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Gretna High School • 11335 South 204th Street • Gretna, NE 68028 Volume VI • Issue V • March 2008
Students navigate crowded hallways Page 3
Who would you vote for? Page 7
Dragons breathe fire at State!!
Dragon fans take home another sportsmanship award Page 14
March 2008
School News
Page 2
How much is Clean or Chaos? too much? Messy lockers affect classes By Kelcie Pinkes Staff Writer
One day of school. Two days of school. Three days of school. Finally it comes down to the last and you are back. A lot of students miss school, but why? Is it because they take a trip? Or, are they sick or do they just skip school? Whatever the reason for absences, how many days of school can a student miss each semester? “It all depends on what they are missing school for, but it would be about 10 days per semester,” Assistant Principal Mr. Miller said. What happens to students who miss that much of school? Teachers say it’s difficult when a student is absent from school. “Yes well if we are covering a new material they miss on that.” Chemistry teacher Mr. Marik said. Students then have to catch up. “They’re responsible for what they miss,” Marik said. Marik gives students three days to make up the missed material.If you ask, a lot of teachers will say the same thing about when students are absent from school, it is very difficult. “For an extended time, yes,” art teacher Mrs. Oliver said. Most teachers agree that it takes up some time to explain to a student what they have missed. “Yeah, because they usually don’t come in before or after school so it takes up time in class and will take away from other students in the class, “Oliver said. The amount of time a student gets to make up there work depends on the teacher. “Along as they have it done in a week than I am fine,” Oliver said.
By Amber Greser In-Depth Editor
Nitchals said. “It makes me late. When I open my locker stuff falls out, Home. and I lose homework.” Where a majorWhy do some stuity of GHS students spend dents let their lockers most of their time. get so out of hand? Room. “I’m just a messy Where students person. It’s just my keep their possessions. nature,” Nitchals said. School. “I’ve added shelves and Where a majorput in a trash bag. It ity of GHS students spend just stays messy.” most of their time. The high school Locker. lockers are used for just Where students over eight months a keep their possessions. year, which could be a School is like a reasonable excuse for a second home. A locker, demessy locker, but what pending on if the student about the students who lugs around a 50 pound keep their lockers tidy bag or actually uses the asand organized? Is it signed locker, is a second done on purpose, or room. Minus a bed and is their neatness like a plus a combination entry, second nature? of course. “I hang my backHaving a messy pack up, keep my books room could possibly be on the floor, and keep distracting in several ways. my papers up here [on For example, if it is unthe shelf],” junior HolChoosing three random lockers, it’s clear to organized, homework and lie Walker said. “I don’t see that people don’t keep them organized. other small or unnoticeable think [it’s hard to keep objects could get lost. Havit clean].” Walker visits her locker after every period, ing a messy locker has the same effect, except with a locker, students only have about four minutes to find and everything is in its place. “Some people, they rush and just pile everythese objects. thing in,” Walker said. “If you just hang your bag up If anyone has a messy locker that affects and keep your books right, then it’s no prob.” their classes, it’s definitely senior Amy Nitchals. “Everyone who has seen it makes fun of me,”
Gretna High speech members qualify for state By Liz Stratman Design Editor Long hours of rehearsing. Practicing for perfection. Dedication. Some lucky speech team members’ hard work and determination has paid off, placing them in the state competition. The OID (Oral Interpretation of Drama) group placed first at districts guaranteeing them a shot at state. Prior to forming this year’s OID, auditions were held. Five members were selected.
“They [OID] are all friends, they support each other, they all have a good understanding that it’s a team event and no one’s a superstar,” speech instructor Mrs. Long said. “They have to work as an ensamble.” A lot of work goes into preparing speeches and perfecting them for an audience. “I think a person who has never done speech would be floored at how much work goes into it,” Long said. Long goes on to explain, “For example, with Tessie Stednitz’s speech, it took a month to pick, and she rehearsed 2 hours a week for about 8 to 9 weeks.”
On March 4th, speech team members competed in districts hosted at Gretna High School. State qualifiers include: Joey Timmerman, Ben Fleck, Molly Motsinger, Sam Montemarano, and Pat White in OID, Tessie Stednitz and Pat White in Poetry Interpretation, Doyle Hanshaw and Jimmy Duin in Humerous Prose, Zenaida Smith and Bethany Bianco in Serious Prose, Tessie Stednitz and Alex Penny in Duet Acting, Hallie Snider in Informative Speaking, Alex Penny in Persuasive, and Hannah Schmale in Entertainment.
Page 3
School News
March 2008
Yearbook Crowded hallway problems class works hard By Brit Stock Staff Writer
Ding, ding, ding. The and not carry huge bell rings to dismiss students to backpacks because they their four minutes of freedom. take up way too much This means encountering the room,” McDowell said. dreaded extra large backpacks, “Students need to students just standing in the plan better for classes middle of the hallway, and that that are consecutive one couple over by the lockers and in the same wing,” who seem inseperable. Eledge said. “Take all In 2006, Gretna Midyour books and don’t dle School was expanded to go back to your locker.” create the new Gretna High Fischer and McDowell School. This expansion was both agreed that there needed to account for all the is nothing that the adstudents coming into the high ministration can really school. Along with the stuPhoto by Anthony Jordan do about this reoccurdents, comes the crowding. ing problem. “The school has just Students make their way through the extremely However, Eledge said crowded halls to their next classes. about reached maximum cathat additions to the pacity of students,” Principal high school are being The year of 2005-2006 had about 168 considered. These additions would be Mr. Eledge said. “This has occured befreshmen, but this next year, Gretna made around Mr. Brandon’s room and cause there are no more classrooms to will receive only about 162 freshmen. the library. hold new teachers.” Each year, our district gains about 25Junior Laura Fischer thinks When asked how bad the hall26 students. That’s a lot of kids. that crowding probably was not a ways were on a scale of one to five, McJunior Karissa McDowell Dowell and Fischer agreed on three. problem in previous years, but it has agrees with Fischer and both girls deincreased because of the growing “I can never get to my locker, cided that the problem would most there are so many people,” Fischer amount of students. definitely worsen because the more said. “The freshman grade keeps Gretna grows, the more students will growing, which leads to more kids “The main hallway is the worst attend the high school. coming to the high school, which leads because that’s where most of the lockSolutions to cut down on ers are and it’s difficult to pass through to overflowing halls,” Fischer said. crowding? Fischer says students the hall, but it could be worse,” McJust this year, Gretna has shouldn’t carry all of their books. received 182 freshmen. The year beDowell said. “Gretna is growing and we “People need to walk faster are gaining a lot more kids.” fore, we received about 174 freshmen.
AcDec wins medals at state By Britt Hannigan Design Editor The Gretna High AcDec team won four medals at Creighton University, February 15th and 16th, at the state competition. Junior Brian Welch won a bronze medal in science, Scholastic
division, while senior Andrea Sawyer won a bronze medal in hardscience, Honors division. Sophomore Mike Marfisi won a silver medal in hardscience, Varsity division.
By Cassi Milroy Staff Writer What’s the first thing people do when they get their yearbook? Find how many times they are pictured in it! But how many people realize how much time has gone into making the book? The yearbook staff has been working hard on a new and improved yearbook for this year. The 188 page book is filled with memories of ‘07-08 and is now in color. The yearbook staff puts in a lot of time into their pages, but enjoy it. “I like taking pictures and putting it together,” senior Tara Smith said. “And being able to see the finished product and say you made it and people are buying it.” “You get to be creative and be more involved in the school,” senior McKenzie Shepard said. There are many challenges to this class. Both girls agree that it is a problem when the server is down, when the camera batteries are dead, and when the cameras just won’t work. Smith is laying out the math and science, JV wrestling, freshmen, varsity girls soccer pages, and is sharing the class competition page. Shepard is putting together the boy basketball, prom, FBLA, advertisement, and varsity softball page. The girls explain why this class is so much different than any other. “The class is a lot more laid back and relaxing, even with the deadlines,” Smith said. “This class is a lot more hands on than any other,” Shepard said.
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Editorial
March 2008
Page 4
The horrors of catching the sickness By Christie Berglund Editor-in-Chief
“An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” I’m not so sure about that because I eat those apples they’re talking about, but every year I get sick at least once every two months. It’s like clockwork. I despise being sick, I loathe it. I hate not having control over what happens to me. Sure, you get some time off of school but for what? Time made up outside of class and homework that I wouldn’t have had if I had just been there. Yeah it’s great.
My least favorite thing about a virus or flu or whatever you want to call the stupid thing, is how my skin aches. My skin! I don’t know if I’m the only one with this problem, but it hurts no matter what I do. Clothes feel like Velcro rubbing against my skin and it’s inescapable. And, oh man, I hate when my throat decides that it wants to make it exceedingly difficult for me to swallow. How it takes extra time and effort to swallow the saliva or water accumulated in my mouth; and every time I try accomplishing this simple task it’s extremely uncomfortable. I’m one of those people who will push myself and the illness as far as it will go. I won’t let it have control. If there’s the slightest possibility of going on with my everyday routine you can bet I’ll do it. The problem with this is how much more tired I am
because of it. Not only that, but my body is begging for more sleep. If it wants sleep so badly why can’t I go to sleep at night? I wake up every couple of hours in pain. It takes even more time to fall back asleep. Why? Why on Earth does this happen? The most awful illness is the common cold. I feel so unbelievably awful and there’s nothing I can do about it. In class all a person can hear is the constant sniffling. My nose will run like a stupid waterfall, and the Kleenexes the school provides could very well make your nose bleed. This has happened to everyone, right? Then why is it so embarrassing to blow your nose? I feel so disgusting every time I do it in front of people. We all get sick and there’s nothing to stop it from happening, but that doesn’t make me hate it any less.
The most complicated five letter word is most definitely trust Trust. A short five letter word. As easy as this word is to spell, it’s not always easy to hold true to. This word makes so many people’s lives complicated. How many people can you say you honestly trust? Can you believe everything they say, everything they do and not even have to think about questioning it? The concept of trust should be easy, but why isn’t it? Cutting the lies out of your life would make it so much simpler, but how many of us can say we honestly have never told a lie? Not very many could. The lie could be a minor one, like why you didn’t call your friend back. Or it could be the major lie, like the rumors you started about your friend. Of course once a lie is out, it’s contagious and more and more come after it. Lies are usually discov-
By Cassi Milroy Staff Writer
ered through word of mouth and then the liar eventually gets caught. Once the liar is caught by the wrong person the trust is broken, and it’s the hardest thing to get back. After the trust is broken, it’s like watching a scar heal. The scar will always be there, and you’ll always remember the story behind it, but once forgiven or somewhat healed it’s still there, just faded a little.
But never completely gone. The “trust issue,” as I call it, is a major problem in everyone’s lives. This issue is hard to overcome because of the feeling of being betrayed by your “best friend” you thought you knew, but apparently didn’t, has just struck. I’m not saying to get over your trust issue because some lies just can’t be forgiven, and the lies that are forgivable, take time. It’s the worst feeling in the world to lose your best friend or boyfriend, but sometimes it’s best to let go of the “good” relationships that have caused you too much pain. Nevertheless, the pain will someday go away, but the trust in the person won’t.
The Voice News Staff Editor-in Chief........................Christie Berglund In-depth Editor........................Amber Greser Photographer...........................Anthony Jourdan Design Editor...........................Liz Stratman Design Editor...........................Britt Hannigan Advertising Manager...............Laura Cejka
Staff Writers: Cassi Milroy Taylor Bradish Kelcie Pinkes Alexis Busch Natalie Doering Jasmyn Krueger
Brit Stock Jess Crawford Faith Cotton Jahn Kuiper Natalie Miller
Advisor.............................................Jamie Hestermann
The Voice is a monthly publication sponsored by Gretna High School, 11335 South 204th Street, Gretna, NE 68028. The office of The Voice is located in sponsor Jamie Hestermann’s room, room 400. The phone number is (402)332-3936. Reader response is welcome in the form of suggestions and ideas. They can be dropped off in room 400 at any time. Editorials are solely the opinions of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of The Voice staff or Gretna High School.
Page 5
Editorial
Chivalry. A complicated word representing the littlest things. Like opening the car door or letting your girlfriend go first in line. Everyone says chivalry is dead, and yes, I can say that’s sometimes true. But I’ve also experienced the other side and I know how it feels to be treated right. The small acts of kindness guys do for girls are, actually, very important. I think every guy should learn from the princesses and lords in medieval times. Hey, it can’t hurt to be a gentleman once in awhile. Some guys will be there to help you up when you fall ice skating or let you order first at dinner. But then there are those other guys who are obnoxious and let the door slam in your face. Girls, don’t let that rude and mean boy walk all over you. Tell him you want him to be a gentleman. Tell him you want him to hold the door open for you. If he can’t do that, then it would be in the best interest to “kick him to the curb.” To the boys who already do countless nice things, keep it up. We girls appreciate little things like that.
What’s your “Obama. I think he has a better standpoint.” Sarah Goldenstein Senior
By Brit Stock Staff Writer
And guys, take some pointers. Send her a cute text message in the morning, like “hey beautiful” or “morning sweetheart,” or talk to her during the day, or walk her out to her car after school. These may be little things to you, but to her, they are a pretty important part of your relationship with her. Chivalry can happen anytime. When sitting at home, watching TV, offer her the remote, though your favorite show is on or when the two of you are having an argument. Let her win because it’s the “gentleman” thing to do. Guys, bottom line, be courteous to the girl you have because if you don’t treat her right she’s going to be gone. Girls, when he gives you a compliment or opens up a door, be grateful for what he’s done. Don’t take it for granted.
“Obama, because he has won most of the big states.” Madison Denkers Junior
opinion?
Is chivalry really dead?
March 2008
“Obama. I believe in change.” Alex Chandler Sophomore
“Obama, because I think so.” Brandon Abels Freshman
Who do you think will win the 2008 election? Cartoon by Kaylee Barber
Page 6 Features The 2008 presidential election: Prom: Is it worth all the Why should we care?
March 2008
expense? By Amber Greser In-Depth Editor April. It’s all about that one night. When long and flowing dresses, short and sparkling dresses, and plain and simple dresses, go on sale. When hair is curled, wrapped, twisted and slicked up, back, and sideways. When earrings and necklaces and nail polish and makeup and outfits and ties and hand purses all match. April is the month of prom, for juniors and seniors anyway. It’s also the month of spending saved money on the above mentioned and much more. Is it worth it? “It was definitely worth it,” senior Tara Smith said. “I had a lot of fun and I don’t think I ever stopped dancing.” Hair and nails professionally done, and possibly even makeup. The price of a suit or a dress, plus the appropriate accessories, could range in the hundreds if not more. The extras. Extra special shoes or extra real jewelryeat away at extra cash. Even the ticket into the actual dinner and dance is pricey. Smith spent around $200, minus the cost of hair and shoes. “I only paid for my dress,” Smith said. A friend did her hair, and Smith borrowed shoes. Senior Kelsey Strehlow, however, spent about $500, and still managed to think it was worth it. “Tanning, nails, jewelry, a dress and shoes,” Strehlow said. “It was really fun, dancing and hanging out with my friends.” Gretna High School’s 2007 prom resulted in many of last year’s seniors missing in action, but still showing up later to play games, and to get a free gift, at Post Prom. So whether it be prom or post prom, the seniors seem to believe that the whole prom experience is worth it.
By Christie Berglund Editor-In-Chief Our nation has been electing presidents for centuries, so what makes this election so important? This is the first time in our history that either a female or an African American president could possibly be elected. John McCain has a significant lead as the Republican candidate and Senator Barack Obama and Senator Hillary Clinton are in the lead for the Democratic Party. America will know who the two official candidates are after June 7, which is the last primary. The 2008 election coming up in November is the first election that the seniors and some juniors will be able to vote. Senior Hallie Snider knows who she will be voting for in the upcoming election. “The Republican candidate, which will probably be John McCain, even though I don’t like him very much,” Snider said. Snider gave her reasons for becoming a Republican. “Ron Paul, if he’s still in it,” Reigenborn “I think smaller government is better and we said. should give more power to the states,” Snider said. “I’m Like Snider, Reigenborn feels our votes don’t not a big fan of universal health care and killing ba- truly count and explains why. bies.” “Because of the electoral college, we [need] a Snider explains why she feels it is important to popular vote and a better system,” Reigenborn said. vote. “They miscount the votes all the time.” “It’s your freedom as a citizen of the United One of the major issues Reigenborn is conStates,” Snider said. “What’s the point to allow it if no cerned about is taxes and how they need to change. one votes?” “I heard somewhere that Warren Buffet’s Even though Snider feels everyone should vote, secretary is paying more taxes than Warren Buffet, she doesn’t believe every vote counts. what is that?” Reigenborn said. “It only counts if the candidate you vote for When asked what he thinks of the possibilwins the electoral votes. If they don’t win your vote is ity of having a female or African American president, basically discarded,” Snider said. Reigenborn thought it could be a good change. There are many “I guess that’s a issues facing the counstep in the right direction, try and Snider states but I’m not saying these old which ones are imporwhite guys have done a bad tant to her. job,” Reigenborn said. “Taxes, uniWhen asked who versal health care, not Reigenborn thinks will win really the war; I don’t he stated firmly, Obama. feel informed enough “Everyone’s in love to know what’s hapwith him; he’s like the next pening; also illegal imElvis,” Reigenborn said. migration, that’s an“He represents something other one that’s kind different than the same old of a big deal. There are same old.” better ways to prevent There are a few it than what’s being things Reigenborn would done . . .” Snider said. change about the election if “I think they need a Presidential candidates Hilary Clinton, John he could. different way of doing McCain, and Barack Obama. “I would like to see health care and a difa little honesty every now ferent way of doing taxes,” Snider said. “[But] I don’t and then, and the abolishment of the two party systhink the world would end if it doesn’t happen.” tems,” Reigenborn said. “This is supposed to be the Senior Jon Reigenborn hopes one of the lesser greatest country in the world and we have to choose known Republican candidates wins the election. between red and blue. It’s pretty ridiculous.”
March 2008
Features
Page 7
Mayan Doomsday- Fact or Fiction?
By Jahn Kuiper Staff Wrtier The idea of the end is natural. People are used to experiencing the end when they go on a vacation or they go to a movie, but the end of the world in 2012 is far more real than some movie. It was the ancient Mayans who pioneered the idea of 2012 apocalypse. They were the first known race to make a calendar, which happens to end on December 12, 2012. Since they’ve gotten the lunar cycle right, their prediction of the end of the world doesn’t seemed too far fetched. But that’s not the only problem. Scientists have predicted a super volcano explosion in Yellowstone, solar storm radiation from the sun reaching the earth, and the earth’s magnetic field disrupting all in 2012. The question is, does anyone believe it? “No way it’s going to happen, “senior Andrew Kaissling said, “Maybe in a couple hundred years, but not now.” Others students hadn’t even heard about our near, imminent doom. “What? Run for the hills,” soph-
omore Tina Martinez said. Others offer some opinions on it. “I think its just another Y2K. People are over reacting, “ senior Sean Ryan said. But there is at least one person who is taking the 2012 myth seriously. “It’s not the end of the world, but it’s very possible that soon humans are going to witness a major transition into an elevated state,” said Jon Reigenborn. “The world is going to get so chaotic in the next four years. We are going to reach critical mass. Change has to hap-
pen. People are going to evolve individually. We are going to gain knowledge of different dimensions. Soon we will be able to communicate in ways far more advanced than language. We are going to run out of oil. There will be a huge economic crisis and then there will people ready to exploit it.” Reigenborn ended with this, “If none of that is going to happen, then it will be Obama reelection in 2012.” Though many people are not as foreseeing as Reigenborn, almost all agree that we have nothing to worry about. Reigenborn leaves us with a final thought, “That’s what I think 2012 is all about, realizing the potential to what human beings can do.”
“R-e-s-p-e-c-t find out what it means to me”
By Britt Hannigan Design Editor Looking in the mirror, what do you see? Someone who needs all the help they can get? Or someone who knows that he or she is perfectly fine just the way they are? Quite a few kids, boys and girls, are getting caught up in wanting to look different. The only question is, why? “I don’t know because sometimes I feel if I look different people would treat me differently,” sophomore Sam Montemarano said. “But I wouldn’t get surgery or anything.” Not everyone feels the need to look different though. Some know that they don’t need to change a thing. “Well sometimes [I want to look different] but I get off that boat really quickly,” junior Joey Bressman said. In a study done by the University of Colorado at Boulder, they reported that in 1970 the average age of a girl who started dieting was 14. By 1990 the average age dropped down to eight. It was also proven that the diet industry makes 40 billion dollars each year and continues to grow. “Some [girls] take it too far,” sophomore Dustin Noah said. “Like skipping meals.” While some people are dieting to be healthy, others just want to be noticed. “They really just want guys to notice them and that’s just bologna,” Bressman said. “I don’t know why girls have to change themselves to be liked.” In another study done by the University of Colorado at Boulder, 35% of occasional dieters progress into pathological dieting. Pathological dieting is being unable to stop. “They get addicted to it. They think that they can become smaller and smaller and they don’t ever stop,”
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Montemarano said. Bressman has a similar opinion. “Because they never see themselves as good enough,” Bressman said. “They never realize what they’re doing because they are too blinded by ‘perfection.” Inch-aweigh.com says that the number of people with eating disorders and borderline conditions triple the amount of people with AIDS. Noah says that he really just cares about the personality. “I really don’t care [about her size] as long as she has a good personality,” Noah said. Einearticles.com shows that in 2006 over 11.5 million cosmetic surgeries were done in the United States alone. That is a 447 percent increase from 1997. The cost of getting plastic surgery can range from anywhere between $200 and $10,000. “You can do it the healthy way and not go through so much pain and money,” Montemarano said. Noah agrees that he doesn’t see the point. “Well, if you feel the need for it I guess, but I really don’t see the point,” Noah said.
Why spend so much money just to get a face lift or a tummy tuck? Gather.com said it was proven that girls now ranging from first through third grade are scared of what they will look like when they’re older. Are these surgeries worth it? “I don’t think anything expensive is worth it,” Bressman said. These people have help though with thinking that they aren’t good enough the way they are. Media is all around with commercials and magazines trying to sell you products to make teens prettier or thinner. Noah, Bressman, and Montemarano all agree that the messages these magazines are sending out aren’t very realistic. “Honestly, now a days I think it’s saying that you can be ugly but as long as you’re skinny it’s ok,” Bressman said. “And that what you do is never good enough.” Noah also says that he believes the magazines are saying that girls have to be skinny to be pretty and that’s not true at all. Montemarano also has a similar opinion. “I think these magazines are saying that all girls need to look like that and it’s normal if you do, but really, it’s not,” Montemarano said. So instead of becoming just another statistic there are a few things people can do instead. “Sometimes I watch movies with ugly people in it to make me feel better, or if I feel really bad for sitting around I go running or dance,” Bressman said. Montemarano has a way of helping with her insecurities. “I try to tell myself that that’s who I am and I shouldn’t try to change myself,” Montemarano said.
Center
March 2008
A day in the life of Carissa Gregory’s mom wakes her up around 7 o’ clock every morning. As she jumps out of bed in the morning she thinks, “It’s already morning?!” She takes 30 minutes to straighten her hair, put on some sweats, and eat a bowl of cereal. “I usually eat Special K Fruit & Yogurt. It’s my favorite cereal,” Gregory said. Getting to school… Carissa takes 7 minutes to get to school. She drives while listening to her iPod. “I have The Rocket Summer, Tim Mcgraw and Lil Wayne on my iPod.” Arriving at school… Her first stop is her gym locker. Then she goes and talks to her friends. Then she stops at her locker before homeroom. Class… Pr.1 Carissa is in Modern Problems. While she works on a project she thinks about the game that’s tomorrow. She likes this class because
Mr. Stevens makes it fun. She’s a tad bit distracted because of tomorrow’s game. Pr.2 Carissa is in Pottery II. She is spinning on the wheel today. She thinks about what her key terms are going to be in Modern Problems. She enjoys the class because it is fun. She is also a bit distracted because she is talking to her friend Avery Dennis. Pr.3 Carissa is in College Biology. She is reviewing for a test. She’s thinking about how hard the test is going to be. She enjoys the class because it is very interesting. She is very focused in this class. At lunch Carissa sits with Kenz, Heidi, and Kaylee in second lunch. They all talk about the game film they’re watching. She thinks the food she’s eating is awesome. Coach Skrdla got them pizza! She doesn’t get any extras at lunch. P r.4 Carissa in Yearbook. She is typing her story. She is thinking about lunch. She likes the class
Hanging
out:
By Jasmyn Krueger Staff Writer “So, what are you doing this weekend?” Ask any teenager this question, girl or boy, and you’ll get virtually the same answer, “I’m going to hang out with so and so.” But how does chilling with the homeboys differ from girls’ night out? Apparently, not much varies. Both boys and girls take part in similar activities while hanging with friends. Sophomores Ginny Ostransky and Austin Heesacker both simply drive around while with friends. “My friends and I play video games, take videos of each other, and pretty much just drive around or go out to eat,” Ostransky said.
because she loves taking pictures and she likes the people in the class. She is pretty focused in the class. Pr.5 Carissa is in English Comp. II. She is taking notes and thinking about how weird the philosophy is. She enjoys the class because the stories are pretty crazy. She is also pretty focused in this class. Pr.6 Carissa is in Trigonometry, taking notes. She thinks about how boring the notes are. She likes who she sits by in the class. She is sort of distracted. Pr.7 Carissa is a T.A. for Mrs. Shrack in the library. She is finishing up her Trig. homework and watching some of the game film. She thinks about the homework she has to do when she gets home. She likes the class because she loves to hangout in the library. She is pretty focused on whatever she is doing. After school… After school Carissa has to go to practice and gets home around 6:15.
junior Andrew Novak
Photo illustration by Amber Greser
Battle Of The Sexes
girls boys vs.
Male
How does chilling with the homeboys differ from girlsʼ night out?
These teens usually find something simple to do on the weekends or after school, like going over to a friend’s house to watch movies and play video games. They also have a crazy side, which comes with the urge to do obnoxious things. “One time, I jumped out of the car while it was in motion,” Heesacker said. The question is would a girl ever do that? “I would probably jump out of a moving car, but it would depend on the situation.” sophomore Sarah Stednitz said. The main difference between
girls and boys is that girls would rather be at the mall purchasing the latest trends, and guys could care less about fashion. “My friends and I play sports,” sophomore Jamie Reitmeier said. Members of each gender have a very similar appetite while with their friends as well. The kids are poor so their diet usually consists of some sort of fast food, frozen pizza, or random left-overs. “I pretty much eat whatever I can find and Taco Bell,” junior Scott Nohrenberg said.
-systemizers -lesser number of fibers connecting the two halves of the brain -use a small part of the left side of the brain -bigger parietal cortex -mechanical
Female -empathizers -outperform men in verbal fluency -use both sides of the brain -bigger frontal cortex -bigger parts of the limbic system -eye contact, emotions, observe others
March 2008
A day in the life of
senior Carissa Gregory
By Faith Cotton Staff Writer
Center
Page 8 Page 9
By Liz Stratman Design Editor
By Jasmyn Krueger Staff Writer Andrew Novak wakes up every morning to the sound of his cell phone alarm. It is 7:15 A.M. when he thinks to himself “ten more minutes...” and ponders what he has going on that day. When he gets out of bed, it takes him a total of twenty minutes to shower, throw on a hoodie, and grab a bagel to go. Novak hops into his ’99 Dodge Stratus and plugs in his iPod for the ten-minute drive to school. “Today I listened to Andrew Bird, who is a violinist,” Novak said. He gets to school at 8:15, just in time for homeroom. He does not
because I actually pay attention in this class,” Novak said. Next he has welding, where he welds a craft for his quarter grade. Following this is his painting class where he works on a painting of headphones. “Everyone says my painting looks just like Andy Daly’s,” Novak said. Novak finishes his day of school with a game of chess in study hall, and algebra 2. Then he heads to track and gets home around six. “I have awesome days,” Novak said.
differ between sexes s
n i a r B
It’s no surprise that male and female brains aren’t exactly the same. How could they be? With different interests and aspirations, it’s practically inevitable that parts of a female brain and male brain vary in size and function. In general, women are empathizers and men are systemizers. A woman can usually empathize with someone better than a man. So what’s the difference? Psychology Review says empathizing is when a person can predict someone’s behavior and care about their feelings. Systemizing is when a person can predict the behavior of a system and observe actions. One might watch something consistently and make rules based on the observations when systemizing. Because early male ancestors
have time to stop at his locker beforehand, so he carries all of his things with him. While waiting for the bell that indicates passing period to ring, Novak wonders whether he did all of his homework or not. When homeroom is over, Novak heads to English class where he takes a test and doodles. Next comes Spanish, where he takes another test. When he’s finished, he thinks “No me gusta esta clase,” meaning, “I don’t like this class.” Spanish is where he tends to space off a lot. His next class is Chemistry CP, where he takes yet another test. This time, he thinks he aced it. “I thought that test was easy
spent a lot of time hunting and needed to have skills to throw spears, organize hunts, and find their way back home, all systemizing skills, it may have affected the change in parts of the parietal lobes in males. A female would gather food and care for her children, using empathizing skills. This could be a reason why parts of the frontal lobes and of the limbic system are larger in females. Studies show that women outperform men in verbal fluency. John Leo, editor at U.S. News & World Report, writes about a test done with a male and a female sounding out words. The results showed the male used only a small part of the left side of the brain, while the female used both sides. The two halves of the female brain are connected by a greater number of fibers than the male’s. Scientists think this evidence helps explain why males don’t express many emotions.
Information flows less easily from the right side to the left side. According to Psychology Review, in 2005, Professor Jill Goldstein of Harvard Medical School found that certain parts of the brain varied in size from a male to a female. An MRI showed parts of the frontal cortex, dealing with reasoning and attention, were a lot bigger in women than in men. Aside from having higher cognitive abilities, the part of the brain triggering emotional responses in the limbic system is also larger in females. In males, parts of the parietal cortex involved in spatial awareness, appear larger. Cambridge developmentalist Simon Baron-Cohen tested newborn babies of different sexes by putting in two videos. One of a mobile, and the other of a face. The boys looked at the mobile longer, and the girls concentrated more on the face. Observing
young children, one may also notice how girls show more eye contact than boys. Boys seem to be more intrigued by inanimate objects. They are usually interested in playing with building blocks or toy vehicles, which can be systemized, at this age. By age 3, girls have a better chance of understanding others thoughts. Comparing Baron-Cohen’s studies showing boys are attracted more to mechanical objects and girls like observing others, with Goldstein’s research breaking down differences in the male and female brain, some connections can be made. The male’s advantage of movement in space and spatial rotation in the parietal lobes contrasts the frontal lobes of a female controlling emotions and social responses.
Entertainment Money well spent? March 2008
By Natalie Doering Staff Writer Everyone’s been there before. You walk into the theatre expecting to see a masterpeice of a film. But you come out knowing that you just wasted eight hard earned dollars on a train wreck. All because the previews looked good, you spent time that you’ll never get back. “I did (waste time) on Cloverfield. It was horrible,” said junior Bethany Bianco. “ It confused me throughout the film.” But did it have good previews? Or did she just go to well.....go? “Well, I thought it did,” she said. It seems the previews like to lead us astray. The hillarious lines and funny comments are in the previews to pull you into the theatre. But then when you go to see the movie, it turns out there not even in the movie! Such was the case with Superbad. “It looked totally funny (in the previews),” sophomore Kayla Christensen says. “But when you watch it, you’re like ‘dude this is stupid’.” Freshman Ryan Horst felt the same way. “The previews looked like they (Superbad) would be funny, but it wasn’t” Horst said. Sometimes though, we’re so dissapointed with the let-down of it not being as good as the previews we take drastic measures. “I left Last Man Standing,” teacher Mrs. Long says, “It was so bad.” So whether or not it’s the worst movie you’ve seen thanks to the previews or not, they’re still out there, waiting to be watched by viewers like us. Good or bad.
Photo Courtesy of blog.wired.net
said. “ It wasn’t fun at first, because a lot of time I would feel like that all I want was fast food, but I couldn’t have it.” “I gave up all sweets,” junior Rachel Stoner said. “I’m going to church one extra day every week,” it is not a bad thing to give something up, because there are lessons that come of it. “It makes people better people,” McDowell said. “It teaches self sacrifice,” Risney said. At the starting of Lent is it hard to give something up or is it easy?
Freshman Alex McDowell Senior Ryan Risney
Fresman Ryan Horst
Where’s the Movie Etiquette? By Natalie Doering Staff Writer
Giving something up
By Jess Crawford Staff Writer If you had to give up something you thought you couldn’t live without, could you do it? Many students recently gave up a variety of things for Lent. Lent begins on Ash Wedensday and ends around Easter “I can last six months without pop,” Alex McDowell said. “It’s better for me not to drink it,” “I can last as long as I need to without chocolate,” Ryan Risney said “I gave up pop,” McDowell said “I gave up McDonalds and Runza,” sophomore Sara Stednitz
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“It was not really that hard, like sometimes I would want McDonalds, but I wouldn’t get it” Stednitz said “It was kind of hard, because I have a big sweet tooth,” Stoner said After a while of staying away from what was giving up, to some it’s easier now than it was. “Yes, I just got use to not eating McDonalds,” Stednitz said. Stoner agreed, “Yes,because you get used to it and you don’t think about it anymore,”
Junior Rachel Stoner
Sophomore Sara Stednitz
Movie Etiquette. Where has it gone? Half the time you learn more about the person next to you, who’s texting on their phone, than you do the main character. Sometimes it’s the chubby guy next to you grinding and pulverizing his popcorn so loud you wonder if you can make it through. Much to my dismay, this scene played out for me a few weeks ago. I walked into the theatre, all ready and set to go see a marvelous movie. One hour and 27 minutes later I walked out of the theatre a changed person. All thanks to Mr. My-mom-nevertaught-me-to-close-my-mouth and the couple next to me, that for some reason, wouldn’t stop giving each other CPR. My first clue that I should have switched seats was when the lights were dimmed and the gentelmen next to me started his voyage down a long path of chomping and chewing. He made no effort to quietly place the kernels in his mouth, or god forbid not crinkle the bag every time he reached in. At first it didn’t bother me....until the end of the movie. The last straw broke. When at the end of the film his cell phone rang. No, he didn’t let it ring or rush to turn it off like us normal humans. He picked it up. And talked. Talked. On the phone. In the middle of the movie. Let’s just say I was ablazed with anger. But I’ve got over it. The movie was worse than his actions. I suppose choosing my seats had something to do with the fact that I had to sit next to these odd-balls. But really. When you choose to sit in the very back row, what can you expect? Possibly a little etiquette.. It’s all I ask.
Entertainment
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Twilight
Catastrophe
By Natalie Miller Staff Writer The book phenomenon Twilight has teenage girls all across the country swooning over the main character Edward. “He was really hot in my mind,” said sophomore Daina Keene. “Every guy should be like Edward. Lauren Sawyer, a freshman at GHS, agrees that the book describes Edward in a tantalizing way. “He was elevated to a godlike status,” Sawyer said, “He’s perfect.” But when some girls logged on to www.StephenieMeyer.com and saw the picture of the actor who had been cast to play Edward in the soon to be motion picture, they cringed. Freshman Lindsay Reuter seems to disagree. “Just seeing pictures doesn’t really give you an idea about the chemistry the actors may have while working together,” Reuter said, “We’ll have to wait and see.” While some girls are perfectly fine with actor Robert Patterson playing the role, others have their own opinions on what he should look like.
“An Italian man (to play the role), like dark and mysterious,” Keene said. “No American can play this part. It definitely needs a foreign man.” But will people pay to see the movie on the big screen, or will it be just another flop that’s occasionally rented for 99 cents? I’m really excited to see the final product,” Reuter said. Even if the movie gets a two thumbs down girls will continue to read this book and let their minds wander off into this wonderful fantasy. “Guys should read this book just to find out how to treat a girl,” Keene said. While it would seem that the consensus was that the book was great, some found it to be only ok. “I think there have been better books written,” Sawyer said, “It has great description and all, but there are better books out there.” Whether the movie gets five stars or is quickly banished to the dollar theater, girls hearts will still flutter when they read the best selling novel Twilight.
March 2008
Who do you think should play Edward? Becca Gunderson, Freshman “Daniel Radcliffe, he’s pale and skinny. He’s got dark hair and is kinda mysterious.”
Deanna Matthews, Freshman “That’s easy, Zach Braff.” Photo courtesy of forum.myspace.com
Books in the Twilight Series...
Logan Obermeyer, Freshman “A really pale, buff version of Brad Pitt.”
Jillian Bilyeu, Sophomore “No actor can match up to Edward.”
Photo courtesy of blog.ugo.com.
Photo courtesy of picasaweb.google.com.
About Twilight... The story begins when the main character, Bella moves from Arizona to Grand Forks to live with her dad. She isn’t exactly thrilled. On her first day at her new high school she notices a peculiar and abnormally gorgeous family at a table by themselves. One family member, in particualar, stood out from the rest. Edward. At first Bella is sure that he hates her. But she will soon find out that there is a very good reason for Edward’s coldness.
Whatʼs on Your IPod?
Whatʼs on Your IPod?
Ryan Horst
Jordan Drake
“Get Buck in here” DJ Felli Fel ft Akon, Diddy, Luba
“Forever and ever amen” Randy Travis
“Independent” Webbie
“How do you get that lonely” Randy Travis
“Jamie All over” Mayday Parade “Suffocate” J. Holiday “Heels over Head” Boys Like Girls
“Boys Like us” Randy Travis “Play hurt” Heartland “Lets get Dirty” Heartland
Photo courtesy of lh3.google.com.
March 2008
Style
Style File The size of self esteem
Mallary Kohlbek, junior What do you base your style off of? Whatever I like. If you had $40 to spend at one store, where would you spend it and what would you spend it on? Pacsun, and skinny jeans. What article/accessory could you not live without? Nail polish. You’re late for school, you have three minutes to put on your makeup, what do you put on? Foundation, eyeliner, and mascara. Quickly! Where do you get most of your clothes? Pacsun.
By Laura Cejka Advertising manager When walking into some of the more upscale stores at the mall such as Hollister and New York and Company, it’s highly apparent that sizing varies from one store’s merchandise to the other’s. It’s to be expected if sizing is a little off, but when the numbers vary as much as four numbers between stores, there’s a problem somewhere. For example, a shopper walks into a store and fits perfectly in a size four dress, which makes her feel pretty good about herself. Then she walks into a different store and is shocked to find that she has moved up to a size eight in a matter of minutes. Did she really gain weight that fast? Most likely not. Not only are there size variances, but some stores will only carry clothing up to a certain size. Senior Alex Penny has seen this in several of the stores where she shops. “In Hollister it seems like everything is made for really small people,” Penny said. Stores such as Hollister have their reasons for sizing their merchandise smaller than average, but their reasons may be a bit superficial, according to observers like junior Paige Bockman. “It makes their clothes look
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These skirts fit exactly the same, but one’s a size 2 and ones size 8. Stores try to make shoppers feel better about themselves by making you seem smaller. good because they control who wears transformation, but says there’s a reason for the change. them,” Bockman said. “Lane Bryant and New York To tie in a similar issue, quite a few stores now offer the same sizes and Company’s goal is to make women as any other store, but the tags read a feel better about themselves,” Penny much smaller size. This tempts shop- said. As America’s waistline increaspers to buy their clothes at these stores because they’re “thinner” there. The es, marketing tries to accommodate by measurements of a size 10 are now that making the sizes smaller and not adof a size 6 according to Holly Ennis, au- justing the actual size. Many students thor of Vanity Sizing: The Manufactur- like Bockman and Penny believe that this is because women correlate their ing of Self Esteem. Penny has noticed this size self esteem to what size they are.
Are designer purses worth the money? By Lexi Busch Staff Writer Coach, Dooney and Burke, and Chanel. These are just a few of the major designer purses students have been carrying in the halls. If you haven’t seen one of these well known designers then you might have seen the ones from Gap or anywhere else in the mall. Designer purses can be very expensive in some people’s opinions. Coach purses can range from $130 to $7,000 or more. Some girls wouldn’t even consider thinking about purses that price, but some think they last longer and are worth paying that much for them. “My Coach purse has lasted a long time,” freshman Taylor Gruttemyer said. “I think it was worth spend-
ing the money on them, well my mom’s money.” Although Gruttemyer thinks it’s worth it to spend that much money on a purse, freshman Sarah Warren thinks otherwise. “ I didn’t want to spend all that money on a designer purse when I can get a really cute one for not that much,” Warren said. Warren just bought a cute pink bag from Gap a couple weeks ago and says she loves it and thinks it will last just as long as a designer purse. Girls who buy the designers purses don’t usually have as many purses than the girls who just have the regular ones. “I only have two designer purses, but I use them both all the time,”
Gruttemeyer said. The girls who don’t get the designer purses tend to have more purses because they have more money to buy them. “I don’t get new purses often, but when I do I would rather not spend hundreds of dollars on them so I can get more next time,” Warren said. All girls have different opinions on whether they want to spend their money on designer purses or not, or rather they last longer or are cuter than non designer purses. “I think that designer purses are worth all the money in the end because I think they are usually cuter and last for a long time,” Gruttemyer said.
March 2008
Question
In the Hallways
& Answer
Brandon Johnson, Freshman
Jessica Schram, Junior
Q. What food and/or beverage combos are your favorite?
Q. What food and/or beverage combos are your favorite?
A. Chilli and rice
A. Popcorn and M&Ms
Q. What’s your all-time favorite commercial jingle? A. “Red Robin Yummm” Q. What do you believe in the greatest unsolved mystery of all time? A. What really happens in the Bermuda Triangle Q. What special feature that doesn’t yet exist would you add to a car? A. Microwave and a fridge Q. If you could add anything to an elevator ride to make it more interesting what would it be?
Q. What’s your all-time favorite commercial jingle? A.”Quiero Taco Bell” Q. What do you believe in the greatest unsolved mystery of all time? A. Is Tupac really dead? Q. What special feature that doesn’t yet exist would you add to a car? A. A never ending Febreeze Air Freshener Q. If you could add anything to an elevator ride to make it more interesting what would it be?
A. Different music
Ashley Larrick, Sophomore Q. What food and/or beverage combos are your favorite? A. Coke and pizza Q. What’s your alltime favorite commercial jingle? A. Pepsi commercials Q. What do you believe in the greatest unsolved mystery of all time? A. The Mona Lisa Q. What special feature that doesn’t yet exist would you add to a car? A. Tracking device Q. If you could add anything to an elevator ride to make it more interesting what would it be? A. TV
Nick Link, Senior
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Car of the month
By Laura Cejka
Sophomore, Timbre Backen What kind of car do you have? 1999 Ford F-250. It’s big and blue. What is the inside like? All dark blue and it smells like vanilla lace from Victoria’s Secret. I have a pink lei hanging from the rear view mirror. Where did you get your car? It was my dad’s and he gave it to me when I started my sophomore year. What is your dream car? A huge white monster truck with hot pink flames and subs. Any special details to your car that you want to brag about? It’s real big. It’s really fun to pack a bunch of people in there and drive around. I love stepping up to get into it and I love pulling up next to someone and looking down at them. Name 3 things in the back of your car. Chocolate, a big blanket, and random CDs.
Photo by Laura Cejka
Q. What food and/or beverage combos are your favorite? A. Mashed potatoes and mac & cheese covered in gravy Q. What’s your all-time favorite commercial jingle? A. Sierra Mist Christmas commercials Q. What do you believe in the greatest unsolved mystery of all time? A. How to put the ships in the bottles Q. What special feature that doesn’t yet exist would you add to a car? A. Hand warming steering wheel Q. If you could add anything to an elevator ride to make it more interesting what would it be? A. Loop-de-loops
Sophomore, Timbre Backen with her huge Ford F-250.
Would you like to see your car or a friend’s car in next month’s issue? Drop by Mrs. Hestermann’s room
and let us know!
March 2008
Sports
Dragons are BOOM dynamite! By Anthony Jourdan Photo Editor ....And the 2008 Sportsmanship Award for Boys State Basketball goes to the Gretna Dragons. Sportsmanship awards are very important to our school and the way other schools treat us. Going to a game is enough to show that students care about their school. To senior Scott Novak, sportsmanship is respecting the game and showing up. “To me sportsmanship is that students and parents come and watch the games and support our players playing for Gretna,” Novak said. “Also, the players that play with respect and have appreciation for the game.” There are those people that come to every sporting event at their school, and then there are those who could care less. To some students, especially junior Ben Fleck, sportsmanship plays a big role in the outcome of the game. “I do think the sportsmanship of the students and parents helps a lot in our teams getting the win,” Fleck said. Novak says without sportsmanship it wouldn’t be the same. “It does play a factor in the games because without it there would be no game going on,” Novak said. “Our crowd and our players are everything.”
Looking into the stands at every basketball game and seeing those weird costumes like Barney Flinstone, an occasional Dr.. Seuss up in the crowd, and those who decide to paint themselves completely white. The more students and parents that come to the game is very important according to junior Joey Timmerman. “I think it has an amazing factor of positivity, in the sense that the players and the coaches have a ton of fan support during the games,” Timmerman said. When asked what builds “sportsmanship” and what destroys it this is what Novak had to say. “The more people that come to the game to have fun and cheer for the players build it and people and students not coming to the games and the players that have disrespect for the game, destroy.” When the word sportsmanship comes to mind, a lot of people have no idea what it means or symbolizes. To some students it can mean a variety of things especially Fleck. “The first thing that honestly came to my mind is a big beautiful feedlot. I mean all the angry cows just anxious to charge like the students! It doesn’t get any better than that!”
Photo by Anthony Jourdan
Showing some award winning school spirit are seniors Ryan Boyer, Jay Omar, Cody Manquist, Lee Henning, and Jon Alderson.
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Sports all-star coaches for Gretna By Taylor Bradish Staff Writer
Ms. Nebraska Basketball, Gatorade Player of the Year, Five Time State Champ, Nationally Ranked #1, First Team All State, and First Team All Conference. Ms. Flynn? Freshman & Sophomore P.E Teacher, freshman basketball, and tennis coach. That sounds more like it. But Ms. Flynn really did make all these accomplishments, and is sharing her successes through coaching. Ms. Flynn played Ms. Flynn volleyball, basketball, tennis, and track in high school. She is now following in her fathers foot steps by coaching freshman basketball, and now, the tennis team. “I won state five times, four times in basketball, and once in tennis, won a national tournament too,” said Ms. Flynn. Since she is going to be the new head tennis coach Ms. Flynn will be able to bring her own experiences to the team. It seems like practice would be very hard for how seriously she takes her sports, but she says, a typical practice is going to be competitive and she’s going to make sure the players have fun. “I’m going to do drills with the girls, that I used to do at my tennis practices,” said Ms. Flynn. Since she was such a good athlete in high school it’s no surprise that Gretna wanted her to coach for them. “I was really excited and feeling very nervous when they asked me to be the tennis coach.” Ms. Flynn said. “I think when the weather gets nice it will be a lot of fun.”
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Boys take 3rd at state
Sports
By Cassi Milroy Staff Writer For the first time since 2004 the boys basketball team made it to state and won third place. The boys started the tournament against McCook, winning by a free throw shot by Bryce Arp. Following this game, the boys played Beatrice and were defeated by three points. They finished the tournament on Saturday, March 8th, with a five point lead over Pius. Brandon Hubert, Jared Gustafson, Stefan Katsampes, Mick Crockett, and Trent Miller all agree that the season went very well. “We finished strong with a third place finish at state,” Hubert said. “It’s been the best season at Gretna in a long time. We won 19 games this season, which is an improvement from last years 11,” Miller said. The boys agree the tournament went well too. “We beat Elkhorn, the second place winners, by 15 during the regular season and we only lost to state champions by three points,” Miller said. Sports photos by Anthony Jourdan Miller made the All-Tournment team. Junior Trent Miller made the All-Tournament Crockett describes the team in one team for his outstanding performance at the state word by using Cortez. Katsampes adds by using tournament this year. Gapta.
March 2008
Wrestling wraps up
By Laura Cejka Advertising Manager Gretna qualified five wrestling athletes this year to go to state; a downsize from last year’s numbers, but they still did well, achieving 9th place overall . This year’s qualifiers were seniors Lee Henning and Mark Mintken, junior Ryne Osowski, sophomore Ryan Hartnett, and freshman Bobby Grossman. Starting with state, Ryan Hartnett won third place over the competitor from Beatrice by a 7-4 decision, taking the lead of the Gretna competitors. Mark Mintken received fifth place in his weight class, Lee Henning placed sixth, Ryne Osowski lost to his competitor from Auburn to receive sixth place, and Bobby Grossman went 0-2. At districts, Gretna came in fifth as a team. In the 112 pound weight class, Ryan Hartnett came in 2nd, losing by a 5-2 decision to state champion Dustin Stodola from Schuyler. At 119 pounds, Bobby Grossman received fourth place, where he was pinned by Jesse Browne of Plattsmouth. Moving up in the weight classes at 135 pounds, Ryne Osowski secured third place over Sheldon Onderstal of Wayne. Lee Henning in the 145 pound weight class, took second place where he lost to the eventual state champion Tyler Kottas of Skutt with a 13-2 decision. In the 285 pound weight class, Mark Mintken received second place, getting pinned by Boys Town wrestler, Sandi Stanback.
Lady Dragons win in a big way By Jahn Kuiper Staff Writer The gym is now filled with silence after a grueling season filled with peaks and valleys. Here the echoes of the crowd’s roar can still be heard in the stillness. This was the battleground of the Lady Dragons who in their campaign achieved something grander than a trophy. But first, time winds back to right after the game verses South Sioux City. Gretna had just took the number one team into overtime and lost 55 - 65 in an emotional thriller. “I was really disappointed,” Coach Jerome Skrdla said. “We set a goal to win the state tournament. On the other hand I was proud of the girls because they gave their best effort.” The girls also tried to look at the positive side, but none of them could hide their disappointment from their coach. “They were very upset. When you put up the effort and get that close it is emotionally draining,” Coach Skrdla said. “Looking back they were pretty pleased at the showing they had.” Throughout the season the Lady Dragons endured many setbacks. They seemed plagued with in-
juries and the season looked like it was turning sour. But it is in our weakest moments is that we grow. “We seemed to really get it together after our loss to Pius. We started to work as a team,” senior Carissa Gregory said. The tide did seem as if it was changing and the result was wins. “We overcame obstacles. We showed this could be a successful team, even with the losses we had,” Coach Skrdla said. “We grew a lot as a team.” When it was all said and done the Lady Dragons did not reach the state championship, but while on the journey they found something grander. “We became really close and made great friendships,” Gregory said, “It was a fun season.” In the years to come these memories will become far more priceless than a trophy. In the mind of the coach there is only one thing that he can remember. “I think mostly of the effort they gave and their drive to be successful. Also, the seniors were a special group,” Skrdla said. “When it was their chance they showed they could be as strong as years past.”
Senior Kaylee Barber waits, for the basketball, in hopes of getting the rebound. The Lady Dragons made it to state again this year with a near win to South Sioux City.
February 2008
Photo Story
r e roof onto thei ks on putting th or w g t in is ild qu bu an r M ei is for th Senior Cody e working on th ar ts en ud st e building. Th class. and construction
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Mr. Ham a nd senior D ustin Rehder part of the ro look where of. There is to mount about ten st ing and Con udents that struction. take Build-
StUdeNtS H Elp B UIlD T on o tHe commUnit !! Y Senior Scott Novak puts the finishing touch to part of roof. The class started this project about a month ago.
The Building and Construction Class work to build a new storage space for the Gretna Firefighters. The students take time and go over almost every day during 6th and 7th hour.
Senior Dustin Rehder fills parts of the building they are adding on to the firestation. Mr. Ham said it will take them about a quarter to finish this building.
May 2008
CD’S: Bye, Bye Bye? By Kelcie Pinkes Staff Writer They can get scratched. They often get lost. Plus you get at least 5 songs you dont even want. Those are just some of the things you despise. What are the diffrences between a downloaded song and a Cd are there really many diffrences between a downloaded song and CD? Many students would say that there is alot between a downloaded song and a CD. “ Okay, I’d rather spend a dollar for a song than 16 dollars for a cd,” junior Nick Drake said. It looks like in Drake’s opionion he likes going for the cheaper stuff than the expensive. But how much does the download songs cost compared to a CD. Drake said “ 99 cent and a cheesebuger”. So it just might be that cheap. Could we live without CDs? Junior Derrick Taylor couldn’t. “I don’t know about everyone else. Music influences moods and I listen to it every chance I get. It’s a way of life really.” But in Drakes way he has a different opionion about CD’s. “ Yeah, so we don’t have to keep up with the CD’s,” Drake said. Plus CD’s cost much more. “16 to 20 dollars” Drake said. “ About 11 to 15 bucks” Taylor said. Does anybody remember the first time a CD came out probaly not well the very first time a CD came out was probaly the early 1990’s. Now does any body remember when I-tunes came out probaly so but if you dont know I-tunes came out about 3 to 4 years ago doesn’t seem long well that is probaly because it hasen’t been but know CD’s it has been really long. So the next time you think about buying a CD think of when the first CD came out and the next time you buy a downloaded song think of when that came out.
Entertainment
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Students remember the past: Childhood books turned into movies By Liz Stratman Design Editor Who hasn’t read a Dr. Seuss book? They’re kid’s classics; what we’ve all grown up reading. So it’s no wonder many teens still enjoy the work and rhyme of Dr. Seuss. Instead of picking up a book, teens have the option of watching Dr. Seuss on the big screen. With “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” “The Cat in the Hat,” and the latest, “Horton Hears a Who”, students hope to relive their childhood days, if only for a few hours. But do all childhood books that have been made into movies have the same effect? Sophomore Molly Dembinski says out of all the little kids movies, Dr. Seuss movies are the best. “They’re like the funniest movies ever,” Dembinski said. Sophomore Alicia Tompkins says Dr. Seuss movies are cute for kids. “I think they’re pretty funny,” Tompkins said. Dembinski and freshman Zach Omar agree children’s movies are better than childrens books. “I like the movies more because they don’t get over in like five minutes,” Omar said. Though Omar enjoys animated movies over picture books, he has different opinions about the “Curious George” books. “I like the books more because the pictures are amazing,” Omar said. Dembinski says “Curious George,” the movie, is pretty similar to the books. “He [Matthew O’Callaghan, director] did a good job turning a book into a movie,” Dembinski said. Like the “Curious George”
collection, Omar prefers the “Garfield” books over the movie. “Oh, most definitely the books,” Omar said. “You can use more imagination.” Dembinski disagrees, though she owns some Garfield books. “I like it [the movie] better than the books,” Dembinski said. While students may disagree on liking certain books over movies or vise versa, they generally enjoy character’s voices chosen for movies previously books. In “The Polar Express,” Tom Hanks plays many characters throughout the movie. But is his voice what one would’ve imagined while reading about those characters in the books? O v e rall Dembinski and Omar believe when casting an animated movie that originally was a book directors do a nice job. “They choose actors really good,” Omar said. “Especially like Steve Carell in ‘Over the Hedge.’” Tompkins says she would pick different actors for certain characters. So could any little kids book be made into a movie? Or is there a
fine line between funny and pointless? Omar thinks The Teacher From the Black Lagoon should be made into a movie. “It always made me afraid to go to school and scary things attract me,” Omar said. Dembinski would like to see The Hungry Little Caterpillar become a movie. “It’d be like the best movie ever!” Dembinski said.
Whatʼs on Your IPod? Ryan Reuter Junior “Life by the Drop” Stevie Ray Vaughn “Time” Pink Floyd “All Along the Watchtower” Jimi Hendrix “My Parties” Dire Straits