Common Sense Volume 18 Issue 8 May 18, 2018

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

May 18, 2018

Volume 18 Issue 8

Varsity baseball fights their way through districts and state Sadie Brower Staff Reporter

It is no understatement to say that Millard South Varsity Baseball has everything they need to take home the state championship trophy this season. The Patriots have put up a fight all season and are fighting through the losers bracket at Werner Park this week.

At press time Wednesday morning, the Patriots were scheduled to play Creighton Prep at 4 p.m. at Werner Park.

The Patriots went into districts with only four losses making them the team to beat. On May 5, the team played in the A-2 District Championship with a 4-2 win over Papillion LaVista. There were many key players that created the win for the Patriots including: senior Kyle Perry pitching all 7 innings, only giving up 2 runs with 12

strikeouts. Also, senior Andrew Staebell with 2 RBI, and sophomore, Noah Greise with 2 runs. Leading up to the district championship, Millard South beat Lincoln High 7-4, Jake Gish with 3 RBI and Garrett Svoboda with 2 runs.

“Our freshman and JV teams have some really good players,” head coach Greg Geary said, “I am excited to see how they develop over the next couple years.”

Working up to districts and state the Patriots have their eyes on the prize not only for this year but for seasons to come. Although, this amazing team can not gain these wins without the work they put into practices every day.

“We are really focused in practice,” senior Logan Rudolph said. “We are loose and have fun and I think that is very important.”

As the team gets ready to finish off their season at state, their focus and attitude improves more and more every day all while setting goals to be nothing but their best. These boys never give up Sophomore Noah Wallace jumps to make a catch in the outfeild in the first game of state. Photo by and battle till the end Logan Foote making a team that is impossible to beat.

Millard South came into their third double that brings Jake Gish home.

The Patriots kicked game at the state tournament ready to put

The Millard South Patriots brought off Nebraska state baseup a fight and that is exactly what they everything they had in the first three games ball with a bang on May did. On May 15, the boys played against of the Nebraska State Championship put12, playing an amazing 7 Lincoln Southwest with seniors Cole Braun ting them in position to win it all. They innings against the Grand and Andrew Staebell on the mound. The will put their skills to the test once again Island, Islanders. Senior Patriots started the 7th inning down 3-1, on May 16 at 4 p.m. against Creighton Prep Kyle Perry pitched 6 inthen putting Garrett Svoboda, and Kyle and the Patriots are ready to put all their nings with 9 strikeouts.

Perry in scoring position for Jake Gish at hard work from this season into every inFollowing the win over the plate.

Gish brought in two runners with ning of the rest of the tournament.

Grand Island, the Patriots a single to center field to tie the game.

To took a tough loss to MilSenior Garrett Svoboda scores in the bottom of the third end the game with a 4-3 lead over Lincoln lard West High School on inning against Grand Island in the first game of state. Photo Southwest, senior Dylan Wagner hits a May 14.

by Logan Foote

Award winning student council welcomes new members Allison Kirkebak Staff Reporter

This month, Student Council elections were back in action for the 2018-2019 school year at Millard South. Throughout the course of the election, many candidates made creative and humorous posters to campaign for themselves. But, the run for Student Council requires much more than campaigning around the school.

Applicants must fill out nine thorough essay questions, must have each of their current teachers fill out a survey about their qualities, and then a week where the student body is able to vote and elect on who they would like to represent their class through Student Council. The essay’s will be scored, along with the surveys from teachers, and those totals will be added to the number of votes received through the ballots throughout the week.

“I enjoyed the application process,” said sophomore Kali Herbolsheimer. “It made me think more about myself than I normally do, and I learned more about who I am.”

For the 2018-2019 year, the freshman, sophomore, and junior classes each get eight representatives, and the senior class gets nine. Of those 33 members, 14 are new to Student Council and 19 are returning members. New members were inducted May 15.

“The thing that excites me the most about next year is the group of individuals who are joining student council for the first time,” said junior Vice President Claire Aken, “Although at first they are shy and out of their comfort zone, I love to see them grow into passionate leaders within our school.”

Student Council plays a very important role at Millard South. Student Council is the foundation of many fundraisers, events and projects at South. They provide creative ideas and unconditional help and support throughout the school. Events that they put on and help with are Freshman Day, Welcome back to school, Homecoming and Spirit Week, Winter Pep Rally, Parent Appreciation Dinner, Staff Appreciation Lunch, Middle School

Registration Panels, Elementary pep rallies, and parent nights, Don’t Be Stupid Week, National Leadership Week, Kahoot Battle, and the Color Run. Along with the Patriots Care Student Pantry, Various Advisory, Community Service and Fanny Pack Fridays that are ongoing throughout the whole year. Next year, South is hosting the state convention for all the Student Councils in the state. They also got Millard South alumni, Kyler Erickson to speak at the state convention.

“This means all StuCo’s in Nebraska will descend on Millard South on October 19th,” said Student Council Advisor, Kyrie Nehls, “The past few years the conference has looked very different and we are excited to put our stamp on how it should be carried out.”

The 2018-2019 year will be Nehls’ 20th year being the StuCo Advisor. She has been honored as the State Advisor of the Year twice, the Region 5 Advisor of the Year and, a finalist of for the 2017 National Advisor of the Year. Her co-sponsor is Bobby Becker who has been involved with Millard South StuCo either as a member, a consultant or an advisor for the last 11 years.

“As for the rest of the year, I have no doubt that the members of 2018-2019 will maintain the standards of excellence that guide our organization,” Nehls said.

Awards and Honors

• National Student Council Gold Council of Excellence for 11 years • Gabby Hogan served as State Vice-President and President and served on the AllState Student Council • Claire Aken served as Vice-President • Molly Bull served as District 8 President

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News 5 • 18 • 2018

Patriot educators earn top awards Rom wins NHS-sponsored teacher of the year Matt Rothgeb Staff Reporter

Every year National Honor Society gathers in secret to decide on Millard South’s Most Prestigious award: MSHS Teacher of the Year. National Honor Society receives nomination letters from students explaining why a certain teacher deserves this award.

This year’s winner of MSHS Teacher of the Year is orchestra director Brittany Rom. Rom says winning this award makes her feel “like a fainting goat in a bowling alley. I’m stunned and pretty sure I’m here by mistake. I was really moved reading the student essays, and it meant a lot to me that students did all of that work on my behalf,” she said.

Working with students, although a very major piece of her job, is something she loves doing. “South is my family.

The best administrators, best teachers, and best students are all Patriots. I get to come to work every day and make music with really amazing people. BEST. JOB. EVER.” Mrs. Rom says about working at South.

This love for her job and craft shows in the music she directs in the orchestra classes.

“We have played Pirates of the Caribbean for commencement every year that I have been at South,” Rom said. “After 11 years, that piece carries many memories of the incredible people who have been a part of the Patriot orchestra family,” she said.

These incredible students she has worked with helped her receive Teacher of the Year. Senior and Violin, Johnna Sisneros, praises Mrs. Rom as a teacher because “she takes into account the needs and wants of her students and accommodates for them, and she isn’t too overly demanding.

It’s what makes her stand out.”

Next year however, Rom will not be at Millard South.

She is adventuring off on a “sabbatical from Millard to be employed as a Graduate Assistant at UNL in order to complete my PhD in Music Education with a minor in Cognition, Learning, and Development. On campus at the University of Nebraska Lincoln full time, I will be teaching classes, taking classes, completing comprehensive exams, carrying out research, and defending my dissertation. My research interest is in skill development, specifically in the gamification of music practicing. I will be back home at South the following year, where I plan to teach until I retire at the young age of 75.”

Orchestra teacher Brittany Rom holds her teacher of the year trophy made by choir director Jason Stevens. Photo by Lexie Pleiss

#TPW Allison Kirkebak Staff Reporter

Throne crowned as regional assistant principal of the year

Steve Throne is known around Millard South for his positive attitude and personality, along with his contagious and unconditional Patriot Pride. Throne has been at Millard South for eleven years. The first seven years he was a teacher and coach, and for the past four years, the Assistant Principal and Activities Director.

“Coach T is a tremendous positive leader with the utmost pride in Millard South High School and the Patriot community that is extremely contagious throughout the student body and staff of Millard South,” senior Kyle Perry said.

Throne was nominated by Millard South Principal, Heidi Weaver for the NSASSP Region II Outstanding Assistant Principal of the Year Award.

“You never win an award by yourself,” Throne said.

“This award is a Millard South award. Our school won this award by the great things that are going on inside our building everyday. I am blessed to work with great students, staff and community members each day. I am the lucky one,” he said.

Throne has won other awards but he said he is not about awards.

He is more worried about being the best person he can be every day in the role that he is in, here at Millard South.

“Throne’s outgoing per- Activities Director Steve Throne is the recipient sonality really sets who of the NSASSP Region II Outstanding Assistant he is at Millard South,” Principal award. Photo by Jacob Reinhardt said junior Gavin Peitzports our teams and spreads posimeier. “He is hard worktive spirit to everyone at Millard ing and a very enjoyable person to South and also to the Millard South be around, and he really embodies the Patriot Way. Throne always sup- community,” Peitzmeier said.

MPS Foundation selects Leuschen Max Aden Staff Reporter

On Friday, May 11th, the annual Millard Public Schools Foundation Hall of Fame Award Ceremony commenced, and many students and faculty members were recognized and awarded for their outstanding work and dedication. One of the biggest awards, Teacher of the Year, was given to one of Millard South’s science teachers, Tim Leuschen.

The Teacher of the Year award is given to only the most hard-working, selfless teachers out there Biology teacher Tim Leuschen is the recipient of the MPS Founwho are respected and looked up to by not only students, but also other teachers and staff members. Mr. dation secondary teacher of the year award. Photo by Jacob Reinhardt.

Leuschen exceeds all of the criteria, and goes above and beyond the expectations in his line of work.

Teacher of the Year.”

“Mr. Leuschen is an amazing teacher,” principal Heidi

Another quality of what a ‘Teacher of the Year’ should Weaver said. “He is passionate about his content area, have is being able to affect his students in a positive manbut more importantly builds positive relationships with ner. Not only does Leuschen positively impact the students his students. He is engaging in the classroom by using a he currently has, but he’s also made a big difference on variety of instructional techniques,” she said. Weaver also former students he’s taught in the past. said that “as a coach, Mr. Leuschen is a great mentor to

Senior Sydney Gerace had freshman year biology with the players and holds them to high expectations. In three Leuschen and said, “Mr. Leuschen was my favorite. words, I would describe him as driven, caring, and pasHe is always excited about science which makes it easy to sionate.” enjoy his class because he makes it interesting. He involves

Alex Tippets, a freshman in a biology class with lots of experiments in his course and uses special techLeuschen, said “Overall he’s just a really good teacher. He niques to make the material easier to understand,” she said. cares about the learning experience for the students, and he wants to see everyone succeed. He definitely earned

Early Grads: What are their plans?

Juniors get a head start on post high school education by graduating early Jessica Lukecart Staff Reporter

Typically, when you think of graduation, you automatically think senior. This is not the case for everyone. A handful of juniors also graduate each year. It is completely possible to get enough credits and be able to graduate the end of your junior year.

Most juniors who decide to graduate early are looking to get a head start on their futures.

“I’m graduating early so I can get a head start in my school to become a vet,” junior Riley Edgington said. While graduation early seems exciting, it’s a tough deci-

sion to make. “The disadvantages are that I’m missing a year of high school. I will be missing prom and all the football games.

The advantages are that I’m getting a head start on what I love to do, working with animals,” Edgington said.

Junior Alyssa Palensky was presented with the unique opportunity to move out to Yellowstone National Park and work.

She decided to graduate early so she could go. “I don’t have to deal with another year of high school and the pain of senior year,” Palensky said. “The disadvantage is that I’m

leaving people behind and I’ll miss out on the greatness of senior year.”

For some people missing out on their senior year isn’t worth the perks of early graduation. Junior Jacob Guinto planned on graduating early, but later changed his mind. “When you graduate as a junior you miss out on a ton of opportunities and chances, the biggest being the experience of senior year,” Guinto said. “You only go through high school once and personally I think I‘d regret making the choice to graduate early even though I dislike school.”

If you’re an underclassman and considering graduating early, think of the pros and cons and go with whichever best suits you and your academic career. Also, of course consider the importance or senior year and decide if that matters to you. Whichever path you choose, there is no wrong choice.

Everyone’s journey is unique and graduating a year early just might suit you.

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Opinion 5 • 18 • 2018

Is AP testing worth the agony?

Nickol Kreutzian Staff Reporter

“I want to die.”

“I wish I could dropout of high school.”

“Honestly, I don’t even care if I fail this anymore.”

Walk into any AP class in Millard South, and you’re likely to hear

at least one of these phrases in a ninety minute block. Many students, myself included, feel a startling amount of apathy towards most of their classes. As of writing this, I haven’t studied for any of my exams. They start in a week.

Are today’s students just lazier than their hardworking, industrial parents? Are we just content to squander the work their parents put in to give us a good education in a good school district? Are we so used to getting handouts and participation trophies that we can’t handle real work in the real world?

For most students, I don’t think that’s the case. Ask any kid at Millard South about what they enjoy doing. Everyone has their passions they want to pursue, and so many students are involved across the school in music, athletics, or volunteer work. However,

The hardships we go through make us stronger in the end Throughout your life, it’s pretty inevitable that you’ll experience grief and or loss if you haven’t already. I think it’s the rough patches in life that allows you to grow as a person. But the process just plain, sucks. And I won’t lie, it won’t be easy, but you’ll get through it.

This past week I experienced one of the hardest things i’ve been through, my Grandma passed away. Growing up, she was more of a friend to me than anything. Over the years, we made so many memories and grew closer. In November of 2016, her breast cancer came back in her bones. She fought it for a year and a half, but eventually, it caught up with her.

Looking back, i’ll always remember how brave she was and how she stayed true to herself despite how she was feeling physically.

Losing her hurts, and I think it always will in a way, so I wanted to use what i’ve been through to possibly help whoever reads this.

Most of us are familiar with the “5 stages of grief ”.

First, you’re in denial, you don’t want what has happened to be real so you don’t believe it. Then, you’re angry, you’re mad at God or the universe or whatever you blame. Next, you bargine, you try to find any way out. Finally, you accept it. Of course the process is a bit different for everyone, but genuinely the end goal is the same, you’ll be okay.

It’s pretty easy to get caught up in unhealthy coping mechanisms. I promise you though, if you do this, it’ll just make it

Jessica Lukecart Staff Reporter

tougher in the long run. Instead, I would recommend surrounding yourself with friends and family. And staying busy with school, work or whatever hobbies you might enjoy.

I think what nobody tells you is that bad emotions and feeling sad is completely okay. We’re human, it’s okay to feel down. It is completely okay to cry or not want to speak to anyone. If your bad days are more frequent than your good ones and it’s consuming you, there is nothing wrong with getting help, you don’t have to do it alone. Just alone at our school we have great councilors that would be more than happy to talk to you, if you want to or need to go, you should.

Overall, while losing someone or whatever hardship you might be going through is tough, it’ll make you stronger in the long run. “Strength and growth come only through continuous effort and struggle” ~ Napoleon Hill

we’re asking these students to eschew activities that bring them joy for the mindless drudgery of memorization and application.

Is it worth it? Do the payoffs of long nights and missed plans outweigh the missed experiences?

Not always. Many top-ranked schools only offer credit for test scores of 4 or even only 5, which can mean hours of studying and rigorous review before tests.

Some schools, like Dartmouth, don’t even accept AP credit any longer, as they believe that these classes do little to affect performance in college courses With these negatives, why do students still push themselves, sometimes past the breaking point?

For some, the mere potential of college credit can be enough to encourage them to sign up for AP classes. For everyone else, the pressure to outperform other schools and students or the seem-

ing necessity to take AP classes to seem valuable to a college or high school can be a major impetus.

High-achieving students often only see themselves as living up to their potential if they take the most difficult rigor of classes they can stand.

With high-stress and high-stakes exams, overworked students, and the potential of wasting a year of hard work, are AP classes even worth it for most people? I think that the answer is yes, but primarily if you find the material interesting. There’s no need to stress yourself out over a calculus class if you’d rather steam your carpets than do an extra math worksheet. Maybe skip AP Lit if an hour long chemistry lab sounds far more appealing than reading a chapter of the Great Gatsby. Let’s all stop stressing ourselves out over classes we couldn’t care less about.

Finding a happy medium between cracking jokes and keeping quiet

When I took my personalering my comedic skill struggles ity quiz on Buzzfeed, my results when put under pressure. (On a were not a big surprise to me. I’ve side note, this is why I will never known all my life that I am an in- do stand up. I’m telling you I trovert. As a kid, I was always the cannot be funny on command.) shy girl. As a preteen, I was the People simply don’t seem to unquiet girl with a few close friends. derstand this struggle and to be I have never been inclined to honest I don’t really either. converse with random people

Another struggle of being and I’ve always a rather goofy been in my own introvert, is my little world. own self-criWhile I’m still tique. Because I this introverted, have these two introspective completely opperson, I have posite character become noticetraits, I often ably different in feel like I’m too high school. funny or too

If you reserved. When know me at telling people all, I am quite the story of the goof now. how I fell down I’m constantly the stairs while Lindsey Assman cracking jokes simultaneously Staff Reporter (most of which laughing at are not funny), my friend for my catchphrase falling down is “whamo” the stairs 10 (yes, I say it about 50 times a seconds before me, my introvertday), I have a habit of stating my ed side creeps in and tells me to whacky insights (like seriously, tone it down. When I am reading why are bananas fruits? I don’t a book in the music commons, see any seeds), and I sometimes my goofy side tells me to get out tell it like it is (I mean someone there and share the thought that has got to do it). Although all of just popped into my head. What these crazy characteristics make do you do when you are always me who I am, and honestly bring fighting with yourself about who me much joy, there are a few you should be. problems.

After all of this contempla People who see this goofy tion, and writing a column that side, don’t seem to understand is probably pointless to many, I that I’m not always this way. have come to the realization that As I stated above, I’m quite I don’t have to be one or the oththe introvert. I enjoy my alone er. In fact, I’d probably be pretty time. Sometimes I like to sit and boring if I was. Being goofy is think. No talking. No joking. Just fun and being introspective is simply thinking. I am usually the valuable. Even though they like to comedic relief. What are people butt heads, both of these qualities supposed to do when I’m not in a bring something important to goofy mood? Who will relieve the the table. Afterall, being human awkward moments of each and is all about being nuanced, and every day? honestly who doesn’t like a little

So you see my issue. I am bit of everything? I mean that’s constantly feeling the need to why twist ice cream cones are the crack a joke, although, at times, best ones out there.

I’m not about being the jokester.

This causes further issues, consid-

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 5G computers, Adobe InDesign CC 2017 Adobe Photoshop CC 2017, and Google software.

Printing by White Wolf Web in Sheldon, Iowa.

Letters to the editor are encouraged. All letters must be signed with the student’s first and last name, grade, then submitted to Mrs. Kaldahl.

Unsigned letters will not be published. The staff reserves the right to edit letters for grammar, length, and clarity.

Letters of profane nature or other infractions of school or district policy will not be published.

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

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Focus 5 • 18 • 2018

Workin’ We asked several students if they had any stories to share from their work, embarrassing, scary, funny, or just plain shocking. Here’s what they had to say...

Jeremiah Grove- sophomore

Retirement home “This old man was lactose intolerant and wanted milk, and we aren’t allowed to tell them no.

So shortly after, he proceeded to defecate all the way back to his room.”

Emily Shafer- senior

Sit-down Restaurant “This older lady thought that I was touching my hair too much and then putting my hands on the plate, too close to the food, and she continued to tell me that I shouldn’t serve her and that I should be ashamed of myself. I just said, okay, sorry ma’am.”

Paige Pedersen- junior Childcare

“Two girls in the second grade were caught violently hurting each other...hair pulling, punching, screaming.”

Keelan Edwards - Junior

Restaurant “My manager came in one day intoxicated and decided to start making several pizzas for no reason.”

Art by Sean Burton

Logan Rudolph - senior

Telemarketing “Received a call from a man from Australia asking for something that I couldn’t help him with...he kept fighting with me and I couldn’t understand him. I thought I had transferred him to a manager, because I used profanity towards him, thinking I wasn’t on the line with him, but he heard all of it.”

Kimberly Martinez- senior

Retail “I had gotten scheduled to work right after my AP exams and was a little tired. I was checking a lady out and she started telling me in the meanest way that I needed to stop and be better and be happier.

I guess in order to check someone out you have to be smiling 24/7.”

Lindsey Assman - junior

Coffeehouse “This old couple walks in, and the lady is dressed in something a teenager would wear and had crazy makeup. When I asked her if she had any plans for the weekend, she said she was attending her mom’s funeral, and didn’t seem sad about it at all.”

Michael Coonce- Senior

Restaurant “This one family always makes reservations for a specific table each year.

For some reason, the reservation was cancelled in our system, and so the reservation table was offered to another family. When the lady stormed in, she said that her family would never be eating there again since they couldn’t sit at their special table. The table they sat at was literally 4 feet away from the one they usually sit at.”

5

Focus 5 • 18 • 2018

it

Teachers evaluate pros and cons of their own high school part -time job

interviews and photos by Nina Washington

Lily Theiler- junior Retail

“This lady tried on around 20 pairs of clothing, and returned all of them, complaining that nothing was her size, everything was wrong and demanded for a manager, who didn’t do anything of course. She then stormed off, yelling.”

THE FACTS OF

STUDENT WORK

70%

Kristin Kaipust Distribution Manager

Students often forget that teachers were once just like them. In fact, 81.3% of the 64 Millard South teachers surveyed had a part-time job during their high school career.

“I came from an environment where everyone worked in high school, it’s just what we did,” English teacher Steve Kerkman said.

Kerkman began his endeavors in the working class during the summer of his 11th birthday, detasseling corn for 40 to 60 hours a week. He also worked during the school year for his father, the chairman of the Hastings Downtown Association, doing odds-and-ends jobs.

“It was hard work but I made a lot of good friends I still have til this Everyone knows that high day,” Kerkman said. “It allowed me to school students work. But how work and meet people outside of my many of them work? Where do school.” they work? How often? What English teacher Johanna Hon also do they get paid? filled her education days with a parttime job.

Common Sense surveyed 182 “My first job was at the zoo,” Hon high school students and said. “I was 14 and they were one of the only places that would hire 14 collected this data. year olds.”

Hon began working around 20 hours a week, doing about 4 hours a day in the summer. When she started high school, she worked weekends for 8-10 hours. After 10th grade, Hon began working after the school day.

“I feel like employers now keep their students a lot later,” Hon said.

“When I worked, you left by 6:30 or 7 but now-a-days, students work until 9 or 10,” she said. “But based on the idea that I could do it and do other activities, I think most students can make it work.”

On the opposite end of the spectrum, math teacher Katie Garcia suggested to students to avoid getting a job.

“If you aren’t super active in school or need it for college then work limited hours, otherwise there is only a limited amount of years where there are clubs and activities available like in high school and you should take advantage of those,” Garcia said.

35.5% Garcia started her first job at 16, making right around $5 an hour at 34.1% Taco Johns.

14.8% “Getting a job was a personal choice,” Garcia said. “My dad actually 15.6% discouraged me from working many hours. He told me I had my whole life to work,” she said.

Garcia saved most of the money she earned and put it away for colHOURS lege. She said her job helped her learn to manage her time and was benefi2-4 4.7% cial when she eventually applied for a job in college.

31+ The general consensus between 23-30 8.6% these teachers was that having a job 5-10 in high school can be beneficial, 10.2% teaching students the importance of 21.1% scheduling and working diligently.

However, it also has the capability of 17-22 affecting performance in school.

“Having a job during the school 19.5% 11-16 year is both good and bad,” Kerkman said. “I think it’s great to learn time management but I see the pressures 35.9% of grades and others expectations.”

of students have a job during the school year

22% of those students have a second job JOB TYPE GROCERY & RETAIL FOOD & COFFEE RECREATION & FITNESS OTHER

WAGES $11.01+

$9.00

16.4%

24.2%

$10.01-$11.00 16.4% $9.76-$10.00 18.0%

$9.01-$9.75 25.0%

*PAY PER HOUR Infographic by RuthAnne Hale

*HOURS PER WEEK

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Common Sense Class of 2018

Seniors 5 •18 • 2018

Seniors 5 • 18 • 2018

7 What was happening when we were in kindergarden?

Carrie Underwood won American idol.

Youtube was created.

Max Aden

A day without sunshine is like, you know, night.

-Steve Martin My favorite memory from Millard South is track and field freshman year. My advice to underclassmen is to get involved as much as possible. Next year I will attend the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and plan on studying film production.

Adrienne Bruner

Ryan Carter

You are a work in progress.

Real happiness lays on the other side of fear.

My favorite memories from Millard South are going to homecoming and prom with my best friends. Underclassmen, don’t let the stress get to you--everything is gonna be alright.

Next year I will be going to UNL to study journalism.

My favorite memory of Millard South is KBL’s pride time - she was always so full of love and light! My advice to underclassmen is that it is better to have a couple close friends than 1,000 fake friends. Next year I will be attending Oklahoma State and plan on studying psychology.

Meerkat Manor Premiered.

Guitar Hero was released.

Juicy tracksuits were popular.

Destiny’s Child announced their plan to disband.

The Office made its debut.

Foster’s home for imaginary friends was airing.

Vanessa Chavez

Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.

-Nelson Mandela My advice to underclassmen is to get involved! It’s so important! It’s a great way to meet new people, create good relationships with teachers, gain experience in areas you’re interested in and enjoy school even when it gets tough. I will be going to UNO to study elementary education.

Grace Flogstad Whatever you are, be a good one.

-Abraham Lincoln My favorite memory from Millard South is meeting Fatwa Luka. Underclassmen, don’t stress too much. It will be over before you know it. Next year I will be going to Nebraska Wesleyan to study nursing.

Jordyn Kelley Every individual is an exception to the rule.

-Carl Jung The best memory I have from Millard South is astronomy class. Underclassmen, my advice to you is whatever your best is, always try to keep climbing academically. Next year I will be attending Nebraska Wesleyan to study music, psychology and film.

Kassandra Kizlin

When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.

-Maya Angelou My advice for underclassmen would be to find the best way to study for you, be it reading the information multiple times or some new way. Study even if you think you’ll do well. Next year I am going to study English at the University of Kansas.

Ryan Lawrence Am I a hero? I really can’t say but yes.

The best part of high school for me was playing sports and making friends. My advice to underclassmen is to get involved early on and try your best. Next year I will be attending Nebraska Wesleyan and have not decided what to study.

Webkinz were the most popular Christmas toy.

Johnny Depp gave a new face to Charlie and the Chocalate factory.

Hollaback Girl topped the charts.

Kid pix was the best thing ever.

If you had an i-pod shuffle you were basically a god.

The nintendo DS also gave you god status.

The Wii was pretty amazing.

Jacob Reinhardt

Matt Rothgeb

ahhruggg uuuurrhhh hhaaaar.

-Chewbacca

Don’t be afraid to fail.

-Del Close

My favorite memory from Millard South is competing in Mr. Millard South. Underclassmen, my only advice is to finish. Next year I will begin my two year mission but I do not know where I will be going.

My favorite memory from Millard South has been the improv state team. Underclassmen, my best advice to you is to lose your expectation and have fun in school. Next year I plan to study engineering at UNL.

Johnna Sisneros

Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it’s better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring.

-Marilyn Monroe While I have enjoyed my time at Millard South I am excited to be starting the next chapter of my life. Next year I will be attending UNL. My advice to underclassmen is don’t allow other people and achievements to define your character, self worth goes deeper than grades.

Taryn Smith Guess who has two thumbs, speaks limited french and hasn’t cried once today? This moi.

-Liz Lemon My favorite memory from Millard South is spending time with the social studies teachers. My advice to underclassmen is to try and find something you are truly passionate about.

Hard work is easier when you have a purpose.

Next year I will be attending Nebraska Wesleyan where I plan to study economics.

Nina Washington You do you.

The best part of high school was being in 39 steps my sophomore year . My advice to underclassmen would be to try your hardest and stay in the moment, and be mindful. Next year I will be going to UNCSA to study film acting.

Recess was everyone’s favorite subject.

They still served cookie dough at lunch.

It was a pretty great time to be a kid.

8

Seniors 5 • 18 • 2018

Senior Columns and Farewells

High school’s been a blast. I’ve grown a lot, As I’m reaching my last moments of high learned a lot, laughed a lot, and worked a lot. I’ve school, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about met great people, created great memories, and how I’ve spent these last four years - how I’ve gained a lot of experience. I can truly say that changed, what I’ve learned, etc. Let me tell you … these past 4 years have encouraged my growth. much of it is very cringe-worthy. Thank goodness Talking about these last four years can’t go withI’m not still wearing that Wet Seal top with aeroout mentioning the events I’ve gone through and postale jeans and messy eyeliner like I did when I experiences that have shaped me, as a minority in first walked into this building. I can still hear the a predominantly white school.

2014 top 100 playlist in the back of my mind as a As a part of the school’s newspaper I first write this … yikes. found my voice when I had the opportunity to Setting aside all of the jokes, I think one of the highlight an amazing program at school that most drastic changes in high school is the friendadds to the diversity in our student body, the ELL ships that come and go. We’re all trying to find program. As a newspaper staff we agreed to create our ‘clique’ and make an image of ourselves and a focus highlighting different students in the promore often than not, we’re constantly changing gram- their experiences in their former homes, that image. No matter how hard you try to conand their new lives in the United States. That Vanessa Chavez vince me otherwise, everyone cares about their was the first time I felt I could highlight minorRyan Carter reputation, even if that image varies from person ity groups at school in a way in which they themselves had the opportunity to tell to person. their stories as opposed to their lives being told by others.

For me, I came into high school with the reputation of being a “goody-goody”.

As I realized the opportunity I had to give others a voice, my writings maHowever, I desperately wanted to be popular. It’s cliche, I know, but as a 14 year old tured. Last September I created a full page graphic and wrote two articles about who grew up watching mean girls, that’s what I wanted. I still remember my first DACA, where those affected by the repeal could seek help and discover organiza‘party’ I went to and my first ‘relationship’. Popularity isn’t a bad thing, but I purtions that support the program. I feel lucky to be able to shine light on these sorts sued it in a way that was far from good. The girls were always turning their backs of topics because at a privileged school it’s easy to overlook them since they don’t on me and the boys only wanted one thing. I was always trying to impress different affect the majority. people which led me to new groups.

Another article I enjoyed writing this year was a column about affirmative

If you’re anything like me, you don’t really end up with that ‘group’. By no action scholarships. I used up-to-date reliable statistics to back my argument that means did I not have true friends in high school, but I never had that one solid minorities aren’t simply awarded scholarships for being a minority. I also used my group that stuck together. I’ve always been friends with a variety of people and it’s real life encounters with discrimination to make a point so that those who believe taught me a lot. minorities are at an advantage when it comes to scholarships, could recognize the

There are friends from my freshman year that I barely know now; friends that discrimination and prejudice minorities frequently have to deal with.

I have now that I would’ve never imagined being friends with freshman year. Some

When I was accused of racism by a student that had critiqued my column I friendships will end from simply growing distance and others may end with a nasty was in disbelief. I laughed because that is the kind of ignorance that leads argument. Nonetheless, I regret none of them since they all taught me something. to thoughts that minorities have some sort of privilege when it comes

Some taught me what not to look for in friendships. Some taught me how to to obtaining money. I also had fellow staff members’ support who be completely spontaneous. Most importantly, some have shown me some of also found the comment to be outrageous. Later that fall, the best music. Equally as important, some taught me what my I entered my column to a journalism competition. I worth is. received an “Excellent” in Column Writing from

I’ve tended to be pessimistic about a lot of my high the JEA Winter High School Journalism Competischool experience, but at the end of it all, I’m content with the tion. people who stuck with me. If you’re reading this, I love you

It’s been these opportunities that have given and thank you. me the chance to highlight minority students and

I know a lot of you maybe are looking at this as a rant, bring new perspectives to discussions. I feel lucky but I promise you, I mean something by saying all of this. to have the means to create representation. I’d like to Don’t ever be afraid of change. Change will always thank Mrs. Kaldahl for always supporting me and behappen, but growth is optional. High school is a ing appreciative of the diverse topics I like to incorpocrazy mass of drama, change and finding yourself. rate to our paper. I’d also like to thank the students Use these four years to seek new opportunities. and staff members that take time to read the You may find yourself in places you won’t expect, newspaper and appreciate our work. And well, but it’ll be worth it. Along the way, it won’t matter now that I’m at it, I’d like to thank the person how many people are with you. As long as you have that critiqued my column. Thank you for reading a couple of solid friends, you will be okay. Stop focusit, your critique has created a desire for me to pubing on the assurance of others because the reality of it is that lish similar articles and opinion pieces because there not everyone will stand by your decisions. If you are loving are people that still need to be educated. yourself and loving others, you will be successful. I promise. art by Sean Burton At times I try to imagine the beginning. The starting point seems far off and hazy and I’ve heard that some of our earliest memories are made up of both subtle and drastic inconsistencies that you’ve accepted as true over the years.

That makes a lot of sense to me. Therefore, I may be incorrect to say this, but I am somewhat sure that my first experience Ryan Lawrence in the Millard Public education system began at six in the morning, on a monday, at Kids Network in Holling Heights.

I was terrified after my mom left me there. You spend your whole life holding your mother’s hand going this way and that and suddenly she let’s go and you’re alone in a new and confusing world. I suppose it’s an important lesson to learn and get used to early; life is full of new and confusing places. But I didn’t understand that as a child, not at that age at least.

I was lucky. While the teachers ignored my obvious hints of distress and hysteria, a fifth grader, with the grace, knowledge, and maturity, of a grown woman, acknowledged my cries for help. She took me under her wing and explained to me the way things operated at school, the way things worked. She showed me where everything was, who everyone was, and how to function.

I’d never really understood what she’d done for me, I was too young, but I’d never been so thankful for anything in my life.

Senior year is a time of reflection and for some odd

reaason that is the memory that keeps coming back to me. So I’ve decided now, 12 years later, I’d like to return the favor to anyone who’s interested.

I’m not here to tell you where the cafeteria is or who the cool teachers are or what bathrooms to use when you’re forced to go number 2, hopefully you’ve figured all that out by now, but I’m here to tell you what I’ve learned about commitment, hard work, and friendship, here in the halls of Millard South.

I’d like to start by emphasizing that hard work is the primary and most important factor you need in order to be successful. Sure, natural ability, brains, and a bit of luck doesn’t hurt at all, but a strong work ethic, as cliche as it sounds, is one of the few things you can completely control. I was never considered to be the smartest or most athletically talented in the classroom or on the field, but what always gave me a stunning advantage over others was my commitment and diligence in my work and the amount of effort I was constantly putting in. If you truly give it your all, in everything you do, it will pay off drastically in one way or another.

Hard work goes hand in hand with commitment.

Millard South is full of clubs and teams which present opportunities to excel, succeed, and grow in ways you may have never thought possible. But, it is important to understand that these clubs require hard work, concentration, and most importantly time. In order to succeed in your sport, club, classroom, or life in general, it is incredibly important that you understand that great things take time and commitment. Glory and success take late nights studying, practicing after the coaches have left, going 200 percent in the weight room, and putting a large majority of your free time into your club. Because at Millard South and life in general, glory isn’t given, it must be won. Your coaches, teachers, and advisors will help, but ultimately, success must come from within you.

Millard South has taught me many things and has helped me grow as a student, an athlete, and as a person

in general, but one of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned during my four years here is what it takes to be a good person to others, and what it takes to be a good friend. Being a good friend, I feel, is something that has been forgotten lately and we’re all guilty of it. Being a good friend doesn’t revolve around the pictures you post for their birthdays on twitter, or the high snapchat streaks, or the parties you invite them to, but I feel that being a good friend means something more. Being a good friend isn’t about coasting through the good times together, although it is enjoyable. The true test of a good friend is how you react when times are tough. Being a good friend means you are able to apologize, listen, and legitimately try and care to comprehend a situation. Being a good friend is a tough job and why shouldn’t it be?

True friends are hard to come by and I honestly think throughout high school you’d be lucky to have one or two.

Because a friend shouldn’t care about how much money you have, or how popular you are, or what car you drive, or how good you are in sports. A friend is someone who cares regardless of your situation and likes you for you. The sooner you figure out who those people are, the happier you’ll be in high school.

It’s strange to me that after 13 long years in public education, it is finally coming to a close. I’m warning you, high school is a roller coaster, full of ups and downs, twists and turns, and lefts and rights. It’s a wild ride, and you’ll constantly be thrown this way and that, but bear in mind, it’s a ride you only get to experience once and after that it’s over. I’m thankful for every memory, every page turned, every gasser ran on the field, and every person I’ve met along the way. You may have one year left, or you might have four to go, but my final piece of advice is to slow down and enjoy every bit of it. Because like a roller coaster, it goes by fast, and it’s a better experience if you keep your eyes wide open and your arms outstretched towards the horizon.

9

Superlatives 5 • 18 • 2018

SENIOR SUPERLATIVES photos by Kali Herbolsheimer

These awards were presented at the senior banquet hosted by Senior Class Board

Best Dressed

Most Artistic

Best Eyes

Most Athletic

Jacob Reinhardt & Mia Thomas

Ben Ray & Alex Branton

Carter Fangmeyer & Johnna Sisneros

Rylee Pauli & Kyle Perry

Worst case of Senioritis

Where X goes Y goes

Where X goes Y goes

Most likely to be Famous

Cole Braun & Grace Flogstad

Sierra Rasmussen & Fatwa Luka

Max Aden & Brent Miller

Caryn Jones & Jared Shaw

Most likely to Brighten Someone’s Day

Most likely to be Late to Graduation

Most likely to be President

Cutest Couple

Andy Reel & Delaney Patten

Connor Hinrichs & Marly Gallegos

Taryn Smith & Logan Rudolph

Mike Todd & Ashdyn Anderson

Best Hair

Best Laugh

Taylor Lemen & Cody Klinkacek

Kahyra Tasco & Josh Renken

Most Respected Proudest Patriot

Tori Pedersen & Andrew Ceballos

Gabby Hogan & EJ Mumm

10

Entertainment 5 • 18 • 2018

Sizzlin’ hot movies for summer Carson O’Connor Staff Reporter

I saw Avengers: Infinity War the weekend of its release.

It was a huge and fun movie that managed to be impactful while not taking itself too seriously.

But this article will not be about Thanos, the almighty big baller of the galaxy, nor any of his outmatched superhero adversaries.

Instead, as I tend to do this time of year, I am looking ahead to summer.

Inundated with preview after preview prior to the start of my movie, I took a good deal of mental notes. My goal was to sift through the garbage to find a summer movie gem. My preview reviews, in chronological order by release date: Solo: A Star Wars Story: May 25

Hollywood has milked almost every possible story out of the Star Wars universe and should probably lay it to rest, but this cast is kind of fun.

The beautiful Emilia Clarke (known as Khaleesi on Game of Thrones) and multi-talented Donald Glover (playing Han Solo) bring young star power, plus Woody Harrelson will take his familiar southern drawl to

space.

Having watched the trailer once in the theatre and once at home, I can tell you nothing about the plot except that there are lots of guns, space train fights and explosions.

This movie will be released the first day of summer and will not be good enough to see then, but a couple days later I could see myself watching it.

Incredibles 2: June 15

You know what they say: a remake is never as good as the original. I fear that might be the case with Incredibles 2. The trailer showed a departure from the roots that made the first Incredibles so special.

(I actually don’t even recall seeing the original Incredibles, I could only bluff it for one paragraph. What is this movie? I’m the only one who hasn’t seen it aren’t I? Why are they rebooting from 2004?)

‘Uncle Drew: June 29

June is a scorching hot month for movies. The one-two punch of Incredibles and Uncle Drew to finish it off is something else.

I joke, but you know damn well my butt will be in the seat to

watch the big screen adaptation of Kyrie Irving’s Pepsi commercial.

For the unfamiliar, Uncle Drew is a character basketball star Kyrie Irving plays where he dresses up like an old man and hustles unsuspecting civilians in pickup games. The first appearance of Uncle Drew was back in 2012 as part of a promotion for Pepsi Max. For some reason, a movie was made centered around the character.

Shaquille O’Neal plays a prominent part alongside Irving.

Uncle Drew should provide boatloads of fun with just a bit of flat earth propaganda sprinkled in.

Mission: Impossible - Fallout: July 27

“Oh, you know, it’s the same old Ethan.” muses some dude near the end of this trailer as the camera cuts to Tom Cruise pulling off three midair bike stunts to land atop a helicopter or something.

Mission: Impossible - Fallout looks like another halfway self aware action movie. Cruise aims to follow up The Mummy and prove he can make two consecutive films ridiculous enough to have comedy value.

Book stores that will keep Take a new Spin on pizza you flipping Pages Conlan Custard Staff Reporter

Kassie Kizlin Staff Reporter

I have loved reading since elementorn to basically brand new. You’ll have tary school. I got sucked into a retelling of a good chance of finding what you want rapunzel and couldn’t keep my mouth shut in this alphabetized and genre organized about it. I read all the time and teachers bookstore. There is still no guarantee that had to take my books away. As I grew up, you’ll find what you want, but this is true this continued but now I have to Buy my of any inperson bookstore. There is also a own books and over the years I have found a few good places to buy books around Omaha.

One of the cheapest and easiest place to find books in Omaha Jackson Street Booksellers at 1119 Jackson St. in the Old Market. is the Photo by Kassie Kizlin goodwill.

You will find donated gems at an incredibly reduced good selection of used CD’s, comics, toys, rate. You can go in with $5 and come out and games sold there. You can find books in with over five books if you put your mind basically brand new conditions . to it. There is some drawbacks, however,

A bookstore that I love, that is sadly because they do not alphabetize or sort not known about, is Jackson Street Bookmy genre. You also have no guarantee that sellers,1119 Jackson St, in the old market. you’ll find the book you want but it’s worth It’s a beautiful store that basically comes off a shot with the drastically reduced prices of the page of a book. There is bookshelves the goodwill books. It’s an especially good taller than me lined with so many many place to go if you have no specific book in books that sometimes they’re stacked on the mind, since you’re sure to find a cheap copy ground. The whole place smells like books of something you’ll like. It’s also easy to find and there’s dehumidifiers on the ground to any really popular series there, or six copies keep all the books in good condition. The of The Firm by John Grisham. books here can be very cheap because they,

Another place I love going is Halflike all the places I’ve mentioned, sell used Price Books, located at 12355 W Center books. If you want to find old and obscure Rd. A great thing about this place is that or out of print books this is the place to go. they have to mark the book as half the back The only drawback is that you probably cover price or less. The only time it might won’t find the newest books here. be more than that is if it’s an old copy of a

Used bookstores are a great place to go book, in which case they’ll put half the price if you want to buy your books but not pay of the book in current terms. Half-Price the high prices of new books from Barnes Books has a much larger selection of used and Noble. If you ever have a free evening books than the goodwill. The condition and want to find a new book to read, going of the books sold there range from kinda to any of these places is a good choice.

They say the simple things in life matter the most. To that, I would agree, which is why Spin! Neapolitan Pizza on Wright Street is something we should all smile about.

As a newer restaurant, its atmosphere as a stone oven pizzeria with fast food convenience to go along with a fair amount of comfort and charm drew me to the place right away. You’re greeted as soon as you walk in to go order at the counter, take a number, and choose your table. It’s a very unique and efficient setup for groups who need to arrive or depart at different times and pay separately but still sit together.

The menu includes traditional and unique pizzas with typical pizza toppings like pepperoni and Italian sausage, or more exotic ingredients such as pancetta, crimini mushrooms, shrimp, goat cheese, apples, capers, Calabrian peppers, and crushed glazed pecans. And as their name suggests, pizzas are neapolitan style with thin, bubbly crust and light sauce, which allows the distinctive toppings to take center stage.

Aside from pizza, SPIN! offers a variety of salads, soups, pasta, sandwiches,

and flatbread. Looking at the menu, you also can’t help but notice the interesting flavor combinations scattered throughout its pages such as “lemon ricotta olive oil” and “fig onion marmalade.”

With a quick scan of the place, you’ll find a plethora of casual decor with a bicycle theme. Bike tires hang from various heights like ceiling fans across the restaurant, and the rustic high ceilings are a nice touch. Not to mention the sweet sounds of 80’s tunes in the background all through the night, which I’m sure all your parents will enjoy.

Additionally, there’s a small bar near the front of the restaurant with a few huge, sports playing televisions to go along with it. Next to the counter, you’ll find a few giant tubs of rich, creamy gelato which serves as a perfect dessert to cap off your night.

To sum things up, aside from the great deals and promotions going on nearly every week, SPIN! Pizza is both simplistic and complex all at once, which I think is what makes it so endearing.

But be warned, it will draw you into a night of delicious fun, and you wont leave disappointed.

Photo by Conlan Custard

11

Entertainment 5 • 18 • 2018

J Cole’s KOD is DOA A review of high school Carson O’Connor Staff Reporter

“I understand this message is not the coolest to say, but if you down to try it, I know of a better way: meditate, don’t medicate.” J Cole raps on the penultimate track of KOD, his 5th studio album.

In a genre filled with hedonistic drug abusers, J Cole aims to fully establish himself as the contrarian.

But a stance against drugs is not enough to flesh out a full length album; that’s the reason Nancy Reagan never went platinum without features. I hoped to see Cole transcend the “Say no to drugs!” mantra on KOD (an acronym for Kids on Drugs).

There are flashes of honest and thoughtful commentary on addiction within this album. Once an Addict (Interlude) is an affecting track where he raps about his mother’s struggles with drugs. It’s one of the few moments on this album that sounds more like storytelling than a sermon.

Another standout is ATM, which might be J Cole’s best song since Forest Hills Drive. He often

lulls me to sleep with unimaginative production, but ATM features an infectious beat and a verse that left me involuntarily nodding along.

Unfortunately, these highlights are crammed between a lot of fake deep lyrics. The first time I heard the outro to the title track KOD, I couldn’t help but chuckle at the corniness. Cole spends a minute dramatically reading off the names of most drugs known to man just to cap it off with the strongest drug of all: love. You can’t make this stuff up.

Some of the themes Cole tried to implement are the same themes Kendrick Lamar hammered home so masterfully on the album DAMN. The problems arise in the execution of these ideas. He is unable to emulate Kendrick’s furious flow or do away with his own penchant for corny lyrics.

Overall, KOD was a stronger and more interesting output than Cole’s last project 4 Your Eyez Only, but is still greatly flawed.

So I have completed high school! Okay, I’m those class projects where you have to make not officially done, but I have mentally and emo- up a rap about the Industrial Revolution with a tionally checked out of high school. I’m ready bunch of white people. Regardless, I have had to enter adulthood where I work every day and so my great teachers and opportunities at this my only friends are someone who promised to school that it’s not even something I can try to put up with me nonstop through the exchange make jokes about. Please don’t ever take ACT of wedding vows and people who are paid to prep, school-funded AP exams and programs be in the same place at the same time as me. like Early College High School for granted.

In celebration and bitterness, I have decided to When it comes to success, MSHS for the win. write this—a review of high school—as my leav- Also the food was terrible, but the lunch ing legacy and also to laugh in the faces of those ladies were nice. who still have to come back in the fall.

Relationships? 10/10 would recommend. I

I’d like to start with the experience as a have met my closest friends here and I wouldn’t whole: Four stars, give trade them for anything. It or take. I have so many has really been a blessing memories, some gooad that I get to see these people and some bad. I had fun, everyday and I am sorry I but I would never consider took things for granted. My this “The Best Days of My favorite high school memoLife,” considering I could ries are snapshots of them take any four year chunk of and I will never forget how my life and list numerous my life was changed by these memories where I was just amazing people. as happy. Also I just think

And finally, our it’s silly to compare days in newspaper staff. I have been my future where I’m gonna honored to serve on Comget married or push a small mon Sense staff for three version of me out to second years. I would first like to semester of physical scithank Mrs. Conley, from ence. Don’t get me wrong, Bellevue East who laid the Prom and homecoming foundation for my educadefinitely rank pretty high tion in journalism. She has up on “Moments that I will been a major influence in Adrienne Bruner probably remember the my decisions for the future.

Features Editor next time my life flashes I have learned so much from before my eyes,” but life is her as well as Kaldahl and too long for high school to be my prime. People many other role models and mentors. You have treat it like the end when, in reality, it’s just the allowed me to grow as a person and pushed me beginning. Besides, life for high schoolers is to succeed when all I wanted was to go back to extremely stressful, and I know that America sleep. I will remember each and everyone of you doesn’t want to hear it but it’s true. With work as I pursue a career, and as I pursue life. I would and school, combined I was working a sixty also like to thank three years of Common Sense hour week at one point. And the thing about a staff members: I really wish I could have been job versus school is that your work stays at work closer with all of you, and I wish nothing but the most of the time. When I leave my job, I don’t best for you in the future. have homework. Teachers have open blocks

In the end, high school has been some of for planning and grading, and some of aren’t in the most stressful, heartbreaking, soul-sucking too much of a rush to get it done anyways. I am years of my life. At the same time, I have met excited to move to a chapter of my life where I so many wonderful people and I have so many can prioritize facets of my life for the better. good memories that it was almost worth it. Al On the other hand, I have had so many most, though not completely. Like I am still fully great mentors and role models during my years convinced that this was honestly too hard and at Millard South. I transferred from Bellevue I’m not trying to come back. Goodbye, Millard East, and I am here to tell you that if these two South. I may not be ready for adulthood but I’m schools were a movie, MS would be Sundance definitely ready to leave high school. film festival status and East would be one of

Avengers: Infinity War breaks the media and the hearts of viewers Sadie Brower Staff Reporter

10 years ago marked the beginning of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, when the very first Iron Man movie was released. Billions of dollars and 19 films later, Avengers: Infinity War brings us right back to the edge of the cliff that Marvel fans have gotten comfortable on, giving this film more media attention than any other. Now I will do my best not to give away any spoilers, but if you haven’t seen Infinity War yet, there is a good chance the whole plot has already been spoiled for you.

This movie begins and ends with blood being spilt. In the beginning of the film Thor, who used to be the most powerful man in the galaxy, is captured by Thanos, a power seaking alien who is looking for infinity stones, each of which control a vital aspect of human nature. Right next to Thor is his evil brother Loki, played by Tom Hiddleston, who is brutally killed by Thanos. This violent beginning prepares the audience for the next two and a half hours of death that will occur.

This film brings almost every single Marvel super hero into one movie, yet they never fully unite unlike every other Avengers film we have seen so far. This Avengers story splits the group into three places with Iron man (Robert Downey Jr), Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch), the Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), and Spiderman (Tom Holland) together traveling around space, where as Thor (Chris Hemsworth) rides along with the Guardians of the Galaxy on the other side

of the Universe. At the same time, the rest of the Avengers and Captain America (Chris Evans) fight to protect the stone keeping their home on Earth safe. In the latest movie,

Captain America: Civil War, the avengers are divided and fail to make amends by the end of the movie. Infinity War is the film that was expected to reunite the dream team, that was split into sides between Captain America and Iron man, but once again directors Anthony and Joe Russo give the audience what they least expect.

Throughout this movie, Thanos is traveling the universe searching for stones that will ultimately give him the power to destroy

anything and everything. Thanos explains to his adopted daughter, Gamora (Zoe Saldana), that he needs to wipe out half the population to make the world pure again and a better place for her, but later on in the film he sacrifices Gamora for a infinity stone.

Each group of heros has a run in with Thanos where they all end up giving up their stones after a fight that left at least one if not multiple people dead.

Thanos explains

Let me tell you one thing right now, if you are expecting to walk out of that movie theater joyful and excited about everything you just witnessed, you may as well throw that accusation right out the window because that is not what will happen. Don’t get me wrong this movie is fantastically made in many ways, but it may take a couple hours or possibly days to recover from your mind being blown to pieces. Long story short, this

movie leaves you speechless and feeling emotions anywhere from borderline depressed, to ready to save the world and everything in between.

The Avengers: Infinity War is a full 149 minutes yet it is one of the most unresolved movies I have ever seen because, it is not a stand alone movie and it can not be judged like it is one. This action packed film is just the beginning of many more Marvel movies to come and it is very apparent that the directors were striving for the audience’s feeling of hopelessness as we see so many characters disappear to the unknown. By the end of the movie, only the original five avengers remain standing hopeless in the jungle of Wakanda where they had teamed up with the Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman). This film is one of the very first times we see the Avengers fail with the fate of the universe on their hands. At this moment is when the entire audience expects The Avengers to find some miraculous plan to get the stones back from Thanos, but instead they see a black screen, the credits begin to roll and everyone’s mouths have dropped in distress.

All in all, I really enjoyed watching this movie although it may have tugged at every emotion possible. Marvel Studios combined comedy, love, action and teamwork to create just one more movie apart of what will eventually be an incredible series of Avengers movies.

12

Sports 5 • 18 • 2018

Reinhardt clears 38 year old school pole vault record Sydney Secunda Yearbook Staff

The 2018 Millard South boys track team was certainly on the younger end of the spectrum this year, but for one of the few seniors, it was a season filled with memories and accomplishments. Senior Jacob Reinhardt has been vaulting towards success, quite literally, in the event of pole vault over the last four years for the Patriots. The pole vault record of 14’4” inches was set by Paul Jonas in 1980. Reinhardt, only a mere 4 inches away, had his mind set on breaking that record this year.

“I’m excited to break it because ever since I started vaulting I saw Jonas’s record and wanted to break it,” said Reinhardt, “I’m very excited knowing I’m almost there.”

Reinhardt also received loads of support from his coaches and teammates, helping him obtain his goals.

“Jacob has continued to improve each year, he continues to master the skills to vault higher every season,” said head boys track coach Michael Edmundson.

Returning to Omaha after a disappointing cancellation at the Kansas Relays put Reinhardt back on the path to achieving his original goal, and at the Metro Meet on May 3, he cleared 14’ 6.2” and moved to the top of the MS Leaderboard.

“This year, he qualified for the Kansas Relays, which is not an easy task.”

Many athletes were hoping to qualify for the Kansas Relays at KU in Lawrence, Kansas, but unfortunately many were disap-

pointed receiving the news that they had not made the cut. But the tides had turned in Jacob’s favor when it was announced he was the solo Patriot that was eligible to compete at the high-level meet!

“I was very surprised when I qualified for Kansas Relays because there are a lot of vaulters in Nebraska that have cleared higher heights,” Reinhardt said. “When we got to Kansas I was very excited and ready to compete with some of the top athletes in the Midwest!”

Unfortunately, on the day of the competition, mother nature was a little upset and brought some rain to Lawrence.

“When I found out that they cancelled boys pole vault, I was a little angry. The weather wasn’t that bad and we definitely could Senior Jacob Reinhardt clears the bar set at 14’ 4” during A-2 district meet. Photo by Johnna Sisneros have competed,” Reinhardt said. “All the coaches of the Reinhardt pole vaulted for the Patriots

He has grown immensely as a leader other athletes were very upset as well, some through his senior year in 2017 and made on the team with the help of friends and of them had to drive 6 hours to come. Most it on the top 25 leader board in 2016 with a athletes before him. of us do not think they handled things very vault of 13’ 2”.

“I have been able to learn from the upwell.”

“David and I compare pretty well. He perclassmen and become better seeing the

“It stinks that he was not able to showjust didn’t have the best season last year,” work that they put in,” said Reinhardt. case his skills as a vaulter,” Coach Edmundsaid Jacob.

His efforts are highly valued by the son said. “He had the potential to place at

Jacob also has two younger siblings, coaches and help other people become betthis prestigious meet, so one of which has also been vaulting on the ter leaders as well. we were definitely disap- Patriot’s team for two years now. Sopho “Jacob constantly challenges himself pointed that he was not more Hannah Reinhardt has been carrying and has a no-quit attitude,” said Coach given the opportunity,” on the family tradition this season as well.

Edmundson, “He leads by example, putting he said.

With a PR of 6’6”, she had also made it onto in the work to be successful and compete at Although the pole the top 25 leaderboard. the highest level.” vault event was can “Hannah has been able to do very well

Although his absence will be hard on celled, it was still very this season and is ready to improve,” said the team, Jacob and the coaches believe that humbling for Jacob and Reinhardt. “I am also excited for her to the future of the team is bright. all of the athletes to have continue and my younger brother to come

“Jacob was a point person for our been invited to such a and compete for the Patriots in the upcomvarsity team,” said Edmundson “We could competitive meet. ing years.” always count on him to score for the team at Jacob’s pole vaulting

Sadly, this is Reinhardt’s last year as the highest level.” career didn’t just start a Patriot and will be going on to do great

“There are a lot of strong runners and out of nowhere. The things in life. field athletes that will put up solid points in Reinhardt’s have started

“I might try to compete in college, dethe upcoming seasons,” said Reinhardt. “I Senior Jacob Reinhardt plants the pole approaching the bar set a family tradition in pending on where I go,” he said. “Things get can’t wait to see what the Patriots have in the pole vaulting event. at 14’ 4” during A-2 district meet. Photo by Johnna Sisneros super competitive at the college level--it’s store!”

Jacob’s older brother and tough.” former Patriot David

Patriots score wild card slot at state tournament Carina Covington Sports Editor

Facing a tough district, the Patriot girls soccer team fell after a hardfought game against Marian. Because of their strong season, the Patriots were given a second chance at state by receiving the wild card.

In the first round of districts, Millard South faced Lincoln North Star.

Tough defense by both teams ended regulation time with a tie and forced the girls to go into double overtime.

After neither team was able to score in overtime, the game was taken to a shootout. Goals by Ashley Sommers and Mckenzie Bender put the Patriots up 3-2 over Lincoln North Star. The winning keeper was Maddie Smith.

The Patriots advanced to the district championship game against Marian. Marian jumped on the Patriots Sophomore Haley McClanathan passes during the to score a goal in the first half. Tough 2nd half of first round game vs. Marian. Photo by defense held the Crusaders to a lone Logan Foote goal but the Patriots were unable to had to face Marian once again. The Crusadscore. The girls fell to Marian 1-0 in the ers’ offense came out on top with a 2-0 lead district final. going in to the second half. In the second

After all districts had finished, Millard half, Amanda Clements made a great assist South gained the wild card despite falling to Ashley Bidrowsky to put the Patriots on short to Marian. They had now secured the board. Marian came out on top with their spot in the state tournament for the a final score of 5-1 to end Millard South’s third year in a row. season.

In the first round at state, the Patriots

Newman University commit Cassie Garcia dribbles down the field in the first round of the state tournament against Marian. Photo by Logan Foote