PLHS Scepter May 2016 by PLHS Scepter

MAY 2016

ISSUE 6 VOLUME 53 WWW.PLPULSE.COM

T HE

SCEPTER A PUBLICATION OF PAPILLION-LA VISTA HIGH SCHOOL

TABLE OF CONTENTS

45 67 89 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29

HAPPENINGS

Saying Goodbye

Behind the Screen

P-Town Twirlers

SPOTLIGHT

Free for All

Foreign Places Friendly Faces

Gaining from Broken Levies

Living in Fear

The Greatest Show On Dirt

A&E

Calendar of Motivation 5 Hacks to Make Life Easier Through the Years A Class Act Fact or Fiction

ACTION

Going Out With a Bang

Legacies of 2016

OPINION

Earn Your Palace

Graduation Getaways

A New State of Mind

The Road Ahead

Another Year, Another Chance

Rallying to the Top

30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47

Pursuing the Goal

Rollin’ Strikes & Shooting Pigeons

Break the Mold

Sexism in the Classroom

SPECIAL EDITION Senior Send-off

Our front cover is a collection of memories from this school year. COVER PHOTOS: PLHS JOURNALISM COVER DESIGN: CAMRYN BOWERS

The Scepter is a school-sponsored publication of Papillion-La Vista High School, 402 E. Centennial Rd. Papillion, NE 68046. The Scepter’s office is located in room 307. The Scepter is printed by aPrintis. The Scepter is a member of the Nebraska High School Press Association. The Scepter is a school-sponsored publication and therefore recognizes its responsibility to stay within the boundaries that the school administration sets. The Scepter will therefore inform its readers using a high standard of morals and ethics. The Scepter encourages readers to respond in the form of letters to the editor, which can be sent to room 307. The Scepter’s editorial staff reserves the right to edit the letters for grammatical errors and to remove any profanity. The editors also reserve the right to exclude letters that are false in their statements or accusations. The Scepter will not accept advertisements that promote activities illegal to minors. Advertising rates are available upon request.

Looking Back STAFF EDITORIAL

about the future, also take a moment to reflect on where you came from. reshman, sophomore, Think about your days in junior, or senior- we all have first and second grade when your something in common. We’re all only worry was about what time Monarchs. Each and every one of recess was. us bleeds maroon and gold. We Think of all the people you have all walked down the same met during your elementary years. hallways for at least a year. At one point you thought that And now, seniors, you place was huge. You thought will be walking across Editors: those friendships would last the stage on Sunday to Ally Sargus & forever. Just reflect on all Sam Laughlin accept your diploma. Writers: that has changed since As you think Emily Lingelbach then. Megan Krabbenhoft

Kassidy Brown Kaylee Penry Trevor Kalal Hailey McGuire Trevor Lewis Julia Harker

OT L

IN EN HA

OS OT N

Editor: Brena Groeper Photographers: Cameron Houser Marissa Newman

Webmasters: Jake Zink Web Content: Andrew Hampton

Looking Forward

after high school, they years of your life have passed are expected to declare sitting in a desk, a major. Most of the time OPINION they are defined by what they pencil in hand, learning material to help you for choose; whether it be to study criminal justice, to be a nurse, or the future. Now it’s May 15th, you’re in your maroon cap and teacher. gown, and have just received your With that being said, what diploma. Now what? about the students not going to It seems like most college right after high school? For seniors are attending college post the students who are enlisting, we thank you for your future service graduation. Another select few are enlisting. Others have either and all the sacrifices you are willing graudated early to work or plan to to make. For the students going to work, your story doesn’t stop following May. For the students who are here. You can still make a name for yourself in the workforce, just choosing to pursue an education

MAY 2016

Editors: CJ Curry & David Chavarria

Editor: Trevor Jurjevich & Will Synowiecki Writers: Brendon Boatwright Hayley Piatkowski Dylan Nicholson Hannah Cahill Nathan Gendler Pi Moore

Editor: Emma Dargy Writers: Cal Mathison Faith Workman

Editor: Laura Kramer Designers: Camryn Bowers Christina Fisher Jordan Murphy Melanie Amweg

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Editor: Lindsey Lafond Writers: Jonathan Greenfield Claire Neil Gabby Tingstad Hunter Pombrio Emily Lingelbach Lauren Lafond Kayla Schreck

Editor-in-Chief: Christa Rahl Scepter Editors: Kelley Ryan & Nicole Ludden Ad Manager: John Nelson

DESIGN

PLPUL

Editors: Angela Bober & Brittany Kellner Writers: Alexander Strehle Elliott Wolbach Hannah Im Raina Dodge Alexa Busby Alina Cook

No matter how awkward you were, think back to junior high. Whether you were there last year or it’s been a while, thank puberty for changing you into who you are today. So seniors, congratulations- you made it through at least 12 years of school! To everyone else, take a deep breath and embrace Monarch Nation because, believe it or not, your days here will be over before you know it.

a little bit earlier than those who choose to go to college. It is important to remember that whatever path you may choose do not stop doing the things you enjoy. High school is great for allowing students many different opportunities. After graduation don’t be afraid to open the yearbook and pick up a racquet to play some tennis, or take an art or foreign language class to refresh your memory. Remember that your story does not end in high school; it starts now.

THE SCEPTER

Saying

Goodbye

Students and teachers reflect on memories with retiring staff members. BY ALEXA BUSBY AND ALINA COOK PAGE DESIGN BY CHRISTINA FISHER

Clockwise from top Mrs. Lucy Dorcy, Mrs. Cyndi Berve, Mrs. Deb Grove, Mrs. Lynda Molyneaux and Sunny prepare for their bitter-sweet goodbye to PLHS.

HAPPENINGS

SPOTLIGHT

ACTION

A&E

OPINION

Berve

great pottery teacher,” sophomore Courtney Nuss said. “He is just a great teacher to have around.” The end of the school year will not mark the end of seeing some of our favorite staff members in the hallways. “I will bring Sunny back, and you might see her more than you do now since she won’t be cramped in that office,” Molyneaux said. “We look forward to visiting students here at PLHS.” Teachers will be remembered for their roles in students’ lives, as well as the lasting impact on their fellow staff members. “I will truly miss our comical discussions of school happenings and worldly issues,” Dyrdal said. On May 26, six teachers will be packing up their rooms and saying goodbye to Monarch Nation. Though they will not return the following year, and their impacts on PLHS will never vanish.

Scan these QR codes for the individual stories on two of the six retirees.

Ms. Molyneaux

Molyneaux’s First Day

August 2006

Mrs. Grove said. Choir Director Mrs. Meredith L’Heureux, a good friend of Grove, said she will miss “her kindness and sense of humor.” Finding activities to do outside the walls of PLHS can be hard on staff members that have dedicated so many years of their lives to helping students. “Sun and I are going to do a lot of other therapy dog visits,” guidance counselor Ms. Molyneaux said. “Sunny loves to kayak.” Teachers will be saying their farewells to their fellow co-workers, with whom they have become friends over their many years spent working together. “We’ve been working together for four years,” L’Heureux said. “I will really miss working with her.” Teachers influence students’ lives, and will be missed by many when they retire. “Mr. Daniels is such a

Dorcy

s the end of the year creeps up on students and staff, seniors won’t be the only ones getting ready to say goodbye. Six staff members will be retiring at the end of the school year. Many teachers have created bonds with the retirees, and will be sad to see their co-workers go. “I have known Mrs. Dorcy since our days at La Vista Junior High,” Mrs. Joey Dyrdal said. “She has always been a kind person, and she was very integral in helping me when I transferred to the high school.” Mr. Mike Daniels, Mrs. Cyndi Berve, Mr. John Pieper, Mrs. Deb Grove, and Mrs. Lynda Molyneaux will all be joining Dorcy and retiring at the end of the school year. Without their evenings filled with grading papers, they will be able to focus on their hobbies. “I would like to work on my freelance photography and spend time with my horse,” media specialist

Sunny’s First Day

April 2007

August 2007

Sunny Visits PLHS for the First Time MAY 2016

1/2 Way for Sunny

2011 1/2 Way for Molyneaux

2012

May 26, 2016

Last Day for Molyneaux and Sunny THE SCEPTER

Behind the

SCR

Social media is a huge part of our lives, yet there are some forgotten, but basic steps to stay safe on social media.

BY HANNAH IM

PAGE DESIGN BY CHRISTINA FISHER

“@

someone liked your post.”

This may be one of the most confidence boosting notifications you receive today, but how safe is this confidence boost, or even having a social media account? Social media keeps friends and family in the loop, but the cost of connection is paid by users’ privacy. Anyone can look up pictures and personal information, so there are some things to keep in mind in order to stay safe on social media. There are a couple of easy ways to keep information private on Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat and other social media sites. “I make sure I don’t reveal personal information like my phone number and full name,” sophomore Hannah Gruttemeyer said.

HAPPENINGS

This may seem simple, but searches based on phone numbers are easy to use and available online. In turn, this could lead to more personal information being found. Besides releasing personal information, putting one’s account on private is one of the easiest ways to protect personal information, and is available for most social media platforms. “I have all my [social media] accounts on private,” Gruttemeyer said. “Because I usually only want to share my personal pictures with people I know.” According to statista.com, there are 2.94 billion people in the world with access to the internet. Out of those billions, 305 million people log on to Twitter monthly. “I know most of my

SPOTLIGHT

ACTION

followers on Twitter,” sophomore Ally Richardson said. “But not all of them on Instagram.” Location is also another large privacy mistake. Anyone with access to your account can see where you live and where you’ve posted based on default settings for geotagging. Geotagging reveals where the picture or message was posted from, and is often automatically added to posts. This becomes a problem when strangers can find where you live, leading to more personal information. Overall, know what your privacy settings are and what you are posting, to prevent publicizing personal information.

A&E

OPINION

EEN

Social Media TIPS

Block or report users who you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want as

followers.

unwanted Short URLs often lead

To prevent tagged photos from revealing

choose

your location, who can tag you in their pictures.

to sites that will spam your

aware of

account; be what you open.

Sources: snapchat.com/safety, help.instagram.com and about.twitter.com/safety

MAY 2016

THE SCEPTER

Town

TWIRLERS

Students find a way to bring their talents to the eyes of Papillion students and teachers.

BY ANGELA BOBER & KELLEY RYAN

PAGE DESIGN BY CHRISTINA FISHER

t a competition dropping a baton in front of a judge is no big deal and only half a point off, but when the setting is changed to a sweaty gym filled with students and teachers, dropping takes on a whole new level of humiliation. However two students accepted this challenge and began the process of starting a twirling club. “There has been these baton twirling clubs that have been popping up around the metro area and some girls from the studio [Stepper-Ettes] got together and wanted to start the club here,” coach Jennifer Palomaki said. Due to the scarcity of twirlers here, they decided it would be best to combine with PapillionLa Vista South. Their three twirlers made a great addition to the team. All of the girls belong to Sue’s Stepper-Ettes studio. However, most of them had been in separate classes and had not twirled

HAPPENINGS

Senior Katie Mischo and sophomore Misty Ackland perform with the PTown Twirlers at the spring pep rally. together. “We were kind of close,” senior Katie Mischo said. “Some of us were not on the same team before so it kind of brought us all together.” Since the team is not school sponsored, the girls must pay for most of the costumes and accessories out of pocket. “We looked on dance websites and voted for a costume we all liked,” sophomore Misty Ackland said. The group practices once a week for two hours at the StepperEtte’s Studio, and if they have a performance they will practice on the football field or in the gym to get used to the new setting. “It is kind of up to the girls to practice on their own and get it all put together,” Palomaki said. Palomaki has been coaching since junior high for the StepperEtte’s and has 18 years of experience

SPOTLIGHT

ACTION

twirling. “I love her as a coach,” Mischo said. “I can always count on her and she is a really good choreographer so I am happy she got to work with us and create some cool routines.” There are many ways to get involved at school with the numerous clubs and activities offered, and it only took two students to add yet another club to the mix. “We wanted to create a group where you did not have to be in color guard to twirl at school,” Ackland said. Next year, their future looks bright with many young and promising twirlers coming up from the junior high. “If there are any StepperEtte’s twirlers out there interested in twirling feel free to come talk to Misty or me or Ms. Palomaki,” Mischo said. “It is an awesome experience.”

A&E

OPINION

Katie Mischo

Twirling: 9 years Studio: Sue’s Stepper-Ettes Competed at Disney World and Indiana for Nationals

Misty Ackland

Twirling: 8 years Studio: Sue’s Stepper-Ettes Competed in Indiana for Nationals

Ms. Palomaki

PHOTOS: ALISON WHITEHILL, LAUREL GLYNN, & SCHYLER CRUSE

MAY 2016

Twirled for: 18 years Coaching: 16 years Sue’s Stepper-Ettes Studio UNL Feature Twirler

THE SCEPTER

“Rights are only won by those who make their voices heard.” -Harvey Milk, LGBTQ+ activist

Free For HAPPENINGS

SPOTLIGHT

ACTION

A&E

OPINION

GSA members work towards creating a more inclusive school environment.

BY RAINA DODGE

very day is filled with a gnawing sense of apprehension, all due to a single fact following you as surely as night follows day. You know that at any time, someone could decide to evict you from your home or fire you from your job, all because of who you are. This is the reality that members of the LGBTQ+ community face every day: in some countries this identity has no protection; in others, it is punishable by death. In this school, a group of students has banded together to make a better world for LGBTQ+ students. The school Gay-Straight Alliance, established four years ago, is working to make PLHS a safer environment for all students. The GSA currently meets weekly to discuss LGBTQ+ issues on a local, national, and global scale. The group also works to raise awareness through projects such as Ally Week, where students pledge to be advocates of LGBTQ+ rights, and the Day of Silence, where students keep silent in honor of those who cannot speak for themselves. Opposite: GSA members discuss problems facing the LGBTQ+ community at a recent meeting. Clockwise from upper left: Caissa Meridith (10), Joanne Vo (10), Ambi Anuh-Ndumu (11), Maya Harvey (9), Greyson Erickson (11), Branden Elder (9)

MAY 2016

Sophomore Caissa Meridith and junior Ambi Anuh-Ndumu hang posters for the Day of Silence. This event honors LGBTQ+ students whose voices cannot be heard. Photo: Cameron Houser These programs have seen success: this year, 75 students participated in the Day of Silence, and over 140 took the Ally Week pledge. Sophomore officer Caissa Meridith helps to coordinate the group’s efforts by communicating with school officials and organizing events. She has also guided the group in researching LGBTQ+ rights in other schools. She sees the group’s work as particularly important in the present day. “It’s a great time now,” Meridith said. “The United States is going through a big change right now, and if we push this now, we’ll make a greater change in the future.” Zelda Keller, a freshman member of the GSA, identifies with acceptance causes personally and has faced bullying for being in the LGBTQ+ community. She hopes the group’s work will keep others from facing the same experience. “Some kids that are LGBTQ+ have silent voices, and we need to raise awareness about it,” Keller said. The group strives to make a welcoming environment for

all students, LGBTQ+ or not. While the group may initially seem like a social club, freshman Maya Harvey came to realize that the group does more than she originally thought. “I have a lot of fun, and I feel like I’m being productive and helping change happen,” Harvey said. “Joining was a confirmation that it’s okay and that I can accept myself.” The group is cosponsored by Mrs. Ann Herbener and Mrs. Katie Wittrig; however, the group is studentled. Currently, the group is discussing district policies on LGBTQ+ students as well as planning the year-end barbecue. While the group holds many different events, the group is ultimately focused on creating an LGBTQ+-friendly school. “Right now, this is a hot topic, and one that students are being targeted for,” Wittrig said. In the end, the group works to support students, whether by providing a safe space for LGBTQ+ students or working towards a more accepting school environment. “I think we all agree: all students should be able to learn safely,” Wittrig said.

THE SCEPTER

PLHS students experience new cultures as they travel to different countries.

BY ELLIOTT WOLBACH PAGE DESIGN BY CHRISTINA FISHER

Foreign Places Friendly Faces

PHOTO: HANK OVERFELT

magine waking up in a different country where people’s first language was not English. Some PLHS students experienced this feeling on foreign language trips. The last two trips were to Spain and Germany. The Foreign Language trip to Germany was in the summer of 2015. Students traveled to both Berlin and Munich. “Students went to see a lot of historical monuments and had lots of free time to explore the city,” junior Eric Wilkening said. In a city where English is not spoken by everyone, students had to use their knowledge of the German language to communicate with the locals. “I did my best to use

HAPPENINGS

German as often as possible,” Wilkening said. “But many people in Germany recognized me as an American and spoke in English.” The students also hiked up to a castle in Germany called Schloss Neurschwanstein. This was an eye-opening experience for many students. “I definitely learned a lot more about German culture, and got to experience things that I never would have otherwise been able to,” Wilkening said. Two years ago in the summer of 2014, Spanish students went on a trip to Spain and Rome. In Spain, they stopped in Madrid and Barcelona. For now senior Hank Overfelt, it was a trip that he will never forget.

SPOTLIGHT

ACTION

On their first day in Madrid, they toured the city and went to Puerta de Sol, one of the shopping capitals of Madrid. One of the many unique parts of their trip came on the second day. The students were able to go to a real bullfight. “They started and the first bull comes out and we don’t really know what was going to happen,” Overfelt said. “So we just sat and watched, and I will never forget that experience.” Within two days, the students were in Barcelona where they got to go to the ocean side beaches. “It was another new experience for me because I’ve never seen the ocean,” Overfelt said.

A&E

OPINION

PHOTOS: ERIC WILKENING

(Left) Eric Wilkening enjoys the landscape on is his trip. (Right) The students tour Schloss Neurschwanstein in Bavaria, Germany.

Following that the students traveled to the city where they got to tour the outside of Sagrada Familia, a famous church in Barcelona. “The next day we had a free day so my friend and I went and explored Las Ramblas,” Overfelt said. “I bought most of my souvenirs there.” Las Ramblas is an open market that is like the Magnificent Mile in Chicago but with a large numbers of street vendors setting up their shops there. Yet again students had to use what they had learned in the classroom to communicate. “Most places we went to as a group knew how to speak English,” Overfelt said. “But the places I went during our free time I had to use it.”

MAY 2016

Their trip was not over yet. The students travel to Rome by ferry. They got to see Roman ports and when they back on solid land, it was midnight. Even at such a late hour some students went on a tour of the city. “Cities look so much cooler at night over there because it is all lit up,” Overfelt said. After spending a little time in Italy, their next stop was Saint Peter’s square. “We got the whole tour of the Sistine Chapel and the parts of the Vatican that’s open to the public,” Overfelt said. These trips help students have new experiences and open their eyes to different cultures outside of the United States.

“An international trip like this one is a great experience for anyone,” Wilkening said. “It helps people see the world from a different perspective.” The next Foreign Language trip is planned for the upcoming summer. According to Mrs. Rhonda Balance this is the first time that students are going to Puerto Rico. Students will tour San Juan and the surrounding areas. If students are looking for an eye opening experience, an international trip is a once in a lifetime opportunity that will be a lasting memory.

THE SCEPTER

Gaining from Broken Levies A levy in Omaha holds back more than just floods.

BY JOHN NELSON

PAGE DESIGN BY LAURA KRAMER

egislative Bill 1067 goes into effect in 2017 to find a compromise between Learning Community districts that pay taxes for more aid, and those that are in need of it. With LB 1067, Papillion La Vista Community Schools (PLCS) no longer have to contribute. On a technical level, Omaha will lose the common levy and open enrollment students will now become option-enrolled students. Students outside a district attending schools within a district will now have to pay for transportation to school, and bus routes will change to be more restrictive outside the district. PLCS has been grinding on the Learning Community and the common levy ever since 2007. The issue inevitably recalls povertystricken schools in Omaha, and what it means for the rest of Nebraska to deal with them. For Omaha Public Schools (OPS), things look grim but are

improving. Inner city schools need funding to decrease the student achievement gap, or the performance differences in students of various ethnic and financial backgrounds. If anything, junior Amanda Lewis hopes the extra money returning to PLCS will improve technology and restroom facilities in schools. The trouble is leaving that money behind for Omaha. “It’s not up to us...but I don’t think [the common levy’s] fair,” Lewis said. Instead, Lewis agrees that lending materials like old or used computers to the inner city schools would benefit them more than revenue. The state should be responsible for inner city schools, and not surrounding districts. As for poverty itself, more is at stake. “We need everyone helping in the community,” Lewis said. “It has to be the entire city or state working together.”

The common levy previously had a concern for oversight and the use of tax dollars. Without it, school districts in the Learning Community are not required to fund the improvement of certain inner city school issues. Mrs. Becky Hoch says that issues in other districts around Nebraska need to be addressed, such as immigrants and language learners in Grand Island and Western Nebraska. Dr. Angela O’Hanlon believes older parents without students in PLCS may not have had an equal concern with OPS achievement. However, she believes that issues in inner city schools are not the responsibility of just the city or state. “Everybody has to take ownership of it,” O’Hanlon said. Turning away from Omaha with funds proves to be a benefit for the community, but the issue remains divisive.

Which districts would gain financially under this bill? Which would lose?

8 of the 11 Learning Community districts would come out ahead while 3 would lose money, according to estimates from the Legislative Fiscal Office based on 2016 figures. These numbers are subject to change within the next year.

Omaha: +5.19 million Westside: +1.32 million Springfield Platteview: +4.11 million Bellevue: +1.28 million Douglas County West: + 1.75 million Gretna: +.67 million Papillion-La Vista: +$1.37 million Ralston: +12,000 Source: Omaha.com >legislature

COME OUT AHEAD

HAPPENINGS

SPOTLIGHT

ACTION

FALL BEHIND

Elkhorn: -1.16 million Millard -.89 million Bennington: -.22 million A&E

OPINION

enior Raelyn Benoit has been suffering from myxophobia for most of her life. Myxophobia is the fear of slimy and sticky things. More specifically, Benoit fears syrup. Benoit has a strong belief that hands should be clean of anything that can stick together, including syrup, honey, gelatin, and caramel. These are all substances that Benoit does her best to avoid. Benoit has had this fear since a young age. “As a kid I always wanted my face and hands clear of everything,” Benoit said. “Nothing has changed since I have grown up.” However, Benoit believes she can overcome this phobia. “I know I am a crybaby about it,” Benoit said. “I think it is gross, scary, and weird but I am doing my best to overcome it.”

LIVING IN FEAR Everybody lives in fear of something. For the majority of people, these fears consist of bugs, heights, or even the dark. But have you thought to be afraid of carpet, public restrooms, or something as simple as syrup? BY GABBY TINGSTAD PAGE DESIGN BY LAURA KRAMER

ophomore Josie Anderson lives in fear of carpet. More specifically, Anderson has a fear of when people rub their hands against carpet or rough yarn fabrics. “Ever since I was a kid the feeling of running hands on carpet made me flinch or cover my ears and cry,” Anderson said. Not only does she cover her ears when this happens, but the impulse bothers her further. “My heart beats really fast and whether I do it or other people do it, it starts to make me angry and irritable,” Anderson said. Anderson does not see her fear going away anytime in the near future. “I am pretty much going to live my life in fear,” Anderson said. “I do not plan on rubbing my hands on carpet anytime soon.”

enior Kalvin McGargill has a deep fear of public restrooms. Whether it is a urinal or toilet, McGargill is extremely afraid of touching them. McGargill goes to great extents before using one, but tries to avoid them at all costs. “I have to wipe it down with toilet paper profusely before I begin using the restroom,” McGargill said. “Even then, I am still disgusted.” McGargill’s fear has not always been with him. “It all began when I sat down on a toilet that someone peed on,” McGargill said. “It was easily one of the top three grossest things that has ever happened to me.” This phobia is one that McGargill believes will be with him for the remainder of his life. “I do not ever see myself overcoming this fear,” McGargill said. “Nothing makes me feel more uncomfortable.”

HAPPENINGS

SPOTLIGHT

ACTION

A&E

OPINION

CREATING A LEGACY BY KAYLA SCHRECK

PAGE DESIGN BY LINDSEY LAFOND

“

“Me and the other seniors put in a lot of hard work and we’re always there going 100%. It shows the underclassmen what it’s like and will make them better by having them get after it more at practice. It will make them want to go to the next level and win some championships.”

“I left my mark on the younger members of the dance team by trying to teach them good leadership skills and being a good role model. I hope it reflected off on Papio watching us dance and come together as a team. Also, I’m in a lot of clubs like NHS and Student Council, so I hope that those members see how I was involved in a lot and hopefully also get involved because it pays off in the end with the community service and stuff. I hope people can try and get involved so they can also make their mark.”

“

Senior Makenzi Zikas

“

Through out the 2015-2016 school year, the seniors have left their mark on Papio.

Senior Jon Soto

“The seniors definitely made it kind of the cool thing to be loud and crazy, while like previous classes were kind of afraid to paint up and stuff like that. A lot of our other students followed off us. They looked up to us because a lot of the guys who led the student section play other sports, like John Zurcher and Sam Laughlin, who are both multi-sport athletes. It’s like being role models to them as people and leaders.”

HAPPENINGS

Senior Nate Frankman

SPOTLIGHT

ACTION

A&E

OPINION

“

Senior Chad Lechtenberg

MAY 2016

“My running set an example to a lot of the other girls by showing them that they can do it too, and have the same potential to do well.”

Senior Courtney Pickering

“

“I got my picture on the wall, so I get to be on the list for being a salutatorian. Since we’ve taken away the class ranking system it’s kind of cool. I’m national merit, salutatorian, and have a bunch of random academic stuff, which most people don’t care about, but you do hear stories about people’s success and it’s cool that I can be something to aspire to academic wise. That way people know it’s possible for them too. Also I’ve been a part of a lot of stuff so people know me and it will be nice to be remembered by other people.”

THE SCEPTER

“

“I had a bunch of seniors like Nate Frankman, Braxton Fonyonga, Goamar Rauch, Cal Mathison, and John Zurcher and we all did pretty well sticking together and showing great leadership to the younger guys. It will be more fun for the student body next year because the basketball team is supposed to be good, so I assume the students will be travelling again as well as they did this year.”

“

These are just some seniors and some of the ways the class of 2016 left their legacies at Papillion. Every single student left a mark in their own way and it won’t be forgotten. The pattern here at Papio is a tradition of excellence. These legacies have been passed down since the beginning, and each class adds a little something different to the mix that carries on for years to come. The legacies of 2016 were great ones that made a difference on the courts, fields, classrooms, tracks, bleachers, and halls that will live on at Papio forever.

Senior Anna House

GRADUATION GETAWAYS As some seniors graduate, they look for adventures and good memories.

BY EMILY LINGELBACH & CLAIRE NEIL PAGE DESIGN BY CAMRYN BOWERS

magine going on a trip with your best friends. For the first time, you get to experience complete freedom. Or picture anticipating a trip you have been planning for 13 years that is finally only a couple months away. Senior students, like Lauren Beisheim, Colin Chick, and Liv Flott, are all looking forward to their senior trips. Chick, along with six other senior boys, is going to Kansas City after the school year ends. “Before this year, our parents wouldn’t have let us go by ourselves, and now we are old enough to rent a hotel room,” Chick said. While in Kansas City, they will be attending a Royals game, playing golf, and going out to eat. “We are only going to be there for two nights, but we decided to go because it’s a fun, yet a close place,” Chick said. Some seniors prefer to stay

HAPPENINGS

close, while others are venturing out of the country. “I’m excited that my first time going out of the U.S. will be with my best friends,” Flott said. Flott is going to Cancun where she and her friends plan on kayaking, zip lining, four-wheeling, and spending time at the beach. Even though this trip is less than a week long, the girls have been planning it for months. “We are going on this trip to have one more really fun time together before we go off to college,” Flott said. “And to celebrate getting through the stress of senior year!” Some students spend their vacation with friends, while others are with theirs with family. “My mom promised me in kindergarten that if I had good grades all through high school she would take me on a trip wherever I wanted to go,” Beisheim said.

SPOTLIGHT

ACTION

Beisheim will be traveling to the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, and France during two weeks of the summer. With so many countries to visit and explore, there will be tons of exciting hot spots in each place. “The trip will be very fast paced with very early mornings and late nights,” Beisheim said. Even though Beisheim has been looking forward to this trip for years, she is still nervous about all the risks included. “It’s a very scary time to be traveling, but part of me just wants to take that risk,” Beisheim said. Senior trips give students a chance to experience their newly found freedom out of high school, and to create lasting memories as they start a new chapter in their lives.

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OPINION

4,955 MILES

EUROPE

LAUREN BEISHEIM

163 MILES

KANSAS

COLIN CHICK

1,482 CANCUN MILES

MAY 2016

LIV FLOTT

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A NEW

STATE

OF MIND

Students share where they will spend their next four years.

BY LAUREN LAFOND

PAGE DESIGN BY CAMRYN BOWERS

430 mi. St. Louis, MO

1,495Tampa, mi.FL

ebraska. We all call it home. Most of us were born and raised here. We know the town of Papillion like the back of our hands, and for some seniors, the days of the CWS and Papillion Days will soon be over. Graduation is quickly approaching, and a majority of seniors will soon be off on their own journey in college. For some seniors at PLHS, graduation may be the last time they will ever see some of their fellow classmates, for they will be traveling beyond Nebraska to further their

HAPPENINGS

education. A life of warm weather and salty seas seems to be worlds away for some Nebraskans. Anyone wanting to major in marine biology wouldn’t find luck in Omaha and would need to travel elsewhere. “I’ve always been interested in marine life from the vacations I’ve been on,” senior Becky Chrapowski said. “I want to study marine biology and you can’t do that here.”

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Chrapowski’s desires to study aquatic life resulted in her applying to the University of Tampa, which she will be attending in the fall. While Chrapowski’s choice of going to an out of state college was more of a need, others chase the excitement of a change of scenery. “It’s a big world,” senior Ben Broderick said. “I’m ready to be on my own.” Broderick will be enrolled at Webster University in St. Louis,

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Missouri. Chrapowski shares the same feelings about “being ready to live alone.” Moving to a new state for college can be scary, but also extremely exciting. The new freedom that comes along with college offers many former high school students something different from their previous routine. “I can’t wait to be on the golf

team,” Broderick said. “And go to some St. Louis Blues games.” Chrapowski has not formally visited the University of Tampa yet, but still has many things she knows she’s looking forward to. “I’m most excited for the nice weather,” Chrapowski said. “And I’m just ready for life down there in general.” The thrill of living somewhere new, whether it’s 400

miles away or 1,500, can be a huge adjustment. “I have visited Webster three times,” Broderick said. “Each time it got better and better.” Even though Nebraska is home of the good life, many seniors, including Broderick say they don’t “want to stick around Nebraska their whole life.”

Broderick (left) plans to attend Webster University in St. Louis, MO. Chrapowski (right) will be attending University of Tampa in Tampa, FL.

MAY 2016

THE SCEPTER

THE ROAD

AHEAD

HAPPENINGS

SPOTLIGHT

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Mr. Mike Daniels ends one chapter of his life and begins a new and more stressful one.

BY HUNTER POMBRIO

PAGE DESIGN BY CAMRYN BOWERS

B Cell Lymphoma; cancer. For some, these words are a frightening thought. For Mr. Mike Daniels, they are a frightening reality. Mr. Daniels recently received the diagnosis of cancer on February 12, 2016, and starts chemotherapy in the coming weeks. Daniels has had outstanding support ever since he’s been dealt this tragic news. Family members have traveled hundreds of miles to take care of him in his time of need. “My sister came all the way from Montana to take care of me after I got out of the hospital,” Daniels said. “She’s been a great help.” For those with cancer, the moment a doctor says that they have cancer, nothing equals the shock, as they feel like the world is closing in on them. “The moment I got my diagnosis, I was very shocked,” Daniels said. “After that set in, I began to have a positive outlook on it.”

MAY 2016

The topic of cancer can cause great sadness since it affects the lives of many. Cancer can bring painful memories, thoughts, and a difficult outlook on life. However, it is important to keep a positive state of mind when dealing with painful diseases. “I’ve been very positive lately,” Daniels said. “I’ve gotten a lot of cards, calls, and visitations by a variety of people.” Since Daniels will be ending his teaching career this year, he will miss the long lasting relationships he has made. “I will really miss the relationship with the students and other teachers,” Daniels said. “Ever since I’ve been at home, I went from having many interactions a day to just a few.” Teaching is something Daniels does want to come back to, not full time teaching, but teaching his community. After his treatment, Daniels wants to give back by

doing artwork and art shows at community centers and senior citizen centers in addition to feeding the hungry. With age comes reflection, one will look back on their life and think of everyone they’ve affected. Daniels hopes to leave in a positive way. “His legacy will be that he cared for his students and make a mark on their life,” longtime colleague Mrs. Deb Leif said. With his abrupt retirement, many did not have the chance to fully appreciate how dedicated he was to his job. Daniels has spent countless hours making sure his students and even his peers to live up to their potential. “He’s taught me to look at things in a new light, and also to put students before anything else,” Leif said. Mr. Daniels may retire from teaching, but he will never let go of the memories of all the people he has affected positively in life.

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Another Year, Another Chance The Monarch boys track team has great potential to end the season on a high note.

BY HAYLEY PIATKOWSKI PAGE DESIGN BY JORDAN MURPHY

n the last few years, the boys track team has finished towards the top of the leader board at state every time. Last year they finished in seventh place with 35 points. They are looking to improve upon that finish this year. There is great reason for optimism this year as the potential for the boys is very high. Junior KJ Cotton won the 100-meter and 200-meter races, senior Jack Noble got second in the pole vault last year and they are both returning this year. Many of the other athletes are also near the top in their specialty and also qualified for state last year. Sophomore Jake Norris earned his way in the middle distance events, and senior Nate White qualified in both the long and triple jump. “Our potential at state is high,” White said. “We have a diverse team and we are very good at every event.” Practice and repetition is key to getting stronger and better. Athletes have to be disciplined and push themselves to get better than the competition. In track and field they keep track of team points,

HAPPENINGS

but at times it can be more of an individual sport, so one has to be willing to make oneself better. The coaches do a great job of guiding the team, but the individual team members have to be willing to put in the hard work. “I push myself to be faster than race pace in practices to prepare myself for the best I can

SPOTLIGHT

in a race,” Norris said. Practice can also be fun. Being with your teammates and building camaraderie is also part of what high school sports are all about. “My favorite thing about practice is joking around with my teammates and having fun while doing it,” White said. While at a meet there is a lot

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of time to sit around and wait for events. People will walk around and watch different events to cheer on their teammates. “My favorite event to watch is the two mile, because everyone in it I’ve seen from cross country,“ Norris said. “It’s stacked with great runners and there are about 10 runners who lead a pack battling until the end.” Not every event in track involves running and not everyone involved on the team enjoys running. If someone is a jumper or thrower for instance, running may not be one of their favorite things to do in the

world. But they can still contribute much to the team. “The hardest thing at practice is running,” White said. “I hate it.” The Monarchs have a very strong chance to make a deep run at the state meet this year and everyone is working hard to get there. Everyone on the team is excited for the opportunity to get to state again and possibly improve on the good team finishes of recent years. “I think we have the potential to be among the top five teams in the state as we have for much of the last couple years,” head coach Joe Pilakowski said.

Senior Nate White attempts to gain every extra inch he can during his long jump event. PHOTO: BRENA GREOPER

MAY 2016

THE SCEPTER

RALLYING TO THE TOP The Monarch tennis team strives to live up the expectations of last year’s title-winning team.

BY PI MOORE PAGE DESIGN BY JORDAN MURPHY

fter clinching the state title last season, the Monarch girls tennis team has been striving to replace the loss of María Arevalo and is dealing with the pressure of the new season. Being undefeated in duals and placing 5th at the Westside invite thus far, they are nowhere near satisfied. Claire Neil and Spencer Roach have played No. 1 doubles the past two years, placing runner up both times. This year, junior Morgan Eby and junior Spencer Roach have now filled the No. 1 doubles spot and have gone 18-2 in their matches. “It is very different going from singles to doubles,” Eby said. “I learn something new about doubles every time I play.” Placing runner up in the Westside invite, Eby and Roach lost to class B Elkhorn South. “My goal is just to do my

HAPPENINGS

best in any spot that I’m put in,” Eby said. Returning No. 2 doubles champions, sophomore Tessa Hurst and senior Emma Dargy, are working towards getting stronger and more consistent as a team. “Emma and I work very well together,” Hurst said. “We have to take each day at a time and not get too ahead of ourselves.” Their biggest competition as a doubles team will be Marian and Lincoln East high school. Claire Neil, former No. 1 doubles player, has now taken the spot of No. 1 singles and is hoping to be as successful with singles as she was in doubles. At No. 2 singles last year, Eby placed third. Junior Jadyn Moore is playing at No. 2 singles this year. “We are all going to do our best and get as many points as we

SPOTLIGHT

can in our divisions,” Eby said. “That is all we can ask for from each player.” Pressure exists with being the returning state champs, but team chemistry helps relieve the pressure and the fact that knowing that each one of the girls has each other’s backs. “My favorite part about tennis is seeing how many wraps Morgan can eat at one invite,” Hurst said. The Monarchs are sitting in a good position with five of six players returning and are hoping for the success from last year to continue. “Our major goal is to get as far in the state tournament as possible,” Eby said.

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OTHER PAGE: Junior Claire Neil prepares to return her opponentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hit. FAR LEFT: Junior Spencer Roach swings through a backhand against Marian. LEFT: Eby follows through on her serve against her Omaha Marian opponent.

PHOTOS: HANNAH IM, JULIA HARKER

s i n n Te S E I M M U D FOR

Rules

>Call your own shots; there are no refs.

>Zero is called Love.

>Ball can only bounce once before it must

>Scoring is Love, 15, 30, 40, deuce (if both

be hit.

players reach 40), add-in, and add-out.

>Switch servers each game.

>Serve to the opposite side of the court.

>Switch sides on odd numbered games.

>Two chances to serve.

>Play to eight games; win by two.

>If you hit the net on the serve, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s called a

>Singles have to hit in the inner white lines.

let, and you can serve again.

>Doubles have to hit in the outer white lines. MAY 2016

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ROLLIN’&STRIKES SHOOTIN’

PIGEONS

Bottom photo Sophomore Caleb Brooks poses with his team after a tough match.

Taking a peek at the sports of Papillion La Vista such as rugby, bowling, and trap that are over looked, and underrated.

BY NATE GENDLER AND HANNAH CAHILL

he PLHS student section is considered to be one of the best in the state. Students always make time to fill the stands and stadiums and cheer so loud the ground beneath us shakes. Unfortunately, athletes that don’t participate in football, soccer, or basketball get lost in the mayhem and are left to conquer the opposing team on their own. Sports such as bowling, trap shooting, and rugby are rarely talked about, yet they offer so many opportunities to the students, staff

HAPPENINGS

and volunteers that participate in them. “I’ve never really been into sports, but trap seemed different and looked fun,” junior Mandy Kennick said. The positive effects that these sports provide for countless people are often never publicized and are hidden behind a window with drawn curtains. “Not many people come to watch other than parents,” sophomore rugby player Caleb Brooks said. “No one from the

SPOTLIGHT

school ever comes.” Others hold an indifferent view about the social status of the sports they participate in. “I don’t mind that bowling isn’t very popular because it’s boring to watch,” senior Ben Vanness said. “If it got more recognition, I wouldn’t be mad.” Participating in a sport that is not well known brings down not only the number of fans that attend games and competitions, but also the amount of people that are willing to partake in a particular sport. “We have struggled to get people to play this year. We need 15 to play and only about 16 have come out,” Brooks said. “The most we have had at a game is 15.” It doesn’t help that the majority of the sports like trap shooting and rugby are not actually considered sports. “I wish trap was recognized more as a sport at our school instead

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What sport would YOU play? A twitter poll of 82 votes

Bowling 46%

Trap 34%

of just an activity,” Kennick said. On the brighter side, the few that decided to dabble with the unknown have gained a lot from their experiences. “Bowling means a lot to me,” Vanness said. “It’s a sport that you don’t have to be six feet tall or really athletic to be good.” Trying new things makes life that much more fun and interesting. Maybe it is time to take a look at the sports that are shoved to the sideline, and dive deeper to explore the amazing effects of something new.

MAY 2016

Top photo Senior Ben Vanness (left) stands with his teammates after a big win. Bottom photo Junior Mandy Kennick prepares to take her shot.

Rugby 20%

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Pursuing The soccer teams at PLHS are looking promising halfway through the season.

BY BRENDON BOATWRIGHT The deafening whistle signifies the start. An initial push of the ball in front of the line snaps the players into a state of mind they reserve for only this moment. All at once, 22 players on the field zone in on the ball being passed back and forth between the feet of the players. For the next 80 minutes they will be giving every ounce of effort to win this one game.

HAPPENINGS

the

Goal

Soccer has been called the number one sport in the world by “Top End Sports.” According to “The First Eleven,” more people watch the highest-level soccer game, the World Cup Final, than the Super Bowl. It is a sport that is found being played in all corners of the globe. At PLHS, the soccer season has already begun with both the boys and girls varsity teams striving to make it to the state tournament. Preparation is a large part of what gets a team ready for the season. The improvements the team makes along the way is a tremendous factor that plays a role on whether or not a team will make it to State. “To prepare for the season, we went to winter workouts and strength conditioning to get our bodies ready for the season,” senior Emmy Henely said. “Now to improve, we are trying to play as a unit in each game and practice instead of so direct.” Both teams have had a fantastic start to their seasons, with the boys boasting a 6-8 record after the first ten games and the girls holding a number two rank in the state with a 9-8 record as of April 28. “The team is doing very well this season. We are working together and staying positive whether we win or lose a game,” player Sidney Sheard said. Each team has had some tough losses in the season so far,

SPOTLIGHT

with the boys losing early in the metro tournament and the girls losing in the metro finals to a very tough Millard West squad. “Three of our losses have come from top five teams,” senior Nate Frankman said. “We compete well and have had some tough stretches with a lot of games that really tested our guys’ fitness and motivation.” Through many hard fought losses the teams were able to learn and improve so they could win big games. This led to the team beating Marian early in the metro tournament. “My favorite memory so far this year has to be beating Marian, the number one team in the state,” Henely said. “We were all so emotional after the game because we have always wanted to upset a top ranked team.” Sheard agreed with Henely, as beating Marian was her favorite moment of the season as well. These tough and rewarding wins will help put the teams into an easier district bracket, which could give them a chance at the state tournament and even the state title. For the seniors, this is all they have left. They want more than anything to make it to, and more importantly, do well at State. “I am ecstatic that I’m

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Nate Frankman looks down the field ready to give directions to his teammates and save a ball if necessary. PHOTO: TINA FISHER

able to play my final season with the guys we have,” Frankman said. “I have been out for injuries and have only played two seasons of high school soccer, but I’m more than happy to be going through the practices and tough weeks with these guys, because there is nothing better that to compete with your teammates.” With their seasons coming to an end, both the soccer teams have been doing fairly well. Both are looking to try and make it to the state tournament and accomplish the goals they have set for themselves. This is no easy feat, but if they keep playing as a team and winning big games, they could possibly succeed and accomplish their goals.

MAY 2016

Sidney Sheard and Emmy Henely dribble the ball, trying to take it towards the goal. Quick reflexes and leg strength are key to being a successful player. PHOTOS: HAYLEY PIATKOWSKI

THE SCEPTER

The

Greatest

Show On

Dirt

Every year in June milions of people including PLHS students attend the College World Series to watch the best of college baseball.

BY DYLAN NICHOLSON PAGE DESIGN BY JORDAN MURPHY

very year for two weeks in June, boring old Nebraska becomes the center of attention. Millions of fans pour into our state for the “Greatest Show on Dirt.” The College World Series. Omaha has been the host for the College World Series since 1950 when it was held at Rosenblatt stadium. In 2011 TD Ameritrade became the official home for the CWS, going from a stadium that was full with history and tradition, to a new age park. “They both are beautiful places to watch really good baseball, and they both have that Omaha feel to them,” senior Johnny Zurcher said. One advantage of TD Ameritrade is that there is truly no bad seat in park. “No matter where you are sitting you can clearly see the whole field,” junior Autumn Prante said. Whether you have been

HAPPENINGS

going to the CWS for a decade, or if you just went to your first game, everyone takes something positive out of the experience. Zurcher has been attending the CWS since he was two, and his favorite part is the tradition. “For about two weeks the center of the baseball world is fixed on Omaha, Nebraska.” Zurcher said. “It is super cool to hear people say they get to come to Omaha!” For others, nothing is more memorable than being able to catch that elusive foul ball. “My friend and I caught a foul ball and she looked like a kid on Christmas,” Prante said. If you aren’t a big fan of baseball, the CWS can still be a great time, whether it is going to Fan Fest, walking around downtown Omaha, or simply just sitting in General Admission seats where you can witness everything from beach ball parties to people taking the leap on

SPOTLIGHT

the field for minutes of fame. “For the younger crowd, general admission offers the best atmosphere,” Zurcher said. “People know how to have fun out there and it is close up to some awesome baseball.” It doesn’t matter if you are the biggest baseball fan out there or if you just want to have fun. For a few weeks in June, Omaha is the place to be.

John Zurcher is carried into a CWS game as a child. PHOTOS: JOHN ZURCHER, DYLAN NICHOLSON

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Calendar Of Motivation 12th

13th

16th

Seniors, the end is bittersweet. It is your last day of high school; the beginning of the rest of your lives. All that is left unsaid is you will be missed. And from everyone, we just wanted to thank you for everything.

Although you might be stressed out at this point and the reality of finals is finally weighing on you, look at the bright side. Look at the hallways. They are so much easier to get through now that the seniors are gone.

There is one more week until finals. No matter how hard it seems, you can make it. “Gaze upward, look inward, reach outward, press forward.” -Thomas S. Monson.

17th

18th

19th

20th

These last eight days of school are so stressful, but stress can go away. Today, for 15 minutes, have an uninterrupted conversation with someone that is not about school. Believe me, 15 minutes goes a long way.

Take a minute and just laugh today. Sometimes you can find yourself so stressed out that nothing seems funny. Although it may seem cliche, laughter really can be the best medicine.

Many times people can make you feel bad about a mistake, but everybody makes mistakes. Just don’t give up and push forward once you have made one. “Mistakes are proof that you are trying.” -Unknown.

Take a deep breath, count to 20 and look at each task. Problems that seemed hard at one time may look smaller after a moment. Now, you can easily focus on the task at hand and let your problems slowly fade away.

23rd

24th

25th

26th

It is the last Monday of the school year. Finals the next two days will be brutal. But you can make it through. Remember, you are capable of more than you know.

It is the first day of finals and the tests may wear you out. But the end is in sight. A famous proverb states, “just when the caterpillar thought the world was ending, he turned into a butterfly.”

Today can be the hardest day of the entire school year. But somehow, people survive it. Today, try to challenge yourself by doing something your future self will thank you for.

You made it. You are not the same person you were a year, a month, or even a week ago. You are more experienced. You have more skills. You are better than you were before.

HAPPENINGS

SPOTLIGHT

ACTION

Read this motivation each day of May, until the end of the school year, to make sure the year ends with a bang!

BY JULIA HARKER

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OPINION

Hacks to Make Life Easier BY TREVOR KALAL

DESIGN BY MELANIE AMWEG

Finding unexpected ways to make life easier.

The Candy Incentive

Studying is such a drag. Long hours of reading a textbook and studying notes causes severe boredom. It can be more fun if you just use this simple trick. Place one of your favorite candies at the end of a passage and when you reach the candy, eat it. Continue until all candies are eaten. This can even be applied to writing papers, just place one at the end of a paragraph, eat the candy as a quick break and you will have that essay done in no time. It is just something to make studying a bit more enjoyable.

Closet Space Saver

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the one thing that is always redeemed for rewards in a school program? Pop tabs. They are one of the most common objects that is thrown away when they can be used to save space. Specifically in the closet, instead of throwing them away, put one end of the tab on a hanger, then take the other end and attach it to another hanger. I highly recommend wire hangers for best results. Now you have more closet space and an excuse to go shopping.

A New Use for Lego People

One common gripe among teenagers these days is how tangled all of their cables are. If the one cord you need is wrapped up in a mess of other ones, you have to spend a couple minutes untangling the heap to find it. Here is something you can do to keep your cables untangled: If you still have some Lego people lying around, place the cables in their hands to keep all of those pesky cables out of the way. Now you will be able to find the cord to charge your phone in a matter of seconds.

Bringing the Bass

Have you ever had this problem? Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re hanging out with a group of friends and you decide to put on some music, except it gets so loud that the music playing from those measly cell phone speakers goes unheard. If only there was a way to amplify the sound in an affordable way. You can easily assemble your own speaker for a phone with some common household objects. First cut an old paper towel tube in half. Then, cut a slot big enough to fit your phone speakers inside. Finally, place some push pins on the underside of the tube so it will actually stand up. Now you have a speaker to play music without having to spend a fortune and you get to bring the bass.

HAPPENINGS

SPOTLIGHT

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Filing Your Clothes

This is another space saver, except this time it is for your dresser. As seen in the accompanying photograph, you can fold your shirts in such a way that you can see all of them at the same time and save a huge amount of space per drawer. This hack is another way for you to save some space and be more efficient in dressing up for class.

MAY 2016

THE SCEPTER

Through

The

Students reflect on their most remembered moments of high school. DESIGN BY MELANIE AMWEG

“

BY MEGAN KRABBENHOFT

Playing varsity soccer and basketball has been such a great opportunity, I’ve learned so much from the upperclassmen about being a leader and a role model.

“

FRESHMAN JOSEY RYAN

“

This year on varsity wrestling we won districts for the first tine in four years.

“

FRESHMAN CREIGHTON BAUGHMAN

The one thing I will always remember from high school is from my freshman year when the entire gym was packed for the Papio v Central basketball game and then we beat them and stormed the court. SENIOR JACK NOBLE

HAPPENINGS

SPOTLIGHT

ACTION

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Years

“ “ “

“ “

Freshman year the marching band played ‘What Does the Fox Say’ and the student section gave us all dirty looks.

During the Kearney football game it was the first win of the season and it went into overtime and we all stormed the field.

SOPHOMORE ISABELLA JACOBS

Being able to play tennis on a team with my friends these past few years have been the most memorable moments of high school.

JUNIOR AMBI NUHNDUMU

I was the only sophomore to make it onto the varsity baseball team.

SOPHOMORE BILLY BRODERICK

JUNIOR BEN CRNKOVICH

After four years in show choir, Free Spirit won grand champs in Elkhorn.

SENIOR PAIGE HEGER

MAY 2016

THE SCEPTER

a class act

There is more than meets the eye when it comes to the substitute teachers in the Papillion Community School District.

BY ALLY SARGUS

passion is common for any person to have. Whether that be a sport, a talent or even the simplest act of sleeping, everyone has an adoration for something. For some students, it may seem like these passions will never leave the walls of this school, while others refuse to ever give it up. The substitute teachers in this district have a passion for teaching that will endure for as long as possible. Substituting is a suitable job for those who do not necessarily want to manage all of the grading, conferences, and confrontation with students on a daily basis, which is one reason Jim McKean is fond of this career choice. “I have to admit teaching has gotten away from teaching being your main assignment,” McKean said. “You have so many other tasks being with the parents, dealing with the administration, and dealing with test scores. I just love to teach. That’s what I want to do.” While some enjoy the extra free time, others miss the day-to-day education process, especially in their desired field of study. “I do miss the teaching every day because it’s an exciting time in government with the 2016 election coming up,” Cheri Warner, retired history teacher at PLHS, said.

HAPPENINGS

SPOTLIGHT

Many substitutes enjoy using their free time for activities they could not do while being completely dedicated to teaching. For example, teachers have the same amount of breaks as students do, which means their only time off includes specific seasons. “I like to travel and substituting helps subsidize the traveling expenses,” Joanie Sanders, long term substitute for Mr. Daniels, said. Along with traveling, Sanders revels in her free time by walking, hiking and spending time with her grandson. Being a substitute teacher comes with its advantages and disadvantages, but one of the greatest attributes is the connection formed with new students each day. “Kids say hi to me all the time, although I don’t remember everyone’s name,” Warner said. “I get to be with kids, teach a subject and interact with them, but I don’t have to be the person to say you’re failing.” Not only have the substitute teachers made a difference in the lives of students, but the students have impacted their lives as well. “There’s just something about this school. You do feel like

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you have a family here,” Warner said. “The faculty is friendly, the kids are great, and it’s a comfortable school.” It is safe to say that this school has a distinguished reputation when it comes to choosing substitutes in the district. Many of them agree that PLHS is one of their favorite places to be due to the vast amount of respect and kindness shown from everyone. “The students and teachers are very cooperative and were willing to help me when I was first starting and didn’t know much,” McKean said. “Everyone greets you, respects you, and treats you like they know you, like a friend.” As the year comes to an end, be thankful for the education given by these admirable people who have such a passion for teaching that they couldn’t fully let go. It is a community like this that makes PLHS so prominent. “We moved back here from Texas, and by then we had two high schools, I didn’t even look at the other school,” Warner said. “I wanted to come home.”

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substitute spotlight saMi

Taught at Millard Wes s r e iddle school fo tf o

y r North m degree in art red 13 ioeanrs ucat a s cheloreducation with art as a minnodr ry

g; B llard c on a da

& taught at Omaha Burke for 31 years

administration;

and hin c tea in se ree

35 year2s0 year Masters of s deg

40 years of teaching; Bachelors degree in mathematics & education & mckean Masters degree in educational

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MAY 2016

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AcT

N T cT

Urban legends haunt the halls of PLHS.

BY KASSIDY BROWN

Urban legends are the bone chilling stories people tell to strike fear to the hearts of children. One thing people do not know is that Papio has its own handful of urban legends. Some more creepy than others. The auditorium is home to the legend of the mysterious face that people see during the fall play and winter musical. “I first saw it my freshman year during The Crucible,” junior Sean Ryan said. The face is said to appear during major productions the school holds. Not many students know how the legend started, but they say it appears out of nowhere. The origin of the legend is still unknown. “It’s a face that shows up on plain fabric hung on stage,” Ryan said. Although the face is often seen, some people find the legend untrue, due to the fact that there is no origin and no one has gotten a picture of said face. “There is a piece of metal behind the fabric that looks similar to a face, so that’s what I think it is,” Ryan said. Until there is proof to say that it is true, the face will continue

HAPPENINGS

SPOTLIGHT

to be a known legend at PLHS. The auditorium has another infamous urban legend attached to it: it is known as the Macbeth legend. “If you say the name of Shakespeare’s play, Macbeth, in a theater, the next performance is cursed for something to go wrong,” junior Elliot Dritt said. The play is said to affect all theaters regardless of the connection is has to its location. However, it is passed down through grades. “It’s usually told by the upperclassmen to the underclassmen,” Dritt said. It is said that someone saying the play’s name has affected some of the school’s productions. “I’m very active in the theater and have seen a few things happen when the name is said,” Dritt said. “On the opening night of Miss Saigon, the electric screen stopped working after the name was said.” Numerous students who are involved in the plays and musicals tend to steer clear of speaking the name Macbeth. Though the school only has a few, the town of Papillion has a pretty famous urban legend. The Portal School House in downtown

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Papillion is said to be haunted by the spirit of an old school teacher. “The story is that the teacher went insane and decapitated the student’s heads with an axe and set their head on their desks,” junior Makenzie Cartwright said. “She then took the hearts and threw them off a bridge, which is now known as Heartbeat Bridge.” There hasn’t been concrete evidence of the incident occurring, but the spirit supposedly haunts the building. Even after it has been moved to a knew location. “When we went in third grade,” Cartwright said. “It was kind of creepy but I didn’t really experience anything out of the ordinary,” Most people do not believe in the story of the schoolhouse, but still like to tell others about it. “I don’t really believe in it, but I suppose that it is possible,” Cartwright said. These urban legends are told around the school and the city to bring liveliness to it. Mostly told to children, the stories get around, and become well-known. All in all, these chilling stories will be told for years to come.

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OPINION

` The PLHS theatre stage can have an eerie aura after-hours. This stage falls victim to one of the drama department’s superstitions: that saying the name “Macbeth” brings bad luck. Photo: KASSIDY BROWN

THe Portal School House in downtwon Papillion, known as the Hatchet House. Photo: CHRISTINE WARD

MAY 2016

THE SCEPTER

Going out with abang

After graduation, PLHS students are provided with a safe and fun environment.

BY KAYLEE PENRY

DESIGN BY MELANIE AMWEG

Graduation can make any student feel free and invincible after four gruesome years of high school. Unfortunately, some students tend to celebrate too much and can get themselves into serious trouble. 33 years ago, parents of students at PLHS decided they wanted to do something about this. Graduate Safe was created and the students have loved it. Mrs. Katie Wittrig is in charge of this post graduation celebration and has been doing so for many years. Graduate Safe is for PLHS senior graduates only, no guests and no underclassmen. Planning for this event is an extensive process that takes almost all of the school year, but it is worth it in the end. “I hope seniors know how cool it is going to be,” Wittrig said. “We’ve had traditionally at least half of the senior class, but I think it

would be awesome if we could get over eighty percent this year.” This event is a very unique way to spend time with high school peers and finish out high school in a memorable way. Wittrig tries to make it different every year with interesting activities for everyone to enjoy. “It is everything that you would expect. There is a hypnotist, character artists, a mechanical bull, a magician, and an intuitive reader,” Wittrig said. With all of these exciting features, there comes a need for help with set up. Wittrig has had a lot of help from parents these past few years, but she is always looking for extra assistance each year. “I think we need to give appreciation to the parents that have helped out for a long time, like Mrs. Cargill, Mrs. Dougherty, Mrs. Bohn, and many others,” Wittrig said. Students often ask the question of why we have Graduate Safe rather than post prom. The answer is tradition. Graduate Safe started before many schools had anything like it, and PLHS is all

Would you rather have Grad Safe or Post Prom?

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53% Grad Safe

about tradition. “Students also tend to like this event better than post prom, and we have taken surveys asking students what they prefer, and the answer was Graduate Safe,” Wittrig said. Graduate Safe is a component to what makes PLHS unique. Students that went to Papillion South’s post prom have said that they enjoyed it, but they would rather have Graduate Safe. “I would rather us have Graduate Safe because it is something just for the seniors to celebrate and I think they need that,” junior Eli Thompson said. Graduate Safe is something that seniors look forward to in order to celebrate all of their accomplishments throughout high school. Just like any other event, the more people that attend, the more enjoyable it will be.

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47% Post Prom Out of 200 students on Twitter 2015 Shelby Rule, Mackenzie Sikora, Crystal Stradling, Emily Shaffar, Brianna Patterson and Blake Miller pose for a picture at Graduate Safe.

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2015 Seniors Jazmyn Yates and Sarah Wilkening enjoying last year’s Graduate Safe event.

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OPINION

EARN YOUR PALACE R

espect can have different meanings to different people. We can all agree that most freshmen are annoying. But then again, a lot of seniors are annoying too. The way I see it, respect has to be earned. It should just be easier to earn for the seniors. Both freshman and senior I understand that seniors classes need to understand have been here for four years, and their role at PLHS. “know how things work” at our OPINION BY school. But that’s not an excuse to CAL MATHISON PAGE DESIGN BY LAURA KRAMER get mad and yell at the freshmen. When a teacher scolds or yells at a student, it’s to keep the safe environment that we have at our school. When a student scolds or yells at a student, most of the time, it makes this place worse. We, as seniors, are not authority figures. We are all student peers.

HAPPENINGS

SPOTLIGHT

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One of my first days as a freshman, a senior handed me a Snickers wrapper and said, “Time y’all freshmen learn how things work. Throw this away.” I unzipped his backpack when he was walking away and shoved the wrapper in his backpack. I don’t think anybody should be talked to like that, regardless of their grade. I understand the frustration coming from a freshman. What did they do to get booed at games and pep rallies? Aren’t they’re just trying to support the school? If I could do freshman year over again, that first pep rally when a third of the school was chanting for me to go home, I would have stood up and went home. On the other hand, the ignorant freshman are eventually going to get shoved in a locker if they keep forgetting to wear deodorant and walk on the wrong side of the hall. I wish the upperclassmen would try in a nicer way, I really do. But I want to punch something when I hear “Bruh, my shoe game is lit. They match my snapback. Did you guys see Steph play last night? GOAT,” when I walk in the halls. Underclassmen need to understand that they can learn how to act in school from the upperclassmen. And upperclassmen need to understand that they don’t need you to police them.

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OPINION

BREAK THE MOLD

In a society that can’t be pleased, teens must learn how to think for themselves.

OPINION BY FAITH WORKMAN PAGE DESIGN BY LAURA KRAMER

ex is everywhere. It is used to sell anything from cheeseburgers to dieting supplies and make television compelling to an audience. It is everywhere we look; encouraging anyone who absorbs it that it is just a part of everyday life. Now-a-days the pressure to fit into the over sexualized and idolized standards of society are significantly changing the way we look at not only ourselves, but also the world.

In our society it isn’t hard to hate yourself. You’re either not pretty enough or too pretty, too buff or too scrawny, too thin or too fat. You wear too much make up or not enough, a slut or too prudish. There is just no pleasing society. Turn on the television after a hard day at school and you have a girl, not much older than you, being depicted as living this perfect life of drugs, promiscuity, and popularity. It makes you question if that’s all you need to solve your current problems. Media will turn something lonely, miserable, and hopeless into a face full of makeup and good lighting, scenario of fictional bliss. However, media will never tell you that it doesn’t care about a teenager’s well being unless good ratings and money are involved. Sex is influencing the minds of society and distorting the real consequences of an over sexualized media. Society is teaching us how to grow up. It has taught young minds how to skip the steps there are necessary to living and enjoying the only chance at childhood you get. Sexualized culture is ruining teenagers. Sex was never made for teenagers who haven’t even developed a full frontal lobe yet, but you hear your friends gossiping about it, peers encouraging it, and parents feeling

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ILLUSTRATION BY LAURA KRAMER

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SPOTLIGHT

like they can’t do anything about it. What does that leave you with? Television shows constantly portray philandering teenagers who live the glorious lives we so desire so that teens will only be blinded by culture’s statistical image of high school. The question that this has created for me is, what do we do about it? As a teenager in an over sexualized society I have to remember who I am. So do you. We aren’t a mold that can constantly be formed by the media, or blind phone gazers who follow the standards of culture. We are smart, the next generation, young minds that haven’t even been used to their full capability yet, being used to make memes. We don’t have to feed into society’s morals when we could have our own, especially when we can’t even figure out who created these senseless rules of civilization anyway. Live for yourself, and when it comes to peer pressure and social expectation, stop and think what you want for yourself. Better yet, think about your future aspirations because you’re in charge of whether or not to feed into sexualized society, and most of all, your body. Love yourself and value who you are as a person, don’t let a society that can’t be pleased do it for you.

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OPINION

SEXISM IN THE CLASSROOM Boys seem to be falling behind in the classroom, while girls are pulling ahead.

OPINION BY EMMA DARGY

“S

PAGE DESIGN BY LAURA KRAMER

exism in the Classroom”… ah, yes. You have just read the title of my column and are now really contemplating on whether or not to even read another story by another girl that is complaining about women’s rights and stereotypes. Well hold your horses, dang it, because this is not your typical sexism story. Boys… this one’s for you. *Gasps* *woman faints in the audience* *baby cries in the distance* “EMMA NO!!!!” When it comes to feminism and equal rights, a lot of people tend to believe that it is all about helping out the females. And most of the time, as women tend to end up on the short side of the stick, that is the case. However, looking at academics and the classroom, the roles have seemed to be reversed. Boys these days are under performing the girls, and it simply does not add up. According to Time Magazine, in an article that discusses sexism in the classroom, boys receive lower grades than girls even when their test scores are equal to or higher than that of the girls. When looking at the percentage of students with failing grades, two thirds of them are the male students. The question that remains is, why?

MAY 2016

Around the middle of the twentieth century, females began to be integrated into schools across America. Women were finally going to college and getting degrees. Opportunity was knocking, and women could finally answer the door. We are all aware of the common differences between males and females. Males hold stronger physical attributes. They are good at math and hands on activities. They show less emotion and tend to be wild children. Females, on the other hand, are more talkative. They tend to focus on emotions and pleasing others. They are better listeners and typically more calm. So, it was no surprise that as they entered the education system they began pulling ahead in the classrooms: places where listening, following instructions, and being neat and organized are praised and rewarded. Yes, today, grades are subjectively given. The wellsocialized boys, whose positive attitudes match that of the girls, receive higher grades than girls. However, the boys who lack enthusiasm for learning and interaction in class receive lower grades than girls. And,

unfortunately, the latter is much more prevalent. More and more girls are taking the AP classes and becoming valedictorians of schools across America. “Boys will be boys.” This mentality taken on by many teachers is only hurting the male student population. And it’s all a downward cycle. As the girls continue to surpass the boys in the classroom, the expectations that teachers hold the boys to meet are continually lowered. Boys simply don’t find the same pride they do in the classroom that they do out on the field. So what can be done? Does the problem lie with the teaching styles and the way that society expects boys to learn? Do the boys just need buck up and get serious about academics? Or maybe society needs to change the difference in ways we praise male and female adolescents? Because as time goes on and the females continue to work for equality, the males deserve to achieve it too. The boys deserve an equal opportunity in the classroom if females are going to demand it outside of it.

THE SCEPTER

I want to thank the readers for motivating us to bring you quality news stories.-Trevor

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The Scepter was really great this year because of the staff! Also thanks to the students who read every issue. -Angela B.

Thank you to the Scepter staff for giving me so many good memories and putting all the hard work in that you guys do. To the readers, thank you for supporting us. Scepter has thanks to you. been great -Kayla S. I would like to thank all off the hardworking staff, the readers for motivating us & making this all possible, & Roha for helping me realize my love for Journalism & to pursue it in college. -Sam L. Thank you staff for being my home away from home, you never fail to put a smile on my face. To Broha, I can’t thank you enough for helping me discover my passion for design. It truly changed my life. You’re the man. -Laura K.

ILLUSTRATION BY LAURA KRAMER

Being on the Scepter staff has been one of my favorite experiences during high school. Thanks to all the readers for being so supportive. -Hailey M. To

the readers: more fulfilling you reading it Thanks to all our hard work. staff who let class for inter-

nothing was than seeing in the halls. who support & to all of the us interrupt views. -Ally S.

Thank you 6th hour the in my day, & the readers all worth it.

Even though I the scenes in the Scepter, I thank you for allowing me to be the Business Manager on the side. -John N.

for making bright spot thank you to for making it -Jordan M.

was behind the making of want to

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I’d and like to the ra fri end than a pa ndom s thr k the M o rt o o f a est c ugh Sce ABO th nar om this VE ny o b the e b ch N THAN AND r st o of a e Th st nation is Than KYO BEY one-c ank tion. exp ks S U FO OND r e Cal you eri ce R S e . aders Bei p M. e Being for th ng nc ter UP o e p e a o st two he roam apa lpe n the I’ll cr th e rt of this staf years. I have ories o n d f f is unlike a weird e ing made countless mem halls in m Sc re n truly a o E . Th ake ept y o u e r white long thing else at PLHS! W s. -Em EA C s ank the e l e o t G b m e t e n a D. TO H a st S THE STA ves but I wouldn’t wa ISSUE ein OUR G pu o ev O I F R N UN F O G sh et g an HARD WO IQUE AND AM , THANK YOU FEADER ing e S, . A R a be Can’t mazing s K AND ALL T ZING. TO OUR R -KEL . t L a S H ff . You gu am en one wait to s ys h E COMPLIMENwThole ye EY R. e e az o h s i ar an thi av e e mad n ow you im f o r! made g pub my greatest hig a C e p hrista R. rove year after y h schoo th veryon e bes m e lication. Thank l exper e o t s e han k who has iences. T you to th step o t. ew u thing -Lindsey L t of my comfort e readers without you, w ould be nothz o . Taking I ha time to lo one & most of all thank y u Roha for always ve to s ok school career, the only ay is tha nk you. T back on my high opene h le time a Scepter was d and t hank you ank you for every sing for e the Pu lse.-David C. ach and every visit to

ff & sta nc er rie le t pt pe op ack K ex pe ld p MA IN o T TO OR or b g f for s P ew er aff har an v t e h r s ept ne w be o to c y r us

FROM TH SENIORSE

SPECIAL EDITION

Senior Sendoffs

016 Thank you to the seniors for helping out the rest of the staff with our stories and page designs. Would not be the Scepter without you. -Kassidy B. I would like to thank the seniors for guiding us through this year and helping the new staff members feel welcome. - Alexa B. Dear seniors, thanks for working hard till the end when you’re ready to get out of here. The Scepter wouldn’t look as good if it were not for editors & leaders as great as you guys are. We will miss you so much! -Marissa N.

WESOME

, AND R READER S K YOU!

HE RS

Thank you for all of your hard work. -Alex S.

Thank you Ally for being an inspiration in all that you have done for me, -Julia H.

TO THE

SENIORS

ch lut pire c re in ins ng all ff mo ma i u om Yo sta , Em my s c ll S. the osite ade hope y a Wi , & pp u m . I hon - us r o yo son en r e & r io a e or pol u all, pe ve b cept e a a S o th y y as I h ur ! e w for ing o g v e n o o thi ng av lp n gr very aki u h s he I ca nk a h & o m t y e o y a th le yo ck, y ro annoy e nt joy alw lexib wor A. i m , c r a r S & fo o f ism nie For Lau tting me n, the G. T s l a keeping it fun. ! u r a e f o l ks are urna -Mel s f n r e o f s s r ch e u k r m so o u n e B yo a k ys n jo ear. To Trevor & Sam, th dsey, than u. You made class md luck! larious-n ve i with lay ts. For Lin d up to yoa see you later. Goo your hi ho ha K. T y xt y d ou r n f a f g me. No one wil ever a odbye, it’s B. Thank you so much fo niors w ne e e se gs! -M ork & al of a family. This isn’t go -Camryn e h t ll a to u r n w i o ank yo Dargy. You j st get me. nnah C. Th re going to great th ur hard you f h! -C ’ u u a k o S o y u H n y l a m ! l a l g for a ti e here unforgetable know C. Thank you B. Th king me k Ally & ki life treats you well, I years! -CJ the future. -Brendon a ma or than ys m w ork with yo last fe ht path f aking everyday fun & alwa ant to nd for ill m ored to w t & settinugall the g w a i I w er g, or m Kaylee P. look grea ulse. -Andus on th Thank you f interesting. - ing entertainin us. We r . P o yth e er w H e v t e f li Scepter & L. nce aking d it & always keeping for m g us out & being guidar. -Lauren. u o when I nee you.-Trevor y n a I i e k y lp t K. han ghout the s he nnah g me throu always tr us L. Thank y T alway & helpin ople you always are. -HaL. r ou o f e l r e a while. -Nico eing so welco this ye zing p interesting. -Emily

u you e p

We love you guys! Seniors of the Scepter staff, thank you for everything you all do. -Elliot W.

h te ve fo he I ab ankr m ryd r alw o ha lp sol s t ore ay. l t rt y nk y ed utely o m gl la he ou ou me l ng am ire N ene put for is s y ev . Yo . Th rgy ou e r y u g an lo da u ts

Seniors, thank you for being so patient & reliable this year. It has truly been fun & I hope you enjoyed this year. Best wishes to life outside of high school. -Brittany K. Thank you seniors for making my experience on the Scepter staff one to remember. & special shoutout to Emma Dargy... you rock! -Pi M. Shoutout to the whole senior team, especially to Laura and Christa, for saving my page more times than I can count! -Raina D. Ally, I aspire to leave a mark behind as great as the one you have. You are so passionate about all you do. It is amazing. -Julia H.

ming y ama ach da Thank you for bor being the h ard-working ctive & e class in years. -Dylan N. f s r nks senio u enior Tha y T. king this year fun & prod s a staff. -Gabb Thanks for ma rything & for being the best simprove a ll helped me bea e Thanks for ev or motivating us helping us ulse. You and photographer f r & Thanks seniors all you do for the Scepter & Ptter write -Hayley P. be a Thank you f or e m co MAY 2016

THE SCEPTER