kristin Kaipust Editors-in-Chief Kristin Kaipust Maddie Rynes Photo Chiefs Isabel Robb Maggie Huson

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

Features 3 • 26 • 2019

7

Features 3 • 26 • 2019

Volunteer firefighting sparks a passion in student Kristin Kaipust Editor in Chief

Senior Tanner Spencer’s only time off his job is during the school day. As a part time firefighter and volunteer EMT, Spencer works at the station every other day. He remains on call at other times.

“My first call was at one thirty in the morning,” Spencer said. “We got to the scene and he wasn’t responding. I started doing CPR on him. He passed away on the ambulance.”

Since then, Spencer has been called into many dangerous scenes.

“At first, the adrenaline rush is just go, go, go,” Spencer said. “People are trying to get their gear on, people are trying to get out of the station.

But once we are in the trucks, everything calms down.”

Spencer works in Kennard, a small town about a half hour north of Millard.

“I am the youngest firefighter

“A quiet day looks like cleaning up, cleaning trucks if it’s not too cold, making sure everyone has their equipment,” said Spencer. Photos courtesy of Tanner Spencer

out of everyone in the whole county, so it’s a little bit different,” Spencer said. “When I got on, I knew it was something I wanted to do but I was going to have to push for it.”

To become a part of the volunteer firefighting program, a person must be at least 18 and pass a handful of exams and a drug test.

“My neighbor is an EMT. She talked to me and asked how I would feel about joining the fire department,” Spencer said. “I liked the idea and so I started as a firefighter. Now I want to go on with it. I’ve joined a program in Benson so I can take night classes.”

This wasn’t always Spencer’s plan.

“I had a couple scholarships to play lacrosse in college and I wanted to be a crime scene investigator, but when I joined the fire department, something just kind of clicked,” Spencer said.

Spencer said his relationship with other employees at the Fire Department has helped him build plans for college.

“I am going to start a full year paramedic course. I am going to double major in Fire I and Fire II, and join the part-time fire department in Bellevue. They will pay for my schooling,” Spencer said.

“After, I will either continue with Omaha Fire Department or if I can get a spot, I might go out of the state,” he said.

For now, Spencer’s job includes training and meetings with discussions on training schedules, community outreach, and budgeting.

“Training is usually 3 or 4 other firefighters and our fire captain. Rarely, it’s a burning house fire. It’s usually simple pump training or training for using foam or water,” Spencer said. “Sometimes, it is vehicle extrication or walking around the station in our air tanks, making sure we have good flow of our breaths,” he said.

Working over a thousand hours in the last nine months, Spencer’s job has not been an easy one.

“At first, I was a little unsure, I was wondering what would be the risk of this job,” Spencer said. “But I thought about the situations I was in. I told myself to stop and slow down.

I know what I am doing. I knew that I was going to get mySpencer and the Kennard fire department inspect the truck. self into this. And now, I don’t feel that way. I’m happy with Along with riding on the truck, Spencer’s car is certified for what I do.”

360 lights and sirens. Photos courtesy of Tanner Spencer.

8

Entertainment 3 • 26 • 2019

Nutrition 402 mixes health with fun flavors

SkateDaze prepares to hang up its skates

Deniece Radford Staff Reporter

If you’re looking for a healthy meal replacement option, look no further than Nutrition 402. Newly open this February, they sell teas and shakes that are healthy and good for your workouts.

The first thing you do when you order is pick a tea. You can pick a flavor such as chai, raspberry, lemon, peach or original and an aloe such as cranberry, mango or mandarin or you can pick a premade combination that they have.

The teas are supposed to be a natural metabolism booster, have a healthy energy boost, and contain powerful antioxidants. Then you get to the shakes-and there’s a lot of them. Some flavors include, vanilla caramel cheesecake, Fruity Pebbles, Captain Crunch, and so, so many more. There are definitely a lot of amazing flavors to choose from.

Along with this, all of their shakes A selection of teas and shakes at Nutrition 402. have 24 grams of protein, 21 vitaPhoto by Deniece Radford mins and minerals, are plant based and lactose free, and range from 200-300 calories. that they didn’t have many workers and

My friends and I went to Nutrition we were a little bit of a large group, so it 402 on Friday, which happened to be custook more time for them to get all of us tomer appreciation day. They had special done. My tea and shake cost $10, but if promotions all day that day, along with you got a tea with a higher level, there are special tea flavors and new shakes for the three levels to the tea (each level costs a day. little more and has more benefits to it),

The people there were really nice, this only adds a couple dollars though. and the place itself was welcoming. The

Keep in mind-these shakes are teas were made very quickly, but it did protein shakes and are meant to be a take a little bit of time for us to get our meal replacer. So if you don’t like protein shakes. This is probably due to the fact shakes, then you probably won’t

enjoy it. Some of the flavors cover up the taste more than others, but you’ll still notice it.

If you want to check them out yourself, they are located at 12330 K Plaza Suite 105, next to Smashburger, and are open MondayFriday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and weekends from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. I definitely would recommend Nutrition 402.

Alexis Gamble Omaha area.

Staff Reporter

“We have been truly blessed

by the support, and patronage of

For 73 years, SkateDaze the Omaha community, for which has been known as the popular we are forever grateful,” said Scott hangout for friends and families and Pam Cernik on their Facebook to gather, whether it be birthday page. We will cherish the relationparties, or just to make a boring ships and friendships that we have weekend fun. developed over the past several

“SkateDaze was such a huge decades.” part of my middle school career,”

Although SkateDaze will be says Britney Donaldson. “That’s closed, there are still more options where I met so many new people. for roller-skating such as Hope I would just run around and drink Skate on 20th Street which can be Monsters all night,” she said. rented out and Skate City in Bel After many years of busilevue, which is a public skating rink. ness, SkateDaze announced they will officially be closing its doors on March 31. Although the business was running smooth and healthy, the Cernik family (owners of SkateDaze) were offered a sufficient amount of money for their building and land.

“This was not an easy decision for us Photo by Hailee Wakefield and has been undeniably the most difficult decision we’ve had to make as a

For many years, Skatedaze was business,” said the Cernik family on a popular spot for kids to hang out, the company’s Facebook page. “The make friends, and develop new and years have flown by so quickly, and long-lasting relationships. Where they have gifted us with endless families grew closer together and memories and friendships, but It is were able to spend time together. time for us to retire and pursue our

It’s sad, I guess,” Donaldson other passions,” they said. said. It’s like the end of an era.”

The Cernik family opened their To some, this seems like just original roller skating in Fremont, another business, but for many Nebraska and slowly started depeople, this is where they made veloping more rinks in the Omaha some of their best friends to this area, the first being “Skateland” on day, where most of their childhood 108th and Q Street. memories were, and where they

SkateDaze was originally were able to hang out with all of opened 51 years ago which was their friends. This wasn’t just a busiowned by Scott and Pam Cernik. ness, it was a staple for who we are This was the last and final rink the today. family planned on opening in the

9

Entertainment 3 • 26 • 2019

Creepy Netflix show abducts your attention Alexis Gamble Staff Reporter

Now, I know not everyone is a huge fan of documentaries, especially Netflix ones. Most of the time they are a hit or miss, but these new shows are absolutely amazing.

Recently, Netflix released a couple new documentaries, which included one show titled “Abducted in Plain Sight.” The show’s description says that it was a true crime documentary about a family that falls prey to their neighbor’s manipulative charms and abducts their daughter.

Reading this instantly peaked my interest and I clicked on it right away.

The show itself was a amazing. The interviews were really good, the information was pretty easy to follow. It was a very interesting show

Comprised of talking heads (interviews), voice recordings, actors recreating scenes, and old family photos, Abducted in Plain Sight narrates the story of the Broberg family consisting of a mom, dad, and three little girls who all obviously appear in the doc. Just a warning, this show is rated MA, so if you’re sensitive to child abuse, this show may not be for you.

Taking place in the 1970’s, a seem-

ingly normal man, Robert Berchtold, moves into town. He slowly gains the trust of the family by going to dinners, movies, and church with his own family and the Broberg family. He soon set his target on 12-year-old Jan Broberg.

The doc first gives us major hints that he is a pedophile. Later, they confirm our beliefs (but it’s 100 percent obvious that he was in the beginning). Turns out this man was caught with a child in a different city and had to move. But his family still stuck with him… his wife (who knew everything) and children... why? I just don’t understand- nothing against the show, just the choices of the people in

this documentary.

Robert ends up abducting Jan, not once, but twice, not only did he abduct her, Robert also seduced BOTH of the parents, in order to get closer to her. A couple more random details that this documentary entail include the parents letting Robert build a wall in the basement so that Jan could be suppurated from the family, especially the sister, since she lived in the basement with Jan.. Then after building the wall, Robert asked if he could sleep in the same bed as Jan in order to help with his “therapy” and the parents actually let him do that.

That’s completely messed up right?

There is so much more insane things that I can’t get into, but the parents let Jan and Robert get away with, it’s sickening.

One thing about this show is that I didn’t really like was that Netflix really made the story seem nonchalant. The interviews were so casual, the parents talked about everything as if they had no emotions. For example, the first time Jan was abducted after an outing with Robert, the mom didn’t call the police for FIVE whole days. She didn’t think she was kidnapped, she just thought Robert took her somewhere. What parent does that?

I don’t think the parents really admitted in this show that they did some things they shouldn’t have- the only thing they admitted they did wrong was cheat on each other (both cheated on each other with Robert), which just seems crazy to me.

Overall, this documentary was really put together and so intriguing and interesting. Whether you are a lover of crime documentaries or not, this show will keep you on the edge and wondering how it could possibly get worse (and trust me, the situations get worse as you go). I highly recommend you watch Abducted in Plain Sight and hear the spiraling story yourself because this review doesn’t even scratch the surface.

Superhero film fun but not Marvel-ous Jack Towne Staff Reporter

The Marvel Cinematic Universe’s 21st film, and its first with a female superhero lead, arrived in theaters this month to much fanfare, and for some reason, controversy. Captain Marvel, star-

ring Brie Larson, Samuel L. Jackson and Ben Mendelsohn is a fun-filled, if pretty average comic book flick that showcases strong performances and impressive effects.

A quick note: the controversy swirling around this film’s supposed leftist, feminist agenda is stupid. A few

comments from Brie Larson were taken out of context and blown out of proportion, and the vultures began circling. Tens of thousands of YouTube videos and fake negative reviews ensued, and they still couldn’t stop this film from opening to $450 million dollars at the global box office and strong critical reactions. In short, this is a comic book movie, not a political statement, and I review it as such.

The star of this film, without a doubt, was a de-aged Samuel L. Jackson. I’ll get into the de-aging later, but underneath that, Jackson’s performance was lighthearted, funny, and adds a lot of humanity to his Nick Fury character that he has portrayed in eight other Marvel movies.

He’s a long way off from the callous super spy stopping one potentially world ending event after the other that we see in the Avengers, and Jackson does a great job of portraying that.

Academy Award winner Brie Larson gives an inconsistent turn as the Air Force test pilot turned alien warrior turned Avenger, Carol Danvers. At times, it feels like she really doesn’t quite have her footing yet. At times, her performance was really fun. There’s definitely reason to be excited about her future in the Marvel franchise, as she takes on other stories that really allow her to become the quintessential Carol Danvers.

Finally, Ben Mendelsohn plays the lead villain, a Skrull (a race of alien shapeshifters) named Talos. I don’t want to give much away about his character, but he takes these classic Marvel villains, the Skrulls, in a new direction, and behind all the makeup gives a very nuanced performance.

This movie is filled with aliens, space battles, action sequences, CGI cats, and the visual effects making

that happen do not disappoint. The space scenes are colorful and vibrant and just fun. The makeup work for the Skrulls and other alien races is complex but not distracting, allowing the actors to still showcase their talents underneath all the prosthetics. And the most impressive effect by far: making the last 20 years of Samuel L. Jackson’s life disappear.

Disney has been flirting with digitally de-aging their actors for a few years, but it has always looked a little strange, and it would have never worked for an entire film. Until now. Samuel L. Jackson appears throughout the film as a 20-year-younger version of himself, and it’s seamless. The most impressive CGI is the CGI you don’t even notice. This was very impressive CGI. After Jackson is on-screen for five minutes, you won’t even notice that he looks younger. It just works so perfectly in this film.

Overall, Captain Marvel is a fun superhero movie that audiences will enjoy, and even though it’s not groundbreaking or bar-raising for Marvel in any way, it will certainly spawn sequels and Carol has potential to become a fan-favorite character. Look for Captain Marvel in next month’s Avengers: Endgame.

10

Sports 3• 26 • 2019

Four Year 3 Sport athletes finish strong Maggie Reimers the State Swim Team. He swam as part of Staff Reporter the Boys 200 Medley Relay team, and the

team placed fifth in the championship

finals. After swimming was

At Millard South, we over, he began competing have a rich tradition of sucon the JV track team in cessful multi-sport athletes. mid-distance races.

For each graduating class of By junior year, Botkin students, a few athletes are was juggling prep for the celebrated as especially sucACTs, his job at Piezon’s cessful, those student-athPizzeria, and his three letes that have participated sport schedule. Even in at least three sports per with all that, he managed year for their entire high to qualify for the NCPA school careers. For the Class Academic All State for of 2019, two students have Swimming. achieved this goal: Bryan Senior year, not yet Botkin and Gavin Peitzmeicomplete, has already er. been eventful for Botkin.

Bryan Botkin has spent This year, he has earned his time at Millard South behis spot on Varsity Tennis, Bryan Botkin coming very involved across Swimming, and Track. This the school. His freshman year, Botkin year has brought him another trip to State participated in JV Cross Country, Varsity Swimming and a chance to compete on Swimming, and JV Track. His adjustment Varsity Track. When he was asked to look to high school was back at his four assisted by the years of sports friends he made on at Millard South, It was a challenge, but all these new teams.

Bryan said: ultimately the community By his sophomore “It is sacrificing lead me to love the sport. year, Botkin had two hours of your moved from cross day every day for –Senior Bryan Botkin country to tennis, two years, but it’s earning himself definitely worth a spot on the JV it,” Botkin said. tennis team, a new Gavin Peitzexperience for him. meier, the class Starting into a brand of 2019’s other new sport a year into high school can be four-year three-sport athlete, has honed challenging but Botkin took it in stride. his skills for Football, Wrestling, and Track

“It was a challenge, but ultimately in the four years he has been at MSHS. the community lead me to love the sport,” The senior has become a leader in many Botkin said. aspects of his life. He became involved all

His sophomore year was also the over the school, in Choir and NHS, just to first year that Botkin earned his spot on name a few examples. Like most incoming

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freshmen, Gavin was eager to begin comstate Track and Field tournament, where petition at a higher level, and took the he finished 5th in the Discus finals with a step up to high school athletics in stride.

PR throw.

Peitzmeier competed on Freshman Senior year so far has been just as eventful Football, Varsity Wresfor Peitzmeier. tling, and Freshman The defensive Track during his 9th end went I’ve always been stubborn grade year. As a freshto the State enough to never cave in and Championman participating on a Varsity team, Gavin had ship again for rise up to the challenge. a lot of expectations to football, and –Senior Gavin Peitzmeier live up to.

Millard South By sophomore year, finished the Gavin had made season 9-2.

Varsity football as a This especially defensive end, and was snowy winter in his second year of brought great Varsity wrestling, along with his second success for our wrestlers. This year, Gavin year of competition as a thrower on the finished his season 58-7 and placed 5th in Track and Field team. Playing two Varsity the 220lb weight class at the NSAA Chamsports as a sophomore is pionships. As a team, Wresnot the norm, and the tling finished the season as high-achieving athlete the Nebraska Class A State continued to impress.

Champions. Track and Field

During his junior season is just kicking off as year, Peitzmeier was the weather warms up, and competing at the Varsity will certainly be eventful for level for all of his sports.

Gavin as he competes again He was also the only as a Varsity thrower.

Millard South Student Both Botkin and Peitzmeier Athlete to make it to the will be taking their leaderstate competition for ship to college in the fall of all three sports seasons.

2019. Bryan will be continuThat year, Millard South ing his academic career Football made it to the at University of Nebraska second round of the Omaha. Botkin, a member Class A state tournaof the 30+ club, had his ment, before falling to choice of schools, and will Gavin Peitzmeier Omaha North. During surely have continued sucthe winter, Gavin qualified for the state cess throughout college. Gavin will be Wrestling Championships. Millard South continuing his academic and wrestling finished 5th as a team in the 2018 State careers at Chadron State College, and will Wrestling tournament, and Gavin finished undoubtedly be an asset to the college as as 2nd in the 220lb weight class. The he competes as an Eagle. spring brought Peitzmeier a trip to the

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Crashing expectations leads to gold on the ice Alex Kopf Staff Reporter

The Patriot hockey team clinched the regular season over Millard West, which came down to the last game against league rival Fremont, who Millard South took down in a 3-1 victory to earn the #1 seed in the State Tourney. The team won their first state game in a 1-0 shootout thriller against Elkhorn and then another 3-1 victory against Fremont.

With a chance to go straight to the championship, the Patriots would have to go through #3 Westside. After falling 3-1, they had to go undefeated the rest of the season to win state including beating Westside twice.

They faced off against Fremont for one last time, the third time in two weeks.

Cade Hopkins scored early and then the scoreboard was silent. The Patriots held on to win 1-0 and a spot in the championship. Needing to win twice, all the pressure was on them. But they took care of business to force a final game, winning 2-0 and getting an opportunity at achieving what everyone wanted from day one, a state championship.

“I’m so grateful to have shared the ice with this team and accomplish this achievement with an awesome group of guys,” senior goaltender Alex Kopf said.

On March 3, Millard South and Westside squared off in a winner take all game on Baxter Arena’s main ice. The Warriors jumped to an early lead ending the first period up 2-0. All odds looked slim for the Patriots. But a late second period goal by senior John Miles of Elkhorn High, sparked the Patriots incredible comeback, scoring 3 more goals in the third period and clinching the first hockey state title in school history.

“Winning State in my last high school

The Patriots celebrate their 4-2 victory over Westside to capture the state championship.

game was incredible, I wouldn’t have tions. wanted it to end any other way,” Cade “The only thing I expected was for Hopkins said. The Patriots are the fastest everyone to work their hardest”, senior team to win state defenseman Peyton since starting in Daniel said. Daniel the league.

Winning State in my last high had been a part of Coming the team since the school game was incredible, first year, making an into the 20182019 season the I wouldn’t have wanted it to impact by day one expectations for being versatile, playend any other way. the Millard South ing wherever the –Senior Cade Hopkins hockey team coach needed him. weren’t much.

With new additions Coming off a 11to the team such as 18-7 season the freshman forward previous year and Cole Foster and Red a 2-27-1 year in their inaugural season, Oak senior Cole Magill, the Patriots had nobody expected much. But the last thing their eyes set on State. the Patriots cared about were expecta The season started off with the an-

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nual “Fall Freeze” tournament. A single elimination tourney to help see how teams were going to do during the regular season. The Patriots being a 6 seed squared off against the 4 seed Creighton Prep. Millard South jumped out to an early 3-0 lead but let the Bluejays sneak back into it to send the game to a shootout.

They defeated Prep 3-2 in the shootout, and ended the first 3 years 6-0 in games decided by shootouts. They beat Elkhorn after Prep in shootout and finished the job against Fremont by a score of 2-1. They had won the Fall Freeze, the regular season and the State Championship. Most of all they proved everyone wrong.

11

Sports 3 • 26 • 2019

Horan earns Gatorade honor Carina Covington Sports Editor

Following an impressive junior season, junior Jayme Horan was named 2019 Gatorade Player of the Year of girl’s basketball. Horan contributed roughly 23.1 points per game as power forward for the Patriots. Although the season did not end as hoped, Horan carried the Patriots through a successful season getting them to the state tournament.

Horan announced her commitment to continue her basketball and academic career at Creighton University early on in the season, but that didn’t stop her from making huge strides in her athletic abilities.

“I feel like I became a more versatile player throughout the season and just worked on becoming a better overall player,” Horan said.

Following the end of the postseason, Horan was nominated by coach Bryce Meyers for Gatorade Player of the Year. The nomination process included character references from athletic director Steve Throne and assistant principal Michaela Wragge, as well as an evaluation of statistics, GPA, and volunteer hours. Coaches from around the area, such as Bellevue West, also pitched statements in on behalf of Horan.

“I am proud to say that Jayme Horan would not only be the best choice for the Gatorade Player of the Year representing the state of Nebraska, but she would also be the best choice to represent student athletes across the country,” Wragge wrote in her letter.

Horan’s impressive statistics such as averaging 7.9 rebounds per game, 2.5 steals per game, and her cumulative gpa of 3.6 spoke for themselves as reasons why Horan was the right choice for the title. Horan is also one Junior, Jayme Horan, goes up for a shot against Lincoln East in round one of the few athletes in Millard South history to receive a of State. Horan put up 17 points in the game against the Spartans. Photo spot on the All-State team in more than one sport (softby Josh Ferdico ball and basketball).

“My statistics were definitely a part of why I was

Horan will receive Gatorade merchandise marked with Gachosen as Gatorade Player of the Year, but it was also the letters torade Player of the Year along with the grant. She has received from Wragge and Throne,” Horan said. things such as a backpack, a banner, a water bottle, and there

As Gatorade player of the year, Horan gets to select a nonis more to come. profit organization to donate a $1000 grant to. Horan selected

“I was honestly shocked that I won the Gatorade Player the S.A.V.E. Omaha program. S.A.V.E. Omaha puts on local of the Year because I am only a junior, but I am very honored,” basketball tournaments and works to connect underprivileged Horan said. children obtain opportunities and supplies to lead a more suc Despite this amazing accomplishment in her career, Horan cessful life. isn’t ready to call it quits. She has high expectations for herself

“I grew up playing in tournaments put on by the S.A.V.E. and her team as she has one final season as a Patriot. program and I am close with some of the people involved in

“I think we are all shooting for a state championship next the S.A.V.E program,” Horan said about her choice in organizaseason. We should have a pretty strong team,” Horan said. tion.

Girls state basketball highlights

Junior Maddie Krull, jumps up to block a shot from Lincoln East. The Patriots fell to Lincoln East by one point in the State tournament. Photo by Josh Ferdico

Kenzi Hoit, senior, goes up for a shot in a close match against the Spartans. Hoit will continue her academic and basketball career next year at College of Saint Mary.

Photo by Josh Ferdico

Junior Kenna Bray, goes to the line to take her two free throws after being fouled. Bray ended the game with 8 points. Photo

by Josh Ferdico

Alex Kopf Staff Reporter

Collegiate athletes . . . is pro a no go?

On February 20th Duke basketball superstar Zion Williamson injured his knee within the first minute of the game. The Blue Devils lost the game to the Tarheels and Zion’s injury sparked a twitter war on whether he should even play rest of the season to put his draft spot in jeopardy. With big stars such as former MVP finalist Isaiah Thomas saying “Sit yo a** down and save yo talents for the big leagues”. The real question is, did Zion destroy the “One-andDone” rule. After the multitude of tweets the NBA announced that there was a good chance that the rule will be abolished after the 2021 draft. After Missouri freshman Michael Porter Jr. suffered a season ending back injury in the 2017-2018 season, he dropped from a top 5 pick to the 14th overall pick in the draft costing him almost $10 million, and not even starting his season until about week ago.

With Zion projected to be a Top 3 pick in the upcoming draft, if he continues to play and gets injured again he could lose over $15 million in signing bonuses. In college football star player such as Nick Bosa, Christian Mccaffrey, Noah Fant and notable others sat out Bowl games to prepare for the NFL draft and not risk an injury in a “meaningless” game. So the question that again appears is, “What’s the point of college if they can go make money right away?” Honestly, it is a valid question. Why make these athletically gifted individuals go to a year of meaningless college and possibly lose millions if they get injured. Starting in 2006 the NBA decided that players had to spend one year in college before declaring for the NBA draft.

People originally were outraged due to the amount of talent that came directly from high school such as, Lebron, Kobe, and Kevin Garnett. Much like Johnny “football” Manziel’s stunt demanding that college players should be paid, the players were awakened and decided to piece their voice.

Eventually the argument went away and was recently sparked back up by the Zion incident.

The real question is, will we ever see another time where athletes go pro straight from high school again?

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Junior Lily Pinkall beams as she twirls with the dance team.

Photo by Josh Ferdico

Photo Essay 3• 26 •2019

Spring Pep Rally Junior MaHaley Ruzicka performs as a part of the award winning show choir, Stage One. Photo by Josh Ferdico

Junior Hunter Gatewood screams in an attempt to aid the junior class in winning the spirit stick.

Photo by Josh Ferdico

Mixed varsity show choir, South on Stage, shakes the room.

Photo by Garrett Carbullido

Senior McKenzie Chappell marvels as she walks for varsity track and field.

Photo by Josh Ferdico Senior Nolan Benak shows school spirit before walking for varsity basketball.

Photo by Josh Ferdico