Common Sense Volume 18 Issue 6: March 9, 2018

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

March 9, 2018

Volume 18 Issue 6

Students rally to save middle school French and German language study Ryan Carter Editor-in-Chief

When hearing about the initial idea of the school board eliminating German and French language studies in middle schools, many students opposed it. Not only were students opposed to this, but they were also passionate by starting protests and bringing students of the language department together.

Together students discussed how the language department influenced them and how removing French and German from the middle schools would diminish education and culture within Millard. To protest the plan, senior German student Hannah Grove started a grass roots campaign to bring attention to the issue.

Students brought with them to the board meeting posters to spread attention and even encouraged a few students to speak against the decision at the meeting. Grove even brought in social media by making a Facebook page to get information out there about the board meeting.

Despite these efforts, the board voted to move forward with the new middle school scheduling plan, which includes the removal of French and German language studies at the middle schools. Spanish remains as the only language choice available until 9th grade.

“It was a bad idea, because eventually it would spread to the high school. They didn't say they were cutting French and German in the high school, but without it in the middle school, numbers will drop significantly at the high school levels,” Grove said.

“It limits opportunities for future students, because a lot of middle schoolers are not motivated to learn, especially if it means learning another foreign language

after studying the same one for three years. Too many kids want the easy route,” senior German student Michaela Rawson said.

Students spoke about how the language program influenced them in ways from learning about their culture to traveling abroad. The cut of German and French in middle schools made students think about their experience in the classroom.

“I’ve never been the student to be involved in clubs or sports, but the world language program gave me a passion I never thought I’d have,” Rawson said.

“The world language program has given me an amazing opportunity to travel abroad, which really shaped me as a person. With- Students studying French, German and Spanish display signs at the Feb. 5 board meeting to lobby to retain French and out the program, that German studies in the middle schools. opportunity will cease Photo by Grace Flogstad to exist for future technological innovations. I've found a love It's not only given me more words to exstudents,” she said. of German food and the German lifestyle. press myself, but also the ability to express

“World language has influenced my Language classes have also taught me about my thoughts and ideas to a wider range of life mostly in the aspects of culture and self expression.

German has so many words people. This has allowed me to make some self expression,” Grove said. “I've learned that just don't exist in the English language. pretty great friends,” Grove said. so much about international relations and

Girls basketball hustles, fights throughout state tournament Carina Covington Sports Editor

Millard South dominated their way through yet another basketball season finishing runnerup in the State Championship game.

In game one of the state championships, the Patriots jumped on Lincoln High early with an 11-2 lead at the end of the first quarter. With Sophomore Jayme Horan dives for a loose ball in the first round game of the state tournament against Lincoln High School. Photo by Josh Ferdico

two three pointers in the middle of the second quarter from Makenna Bray, Millard South was ahead 25-13.

“She can get hot in a hurry. She’s done that 6 or 7 games this year and she’s been our leading scorer,” Coach Meyers said about Makenna Bray in an interview with Mike Sautter from the Omaha World Herald after the first state win for Millard South.

Leading into halftime, sophomores Jayme Horan and Bray both hit 3’s and Millard South’s Continued: See basketball on page 6

art by Daelynn Arnold

Page 3

New family owned and operated restaurant with a Millard South connection

Page 4-5

Reviews, Columns and Editorial

Page 6-7

More varsity girls state basketball photos. Above: Coach Bryce Meyers. Photo by Logan Foote

Page 8

Scholastic Art Winners

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News 3 • 9 • 2018

Middle schools shuffle in light of schedule change Nickol Kreutzian Staff Reporter

At this point, everyone has heard about the new changes announced to middle school scheduling and foreign languages.

If these changes seemed surprising to students, some teachers would have to agree as well. The changes were announced to staff, and, in turn, students, about a month ago.

Millard has been offering multiple languages for about a decade, contributing to the world-class education that Millard is known for.

The removal of French and German, however, has been a question for a while.

“I understand change is inevitable, and there are many other changes for our middle schools, but it will be unfortunate to limit the opportunities for our students to only one language,” Rebecca Waldron, a Spanish teacher at Andersen Middle School, said.

Declining class sizes and budget crunching were considerations when proposing these modifications.

Compared to other developed countries, the United States has much lower enrollment rates in foreign languages. According to the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages, only 1 in 5 students were enrolled in a language in the 2015-2016 school year. These numbers have

been steadily rising over the last decade, but some are worried that the lack of German and French might help reverse the progress that’s been made.

“In the long run, I believe fewer high school students will take AP French or AP German when they are seniors,” Waldron said.

The removal of German and French might also cause changes to the staff lists at many middle schools. Teachers who have experience or degrees in other disciplines, such as finance or English, may move into teaching positions in those subjects, while others may choose to continue teaching their languages in other districts. There has also been talk of providing alternative elective courses for students to take instead of Spanish.

Overall, the changes that have been announced are still being worked out, but, for the most part, middle school students will take an alternating A and B day schedule of gym and Spanish, with both being year-long courses. Several things are still up in the air and being discussed with faculty at the middle school level. Despite this uncertainty, Waldron said she is still looking on the bright side.

“I personally am excited to teach all 3 grades again!“ she said.

LB798 would exempt feminine hygiene products from sales tax Taryn Smith Staff Reporter $3,360. Eliminating the sales tax would save women about $200; for women in poverty, this

On Jan. 4, state senator Mike McDonnell number is significant. of Omaha proposed a Legislative Bill 798l in

These costs can be a huge burden to lower the unicameral that would exempt feminine income women, and it has been argued that products from sales tax. this tax is regulatory discrimination.

This bill was proposed on the argument In 2016, California Assembly member that such products are a necessity and, because Cristina Garcia led a fight to lose the tax in of this, should be as inexpensive as possible. her home state. Both houses in the California

The “tampon tax” has been repealed legislature by countries voted to exacross the empt feminine world, Kenya products, but being the the measure first. In 2015, was vetoed by Canada also governor Jerry repealed the Brown. tax following a While her petition signed effort was by thousands. unsuccessful,

In the she raised imUnited States, portant points almost all states regarding the tax property issue. that is bought

“If we by individucan’t make als but exempt them free we goods that are should at least “necessities” make them such as grocermore affordFeminine products on store shelves in Omaha.

Photo by Taryn ies, prescripable,” Garcia tions, prosthet- Smith wrote on Facebook. “Having your period when ics and sometimes even clothes (clothes are not tax exempt in Nebraska). Five states do not you’re poor means that once a month you have the added stress of finding a way to pay for have a sales tax, and there are currently nine these essentials,” she said states that charge no sales tax on feminine

Some at Millard South also support this products. measure.

Each month, women have to pay about

“I would love to see the price of feminine $7 for tampons or pads, and this happens for products go down,” said senior Nadia Johns.

30 to 40 years of their life. That means that “Women have to buy these every month and it women are paying anywhere from $2,520 to would be nice if they were less expensive.”

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News 3 • 9 • 2018

SalMex brings its own tastes to Omaha Vanessa Chavez News Editor

Food is known to be a universal connector that brings people together. It is the center of many cultures and family gatherings. For Mayra Melgar such is the case. She and her family recently opened a restaurant in town, SalMex Restaurant.

The restaurant offers a variety of delicacies from both El Salvador and Mexico.

“I am from Mexico, and this food is a part of my culture,” Mayra Melgar said.

Mayra Melgar grew up watching her mom as well as other people cook and since then has incorporated her own touch and learned the recipes by heart. She learned to cook Salvadorian food from her husband’s side of the family.

“I love to cook and I want to share a little bit of my culture as well as my husband’s culture with the world,” Mayra Melgar said.

Opening a restaurant has been a dream of Mayra Melgar’s since she was a little girl, and now she wants to accomplish it as a family effort. Senior Jaslyn Melgar

is proud of her parent’s decision to pursue the lifelong dream.

“My parents have always told me that dreams come true, but it takes time and dedication and that it will stay a dream if you don’t go and make it happen,” Jaslyn Melgar said.

Jaslyn Melgar has worked to get the word out by promoting the restaurant on social media and handing out menus.

Mayra Melgar’s goals for the restaurant include opening it for longer hours over the summer and, in the near future, getting a food A family enjoys a warm meal of pupusas and a fresh drink of horchata on a Sunday afternoon at SalMex restruck as well. taurant at 709 S. 24th St. The restaurant is owned and operated by Millard South parent Mayra Melgar. Photo

“I’m excited to see us grow and prosper. My by Vanessa Chavez Melgar said.

Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 mom is a big dreamer

SalMex Restaurant is located on 709 S p.m. Friday and Saturday and 9 a.m. to 8 and she’s already excited to open another 24th St. and is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. p.m. on Sundays. restaurant here in West Omaha,” Jaslyn

to cook and ”II love want to share a

little bit of my culture as well as my husband’s culture with the world.

-Mayra Melgar

”

Millard clears his calendar to help students with 2018-2019 schedules Carina Covington Sports Editor

Registrar Brad Millard handles registration forms for incoming 9th graders.

Photo by Nina Washington

There is not a more fitting place in the world than Millard South for the returning registrar assistant principal, a man who literally has Millard in his name.

A familiar face, and name,

is being welcomed back to Millard South this semester. Filling the role of registrar, Brad Millard has returned after he left following the 2012 school year.

Mr. Millard left Millard South five and a half years ago to focus on family and to help run a family chiropractic business with his wife. However, Millard is excited to be back with the Patriot family.

“It is pretty cool to be sitting back in my office like I used to do and interact with some awesome Patriot students and staff!” Millard said.

Millard is filling the same role that he had when he was previously here, but there are many changes in the way things are done.

Because of the recent addition of laptops, Millard said that he has noticed that technology is positively

changing our education. He also mentioned that he is excited with the addition of Early College and ROTC programs in Millard South since he was previously here.

“Just being able to be part of the high school environment is amazing. The energy of a high school is exciting and it keeps me smiling here at South,” Millard said.

Millard works hand in hand with Mrs. Wragge. Millard fills the registrar position while Wragge fills in with the behavioral side of things.

Millard said that his favorite part of the job, besides being around high school students and staff members, is the ability to interpret data and build schedules for students, as he loves to work with numbers.

Millard South is excited to have Millard back on campus and working with students.

Outside of the building, Millard can be found working with his wife in their family chiropractic office or pole vaulting for fun. Millard pole vaulted in high school and college and competes when he can find the opportunity. Millard also has coached pole vaulting at a school in Kansas and at Millard West.

“I always loved the feeling of flying through the air, so it is great to be able to continue in activities that I love,” he said.

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Opinion 3 • 9 • 2018

Black Panther pounces to top of box office Conlan Custard Staff Reporter

Marvel’s own Black Panther is 2018’s biggest blockbuster film yet, and to save time, it’s worth the hype. For an eternity, it seemed, the buzz around the newest superhero flick out there only seemed to grow more and more. By the time the premiere rolled around, people flooded theaters just to get a glimpse at it, and, thankfully, it did not disappoint.

Our story is set in Wakanda, a fictional African land sitting atop a massive supply of vibranium, a fictional metal alloy stronger than titanium. This grants the people of Wakanda the ability to become the most technologically advanced place on Earth and develop things the rest of the world could only dream of. The land is made up of 5 tribes all protected by the king, otherwise known as the Black Panther. The movie focuses on newly endowed king T’Challa, and his struggle to defeat evil as well as challenges to his throne after losing his father to a bombing attack.

It seemed as the movie drew closer to being released that it had some very big expectations to live up to, as many were acting like the film was poised to repair a rift in cultural tensions facing America today, and that this was the first ever feature length movie with a black superhero. I found this proposition silly as there have been many African American superheroes before Black Panther like Hancock, Blade, Luke Cage, etc. And while I don’t believe the movie did much to fix the damaged race relations in our own country, that certainly shouldn’t take away from the

Finding a roomate proves harder than choosing a major

Kassandra Kizlin Staff Reporter

If you decide to go to college, especially out of state, there’s something scary on the horizon.

Finding your college roommate. It’s the person you’ll be living with for the entire school year that you’ve

probably never met in person. It is frightening, but I’ve heard it’s better than moving in with your high school friend. That can supposedly ruin relationships. At the same time, I don’t want to go random because you can end up with someone terribly mismatched. We’ve all heard the horror stories. This leaves you with one option: school run roommate finders.

Right now, I’ve been on two.

They usually start with a few basic questions like if you smoke and what time you go to bed. Then you can leave a social media handle and add a short summary of yourself. It all seems like a dating app with less information about the person even though this is more of a commitment right off the bat. The first one I went on was through facebook.

The first thing I did was systematically unlike all the pages I liked from elementary through middle school. When I went on the app to try and find someone, I discovered

it to be like tinder. The app itself was like tinder. You could swipe right if interested and left to skip.

We immediately see their facebook profile picture, screen name and percent match.

I also joined a service for a specific hall I want to live in. It only worked on the computer and had no access to your social media account and asked the same questions. It also gave you a percent in common. Then you have to start sending messages. What are you even supposed to say? My friend who’s already in college says your major and your interests.

I still find this very stressful and since I just started, I haven’t gotten many replies but I’m hopeful so far. My best advice is to accurately show who you are and start early so you’re not like me: worried about finding a roommate when other people have had there’s picked out for months.

fact that it was simply excellent.

Black Panther manages to keep you locked in the whole way through by telling a bit of an unorthodox story compared to other superhero movies in this day and age, and for that reason it is able to separate itself from other Marvel counterparts in a very unique and endearing way. The soundtrack was so-so, which is typical for a Marvel film, but I was surprised at some of the tasteful scenery shots used in Black Panther and I found them to be refreshing compared to recent installments in the Marvel Extended Universe. Additionally, there was a decent amount of humor placed here and there throughout the movie, and save for a couple awfully painful attempts at comedy, I thought most of it was adequate.

Chadwick Boseman did a fantastic job as T’Challa in his first stand alone film playing the character, but Michael B. Jordan was the real show stopper of the movie with his intriguing performance as the main villain Kilmonger. The supporting characters were especially solid as well, which was great to see.

In all, although Black Panther may not have been the film to repair hundreds of years worth of racially fueled conflict, it was able to stand alone in a flood of wonderfully made and produced Marvel movies and separate itself in a way not many others have before. It also serves its purpose beautifully as the final chapter required to usher in the bombshell that is Marvel’s Avengers: Infinity War which hits theaters on April 27th. Be ready.

Death Cure will scare you to death Allie Pyle Staff Reporter

Having thought they finally escaped an organization, WCKD, out to get them, Thomas and his friends have everything blow up in their face. WCKD comes back to capture Thomas and his friends, but ends up kidnapping a majority of others that were with them, including their good friend Minho in the previous movie. “The Death Cure” begins with Thomas and his friends plan to rescue Minho, which almost goes the way they plan it. Almost. After all there would be no movie if it went the exact way they had hoped, would there?

“The Death Cure,” is an action packed, dystopian film which stars Dylan O’Brien as Thomas, Ki Hong Lee as Minho, Thomas Brodie-Sangster as Newt, and Kaya Scodelario as Teresa. Based off James Dashner books, the movie stays true too many of its plot lines. Thomas and his friends go to the last city not infected yet by a plague killing off the human population. WCKD’s goal is to use the new generation, where most are immune to the plague, to find a cure. Thomas and his friends’ goal is to rescue Minho from WCKD, which proves to be more of a challenge than originally thought. “The Death Cure” is a fun, sit on the edge of your seat, heartbreaking movie, which shows both sides of an end of the world scenario.

Ask not for whom the Dell tolls, the Dell tolls for thee Conlan Custard Staff Reporter

Change is the only constant. For a big portion of my life, I thought change was bad and couldn’t stand it. Like how for the longest time I was dead set on reviewing the Oscar Nominated Short films playing at the downtown theater “Film Streams” for the February edition of Common Sense.

However, as I mentioned, things change.

The Film Streams I had been to was familiar and comfortable, so when I saw that this year, the shorts would be playing at a different location, I was noticeably skeptical.

To add on to my already bleak night, the shorts this year didn’t live up to expectations in the slightest. The group of uninspiring films consisted of “Dear Basketball,” a self-celebrating elegy to Kobe Bryant, (made by Kobe Bryant,) which was anything but a slam dunk, and lost me from the get-go. “Lou,” a sadly mediocre cautionary tale from Pixar against bullying. “Negative Space,” essentially an 8 minute build

up for a modest crunchy, well cooked punchline. And many onion rings left me others that failed to comeven more interested pare to previous years to see what was to that featured such great come. The Dell is short films like “The very proud of their Dam Keeper,” and “Pear signature dish, hand Cider and Cigarettes,” breaded fish and just to name a few. chips, and rightfully

Its safe to say I was so. The delightfully pretty disappointed after crisp batter coating watching these and sitthe tender and juicy ting down to dinner at fish combined to be the Dundee Dell restauthe best plate of fish rant afterwards. I had I’ve ever enjoyed in Conlan Custard never been there and had 17 years of my life.

Staff Reporter no idea what to expect, The newest addition but little did I know to the menu was the this hole in the wall pub crab cake, which left would be the saving grace of my night. As a lot to be desired, but in this case, I’ll give soon as the appetizer came out I knew there them a pass. On the side comes a pile of auwas something special to this place. The thentic Irish style chips that were seasoned

well and fluffier than you could ever ask for.

The whole place had a friendly, laid back, home style atmosphere which I greatly appreciated.

I think one of the things I enjoyed so much about the Dundee Dell was its accuracy in portraying a real “Irish Pub” sort of restaurant. From the time I spent in England with my family, I feel as though I’ve gotten a good sense of what it means to be an Irish style bar and the Dell captures that essence wonderfully. Memories of things like my older brother having his first legal pint of ale overseas came flooding back as I enjoyed the great food at the Dell.

In closing, I guess my point is that while change is inevitable, it can sometimes be for the best. And while it might seem like a night has been wasted, you may end up at a Dundee Dell of your own.

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Opinion 3 • 9 • 2018

Common Sense

Art By Sean Burton

Staff Editorial: Seeking sensible gun legislation

Common Sense staff voted 22-2 in support of this editorial position

Americans have come to expect a familiar pattern in the wake of mass shootings. These horrific events tend to reignite heated debates about our country’s gun laws. People of social media, journalists and some lawmakers briefly rally behind stricter gun control legislation, but public interest eventually dies out and politicians loyal to either NRA dollars or gun-loving constituents stifle sweeping reform.

The aftermath of the Parkland, Florida, tragedy has a different feel to it. Peers of the 17 high school students and teachers killed in the shooting are leading calls for action. These students of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School have given powerful speeches and stood toe to toe with politicians to talk about potential solutions to America’s gun violence problem. This time the national gun dialogue may not be so short lived.

Changes have been proposed from all sides of the debate. President Trump has publicly supported the idea of arming teachers to protect students from shootings, and that idea has a fair share of proponents.

However, there would be many political roadblocks in the way of actually implementing this policy. Potential problems that would arise such as accidents, theft, and abuse of power by teachers outweigh the minuscule chance the gun is used to stop a school shooting.

The more pragmatic approach is to ban assault rifles. Second amendment absolutists would not be in support of this initiative, but the fact of the matter is that assault rifles have little functional value other than to kill mass numbers of people. Self defense is adequately achieved by carrying a concealed handgun and hunting can be done with countless other weapons.

It is hard to argue against the assumption that having fewer military style guns in circulation would make it less likely for a deranged murderer get his hands on one. The common denominator in many mass shootings is some variation of the AR-15, a weapon used in the recent Florida attack as well as in the Orlando and Vegas shootings.

According to a New York Times article published in October of 2017, 67% of Americans support an “assault weapons ban.” Banning the AR15 and other such weapons that were not around when our forefathers crafted the second amendment would be a way to cut down on mass shootings without infringing upon the right citizens have to carry a gun.

The other proposal to look into is increasing background checks and waiting periods. These ideas are parroted by tons of politicians and citizens on both sides of the political fence, yet little legislation is ever enacted to back up their words.

Omar Mateen, the Orlando nightclub shooter, was able to legally purchase a rifle despite terrorist ties the FBI was investigating. Devin Kelly, the killer of 26 people in a Texas church last year, was able to legally purchase a rifle even though he had assaulted his wife and infant stepson just 5 years prior.

No system can detect every killer in advance, but none of the people mentioned above should have been able to purchase a firearm.

Improvements need to be made, not just for the sake of cutting down on mass shootings but for limiting all kinds of gun violence. People tend to focus on mass shootings even though they make up only a very small fraction of gun deaths. According to the Center for Disease Control, suicide is the second most common cause of death for Americans between the ages of 15 and 34, and the majority are by gun. Stricter background checks and waiting periods would help this problem as well.

Sensible gun legislation will take time, but if the poise and tenacity of the Florida school shooting survivors is any indication, our generation will find some solutions to cut down on gun violence in America.

An assault rifle ban and improvement in background checks would be a good foundation for building a safer future.

Deemphasis on world language study in America speaks volumes

A Spanish teacher of mine once told me a joke about speaking languages.

The joke is “Someone who speaks three languages is called trilingual. Someone who speaks two languages is bilingual.

But what do you call someone who speaks one language? An American.” It is not the funniest joke but it brings up a very interesting thought about America as a Matt Rothgeb nation and our lack of Staff Reporter multilingualism.

I decided to see just how few people in the United States actually speak more than one language. According to Gallup, only 1 in 4 people speak at least 2 languages. I don’t think that’s a bad statistic in the slightest, until I decided to compare that to Europe. The European Union states that 2 out of every 3 Europeans speak a second language and 1 in 4 speak two or more second languages. Finding those numbers out made it appear to me that the United States is falling behind.

Many countries all over the world start teaching second languages in elementary school. Meanwhile, we start at middle school in the school districts that are considered “better” and most school districts start in high school, which, in in my opinion, is a terrible idea and a waste of time. We should be doing what nations like Spain, France, and Germany are doing, which is starting learning a second language in elementary schools.

Starting languages sooner gives people more of a chance to learn more things and promotes language learning at an early age. Learning a language should be supported just like exercising or learning music, leading to languages being an important part of adulthood. I believe that we should promote learning languages, because it allows for more communication and culture to be shared. That ultimately leads to a better world, because people will know and understand the differences between each other.

Ultimately I think that languages are viewed negatively in the United States. Part of it may be the people who believe we speak American in this country, are the people who speak the loudest. It could also be the lack of belief that languages will be useful in our lives. I believe that just knowing a language is extremely important whether or not you only use it in one conversation in your life.

I believe if you only have one conversation in your second language and you do something small, such as helping someone find the post office, it can make all the difference. A second language can be useful and fun to be able to speak it, but being able to help someone should be most important.

The joke that my Spanish teacher told me could be invalid in the future if we were to change our opinion on language as a nation. I would love the joke from the beginning to instead be “Someone who speaks three languages is called trilingual. Someone who speaks two languages is bilingual. But what do you call someone who speaks one language? Monolingual.”

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 5G computers, Adobe InDesign CC 2017 Adobe Photoshop CC 2017, and Microsoft Word 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.

Editor-in-Chief Ryan Carter Photo Chief Grace Flogstad Production Editor Jordyn Kelley News Editor Vanessa Chavez Sports Editor Carina Covington Features Editor Adrienne Bruner Opinions Editor Savannah Lacy Entertainment Editor Nina Washington Social Media Manager Alyssa Pyle Cartoonists Sean Burton Daelynn Arnold Staff Secretaries Lexie Pleiss Maddie Rynes Distribution Manager Kristin Kaipust Staff Reporters Max Aden Lindsey Assman Sarah Braley Sadie Brower Myranda Carbullido Conlan Custard RuthAnne Hale Jayden John Isabel Kimminau Allison Kirkebak Kassandra Kizlin Nicki Kreutzian Ryan Lawrence Jessica Lukecart Carson O’Connor Jacob Reinhardt Matthew Rothgeb Johnna Sisneros Taryn Smith Adviser Christine Kaldahl

Sports 3 • 9 • 2018

6

State

Patriot girls basketball charges home with runner-up trophy

Sophomore Maddie Krull charges towards the hoop. Krull had 30 points in the game against Lincoln East.

Photo by Josh Ferdico

Junior Bailey Urban dribbles down the court looking for an open teammate during the Westside game. Photo by Logan Foote state basketball story by Carina Covington continued from page 1

lone senior Rylee Pauli went up for a lay up to rack up more points. Junior Bailey Urban topped off the strong offensive performance of the first half with 2 free throws. At halftime the Patriots had an extensive 39-19 lead.

The offense kept pushing in the second half. The top scorers of the game were Urban with 18, Bray with 16, and Horan with 13. With a final score of 69-48 the Patriots were onto the semi-finals.

Millard South offense broke loose during round two.

Maddie Krull had 30 points on the game while Pauli had 11, and Horan had 10.

The tough Lincoln East team put up a fight, but the Patriots were unstoppable. In the first half, the Patriots put 30 points on the board to Lincoln East’s 27.

Early in the second half, Krull took control and hit back to back shots to give Millard South a 6 point lead

within minutes of the second half. A 16-point run helped the Patriots gain an even bigger lead and put them in the perfect position to win.

“Offensively, Maddie Krull took over. She’s just a competitor,” Head Coach Meyers said in an interview with Mike Sautter from the Omaha World-Herald after the win over Lincoln East.

Millard South fought hard the second half and came out on top. The final score of 64-48 led the Patriots to the state championship game.

In state finals, the Patriots battled a tough Westside team. Early in the game the Patriots were down 7-0 in the first quarter and trailed close behind Westside the rest of the game. At halftime, the score was 27-11 Westside.

Post half time, Horan dominated on offense for the Patriots hitting three back to back three pointers. Horan had 19 points in the final game.

Millard South was down 12 points heading into the

Senior Rylee Pauli works to get around her defender and towards the hoop to add more points on the board. Pauli is the lone senior for the Patriots this season. Photo by Logan Foote.

fourth quarter. Horan fouled out of the game with little over a minute remaining.

Despite their effort, the girls could not keep up with Westside’s offense. Westside took the state title with a 55-44 win over the Patriots.

For their outstanding performances on the court, Krull was named to the Class A state team by the NSAA and Horan was named to the All Tournament team.

The Patriots fought a hard battle throughout the entire state tournament with admirable perseverance that did not waver.

If I could describe my team in one word it would be limitless. Not in the sense that we will win every game and never have a bad game, but in the sense that you will never see a Patriot basketball player give up,” sophomore Chloe Carr said after the championship game.

Patriots knockout rivals to punch ticket to state Allison Kirkebak Staff Reporter

The battle on Q Street is one of the most fun and energetic games on and off the court. Students and families packed the gym to watch #1 Millard South Patriots take on #10 Millard West Wildcats. Not only is it the battle on Q Street, but it is also a battle for the chance to play in the state tournament.

Last year, both the Patriots and the Wildcats were in the state tournament. The Wildcats lost in the quarterfinals to Lincoln Southwest, and the Patriots also lost to Lincoln Southwest, but in the championship.

With the Patriots being runner up last year in a hard overtime loss, they played with a greater fire to get the opportunity to finish what they started last year.

“Losing last year's state championship has been a huge part of our mindset,” said sophomore Maddie Krull, “We understand that we can do everything as well as possible all season and still come up short. We have one goal, and that is to not come up short this year.”

The Patriots quickly took charge in the first quarter, forcing the Wildcats to take a

time out. The Patriots’ sweet spots for the night were behind the arch. Sophomore Jayme Horan hit two quick three-pointers early to move the score to 10-2.

Then, junior Bailey Urban hit huge back to back threes, along with Krull’s picture perfect left handed lay-up to put the Patriots up 18-2 in the second quarter. With senior Rylee Pauli’s outstanding reThe Patriots upset the Wildcats 53-31 to take the district championship to ensure at state appearance as the #1 bounds and put packs, seed. Photo by Claire Aken she put the Patriots up 28-18 at the end of the junior Kenzi Hoit with the no look pass for the Girls A-1 District Champions. half. a lay-up to start to pull away from the Wild- Urban was the leading scorer for the

“Our game plan for every game is to cats with a score of 37-18. Krull, Urban, Patriots, shooting a perfect 6-6, resulting in take the best shots and in the district final and Pauli took strong drives to the hoop 16 points. Horan had 11, Pauli had 10, Bray we executed very well,” said Pauli, “I try to to increase their big lead. With more help had 6, and Hoit had 4. be as positive as I can and push my teamfrom sophomore Makenna Bray, Hoit, and

“I was trying to do whatever I could to mates to the best of their ability.”

Horan, the Patriots take out the Wildcats come out with a win, and to be able to go

The Patriots come out of halftime fired with a 53-31 win. The Millard South student into state as the #1 seed,” Urban said. up. Urban hit a long three, and Krull hit section stormed the court to celebrate with

Sports 3 • 9 • 2018

7

Making a splash at State

Lady Lancers hockey team is Scholz’s main goal

Millard South swim team achieves greatness at state championship Johnna Sisneros Staff Reporter

Swimming isn’t exactly most people’s idea of a winter sport, snow, ice and below freezing temperatures are not ideal swimming conditions. But even with the bitter cold and unrelenting winter weather, our Millard South Varsity Swim Team once again blew state swimming out of the water… no pun intended.

The state swim meet is broken up into two days: the prelims and the championships. Swimmers who place in the prelims are able to then advance to the championships where they get the chance to place and possibly be named the fastest in the state.

“Training for state starts as soon as the season begins in November,” Swimming Head Coach Tyler Hammond says. “We start by breaking down our athletes and then slowly building them back up just in time to taper for the championship season,” he continues.

Coach Hammond, or Tyler as the swimmers affectionately call him, swam varsity in high school right here at Millard South achieving many awards in primarily the 500 freestyle, the 100 backstroke and the 200 freestyle.

Under the guidance of then coach Rob Wennstedt whom has made a surprise comeback as an assistant varsity coach as of this year, he developed the work ethic and passion for aquatics and athleticism that has definitely become infections among his own swimmers… past… present and future.

Though this was in a sense a rebuilding year for our Aqua Pats, the swimmers did not disappoint. Hunter Smithson, a 3 year state swimmer and state runner up in the 200 free, says that, “After all of the hard work I and this team have put in every season, it felt so good to be able to be on the podium.”

Among others who were able to compete at state we had senior Max Edwards achieve tenth place ranking him third on the Millard South All-Time top 10 charts, as well as a relay comprised of juniors Conner Lammel, Bryan Botkin, Hunter Smithson and sophomore Trevor Edwards achieving a 10th place finish and a season best time.

All 15 swimmers who were able to compete at the state level worked hard and truly showed what it is to be a Patriot athlete.

Caleb Coyle: Second Place (weight class A106)

Carson O’Connor Staff Reporter

see the difference between playing with all boys

and playing with all girls. It was cool to connect

Millard South senior Charlotte Scholz has with the girls more,” she said. been playing hockey since she was four years old.

“(Playing with boys) was fun, it just got to It’s fair to say that the sport has played a signifithe point where they were getting a lot bigger cant role in her life for a long time. than I was, so I was like uh, I’ll switch to girls. But

“It’s been 14 years now that I’ve played. My it was fun both ways, and I made a lot of friends dad played and he out of it.” coached my teams

In addition up until freshman to playing competiyear and I have tive hockey, Scholz 3 older cousins is also an avid fan that all play, so it’s of the sport at the kinda a hockey college, profesthing in my famsional and Olympic ily.” levels.

Scholz cur The U.S. rently plays hockey Olympic Women’s for the Omaha Hockey team Lady Lancers Varrecently won gold sity team. It is one in Pyeongchang, of the five Lady capping off their Lancer squads, historic run with a ranging from 10u shootout win over Senior Charlotte Scholz plays center for the Omaha Lady to 19u.

Canada.

Lancers. She has been playing the sport since she was 4.

Her team

At mention Photo courtesy of Charlotte Scholz played more than of the U.S. Wom30 games over the course of the 2017-18 season, en’s victory, Charlotte’s face immediately lit up. and traveled to Huron, South Dakota for a tour “I thought it was so cool. That was always my nament in early March. dream, looking up to them. And the fact that they

“My team, we go up to South Dakota a lot. finally beat Canada, because we haven’t beat them Girl’s hockey is bigger up there so there’s more in 20 years. It was insane.” teams,” Scholz said.

Scholz said she views this accomplishment as

Charlotte plays against all girls teams now, a possible springboard for women’s hockey. but she spent the formative years of her hockey

“Younger girls can watch the Olympic team career facing off against boys teams. win and that really encourages more girls to start

“I used to play boys, but then freshman year playing hockey which is awesome,” she said.

I switched to girls, so I guess it was just cool to

Blake Jackson: Fourth Place (weight class A113)

Conor Knopick: Fourth Place (weight class A120)

Garett Svoboda: Sixth Place (A145)

Graphic by Sadie Brower

STATE WRESTLING Isaac Trumble: Second Place (weight class A160)

Josh Trumble: Sixth Place (weight class A170)

Gavin Peitzmeier: Second Place (weight class A220)

8

Features 3• 9 • 2018

Scholastic Art competition winners

Silver Key Title: Seeing Time Illustrated By: Jordan Anderson

Honorable Mention Title: Anesthesia Awareness Illustrated By: Charlotte Kiper-Kiesling

Silver Key Title: Dreams Of Paradise Illustrated By: Natalie Oliva

Silver Key Title: 18 No. 1 Illustrated By: Alex Branton Honorable Mention Title: Amber Illustrated By: Gabrielle Washington

Silver Key Title: Future Projection Illustrated By: Molly Gzehoviak