Issuu

Common Sense

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

September 30

Volume 22 Issue 1

A Hero’s Welcome home

Story and photos by Bergan Simmonds Photo Chief

The Omaha community came together Sep. 10 for a true presentation of patriotism as the remains of Corporal Daegan Page were returned to their final resting place. Corporal Page, a 2016 graduate of Millard South High School, was one of 13 soldiers killed in a brutal attack on the Kabul Airport on Aug. 26. This attack hit the hearts of not only Americans across the nation, but also Omaha locals too. Thousands lined the path as Corporal Page’s remains were escorted to Braman Mortuary, honoring his service to the country.

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Q Street has a new look. Community mural installed on the back of the scoreboard.

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Senior Christian Nash finds his way through the Wildcat defense. Photo by Ally Seevers

Clockwise from top: • A mother and son watch in support as Corporal Page’s remains return home. • Omaha locals line the corner of 144th and Stony Brook to welcome home a hero. • Math teacher Nicole Lovings signs a Patriot flag the school plans to give to Page’s family. Photo by Vivian Kaldahl • Thousands line 144th Street as a final show of respect to not only the sacrifice of Corporal Page and the 12 other soldiers that gave their lives to protect this nation. • Local flies Marine Corp flag as a Thank you to Page’s service in the United States Marine Corp.

Pages 8-9

Freshman Brooklyn Buchholz puts together her clarinet in her United Sound class. Photo by Vivian Kaldahl

Page 10-11

Lorde ventures into a new era with an exciting sound and aesthetic.

Now you ‘c’ it, now you don’t

News 9 • 30 • 2021

Staff shortages lead to the shut down of student favorite convenience store

Darian Pierre lard South. When asked if this was normal, Online Editor Wiley confirmed that it is not. “Typically at the start of a school Many students at Millard South are year we have more open positions than feeling the effects of the C-Store being any other time of year,” Wiley said. “This closed at lunch. It’s open before school, year we did experience an increase in the but it’s never open during lunch as it used number of openings (approximately 10 to be. The problem may be minor, but it’s more than a normal year), so it is not norindicative of a larger issue: a staff shortmal. Because of the volume of openings, age we are experiencing a staffing shortage,” The short and sweet answer as to he said. why the C-Store is closed, is that there is Those statistics were corroborated by a district-wide staffing shortage in Food Fleming. Service, and Millard South doesn’t have “No, the number of postings for enough kitchen workers to manage both kitchen positions is not usual. I have the serving worked as a area and the supervisor for six C-Store duryears, and this has We hated having to decide to ing the lunch been the most shut down the C-Stores tempoblock. openings I have Jennirarily, but it was the best thing for experienced,” she fer Fleming said “Food service the district as a whole for now. works for the has 24 openings in District and is the district; most in charge of of the openings –Jennifer Fleming growth and are in the secondMPS growth and engagement engagement. ary schools—13 in She supervises the high schools, school kitchens, and is responsible for 5 in the middle schools, and 6 in the elkeeping them and their food appealing to ementary. Plus, we are always looking for students. “We hated havsubstitute kitchen helpers too,” she said. ing to decide to shut down the C-Stores And that search is an active one, as temporarily, but it was the best thing for Fleming can be seen at school events the district as a whole for now,” Fleming working a recruitment booth. When asked said. “We were able to move staff around what other efforts her and the district are to focus on the meals. West and North taking to bring in new people, she said High School C-Stores are also closed,” she that they’re using the district website, said. social media, and job search sites such as Justin Wiley, who is the General Man- Indeed and Careerlink. ager for Food Services at Millard Public My coworker and I spoke on the Schools, explained the situation through broadcast at the SHS football game,” an email interview. Fleming said. “We will be going to another If you look at the job listings for the football game this year. We are offering district, you can see over 20 opening posi- incentive items to hopefully get the mestions in food service, three being at Milsage out and get more people interested.”

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The problem of finding workers is not just a Millard one. “There is a city and nationwide staffing shortage in food service and many other industries,” Wiley said. “Nebraska was also recently highlighted as having the lowest unemployment in the nation. The biggest challenge to our staffing levels is that there are very few candidates out in the market,” he said. Wiley cited a Klin article that indicated that Nebraska has, as a state, experienced a record drop Nick Stuto of J&B Enterprises restocks the vending machine in the 100 commons after school. Stuto says he is coming in unemployment to 2.3 percent from 3 percent. This twice a week now to restock. The most popular item is Takis, has the pro of meaning that he said. Photo by Christine Kaldahl most Nebraskans are worknot just South,” he said. ing, but it also has the con of the competi- Students are still wanting to purtive market making eligible employees chase the snacks that the C-store offered, harder to find. For students, that means it’s now the vending machine’s job to satthat when positions become open in the isfy that hunger. That works fine for items kitchens, then the district has their work such as chips and soda, but it leaves a lot cut out to fill them. to be desired. Many students purchased Another impact of the C-Store cloitems at the C-Store that the vending sure is that students are instead taking machine cannot supply such as frozen their business to the vending machines. yogurt and special hot lunches. Brian Oswalt is a veteran, a pilot for FedEx, When asked if she knew how and and most relevantly, he owns and stocks when the issue would be resolved, Jennithe vending machines at Millard South. fer Fleming wasn’t able to answer defini Oswalt explained that the daily tively, but was able to give the district’s income from the machines has almost plans for the future. doubled since before Covid (the last time “We [added] new floaters positions; things were normal.) He detailed that these are new this year. Our hope was the a typical day at Millard South now has floaters would fill in for staff who needed about $250 in sales each day. In 2019, pre- to take a day or were out sick. We will conCovid, the school averaged about $150 a tinue hiring for our substitute list as well. day, he said. We have looked at possibly going with “This is the case at all my schools a temp agency to help fill in until more where C-stores are not up and running, people are employed,” Fleming said.

To mask or not to mask Bergan Simmonds Photo Chief As students return to school, a sense of normalcy fills the halls. With the creation of different varieties of the SARS-coV-2 vaccine, a sense of comfort has come to not only students but schools in general. This safety blanket is short-lived though with the growing infiltration of the Delta Variant. This has left society with indifference on whether we should mask or not. The Millard Public School Board chose to return to pre covid norms and give students and staff a choice of whether a mask is best for them. However, is not the choice other school districts. School boards such as Omaha Public Schools and Ralston Public Schools have chosen to continue with the mask requirement for all grade levels. These two opinions this has drawn a line between students, staff, and even families. One factor that comes into play is that because all vaccinations so far are only available for 12 and older with PfizerBioNTech being 12 and older, Moderna being 18+, and Johnson and Johnson also being 18+, this leaves younger children at a higher risk. Many schools have taken this into consideration making masks only required for grade levels Pre-K to 6th, and

allowing students in upper grades the choice of whether to mask. Choral teacher Amy Wesely said she is choosing to mask . “I’m personally choosing to wear a mask because there are still risks associated with singing and aerosol production. I have two young children at home who are not eligible to be vaccinated, and I want to protect their health as best I can,” she said. This controversial topic seems to divide society as we walk the thin line between quarantine and normal life. Another aspect that creates divisiveness is getting the vaccine itself. While some argue it’s a art by Keely King seemingly simple task, made as easy as going to your local pharmacy and getting the shot, others distrust different levels of power and have decided to decline the vaccine. Some people also do not believe in masks and argue that their freedoms are violated if a mask mandate is in place. This has led to disagreement with more and more states’ choice to mandate masks in all indoor places within their state. With a seemingly growing rate of 4 mask-mandated states for every one not mandated, people at home and abroad are asking the question, “Where is this virus leading us? And will we ever return to a state of 100% normalcy?”

Students work longer hours through major labor shortages With the arrival of vaccines and the departure of mask mandates, school is returning to some semblance of normal for most students. However, while the dark cloud of COVID-19 no longer hangs over students’ school lives, it still remains overhead in a different part of their lives: the workplace. As both a direct and indirect result of the pandemic, the United States is facing its largest labor shortage in recent history. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are currently a record high 9.2 million unfilled job openings, with most of these in lowwage, low-skill professions. For many students working jobs this past summer, the effects of these shortages weren’t hard to notice. Senior Cameron Frost has been working at Fazoli’s for nearly a year and saw the results of these labor shortages firsthand. “We were understaffed pretty much all summer,” Frost said. Senior Zander Chappell, a longtime employee of Shirley’s Diner, said he noticed the labor shortage affecting his workplace as well. “They couldn’t find anyone [to hire] basically all summer,” Chappell said. As a result of being perpetually understaffed, students with jobs found themselves working rigorous hours. “I was working almost every day of the week; it was pretty rough,” Chappell said. Joseph Kaipust In-Depth Editor

With companies not having enough staff, the teenagers working there often found themselves picking up the slack this summer. “There was a two week period where I worked 94 hours,” Chappell said. These long hours have left employed students feeling burnt out. “It’s been hard to balance my work schedule, especially with my extracurriculars,” Frost said. “At the end of the day, I just feel frustrated with my job.” After devoting a significant portion of their time, students say they can’t help but be sick of their jobs. “I’ve felt completely burnt out since mid-July,” Chappell said. Fortunately, with the return to school, many employed students have been able to reign their hours back in. “Now that school has started I work around 17-20 hours a week,” Frost said. While many students have been able to reduce their hours, the labor shortage is still very much in effect, and it is reflecting on adults working full time. “Some of the full-time people are constantly working overtime,” Frost said. Having been overworked all summer and seeing many of their coworkers still being overworked, students working jobs are looking forward eagerly to the end of the labor shortages. “I just hope all of this [labor shortage] ends soon and things can go back to normal,” Chappell said.

News 9 • 30 • 2021

Third shot’s the charm? Covid-19 varients create a need for stronger defense

Lauren Rayner Entertainment Editor Even with the widespread release of Covid-19 vaccinations in mid-2020, it looks as though people are already becoming eager to get a booster dose of the vaccine to prevent getting sick from the virus evolving further and from other future variants of Covid-19. Hospitals around the world seem to be in favor of distributing a third vaccine, especially for the immunocompromised, but the booster shot is still not approved by the FDA. In recent months, talk of a third shot for the Covid-19 vaccine sprung up when Pfizer-BioNTech began looking to seek approval for a booster dose of their vaccine. Data is still being collected on the long-term efficiency and strength of each vaccine. Levels of natural immunity differ from person to person, as each person’s body fights differently. Sandra Wardman, a registered nurse at Methodist Fremont Health, explained that she didn’t have the whole story of the third shot. “It’s just needed to keep people immune, especially because of the new strain of Covid-19,” referring to the Delta variant. Methodist nurses reaffirmed the notion that the shot has not been approved yet by U.S regulators, but to their knowledge, is starting to be offered to those with dire health conditions. When asked if they were aware of when the shots could be released to the general public, most nurses claimed that they were not sure of an exact date or time frame, with certified nursing assistant, Patricia Evans, predicting it may not even be readily available until early next year. Nurse Sumer Miller stated that after around 8 months after receiving your first vaccine, you should be able to get the booster shot when available. Fellow nurse, Adrianne Ray, attested that the booster shot would be another dose of the vaccine you received, but less or ½ of the regular dose. The idea of

getting a vaccine-type that is different from your first is still being tested, however. As mentioned earlier, the Pfizer vaccine is still the only vaccine type considering getting approved for right now. “It is too early to tell. We don’t know if the booster shot will work, to begin with,” added Evans when asked if all of the vaccine types will be available as a booster shot. Nurse Miller is also hypothesizing that the booster shot will eventually be available for all offered vaccines. With a good portion of the ongoing pandemic, misinformation is often construed, making it difficult to determine what you should listen to or what is simply a rumor. When asked in their opinion who should get the shot, Evans griped, “Only those who want the booster shot should get it”, adding, “the government, doctors, and those in the know keep changing rules.” It can make for a frustrating experience when people, even nurses, are looking for clear-cut information and are getting differing facts. For now, nurses at Methodist Fremont Health generally agreed that getting vaccinated first is the most important step. Source: Johns Hopkins Medicine Graphic by Faith Wehrspann “I personally think everyone should get the shot and booster shot, so we can try and go back to normal,” commented Miller, with Wardman adding, “I think anyone who is safe to assume that booster shots are looking like a gets the vaccination should not have to wear masks.” probable solution to the uphill battle against the grow Three out of the four nurses interviewed plan on ing number of Covid-19 cases. getting the booster shot to protect their own safety and build immunization against future Covid springups in the future. Although some of the answers to burning questions aren’t cut and dry at the moment, it

Most visible art piece now in our backyard Maddy Leland Editor-in-Chief People are stopping on Q street, and not for the usual traffic reasons. ‘Triumph of Youth’, a mural two years in the making, is a giant collaboration with renowned local artist, Watie White, that highlights the importance of community and togetherness to Millard. In 2019, Millard administrators approached White

to discuss the idea of creating a new art piece to showcase to the district. His prior experience with large public projects and ability to work with students made him a perfect candidate. Partnering with over 50 students, staff, residents, and donors, Watie helped create a concept that reconciled both past and future visions of community. An important part of the process was figuring out how to combine these two perspectives, White says. “I look at the people who are 16 and what they’re doing with

their friends...to their grandparents they may seem like they have nothing in common...and to me, they look like they’re doing the same exact thing.” The conclusion they came to, he says, is that building community looks like finding ways to change an unhappy situation with your friends to something enjoyable. Whether that be thrifting or going to get ice cream -- friendship and gathering have remained central to the concept of community for old and new. The mural features the old Central high school building, along with other Millard landmarks, and pairs them with today’s students from Millard high schools. For White, students were central to the project theme. Sammy Ward, a Millard North senior, was approached for participation in the project as an art student her sophomore year. Ward said, “I was initially chosen to paint it, but since Covid, I just came in for the photoshoot and discussions.” Although she missed an opportunity to personally paint the mural, she had a wonderful time meeting with the community, involving her friends, and interacting with Watie White, “Watie, he’s super cool...I just thought it was really awesome to go into his own gallery, and do photoshoots.” Another participant, Sara Singleton, a Millard South alumni, was represented by her parents at the meeting. They say her friend, Kallie Smith, reached out to her about being a model for the mural. And that though she “remains ambivalent about her participation in the project,” she had a great time with her friends. In the words of Dr. Heather Phipps, associate superintendent of educational services, “It [the mural] was a labor of love for so many people,” and now it gets to be enjoyed by many more.

Millard public schools commemorates the new artistic celebration of Millards values depicted in “Triumph of Youth ‘’ by Watie White. The mural is displayed on Buell’s new scoreboard facing Q Street.

Opinion 9 • 30 • 2021

Staff Editorial

Stu-Co makes right move for hoco royalty It’s 2021 and we are living in a new age. We are here for the inclusivity and change that is “home”coming. Following in the footsteps of many other high schools and even colleges like Purdue and Northwestern; Millard South High School is switching to a gender neutral homecoming court. MSHS is changing the outdated tradition to something that includes everyone in our school. Out is the title of King and Queen, and in will be “homecoming crowns.” Instead of having a strict male and female pairing, students can elect any single classmate to be crowned. The senior winner will receive a crown and a sash, while the sophomore and junior winners will receive only a sash. The media is a big influence on our generation, and in it we have incredible icons like: Harry Styles, Zendaya, Lil Nas X, Elliot Page, and many others that are out here breaking the stereotypes we used to have in our society. We have changed the way we view normal, and it’s for the better. Today we are more accepting and more open to ideas that might have once scared the world. The media perceives us as anarchist because we don’t follow the set path of older generations. Gen Z is ready for a fight and

art by Lexie Smith

we are ready to break down walls that the older generations built. On Oct. 2, Millard South will announce its first gender neutral crowns. It’s a day that will go down in history in our memories and in our community. We look forward to seeing what other changes come

Free the fountains: it's time to let the water finally flow Many things have returned to pre-pandemic conditions. Masks aren’t required, teachers don’t have to clean the desks between classes, we aren’t slathering hand sanitizer on our hands at the rate we were last year, and lunch tables are no longer restricted to two people. But one thing hasn’t returned, our water fountains. What I lovingly refer to as “covid money” led to the purchase of multiple water bottle filling stations, which as an avid water bottle carrier, I appreciate. Not everyone brings a water bottle to school though, and you shouldn’t have to purchase one from the cafeteria if you don’t want to. I have witnessed people so desperate for water that they have stuck their head under the water bottle filling spot. I was shocked, slightly disturbed, but also amused.

Senior Brianna Strudthoff fills her water bottle at one of the newer bottle filling fountains. The water fountains remain capped from the previous school year. Photo by Vivian Kaldahl

Vivian Kaldahl Distribution Manager

This problem was most evident when students came in from the fall pep rally. The pep rally was held outside in the 94 degree heat. Students were dripping in sweat but there was no water to be had. No access to the C-store, the vending machines were sold out, and the water fountains remained locked up. I am not convinced that water fountains are not the main way that covid spreads. Honestly, unless you’re licking the fountain, I don’t think you can get sick from a water fountain. As high school students, we should know by now that you DO NOT put your mouth directly on the water spout. Not having water all day at school can cause dehydration which brings on things like headaches, lightheadedness, and exhaustion. Being dehydrated at school may affect a student’s ability to learn. Students shouldn’t have to maneuver under the bottle filler to get a drink, this can be fixed. It’s simple, and easy to solve. We just need to unlock the red caps that are preventing precious water from flowing.

about in the school, like if MSHS decides to alter the titles of the prom royalty, or if superlatives will lose their gender labelings as well. Common Sense is looking forward to and supports all the new ways we can be more inclusive in our community and our school.

A war left unfinished Following America’s withdrawal not even Afghanistan), shot him a few from Afghanistan, the Afghan governtimes and threw him in the sea. Since Alment fell to the Taliban within a week, Qaeda was his organization, it crumbled and soon after that, 13 US troops were without him. Sure, it still technically killed in a terrorist attack on a Kabul airexists, but it lacks any central command. port, including one Millard South gradu- We won. But we got greedy, and like ate. And even though the perpetrators a gambling addict who doesn’t know of the Kabul bombing were members when to quit, we kept aiming higher of ISIS, not the Taliban, it’s doubtful and higher. We spent a decade trying to that the Taliban had a vested interest in nation-build, while ignoring problems at the safety of US soldiers they’ve been home, only for it to all be in vain. fighting for over a decade. And most By the most cautious estimates recently, the US conducted a retaliatory the war took 200,000 casualties, and at drone strike against least a fifth of those ISIS, only to kill an were civilians. We innocent aid worker also accumulated instead. an estimated 6.5 With how tertrillion in debt, not ribly things have even counting all gone in Afghanithe veteran’s care stan, it’s underand other programs, standable that peowhich is another ple are upset and 2 trillion. Each day looking for answers. spent in Afghanistan But the right answer cost us $300 million. is not to reverse Three hundred milcourse and continue lion of our tax dollars occupation. While shipped overseas the Biden adminisnever to be seen tration’s approach again. They may as to withdrawal was well have bombed an abject failure, the the federal reserve. Josh Andrews policy at the core Again, there’s News Editor of the decision was no denying that ultimately the right Biden’s withdrawal thing to do. One policy has been a might forget, especially with the narradisaster. But the mistakes didn’t start tive the media’s been pushing lately, but with him, and though he deserves a fair ending the wars in the middle east was share of blame, it’s unfair to pin all this overwhelmingly popular. Every successon anyone, or even the US Military as ful presidential candidate from Obama a whole. The Afghan government said to Trump to Biden promised to bring they had a military 300,000 strong. They troops home. Approval of the war in didn’t. They said it would take 90 days Afghanistan was at roughly 25 percent. for Kabul to fall. It took less than a week. And it’s easy to see why. When we In fact, there was little to no resistance first set foot in Afghanistan, we had two at all during the takeover, and the presigoals: eradicate al-qaeda and kill Bin dent had already fled the country. So Laden. Well, Bin Laden’s been dead for instead of blaming only the other side, over 10 years now when SEAL Team Six realize that real issues are a little more found him in Pakistan (yes, Pakistan, complicated.

Opinion 9 • 30• 2021

Back and Better than Ever

Senior returns from full year of remote learning I can remember when I was in elementary school, at the end of each summer, I would be bouncing off the walls with anticipation for the new school year. That feeling faded in middle school, and has all but evaporated in high school. That feeling was never less pronounced than my junior year: the dreaded Zoom year. A year when I was a remote student… all year. During my junior year, well, let’s just say that every day felt like the 58th day of school. Not near the end, not near the beginning, just a slog of robotic busy work. Even when I tried to get involved in class or activities, I was hampered and sometimes stopped entirely by my digital prison. Needless to say, my motivation and excitement shriveled up almost entirely. By the end of that year, I was just grateful to be done. As the summer went on, and on…. and on, I realized something: I was kind of excited for school. Blasphemous, I know, but nevertheless true. I had regained some of my childlike excitement for school. On the first day of school, I felt like a giddy 1st grader, going up the steps to school

for the very first time. I was excited, I would finally be part of the world which I’d yearned to join since the beginning of the pandemic. I would finally not jump scare my teachers and classmates every time I talked, though they would probably still be a little scared. And, most of all, I would get to talk to people and be social just like my extroverted heart desired. I excitedly hurried from class to class looking forward to seeing all my friends face to face. There was just one small hitch in my master plan, what had changed while I was hibernating? The answer, shocking no one but myself, was a lot. The faces which I had once been so familiar with had grown up; my friends who had once been short had shot up. I was outraged. Why did the world have to move on and change while I was gone? Why did I have to be the only one who had missed all those changes and experiences? While I was mulling those thoughts over in my mind, I realized they weren’t the only ones who had changed. I myself had gone from being a Justin Bieber hairstyle

you see in the hallways still wearing a mask. It's caused its fair share of being misheard and misunderstood, as well as some confused looks. It’s all been so weird, going from e-learning every day to in person school. From not talking all day, to talking to people all the time. From teachers barely seeing my face to seeing almost every day. From rolling out of bed in my pajamas to go to class, to having to drive myself and my brother. But, if there’s one upside to having been on hiatus as a human being for almost a year and a half, it’s definitely the face my friends make as they realize that it’s me. This process sometimes ending in frantic pointing and exclaiming “it’s you!” I think I speak for most E-learners when I say, it feels amazing to be back.

Laddie Wilken Staff Reporter

wannabe to wearing long, more than shoulder length hair in ponytails and buns, to be expected of quarantine hair. My voice, which had been accustomed to the way and amount I talked (a lot) was now a little sore at the end of each day from all the conversations. Then of course, there’s the mask that I wear; yes, I’m one of the wack-jobs

A bittersweet souvenir to last a lifetime I’ve got to admit that getting a nose piercing from a random shop I found on Google about 300 miles from home wasn’t the best idea I’d ever had, but it sure was a fun one. This summer, my family and I went on a vacation to Branson, Missouri. We were originally supposed to go the year before, but obviously that did not happen -- thanks covid. Branson is a well known tourist destination with its own amusement park and several entertainment areas that’ve been around for practically forever. It also has dozens upon dozens of random, unique shops and museums meant to capture the consumerist heart within every American tourist. And as one such American, I immediately became hooked on the idea of getting a lifelong memorial gift of the 4 sweaty days I spent in Missouri. That gift just happened to come in the form of a really inexpensive piercing (I’d actually wanted a tattoo but you take what you can get). Looking back, it was definitely an impulsive decision that I should’ve taken more time to look over but then-me didn’t really care. By the end of the trip I had a new hole in my face and a developing heart condition from the stress of making sure it healed correctly with only sea salt and warm water to aid me. Which, admittedly, is hard to do when you are 6 hours away from home and squeamish when it comes to open wounds. I was very close to passing out when cleaning it for the first time. Once again I reiterate that this wasn’t the best idea I’d ever had.

What I didn’t realize then, however, was that my worst enemy when it came to my piercing was going to be how I slept. A weird flaw to have, I know, but you aren’t supposed to put pressure on the piercing as its healing. But since I slept on my side that’s exactly what I did. About three days after getting back from the vacation I awoke to my stud having sunk back into the hole in the side of my nose due to the pressure I’d pushed on it that night. This resulted in me going back to a tattoo shop and getting it removed and replaced. Those three hours I spent waiting to get it fixed was the most stressed I’d been since junior year. Which says a lot because I was not a functioning human being at that time. Now, it wasn’t entirely my fault. The stud had been too small for the hole that’d been poked through my nose, which made it easier to sink back in when it hadn’t fully healed; something a piercer should’ve probably realized. Thankfully, I no longer have that issue and I can continue to remain sleeping on my side. The best advice I can give to those who do want a nose piercing is to make sure you research the shops you go to, ask questions before you get it done, and maybe think about the decision a little longer than I did. The shop I went to wasn’t badly reviewed, but when I was getting the piercing done, I noticed that the stud seemed really small compared to what I’d usually seen done on people. If I would have said something to the piercer or waited one more day before

I was back in Omaha, maybe this whole experience wouldn’t have happened. I wouldn’t want to go back and stop myself from getting it done though. It’s probably the most interesting thing to happen to me yet -- a tragedy really -- and it will definitely be a story to tell in the future.

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 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.

Editor-in-Chief Madeline Leland

Features Editor Sydney Mejia

Photo Chief Bergan Simmonds

Opinions Editor Joni Beauchamp

Chief Graphic Designer Sam Tews

Entertainment Editor Lauren Rayner

Online Editor Darian Pierre

InDepth Editor Joseph Kaipust

News Editor Josh Andrews

Social Media Editor Lexie Smith

Sports Editor Ally Seevers

Madeline Leland Editor-In-Chief

Staff Cartoonists Keely King Lexie Smith Joni Beauchamp Staff Secretary Turner Wittstruck Social Event Coordinator Brianna Strudthoff Business Manager Haley Johnson Distribution Manager Vivian Kaldahl

Staff Reporters Laddie Wilken Gabe Medina Haley Johnson Faith Wehrspann Vivian Kaldahl Brianna Strudthoff Darian Pierre Turner Wittstruck Adviser Christine Kaldahl

Sports 9 • 30 • 2021

History in the making

Girls wrestling to have first season ever in the history of Millard South Ally Seevers Sports Editor

Over this past year, the NSAA voted for the sanctioning of girls wrestling, and with that came the search for a new head coach. After going through many applications, the Patriots found the perfect fit for the position: Kimberly Harrill. Previously coaching the girls wrestling team at Fremont High School and teaching at Millard South before that, Harrill said she chose to come back because she wants “to grow the sport of wrestling for females.” “I was very excited when I received the news,” Harrill said. “Being hired as the first ever girls wrestling coach gives me the opportunity to create a program from scratch and start building traditions for Millard South.” This past year before girls wrestling became a sport sanctioned by the NSAA, many girls, including juniors Jada Albertson and Jena Jacobson, wrestled with the boys. Now, the girls can officially have their own team, starting a new chapter for the Patriots.

“It means a lot because Jena and I were the first to wrestle, now this year we actually get to start on our own team,” Albertson said. “It’s definitely a cool accomplishment.” To introduce the sport to the rest of the team, there have been a few open-mat sessions that the girls can go to, allowing for them to get a hands on experience. “I thought it was really fun because they taught us the basics of wrestling,” junior PJ Smeal said. “We got to watch it happen and try it out, plus, it was really fun to wrestle my friends,” she said. “It was definitely scary at first, but knowing that it’s new, and knowing that everyone else is just as new to wrestling as I am and that we’re all on the same playing field, it makes it less intimidating,” Smeal said. As the season approaches, the girls are preparing, excited to make history as the first ever girls wrestling team. “I am most excited about building our first girls wrestling team at Millard South,” Harrill said. “These girls are going to be the pioneers of the sport and making history this year.”

Rising sta Ally Seevers Sports Editor

Recently, sophomore Will Cooper attended the Chris Paul Rising Stars Camp, one of the best basketball camps in the nation, located in Greensboro, N.C. “The camp was a long two and a half The only thing days,” Cooper said. “First, we had a combine thing matters, no m where they test your how good yo bird, like your height is character an and wingspan. Then, we had a full day of skills work that you in the morning, so drills and training, and then - sophomore Will Coo we had three games on Saturday afternoon. On Sunday morning, we had more skills, more drills, and then we had one more game that afternoon.” Invited to the camp were some of the top rising stars in the country, flying in from all over, many already with college coaches beating down their

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The golden boys Ally Seevers Sports Editor

To have 2 national champions at Millard South is something of its own, but Adams and Antoniak aren’t the only ones competing at such a high level. Many Over the summer, many Patriot wrestlers made more Patriots wrestled in Fargo, giving Millard South a their way up to Fargo, North Dakota for the 2021 US head start as the winter season quickly approaches. Marine Corps Junior and 16U Nationals. There, junior “It’s super incredible, having such a large Joel Adams dominated his competition, taking home representation of Millard South at a national meet,” gold in both freestyle and greco-roman, becoming only Adams said. “[Senior] Antrell [Taylor] wrestled in the the second 16-year-old to do so. age group above me, and that’s a harder age group, “It was truly amazing because I was only the and he battled out and took home 5th in 160, and second person ever to win both as a 16-year-old,” Miles Anderson, a sophomore, he ended up getting said Adams, “so it felt like I could really do this cause, 6th in 113 out there too. To have that many guys in you know, my goal is to make it to the Olympics and the Millard South lineup place at such a high-level wrestle Division 1, so when I tournament, it kind of sets the kind of had that surge right tone for this year, it sets the there and did big things expectation. We mean business, out on the mat, it kind of we always mean business. We’re helped me realize that the coming back, and we’re going to consistent work that I’ve try our best and secure another been putting in throughout title. We had a freshman up these years was just finally there too, wrestling in greco. He starting to payoff. It also didn’t do how he wanted, but made me feel really grateful he’s already made great strides to my friends, my family, and since Fargo, so he’s going to most definitely my coaches be a strong force out there on because without them, I the mat as well. Especially Tyler, couldn’t have been able to cause he won it as well, it kind achieve that.” of sets us out at the front of the Also bringing home a pack because we’re both able to championship title for the compete at a high level, we’re Patriots was senior Tyler both able to compete under Junior Joel Adams celebrates his gold medal win, Antoniak, winning gold for pressure. It felt really good and taking home the title in both freestyle and greco145 in junior men’s grecoI’m definitely proud of my other roman. Photo courtesy of Joel Adams roman. guys.” “It was super exciting,” Millard South has one of the Antoniak said. “I was able to see all my friends and most embellished and respected wrestling teams in the family right after, and it was just super exciting and state, ranking among the best in the nation. Made up relieving to know that all my hard work had finally paid of some of the best wrestlers in the country, there is no off.” doubt they will be back to defend their state title one again.

Patriots take dow Ally Seevers Sports Editor

The Patriot football program has had a commanding start to their campaign for a state titl dominating early in the season. Beginning with two wins over Millard North and Elkhorn South, they took down their Q-Street rivals, Millard West, 46-7, keeping the title of the best on Q with its rightful owners. “It’s been exciting to continue winning,” senior Gage Stenger said. “Beating our rivals, that felt even better.” As if beating the long-time rivals wasn’t enough the Patriots took down the previously top-ranked Bellevue West Thunderbirds the following week, bringing their overall record to what is now 5 and 0 “Going into Bellevue West, we knew we needed to block better,” head coach Andy Means said. “We could not afford to let them get a big score. Our goal was to stay ahead of them the best we could. Being up two scores after the run-in from Gage put pressure on them, which helped us.” Near the end of the third quarter, Stenger ran into the end zone, putting the Pats up 3428, making it a two-possession game. With our powerhouse of a defense and a 21-yard touchdown from senior Christian Nash, the Patriots secured the W.

Sports 9 • 30 2021

ar attends CP3 camp Kicking the season off right

doors, waiting for their commitment. “It was just cool to see how I compared to them and to see what they can do versus what I can’t and what level they’re at,” Cooper said. “Some of these guys already have D1 offers, so it was really cool to watch them play and be able to play alongside them.” Also at the camp were several coaches, all with long, decorated g that histories in coaching, there to preach matter their wisdom down onto the prospects. “There were also some really ou are, good coaches at the camp,” said Cooper nd the said, “so it was cool to hear what they to say.” u put in had While he learned a lot about basketball, picking up a few tricks from oper the other players that we will hopefully have a chance to see this upcoming season, Will said his biggest takeaway from the camp was just to be grateful. “They would talk before everyday about g gratitude and that really the only thing that matters, no matter how good you are, is character and the work that you put in,” he said.

Patriots kicker named #3 in nation, #1 in Nebraska

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Ally Seevers Sports Editor Sophomore Will Cooper hears from one of the many coaches at the Chris Paul Rising Stars Camp. He said the coaches at the camp “made it really fun and energetic,” giving the campers the best experience. Photo courtesy of Will Cooper

DOGS Photos by Ally Seevers

wn Bell West 42-28 to secure top spot

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“The energy that the whole team had at that close they are and how much they help each other moment was just outstanding,” Nash said. “It was and stand up for each other.” way more exciting than last year when we beat “We all have this connection,” sophomore JR Millard West for the first time in way too long.” Lecuona said. “It’s not really about ourselves, we With big plays all around, including a total of really play for each other.” 624 yards, 64 tackles, 6 As the season progresses, touchdowns, one huge Murtaugh says he is most interception by senior excited for the memories he Justin Gassaway, the big and the team will continue win was a team win. to make with each other. “It felt really good,” “It’s fun playing on a team junior Brock Murtaugh like this when everyone’s said. “We knew what we got each other’s back; had to do to win, and nobody cares about their when that final time went stats, everyone just wants out, it was all smiles from what is best for the team everyone on the team. This and getting the win. There win was a team win; the is a long season in front of starters did a heck of a job, us, but we are ready to keep but the JV and reserve did working hard and stay on a really good job all week the process.” - junior Brock Murtaugh at practice too, giving us a The Millard South football good look to get ready for team has been a force to be the game.” reckoned with the season. With the versatile offense, This year, family and teamwork seem to be the the possession-ending defense, and one of the best key things, showing up on and off the turf. kickers in the nation, along with their love for one “I believe one huge strength of this team is that another, this team is going to be hard to beat. they are a very close team,” Means said. “My favorite thing about this team is their camaraderie and how

“ When that final time went out, it was all smiles from everyone on the team. This win was a team win.

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This year’s starting kicker and punter, junior Simon McClannan, has been a beast on the field so far, all thanks to the help from some of the top kickers in the nation. Simon attended a few of the Kohl’s Kicking camps, where “all of the top specialists in the country go to get advice from professionals,” McClannan said. Attending a showcase camp in Dallas, McClannan was able to show what he could really do. From there, he qualified for the National Scholarship Camp in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, where he perfected his form. While at the camp, McClannan was scouted and put up against other specialists in his graduating class. “My favorite part was probably the competition,” he said. “I got to show what I could really do while also watchJunior Simon McClannan goes for ing and the kickoff in the game against Millard learning West. In this game, he went 6 for 6 from some on PATs and had a 38 yard field goal. of the best Photo by Ally Seevers kickers out there.” After being evaluated, McClannan was ranked among the other specialists in his class. He was named the #3 ranked kicker in the nation for Class of 2023 and #20 for punting. “It feels pretty good,” McClannan said when asked how he felt being among the top in the nation, “but I think I still have a lot to prove.” Starting on varsity as a junior, McClannan says he’s “grateful for the opportunity.” “It means a lot because a lot of other top kickers don’t get the opportunity till their senior year,” he said. McClannan has already had an incredible season, averaging 74 yards a kickoff and having a near perfect record for PATs, but he is not done yet. McClannan said he is “looking forward to the tougher games in the back stretch of the season,” ready to show why he is third ranked kicker in the nation.

Greetings from Greece

Features 9 • 30 • 2021

A senior’s unforgettable summer abroad Sydney Mejia Features Editor

There are lots of places in the world that many people can only dream of going to in their life. Senior Taliyah Winn was able to experience a whole month in Greece over the summer where she enjoyed all of the amazing culture and experiences Greece has to offer. “We stayed mostly in an AirB&B in Athens, but we also went to Delfi, Meteora, Crete, and Santorini,” Winn said. There weren’t any crazy restrictions when it came to her travels in Greece which was good for her to enjoy the trip as best as possible. “In Athens, since it’s such a big city, you even wear a mask in the crazy heat, but besides that it worked in our favor,” Winn said. “We went very early into the tourism season and got to experience the museums and monuments without crazy crowds of people,” she said. She also got to experience some things that she had never done before. “We went on many tours around Athens and I got

to go to the beach very often,” Winn said. “I had actually not been to the beach before going to Greece and it was a lot saltier than I imagined,” she said. Also, when going to another country, you are bound to experience some shocking things you weren’t exactly expecting. “I wasn’t expecting everyone to be so nice, everyone that we saw along the way were quick to make connections with us and almost everyone spoke English,” Winn said. “I tried to speak as much Greek as I could, but most people wanted to practice their English,” she said. One of the most exciting things about visiting a new place is trying all the new foods. “I tried so many new foods and of course, the gyros there are to die for,” Winn said. “There is also souvlaki (skewered chunks of meat) which I liked very much,” she said. For your next vacation, if you manage to get the

chance, Taliyah recommends you head to Greece without a doubt. “If you ever have a chance to go, I heavily recommend it,” Winn said. “It is a welcoming country with a beautiful landscape and I can’t wait until I can go again,” she said.

Restrictions and Expectations

What to expect when traveling in the fallout of a pandemic Joni Beauchamp Opinions Editor Restrictions in place or not, travel has become a severely controversial topic in the last two years, and will probably continue to stir up some extreme emotions in many for years to come. The spread of Covid-19 and its variants, as well as the difference of mandates in other states, cities, or countries hasn’t deterred travelers from their yearly trips to unique or exciting destinations. Whether traveling halfway across the country in an airtight airplane with hundreds of strangers, or traveling with your family in your mom’s packed minivan with the people that know how to push all of your buttons, many families have found their home away from home over the summer. In terms of interstate travel, senior Kaylee Phelps and her seven-person family traveled across state lines over summer break. “It’s my last year at home with my parents, and this would be my first vacation out, so I figured I have to start

living again at some point, so why not now?” Phelps said. While being an online learner for the entirety of the last school year, Phelps wasn’t certain if traveling was the right thing to do within the current state of the world. “I wouldn’t say that I felt safe, but my parents didn’t take us to super populous places, so I felt safer than I thought,’’ Phelps said. “We went to South Dakota. I loved seeing the mountains and hiking the most. We also saw Crazy Horse and other tourist attractions, but the mountains were the best part by far,” she said. Senior Sydney Fleming shared a similar, yet more distant experience. “My family and I went to the Dominican Republic for my cousin’s destination wedding,” Fleming said. “I traveled with my core family, like my mom, my sister, and my grandparents,” she said. As Covid cases rise to new heights and break previous records, many actions have been taken in the past

few months and in the last year to fight against this global pandemic, yet, the big question still remains, is it safe to travel? Unlike Phelps, Fleming had attended the previous school year in full. Being around others constantly throughout the 2020-2021 school year, Fleming said she wasn’t all too concerned about having to wear a mask and doing other things in order to keep others safe. Fleming said she generally felt safe during her travels as long as she stuck to the rules “like when we had to wear masks at the wedding party.” Phelps instead said, “I feel that people shouldn’t be traveling the way that they are. That was really the only time that we left our house all summer, and we quarantined before going just to be safe, so unless that’s how you’re playing the game, don’t join the team,” she said.

Features 9 • 30 • 2021

Tipping Scales The lack of male involvement in music

Haley Johnson they don’t get engaged in Staff Reporter middle school they’re less It’s easy to see when you walk into likely to join in high school. the music commons that girls outnum Music directors say they ber guys. It’s always been like that. Numhave already noticed this bers will fluctuate from year to year, but trend grow and are making there’s a problem growing through the efforts to prevent it from grades. The number of guys participating worsening. Stevens announin music has been decreasing over time, ced his plan for additional and the problem is only getting worse. middle school recruitment. Choir director Jason Stevens said, This plan involves taking “Pre-covid, the few years leading up to it, high school choir guys and the numbers [of boys] were going up. We visiting middle school guys had more guys in Macho Voce, some of involved in choir or not and the highest numbers we’ve seen in quite talking to them about what Choral director Jason Stevens directs the entry level male choir Macho Voce’s’ fall concert set. Twenty-two stua while, but there’s a trend coming our high school choirs really like. dents are enrolled in Macho Voce. Photo by Vivian Kaldahl way even pre covid. Normally pretty con- “We want them to see develop. Instead, Dr. Brittany Rom visits This bias also affects the music as a whostant [numbers] but now definitely a big what the possibilities are in high school,” elementary-aged kids and shows them le. The amount of female engagement in change” in middle school involvement. Stevens says. media of how exciting orchestra can the arts has been developing since the From choir to orchestra to drama, By reaching out to more of the midbe. By showing more examples of male early 19th century and has caused societhese programs are getting fewer guys dle school population, he says he hopes violinists she says she hopes to show ty to rethink the way music is perceived. as years pass. With a more uneven ratio to find more guys interested in music elementary-aged boys that it’s cool to When labels are placed on objects or developing, that hasn’t play an instrument. It gives the kid’s role activities, it creates barriers. the music deexplored it yet. models early on in their music ventures From the male point of view, they’ve partment will I guess I do feel outnumbered, In the past, and shows them all the possibilities munoticed the problem but are not that have to submit high school sic has. disconcerted over it. Most of them had but it’s not a bad thing to changes in guys who aren’t Elementary and middle school similar responses when asked about the their programs. in music have recruitment has always brought more uneven distribution. Directors of the attended a –Senior Torin Edwards kids into the program, but the underlying “I do usually feel outnumbered by department music perforissue remains. Without acknowledging it, girls in choir, but I don’t really mind it all are trying new mance such society has placed gender labels on muthat much, ” senior Joey Kaipust says. efforts to involve more students in the as a show choir or jazz concert and sic. Bigger instruments with lower notes Similar opinions followed, “I guess I music department. The only way to fix decided to join music just to be in those are perceived as more masculine. While do feel outnumbered, but it’s not a bad this problem is to understand the underprograms. Visiting the middle schoolers smaller instruments with higher notes thing,“ senior Torin Edwards said. “I don’t lying reasons why guys choose to stay and showing them these groups may get tend to be more feminine. In the band, think it’s the girls that make music less out of music. A clear issue is that guys get them to join music earlier. Other music the bigger brass instruments are mostly approachable but more that other guys judged for being in female-associated classes are also focused on recruiting. played by guys while there are few guys think it is uncool to participate in music, ” things. Another big reason Stevens says Orchestra recruitment is more difficult in the woodwind section. Basses and cehe said. is that they already have other involveto do later on, because the skills needed llos in the orchestra are male-dominated ments and don’t have time for choir. If for the high school level take years to while you see fewer male violin players.

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Building bridges through music

Vivian Kaldahl Staff Reporter The band room is filled with a multitude of sounds during A2. A group of students playing “Go Big Red” on the sousaphone, baritone, and trumpet; another group playing the xylophone or hitting drum pads, and a pair of students playing clarinets. All together it makes sound, a united sound. United Sound is a new class to the music department and it was created for our Alternate Curriculum Program (ACP) students, who are considered the New Musicians. The class is overseen by the band director, Darren Myers; and ACP teacher, Leigh Beltzer; but is student led by Peer Mentors who are current band, orchestra, and choir students. The Mentors are creating new,

accessible parts for the New Musicians sports and activities, that our students to play at the winter band concert. The are capable of so much more!” Mentors will then help teach the New Millard South has started the first Musician their part, play with the musiUnited Sound chapter in Nebraska. Tracian, and may assist the musician in ditionally, this is offered as an extracurplaying their instrument. ricular activity, but our teachers were “One of my favorite parts of the determined to offer this as an elective class so far has been seeing the stufor our ACP students. The national orgadent mentors nization, also interact with under the My favorite part of class has their peers and name of Unitbeen learning the tuba. not being afraid ed Sound, to do so,” Myers created a said. “Another is curriculum –Junior Jerome Woolridge seeing the New that teaches Musicians’ faces music using when they find out they can do somepicture symbols and other methods. thing completely new!” This bridged the gap between general Beltzer explained that “So often, we unband curriculum and special education. der-estimate our students with varying New Musician, Jerome Woolridge, abilities. We have seen, through Unified said that “My favorite part of class has

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From left to right, Elijah Daffer, Ethan Wilson, James Minor, Sebastian Matos, Jerome Woolridge, and Alex Gruhn practice playing “Go Big Red”. This is the first song they have learned on their new instruments. Photo by Vivian Kaldahl

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been learning the tuba. I really like playing “Go Big Red” with my friends.” “I’ve learned that no matter what kind of day it is, there’s never a dull moment and there’s always time for uplifting and fun,” chapter president and peer mentor Kylynn Schiermeyer said. “Not one challenge stops them. We’re always having a blast and growing daily,” she said. The mission of United Sound is to remove barriers and foster social change through music, and it is doing just that. This is only the beginning for United Sound; Darren Myers explains it best when he said, “The Mentors and the New Musicians will all be better because of this class….and so will I.”

New musician, Liberti Oswalt (left) and sudent mentor, Peyton Dickman (right) hit some notes on the xylophone. Peyton plays in the front line for the Patriot’s Pride Marching Band. Photo by Vivian Kaldahl

Entertainment 9 • 30 • 2021

A Bright Future Ahead for Solar Power’s Lorde Turner Wittstruck Staff Reporter “Born in the year of OxyContin Raised in the tall grass Teen millionaire having nightmares from the camera flash” The first lines of her 3rd studio album, Lorde recently made her long awaited comeback in the form of “Solar Power.” Though a big departure for the artist sonically, Lorde’s newest record has only served as a reminder to why the world fell in love with her and her music in the first place. Born in Auckland, New Zealand, Ella “Lorde” Yelich-O’Connor officially started her music career at the ripe old age of 12, when she signed with Universal Music Group. Her mother was an award-winning poet, and this was more than evident in Ella’s own writing. Releasing her EP in 2013, the song Royals quickly took off as a hit. Later that year she released her first studio album, Pure Heroine. With pop mega-hits like Team and Ribs, alongside the previously mentioned Royals, it’s only natural she won a couple Grammys for it. Still, critics questioned how a 16-year-old could manage to help redefine a genre whilst battling pre-calculus. That feat is often credited to her surprisingly mature take on common topics covered in pop music. This was only the start, though. Four years down the road, “Melodrama”- Lorde’s 2nd studio album- dropped, and to critical acclaim once again. It boasted a lucrative lead single- “Green

Light”- and was considered to be a smash hit, both sonically and lyrically. To this day, it’s held in high regard, and considered to be one of the best written and produced pop albums of all time. If “Pure Heroine” was her introduction to the public, “Melodrama” only cemented she was here to stick around. At least, that’s what everyone assumed. In May 2018, not even a full year after its release, Lorde went silent. Deleting nearly everything on her Instagram and all but two tweets, fans was unsure what was really happening. Having previously been an avid participant in social media, this was big news. It was entirely the norm to see Lorde with a posse of other famous young women, on her account or not, but she truly disappeared. Rumors started to ramp up quickly. Was this some elaborate entryway into a new era for her music? Did her label try to silence her to maintain some sort of image? Did she quit music altogether and decide to start pursuing a secret Instagram account rating onion rings? Well, yes and no, just not in that order. All this to say, fans didn’t take the young star’s walk-off-the-face-of-the-planet scenario too lightly. This all came to a head in late 2020, when she appeared in a rare interview. When asked about her disappearance, she stated, “Part of what made me peace out on social media, apart from feeling like I was losing my free will, was the massive amounts of stress I was feeling about our planet, about systemic racism, and about police brutality in this country.” It might not have been the juiciest possible headline, but it was something, and a powerfully clear statement at that. We then heard from her not much later during the lead up to the New Zealand general election, urging people to vote and saying she’d, “next year give you something in return.” Lucky for us, she made good on that promise. In an e-mail newsletter fans received, Lorde wrote, “There’s someone I want you to meet. Her feet are bare at all times. She’s sexy, playful, feral, and free. She’s a modern girl in a dead stock bikini, in touch with her past and her future, vibrating at the highest level when summer comes around. Her skin is glowing, her lovers are many. I’m completely obsessed with her, and soon you will be too. It’s my divine pleasure to be introducing you, at long last, to my third studio album, ‘SOLAR POWER.’” A far cry from the jaded teen that had toured the world singing about gold teeth and Grey Goose, there was no doubt about that, but it was now evident what had been transpiring in her years out of public view; evolution. Evolution as a writer and a musician of course, but more importantly, evolution as a human being. Calling back to the interview previously mentioned, Lorde’s real grasp on the state of the world was hard to miss. It’s only natural that some of these ideologies she had gained in her time away would make it to her next project, and “Solar Power” has her words written all over it- figuratively and literally.

We don’t need a part 2

Released Aug. 20, “Solar Power” has proven to be an incredibly dynamic library of songs, tackling themes of white cultural appropriation in the attempt to find happiness, existential dread over impending climate change and the loss of her dog. As heavy as all that may sound, she was also quoted saying, “The album is a celebration of the natural world, an attempt at immortalizing the deep, transcendent feelings I have when I’m outdoors. In times of heartache, grief, deep love, or confusion, I look to the natural world for answers. I’ve learned to breathe out, and tune in. This is what came through.” Sure that’s all incredibly interesting, but what does it sound like? Well for starters, it sounds gorgeous. More mellow than the alternative-pop-rock sounds of “Pure Heroine” and “Melodrama,” “Solar Power” lives in its own world of beautiful beaches and gorgeous girls alongside lots of synth, all to cultivate the indie or psychedelic folk pop sound it owns so well. Lorde’s voice lends itself beautifully to the flowy stacked vocals required of many tracks here, and the fun instrumentals juxtaposed only help that. The album homes a variety of great pieces, but some personal standouts would have to be the honest introspection and vibe of “Mood Ring,” the fun lying in “The Path,” and the mystery- and pure genius- audible while playing “Fallen Fruit.” This is a standout lineup for 2021, it’s really undeniable. It’s only looking up for Lorde. With a tour on the way and performances lined up shortly after a time where no one was able to perform due to a global pandemic you may have heard of, it seems only right to ease back into normalcy with some good music. Prospects are as high as the sun at noon for the mere 24-year-old, but I can guarantee there’s no stopping her here. No matter where she goes, she’ll keep on shining like the “Big Star” she is, and that’s indisputable.

Hollywood’s cash-grab sequels to classics have missed the mark

Haley Johnson Staff Reporter

Many people could say they’ve seen the 1975 academy award-winning film “Jaws,” but did you know the bloody hungry shark made a reappearance in 1978 and also took her “revenge” in 1987? Hollywood has made numerous undistinguished low-quality sequels to fan favorites. Although in good intention, most of these later films are perceived as flops and disliked by the general public. Filmmakers have been producing sequels since the 1920s but the idea truly took off in the 1970s. Producers realized they could expand storylines of fan favorites and could rake in extra cash doing it. As we know now, too much of a good thing is a bad thing. Now, not all sequels are pointless. In rare cases, and if done right, a sequel can properly continue the original story and do it justice. Sadly, in this case, the failures outweigh the successes. Producers continue to try and squeeze every last cent out of a movie franchise by adding these useless films. Some of these movies hardly connect to the original films, when a storyline is fundamentally over, produc-

ers come up with wild spin-offs that end up taking away from the original. This could include bringing a character back from the dead, adding in a new antagonist, or even an alien invasion... because why not. I say enough is enough. You can’t make movies with no real story line left unless you plan to go into debt. Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet gave us a stellar performance in the 1997 film “Titanic.” The movie captured the hearts of many with a beautiful soundtrack, lovable characters, and skillful dramatization. What we didn’t need was a sequel. You read that right. There is a “Titanic 2.” This time a

ship sets sail on the 100th anniversary of the Titanic’s voyage. A tsunami casts an iceberg into their path, the passenger’s fight to avoid the same downfall of the Titanic 100 years ago. I can almost guarantee you haven’t seen that movie, and if you have, you haven’t watched it again. Sometimes it takes one sequel to kill the magic other times producers think it takes 12. You love to hate him, yes, I’m talking about Jason. The Friday the 13th movies are almost famous for being bad. Yet, they still managed to make 12 whole films over one killer. His most memorable lines include *silence* and “breathes heavily.”

This would be an example of a producer failing so many times it’s what made them successful. Sequels also commonly stomp on previously good endings to stories. The one I can never let go of is “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.” The beautifully made 1980s trilogy starring Harrison Ford and his thrilling adventures was admired by many young and old. Twenty years of peace were had until 2008, when Spielberg decided to shoot just one more film. Not only was the film unnecessary, but it had poor CGI and unusual characters. Aliens do not belong in a crusade. This movie did not fit the past stories at all and crossed out the old ending just to scribble up a new one. There’s a fifth addition coming in 2022, easy to say I don’t have high expectations. Some more dishonorable mentions include “Caddy Shack 2,” “Son of the Mask,” and every “Home Alone” sequel after “Home Alone 2.” Filmmakers have gotten away with this for too long and should’ve learned their lesson by now. Every movie doesn’t need a sequel.

Entertainment 9 • 30 • 2021

The Suicide Squad delivers a fun follow-up Josh Andrews News Editor Seven years ago director James Gunn took a bunch of D-list comic book characters and turned them into overnight stars with “Guardians Of The Galaxy.” Now he’s done it again with 2021’s “The Suicide Squad.” But making an entertaining movie from scratch is a lot easier than making one out of pure garbage. With the original movie being so universally hated, how good could a direct sequel be? While it’s not a perfect movie by any means, “Suicide Squad”

2021 is certainly the most fun I’ve had with a movie since before the pandemic. While the original went for this brooding, serious tone that, without a coherent story, just came off as a pretentious slog, Gunn has some fun with it while staying true to the premise- characters do die in this movie. Not one or two, either, it’s a bloodbath pretty much from start to finish. But it balances this out with some excellent comedic writing and even the occasional heartfelt moment. You wouldn’t ex-

pect a character called “King Shark” or “Polka Dot Man” to have much depth, but they really do. The story still doesn’t make much sense when you think about it, and the movie does drag on at certain points, but if you can just relax and not overthink it, you’ll have a blast.

Garth Brooks: The Concert of the Year Brianna Strudthoff Staff Reporter The world shut down over a year ago and we are just now getting back to normal, which means getting back to the party. The party, meaning concerts and events. I, alongside 90,000 other people attended one of the first concerts to return to Nebraska: Garth Brooks III. Now I’ve attended a few concerts in my 18 years of life, including Garths’ first world tour six years ago, but let me tell you, this was like no other. Taking place in the heart of Nebraska at Memorial Stadium, thousands flocked to see one man perform. It was a night that will go down in history for those attending, including Garth himself. Memorial Stadium was not prepared for all of the people that showed up. The gates opened around 5 while the concert wasn’t scheduled to start until 7. This led to the first disappointment of the night: no more food. By the time Garth went on stage at 7:45, all of the real food, excluding candy, was sold out. With this being the first time they sold alcohol in the stadium, people were more than happy to buy it just to say they drank in the stadium. That too also sold out before the end of the night. Another headache of the night was that they didn’t allow paper tickets. Everyone had to have their ticket on their phone, and this led to overloading the grid and making it nearly impossible to load anything on the internet. With so many of the fans being over the age of 40, many didn’t know or think to download the tickets to their phone wallets. My parents were those people, so after arriving at the stadium we then had to walk 3 blocks away to find a signal to then

download our tickets. We were not the only ones fac“Friends in Low Places” to the duet with his wife “Shaling this problem, which consequently had the concert low.” delayed 45 minutes. Along with the internet error, the His vocals didn’t disappoint, and the band was on scanners also kept bugging out. fire. We even got a history lesson as he introduced the In the covid aspect, it definitely failed to provide band. It was interesting to find out how long each of the best safety. They issued a statement saying that his band members have been touring with him. The masks were encouraged for all non-vaccinated people, which of course means no one wore masks regardless of their status. If you’ve ever been to the stadium, you know the seats were made for tiny people from the ‘50s, with that you are literally touching the person next to you. The concert wanted to fit as many people as possible, so they didn’t think about leaving some seats. Nebraska saw an influx of covid cases with the delta virus and this did not help. Due to the rising cases that were seen after the 90,0000 people gather in Memorial Stadium to enjoy the Garth Brooks Concert. concert, Garth decided to Photo by Melanie Hatfield cancel the rest of his world tour. This news was disappointing, but it was for the best. Very few other artists newest member joined about 12 years ago. have made the same decision. Garth is one of the coolest guys out there and All in all, despite all the troubles of the night, makes people’s dreams come true. When local college Garth performed one of the best concerts I have ever students went to tour the stadium with him, he invited seen. The entire crowd sang along to every song, from one to join the stage crew for the night.

Pumpkin Spice: From Pie to Perpetuity

While at first glance it may seem to be a simple seasonal trend, the global phenomenon is actually quite the polarizing topic. Turner Wittstruck Staff Reporter Each year when autumn rolls around, it’s only a matter of time before shelves everywhere are stocked with special, limited-time variants of established snacks and drinks, namely pumpkin spice flavored products. But how did this trend pick up so much momentum so quickly? Well, it didn’t exactly. “Pumpkin Spice” as we know it today is really borrowed from the Pumpkin Pie Spice that hit market floors in the early 1930s. A simple mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and allspice- a mix that had actually been in use for hundreds of years at that point- the combo made quick work of assembling a thanksgiving classic, the humble pumpkin pie. It wasn’t until decades later when Starbucks made the product that launched pumpkin spice into our fall itineraries, debuting the Pumpkin Spice Latte in fall of 2003. Its success was undeniable, and ever since there’s been an incredible amount of pumpkin spice products gracing our supermarkets. Or maybe rather than ‘incredible’, you could say ‘overwhelming’? While many fall enthusiasts count down the days on their calendar until they can be reunited with their pre-

cious pumpkin spice lattes, just as many every pumpkin spice naysayer, there’s a people can’t seem to avoid the trend cardigan-wearing superfan right on the despite their best efforts. other side. “Pumpkin spice anything makes me When asked about pumpkin spice, so mad and I don’t know why,” senior senior Leslie Chavez said, “It’s a great flaOndrey Valentine said. vor, especially the Pumpkin Cream Cold It’s not an unfair sentiment to hold, Brew from Starbucks, and their Pumpkin seeing with what some companies have Spice Latte.” Several other students mentried to sell in the past couple years. tioned how they’ve fit these drinks into Of course there’s the typical pumpkin their weekly routines. Take senior Abby spice cereals and McGaughey, spreads, nothing who shared too crazy, right? that she’s been Unfortunately, getting Dunkin’s that doesn’t pumpkinseem to be the flavored coffees case. With pumpevery Monday kin pie Pringles, with their Freepumpkin spice Coffee-Monday chicken sausage, event. and (the most When surheinous of all) veyed on pumpkin spice whether or Spam, it seems not they liked that nobody pumpkin spice is truly safe flavored prodfrom corporate ucts, Millard America’s wrath. South stuThat’s not to dents sided Source: Common Sense Poll 60 surveyed say everyone with “yes”, but feels this way, not by a huge Graphic by Faith Wehrspann of course. With margin. With

Do you like Pumpkin Spice?

only a 17% lead, this is where the grey area and general consensus come into play. While there were absolutely people on both ends of the spectrum in regards to their opinions on pumpkin spice, most people seemed to fall somewhere in the middle. They like the drinks but not the snacks, the breads and muffins are nice but would never get one of the coffees, that kind of thing. Another common sentiment was that it’s a nice flavor, but it’s just too hyped up and advertised. All this being said, it’s only a testament to the grip this blend of spices has managed to have on our culture. It’s undeniable, seeing how seemingly everyone seems to have an opinion on it, no matter where that opinion may fall- pun intended. So, whether you plan to trek down to Vala’s with a hot PSL in hand, or you’re just hoping for Christmas to come early and shut out the talk of pumpkins, don’t forget to thank Starbucks for setting in motion the most lucrative seasonal trend of the past decade; and definitely don’t forget to blame them for the emotional distress you’ll be under after seeing a can of pumpkin spice Spam sitting on your local grocery store display, forever unwanted.

Entertainment 9 • 30 •2021

Coloring Contest!

Deadline Oct.6 Break out your new school supplies and relax with a little coloring. Turn in completed designs to Room 130 with your name on the back. Winning work will be featured in our display window on Main Street.

Art by Alexis Smith

Winner will be invited to join a Donut Monday with the Newspaper Staff!

Donuts return in a glaze of glory Gabe Medina Staff Reporter & Donut Man

It’s a Friday morning, the bell rings, the last first block of the week has officially ended. You just took a test and you are hungry and brain dead because you forgot to eat today, and you are craving something sweet to fill you up. You walk into your next class, Pridetime, a break between the chaos of the day between first block and second block. You open the door, and walk into a wonder aroma of everyone’s favorite breakfast treat: donuts. Pridetime–10 minutes a day students come together to talk, relax and receive info about school. Donut Friday has been a tradition Millard South students have loved

for years, but only juniors and seniors have been able to experience it. The concept is straightforward and simple. Every Friday, a student volunteers to bring donuts for the entire class. It’s like a little treat for a hard week’s work–something so small somehow turns a group of wide eyed freshmen into lifelong friends by the end of senior year. And who doesn’t love a free donut? “I enjoy the fact I get donuts on Friday,” senior Kristian Patdu said. “I normally Sophomores in Holly Hartel’s pridetime enjoy their first taste of a beloved tradition. Last year, students were denied Friday donuts due to the pandemic. don’t eat breakfast, so having Photo by Brianna Strudthoff something to eat is great, and it tastes good,” he said. or not, these donut Fridays put a smile on people’s faces, Due to COVID, sophomores have yet to experifeed the ones who forgot to eat breakfast and end the ence what Pridetime really is, and for incoming freshmen, week on a good note with a tasty, sugar filled fried treat. it’s their first year living the high school experience. Mask