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Common Sense

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

October 27, 2017

Volume 18 Issue 2

The Ascent to State

Senior Bryce Krupka. Krupka, one of the band’s three drum majors, conducts the second movement of the show. The show is entitled “The Climb,” and the band was awarded ninth place at the State performance on Oct. 21. Senior Michael Coonce. Through the duration of the season, the band has faced many adverse conditions. They competed in rain, scalding heat, and freezing cold for renowned judges and with bands that compete on a national level. Regardless, the band has persevered and come out a much stronger team and family.

Top Right: This text box is format-ready for an informational-sensational caption.

Senior Garrett Bohling (left) and sophomore Maddie Royal (right). The band is comprised of approximately 150 students who practice religiously throughout both the summer and the school year to perfect their show. The show is comprised of three movements they were required to learn: the Ascent, the Summit, and the Descent. Photos by Nina Washington

Community turns out to support MPS at levy override rally Adrienne Brunner Features Editor

With only five days left before ballots were sent to local homes, the Millard community rallied to gain support for the levy override outside of the Millard Public Schools Foundation Office on Oct. 19. Speakers included Superintendent Dr. Jim Sutfin, Millard South alum Kyler Erickson and volunteer Co-Chair Stacy Jolley. “I feel totally awesome, especially after something like this, with hundreds of people standing there. I have not heard one negative word from anyone I’ve talked to about the ballot,” Jolley said. “I don’t want that to make us rest on our haunches with this. We still have a lot of work to do, but I feel really positive because I just think that the Millard families and the Millard community just totally believe in the Millard Public Schools.” Organizers originally planned to hold the rally inside the MPS Foundation Building, but were prepared to take it outside when hundreds of community members arrived. Inside the Foundation building, supporters were offered signs, T-shirts, and volunteer opportunities. Volunteers come from both Millard and surrounding communities,

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“Patriot Perk” makes an inclusive environment while selling and serving coffee to teachers

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and spend countless hours making phone calls, sending postcards, and walking neighborhoods to inform voters. According to Jolley, there are at least a couple thousand volunteers helping their cause. According to Executive Director of the Millard Public Schools Foundation Angelo Passarelli, volunteers and staff will keep working until ballots are out. “We have the signs, we have people walking the neighborhoods sharing their stories with their friends and neighbors… I mean, it’s an informational campaign. We want to make sure that they know all the facts so that they can make a good decision,” Passarelli said. There was no opposition present at the rally, and many people feel the outcome will be positive. If voters check yes, then MPS can continue to offer its current programs to the students and families enrolled in their schools. However, if voters check no the administration will be forced to make budget cuts. “I would hope that the community gets behind this, because we provide an excellent education for our students and I want to continue that,” Principal Heidi Weaver said.

Halloween Focus Section

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Hundreds of people from Millard and surrounding communities gathered on Oct. 19 as Superintendent Dr. Jim Sutfin explained the importance Millard Public Schools has on his own family and the opportunities it has provided them. Photo by Adrienne Bruner

The Addams Family cast prepares for its upcoming performances

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Annual “Swing for the Cure” Tournament

News 10 • 27• 2017

Perk up

Mornings are better with personal coffee service Kristin Kaipust Distribution Manager

An unfamiliar knock at the classroom door is soon to become a familiar one for many teachers as alternative curricular program (ACP) students begin to deliver coffee throughout the school every morning. Speech and language pathologist Valerie Newton hopes they will be able to take skills learned in the classroom and apply them to the program. The “Patriot Perk” is a coffee cart that travels the school every morning around 8:15. Teachers can send in a form for coffee or tea and will have their drink delivered the next morning. The orders keep business organized and avoid knocking at every door. Even with the form, every stop the students practice taking orders. “I wanted a way they could work on their social and vocational skills and receive immediate feedback,” Newton said. “It is really hard to have a functional setting to practice these skills for the kids.” The Perk is sponsored by Scooters. They provide coffee, cups, lids, dispensers. The coffee cost 50 cents and the funds go towards buying creamer and sugar. “We are hoping they will have the opportunity to pick a charity of their choice and learn about giving back and why that’s important for the community,” Newton said. Newton said she hopes to build a stronFreshman Logan Kaplan fills coffee for waiting physics teacher David Burgan. Scooters donates the coffee as well as all the cups, lids, and ger community through the Perk. dispensers. Photo by Kristin Kaipust “I wanted to increase the inclusive culture at Millard South. In general, we have a very good inclusive culture so I wanted to get Physics teacher David general education students involved with the Burgan answers his door to Perk.” greet freshman Logan Ka DECA students Mia Thomas, Sydney plan who will fill his prepaid Gerace, and Drew Polacek have done just that. coffee order. Through advertisements like a video commercial and helping with deliveries. Biology teacher Donell Ev Newton said she hopes to continue busi- ans greets freshman Logan ness and eventually get travel mugs with the Kaplan and junior Kellie Perk logo. The mugs would help prevent spills Jacobsen before being and burns as well as eliminate the waste. served her morning coffee. Photos by Kristin Kaipust

NFL players take a knee and divide America Ryan Carter Editor-in-Chief

If you stand, you are privileged and are to what our flag stands for. It stands for our freedom and blind to the racism and injustice in America. troops. Therefore, I stand. It’s not because I’m privileged, If you kneel, you’re not honoring our country, but because I’m grateful for being an American,” an anonyfreedom or our troops. With the two previous mous student said. statements, there’s no way you can meet in the “I think the media blew it way out of proportion. The middle of this debate. players had every right to a peaceful protest. If it offends The heated conyou, ignore them and focus flict between the NFL on bigger issues,” another and Donald Trump student said. Kneeling doesn’t mean that you hate has definitely been a “You cannot deny popular topic recently. that there’s problems in America. It simply means you love it It questioned multiple America such as police enough to help make it a better things - oppression, brutality, white supremacy privilege and rights to a country. and more. Kneeling doesn’t peaceful protest. mean that you hate Amer Players of the ica. It simply means you NFL have started to kneel during the national love it enough to help make it a better country,” another anthem as a form of a peaceful protest. Some anonymous student said. have also locked arms. The players say this In a poll of approximately 100 people conducted on the protest was to bring awareness to the injustice in Common Sense Twitter , we asked which of three stateAmerica. ments they agreed with most. Here are the results… While some applauded the players for their A. Standing up for the flag is the right way to show respect bravery and bold statement, others reacted in for our troops and our country. It is completely disrespectoutrage. President Trump was not pleased with ful to sit/kneel/lock arms - 33% this. Then there were others who simply did not B. Considering the injustice and wrongdoings of America, care and thought it was all a huge distraction peacefully protesting by taking a knee is respectable. - 40% from more important issues. C. All of this is a non-issue that is used to distract us from Is the flag the only way to respect your real world issues. - 27% country? Do you hate America if you kneel? Are Overall, the results came out pretty even. As one can you too privileged if you stand? Is the flag overclearly see, this debate hasn’t been settled and multiple worshipped? All of these questions really help players are still participating. Take a moment to think people to come to a conclusion with this issue. about where you stand. “At the end of it all, it really comes down

“

A. Standing up for the flag is the right

way to show respect for our troops and our country. 33% B. Peacefully protesting by taking a knee is respectable. 40% C. All of this is a non-issue. 27% Source: Common Sense Twitter poll

”

activities to help make this year exciting. They have three on three basketball planned for later in the year, they are in charge of the winter pep rally, and they are picking the senior superlatives. The class president is in charge of running the board meetings and also gives a speech at graduation. She said she is excited to be a big part in all of the amazing activities the school has to offer. One of the responsibilities of the senior class president is to give a speech at graduation. Pedersen said she is excited but a little nervous to give a speech in front of so many people. “I don’t really know what I’m going to say yet, but I’ll figure it out.” Pedersen said she is very enthused for the opportunity to be a positive model in the school and

have an impact on the senior class. “We have a great group of senior leaders this year and I’m excited that I get to take an even bigger role in that,” she said.

Senior class president Tori Pedersen

“I stayed up until 3 a.m. last night studying for my test. #overachiever #grindneverstops” It’s pretty safe to say that if this popped up on your twitter feed, you would not be surprised. You might even retweet it between passing periods. It’s a well- known fact that the pressure for students to excel in academics, as well as activities, has been on the rise. This has made late-night study sessions and mid-day breakdowns very common. Although some argue the good effects of added pressure, others worry about student’s health and overall high school experience. Junior Julia Stock is enrolled in several AP classes, is involved in activities at school, and has a part-time job. “High school should be about finding yourself while doing what you love and being able to still do well in school,” Stock said. But she doesn’t feel like this is what school is about anymore. Although she said she looks forward to academic honors night to see her achievement of a 4.0 GPA, she says her over involvement has taken a great toll on her health. “I get sick way more often and sometimes I have to take mental health days to stay healthy,” Stock said. “My mental health has definitely struggled,” she said.

Lindsey Assman Staff Reporter

The pressure to do well in school and stay involved has made it hard for several students to stay sane. Junior Connor Lammel, who is in honors classes and over 10 activities, says, “At certain times of the year, especially finals, I am stressed. I know I’m stressed when my left eyebrow starts twitching.” But for him, he says it’s all about knowing yourself. “I know my limits, so if I do feel stressed, I know what I can do to fix that.” When it comes to the problem of stress in school, the real purpose of schooling comes into question. Does working our students so strenuously achieve our overall goal? Guidance counselor, Laura Powers, deals with many students who are stressed, whether it’s from school or something else. “My students have a variety of different stresses and they have a lot of responsibilities.” When it comes to the real purpose of schooling Powers says, “Their intellectual development is very important but I think also starting to develop a sense of self and how they want to live their lives and essentially what kind of person they want to be as an adult. We should focus on college readiness and also life readiness.”

Youth #getstressed over homework

At a meeting early last month the senior class board elected Tori Pedersen as class president. There were four candidates running for the position: Andrew Ceballos, Tori Pedersen, Nadia Johns, and Abbey Gosch. She said she ran for president because she wanted to represent the senior class and help make this year the best year yet. Pedersen said she is excited for the opportunity to be a representative for this senior class. “I’m an extremely passionate and positive person and I’m a hard worker, so you can expect me to be completely dedicated to all of our activities throughout the entire year.” The board has planned many

by Jacob Reinhardt Staff Reporter

New class president ready to take on MS

nated with the support of hundreds. “It’s absolutely beautiful and moving,” Lisa Groth and Jacquie Welch, both sponsors of HOSA-Future Health Occupations, agreed-(when all the lanterns are lit.) “It actually started in Omaha. So Omaha is the largest Light the Night,” Madison Meter, of the planning committee said. “Light the Night is Leukemia and Lymphoma’s largest fundraiser,” she mentioned. Anyone can create a team for the event and teams compete to see who raises the most money. People can Participants relase lanterns at the annual Leukemia and Lymphoma Societies Light the Night donate to these teams charity event. Photo by Conner Taylor online and some teams even set up potlucks to team was Union Pacific, raising $14,402. raise money as well. Grace’s mother admitted that, “Grace spent 143 days at “We have, I wanna say, 85 teams this year,” Meter said. Children’s, she battled back after each round of chemo, she Cullin’s Crusade was the number one individual team survived a serious substance infection, and is now at home for the night and they managed to raise $6,459 for LLS. doing everything 10 year old girls love to do. She’s been in Corporate teams like Walmart, Nebraska Medicine, Hyvee, remission since Jan. 2 of this year. And our hope is that we etc. helped raise money as well and the leading corporate can bring awareness of these horrific diseases to everyone.”

One of the many complex aspects of being a high school student in this day and age is how working a job to earn a bit of cash on the side can have ripple effects that go through a person’s social, technological, and most importantly, educational lives. Many times teens find themselves thinking “there just isn’t enough time in the day,” and this leads to inordinate amounts of stress that they face day in and day out. We also must keep in mind that with every student, comes different availability, ambitions, and aspirations. Students work anywhere from 15 to 30 hours every week, so fitting other things in can be a challenge. “I usually take at least 2 nights off during the school week for homework purposes and my weekends are usually open for other things I need to get done. It’s tough sometimes to find time for everything, and I think it’s doable I just have to use my time wisely,” junior Nathan Brink said. Landing a job for the first time can be very relieving and exciting for young people and as anxious as they are to be a part of the workforce, they quickly find out what kind of person they are when it comes to managing the money they earn. “My first check I barely worked so it wasn’t much but I sure blew through it fast,” junior Steven Harvey said. “I’m definitely a spender, but I’m trying to become a saver though. It would be good to save about $100 from each check I get to have for later down the line in my future,” he said. It seems all too familiar, every teen wanting to know what the perfect job for a student is to have the best experience working their first job. Everyone craves to know the inside scoop on what kind of opportunity would be right for them. So what do students who have found their jobs have to say? “Something a bit more laid back would be good, but that would also teach you to have a good work ethic. It should definitely be low stress because you shouldn’t have to worry about your job when you’re off the clock,” Brink said. Taking everything into consideration, having a job is a great character building activity to raise your credentials, strengthen your resume, and not to mention make some hard earned money away from school. However, on top of that, what can’t be measured in dollars is made up for by how much a job can help one improve himself as a person on the whole, and prepare them more for life after high school. “My time management is so much better now, I’m at least 10 minutes early everywhere I go. I feel like it’s also prepared me well for the real world by strengthening my work ethic and giving me a better grasp on how being an adult really is like,” Harvey said.

Conlan Custard Staff Reporter

Working hard or hardly working?

“Grace was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia, AML, and would be spending the next 6 months at Children’s (Hospital) being treated,” Grace Fry’s mother, Mandy Fry, said. “To say we were in a state of shock would be an understatement. We relied onour faith in God and he carried us through each minute of each day. When I heard about LLS I was filled with hope when I saw just how much this organization does for all adults and kids battling these horrific blood cancers,” Mandy Fry said. On Oct. 21, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of America hosted their annual Light the Night charity event in Omaha to raise money for cancer research. On this night, hundreds of people gathered in Aksarben Village to light lanterns to show their support for LLS. LLS is a nationwide effort to combat against leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s Disease, and Myeloma in order to improve the quality of life of patients and their families. There are three colors of lanterns. Red, gold, and white. The red lanterns represent support. Gold lanterns are lit in memory of someone lost due to cancer. And lastly, white. White lanterns are carried by survivors. This year the event featured live music, face painting for kids, clowns, free food and water, a photobooth courtesy of Walmart, a glam station where patients can recieve free makeovers, and many free vendors. At a designated time, survivors carrying their white lanterns are asked to come to the Circle of Survivors in the middle. After a breif talk about LLS, it’s time to light the night. There is a countdown and supporters, survivors, and those touched by cancer light their lanterns and begin to walk a mile. The night sky becomes illumi-

Conner Taylor Staff Reporter

Leukemia and Lymphjoma Society lights the night against cancer

News 10 • 27 • 2017

Opinion 10 • 27 • 2017

Second guessing the Second Amendment Now is the time to talk gun control 59 people dead. 500 injured. The most devastatto pretend that I am. But something that I do know is ing mass shooting in U.S. history. One man and his gun. that if we had stricter gun control laws in place, that man When I turned on the news and saw this, I didn’t know would have been a lot less likely to end those innocent what to think. It was like a horpeople’s lives. Families in ror movie and the worst part Sandy Hook might have was how we took it as a nation. had more time with their We were all heart-broken by beautiful children. Singer, this tragedy but were we as Christina Grimmie, would surprised as we should have still be moving people with been? Was this something that her music. we could have never imagined? Although it even makes People claim that me feel guilty, I’m willing to gun control takes away a argue that this could have been person’s rights, yet our lack prevented to a certain extent. of gun control has taken It’s not like we’ve never faced dozens of people’s right to an event like this before. We’ve their lives. I will not prosuffered through these things tect something that has the before. We went through Sandy ability to single-handedly Hook and even recently in Ordestroy a person’s human lando. Each time is worse than worth. I am prepared to before, and yet we sit here. ask our nation, as Barack Yes, we give our condolences Obama once did, “Are we and we wish that it would have prepared to say that such never happened, but what are violence visited on our we actually doing to make sure children year after year Lindsey Assman that this never happens again? after year is somehow the Staff Reporter I’m going to be really price of our freedom?” honest here. I’m not an expert on gun control and the pros and cons, and I’m not going

Tackling the image Trump creates for journalists First Amendment crucial for being held accountable Earlier this month, President Trump stated, “It’s ists and is known for calling the media “fake news” and frankly disgusting the way press is able to write whatever labeling journalists as “the enemy of the people.” “If only they want to write, and people should look into it.” This President Trump denounced neo-Nazis as passionately statement wasn’t surprising to me, but it caused me to look and sincerely as he castigates journalists, “ says reporter back at all the times in the past that our president has disNicholas Kristof. It is ironic though since he depicts the paraged the press. I liked press as being dishonest, but reporter Mythili Sampathis notoriously known for kumar’s response when she making misleading and false said, “If we wrote ‘whatever statements. The Washington we want’ I would never Post and The New York Times write another story about have kept a tally of all of his you [Donald Trump]. But, false statements since he took it’s my job to inform and office and the total is now over hold accountable.” 1,000. The first amendment, He has tried so many which includes the freedom times to undermine the sourcof the press and the freees that hold him accountdom of speech, is incredibly able, but no action has taken important to our country place against news outlets. If since it gives us the ability Donald Trump continues to to criticize our government use rhetoric in this way the and stay informed. Withdivisiveness that our country out the press acting as is currently facing will deepen. a watchdog of sorts for He has spoken in the past of the American people, we making libel laws stricter and would not be able to elect cracking down on the mepeople into office due to the dia. With all of these claims lack of coverage and lack of that journalists are “liars” and Savannah Lacy information reaching us. It “should speak more honestly,” Opinions Editor is a freedom we often take which shows that the presifor granted, but it establishdent has a lack of respect for es our basic and essential the First Amendment. rights. Many countries do There is no better time to not have the freedom of the be a journalist than right press, and the citizens of these countries don’t get infornow. Journalists are passionate about what they do, and mation that in any way objects the doings of their governthey’re not the enemy no matter how many times Presiment, such as Eritrea, North Korea, and Turkmenistan. dent Trump claims otherwise. Trump has always had a problem with journal-

Ryan Lawrence Staff Reporter

‘Hope You Never’ lose hope For the rest of my life, Oct. 3 will hold a place in my heart. When I look back upon this day, I will not remember it with sadness, nor despair, but hope. Considering Oct. 3 is the day after the most deadly shooting in U.S. history and the day my favorite artist, Tom Petty, died of a heart attack, “Hope” may seem like the completely wrong word to associate such a situation. Many of you may question the motive of this article or perhaps the state of my mental acuity. However, hope is what I felt and what I continue to feel. It is the feeling that drives me to write this article and to spread that feeling to you. When I first heard the news about Las Vegas, I was shocked and sickened. I couldn’t help but wonder what could possibly drive someone to commit such an act of evil and I still find myself wondering that each day. As the day continued on, I heard news about Tom Petty, and I decided at that moment, this was going to be remembered as a terrible day. The news broadcast political parties arguing about gun control and the number of deaths continued to rise. The situation seemed dark and larger than life. After school I returned home. I was tired and defeated. My family talked the situation over around the dinner table, and even then, I felt I was left with too many unanswered questions–questions no one could possibly know the definite answer to. I sat at my desk in a solemn state and listened to the silence for a moment. The sound of nothing. And then, to my right, I noticed on the floor, a pair of headphones. What I had to play was obvious. I turned the volume on as loud as it could possibly go and turned on the album “Wildflowers” by Tom Petty. The familiar tune and lyrics engulfed the room and gave me a feeling I had not yet felt that day. Happiness. It was then that I realized, Petty was not gone. It was obvious. As long as his music existed and his lyrics and melodies could be found throughout the World, he lives on. A legacy he had created before I was born and a legacy that others and myself will carry on for him until we die. Tom Petty, in a sense, can live forever. And as the album continued on, I thought back to Las Vegas. I thought about what a legacy could mean and how it meant much more than just music. How everyone on Earth, from Petty, to the victims in Las Vegas, to you, and to me, carry with us a legacy every day. A legacy that will continue on long after we’re gone. I thought about how, in a sense, people could live forever. For the rest of my life, Oct. 3rd will hold a place in my heart. A place where Tom Petty and the victims who lost their lives can live forever. And now I ask that you consider doing the same.

Opinion 10 • 27 • 2017

Staff Editorial: Political discussion beneficial to high school classes Political discussions have become somewhat of a taboo at public high schools in Nebraska. When a student approaches a teacher and asks to have a conversation about their world views, the student is stone walled with comments like, “It is not appropriate for me to discuss my beliefs in a classroom setting.” How is productive discussion not appropriate for a place of learning? By having conversations with our teachers about controversial issues, we learn how to talk with people we don’t agree with in a respectful way. This could be the only solution to a de-escalate a polarized society in which political debates quickly evolve into screaming matches. The industrial education system adopted by America at the beginning of the 20th century was not meant to foster conversation or discussion; it was created to teach children how to participate in the work force. In the past 100 years however, the climate has changed. Conversation and compromise are now crucial skills to most jobs. In an interview for The Atlantic, David J. Deming of Harvard argues that social skills have already become increasingly important in recent decades, especially for those looking for high-wage, competitive positions. If social skills are becoming a more valuable skill set, then isn’t it the duty of our teachers to educate us in the art of well-mannered debate and discussion? We are not asking for politics or religion to become a part of math or science

curriculum; we are simply asking our teachers to be open to discussing their viewpoints if approached by a student. When teachers tell us that the discussion of controversial topics is not an appropriate conversation for school, they force us into our own echo chamber. We start to listen exclusively to what we want to hear instead of expanding our range of thought. Navigating politically sensitive situations is extremely difficult as illustrated by Millard’s recent cancellation of guest speaker Nora Carmi, a Palestinian Christian scheduled to talk with AP Human Geography classes about the heated conflict between Israel and Palestine. We shouldn’t let the complications of one situation prevent us from reaching an open dialogue between teachers and students. Allowing teachers to discuss their viewpoints does come at the risk of creating an environment of opinion pushers - teachers that take a “my way or the highway” approach to any discussion, but this already exists. There have always been and will always be teachers who shoot down students that don’t agree with them. Opening discussion that is solicited by students will not exacerbate the problem. Instead of resisting conversation with young adults who are trying to find their place in the world, teachers should stimulate our minds with intelligent conversation that will be an asset both in life and the workforce.

Graveyard jitters: overcoming haunting fears Fear… it is the most universal primal instinct we have. According to psychology today, human fears can even be broken down into 5 categories arranged in a pyramid known as the feararchy. At the base of the pyramid is the fear of extinction, on top of that is the fear of mutilation, then the loss of autonomy, separation, and at the top Ego death. Every little sub category, the dark, spiders, loneliness, rejection, the future, growing up, heights, and everything else in between can hypothetically be drawn back to these 5 things. With this in mind, we are gonna cut to the chase real quick. I am a huge baby, I hate the dark, earth worms freak me out, college and growing up petrifies me and I’d rather die than cry in front of people. I can’t even watch a horror movie trailer, let alone an actual full length horror movie without sleeping with the lights on for a week and when it

comes to commercial haunts like scary acres and haunted hollow… forget about it; it’s always going to be a no from me. So, when the prospect to go visit a bunch of sketchy haunted places came up I jumped all over it. I wanted to face my fears, to go storm the castle and slay the dragon in my mind that has been holding me back for the past 18 years. The funny thing is, that drudging through muddy gravel roads, old cemeteries in North Omaha and a super sketchy state park didn’t cure me of my fears. There was not some climactic moment where in a rush of John Williams composed beauty did I suddenly realize that I had control over my fears, I never slayed the dragon, in fact I think I went to the castle rang the doorbell and ran away before the dragon could get to the door. Yet, throughout this whole thing. I’ve realized that it’s ok to be afraid. It’s ok to acknowledge the fact that we aren’t cold unfeeling tin beings, because we aren’t. We aren’t superman, or batman or whatever other fictional characters that we wish we could identify with because of their bravery and courage. We are going to be scared at some point or another, what matters is how we allow those fears to affect us. I don’t know what I am going to do about college or growing up, because honestly, I still feel 8. I still detest the dark and earthworms still

haunt my nightmares but I know that as time goes on, I will be confronted with these things and many many more deeper fears, but at least I know now that if I could face a bunch of scary dudes who tried to follow our car in North Omaha and a an old creep-tacular cemetery with “No trespassing signs” I think I will be able to deal with all those other things, it’s just a matter of turning the lights on.

art by Sean Burton

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 CS6 Adobe Photoshop CS6, and Microsoft Word software. Printing by White Wolf Web in Sheldon, Iowa. Letters to the editor are encouraged. All letters must be signed with the student’s first and last name, grade, then submitted to Mrs. Kaldahl. Unsigned letters will not be published. The staff reserves the right to edit letters for grammar, length, and clarity. Letters of profane nature or other infractions of school or district policy will not be published.

Editor-in-Chief Ryan Carter Photo Chief Grace Flogstad

Alyssa Pyle Cartoonist Sean Burton

Production Editor Jordyn Kelley

Staff Secretaries Lexie Pleiss Maddie Rynes

News Editor Vanessa Chavez

Audio/Visual Editor Emma Willenborg

Sports Editor Carina Covington

Distribution Manager Kristin Kaipust

Features Editor Adrienne Brunner

Staff Reporters Max Aden Lindsey Assman Sarah Braley Sadie Brower Conlan Custard RuthAnne Hale

Opinions Editor Savannah Lacy Entertainment Editor Nina Washington Social Media Manager

Jayden John Isabel Kimminau Allison Kirkebak Kassandra Kizlin Ryan Lawrence Jessica Lukecart Jacob Reinhart Matthew Rothgeb Johnna Sisneros Taryn Smith Conner Taylor Adviser Christine Kaldahl

Focus 10 •27 • 2017

Focus 10 • 27 • 2017

Fake or Frightening

Top 5 Haunted Places in an Hour’s Drive

Hummel Park

Johnna Sisneros Staff Reporter

Seven Sisters Road Located on a dusky gravel road just out of Nebraska City is allegedly the sight of a brutal murder and consequentially one of the most haunted places in Nebraska. According to historical documentation, seven sisters were allegedly murdered by their brother. In the wake of an intense argument, the brother led each of the seven sisters to seven trees at the top of seven hills adjacent to the road and hanged them. Since then, the path has been known for strange occurrences such as disembodied screams and most notably car troubles. Armed with nothing but a small can of pepper spray and a digital camera, my friends, fellow Millard South seniors Joy Weidenhamer and Delany Patten and I made the drive to see what truth may reside behind the infamous road. After navigating a seemingly endless system of gravel roads and passing about a million corn fields, we arrived at our destination. What greeted us was not the disembodied screams of the murdered sisters or anything else of the sort. What awaited us was something much scarier… a seven foot tall barbed wire fence and

security cameras. You see, the internet had provided me with ample information about the alleged murders and we’ll call them unfortunate coincidences that have taken place on the road, but it failed to tell me that sometime in the past few months OPPD had bought the land and decided to build a giant power plant right on the infamous Road L. To say I was/still am enraged is an understatement. With our tails between our legs, my friends and I began the long and tedious process of navigating back home, but not without a few oddities to compensate for the egregious disappointment. As we began driving back through the gravel roads, our brakes began acting strange. They would hesitate when the driver would press down and eventually produced a loud and insistent groaning sound. Hoping and assuming it was just the gravel messing with the car, we kept on. After a wrong turn into a cemetery and a surprise encounter with a hitchhiker, we finally got back on the highway. The irony was that as soon as we crossed from the gravel to the black top, the loud groaning

sound ceased. Whether or not it was the gravel or the vengeful spirits of the undead causing the funky sound is up to you, but as far as we know; the only truly terrifying thing happening in relation to Road L is the insistent miscommunication among humans that only seems to continue with technological advances and the slow annihilation of human lore and mystery by the evils of capitalism and industrialism… that and the disappearing hitchhiker.

Photo by Johnna Sisneros

Prospect Hill

Cemeteries in and of themselves are creepy, but add decades of strange sightings, freaky pictures and a gravestone that will allegedly drag your soul down to hell, and you’ve got yourself a plot for a mediocre horror movie. Prospect Hill, is the oldest known cemetery in Omaha. Since its beginning, people have told stories of a confused woman in white wandering the property looking for her children. Others have complained of strange voices, the feeling of being watched and strange things showing up in pictures that weren’t there previously. At about 10 o clock at night, the neighborhood around the cemetery on N 33rd and Parker street already looked eerie; especially to a group of Millard suburban white girls only armed with police flashlights and a swanky camera. As we pulled into the area, the old Sexton Building illuminated by the streetlights looked like a scene straight from a Hitchcock movie. Coupled with the not so nice stares of a group of guys in a dark driveway, it was enough to send gooseflesh creeping up your arms and legs. Assuming it probably wasn’t a very good idea to get out of the car in a not so nice part town to go explore a cemetery on private property that was also in a not so nice part of town. So we ended up pointing the camera out the window and shooting. We never saw a deranged woman in white looking for her dead kids, there were no ghostly laughs or feelings of being watched, and nothing freaky showed up in our pictures. As far as we know, the scariest thing in Prospect hill was the group of dudes in a dark driveway looking ready to follow us… now that was scary.

Dana College

In 1896, the Blair church and The United church partnered and commissioned Dana college as an effort to support the “inner mission.” After decades of use, the college shut down indefinitely, due to ongoing financial issues. located right off of the U.S. 75 the structure still stands nearly empty, except for occasional construction workers. even with it;s closure Dana has still been sorrounded by stories of strange occurances. Since the opening in the late 1800s, students have complained of strange occurrences, doors opening and closing on their own, electrical appliances going haywire and most notably numerous accounts of humanoid shadows spotted all over campus with no explanation or origin. When we arrived at the alleged haunt, we drove around for a little bit to get a feel for the campus and after parking and walking around taking pictures I definitely wasn’t sold. The only semi strange thing that happened was an alleged sighting of a strange silhouette in the window of one of the abandoned dormitories by my friend and fellow newspaper staffer Nina Washington. Whether or not it was an apparition or just someone taking advantage of the abandoned property is still a mystery. All I know is that it definitely wasn’t scary, eerie… yes, abandoned… yes, but haunted… probably not.

Photo by Nina Washington

Ball Cemetery

If you look up the top haunted places in Nebraska, you will encounter Ball Cemetery. For decades the small pioneer graveyard located in a secluded niche of trees just out of Springfield has been surrounded with stories of restless spirits, phantom lights and strange mist coming and going on dark nights. People who have visited the graveyard have reported stories of a tall man with a foul temper, a woman with long black hair and a little girl who pulls on people’s clothes and hair. Many, including P.R.I.S.M a paranormal investigative group and yours truly, have come to the cemetery looking for some kind of supernatural experience. Springfield resident Barbara Mills is a caretaker of Ball. She said the cemetery has been a hotspot for teenage trespassing and underage drinking since the ‘50s. Because of this, she says that that is why there are so many stories about the cemetery. “If you stay overnight in a graveyard in the middle of nowhere, you’re bound to hear something strange,” Mills said. “I’ve worked here for years, and have grandparents, great grandparents and great great grandparents buried here and never have I ever experienced anything supernatural on the property,” Mills said. As for me, I can’t help but to agree. If I had to rate this place on a scale of 1 to scary, it would score a -10. The small area, while encased in dense greenery wellkept and neat. The tidy gravestones and lively plant life give it more of a feeling of tranquility than terror, the only adjective I can think of to describe this famous graveyard is intensely peaceful, or as peaceful as a graveyard can be. Photo by Johnna Sisneros

Photo by Nina Washington

If you’ve grown up near the Omaha area you’ve probably heard the stories surrounding Hummel Park. From satanic rituals to morphing stairs and trees permanently bowed in solidarity for the dozens of lynchings that have allegedly taken place at the park. The first night we arrived the dense foliage and dark winding paths were eerie but not sinister. The strangest thing we saw was an old playground encased in thick fog and a cryptic SOS inscribed on a narrow street nothing particularly noted or interesting. The second night however was what left an impression. It was pitch dark when we arrived around 11 p.m. The roads we had driven on just the last night seemed especially foreboding and the feeling of being watched was persistent enough to send gooseflesh all over our skin, mine especially. The feeling we were experiencing reached a climax when we turned into a nearly invisible gravel road leading to the heart of the park. Boxed in by trees the only light we had from our headlights caste an evil glow on the dark road ahead, and as we got further and further the feeling of heart shattering fear only became more intense. As we got further my breathing became shallow and rapid, my vision narrowed and my muscles clenched in panic. The most concerning aspect of it all was that I had no reason to be experiencing the sensation I was, and I was the only one being suffocated my the thickest form of fear. We had no encounters, supernatural or otherwise. We saw no one, the park was dead and no one was there, yet I still felt as if hot tar was being poured down my throat and into my stomach. Seeing my distressed state my friend turned around out of the inner road, we spent the rest of our time at Hummel driving the perimeter snapping pictures of everything from a strange white tent on the side of the road to a blanket of fog on a field so thick and so low that it reflected off the moon like water. I don’t know why I felt the way I did, and frankly I don’t want to know. The only thing that I can be confident in about the entire situation is that if you’re looking for a place to get your adrenalin going, Hummel Park is definitely the way to go.

Focus 10 • 27 • 2017

A night full of fright awaits on 18th street the same axe and placing his remains in the same grave as Greta’s. The next night, which was Halloween, John’s body was found by the grave with the axe embedded in his skull. Some think that the ghost of William killed John on that night, but still to this day the murder of John Martin is still a mystery, which is why the current day haunted house attraction is called “Mystery Manor.” With the history that Mystery Manor holds, it gives thrill seekers and scaredy cats, high hopes for the house. Mystery Manor is open September through October and in April. It doesn’t matter what time of year it is, the line is always all the way down the street. Due to some recent scandals, actors aren’t allowed to scare and chase you around the outside of the house while you wait. I think that is one of the things people enjoy seeing and laughing about, but when it actually happens to you it gets your adrenaline pumping and gets you somewhat ready for the scares that you’re about to witness inside the house. Once you make your way into the house you are brought into a room with the man himself, William Hall. He informs you on the history of his home with the axe in his hand. He swings the axe into the walls and maybe hits the tip of your hat then leads you upstairs where you meet his wife Greta to hear about her fate that night. You make your way through the house in very narrow hallways. There are jump scares that stop your heart and make you shake in fear anticipating the next actor to

Allison Kirkebak Staff Reporter

As the month of October creeps up on us, so do the reopenings of haunted houses around the Metro. Places like Scary Acres, Haunted Hallow, and the famous and loved, Mystery Manor. Mystery Manor is always the most talked about and popular haunted house attraction around this time of year. When the stock market crashed on Oct. 23, 1929, William Hall lost his vast fortune and became a broke man. With losing his money and fortune, he quickly also lost his sanity. Late that night in utter rage, he took his axe from the shed and attacked his wife, Greta. In the morning, realizing the horror he had done, he carefully put his wife's remains in a shallow grave in the front yard of their beloved manor. A week later Greta’s brother, John Martin avenged his sister's death by attacking William with

There are dark things lurking in your future, best to carry some garlic

jump out at you. You make your way up and down ramps and stairs into rooms with people dressed up as clowns, dolls, zombies, and any scary thing you can imagine. The actors jump out of secret doors, creep up behind you, yell or whisper in your ear to send shivers down your spine, and send goosebumps all over your body. You hear the screams of 10 year olds and even 40 year olds. Towards the end the house you get the

joy of going down two rough steel slides that throw you around and take you down the stories of the house to the end. It cost $14, but there is a $2 off coupon online that you can use. Depending on which day you go on and at what time, you could be waiting anywhere from 30 minutes to a hour. I think Mystery Manor is a well thought out haunted house and really hits almost every fear that anyone has and adds the chilling history of it all to your fears.

Mystery Manor from the inside Q and A with actor Liz Garrett

Jayden John Staff Reporter

Q: What do you do when you work at Mystery Manor? A: “I get all dressed up in my costume, it depends on what room you’re acting in that night. For example, I was in the clown house Oct. 21”

of us screaming in people’s faces.” Q: Do you believe the house is actually haunted? A: “I do believe the house is haunted. In one of the rooms there’s a mannequin sitting in a rocking chair and every time I walk in the room or past her, her head moves with with where I’m walking.”

Q?Why do you like working there? A: “I like working there because the Mystery Manor crew are the sweetest people ever. Acting there is absolutely amazing. You meet new people you scare a few times here and there and also make them laugh. We’re not like any other haunted house; we entertain instead of all

Q: What’s your favorite character to dress up as? A: “Working the clown room is my favorite. You can crack jokes like any other clown would. If you can’t make them scream, instead you can make them laugh.”

Q? What’s your favorite way to scare people? A: “Doing a mannequin pose sitting on a stair step not moving your body but moving your eyes where they’re walking and suddenly popping out at them gets them mostly every time.” Q: Is there anything else you want to tell people about Mystery Manor? A: “Please audition for next year’s season! We love to have people with talent and passion! Trust me, it’s a very fun way to spend your Friday and Saturday nights.”

Halloween Horrorscopes

Sagittarius

Allison Kirkebak Staff Reporter

Isabel Kimminau Staff Reporter

Nov 22- Dec 21

Aries

March 21-April 19

Gemini

May 21- June 20

It may feel like your life is going down the rabbit hole, just remember to keep your head on your shoulders

You certainly have the brains to attract others, people may have a tendency to horde around you

Taurus

April 20- May 20

Cancer

It’s apparent you have a certain “apple of your eye”, now is the time to act on your feelings - but don’t let your sweet tooth get the best of you

Aquarius Jan

Virgo

20-Feb 18

You’re hesitant to try new things, you need to stop worrying and go ahead and take a bite out of life

Aug 23- Sept 22

It may feel as though you’re invisible to others, take care in making your presence known to others

July 23- Aug 22

restrain your emotions, this month it’s okay to let the beast run wild

Your social life is starting to decay, you need to get out - it’s time to feel alive again

June 21- July Oct 23- Nov 21 You have a 22 Libra You’re feeling Sept 23- Oct 22 tendency to

stressed right now, it’s not the time to go crying to mummy - remember you can handle your own afterlife

Stop letting all that guilt get to you, it happened centuries ago, it’s time to move on

Pisces

Feb 19- Mar 20

art by Sean Burton

Leo

Scorpio

Sometimes the day can be draining, make sure you’re getting enough blood in your diet

You’re feeling hollow inside, you just need someone to reignite your passion

Capricorn Dec 22- Jan 19

Focus 10 • 27 • 2017

Max and Ryan’s All-time Top 10 Scary Movies Max Aden Staff Reporter

Ryan Lawrence Staff Reporter

It’s officially the season of caramel apples and pumpkin spice lattes. Your weekends are filled with exciting football games, haunted houses, and of course, the memorable trips to Vala’s Pumpkin Patch. After a long day of participating in these fall activities you decide to take a break. And what better way to enjoy that break, than a spine tingling, hair raising, bone chilling, scary movie. That is why we have put together, Max and Ryan’s all-time top ten scariest Halloween movies.

1. The Exorcist

2. TheThing

3. The Conjuring

6. Insidious

7. Halloween

8. Psycho

A girl is possessed by a demonic entity, and two priests desperately try and save her life. This movie gets the number one spot because it is not only filled with jump scares, or a more physical sense of horror, but adds a psychological aspect that still scares its viewers to the day.

A family looks to prevent evil spirits from trapping their comatose child in a realm called ‘The Further’. This movie will keep you on the edge of your seat as you wait to see if the boy will be rescued and if the father can prevent the evil demons from succeeding.

A research facility in Antarctica comes across a creature that disguises itself as members of the research team. The crew must find out who’s human and who’s not before it’s too late. If you’re looking for terrifying suspense, this film is for you.

Fifteen years after murdering his sister on Halloween night 1963, Michael Myers escapes from a mental hospital and returns to the small town Haddonfield to kill again. This bloody slasher flick will leave you unsettled for days to come and maybe leave you double-checking the locks at night.

Paranormal Investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren work to help a family who recently moved into a rural farmhouse with a terrifying dark presence. This tale stays trapped in your head because it’s based on an actual case in the 18th century.

A secretary embezzles a large amount of money, goes on the run, and checks into a hotel run by a young man under the domination of his mother. Although the film came out nearly 60 years ago, the horror is timeless and holds a famous and unexpected twist at the climax.

4. Alien

5. The Shining

A space vessel merchant ship with a small crew faces a mysterious lifeform on board the ship. This movie is full of dark, suspenseful twists and jump scares, leaving the viewers fearful for the end.

9. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre

A family heads to a hotel for the winter where an evil spirit influences the father to violence, while his son has psychic readings. This suspenseful horror will dive deep into the minds of the protagonists and leave you wondering whether the horror exists or if it is simply a lapse in your own sanity.

10. A Nightmare on Elm Street

Two siblings and three of their friends visit their grandfather’s grave in texas and come across a psychotic cannibalistic family. This sick, twisted story will have you scared to leave your house.

Several people are hunted by a serial killer who kills his victims in their dreams. They must find out why before time runs out. Even being placed at number 10, this film will still leave you uneasy and unable to sleep.

Common Sense's Fall Favorites Ditmar's Orchard Best for groups of 4-7, but a little time consuming Our favorites: hand picked apples, apple donuts Tues-Sat 10-6 and Sun 11-5 $5-10 based on bundle 19475 225th St Council Bluffs, IA

Bellevue Berry Farm Best for a family outing Our favorites: Haunted hay ride M-F 9-8:30--$7.00 Sat-Sun 10- 6-- $10.00 11001 S 48th St Papillion, NE

Vala's Pumpkin Patch Best for group outings, but takes a long time to fully enjoy Our favorites: Pig Races, Ask around Open 9-9 Sun-Thurs and 9-10 Fri and Sat M-Th $11.50, F-Sun $18.95 12102 S180th St Gretna, NE

Hitchcock Nature Center Best for 2-3 nature loving, hiking friends Our favorites: Fall leaves and relaxing nature 6 AM-10 PM $2 per car, $10 annual pass 27792 Ski Hill Loop Honey Creek, Iowa

Focus 10 • 27 • 2017

Haunted by The Heights Kassandra Kizlin Staff Reporter

Wuthering Heights was written by Emily Bronte and published in 1847. Emily Bronte is also part of a literary family, her sister, Charlotte Bronte wrote Jane Eyre and sister Anne also wrote but never reached the acclaim of her sisters. The sisters’ novels all ended up being gothic novels. People may have heard the word Goth before and associate it with post punk and a lot of black but it has an older meaning. It’s romantic writing (romantic writing is, in incredibly oversimplified terms, poetic language. Not romance) with an isolated main character and an old school tragedy, usually there’s lots of death. Wuthering Heights meets all these standards. Wuthering Heights is set in rural England, and yes, it has the overbearing need to marry. It also explores the wrong reasons why people get married and love, or lack thereof, when people not right for eachother do marry. In this story, I’m not exaggerating, there is only about three characters, with plot relevancy, that are actual decent human beings. None are main characters. It follows those living in the Homes Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange across two generations. The story is about Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff. Heathcliff being his only name since Catherine’s father found him on the streets on London. The two grow into having an incredibly strong and intense bond, not necessarily romantic, that doesn’t diminish with time, or any great distance. Them not being able to be

An alluring allegory Nina Washington Entertainment Editor

together creates much of the conflict in the book both directly and indirectly. I found it very compelling due to the extreme parts of human nature showed in the many characters(trigger warning for animal abuse, child abuse, emotional abuse, physical violence, and major alcoholism). It mixed well with the slight supernatural aspects. A ghost begins the p.o.v. character’s drive for the story and is also his resolution The story was told through a convoluted way, however, with the p.o.v. of a man making his maid tell him the story of the main characters. It was interesting and you oftentimes forget that it’s a story another character is being told. Most of the time I didn’t struggle with the language, it was clear and vivid. Wuthering heights is one of those classics that I think anyone who’s interested in classic novels should read. Even though the lead character deserves to be in prison, I enjoyed this book.

Who dat boy it’s Flower Boy Ryan Carter Editor in Chief

The Flower Boy album by Tyler, the Creator is truly a gift from god, himself. To call this album extraordinary would be a shameful understatement. With various sounds and rhythms, Tyler proves himself to be a musical genius. This album has to be the best album of 2017 (so far, but nothing will top it, probably). Flower Boy is more than just music - it is art in its finest form. Before I even listened to the songs, just the cover of the album alone was aesthetically-pleasing for me. With orange tones, sunflowers and bees, I was immediately drawn to this album. His album from 2015, Cherry Bomb, was

Mother!

Entertainment 10 • 17 • 2017

phenomenal, but Flower Boy even beat that. Tyler truly hasn’t let me down yet. The Golf Wang owner (Tyler, the Creator) first released “Who dat boy” on June 30th, following with the whole Flower Boy album three weeks later. It’s no doubt that Tyler Okonma is a multi-talented genius with his humorous acts, clothing designs and music. Normally when a good album comes out, I listen to it for two weeks on repeat and then get sick of it. However, every lyric and rhythm of Flower Boy has stuck with me for nearly three months now. I’m not even close to being sick of it. Flower Boy is simply a

feel-good album. With tracks such as ‘Glitter’ and ‘911 / Mr. Lonely’, nobody could possibly be in a bad mood while listening to this astounding album. Every aspect of it is unique. Even if the lyrics are completely obscure, the vibe of the music completely speaks to me. I can’t compare this album to any other - it’s that incredible. I would 10/10 recommend this album to everyone.

This feature film is quite extraordinary; it’s complex, terrifying, and beautifully orchestrated, while still leaving it up for interpretation. The movie centers on a couple (Jennifer Lawrence) and struggling poet (Javier Bardem) and their life around the house, facing guests along the way. Literally, this is all it is, until it changes entirely abstract towards the end. I can understand why many other reviewers see this film and deem it hard to follow, but the symbols are all there metaphorically; it’s consistent and it all makes sense. Not to mention it’s disturbing, and audiences don’t like to be disgusted, but the fact that they got that reaction just proves how thought out and strongly crafted the cinematography was, and in addition the light scheme- seemed to be a triadic pallette - was brilliant. So, metaphorically what do we come across in the film? A man, welcoming every sinful stranger to stay in his house because he forgives everyone and he wants everyone to love him. We see a couple intrude into a room they know they aren’t allowed in and wind up breaking a crystal. We see a woman always cleaning up after these strangers messes, and is always hit by sudden waves of sickness and anger. And towards the end, we find that woman giving birth to a baby boy only to have it murdered and eaten by the strangers. Sounds a lot like a religion theory. We have a god, an earth (the house) Mother nature (Lawrence) Adam and Eve and the forbidden fruit ( also would like to mention the man had blood on his side, where his ribs would be) and Jesus and the bread

of Christ. There are several other symbols throughout the film, but that’s the gist. This movie filled my heart...with sadness. Watching Lawrence cry and yell and get overcome with malaise after humans enter her home with hate and rage, ignorance, and destroy everything in the house, I think delivers a wide message to who we are as humans and how we treat our earth, and if we go our ways, living indifferently and selfishly, then God will have to create again. Viewers may find the feature off putting because the graphics are extreme and the violence is excessive, but it was done intentionally, and I think if the feature was presented in a more subtle manner,it wouldn’t have tugged as many strings. Overall, what an interesting, intriguing and rare delight.

Entertainment 10 • 27• 2017

Flatliners has flatlined Happy Death Day, both

horrifying and hilarious

Lexie Pleiss Staff Reporter

Flatliners is a remake of the 1990 movie “flatliners” written by Joel Schumacher. A group of young doctors experiment with neardeath experiences in the interest of medical science only to be haunted to be their own past. It seems like this movie has a solid and worthy plot of being recreated. But sadly, this movie is haunted by its own past just like the characters in this movie. If you have ever seen any horror or thriller in your life, you know exactly what to expect. Initially it works. The cast is replaced with young-hip millennials rather than nerdy rabrats from the original. The opening act begins with lots of tension as the medical students quite literally kill themselves before being revived. and When they experience these near death moments, it’s almost like they are taking drugs. They get side effects like vivid hallucinations, wild hedonism, and more. But when they do this, they get dark consequences from playing with death. So from the very start it begins with a strong opener. But as the plot continues, it seems like the excitement takes a very sharp turn

Jessica Lukecart Staff Reporter

October is a great month for spooky, eerie and suspenseful films! That’s why I couldn’t resist seeing “Happy Death Day” when I saw the trailer. The movie is about a college aged girl (Jessica Rothe) who has to relive and experience the same exact day over and over again. There are two things very significant about the day she is forced to relive. It’s her birthday and also the day she gets murdered. What makes the movie creepy and “Halloweeny” is that the person who

into a mediocre “thriller” movie. This movie would be almost way too boring to bear at times, It does have moments of short witty humor , But even that is not good enough save this movie. When the original is good enough, it probably isn’t a great idea to recreate it. This movie is not worth going to see in theater or with your friends. You will end up bored and wishing you went and see a comedy instead.

Local wings hot spot Sarah Braley Staff Reporter

Rays Buffalo Wings, located at 120 S 31st Ave, Omaha in midtown, is a great place to sit down with the family and enjoy a meal. The atmosphere is a sports friendly that serves well cooked New York food. Rays is not new in the community. It first opened in the 1990’s but later closed due to the owners, Ray and Lorri, getting too busy, but they recently opened it back up. The food was very good. I had the teriyaki wings and they were delicious. Meals are priced by how many wings you order. 10 wings is $10.20. The portions are fairly good they give you good sized wings for the price. You can choose between 10 and 20 wings. I got 10 wings and it was more than enough. The sauce consistency is just right not that messy

and not that dry I also tried the mozzarella sticks ($6.99 for six), which were also delightful. If you don’t particularly want wings, they have a variety of New York style food from burgers to sandwiches to New York sauces to top them. The atmosphere was light and friendly. The staff was really on top of things and making sure you had an enjoyable time. If you don’t want to sit in and eat their food, they also have takeout available. Rays also had a very nice patio outdoors that you could relax on socializing with your friends. Rays was a very enjoyable place and I would definitely go back.

Photos by Sarah Braley

murders her haunts her each and every day. She gets terrified and paranoid of him because each and everyday she knows what is coming. Eventually, she tries to figure out not only who the murder is, but how to stop him/her. Like any scary or eerie movie, it has lots of jump scares. But also, it was surprisingly funny. The movie featured serious moments as well. The main character is going through a difficult time and as the movie progresses, the audience gets to see her overcome that. The movie seemed oddly familiar to me at first, that’s because it’s extremely comparable to “GroundHog Day” which came out in 1993. I definitely think this movie portrays it, but not too much. They’re definitely two separate movies with different plots and ideas. Overall, it was a really good movie. It wasn’t too scary, just enough. It kept my attention the entire time. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys suspenseful movies.

Coming soon to Millard South: The Addams Family Nina Washington Entertainment Editor

Morticia (Claire McClannan) and Gomez’s (Cassady Alberico) dark, and beloved daughter Wednesday (Mia Dibble) falls in Prepare for creepy ancestors, intrigulove with Lucas Beineke (Jeremiah Grove), ing lights, and a full on engaging ensemble a very friendly, and completely normal in this classic. For the Addams clan, every- boy from the most simple ohioan town. thing is opposite; pain is love, joy is sad Their pairing is quite odd, and it leads ness, and despair is comfort. Apart from to conflict between Wednesday and her whole family. Gomez and Morticia, who have always been a perfect duo, soon start to feel a change in their relationship when taking different views facing their little girl growing up. “I think the most prominent goal in the show is to squeeze out the truth from Gomez,” McClannan said. With so much Senior Claire McClannan (Morticia) and Senior Jamie Dasenbrock (Pugschaos, there is ley) block the scene,“Bedtime Stories,” while Gomez and Wednesday are no doubt that away. Photo by Grace Flogstad there will be a the movies and past tv shows, the plot is a hilarious set of songs to lessen the tension tad different. In this upside down world, between the matters. Uncle fester (Russell Norton) leads the dead addams ancestors behind the living clan, and promise to help Wednesday and Lucas find love so they don’t have to live under the ground, back in the crypt. “The biggest challenge for me is getting into the right state of mind and finding the right voice because Festers such a weird and eccentric character,” Norton adds. See the quirky family appear in this comedical Director Robyn Baker gives notes on stage blocking to premiere on November Cassady Alberico (Gomez). Baker gets right on stage 10th, 11th, and 12th. when she wants to demonstate how she wants a character to act. Photo by Grace Flogstad

Sports 10 • 27 • 2017

Softball makes final 4 for 8th time Carina Covington Sports Editor The quote “ Excellence is a lifestyle not an event,” can be found on the back of the softball team’s team shirts. This year, the Patriots had a season nothing short of excellent. The Patriots left the state tournament with a fourth place finish after losing their final game to Lincoln Southwest 9-8.. “I am very proud of the way we finished,” Head coach Steve Kerkman said. “They gave everything they had.” In the state tournament, Millard South beat Millard North 4-3 in their first round to advance through the winners bracket. A solo home run by junior Bailey Urban and a two-run homerun by Roni Foote put the Patriots on the board to answer back to Millard North’s early 3 run lead. The team knocked one more run in to send the Patriots out on top. “The atmosphere at state softball is unexplainable. Every time I stepped on the field I just felt so many emotions. I will never forget it,” first baseman grade? Jayme Horan said. The Patriots fell short to Papio in their second round sending them to the losers bracket to fight their way back up. In game three, Millard South stepped up to the challenge by run-ruling Lincoln Northstar 13-0. Roni Foote started the game with a solo homerun to put the Patriots on the board.

“I have gained a lot confidence in myself because I know I have my team behind me and they are like my family. I think that helps my success at the plate and in the field.” Foote said. Jayme Horan followed Foote’s lead by hitting a grand slam to give the Patriots a huge lead over Lincoln Northstar. Later in the game, Allison Bartz hit a 3-run homerun to keep the team going. The win over Lincoln Northstar advanced the team to the final four. “There were so many amazing moments throughout the season, but there are no words to describe the feeling of hitting a homerun during state. As I rounded third I saw all my teammates waiting for me. It is moments like these that create passion for the game,” Allison Bartz said. Patriot fans were on the edge of their seat during the final game for the Patriots against Lincoln Southwest. Seven homeruns were hit between the two teams as both teams proved to be strong offensively. Millard South fought a hard game against Lincoln Southwest but fell short by one run putting an end to their season. “We have finished in the final four or higher at state the last 8 years in a row which is really special,” Kerkman said. “We left everything we had on the field. Even though we didn’t win, we played as a team who was all fighting for the same goal,” he said.

Road to State The Patriots proved to be a force to be reckoned with early in the season with impressive wins over Millard North in the championship game of the Millard North tournament. Hailee Fliam pitched her second no-hitter of the season against Lincoln Northstar in the Westside invite. With a strong The softball team rushed as Mr. Throne handed them their disdefense and an unstoptrict championship trophy. The Patriots beat Omaha North and pable offense, the PatriMarian to win their district. Photo by Pam Alfieri. ots run ruled Northstar. In the Millard South Millard South hosted Marian, Omaha Invite (Swing for the Cure) the Patriots North, and Bellevue East in the A-3 Disdominated through their day with wins trict. over Bellevue East, Omaha Central, and Due to rain, the tournament had to Lincoln Southwest. Carina Covington threw become a single elimination tournament. a perfect game against Omaha Central and The Patriots took a huge win over Omaha Hailee Fliam shut-out Lincoln Southwest North first to put them into the champion2-0 granting Millard South an undefeated ship game. day. Marian came out on top after an excitOffense was strong the entire season as Pey- ing game against Bellevue East. Nothing ton Glatter, Roni Foote, and Jayme Horan could have stood in the way of Millard each had 7 home runs and Bailey Urban hit South’s fire and determination as run after 8. run crossed the plate. Millard South ended Districts the game early with a 12-0 run rule over The rain didn’t stop Patriot softball from the Crusaders. The Patriots were headed to punching themselves a ticket to Hastings Hastings.

Annual Swing for a Cure tournament was a huge hit Allison Kirkebak Staff Reporter

The Annual Swing for a Cure tournament that Millard South hosted earlier this month means a lot to the coaches, the players and their families. It brings teams from all across the Metro, together for a great cause. “The turnout was amazing.” Coach Steve Kerkman said, “I think in the ceremony alone, we had over 60 players and coaches honor over 100 fighters, victims, and survivors of cancer” In game one against Bellevue East, a very special moment happened for two of the Patriots. Senior Peyton Glatter and Junior Bailey Urban, both hit home runs in the first inning. This was a special moment to the two girls because in December in 2014, Nicki Glatter(Peyton’s mom and Bailey’s aunt) passed away from Cervical Cancer. Nicki threw out the first pitch in the fall that year. “It meant a lot that it happened on that

specific day, and that Peyton hit one that same game,” Urban said, “That is a very important day to me and my family.” In game two, juniors Molly Bull and Carina Covington had an outstanding game. Bull hit her first varsity home run and Covington pitched a perfect game against Omaha Central. “Pitching a perfect game made it feel like all my hard work has payed off and it set a tone for the start of the post season,” Covington said, “Molly (who caught the game for her) has been catching me since we were 6 years old and having her catch my perfect game is probably one of my favorite moments in my softball career.” In game three, senior Hailee Fliam pitched a one hit shutout with 14 strikeouts. It was her 12th shutout of the year. South beat Lincoln Southwest, who was ranked number one in the state prior to the game, 2-0 in the championship game. For the sixth consecutive year, South won the tournament in outstanding fashion. “Winning our own tournament always

Girls golf improves throughout fall season Sadie Brower Staff Reporter

Juniors Molly Bull and Carina Covington have successful game at Swing for the Cure. Bull hit her first homerun and Covington threw a perfect game.

feels great. It is a great measuring stick and stepping stone to districts and state at the end of the season,” Kerkman said.

Kill-er leadership on varsity volleyball team Allison Kirkebak Staff Reporter

my team this year,” Junior Jordan Harre said. “They paved the path for me and now I’m driving on it.” Patriot varsity volleyball has had some The team consists of 6 juniors, 5 ups and downs this year. With a record of 18- sophomores, and 3 freshman. The girls work 14, they went undefeated at home, beat the very well together due to their closeness in #1 ranked team in class B, Omaha Skutt, and age and grade and also the compatibility also beat #1 ranked team in class A, Millard they share. Most of the sophomores played West. That was the first win in volleyball that together last year for the freshman team/ South had over West in 11 years. JV team, and even on the same club team “When we beat West it was surreal and prior to high school. Most of the juniors also very unbelievable,” exclaimed head coach played together on club prior to high school, Jaisa Poppleton. “I was left speechless, and and also on JV/varsity last together, where I’m not one to be speechless.” they really got the feel for varsity volleyball The story behind a majority of Millard and how it works and operates. South’s success is the leadership of six ju “Being on varsity previous years really niors. The volleyball team had no seniors on helped me,” said junior Claire Larson. “I got the team this year, so that brought upon the to learn and watch how the previous juniors opportunity for the juniors to step up and and seniors helped everyone through tough be the leaders of the team. With all of the situations, and I got those years to really dejuniors having been on varsity years prior, velop to the best I can be for this team,” she they had the feel and knowledge about how said. to run a varsity team. Four of the six juniors, Jordan Harre, “Seeing the previous seniors lead me in Claire Larson, Kelsey Olson, and Jaisee a positive way has helped guide me to lead Stinson have been on varsity since their

freshman year, and the other two, Chole Nickolisen, and Lauren Walenz, since their sophomore year. Within the group of leaders there is a stand out player. Recently this month, captain of the team, junior Jaisee Stinson committed to Hastings College on a full ride to further her education and to play volleyball. “It feels like a weight was lifted off my shoulders,” Stinson said. “I no longer have to make a decision as to what sport to play and where.” With over 2,000 assists, Stinson now holds the Millard South record for the most season and career assists. Stinsons many qualities help her get through to her teammates. “10/10 value everything that involves Jaisee,” sophomore Samantha Steele said. With a majority of the team planning on returning next year, the outcome should be exciting and many are looking forward to seeing the team back in action next year. “Next year is going to be so great, and I can’t wait,” Poppleton said.

Becoming one step closer to being one of the best teams in the state was a huge accomplishment for the Patriot Golf team this fall. Many key players have helped the golf team get this far and pave a bright future for Millard South. The Patriots have come up in the middle of the leaderboard this season but have improved greatly since the beginning of the school year. One thing that made the difference in the team’s success this year was their teamwork and ability to work well together. “We all work very hard and are committed,” said Senior Maddy Hirchert, “which is a little different compared to years in the past.” Hirchert is ending her final season of high school golf with a huge improvement since the beginning of the season. “I was in a slump at first” Hirchert said, “ but I have gotten so much better and I wasn’t expecting it.” Last school year the patriots lost a key player, Grace Rasmussen, which carried some uncertainty going into this season, but they without a doubt overcame that uncertainty and tackled this season with confidence. “I think we’ve done a lot better compared to past years,” said senior Lauren Dennis, “considering we don’t have Grace Rasmussen this year.” As the patriots closed out their season with multiple dual wins and hope to continue to grow their success next year.