Common Sense Volume 22 Issue 4 December 17, 2021

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

December 17

Volume 22 Issue 4

Leaving a Legacy Longtime secretary Tracy Hancock to retire at end of semester Joey Kaipust Indepth Editor For secretary Tracy Hancock, retiring from the registrar’s office is more than simply leaving a job, it’s more like leaving a second home.Hancock, who is retiring this December, has worked at Millard South for 37 years, but also spent her high school years at the school.

Hancock’s journey with Millard South began back when Millard South didn’t even exist. In 1969, Hancock moved to Nebraska from New York and began to attend high school in the Millard district.

“At the time it was just called Millard High and it was [the building that now is] Central Middle School,” Hancock said. The following year, Hancock became one of the first students to attend school in the freshly constructed building that Millard South resides in today. “They built Millard South in 1970, and I came up here as a sophomore,” Hancock said.

As a student at Millard High, Hancock was involved in a number of activities. Hancock was a member of the Pep Club, the yearbook staff, the synchronized swimming team, and the school choir.

“I was in what they call now the DECA program, but back then it was called the Co-op program,” Hancock said, “So when I was a senior I would leave school at noon and go work at Thompson Plumbing as a secretary.”

Millard High would also be where Hancock would meet her future husband, Jay. “We dated in high school,” Hancock said. They would go to different colleges, but continued to date and would eventually get married in 1975.

After graduating, Hancock would briefly attend Wayne State College before landing a job at World Insurance.

“After getting married, I stayed home for a few years to raise my two children,” Hancock said. Then, in 1985, Hancock returned to the work force and was hired at Millard South High School. She worked half the time as a para and the other half of the time in the typing pool.

“Back then we didn’t have computers, so we had a typing pool where we typed all of the teachers’ assignments and tests,” Hancock said.

After two years working as a para, Hancock moved to the at-

Secretary Tracy Hancock visits with granddaughter Schia Hancock in the Registrar’s office. Like Rogers, Hancock attended high school in Millard and graduated from Millard High in 1973. Photo by Bergan Simmonds.

tendance office to work as a secretary. As one of two attendance “She’s seen nearly 40 years of administrators come through this secretaries at one of Millard South’s largest points, she certainly building and is an expert at transitions,” Millard said. “When I had her work cut out for her. started here she was phenomenal at helping me get integrated into “That was before Millard West opened, so we had probably around the building,” he said. Through experience and diligence, Hancock 2,700 students,” Hancock said. Despite having to has contributed heavily to the office keep attendance for this massive student staff in her time at South. “She really body, Hancock excelled in the position. It knows the pulse and all the processes of was at this time that Hancock saw another the building and is phenomenal to work historic moment in the history of Millard with,” Millard said.

South.

Beyond being a hard worker, Hancock is “I had the very first computer at Millard also noted for being an important part of South High School,” Hancock said, “Our the school’s culture. principal at the time, Dr. Lammel, came “She’s one of the most positive people I back from a convention and showed up at know. She’s such a great person,” Schia my desk with this huge IBM box.” In the Rogers, Hancock’s granddaughter and early days of computers, where very few freshman at Millard South, said. people knew how to operate one, Hancock “It’s really hard to put into words how had to learn on her own. “I taught myself much she means to Millard South,” Milon the very first computer and came up lard said. with a system for school attendance,” After retiring, Hancock said she plans to Hancock said. spend some time relaxing.

After overseeing the integration of com“I’ve gotten up at 6 a.m. every weekday puters into the attendance office, Hancock for the last 37 years, and it will be nice to would move positions to becoming a 12 not do that for a change,” Hancock said.

Senior photo of Tracy Hancock month secretary, a job which she would Despite taking some time to relax, she from 1973 Indian Yearbook maintain for almost 30 years. still plans to stay busy in retirement. “I’ll In her many years at Millard South, always work, because I love to work,” Hancock, in her junior year, sits with her fellow 1972 yearbook staff Hancock has consistently proven to be an Hancock said. members to discuss the theme and cover. instrumental employee.

Despite supply chain woes, shoppers still find great gifts Joni Beauchamp Indepth Editor Building up to December, many retailers send out magazines with their most popular items for the whole family or push out their most loud and colorful commercials, hoping to grab your attention and give you ideas for those you care about the most.

This year, while somewhat different from others due to shortages and availability issues, has not deterred many shoppers from racing out or staying close to their laptops, searching for the “hot items” of the year and hoping they’re there just in time or click at the right moment to secure them.

The in-demand items change just about every year, and this

year, and whether you’re looking for gifts for younger siblings, cousins, nieces, or nephews, sometimes it’s hard to keep up with all the latest new toys and things that they’d want.

Working in a warehouse for Fatbrain Toys, junior Kyle Bouton said, “Judging by how many we ship, the most in-demand items are for 2 to 10-year-olds.” According to Bouton, they’ve mostly shipped out, “Pop-Its, toy tractors, toy dinosaurs, small Lego sets, and much more.” He said.

This Black Friday, one of the biggest retail events of the year, certainly was affected by supply chain shortages, as well as Covid-19, compelling many to buy earlier to avoid shopping later on.

“This was my first Black Friday working, and we were much busier than usual,” Bouton said, “On a normal day we ship 6 to 8

products, while on Black Friday we shipped well over 11,000,” he said.

Managing to stay on top of thousands of orders, although these shortages are seemingly plaguing the retail industry at the moment, many companies, such as Lego, have secured enough product beforehand to keep on top of things and supply everyone’s favorite toys this holiday season.

“I don’t think the recent supply chain issues really affect the products we sell; things seem to stay consistent coming to stock,” Bouton said. “While I’ve never noticed anything sell out, we do have to re-stock the little toys like fidgets and the previously mentioned items much more frequently,” he said.

News 12 • 17 • 2021

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‘Good Grief, Charlie Brown!’

Consumers face challenges finding the right tree for the season Gabe Medina Staff Reporter It’s officially December, and families have been on the annual hunt for Christmas trees, but many families have noticed something different about this year’s Christmas trees; they aren’t there!

The growth of demand for Christmas trees and a tightening supply chain, many are left unable to find a good Christmas tree, if any at all. Prices have skyrocketed, reaching easily 20 to 30 dollars more per tree, and even synthetic Christmas trees costs have increased, due to manufacturing and supply costs increasing. With a shortage of workers, there are fewer people to grow, cut, ship, and sell these trees, or to harvest the materials to create them.

“With this year’s extremely hot weather, it ended up damaging most of the seedlings,” said Home Depot employee Lance Hall. “With most of the trees killed off or damaged, there were very few trees to ship even, to begin with, and no one wants to drive coast to coast to transport

Christmas trees, most are bought semi- locally,” Hall said.

With temperatures reaching 117 degrees over the summer, a lot of the seedlings were not able to survive the heat. After the financial crisis of 2008, there was no longer a need to grow an oversupply of Christmas trees. They grew to meet supply and demand.

With most of this year’s supply killed off or damaged, local Christmas tree farmers had to resort to cutting down part of next year’s supplies, explaining for the smaller sized Christmas trees.

Most of these retailers get their supplies from nearby areas.

No one wants to ship Christmas trees coast Art by Lexie Smith

to coast, so most places, especially the ones that got hit by the hotter temperatures over the summer, are very scarce on trees.

“We grew up all our life using a real tree, we loved everything about them, especially the scent it gives off,” said Matt Feldmann. “ With this year’s tree shortage, we have not been able to find a big enough Christmas tree for our living room, so we had to resort to pulling out our old fake tree, something we never used.”

Because of the shortage of trees and the increase in prices, many people have resorted to buying artificial trees so they would not need to continue buying expensive trees, and artificial trees also cannot keep up with the demand. While there was no summer heat to kill them off, more people now than ever are turning to synthetic trees because there are no natural trees to purchase. Unable to

It’s easier to argue face to face: Debate returns to in-person

Art Club’s popularity grows beyond capacity Bergan Simmonds Photo Chief

Debaters gather at the season’s first in-person tournament at Lincoln Southwest on Nov 6. Wesley Earhart and Sam Hunt took 1st and 2nd place respectively in Varsity Congress House 1. Jude Maiorca and Laddie Wilken were Quarterfinalists in Novice PF. Phoenix Nehls was a Quarterfinalist in Varsity LD.

Darian Pierre Online Editor-in-Chief As of last month, the debate season has fully begun, with in-person tournaments being held on Saturdays.

This is the first time since the 2018-2019 season that tournaments have been in-person. The last in-person tournament was the district tournament held on Feb. 28, 2020.

During the year of the lockdown, Millard South transitioned to remote learning immediately after spring break. But debate didn’t return at all until the following year. And for the entirety of the 2019-2020 school year, debate tournaments were held online via Zoom.

Students would either Zoom in from home, or more commonly they would come up to Millard South and Zoom in from there.

“Debate is foremost a communication event,” head debate coach James Constantino said. “The team missed that interaction with the kinds of thoughtful people you find in the debate community. Ironically, doing debate through Zoom brought us closer together as a team, but we are social animals and are eager to be back without the barrier of the laptop camera,” Constantino said.

Zooming from the school put the team all in one place, and due to the lack of travelling, team funds were able to be used to pay for lunch. But there were also times when debaters were hindered by technical problems, and a bit of the experience was lost by competing in the same place every week.

Juno Gage, a junior at Millard South and Varsity debater shared their experience with online debate and their hopes/concerns for this season.

“The benefits [of online debate] were definitely sleeping in and always being at the school you were familiar with,” Gage said. “We didn’t have to wake up as early for out of town tournaments, and we didn’t have

to struggle with buses, traffic, and not being able to navigate foreign schools. We did face the challenges of not being able to bond as well with people outside of our team or get to know new opponents as well.”

There were also internet troubles such as audio cutting out, WiFi not working, and speeches not loading.

“It’s hard to do a speaking event if your mic cuts out or your speech wont load,” they said.

But despite those challenges, little under two years without competing in person is bound to make re-adjusting a challenge.

“It will most likely be difficult for us to get back into the swing of things, but I am very excited for all the fun that comes with in-person debate, such as being able to see friends from other schools, and visiting other districts. As well as the rush of debating face to face, and relaxing in between rounds and playing games. These benefits outweigh any comfort of being alone,” Juno said.

“I’m hoping to have a similar season to my first inperson year. I do enjoy winning, everyone does. Even besides that I’m just hoping that I can do well and learn more than I did virtually, and get to know some more people. I also am really hoping for success in the novices who just joined or varsity who have never competed in person. I want them to fall in love with the activity just as I did,” they concluded.

However, a lasting benefit to the remote year is that it created an infrastructure where teams know that remote tournaments are a viable option. Some tournaments, such as the two-day one held at Dowling Catholic High School in Iowa on Dec. 10 and 11, are still remote.

That gives the benefit of not having to travel to compete out of state. And if the school has to go into quarantine again, the debate season doesn’t have to end early, so figuring out how to host tournaments that way was not a total loss.

meet this demand, along with shortage of supplies, and manufacturing and shipping times, and costs almost doubled from the pandemic, prices have skyrocketed. There is no time to manufacture this unexpected number of trees, especially when over half come halfway across the world in China. Some people have even adapted by using something that’s not even a tree.

Art teacher Meta Felt used an alternative from trees. “ We opted for a Costco evergreen arrangement,” Felt said. “You should have seen them flying out the door at Costco!” While Felt’s cause to find an alternative was not due to the tree shortage, many others have sought other, cheaper, more accessible means to replace the sold-out overpriced trees of 2021. With this year being the wake-up call, farmers and manufacturers alike are needing to ramp up supply and prepare for next year’s demand for the beloved Christmas trees.

“We recreated famous artworks on a small scale and hid them around the school,” she said.

The Art Club has become so popular because of its large variety of areas of art that it covers and the high interest to work on these small group projects.

“Who doesn’t want to be a part of a club that is interactive, social, accepting, experimental, and just plain fun?” Art Club Sponsor Lori Wegener said.

With every seat filled at monthly after-school Art Club, sponsors have changed the format from a drop-in club to one that requires an application. Applications are being accepted for second semester.

“We are requiring applications to be filled out for Art Club, because of the high volume of participants last semester and our limited supplies and space,” art club sponsor Lori Wegener said. “We also want to be able to do some projects that require a smaller group of students,” she said.

This, of course, means they have a limited amount of room for students in the art club.

Art club Student Jasmine Kaluza says she is happy about the applications, though.

Juniors Matthew Qualseth and Tranq Queral paint “I think it’s a famous artworks onto magnets to hide around the good thing that school as part of an Art Club project first semester. we have to apply Photo by Melanie Mitera to Art Club, because it will weed out people who don’t actually want to be an active member,” she said.

Art Club sponsors say they do not yet Due to the limited supplies that know how many students they will the Art Club is receiving the Art Club allow into the Art Club, but it will hopes to shrink down its size to not probably be related to what supplies only allow for fair use of supplies allow. but also allow for a larger variety of “I think that, as long as we have a group projects which require smaller well-rounded group of enthusiastic, groups. hard-working, and committed people, Coming up in the next semester, we will be successful in our search!”

Art Club has a lot of project ideas Wegener said. such as silk screening, dip dyeing, and Students interested in applying mural painting to say a few. for the club should check their grade “We have only really done one level Google Classroom to find the “big” project; the magnet paintapplication. ings,” junior Jasmine Kaluza said.

News 12 • 17 • 2021

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Sports 12 • 17 • 2021

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A holiday surprise

He business

Metro Basketball Tournament to use a 35-second shot clock Ben Bartholow Featured Reporter A change of pace is coming sooner than expected for the varsity basketball teams as the Metro High Schools Activities Association is choosing to use shot clocks for their upcoming Holiday Basketball Tournament.

“This comes after the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) decided to let high schools use shot clocks [earlier this year],” Activities Director Steve Throne said.

The hope for implementing the shot clock is to speed up gameplay and limit holding the ball at the end of the game.

“You will only have 30 seconds, so you will have to put up a shot,” varsity boys basketball coach Tim Leuschen said. “Even when teams build a 6 to 8 point lead, they will have to keep playing,” he said.

Having a shot clock may, in fact, prove it more difficult for offenses to be successful.

“Offenses will have to work harder to get a quality shot every possession,” senior and varsity boys basketball player Jackson Crain said.

Among the proponents, many say it will speed up the game, however that may not be the case.

“Teams will zone press and zone more to slow better teams down,” varsity girls basketball coach, Bryce Meyers said. “Defenses will try to work down the clock so they get a lower percentage shot,” he said.

This would mean that having a shot clock would incentivize defenses to force teams away from the basket and take last second clocks from distance, which tend to be lower percentage.

Class A schools have been overwhelmingly in favor of this change, however there have been some worries from schools in other classes about the cost of this new proposition. Paying to install the shot clocks, along with finding the people to run them will prove challenging for smaller schools.

A major factor in the cost of purchasing shot clocks is how you cannot buy just one. According to the NFHS Shot Clock Guidelines, there needs to be a shot clock on each backboard, as well as having some backup system in case the backboard clocks stop working.

Millard South has already purchased shot clocks in preparation for the next year, however they had to go for a more expensive option.

“Lower models of shot clocks cost three to five thousand dollars,” Throne said. “We had to go the more expensive route and pay eleven thousand dollars for ours because of the Scorevision boards,” he said.

With the Metro Holiday Tournament starting off Christmas break on Dec. 20 and 21, the teams will kick off the start of something new with the implementation of the shot clock.

“It’s exciting to see how the shot clock will effect the games,” junior and varsity girls basketball stater, Lexi Finkenbiner said. “I think the shot clock will shake up the game.”

The girls team, the number one seed, will take on the winner of Omaha South vs. Omaha North at home on Tuesday, Dec. 21, while the number 11 seed boys will travel to Elkhorn South that night in hopes of upsetting the number 6 seed. The following games will take place at Baxter Arena.

The end of an era as head football coach announces retirement

Ally Seevers Sports Editor

Recently, Millard South’s head football coach, Andy Means, announced his plans to retire after the end of the 21-22 school year. A staple to the legendary Patriot football program, the coach will be leaving big shoes to fill.

Growing up with a love for sports, Means said “sports were always just a part of my family, and I guess that’s what did it,” Means said. “After going through sports myself, becoming who I am today because of it, I just want the players to come away from this a better person.”

Now as a coach, Means has inspired so many just like he was when he was younger.

“Being able to play for Coach Means was awesome,” junior Brock Murtaugh said. “He taught me a lot on and off the field, and all of us were blessed to play for him.”

“He never gave up on you, even if you were having an off day. He would be the one to tell you to gather yourself and try again,” junior Bryan Zimmerman said.

And that’s what Coach will miss the most.

“I’ll miss just the relationships, and the players, the students, the coaches,” said Means.

“The excitement of the games, and school. I love teaching school. You don’t do something for 40 years because you hate it. I have loved every minute of it and it will be hard to walk away, but I also feel like I’ve accomplished some things.”

And that he has.

Over his 40 years at Millard South, Means has coached the football team to 15 state appearances, 2 state runner-ups, and 1 grand state championship title in 2009, earning him 136 career wins as head coach.

“Obviously winning a championship in 2009. That was the best feeling. There are so many other memories, not

Sports 12 • 17• 2021

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Art by Lexie Smith

even from games, but what happens at practice too. We only play one game a week, so we practice a lot more than we play.

We practice all week and seeing them put what they’ve learned into their play, seeing them succeed, that’s what gives us the most satisfaction to us coaches. I always tell the players, ‘We don’t make your weekend, you make ours.’ All the memories, just seeing the smiles on their faces after a big win makes it the best job.”

While it will be hard after 40 years, not doing what he loves every day, Means felt it was time to retire after this past year’s events.

“My wife got sick last year about this time. I missed the semifinal game last year because she was taken to the emergency room, and she eventually developed stage four kidney failure so it’s been kind of up and down the last year,” Means said.

“She’s going to have a kidney transplant sometime this next year, and I felt like I needed to focus in on that. It just would have been hard to focus on that while also coaching and teaching at the same time. I just felt like I needed to do that for my family and for her.”

This being his last year, Means went out with a bang. Going 9 and 0 during the regular season, beating long-time rivals, Millard West, and upsetting the previously #1 ranked Bellevue West, the legend’s career ended with a season like no other.

“What I liked about this team, other than the fact that they won, was that it was one of the closest teams we’ve ever had. They all got along together. We had virtually no issues,” said Means. “Normally, it’s hard to get 60, 70 players to work together, but this year’s group of seniors did a great job of working together and getting the younger players to follow the program. I’m proud of the guys and all they have accomplished. The last game doesn’t define their game; everyone knows how good they are.

I’m just proud of –junior Brock Murtaugh what they’ve done.

They made my last year extra special.”

Means has made such an impact here at this school, “he will be missed.”

“He does a lot for Millard South that people don’t know about,” Activities Director, Steve Throne, said. “He’s just a quality person and such an asset to Millard South. He’s so committed to our school and this program.

I’m very thankful for everything he has done for us. We’ll miss having him around.”

“ He taught me

a lot on and off the field, and all of us were blessed to play for him.

”

The River Battle Bowl Haley Johnson

Business Manager

On the windy Nov. 27 afternoon at Gale Wickersham Athletic Complex in Council Bluff, Iowa, a battle was fought. After a one-year hiatus due to COVID, the River Battle Bowl returned.

Select high school football players around the states of Nebraska and Iowa were selected to participate. Director of player personnel, Mike Sautter, selected 50 top Nebraska senior prospects to play. Millard South’s own Christian Nash was not only selected but earned the game’s MVP. Reading 0-0 all the way through the first quarter, both teams struggled to make ground.

Halfway through the 2nd quarter, Nebraska scored first with a touch down from Gretna’s Mick Huber.

The boys in red found their way back in the endzone right before halftime with a second touchdown by capital city kid Lincoln Southeast’s Will Barrett. Iowa’s offense struggled against Nebraska’s strong defense.

Later in the second half of the game, Nash put points on the board with two rushing touchdowns, leading Nebraska to their third straight victory.

The victory against Iowa couldn’t have been any sweeter, especially after an embarrassing Husker game against the Hawkeyes. At least we have hope for the future of Nebraska football.

When asked about the game Nash said, “I only thought of it as one last football game.”

He explained it wasn’t very difficult working with a new lineup of guys.

After scoring his first touchdown, he said, “I was very happy and relieved because I was having a good game already.”

Overall the outcome of the game didn’t change much except for making him love the game even more.

Senior Christian Nash is lifted up by his fellow teammates after his game-winning touchdown.

Photo courtesy of Christian Nash.

Bowlers strike out in the semis Unified Bowling wins district tournament for the first time in Patriot history Ally Seevers Sports Editor

“It felt pretty good because both teams were pretty difficult, but somehow, we pulled through and won,” Schmieding said.

The Millard South Unified Bowling In the round, the best of 5 games to win, the team made history last week, making their Patriots lost to the Millard North Mustangs, first-ever state appearance. ending their season, losing by 24 pins.

“It was amazing,” junior Brayden

“It was sad to lose, but we know we Schmieding said. It was the gave it all first time in the school’s we had,” history. It felt amazing, sophomore and it was even more Issac Kirby special, doing it with my said. “I’m teammates.” proud of

“It was cool to win the team for districts,” junior Jerome how far we Woolridge said. “I was have come.” excited when I knew we While won.” their season

To punch their may be over, ticket to state, the team the season beat out Millard West to was one to win District A-3. remember.

“It felt really good “This beating Millard West to win season was the district,” sophomore the best Neko Manna sad. “We season by knew going in that we had a far,” said Jerome Woolridge prepares to release the ball, chance to win, we just had Junior Manna. hoping for a strke. Photo by Ally Seevers to bowl our best, and we “We did a lot did.” better than

Moving on to the state tournament, anyone could have expected. I am proud of all the team beat Bellevue West, then Lincoln of us.”

Southeast to move on to the final four.

Opinion 12 • 17 • 2021

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New year begins new life chapter

Josh Andrews News Editor You let your pencil fall from your tired hand and exhale just in time as the bell rings. This was your last final of the semester, and you’re ready for your two weeks off. For some seniors, however, that’s it for them-- they won’t be coming back. This December, I will be one of those seniors. No, I’m not dropping out. I’m graduating because I will have met all the high school requirements by the end of 2021. This is called early graduation, and it’s possible for you to follow this path.

I’d say it was a ton of planning and hard work that got me to this point, but really it just sort of happened. My counselor said, “You’re on track to graduate early,” and I just went along with it. That’s not to say it was always easy; there were classes that made me want to slam my head into my desk, but I always pulled it together just in time to get a decent grade (lockdowns and that one-time pass/fail policy may have saved me there). It seems that all it takes to graduate early is taking a couple AP classes and never getting a failing grade.

If you want to graduate early, you can look up courses, how many points each one contributes towards graduation. Note that if you’re in early college you have more requirements, so it would be more of an uphill climb to graduate early and get all those credits.

If you have to choose between early graduation and early college, take early college. It’s harder, but the reward is probably worth it. I say this as someone who voluntarily dropped out of early college halfway through sophomore year.

What are my plans once I’m out?

Probably get a job and save up money before I start college next fall. Yeah, I know that’s not the most exciting plan, but I’ve learned the hard way that having these huge immediate ambitions only sets you up for disappointment.

Ambition is good, but you need to be realistic in the short-term. Really though, to anyone thinking of graduating early, there are practically infinite possibilities. You could go to college immediately and get a head start, you could go right into the workforce, you could take up an apprenticeship, or you could take a break from everything.

Examining the importance of prestigious colleges When you think of some of the best colleges in the United States, your mind will more than likely go to places like Harvard, Stanford, and MIT. These Tier 1 schools supposedly represent the best of the best. They are extremely hard to get into, have arguably some of the best education, and they cost you a fortune.

As a senior, I have come to wonder, like many other seniors, what college to go to. Obviously I should apply to one of the Tier 1 schools right?

They are the most prestigious after all, but how far does this prestige actually carry and matter?

What stops any other state college to be on par, if not better than a top tier school, even though they don’t have a highly held name? Should I go with the top schools, or should I go with any other “normal” college out there?

I feel like looking away from the Tier 1 schools and more towards the state or private colleges may be more beneficial in many ways. For example, If you want to be an aerospace engineer like me, there are many degree options I could pursue at differently ranked colleges. I had my heart set on Purdue, due to its prestige in the field, it’s ranked #4 (as of the time of this writing) in the United States for aerospace engineering, and Stanford is ranked at #2. I only looked at the school due to its ranking, and while ranking is important, there is much more to it than a rank.

As I looked forward to applying, I realized the strict application requirements I needed to fulfill. While I was able to meet each standard, I

realized that my application is average compared it’s a place I could thrive in. to the rest, and it would qualify as barely making Most of the opportunities come when you it in. Unless you got a 36 on the ACT, a 5.0 GPA are top of the class, and in a place like Stanford and a sad backstory, you may just end up paying or Purdue, that seemed close to impossible, but full tuition price, unable to get scholarships. The in Iowa, it definitely was. They offered the same more I looked into these colleges, the more I felt amount of partnerships and quality of education, I wouldn’t succeed. It was stressful. Everyone at a cheaper price, in an environment where I else applying is like me, would be more successvery competitive. It felt ful. It was a place I could like being a small fish come out on top and be in a big pond scenario. more of the star student, Sure I made it into the able to get noticed, rather big leagues, but I was than just be the middle completely masked by of the pack, with some of everyone else. It would these colleges like Purdue be very hard and stressful only having their top 30 to make myself stand out percent graduate. amongst other people.

The moral of the While applying for story? Prestige is just a colleges one stood out name. You don’t need to to me: a university like go to the best college to Iowa State. A smaller be successful, and those college with an aerospace big name colleges may engineering program, not not even be the best colranked as high, coming in leges for what you want Gabe Medina at 12th, but still it fulfilled to study. I’m not saying Staff Reporter my requirements for colto rule out top schools. If leges. With my qualificathey are your dream, go tions, I was way more for it, but if you are worlikely to be instantly acried it’s either these big cepted and get scholarships. I felt this to be like names or nothing, you don’t have to be worried, a big fish in a small pond scenario. It’s a smaller there’s other options and opportunities awaiting school for sure, with a less prestigious name, but you.

art by Keely King

Please don’t ask about my college plans Like many over Thanksgiving, I got together with my family. Most people try to avoid the typical hot-button topics like politics, money, religion, and relationships. I tried to avoid everyone’s favorite question for high school seniors, “Where are you going to college and what are you going to study?”

Every time I talk to a relative that I haven’t seen in a while they ask about where I am planning to go and what I want to study. By now, I basically have a script. So I ramble off the same information that I probably told someone else five minutes ago. At this point, I need a shirt that says “Yes, I’ve been accepted to college. No, I don’t know where I’m going.” I think it would make it easier for everyone involved. While still attending school, doing homework, and participating in activities, I am actively looking into each college, doing my research, and applying for scholarships. My situation is similar to most of my fellow classmates.

Deciding on a college had a lot of factors to consider. Distance from home, programs offered, size, financial aid and scholarships to list a

few. Everyone has different values and priorities, express how exhausting it is to be constantly so picking a college is a reminded that they very personal decision. don’t have a full-fledged Campus visits are one of plan quite yet. People the best ways to figure out act like going to college what you like and dislike undecided is a crime. about a college, but it’s The judgment that folhard to find time to fit lows the words “I don’t them in. Your parents know” or “I’m not sure have to take off work and yet” is unnecessary and while I do enjoy a day off honestly, just flat-out school, you have to make rude. it all up at some point.

Asking high I do not understand school seniors where why every adult feels the they want to go, or what need to ask where you’re they want to major in, planning on going and is one way to ruin their what you’re planning to holiday. So this season, study. Personally, I’ve give them the gift of known that I want to go silence. Don’t ask what Vivian Kaldahl into education for years, their plans are. I assure Distribution Manager but that is not the case you that they are asking for everyone. I’ve listened themselves that questo many of my friends tion often enough.

Opinion 12 • 17• 2021

7

A kick-ball (life) change Competitive dancer takes a year off to try something new Many kids at a young age pick a sport and stick with it all their lives.

I did that. I started dancing at 6 years old, and I have been doing it ever since. However, it occurred to me about a year ago that I wanted to try something different.

Track and field has always been something that I was interested in ever since it was first offered to students in middle school.

At the time though, I had just joined a new dance studio and began doing competitive dance instead of just recreational. That being said, there was no way I was going to be able to do both dance and track. High school came along and this was when things started to get a little overwhelming. I realized I needed to take a step back from dance as I was doing too much for me to handle. I decided to take this time to do that something new I have been wanting to try for a long time.

Going into this was a little bit nerve-racking considering I was joining track as a junior with zero experience in the sport. I went ahead and dove right in and did all of the

off-season training which was really handy to meet some new people and get comfortable with how everything worked and I got to know some of the coaches before spring came

Sydney Mejia Features Editor

along.

When the season started, it went by extremely fast. Six a.m. weight lifting and after-school running workouts were not my favorites if I am being honest. But it was 100 percent worth it without a doubt.

I was able to become stronger and

continue to stay in shape while having a great time. Not only that, I learned so many things and got to be a part of what felt like a family. The best part for sure was the neverending support from teammates while competing in my event. I was no D1 track athlete or anything like that, but I had some great coaches and people who were able to help me improve over the three-month span of the track and field season.

In the end, I decided to go back to dance for my senior year.

Not because I didn’t love track, but because I wanted to finish up what I started when I was just 6. It was a little rough trying to get back into the swing of things at dance.

Taking a whole year off can really hinder your dance abilities, but at the same time, weightlifting helped me become stronger and regain my strength and flexibility at dance this year. I am really glad to be back for my senior year and dancing with my friends one last time. Even though I don’t compete anymore due to lack of time, I still feel more than excited about being back.

The moral of the story, though, is to go out and try something new.

I absolutely loved the experience of track and field, and I would do it again no questions asked. You may not enjoy whatever it is as much as I

Senior Sydney Mejia leaps outside of Mary Lorraine’s Dance Center after class.

A not-so ‘chronically online’ take on social media I’m sure by this point the general public understands and potentially fears the rapid rate at which technology is advancing in our lives.

People are constantly reminded of the importance of taking a break from the screen and interacting with the people we know in person.

Unfortunately, with the never seeming to leave elephant-in-the-room, many of us weren’t able to be with our loved ones in person for many months and were left with not a lot to do but stay mindlessly entertained with television, movies, and social media. Spending day in and day out on our phones, at least for some, has created a unique and scary kind of relationship with the average Joe and a celebrity they see every day on Instagram, a one-sided relationship specifically defined as being parasocial.

A parasocial relationship is essentially a relationship between a person who exerts large amounts of time and emotional energy to another person that is completely oblivious of the other person’s existence. These relationships are most common between people and celebrities, television stars, and other content creators.

“Fangirl” behavior is nothing new and has existed ever since stars have been a thing. Being a part of a fandom and becoming attached to a

piece of media is fine in moderation. There is a will only leave you disappointed. way to balance your relationship between you It is understandably a cycle I see a lot of and the media you consume, and in some ways, teenagers online stuck in. Celebrities and other it is healthy to build conpeople you consisnections through content tently see online start creators like TikTok stars to feel like friends. You and YouTubers. They may start to identify may provide a sense of with a character they comfort to you in times play. You may start of trouble. However, it is to think you know also necessary to know the person from where to draw the line in interviews, which then that bond you established leads to becoming with them. more obsessive and It becomes an issue wanting to know every when the individual detail about their becomes too attached to life. It can become a false idea of that famous exhausting and has person. Daydreaming only become this and placing yourself into exhaustive due to the unrealistic scenarios with creation of social meLauren Rayner a person you don’t know dia. We are no longer Entertainment Editor is a risky habit that can limited to a celebrity’s cause a teenager’s emoTV persona, and can tional health to plummet. now see a more intiPlacing celebrities on a pedestal, or attaching mate side of them through hundreds of media yourself to an idea of a person that doesn’t exist outlets. Vulnerable teenagers realizing that the

people they idolize and build false narratives about actually have no idea who that person is behind closed doors is undeniably a difficult pill to swallow.

Social media culture and especially unverified gossip have an incredibly unnecessary hold on people. Every day you see someone online lose their mind over new information about an actor that may or may not even be true. With people being able to constantly look and refresh every social media platform to get pop culture news immediately, they begin to prioritize it over anything else.

In the end, you should view people in the public eye as an entertainment outlet, not a friend. It not only places higher expectations on people that make just as many mistakes as you do but can create an unequal bond between you and a human being that will only leave you hurt. It is a harsh reality that a lot of chronically online people do not want to face, but it really is for the better of your health to find a healthy balance between online relationships and relationships with the people around you.

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

Social Event Coordinator Brianna Strudthoff

News Editor Josh Andrews

Social Media Editor Lexie Smith

Business Manager Haley Johnson

Sports Editor Ally Seevers

Staff Illustrators Keely King Lexie Smith Joni Beauchamp Staff Secretary Turner Wittstruck

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

Entertainment 12 • 17 • 2021

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West Side Story

Spielberg remake of classic film stays true to original

Sydney Mejia Features Editor Steven Spielberg is well known for directing some of the most popular and successful films known to date and he has done it again.

Directing his first musical film, he did not mess around when it came to recreating the classic, “West Side Story.”

Two street gangs of different ethnic backgrounds who are commonly known as the Sharks and the Jets are constantly fighting for ownership of the streets in upper New York City. They decide to settle their differences at the upcoming dance. However, when one of the Jets, Tony, catches a glance at one of the Shark girls, Maria, they immediately fall in love with one another. As you can imagine, this causes more and more tension as the rival gangs do not approve of their romance.

It goes without saying that one of the biggest parts of making a musical is the music itself, and I

A bite of Britain comes to Omaha Maddy Leland Editor-in-Chief When I heard there was a new British bakery and convenience store open in Omaha, I didn’t have high expectations. Although I found it interesting that a sweets shop that contained popular British items was opening, I didn’t think there would be much of a difference between US and British treats. Despite this, I made my way over to Chippy’s, Nebraska’s only British Market and Bakery located in the Westwood Plaza.

Walking in, it looks like any normal convenience store albeit a little small. There are little British trinkets from mugs with Union Jacks to Doctor Who season DVDs. Even a tiny Austin Powers greets you from the top shelf. On one side of the store, there are all sorts of imported British treats, and that’s where I started first. I picked up Jaffa Cakes, Bitsa Wispa, a chocolate bar called the Double Decker, and some English breakfast tea. While I was perusing the options, a couple sitting at the lone table grabbed my attention.

“We really recommend getting the English breakfast,” the man told me as I was searching the shelves.

The couple happened to be from the UK and talked a little about the store and themselves.

They’ve lived in Nebraska for more than 10 years and were enthusiastic to get a taste of home.

“With Covid complicating trips home…it’s nice to have a little reminder,” he said.

The breakfast itself can include sausage, buttered toast, British bacon (which is honestly just

fried ham), baked beans, black pudding, eggs, hash browns, and mushrooms. The items within the breakfast are customizable so patrons can pick and choose what they want.

Among a traditional British breakfast, there were several other breakfast items such as sausage and bacon butty’s, crumpets, bean bag, and pain au chocolat (a popular French dish but well-loved by the British). They even had an option to order just Heinz baked beans. The sweet treats were more familiar with a couple of different tarts, a doughnut, and ‘99’ ice cream, among other things. Drink options were also plentiful, and the store boasted Butterbeer, a drink inspired by J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series.

Unfortunately, due to how busy the store was, I wasn’t able to try the bakery’s fresh treats and breakfast options. However, the prepackaged treats I grabbed were pretty good. My personal favorite was the Jaffa Cakes, which are spongy biscuits with an orangey jam center covered in chocolate. This treat stood out because there wasn’t a similar equivalent that I’ve tried within the U.S. The Bitsa Wispa reminded me slightly of Rolo’s, but instead of a caramel center, it was just chocolate. My brother really favored the Double Decker candy bar, which contains nougat and crispy cereal all covered in chocolate. The thing I found most interesting though was the labeling that had swapped the calorie label for energy and, of course, represented all the nutritional facts in metric measurements.

Overall, despite my initial thinking, I really enjoyed the new candies and plan on returning to try the freshly baked sweets and maybe have a cup of genuine British tea.

Chippy’s is planning on opening a store in Lincoln sometime in 2022, and with the enthusiastic turnout in Omaha, I’m sure it’ll be just as booming.

Chippy’s is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Chippy’s storefront in the Westwood Plaza off West Center Road. Photo by Maddy Leland

was not the least bit disappointed.

With lyrics from the late Stephen Sondheim and new cast’s amazing vocals, all of the original songs are brought back to life from the catchy tunes to the emotional ballads. And what is a good musical without the big dance numbers? There was plenty throughout the film, which was a joy to watch. The work of upcoming actress, Rachel Zegler, as Maria and from familiar actors such as Ansel Elgort (The Fault in our Stars) as Tony was astonishing as well as other characters in the ensemble. It was also really cool to see Rita Moreno who played Maria in the original movie, take on the role of Valentina. She is the new drugstore owner and plays an important role in the new movie.

The 2021 rendition does follow the same plot as the original movie, but with that being said, there were a few major differences. In regards to the little details, some of the plot and songs were moved around and some background was added

in to give more context to some of the characters. Locations were also changed for some scenes such as the rumble. Generally speaking, it was a more modern take on the original version with a lot more violence. However, I feel that this was an appropriate choice as it gives off a more realistic view on the rivalry between the Sharks and the Jets.

There is no doubt that this was a beautiful reimagination of the original 1961 film touching on one of the most famous forbidden love stories. Coming from someone who has seen the original, I was thoroughly impressed with Spielberg’s take on the movie, and I am sure to see it again. While there were a few changes here and there, the film still remains true to the original and I would highly recommend it for all to enjoy.

Hawkeye hits bullseye for Marvel comic fans Laddie Wilken Staff Reporter If you have any interest in Marvel, or if you’ve been on Disney+ in the past month and a half or so, you’ve likely heard of Marvel’s newest show “Hawkeye,” starring Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye/Clint Barton and Hailee Steinfeld as Hawkeye/Kate Bishop. Now, obviously not all of Hawkeye has been put out on Disney+, at the time of writing, so it would be unfair of me to review, so all I’ll say on that, is if you’re a fan of Hawkeye, you are in for a treat, especially if you liked the Matt Fraction’s and David Aja’s comic run. I figured in celebration of my favorite superhero getting a TV show I’d compare the first three issues of the show to the first three issues of the comic it draws inspiration from.

I should warn you that if you haven’t watched the first three episodes of Hawkeye, and don’t want to be spoiled, I’d stop here, but who am I to tell you what to do?

The first episode begins with a lovely production of Rogers The Musical, a Broadway production in the MCU. Right away there is the first difference in the storylines of the comic and tv show. In the show Clint Barton has a family, whereas in the comic, he’s a lonely man who lives alone. This is all background information and points out that the show is not a shot-for-shot remake of the comic, however, let’s go over the copious similarities.

We first get introduced to Kate Bishop as a young girl seeing her home destroyed by the battle from the first Avengers movie. Now let’s jump to when Kate is fighting a group of Russian mobsters known as the tracksuit mafia. This is the first instance of homage to the comic. The tracksuit mafia and their comics are a perfect match to the mass of villains that mess with Clint and Kate in the comics. The

other instance of cross-pollination is the dog which Kate lovingly gives the moniker pizza dog, which is lifted from the comic where Clint gives him the nickname demon pizza mutt.

Even the circumstances are the same, both are attempting to save a pizza dog from an oncoming car, and then, if they follow the comic, the mutt will be named Lucky.

Now, the second issue of the comic and the show diverge a little bit. In the show they face off against the tracksuit mafia, and of course they visit one of, in my opinion, the best parts of his character. They go to a pharmacy and buy basic medical supplies. You may think that I’m kidding around, however, I’m not. The thing that I find most interesting about Clint’s character is that he is human, a theme that the show has touched on and the comic explores from its first panel, and something that I hope, the show will feature even more.

In the third episode, the show is essentially just one long car chase, which is also 90 percent of the third issue of the comic.

In fact, the entire car chase is a near shot for shot remake of the comic, from the putty arrow to the explosive tip arrow, to the cable arrow, to the suction tip arrow. The only real difference is that in the comic, the heroes drive the challenger, and in the comic, Kate drives and Clint shoots. Other than those two differences and a few more arrows in the comic, the resemblance is uncanny, even ending the scene on a bridge.

So far I am absolutely in love with the show’s references to the comic. If they continue this theme, we may get Russian killer clowns, a French swordsman, and one madam mask, Clint may even buy an apartment building!