Millard North High School
LAUGHTER AND LANES
ROCK AND ROLLING
Underclassmen on the road - beware!
Teachers rocking out outside of school.
THE HOOFBEAT ABSENT STUDENTS, Page #7
Page #15
Volume 42 • Issue 2 • Oct. 30, 2023
PRESENT CONCERNS
Millard North works to increase graduation rates Pages 2-3
Photograph by Elias Pipinos
2 • NEWS • Oct. 30, 2023
RAISING RATES
Increasing graduation rate, lowering levels of absenteeism TEAGAN LYNCH Editor-In-Chief
W
ith bright lights and a huge crowd of family and of graded activity so that if they miss that, that’s going to friends stacked on top of each other, you are adorned in impact their grade,” Bearinger said. Another attendance incentive is the good standing a royal blue gown, your cap resting on your head. The day between your past and future is the present, where all policy, which states that students not passing at least four of your hard work is rewarded by a diploma, a singular classes or who have ten tardies or absences cannot attend piece of paper that represents all the homework assign- a school dance. “We were one of the first schools to do the homements and late nights. However, not every student gets to walk across the coming and prom good standing policy, which we constage for this diploma, whether it’s because of grades, ab- tinue to do to this day. Tardies and absences they can’t do much about, but sences, or the choice to no longer attend school. In the 2022 school year, according to the Nebraska if it’s grades that are keeping them from going to homeDepartment of Education, Millard North’s graduation coming, then they certainly have an impact and can get rates hit a low after having trended downward since the their grades up,” Bearinger said. As far as absences, according to the Nebraska De2019-2020 school year, with 87.12% of students who attended graduating within the typical 4 years. In 2023, the partment of Education, 24.72% of students in the 202223 school year were chronically absent. Chronic absence graduation rate is expected to be around 92.2%. The district has identified the graduation rate as a is defined as a student missing 10% or more days of a lagging indicator, which means that when administration school year, which ends up being about 18 days a year. takes action, it will take a few years for the results to be This number included Senior Kate Johnson. “The school sent me a letter in the mail telling me clear and take effect. how many absences I had and “It’s not like I can just say, that if the absences continued ‘Okay, I want more kids to gradthen I could get sent to court,” uate this year.’ There are a few But when the missed Johnson said. “This helped me things I can do, but a lot of it has because I realized the seriousness to do with what we have done days start to stack up, we throughout the four years to get to want to help. Think of school of missing school that much.” In an email to teachers and that point,” Principal Aaron Bearas a resource. We want to be parents, Millard Superintendent inger said. John Schwartz introduced stratWith graduation rates appear- a partner in your student’s egies for helping students struging to be on a positive trajectory, success. gling with absences, including Bearinger, along with the staff, are following consistent morning working hard to keep raising them. and nighttime routines and, for To do so, they are starting from the JOHN SCHWARTZ parents, planning vacations and ground up. MPS SUPERINTENDENT doctors appointments outside of “A couple years ago, we startschool hours, taking an interest in ed to look really specifically at their students’ education, and celfreshmen,” Bearinger said. “We implemented some things to focus on freshman being on ebrating their successes in the classroom. “Regular school attendance is critical for students’ track. If they’re not on track after their freshman year, then it’s a lot more challenging to get them back on track academic achievement. Occasionally we all miss a day of work or school, and when a child is sick, they need for graduating.” The first of these new implementations is the Fresh- to stay home. But when the missed days start to stack man Navigator Program, for which a group of teachers, up, we want to help,” Schwartz said. “Think of school the Freshman Navigators, have the role of checking in as a resource. We want to be a partner in your student’s with and guiding freshmen who appear to be struggling. success.” Being present plays a large role in being on track to The second is Freshman Refresh, where freshmen failing three or more classes come in on off-days, like non-fresh- graduate. “Students who attend school regularly are more men testing days, to get additional help from teachers. As for the rest of the student population, emphasis is likely to perform well in school, graduate on time, and have more opportunities to succeed after high school,” being placed on presence. “We know that tardies have been an issue, getting Schwartz said. “Simply stated, there are more doors to class on time has been an issue, so we really try to open for people who show up and are reliable.” With new implementations and goals in place, the get teachers to focus on the first five minutes, have something engaging for students. Maybe even have some sort graduation rate trajectory has no place to go but up.
“
”
Getting in the Way:
Obstacles to education run rampant on our teenage students. What distractions are the most common? Among the most significant obstacles to in-classroom education are phones. MN has made strides in barring students from phone usage and distraction in class. Alongside phone usage is internet access as a whole. Despite schoolblocked sites oftentimes barring student distraction, ways are found around administrative effort.
MNHSONLINE.COM • 3
Of the three main high schools in the Milard Public Schools district, North places in second place regarding rates of graduation.
10.13%
Why Should We Care?
Failed, dropped out, held
89.87%
Graduated after 4 years
Managing 36 schools, MPS has grown in the 2023-2024 school year, having 23,762 students across its K-12 campuses.
Millard Public Schools 2020-2021
Normally perceived as a problem more concentrated at the high school level, over half of all chronic absences are found in Elementary to Middle school years. Along with absences come an assortment of side-effects: lower rates of college attendence and decreasing average levels of academic and social functioning.
This is an abstraction of the overhead view of the Millard district.
Millard North’s Numbers in perspective 610 - Total students in Millard North’s class of 2021 544 - Students who graduated 66 - Students who dropped out, were held back, or failed senior year
RE-FRESH-ED ROUTE
A large amount of excused absences are comprised of irrelevant reasons, allowing for unnecessarily missed school days. Attending school is vital not only for educational purposes, but for better societal integration as well.
Teachers act as Freshman Navigators, help students get back on track TEAGAN LYNCH Editor-In-Chief
F
our years. Four years of time between the simplicity of middle school and the imminent reality of adulthood. These four years of high school are a time to learn about ourselves, our world, and skills that will carry us into the future. Year one. Freshmen are just putting their foot into the door of high school. This is the year that the fouryear cumulative measure- the GPA- is created and one’s high school career truly begins. Last school year, Assistant Principal Matthew Starks, who oversees freshman, created the Freshman Navigators Program to aid freshmen struggling in their classes. The goal of the program is to get freshmen back on the right track to graduate in four years. Teachers identify students who they believe may benefit from the program. Those students are then as-
signed to the Freshman Navigators, like Spanish teacher Amy Roberts. “I definitely feel like it is going to be a really good program... I’m not giving them any consequences, so there’s nothing punitive coming from me. I’m making a relationship with these kids and just trying to see how I can help them be successful,” Roberts said. The navigator’s goal is to help get their freshmen on the right track by supporting them and teaching them strategies for success. “Ms. Mintken helped me with the motivation of getting a reward like candy. Ms. Roberts helped me think of how I could stay after school or seek out help when I need it instead of not asking even when I do need it,” sophomore Layla Purdy said. One drawback of the program is the limited number of meeting times between navigators and their students. “It’s hard to take our students from a class, especially
when they are struggling in the class. I don’t feel good about that,” Roberts said. “The biggest hurdle right now is making a relationship with them in such a short amount of time that we can pull them out of class and feel good about pulling them out of class.” Students form relationships with their Navigators, which often carry through their freshman year. “I feel like Ms. Roberts really helped me. We’re like besties,” Purdy said. The program is meant to help students improve grades and teach them how to be successful in high school, but it is also about knowing that they have a friend. “I think it’s definitely a work in progress, but I’m certain it’s going to make an impact on some of the kids we’re working with, and I hope it does,” Roberts said. “If nothing else, they know that there’s an adult that isn’t a teacher that they can trust, and I think every student needs that.”
4 • Oct. 30. 2023
THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT
A look into the new Millard Education Academy site MIRA MUKHERJEE Staff Writer
A gloomy overcast lingers over the school. Inside the
atmosphere is frozen in time. The hallways are deserted. In classrooms students mechanically jot down notes, their attention spans slowly depleting. But tucked unassumingly in the back of the school an unconventional class is taking place. A small group of students sit attentively as they are given strength tests by Gallup consultants. The teachers oversee the process; students move around the room and participate in a myriad of activities. Chatting, laughing, and learning, the students all have a common goal in mind. Millard Public Schools’ Education Academy is a two-year program for juniors and seniors that explores careers in the education field. Students are dual-enrolled in high school and college classes and are exposed to the inner workings of the educator life. “We are having the students develop a really clear, coherent vision of who they are, what they want to do, and how they can put those two things together and be effective teachers,” academy teacher Simon Rohde said. Rohde, alongside teacher David Diehl, run this unique opportunity for students. Originally the academy was only available at Millard West High School, but a national shortage of teachers prompted the district to open up another site this year.
“If we can get these students into their careers faster and we can develop a strong relationship with them, then that’s going to benefit future Millard North students,” Diehl said. Currently, fourteen students are attending MN’s site, including students from Millard South and North. The academy is still offered at the original location, Millard West, to provide better access for students. For many students in the education academy, teachers have held a significant impact on students’ decisions to pursue educational career routes. “Without teachers there wouldn’t be police officers or world leaders. The people that inspire those people are teachers, so they’re kind of the heart of every society and being a part of that is really inspiring to me,” junior academy student Garett Johnson said. Personal experiences with teachers have also influenced participants in the education academy. “Last year I had a really good teacher, Ms. Ruda, and it was her first year teaching. She was a history teacher and she made me want to become a teacher,” junior academy member Charlie Fought said. Kids in the academy are exposed to the educational field by partaking in a wide variety of activities, garnering real-life experience related to their future workforce. Some events offered this year include a trip to Millard headquarters, conferences at Educators Rising, and exposure to predominantly Hispanic schools. “We’re definitely developing a lot of adaptability
rself! u o Y y l p p A
Making the Most of Millard Millard offers five different academies, each catered toward each and every type of student interested in any of these common career fields.
, 2023 ember 10 re v o N e u d ns are Applications a applicatio ear. y m e d a h c A 5 sc ool yomores. The 2 0 -2 4 lic 2 0 2 h for the interested sop on the Millard Pub r d fo n open ion can be fou applicat website. Schools ation: he applic t e t le p m o ion. Steps to c ation sect m r fo in t n the stude y Complete swer essa n a t r o h s e four Answer ths. n questio their nces and e r fe e r o Include twfor mation. contact in trancademic a r u o y h Attac . script hted GPA and weig -
rg/depart psomaha.o .m w w cademies w // ps: ol-career-a o ch Source: htt -s h ig iculum/h ments/curr
Hard at Work Rowyn Wiltgen, Millard South junior and Education Academy student, writes a meaningful letter to a teacher who has had an impact on her life and academics. This is just one of the types of activities academy students partake in every day.
Photograph by Mia Castro
because we get taught different scenarios of teaching,” junior academy member Tyrus Peacock said. Education academy students attend their academy courses in the morning and resume regular classes with the rest of their respective high schools in the afternoon. Students and teachers develop a meaningful connection during those academy classes. “They know we want to be teachers and they are teachers, so they feel where we are; it’s a very strong community in the classroom,” Peacock said. Having a shared mindset and a positive attitude are crucial when it comes to the dynamic of a classroom. Under the leadership of Diehl and Rohde, the education academy provides just that. With exposure to eye-opening opportunities and inspiring influencers, the education academy undoubtedly provides a unique perspective for students. “They have so much energy and it gives me so much hope for tomorrow, I love telling people that we’re in good hands, the next generation is going to knock everyone’s socks off,” Rohde said.
MNHSONLINE.COM • 5
PUSHING FOR PROGRESS
Teacher advocates for diabetes awareness, finding help for diagnosed MIA CASTRO News Editor
W
ailing and screaming, Chris Dunn’s son, Nolan Dunn, struggles against the insulin syringe and needle approaching his soft skin. He kicks and fights against her firm grip and she wishes more than anything she didn’t have to do this; this is her least favorite part of the day. Her son, freshly two years old, has just been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, bringing along the new responsibility of measuring his blood sugar levels and maintaining a steady amount of insulin in his miniature body. This is what Dunn, a family consumer science teacher, and 283,000 other Americans had to do every day to protect their children from a potentially fatal mishap. “Back then, things changed a lot when Nolan was first diagnosed. We had to poke his little fingers to check his blood sugar and had to give him five shots of insulin a day. So you can imagine with a little kid how fun that was,” C. Dunn said. Type 1 diabetes is a genetic chronic condition that happens when the pancreas produces insufficient or no insulin, severely endangering the diabetic’s blood sugar levels, according to the CDC. Complications arise with childhood diabetes, as kids are generally more shifty towards the idea of testing, prodding, monitoring, and pricking. Now, thanks to new technology like patches, insulin pens, and apps one can download off app stores, and especially, active advocates like C. Dunn, life with this chronic disease has become somewhat more manageable for people of all ages. C. Dunn has taken part in various projects regarding diabetes technology advancement. She has interacted with both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes but is especially
passionate about Type 1 diabetes, the kind two of her kids have. Before coming to MN this year, C. Dunn worked for the JDRF, or the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, consulting with members of Congress in the district, as well as out of state, like in Washington, DC. When there, she and other volunteers and workers attended conferences devoted to furthering diabetes awareness and studies. Recently, the JDRF held its annual fundraising walk to support diabetes research called the JDRF One Walk, which C. Dunn participated in. It is the largest fundraising event for type 1 diabetes research in the world, with walks scheduled in cities throughout the globe. Dunn and her family walked in the local one at Mahoney State Park, attended by 4,000 people this year. “Participating in the Walk is incredibly empowering. We participated in our first Walk 11 months after Nolan was diagnosed. It not only benefited our son and all people living with T1D, it benefited me too. It was the single best thing I could have done for my own mental health after having a traumatic diagnosis for my toddler,” C. Dunn said. The Dunn family’s JDRF One Walk team, Dunn with Type 1, raised $5,500 towards Type 1 diabetes research during the JDRF’s latest walk on October 1. They were the number four family team in the state of Nebraska for funds raised for this walk. The family has raised almost $150,000 since they started partaking in the Walk in 2007, an achievement the Dunn family is very proud of. One of C. Dunn’s principal projects was the advocacy of the Special Diabetes Program, a bipartisan piece
Outstanding Opportunities Volunteer at a chapter - Work an event - Donate your leadership - Family outreach November is Diabetes Awareness Month! There are endless ways you can volunteer with the JDRF to help improve the lives of people with type one diabetes and their affected loved ones. By identifying your interests and strengths, you’ll be able to discover the best volunteer path for you. Sign up to volunteer on their online website, jdrf.org.
of legislation that has been renewed annually since 1997. It sends millions of dollars dedicated to Type 1 diabetes research to NIH, the National Institute of Health. Although this is great for any type of diabetic, a dominant problem has been emerging lately. Insulin, the hormone that regulates the human’s blood sugar, is becoming increasingly expensive each year, bringing along serious complications for low-income families. Because of this dilemma, C. Dunn and other supporters have been pushing for the passing of the Insulin Act. “Right now, in my house, the value of the insulin in my refrigerator is $12,000. So now we have a problem because many people can’t afford it. With JDRF, we just go and share our stories and educate them about the importance of making that insulin affordable,” C. Dunn said. Insulin is vital to everyone’s daily lives as bodies can’t function without the insulin your pancreas is supposed to produce. “It’s literally people’s life support. You can’t live without it… it’s that necessary,” C. Dunn said With the help of institutions like JDRF, Type 1 diabetics are looking at a horizon of new opportunities, according to Luci Foster, the JDRF Development Manager for the Nebraska-Iowa chapter. Some of these new technologies include more affordable insulin, CRISPR gene editing technology, and a possible cure for the disease. “With more education and legislation, my kids are going to take their helpful technology off. The importance of education about this disease and legislation to help them is huge,” C. Dunn said. Guidance for awareness has become gradually more crucial as the number of diabetics in America increases. “Diabetes, it’s out there. It’s not uncommon. People can pass out or have an emergency, leaving people not knowing what to do. So it’s always best to have in the back of your mind, ‘Do they have diabetes or low blood sugar? Can I do something to help?” sophomore Patsy Dunn, C. Dunn’s daughter, also diagnosed with type one diabetes, said. With the advancement of organizations like JDRF, the efforts of activists like C. Dunn, and the support of caring individuals like you, diabetes recognition and comprehension will grow, holding a positive and safe future for everyone, whether directly impacted by diabetes or not. “As the mom of two kids living with Type 1 diabetes, it is empowering to advocate and fundraise for this mission. I know that I am doing something about changing my children’s future instead of sitting around and letting this disease just happen to our family,” C. Dunn said.
6 • Oct. 30, 2023
MINNESOTA MELODIES
NEWS The MN Band takes on a new crowd and fierce competition in Minneapolis BRIEFS SUMANAS REDDY MARAM Staff Writer
LOCAL NEWS
You’re at the center of the U.S. Bank Stadium, home of the Minne-
sota Vikings, staring at the beaming lights and cheering crowd. Only, it’s not a football game, but rather the atmosphere of the Youth in Music competition. This is precisely what the MN Band found themselves in as they performed their show, “Game Night”: a combination of chess, UNO, and Yahtzee, competing at this tournament for the first time. “[The competition] was thrilling, the anticipation getting onto the field and getting into the performance mindset. It was so exciting and also scary, performing in a completely different state, stadium, and against bands we hadn’t seen,” junior drum major Calista Nelson said. It was this aspect of the competition that allowed the team to succeed. The desire to experience this new atmosphere was a huge contributing factor to the preparation of the competition for the students. “I was looking forward to getting exposure to all the other bands, seeing bands from all across the nation and seeing how good they are, and getting some motivation,” senior center snare Jacob Reason said. The results of the students didn’t say anything less, with the team narrowly missing the finals by less than 0.1 points and finishing 11th out of 34 competing teams, something the students were elated about. “Even if we didn’t final we did leave the field having put everything on it and we’re just happy with what we did do,” Reason said. However, the performance was not only a satisfying experience for the students. It also was an opportunity for the directors to witness the materialization of their hard work and dedication to the band as their students performed. After countless hours of toil in the shape of early morning reharsals, out-of-school practices, team meetings, and almost ten hour school days, it was fascinating to see how the group has evolved since day one. “It was a great experience to see, everyone keeping their eyes open to what’s progressing in our activity and the things that are absolutely possible for our team,” band director Ryan Placek said. It was an especially proud moment for Placek, to see all of his students perform from the top of the stadium. The competition’s dynamics provided an opportunity for all students to showcase their talents with great enthusiasm. “It’s just so exciting to see students that might be really shy and introverted, and they were out there on the field, just having the time of their life. It’s good to see them come out of their shells and perform,” Placek said. Aside from the competition, the trip also provided a multitude of other adventures for the students to remember, both with their own bandmates as well as participants from other schools, including Millard West. One of the band’s favorite parts of the trip was going to an arcade and bowling alley with competing schools’ bands. These kind of activities provide a kind of networking opportunity for all members of the band and allow them to connect with people from unfamiliar places. The long journey, shared experiences, and fun escapades created the perfect opportunity for the band to become much closer, with ample
No. 2 Nebraska Volleyball defeats No. 1 Wisconsin in a five set nail-biter, reclaiming the No. 1 spot (Oct. 21) A Drive for Drumming Drumline members, freshman Bailey Wolfe and seniors Josslyn Morgan and Anastasia Branson march uniformly in a line at the Youth in Music competition. “I had a wonderful time [at the competition] hanging out with my drumline, watching other shows, and getting to know my instrument better,” Wolfe said.
Photograph by Jim Burnett
time for in-depth discussions and bonding. “In all the bus rides, we got to spend eight hours together getting to know each other better, which when you’re in the band getting to know your section better, often means you’ll be playing better,” Reason said. Given these exciting activities in place and all the students’ appreciation towards them, travel competitions are expected to persist in the band’s future. “[Travel competitions] up student levels quite a bit because some of these groups around the country are doing fabulous things, and because our kids are competitive when they see other kids doing things they want to do, they feel encouraged,” Placek said. Overall, the band’s trip was a very memorable experience. From crafting magical performances on the field to establishing deeper connections with their team, it is an experience that they will cherish forever.
Comedian Adam Sandler announces additional tour dates, bringing his show to the CHI Center Dec. 5 (Oct. 18)
NATIONAL NEWS Off-duty Alaska Airlines pilot charged with attempted murder after trying to shut down plane engines mid-flight (Oct 23.) Orlando purchases Pulse nightclub with plans to build memorial on the property (Oct. 25)
WORLD NEWS Category 5 Hurricane Otis slams into Mexican coast (Oct. 25)
More than 700 Palestinians killed by Israeli air strikes in the Gaza Strip in the past two days (Oct. 25)
OPINIONS • 7
WHERE LAUGHS AND LANES COLLIDE Some students take to the streets while others duck for cover THE HOOFBEAT Staff Editorial
I
n the city of Omaha, there is a developing epidemic teenage drivers. Watching new drivers swerve in and out of lanes like the “speed limit” is a “speed suggestion” is an amazing sight to behold. In an unfortunate twist, though, the epidemic has made it onto the curb of Millard North - literally. You’d think our curbs were compact car lanes with how many drivers take advantage of their silky smooth passage. Aside from the over-the-top description of our unsettling, swerving drivers, the two most devious and prominent problems at North’s already difficult-to-navigate parking lots are the topic of conversation. Up first: road rage. Contrary to that description, among us students, there doesn’t seem to be much rage on our roadways unfortunately, there is a lot more racing and much less respect than is needed to make our lots flow. Imagine this: you’ve had a long slog of a day, and you’ve only just gotten into your little car. You’re more relaxed than most in the after-school rush to escape when, suddenly, you realize how far that didn’t get you - your parking spot is quickly surrounded by lines of cars, and your friends look away as they deny you entry into the seemingly-endless line out of the lot.
Once you finally escape your parking spot, trying to enter the line out of the lot is just as nightmarish - unaware parents running stop signs, students crossing the streets, and worst of all, drivers refusing to adhere to MN’s parking lot expectations. Anger alert! Road rage inbound! We can’t blame you! We’re not saying you should be angry, but we definitely would be. Imagine how much faster our never-ending route out of the parking lot could be if we all believed in the mighty F-word: following the zipper. The zipper is one of the most revolutionary designs ever created; from holding together two sides of a jacket to containing the textbook terrors in your worn-out backpack, zippers are amazing at keeping things organized and tidy. So why don’t we follow the zipper’s example in our miserable after-school treks through the parking lot? Allowing one car in from the left and another in from the right will most effectively and efficiently clear out our weary and frustrated traffic-stuck students. To that point, there lies another parking pandemic among our more exclusive zones: students in teacher lots, and most annoying of all, sophomores and juniors in you guessed it - the senior lot. Sure, those yellow lines you see lining the far sides of
STUDENT SPEAK WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE SCHOOL PARKING LOT?
MAYTE MARTINEZ
“People keep causing hazards just to get out faster. Drivers will just start speeding out of nowhere during lunch as well because they’re just trying to get out of there quickly. I don’t know why they do it.”
SENIOR
NOAH LEWIS SENIOR
PAYTON FRAZIER SENIOR
“The senior lot is abysmally small considering how large the senior class is, so if you want a spot, you have to get there by 7:40 at least. Also, the turns are hectic because there’s a lot of kids with no sense of direction.”
AINSLEY SCRITCHFIELD SENIOR
our school are, for many, much easier to park within and position your car between, but receiving parking tickets is no fun. As a result of this repeated insolence, students have turned to methods of yanking the chains of their older schoolmates. Picture this - after a difficult night spent studying for your senior courses and missing a breakfast that would’ve made your whole week, you come to school only to see sophomores and juniors leaving their freshly parked cars in the lot meant for you, a veteran of the school system. The senior lot is no longer reserved for matriculating students - instead, it is a mixing pot of deceit and injustice, with unmasked marauders taking over the hardto-come-by spaces of the only refuge that our war-torn heroes have. Looking at these two problems with the current state of driving at Millard North allows one to fully grasp the causes of such struggle - betrayal. Among the most brutal displays I’ve witnessed in my time at Millard North are the blind eyes of our drivers. Refusing to give eye contact to your best friend since the days of preschool, you may choose to steal ahead a spot, granting yourself exit from the school a whole 3 seconds before any other - and that, for many, is reason enough to drive recklessly.
EDITORIAL CARTOON
“My greatest frustration is that there’s no real sense of direction, so very often you will see people not knowing where to turn when they’re getting out of the parking lot.” “Honestly, the school parking lot is a madhouse when we leave. There are definitely some students that get a little crazy in there. I’ve had to hit the brakes because somebody came flying at me from the other direction.”
By Violet Bredenkamp
8 • Oct. 30, 2023
COVER UP?
Yes, girls are sexualized simply for existing, and no, we can’t win any issues, right? Wrong. That’s where this entire issue
I n eighth grade, gets entirely more complex.
Natalie’s Narrative
I watched a girl get sent to the hall because her shoulders were visible. Female runners at our school recently earned the right to wear tank tops to practice, while the boys have been NATALIE HILL running shirtless for years. At football Lifestyles Editor games, boys wearing nothing but body paint on their chests ask girls in crop tops where their shirts are. From an extremely young age, girls are taught to cover their bodies in a way that boys aren’t. Legs? Bad. Back? Bad. Shoulders? Somehow also bad. When the girl was sent out of my eighth grade class to go get a jacket, my classmates and I asked our teacher why she would make her do that. We were told that her shoulders were a distraction. At its core, this sentiment puts girls at fault for simply existing in their bodies. Of course there’s a certain level of coverage which everyone is expected to meet in the interest of not being crude, but telling a fourteen year old girl that she needs to cover an entirely non-sexual part of herself so that the boys around her won’t be distracted is extremely harmful. Oh well. As long as we cover up nobody will have
If you show too much of yourself you’ll be slutshamed, but show too little and you’ll be called a prude. So where’s the line between too much and too little? Who knows. Society doesn’t make navigating this predicament easier at all, since girls are constantly being met with conflicting signals. On one hand, if you so much as wear ripped jeans around the wrong crowd you might be asked where the rest of your pants are. On the other hand, a quick excursion to the nearest Spirit Halloween will leave you with the impression that maybe you shouldn’t wear pants at all. Expanding on that, the difference between costumes designed for men and those for women is stark. Men get to be practical. They can be police officers, soldiers, and doctors. Women, on the other hand, have similar options with what looks to be about 75% less fabric. To be clear, there’s nothing wrong with wanting to wear these costumes (or “revealing” outfits in general) if that’s what makes you comfortable and confident. This is merely an obvious (and seasonal) illustration of the way women are often hypersexualized. Perhaps the biggest facet of this issue is the fact that girls aren’t making things any easier on each other. While things have gotten better since the rise of the “girl’s girl” (a girl who strives to support and uplift the members of her gender), it’s no secret that the wrong outfit will still earn you a few nasty looks. Girls’ habit of tearing each other down and mercilessly criticizing each other’s outfit choices seems (at least
in my experience) to stem from a desire for male validation. Girls who wear revealing clothes are perceived as a threat, and making fun of them is an attempt to make them look silly and ridiculous rather than attractive. On the opposite side of the same coin, modest outfits are often referred to as “frumpy” and “unflattering”. Often, a conservative sense of style will earn you accusations of insecurity in your body, once again in an attempt to make you seem less attractive. America Ferrera puts it perfectly in her monologue from the 2023 hit film Barbie. “You’re supposed to stay pretty for men, but not so pretty that you tempt them too much or that you threaten other women because you’re supposed to be a part of the sisterhood.” Ferrera said. So, in a situation where you can seemingly do no right, what do you do? The answer I’ve landed on is whatever you want. Obviously certain situations call for certain ways of dress, but I decide what to wear on a given day based on my comfortability, although it’s sometimes subject to parental veto. Apart from working to make ourselves comfortable, we should endeavor to put others at ease too. At the end of the day, what someone else is wearing generally isn’t your business, so unless you’re going to compliment what someone is wearing, it may be best not to mention it. There’s certainly no need for snide comments or dirty looks. With all this in mind, whether you’re opting for a turtleneck or a halter top, I say go for it. If people are going to be unhappy with you either way, you might as well be happy with yourself.
IN-DEPTH • 9
Our relationship with food is important, and plays a role in all aspects of life, including athletic, social, and personal.
Food for Thought Thought for Food Illustration by Rowan Menke
10 • Oct. 30, 2023
BEYOND THE GAME
High pressure on athletes may cause unhealthy eating habits to develop
I n the intense world of wrestling, Sophomore Chase
Morris was faced with the challenge of making weight for his wrestling match. He had put on weight due to overeating and decided to sweat off those last few pounds in a hurried attempt to meet the required weight for his match. He layered himself up, piling on three hoodies, two T-shirts, two pairs of sweatpants, and set off on a frantic sprint that lasted for 30 wearying minutes. The intensity of the exercise was so extreme that it pushed him to the limit, resulting in an unavoidable and unpleasant consequence: he threw up in his efforts to shed those four pounds within the tight time frame. Chase found himself in a tough spot during the actual wrestling match. He was exhausted, slow, and incapable of performing at his very best. Often, athletes are required to follow a certain diet, face limitations on what they can consume, and struggle to find time to eat. Athletes may be required to eat or avoid certain foods so that their performance improves. For example, they are told to have less sugar and no energy drinks. Instead, they are told to maintain a healthy diet during the season by eating more protein or drinking more water. Limitations on a player’s diet are put in place to help athletes maintain their health and improve their performance. These restrictions ensure that athletes are properly hydrated, have access to the right nutrition, maintain a good fitness level for the sports, and are able to manage their weight. However, although these restrictions are beneficial, they can sometimes have a negative impact on athletes. For instance, they may take unhealthy measures to meet the strict requirements and maintain their desired weight, which can lead to problems related to eating habits. Junior Ella Quick from the dance team feels some girls have a misconception in their minds regarding eating healthier due to which they make unhealthy choices. “I would say sometimes girls take it as don’t eat and then you’ll become slimmer or you’ll become more healthy. They think it’s going to make you better and be able to lift more, be able to jump higher,” Quick said. Weight management is a crucial aspect in many sports, especially in wrestling. Wrestlers must maintain their weight within a specific range to compete in their designated weight class. “When you make a really big mistake that’s when you start to see the extreme come out like overeating or under eating. Some people would skip meals. During this season, wrestlers definitely watch their calorie intake, how much they are eating, how many pounds of water they are drinking because water weighs a lot, and how many calories, protein, carbohydrates, stuff like that is being consumed.” Morris said. This isn’t the only problem that affects the eating habits of athletes. Many of them have very hectic schedules due to which they are unable to find time to eat proper meals. Junior Autumn Bravo from the cheerleading
PRISHA SABHERWAL Staff Writer team believes that the sport requires a demanding schedule due to which their eating habits and overall well-being are affected. “Practices and games definitely impact how we eat because we don’t really have a lot of time to eat. We’ve definitely seen a decrease in our appetite. It’s hard to eat when you’re so used to not eating in the morning and not eating at night sometimes. It affects our mood,” Bravo said. Eating Disorder Hope reports that 42% of high school athletes experience some form of disordered eating. This can happen because of a variety of factors, such as the pressure to maintain a healthy weight, achieving a certain level of fitness, and managing an overly demanding schedule. Athletes often face numerous obstacles that leave them with little time to focus on maintaining proper nutrition. These obstacles create consequences and challenges that can manifest in various ways, including fatigue, injury, decreased performance, and mental stress. In the long run, these unhealthy measures and outcomes can negatively impact an athlete’s physical and mental well-being and ultimately hinder their success in their sport.
SELF-SUSTENANCE
Food can be both a devastating and healing force in teens’ lives ANUJ SINGH Opinions Editor
F
ood is something that is needed to live. It’s necessary for human survival, providing the body with the energy and nutrients it requires to thrive. But food can be so much more than that. It can be a source of joy, with the right meal completely altering someone’s mood. It can be a sign of love, when a mom makes her child their favorite dish to cheer them up. For some, food is everything. But in the same way, food can be a vicious opponent, completely changing people’s lives. Every person has a different relationship with food, which is severely influenced by society’s expectations, social media, and both internal and external pressures. For some, the relationship with food can become unhealthy, leading to harmful consequences to both their physical and mental health. A 2020 study conducted by researchers at the University of California San Francisco found that nearly one in two teenagers exhibits eating disorder-related behaviors at some point in their adolescence. In student Sam Reed’s* case, an unhealthy relationship with food meant developing detrimental eating habits in the hopes of extreme weight loss. “I was pretty heavy in fifth grade, and then around sixth and seventh grade, I lost about 60 pounds in two months,” Reed said. When students’ relationships with food shift in such a drastic way, it can lead to them seeking out ways to meet their perception of health, even when it becomes injurious to their health. “I started exercising a lot, and I stopped eating a lot. I would also skip breakfast and lunch most of the time. And if I got hungry, I
MNHSONLINE.COM • 11 would eat gum to make [the hunger] go away,” Reed said. One of the major factors in the creation of a negative relationship with food can be students’ peers, specifically through social media posts. “[Social media can] definitely be an issue. People will post, especially during the summer with the beach posts, and I’ll say, ‘Oh, they look so skinny in that picture. Why don’t I look like that?’ [I think to myself,] ‘What’s the issue with me? How can I fix it?’” Reed said. But social media is not the only way peers can influence us. Everyday conversations, even small comments from friends, can have a large impact on students’ relationships with eating. “When you get a whole meal and there are people saying ‘Oh, I’m so fat’ with just fries, it hurts a little. It’s not to the extent where I won’t eat, but when people say things like that, they don’t even realize how it can make other people feel,” Reed said. However, the community surrounding students can also have a positive effect on their relationships with food, encouraging them to develop deep cultural connections with food. “My culture has influenced my relationship with food by making me more open minded to other foods. Being exposed to Indian culture along with American culture and their foods has expanded my perspectives and strengthened my relationship with food,” Divya Singh* said. Not only has her culture influenced her perception of other foods, but it has also enabled her to become more in touch with her culture and identity. “I’ve started cooking Indian food with my mom. She’s been teaching me all of her recipes, and it’s allowed us to become a lot closer. I also feel like I’m more aligned with my identity now because exploring my culture’s food has allowed me to better understand myself and my heritage,” Singh said. But she also believes that cultural standards can create negative relationships with food for children, especially in her community. “I was really lucky to have parents who aren’t very traditional, but a lot of my friends weren’t as fortunate. There’s a toxic culture in the Indian community towards eating and children, especially with the double standard towards women,” Singh said. “Boys are told to eat more than they want to, but if girls try to eat, they’re told they’re looking bigger than before.” Even across cultures, harmful standards for teens and their relationships for food influence their lives daily. But it doesn’t have to be like this. “I definitely think [change] has to start mainstream and trickle its way down. We need to have opportunities to showcase all body types. I think representation is the most important thing, because once diversity is established in body sizes, we can normalize looking however we want to,” Reed said. Food should be something that can be celebrated by all ages, all cultures, and all people. It can be something that brings people together, rather than tearing them apart. “Food has become such a powerful force in my life. It’s helped connect with my family, my heritage, and myself. I know that’s not the case for everyone, but it should be. We need to stop using [food] to diminish others and instead use it to build them up,” Singh said. * Names changed for privacy
12 • Oct. 30, 2023
INNER WORKINGS
An unhealthy relationship with food can put the adolescent brain at a risk MAHDIS RIAZIKHAH STAFF WRITER
Y
outuber Heidi Powell has suffered through both anorexia and bulimia. She had a great childhood but because she did not love herself enough, she did not know what the ideal healthy weight was, and that she was beautiful no matter what. She felt worthless, ugly, and unwanted. She did not feel like she had a lot of control over life. To try and find this control, she began controlling her food. When she was around 95 pounds, a coach of hers started worrying about her, her dad force-fed her, and she went from throwing up her food to being addicted to food. At least 28.8 million Americans suffer from a kind of eating disorder. Extreme weight loss and pale skin are typical results of eating disorders, but physical changes to the body are not the only problems. Eating disorders also affect the brain, as stated by Breaking Muscle and ANAD. According to an article from Seeds of Hope Eating Disorder Treatment, eating disorders are first started by being self-conscious and wanting control. Cyclical thought patterns {negative thoughts that keep going on in your mind} tend to occur often in those with an eating disorder. For example, when food is displayed in front of a person with a binge eating disorder, they have thoughts
Unconditional Permission Allow yourself to eat when hungry or want to, without rules
2
Eat When Hungry Listen to natural hunger cues, rather than eating only based on calories
Mindful Eating
Eat without distractions, to be more in tune with fullness regulation and hunger cues
Don’t label foods as “good” or “bad”. This leads to overeating when the food is offered Source: Healthline
4
Welcome All Foods
Don’t Seek to Justify
Allow yourself to eat food that feels best in that moment, without justifying it for yourself
when things like that happen. You develop that negative relationship with food early on as a child. I think that can impact some of your later behavior. It can have some impact on whether or not you are going to develop an eating disorder. The more positive relationship you can develop with food from early on, the less likely you are to develop an eating disorder,” O’Toole said. According to O’Toole, all parts of the brain can be affected by eating disorders. As someone goes deeper into an eating disorder, their brain can have physical detriments since it’s not nourished properly. Like the rest of the body, the brain can deteriorate. They can impair cognition, and cause IQ to drop. Eating disorders affect the brain’s reward patterns, cause others to have trouble thinking, affect the brain’s emotional side, and decrease the size of the brain, as stated by Magnolia Creek. When Powell moved to Utah, she realized she couldn’t keep doing this anymore. She kept her eating disorder in check and began to get decent grades again. She met her husband and never told him what happened, and she even lied to her therapist. When she was pregnant, she felt selfish, and because of her baby, she wanted to be selfless and put the baby before her eating disorder. And from there, she started to get better little by little. Source: Healthline
How to: Improve Relationship with Food
about overeating. And then they feel ashamed about it. The person continues to overeat to hide the emotional pain. “I think our relationship with food affects our brain from the very beginning, and I think it starts from when you’re a child. I think like anything, when you compare food with positive feelings, you have a positive relationship with food. If you compare food with negative feelings, you can develop a negative relationship with food. And I think it all depends on your pairing and what you’re associating your food and eating and all of the behaviors revolving around food with whether positive or negative experience you’re getting while you’re doing that,” psychologist Kelly O’Toole said. According to Seeds of Hope Eating Disorder Treatment, anxiety, irritability, depression, anger, and sadness are other outcomes of eating disorders. The person wants to avoid food, any negative feelings, or triggers. When a person lacks nutrition in their diet, they’re more at risk for developing mental illnesses like depression. When food is restricted, the relationship they have with others is affected. Any comments related to their weight trigger sadness and anger. “I think that when you have someone that gives you strict rules about eating, you have to finish everything on your plate, or you will have a consequence
Types of Eating Disorders
1
Those with anorexia nervosa typically view themselves as over-
even when underweight. Some symptoms include constantAnorexia weight, ly monitoring weight, distorted body image, and severe calorie reNervosa striction, as a result of fear of weight fain and pursuit of thinness.
Bulimia Nervosa
3 Pica
5
People with bulimia nervosa often eat large amount of food in a short amount of time, leading to them feeling very full. They then try to purge to get rid of the food and stomach pain. Binge eating disorder is one of the most common among ado-
Binge Eating lescents. Those with this disorder typically eat lots of food feeling without control. They do not purge, but Disorder inmayonefeelsitting, guilty afer binges. Pica is an eating disorder when people crave eating items that are not food, such as ice, paper, laundry detergent, or dirt. This puts people at risk of poisoning and nutrition deficiency.
Resources
National Eating Disorder Helpline: Call/Text: 800-931-2237
Types of Treatment: Medications, counseling, psychotherapy
OPINIONS • 13
A SCHEDULE MEANT FOR US
How changing our structure can improve student well-being
Grace’s Glance
igh school stuH dents are no strang-
GRACE EVERT Staff Writer
ers to worksheets, especially those that pile up into mounds of procrastination. We watch the clock quickly approaching midnight as we wonder why the stack of to-dos is so large. If only school started an hour later to allow enough sleep, or we had enjoyable homework that didn’t feel like nev-
er-ending paperwork. Believe it or not, some countries have the exact school schedules we fantasize about. Later start times, less meaningless homework, more time exploring interests, and fewer required classes. And what does this lead to? It leads to happier students who go to school because they want to, not because they have to. I believe just a few changes could revolutionize the American education system, leading to better performance and more engaged students. Although some may be harder to achieve than others, each change brings irrefutable value. First, start times. Although some people worry that a later start time could lead to less lear ning, that is far from the truth. “The myth that American students s p e n d less time learning than students in other industrialized nations is not actually true,” Executive Director of the Network for Public Education Carol Burris said. According to the Sleep Foundation, by pushing start times back even just an hour, students and teachers could get more sleep and feel less rushed in the morning. In addition, a family breakfast or a small homework session could boost the morning mood.
Students have experienced a taste of this through our Monday late starts. Think about how much later your alarm clock is set just due to that extra 45 minutes. Imagine having that extra time every morning. The next item to change should be the class structure. At MN we have every class every day for 48 minutes. This can lead to a rush simply to finish material, causing fast-paced lectures and little hands-on learning. “Block scheduling creates a ‘saner school day’ by slowing down the pace, reducing homework and freeing up more time for hands-on learning and collaboration.” co-founder of Challenge Success Denise Pope said. I can attest to the benefit of block schedules as I previously attended a school utilizing block scheduling, Brownell Talbot. With 75 minute class periods, we were able to engage in deeper learning through experiments and projects. On top of this, homework from one day wasn’t due the next day as we had four of our classes on “A Day” and the next four on “B Day”. The last change, and in my opinion, the most important, is to create a variety of classes and class types that accommodate all student interests and future career paths. A study from Azusa Pacific University shows that students who are offered a variety of classes are more satisfied in their chosen careers. School is meant to prepare students for the real world and the jobs they will have. As of now, the majority of jobs don’t occur in a small desk within four walls. As Michael Horn, the co-founder of the Clayton Christensen Institute said, “We should see schools as a gathering place for students to work on a variety of endeavors— academic projects and extracurricular activities. No longer will days be organized in strict time blocks of “classes,” but instead-students will progress when they master concepts, not based on the calendar.” When we keep student well-being and interests at the forefront of a school schedule, achievements and performance will follow. It has been proven time and time again that students who are happy at school will thrive.
THE HOOFBEAT 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.
THE STAFF 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 Sarah Crotzer Principal Aaron Bearinger
Cartoonist Violet Bredenkamp Photographer 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
Find us on... Twitter: @mnhoofbeat Instagram: @mnhs.hoofbeat Website: mnhsonline.com
14 • Oct. 30, 2023
THREADS OF DESTRUCTION
Our irresponsible fashion habits are taking a significant toll in every aspect of our life
S
Vlieger’s Vision
weater weather is just around the corner and with it also comes fall’s new trends - jorts back in fashion along with something like thermo-responsive color-changing clothing. Fast fashion is the interchangeCECE VLIEGER able fashion that is Staff Writer considered “in” or “trendy”, that everyone is wanting to buy. We always want to be up to code with the trend, but we never think of the environmental, social, and economic effects our changing fast fashion has on the world. Retro-modern fashion is taking what is old and making it new. Whether it’s our platform Converses or high-waisted jeans, we take what our mamas once rocked and call it our own. Today, we still see tie-dye, widelegged pants, floral prints, and many other styles that are a flash from the past. Another disposable fashion trend is seasonal micro-collections or capsule collections. This type of fashion is where there is a certain amount of clothing or design released that is all
the rage for this particular time. It’s limitedly released, making it wanted and exclusive to the public. An example of this is celebrity collaborations, whether it’s Ye’s limited edition Yeezys or Rihanna and her River Island collection. With this throwaway fashion, we are making a bigger environmental footprint than we thought. Fast fashion uses more resources than most consumers know; it uses up water and energy to help make the newest and trendiest fashion available for the consumer. An article by the Oldham County Water District states 1,800 gallons of water are needed to produce the cotton for a pair of jeans and 400 gallons for a shirt. Additionally, during the process of textile dying, the finish of making clothing often releases chemicals and dyes into the environment. Harming untouched ecosystems and the utopias built in them causes more harm than good. Cheap chic also has impacts on society. It can affect how someone views their body image. With always wanting to keep up with the viral trends, people often associate that with a poor body image. Clothes aren’t worn the way they’re supposed to be worn because they aren’t built for all body types. Social media also plays a role in how fast fashion is seen. When influencers try to set an impact with new trends, people tend to follow like a flock of sheep. Whether it’s a celebrity recommendation or in a magazine advertisement, we are always pushed to the new ideas of the fashion industry. Social media allows new fashion to shine its light from all different times allowing us to express ourselves. But it also means things don’t stay in style as long as an article from The Untitled Magazine states. The economy also is affected by fast fashion. With standardized labor laws not put in place across the globe,
many countries suffer from low wages and terrible working conditions. Local businesses also suffer from the fastpaced industry. With clothing always changing and supply and demand, it’s hard to keep making money when it’s forever changing. They struggle to compete with other businesses because of the prices they also are selling with the new one-week wonders. There are also lots of companies making massive amounts of money by making cheap clothes in the blink of an eye, including online stores like Shein and Temu. Sites like these are not only cheap but may be stealing your information, and even using prisoners to free labor. In fact, a Los Angeles Times article written on June 15th, 2023 states that Temu may be banned from the use of US citizens due to being linked to forced labor. Starting with change is the first step to a better future. One way is by thrifting, this is a way of getting all your wants and needs but getting them cheaper and also helping the environment. Another way is by buying fewer clothes and choosing quality over quantity. Buying classic pieces that will be worth spending your money is also not only helping you but your wallet. Increasing one’s awareness can also help with the long-lasting impact clothing can have on being aware of what you are wearing and how it will affect the future can help change the way fast fashion is bought. With all of this in mind, we all wanted to be kept up to date on what was so last week and what is so chic. We need to change as a consumer to not only benefit ourselves, but the future of fashion as well, whether it’s thrifting your clothes or maybe not buying a new wardrobe every time something is “in”. This high-velocity industry isn’t going away any time soon. But how we impact it can change the way it functions.
LIFESTYLE • 15
I LOVE ROCK ‘N ROLL
Just like Hannah Montana, they live double lives CALLIE MENKE Sports Editor id you know teachers actually have lives outside of school? I know, shockingly they all actually have their own hobbies and things they like to do. But have you ever thought about what the cool teachers with band posters in their classrooms and guitars by their desks do? Well, I bet you’d never guess they’re in a band. French teacher Ryan Foehlinger happens to be one of these cool teachers in a band. With Foehlinger as the lead singer and guitarist, and Spanish Teacher Jonathan Nelson as the drummer, these two have created a band named Speck Nelson & the Ralstones. “I went to Ralston High School and the football field is called the Speck Nelson Field. And I always just thought it was a funny name. Yeah, barely anyone who lives in Ralston knows that. But I just thought it was a funny name. And then I was like, okay, I’m gonna go with the Ralston thing here. So I thought that the ralsttones were like the Ralston tones,” Foehlinger said. While Foehlinger’s band is fairly new: they have already gained popularity for their unique singing style. Speck Nelson & the Ralstones perform covers but add a reggae/ska sound to the song. The goal for Speck Nelson & the Ralstones has been to play songs that everybody knows all the words to. “Songs your mom and your daughter can sing with. We do a
D
CHECK THEM OUT
Duhey’s band, A Band Called Hemingway, has released many of their songs on Spotify. Scan the code to listen!
reggae version of Sweet Caroline. We do a reggae version of All The Small Things by Blink 182. We do a ska version of YMCA. So songs you, your grandmother and your mother could sing to,” Foehlinger said. Like Foehlinger, English Teacher Barry Glynn is also a lead singer of the Barry Glynn Band. Along with being the singer of the group he plays the guitar and harmonica. The Barry Glynn Band performs a variety of covers ranging from popular Irish pub music to songs by his personal favorite artist Bob Dylan. “We’ve played all over. Pretty much now that we all have families we only play about once a year as a band, up in my hometown, Fullerton, North Dakota - they have a little festival. So otherwise t h e band doesn’t get together much anymore. I used to have a regular gig at a place in Council Bluffs. I used to play the Dubliner and I played Mr. Toad’s, just a whole bunch of different places,” Glynn said. Glynn created the Barry Glynn Band with an old friend from high school 17 years ago. They have had quite the ca-
Center Stage:
Barry Glynn leads his band through a performance on vocals and guitar. In some songs he plays the harmonica as well, more than earning his spot as the titular member of the band. Photograph contributed by Barry Glynn
r e e r,
and even released an album named Go Folk Yourself. Along with this interesting release, The Barry Glynn Band has performed in many unique places. “The coolest place I ever played was, I played a couple of gigs in New York City. The shows went well, they paid well, but I had to come back because the guy who owned the bar, he was like, ‘Oh, I could get you to another place the next night.’ It’s like, I kind of realized that I could keep playing if I wanted,” Glynn said. Similarly, fellow English teacher Jacob Duhey also has released a variety of songs with his band: A Band Called Hemingway. As the bass player Duhey plays an important role in supporting the rest of the band. Through his instrument he links the harmony and rhythm of a song. “I grew up a guitar player and Grant who’s the rhythm guitarist and lead singer called me and said their bassist went MIA, they didn’t know what happened to him, [he] stopped texting, all that kind of stuff. And they had a show, within a week’s time frame and [Grant] goes, ‘Okay, I know that you play guitar. Have you ever played bass?’” Duhey said. While Duhey had never played bass before he was able to step up to the challenge and perform with A Band Called Hemingway within a week. Teachers by day, rockstars by night. Put Glynn on harmonica, Duhey on the bass, Foehlinger on vocals, and throw in Nelson on the drums. Sounds pretty cool to me.
Jamming Out:
Jacob Duhey performs on stage with other members of his band. They have recorded and released multiple original songs together. Photograph contributed by Jacob Duhey
Practice Makes Perfect:
Jacob Duhey sits down to practice with his band. No performance can be successful without adequate rehearsal beforehand. Photograph contributed by Jacob Duhey
16 • Oct. 30, 2023
BLAST FROM THE PAST
Revisiting moments students wish would last forever SARAH ROBEY Staff Writer itting criss-cross applesauce on the floor, you are taken back to being a little kid, eager to listen to the day’s read-aloud book. Your teacher starts reading a class favorite: The Day the Crayons Quit. Page by page, the class gets more invested in the story and as the book finally comes to an end, students are begging for the teacher to read another. This was a core childhood memory for many current teens. This moment marked a time where everything was simpler and worry-free. There are many things in our present day lives that remind us of our childhoods. Nostalgic feelings are triggered when encountering anything familiar like a smell, sound, or keepsake. For sophomore Lucy Shaner, there is one smell in particular that brings her back to the past. “We used to have a lot of campfires so if I am ever around one, the smell of it stays on my sweatshirt and takes me back to when we would have campfires at the pumpkin patch” Shaner said. Along with smells, we associate food with memories of the past. Some days you might find yourself craving one of those delicious foods that give you a gentle reminder of your childhood. Whether homemade or from a favorite restaurant, these foods always hit the spot. Freshman Meyah Randles has always had a soft spot for southern food like sweet tea biscuits and sausage gravy country
S
fried ham as it reminds her of growing up in Tennessee. “I was at my grandparents house a lot and they made a lot of southern food which I have always loved,” Randles said. There are many attractions around town that have brought a lot of joy to kids and continue still today. SkateDaze, the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, and the Children’s Museum are just a few. Shaner spent many afternoons at the Children’s Museum which was a significant part of her childhood. “Therewerethesefakefoods thatyoucouldplay withthat I liked along with other activities you could do,” Shaner said. Everyone has a memory that pops in their mind right away when they think of the past. For some it could be with family and friends and for others it could be something completely different. No matter what it is, it holds a special place in our hearts. For Shaner, time with family is at the top of her list. “On my mom’s side we would go to the Ozarks and Silver Dollar City where we would go on rides all day and then get big lollipops and take a picture with all my cousins in height order,” Shaner said. All of these memories evoke a nostalgic feeling that can be bittersweet. Everyone has different emotions when it comes to nostalgia. Some people feel sad knowing that you can never relive that moment again while others feel a more comforting feeling. For Sophomore Linette Koranda, this emotion is more sad than happy. “The feeling of nostalgia is mostly sad for me.
When I sit and reminisce about my childhood, I usually get sad thinking about how much things have changed and how we’re all growing up,” Koranda said. As we go about our life, we reflect on our past and start to long for that simpler time. We feel this way because these moments give us the comfort in what we once had. “I miss my early childhood a lot and it’s a scary feeling for me thinking how in a couple years, I’m going to be off to college. It also scares me to think that this is the last year my sister is going to be living with us all together as a family.” Revisiting childhood memories brings us back to a simpler, worry-free time. We become quite fond of these special moments that we wish we could relive just one more time. With these familiar favorites, we can create even more memories that will bring enjoyment in the future.
NEED FOR NOSTALGIA Many social media creators make videos with the goal of reminding their followers of their childhoods. Some of the most popular include Isabel Galvin (@IsabelGalv on Instagram) and Kate Steinberg (@itskatesteinberg).
OUT AND ABOUT
Nostalgic hang-outs in Omaha that are still “so fetch”
DURHAM MUSEUM Located in the beautiful Union Station, the Durham features a wide range of interesting and educational exhibits.
SKATE RIBBON This new downtown attraction is reminiscent of the SkateDaze parties of our past. The ribbon is a path rather than a traditional skate oval, only having one entrance/exit.
HENRY DOORLY ZOO Not only does the zoo feature a vast variety of animals not typically found in Nebraska, but there are plenty of nostalgic snacks and attractions.
MNHSONLINE.COM • 17
IS DISNEY DYING?
Disney continues to turn out unoriginal live-action reimaginings MATTHEW UM Staff Writer his year, Disney remade yet another classic animated movie, The Little Mermaid, in live-action. But ask anyone, and they will argue that the 1989 animated original is better. What’s happening? Flash back to a generation ago. In 2007, the Walt Disney Company decided they wanted to try something relatively new. Picking up an old classic, they reimagined it and turned it around into a shiny new product. Alice in Wonderland had been given another chance at life. Making a billion dollars in the box office, it became the second highest grossing film of 2010. These were numbers Disney had not been close to seeing with its traditional animated movies, or even its 2010 animated movie, Tangled. Granted, this was no new idea for Disney, who had already released their live-action 101 Dalmatians with success. However, the runaway hit of Alice In Wonderland proved to Disney that live-action remakes could result in blockbuster success. Thus, the grind began. Live-action remakes were thrown at us left and right. The Jungle Book, The Lion King, Aladdin, Dumbo, and more - they just kept on coming. Now in 2023, we live in a world where Disney regularly throws out remakes, with no plans of stopping.
T
Looking at an upcoming slate of Disney movies, you will see many remakes of already existing Disney movies on the list. There’s a good reason for this, too. These movies have consistently raked in Disney’s cash, without spending too much time writing a script or putting out an original idea. Four of the fourteen remakes so far have made over a billion dollars in the box office and the combined gross of all remakes is close to ten billion dollars. In addition, five of these movies are in the 100 highest grossing films of all time, and The Lion King remake is the ninth highest grossing film of all time. Despite all the box office receipts however, these films have not gotten an exceptionally positive response. Ask pretty much anyone if they prefer the animated movie or the live-action, and most people will say they prefer the animated movie. Why is this? An obvious factor for our generation is nostalgia. The age of Disney remakes began at a time when most of us were already older and had watched the originals, therefore having no reason to have to watch a remake. And because we saw the original first, we may just prefer that one as it’s the one that really stuck with us. Also, as said above, there’s no real reason to remake a movie in live action. We’ve all pretty much seen it before, so why see it again with real actors and actresses? Or in the case of movies like The Lion King, do we really
LIVE-ACTION LIBERTIES
One common complaint about Disney’s live-action remakes is the fact that they make changes regarding the plot. A few of the most infamous changes include:
Controversy has sparked The 2020 remake of Although the reimagover the highly antic- Mulan attracted criticism ined version of Aladdin ipated Snow White not only for removing was slightly more sucremake after leading the songs fans know and cessful than some of actresses said Snow love, but also for severely Disney’s other remakes, White would not need a altering the basic plot fans found it lacked the prince to save her in the and characters of the charm of the original new film. classic animation. film.
need the same exact thing with photo-realistic animals and landscapes? The medium of animation also tends to appeal more to these movies. The dilemma is that these live-action remakes are intended to be a more realistic reimaging of the original movie. For example, if a talking crab sings a funny song in animation, everyone laughs and no one bats an eye. If a realistic CGI crab decides to sing to a real human, it will generally be seen as creepy and unnerving. Looking at the website Rotten Tomatoes, which aggregates critics scores and determines what percentage of them are positive, only the Jungle Book and Pete’s Dragon remakes have high critic scores. While we may think these remakes are unoriginal and unnecessary, Disney doesn’t care. As long as the remakes are making money, there will be more of them. This plan is not without its flaws. As Sony CEO Tom Rothman said, “…even Disney will run out of animated movies to remake.” How- ever, with many still not remade classics, upcoming prequels, and money flowing plentifully, it is unlikely that this trend will come to an end soon.
18 • SPORTS • Oct. 30, 2023
LAST ONE, BEST ONE
Senior athletes prepare for their final sports season KAI PAVLOVA Staff Writer
A
s seniors prepare for their final stretch of high school, there is so much to be considered and worried about. From college decisions, leaving home for the first time, to the friendships they’ve made, and more. For seniors Molly Caruso and Peyton Omer, saying goodbye to high school cross country is another big thing on their minds. “I’ll miss my close teammates, I’ve known most of them since middle school, and some since freshman year. I do plan on continuing running in college though,” Caruso said. Omer’s feelings are similar. He started off on reserve, and has now qualified for state, and is proud of his journey. “I’ll miss the friends I’ve made, but honestly just the process of improving as you go through the years, it feels very rewarding to see how your hard, consistent work pays off,” Omer said. After playing basketball for about 12 years, Senior Grant Urbanek contemplates continuing his sport in college. “I think so, I think I’m going to do it like my major, play for a university,” Urbanek said. Urbanek played for the Omaha Sports Academy (OSA) for most of his life. Along with school basketball, he now plays for the Nebraska Basketball Development
Association (NBDA). A couple of schools have reached out to him already. “It [basketball] keeps my mind off things going on around me, it’s something to do and to have fun with my friends,” Urbanek said. In contrast, Senior Shriya Samanta is unsure about swimming in college. “I am honestly not sure yet if I will be continuing swimming in college, or if I want to. I might decide after this year’s swim season is over,” Samanta said. Samanta has been swimming since she was 5 or 6 years old. Like other seniors, Samanta will miss the friendship aspect of her sport, but not only that. “I love all of the friends I have made through swimming, and all the different people I have met. I have been able to have great time management skills during swim season due to all of the hours of swimming I have to commit to,” Samanta said. As she’s preparing to wrap up her high school swimming career, she hopes to positively impact younger athletes. “I want others to be able to lean on me as an upperclassman, and be able to come to me with any problems they have. I want to be a sort of role model for them, so that I can help them when they need it,” Samanta said. As seniors, all four athletes reflect on their leadership roles. The leaders each have different approaches to motivating themselves and the team.
“Every course has a hill, I just tell myself to get after it, I visualize the hill, and I push on the hills, but mostly just strategy stuff,” Caruso said. Omer’s approach to motivation is a little different and can apply to both himself and the team. “There’s always going to be some uncertainty before a race, whether it’s a bad day or not performing like expected. Go in without doubts, give yourself confidence. If you slow down and realize you’ve worked for it, there shouldn’t be much to worry about. The race is the last step,” Omer said. Urbanek wants to be remembered as a guy who plays hard all the time, motivating everyone to do their very best. “I would say I’m more of a hype person, and just keep everyone in line, make sure they’re working hard so we can be the best we can be,” Urbanek said. Samanta thinks similarly. As a leader, she intends to motivate others to be a better athlete every chance they get. “My role as a senior is to lead the underclassmen to be a better swimmer and to hype them up to swim their very best at every meet and race,” Samanta said. With Metros on October 5th, and state October 20th, and winter sports starting up soon, even more senior athletes look forward to showcasing their skills at the maximum level, and being the best they can be for the last time.
Flashback Frenzy From Free Throw To Free Throw
On Your Marks Get Set Go
Senior Grant Urbanek zeros in on the basket, as the pressure of the game sinks in. Time ticks as he steadies himself to make the free throw. Urbanek spent a great deal of his childhood on the court.
Senior Molly Caruso steadily paces herself on the course as adrenaline pumps through her veins. Caruso has loved running for as long as she can remember and it’s moments like these where she’s realized how far she’s come as a runner.
Now
Then
Now
Then
MNHSONLINE.COM • 19
FROM START TO STATE
MN softball players Kymmia Roberts-Brown and Jaelyn Swift share their softball experiences. TEJA SRIDHER Staff Writer
are such a young team and the culture we had was what brought us all together. This year we really focused on culture and being one whole group. When you see tanding at the base, the anticipation is high, while all of us together we are all the same person [and] the room for error is low. Despite the tensions experithere aren’t any classes on our team when we enced at the moment, the determination and hard work play together. There aren’t just a few people of Millard North High School’s softball team throughout we have to count on, we have a full line-up the season is what really counts. that can do their job,” Swift said. On Monday, October 16th, theMillard North’s Both Roberts-Brown and Swift startsoftball team played at the state championship for ed engaging in the sport from quite a the first time in 30 years. young age. All the hard work and dedication that the “My dad worked for a shirt players have been through have finally paid off. company called Primetime when Senior Kymmia Roberts-Brown also resonatI was about 6 years old and ed with this proud feeling as well. there was a hitting cage in the “I was honestly so excited and proud of back of the workshop. He took my team because we all worked so hard to me in there one day to hit just for fun get there. Hearing that we were qualified and we realized that I was very talented for state was the best news ever,” Roband athletic so I got focused and serious about the erts-Brown said. game, and it just became a lifestyle to me,” RobThe MNHS softball team isn’t just erts-Brown said. a group of motivated individuals, but Swift had a similar experience. One with the culture between them is similar her family being involved in these kinds of to that of a family. Roberts-Brown sports as well. also thinks of the bunch as not just “The reason why I joined softball was teammates, but more than that. because I grew up around my family “The connection with playing baseball and softball so I deBatter, my team is so beautiful. We cided to join and it has been great so Batter Swing: are a family and everyone far,” Swift said. #11, Freshman Mallory thinks of it that way, Famous softball players are Closman winds up for the first which is what makes also a motivation for some. pitch of the game. us play so well at the Whether it’s Rachel GarPhotograph by Cael Herron end of the day. [We] cia, Sierra Romero, or Jenknow [that] everyone nie Finch, the members of has each other’s backs [and it] is what makes us the team MNHS softball not only reflect on their own experiences, we are today. but they look up to several others in the same field. Sophomore Jaelyn Swift also believes that they are “The biggest role model for me is Peaches Jones bemore than just teammates. cause her being a Black female softball player is so en“This season was one of our best seasons yet, we couraging and inspirational as I am also a Black female
S
softball player,” Roberts-Brown said. Role models in softball have not only been an inspiration but have also allowed some to strive to reach a goal based on their idol. “Jocelyn Alo is one of my idols who has a big part in my life when it comes to softball not just because she hits well, but because she always puts her team first before herself, and no matter what happens when she is at the plate she has the same attitude and energy. A goal I have for softball is to have more home runs than Jocelyn Alo and to be able to make it to the big school for softball,.” Swift said. The achievements that have recently been made by the MN Softball Team are truly outstanding. It’s clear that their hard work and dedication have extremely paid off.
The Dream Team:
The 2023 varsity girls’ softball team poses for a team pic. After months full of late night practies, busy tournament weekends it’s hard not to call these girl’s family. Photograph by Ian Kling
JOCK TALK What Advice Would You Give To Freshmen Just Starting Out In Your Sport? Arjun Anugole SENIOR Boys Tennis
Emma Fontana SENIOR Volleyball
“Make sure to speak up, communicate, participate, and most importantly try.”
“Don’t take it too seriously and try to have fun. Enjoy every moment to the fullest.”
TJ Johnson SENIOR Football
Faith Haas SENIOR Volleyball
“Trust your teammates, and communicate with them.”
“Put in as much effort as you possibly can because at the end of the day if you can put yourself out there and try your hardest you will get noticed.”
20 • SPORTS • Oct. 30, 2023
BUMP-SET-DOMINATE
Insight into Senior Makenza Holly’s and Junior Makenzie Kuck’s commitment process ARGYRENIA PIPINOS Staff Writer
I
t’s your big day, the day that depicts your future. A college scout is in the crowd, analyzing your every move, but your head has to be in the game. Blur out all the distractions, the crowd, the yelling, and the cheering, and prepare yourself to win. Junior Kenzie Kucks and senior Makenza Holly live by this rule every single time they step onto the court. Both Kucks and Holly have committed to playing collegiate volleyball. Kucks has committed to Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee, and Holly to the University of Saint Mary in Leavenworth, Kansas. Lipscomb University has a D1 volleyball program which is a more competitive program compared to the University of Saint Mary’s, which is a NAIA division. Both Holly and Kucks felt an instant sense of belonging at their universities. The people and the environment was a whole new experience they were excited to try. “Nashville was a really fun place to be in and when I was on campus it felt like a home. I could see myself living there immediately,” Kucks said Kucks began playing volleyball when she was 6 years old and has been playing volleyball for 10 years. She started her commitment process towards the beginning of 2023 and finally got committed this August. “I started by just emailing colleges with my highlight videos, introducing myself, and inviting them to watch me at bigger tournaments. Then it’s a waiting game. If they came to watch me and, more importantly, if they liked what they saw they would email me back on June 15th,” Kucks said.
June 15th is the initial contact date for college coaches at the NCAA Division I and Division II levels to email and call a rising junior for recruitment. The whole process of emailing, taking videos, and the overall process of getting committed was difficult for Kucks because she had to balance her social life and school just for volleyball. “For me, the commitment process was like dating a bunch of boys, I had to keep track of what each school need- Meet Me At The Net: ed, what they provided, Kucks and fellow teamate and how they benefit Rilyn Gish share a special me. So the whole process moment as they celebrate was just having to write the good play they made. things down but it’s all Photograph by Carley Stych worth it in the end because even though it’s stressful it’s nice to know what you will do in the future,” Kucks said. Both Kucks and Holly had a similar process of getting committed to colleges and starting sophomore year. It took Holly and her family 2 long years to find the right fit. “Finally getting committed was a sense of relief to me and my family. It felt unreal when the process was over and I could finally focus on having fun while play-
ing,” Holly said. Holly has been playing for a total of 10 years. She never expected that a game of neighborhood volleyball would lead her to step on a court for a national competition. “Going to Las Vegas was awesome. We played all day and at night we had time to venture into the whole city. But the best part was being able to complete my childhood dream of traveling and playing volleyball,” Holly said. Holly and her team placed 5th in the Las Vegas nationals. For Holly, it was an amazing experience to learn about how recruiting works and how to work with her team. For Holly, the recruiting process was long and stressful but with the help and advice of her college coach Rian Robinson the whole process became easier. Rian Robinson was someone Kucks and Holly could come and talk to about the whole process. “I help with the commitment process as much as my players want me to. If/when they approach me about recruiting, I will usually talk through what their expectations for college ball are and what they plan to do academically. From there I usually help the girls make a list of schools that would be good for them to reach out to. From there it varies by athlete how involved I am,” Robinson said. Robinson is proud of how far Kucks and Holly have come and knew from the start that they would make it with guidance. “From the start, I knew these girls were going to make it far, and helping them through their journey to get better was a journey I loved being a part of,” Robinson said.
You Just Got Served Lipscomb University is in Nashville, Tennessee, and is 11 hours away from Nebraska.
University of Saint Mary is located in Leavenworth, Kansas and is 2 and a half hours away.