PLHS Scepter April 2016 by PLHS Scepter

APRIL 2016

ISSUE 5 VOLUME 53 WWW.PLPULSE.COM

T HE

SCEPTER A PUBLICATION OF PAPILLION-LA VISTA HIGH SCHOOL

TABLE OF CONTENTS HAPPENINGS

45 67 89 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 &

Step Into the Future

Buzzing for Butterflies

Undivided

ACTION Still Swinging Spring Into Action

18 19 20 21 22 23 &

Back from the Grove

The Early Bird Gets to Learn

From Student, to Master, to Teacher

SPOTLIGHT

A&E

How to Save a Life

Blast from Prom Past

24 25 27 28 29 30 31 &

In the Spotlight

Branching Out

Not your Average Student

Papio Pranksters Morning Buzz

The Night is Young

OPINION

The Feeling’s Musical

A+ Parents

Junior Ayo Akinwole drives to the hoop against Omaha Burke. The Monarchs won 69-54 and eventually went on to the state semi-finals. COVER PHOTO: GABBY TINGSTAD COVER DESIGN: CAMRYN BOWERS

Defining a Sport

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.

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IN IO N

EN IN GS

Alexander Strehle Elliott Wolbach Hannah Im Raina Dodge Alexa Busby Alina Cook

Writers:

Pi Moore Hayley Piatkowski Dylan Nicholson Brendon Boatwright Nathan Gendler Hannah Cahill

Editor: Emma Dargy Writers: Cal Mathison Faith Workman

Editors: CJ Curry & David Chavarria

PL PULSE

Editor: Brena Groeper Photographers: Cameron Houser Marissa Newman

OS OT

Webmaster: Jake Zink Web Content: Andrew Hampton

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

Editors:

Trevor Jurjevich & Will Synowiecki

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

Editors: Angela Bober & Brittany Kellner Writers:

LIG OT SP

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

Editors: Ally Sargus & Sam Laughlin Writers:

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

T AC

DESIGN

Making America Diverse Again

OPINION BY KELLEY RYAN

› SCEPTER CO-MANAGING EDITOR

t’s year two of your foreign language class. The end is in sight. You’ve gotten your two credits and now you’ll never need to write, speak, or listen to another language besides English again. But wait, it’s 2016. Unfortunately, racism is still present in America and has even infiltrated politics. Foreign language in our schools is one way to create an understanding of others and emphasize the importance of creating a tolerance for different ethnicities.

APRIL 2016

It is difficult to learn a language different from your own, and that makes it easier to understand just how hard it is for people to come to America without knowing English. They have to learn new cultural norms and adjust to a new culture, all the while barely understanding what anyone is saying. That’s when people with no tolerance for others step in and say maybe they should stay out of America. Two things: one- everyone deserves to live wherever they want to, especially if they just want a better life. Secondly, don’t forget that so-called “Americans” were not the first to settle America. Native Americans were here long before the Pilgrims ventured over here. So basically we’re all immigrants as well. Once people accept that America is a melting pot filled with

people from all over, a tolerance can be created. Even if it’s not a wide-scale thing, at least people of Papio can be accepting. Taking a foreign language should not feel like a chore; it’s actually making you a better candidate for many jobs. People who are bilingual may get paid more or be considered for a job over someone who only speaks English. We are lucky that we can go just about anywhere around the world and find someone who knows English. Not everyone gets that opportunity. If granted the chance to learn about a new culture, take it. Diversity in America is present and always will be. People of different races are not the problem; it’s the people filled with hate who are. So, in short, encourage tolerance and accept others. Make our generation be the change we need in the world.

THE SCEPTER

Evan Lamontagne prints a 3D school logo using the school printer. PHOTOS: KELLEY RYAN

Step Into The

Future

Students see their imagination take form through the use of 3D priners.

BY ELLIOTT WOLBACH

PAGE DESIGN BY CHRISTINA FISCHER

orget printing out an essay; imagine being able to print out a mini Eiffel Tower. Students are able to bring their own designs to life with the help of 3D printers. These are machines that create a 3D model based on a computer designed drawing. Mr. Dana Janssen said that the 3D printers they are currently using are two years old. There were mechanical errors that lead them to switch to the newer ones. These printers work similarly to how glue guns do. They heat up material, usually plastic, and lay it down layer after layer. The material hardens and out comes the designed model. If the material gets stuck in the nozzle, it can lead to the model being misshapen or even ruined. Currently the 3D printers are being used in two major classes,

HAPPENINGS

IDEA [Introduction to Design, Engineering and Architecture] and EAD [Engineering, Architecture, and Design] according to Janssen. IDEA is Janssen’s first level class. In this class, students create action figures they can take home after they print them out. The students design their models using a computer software called “Inventor.” Janssen said that in order to print the models, students take them from Inventor and bring it into “Maker Ware,” a software sponsored by the makers of the 3D printers. For Janssen’s third year class, EAD, the use of the 3D printers is more relevant. “In the first quarter, we made a Go-Pro attachment that had real world relevance,” junior Brian Marousek said. This project had students design their own attachments using

SPOTLIGHT

ACTION

the computer software and then print them out. Another project that EAD students are undertaking is called Research and Development where students create at least three parts of a machine on the computer and print them off on the 3D printer. “The challenge is to get a golf ball into a cup,” Marousek said. “We can print as many parts as we want to make it work.” Students are making the most of this, printing all kinds of structural parts to create their own machines. These parts come in various shapes and sizes. The time it takes parts to be printed out varies with the size of the part. According to Janssen the longest print that they have done was 36 hours. This was an exceptionally large part; other prints range in between a few hours to 20 minutes

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OPINION

bottom of it, the 3D printer has to build what is called a “support raft.” This uses a lot of the material before it starts printing the actual part. Janssen said that the amount of raft versus the amount of product

for a part that is the size of an index finger. 3D printer are useful tools to help further students’ education. “You can learn a lot about [the 3D printers] and how they make parts,” Marousek said. “They are really useful to build parts [that you need].” Students can create anything that they need to complete a project, but there is a catch when creating a complex part. In the case of a part that has a hollow surface on the

is more or less equal, so half of the material is wasted. These wasted materials can add up and can be costly for the classes. This does not happen all the time, and most of the parts are efficiently made. The 3D printer can make parts with different colors and

materials. “It is cool to make parts different colors,” Marousek said. 3D printers are useful tools that allow students to see physical products that would have only pictures on a screen. Using these, students can learn more about engineering and architecture by experiencing it first hand. In doing so, students are taking a step into the future.

Buzzing for B B Butterflies B

he pits are a lively place, usually swarming with all kinds of students looking to socialize or take a break. Even during after-school events, participants, actors, athletes, and musicians head there to relax between activities. Tomorrow, April 2, the pits will be filled with a new kind of visitors eating baked goods and chatting about improbable questions: Quiz Bowl competitors. The Green Team and Quiz Bowl team are hosting the first-ever Earth Day Quiz Bowl competition. Volunteers from both clubs will be pulling out all the stops to make this competition its best by managing every aspect, from the quiz rounds to the bake sale. All of the proceeds will go towards planting the Monarch Pollinator Garden. Members from both groups are contributing to the garden’s completion. Green Team members have worked to raise awareness for the environment, encourage community involvement and plan the garden. Quiz Bowl members volunteered to plan and run the competition. Senior Timmy Saqueton has led teams to victory at Quiz Bowl competitions before. But now, he’s taking charge of running registration and scorekeeping at the competition. To him, this is a team effort; he is just as much a teammate as everyone else. “Really, we’re all leaders, because we all have equal roles,”

HAPPENINGS

Saqueton said. Running a competition is more than just plugging in buzzers and tracking points, though. A successful match needs questions, equipment, scorekeepers, snacks and more. With around a dozen teams attending, competitions provide a lot of chaos to control. “It’s exciting,” senior Ryan Kendall said. “It’s kind of hectic and there’s a lot going on.” In competition, teams of four square off in an attempt to answer the most questions within fifteen minutes. Both the morning and afternoon rounds are filled with obscure (and sometimes not-so obscure) trivia about all topics, from the Civil War to classical literature to word formation. These questions tend to be phrased in unusual and occasionally downright confusing ways. The key to winning, then, is obscure knowledge and a quick mind that can implement it. Some team members, like Kendall and junior Tyler Vermeer, can claim a specialty area like geography or history. Others, like freshman Jack Cosgrove, simply want to hear questions they know how to answer. Still, a successful team is more than a list of skills, in both Quiz Bowl and elsewhere. Just like a Quiz Bowl team gets its moxie from personalities that mesh well, the Green Team is finding success through fellow gardeners,

SPOTLIGHT

ACTION

Quiz Bowl and Green Team join forces to host the Earth Day Quiz Bowl meet.

BY RAINA DODGE

students and district employees. This network of support is working towards a ground-breaking ceremony on April 22. Mrs. Amy Himes, sponsor of both Green Team and Quiz Bowl, is looking forward to the experience of hosting other schools. To her, hosting is “so fun, but it’s a lot of work.” Cosgrove, who is working as a scorekeeper at the competition, is curious about “the learning experience” of “being on the other side of the questions.” Thanks to the contributions of many volunteers and community members, the Green Team will be able to put all of this competition’s profit into creating a natural space north of the cafeteria. If all goes well, this event could contribute $1000 towards plants, landscaping and structures for the garden. This is all due to the work of volunteers who will bake goods for the bake sale, read questions and keep score during competition rounds. Most Quiz Bowl team members are working as scorekeepers, and teachers such as Mrs. Becky Hoch and Mrs. Bre Wilton will be reading questions. This garden will truly be a labor of love, but every step closer to a greener school is a step towards a greener world. With the help of the local community, the Green Team will soon be able to draw both kinds of Monarchs into a new garden.

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OPINION

Building a Team What kinds of people do you need on a successful team?

der a e L e Th

Can you answer some of the

Weirdest Questions

team members have heard?

The Flex Player

Timmy Saqueton: What element was called “liquid silver” in Greek?

The Reliable One

Madison Zink: What state is known as the “Dark and Bloody Ground State”?

The Geography Buff Clockwise from top left: Timmy Saqueton, Jack Cosgrove, Tyler Vermeer, Ryan Kendall

Mrs. Himes: What was broken when Freddy Fernwauld broke his femur?

Huyen-Yen Hoang: Which famous play makes multiple references to parting?

Ryan Kendall: Which naval battle marked the first time each side’s ships neither saw nor fired upon each other?

Answers: 1. Mercury 2. Kentucky 3. His leg 4. Romeo and Juliet 5. The Battle of the Coral Sea

APRIL 2016

THE SCEPTER

Students had the chance to experience different foods and cultures that connect the world during Foreign Language Week.

BY HANNAH IM

PAGE DESIGN BY CHRISTINA FISHER

here are about 6,900 languages in the world, according to the Linguistic Society of America. Of these countless languages, students at PLHS have the chance to learn Spanish, French, German and Russian. Between March 7 and 13, posters about foreign languages were hung in the hallways, most focusing on the foreign language week theme of the year: “Languages Enrich…”. Language classes worked on posters, completed projects and featured foreign exchange students as guest speakers. “The week highlights the benefits of learning a foreign language,” French teacher Ms. Dianne Halligan said. Foreign Language Week gave students to experience and explore more than just the classroom curriculum. “We [had] an international food day, where students [brought] in food from another culture,” Spanish teacher Mrs. Cyndi Berve said. Since every language is different, there are many cultural and linguistic differences between them. “The way you pronounce each language is one of the major differences,” said senior Jorden Benis, who is taking Russian and Spanish. Despite the challenge of keeping two languages separate from each other, students are encouraged

HAPPENINGS

to take as many foreign languages as possible. “You have to be willing to work at it,” Berve said. Studying another language also comes with responsibilities for the speakers. “It can be hard to keep the two languages separate,” said sophomore Kayla Farley, who is learning Spanish and French. While learning another language seems overwhelming, the advantages may outweigh some of the drawbacks. “It definitely changes your perspective, improves your memory, and makes you think about your own language,” Farley said. Benis similarly believes “learning any language is worth it” because languages “open up literacy” and improve “memorization of vocabulary.” Overall, language is a key factor in being connected with the entire world. “Just like the theme for this year says, [languages] enrich lives, friendship, culture and even ACT scores,” Halligan said.

SPOTLIGHT

FRENCH The French language is closely related to English and Italian because of its Latin roots.

BCC.com

ACTION

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OPINION

Students participated in an in-class food day and a language club food gettogether during Foreign Language Week. Spanish club members also read books in Spanish at Parkview Heights. PHOTOS: HEATHER SLUGA, TREVOR LEWIS, AND FAITH BOKELMAN

SPANISH

GERMAN

RUSSIAN

The US has 40 million native Spanish speakers.

The German language is known for having the longest words.

Russian is becoming the international language of space.

CNN.com

Mentalfloss.com

APRIL 2016

Foxnews.com

THE SCEPTER

Students will be ahead in the process of learning Spanish, given the opportunity to start a year earlier.

the early bird

GETS TO LEARN

BY ALINA COOK

PAGE DESIGN BY CHRISTINA FISHER

Mrs. Wittrig gives students the opportunity to learn Spanish. PHOTOS: BRENA GROEPER

s incoming eighth graders fill out their schedules, one big question always comes to mind; ‘What electives will I take?’ For the eighth grade class of 2016-2017, one new elective will be available. Spanish One will be offered to these eighth graders starting next school year, giving them an opportunity never before seen in our district. “The earlier students start learning a foreign language, the easier it will be to pick up,” Spanish teacher Rhonda Ballance said. Many Spanish Two classes will now be filled with freshmen as opposed to being sophomores through seniors only. “There won’t be as many freshmen taking Spanish One, so the classes will hopefully stay the same size,” Ballance said. Sophomore Ally Glaser started taking Spanish classes in eighth grade at Hickory Hill Middle

HAPPENINGS

School in Missouri, and is now taking Spanish 3. “I’m hoping to take Spanish all four years of high school, but starting in eighth grade really helped me jump-start the learning process,” Glaser said. All three district middle schools will be getting this new program. “We are the last metro school district to do this,” Ballance said. “All of the teachers are very excited to make the change.” Learning Spanish helps students improve on their English skills as well as opening their minds a new concept of language. “The more you study Spanish, the more you learn about your own native language,’ Ballance said. “For instance, you don’t think about conjugating verbs in English until you’ve had to do it in Spanish.” According to Sterling Academy, students that take at

SPOTLIGHT

ACTION

least two years of the same foreign language generally score better on the SAT and ACT. If students were to start taking Spanish in the eighth grade and also take it freshman year, then they would be ahead on the road to college. “Spanish could get me to stand out when I’m applying for colleges,” Glaser said. With this elective being new to eighth grade, some students wish they had the same opportunity. “If I had been able to take Spanish as an eighth grader, then I wouldn’t need to take it until junior year to get three credits of the same language,” sophomore Casey Hirschfeld said. Spanish in the eighth grade will benefit the eighth graders as they prepare for college and continue to learn the language, as well as teach them more about their own language.

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OPINION

HOW O SAVE A LIFE

jhhjg PAGE DESIGN BY CAMRYN BOWERS Students share their experiences in learning and applying First Aid to everyday life

BY EMILY LINGELBACH

he ability to save lives sounds like a type of superpower, but for some students this skill is reality. They have the potential to be the difference between someone’s life and death, so basically they are superheroes, minus the tight suit. Some students have learned CPR and First Aid at a young age, so they were always ready and know what to do in an emergency. “I first learned CPR when I was 11 and started babysitting,” senior Jaime Andersen said. “Later on, I got more advanced education on CPR and how to use AED.” CPR and First Aid skills are taught at many different places and are considerably short classes given their benefits. “Since I took it through the Health Academy, it was a few

HAPPENINGS

weeks long,” senior Mylinh Luc said. For most people with CPR and First Aid knowledge it is extremely rewarding to be able to help others. “The biggest benefit is saving a life,” junior Cammi Johnston said. “There is no better thing than knowing you saved somebody’s loved one.” Performing First Aid and CPR can be stressful and sometimes it can end in tragedy. “You can not save everyone,” Johnston said. “God has a plan for everyone, and sometimes unfortunately, His plan is to take them.” Not only are these skills a good idea to have for lifethreatening emergencies that can happen, but also for future potential jobs. “I plan on pursuing a

SPOTLIGHT

career in the health field,” Luc said. “So being CPR certified is definitely beneficial in the long run.” When a person is performing CPR or First Aid there can be many emotions running through their heads. “It gives me confidence to be armed with CPR knowledge,” Andersen said. “Any situation like this is scary, but if you are well informed, it is not as scary.” These students take pride in knowing the knowledge and ability to save lives is in the palm of their hands. “Knowing the skills to saving someone’s life outweighs the nervousness,” Luc said. “In most cases being CPR certified increases the chances of saving someone’s life.”

ACTION

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OPINION

Thomas Cahill and Michael Heaton choose to enlist into the military after high school instead of going to college.

BY GABBY TINGSTAD

PAGE DESIGN BY LAURA KRAMER

HAPPENINGS

s your high school years come to an end, the neverending question as to where you will attend college rings in your ear everywhere you go. You are at a family event and your aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents ask you, “So, where are you going to college?” In each class, teachers pester you and pound on the homework, claiming they are “only trying to prepare you for your future.” Applying for typical jobs, many managers ask the simple question as to where you intend to go to school next year, and what you aspire to do after your high school years. But, what do you respond when college is not a part of your post high school plans? Junior Michael Heaton and senior Thomas Cahill, seek to enlist in the military straight out of high school. Preparations for joining the

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ACTION

military vary greatly from getting ready to move to a university campus. Instead of buying books and supplies for class, Heaton and Cahill ready themselves for basic training. “I have to prepare both mentally and physically for basic training, and I am trying to work out as much as possible before basic training,” Cahill said. There are many reasons why one may choose this path because of the many opportunities that may come out of enlisting. “I have wanted to serve in the military since I was a kid,” Heaton said. “I am interested in aviation, like to travel and see new places, and many military jobs appeal to me.” Not only are the experiences plus-sides to enlisting, but many other factors come in to play as well. “I don’t have to worry about paying for college, and when I do attend college, my G.I. bill will allow me to get free education,” Cahill

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OPINION

said.

Heaton and Cahill are not the first generations in their families to serve in the military. Both see this as a motivation to prepare for basic training and to serve our country. Heaton has aspirations to join the Air Force and looks to follow in his father’s footsteps. “I want to become a police officer after the military like my dad,” Heaton said. “My goal would be to land a job flying a police helicopter.” So, when Heaton and Cahill are asked where they are planning to attend college, their answer may come as a surprise. And with this answer, many times the follow up question, “Why are you joining?” is quick to follow. And that answer is easy. “I have a great pride in my country, and a great desire to serve,” Heaton said.

branching

out

APRIL 2016

THE SCEPTER

NOT YOUR

AVERAGE STUDENT

From a young age, sophomore Joey Silknitter has learned to juggle and do magic. He continues learning new tricks and has even set a new record.

BY CLAIRE NEIL

PAGE DESIGN BY CAMRYN BOWERS

Silknitter performs at Vala’s Pumpkin Patch and sets a new record of the fastest time to solve a rubik’s cube while holding a baby. PHOTOS: JOEY SILKNITTER

HAPPENINGS

SPOTLIGHT

ACTION

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OPINION

He stood in front of the crowd with shaking knees. His small arsenal of juggling abilities and card tricks trembled in the face of fifty strangers. Everything that he had worked for came down to this moment. Since sophomore Joey Silknitter’s first performance, he has come to love performing. “I love to see others smile and react,” Silknitter said. Before Silknitter learned magic, he learned to juggle when he was 10. “My father got me into it,” Silknitter said. “He does it professionally and always showed me bits and pieces. One day it just stuck!” Silknitter currently does shows through his dad’s company, performs at Valas and performs at the Old Market in the summer. “I always knew Joey was good at juggling, but I learned later about his talent in magic,” sophomore Cassie Lingreen said. Lingreen met Silknitter in Jr. High when they were both National

APRIL 2016

Junior Honor Society officers together. Lingreen saw him perform for their 8th grade class, as well as at Mr. Monarch this year. Silknitter assissted Austin Cruz with his performance at Mr. Monarch. They asked the crowd for volunteers to write a secret down. Once the secrets were written down, they had a volunteer come on stage and silently read the secret: “I can’t ride a bike.” Cruz and the volunteer drew a picture and then revealed their pictures to the crowd; they were different. The volunteer drew a picture of a bike and Cruz drew a picture of a box. Cruz and Silknitter then found a box on stage and pulled a long piece of paper out of a tube in the box that had a picture of a bike on it and the same message. “My favorite part of the Mr. Monarch show was when he unraveled the answer,” Lingreen said. “It left me with a lot of questions.” Along with juggling and magic, Silknitter also cycles, plays soccer, is in the fine arts department,

plays trombone, and is involved in numerous clubs. Recently, Silknitter was babysitting and decided to try to be productive and set a record. “I have always known about the website called RecordSetter. It is like Guinness but it has a lot more records,” Silknitter said. Silknitter took a video of himself holding a baby while solving a Rubik’s Cube and set the record time of 39 seconds. After solving the record, the Omaha World Herald found out about it, and interviewed him for the living section. “It’s awesome that Joey is getting out there and promoting himself,” Lingreen said. “I hope he continues to advance in his career.” Silknitter is constantly trying new things and encourages others to do so also. “If anyone ever wants to learn something whether it is juggling or singing, go online and learn it!” Silknitter said. “The more you can fit into your brain the better.”

THE SCEPTER

BY LAUREN LAFOND PAGE DESIGN BY CAMRYN BOWERS

or underclassmen, it is a ticket to popularity, but for upperclassmen the it is just another prom ticket sold. It is a dance set aside for juniors and seniors, but year after year underclassmen find their way into prom. Some upperclassmen believe prom is only for juniors and seniors and some underclassmen do not feel very welcome. “I’m actually really nervous and intimidated because of the upperclassmen,” sophomore Cameron Nuss said. “I’m hoping to meet more people and I hope they are welcoming,” While there may be upperclassmen against freshmen and sophomores going to prom, Nuss is not letting them bring her down. She is looking on the bright side and beginning to prepare for the big

HAPPENINGS

night. “Some of my friends were really excited and wanted to go dress shopping with me,” Nuss said. Sophomore Carly Lindenmeyer is a little more lax and has slightly different feelings towards prom approaching. “I’m not nervous,” Lindenmeyer said. “I’m friends with some of the juniors going and I know some sophomores going too.” Both Nuss and Lindenmeyer have upperclassmen boyfriends that will accompany them to the dance. While the event will be a new experience for both girls, they share high hopes. “I’ve heard it’s better than how Homecomings are,” Lindenmeyer said. “I hope it’s true.” Prom can be exciting yet overwhelming as the date rolls

SPOTLIGHT

ACTION

What do you think of underclassmen going to prom?

51%

49%

I disagree with it.

Underclassmen share their excitement and fears about going to prom.

It doesn’t bother me.

THE NIGHT IS YOUNG

nearer. There are countless hours of prep that goes into the night, like finding the “perfect” dress. “I got my dress and it was very stressful,” Nuss said. “I had no idea where to start and I’m scared it’s not going to look how I want it to.” However, the stresses and pressures of prom seem to fall away when it comes down to what prom is really about. It is a night to make memories that will last forever. “I’m most excited to dress up and spend the night dancing and having a good time,” Nuss said. “Since Evan [Lamontagne] is a senior, it’s nice to go to a dance with him before he goes off to college.” No matter whether you believe underclassmen should or shouldn’t go to prom, it is inevitable and it is a special night for everyone who steps foot on the dance floor on that April evening.

Out of 180 students on Twitter

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OPINION

+ A

WIith the arrival of three newborn Monarchs, these teachers’ parenting skills will be put to the test.

parents

anic is filling the room. A swarm of doctors and nurses are filing in. Yelling is engulfing the whole floor for hours. You don’t think this will ever end when suddenly, after all the screaming, there is clarity and only one little cry filling the room. A baby is born. Teachers Mr. Mike Pokorski, Mrs. Mary Collier, and Mr. Sean McLaughlin have all experienced this memory that will stay with them forever. Teachers already have a hefty schedule, but then must come home to grade papers, or assignments from the current day. “With having a kid, I’m not able to stay as late, and have to do more work at home,” Collier said. The time leading up to the birth is very stressful. An innumerable amount of things can go wrong, but focusing on the most basic of things can be calming. “I was focusing on whether it was going to be a boy or girl,” Pokorski said. “The suspense was awesome!” Collier, however, had a very unique state of mind. When she was getting prepared for leave, she was still focused and determined to do the very best for her job.

APRIL 2016

BY HUNTER POMBRIO

“When I was getting ready for maternity leave it felt like I was leaving behind 100 kids of mine,” Collier said. With teaching being a full time job, it can be difficult to take care of a newborn at home. Many teachers have to rely on daycare or a family member to look after their children. While McLaughlin works full time, his wife looks after their newborn son, Miles. Teaching is a unique career because they teach hundreds of kids everyday at work, and then come home to even more. When teaching youth everyday, views on how teachers must raise their own are bound to change. “I see how parents have raised some kids. I say hello to some, and all I get back is a grunt,” Collier said.“I will raise my child to have better manners than those individuals.” As one can see, educators are more than just the career they have. They are people that have to deal with children at home and work everyday and expect nothing in return.

Miles Daniel McLaughlin

Date of Birth: Feb. 24, 2016 Weight & Length: 7 lbs 13 oz & 20 in

Katie Collier

Date of Birth: Oct. 6, 2015 Weight & Length: 6lbs 8oz & 19 in

Marta Pokorski

Date of Birth: Dec. 31, 2015 Weight & Length: 8 lbs & 21in

THE SCEPTER

STILL Jonah Roberts opens up about life in the octagon.

SWINGING

BY NATE GENDLER PAGE DESIGN BY JORDAN MURPHY

hen people think about school sports and activities, they usually think about football, basketball, show choir, dance, and track. One student at PLHS, though, is making himself known in a different sport: fighting. Junior Jonah Roberts has spent over 10 years fighting in numerous styles involving martial arts and American fighting. Young yet mature, Roberts has fought in nearly every style. Roberts has spent years training and fighting. He currently fights in the 140-150 weight class, and at the age of 18, Roberts hopes to line up MMA fights, since it is legal starting at 18 to fight in this style in the state of Nebraska. “I originally started karate as a kid,” Roberts said. “I did it to help my speech impediment. I started fighting at eight years old. It was something to do, something to take my mind off of the impediment.”

From then on, Roberts kicked off a near lifetime of fighting. “Muay Thai, Jiu Jitsu, Wrestling and Boxing.” Roberts said. “Those are the activities I spend my time doing now. Some I love and some I don’t. But they are fun so, why not.”

TOP: A young fan smiles for a picture alongside Roberts.

PHOTO: Roberts Family LEFT: Roberts takes some time off from the octagon and hangs around some fellow fighters.

PHOTO: Roberts Family

HAPPENINGS

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OPINION

This year, Roberts wrestled for PLHS and new head coach, Braumon Creighton. He says it helped his training. “I train out of Premier combat and DG’s Boxing club.” Roberts said. “My training consists of a mile warm up jog, speed bag, heavy bag drills, sparring, jump rope, feet drills, and possibly the worst, rolling telephone polls across the tops of our shins to toughen them up, and keep them from breaking during a fight.”

For Roberts, his love of fighting has developed greatly in the past 10 years of his life. He has learned to love certain fighting styles and push himself to get better at them. “I prefer to fight Muay Thai, right now,” Roberts said. “Although I have started focusing on boxing more, and it might be my new favorite.” With usually three to six fights a year, usually winning many of them, boxing has become an

increasingly fun activity for Roberts. As the spring season starts to rise, Roberts will practice nearly every day in the next few months, in order to prepare himself and his body for numerous fights ahead. Each time Roberts straps the gloves on and steps into the ring or octagon, he resorts back to his instinct. Whether he continues to fight past high school or not, Roberts has definitely left a legacy in and around the ring.

TOP: Roberts stays on guard in a gym photo shoot. Fighters of all weights, ages and sizes compete with and around Roberts.

PHOTO: Roberts Family

RIGHT: Roberts and VFC professional Seth Bass stand together. After he gains experience in Mixed Martial Arts, Roberts hopes to fight at the same level as Bass.

PHOTO: Roberts Family APRIL 2016

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Spring Action Into

With the final months of school ahead, spring sports are in full swing.

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BY PI MOORE PAGE DESIGN BY JORDAN MURPHY

ETHAN ANDERSON

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Our major goal is to get better every day and focus more as a team.

Our major goal is to get a state title and stay smart on and off the track. JACK NOBLE

Our major goal is to play good baseball every day, host a district, and get into the state tournament. COLIN CHICK

PHOTOS: CAMERON HOUSER, MAKENZI ZIKAS, PLHS JOURNALISM HAPPENINGS

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Our major goal is just to get better as a team and individually.

The team’s main focus is to take each game one at a time, and focus on just winning that game. ALEJANDRO OLVERA

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COURTNEY WALLACE

Our major goal is to be a team and stick together this year.

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MIRANDA SWIFT

Our major goal is to get as far as we can at the state tournament by taking one match at a time.

APRIL 2016

SPENCER ROACH

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After a season-ending injury, senior Caleb Grove beats the odds and gets back out on the track for his last year of hurdles.

BY HANNAH CAHILL

ct. 16 is not an important day. It’s not a holiday, or even a famous actor’s birthday. To most, it is just another repetitive fall day as similar as the last, but for senior Caleb Grove, Oct.16 was the day his dreams came crashing down. An injury is a devastating setback for any athlete, and it can be an especially hard blow to a senior. Grove was one of the unfortunate few who was injured during the fall season of his senior year. He tore his lisfranc ligament, which not only affected his ability to participate in football, but also decreased his chances to fully take part in track season. “Hurdling is the one sport that I am good at and is very important to me,” Grove said. “When I found out how long my injury would last I was on the verge

HAPPENINGS

of tears.” Not only did his injury set him back physically, it also put a halt on all other social activities with his hurdling family. “We had gotten attached to the Hurdle Crew,” senior Austin Cruz said. “Not being able to run with our teammates would be a nightmare.” For Grove, senior year track started off looking pretty grim, but he continued to persevere in order to get back out on the track before the second race came along. “I have a very good feeling about this season, especially with what I have been doing to gain my health back,” Grove said. Grove and his Hurdle Crew are extremely optimistic about his chances of getting to jump again. “All we can hope is that he

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makes big improvements,” Cruz said. “I can’t wait to see him race again.” If he continues to keep a winning attitude, do physical therapy, and work on improving his health, Grove will be able to run as much as his heart desires.

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From Student, to Master, to Teacher

Coaches at PLHS have years of experience, whether it be playing or coaching.

BY BRENDON BOATWRIGHT

so I got to watch them play while growing up.” It has been said that playing a sport is one of the best experiences in life. For Mr. Andre Watts, head boys soccer coach, this statement could not be more true. “Even though I’m getting older, I’ve always loved playing,” Watts said. “If I had to choose I would always wish I could still be 21 and still playing!”

hey were the allstars, the prodigies, the wonder kids. Everyone admired them for the way they played. Now that their careers as players have ended, they coach new and upcoming players on how to play; more importantly, how to be like them. There are many coaches at PLHS who played the sport they are now teaching students. Mr. Dana Janssen is an assistant football coach who works with the wide receivers and develops their skills so they can improve. “My dad coached me when I was little and he made an impact on the kids he coached,” Janssen said. “I However, it is the complete would like to make an impact like he opposite for Siske. did.” “I prefer coaching because it Sports are activities that has to do more with being a leader,” generally run in the family. If a mom Siske said. “I get to have a positive or dad played and enjoyed it, he or effect on the players.” she will try to get his or her kids to Most people would think find the same joy in a sport. that coaches get their techniques “I was introduced to basketball by my dad and my ABOVE PHOTO: brothers,” Mr. Josh Siske, head girls MADYSON MATHISON basketball coach, said. “My brothers are all quite a bit older than me,

APRIL 2016

from ones that they learned in the past from playing. That is not the case for Janssen, though. “I got most of my coaching techniques from Coach Govier,” Janssen said. “90% of the techniques and drills I have learned have come from coaching clinics or other coaches.” These coaches know how their sports work down to a tee from years of playing and coaching. With all the experience they have, it is no wonder they are the coaches here. They transform students’ lives every day, just like what happened to them.

PHOTO: LAURA KRAMER

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n e h T

Blast from

rom season is the time that most of the junior and senior classes stress over. Over time, the stress has risen during the two months leading up to Prom. However, before there were “promposals” and music involving a bass drop, prom was much more simple. Before there were the big and extravagant promposals we know today, there was just the simple faceto-face interaction. “The guys would ask the girls, but only if he knew she wanted to go with him,” Mr. Dave Hubert said. The music has definitely changed since then. Now we have artists like Fetty Wap, Selena Gomez and Beyonce. Proms back then didn’t have that type of music. “We had Chicago, U2, Billy Joel,” Hubert said. It is pretty clear that the style of dance has changed immensely since today’s adults went to prom. The dancing style we have now is mostly fast paced dancing and very little slow dancing, to match the tempo of the music. “The dancing was typical of the time, no big groups, face to face and there was some slow dancing,” Hubert said. One of the biggest misconceptions about prom is that the customs and traditions have changed dramatically. “They haven’t changed as much as you would think,” Hubert said.

HAPPENINGS

It’s safe to say that prom now is somewhat similar to prom back in 1984.

SPOTLIGHT

Prom eight years ago was also somewhat similar to the present. Some things changed for the better and some things remained the same. “The music and styles, I feel like has not changed much since I went to prom,” Ms. Megan McVey said. The dresses have changed a lot since 2008. Most are either very conservative or not at all. “There were no backless dresses, a little more covered in the front and there were mostly long dresses,” McVey said. Even in 2008, students didn’t use the fancy tactics to ask others to Prom. “It wasn’t a big deal and it was pretty low key,” McVey said. Top Left: Band High Heel and the Sneakers plays the newest rock tunes at the 1986 prom.

Above: Senior Joe Boland shows how to properly place a corsage. Left: Junior Dawn Schrepel poses in her dress before the dance.

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Prom Past

BY KASSIDY BROWN

w o N

Throughout the years, prom’s fashion, styles and music have drastically changed. DESIGN BY MELANIE AMWEG

1 Prom now is much more exciting and anticipated by most students. However, most students have high expectations as to what prom this year will hold. “My prom expectations are high. I hope this year will be a lot more fun and I hope the music is better,” senior Elizabeth Polzkill

said. However, most Prom experiences aren’t the best and students hope that it will be different from the year before. “I feel like I’ll have a lot more fun this year than last year,” Polzkill said. “But I don’t think the actual dance will change much.”

Overall, prom has changed since the ‘80s, but not as much as students would think. The traditions have remained similar; however, the fashion and music has not. Hopefully students’ expectations are met this year.

2 Above 1: A group of Monarch girls prepare for the 2015 prom. Above 2: A Monarch prom group takes a quick photo before heading to Senior Sam Laughlin and graduate prom. Gabby Perna take photos prior to the 2015 prom.

APRIL 2016

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Are you still looking for a

PROM DRESS?

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down the street!

Hours Thursday 5-8 p.m. Friday 10-6 Saturday 10-5 Sunday 1-3

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815 Tara Plaza Papillion, NE 68046 (402)-669-2244

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In The

SPOTLIGHT Right: Alaina Deleo (Elle Woods) holds her character’s dog during bows. Middle: Hope McCartney poses as a cheerleader during the song ‘What you Want’. Left: Sean Ryan (Professor Callaghan) sings ‘Blood in the Water’, during Elle’s first day at Harvard. PHOTO: CJ CURRY AND SCHYLER CRUSE

he bright lights surround the stage she stands on. The crowd becomes silent as the spotlight hits her. They begin to roar with delight as she sings just the right note. Backstage, the run crew sits silently waiting for their chance to shine. In the booth, Lights and Sounds whisper quietly to get the next scene ready. In the pit, the band plays its heart out in what is, for some, their last show. All of these crews work together to make this show the best that it can be. The PLHS drama department recently put on “Legally Blonde the Musical”, starring senior Alaina DeLeo as Elle Woods. This show had more than 100 students in the cast and crews. The musical portrayed the life of sorority girl Elle Woods, who learned that being yourself is the best thing that you can be. Junior Jackie Frazier

APRIL 2016

Students from this year’s musical share secrets from behind the scenes.

portrayed Pilar, one of Elle’s best friends. Frazier was also a part of other crews for the show. She was involved in hair and make-up and costume crew. “I love tech days because it is cool to see everything come together,” Frazier said. Another one of the many crews that supported the show was the Lights and Sound crew. This crew programed cues, controlled the sound and worked with the spotlights. “I think that Lights and Sound is more important to the show than people think,” sophomore Lauren Dominello said. “If there was no Lights and Sound, there would be no show.” One thing that PLHS values is tradition, and the drama department does not lack in that category. “Every night before each

BY JULIA HARKER

show we did warm-ups in the choir room,” Frazier said. “These warm-ups are passed down every generation and are led by the seniors. They help us to loosen up and to get our voices ready for the show.” Each crew had their own traditions including lights and sound. “We gather all of the tape that we have used in the show for lights and sound and add it to our tape ball,” Dominello said. “It has tape from years of shows including ‘Miss Saigon’, and ‘Shrek the Musical’.” Although the show may have ended after a couple of months, the relationships that were formed are never ending. “The most important thing I have taken away from the musical is that it takes a two minute audition to be a part of, but in return you gain a forever family,” Frazier said.

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PapioPranksters

Teachers and students at PLHS share their best prank stories.

For more April Fool’s Day fun, check out this story on plpulse.com

BY KAYLEE PENRY

DESIGN BY MELANIE AMWEG

“One of my coaches gave me the keys to his truck to get equipment for practice, and I decided to park his car in the wrestling room instead.”

Mrs. Bre Wilton

“I ripped up a cardboard box into at least 1,000 pieces and I wrote the letters of “Wilton pranks better than Siske” on them and filled Mr. Siske’s desk with them. I gave him until the next day at three o’clock to decode the message.”

“In elementary school I wanted to prank my teacher by putting a fake snake under her desk, and when she saw it she started screaming because she is terrified of snakes.”

Mr. Phil Hansen

“My family was staying at a hotel last year and I moved our car from where it originally was in the parking lot. My dad was about to call the cops because we convinced him that someone stole our car.”

Evan LaMontagne HAPPENINGS

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The Morning Students talk about their caffeine addictions.

BY TREVOR LEWIS

DESIGN BY MELANIE AMWEG

hat do C8H10N4O2, only 200 mg for pregnant women, and coffee all have in common? Everything mentioned involves caffeine. Caffeine is an addictive stimulant that acts like a fake adenosine; it binds all of the adenosine receptors so that adenosine will not slow down cells. In layman’s terms, it wakes you up and allows you to think clearly. It is a substance that is becoming more of a problem for high school students every day. Some students depend on caffeine to wake up and start their day, and to get them going quicker than muddling through the wee hours of the morning. “I drink Red Bull and

Buzz

[Scooters] coffee to wake me up and energize me,” sophomore Cassie Lingreen said. “I also like coffee because it tastes good.” Unfortunately, the addiction doesn’t just take its toll on the health of the user. The dependency also takes a toll on the user’s wallet. “My parents pay for everything. Every weekday I drink coffee, and if I don’t have coffee, then I have Red Bull,” Lingreen said. But not all users drink coffee from chain coffeehouses. “I make three cups of plain black coffee in the morning,” senior Liv Flott said. “And after school, I drink more coffee.” Caffeine has started to become a problem for students who routinely consume it. “I started for the taste, then the energy, but eventually I couldn’t let go of it,” Lingreen said. The effects of caffeine not only affect the person drinking it, but also those observing the user. “I usually see students

Buzz Kill

who come in and say that they are experiencing feelings that their heart is racing (palpitations), elevated blood pressure, and the shakes,” Mrs. Annette Jeanes, RN said. Some of these symptoms call for quick action from the school nurse. “First, I make sure that they are stable and if they are able to tolerate it, then I try to dilute the caffeine with some water and/or food,” Jeanes said. With addiction plaguing the school, some students are still not worried. “It doesn’t bother me that it is considered a drug,” Flott said. “I think if I am going to be addicted to a drug, I’d rather it be coffee than anything else.” But for the everyday person who cannot live without their early morning boost of canned willpower, try to eat food that will give something for the caffeine to feed off of, and to drink water throughout the day.

17%

Twitter poll: Do you feel like you consume too much caffiene?

35%

No, don’t drink much 7% Yes,

41%

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No, no caff. for me!

but want to cut back

Yes, but I don’t care

Out of 165 students on twitter

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The Feeling’s W

Musical

e all have that song. The song that opens the floodgates and forces cascading tears from our eyes. Whether it is appreciation for the soft melodies or the poetic lyrics that relate to us on personal levels, everyone has a special song that gets them going in the unshakable feels. Music is something that has been around pretty much since the beginning of time. It is something that has inspired other musicians or just made people everywhere feel that someone understands them. In a world that may seem lonely at times, music has always been there to comfort us and bring people together. The teen that can look to

Journey so they don’t stop believing may need that inspiring tune to help him get through school. Everyone has their own taste in music and their own reasons for liking a certain genre. Music is something that we can hide from our friends and have that secret jam out session to. It can also make us dance and sing like we’re children again; find answers to questions we have never been able to crack. Whatever the case may be, music is one of those things that the world will always treasure. Over time, music has helped us realize that not only does it heal emotional wounds but it also helps with pain relief, concentration, memory, brain function, and

Music has an impact on the emotional health of people everywhere.

BY FAITH WORKMAN

PAGE DESIGN BY LAURA KRAMER

much more. Listening to, or even performing, music can help in the areas of so many physical and mental functions. When we listen to that certain song that provokes emotional feelings, it can teach us things about life and help us relate to other people when we feel like no one else is there to relate to us. Music is what I feel to be one of the best therapeutic remedies out there. Having those jam-out sessions in your room or crying with your friends while listening to Adele is exactly what music was invented for and sometimes it just helps you let go of those daily teen struggles.

Senior Alaina DeLeo expresses her love of music in the PLHS production of Legally Blonde. PHOTO: CJ CURRY

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sport n

Cal Mathison attempts to end the arguments on how to define a sport.

BY CAL MATHISON

PAGE DESIGN BY LAURA KRAMER

or some reason, people like to get very offended over things that really don’t matter. Apparently telling someone, “That’s not even a sport,” is the equivalent to disrespecting someone’s mom. In an attempt to end the arguments, this is my definition. A sport is any organized competition with a definite winner and loser, as long as there is a definite scoring system. Yes, there is a difference between an athletic sport and a sport. Once a year you can see the Scripps National Spelling Bee contest on ESPN. If spelling words can’t be a sport, why would it be on the largest sports television network in the world? We can all agree most of those kids were not coordinated enough to tie their shoes until the third grade, but they are on ESPN. ESPN shows sports. If the winner is based on opinion, then it is not classified as a sport. Rap Battles, art competitions, and American Idol are just a few examples of organized competitions that are not sports. In a spelling bee, the competitor can spell the word right or wrong. In basketball, a team either scores more points

APRIL 2016

than the other team or they don’t. Only when there is no debate at the end of an event who won, can it be called a sport. There can be an argument about competitions, like American Idol, where people vote. But the best singer never wins; it’s always the best looking person. There is not a “defined” scoring system. Some things require athleticism but are not a sport. The dance team, for example, requires just as much athleticism as any “sport” in our school. However, when they dance at halftime, that is not a sport. Don’t shoot me down just yet, though. Dance competitions, along with diving, gymnastics and many others, make up a subcategory of “sports.” The dedication and athleticism needed to compete in dance definitely qualifies it to be a sport. However, technically they are scored by a judge’s opinion. But there are things a judge is looking for making it a “definite” scoring system. Various amounts of points are deducted for certain flaws and various amounts of points are awarded for certain skills. There is still a “system” involved. The arguments of what is and what isn’t a sport need to stop. If someone loves what they do, it does not matter if it is classified as a “sport” or not.

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