The Hoofbeat, Issue 3, December 6, 2021

Millard North High School

THE HOOFBEAT Volume 41 • Issue 3 • Dec. 6, 2021

Conquering Cancer

Giving Back Page #5

Senior Andrew Zheng hosts fundraiser for swim team

Photograph by Jack Durkan

WRESTLING AGAINST STANDARDS

Millard North starts first girls wrestling team after NSAA adds girls wrestling Page 20

Page #19

Junior Darian Winkelbauer battles thyroid cancer

2 • NEWS • Dec. 6, 2021

GOING GREEN

MN announces beginning of first recycling program in almost 10 years. the budget and needs of the classrooms, receive district approval, and add another recycling pickup service.

“There are a lot of people involved in the process, so making sure everyone is on the same page has been a challenge,” Callaghan said.

Despite these issues, though, Callaghan is ready to pursue further goals. She plans to create a “Green Team’’ that would oversee this recycling program and future environmental projects.

This would be student-led with minimal need for teacher or custodian intervention.

Seniors like Arnav Rishi have already begun the process. He is the president of Environmental Club and is creating an educational video so that students at MN will understand how the program will work. He has also been involved Four reasons why in establishing the program at MN. critical “This is only the start for making MN a

SNEHA SELVARAJ Opinion Editor

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n the morning of Nov. 11, the small, blue recycling bins that once sat in the corner of every classroom at MN were replaced by much larger, metal containers.

This sparked conversation among students, who began inquiring whether MN was really beginning to recycle.

“When I first saw the recycling bins, I was really excited,” senior Sammy Ward said.

“Seeing [a recycling program] finally happen before I graduated was super exciting.”

This was not the first time recycling had come to MN. Years ago, students of the IB program began a recycling initiative for their MYP project. However, due to limitations with funding, a stable program was never possible.

This all changed once MN was offered an environmental grant by the Hubbard Foundation to create a recycling program at the school.

As the AP Environmental Science teacher, Meghan Callaghan was asked to fulfil this goal.

With the help of her Biology and AP Environmental Science students as well as the MN Environmenmore ental Club, she began the provironment cess of building this program. f r i e n d “Students worked to ly school,” Rishi said. put all 144 bins together Other students, like and then distribute them to senior Whitney Jung, classrooms,” Callaghan said. shared ideas that they have “Environmental Club then for future development. worked on flyers and a video “We should start a school for educating the students.” compost bin. At my church, we When Thanksgiving Helping Hand: have 5 different bins for food break came to an end, MN’s Teacher Amanda Abbey and junior waste and compostable plastic, Advanced Care Planning glass/metal/plastic recycling, (ACP) students began lead- Ray Andi Lolo are making rounds just trash, and other,” Jung ing our recycling program across the school, picking up bags filled said. “The school should also and picked up recycling bins with recycled material. With the help order compostable plastic for from all 120 classrooms. of ACP students and teachers, MN the lunch containers and get They will continue to do this takes on the first week of recycling. away from using styrofoam.” every week and are excitCallaghan has also emphaed to “save the trees” junior Photograph by Sarah Crotzer sized that it is important for the Steven Rosenberger said. students and staff of MN to The journey to this point was no simple process. take recycling seriously. Though the recyCallaghan had to find teachers, custodians, and students cling program is not permanent yet, with that were willing to help, search for recycling bins that fit the support of everyone at MN, it can be.

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KEEP IT CLEAN, KEEP IT GREEN recycling is

Requires less energy than making materials Produces lower carbon emissions Six times cheaper to dispose recycled waste Reduces the need to grow/harvest/extract new materials

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MNHSONLINE.COM • 3

STEP-BY-STEP OF RECYCLING PROCESS AT MN a. A person buys a powerade and a soda from the super market. f. The recycled material is then processed and broken down into raw materials, which are used to create new materials.

Different types of recycling bins and what you can put in each

b. That same person tosses away the powerade bottle and soda can in a recycling bin at MN.

c. Once a week, ACP students come to pick up the recycling bins from classes and take them to MN’s brand new recycling bin outside. d. Recycling truck comes to get the recyclables and takes them to a recycling company every Thursday.

e. The recycled material is then sorted based off of what substance they are made out of.

Other ways to help protect our planet

CONSERVE WATER

BIKE MORE, DRIVE LESS

In a black, sometimes grey, recycling bin, you dispose tins and cans.

In a blue recycling bin, you may toss paper and plastic materials inside of them. The blue color signifies the saving of our ecosystem and wildlife.

The green recycling bins are for collecting organic materials, which is important for the environment. You might toss flowers, coffee grounds, and banana peels.

NURTURING NATURE USE LONG-LASTING LIGHTBULBS

BINNING THE RIGHT ITEMS

PLANT A TREE

VOLUNTEER

BUY LESS PLASTIC AND BRING A REUSABLE SHOPPING BAG oceanservice.noaa.org

In a yellow recycling bin, you are allowed to toss any type of recyclable material. There is no restriction to what you can and can’t toss.

The red recycling bin is normally used for collecting materials with a thin layer of plastic to them. For example, you may see people tossing plastic bags in the red bin.

4 • Dec. 6, 2021

NEWS BRIEFS

ONE ACT WONDERS

LOCAL NEWS

TEAGAN LYNCH Staff Writer

Nov. 22: COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths reach highest numbers since January Nov. 24: Kelloggs’s workers, having been on strike since Oct. 5 resume talks with higher-up company men and women after threats of worker replacement

NATIONAL NEWS

Nov. 23: Daughter of Malcolm X, Malikah Shabazz, died at 56 of natural causes Nov. 21: 5 killed and nearly 50 injured in Wisconsin after an SUV drives into an annual holiday parade

WORLD NEWS Nov. 29: Jack Dorsey, co-founder of Twitter, to step down as CEO

Nov. 28: New Zealand set to ease COVID-19 restrictions in the coming weeks

MN 2021 One-Act Production: “Defying Gravity” Mcfee said.

Similar to the plays of the previous years, the tone of “Defying Gravity” is very serious and somber with a little bit of humour mixed in. ights illuminate the audience’s faces while stu“I hope that it’ll really make the audience apprecidents from all sorts of different schools gather backstage, The writer ate the relationships that they getting ready to perform. One Act have with their family,” Gutiof Defying means one shot in front of judges. errez said. “This is a really Gravity, The untraditional theater competi- I hope that it’ll really important part of history, and tion is about to begin.

Jane Anit’s not something that everyMillard North High School’s make the audience appreciate derson is one has personal memories One Act play this year is called the relationship that they have of.” an Emmy “Defying Gravity” and is about with thir family. This is a really While working together Award the Challenger Space Shuttle exto make the best show they plosion on Jan. 28, 1986. The play important part of and it’s not winning can, the cast and crew bond also follows the experiences of something everyone has pertogether, creating unforgettawriter and those involved. ble memories. director for “This is a really interesting sonal memories of.

“My favorite part of One television, look at how people’s stories fit Act is connecting with peotogether in the greater scheme of ALLYCIA GUTIERREZ ple you don’t usually know theater and life,” co-director Allycia Gutierrez LANGUAGE ARTS TEACHER AND because it can create a better film. said. environment for yourself,” CO-DIRECTOR OF DEFYING The plays One Act puts on GRAVITY Mcfee said for their audience are shorter than And by bonding together, what they would normally be, crethe members of One Act beating a unique experience for both the audience and the gan to form multiple valuable relationships and friendConcord performers. ships.

Theater “I think it’s fun because it makes me want to work harder… and have the show better so we can do better at compeINSPIRATION BEHIND DEFYING GRAVITY tition,” actress Amelia Wheeler said.

The final component of Using parallels to Claude Monet, the One Act Defying Gravity, written by accomputting on the One Act play is plished writer and director Jane Anderson, takes a look at the 1986 Challenger disaster both putting everything together for as it happened and twenty years after the event. Told from the perspective of participants, competition- blocking, acting, bystanders. Switching perspective from the grieving daughter of the teacher selected to be and technology. the first civilian astronaut to two elderly tourists to a NASA mechanic wracked with guilt.

“The hardest part is standing in the wings during a competition and watching the students take over.” Gutierrez said. “By this point they’re totally ready and they always make me proud, but it’s pretty nerve wracking to stand in the back and not be able to do anything.”

This show is made from the survivor’s points of view rather than that of those who died. This is a unique take on traditional storylines which emphasizes connections and gratitude in light of a terrible event.

Top (left to right): Ellison S Onizuka, Sharon Christa AcAuliffe, Gregory “What I love most about Jarvis, Judith A. Resnik theater is that I can create a scene Bottom: Michael J. Smith, Francis R. (Dick) Scobee and Ronald E. for someone that can change McNair how they view something.” Alex Source: Concord Theater

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FAST FACTS

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MNHSONLINE.COM • 5

ORNAMENTS FOR STEM AND SWIM Student transforms IT class project into fundraiser REBECCA JACOBSEN Staff Writer

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ince freshman year, senior Andrew Zheng has been a part of MN’s swim team as a competitor in the 100 meter breaststroke and 200 meter individual medley events. Towards the beginning of his final season, he took advantage of a unique opportunity in the Industrial Technology (IT) department to give back to the Swim and Dive program.

“It all started in engineering. We were assigned a project. We were supposed to make some ornaments that were supposed to exemplify a school activity, and we were supposed to sell them at the Crafts Fair. Brady [IT teacher] told us that if we wanted to, we could turn it into a fundraiser,” Zheng said.

Although many of the students in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Design and Development class did not evolve their project into a fundraiser, Zheng was inspired by Brady’s words of encouragement, leading to his two-month-long project of creating ornaments for the swim team to sell beyond the Craft Fair.

“He [Zheng] approached me, asking what I thought about it [the fundraiser], and I said, ‘Great idea.’ The only thing he has asked me for to help is to send it out to the

“I’m excited for the opportunity he [Zheng] has givteam [and] put it out on social media, but otherwise, he’s en the team to upgrade our performance in meets with done all the work,” swim coach Andy Cunningham said. this fundraiser, as we can purchase new fins, weights, About one dollar from each ornament sold in the paddles, snorkels, [and] warmups. I think this fundraisfundraiser went back to the IT department for the cost of er will also show other swimmers or members of other producing it; the rest of the money earned went towards sports here at MN that they, too, can take an active part the swim and dive program. Zheng sold around 80 or- in their team and help to improve themselves wherever naments at the beginning of November, the swim team possible,” swim team captain Tommy Eichmann said. accumulating a profit close to $200.

While giving back to the swim team through his “[The proceeds fundraiser, Zheng was also able to from the fundraiser] exercise his organizational skills I think this fundraiser will will probably be used and ability to take the initiative. for either new flags also show other swimmers or mem“It has been 100% him. In over the pool for backhis class, he’s doing the work [to] stroke, or new equip- bers of other sports here at MN that actually make the bag tags and ment because a lot of they, too, can take an active part the ornaments, and he’s keeping our equipment is realtrack of all that. He has started it, in their team and help to improve ly outdated and old,” and he’s the one seeing it all the themselves wherever possible.

Zheng said. way through to the finish, which By holding the is fantastic,” Cunningham said. fundraiser, Zheng was In the end, the STEM Deable to make a possign and Development class’s TOMMY EICHMANN itive contribution to ornament project proved to be the SENIOR AND SWIM TEAM CAPTAIN the swim team, as well perfect task for Zheng to hone his as display to others a engineering skills, develop valucommendable ambiable leadership characteristics, tion to make a difference in his sport. and benefit the swim team.

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THE MAKING OF THE ORNAMENTS Using the programs Auto CAD, Inkscape and Autodesk Inventor, students designed their ornaments.

After designing their ornaments, students used a CNC (computer numerical control) machine to cut out the ornaments.

After the ornaments were complete, they were going to be sold at the MN Craft Fair to raise money for the IT department in the hopes of being able to buy a new 3-D printer.

6 • Dec. 6, 2021

WHAT’S FOR LUNCH?

What goes on behind the scenes to make our school lunches ELIAS PIPINOS Staff Writer

we were also giving curbside meals away for free after school, with weekend meals given out on Fridays,” Eades said.

Last year, Eades, along with the kitchen staff, went

beef patty with a wheat-based bun, served with out of their way to give out meals to every person who fries on the side. Make sure you don’t forget a fruit! Take needed it, even going as far as giving food to cars on a deep dive into the journey that takes place for all of the the curb during lunchtime. food that’s served, every day, Millard-wide.

Eades, who Behind each has worked in menu, served every Millard for alday, there is a team most a decade, of highly qualified has seen and and like-minded been a part of a people who work tovariety of strategether to make the gies and changes blueprint of meals made to school served to students lunch as a whole.

Millard-wide.

“In the past Lisa Varney, nine years that Millard District’s I’ve been with registered dietitian, MPS, dietary produces all of the restrictions have menus and goes out been implementof her way to get ed to slightly food on every stuchange and indent’s plate. crease variety in “I work with a school lunch,” committee of chefs Eades said, Sandwich Assembly: and general manag“These newers to determine the The sandwich bar allows students to build their own sander stations, like menu,” Varney said, wiches from the provived ingradients. This gives students a our Uncrustable “during our meethealthy and personalized option for their meal.

Kits, make up ings we review what Photograph by almost 20% of is well liked, what Elias Pipinos our entire menu, didn’t sell so well, with 250 to 260 and factor in genkids getting them eral feedback from a day.” students, parents R e c e n t l y, and our kitchen teams.” students have seen the implementation of a soup-andThroughout recent years, various strategies for sandwich bar. One student, freshman Liam Shockey, is school lunch have been enacted, with Varney and her a huge fan of the new section. team giving out surveys every year to all the students in “I like getting the sandwiches and the tomato soup the MPS to see and consider the results. every day, and I really appreciate that we can get it free “We review all [of the surveys] and consider all the every day. Also, the variety is good too because we can student feedback when developing or changing a menu,” get things like broccoli cheddar soup or even chili on Varney said, “The more participants, the more influence the side with our sandwiches,” Shockey said. within the limits of the USDA guidelines.”

Eades and his lunch ladies, who convene and meet On a similar note, different strategies have been im- every day before lunch to discuss and prepare for the plemented to change and revitalize school lunch, includ- day ahead, are the backbone of MN’s lunch system. ing the Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act. With them, every student can get their hands on free “[The] implementation of the Healthy Hunger Free breakfast in the mornings and free lunch every afterKids Act of 2013 has been shown to improve the quality, noon. variety and nutrition aspects of meals,” Varney said.

“I know that, even if I wake up and don’t have In a different setting, Greg Eades, the food produc- breakfast or a [packed] lunch, I have an opportunity to tion manager at MN, works daily on a hand-to-tray level get food for free at school, and that’s great,” Shockey in the cafeteria. said.

“Because of the pandemic, we had free lunches and

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EVOLUTION OF SCHOOL LUNCHES 1920’s

Stews, boiled meats, creamed vegetables and bread became common with the introduction of hot lunches, and health concerns began to rise. The introduction of beef, pork and butter into school lunches began as a result of the Great Depression.

1930’s

1940’s

By this time almost every state had a federal lunch system in place, however the reliance on the agricultural surplus increased.

1950’s

1960’s

Food production increased with the increase in population during the Baby Boom, and private companies began contracting with school districts.

1980’s

he greasy food sold by many fast food companies became more frequently found in cafeterias

The availability of school lunches increased, but so did the presence of far more unhealthy options

Processed foods increased their presence in schools.

1970’s

1990’s

Obesity rates climb as fast food companies set up shop in cafeterias

2000’s & 2010’s

With the Obama Administration came the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act and the Let’s move program, eancting a surge of healhtier options for school lunches

OPINIONS • 7

ENVY OVER EXCITEMENT FOR E-LEARNING The students of MN are not in favor of replacing snowdays with e-learning THE HOOFBEAT Staff Editorial

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xhausted after a long eight hours of school and having to walk home in -8 degree weather, you decide to take a peek at the snow day calculator.

As you wail with excitement at the 97% chance on your screen, you get a notification from Twitter announcing that Dr. Sutfin had cancelled school. But you forgot to read one very important note. It’s an e-learning day?

While administrators remain enthusiastic about the new development Millard has made to their snow days— e-learning, this excitement has failed to transfer to students.

“I prefer snow days because we get to have fun and having just one more day of school at the end of the year won’t hurt.” junior Sanika Navalkar said.

Before the addition of e-learning, students were always ecstatic at the thought of having a snow day. For them it meant no school, drinking hot chocolate while watching their favorite movie, and playing in the cold snow. Now, however, a snow day looks more like waking up at 9 am and completing assigned homework until 9 pm.

For many students, e-learning snow days have turned into an added source of stress as many have had to complete busy work by impending deadlines and taking

up time that they could be using to do other things, like completing the previous day’s homework or studying for an upcoming test.

“E-learning days are stressful and ineffective. I end up doing more work on an e-learning day than I would on a normal day,” junior Aanya Mishra said.

However, it’s important to understand that the Millard District’s intention with the implementation of e-learning on snow days was not with an ill intention.

Their reasoning was that if the teachers were to have students doing school work on their day off, then the extra days that are added to the end of the school year due to the numerous amount of snow days could be discarded, giving the district an easier way to predict the last day of school.

“When we transitioned to the one-to-one laptops, that gave us the opportunity to allow our students to still be able to learn while they’re at home,” assistant principal Aaron Bearinger said.

While it’s understandable that the district does not want to extend the school year, many students believe that the benefits of allowing for a snow day to be honored as a true day off from school outweighs the cost of an extra day at the end of the year.

“Most days I have swimming practice before and after school, and having to balance that on top of my schoolwork and orchestra every day can get pretty over-

STUDENT SPEAK

whelming. Especially during the winter time, it’s nice to have a free day when I don’t have to worry about school, and those few extra days at the end of the year really don’t make a big difference at the end of the day,” said sophomore Shriya Samanta.

A poll was conducted of a variety of students at MN (approximately 100), and it asked whether they prefer a true snow day or an e-learning day. Around 60% of students answered that they prefer snow days over e-learning days.

One method that has started to be implemented at many universities across the country is the idea of a mental health day, which gives students an entire day of time for themselves in the middle of a chaotic school year.

Considering that MN is fully in person after a very challenging year of remote learning, using snow days as a mental health day would be extremely beneficial for both students and teachers.

Snow days have been a part of students’ lives for as long as we can remember; an unexpected day that we can use as a break from a long and hectic school year.

Even our parents and many generations before them have gotten to experience the joy of a classic snow day, so it’s strange to think that future generations may never be able to experience something that’s been cherished by students for decades.

EDITORIAL CARTOON

HOW DO YOU SPEND SNOW DAYS NOW THAT E-LEARNING HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED?

JADE JOHNSON SENIOR

JESS BONEHAM SOPHOMORE

I don’t do any work, I just lay in bed still. I think elearning days are really dumb considering they’re supposed to be fun and spontaneous.

YAZEED ABAYAZID

I get all my work done in two hours then I just sleep for the rest of the day and that’s basically it. It reminds me of online school.

JUNIOR

In bed. Then I wake up and I do the e-learning stuff...then I go back to bed. I think they are not necessary. We should just have a snow day.

MAX HARRIS SENIOR

I don’t do e-learning days. I just check the Google classroom. I hate [e-learning days] because I don’t like doing homework on snow days.

By Aiden Lewald

8 • December 6, 2021

FROM CONCERT TO TRAGEDY Amina’s Address

The deaths at the Astroworld Festival could have been prevented

An ordinary concert turns into

an American tragedy with 10 dead and hundreds injured.

Travis Scott’s Astroworld Festival concert in Houston, Texas with a crowd of 50,000 young individuals grew deadly within Amina Hussain first 30 minutes the of the show. As people Staff Writer rushed to get closer to the stage, concertgoers were packed tightly together, causing people to not only have tremendous difficulty moving but also breathing. Soon, many began to collapse to the floor, people falling on top of each other.

These “Crowd rushes” are not an uncommon occurrence at concerts. “The Who”’, a popular band, left 11 dead at a concert in Cincinnati in 1979. Now, in 2021, Astroworld Festival leaves 10 dead. Victims ranging from 9 to 27, and kids to college students. The youngest being 9-year old Ezra Blount, who passed away after being placed in a medically induced coma from his injuries.

Blount’s heart, lungs, and brain were damaged during the crowd rush.

Throughout the years, these tragedies keep on re-

curring without a solution. Travis Scott and the venue, NRG Park, should be held responsible for the deaths at Astroworld Festival because they could have been prevented if they were prepared.

According to CNN, “After being crowd surfed to safety, Madeline Eskins, ICU nurse, used her medical background to help other concertgoers in distress, but said there wasn’t enough supplies”.

She also stated that, “she saw multiple people in cardiac arrest and the paramedic had only one automated external defibrillator(AED) and one ambu bag”.

NRG Park and Scott did not have enough supplies arranged to help the hundred injured. An AED can only help one person at a time. Thus, if multiple people are unconscious and in need of CPR, not everyone will receive help, especially when CPR is to be performed four to six minutes after unconsciousness.

Eskins said, “the medics that were there to help, a lot of them hadn’t been properly trained”.

Underprepared medics who haven’t been trained will not be able to give the victims the best help. Eskins and many other trained medics that were part of the crowd stepped up to assist. If there was an appropriate amount of trained medics assigned, the tragedy could have been controlled.

Another main factor for the panic was overcrowding. There were just too many people. According to Rolling Stone, less than two weeks before the Astroworld Festival, organizers had to cancel a Playboi Carti concert due to a wild crowd at NRG Park in Houston. With this

In a 2015 concert, Travis Scott is seen stopping the Perfomance and urging the crowd to attack a man who stole his shoes

In 2021, Travis Scott Is seen dancing on top of ambulances that are transporting bodies from the Astroworld Festival

in mind NRG Park should have changed rules and the amount of people that can attend.

Carti did take in mind the crowd. According to Rolling Stone, Carti was documented to have a man say, “If you guys do not follow the rules, if you guys jump over to the floor, if you guys do anything that they consider dangerous, not two, but just one person messing up, this show is over”.

Scott handled the situation completely differently.

There are clear videos of people passing out, and fans going crazy, and instead of discouraging them Scott says,“Let me see some rage”. This only made the situation worse.

Reported by New York Times, Scott also had multiple fans trying to come up on stage to tell him people were passing out and needed help. Though he stopped the concert once to ask if everyone was okay, he continued to finish the concert.

Scott has stopped concerts before for less important things, like his shoe being stolen. A new video of Scott’s concert in 2015 has resurfaced that shows Scott signaling to cut the music to go find his shoe. He had the power to cut the music and send people home.

Scott could have avoided this calamity and saved the lives that were lost.

Scott and NRG Park should take responsibility for what happened. In the future, artists across the industry should take this tragedy as a personal hit and a reminder of the liveliness concerts are supposed to bring rather than the morbidity it brought on the recent November night.

“I was crushed, hurt, and gasping for air in the Astroworld crowd. When I escaped, all I could see was hell” -Natalie Hollis “I felt like I was having a panic attack my heart kept going fast, I couldn’t breathe... and the security for the event didn’t really do much.”

-Jennifer Hernandez “You either fought for survival and stayed upright or you fell into a sinkhole of people and got trampled.”

- Ian James Source: Insider.com, USAtoday

IN-DEPTH • 9

JOYFUL HOLIDAY WISHES

Experiencing the various holidays throughout the winter season Illustration by Aiden Lewald

10 • December 6, 2021

A SELECTION OF SEASON’S STORIES

Taking a peak into a few of MN students’ holiday season stories and traditions ANNA PIPINOS Editor-in-Chief

St. Maarten

Joyeux Noël

“I

remember walking down the stairs one Christmas morning and seeing my dad, who I thought was Santa at the time, by the Christmas tree. Of course, I was young, so I didn’t suspect anything. Instead, I buried my face into the red suit he was wearing and rushed to the Christmas tree where what seemed like a billion gifts awaited me,” senior Leo Juhel said.

After moving from France to China and then from China to the United States, Juhel and his family stay in touch with their French roots by creating traditional Christmas food and decorating their home with the Nativity cribb, lights, and fir trees.

“In France usually, a Galette des Rois will be prepared. Inside of it is a little hidden feve, and the Galette des Rois will be sliced up into pieces, and whoever’s piece has the little feve in it gets to wear a golden crown for the rest of the night, hence the name of the dessert,” Juhel said.

However, as Juhel and his brother grew up, they and their parents began to travel to St. Maartens every year as a way to visit family friends and as a way to get a small getaway from cold, snowy Omaha.

“My Christmases are now usually spent in St Maarten, which is a tropical island in the Caribbean. So, on Christmas day, my family and some family friends will go out to this super secluded beach that is only accessible via boat. We swim to the beach, set up camp, and spend the day relaxing in the comfort of the sun,” Juhel said.

After heading back to their home in St. Maartens, Juhel and his family end the day with a grand dinner and dessert consisting of lobster, foie gras, and profiteroles. To conclude the night, he and his friends participate in a white elephant type of gift exchange.

“It is always really fun seeing all the weird things that people get. I remember that a few years back I got stuck with some red lipstick,” Juhel said.

Happy Hanukkah

Leo Juhel has been going to St. Maarten Island to visit family over the holidays since he was a child.

Illustration by Aiden Lewald

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very year, junior Kayla Shnayder and her family come together to celebrate the eight days of Hanukkah by playing games, eating traditional foods, and lighting the menorah.

“My parents have kept up the traditions of lighting the candles on the menorah together, eating a huge dinner, prayers, and playing games with the dreidel,” Shnayder said.

However, unlike other families, the Shnayders tend to open gifts the very first day of Hanukkah.

“Everybody gets a large amount of presents, but some people open a certain amount of presents each night, and others wait to open their presents till the very last night of Hanukkah,” Shnayder said. “My family usually opens all of the presents the very first night just because of how excited we are.”

And although they throw a party for Hanukkah at their household every once in a while, the Shnayder family enjoys celebrating with just their immediate family as they appreciate spending time with each other.

“We sometimes throw a party with family friends, but we usually just celebrate with our family and invite our grandma and her friends since it’s better for bonding,” Shnayder said.

This year, Shnayder is looking forward to not only attending a full service at her synagogue but also getting to see her family.

“We are going to go to a full service at our synagogue, Beth Israel, and have some family in town, which we don’t normally get to do,” Shnayder said.

Menorah

The menorah symbolizes the ideal of universal enlightenment.

Each candle is lit each night to celebrate the miracle of oil lasting eight days.

Illustration by Aiden Lewald

TRADITIONS ACROSS THE TABLE: Galette des rois, or king cake, is traditionally served to celebrate the Epiphany a religious day commemorating the arrival of the Three Kings to the manger where Jesus was born.

Sufganiyah is a jelly filled doughnut that symbolizes burning oil lamps in the ancient Holy Temple in Jerusalem.

Fondue is a dish in which s of food are dipped into a hot sa cooking medium. Although not tionally, some families serve it o Eve or Christmas Day.

MNHSONLINE.COM • 11

Christmas Tree

The Christmas tree is symbolic of the birth and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Families worldwide put up trees to celebrate.

Illustration by Aiden Lewald

Delightful Diwali

“I

just love the dance parties we have at Diwali parties and just being able to be with your friends and family on Diwali night,” senior Ria Boob said.

Every year, Boob, her family, and her family friends come together to celebrate Diwali, a five-day long festival celebrating new beginnings and the victory of good over evil. Throughout these five days, Boob and her family closely follow traditions, such as lighting fireworks and clay lamps called diyas.

“Diwali parties consist of a prayer. We like to later play games with our families and friends, as well as dance and light some fireworks. The gatherings are super fun, and everyone looks forward to wearing their new lehengas or kurtas.

However, Boob and her family put a lot of time and effort into preparing for the festivities, starting several hours before they have to leave in order to make sure that everything is ready by the time they have to leave.

“Usually before the Diwali parties, I light diyas, while my family begins to get ready for the party.

My sister, my mom, and I will later find our lehengas that we’ve been saving to wear for this party,” Boob said. “My dad wears one of his new kurtas, and once we all are dressed, we say a short prayer and head to the party with the food we had previously made.”

After a long four days of being with friends and family, Boob and her family make sure to set aside the last day of Diwali as a family day.

“We make sure to celebrate with my sister since she is coming back from college, and we have a special dinner just to spend a lot of time together,” Boob said.

Merry Christmas

F

rom a very young age, junior Lila Mock and her family have always come together to celebrate Christmas, the day Jesus Chirst was born.

And with every passing year, Mock continues to notice how spending time with her family during Christmas has helped bring them closer together.

“We celebrate Christmas at my house as it is a celebration of our religion and what we believe. It also helps bring our family closer together, which I enjoy seeing,” Mock said.

When in Omaha, Mock and her family uphold their customary tradition of attending their church service and later heading over to a friend’s house from church to enjoy some fondue.

“My favorite tradition that we do every year is that on Christmas Eve every year, we go to our church service and then go to my friend’s house to have fondue. It is incredibly fun, and it’s nice to be able to look forward to something every year,” Mock said.

Alongside attending church and celebrating with their family friends, Mock and her family make sure to volunteer at the Christmas Store. Helping out with the cause, Mock donates multiple gifts to the store for a reduced price as a way to give a chance to people who may not be able to purchase the toys at full price to buy brand new toys for their children.

“Some years we will volunteer at this place called the Christmas Store, and everybody from my church will buy a bunch of Christmas presents to donate to the Christmas Store,” Mock siad. “Then, people who may not have the money to buy the toys at full price, will come to buy the presents at a lower cost.

small pieces auce or a hot t done tradion Christmas

Diya

The diya is a candle essential to Hinduism and Diwali. It signifies purity, goodness, good luck, and power.

Illustration by Aiden Lewald

Biryani is a mixed rice dish originating among the Muslims of the Indian subcontinent. It is mixed with meats like chicken, goat, lamb, prawn, fish, and sometimes eggs and vegetables.

12 • December 6, 2021

LIGHTING UP THE HOLIDAYS

Taking a look at the diverse decorations of different MN students ADITHI DEEDUVANU Staff Writer

N

inety two percent of Americans celebrate Christmas, 5% celebrate Hanukkah, and 3% celebrate Kwanzaa. Many celebrate more than one. For a majority of Americans, the holiday season is the best part of the year. Whether it’s the weather, the presents, the food, or the joy, holiday time is magical for many.

Arguably, the thing that makes everyone so happy about this time of year are the decorations. A study done by The Huffington Post, shows that holiday decorations increase dopamine levels.

For some, decorating means simply putting up a Christmas tree or lighting a menorah, but for others decorating is going all out. Within our own community, many families decorate their houses extravagantly.

Freshman William Kalcevich’s family puts up around 1,500 lights per year.

“There are individual bulbs that go around the brim of the roof and the gutter, there are lights on the trees, and some exterior lights in the yard,” Kalcevich said.

For his family, decorating is a bonding activity. They’ve been decorating together since before he was born. However, Kalcevich has been aiding for as long as he can remember, helping his family put up lights and other decorations.

Many different families have different reasonsfor why they decorate. Some families decorate for religious reasons while others decorate out of habit. Last year, during the COVID-19 pandemic, many people could not see their families, so they lost their traditions. Only now are people reclaiming the sense of unity that they might have lost last year.

“I love having Christmas decorations up. It is such a special time of the year and having the house decorated to match is incredible. The first time we plug in all our lights is always special to me. It may not be a huge spectacle, but it’s simple and something that has become a tradition,” Junior Emily Merten said.

Putting up lights is an important part of decorating, and it is one of the main aspects of the tradition. But admiring them and recognizing the community around you just adds to the holiday spirit.

“I love waking up in the morning and getting to see the tree glowing as I step into the hallway. It reminds of all the joy in the world and the privilege it is to get to celebrate in such a spectacular way,” Merten added.

When people decorate it is not only special to them, but also to those around them.

“The holiday season, in general, can really bring communities together. Decorations create a positive atmosphere for everyone around,” senior Leah Hostetler said.

Merten’s family is a real example of this. Her family decorates every year, but last year was a little different. Her family kept their lights up longer than usual, because of how it brought the community together.

“We happened to keep our Christmas lights up through February last year just because we enjoyed seeing them and multiple neighbors were so upset when we took them down. Even though Christmas was over, the lights brought a little bit of joy to them each day,” Merten said.

Holiday lights, ornaments, and other decorations are a symbol of unity. Whether you celebrate or don’t, you can still feel the palpable joy in the air. For many families and communities, decorating is a ritual, a symbol, and most importantly a tradition. For this upcoming holiday season, brighten up the night with glimmering lights.

Light-Seeing In Omaha

DEC. 7

DEC. 11

What: HFC Christmas at Union What: Holiday Lights Festival Station Where: The Old Market Where: Durham Museum When: 12 AM-11:59 PM When: 5:30 PM

DEC. 31 What: New Year’s Eve Fireworks Spectacular Where: CHI Health Center When: 7-8 PM

OPINIONS • 13

CHOOSING AUTHENTICITY Choose to be yourself over being different

Kanchanam’s Konscious

As a writer I’m constantly on

a hunt to write about something that has never been written before. A story that is completely original. It took me a while to realize that “completely is comMahika Kanchanam original” pletely impossible.

In fact, a PsycholLifestyle Editor ogy Today article states, “creating something totally new is exceptionally rare.” This statement seems like an obvious one, but it slips most of our minds when we’re in the process of looking for new ideas.

It’s important to understand that this desire to be the “one and only” actually becomes a barrier to good pieces of work. Continuing a never ending search for something never done before stops us from starting a piece of writing or a new project.

Part of the problem is that the concept of praising the unique and brushing aside the ordinary is reinforced in workplaces and schools. According to a 2021 article in the Emory Wheel, education and work systems constantly pressure us to be the “one” student or the “one” candidate. We constantly hear the question: What makes you different?

1

I often have found myself under a great pressure to be the most unique in the room. This idea started to drive every small decision I made, from buying shoes that no one else had to listening to music that no one else listened to.

I was taking actions that made me stand out rather than taking actions that showed people who I really am. Reflecting back on your decisions, maybe you’ve done the same.

What’s the answer? We should start aiming for authenticity rather than originality. “Just be yourself ” seems like a simple solution to this problem, but it’s not as easy as it seems. PsychCentral states, “Humans have a need to belong and feeling accepted is calming.” This feeling can make it hard for us to be our true selves as we search for validation from others.

We can start by allowing ourselves to be inspired.

When you look at something and think, “I wish I would’ve come up with that,” you’re seeing an idea as one that couldn’t be your own, instead of an idea that you can make your own. It’s okay to build off of other’s ideas. Allow the work of creators you look up to to spill into your own. That’s how we learn and grow.

We also need to realize that being “unoriginal” can be a good thing. When ideas are restated and reintroduced in our world, it makes the idea important and impactful. Topics like gender rights and racial inequality are talked about over and over again. It’s not right to say that these topics become less valuable because they are talked about too much. In fact, restatement actually gives these topics more value and understanding.

So next time you start a new project or a new story, don’t be afraid to repeat an old idea. Just start working and see where a “not so original idea” might take you.

Choosing Authenticity Over Originality Keep an open mind! You never know where it will lead you

2 3 4 5

Seek validation from yourself before others Keep in mind that nothing is perfect Your first attempt does not need to be perfect Consider your “gut feeling” before taking advice Source: Lifehack.org

THE HOOFBEAT The Hoofbeat staff will publish six issues of the paper at Millard North High School (1010 South 144th St., Omaha, NE). Type and Layout are done using Macintosh and HP computers. Printing is done by White Wolf Printing in Sheldon, Iowa. The Hoofbeat is a member of the Nebraska High School Press Association and JEA. The Hoofbeat exists for the 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 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 Anna Pipinos Front Editor Anna Pipinos News Editor Morgan McCormack Opinions Editor Sneha Selvaraj In-Depth Editor Olivia Torrez Lifestyle Editor Mahika Kanchanam Sports Editor Elias Pipinos Design Editor Aiden Lewald Adviser Sarah Crotzer Principal Brian Begley

Cartoonist Aiden Lewald Illustrator Riya Kannapareddy Aiden Lewald Photographer Aiden Lewald Staff Writers Asim Adhikary Adithi Deeduvanu Reema Guda Sadie Hugelman Amina Hussain Rebecca Jacobsen Teagan Lynch Cooper Piercy Anuj Singh Deeksha Sridher

Submit story tips to @mnhshoofbeat or mnhsonline.com

14 • December 6, 2021

WHY YOUR OPINION DOES NOT MATTER Adhikary’s Advice

We care too much about other people’s opinions that we lose track of our own

ItheamTVa bigshow fan

of “Friends”. I actually consider it to be one of my personality traits. The powerful messages, the hilarious banter, the chemistry between actors, I love it.

Well, I used to love it. When I saw Asim Adhikary everyone’s opinion of the sitcom on soStaff Writer cial media, I realized I was not a fan of the show. As a matter of fact, I consider disliking “Friends” one of my personality traits now. The lack of diversity, the exhausted laugh tracks, the clueless characters, I hate it. The show is simply overrated.

Nowadays, everyone has an opinion. After all, we have the power to tweet, repost, comment, and even clickbait in the palms of our hands. Moreover, these

growing mediums such as Tik Tok, Twitter, and Facebook are allowing more people to express themselves through their own words and beliefs.

Our opinions are constantly changing. I find it intriguing how something we once deemed intolerable can grow on us, and something that we’ve always cherished can grow off of us. These shifts in thoughts and emotions can be seen anywhere. The type of music we listen to, the foods we eat, and even the celebrities we follow. For instance, look at Noah Centineo. Every girl I knew was head over heels for the actor until one day, he suddenly became more cringy than hot.

Centineo was first accepted and admired by the public after the 2018 hit movie, To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, released on Netflix. The actor plays Peter Kavinsky: the stereotypical popular guy who everyone likes.

Centineo was on top of the world, receiving all sorts of future roles and being loved by his newly found fans.

But, once the threequel: To All the Boys: Always and Forever released, the actor was perceived differently by his audience. His character in the movie was regarded as too annoying and awkward, and in real life, a previous fan tweeted “When he opens his mouth stupid things come out and it’s hard to think he’s hot after that.” In less than

a week, he went from being America’s heartthrob to the most memed celebrity on Twitter. This is just one of the many examples of how quickly our opinions can change.

Alright, I am going to say it. I believe pineapple belongs on pizza. That’s my opinion, and I am sticking to it. A couple of years ago, I would have never admitted this simply because I was too afraid. I was so misguided that I would abandon my opinion just so I wouldn’t get ostracized by my peers.

I used to scroll on social media and think to myself, “I am going to have that opinion.” I was never confident enough to express my feelings or ideas, thinking I’d get shut down and not fit into social norms. So, I always played it safe and went with the masses. But as I grew older and became more self-aware, I recognized that it’s better to be yourself than to care about others’ opinions.

Once you let go of this barrier of hate and just stop caring, life becomes much more fun. It opens your world to unique perspectives, allowing you to step out of your comfort zone and try new things.

Whether it’s something as minor as pineapple on pizza or as complex as our political beliefs, our opinions make us who we are, and we shouldn’t let anyone change that.

A NEW PERSPECTIVE Celebrities and shows that became hated overnight Millie Bobbie Brown Hated for not “acting her age”

Victoria Justice Disliked for her “I think we ALL sing” comment

Riverdale

Taylor Swift

Called a parody of a teen drama rather than a teen drama

Disliked for her involvement in “obnoxious feuds”

Millie Bobbie Brown

Ed Sheeran

Considered to be “cringey”

There is no general reason for why Ed Sheeran is hated on Source: buzzfeed.com

LIFESTYLE • 15

DISTANT FUTURE OF DUNES After months of setbacks, ‘Dune’ finally hits the screen, but was it worth the wait?

MORGAN McCORMACK News Editor

H

itting the play button on “Dune” (2021), I was cautiously optimistic. Like many, I was waiting in anticipation for the film’s release amidst frequent release delays. In the end, the film both did and did not disappoint.

Set in the distant future, the Earth is a thing of the past, and our focus is rather the Atreides family as they are shuttled off their home planet and to the desert planet of Arrakis by imperial decree. Arrakis is an unkind planet with no water to be found, yet yielding something called “the spice”, which is a catalyst for economic gain.

Frank Herbert’s 1965 novel weaves together a universe full of diverse planets, people, and their politics creating an expansive story that leaves one wanting more.

After reading the novel, I realized that it was a story bursting at the seams for film potential with its band of characters and complex story. However, the film released in 1984 was greatly disappointing, and fans of the novel have been waiting for justice to be done to this beloved sci-fi story.

Filmmaker Denis Villeneuve does this justice in his adaptation, weaving the scant humorous moments in

without disruption and fully capturing the desolate scale of Arrakis.

The decision to cut the sheer vastness of the “Dune” universe is a wise one as such a large universe is difficult to capture on-screen even within the two parts the adaptation is being split into. Even with this, however, the film still remains faithful to the interworking of the story, placing on the screen a story long considered to be unfilmable.

The filmmaker is not the only one who portrays Herbet’s vision on point . The actors in the film portray their roles excellently. Timothee Chalamet depicts Paul Atreides’ evolution from arrogance to embracing both Arrakis and his power with grace. Oscar Isaac steps into the role of Paul’s father, exuding the nobility and determination of the character.

Zendaya does a more than adequate portrayal of Chani in the moments that she gets to act rather than staring off into space in Paul’s dreams, as she does for the majority of the film.

One of the greatest features of this film is its action.

The sequences of large-scale action are often character-focused, showing the effects of the events on the char-

acters through facial expression rather than only depicting exploding thopters (their ships) and sinking buildings.

Therefore, the film depicts the impact of the story and why we should care about what is happening very well while also giving an idea of the tragic destruction that occurs throughout the film.

However, the film and its action are hindered by its rating. As a PG-13 film, the audience is not shown the full extent of the violence. I am not a fan of extreme gore and violence, but the novel uses these things to depict both the gravity of the situation and the brutality of their enemies, thus creating fear of the creatures that are hunting down our main characters.

The film gradually builds up as setting up such a large-scale film takes a certain amount of laying the groundwork before taking off into the story, but it is certainly worth the wait. As soon as the story gets off the ground, it doesn’t stop.

With a slow start, long run time, and an end that leaves you wanting more, “Dune” (2021) is a solid adaptation of the iconic science fiction novel that will leave both fans and people who have never read the novel in high anticipation of the sequel.

ABOUT THE ACTORS

OSCAR ISAAC Character Played: Leto Artreides I

TIMOTHÉE CHALAMET Character Played: Paul Artreides

-Guatamalan-American Actor -Awards: Golden Globe Award, National Society of Film Critics Award, AACTA award -Other Movies: Star Wars series, X-Men Apocalypse

- American Actor - Awards: Independent Spirit Award, Gotham Independent Film Award, New York Film Critics Circle Award - Other Movies: Lady Bird, Beautiful Boy

ZENDAYA Character Played: Chani - American Actress and Singer - Awards: Emmy Award winner, Critics’ Choice Award, Critics’ Choice television award -Other Movies: Spiderman, Greatest Showman

REBECCA FERGUSON Character Played: Lady Jessica - Swedish Actress - Awards: Prague Independent Film Festival, Fangoria Chainsaw Awards, California Independent Film Festival -Other Movies: Despite the Falling Snow, Greatest Showman, Mission Impossible

16 • Dec. 6, 2021

PERSPECTIVES FROM PERU

Sophomore shares language and culture with fellow students in Spanish class DEEKSHA SRIDHER Staff Writer

vide his own perspective on his Peruvian culture in his first hour Spanish class. Spanish teacher Kayla Pitt believes that his insights allow her class to tie in ith winter break coming up, a beach getaway what she teaches in class to real world experiences.

“Having Mateo in class gives us a more worldly perwould probably be on most of our travel bucket lists. Living in Omaha, Nebraska doesn’t exact- spective. I appreciate that, as anyone who’s studied a ly offer the most scenic landscapes or warm weather. language knows, different countries have different terms However, for sophomore Mateo Rens, the beach was that they use. Mateo teaches us what they say in Peru only a 5-minute drive away rather than a 5-hour plane versus what they’ve talked about in textbooks,” Pitt said.

Apart from sharing his culture with his class, Rens is ride away until recently. Rens was born in Connecticut also able to help students who and moved to Lima, Peru need help with Spanish. His when he was six years skills and fast progress have old. After his father was allowed him to skip two levels offered a job in the Unitahead in Spanish next semester. ed States, he relocated to “The other students love Nebraska in early August. having him in class. He’s very “I used to live in friendly and willing to help Lima, which is the caphis classmates if they have ital of Peru,” Rens said. questions about what they’re “We moved to Nebraska learning,” Pitt said. “He exfor my dad’s job when cels when it comes to language he got hired here.” skills, and he will be moving Coming to Milfrom Honors 2 this semester lard North was a big to Honors 4 next semester.” change from his old Pitt believes that having school in Peru. Both of Rens in her class has given her his schools are involved Speaking in Spanish: students a unique opportunity in the IB Programme, Sophomore Mateo Rens helps his classmate in to learn Spanish in a more inyet the sizes of each are Spanish class. Mateo Rens moved to Peru when by no means similar. he was six and came to Nebraska in early August. teractive way. Additionally, she hopes that her class environ“I was kind of ner- Photograph by ment has helped Rens transivous and scared because Aiden Lewald tion to his new life in Omaha. in my old school, there “We are able to talk about customs and traditions more were 1,000 people in total, and it was from kindergarten to 12th grade. My grade had only 120 people,” deeply than we would be without him,” Pitt said. “I hope Rens said. “Starting in a school with so many people our class has provided him with a strong community and in your grade is kind of scary and nerve-wracking.” stable transition to his new home, school, and culture.”

Reminiscing about his move, Rens finds it bitHowever, Rens believes that he has since been able to make a good adjustment to his new school. tersweet to leave his friends and family from Peru.

He finds that the friendly atmosphere at Mil- However, the political instability in the area as well lard North makes the transition less daunting. as his father’s new job were some of the factors that “My experience at Millard North has improved a prompted his family to relocate to the United States.

“It was a really big change because in Peru, I already lot. It’s not that scary anymore. I actually enjoy going to school now since it’s physical school,” Rens said. “In had friends from when I was really young. I had my famPeru, it was an online school. I prefer going here as I ily around me, and I could always see my family and my have friends now, it’s easier for me, and it’s not as scary.” background,” Rens said. “My dad got a job from the US, Rens credits his new friends as his biggest supporters and they accepted him, so we got to move to Nebraska.”

Ever since his move, however, Rens finds pride in since he moved to Omaha. They were able to help him navigate his way throughout the school when he first arrived. being able to share his culture with other students. Al“There were a few friends that helped me a lot, though he misses Peru, he enjoys having the opportuand they explained a bunch of things. I didn’t know nity to share his experiences from when he lived there.

“I’m really prideful of where I come from and where where some things-- like assemblies--were, so I’d follow my friends, and they’d help me around,” Rens said. “It I lived,” Rens said. “Since Peru is not a well-known counwas like they were the guides, and I was the tourist.” try, I like to share my point of view and what I’ve exFurthermore, Rens has been able to pro- perienced while living there and how amazing it was.”

MORE ABOUT PERU

W

Ceviche

Ceviche is the national food of Peru. The main ingredients include fish, lime, lemon, onion, chili pepper, and coriander.

Fiesta de la Candelaria Fiesta de la Candelaria, filled with colorful costume and artistic culture, is the biggest event in Peru and the third biggest in South America.

Machu Picchu Machu Picchu, an Incan citadel in the Andes Mountains and one of the wonders of the ancient world, is one of the top places to visit in Peru.

MNHSONLINE.COM • 17

TEAM OF TWIRLERS

MN twirling team supports school’s sports teams and partakes in large competitions SADIE HUGELMAN Staff Writer

Before walking out onto the football field, the girls

come together to encourage one another and give their final pep talks before their performance. The boys football team is down by 28 in the first half, making it harder for the student section to cheer for their team.

It’s now the baton twirlers job to get the crowd pumped with their rehearsed twirls and spins, planning to capture the crowd’s attention and lift school spirit.

During the school year, the baton twirlers at MN are dedicated to performing at football and basketball games, but outside of school, they partake in large competitions across the state that they prepare and practice for all year long. Many of the twirlers found their passion for twirling from a young age, attributing their success to the many years they spent perfecting their technique and stunts.

With ten years of twirling experience, sophomore Kaitlyn Warren plans to continue baton twirling into college.

“You have to learn all of the routines, and you have to run them a lot, so you know them.

And to get all your tricks down you have to do them over and over. There’s a lot of little stuff that you have to put together to make it all just one big show,” Warren said.

Similarly, senior Marissa Messick has been twirling since the age of four. Messick’s mom twirled in both high school and college but has now passed the baton to Messick hoping to carry on the family tradition of twirling.

Like her mom, Messick hopes to continue her baton twirling career when she attends college.

MAKEUP BAG

Messick chose baton because of how different and more challenging it is compared to other sports.

“It’s fun to be able to challenge myself and prove to myself that I can do hard things that aren’t as common.

Everyone plays volleyball, everyone plays basketball.

[It’s] just something different,” Messick said.

By having a small team of five, the girls have been able to bond and create long-lasting friendships with each other. Aside from being together at school, each of the girls perform for an Omaha club called the Stepper-ettes. While most of them are on different teams, they enjoy coming together to perform for the school.

“Everyone twirls for the Stepper-ettes, but we’re all part of different teams. It’s fun that we all are on the same team here. It’s fun to be able to mix all of our skills and come up with something different,” Messick said.

Practices are year round for the Stepper-ettes, but the team usually comes in only once or twice a week for the school. Although they come in a few times every week, they are still able to maintain the tightly knit bonds they have created with their team.

“I think [being part of a team] positively affects it. If you’re having a bad day, you can always count on your teammates to lift you up,” Senior Madison Salber said.

The team continues to practice and perform BatonTwirlers in school and is looking forward to performing for the The MN team takes a picture with their coach national competition, the American Youth in Parade , for after performing at their showcase. Many baton the National Baton Twirling Association at Notre Dame twirlers perform both for MN and a club called University in South Bend Indiana over the Summer.

Stepper-ettes Photograph contributed by Delaney Ekdahl “I just love the feeling the baton gives me and all the

people that I’ve met. I’ve made a lot of great friends, and it just brings me happiness,” Salber said.

“At first it was for friends and fun, but I like baton because it’s all year round. It doesn’t go by season. Then, it was to challenge myself, and I enjoyed being able to prove to myself that I can do the tricks that I learned,” Messick said.

WHAT’S IN DELANEY EKDAHL’S PERFORMANCE BAG

JAZZ SHOES BATON

Delaney Ekdahl is a twirler for the MN team.

She has be twirling for nine years.

HAIR TIES AND BOBBY PINS

SNACKS

18 • SPORTS • Dec. 6, 2021

UNIFIED AND UNDEFEATED

Millard North’s Unified Bowling team has yet another dominant season my hair color,” Rohde said.

ANUJ SINGH One of the team’s four captains, Coleton Pleiss excitStaff Writer edly reminisces on this team tradition. t the start of this year’s Unified Bowling season, things “It’s a thing that she does every year. It’s mainly just were looking uncertain for MN. A majority of the team’s motivation and drives us to do better,” said Pleiss. “This bowlers were new to the sport, a departure from previous year, we chose a bluish-purple and we loved it. It was years, when the team had many seasoned bowlers. Ad- really fun.” ditionally, the added factor of the COVID-19 pandemic This encouraging team dynamic has not only led to had thrown a wrench into plans. victory on the bowling lanes, but it However, despite these starting has also led to improved academic hurdles, Unified Bowling coach Tricia We don’t focus on performance and effort from the Rohde says that this season has been one winning. We like to win, students on the team. to remember.

“We tell them that we are “Last year, during the pandemic, but we focus on building looking for an overall player, who we were only allowed to have 20play- relationships. has good character, is respectful, ers on the team. This year, we had 40 has grades above a five, and is a and I think that these players have regood bowler. We celebrate any ally helped us achieve our goals. So far, academic achievements TRICIA ROHDE positive I think the highlight of the season was at the start of every practice and winning the Millard Cup for the sixth UNIFIED BOWLING COACH I think that students want to be year in a row,” Rohde said. on the list, so they work harder,” While they have been successful in competition, Rohde said.

Rohde says the real achievements are the bonds formed As the state competition looms nearer, the team looks between students throughout the season, especially those forward, united and prepared. between special education and general education stu“I look forward to districts and state. I feel like this is dents. our year to win state. Some of our state bowlers had to “I think that the general education students really see quarantine last year,” Pleiss said. “In the years to come, I that special education students are just like them; they hope our team will get bigger. I want bowlers who want share their interests. The special education students real- to try it but are nervous to try it. I want them to have ly look up to the general education students. For the spe- something they’re proud of.” cial education students, having those friendships means Rohde and the team captains encourage anyone and everything to them. They are memories they will always everyone to join Unified Bowling. It is an opportunity remember,” she said. for general and special education students to make new These bonds are the real rewards of being on the friends and form relationships, as well as to advocate for team. Rohde attributes the connections between the stu- the rights of disabled students. dents and the relaxed dynamics of their team to their “I want bowlers who want to try it but are nervous great success in competition. to try it. I want them to have something they’re proud “We don’t focus on winning. We like to win, but we of. The main thing is we want people to know not to be focus on building relationships. We do some fun things, scared. Join Unified Bowling. We will still celebrate you,” like for the Millard Cup, if they won, they got to choose Rohde said.

“

”

WHERE TO FIND THEM

Photograph contributed by Tricia Rohde

•

The Unified Bowling team can be found practicing at Maplewood Lanes, at 3030 N 101st St.

•

The team has had a tournament at Chops, which is at 2518 S 13th St, and had districts at King’s Lanes in Norfolk, 1000 Riverside Blvd.

TEAM SPOTLIGHT

Junior Emily Merten prepares to take the next shot of the game.

Sophomore Chris Rehn eyes the pins ahead, ready to take his turn in the game.

Junior Elizabeth Molina looks towards the pins to line up her shot.

Photographs by Jack Durkan

TODAY

The Unified Bowling team will be attending state comptitions at Sun Valley Lanes & Games, at 321 Victory Ln in Lincoln, Nebraska. State competitions will take place today, December 6.

BATTLING ON AND OFF THE COURT

MNHSONLINE.COM • 19

Senior Darian Winkelbauer perseveres after thyroid cancer diagnosis in sophomore year medicine, she can’t eat for an hour because the thyroid hormone the medicine provides won’t be absorbed correctly on a full stomach), gethe thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in the neck ting up again for breakfast, and continuing her that makes hormones in your body. It’s in control of how normal routine.

“I was shocked and concerned [when I fast you burn calories and how fast your heart beats. Sefound out about the diagnosis], but I tried to nior Darian Winkelbauer’s thyroid is cancerous.

After being diagnosed in her sophomore year, she’s remain strong for Darian,” Carolyn Winkelundergone two surgeries and radiation therapy to kill off bauer said.

Winkelbauer’s mom, Carolyn, has been the cancerous cells. Winkelbauer has been playing basketball since she was in first grade and is now enjoying by her side through thick and thin, helping the her senior year as a combo guard on the varsity girls bas- family focus on the positives and never take anything for granted. ketball team.

“It just goes to show how tough of a play“My first surgery was to get rid of my thyroid-- my whole thyroid-- because one side had cancer in it. [The er and how tough of a kid she is-- to deal with second surgery], they had found lymph nodes that were not only the grind of a basketball season but cancerous and could affect me, so they got that out a year to do so while battling a formidable opponent or two later and now they’re just monitoring it,” Winkel- in cancer, ” Girls Basketball Coach Chris Paulson said. bauer said.

Paulson has been the girls’ basketball Winkelbauer has never let her cancer get in the way coach for two years. Paulson’s known Winkelof playing— only stopping for a few weeks of recovery bauer since she joined the team last summer in after her surgeries. “[When I found out] I started crying. I prayed that I her junior year after transferring from Omaha wouldn’t get cancer because there’s a recent history in my Burke, and he only found out about her diagfamily with thyroid cancer, and when I found out I just nosis after the season was over.

“The team was very supportive. I think started crying,” Winkelbauer said.

Her day-to-day routine consists of waking up ear- we have such a good family atmosphere and ly, taking medicine, going back to sleep (after taking the community within our program. I think everybody just wanted to make sure she was healthy and see her through this,” Paulson said.

Te a m m a t e Kayla Preston is a junior on the team Two For Two: who’s known Win- Darien Winkelbauer lays in bed with a positive attitude, just kelbauer since mid- having finished with her second and final surgery. Winkelbaudle school. Having er’s long road to complete recovery was just beginning. found out about Photograph contributed by Darien Winkelbauer Winkelbauer’s cancer beforehand has just served to strengthen their playing and is super competitive. [Darian’s become] a warrior! She is one of the strongest and bravest young bond.

“If anything [finding out ladies I know,” C. Winkelbauer said.

With basketball season having started up Nov. 15, about the diagnosis] has made Winkelbauer plans to have fun, enjoy every second of her us stronger. It’s just made [the team] bond more together,” senior year, and make it to State are already in full swing.

“I’m determined to make it far in State since last Preston said. year we made it and lost the first round against the State Winkelbauer has been Champions.

I plan to keep fighting and not let anything training in the off-season amidst her checkups and get to me emotionally,” Winkelbauer said.

Winkelbauer will continue to play and persevere in therapy. After being given the In the Paint: college, having committed to Webster University in St. green light, she’s ready to give Darien Winkelbauer makes moves forward against her opponents. This Louis.

She is determined to not let anyone or anything it her all. game against Bellevue East ended with North at 24 and East at 30.

“I love watching her play get in her way, including (but not limited to) a butterPhotograph contributed by Darien Winkelbauer basketball. She’s always loved fly-shaped gland in the side of her neck.

OLIVIA TORREZ In-Depth Editor

T

20 • Dec. 6, 2021

WRESTLE LIKE A GIRL

First ever girl’s wrestling team plans to make an impact and defy gender norms.

AIDEN LEWALD Staff Writer

tling coach. Previously, Hansen had swam for Papillion La-Vista high school and for Northern Colorado University. After she had graduated, she decided to take on t’s not abnormal for little sisters, such as senior Emily Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

Lesser, to look up to their elder brothers, or in Lesser’s “My Jiu Jitsu coaches have been absolutely outstandcase, Charlie Lesser. This young lady may copy every- ing,” Hansen said, “So I’ve been able to watch, learn thing he did: talking how he talked, wearing what he from them, and get guidance counseling from them as wore, and even being interested in his sport, wrestling. well.”

Although they wish to folBy being a part of Bralow the same path, many girls zilian Jiu Jitsu, Hansen was may not get that chance. High introduced to girls wrestling school sports tend traditionalthrough a teammate. Havly male dominated, and only ing heard about the opporon certain occasions have an tunity to coach the first ever alternative for girls. women’s wrestling team at “My brother was a wresMN, Hansen knew she had tler so I’ve always had an to try. After several interinterest in the sport,”Lesser views later, Hasen was given said. the position.

This was an issue for Hansen is determined Lesser, who had always had to push these girls to be an interest in wrestling, much their best. She wants them like her brother, but could to improve their own skills not play due to the fact that One on Top of the Other: over the course of the 16 there were no Nebraska girls Freshman Aracely Lozoya puts Nyayoung Gatluak week season and become wrestling leagues included in in a wrestling hold. The girls practice and drill more strong willed and deschools. together to prepare for the season ahead. termined individuals than But this year, Lesser is Photograph by Jack Durkan they already are. getting a chance to wrestle. In “So I feel very fortunate May of 2021, the Nebraska Sports and Activities Asso- that I have such a good support system for taking on girls ciation officially established girls wrestling as a Class A wrestling for the first season,” Hansen said. sport, meaning Millard North High School got their first Having been introduced to the sport through the ever girls wrestling team. school’s advertisement and recommendations from wres“When I found out girls wrestling was officially a tlers, sophomore Ryleigh Eckles is making the choice in mandated sport in Nebraska I looked into it more,” Less- joining MN’s first ever girls wrestling team. er said, “a friend in my anatomy class had previously “It is incredible that us girls can say that we are been on the [non-MN] team and told me to give presea- our school’s first ever girls wrestling team,” Eckles said. son a shot.”

“Hopefully it will inspire others to make this a popular The 2021-2022 season started on Nov. 15th with try- girls sport.” outs, and will end with wrestling state on Feb. 18 - 19.

Due to the lack of girls divisions in wresThis is coach Christina Hansen’s first year as a wres- tling, several wrestlers had to join the boys team.

I

JOCK TALK

For example, freshman Kloee THE Mitchman has been wrestling for STATS over three years, but had been wrestling with the Kiewit Middle School’s Wrestlers, by boys team due to the fact that there is gender, in the no girls team.

2018-2019 Despite the fact that the boys season. she had wrestled with previously had been accepting of her and her goals, that does not mean she hasn’t had backlash.

“I’ve gotten told that oh girls shouldn’t be wrestling, but also proving them wrong in a match. It’s just incredible,” Mitchman said.

13% Even though success isn’t guar*stats from highschools anteed, the girls want more out of around the this season than a State Title. They U.S. are aiming for something impactful: Source: statista.com to prove that girls can wrestle too.

“It is a male dominated sport, that is true, but times are changing and I’m excited to be part of that change,” Lesser said.

It is no secret that wrestling has 87% been a male dominated sport for centuries, but these girls are willing to break that stereotype. The team may be small with 7 wrestlers, but they hope that this season will make Millard North history.

The history these girls will leave is much beyond what they may think it is, setting the example that yes, girls can wrestle, for MN generations yet to come.

“I think it is going to spread a positive message to people who may not think wrestling is a ‘women’s sport’ because if more girls decide to join the team and stick with it, it could convince many others that girls wrestling is an amazing opportunity to join,” Eckles said.

Wrestling to these girls is much more than just a sport. It is breaking the gender binary that the world puts them into.

What excites you the most about the upcoming season of your sport?

Shriya Semanta SOPHOMORE Swimming

Dylon Hollowell JUNIOR Wrestling

I’m most excited for meeting the new teammates that I have this year and having a nor-

Competing and making friends on the team,

mal year of swim. I technically didn’t have a

and building relationships with the coaches.

normal freshman year because of Covid, and now it’s going to be more normal this year, because Covid isn’t affecting our swimming that much anymore.

Nicholas Dolezal SENIOR Basketball

It’s going to be a new opportunity for all of us because we lost a lot of starters last year.

Me and all the other guys are excited for new roles, and bigger roles than what we did last year. I think we have a different attitude. Trying to go back-to-back and win two years in a row, we have a different focus; we have a title to defend now.