The Wire, Issue 1, 2014-2015 by Lewis Central Community Schools

THE

WIRE

Lewis Central High School

September 2014

Issue 1

Advertising the

wire STAFF Editor in Chief Jenny Pedersen Managing Editor Gabbi Rassmussen

Co-Design Editor Emily LeMaster Abby Oswald Business Manager Gabbi Rasmussen Photography Editor Jocelyn Nightser Sports Editor Bailey Teply Reporters Mateo Rodriguez Kacie Foss Taylor Smith Colton Lear Jake Lieber

1745 Madison Ave. (712) 322-9260 2323 W. Broadway (712) 328-9792 A proud supporter of Lewis Central.

2323 W. Broadway (712) 328-9792 A proud supporter of Lewis Central

EDITORIAL POLICY:

The Wire is the official Lewis Central student newspaper and it is distributed free of cost to the students. The opinions expressed in this publication reflect those of the student writers and not Lewis Central administration, faculty, or its adviser. The Wire is published seven times throughout the school year and by the Suburban Times in Papillion, Nebraska.

THE PURPOSE OF THE WIRE IS TO:

-inform students of current and relevant events -interpret and analyze complex events and issues that affect students -serve as a forum for discussion of controversial issues

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR:

The Wire staff strongly encourages responses to articles appearing in the newspaper. Letters may be submitted to room 401. The letters must be signed, legible, and concise. The staff reserves the right to edit letters for length, grammar, and punctuation. These letters should also be free of profanity, vulgarity, or words with undesirable meanings.

jpedersen@lewiscentral.org

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Sports Pages 10-11 Starting out the year strong. Sports teams swoop the competition.

P. 4-6

P. 7

AROUND THE SCHOOL

FINE ARTS

Picking up where we left off last year, students share their hopes for the new school year.

The marching band adds a new addition to their performance.

OPINION

P. 13

Should you be scared in your own hometown?

P. 2 & 14

ADVERTISING

Check out the supporters of The Wire.

FEATURE

P. 12

P. 8-9

A closer look into the new road construction on Highway 92.

NEWS Beheadings and riots shock the world.

the

Cover

The El Si Locos get the crowd cheering at the football game. Leading to our victory against Abraham Lincoln High School. Photo By Jocelyn Nightser

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THINGS TO

DO BEFORE YOU LEAVE HIGH SCHOOL ABBY OSWALD & GABBI RASSMUSSEN CO-DESIGN EDITOR BUSINESS MANAGER

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Attend A Titan Ball GameNothing outweighs the feeling after the clock ticks down to zero on the scoreboard in the final quarter and you have beat the rival team. Be Present At A Pep Rally- Its a great pleasure when the entire school is able to come together and celebrate each group’s/ activities successes Take Pottery- Its a fun way to express yourself and it’s nice being able to have a sort of freedom to create whatever you want with your hands.

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Try Chicken Bowl- A Lewis Central Favorite. Try it!

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Get involved with a club- It’s nice to feel like you’re a part of something.

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Attend a Drama PerformanceWatch your amazing classmates put on a show that they have worked hard on.

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Go On a School Trip- Its a great opportunity that you can do with the people you know.

C L E A N S L AT E MATEO RODRIGUEZ REPORTER

Some tips for freshmen.

Don’t think that the rest of what you’re going to read won’t happen to you, because it can happen to anyone. High school can be hard, especially if you’re not on track with your credits and fall behind. Senior Thomas Redmon was going good in middle school and then he fell back behind and was just getting more and more behind. “It was going good and then it got bad and stuck to become a bad habit and it was a problem, I just made up the work as I go along.” Thomas admitted. Redmon is currently getting back on track though and is paying for the mistake he happen to him during middle school. Here is a tip from Redmon to you, “Stay on track with your school work; don’t wait till your senior year to do what you wanted. Do it as fast as you can, so you don’t end up making big mistakes. The goal is to reach 55 credits by the time you graduate high school, so make sure to stay on track Here are some freshmen tips to help, from your upper classmen: Junior Star Ryan- “Stay on task, do all

your homework. Don’t fall behind or you will regret it, I promise you that.” Sophomore Aliesha Newlan- I picked this because is it simply inspiring. “Challenges are what makes life interesting and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.” (quote by Joshua J. Marine) Junior A.J. Rodriguez- “Try this year, because believe it or not it will backfire on you in your upper class years.”

Remembering the past and paying for it now, Senior Thomas Redmon thinks about his past decisions. Photo by Mateo Rodriguez

RESET THE PAST, START THE FUTURE KACIE FOSS

New school year resolutions.

REPORTER

As the new school year comes around, new students and teachers walk into the building on the first day of school. Students see new faces and familiar ones. But the school year resolutions are never different, getting good grades. “I would like to maintain good grades this year, mainly A’s and B’s,” says junior Savannah Gleichman. Savannah isn’t the only one wanted to maintain her grades. Sophomore Tess Cheney and freshman Denise Costello would like to accomplish the same goal. But junior Jake Mutum’s resolution stood out compared to everyone else’s, “I want to be awesome!” he says.

Along with Mutum, the choir director, Mrs. Sara Langdon’s resolution isn’t school related either but more about health, “I want to keep up with my workouts,” she says. With a smile, she nods and continues, “and make sure I don’t go back to bad eating habits.” she finishes. All these goals have one thing in common, the ability to accomplish them.

Striving to reach goals of good grades, sophomore Tess Cheney, juniors Savannah Gleichman and Jake Mutum, and freshmen Denise Costello work hard to achieve their goals. Photos by Kacie Foss and Mateo Rodriguez

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Around The School

-around the school-

Top ANew L Lbeginnings N EtoW L C a new school year.

MATEO RODRIGUEZ

REPORTER

New school year, new things around the school and new things to be noticed. There was new school signage added around the school. Principal Joel Beyenhof was going for a new, and brighter outlook for the school by adding inspirational quotes and themes to many of our school’s hallways and the cafeteria. The three pillars of success, RRI (Respect, Responsibility, Initiative) lead from one to another when succeeding from each one. All this is to help make Lewis Central High School a PBIS (Performance Based Instructional Strategies) school environment. Adding to the school environment are some new teachers coming to the Titan family; introducing Spanish teacher Stacy Rulla-Parroquin, Math teachers Krista Hernandez and Jordan Sis, Language Arts

teacher Trudy Kimble, CTG (Connections To Graduation) teacher Patrick Nepple, CRC (Credit Recovery Coordinator) Courtney Nohr, and Coach Justin Camrad. Also joining our LC family are over 30 students, besides the 256 freshmen. Out of those 30 new students,one is a foreign exchange student sophomore Jiagy Xu from China. Update on the planner situation is that we won’t be getting planners this year, because “students don’t really use them…” said Principal Beyenhof. He’s noticed that the students at Lewis Central are using other tools for learning instead of the planner, like using their cell phones to grab pictures of our homework or using them to set in calendar dates, and other tools. He recommends that if you really want to “plan out” use the Google Calendar on your Chromebook or your cell phone for those quick planning times.

TO U R O F I TA LY KACIE FOSS

REPORTER

A trip to local Olive Garden.

As we were seated right away, the waitress was determined to make our experience the best we could ever dream for. The environment was very welcoming, I really felt like I wasn’t just having a normal, typical meal. Clean tables, clean floors, happy faces, positive behavior, and amazing service. I ordered the Tour of Italy, a three pasta course, the chicken parmesan, a classic lasagna, and the famous fettuccine alfredo. the

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Our meals were out just as fast as we were seated, and as soon as they got to us, I devoured it. What more could you ask for from the Metro Crossing’s Olive Garden? As the waitress frequently checked in with us asking if we would like refills or if we wanted more bread sticks, we were completely satisfied with our experience at Olive Garden. I recommend you going to enjoy the same experience as I did, and trying the Tour of Italy. Foss Rating: 5 thumbs up

Tweets

“I’m also on Twitter.” Noah Korner Junior @kornrolls7 “Fridays feel like the weekend because they’re so legendary” El Si Locos @ElSiLocos “Shout out to the student section! Couldn’t have done it without you!!!”

LCHS principal @LCHSPrincipal “Big thanks to @ElSiLocos, cheerleaders, dance team, band, and the awesome student section for representing LC with class tonight” LC SportsFan @LC_SportsFan “Titans D doing their job #workinghard Connor Hanafan Senior

@Connorhanafan82

A BIG shoutout to everyone that came tonight! You were a big part of the game! #titannation

Around The School

HOMECOMING WEEK GOT TITAN PRIDE? MONDAY- COLOR DAY

Ciara Mendoza and Taylor Thomas

TUESDAY- JERSEY DAY

Ben Arrowsmith, Bailey Walker, Wil Prine and Kristen Ahrens

FINALLY HOMECOMING

HOMECOMING WEEK IS HERE

JOCELYN NIGHTSER

PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR

Showing Titan Pride is nothing out of the ordinary here at Lewis Central. Homecoming week is the perfect time for showing your school spirit and of course preparing for the dance the following Saturday. Monday was “Color Day,” in which each class was divided up into colors. This same day we had a new school tradition called “Amazing Race” where some students contributed in a scavenger hunt to win the grand prize of free Homecoming tickets for the winners and their dates. Tuesday was Jersey Day, where you get to show off who the best team is. Wednesday

was Wacky Day. Throwback Thursday to the 80’s. Big hair, and leg warmers were all over the school. Finally, to celebrate how great LC really is, everyone showed their school spirit and their excitement for the big game and of course the Homecoming Dance. “My favorite part about homecoming week is seeing all the ideas people come up with. We all come together as a school to contribute to homecoming week and it’s so fun,” says sophomore Kelsey McSorley. The votes are in, and it’s time to start this school year out right. Homecoming week is the highlight of the year for many

and will always be remembered.

WEDNESDAY-WACKY DAY Kye Madsen and Nick Ryan

Junior Noah Korner asked junior Nicole Simmons to homecoming. He and his fellow Locos held up signs during the AL football game to Simmons.

Students from each grade join together in a race for free Homecoming tickets. Juniors Noah Korner and Nicole Simmons won the Amazing Race.

Senior Elizibeth Geier and Krete Bullington are happy to be announced as Homecoming King and Queen.

Senior Krete Bullington pulled of an amazing homecoming proposal. Of course E. Geier said, “Yes!”

Juiniors Kayleigh Putnam and Allie Dmyterko dress as Minions for Wacky Day. They brought laughs to the whole school.

LC students around the school represent their favorite sports’ team jerseys. All leading up to the big game and dance.

THURSDAY- 80’s THROWBACK Taylor Ring, Kristin Huey and Madison Bright

FRIDAY-SPIRIT DAY

Photos By Jocelyn Nightser, Mateo Rodriguez, Jenny Pedersen, and Emily LeMaster

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Ali Archer, Kristin Huey, Saxztinh Donaldson, Emily Griffin, Emmalee Collins

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MIXING ART WITH MUSIC TAYLOR SMITH

The newest edition to marching band

REPORTER Last year the band wooed the school with it’s amazing performances of songs like “Battlefield” during the football games. Now, the band has new, exciting songs such as “My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark”, by Fall Out Boy, which released in 2013 and peaked at no. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100, “Pompeii”, (a popular song released for the movie Pompeii,) and a Daft Punk Medley. Other than new songs, the band has much more in store for us. But, what’s catching everyone’s attention, is the art portraits being painted by Art 4 students. They’re to be displayed on the football field while the band and color guard are performing. Senior Olivia Overholtzer is one of many students excited about the new addition. “I really love the connection of the two different departments. How an art

student can sit in the stands at the football game and know they were a part of this,” she said. Junior Sierra Fisher said the theme is more abstract-rock-art. On the paintings are different colorful pictures such as a guitar, saxophone, or just paint splatters. The new freshman this year are doing a great job of transitioning to high school band. In the Color Guard, they have worked very hard to make sure everyone was up to speed. Freshman Rebecca Nightser comments about her experience, “I’ve had a lot of fun here, and after breaking my thumb last year, I had to learn the routines in band camp. The upperclassmen have been really helpful and taught me a lot.” With the band working hard to create a great show, make sure you’re there to support the Titan Band.

Senior Trista Cornelison

Senior Olivia Overholtzer

Color Guard

Sophomore Olivia Behm

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What’s happening in Shorts by EMILY LEMASTER fine arts

If you like to act, sing, dance, or just have fun with people who do, you should join the sixty to seventy students who show up at the drama nights. The meetings are from 6-8:30 PM in the drama room. There’s activities in the MPR room and all the meetings lead up to a great drama season and fall play. the

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Photos by Emily LeMaster, Jocelyn Nightser, Mateo Rodriguez, and Taylor Smith.

Come on November second from eight to four to support the LC band. Band students will be hosting the fall craft fair to raise money. It will be on the lower level of the high school. There will be everything from accessories to Christmas decorations.

“No one is ever working on it as I’m driving by, and it’s going to take forever.” -freshman Alea Binkly

“I think it’s awesome because I have an excuse to be late to school.” -junior Natalie Swanson

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS? “I think the construction is stupid, they should just fill the potholes.” -senior Sarah Carmichael

“I don’t think it affects us that much. It takes me the same amount of time to get to school.” -sophomore Dallas Volentine

Sports

ELITE QUARTERBACK TO USD SPORTS Austin Simmons hard work finally pays off. SHORTS

COLTON LEAR

REPORTER

JAKE LIEBER

REPORTER Lebron James dramatically changed the NBA playoff picture in the eastern conference and the entire league. James signed a two year deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers instead of resigning with the Miami Heat. James joins a new and younger core of Kyrie Irving and recently acquired big man Kevin Love. James leaves behind Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in his quest to bring a championship to his hometown team. USC cornerback Josh Shaw, is suspended indefinitely from the team for lying about spraining both of his ankles in an attempt to save his drowning nephew. No one yet knows the real story of how Shaw sprained his ankles, but his story was quickly found out to be a lie and has embarrassed himself and the USC football program. Former Texas A&M quarterback, Johnny Manziel will not be starting week one for the Cleveland Browns. Instead, the Browns elected to give the more experienced veteran, Brian Hoyer, the nod at starter week one, although not the popular choice. Although Hoyer is starting, Browns coach Mike Pettine has said the quarterback competition in Cleveland is not over.

College Football season is finally here. College Football has introduced a new four team playoff to determine a national champion. Early favorites to contend for the title are Alabama, Oregon, Oklahoma, Auburn, and defending national champion, Florida State. Some key games are: Nov. 28th, Iowa vs. Nebraska, Nov 8th, Oklahoma vs. Baylor, Nov. 8th Alabama vs. LSU, and Nov. 29th, Alabama vs. Auburn.

Just imagine having a scholarship to a Division 1 college to play the sport you’ve loved ever since you were a kid. Senior quarterback at Lewis Central High School, Austin Simmons, has just that in fact. Simmons recently verbally committed (meaning he can still back out or the school can back out) to play for the University of South Dakota Coyotes football program. “I'm really excited about this opportunity, but still have to focus on high school sports,” said Simmons. This came off as a shock to many people because Simmons is an all around athlete, and many would have pictured Simmons going to college as a baseball player. “This was really my first scholarship I had been offered by any school for any sport, so I was pumped,” said Simmons. Simmons has worked very hard since he was a kid to get looked at by colleges, and he was happier than ever when The University offered him a 75% scholarship. Many people are wondering though, why did he accept so quickly? When asked, Simmons said that the main reason was because he knew he could still back out of it if offered a better scholarship, but there was no way he would have passed up an opportunity like this to verbally commit. The main reason Simmons got interest in this school was because his head foot-

Hurdling his Lynx competitors left and right, senior quarterback Austin Simmons strides towards the goal line. Photo by Jocelyn Nightser

NEW COACH, BIG EXPECTATIONS

New head coach looks to start new career off well.

JAKE LIEBER

REPORTER The LC Cross Country team has a new face at coach this year. After over 30 years, longtime coach Joe Ankenbauer’s retirement, in comes Patrick Nepple. Nepple comes from TJ who spent 17 years there as the assistant cross country coach and head coach for the track team. When asked what provoked his move to LC, Nepple says, “It started because

Running towards the finish line, sophomore River Lodes pushes his distance from the competition. Photo by Emily LeMaster

my wife teaches at Abraham Lincoln and my kids are going to school here at Lewis Central. And because Lewis Central is such a good school.” Nepple has been working to get his runners into shape. He constantly expresses to his runners the need to keep a pace and run as a pack. He has brought valuable lessons from his coaching experience to his runners. Junior Easton Archibald says, “It’s an great experience. Coach Nepple came from a great TJ program and he’s making us work harder than we have before. We have high expectations this year.” Nepple has set his expectations high for everyone, but as long as everyone gives their best, he will be satisfied. “Bottom line is we need to get better. If everyone tries to be a competitor and not just a participant it will be a successful season.” This year is an exciting one for Nepple and his runners, let’s see how it pans out.

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The latest in sports

ball coach, Jim Duggan had informed him about a football camp going on there, and he thought Simmons may be interested. As many of you may not know Duggan attended the University of South Dakota Coyotes and played quarterback there as well. As soon as camp started, Simmons fell in love with the campus. “Ever since the very start I thought the coaches were really cool, the campus was awesome, the camp went great, and I liked everything I saw,” said Simmons. Simmons is looking forward to his college life, but first he has his senior year to play his sports, and he’s not leaving without a bang.

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Chasing Aces

The volleyball team prepares for the upcoming season.

EMILY LEMASTER CO-DESIGN EDITOR A quick look into the large gym at Lewis Central High School explains the loud music and laughter that floats down the hallways. As the music blares throughout the school, the volleyball team sings and dances as well as practicing for the upcoming season. Junior Reagan Bradshaw, who plays libero and defensive specialist says, “Practices are part serious, part fun. We have a good time, but we know when to focus.” The volleyball team is ranked eighth in the 4A division. They have spent the summer preparing for the upcoming season by conditioning at two a day practices and volleyball camps. The team is focusing more on plays, serve receive, and working as a team so everything runs smoothly, but all teams

have their bad days. Junior Emily Albertsen says, “A positive attitude is the only thing we can control.” Whether playing in front of hundreds at games, or laughing and singing along to music at practice, the team is focused on having a good season.

Junior Emily Albertsen spikes the volleyball as the Titans defeat rival Saint Albert 3 sets to 1. Photo by Emily LeMaster

MOVING UP IN THE WORLD

COLTON LEAR REPORTER

A new challenge on the field.

Lewis Central has been a 3A football team for a number of years now, and it is finally their turn to take a step up into the big 4A class. In 4A, the Titans will be competing on a much bigger stage. “The competition will be much harder this year, but I believe we’ll get the job done,” says Head Coach Jim Duggan. While only having seven seniors on the team, the Titans face some tough competition and senior leadership will be a must for the season. The Titans schedule and district is definitely harder this year playing powerhouse schools such as Sioux City North and 378th ranked team in the nation Dowling Catholic. “We’ll still be a very competitive team this year because our guys are already used to competing at a tough 3A level,” said Duggan. Another change for the Titans will be the much longer road games. They will have gone from driving over to places like Harlan and Glenwood for road games, now to places like Johnston and Des Moines. “Although we have to travel pretty far this year, we’re just gonna have to suck it up and get our minds set right on the bus,” said freshman Brendon Figueroa. When calculated, the 2013 Titans the

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traveled 214.4 miles, which is 3 hours and 47 minutes. This year the 2014 Titans will be traveling 495.3 miles, which is 7 hours and 45 minutes. Despite the much longer traveling schedule this year, having two games in the city and five home games, next years traveling schedule won’t be too bad. Coach Jim Duggan responds to the 2014 traveling schedule with “it’s just our year to travel.” Despite the traveling and the tough schedule the Titans are off to a great 3-0 start, with a 35-28 win over Sergeant Bluff Luton, a 42-21 knockout over an in town rivalry, Abraham Lincoln, and a 24-7 victory over the Harlan Cyclones, which hasn’t happened in seventeen years.

The Titans take the field as they play their first 4A matchup Photo by Jocelyn Nightser

THE GAME OF LUCK #FantasyFootball BAILEY TEPLY SPORTS EDITOR It’s that time of the year again football fanatics, Fantasy Football time. Fantasy football is one of the most anticipated sports related games of the year. Fans of all ages focus more on their teams then they do school/work. It’s a game of luck and strategy, any player can go off any week. Get some friends together, join a league, draft and let the mayhem begin. Different websites play it different ways, ESPN, Yahoo and NFL are three of the more popular websites. The goal is to draft the best players possible, creating a powerhouse team you can use to defeat your friends. Fantasy football is a game of strategy, dual threat quarterbacks are a must unless you can grab one of the top pocket passers. The versatile halfbacks and dominate receivers are both necessities as well. Tight ends are a different story. There are only a few fantasy worthy tight ends who rack in the points weekly, either grab one early or deal with the lack in points. Grabbing a flex and quarterback is a later draft move, running backs and receivers go early. Grab a defense when you’re confident about your team, and never forget about the all important kicker. Every league has the guy who takes it way too serious and the guy who will trade Calvin Johnson for a kicker because they think they know a thing about football. Also there’s always a league sleeper who shows up in the playoffs and catches everyone off guard. Just make sure you play your cards right and you should be fine. Go head to head against your friends weekly and see who will rise in the ranks. Meet in the playoffs and see who will earn bragging rights for the next 365 days. Be prepared for friendships to be damaged and just remember, never listen to the professionals, they’re always wrong. Good luck.

News ALS Challenge Raising Millions

Frontline Journalist How far some go to get the story.

TAYLOR SMITH REPORTER

ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), often referred to as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. People diagnosed with this experience a loss of muscle control, weight loss, difficulty eating and breathing, and the possibility of paralyzation. Still there is no known cure, only medications like riluzole that slow the progression. The ALS ice bucket challenge has flooded social media with short videos of people dumping a

GABBI RASMUSSEN BUSINESS MANAGER When most people think about journalism, they don’t think about the danger that reporters often face to get the story. For American reporter, James Foley, it cost him his life. After waiting for 21 months for his return, the friends and family of Foley mourn for him after seeing his brutal death. “I wish I had more time. I wish I could have the hope for freedom to see my family once again” were the last words of Foley before he was beheaded by a group of ISIS terrorists. This, along with Foley being forced to read words written by JIhadis, urging President Barack Obama to end operations in Iraq or more deaths would be to follow, was released on video to the web. After being captured on Thanksgiving Day, James Foley would never be heard from again. However, this is’t the first time Foley

has been face to face with the enemy. In 2011, James and three others were captured in Libya. James and the two other journalists were thrown into jail. Unfortunately their photographer Anton Hammerl was killed. Foley was the lucky one that time. Another American Steven Sotloff, wasn’t so lucky as he was beheaded by the ISIS group after being forced to say,“So just as your missiles continue to strike our people, our knife will continue to strike the necks of your people.” Despite seeing the brutal death of their son, parents of Foley want the world to know that his death will not be in vain and that they want their son to be remembered for the compassionate journalist he was who lived alongside danger to show the world the suffering of the Syrian people.

MADNESS IN MISSOURI Locals in Ferguson are outraged with death of a young man.

ABBY OSWALD CO-DESIGN EDITOR

Saturday August 9th was a day that sparked more racial controversy in our police department since the Trayvon Martin and Zimmerman case, when a police officer shot an unarmed teen. A young African American by the name of Michael Brown was shot and killed by a Ferguson Police officer, causing chaos across the globe. Brown was 18 and unarmed when he was fatally shot at by Darren Wilson. Reports say he had his hands in the air when he was targeted. The family was devastated, and influenced peaceful protesting. The next day, crowds of angry protesters began rioting and looting businesses, causing the police officers to fire tear gas and rubber bullets at the crowds. School had even got canceled, because of safety issues. Protests lasted about 2 weeks before cooling off.

Outraged citizens from all over sent threats to the officer, the case got so serious, President Obama had to make a statement. “ We should comfort each other and talk with one another in a way that heals, not in a way that wounds.” Facts, witnesses, and more officers are still coming forward to fully piece this story together; until then may Brown rest in peace.

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bucket of ice over their head for the cause. The rules are: when you’re nominated by someone, you have 24 hours to complete the challenge on camera, or you donate $100 towards research. “It’s not really worth it if you don’t donate,” Haley Dunlop said. It may seem as a waste of time and water, but the challenge managed to raise $79.7 million dollars in donations, according to www.alsa.org, by August 25th. Every day after that about 10 million more has been made. The only downside is that The Long Beach Post estimated by August 6th, six million gallons of water had been dumped over people’s heads. Maybe the challenge is a little wasteful with water, but it has definitely raised a lot of awareness around the world.

Opinion A CHANGING GENERATION HOW MUCH DO Controversy over technological advances.

EMILY LEMASTER CO-DESIGN EDITOR When I was little, I dug holes in the mud for fun. Now, there are three year olds that throw fits when they aren’t allowed to play on their IPads. When I was ten, I got my first phone, it was a little flip phone, but I still thought I was the coolest person ever because I had it. Now, ten year olds can teach me a thing or two about their IPhones. Texting was only invented in October of 2000, and things have come a long way since then, but not all technological advances have a positive impact on society. Out of all the new technology, a lot of social networks have become popular. It impacts us negatively because it allows people to hide behind a screen and say things to people that can affect their lives. In 2011, The National Crime Prevention Council said that cyber-bullying is a problem that affects almost half of all American teenagers. Of course, not all technological advances are bad or have hurt society.

Technology has had a big impact on the medical field. Researchers have found new treatments and cures with the help of technology. mHealth has also helped a lot of people. It allows patients to be apart of their treatment and lets them communicate with their doctors. All in all, technology has saved lives and made life easier for millions. There are obvious pros and cons to technology, but the people who use it are the ones who are creating the impacts of it.

The 21st century plague.

Ebola, the new plague of the 21st century. People were curious and skeptical about it but when they decided to bring a few patients containing the virus over to the states the public was furious. Suddenly the everyone who followed the story doubted our medical field experts and started planning for the virus to get out. What didn’t help is that a man with ebola was brought over to the Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha Nebraska. This hospital is one of the four hospitals capable of giving care to a patient with such a major virus. Everyone is going nuts because they think that the people who have practiced containing diseases and viruses all their life will make a false move and let the virus out. I didn’t really pay attention when all this came up at first until a science and math the

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GABBI RASSMUSSEN BUSINESS MANAGER It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know that although teenagers think having a summer break is good for us, it may not be good for our brains. Sleep may be the only thing gained during summer vacation as students lose almost two months of knowledge of the summer. Below are some quick facts about what happens to your idle brain over the summer.

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All students experience learning losses when they do not engage in educational activities during the summer.

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On average, students lose approximately 2.6 months of grade level equivalency in mathematical computation skills during the summer months.

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Studies show that out-of-school time is a dangerous time for unsupervised children and youth.

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Research shows that teachers typically spend between 4 to 6 weeks re-teaching material that students have forgotten over the summer.

Junior Colton Lear works on homework during first hour. Photo by Mateo Rodriguez

VIRUS IN THE U.S. BAILEY TEPLY SPORTS EDITOR

YOU LOSE?

teacher, Robin Reida, gave me more information about the topic. The worried people need to calm down and trust our doctors, they know what they’re doing and will get the job done. “Everyone should calm down about this, they know what they’re doing, they wouldn’t bring him here for no reason,” said Reida. This just made me want to know more about the patient, Rick Sacra is the man and he was infected while helping deliver babies in Liberia. According to many news stations he is recovering quickly and giving the U.S. hope for defeating this Virus. My opinion on this whole thing is that its awesome that we got him, it is an honor that they U.S. trusted the Nebraska Medical Center enough to send him here. It is also great that he is on his way to a fast and healthy recovery. Ebola will be beat and Omaha will be an important part of it.

Source: www.studydog.com