nly the light footsteps of the performers taking the stage are audible in the vast auditorium. Overhead lights illuminate their costumes, bright hues reflecting on the floor. The steady rhythm of the show band serves as a metronome for the well-rehearsed routine. The music crescendos as the last step is performed, a smattering of applause following suit.
Held on Mar. 8th and 9th, the Galaxy of the Stars competition is the annual fundraiser for the show choir program, welcoming both middle and high schoolers, respectively
“We don’t want to overcharge our students, so we have events like this where we are really looking at our community, looking at the greater scope of show choir, and seeing how we can help each other,” head show choir director Megan Swain said.
Swain started the competition with a few parent volunteers in 2015 after seeing the success of fundraisers in her experience at Westside and UNL.
“I knew how much it benefited them, so when I came to North I knew we needed to have some type of community outreach, but also something that would help fund our show choir,” Swain said.
Expenses such as clinicians, choreographers, and equipment are all funded by the proceeds from Galaxy of the Stars, which can total from $35,000 to $50,000.
“While it does seem like a crazy amount, it ends up being what gets us back to zero just to make ends meet,” Swain said.
The competition is organized by three event cochairs, Stephanie Herr, Kendra McIvor, and Lindsay Whelan.
“When we go to competitions we kind of know the behind the scenes of what it takes to run a competition,” Herr said. “You kind of go to a competition at a different school and get ideas, you takeaway things that you want to do at your competition.”
There are also 24 sub-committees overseen by the event chairs that help make the competition run smoothly.
“We’re there to keep the competition moving and help the judges with anything that they might need,” co-committee chair Stacy Jolley said.
Interaction between schools allows for a support system to be instituted to fund various show choir programs.
“We will bring our students to different competitions, support them, help them earn their fundraiser, and in turn they come to us,” Swain said.
The show choir directors, committee chairs, and volunteers all help to make the event a success, bolstering a sense of community.
“I’m really excited to just meet new groups because these are people I would never have met
because they go to different schools and they live far away, so this is a great opportunity to meet new people,” sophomore Harmony Banwo said.
Banwo has participated in show choir since 7th grade and is a part of the mixed varsity group, Infinity.
“With show choir it’s all about the bond, and I feel like participating with different people and singing new songs and dances helps me as a singer and dancer,” Banwo said.
The competition is structured in three divisions, a preparatory show choir, a treble or bass choir, and a varsity show choir. MN’s studentsperform a variety of exhibitions throughout the day. Last year’s performances were especially memorable to Swain after being absent on maternity leave.
“It was neat to walk in, having not seen my students in three months, and then be a part of this really special community event that we all put on together
where everyone comes together and pulls their weight to make sure that it’s successful,” Swain said.
These moments are also special for parents
like Herr and Jolley, who each have kids involved in the program.
“It’s just been a great expe-
rience being a parent and watching your kid perform and then be able to put time and effort and energy back into her program and just help make it better for all the kids,” Herr said
The execution of the competition takes copious amounts of work and dedication, but makes a difference in the future of the show choir program.
“It’s an exhausting two days, you get there very early, you leave there very late, you’re not getting out of there before midnight either night,” Jolley said. “When you’re done you think ‘Okay, I just left this place better than I found it, I just raised a lot of money for a program that means so much to my kid, and I did something to help it continue on for the next group of kids.’”
Competition #5: Islander
Competition #4: Star Power
Competition #3: Crystal Cup
Competition #2: Music Lives
Infinity: 3rd Place
2nd Place
3rd Place
Infinity: First Place, Grand Champions
4th Place
1st Place
Infinity: 2nd Place Illumination: 5th Place
Intensity: 2nd Place
Infinity: 3rd Place Illumination: 2nd Place
Intensity: No Place
Competition #1: Primetime Infinity: 2nd Place
1st Place
2nd Place
taying late for rehearsals. Practicing a section of music until perfection. Aiming a light not a second too early. All aid in a successful show choir performance, but the deciding factor whittles down to the dedication of its members.
On Feb.17th in Waconia, MN, a triumphant result exhibited the entire program’s cohesiveness and hardwork.
Illumination director Allison Hoffmann has seen the bond that has developed between members, having been involved in the show choir program for four years.
“I think that the entire program felt like they were supporting each other and that makes a huge difference,” Hoffmann said.
The wholehearted support of the group is indicated by the success of its varsity treble group, Illumination, who placed 1st in their division and 4th in the finals.
“It’s a really big deal for a treble group to make finals, so for Illumination, we were just so proud and excited for the opportunity to perform again,” Hoffmann said.
Intensity and Infinity, the prep and mixed varsity group respectively, each ranked 1st in their division. The final marked a momentous event for Infinity, as they won the competition and were named grand champions.
“We all stormed the stage and we were going crazy for like a good twenty minutes,” senior Shalom Manyara said. “There were lots of tears of joy and lots of
‘Oh My Goodness’ because our parents were there too, and they were chanting for us so it was just like a big, familial, love and bond.”
Manyara is a part of Infinity and has been in the show choir program since freshman year. The support and friendship that is built over the years contributes to the group’s success.
“They’re a very motivated group,” Hoffmann said. “They definitely work together as a team.”
The assiduous spirit of the entire program speaks for itself in terms of the end result.
“We put our best foot forward and no matter what no no number, no award, can take away from the fact that we just did incredible,” Manyara said.
The community that has been built cannot be replicated, and the lasting connections are having a profound effect on the members of show choir.
“Every single person in that ensemble, with our band and our crew, they all feel like my family and I’m just so thankful for that because I’ve just never felt more love for a group of people,” Manyara said.
Winning the competition was not the driving force for the program, more prominently was the shared passion and sense of community.
“It was a great experience for everyone who’s in the program this year to realize that you know, every week is gonna be someone else’s game,” Hoffmann said. “You might not always win but that feeling of success and just the comradery that happened that day is something that’s going to last for a long time.”
Maddux Eckles, Insanity
“My favorite memory from show choir is probably from this year in Waconia, when we won finals with Inifinity.”
Paige Case, Insomnia
“My favorite memory of show choir was going to Minnesota and becoming Grand Champions.”
Alex McFee, Infinity
“My favorite show choir memory was the trip to Waconia. Despite everyone being sick, we still won. The celebration after was amazing.”
From summer camps, to rehearsals, to choreographies, and to competitions.
Music Camp:
To start things off, the groups get familiar with their songs, learning the ins-and-outs of the lyrics and the backgorund of their music.
Summer, 2023
Combination:
After learning the dances and songs separately, the groups implement singing into their dance rehearsals, emphasizing synchronization.
Choreography Camp: Separate from music camp, the groups start practicing their dances, teamwork, and choreography.
Debut Night:
Competition Season:
After some time off, come January, the groups get together again to prepare for their competitions in the late winter season.
In December, the groups perform their complete choreographies to show the public how they’ll look while competing.
Spring, 2024
Night of Show Choirs:
Like Debut Night, the groups perform for the public. This time, they show the best version of their dances, putting their all on display.
Photographers all around the world scramble to capture the perfect shot, aiming their cameras at the stellar display above as “oohs” and “aahs” surround them. The crowd marvels at the sight of the sun’s corona shimmering against the darkened sky and for a brief moment, the world stands still.
Because of the sudden covering of the sun, the total solar eclipse will significantly impact the environment. During an eclipse, solar radiation decreases, leading to a drop in temperature in the eclipse crosses called the “path of totality.” According to the NASA website, this rapid cooling can disrupt weather patterns, causing changes in wind direction and atmospheric pressure.
NASA also reports that the sudden darkness during the day can confuse animals and disrupt their behavior, with birds sometimes ceasing their chirping and noctur
serve the solar eclipse. Adding a solar filter to the front aperture is just another way to protect your eyes from getting damaged.
Recognizing these safety measures, Yakus is excited to watch this striking event unfold in front of his eyes.
“Using my refracting telescope, I could put a solar lens on the front and I would be able to look directly at the sun and moon,” Yakus said. “A little fun fact is that the solar eclipse can happen only during a new moon, never a full moon, and we only have two new moons left
A new moon is one of many phases of the moon that have captivated researchers and astronomers worldwide.
According to NASA, eclipses serve as natural laboratories for studying the sun’s outer atmosphere, known as the corona. During a total solar eclipse, when the moon completely covers the sun, scientists can observe the corona, revealing key details about its structure and behavior.
“There used to be lots of studies going on during an eclipse because you only had three to five minutes to conduct them while at 100% totality,” Yakus said. “But now with proper protection, scientists can pop their fingers over the sun on their telescopes and make that glow [the corona] you only see during an eclipse appear.”
Technological advancements have revolutionized eclipse research, allowing scientists to use sophisticated instruments like spectrometers and high-resolution cameras. These tools enable precise analysis of the sunmoon-Earth system, uncovering new information about solar physics and atmospheric dynamics.
As we anticipate the upcoming solar eclipse, it’s crucial to appreciate both its beauty and potential hazards. Through careful observation and ongoing research, we continue to deepen our understanding of the interactions between our planet’s ecosystems.
Are you ready for April 8? Here are some fun facts about the outer space phenomenon that is about to astonish our earth, brought to you by astron omy teacher Robert Yakus.
“Total solar eclipses won’t be around forever. There will be no more total solar eclipses in about 600 million years”
“By watching from a plane you can see 10 minutes of full totality instead of 3 minutes on the ground.”
“The longest total solar eclipse of the century occurred on July 22 over India, Nepal, China. The darkness lasted a mere 6 minutes and 29
With ancient Roman culture and language, Latin club advances efforts to engage with students throughout the school
PRISHA SABHERWAL Staff WriterThe fascinating culture that once thrived within the grand city of ancient Rome is now being experienced within the walls of our school. The school’s Latin club has taken up the task of transporting students back in time to relive what it would have felt like to live in that era.
In recent years, this club has experienced significant growth, attracting many enthusiastic students. What began as a small club has now evolved into a thriving association that encourages learning and appreciation for ancient Roman culture and language.
Latin teacher Julia Kolander believes keeping the Roman culture and language alive is critical due to its tremendous influence on society today.
“It’s not just about how your vocabulary gets better, or the discipline of studying, it’s really a massive part of history. Something that lasted from 1200 to 2000 years, we’re totally ignoring it. It has massive influence on America itself, our history, and our government in the way we do things,” Kolander said.
Freshman Lexi Reznicek feels that Latin club allows her to learn more about Latin and Roman culture beyond what is taught in her Latin class.
“I just think it’s cool to see how [Romans] thought and how they’ve influenced us. One time we did cooking and that I think that helped you see where the foods we eat today came from. We had spaghetti [in that activity] and they ate spaghetti back then,” Reznicek said.
The Latin Honors Society, a group of highly dedicated and Latin-interested scholars, plays a significant role in organizing the club’s activities. They bring fresh ideas to the table and ensure the smooth planning process of events by sorting out the logistics. Whether it’s brainstorming new concepts or coordinating event details, the Society is always ready to lend a helping hand.
Latin Honors Society captivated the interest of Junior Brayden Corrigan due to his interest in contributing fresh ideas.
“It makes me feel trusted [like] my voice and ideas matter. Even if they aren’t accepted, [they] are at least heard,” Corrigan said. “The increase in responsibility is nice because it kind of acts as motivation for something to do when I don’t have anything else to do,”
Some of the activities Latin club design engage students in activities such as Latin-originated cooking demonstrations and art activities and watching films about Roman culture and mythology. The club also holds trivia nights to test knowledge of Roman culture and mythology, as well as board game nights where students are invited to participate in games about Roman culture or from Roman times.
Latin club sponsor and teacher Terry Meyer feels that one of the reasons why the club is so popular this year is due to its imaginative and creative engagement with students.
“Students love our cooking demonstrations. Those types of events have caused a lot of growth in the club… Latin club deals with things that are very imaginative. It lets kids explore a time and place that is exciting and unique,” Meyer said. “We look at [myths
On a March 7 meeting, Latin club seniors Emerson Shaw, Brett Whitney, and Alex Jensen socialize and mingle. In this particular get-together, students played games, munched on snacks, and learned more about Roman culture and customs. Photograph contributed by Julia Kolander
of the classical period], watch those movies, and engage in those ideas.”
For the upcoming spring break, the club is also planning a potential field trip to the Nelson-Atkins Museum in Kansas City to see Greek and Roman artifacts.
Sophomore Wilder Boggs feels the club is effective at teaching about Roman culture through its stimulating and one-of-a-kind activities.
“I like history and mythology, so getting to do extra: learning about them and just being engaged in them, is pretty fun. I think it does a good job of mixing language and culture,” Boggs said.
Senior Ainsley Anderson feels accomplished when she sees students attending Latin club activities and and enjoying themseleves.
“Latin is something I enjoy and being in Latin Honors Society allows me to take a step up and be a leader. I think it’s cool that as students, [we] can plan these events for our peers. It allows people to get together, collaborate, and bond over something. It creates a cool environment,” Anderson said. “... It’s cool that I’m able to be a part of that and create that space for everyone,”
Overall, Latin Club has evolved into a diverse and vibrant community attracting students through engaging activities designed to recreate the ancient Roman experience. With a strong focus on community-building and peer support, the Latin Club offers a safe and welcoming space where students can learn, grow, and connect with like-minded individuals who share their passion for Latin history, culture, and tradition.
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His way with words and the emotions seeped from them mesmerized everyone in the room, tugging at their hearts.
Poet George Abraham visited MN Tuesday, Feb. 27, during 6th and 7th period. They read a few of their poems, spoke about Palestine and Israel, and directed a Q and A session where students were invited to ask him about anything, like how to spread awareness about Gaza, inspirations to write poetry, etc.
“I did not know of him before we were invited to host him, which is what makes this kind of cool because most students haven’t heard of him either, so they get to hear a modern poet and be introduced to a new writer,” Slam Poetry Club sponsor and English teacher Whitney Hansen said.
Abraham is a Palestinian American poet from Jacksonville, FL. Their debut poetry collection, Birthright, won the Arab American Book Award. Slam Poetry Club was invited to host him by the Nebraska Writers Collective, which hosts a visiting writer at least once a year and invites them to conduct different writing workshops for teens.
“He is Palestinian American, and he writes about his culture, so I think students will enjoy that,” Hansen said.
The Nebraska Writers Collective, the organization that funds and runs the Slam Poetry Club, put together the Slam Poetry contest that happens throughout the state every April and is sponsored by the organization. That’s how Slam Poetry was introduced to Abraham.
“I want them[students] to see what poetry actually is,” Hansen said. “I feel like most people, not just students but people in general, think that poetry is old and is namely written by old white men, and I think that they see
poetry as something that doesn’t really have a place in modern society so I really hope that people can see what poetry looks like in 2024 from a living breathing writer,”
Abraham’s book, “Birthright”, is structured in three parts: the first part takes place in the U.S. where Abraham talks about his upbringing of being Palestinian, southern, and queer. In part two he speaks about his trips to Palestine, and in part three, he writes about the aftermath of visiting Palestine and then going back to the U.S., struggling to determine who and where he considers home to be.
“One of the biggest challenges I had was reckoning with all the selves I was, as I wrote this book. I wanted to build space in the book for all of my former selves. I wanted to show the self I was in high school struggling with queerness, and the self I was when I first visited Palestine, and the self I was and [am] still becoming in this after space of return,” Abraham said in a video by Moraine Valley Community Library.
One question a student asked Abraham was what inspired them to write poetry. According to Abraham, poets are inclined to be naturally curious about what’s around people, the world, and why it is the way it is.
“I majored in engineering when I was an undergrad, and through all that, I was always writing. I was always going to poetry slams and immersing myself in writing, I was always reading poetry, so there is always that impulse wherever I end up going,” Abraham said.
Freshman Yessinia Garcia, a member of Slam Poet ry Club, has an interest in poetry and thought they would find inspiration at the poetry event.
“I liked him a lot because he was very expressive with the poetry. He was fantastic and was a very bright and cool-looking guy,” Garcia said.
Freshman Katelyn Omer, another member of Slam Poetry Club, heard about the event through Hansen and thought it would be a cool experience for her.
“His poetry was so amazing, it was very deep about his past and his experience being Pales tinian-American, and he was just super down to earth and chill. He let us ask questions about his life, how he started, and what he loved about poetry,” Omer said.
“Birthright”, one of Abraham’s most acclaimed works, explores Abraham’s lifelong struggles balancing his Palestinian and American culture. It has gained multiple awards and recognitions and has received significant praise from its readers and notable authors.
Photographs courtesy of www.gabrahampoet.com/
Most readers might say that Abraham’s work is raw and deep. This is what Omer felt as well.
Abraham is currently an executive editor of the Whiting Award-winning journal, Mizna. Their collaboration includes co-editing a Palestinian poetry anthology with Noor Hindi, a Palestinian poet and reporter. This work is set to come out in 2025.
Check out Abraham’s personal website using the QR code above. You can learn more about Abraham’s background, works, and upcoming projects and events at this site.
“He just puts so much of himself into his poems, and one of his works was a shoutout to Mandal singing Hal-
The bell has rung for second period, and as we settle into our seats, the announcements begin to blare across the classroom. After the pledge concludes, club announcements begin…and seemingly never end. The announcer drones on and on before finally moving onto a different topic after what feels like a lifetime.
Starting a club used to mean that the creator had found something — a topic or issue that they were passionate about — that was not addressed by any other activity at MN, and they were creating it to create a space where others interested in it could learn.
However, now, clubs have been transformed into something that can simply be and have lost their meaning. It seems a new student-led club is created every day, each one becoming more of a stretch to attempt to justify its reason for even existing. This recent charge of the clubs is a multi-faceted problem plaguing our school, with multiple causes.
One major reason students have begun partaking in this trend is because of the misconception that starting a club will demonstrate the leadership and initiative that their dream college is searching for on their résumé. But the harsh reality is that when everyone starts a club, it doesn’t really mean anything.
Furthermore, many of these new student-led clubs are meant as nothing more than résumé-boosters. Af-
ter they are approved as a club, the club members meet once, taking no action and making no progress.
As Signature College Counseling founder Elizabeth Levine describes, this contradiction of the entire point of forming a club in the first place is actually harmful to your college application. College admissions officers can detect a club started just for the résumé from a mile away, putting a red flag on your application.
Instead, Levine suggests that students turn to already-established clubs so that they are able to actually make an impact, instead of having to focus on just getting up and running as a club.
As she explains, colleges do not admit students using a checklist. They care about the quality and depth of your activities, not just how many clubs you’ve been able to start.
Additionally, many of the new student-led clubs simply serve as places for friends to get together after school, which defeats the purpose of a club.
Obviously, when someone starts a club, they are bound to ask their friends to help, but there should also be genuine interest for membership if the club is truly focusing on a topic that people are interested in, they will have members besides those they asked join.
Lastly, and perhaps the worst part of this issue, it feels like our school is being transformed into a sci-fi movie with how many clubs are simply clones of already-existing and more influential ones. While there is an endless amount of areas that can merit the formation of a club,
IF YOU WERE TO START A STUDENT-LED CLUB, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
“[I would want to start a club where kids are able to] have fun and talk to each other and make friends, or something that helps the school in some way.”
“I would start a pickleball club, because I’m part of an informal club right now, but I would like to start an official one that we can play in for fun at school.”
“I would like to start a prayer group or Bible study because I’m a Christian. I know we have one, but maybe something a little bigger.”
“I like the idea of the Japanese Cultural Club because I really like the idea of it and what they are doing with it. It seems like fun, but I couldn’t join due to time conflicts.”
many club founders at MN have decided to forego this and instead duplicate already-existing clubs.
A lack of regulation on this process leads to an unnecessarily high number of clubs that are all aimed towards the same goal. The ironic thing is that despite this, clubs fizzle out and despite the outrageous similarities between multiple clubs, no action is actually taken.
Now this is not meant to be a blanket profile of clubs. Many student-led clubs serve the purpose they were founded for and are making a difference in their respective intended areas. They are clubs as clubs are meant to be.
However, a large majority of them have become a part of this problem, going dormant only to be reawakened when an offhand comment is made about the lack of activity of their club.
It is clear that the sheer overwhelming amount of clubs at our school means that something has to be done. The process for starting a club should involve more than simply finding a sponsor; there must also be demonstrated interest in the club for its formation to be valid.
Additionally, we must also have a regulation on clubs’ statuses based on how much engagement they are continuously receiving. If they fail to merit enough interest, it begs the question of whether they are really necessary.
Overall, clubs have overtaken MN, causing their meaning to be utterly diminished, with students losing sight of what a club is actually supposed to be. It is high time we put an end to this club crusade.
By Violet Bredenkamp
As our commanders-in-chief begin to age, here’s what we need to do about aging presidents
MATTHEW UM Staff Editor
This year, the presidential election is strongly predicted to be a rematch between incumbent Joe Biden and former president Donald Trump. Trump is 77; Biden is 81. Neither is a good younger choice. With both of the candidates having held the record of oldest president now facing off in a rematch, age increasingly becomes a factor in the election.
“This year, there’s been an exceptional focus on the
is the consideration of their health. Current President Joe Biden has come under scrutiny for his state of health and well-being, and the effects of his leadership.
More important to be considered is their mental health, rather than physical. The ability for a president to make strong decisions is the most important trait of the job. Should their decision-making abilities be impaired, America could be thrown into jeopardy.
Many studies have backed this idea. According to the National Institute of Health, brain volume diminishes with age, particularly in the frontal cortex, the part associated with memory and memory tasks. The ability to lead slowly breaks down in a person’s thirties and speeds up at seventy, a point both presidents have passed.
Age aside, the public perception of the president is also incredibly important. People rally around leaders that are seen as strong, and, in the past, leaders perceived as weak have been given the ax.
America thinks, in a poll conducted by YouGov.com, 58% of Americans think that there should be a maximum age limit, and 39% think that the age should be 70.
While doubters and naysayers would believe this to be a violation of rights and ageism, you need to remember that we already have a minimum age limit. You can’t be a president under the age of 35, among other restrictions.
In the end, we see that not only would an age cap be beneficial to presidential candidates, for the country. Polls have conclusively shown that America agrees with this course of action.
If we help make the change, more elected officials will be pressured into making these changes. After all, we’re the people they should be serving. As society changes, so should our leaders and at some point, old becomes too old.
Takingadeeperlookinto the traits and benefts of neurodiversity and the importance of viewing apersonasawhole .
by Adalynn Beatty
We all learn and approach our surroundings differently. Our strengths and weaknesses vary because we are all unique. This all comes down to how your brain works. Thinking, problem solving, and information processing are related to the brain. For some people, these functions can be carried out in a way that allows them to interpret the world around them differently.
Neurodivergent is the term used to describe someone’s brain that works differently than what we consider average (neurotypical). There is a wide range of neurodivergence which allows the experiences of this to vary from person to person.
“Neurodivergence has a spectrum of differences. You could be just a little bit neurodivergent and have just different kinds of thoughts and approach things a little bit differently or it could be that your neurodivergence is severe. You could have a completely different view of the world, thoughts, and how to get around with life,” Psychologist Kelly O’Toole said.
There are a variety of types of neurodivergence. Autism, dyslexia, and ADHD are common examples that impact many people.
“Whether they are diagnosed or not, about 20% of students today are neurodivergent. That’s one in five students,” Psychologist Terrin Dorathy said.
School can be difficult for neurodivergent students when curriculum and learning strategies are geared toward neurotypical students. This can make it hard for neurodivergent students to learn the same way in the classroom.
“I think school is often challenging for people who are neurodivergent because our curriculum, our lessons, and our teachers training are all based on neurotypical brains and how neurotypical brains work and learn and get around in the world. For neurodivergent people that
doesn’t necessarily work for them all the time so it’s hard for neurotypical brain people to try to understand how to modify their teaching and their ways of interacting to best help people that are neurodivergent” O’Toole said.
To help with this, there are several support systems at school that help neurodivergent students learn. Individualized education plans are specifically written to fit each student in school and the transition to after high school life. There are also specialized classes designed to help students prepare for future jobs with their condition.
“They get to work on what they should be doing in their job to be asking for different accommodations to say, here’s how my thought process works, can we adjust this process at work to help with this and filling out applications and how they should be done and the professionalism associated with that,” Department Head of Special Education Blaise Scheef said.
School psychologists also work with students to help them manage their daily life whether it be with their learning plan or just having a chat.
“I will often talk to them about learning what it means to have a neurodivergent brain or to have autism spectrum disorder and learn what it means for them. If they can understand it and what it means for them, they can help others understand it as well,” O’Toole said.
Although learning can be challenging for neurodivergent students, they often have other areas of strength. This could include memory, attention to detail, and more.
“Their brains work differently. They are able to see things differently and they’re able to really interact in different ways. Some things are amazing and great strengths, the things that they can do with their brains that I wish I could do,” Dorathy said.
Along with students figuring out their strengths and weaknesses, many have also figured out who they are. Knowing who they are has allowed them to become successful learners in and out of school.
“We have quite a few students who have really taken on the ownership of this is me, this is who I am. I love their confidence and this is how I learn best, and this is what it is. I think that it gives them that leadership, the power, and ability to really say who they are as a student and individual,” Dorathy said.
Neurodivergence not only affects the individual, but also their loved ones. Parents have learned how to understand their child and how to best support them.
“Being a parent of a child with ADHD and anxiety has taught me to be a better parent and a much more patient, tolerant, and all-around better human. It has also made my life much more exciting, chaotic, and joyful,” MN parent Jackie Johnson* said.
Misconceptions about neurodivergence are common when people are uneducated about it. Some people believe that having a neurodivergent brain is a weakness when really it’s not. Different thinking patterns and thoughts create more perspectives that we can learn from.
“I think they don’t realize that being neurodivergent is just a different way of your brain working. It’s not that there’s something wrong with them. The pathways in their brain just fire differently and their thoughts go down different paths,” O’Toole said.
Although there are still many misunderstandings, awareness and acceptance have increased over the years.
“I think we are at the point in society where we’re starting to accept people a little bit more with a different brain. I think that it’s becoming common knowledge and so I think people are willing to listen and understand and learn about how others think. It just takes some education and conversations about what that means for them,” O’Toole said.
As more light is shone on this topic, we learn that, whether we are neurotypical or neurodivergent, everyone has unique ways of looking at the world. We learn from each other and benefit from different perspectives.
Make children feel included and involved, refrain from sending students out of the classroom.
Allow parents and guardians to be involved in the student’s school experience, for support and communication purposes.
Embrace imagery to make learning more accessible to all by decreasing amount of decoding necessary.
Provide students physical ways to understand concepts, such as blocks. This is termed embodied cognition.
Sources: University of Manchester, Structural Learning, TheColor.Com
Brains work and function in different ways. Whether it’s how we walk, talk, or even the most basic functions like reminding you to breathe in and out again. We all are built with beautiful and unique brains.
An article from The Very Well Mind states that Neurodivergence is how one’s brain functions in different capacities that would not be seen as typical. There are several different categories under Neurodivergence, like Dyslexia, Autism, ADHD, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Tourette’s syndrome, dyscalulia, epilepsy, and more.
Autism is known as a “spectrum disorder” that can vary from person to person. People with autism may struggle with social skills, repetitive behaviors, and also have speech difficulties.
Another form of Neurodivergence is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD. People with this may struggle with thoughts, attention, behaviors, and emotions. They also can have a hard time focusing, being organized, or having inappropriate behavior due to having strong emotions.
Dyslexia is also a form of Neurodivergence. Dyslexia mainly affects how one reads and writes. This can cause struggles with spelling skills, memory, organizing, and reading. They excel in visualizing and amazing skills at solving puzzles or riddles.
Leaf Complex Care states “Dyslexic people, like other individuals with neurodivergent traits, possess unique strengths and abilities that should be celebrated and harnessed.”
People who struggle with OCD may have trouble with uncontrollable recurring thoughts, and repetitive behavior.
Tourette’s syndrome causes one to have uncontrollable repetitive behavior or movements.
People who have dyscalculia struggle with numbers or number-based information.
Epilepsy causes one to have seizures, which may cause loss of consciousness or abnormal behavior.
Explores how to embrace symptoms and find comfort rather than fear in one’s mind.
Those who are neurodivergent are still able to be a part of day-to-day learning and activities. People with neurodivergence can apply their talents and skills to the workplace and even school.
An article written by Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Inclusion (EARN) states: “Hiring neurodivergent workers can offer organizations a competitive edge, often bringing measurable financial and cultural benefits.”
An example of this is the story written by the National Library of Medicine of family physician Jennifer Vassel who felt she was “different” in the medical field. She was able to remember pages she read in 6th grade and was also more sensitive than most to people’s emotions. This led to her being able to better understand patients and even form strong bonds with them.
“What I used to think was weird, I now think of as what makes me different, unique, and, in some ways, what I’m good at,” Vassel said.
Students with neurodivergence often thrive in school settings. Some may exceed socially, or even educationally. Though they may need more support in some areas, this kind of support can come from peers, teachers, or administrators.
Different, Not Less is a book written by Chloe Hayden. It tells a story about being diagnosed with Autism and ADHD and how she learns and grows from being neurodivergent. The book helps to understand the struggles behind the scenes, but also viewing being neurodivergent as being “different, not less.”
An article from The Child’s Mind Institute states that “neurodivergent students need social support to be happy and do well in school. They often face difficulties making and maintaining friendships due to challenges reading social cues and entering play situations”.
Every brain works in different capacities, which helps growth and understanding. Neurodivergence is what makes the brain different in its functions, and what makes us human.
Describes what life is like on the spectrum, along with challenges and misconceptions.
Behavior: Measure of observable responses made by a person in any given situation.
Coexistence: Presence of more than one disorder in the same person.
Hyperactivity: Difficulty remaining still, due to excessive motor activity.
Hypersensitivity: Unusually high response to particular stimulus.
Hyposensitivity: Unusually low response to particular stimulus.
Impulsivity: Tendency to react to stimuli, without considering risks or possible effects.
Inattention: Distractibility, difficulty with organization or staying focused on tasks.
Neurodiverse: The variance in people’s brains, leading to differences in cognitive functioning.
Neurotypical: Opposite of neurodivergence, one who does not have diagnosis of a neurodivergent condition.
Processing: How quickly someone can make sense of and respond to information.
Spectrum: Varying impacts and severity levels of a certain condition.
CALLIE MENKE Sports Editor
Women are always being pitted against each other, especially women in the public eye. For years we have watched female after female meet their rival. The result, a never-ending conflict revolving around drama.
While it can be entertaining for a moment, hearing constant murmurs about who is a better person, Selena Gomez or Hailey Bieber, not only diminishes these women’s successful careers, but also boils them down to conflict over just some guy.
While I used to look at these stories as a source of entertainment, I have recently found a new outlook on the idea. Am I maturing?
It seems to me, now at least, that listening to these internet feud stories about women in the public eye is a waste of time. I don’t care about random gossip that’s going to end in an internet “cancellation” for one of these women. I would much rather hear positive stories about females supporting each other. I feel like seeing examples of strong female friendships and women supporting one another is more empowering and impactful than having so much negativity out there.
Selena Gomez and Hailey Bieber are most definitely not the only two women to have conflict. There are countless other famous female feuds that have been blown out of proportion in the media.
In sports, you have Olympic skaters Tonya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan, who fought over fame. In Hollywood, you get Jennifer Anniston and Angelina Jolley, and historic actresses Bette Davis and Joan Crawford, both of whom fought over guys. And of course, in the music industry, we all
know Katy Perry and Taylor Swift have bad blood.
Now in some cases, it’s not that there wasn’t real beef that started these conflicts, but there was too much attention that was drawn to the issue, which made it a huge problem.
Overpublicizing and overdramatizing irrelevant arguments just gives money to the Hollywood machine. The only people who are benefiting from these feuds are the invasive and irresponsible paparazzi and news outlets. Meanwhile, two females suffer.
The worst part of these feuds are the fans that take it too far. As consumers of the media, we are told we need to choose a side of the argument and pick which person is in the right. Mass fans of these celebrities attack each other. Causing again, unnecessary conflict, hate and negativity.
It is real people’s lives who are on the line and are put on blast. Ironically, in the case of Selena Gomez and Hailey Bieber their feud ended in the two “trauma-bonding” as Gomez had to issue a statement defending Bieber.
“Hailey Bieber reached out to me and let me know that she has been receiving death threats and such hateful negativity,” Gomez wrote via an Instagram Story. “This isn’t what I stand for. No one should have to experience hate or bullying. I’ve always advocated for kindness and really want this all to stop.”
Why is it that society feels the need to pit women against each other? I mean shouldn’t girls support girls? We create a skewed view of how women should treat each other when we subscribe to the idea that two women need to be put against one other all the time.
It’s no wonder that as a result of all these female feuds being shown in the media that individuals attempt to replicate it in real life. Regardless of what people think we are highly influenced by the media. It’s sad to see that unnecessary drama is reflected in day-to-day life.
The Hoofbeat staff will publish six 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 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.
Editor-in-Chief
Teagan Lynch
Front Page Editor
Elias Pipinos News Editor
Mia Castro Opinions Editor
Anuj Singh
In-Depth Editor
Teagan Lynch
Lifestyle Editor
Natalie Hill
Sports Editor
Callie Menke
Social Media Editor
Cece Vlieger Adviser
Cartoonist
Violet Bredenkamp
Photographers
Kai Pavlova
Cece Vlieger Staff Writers
Grace Evert
Sumanas Maram
Mira Mukherjee
Kai Pavlova
Renia Pipinos
Mahdis Riazikhah
Sarah Robey
Prisha Sabherwal
Teja Sridher
Matthew Um
My point is if there weren’t so many female feuds, perhaps it would be less popular for there to be “chick fights” amongst ordinary people. I hope that we can recognize this behavior for what it is, give it less attention and focus on positive female relationships instead.
Sarah Crotzer
Principal
Aaron Bearinger
As “sephora kids” capture online attention, we should focus on the underlying issues at hand
NATALIE HILL Lifestyles Editor
Atrip to the mall should be enjoyable. You walk in, may be surrounded by a group of friends, and you grab some snacks or a fun drink from the coffee shop on the cor ner before browsing around, taking your time at each store in search of the perfect purchase.
Beyond featuring fun packaging that fits into many aesthetics popular with preteen girls, some brands even deign to send “PR packages” filled with their products to child influencers. This form of marketing is even more shameless than the packaging, as brands are overtly encouraging young people to use their products.
only problem that resides online. Older, more main stream influencers and the trends they create can be extremely harmful to the confidence of young girls.
age of 19.
In short, the “Sephora kid” craze is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to self-image and body confidence issues in young girls, specifically when related to social media.
Although I believe that brands should be held accountable for their ethically questionable marketing practices, the real power in this situation lies with the parents, and other mature influences in children’s lives.
It is up to these adults to monitor their children’s
You would never expect to be nearly trampled by a horde of 12-year-old girls upon entering the Sephora, but, unfortunately, that has become a reality.
I entered the Sephora at Village Pointe with a simple goal: find a new tinted lip product. I wanted something that I could easily wear as a part of my everyday look.
However, I quickly found that every popular product was out of stock, or in the arms of a middle-school-aged girl.
Many of them toted products from brands like Drunk Elephant and Sol de Janeiro the store as they searched their next target.
There are nu merous problems at play here, but, from my perspective, the main two are as follows: brands marketing products to children that are not appropriate for their age and social media mak ing young girls believe they advanced skincare and makeup routines.
Beyond the obvious ex ample of using apps like Photoshop and FaceTune to give selfies an unattain able, airbrushed influencers have coined terms such as “glass skin” to de scribe the ideal appearance of one’s skin. It is not un
What many of these girls don’t understand is that the skincare products they want to use will only damage their skin. While the bright colors and fun patterns on the packaging of brands such as Drunk Elephant and Glow Recipe may appeal to young customers, the ingredients in most of their products are not fit for tween or teenage users.
According to UCLA Health officials, any products with “active” ingredients, like certain acids, retinol, and peptides, have the opposite effect as intended when used on young skin, and will only irritate it and damage the skin barrier. Instead of these harmful products, doctors recommend a gentle cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen for young people looking to form a skincare routine.
screen and social media usage and to help them build intrinsic self-confidence and worth. In order to accomplish this, I personally would make the decision not to allow children social media access before high school, but it ultimately lies with the parents to make that choice for their families.
All in all, while the “Sephora kid” posts that currently plague TikTok and Instagram might provide a good laugh, they represent a much larger issue that should be taken seriously.
tion increased significantly, especially in girls under the
he most popular romantic gifts include a basic stuffed animal, a box of chocolates that all taste the same, and, most notably, a bouquet of flowers that will usually have a lifespan of a day or two at most.
The desire for a memorable present that is affordable as well as sentimental is something that senior Mayte Martinez, junior Ahnika Ficken, freshman Aisha Mirza, and freshman Lily Kelly wanted to fulfill.
The group of four worked together to start a business that represented their hobbies and talents. The product of this was the creation of Blooming.
“The main reason we decided to make flowers was that Valentine’s Day was coming up and [we] saw it as a good opportunity to sell them to the public, along with other special occasions that would be good with flowers such as prom and other more personal occasions, such as birthdays,” Ficken said.
Aside from featuring this group’s craftsmanship when it comes to creating paper and ribbon flowers, their business has also helped them connect with the community, while cultivating an even stronger bond with each other.
“We were standing after a metro competition for DECA and [we] were talking about how state is around $200. Then we started talking about how we could pay for it and randomly we all said ‘Hey what if we did something together,’ and that’s how it started. Then we just discussed what we were good at doing and de-
Pick your flowers.
The tried-and-true course of action is to select 2 colors of complimenting colors, and one filler flower (baby’s breath is popular). Trader Joe’s is just one of the many places to find beautiful flowers to use.
cided to sell paper and ribbon flowers,” Mirza said.
The young entrepreneurs have set roles that they stick to in order to make sure that their business runs smoothly. Their flexibility regarding their custom orders has also proven to work well.
“I am in charge of making the flowers out of ribbon, but I also worked on creating our logo and buying some of the different materials that we may need. Ahnika is in charge of making paper flowers. Aisha takes care of the finances and the Instagram page, along with letting us know when we have new orders to complete. Lily helps out where we need help and makes jewelry, too,” Martinez said.
The products available at Blooming range from flowers made out of a variety of materials to add-ons such as jewelry, and an assortment of sweet treats.
“So, to start, what we sell are flowers [which come in] ribbon or paper. These flowers come in many varieties. You can get them as plain, glitter, or even [with] chocolate. We even do custom orders,” Mirza said.
Apart from the products that they sell, the group of four has achieved a lot from a community standpoint, and from working with each other.
“For a business that was run up really quickly, I feel like we have been successful community-wise and really networking ourselves with new people. Although we have made a smaller profit, I still have confidence in how much our business will grow with time and experience. In other words, I can see lots of achievements in the near future,” Ficken said.
The group of four created this business specif-
Creating your own bouquet is quite easy, and can serve as a great gift for a partner, or anyone important in your life. 1 2 3 4
Trim and remove thorns.
Cut your flowers to the desired length, making sure to cut at a diagonal to increase the flowers’ lifespan. Then, remove any thorns or excess leaves on the stems.
Begin building.
Start with a central flower, and add supporting flowers around it, making sure to alternate between your colors and fillers to maximize the aesthetics of the bouquet.
Finishing touches.
Now that your bouquet is done, it’s important to consider presentation. Try placing it in a vase, or wrapping it in brown paper and tying it with ribbon.
ically because of how versatile these gifts are. They can be purchased for a variety of events, while also serving as a sentimental and long-lasting present.
“We all talked to each other about our different talents and things we can make. Paper flowers are incredible because they don’t wither and [they] are so customizable and forever beautiful. [They are] a perfect gift to give someone special to you,” Kelly said.
All four of the girls are in DECA, which has provided them with financial and marketing knowledge that has helped them with their business. The question of whether they hope to keep running their business even after high school ends arises.
“Even though I am a junior and will be graduating soon I still plan on continuing this business through the next year and a half, especially for two of our members who are freshmen and have the rest of their high school career to look forward to,” Ficken said.
The unstoppable group is more than glad that they have met each other during their time in DECA.
“It has been amazing having such a good group of girls to work with. DECA is an amazing place to make friends, and I feel this business has deepened our friendships,” Kelly said.
The unbreakable bond between this group of four has allowed them to work more collaboratively and effectively with each other. Whether it’s shown while packing orders, neatly arranging each bouquet, or managing custom orders, it seems Blooming truly has a blossoming future ahead of them.
A bouquet from Blooming is arranged and posed to be posted on the business’s Instagram. This order includes both ribbon flowers and flowers with chocolate in the center.
Photograph from @bloomingbusiness.co on Instagram
or those who don’t know much about Armenia, it is a small country in the mountainous Caucasus region between Asia and Europe. The first Armenian state, Urartu, was founded in 860 BC. It is also known as one of the earliest Christian civilizations.
The peculiarity of this country is that most Armenians don’t live there. They live all over the world, spreading Armenian culture and cuisine. Seventy-five percent of Armenians live outside of the country. We all know the Kardashians, but do you know they are of Armenian ancestry?
Fortunately, some of the Armenians settled in Omaha, and now we have an Armenian community here too.
If you are looking for local Armenian cuisine, vegetarian dishes, or shish kebabs, check out Omaha Kebabs at 120th and Blondo.
The restaurant offers many amenities: they take reservations, offer delivery, takeout, and catering, accept credit cards, have private lot parking, free Wi-Fi, provide reusable tableware, and are wheelchair accessible.
Walking into the restaurant, the first thing I notice is the unusual walls with imitation windows that create an Armenian church-style interior.
It is a small, cozy room, and we are greeted by a friendly and welcoming waitress.
We see the kitchen and the owner, Arthur, work-
This Japanese restaurant, located in Benson, serves a variety of dishes, from seaweed salad to sushi. The owner even travels to Japan twice a year and brings back new dish ideas!
ing on food with his assistants, and can smell the delicious kebabs from our seats. You can peek around the corner and see how the kebabs are made by the expert and precise arm movements of the chef over the grill.
The menu is simple. A variety of $9 dips for starters: cucumber, eggplant, and hummus with pita bread, beet salad, and falafel. A unique side is taboule, a dish originating from Lebanon and Syria, hinting at the Middle East’s influence on Armenia’s cuisine. It is a simple Mediterranean salad of very finely chopped vegetables.
They also offer several more traditional salads: Greek salad, small house salad, and Caesar salad for $12.95.
Their main menu is for meat lovers, offering chicken, pork, beef, or lamb chops (the most expensive, $22.95). Kebabs are defined as a dish with pieces of meat, fish, or vegetables roasted and/or grilled on a skewer or spit. Also, for an additional price of $11.95, they have extra skewers of all of these meat varieties.
The meat was juicy, tender, incredibly well-seasoned, and perfectly cooked as requested, (rare, medium rare, medium well, well done, you name it) with herb accents. To say it was just good would not give it enough credit. It was exceptional.
If you are not crazy about kebabs, they also offer falafel burgers for $14.95 and gyros for $13.95.
The service is unobtrusive, quick, and gentle, creating an unusual homey atmosphere as if I were visiting my grandma. The waiter materializes when we have a hard
time deciding and gives us excellent recommendations.
There weren’t many people inside when we visited. But many came to pick up orders, and they interacted with the waitress as if they were old friends, suggesting that this restaurant had become a community hub.
The desserts are ones commonly found in restaurants. However, the highlight is baklava: a delicious treat made up of layers of crispy phyllo dough, honey, and nuts, costing $7.95. There are three countries fighting to claim the origin of this dessert, Iran, Lebanon, and Turkey.
The drinks are also quite traditional, with one exception. They have Armenian-style coffee, an espresso with a solid bittersweet taste, for $4.75. Experienced customers say that the quality of the meat is outstanding, no matter what type it is, chicken, lamb, or pork, the time of the year, or the day of the week.
Even though it has many amenities, some issues come up. It has no covered or heated outdoor seating and no private dining. One dish-related downside is that the sides are always the same, rice and greens.
The other issue I noticed was that they close early, at 8 pm every day, even on Fridays and Saturdays. So, if you’re a late eater, like me, you will be disappointed. They are also closed on Sundays, which further limits dining times.
All in all, the whole meal is very balanced and satisfying. Service is exceptional, and prices are very affordable. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone and rate it 5 out of 5 stars in the budget-friendly restaurant category.
Cultural restaurants around town
Along 24th street lies a restaurant serving Mexican style breakast, lunch, and dinner. It began as a single food truck, but now includes two trucks and a brick-and-mortar location.
Conveniently located nextdoor to a French bakery, this classy restaurant brings Parisian cuisine to Pepperwood Village in west Omaha.
Started by a woman who immigrated from Togo to Omaha, this African restaurant began as a grocery market and grew into the dining spot it is today after years of trial and error.
TThe USA is a place of much diversity, encompassing a rich tradition of various cultures, traditions and backgrounds. With people coming from places all over the world, they have been able to incorporate themselves into a new culture while maintaining their own culture at the same time.
“I really like that I have dual citizenship and get to experience different cultures. I like knowing that there is more out there.
This is no different at MNHS, where students have been able to proudly showcase their traditions and values. But there’s one group of students in particular who embody a fusion of two worlds, as they proudly embrace their dual citizenship while navigating the complexities of it.
These students who are deeply connected with and exposed to different cultures have the opportunity to learn and grow within multiple different environments.
“Dual citizenship is when you are a citizen of two different countries at the same time. Not every country allows dual citizenship, and the rules vary among those that do,” a 2024 Boundless Article said.
One can obtain dual citizenship in numerous ways. Whether it’s automatically obtaining it because of your parent’s country of origin, securing it after actually residing in a country, or getting it through marriage to a citizen of another country, the avenues to acquire such citizenship vary due to the difference in laws from country to country.
Although the paths to obtain dual citizenship may
have been different for each of the following students, the reasons and satisfaction they have with them are all the same. Senior Maya Brilz, who gained dual citizenship in the US and Poland because her mom was born in Poland, got her process taken care of by her parents who were able to work with Polish consultants to grant her citizenship.
”MAYA BRILZ SENIOR
“I really like that I have dual citizenship and get to experience different cultures. I like knowing that there is more out there and that just because something is the status quo here I don’t have to follow it,” Brilz said.
Dual citizenship not only offers a sense of pride and belonging, but it also gives students the freedom to explore different cultures as they balance their unique customs. Senior Mateo Rens, who lived in Peru for half of his life and the US for the other half, was able to gain this privilege when he obtained his citizenship with the US and Peru.
“Being able to travel all around the world with multiple passports allowing me to go basically anywhere is the best,” Rens said.
Having two passports helps limit hindrances, making it more convenient for dual citizenship holders to travel back and forth between the countries they hold citizenship in.
“If I went to South Korea for a long time, I wouldn’t have to worry about getting a VISA or anything, so that’s really nice,” senior Sarah Stejskal said, who is a dual citi-
zen of the US and South Korea.
Since many people hold regular citizenship, the dual citizenship that these students have sets them apart from others and holds a special place in their hearts.
“It makes me feel different and unique. I have something that others don’t usually have. It makes me feel connected to multiple cultures and identities,” Rens said.
It not only holds an important value in the hearts of the students because of the way it allows them to express their cultures, but it also allows them to connect with their families that they are geographically distanced from.
“It definitely impacts me, a lot of my family is still in South Korea so it’s definitely part of my identity, and it’s so cool to have,” Stejskal said.
But although it involves great positives, dual citizenship and exposure to two countries for long periods of time can create some complexities.
“I learned Polish and English at the same time growing up so I had to go to speech therapy for a lisp because I would get the words and sounds confused,” Brilz said.
These differences in languages and traditions can make balancing and adapting to both countries a challenging task.
“[The environment] is definitely different all around, the way the people act and literally everything is different,” Stejksal said.
Despite the challenges, these students have been able to adapt and thrive in both environments as they continue to practice and develop their cultures.
While embracing the complexities and unique opportunities presented by dual citizenship, these students exemplify resilience and showcase a rich appreciation for the cultures that define their values and identities.
The colors and symbols on a country’s flag often represent it’s values. Here is a closer look at the flags of the countries the students mentioned above are dual citizens of.
POLAND
White - the white eagle, a symbol of sovereignty Red - background of the coat of arms
SOUTH KOREA
White - the land
Red and Blue - the people Black - the government
PERU
Red - blood shed for the sake of independence
White - purity and peace
As an athlete, I’ve been injured what feels like hundreds of times. Whether it was my ankle, knee, or shoulder, sometimes it felt like nothing could protect me from the dangers of contact sports.
When participating in high school athletics, there are rules put in place to supposedly guide sports on the field, pitch, court, or track. But what happens when the rules don’t work? What happens when they are ignored?
On Jan. 21, 2024, the MN boys hockey club team was playing a match against the Lincoln Capitals East program when aggression began to arise on the ice. As the game began, Thomas Leary, the MN hockey head coach took notice. Leary brought the issue up to the game referees but was asked to ‘sit down and shut up’, according to a statement on the Mustang Hockey Instagram. In the second period, sophomore Maksim Mantsorov left the game with a broken ankle, after getting plummeted while not being in possession of the puck, an illegal action in hockey.
In the next period, the violence continued to persist. MN club player and Conestoga Jr./Sr. High School sophomore Jace Thomas received a hit to the head, suffering a spinal cord injury in which he was unable to walk and had no recollection of the event.
As Thomas underwent surgeries and navigated physical therapy to regain control and strength of his limbs, his family and support group heard news that the player who leveled the hit had a court mandate scheduled to decide what the punishment for his aggression would be.
“He, the player who illegally hit Jace, had a prior history of doing stick-slashing, where you hit another’s stick for no reason,” Mantsorov said. “And he got an equal punishment for the head [injury] as stick-slashing, which is just ridiculous,”
The offender had been suspended for five games. Five. Games.
In other words, the assaulter received the same punishment one would receive if they bad-mouthed an official, or stick-slashed, as Mantsorov explained, while Thomas, a dedicated three-sport athlete, received the verdict that he could never participate in any contact athletics again.
This poses some grand questions: how should one deal with dangerous players? Is a five-game punishment proportionate to never being able to play hockey, or any
other sport for that matter, not to mention having to finance the expenses and undergo the struggles of physical therapy and surgery? Obviously, there is a great disparity between these two results.
As hockey is not considered an NSAA sport in Nebraska, Nebraska high school hockey affairs are under no obligation to function under NSAA rules. This leaves a kind of a free range for programs to “decide” on their own.
“Right now, there’s been a huge epidemic in our league. The Omaha Hockey Club, has not been regulating rules or enforcing them very well. This shows when in a regular game players are getting hit dirty where one player gets their leg hurt and the other gets a permanent injury where he can never play a contact sport again,” Mantsorov said.
High school hockey rules are governed by USA Hockey’s play rules. Postgame discipline is administered by the Midwest Amateur Hockey Association’s (MWAHA), according to Leary.
the organization on the website and display “all game suspensions and probation periods” on the site, the organization has not done this for Jace’s case, and for what I can tell, any cases lately, as the suspensions page online is completely blank.
“These refs in the league will just not call anything. No one is saying anything and it results in more aggressiveness towards players like with dirty bad hits and fights,” Mantsorov said.
“Some things are bigger than the game” wrote Coach Thomas Leary in a heartfelt instagram post after seeing player Jace Thomas’s road to recovery.
Photograph contributed by mnmustanghockey
USA Hockey’s 2021-25 rules have explicit rulings against unprovoked and unsportsmanlike aggression, as stated in these excerpts from the organization’s website: “Intimidation tactics have no place in ice hockey. These tactics include any contact to the head of the opponent, checking from behind and late body checks to an opponent who is no longer in control of the puck,” and “[USA Hockey] officials are required to strictly enforce all actions that are deemed to be abusive in nature…”
Although the MWAHA follows this rulebook and pledge, on their website, to copy any cases handled by
“We Stand For Jace”, a small movement among the Omaha hockey community, has swept across many hockey teams, past Millard North activities and athletics.
“‘We Stand For Jace’ signifies how we believe in Jace’s cause because he was done just so wrong by those referees and rules,” Mantsorov said. “ We stand behind this cause for the better improvement of our league,”
The MWAHA strives, in their mission statement, to “promote a safe, positive experience for all”. Similarly, in their mission statement, Omaha Hockey Club aims to “deliver an atmosphere of healthy competition for all the youth of Omaha and surrounding communities”. But both of these mission statements were not enough for Jace Thomas and his family. Jace is now suffering the consequences of failure in the MWAHA and Omaha Hockey Club’s implementation of these declarations.
Athlete protection means more than just words pixelated on a web page, and should even encompass all sorts of player safety. In Jace’s name, Millard North hockey invites club sports organizations to reflect on their treatment of athletes and how much they are really providing a “safe, positive experience for all”.
Front Page Editor
n years past, Millard North’s baseball program has gone with the flow. This year, the mentality of the entire team has changed from what was once more relaxed gameplay to serious preparations.
“We have a new coach this year, Bob Hlavac. He’s our head coach this year, and has been around baseball for his entire life,” Assistant Coach Tyler Wheelock said.
With a history of baseball coaching and a legacy following him from Millard West’s baseball team, Hlavac has not only become head coach of MN’s baseball team but has also brought some serious firepower to the field.
Through a program called JucoRoute, Hlavac can bring experienced baseball players and coaches to the field with him.
“JucoRoute has afforded me a network of College Coaches, which I will use to assist our players in their recruiting process,” Hlavac said.
With the help of the youthful new assistant coaches of this year, the MN baseball players and community have been rejuvenated and better connected.
“[Hlavac’s new coaches] all have experience playing college and even professional baseball,” Wheelock said. “The team has a good dynamic with the new crew that’s come in.”
This dynamic rings true for both the coaches and the players, as well. Senior Jay Twedt and other players on the team share the same sentiments as Wheelock for their new and improved coaching staff.
“I think it’s awesome to have people who’ve been in professional situations. Hlavac has brought on a really cool staff of guys who know exactly what they’re doing,” Twedt said.
Alongside Twedt and Wheelock, Hlavac himself is
“Definitely Wrecking Ball by Miley Cyrus, you know, I just strive to be a wrecking ball one day.”
pleased with his new staff.
“Our staff has done great working [with], developing, and teaching our players both mental and physical skills. I’m lucky to have the staff we have,” Hlavac said.
With new coaches and staff as a whole, where the administrative staff of the baseball program has really changed from years prior in its expecta tions for the players on the field.
“We talk to our guys every day about accountability, we hold each other to a high standard. The expectations of our student-athletes are steep - success in the classroom is uber important to our program as is their conduct away from the field and classroom,” Hlavac said.
With classroom and practice expectations set high for the players, the goal is set further this year.
“We haven’t been the same Millard North program that we’ve been in years past. [The staff] have come in saying, ‘our expectations are to make it to state [at the minimum], and after that the state championships,” Wheelock said.
This mindset has struck a chord with MN’s junior varsity and varsity teams, batting home the importance of effort on game day and grit for the preparations beforehand.
ty of the past, the kids are getting into our new staff’s groove.”
Alongside the major staffing change that has helped the mindsets of baseball players this year, Hlavac has attracted transfer students from many cities in Nebraska.
These students are not only excellent at their sport but their presence in the ranks of MN’s baseball players has helped to solidify the team’s flow.
“Coach Hlavac attracted a lot of transfer players. It shows just how good of a coach he is and also establishes even better team chemistry than before,” Twedt said.
The introduction of new members went so well, in fact, that MN’s efficiency and dayby-day processes didn’t get any slower.
“We welcomed them like family,” Twedt said. “We just got to it, and I think it went very well. They’re all really cool guys to be around and
The future, although uncertain, looks bright for MN’s baseball team with the extent of staffing that can support the team and with new morale driving the players forward.
Senior, Jay Twedt hits twp RBI single in a game against Lincoln North Star, MN fought hard for win 14-10.
“Emphasis is really being put on our team being fast-paced. We want to cause chaos, being the team that makes other teams make mistakes,” Wheelock said. “What’s nice is that our players have been able to buy into this goal. Instead of the go-with-the-flow mentali-
Photograph contributed by Jay Twedt
“I think with the new coaching staff, strength conditioning coach, players, and even just our team morale, we have a whole new set of expectations for our team,” said Twedt. “We used to just be relaxed, going through the motions. Now we have a place to be, the players to do it, and a coach that’ll get us there.”
“Through The Wire by Kanye West, because I’ve been listening to it for so long and it’s one of my favorite songs.”
“HUMBLE. by Kendrick Lamar. It gets me in the right mind set to just lock into the game.”
“ My hype song is Rich Baby Daddy by Drake, because it’s a song that everybody knows and the hole team can all get hype to.
very year, hundreds of students run the mile in gym class. By the end, all are out of breath and sweating as they cross the finish. Minutes later, jogging stragglers finish, some walking to avoid exhaustion.
Experienced by all students, this test gives barely a glimpse into the perseverance needed to be a distance runner, and a mile is just the brink of a true distance race. However, many people find running to be a lifestyle, enjoying every minute of the journey.
Molly Caruso is a senior who has earned success in both track and cross-country, running both sports throughout her high school career. She committed to running indoor cross country and outdoor track at the University of Nebraska, Omaha.
“I decided to run in college because running is a huge part of my lifestyle. I truly enjoy running even though it’s not always easy,” Caruso said.
Last year, Caruso placed 11th in the open 800, 5th in the 4x800 relay, and 8th in the 4x400 relay at the state track meet.
ethic and unmatched, and her drive is nothing short of impressive. On top of that, Molly is just a really cool person and that makes coaching her a lot of fun,” Stewart said.
Teammate Rhode shares a similar sentiment, saying that Caruso’s dedication to the sport has inspired other runners on the team, including herself.
Fast Fun Fact: Senior, Molly Caruso, poses pretty for her senior picture, Caruso ran her first mile when she was 3 years old.
Photograph by JT Best
“Our 4x8 team that Molly was a part of not only made it to state, but we medaled and got 5th at state, which was a huge accomplishment for us. Molly was the first leg of the relay and was able to put us in the perfect position to do that,” teammate and senior Emma Rhode said.
But her success did not happen without trials. During this year’s cross-country season Caruso, like a large number of high school students, experienced an injury that affected her season.
“My senior year of cross country was cut short due to a hurt hip/femur. This taught me that I need to find balance in my life and find other ways to cope,” Caruso said.
Despite this, Caruso has gotten stronger and is preparing for a phenomenal last high school track season. Her coach, Seth Stewart, recognizes the qualities that have enabled Caruso to achieve her goals.
“Her commitment to track is unwavering, her work
“Every race she runs, she gives it her all and never leaves anything on the track. I am continuously inspired by how hard she works and how much she’s accomplished,” Rhode said.
Over her time as a runner, Caruso has learned new techniques that have allowed her to achieve personal bests and break school records.
“I have learned so much from my track coach. He has taught me a new kind of running style and allowed me to train for more events. I learned a lot more about the science and mechanics behind running. With the help of Coach Stewart, I have become a much stronger runner,” Caruso said.
Stewart shared that it is rare to see someone with both speed and endurance at the level Molly has achieved, stating that she can succeed at a variety of races ranging from mid-distance to long-distance.
In addition to physical growth as a runner, Caruso has also grown in other areas which have contributed just as much to her success.
“Molly has grown stronger mentally. She is such a student of running that her four years of experience have allowed her to build tenacity, stay composed when things don’t go as planned, and lead our team by setting the highest of standards when it comes to effort each and every day. Molly has the attitude that says to everyone ‘we’re going to enjoy this because this is hard,’ and that’s not an easy mentality to carry, but it certainly provides our entire team with a template for success,” Stewart said.
As she wraps up her last track season and concludes her high school running career, there is no doubt that Caruso will continue to succeed and smash goals as a collegiate athlete.
2023 State:
Westside Invitational: Caruso concentrates as she runs the curve nearing the final stretch of the mile race at the Westside Inivtational where she recieved first runner up.