The ECHO-issue 3 by Chris Johnson

The

ECHO

volume 104 . issue 3 . Dec. 21, 2011 Kearney High School

Table of Contents The Learning Paradox Technology is enabling Americans to become lazy, putting basic knowledge at risk.

The Effect of Colors

Studies have proven that certain colors have a psychological effect on mood and behavior.

Hunting: A Winter Sport Students and staff take to hunting as a regular hobby during the winter.

Modern Warfare 3

Two KHS students step outside of the normal bounds by joining the equestrian leagues.

Editor: Alyssa Cody Asst. Editors: Maddy Christensen

Justine Runge Kellie Warren Advisor: Chris Johnson Technology: Jake Bunger Leslie Wilson Advertisement: Cierra Graf Tyler Loebig Shelby Miller Railen Ripp

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Hair Care 101

Winter Fashion

New Call of Duty game tops record boards and satisfies avid gamers.

Horses for a Hobby

In Perspective

A look at what life would be like if things worked a little differently in our school.

Follow 5 simple rules to obtain a healthier and longer lasting head of hair.

New winter fashions make their way into the doors of Kearney High School.

The Year in Review The ECHO staff chose their top five favorites in six entertainment categories of 2011.

Making An ECHO A behind the scenes look at the process of creating an ECHO publication.

Senior Reporters:

12 14 15 16 18

Hanna Allen Junior Reporters: Taylor Garrison Virginia Gormley Cait Graf Ann Holen Dillon Graf Rachel Kermmoade Victoria Heineman Bri Mazankowski Katie Higgins Anna Nelson Cassie Kernick Melissa Troyer Jacob Larsen Sophomore Reporters: Christa Lovitt Lauren Mimick Jarek Ebert Tiffany Valleau Richard Leonard McKenna Urbanek

The ECHO Kearney High School 3610 6th Avenue Kearney, NE 68845 308-698-8060

The

P A R A D O X

Learni

With scientific, medical and technological advances occurring nearly every second, it is easy to assume that the knowledge base of those exposed BY CASSIE KERNICK to these discoveries is vastly expanding as well. Especially in the case of Americans, where children racy than a human? practically come out of the womb texting; it would be Another area where this dependency is becomeasy to concur that they are continuing to grow more ing noticeable is spelling. With spell check and auto intelligent. correct on every computer and nearly every cellular However, many sources are beginning to illus- device, there is never a need for people to think for trate that, regardless of their immense technological themselves; a machine is constantly spewing out anabilities, Americans are showing deficiencies in what swers for them. While these references can be helpused to be considered basic skills. ful and convenient, they are not all positive. What Take, for instance, the inherent facts that used to happens when these same students are to take an be known by elementary schoolers. Most should be essay test with their only resources being paper, penable to quickly fill in a multiplication times table, name cil and their own brains? Once again, this advanced the past presidents and identify the 50 states. But technology has caused retardation in skills that used according to a recent survey to be commonly posby the Oklahoma Council of sessed. Public Affairs, 77% of school Overall, one of the children did not know that the biggest factors in this first president was George downward spiral is Washington, and only 2.8% online giant, Google. were actually able to pass a There is little to no necitizenship test. What should cessity to know anybe common knowledge is thing, when with the now becoming difficult for citiaccessibility of a comzens to recall. puter, almost any anDue to the advancements in technology such Just look at any math swer to any question as calculators, students can solve complicated class higher than basic algeis at the user’s hands. math problems but not simple mulitiplication bra, give them a test over exIf one is sick, they problems. ponential growth equations or can google it and selfMCTCampus.com proofs of trigonometric funcmedicate. If one has a tions, and they will most likely be able to produce an- question about the Constitution, or even wants to say swers without even batting an eyelash. “How do you do in Turkish?” the answer is just one However, ask those same students to do a set click away. Although this all may seem like a great of basic algebra problems without using a calculator, thing, what it has churned out is an abundance of and they will most likely be spiraled into a whirlwind wannabe doctors, scientists and experts who know a panic. It appears the further teenagers develop in whole lot about nothing. math, and the more advanced concepts they masWhile at first all of these things may seem harmter, the less they seem to be able to perform simple less, the real problems are beginning to surface. Acthings like multiplication and division without the as- cording to The Wall Street Journal, in the past years sistance of a device. Some openly express that the Americans have been seeing a steady decrease in need to know basic math has become obsolete. not only SAT scores, but also in multiple other stanJunior Ryan Cervantes said, “What’s the point dardized tests and assessments. So, while increased of knowing simple math? This is the 21 century, and technology is a phenomenal thing, increased depenI have this magical thing called a calculator.” He is dency on it is becoming an issue. It is important for not alone in this view, and this is one of the many Americans to realize that advanced technology can reasons there has been a decrease in simple skills. be helpful in moderation, as long as they can still What is the point of knowing such things when there grasp common knowledge and hold onto basic skills. are machines that can do the same with more accu-

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The Effect of

O L O R S

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BY KELLIE WARREN Would you believe that if it was the Blue Gate Bridge instead of the Golden Gate Bridge, there would be fewer suicides from jumping off of it? How about football teams wearing pink while playing have an unfair advantage? Well, it is true. Every color has a unique psychological effect on the human brain. Many studies have proven that colors can physically and mentally affect those who see them. The color blue has a calming effect and has actually prevented suicides. City officials in London, England were looking for any way possible to reduce the high suicide rate off the bridge of Blackfriars. Just like the name, the bridge was black to begin with. The officials soon caught wind of the psychological effects of colors and painted the entire bridge blue. The next year the suicide rate dropped by nine percent. After hearing this, several large railway companies in Japan changed their train warning lights from red to blue in 2008. The year before the light color was changed, 640 suicides by train occurred. The year after they changed, there was not a single suicide by train. In case you are still not convinced, the effects of colors on the brain have shown up in many other places as well. Red sends a message to the brain that makes people physically more excited and energetic. To test this, a group of architects and designers created a club with multiple, separate rooms. Each room was decorated in one solid color. Furniture, walls, lighting, everything was the same. For a month, they recorded the number of people who hung out in each room. The most crowded room was, just as they had suspected, the red room. When people entered the room, they suddenly became livelier and did not want to leave. However, the red room was also the most rowdy of all due to the massive amounts of energy and excitement in the room. On the off chance that you still do not believe it, have you ever heard of football teams painting their visitor locker rooms pink? One high school did this before a big rivalry game as a simple joke. What they meant to do was to strip all the masculinity from their opponents before the game. Their prank had a better effect than they ever imagined.

Pink is literally the happiest of the colors. When it is seen, not only does the brain become emotionally tranquil, but physically as well. Any energy, rage or excess emotion from the person is drained. Because of this, the game was a blowout. The news of this spread, and it became a high school tradition around the country to paint the opponent’s locker room pink. It even spread into college and professional sports where it was later prohibited because it was said it was exactly like using a performance-enhancing drug.

The human eye uses rods and cones to see images and colors. Different cones are used for each color, changing the brain’s reaction. MCTCampus.com The way it works is your eye has 250,000 cones that detect color. These cones are neurotransmitters in the back of the eye. When light hits them, certain ones are affected and send a message to the brain, telling it what they are seeing. It also creates a hormone that regulates all emotion. This sets off a chain reaction in the brain that ends in a physical or emotional change, all because of color. When looking at ‘calming colors’ like blue, green and purple, the eye has no need to adjust in order to see them correctly. However, with red, yellow and orange, the eye needs to adjust and, therefore, becomes fatigued faster. The irritation of the eye is why those colors invoke stronger emotions on

those who see them. However, that is not all; it gets even weirder. Colors have been proven to affect even the blind eye. When someone who cannot see ‘looks’ upon certain colors, the same message is sent to their brain as it is for everyone else. This is because in most cases, the damaged part of the eye is not the one that perceives the color, simply the one that projects the image of it to the brain. The effect of certain colors on the human brain is not a new concept. Marketers have been manipulating these effects for decades. When one enters any kind of store, the color that shows up the most on packaging is red, the same color that causes people to act on impulse instead of rational thought. That is no coincidence. Studies done in various grocery stores have shown that shoppers are more likely to pick up things with a red package rather than a blue one beside it. Marketing, though, is not one size fits all, or else every product would be packaged in red. Colors appeal to varied groups of people. There are the obvious ones, such as pink appeals to girls because of their more tender nurturing nature. However, there are also ones that many would not guess, such as pessimists are subconsciously attracted to orange. When choosing the color for anything, function should be considered first. If painting a bedroom, blues or pinks would be best in order to create calm before sleep. Many churches are decorated in lavenders because it taps into the inner emotions that most people try to hide, effectively making them feel more spiritual. Stop signs are painted red because it excites and quickens the pulse. People who are worked up are more aware of their surroundings. Many prisons or juvenile detention centers have special cells decorated in bubble gum pink in order to calm down the more rowdy inmates. Without even knowing it, colors affect us everyday. Whether you are ‘tricked’ into buying a product you do not actually need or simply staring at your bright bedroom wall and suddenly experiencing a boost of energy, colors dictate our emotions and actions every time we look around.

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HUNTING the silent sport

By Christa Lovitt

With the moon shining and the stars still twinkling, there is no way of knowing that it is early morning. The morning air is cool and crisp. Nature is silent and, in a way, anxious. The hunters are waking, having been ready for this time year since it ended last year. Finally, it is hunting season in Nebraska. Nebraska is a very active state in hunting. With the various hunting seasons starting up, many students and faculty at Kearney High are applying for their permits and loading their guns. Before any student can actually hunt, they must apply for a permit. There is only a certain number of permits that can be given out. This way, no animal can be overhunted. There are a number of animals that could be hunted, but the most commonly hunted animals seem to be pheasants, turkey and deer. Of course, there are other critters that are hunted as well. Senior Trey Andersen and sophomore Andrew Ochsner both hunt dove. Andersen usually hunts on private land and will spend only a few hours outdoors hunting dove and pheasant with his dad and brothers.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Then I had to

Senior Tony Jenniges scopes out a deer through his bow on a recent hunting trip. photo courtesy Tony Jenniges

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drag it up the canyon. -Jade Clement

Freshman Tessa Nelson with a huge 8 point buck that she shot. photo courtesy Tessa Nelson Ochsner, on the other hand, hunts early in the morning. “Generally I go out around 5:30 AM, and don’t quit hunting until around 6:30 PM,” he said. “I like to hunt with my dad and friends in the Riverdale area.” Along with dove, he shoots deer, turkey, pheasant and quail. Ochsner enjoys spending quality time with his dad or his friends when he hunts. Some may assume that hunting is just for guys. Most conclude that boys only do it because they feel manly when they hold a gun, and it makes them feel powerful when they shoot or kill something. Contrary to this popular belief, many girls find the joy in hunting for their own reasons. Senior Kendra Guthard hunts deer and turkey along with coyotes and raccoons. She hunts from sun up to sun down with her family near Litchfield, NE or Oconto, NE, which is in the Sandhills. “Hunting is a great way for me to bond with the guys in my family,” Guthard said. She does not get a lot of time to do this, and hunting is a great excuse to just hang out with them. Someone else who uses hunting to bond with family members is junior Jayden Esch. She uses it to bond with her stepdad. Typically, she will hunt with her stepdad, stepsister and grandpa around Broken Bow, NE. “One thing we do that is fun is have competitions with other hunters to see who can get the bigger buck.” Esch will spend around three to five hours a day hunting deer. Junior Rylee Svoboda is another female that enjoys hunting. Everyone in her family hunts, so it is a fun family activity. She has hunted deer near Lawrence, NE where her grandparents live. Svoboda also had the opportunity to hunt antelope in Chapel, NE, where some friends of her family live. There are plenty of others who take hunting as more than just shooting animals. Mr. Eric Mandernach, a science teacher at Kearney High, hunts to be with his friends and family and to get fresh meat. He hunts deer, turkey, ducks, geese and pheasant. Mandernach will hunt around twelve hours a day when he goes out.

Using a gun is not the only way to kill an animal. Some people will use a bow and arrow, which can only be used during archery season. The same thing goes with walking and tracking. Some would rather sit in a deer or tree stand. Deer stands and tree stands are the same thing and do not just have to be used to hunt deer. They also do not have to be used during a certain hunting season; they can be used anytime. Rylee Svoboda will sit in a tree stand and can spend anywhere from seven to nine hours in it. While hunting, unexpected things can happen, just like they did to senior Jade Clement. He had shot a buck and had to find a way to get it up a canyon. He explained, “I took my belt and wrapped it around the antlers on the buck. Then I had to drag it up the canyon. The belt helped a lot, and I haven’t forgotten my belt since.” There are many more students involved in hunting from Kearney High with fun and entertaining stories, and each one has their own reason why they hunt. Whether it is for food, bonding with the family or just as a recreational activity, hunting certainly plays a major role in some of Kearney High School’s students and faculty’s lives.

“Hunting is a great way for me to bond with the guys in my family.”

-Kendra Guthard

Anthony Jenniges, senior, whith his 8 point buck. photo courtesy Anthony Jenniges

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BY DILLON GRAF

New game's release records are "prestigiously" high

Hundreds of thousands of avid gamers from all over the world stood in line Mon., Nov. 8, anticipating the arrival of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, a new game in the Call of Duty series. Although the release time was set for midnight, thousands encompassed stores across the world hours before the release. As time slowly expired, anticipation grew. Across the world, gamers tried speeding time up by participating in a number of activities, ranging from Nintendo DS to Texas Hold ‘Em, but nothing sufficed.

Gamers fend off incessant rounds of enemy forces, in new game mode, "Survival." photo by mwarfare3.com At the stroke of midnight, pure chaos engulfed the doors as enthralled gamers waited to get their copy of the game. Workers meandered their way around the store distributing games to those who had preordered it, so they could go home and explore the new features Call of Duty had implemented, explicit features that many would soon become aware of. A direct sequel to 2009’s Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 smashed records, selling a mesmerizing $400 million and 6.5 million copies in the first 24 hours in Britain and the United States alone, an astounding amount more than their competitor, Battlefield 3, sold in its entire first week.

Why, many are asking, is this game so famous and captivating? Or better yet, a multitude of people pose the question, “How is this game any different from the rest of the Call of Duty series?” Well, the answer is made prevalent when one plays the game and experiences the new implementations Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 integrated in the game, many of which were completely unknown to the public.

"Call of duty: Modern Warfare 3 is the best in the series, succeeding in the face of Overwhelming Expectations, NOt to mention stiff Competition from Battlefield 3."

-CBS News

Survival

Excitement encumbered thousands as people rushed home to play Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, otherwise known as MW3. However, when many reached the home screen of the game, they were dumbfounded to see a new type of game mode entitled “Survival.” Out of curiosity, gamers across the world ventured into this obscure game mode to

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see what all it entailed. As many would apprehend, the new feature resembled “Zombies”, a game mode where players fight off hoards of savage zombies until they die. However, this new “Survival” mode does not implicate zombies, rather waves of enemy soldiers. Additionally, the new “Survival” mode allows players to purchase air support, equipment and guns to utilize against the enemy forces. As a player “ranks up” through the newly conceived ranking system, they can obtain more advanced equipment, weapons and air support. Lastly, this game mode also includes juggernauts, helicopters, attack dogs and a number of other divergent enemy forces, in which the player must lacerate in order to proceed to the following round.

New maps and guns are just some of the captivatingly fresh features. photo by psx-sense.com After playing incessant rounds of “Survival”, though, thousands of players ambled their way into “Multiplayer” to compete with players around the world in a diversity of game modes, such as “Team Deathmatch” or “Domination.” As in every game, a variety of affixed maps and weapons had been exploited for players around the world to explore. However, as kids rigorously played in a variety of games, they quickly realized

"The only thing more important in my life than my girlfriend, is MW3. I live for this."

package, one’s point streak persists through death, whereas originally, the point streak restarted when one died. In the second strike package, assault, the point streak is terminated when the player is killed, but the “regular” killstreak rewards, such as UAV and Predator Missile, are available. Lastly, in the specialist strike package, one can indulge particular perks for each kill they receive, but their killstreak will also be ended upon death.

Ranking System

As players explored this game, each attained an immense amount of points,

Junior Caleb Lundgren that the “regular” killstreak that had been utilized in previous games was no longer existent; instead, MW3 utilized a new “point streak” for players to obtain. The newly introduced point streak system allows players to receive killstreak rewards for many different ingame actions, instead of just stringing together kills. Many in-game actions, such as planting and defusing the bomb, capturing and defending the flag, and even languishing enemy air support counts towards the killstreak rewards. When players became aware of the point streak system, they ran around the game, trying to procure points for completing a number of tasks. As players racked up points, they could not wait to set their killstreak rewards to use against the opposing team.

Strike Packages

However, as millions went to go set up their killstreak rewards, they realized that they had three different “strike” packages to choose from: support, assault and specialist, whereas prior games only had one. Each one of these newly denoted strike packages encompassed different killstreak rewards and guidelines. For instance, the support strike package incorporates killstreak rewards that abet everyone on the team, such as ballistic vests, which increases teammates’ armor. Additionally, with this particular strike

"Modern Warfare 3 is pretty awesome, but Skyrim will always be the best." Senior Will Ritchie allowing them to quickly “level-up” on Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3’s new eighty-level ranking system. Strikingly similar to other ranking systems, this system operates much the same way: as players acquire “XP” points in multiplayer game modes, they “rank up” through the game, unlocking new weapons, air support, and equipment for the players to employ. However, one noticeable difference in this ranking system is the level the player must reach in order to prestige. Instead of the regular level of seventy, it is now required that the player reaches level eighty before they are allowed to prestige, or demote back down to level one.

Prestige Shop

Millions of gamers were in for a surprise though, for as many discerned when they prestiged, they were granted a “token” to the Prestige Shop. The Prestige Shop, which is a completely new addition to the Call of Duty series, allows players to utilize Call of Duty’s currency system to “buy what one wants”, instead of just receiving the “traditional” extra custom class after prestiging. This shop is unlocked after prestiging for the very first time, and each time you prestige, one is administered a token to use in the shop. Various items, such as resetting all stats, double weapon “XP” and double “XP” for two hours, are available for the player to purchase once they have been bestowed a token. However, a player can also achieve Prestige Shop tokens by completing the Single Player Campaign, Special Ops or certain tasks in the Special Ops game mode. The inauguration of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 has had a monumental impact on the gaming world. With its miscellaneous new features, such as the Prestige Shop or the newly improvised killstreak rewards, it will keep Call of Duty players around the world on their toes for weeks. Although these are the prevailing new assets of the game, there are many more aspects to it. In order to conceive all of Call of Duty’s new features, though, one should purchase the game, releasing the soldier within all of us.

"It's the sickest game I've played since Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare." Freshman Drake Harp

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Saddling Up BY BRI MAZANKOWSKI

Shelby Engels Alfalfa, bits and currycombs - terminology most people she won the state championship in Jr. Western Pleasure, 4 would not recognize are all too familiar to sophomore Shelby in Western Horsemanship, 7 in Trail and 3 in Horse JudgEngels. ing. This year she also won the championship in Jr. Western Engels trains and shows horses under the discipline of Horsemanship and got 4 place in Jr. Western Pleasure at AKWestern Pleasure, Horsemanship, Showmanship and Trail. SAR-BEN (an indoor arena and horse complex in Omaha, She is currently in the process of training her first three-year- Nebraska). She has obtained five Buffalo County 4-H Horse old horse, Toby, that she High Point Exhibitor awards has been working with and has received the Buffasince age one. Engels lo County Outstanding 4-H said, “My favorite part of Horse Exhibitor award since my horse career so far is 2008. riding and showing Toby. Engels said, “My goal It feels good to be almost when training and competthe only one in the show ing has always been to be arena riding a horse that as connected to my horse I member-trained by myas possible during each and self. I have spent many every ride. I have always hours training and preparturned to my family for guiding for the shows that I go ance and support. My sister, to and I just enjoy the feelMardi Engels, has taught ing of being able to go out me to be disciplined, dedithere and compete.” cated and determined.” Engels goes to horseSome people might shows every weekend in wonder how a person could the summer. Most of the find enjoyment in an activity horseshows she attends where there is such an unare within a 150-mile rabelievable amount of time, dius of Kearney. She noreffort and commitment put mally goes to 4-H shows, Shelby Engels is pictured as a winner at a horse show. into it. Engels said, “I show but also attended an photo courtesy Shelby Engels horses because it is what American Quarter Horse I love to do. It is the only Association show this year in Lincoln. Engels said, “The sport I participate in and it takes up all of my time outside of horseshows usually happen to be back to back on the week- school. It is relaxing for me to go out and ride my horse, not ends and during the week. They are practically my vacations necessarily at a show, but definitely at the barn.” during the summer.” Even though Engels may not continue to show horses In 2010 she won two state championships at the State after her 4-H career ends, Engels said, “I always plan on 4-H Horse Exposition: one in the Two-year-old Snaffle Bit having horses in my life in the future. I will always want to Western Pleasure and the other in the Two-year-old Gelding ride and enjoy them.” Lunge Line. This year at the State 4-H Horse Exposition,

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Hannah Loseke

for the Future BY CAIT GRAF

Hannah Loeske

Imagine the first day of school as teachers earnestly OK. Loseke, an avid athlete, enjoys the competition. Despite hand out questionnaires containing questions about your in- the immense amount of pressure, Loseke rarely gets nerterests and dislikes. Most answers are generally the same. vous before a show. However, she said, “Walking down the Favorite holiday: Christmas. Favorite color: blue. Favor- long alley way at the World Show was a little nerve-racking.” ite sport: football. However, senior Hannah Loseke would Alongside Loseke is her beloved horse, Pleasure Too have gone against the grain on Burn (Bernie). In 2011 at the Youth the final question. Loseke, who World Championships, Loseke has been involved in equestrian and Bernie progressed to the top sports for several years, is a 20, and at Congress they placed national phenomenon when it in the top 15. Overall, Loseke and comes to riding horses. Bernie have won 33 all-around Equestrian is an unfamiliar awards, 17 reserve all-around sport to many people. When awards and obtained over 100 asked what exactly she does points in a few 3 months. Points with horses Loseke said, “I are rewarded at competitions acshow them, but not like a rocording to a specific point system. deo. My horse is trained to ride After many years of hard work in patterns, and at shows I am and competitions, Loseke has judged on how well I can exmany accomplishments under ecute the pattern while riding.” her belt. However, her favorite According to Western general part about horse shows is not the rules, the rider will be judged awards: “I have always loved horson seat, hands and the ability to es in general, and it is amazing to control and show the horse. see how intelligent they truly are. Loseke’s passion for equesThey are always willing to learn.” trian sports began at a young As for her future, Loseke reage. She began riding horses cently signed with Auburn Equesas young as three years old trian. While touring the campus, and started showing them at going to footballgames and meetage eight. Loseke’s first coming the team, Loseke knew it petition was in Holdrege, NE. Hannah Loseke is pictured with one of her horses. would be the place for her. “I She received first place, and photo courtesy Hannah Loseke was impressed with how well the she has only improved since team got along. I visited other her debut. places where this was not the case, and I knew I would love In the beginning, Loseke entered in smaller shows around to be a part of that team. It also helps when Auburn was the Nebraska, and then larger ones in Kansas, Iowa, and Okla- national champion last year,” said Loseke. She is looking homa. Her skill proved to be superior as she began com- forward to the adventure ahead even though she will have to peting in larger cities where the competition became more sell Bernie in the fall, as she will begin to use the university intense. She competes in several national, elite horse shows horses. Loseke hopes to ride her freshman year in the main including: Culprit Challenge in St. Paul, MN, Congress in group of equestrians. Columbus, OH and the Youth World Show in Oklahoma City,

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In Perspective: BY MADELINE CHRISTENSEN

You had a uniform?

Alyssa Cody Editor

Kellie Warren Assistant Editor

Maddy Christensen Assistant Editor

Justine Runge Assistant Editor

Virginia Gormley Copy Editor

Victoria Heineman

Copy Editor

Every morning, Kearney High students show up to school sporting whatever their heart desires. With only a few basic guidelines, the KHS dress code can be a great outlet for self-expression—but does it hurt more than it helps? Many schools across the nation have strict uniforms in order to dodge some major issues Jake Bunger Graf that Cierra are prevalent in schools Advertising Web Manager with normal guidelines. Many argueShelby that Miller with uniforms, stuAnna Nelson judging each Senior Editordents would stopAdvertising other based on appearance Dillon Graf Jaeschke and, Jennifer therefore, making it harder Junior Editor for cliques to form. It Web would also Assistant lessen the pressure to fit in with Tiffany Valleau Leslie clothes. Wilson “the right” Junior Editor WebCepel Assistantand Seniors Brandon Christina Bugay both attended Katie Higgins Hanna Allen Kearney Catholic, where Senior ReporteruniJunior Editor forms are a part of everyday school life, before transferring to Cassie Kernick Kearney High. Junior Editor “I didn’t mind them,” said Ce-

Grades Didn’t Matter? Tyler Loebig

Lauren Mimick

Copy Editor

It is unarguable that the main factors of stress in high school are As, Bs, Cs, Ds and Fs. Students grow up with the pressure to receive top marks, no matter what the stakes. Sure, receiving an A is most likely the result of hard work, but some believe that students are so obsessed with the letter on the top of the page, that the actual content they learn in the process is irrelevant. Imagine if grades were nonexistent. No more pressure to be perfect, no more of the sinking feeling at the sight of a low grade. The only objection would be to learn, and to learn

pel. “But I’m a guy, so it basically took longer to get my whole uniform on and tuck in my shirt than it would have to pick out something normal to wear.” Bugay had a similar opinion on the dress code, “It wasn’t that bad, although it bothered me having so many regulations on what I could wear.” She also commented on Kenadi the Araceli restrictions put on hair as well Fitzgera Hernandez as clothing: Senior boysReporter cannot have facial hair or grow their hair past Taylor Ann Holen Senior any Reporter their collar, and unnatural Garrison hair color is not allowed. But did the uniforms haveCaitlyn an Melissa effect on how students treated Senior Reporter Troyer each other? Cassie I Brienna Cepel answered, “People Senior Reporter Mazankowski think you can’t get judged by what you wear if you have a uniform, but students were Jacob still La set apart by buying expensive brands—so it really made no Courtne difference.”

Business Manager

well. This is a reality for students at Fairview High School in Boulder, CO. Fairview Principal Tony Donen realized that the grades he examined didn’t make much sense. He figured there must be a better way to measure what students really know. He assembled a team of teachers to think outside the box and build a gradebook from the ground up, a method to evaluate students’ mastery of material. So a teacher could no longer put as categories of the gradebook: test 50%, quizzes 30%, homework 20%. In Science, for instance, the grade-

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book categories had to read something like: Cells 30%, Flow of Matter 30%, Heredity 40%. This may not seem like much, but it was huge in how teachers began to think about what they assigned to the students. The results are extraordinary: better understanding, improved communication and academic success. The solution was not to stop evaluating students, but to stray away from the subjective system of percentages and letters and begin thoroughly engaging students in the learning process.

McKenn

What Would School Be Like If...

You Had a Class of 15?

At Kearney High, it is an incredible feat for a student to know every single one of their classmates. 383 students make up the senior class of 2012, and the number will only go up from there. But what if your class size was barely large enough to fill a classroom? Sophomore Marissa Kermmoade transferred to Kearney Public Schools during her eighth grade year after attending Callaway Public Schools. “I started out with 6 girls in my kindergarten class, and by the time I left, I had a class of 15,” said Kermmoade. “The best thing about Callaway was the school spirit and homecoming week, because we were able to dress up and have bonfires before games. Everyone was just so invested in everything and genuinely cared about how everyone was doing in all aspects of school. In a smaller school, everyone is involved in everything, which gives you a lot of dif-

ferent high school experiences.” However, attending such a small school has a downside. Kermmoade said, “Inevitably, there was a lot of annoying drama because 15 people were together 24/7. The biggest difference is that teachers [at Kearney High] make you more accountable for your grades and how you are doing in class. In Callaway, class sizes were small enough that teachers could constantly be checking up on your grades and assignments.”

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There Were No Computers?

Schools nationwide have rushed to supply their classrooms with computers, and many policy makers say it is foolish to do otherwise. But some parents and educators have a radically different point of view—computers and schools should not mix. The Waldorf School of the Peninsula in Los Altos, CA is one of around 160 Waldorf schools in the country that subscribes to a teaching philosophy focused on physical activity and learning through creative, hands-on tasks. Those who endorse this approach say computers inhibit creative thinking, movement, human interaction and attention spans. Although this doctrine may

seem to be a century old, at Waldorf School of the Peninsula are the children of the chief technology officer of ebay as well as those of employees from Silicon Valley giants such as Google, Apple, Yahoo and Hewlett-Pickard. “I fundamentally reject the notion you need technology aids in grammar school,” said Alan Eagle, 50, whose daughter, Andie, is one of the 196 children at the Waldorf elementary school; his son William, 13, is at the nearby middle school. “The idea that an app on an iPad can better teach my kids to read or do arithmetic, that’s ridiculous.” Contrary to what you may think, Eagle is not, in fact, still using a typewriter. He holds

a computer science degree from Dartmouth and works in executive communications at Google, where he has written speeches for the chairman, Eric E. Schmidt. He uses an iPad and a smartphone. But he says his daughter, a fifth grader, “doesn’t know how to use Google,” and his son is just learning. (Starting in eighth grade, the school endorses the limited use of gadgets.) On a recent Tuesday, Andie Eagle and her fifthgrade classmates refreshed their knitting skills, crisscrossing wooden needles around balls of yarn, making fabric swatches. It’s an activity the school says helps develop problem-solving, patterning,

math skills and coordination. The long-term goal: make socks. Finn Heilig, 10, whose father works at Google, says he liked learning with pen and paper, rather than on a computer, because he could monitor his progress over the years. “You can look back and see how sloppy your handwriting was in first grade. You can’t do that with computers ’cause all the letters are the same,” Finn said. “Besides, if you learn to write on paper, you can still write if water spills on the computer or the power goes out.”

page designer madeline christensen

Hair Care 101 1 2 3 4 5

Whether you are trying to grow your hair out, or if you just want a healthier looking head, following these five simple steps can make a huge difference.

Even if your goal is to grow your hair out, it is important to get regular trims. This will allow you to get rid of all bad ends before they split all the way up the strand. When this happens, the only length is thin, fried and damaged. To prevent this, schedule a hair cut every 4- 8 weeks. In order to prevent split ends, appropriate steps must be taken to protect your hair. Although using a brush tends to be the easiest tangle fix, it also easily causes breakage. It is best to use a wide tooth comb. For optimum style that is smooth and lasts, use a round brush (with boar bristles, not plastic) while blow-drying.

Another common source of breakage is heat damage. However, this is easily prevented by the use of thermal spray. Thermal spray must be applied to the hair before any heat, especially straighteners, curling iron and blow-drying.

Proper product is the easiest way to improve the condition of your hair. Just because it is cheap, and says â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;used by the professionalsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, does not mean it is the best option. You should choose product that is sulfate and paraben free, as well as avoiding alcohol and glycerin.

Just as you adapt everything else to the seasons, your hair is no exception. For example, use gel in the winter to keep moisture in your hair and to prevent static. Use mousse in the summer to keep moisture out of your hair and to prevent frizz from rain and humidity.

page designer alyssa cody

Winter Style 5 Fashion Tips:

Whether fashion is your thing or not, these popular styles will keep you cozy and looking chic this winter.

Double Breasted Coat Junior McKenna Urbanek is wearing a double breasted coat, which has two overlapping flaps that are buttoned together in front. This jacket, made popular in the 1940s, has come back around to be a hot item this year.

Oversized Sweater Oversized sweaters, as shown by senior Kalei Fertig, are the perfect way to to keep warm this season. Goodwill has a wide range of sweaters that can be purchased for around $4.

photo by Lauren Mimick

Crochet Headband photo by Alyssa Cody

Freshman Emily Manleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s outfit consists of a crochet headband, which are an ideal way to keep your ears warm. Found at many retailers, crochet headbands can be worn with or without a hat and to hold back hair.

Tall Boots

photo by Alyssa Cody

Fashion Scarfs

photo by Lauren Mimick

Although boots are always in season, this year itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the higher the better. Faux-leather boots can also be seen around often and are a good way to stay on your feet in the snow.

Senior Alyssa Cody is showing off a scarf much like what people are wearing this winter. Scarves such as this can be purchased at virtually any clothing store. photo by Lauren Mimick

page designer lauren mimick

Music Albums 1. Adele- 21 2. Lady Gaga- Born This Way 3. Coldplay- Mylo Xyloto 4. Kanye West- My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy 5. Mumford & Sons- Sigh No More

TV Series 1. Modern Family 2. Pretty Little Liars 3. Workaholics 4. The New Girl 5. Dexter

20 The ECHO staff cho for each category

Video Games 1. Minecraft 2. Skyrim 3. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 4. Halo Reach 5. Gears of War

page designer alyssa cody

Books

11 se their top picks of 2011.

1. Inheritance 2. Hunger Games Trilogy 3. Divergent 4. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo 5. Water for Elephants

Technology 1. iPhone 4S 2. iPad 2 3. DroidX 4. Kindle Fire 5. iCloud

Movies 1.Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 2. Crazy Stupid Love 3. Bridesmaids 4. Transfomers: Dark Side of the Moon 5. Breaking Dawn: Part 1

page designer alyssa cody

Making an

ECHO:

Behind the scenes of creating a magazine by: Hanna Allen

he ECHO is a well-known entity within Kearney High, especially after our recent shift from newspaper to magazine and our debut online. More students than ever are reading the magazine, dropping by the webpage, and following The ECHO on Twitter. Few students, however, know how we go from half-formed ideas in Word documents to glossy pages and spreads. The process of producing every issue has many stages, each with their own rules and complications. That process is even more difficult now, as The ECHO’s staff adjust to the new software, layouts and guidelines that go with producing a different kind of media. Editors, writers, photographers and the web team must work together to create The ECHO as the student body knows it.

Step

Story Ideas

An ECHO story’s journey begins here, as an idea ‘slug’ on a list. Every writer and editor must turn in ten short, bulleted explanations of possible stories per issue—five for The

page designer hanna allen

ECHO’s webpage and five for the magazine. The editing team then skims each list, highlighting ideas they like until enough have been selected to make a full magazine. These are usually ‘features’—longer, more detailed stories about new or interesting topics. Online stories include sports and activities updates, polls, reviews of books and movies, columns and seasonal series.

Step Pages

Assigning Stories and

Once a list of approved stories is ready, editors assign each writer a story or two, depending on the length and level of detail each piece requires. Editors also divide among themselves not only stories, but also the task of designing the magazine’s pages and spreads. Reporter cards are then posted on The ECHO’s bulletin board. They contain the subject and technical information of each story. Writers must then pick up their individual reporter cards to learn the details and due dates of their stories.

Step

Writing Drafts

After getting their assignments, writers go to work doing what they do best—writing. Once a rough draft that meets the length and level of detail required is ready, it is typed up, handed in and put on The ECHO’s data server so any editor who might need it can access it at any computer at Kearney High. A reporter might write up several drafts before getting one they like, or may end up rewriting numerous times because of the next step. The ECHO’s file box, which contains drafts, completed stories, and story ideas. photo by Hanna Allen

Step 6: Print Preview and Last Edits

A story partway through the editing process, with editor’s comments. photo by Hanna Allen

Step

Once all the pages are designed, a file of the rough magazine is sent both to Dr. Dostal, who acts as the final editor, catching typos and errors editors miss, and Morris Press, who begin work on a ‘dummy’ copy of the magazine. The ECHO’s staff look over this copy to make sure that everything is as it should be and make any last-minute changes. Then, it’s off to the presses.

Editing

At the end of the rough draft deadline, editors look through each draft and make corrections and suggestions. Each editor works in a different color of ink and signs their initials at the top of a draft so the writer can find them if necessary. The draft is then returned to the writer, who makes the changes on the server, prints off a new version, and staples it on top of the old draft to hand in again. This process is repeated, often four or five times, until there are no more changes to be made.

Step

Page Designing

When all the stories are edited, they are either put on The ECHO’s website or placed on page templates for the magazine. Each editor works on the magazine pages assigned to them back in step two using InDesign, a Photoshop-esque variety of graphic design software. Layouts are designed, typefaces are selected and pictures are added to what would otherwise just be words on a page. This is one of the most challenging steps for The ECHO’s staff—having so much room to be creative is a huge jump for students used to simply arranging newspaper columns.

Page editor Lauren Mimick, a junior, working on the layout of her page. photo by Hanna Allen

Step

Distribution

A few days later, freshly-printed magazines arrive. Through the day, the staff unpacks copies of the new issue. Groups of two or three members take stacks of the magazines all over the school so that by the time school is out, students will have plenty of places to grab a copy and catch up on the latest news.

page designer hanna allen

Check Us Out! http://BearcatECHO.org

The O H EC On the Front Cover: The new Modern Warfare 3 is one of the top games. (literatigamereviews. blogspot.com)