The Hoofbeat Issue 3 December 2020

THE HOOFBEAT Volume 40 • Issue 3 • Dec. 9, 2020

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Page 15

Page 7

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Staff E addressing social irresposibility

The best hot chocolate in Omaha

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Together, they can take care of ‘Unfinished Business’

Photo Illustration by Bridget Neville

CRAZY FOR COCOA

DEAR STUDENTS

Millard North High School

2 • NEWS • Dec. 9, 2020

#1

SAINT THOMAS 6’7 SMALL FORWARD SENIOR OFFERS FROM UNO, RICHMOND, AND MORE

#33

COLIN MONIE 6’2 SMALL FORWARD SENIOR DESRIBED BY COACHES AS “TEAM GLUE”

#5

#4

JADIN JOHNSON 6’4 POINT GUARD SENIOR COMMITTED TO OLD DOMINION

HUNTER SALLIS 6’5 SHOOTING/POINT GUARD SENIOR ANNOUNCED TOP 8 OFFERS RANKED 6TH IN THE NATION

#43

#35 JASEN GREEN 6’7 SMALL/POWER FORWARD JUNIOR OFFERS FROM STANFORD, WISCO, MORE

TYLER SANDOVAL 6’8 CENTER/POWER FORWARD SENIOR OFFER FROM WAYNE STATE

2020-2021 VARSITY BOYS BASKETBALL ROSTER Saint Thomas, Vaughn Sipple, Jadin Johnson, David Harmon, Eli Gaeth, Hunter Sallis, Isaih McMorris, Josh Biehl, Braxton Wolfe, Nick Dolezal, Sam Lootens, Neal Mosser, Colin Monie, Jasen Green, Tommy Hook, Tyler Sandoval

MNHSONLINE.COM • 3

SHINING BRIGHT AGAINST THE COMPETITION Boys basketball is out of this world as they plan their redemption LILIANNE TAYLOR Sports Editor

As the COVID-19 guidelines have changed for the winter sports season, creating their own energy will be more important than ever. he air inside Pinnacle Bank Arena went still. The “I do believe our players really feed off the Thunderbirds had done the unthinkable, coming crowds. We always play with really good intensity back from a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter in front of crowds,” Cannon said. “We hope to get during the State Basketball Championship. What our fans back in January and February but we are MN boys basketball thought was going to be a regoing to play as hard as we can for our fans and our markable finish to their best season ever, ended with school.” a loss they didn’t suspect.

While they plan to create As the 2020-2021 basketenergy, they also are looking to ball season approaches boys

We still have a bring intensity. As the team has basketball has the previous state target on our back from a returning starting five lineup, championship on their minds. they expect to derive the intenevery team in the state... sity by predicting their team“The loss at state last year has every one of us with fire in mates’ plays ahead of time. everyone wants to see if our eyes,” junior small forward “We’ve been playing with they can beat us Jasen Green said. “[We have] each other for awhile now. We unfinished business, [and] we know what we need to do with SAINT THOMAS each other to win games. We are coming back hungrier [than ever].” have to make every opportuniSENIOR SMALL FORWARD Even with the second-place ty count,” Thomas said. finish at state, the team still has With the five captains havadded pressure to return and have a season that ing played together for the majority of their lives, rivals their last. teaching the next generation of the team is crucial.

“We still have a target on our back from For the younger members of the every team in the state. We have four D-1 team, getting in sync might be a chalbasketball players, and everyone wants to lenge, but it is a challenge the boys are see if they can beat us,” senior small forward ready to face.

Saint Thomas said.

“It’s harder for the younger players Head coach Tim Cannon wants to on the bench since we haven’t been playfocus not on the pressure, but their unity as ing with them [as long]. Every practice a team that drives them towards their final we are going to have to come together goal. as one and sync in with each other,” “‘Family’ [and] ‘unfinished business’ Thomas said. are our mottos this year,” Cannon said, Nevertheless, every member of the “[Family] means they are all accountable for team is motivated to start the season each other everywhere, [and then] we have stronger than the last. unfinished business. We felt we were in a “[I am going to] remind them of that position to win the State Championship last desire. We were right there, and we didn’t year, but we didn’t.” finish it,” Cannon said.

With those mottos in mind, the boys After a strong win in their Dec. 3 said they are ready to work harder than ever season opener, the players said that they to hold themselves accountable and create are ready for anything that comes their their own energy. way. “[We are] really focusing on beefing “It’s a long season, and you have to each other up,” senior shooting guard Hunthandle adversity as it happens,” Cannon er Sallis said. “I’m giving them energy, and said. There may be a loss or bump in the they are giving me energy, so we can reflect road, but whatever happens it’s going to off of each other.” [We are] giving our all be easy to say remember the state cham24/7, playing with energy, and remaining pionship and remind them of the burning motivated.” fire [within all of them].”

VIEWING VA R I S T Y

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THE BOYS VARISITY 2020 SCHEDULE

DEC. 3

@COLUMBUS

DEC. 5

VS. WESTSIDE

DEC. 11

VS. BENSON

DEC. 12

@ PAPIO LA VISTA

DEC. 18

VS. OMAHA SOUTH

DEC. 19

@ LINCOLN EAST

JAN. 5

VS. ABRAHAM LINCOLN

JAN. 15

@ PAPIO. LAVISTA SOUTH

JAN. 15

@CENTRAL

JAN. 16 VS. LINCOLN NORTHEAST JAN. 22

@ MILLARD SOUTH

JAN. 23

VS. BURKE

JAN. 29

VS. BELLVUE WEST

JAN. 30

@ LINCOLN NORTH STAR

FEB. 5

@ ELK. SOUTH

FEB. 6

@ LINCOLN SOUTHWEST

FEB. 12

VS. MILLARD WEST

FEB. 13

@ GRAND ISLAND

FEB. 16

VS. CREIGHTON PREP

4 • Dec. 9, 2020

NEWS BRIEFS LOCAL NEWS Gov. Pete Ricketts and first lady Susan Shore were both exposed to COVID-19 and have chosen to quarantine for 14 days.

Clinics in North Omaha provide free flu shots to everyone 19 and older, regardless of insurance status.

NATIONAL NEWS Pfizer’s COVID-19 vacccine has been tested at 95% effective at preventing the virus.

President Trump has fired the head of election security.

Joe Biden is the US President elect, according to the AP.

WORLD NEWS Peru is without president as the interm resigns following the week of protests of impeachment of President Vizcarra.

Top Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat dies of COVID-19.

MUSTANG TAKE ON LANDSCAPING Adminstration introduces new grounds updates for coming years AIDEN LEWALD Staff Writer

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ver the years, Millard North has prided themselves over their aesthetically pleasing campus.

Efforts to further beautify the 40-year-old campus continues as Principal Brian Begley proposes a new, unique landscaping project .

“I liked the look of this [First National Bank Flower Bank] arrangement. Actually, I was inspired by an arrangement of marigolds on a bank I observed in South Bend, Indiana on the campus of the University of Notre Dame some 30 years ago,” Begley said.

Begley introduced the largest piece of this project: a large, MN logo flower bank on the southwest corner of the campus, consisting of blue and/or white annuals.

The reasoning behind this installment is not only for beautification purposes but to add a sense of branding to the campus.

At the moment, there is no time estimate for this half of the project. Begley is still in the process of seeking approval from the district.

Not only will there be the previously mentioned flower bank, there will also be a large installment of evergreen trees on the southside of the track.

With the assistance of science teacher Walt Mertz, Millard North was able to push forward with the proposal of the tree planting.

“That is what is really cool about this, these trees will be part of MN for decades,” Mertz said.

The benefit behind these trees is not only a more homey campus branded with this generation’s mark, but a more protected one.

In previous years, due to the sale of the nearby Boys Town property, the school has lost more than 50

surrounding trees.

This loss of trees had led to an increase of wind damage in the track and field area. With the replacement of these trees, the amount of damage will significantly decrease.

To get the ball rolling, Mertz had done research on possible types of trees, especially searching for the best deals available.

Amidst this researching process, Mertz discovered something he had not known previously.

“Turns out there is quite a bit more to a project of this scope. This is not quite as easy as planting a tree at your own home,” Mertz said.

When planting trees in your backyard, you only have to call the Diggers Hotline for clearance, then you’re free to go.

When planting trees at Millard North, not only do you have to call the Diggers Hotline, you have to contact a landscape architect to create a draft plan, along with a bidding process, and a plan on how the trees will be taken care of for the first year.

At the moment, the landscape architect hired for this project has suggested a mix of evergreen and deciduous trees, as to prevent the chance for widespread disease.

In relation to the plan to take care of these newly implemented trees, Begley has not only recruited activities director Chad Zimmerman, but Millard North students.

Begley is hoping that in the near future, students will form a Campus Beautification Club to help support the maintenance of these projects.

For now, this project will be on hold until further notice. That does not mean Millard North and it’s residents cannot look forward to a more beautiful future.

PLANTING PROJECT

This hill near the southwest side of campus will soon have hundreds of freshly planted flowers and trees to liven it up.

The blue and/or white annuals will be planted in a design similar to the one seen here.

FAST FACTS Principal Brian Begley is seeking any “burgeoning horticulturalists” to aid in the tending to, and caring for this this newest addition to our campus, in order to help make reality come alive.

This flower bank sitting outside of First National Bank of Omaha at the northwest corner of 132nd and West Center was part of the inspiration for this newest planned addition.

MNHSONLINE.COM • 5

COLLEGE CLASSES, COVID MASSES

Student coming home after a freshman semester face new challenges due to pandemic COOPER PIERCY Staff Writer

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hat’s worse: having to go through your senior year in high school in the COVID-19 pandemic, or having to go through that pandemic during your first moments of true adulthood in college.

Lots of different people would give lots of different answers, but when college freshmen were asked about that very question, there seemed to be a definite trend.

“It was definitely worse for me when I was a senior in high school than it is for me now,” 2020 Millard North graduate, and freshman at the University of Missouri-Columbia, Sireen Abayazid said.

Abayazid cited a lack of motivation with school and having to adjust to online learning as major issues, summing it up by saying, “senioritis hit really hard.”

However academics isn’t the only reason why people would cite the end of high school as the worst time to experience this pandemic.

“In college, you can still hang out with a lot of friends,” 2020 Millard North graduate, and freshman at New York University June Van De Graaff said. “I feel like in high school you couldn’t hang out as much as you used to.”

Not everyone is united in the opinion it’s easier to experience the pandemic in college though. Like Aanya Agarwal, another Millard North graduate, and current freshman at Georgetown University.

the virus, but she’s also frustrated with her school’s “I think experiencing the pandemic as a college administration as well. student is definitely worse,” “I definitely think students should be Agarwal said, “because in high taking it more seriously than they are,” she school I didn’t have to worry said, “but the biggest problem is with the about getting used to how classadministration, and how lax they’re being es worked, and learning how to with the COVID guidelines. Most people study as a college student.” who get in trouble for a COVID violation Although not everyone is are let off with a warning.” able to agree on what the best She said students aren’t taking it time to experience a global panseriously, saying “every weekend, there’s demic is, most everyone does at least five parties that I’m hearing about, appear to be able to agree that and definitely more going on.” the COVID-19 pandemic itself Out of everyone though, there’s no has made their college experione who is having a less normal education ences more difficult. then people like Agarwal, who are staying Of course, none of this is Academics At-Home: home and attending college virtually. made any easier for students 2020 MN alumna Sireen Aba“There are people exploring D.C., or and faculty who take a relaxed yazid does schoolwork in her doing other things without a mask, and it approach to this very serious basement. Abayazid said the makes me really angry,” she says, “besituation. cause it’s contributing to the fact that we “There’s two groups in col- short distance between the lege,” Van De Graaff said, “those college and her home in Omaha can’t be on campus.”

This desire for normalcy brings who don’t attend indoor parties, aided in her decision to attend University of Missouri. college students back to their high school and those who don’t believe in Photograph contributed by alma matter.

COVID.” The graduates recognize the imporHighlighting many of the Sireen Abayazid tance of being able to attend college in a same issues, Abayazid has been safe setting, that allows them to gain the similarly dissatisfied with not full potential of their education. only how many of her fellow classmates are handling

6 • Dec. 9, 2020

HONORING HER LEGACY

Honoring the legacy of important teacher Mrs. Anderson with scholarship OLIVIA TORREZ Staff Writer he sound of pens filled the classroom as Dierks Bentley’s country music floated through during independent work. Nancy Anderson, a teacher at MN for 25 years, sat at the desk, listening along to her favorite artist. Bentley now plays in loved ones hearts as a reminder of the teacher lost during the spring quarantine.

Anderson was a mentor for many and a Millard champion—graduating from Millard South in 1988 after attending Norris Elementary and Central Middle School.

After passing away in April, money is being raised for a Millard scholarship in her name.

“I definitely believe she [influenced my life] in numerous ways. She pushed me to realize that I was smarter than I would give myself credit for, and I needed to stop double guessing all my work. And honestly, she just showed me that just asking how someone’s day is can go a long way,” former student and current sophomore Rachel Wahlgren said.

According to colleagues and friends, Anderson gave every day her all, and was willing to dedicate 100% of her passion towards helping her students and letting them thrive in the classroom.

“Nancy was fierce, loyal, loving, tenacious, independent, strong, and spunky. As a teacher, Nancy cared deeply about education, students, and doing the right thing. When Nancy got stuck on something—and it usually involved doing ‘the right thing’ for students, she would not let it go until the situation changed,” Carol Vande Kerkhoff, close friend of

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Applications will close in February. To qualify, the reAnderson and former MN English teacher, said.

According to friends, Anderson was one of a kind. cipient must have begun attendance at a selected institution or have been working toStudents, teachers, and wards trade-based employment friends alike remember the

by October in their graduating

Nancy was fierce, loyal, little things about her, even year. It will give $1,000 toward today. loving, tenacious, independent, post-secondary education or “When we first starttrade education. ed Zooms back in March strong and spunky. Nancy deep“The goal is in sight! We or April, a couple weeks ly cared about education, stuhave $13,610 in place as of before she went to the hostoday. $1 for $1 every donapital, she made us stop our dents and doing the right thing. tion will be matched up to lesson on Zoom halfway, $5k. A $20 gift becomes a $40 because she was so exCAROL VANDE KERKHOFF gift. With the match in place, cited to show us her FORMER MN ENGLISH TEACHER we need to raise an additional mug that she had $2,390,” Sarah Rider, the Milpainted and that lard Foundation Director of Deit had a little smiley face in the bottom of it,” Wahlgren velopment said. “Participation in the project is powerful.

It’s not a few giving a lot, its many giving what they can. said.

She cared deeply about other people That impact is a beautiful thing.”

The scholarship has received an anonymous donor, and friends often reported hearing her distinctive laughter through the walls of willing to match any donation given to see it through.

In order to do that, the memorial scholarship will have her classroom.

“This was a way for Mrs. Anderson’s to reach its potential to be invested in enough to reach a friends, family, and colleagues to honor ‘spin off amount’. The number is $20k.

This year has been full of receding waves of false her legacy as a Millard North teacher of 25 years. She loved to have fun at her job.” Jessi- hope leading into tsunamis. Anderson was an importca Hacker, social studies teacher and close friend ant person to many and made an impact on hundreds of of Anderson, said. “[Anderson] gave the best advice and students who walked through her door. The Nancy S. was given the nickname “Bulldog” by her colleagues Anderson Memorial Scholarship is the memorial for an because she was tenacious in standing up for students advocate of education and doing what’s best for othersespecially for her students and co-workers. and educators,” Bentley’s country music will play on, and Anderson The Nancy S. Anderson Memorial Scholarship benefits career and college ready MNHS graduates. won’t be forgotten in the aftermath of this storm.

Q & A WITH SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHER JESSICA HACKER

Q: A:

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REACHING THE GOAL How close are we to meeting the $21k goal?

What are some of your favorite memories with her?

Jessica Hacker: “There’s a lot of things, we were always able to have lunch, and we just had the best conversations and she’s definitely like the type of friend you can tell anything to. So I just loved all of our conversations and all of the laughs we had we got to have because Mrs. Anderson had a fabulous laugh.”

To donate, go to https://www.mpsfoundation.org/impact/give/

$17,660.00

OPINIONS • 7

DEAR MILLARD NORTH

Students need to remain socially responsible admidst the pandemic

THE HOOFBEAT STAFF EDITORIAL

families. What makes you think that you’re better than them, that you deserve to have fun while people are sacrificing their lives for you f you had the option to do something, but to stay safe?

In school, students learn with masks on. At the risk of a negative result is 72%, is it logischool sporting events , masks are enforced. cal for you to partake in this activity? Almost This is the district’s best attempt to reduce certainly not. That statistic means that nearly three times out of four, you will be met with a virus spread while maintaining a sense of normalcy. negative consequence.

It is up to us to reduce virus spread off of According to the Georgia Tech risk calculator, a 15 person gathering in Douglas County school grounds. And that self-responsibility is comes with a 72% chance that someone at the lacking.

Being young doesn’t make you immune function will have an active COVID-19 case.

So birthday parties, friendsgivings, holiday from the virus that has killed over 276,000 people in the United States, as of Dec. 4. get-togethers, are all met with a high risk of According to the CDC, children and teenCOVID-19, and little to no reward. But why agers are some of the most dangerous vectors are these activities rising in popularity, given for spreading COVID-19 because they are the sobering statistics? frequently asymptomatic and live life normally To put it bluntly, people are selfish. Too concerned with one’s own social life that they without proper quarantining.

Actions have consequences. And at a cerare able ignore people on the frontlines of this pandemic sacrificing everything for our safety. tain point, students, someone needs to recognize that the way that COVID-19 cases are And we can’t even stop going to parties for trending, there will be no prom. There will be long enough to thank them. no graduation. And a large reason as to why is Healthcare workers didn’t get to press pause on the pandemic for a party. They don’t because people have given up on social disget to press pause for long enough to see their tancing.

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STUDENT SPEAK

We are all lonely. We miss our friends, we miss our families, we miss normalcy. But it simply isn’t fair for some people to be able to pretend that life is normal when others are overcompensating to keep everyone safe.

Being confined to one’s home is difficult.

No one is saying it isn’t. Isolation takes a toll on mental health. Being away from friends and extended family hurts, but so would losing them and only being able to say goodbye over a screen.

So, FaceTime your cousins. Watch a movie over Zoom with your friends. Just stay home.

No one could have planned for a year like this one. No one could have predicted the amounts of heartbreak and loss that come with such large restrictions. However, everyone can help prevent this from spreading into next year.

So keep your distance. Do it for your immuno-compromised classmates. Do it for your high-risk grandparents. And if nothing else, do it for the slim chance of having a prom or a graduation party.

Hopefully, the parties were fun while they lasted. Because there won’t be any more of them the way that numbers are trending.

EDITORIAL CARTOON

HOW RESPONSIBLE DO YOU THINK STUDENTS HAVE BEEN OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL WITH WEARING A MASK AND FOLLOWING COMMUNITY GUIDELINES?

DALLAS CHRISTIANSEN GRADE 9

SAM BROESCH GRADE 10

I think students have been good, people just forget to keep it over their nose.

They always have it down, so it’s good but not the best.

They could work on it.

TIERSA LEIFSEN GRADE 12

I think that most students are following the guidelines but then some aren’t, and those people are spreading it to the people who are following the guidelines.

I think they’re not doing it very well. I feel like they’re obviously wearing masks inside public places and stores, things like that, but when they’re hanging out with their friends they don’t wear their masks.

Not good. Nobody’s really wearing their masks like they’re supposed to be outside of school.

JAKE BRANCO GRADE 11

By Rachel Kricsfeld

8 • Dec. 9, 2020

HOMOPHOBIA OVER THE HOLIDAYS

Treatment of LGBTQ+ family members this season has paramount importance

Torrez Tribune

Fire crackles in hearths and

Olivia Torrez Staff Writer

eggnog flows to the sound of laughter in the kitchen, but there’s someone missing from the holiday celebrations. In a back room, a member of the LGBTQ+ community is pacing, hoping not to be made the spectacle of this holiday

season just for existing.

Every holiday season, many LGBTQ+ members have to smile and push through, as their family and friends make rude jokes at their expense. Their silence is trying not to fan the flames of an argument, but it’s only blowing on a bigger fire: homophobia and the fear it brings everyday to people of this community.

People shouldn’t dread the holidays, or going to a family members’ house for fear of being ridiculed or picked apart question by question. Holidays should be

a time of togetherness, but internalized homophobia, taking biases and prejudices against LBBTQ+ members and reflecting that inwards, can exist in anyone.

A student who wished to remain anonymous said, “It feels like everyone is expecting something from you that you can’t give. It’s a lot of people who don’t particularly care, but still pry as if they have the right to know.”

Members of the community have described it as being trapped. Being almost a part of the conversation, being there, but no one sees or listens.

The stress builds up and leads them to getting trapped inside their own head until they need to take a mental break in a backroom or upstairs.

According to a study from the American Psychological Association, it’s hypothesized that being around a ‘non affirming’ or non-accepting setting, will lead to higher rates of internalized homophobia, depressive symptoms, and a general lack of psychological well-being. This is especially found in non affirming religious exposure.

In an article published in December 2013, researchers found that youth homophobic victimization isn’t just short term. The effects of anxiety specifically lasted the entire academic school year, longer than the seven month study looking at mental health was being

held.

Somebody has to give. The people who’ve been murdered for who they are shouldn’t have to fight their own family for the rights to be them (yet Stonewall was a riot).

Family members who’ve had internalized homophobia for years need to figure out how to be more accepting. Put the effort in. Get out of the heteronormative bubble and try to step into some else’s Doc Martens.

It starts with respect. That’s all anyone ever asks for and deserves in a basic relationship. Reevaluating personal biases is important. Did something happen that caused the internalized homophobia? Acknowleddement causes growth.

As sportscaster Dale Hansen said in 2017 about a transgender wrestler, “I don’t understand his world. But I do understand he’s a part of mine.”

There are struggles someone outside of the community simply doesn’t understand. They don’t need understanding, they need support.

There is already stress involved for everyone during the holidays. Late packages, pets getting into trash cans and cookies, spilled hot cocoa and young cousins crying comes with the normal holiday dread, but hopefully, a LGBTQ+ community member doesn’t have to add ‘homophobic family’ to that list.

FIVE WAYS TO COPE WITH NON-ACCEPTING RELATIVES

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Whether you’re dealing with probing questions or snide remarks, keep calm and consider these suggestions

Talking to friends can help you feel less alone

Communicate what is ok and what isn’t

IN-DEPTH • 9

The Digital

DIVIDE

For Generation Z, social media has become an integral component of day-to-day life, exerting positive and negative effects Graphic by: Rachel Kricsfeld

10 • Dec. 9, 2020

MEDIA’S MISINFORMATION BUBBLE

Platforms’ spreading of misleading information has drastic consequences

Google

Instagram

Snapchat

Users: 300 million

Besides the Rohingya genocide that has been present in Myanmar since 2017, hate crimes organized and encouraged via media platforms have also occurred in the United States. This past July, Holocaust survivors took to Facebook, urging founder Mark Zuckerburg to censor offensive posts denying the historical existence of the mass-murder and incarceration of Jewish individuals.

“I don’t believe that our platform should take that down because I think there are things that different people get wrong,” Zuckerburg said.

Defined as a form of hate speech according to the Anti-Defamation League, organizations like the ADL argue that forms of Holocaust denial cause offline violence and hate crimes targeting the Jewish community.

Regional Director of the ADL Gary Nachman said social media has aided in the spread of negative and positive information. “ However, hate speech that threatens others is dangerous and has no place in social media just as calling someone on the phone and threatening them, tests legal boundaries,” Nachman said.

The ADL encourages those struggling with online hate speech to visit their website for resources.

“It is not just the social media platforms that have a responsibility to monitor hate,” Nachman said. “By understanding sources and fact-checking, we can aid in stopping the proliferation of these conspiracy theories and falsehoods. We as individuals have a responsibility to call out discrimination, bigotry, and hate.”

Net worth: $34.3 billion

249 million

Users:

Net worth: $67.62 billion

Users: 4 billion

Net worth: $133 billion

Users: 2.7 billion

Net worth: $527 billion

Facebook

Users: 1 billion

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bsessively refreshing their Twitter feeds, Americans scanned their screens for more than four days after the presidential election. Following the announcement of former Vice President Joe Biden’s projected win on Nov. 7, President Donald Trump launched tweets to his 88.5 million followers declaring he won the presidency and the Democratic party was attempting to “steal the vote”.

Trump’s social media usage resulted in Twitter flagging Trump’s supposed victory tweets and voter fraud claims as “misleading” and “disputed”. Still, #StopTheSteal event groups on Facebook garnered more than 350,000 users. Members of the group argued for violence and civil unrest in support of President Trump as protests formed in battleground states like Pennsylvania.

Despite Facebook preventing the group from appearing in election searches due to concerns of violence, #StopTheSteal was spread over multiple conservative media platforms. Conspiracy theorist groups and socalled “fake news” have become commonplace on social media platforms.

In fact, a study conducted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology found that fake or misleading news spreads six times faster than true news on Twitter.

The technological architecture of social media is mostly responsible for this spread. Media companies develop a model of an individual user, taking into account their internet history, likes, followers, and use this

information to suggest similar content.

The implications of this proliferation of misleading information are concerning according to tech industry employees interviewed in the Netflix Documentary, “The Social Dilemma”.

Early investor in Facebook, Er McNamee said danger lies in this isolated bubble of information.

“Over time you have the false sense that everyone agrees with you because everyone in your news feed sounds exactly like you,” McNamee said. “Once you’re in that state, it turns out you’re easily manipulated.”

A study analyzed by the University of Colorado at Boulder specified that most misleading information is perpetuated by users with extreme ideological views; “In all, about one-fifth of users at the far ideological extremes were responsible for sharing nearly half of the fake news on the two platforms.”

Social media’s bias towards proliferating false information relies on this stark difference in opinions: polarizing and/or untrue information makes companies more money than the truth.

Additionally, online conspiracy theories and the widespread weaponization of social media can lead to harmful offline effects, said Senior Internet Researcher Cynthia M. Wong.

“The most prominent example that’s got a lot of press is what happened in Myanmar,” Wong said.

“Facebook gave the military and other bad actors a new way to manipulate public opinion and to help incite violence against the Rohingya Muslims. It included mass killings, burning of entire villages, mass rape, and other serious crimes against humanity.”

Net worth: $100 billion

ISA LUZARRAGA Editor-in-Chief

Twitter

REACH=RICHES Identifying top media companies’ net worth and user count

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NEWS LITERACY INQUIRY Students took a survey developed by Texas Wesleyan University rating their ability to identify fake and misleading news, here are the results *Survey of 55 MN students

A movement that demanded action following the kidnapping of 276 feamale students by Boko Haram in Chibok, Nigeria.

The challenge raised $115 million to fund research for Lou Gehrig’s disease.

#BringBackOurGirls April 2014

PROACTIVE PLATFORMS

Social media connects communities and motivates students MAHIKA KANCHANAM Staff Writer

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veryone has their highs and lows throughout life.

Author and social media strategist, Anne-Sophie Reinhardt was struggling through an undiagnosed eating disorder years ago. At a time when she felt like giving up, she stumbled upon a podcast through social media. She quickly made new friends online, with whom she was able to be herself and share how she felt with others.

“I don’t think I would’ve been able to make it through this year had I not found friends online,” Reinhardt said. “Social media was a true blessing for me and enabled me to live the life I live today.”

While technology is often seen as a factor of decreased interaction, students said social media connects us, giving people a medium to strengthen relationships along with promoting social change.

“I think social media has a lot of power to do good, as long as we use it in the appropriate manner,” senior Anusha Deshpande said.

In fact, according to a survey conducted by Common Sense Media, 52 % believed that social media helped strengthen their friendships, and 30% said that social media helped them feel more confident.

Experts said that social media can also encourage students to become more proactive in their day-to-day lives.

“Social media can be a catalyst for motivating students to believe they can accomplish great things,” Tom DeSpiegelaere, Digital Marketing Expert said. “As students encounter pressures in their lives, just one video or motivational quote can rekindle their self-confidence.”

Deshpande said that social media can help bring awareness to a lot of issues in our world today. In fact, she uses social media as a way to spread a significant

MEDIA MOVEMENTS

#ALSIceBucketChallenge July 2014

#HeForShe July 2014 Created by the United Nations, He For She is a gender equality movement, made well-known by actress, Emma Watson.

message about the period tax. She believes that the tax on menstrual products should be removed as “they are an absolute necessity, just like food”.

After speaking with a state senator, Megan Hunt, she was able to organize a petition shared through her Instagram.

“I put the link to the petition in my bio as did my other friends. That really helped us reach out to get more signatures,” Deshpande said. “Without social media, I wouldn’t have been able to reach out to them [more users].”

Along with individuals like Deshpande, organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union use social media as a way to communicate as well.

Sam Petto, Communications Director of ACLU of Nebraska communicates through social media to prompt their mission.

“It’s my responsibility to make sure we are consistently communicating in a way that advances our mission: mobilizing action, educating Nebraskans, and influencing how civil rights are discussed in our state,” Petto said.

Petto runs various social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. On Instagram and Facebook, at least one post is made everyday.

“It is vital. If organizations want to run an effective communications program, they almost have to be engaged on social media,” Petto said.

Along with uplifting one another, social media has helped inform users about issues in our world today on a much larger scale as it raises awareness to issues that might’ve even been invisible to some users.

As younger generations continue to use social media, they have a way of making a positive impact in our communities and providing a better world for future generations.

Social media hastags have increased the outreach of social action organizations, here are some of the most prominent ones

#WomensMarch January 2017 January 21st marks the national Women’s March where women, men, and other indivudals alike take to the streets to advocate for issues like equal pay.

#MeToo October 2017 While the hashtag was initially started in 2017, activist Tarana Burke is credited with beginning the #MeToo Movement in 2006.

12 • Dec. 9, 2020

ALGORITHMS EQUAL GROWTH Media empires owe their success to novel technologies MORGAN MCCORMACK News Editor

How did Mark Zuckerberg, build grossly popular websites and apps that just make us keep tapping and

scrolling?

The simple answer is through algorithms. People like Zuckerberg and Systrom used a system of instructions to create the fundamentals of their sites. However, that is only how they built the structure of the site, not popularity. The beginnings of Google is a good example both of the use of algorithms in building a platform as well as the need to evolve that algorithm to increase functionality.

“Google’s first searching algorithm would look through websites and see how many links to other websites they had,” computer science teacher Jonathan Ringenberg said. “Nowadays, searching algorithms use something called machine learning, where it learns your preferences and then based on that will try to make decisions for you and try to give you content you like” Popularity and success is built by three main elements according to Harvard Business Review. Those three elements being connection or the ease at which people can use and interact with the platform, gravity, people’s attraction to the site that can be increased through advertisements and options of personalization and flow, the promotion of co-creation.

Other variables that can contribute to the success of a social media site or platform include the site’s simplicity, creating interaction between users, the ease at which one can build a presence within the app and allowing people to express themselves.

“After all the testing, all the iterating, all of this stuff, you know the single biggest thing we realized?

Get any individual to seven friends in ten days, that

was it.” former Vice President of Growth at Facebook, Chamath Palihapitiya said in his lecture “How we put Facebook on the path to 1 billion users.”

Companies such as Facebook and Instagram build a strong platform through algorithms, and they make their money the same way, using their algorithms to curate your page or lure you into a purchase or way of thinking.

You sit on your couch for hours tapping and scrolling, and the algorithm recognizes the things that you like and search, and it collects that data and uses that for advertisements.

For example, say you’re shopping for a new scarf for your mom for Christmas, and all of a sudden, ads for scarves pop up on your Facebook feed or another social media application.

Or you begin liking posts related to more left-leaning ideals, then more images and videos with left-wing views will begin to appear in your feed.

Companies use their algorithms to collect data so they know what will sell better, whether it be selling a scarf or a whole ideology.

Social media, with all of its good and all of its bad, is made to draw you in. Made to keep you clicking and scrolling, and all the while it’s getting to know who you are, for better or for worse.

SOCIAL MEDIA ON THE SCREEN

Movies, television shows that have made students see social media platforms differently “Nosedive” (2016) Black Mirror episode Netflix “Black Mirror could affect our lives by showing us different things that can happen in reality. It can make people more aware of their lives.”

-Kayla Shnayder, Sophomore

“After watching the documentary, I decided to turn off all my notifications.

It really opened my issues to the issues of social media.”

-Kaitlyn Kelly, Junior

The Social Dilemma (2020) Documentary/Drama Netflix

You (2018) Thriller/Dramedy series Netflix

“You definitely made me more conscious of what I post on social media. It also reassured me to keep my account private.

It’s better for me to be safe.”

-Reagan Allen, Senior

BEHIND THE SCREEN: CONTENT MODERATION Q&A with Senior Manager of Trust and Safety for LinkedIn, Christopher Wiig Q: What is the most prevalent obstacle or barrier content moderators face?

A: “Some of the stuff is a little personal towards each of the content moderators. We drill into resiliency and find out how somebody keeps positivity in their life. We understand that this is a very hard job. This is why we offer supplemental things in this role like we offer services with counselors. But each person has different triggers.”

Q: How do you ensure content moderators get a reprieve from seeing traumatic material such as hate crimes or violence?

A: “There’s a couple of things that we do, we offer rotations, where some of our employees, if they feel fatigued or tired or any of that, we have a tapout policy, but they can say [that] at any given time. We look for other opportunities within Trust and Safety. We would offer rotations into other teams to help cleanse the palate a little bit.”

Q: What can you say about the nature of social media through your work at LinkedIn? A: “What the individuals use it [social media]for is not always what it’s intended. This job didn’t really exist to the way that it did about 10 years ago. As we get to evolving technology, we will [still] never solve this with computers entirely.

There’s too much nuance that goes into content moderation.”

OPINIONS • 13

CONSTANT COMPLAINTS Negativity won’t solve current or future afflictions Ever Yours

You’re sitting at a lunch

Ever Loveridge Staff Writer

table waiting for your friends to join you. You can’t help but overhear the conversation of the table next to you. A girl is complaining to her friend about her math teacher, about how it is all the teachers’ fault that she, and some other people in

the class, failed the test.

As the first semester of school is nearing the end, and finals are just around the corner, it’s common to hear a lot of muttering in the halls. I routinely hear students talking negatively about a class, complaining about a practice, and moaning about their homework.

At this time of the year every student should take a step back and ask themselves, if they complain too much? I believe that people do complain too much.

Teenagers as a whole are known to be a more negative group than most. They are going through a lot of changes in their life physically and emotionally and are also dealing with a lot of stress and comparison among peers.

A common way to relieve our stress for a moment or even relate to a friend is to complain about our hardships to someone else. An easy way to find common ground with someone is to talk about something negative.

Complaining is a common occurrence. If we change our thoughts and start thinking positively we can change our life for the better.

It might do some good for us all to understand what complaining does to our brain. According to a study from Stanford University, “When you complain, your brain releases stress hormones that damage your neural connections. Specifically, complaining affects your brain’s problem-solving and other cognitive functions.”

So complaining is actually harmful to our brain’s health and gives us more stress. Especially with finals coming up, try to reduce your complaints, because it hurts your problem solving capability. Instead of complaining try to change your mindset to a more positive view.

If you surround yourself with people who talk negatively and your thoughts are negative, you aren’t going to be your best self. Instead of complaining about life try to change the way you’re thinking about those complaints.

For example, if you are complaining about how hard your math class is, stop and realize that yes you are taking a hard math class but hey, at least you are halfway done with it in one month! Shifting your focus to the things you can really feel happy about, is a great tool to increase genuine positivity.

According to positive thinking expert Scaccia “When positive thoughts are generated, when you’re feeling happy, or optimistic, cortisol decreases and the brain produces serotonin, creating a feeling of well-being. When serotonin levels are normal, one feels happy, calmer, less anxious, more focused and more emotionally stable.”

By thinking positively you can change your life for the better. It is not reasonable to think that everyone can cease complaining completely, but if we reduce our complaints we will find that our life will be better, we will feel happier and be more focused.

People as a whole complain too much and though challenging situations will always be a part of life, if you start to think more positively than you do negatively, you will change for the better.

POSITIVE THINKING

THE HOOFBEAT The Hoofbeat staff will publish eight issues of the paper at Millard North High School (1010 South 144th Street, Omaha, NE). Type is set with the use of Macintosh and HP computers. Printing is done by White Wolf Printing, Sheldon IA. The Hoofbeat is a member of the Nebraska High School Press Association and JEA. The Hoofbeat exists for the express purpose of student information and learning.

Advertising: Advertising will be sold at $7 per column inch or by special quarter, half, or full page rates. Information can be obtained by calling 402-715-1404.

Responding to the Hoofbeat: Letters to the editor for the February issue will be accepted no later than Jan. 20 and may be submitted to Room 1105 or sent to sacrotzer@ mpsomaha.org. Names will be published. Letters must not contain attacks against an individual and may be edited for clarity.

THE STAFF Editor-in-Chief Isa Luzarraga Front Editor Bridget Neville News Editor Morgan McCormack Opinions Editor Sidney Anderson In-Depth Editor Isa Luzarraga Lifestyle Editor Anna Pipinos Sports Editor Lily Taylor Online Editor Sree Kolli Adviser Sarah Crotzer Principal Brian Begley

Staff Writers Sidney Anderson Maddie Coffin Mahika Kanchanam Rachel Kricsfeld Aiden Lewald Ever Loveridge Isa Luzarraga Morgan McCormack Bridget Neville Cooper Piercy Anna Pipinos Alisa Prater Sneha Selvaraj Sarah Shelton Deeksha Sridher Lily Taylor Olivia Torrez Illustrators Rachel Kricsfeld Aiden Lewald

The benefits of optimism are numerous Determined

Creativity

Will not let obstacles get in the way of a task

More willing to think outside of the box

Optimism

Attitude

Can see the positive side of negative outcomes

Task are done with lees complaint and more positivity

Confidence

Productivity

Driven to get more task done and task are done with more excitement

Happiness More joy is brought into life

Brings certainty in what you are trying to accomplish

Submit story tips to @mnhshoofbeat or mnhsonline.com

14 • Dec. 9, 2020

DIVIDED STATES OF AMERICA Recognizing the importance of unity following the presidential election Across the U.S., a record num-

Sneha’s Insight

ber of 160 million Americans filled out their ballots, and even more obsessively checked the electoral map, watching as each state lit up either blue or red.

UnfortunateSNEHA SELVARAJ ly, that is where our unity during Staff Writer the presidential election stops.

Aside from the one collective want for Nevada to count its ballots faster, Americans are divided against each other every four years.

However this year’s election was vastly different from before. From gun sales being on all all-time high to our ex-president and his supporters refusing to

accept his loss, it is clear the climate of the U.S. has changed.

In these past four years, partisan conflict in the U.S. seems to have intensified under Donald Trump’s leadership. Democracy feels like it is on the verge of a crisis, and many look towards our new president, Joe Biden, with either hope or suspicion.

Something we often forget is that it is not just him that is able to decide our future as a country, the key part is us.

While the identity of our president is very important, it is just as important to remember that a great nation starts with its people. It starts with you and me.

Despite this, on Saturday, tens of thousands marched in front of their state capitals (some openly carrying guns) calling for Biden to step down by yelling “Lock him up!”, “This isn’t over!”, and “Stop the Steal!”

The individual in office should not affect our humanity. Whether you were relieved or disappointed by the results of the 2020 election, that should not be what stops you from showing kindness to your neighbors. It should not make anyone less human.

Politics does not always have to be a cage match. It is important to remember that we do not only “belong”

to a political party. The setback of one is a setback for our all.

We can not view the idea of human rights as a “political view”. It is irrefutably non-negotiable. The fact that we have allowed it to not be shows that the real issues lie in our lack of ability to connect with one another. That is not something any president can fix.

The biggest part of change comes down to how we choose to act. As Barack Obama said in his interview on CBS, “I don’t see [Trump] as the cause for our divisions.

I think he’s only an accelerant.”

No politician is perfect, and no politician can change a country whose people don’t want to work together.

This means checking our privilege and using it to elevate those who are disadvantaged. This means empathizing with others who are not like us. This means not just depending on one individual to decide that we should be choosing kindness everyday.

So no matter how you felt about the outcome of the 2020 election, it is imperative to acknowledge that it does not strictly decide our future. It is time we work on bridging the gap between one other. One person does not represent America...All of us do.

NARROW MARGINS IN THE POLLS

Some states played a crucial role in deciding the presidency, here are the ones where it was the closest

Nevada

Pennsylvania

Results Joe Biden: 703,486 Donald Trump: 661,890

Michigan

Results Joe Biden: 3,459,923 Donald Trump: 3,378,263

Arizona

Results Joe Biden: 1,672,143 Donald Trump: 1,661,686

Results Joe Biden: 2,804,040 Donald Trump: 2,649,852

Georgia

Results Joe Biden: 2,474,507 Donald Trump: 2,461,837

Florida

Results Joe Biden: 5,297,045 Donald Trump: 5,668,731

Wisconsin

Results Joe Biden: 1,630,673 Donald Trump: 1,610,065

LIFESTYLE • 15

QUEST FOR COCOA

The search for outstanding, tasty hot chocolate SARAH SHELTON Staff Writer s winter begins to slowly creep around the corner, everyone is in need of something warm in their hand and sweet in their cup. With this in mind, I set out hoho-hoping to find the best hot chocolate in Omaha.

For me, the best cup of hot chocolate has to have five components that will put it at the top of the competition: it cannot be too expensive, it should have whipped cream or marshmallows, it shouldn’t burn my tongue when I take the first sip, it shouldn’t be too sweet, and it absolutely cannot taste like it is made with water, even if it is.

I began my long search downtown at the famous Sozo Coffeehouse. The coffee house was very exciting as you were allowed to to play pool, foosball, and even buy jewelry and clothing. And with COVID still around, they have taken the proper precautions for people to enjoy their drinks.

Sozo Coffeehouse also has many art pieces hanging in the room that give the coffeehouse a more alternative and young adult feel. I asked for a small hot chocolate that cost a total of $2.94. My excitement when I saw that they had added whipped cream was out of this world, and the service was incredible.

The hot chocolate got a solid five stars as it checked w

A

off every point on the test. It was not only the perfect temperature, but it had the correct amount of sweetness to it, which just made the cup of cocoa wonderful.

Later that week, I drove myself down to West Omaha and stopped at Stories Coffeehouse. Walking in, I noticed that Stories was very busy, with almost every table filled and a small baby shower being hosted in the back of the shop.

The feel was very modern and elegant and they had live music playing, which was very exciting. I once again ordered a small hot chocolate, and the total was $3.24.

The first sip was hot to the touch, and the cocoa needed some time to cool down. When I finally tried it again, it was delicious, specifically because it didn’t even have a hint of water, unlike Sozo Coffeehouse and Hardy Coffeehouse’s hot chocolate. Although the service was very friendly, it did not change my mind on my rating of the hot chocolate. I ended up giving the hot chocolate three and a half stars because of the lack of toppings and how piping hot it was at first.

I ended my quest by heading to Bennington to try out Hardy Coffee Company’s hot chocolate. This modern style coffeehouse was perfectly decorated as it had a light blue wall with splotches of white bricks and windows all over. They had many places

HOT CHOCOLATE BOMB RECIPE

EQUIPMENT INGREDIENTS - Silicone Spheres - 8 ounces chocolate wafers, chips or baking chocolate (1 cup) - Parchment Covered Baking Sheet - 3 tablespoons hot chocolate mix - 6 tablespoons marshmallow bits INSTRUCTIONS

1. Melt chocolate in a small, microwave-safe bowl in 15 second increments, stirring

in between, until smooth.

2. Add a heaping tablespoon of melted chocolate into molds. Spread using the back

of a teaspoon until each cavity is completely covered.

3. Invert onto a parchment lined baking sheet and lightly shake. Discard parchment

and place mold on baking sheet (chocolate side up).

4. Freeze 7 minutes.

5. Remove mold from freezer. White chocolate side down, press gently on the top of

each sphere to carefully remove onto your baking sheet.

6.Fill 3 spheres with a tablespoon of hot chocolate mix and 2 tablespoons marsh

mallow bits each.

7. Warm a plate or bowl in the microwave or with boiling water and dry.

8. Place the bottom of an empty sphere on the plate to lightly melt chocolate.

9. Place melted chocolate edge on filled half to seal. Try to handle chocolate as little

as possible. Optional: If needed, use a hot spoon, dipped in boiling water and dried

to further seal.

10. Freeze 5 minutes or refrigerate 30 minutes and store at room temperature until

ready to serve.

to sit and a more peaceful feel.

I asked for a small hot chocolate, and the price was $3.50. The workers were very polite as they helped show me the variety of food on the menu.

Unfortunately, they did not adorn the hot cocoa with any toppings. And although it was the perfect temperature when I first tried it, it was way too sweet for me. I would give the hot chocolate 3 stars. But with that being said, I would definitely return to try a hot vanilla latte or one of their scones on the menu.

Overall, there are many different places to try for the best cup of hot chocolate in Omaha for the holiday season. From the places I went to, I realize that each place had a different vibe that attributed to my rating of the hot cocoa, but there were other factors as to why the other hot cocoas didn’t stand out as much as Sozo Coffeehouse’s hot cocoa.

Hardy’s had a very friendly environment., and they had various choices of foods, and they did make a good cup of hot cocoa. But it just was not what I was looking for. Stories was very busy and popular even just for a quick stop in. They had mediocre hot cocoa but a wide variety of foods on the menu for everyone to enjoy.

But my favorite hot chocolate of all was Sozo Coffeehouse, as they had many different activities to do and great service. I felt at home while being there. I would definitely head back for a second cup of hot chocolate.

Check List Not too hot Not too sweet Not too expensive Should have toppings Cannot taste like water Not too hot Not too sweet Not too expensive Should have toppings Cannot taste like water Not too hot Not too sweet Not too expensive Should have toppings Cannot taste like water

16 • Dec. 9, 2020

PICTURE PERFECT

Students with photograph businesses capture memories of others MADDIE COFFIN Staff Writer ome might say a picture is worth a thousand words. Some might say a picture is just a quick photo taken on a cellphone. To seniors Lindsey Koster and Jeffrey Zimmerly, a picture is everything.

There are so many factors that go into the perfect picture, and Koster and Zimmerly know this all too well. Both seniors have their own photography businesses and spend long hours organizing photo shoots, editing photos, and picking various locations for their clients to pick from for photoshoots.

Photography may look easy to any normal person, but to these two, it is a form of art that must be perfected through practice, patience, and commitment.

“I started my business a little over two years ago, however I didn’t start taking [it] seriously until about a year ago.” Koster said.

Having a business while being so young can be a lot of work according to Koster.

For senior Jeffrey Zimmerly, it is not just work but something he truly enjoys doing. Not only does he do numerous types of photoshoots, but he is also a photographer for the school yearbook.

“One of the biggest things I have learned in the last 3 years of journalism is how to work effectively as a team and how to help others learn.” Zimmerly said.

S

w

In Walsworth Yearbook’s annual photo contest, Zimmerly had entered photos from the yearbook and ended up winning two national awards this summer. His sports action photo came in first place out of over one thousand entries.

Being now known as an award-winning photographer, Zimmerly has been able to capture the attention of new clients.

“Winning the awards was so exciting,” Zimmerly said. “It was super validating to win the state and the Walsworth competitions.”

Senior Delaynie McDonough had her senior pictures done by Zimmerly, who also happens to be one of her good friends. For McDonough it was an easy decision to have Zimmerly take her pictures as she loves his work and knew they would turn out well.

“Jeffrey is super fun to work with and is so incredibly talented!” McDonough said. “I had a wonderful time working with him, I would recommend him to everyone!”

Even though taking pictures allows you to meet and connect with more people, a lot of time goes into taking and editing photos for several clients, conducting a senior shoot, or even just taking a quick photoshoot for a group of friends or a family.

“The average senior photo session takes me somewhere between ten to fifteen hours to edit.” Zimmerly

LINDSEY KOSTER PHOTOGRAPHY FAMILY SESSIONS

$150 70-100 digital images Can include multiple family members and pets

said.

Trying to figure out how to charge people is a difficult thing for any business. On average, a normal senior photoshoot costs about $125-$400. Koster explains that she is still getting comfortable with different price points for senior packages.

“I have three senior packages starting at $125 and going up to $250. I’m still experimenting with pricing, but for now, this has worked for me and my clients.”

Koster said.

Senior Makayla Pankonin had her senior pictures taken by Koster. Pankonin had many options to pick from for photographers but she went with Koster because she loved the style of her photos.

“I loved her.” Pankonin said, “I loved how easy she was to work with and I love how the photos turned out.”

Koster gave different places to choose from for locations and also a list of suggested poses that look good in pictures. According to Pankonin the pictures turned out very professional and she got them back within a week.

Both Zimmerly and Koster want to continue growing their businesses beyond high school. With expanding the types of photoshoots, there is always more work to be done in the world of photography.

“I really want to continue taking photos into college.” Zimmerly said. “It would be really exciting to turn my photography into an actual career.”

ZIMMER WINNER

One of the dividers in the 2019-2020 yearbook, Zimmerly took this photo of senior Autumn Givehand at MN band camp during the summer. He won the national award for Best Feature Photography.

SENIOR SESSIONS Package One: $125 Two outfits One location 60-75 digital images Page Three: Package Two: $230 $175 Three or more outfits Three outfits Three locations Two locations 100+ digital images 75-90 digital images

Zimmerly took this photograph at a State volleyball game in 2019. Advancing to Walsworth’s national competition, the photographer won the prize for Best Sports Feature Photography.

MNHSONLINE.COM • 17

ONE LUNCH AT A TIME

Freshman helps combat youth homelessness at YES SIDNEY ANDERSON Opinions Editor ake a moment to imagine not knowing where your next meal is coming from or not having a stable home to return to. Now picture this along with being a teenager still discovering their place in the world.

Freshman Amelia Wheeler helps combat youth homelessness in Omaha through Youth Emergency Services. She discovered YES volunteering with her church and found a passion in her service.

“The feeling of helping others in need is the best part. It makes me happy to know that somebody is going to get that meal, and it is probably going to make their day,” Wheeler said.

YES is an organization that helps youth experiencing homelessness by providing critically needed resources. The goal is to provide food, shelter, clothing, and safety to create a support system for homeless youth.

“We work with youth and young adults to help find resources they need,whether that be housing sustainability, independent living skills, or just helping them get off their feet,” Street Outreach Supervisor Jamise Williams said. “Our main goal is to see them be successful and w Volunteering Our volunteers are the heart and soul of our mission. Each year, volunteers donate countless hours to help us respond to the needs of youth in crisis. We are deeply grateful for the dedication and support of volunteers to further our mission and support the needs of our agency.

T

WAYS TO GET INVOLVED

eventually come back and support others.” limits the chance of COVID-19 spread in youth involved YES is a program that emphasizes the importance of with YES. Even with these restrictions, Wheeler still has volunteer work, donations, and making connections with found the bright side by leaving personalized letters in youth. Wheeler is a key stepping stone when it comes to each lunch and dinner. helping the vision of YES succeed according to Williams.

“I like to add a written letter to each lunch. Just someShe provides boxed lunches and dinners for individ- thing that I hope would make them smile,” Wheeler said. uals. While this may seem like a small act, every role is Though they are restricted, YES still has plans over essential to YES. YES was originally the holiday season. Reinventing their volunteer based and volunteers like Thanksgiving dinner, they have deYES brings the Wheeler are important to the orga- cided to hand deliver dinners to peonization. ple who ask. The organization would voice of youth experi“Volunteers are very important like to maintain some level of perto our work and without them YES encing homelessness sonal connection during these times. would not look the same,” Williams to the community. Our “YES brings the voice of youth said. experiencing homelessness to the goal is to end youth.

YES continues to rely on voluncommunity. Our goal is to end youth teers to provide hygiene products, and if it does occur, it MARY MEINTS homelessness clothes, food, and home goods. Esis rare, brief and doesn’t happen Executive Director again,” Executive Director Mary pecially during the pandemic where volunteering in person has been limMeints. ited, people like Wheeler are essential to providing for Wheeler adds to the connection YES is looking for youth. to set youth back on the right path. One letter at a time,Wheeler has continued to serve even with new re- Wheeler is helping bring YES one step closer to declining strictions such as only providing store bought food. This the rate of youth homelessness in Omaha.

Holiday Giving Each year, YES hosts several holiday events for the youth in our programs, including “Santa’s Workshop”. Due to COVID, we are unsure how this specific event will look. Because of this, we are asking for donations of gift cards rather than physical items this year. Regardless of the structure of the event, all youth will be provided with gift cards to stores so they are able to purchase their own items, along with a fast food card.

“

I hope you know that you are loved and that everyone has a future

Things are going to look up soon, keep your head up

You are worthy, and you are going to go far!

Think happy thoughts because you are amazing

Mentoring The Mentoring Program with Youth Emergency Services creates a special opportunity for youth to develop a positive, sustained relationship with a trustworthy and influential adult volunteer.

Tip Top Thrift Shop Donate clothing to Tip Top Thrift Shop! The volunteer-run thrift store can be found at 5910 Maple Street in the heart of Benson. They are open Thursday through Saturday, 10 AM to 4 PM. All types of clothing are welcomed.

Source: YES OMAHA WEBSITE

”

Little Notes

Another You got this! a change in day to make your life :)

Amelia Wheeler handwrites notes and places them onto the lunches of the homeless to brighten their day. Some examples of what she has written can be seen on the sticky notes.

Things will ge t better, things will lo ok up, think about that an d how you can make th at happen :)

18 • SPORTS • Dec. 9, 2020

NEW COACH ON COURT Paulson takes over as head girls basketball coach

girls basketball is quite different from boys. He hopes that his experience as a father will aid him during the season.

“There are different things that motivate girls and oach Paulson is just so smart about the Xs and different things that motivate boys. I have three daughOs [offense and defense] about basketball. I admire that ters, and I know some of the things they go through on a so much. His outstanding ability to communicate that daily basis. All the experiences I have had with my daughknowledge to players, combined with his relentless pas- ters are something I can bring to the table, but I am going sion for excellence, has me convinced that Coach Paul- to have to continue learning on the run,” Paulson said.

From the short amount of time Paulson has been son is going to do so, so well at MN,” Former girls basketcoaching the varsity girls, sophomore Kayla Preston has ball head coach David Diehl said.

After training and teaching the girl’s basketball team seen a major shift in the team’s dynamics.

“A good coach has for 5 years and basketball, in generto hold us accountable al, for over 16 years, Diehl decided and know the game. A that it was time to step aside and His outstanding ability to coach that cares about spend more time with his wife and communicate [his] knowledge their players is importtwo daughters. ant to me, and I have “I have a 7-year-old and 3-year- to players, combined with his seen these qualities old daughter. I found myself, last year, missing them more and more relentless passion for excellence, in him. He really has helped with us becomand unable to put my full attention has me convinced that Coach to the basketball program. The play- Paulson is going to do so well at ing closer as a team,” Preston said. ers deserve a full-time coach who The state champiwill be able to give them 110%,” MN. onship may be months Diehl said.

DAVID DIEHL away, but Paulson With the need for a new coach, FORMER GIRLS BASKETBALL HEAD hopes to lead the girls math teacher and head JV boys basketball coach Chris Paulson was COACH to win another state title. With an overtime hired to take over the position for win in their first game Diehl. Paulson is ready to carry on on Dec. 3, the team is Diehl’s legacy and coach the varsity pumped and excited for the season. group of girls to the best of his ability.

“Obviously winning a couple of state titles is some“My job here is to build off the success Coach Diehl had. He did a tremendous job the last 10 years, and it is thing that I will remember, especially the excitement and now my job to continue to develop and maintain what he positive energy that brings to the community and to the has done and maybe even take it a step further,” Paulson school. I want nothing more than to do that here and to see the excitement on our girls’ faces when they cut down said.

Paulson hopes to take what the girls learned from Diehl and build off of that by incorporating what he has learned from previous varsity boys basketball teams he worked with.

“I believe in the power of positive thinking, and I have had numerous teams over the years that have competed in state tournaments and state championships,” Paulson said. “I want to try and take some of those qualities that my other teams played with there and bring them here to MN’s basketball program.”

Paulson also hopes to not only teach them new ways to play the game, but to also teach them about how they can take aspects of the game and incorporate it into their lives outside of school.

“All of these lessons will not only carry over in our season but into life. I believe that is the bigger picture here; I believe that as coaches we not only have to train them and prepare them for basketball season but for life outside of basketball,” Paulson said.

Although he has had previous experience working with boys basketball, Paulson believes that working with

ANNA PIPINOS Lifestyle Editor

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METRO MIX-UP

Girls varsity basketball upcoming schedule

DEC 5

VS BENSON

DEC 11

@ PAPIO SOUTH

DEC 12

VS OMAHA SOUTH

DEC 18

@ LINCOLN EAST

DEC 19

METRO CONFERENCE

DEC 21

METRO CONFERENCE

DEC 22

METRO CONFERENCE

DEC 28

METRO CONFERENCE

MNHSONLINE.COM • 19

CONFORMING AMIDST COVID-19

MN wrestling team adapts to new NSAA guidlines for the 2020 season room until season, so we have just been running and lift- tling season.”

DEEKSHA SRIDHER ing so far.”

Even with the new guidelines in place, the wrestlers Staff Writer Some of the other guidelines include teams cannot remain determined to make the most of the season. They s the lights shine overhead, the MN wrestling team go to tournaments with more than eight teams or more find solace in their sport and will continue to compete waits in anticipation to see who will step onto the podi- than 112 wrestlers. They are not allowed to travel out even with the pandemic looming over us. um. After hours of grappling with competitors, the wres- of state, and only family members are allowed to attend “I have qualified for state the past three years and tlers wait to see who will come out on top. matches. fell short of a state medal by a few points. I have qualNov. 16 marks the start of the 2020 wres“My personal opinion on this is that some ified for the national team also. This year my goal is to tling season. Soon, the wrestlers will put their things are bigger than wrestling, and we must win state and finally bring home a medal,” Espinoza said. months of practice and conditioning to the test do what we need to do to have a season safely,” “Wrestling is very important to me. State this year means to see who will come out as champion.

Nigh said. everything to me because it is my last chance.”

However, this season will be like no other.

Despite the team’s resilience during trainWith safety in their minds, the team will not back The NSAA has set new guidelines for the wres- Takedowns ing, the new rules are not ideal for competition. down. tlers amidst the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure Their inability to compete on school mats has are two “I have my concerns but I carry on wrestling,” Nigh a safe season and minimize the risks of infecting made them find alternative ways to practice. said. “I think we will be careful, but I don’t shy away from points wrestlers.

“It would be nice to be on the mats already competing no matter the conditions.”

Some of the regulations are pre-existing but safety is important. To Reversing get our mat-time in, dedones to avoid the spread of germs. Wrestlers will continue to disinfect their mats, gear, and opponent icated wrestlers have just surfaces. position is been going to clubs so the “Mats and gear have always been sanitized school isn’t liable,” Espinoeven before the pandemic,” senior wrestler worth two za said. points Luke Nigh said. “The wrestlers are responsible However, the wrestlers for cleaning mats before and after practice and and administrators keep in cleaning their own gear. The school does supply that the new guideEscaping mind sanitizer to do this. It’s not very difficult and evlines, unideal as they are, to a neutral still provide the safest eneryone makes sure it gets done right.”

However, there are several new rules in position is vironment for wrestlers to place that affect the way the sport itself will run worth one compete. this year. COVID-19 screenings, masking, and “I think the guidelines point limited audiences are among the new regulaprovide the best possitions. Unless they are competing, all the coaches ble framework under the and wrestlers must socially distance and wear present circumstances to Pin It to Win It: Senior Zephaniah Sivels reaches for his masks. keep wrestlers safe,” Activity Diopponent during the dual against Boystown on Dec. 3. Sivels “We now have a limited number of teams and peo- rector Chad Zimmerman said. “I ple that can attend each tournament which has pulled feel these guidelines give us the best finished the match by pinning his opponent. us out of a few larger ones,” senior wrestler Guillermo opportunity to have a winter sports Photograph by Lilianne Taylor Espinoza said. “We also aren’t allowed to practice in the season including a successful wres-

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POINT STATS

TAKING DOWN THE COMPETITION

Locks, holds, and take downs that advance wrestlers in competition by driving scores up and preventing the comptition from advancing.

The Camaro Lock. This move is worth zero points, but can lead to a take down.

You can catch senior Zephaniah Sivels in this position during a match.

The Sosa Slaunch. This move is worth zero points, but prevents the oponent from getting a one point escape.

The Albanian Street Sweeper. This is a two point take down. Senior Luke Nigh uses this as a high percentage move to earn points for MN.

20 • Dec. 9, 2020

PUSHING THE ENVELOPE ON SIGNING DAY

Athletes should embrace signing day and celebrate their commitment to their collegiate team

T

Taylor Talks

he year was 1989. Jessie Armstead sat in the Loews Anatole Hotel banquet hall in Dallas, Texas. The future five-time Pro Bowler had a big decision to make as the ball cap belonging to his future college sat in front of him.

Lilianne Taylor For the majority of high school Sports Editor athletes, furthering their athletic careers in college is a dream. Even with years of hard work and dedication only 7% of high school athletes will go on to compete in college with only 2% making it to NCAA Division 1 schools.

When signing day comes around, it just so happens to be an enormous deal across the country. With the festivities that come with signing day, traditions have arisen as athletes try to top last year’s highest anticipated college reveals.

While MN doesn’t participate in the festivities outside of signing letters of intent, it is important to recognize long standing traditions outside of our community.

One of the most recognizable traditions is the Hat Selection Ceremony coined by the Dallas Morning Star.

This tradition spans not only into collegiate decisions, but into the professional world of sports as well.

It may seem cliche, but athletes create “hype” leading up to their final decision on signing day in order to raise the stakes for the final college choices.

From this long standing tradition, athletes have developed more extravagant ways of announcing their commitment.

In 2014, New Jersey native, Jabrill Peppers announced his commitment to the University of Michigan via a rap live on ESPN.

The announcements have only gotten more wild from there.

In 2016, four star safety, Deontay Anderson announced his commitment to Ole Miss through a YouTube video. In the video, Anderson skydives landing on the ground to reveal his Ole Miss shirt.

As athletes keep raising the bar on signing day, MN athletes have kept their announcements classic.

Senior, Jadin Johnson announced his commitment to Old Dominion on Aug. 12 through a tweet. He confirmed his official signing Nov. 11 by signing the letter of

intent document in front of MN administrators and with his family.

Whichever way athletes choose to declare their intent, they will wholeheartedly receive cheers from their community around them.

On that fateful day in 1989, Armstead helped create a wide spread signing day tradition that has lasted decades. With his final selection of the green and orange ballcap, Armstead sealed his fate with the Maimi Hurricane. As athletes keep pushing the envelope, signing day becomes more exciting every year.

ASK THE ATHLETES HOW DID YOU CELEBRATE COMMITING AND SIGNING TO YOUR FUTURE COLLEGE?

CAMPBELL ZIMMERS SOCCER SOUTH DAKOTA UNIVERSITY

SENA AHOVISSI SOCCER UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA-

On signing day, we had my grandparents and my aunts and uncles over, and we catered Panera and had little bundt cakes with South Dakota on them.

HANNAH HAILU SWIMMING COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY

My family came, and after that me and my friend went to get breakfast. Other than that, we didn’t do much besides signing day itself.

LAURA HYDE

SENA AHOVISSI

VOLLEYBALL

SOCCER

HASTINGS COLLEGE

We had a nice family dinner. We hung out all together and watched movies afterwards. I also got to spend times with my friends as well, and they got me little gifts.

We invited our friends and famiy into the signing day as much as we could with COVID. We just took pictures and hung out together after school.

JOCK TALK What excites you more: the winter sports season or the holiday season?

OMAHA

Kaylee Kessler SENIOR Basketball

The winter sports season excites me more because it’s basketball season. [We have] games and practices and it really gets my adrenaline going.

Zeph Sivels SENIOR Wrestling

The winter sports seasonbecause I dedicate all of me too it. I can see all my hardwork paying off for both me and my team.

Maddie McLeay JUNIOR Swimming

I think both are extremely exciting. I like that the holdiay season and the winter sports season overlap so you get to spend the holidays with your friends. You spend time with others and that’s what the holidays are about.