Millard North High School
THE HOOFBEAT
FOUND FOSSIL!
RETRO RETURN
Aldrich students find fossil at school
Nostalgia’s comeback at MN
Page 6
Pages 9-12
Volume 45 • Issue 1 • Sept. 28, 2026
BIT OF A FIXER-UPPER
MN’s largest theater set crew yet works together on bringing the magic of Frozen to stage Photograph by Jayden Maple
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2 • Sept 28, 2026
CONTENTS BLUEPRINT BREAKING THROUGH
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LET THE SHOW RAGE ON
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20 YEARS, INFINITE CONNECTIONS
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‘X’ MARKS THE PLAYGROUND
NEWS
ON THE COVER
Seniors Aiden Barrios, Sam Atuluku, and James Birkel work together building the set of Frozen. As a set chief, Barrios oversees set construction before the musical’s run at the end of October.
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ONE SIZE DOESN’T FIT ALL
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BAREFOOT AND PREGNANT
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AROUND THE FLOCK
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A DUMPLING EMPIRE
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FIRST-TIME WINNER
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FLASH-BACK
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THE WORLD BEYOND SCREENS
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
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.
ON PAGE 7
SPORTS
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.
CHECK OUT THE STAFF E
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OPINIONS
WHEELS WITHOUT RULES
LET’S BOUNCE
IN-DEPTH
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LIFESTYLES
Co-Editors-in-Chief Katelyn Judd Lydia Harlow Front Page Editor Lauren Hagstrom News Editor Scarlett Schmit Opinions Editors Evie Hedrick Nathan Yeh In-Depth Editor Lydia Harlow
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THE SIBLINGS’ STRIDE
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TURF TURNS THE TIDE
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MILES APART
Lifestyle Editor Katelyn Judd Sports Editor Lucas Day Online Editor Katelyn Judd Cartoonists Nadirah Johnson Rosie Scherbarth Artists Nadirah Johnson Rosie Scherbarth Photographer Jayden Maple
Staff Writers Jayden Maple Hari Jagarlapoodi Santhyanarayanan Noelle Um Miley Huynh Janey Riffel Rosie Scherbarth Adviser Sarah Crotzer Principal Aaron Bearinger
mnhsonline.com • 3
BLUEPRINT BREAKING THROUGH Millard North’s new motto The Blueprint goes into full effect at the start of the year LAUREN HAGSTROM Front Page Editor
The Blueprint didn’t come together overnight-–it took lots of collaboration and brainstorming until it became what it is today. uccess starts with the Blueprint” is heard across “It’s something I’ve thought about before I became the school every morning on the announcements by all the principal, but hadn’t quite enacted it yet. Throughstudents. On every wall in every classroom, new post- out the course of the last year with our school improveers of blue lettering and green accents have popped up ment team, our department head meetings, and our over the summer, displaying an acronym for “Blueprint.” admin team, we developed The Blueprint. There were Students and staff came todifferent letters or different gether and created this new and imwords in there, but ultimateproved motto to make everyone feel The Blueprint encap- ly, when we think about a Milincluded and seen in their school enNorth student, we think sulates what Millard North lard vironment. these are values that make The Blueprint is an acronym is all about, and it’s a way them a successful student,” where each letter holds a special Bearinger said. to communicate the culmeaning, created to make everyone Another component that ture of Millard North. It’s a went into the creation and feel like they belong. At the start of the year, principal plan for student sucess. careful choosing of the words Aaron Bearinger excitedly announced included in The Blueprint was the new motto to guide students the IB learner profile. through the new school year. “These are not just the “The Blueprint encapsulates blueprint for what all the Milwhat Millard North is all about, and PRINCIPAL lard North students are, but it’s a way to communicate the culthey’re also tied into the IB ture of Millard North. It is a plan for learner profile. You can constudent success. If students follow these nine things, nect all of those [learner profiles] to one of The Bluethey will walk out prepared as a senior,” Bearinger said. print values. Part of our strategy and goal is to help, The plan for success consists of nine words, each even if you’re not in IB, to understand that part of the describing a common trait or value that successful MN success of Millard North is the fact that we have this students and graduates share. IB program, and a lot of students are involved in that, “Every year, I interview lots of potential teachers, and it has shaped our school and our identity over the and one of the questions they always ask is, ‘What years,” Bearinger said. makes Millard North so great?’ And so as I explained Sophomore Charline Dunlop believes The Blueprint why MNHS is so great, I thought all of the answers have has painted a more detailed picture for students here some common themes in them. And so let’s put that at MN to demonstrate what it truly means to be a Musinto a common language we can all use,” Bearinger tang, and how to make sure your time at Millard North said. is successful. In years past, the school motto has always been “I feel like it’s a good piece of guidance to us, es“Be respectful, be responsible, be ready.” However, the pecially since we’re in our teenage years, and we’re still school was looking to transition into something differ- developing. It’s a good way to shape us into better peoent. ple in the future,” Dunlop said. “We still think responsible, respectful, and ready Our principal was not the only person working to are key components, but we also know that it’s a more create The Blueprint. Senior James Kelberlau and school broad, cultural reason for students to be successful counselor Abbie Sivinski were a part of the school imhere,” Bearinger said. provement team that was included in the process of de-
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AARON BEARINGER
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Integrity is important because it makes sure we always do the right thing, so the school can function properly.
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Jordan Kelly
Allen Wells
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Sophomore
Belonging is important because it helps people feel accepted and connected to others.
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What is the most important word from The Blueprint to you?
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Samantha DeBoer
You’ve got to be responsible and get your work done to pass your classes.
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Student Sound-off
veloping the new motto. “The Blueprint was created and designed by Dr. Bearinger, and he presented to us a rough draft in which he asked for our feedback. I helped provide ideas which could better the ‘themes’ being presented through The Blueprint,” Kelberlau said. At the school improvement team meeting where the idea for the Blueprint was debuted, Bearinger asked members to brainstorm the main skills, traits, and values that MN students possess. “We all just started shouting out things that we wanted our kids to be able to demonstrate and the skills we wanted them to have. And then from there, we kind of were like sectioning them off into groups and stuff. And everything just kind of flowed together naturally, I think, which was cool,” Sivinski said. At its core, The Blueprint prioritizes balancing different perspectives from many individuals at MN, working to make sure everyone feels included.
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Rahma Aliweer Senior
I for integrity is important because to keep a system going at school everyone has to do the right thing, even when no one is watching.
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4 • News • Sept 28, 2026
LET THE SHOW RAGE ON MN set crew brings magic to stage for upcoming production of Frozen NOELLE UM Staff Writer
carpentry classes, and three years on the crew, Frozen presents unique challenges for the set crew. Making the wood appear snowy and icy will require n 2013, the film Frozen grossed over $1.28 billion ingenuity. 2x4 boards are used almost exclusively for and became a global success. Despite this, it only re- building these sets. These are screwed together and are cently became available as a musical that high schools topped with flat, thin wood pieces so the paint crew could bring to their can start stages. painting. Because Frozen T o is so widely recogachieve nized, MN theater this look, directors Michelle the crew Williamson and plans to Kari Murphy feel a experiment mixture of excitewith fiberment and pressure glass mato put on an excepterial and tional show. They resin on are aware that the the wood audience will have and polyvibig expectations of nyl chloride Frozen. on the railWith 17 years ings. And Setting the Stage of collaboration rather than Senior Katy McKinley works with other set crew memunder their belt, cutting unibers in the workshop to assemble wooden set pieces for Murphy and Wilform lines, liamson have a sysmost pieces their upcoming production of ‘Frozen’.The enlargened tem for brainstormwill follow a crew spent extra hours constructing complex scenery to ing ideas. With each bring the musical to life. more organic shape to blend show in mind, they Photograph by Jayden Maple into the scenery. “It’s going bounce concepts off to be a lot of trial and error,” each other, ranging Barrios said. from choreography to more technical aspects. The team will also have to be more precise. Sets are “When I go to shows, I’m constantly stealing ideas. usually black, meaning they can hide errors since they I took a picture when I was at Wicked, and I was like, blend into the shadows. With Frozen, sets are painted ‘We’re going to do this. This is cool,’” Murphy said. white. This requires the crew to be more thoughtful The directors make sure both actors and techies are about their craftsmanship. equally challenged. The backgrounds and sets exist to The last outstanding difficulty is the sheer size of help immerse the audience in the story, and it’s never individual pieces in the set. Elsa’s ice castle, for inan easy feat. stance, is essentially three giant platforms stacked on “The math of trying to bring [Frozen] to life is going each other that take up nearly the entire stage. The set to be the most complicated part,” senior Aiden Barrios, department has worked on staircases before, but never one of the set crew chiefs, said. at such a large scale. Even with a former woodshop job, credits in MN’s “Usually, stairs are not that hard, but with how big
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Sneak Peak into the Cast ELSA~
Senior Lily Sanow
ANNA~ Senior Natalia Martinez
HANS~
Junior Chase Kroeger
this set might be, the stairs are probably going to be one of the hardest parts that we have to do,” Barrios said. This year, they have all hands on deck. The members of the set crew have roughly doubled since last year. While it helps to get the set done quicker and divide responsibilities, a large crew can be overwhelming, and it comes with its own challenges. Sophomore set crew chief Katy McKinley adjusted and learned how to navigate a larger set crew. “Sometimes you have too many people for the work you have to get done, but it’s nice to have the hands,” McKinley said. A lot of time and dedication go into creating the magic. The set crew works every day after school, sometimes until six in the evening, and they come in on Saturdays for a few hours. Murphy puts in extra hours on top of that. She’s responsible for buying materials like wood, which typically comes from Lowe’s or Menards, and for finding the best prices. To stay within their fixed budget, there’s regularly a need to thrift and repurpose items. “It gives us a little bit of leeway by being thrifty in one area so we can spend in others,” said Murphy. For Frozen, Murphy had to find a headboard for Anna’s bed. She found one on Facebook Marketplace for free, which helped the crew get started with constructing Anna’s bed. “[Murphy] is the queen of finding random stuff on Facebook Marketplace,” McKinley said. Once the crew has enough materials, they begin to work on the set pieces. In the workshop behind the stage, ideas become a tangible reality. Even though building sets is the primary focus, the set crew also builds a great community. “You get to meet people that you wouldn’t necessarily meet otherwise,” McKinley said. MN’s theater department allows all students to take part. Connections made can have a lasting impact. Some MN alumni return to help with the latest productions. “I always feel like we do a fabulous job of putting on the best shows we possibly can. Our talent here is unbelievable. What our kids are capable of doing always just blows me away,” said Murphy.
CAST LIST:
OLAF~ junior Mavri Petermann KRISTOFF~ senior Skyler Gilpin WESELTON~ senior James Kelberlau QUEEN IDUNA~ senior Alaina Bowden
20YEARS, INFINITE CONNECTIONS
mnhsonline.com • 5
As the Mustang Mentoring program hits a milestone, mentors and counselors reflect on two decades of helping freshmen HARI JAGARLAPOODI SATHYANARAYANAN Staff Writter
T he first day of high school often begins with a simple question:
Where do I go from here? For thousands of previous students and over 700 current freshmen, the answer has come through the Mustang Mentoring Program. For 20 years, Mustang Mentoring has paired experienced juniors and seniors with younger freshmen, helping them navigate unfamiliar expectations and the transition into high school. What began 20 years ago as a small program to help incoming freshmen transition into high school has become a highly sophisticated program, with upperclassmen paired with over 15 students in each class. When counselors Jodi Therkelsen and Loel Schettler created the program, they believed that they could easily sustain the number of students in the program. Each year, they saw the same mentor-to-mentee ratio in the system. Even as the number of freshmen increases, Therkelsen believes that each freshman will get the same or better mentorship. “When we started it, we kinda had this vision, and we have always had sort of about the same number of mentors because we have about the same number of freshmen Mustang times,” Therkelsen said. “And so I think that’s what has kind of helped sustain it, is that it has remained kind of the same.” Now, as the program celebrates its 20th anniversary, former mentors and mentees can look back on two decades of connection that have shaped the students who have taken part in it. When it was first introduced, Millard North founded the Mustang Mentoring program to help incoming freshmen transition. They did this through fun games and interactive lessons on communication and handling pressure from classes. “My favorite part of the “There is a certain six or Mustang Mentoring program so character traits that is the games that we play, like Mustang Mentors must Hangman and other icebreakteach in order to directers. The mentors are just like friends and help me with homely help student success,” work and more. I also like my Counselor Loel Schettler classmates in the program,” said. freshman Rohith Anadakrishnan said. While students are highly engaged with the program, teachers are concerned that interest has decreased and that it is viewed as a filler for college applications. On top of that, MN counselors are actively increasing the requirements to enter the program and making the
interview more about the person’s leadership qualities and their attitude, rather than how much they can write. “The interview is also really important because we can kinda catch some leadership traits when we talk to students and sort of gauge their excitement for the program and why they’re doing it,” Therkelsen said. The program itself has stayed mostly the same and kept its high quality. However, challenges arise in the operation, as it is an initiative with a large student body. To solve this problem, the counselors are employing the interview, which is typically 10 to 15 minutes, to find students who are also good at handling pressure. “In the beginning, it truly was... people who joined it for a cause. And I think a little bit it’s transferred into some people joining... because it is a filler for a resume, and that’s disappointing to us,” Therkelseon said. For the mentors themselves, the effort offers a chance for significant personal growth. Second-year mentor senior Sophie Conley originally joined the welcoming environment after having a flourishing freshman year. “I feel like my freshman year, I really liked my mentors… So I wanted to be a mentor just to be somebody too, and get people out of their shell,” Conley said. “Also, just meeting other mentors is really great because I’ve made a lot of friends in the program.” The experience helped her develop her communication skills and become a more confident speaker. It allowed her to overcome her fear of making mistakes when speaking to a large group. “I feel like it definitely just presenting in front of people all the time showed me that if you stutter or something, it’s not the end of the world… and it just helped me have better communication skills and confidence talking in front of a room,” Conley said. Along with her in-school leadership, Conley also learned important teamwork skills at the Mustang Mentoring annual Halloween Ropes Course. The ropes course is an all day leadership training program for the mentors. During which they “I think it was a very good team-building thing because it’s not just like they’re telling you to do something. You’re actually like going across the course, and it’s very interactive,” senior Conley said. The course isn’t a direct lesson for the mentors, but an interactive activity that requires them to work together and translate those physical challenges into real-world leadership. Ultimately, these team-focused activities are exactly what encompasses the Mustang Mentoring Program. As we head into the next decade of the Mustang Mentoring Program, the counselors hope to see a greater interest in the initiative from mentors and teachers. However, they agree that the current mentors are great for the program. They want to see more like-minded people who are genuinely interested in helping others.
NEWS BRIEFS
LOCAL NEWS
The City of Omaha launched its “Good Neighborhood Week” (Sept. 20) Omaha City Council is holding public hearings regarding new pedestrian and bicy-
NATIONAL NEWS
Massive technical and equipment outage caused severe flight delays across Northeast airlines (Sept. 21) The U.S. and China are starting holding offical talks to establish rules for global guidelines and regulations on artificial intellengence (Sept. 20)
WORLD NEWS
Built in Davao City Philippines, the 75,000 seater ‘Kingdome’ has offically become the worlds largest indoor arena in the world (Sept. 1)
6 • News • Sept 28, 2026
‘X’ MARKS THE PLAYGROUND
Students at Aldrich Elementary School discover a fossil on the playground in late October of last year KATELYN JUDD Co-Editor-in-Chief
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After assessing their new find and determining that it was, in fact, a fossil, with the help of their teacher they informed Aldrich principal Dayna Burke, who was obviously stunned. She took time to calculate her next move with the fossil. “[The boys’ teacher] showed me this big rock, and sure enough, it had some interesting shapes. We both poured a little water on it and dusted it off, and it did look like a fossil. I didn’t know what to do with it, and I sat on it for a little while,” Burke said.
typical fall at recess usually ends with a scraped knee, a sore arm, and a grass-stained shirt, soaked with a few stray tears. However, as then second-grader Ben Azara took an abnormal tumble on the football field at Aldrich Elementary, getting back up was the last thing on his mind. Staring down his nose at the disturbed dirt, Azara froze in disbelief at an unusually shaped rock with an abundance After diligentof small shapes ly doing her and patterns. He own research, found a piece of Burke stumprehistoric history: bled across A fossil! the Universi“When I first ty of Nebrasfound it, I thought k a - L i n c o l n’ s it was fake. But Education when I actualdepartment – ly got to hold it, which houses [I knew] it was Morrill Hall, real,” Azara said. Ancient Discovery a Smithso“I was shocked Aldrich Elemantary second-graders video chat with a University nian-affiliated because it was in of Nebraska Lincoln science teacher about a fossil found on their natural history the least expected school playground.The class learned that the student-discovered museum. The place. I mean, be- find was around 350 million years old. Hall features a hind the swings [on Photograph contributed by Aldrich principal Dayna Burke wide variety of the field] at an elefossils across mentary school? I’m millions of hiskeeping my eye out for more [here at Aldrich].” toric years. After contemplating what to do with his new find, Burke consulted the staff list at Morrill Hall he quickly determined that he had to call in reinforce- and wrote to science educator Jason Nord, taking a shot ments; he sought out his peer: then second-grader in the dark at a response. A few weeks later, Nord and Charlie Higgins, known by his classmates as “the dino- Burke were working together to set up a Zoom confersaur expert.” ence with the second-grade class. “I asked Charlie because he knows all about dinoFrom close-up photos, Nord concluded that the fossaurs. He said it was a fossil, and I just started digging. sil was from the Carboniferous Period – a major period It took like three days to dig it up,” Azara said. “It was of the larger Paleozoic Era – and was between 300 and pretty deep in the ground.” 350 million years old. With the help of a few football buddies and class“He hopped on [the Zoom call] and talked us mates, Azara was finally able to unearth their discovery, through all of the plants that were found [on the fossil] which allowed Higgins to have a better look. and talked about how they were older than the dino“The first thing that caught my eye was the crinoid saurs. It was from a time when Nebraska was covered fossil, and right after recess I noticed the brachiopod. by a shallow sea, and what we had was the fossilized There were all these things that obviously looked like remains of those plants,” Burke said. sea life [on the fossil] … Everyone was astonished,” HiFollowing their meeting with the professor, the gins said. second-grade class proudly displayed their fossil in the
library, knowing a piece of history was found at Aldrich. “We had lots of holes in the ground after that. They kept looking for more … that is probably gonna be a core memory for them. They’re going to remember the time they found a fossil on the playground. And the other kids around them will remember being a part of it too,” Burke said. Their discovery is especially a core memory for Higgins, knowing that his find has immensely influenced his future career choice. “[I want to be] a paleontologist,” Higgins said. “I just think historic life is so cool. There are so many animals that, for now, can’t be brought back.” Higgins even believes that their fossil can alleviate a common misconception held about prehistoric life. He is mindful that not everyone is on par with his paleontological knowledge, but remains enthusiastic about sharing his love for history with others. “[With the fossil] we can learn about times before the dinosaurs … A lot of people think dinosaurs were the first animals to live on Earth, but they’re actually pretty late in our history,” Higgins said. The fossil continues to make its way around the entire school, now being an integrated part of the school’s science curriculum, and every student’s education remains enhanced by Azara and Higgins’ curiosity on that fall day a year ago. “As an International Baccalaureate school, being an inquirer is one of our learner profiles. We encourage our kids to ask questions all the time. So when they find a rock that has some interesting things on it, they’re going to ask questions about it. It’s a huge part of who we are here: to ask questions and find the answers to them. So that’s exactly what they did. They did exactly what they were supposed to do,” Burke said.
This fossil dates to the Carboniferous period, which lasted from about 359 to 299 million years ago.
Aldrich’s “Famous” Fossil
Opinions • 7
WHEELS WITHOUT RULES The rising popularity of e-bikes and e-scooters calls for greater safety regulations THE HOOFBEAT Staff Editorial 10-year-old girl on an electric bike suddenly crossed A into traffic, leaving driver Jack Shotbolt with only seconds to react. He slammed on the brakes, narrowly avoiding a collision in a near-miss reported by WOWT Omaha News last month. But near-misses aren’t always the outcome. While some riders may walk away from a close call, others aren’t as lucky. This past July, a collision in Bennington involving 11-year-old Logan Rahn riding an e-bike and a pickup truck led to Rahn losing his life. According to an article published by WOWT Omaha News, three in every 10 children at the Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital were there because of e-bike or e-scooter crashes. E-bike and electric mobility crashes in Bennington and across the greater Omaha metro area have been a growing issue as of late. These occurrences may be linked to the rapid growth in purchases of the increasingly popular electric vehicles. E-bike and e-scooter sales have boomed recently, with e-bike and e-scooter purchases highlighted by a stagger-
Octavio Perversi
Madilyn Slauter
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I think that it makes confidence worse. It influences people to follow what everyone else does and your confidence could drop if you don’t.
Lena Muska
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It depends on perspective. It can give you a support system or it can tear you down by giving you negative feedback.
Brian Bray
Sophomore
Freshman
People only post the best version of themselves and if you compare yourself to that it can impact your self confidence.
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It can make it worse because someone can say something bad about you online and it can make you feel bad about yourself.
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How does social media impact the confidence of high schoolers?
EDITORIAL CARTOON
Junior
Senior
problem stems from the lack of uniformity between local and state laws. State regulations need to align and synergize with the school policies. Nebraska lawmakers may need to raise the minimum riding age for electric vehicles. Upgrading the outdated rules that have been used to classify e-bikes and e-scooters would distinguish them from toys to full-fledged vehicles of the road. The tighter restrictions on electric vehicles may raise a valid concern: does more regulation limit the freedom of the younger generation to travel in an affordable and eco-friendly manner? Cracking down too hard puts families who rely on the affordability of electric vehicles at risk. But the freedom of transportation does not have to come at the expense of the security of our community. By increasing basic education, improving safety standards, and encouraging responsibility, the great opportunities that these vehicles provide on the open road will still be very real. By synchronizing school and state regulations, we can launch a powerful effort to protect the safety of our students and light the path forward for the next generation of riders. Illustrations by Rosie Scherbarth
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Student Speak
ing 72% single-year surge in purchases from 2023 to 2024, according to Diesel E-Bikes, making electric rides a regular sight on the streets. Even before the recent pattern of crashes, and especially given the growing popularity of e-bikes and e-scooters, Nebraska law needed stricter rules to regulate their use. The problem is that they are being seen as toys, but not vehicles requiring serious responsibility. Part of the problem may stem from the easy accessibility of the vehicles. Unlike a traditional car, e-bikes and e-scooters can be purchased without the same barriers to protect inexperienced riders from the unpredictability of the roads. According to Velosurance, e-bikes are legally classified as regular pedal bicycles as long as they fall under at least one of three broad categories under Nebraska law. They include Class 1 and Class 2, which can reach speeds of up to 20 mph, and Class 3, which can reach up to 28 mph. In addition, e-bike riders do not require a driver’s license, registration, insurance, or state-mandated helmets. These state laws may have been written during a time when electric vehicles were a much rarer sight, but their speed and popularity have outpaced current regulations to a point where they call for more extensive measures. It’s not that there are no rules enforcing safe use of these vehicles at all. Many schools across the Millard district have adopted and reaffirmed the prohibition of motorized vehicles, including motorcycles, minibikes, and motor scooters. The root of the
By Rosie Sherbarth
8 • Sept 28, 2026
ONE SIZE DOESN’T FIT ALL
From the overconsumption of Ozempic to shrinking celebrities, extreme thinness is back, and we’re paying the price
Rosie’s Rants
ody image is a concept many people understand early in life. I was about eight years old when I first noticed how much smaller my classmates were than me. Many people, especially women, share a similar story. Now more than ever, weight is a hot topic in the media, and we have begun to see the damage caused by the increasing push for a skinny society. As a society built on consumption, we constantly see ads for movies, supplements, media, medication, and more. Popular trends are a part of our lives in the digital age. Often, these fads harmlessly revolve around clothes or hairstyles, but the real problem begins to arise when “what’s in” is a dangerous physique. It’s not hard to see this pattern in TV personalities. Celebrities are getting thinner, and body images are getting worse. The “perfect form” has become a thin, curveless figure accentuated by a protruding skeletal frame. It’s no mistake that this build has become the most sought-after look in current times. The ideal body in Hollywood has shifted dramatically, regressing from the body positivity of the 2010s, with women like Lizzo and Demi Lovato, to the alarming expectation of thinness that has re-emerged in the last year. Many individuals are calling out the unhealthy looks of celebrities, and for good reason.
Rosie Scherbarth Staff Writer
Illustration by Nadirah Johnson
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Celebrities like Ariana Grande and Jenna Ortega have been the subjects of heated discussion due to their ongoing weight loss. They often act in TV shows and movies aimed at young women. Because their target demographic is mainly juvenile audiences, people point out the potential harm their image could cause. A study by JAMA Pediatrics found that 22% of children and adolescents worldwide show disordered eating. These celebrities feel pressure from the industry to shrink, and their young, impressionable fans take notice. Many people are also calling out the popularity of the newest “magic cure” for weight loss: GLP-1s. Some celebrities’ sudden thinness prompts the question: did they diet, or was it Ozempic? Companies are not subtle either. At the 2026 Super Bowl, several GLP-1 companies each spent upwards of 10 million dollars on 30-60-second ads. This high visibility gets people talking, so Ozempic and similar brands have become highly discussed, especially surrounding the argument of health versus beauty. My dad uses a brand of GLP-1s to treat his type two diabetes, the original intention of these drugs. When I compare his dosage to the levels of these people medicating themselves, it alarms me. How far are people willing to go to fix a problem that’s not even there? As people use GLP-1s for weight loss while having no other condition, it appears vain and risky to take a medication used to treat a serious condition to get rid of unwanted fat. Another dangerous effect of these medicines is it prompts non-users to feel worse about their own weight loss journeys. Someone who is attempting to lose weight for health reasons may be on months or even years of diet and exercise, and only achieve what one celebrity has in a month. And for
Focus on the Facts
girls or women who don’t see instant progress, seeing their favorite celebrity getting magically skinny quickly only encourages them to go to further, more dangerous extremes. When of girls in America over the young girls and women witage of 13 are ness their idol going down sizes, they feel compelled to unhappy with their bodies do the same. The effect of witnessing this skinny propaganda is detrimental to the younger generation. A survey of women have struggled with conducted on 13- to 17-yearbulimia by their first year of olds found that, when asked about social media and its college effect on their body image, 46% said social media makes them feel worse. Witnessing this increasing thinness only worsens the of those who have eating delicate body image of these adolescents. disorders are women between Some individuals argue the ages of 12 and 25 that celebrities and GLP-1 companies should be left alone, and that by commenting on individuals’ bodies we are disrespecting their of girls are dissatisfied with choices and privacy. This is a misguided defence, betheir looks by the age of 17 cause it must be taken into Source: National Organization for Women account that these individuals have a responsibility to their fans and consumers to promote health and safety over beauty. When the opposite occurs, they not only endanger themselves but also the millions of people following in their dwindling footsteps. There is nothing wrong with being skinny, or even wanting to lose weight for the right reasons. Personal health journeys to improve quality of life are wonderful, and the difference is plain to see. Going to the gym and learning to eat healthily and without restriction has made me vastly more fit and confident than dieting ever did. Losing weight for health is vastly different than losing weight for aesthetics. Unfortunately, bodies will continue to move in and out of style. But it isn’t all bleak. Calls for change are led by organizations like the ‘Body Image Movement,’ which work tirelessly to promote self-care, pride, and love. I encourage you to support these movements, and ultimately remember that no matter what shape you have or how you appear, your wellness is a top priority. Take pride in having a healthy, happy human body.
53%
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90%
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In-Depth • 9
Illus trat ion by
Nad irah John son
BRINGING IT BACK
Today’s teenagers are reverting to technology, keepsakes, and entertainment of the past,
paying homage both to previous generations and their own childhood memories
10• Sept. 28, 2026
FLASH-BACK
Why physical technology such as digital cameras has resurfaced from past generations SCARLETT Schmit News Editor
he click of a camera shining in the sunlight can T capture a beautiful moment before it slips away. Se-
nior Ruby Jensen thrives to preserve these memories through film photography. They say a picture is worth 1000 words. Any kind of photography, whether it’s on the newest iPhone or with a Snapchat filter, is meant to tell a story and hold the essence of a moment or event. So why now are people deciding to use “old-fashioned” technology and digital cameras? “I got into photography because I was seeing a lot of things online about it during my freshman year. Then I was given a cheap little film camera for my birthday, and I decided to go around my summer camp and take photos there. We weren’t allowed phones at camp, so it was a great way to document memories without my phone,” Jensen said. Unlike instant smartphone photos that can easily get misplaced in a camera roll, film forces photographers to slow down and enjoy the process of development. Today, teenagers are drawn to handheld cameras for casual, everyday events. Whether it’s after hanging out at school, football games, a date night, or a road trip, cameras can give a nostalgic and aesthetically pleasing look that phone cameras cannot replicate. “To develop photos, I go to Rockbook Camera and drop my camera off, then it takes about a week to develop. They send me an email letting me know when they’re done, and I go and pick them up,” Jensen said. Old film cameras are not the only way that teenagers in current times are using non-electronics to hold photos. Some students, like Senior Natalia Martinez, create scrapbooks using printed-out photos from digital cameras.
“I have been scrapbooking since at least middle school. I have a film printer I use from Instax, and when they print, they look like Polaroid pictures, and I use photos from my digital camera to print into the Polaroids. From there I like to make little collages and things like that,” Martinez said. This surge in vintage tech bridges a unique generational gap. Growing up, our teachers and parents didn’t have quick access to a camera app; they had to get their camera out, take the photo, and wait to download it later. This meant that photos or photo shoots were reserved for special moments and events. Today, while we do have the option to whip out a smartphone, students are deliberately choosing physical cameras so they can turn digital memories into tangible keepsakes. “I feel like digital cameras look more authentic and real than iPhone cameras can look, so people use digital cameras for the outcome. My friends all have their own individual cameras. They say it matches their own aesthetic, so we always have to take so many takes of the same photo for everyone’s camera,” Martinez said. Recent sales trends reflect this shift, with point-and-shoot digital cameras from the early 2000s making their way back onto the market. Prices of these cameras and equipment have increased in number due to many Gen Z consumers searching for the right camera they can keep. “There has been 9.44 million global shipping units which marks the first time since 2013 that the digital camera industry has achieved two consecutive years of volume growth, signaling an official post-smartphone equilibrium,” said journalist Tim Levy in a 2026 Capture Magazine article. As technology continues to advance, the appeal of holding onto physical memory remains timeless.
Whether through the click of a film shutter or the pages of a scrapbook, students are proving that living in the moment often means capturing it in print. “When on a physical camera, it puts you more in the moment because if I pull out my phone just to take a picture, I know I’ll end up on my phone a little bit. But if I have a physical camera that isn’t my phone, I don’t. I’ll be more likely to put it away and go back in the moment,” Jensen said. The rise of digital cameras give teenagers today the opportunity to keep living in the moment, without the glow of bluelight constantly shining. Whether saved in a scrapbook or developed on film, physical photos give people of all ages and backgrounds a way to hold onto memories that feel far more permanent than an image on a screen.
mnhsonline.com • 11
“It reflects my childhood. I was always really into Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, I had like a birthday dress I’d wear when I was little, so it kind of reflects that and those memories,” Crouch said.
Photos contrib uted b y Nata lia Ma rtinez and
Ellie H ill
Senior Charlee Crouch
“Being a senior is like your last year of being a ‘real kid’, and so [the backpacks are]] showing the little kid that it’s your last time being,” Sauser said.
Senior Madison Roux
The word ‘nostaliga’ originally comes for the Greek words nostos (meaning “return”), and algos (meaning “pain”). Since Greek-times, however, it’s been given a more upbeat connotation, conencting to any reminiscing on the past.
Nostalgia is typically triggered by sensory experiences (like smelling a childhood candle, or seeing a favorite vacation photo), major life transitions (like moving or retiring), or interactions with others.
Senior Amelia Sauser “I wanted to do something for my senior year to remember my childhood... [the backpacks] are like fun ways to remember being a kid and just celebrating all the work you’ve done for like the last 18 years,” Roux said.
o y g f o l o h c y PsNOSTALGIA
For many people. nostalgia is a very bittersweet emotion, combining both joy and a sense of loss.
NOSTALGIA
Seniors reminisce on their favorite childhood characters through cartoon backpacks
THE WORLD BEYOND SCREENS
A cultural shift to the past: teens and their tendency to hang out in public spaces where their parents might have
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n the modern era of technology, a singular, compact device can seamlessly carry out tasks while the user sits in the comfort of their home. Without standing up, a person can order their groceries, shop for clothes, watch a movie, read a book, or stream music on their phone. Who needs legs with a tool like this? Although the efficiency makes comfy days tranquil and carefree, the lack of presence in a room can become stifling. A phone may seem to be capable of giving a person whatever they need, but the one thing it fails to deliver is proper company. The digital world is drastically different from the physical world that humans interact with each day. There is a distinction between the two realms that affects the way people connect with one another. Before phones and social media, teenagers congregated in various “third places.” According to the UNESCO Courier, the term, coined by sociologist Ray Oldenburg, is defined as the places outside of work and home where people can socialize informally and foster a sense of community. This includes malls, record stores, bookstores, and drive-ins/movie theaters. Teenagers in the 80’s filled these third places because they socialized with friends more frequently than the current generation of teens. A detailed analysis from February 2026 by the Institute of Family Studies states that teenagers are less social than in past decades: for teens in the 1980s, 87% went on dates, 88% visited friends weekly, and 74% attended parties monthly. On the other hand, for teens in 2024, 46% went on dates, 69% visited friends weekly, and 44% attended parties monthly. Furthermore, 43% of teens in the 1980s spent an hour of time alone, whereas 75% of teens in 2024 spend their time independently. Based on the study, one can infer that social media has contributed to increasing signs of isolation and harm-
once visited and coexist without being glued ing the youth’s ability to properly socialize with others Despite the consequences of social media, the to a screen. “These places promote socializing embers of the past persist. Some teens strongly prefer spending time with their friends in third places instead and communication [by providing] an environment where people can be toof being on the phone. “Typically, [my friends and I] hang out at Westroads gether in the moment,” Padilla-Guzor the library,” senior Michael Jordan said. “It’s nice to man said. In a highly digitalized world, walk around and chat with them, especially if [I] haven’t it is interesting to see the deseen them in a long time.” Interacting face-to-face can be comforting because cisions that younger generof the physical company. Junior Camilo Padilla-Guzman ations make concerning feels that being present with another person is what their social life. As some people $2 makes the difference and allows connections to blos0f choose to take steps or som. Op “You can’t fully be with someone over the phone. forward toward a en -Gy Looking in their eyes as you talk to them is complete- future of digital m connection, othly different to calling or texting them,” Padilla-Guzman ers stay in the said. or Although phones are partly to blame for stunting present, take teenage socialization, they can be good resources for even communication when physical meetings are unavail- steps back to the able. “[Talking to friends online] is handy if you can’t go past. CA out because if you either don’t have a car or you’re busy, P you can shoot a quick text,” Jordan said. “[However,] 50 ITOL % talking in person is always more meaningful because off ARC on AD you can hear the way people are talking and how they Mo E L are feeling through their tone.” nd OUN ays GE Moreover, it is crucial to maintain a healthy balance between time on a phone and time out with others in order to connect with others efficiently. Public spaces provide an outlet for people to develop a tightknit community. “[Public spaces] would help with learning communication skills and ‘people’ skills,” Padilla-Guzman said. “In my opinion, you weren’t given hands, eyes, and legs to $5 pe stay in your house on a screen all day. ra cti You were given those to go out and do vit ya things.” fte As more youth continue to r9 :00 swim in a sea of endless media that exploits attention spans, fuels phone addictions, and decreases time spent in the outside world, there is a growing hope that teens QU will return to the third $1 ASA 2p RD places their parents e
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MILEY HUYNH Staff Writer
Opinions • 13
BAREFOOT AND PREGNANT Evie’s Insight
Tradwives and the romantization of misogyny across social media is harmful to women everywhere eep her bare- pating in the tradwife lifestyle, it is a conscious K foot in the winter
EVIE HENDRICKS Co-Opinions Editor
Privileged, Pretend Perfection
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Young Women’s Perception of “Tradwife” Content
decision. It has been described as honoring their femininity, their relationship, and their faith. But it is evident that the movement has and will have dangerous outcomes. King’s College London Study Young women across the world are getting married and immediately start having children, they then become the tradwife. But in order to Negative pursue this lifestyle at such a young age, they 59% Societal go into adulthood with no education, no job, no money of their own, and no backup plan. Impact Drachel Fiona says in a TikTok with her husband that he pays the bills. She follows this by saying “ I don’t even know how to work the bank”. Her husband responded by saying “I could just Positive 20% steal all her money, leave her & divorce her.” View Many women within the world of tradwives have seen this as true romance. Their husband gets to fulfill his role as breadwinner, he gets to provide for her, but what they don’t realize is that Rated the hand that feeds you has the power to starve “Very 11% you. Harmful” “I am a nineteen year old housewife, I am also a stay at home mom to a baby girl. I am conservative and traditional. I do not have a ‘backup Percentage of Young Woman plan’. I don’t have any money saved up incase he (Ages 18-34) turns on me. We share a bank account.” Lily Alexa said. Moving through life this way is inherently danger- ality for a single mom with no college education. ous. While this won’t be the case for most relationships It addition to the dangerous of this lifestyle to the womparticipating in the tradwife trend, there is the possibil- en involved, the movement is starting to harm women ity of divorce. That leaves a woman uneducated, unem- as a whole. ployed, and alone. The tradwife movement comes off as the roman“I’m an ex-tradwife. I work three minimum wage ticization of a simple life and traditional gender roles jobs just to pay my rent.” Jennie Gage said in interview but what is really is is the romanticization of misogyny. with National Public Radio. She said that this is the reThere is a very specific kind of man who wants to be with a tradwife. A study conducted by University of Nevada, Las Vegas showed that men with ideals that present “hostile sexism” are also the most likely to support the tradwife movement. The survey they conducted showed that The same women who glorify living solely off their husbands inthese men already held ‘derogatory and derisive’ views on women who chose the “easier” comes, themselves make money from social media. job as caretaker. The men in these relationships often disguise their sexism as chivalry. They want a wife who is expected to take care A lot of what they post they do for interaction and clicks: of their needs after they go to work to provide sometimes they post intentionally enraging things because for them. With the increasing popularity of being interactions make them money-- even negative ones. a tradwife, there will be a related increase in misogyny. This rise will be especially promiCost of living has gone up greatly in the last few years, and nent in young men who are seeing the tradbeing a stay-at-home-wife simply isn’t financially possible for wives online thinking that this is expected out of women. most, a fact influencers often seem to forget. The rising popularity of tradwives is dangerous to all women.
and pregnant in the summer. That is how the term “barefoot and pregnant” came to be. What started as a southern joke about domestic abuse is now the motto for the tradwife movement online. The tradwife movement has gained a lot of online traction in recent years. Influencers such as Nara Smith and Hannah Neeleman- better known as Ballerina Farm, built the image of the tradwife we know today. Across the thousands of young women currently trying to build a following as your “new favorite tradwife,” there is little variation. Every video is the beautiful young mom adorned in a sundress, a baby on her hip, and a whisk in her hand. The perfect wife. This is what the tradwife lifestyle promotes in addition to homesteading: traditional gender roles, and being barefoot and pregnant. A term rooted in abuse and misogyny has become the dream for the women giving into the tradwife movement. For most women partici-
14 • Sept. 28, 2026
AROUND THE FLOCK
AI surveillance cameras have been spotted around Omaha, causing growing concerns over privacy in public spaces
Jayden’s Judgement
D riving on In- only to prevent crime and to help with investigating dence is important for both keeping officers in check
when using the software and preventing abuse. It would dustrial Road, crimes rather than a device used for surveillance. Flock has noted events where its products have make the system more fair towards everyone and could the stretch towards L Street been used to help investigations, for example, in Col- make sure the evidence is accurate. Because this is not in place, with incidents like this seems pleasant: orado where their cameras were used to help locate 6 happening within our country, it’s best to remove these well-made strip missing children within 5 months. The camera’s use of its license plate reading tech- cameras from the streets as of right now for the bettermalls, a place for businesses, nology had been noted as a primary reason for the m e n t of public safety. Some people are also concerned about where people finding of the children, but while they do have those another issue regarding the system’s accucome together moments for good, there is usually a dark side to the racy. A report coming from Colorado by CBS without much use of cameras. In the news, numerous reports have shown News reported that a police officer had worry about tracked down the wrong suspect in a theft crime. Though police officers reportedly abusing the camera’s because of a hit using these cameras. one thing can be features for their own benefit; for example, This might have been the fault of noticed near the a report from CNN said that a police ofthe officer for not making sure the road: an ominous ficer from Kentucky used the camys te m s source to make sure the car was right, camera that overlooks the street, standing there, track- era to stalk her ex-girlfriend e h T ely over 2,000 times. but at the same time, the system ing your every move. s e c u r (e ns From my perspecRecently, a growing number of AI cameras have e l b s, reporting the wrong vehicle also ud s c ram h e ph o t o brings the concern of how accurate Th e c l o y been installed around the city, including on Industri- tive, this has shown tl s) t some the AI system is. I would say this al Road. They have been put into place by a company how r y p t h eG PS l o i n s t a n at a c he d should be a sign to up the guardd s t d t i me called Flock Safety with the permission of local agen- o f f i c i a l s t d s a n a n sc e c a i l o n rails on the AI system. p cies, being used to scan license plates to track vehicle h a v e o i t c at m p, a n d ag a i n s l i s t s Still, even if these guardmovement and potentially stop crimes. a e t s to t h watch le n t i rails were in place, there will However, from the number of news reports and s n i l m to be a B u i l t- ad s g a ce (like s always be incidents and exvideos posted online, these cameras have been called n i R E s e B u r a re r AM clo ud lul ar ploitations like this, which into question regarding the power they have and s o f t w s e p l a te c a rs o ) a n d . n s n e t is concerning to both the c how they are used. o r i i l e l t a c the alo gs a r by o n ne t e c average person like me a From the reports I have seen about the n c s d g a an pin n iq ue h e re te c t u t and to many public officameras, I think it’s best to take down e f ’s d i r s s a r igh he c e ra ffic e ts t h i o m . e p cials, as a system being h a these cameras. Even if they have k c i a c l at d sn u re s, s ide le is a m used against them isn’t R o ad ve hic le a n g i n v i s i b t f e at c o l o r, ro o f a make, in s y ng gonna prevent crime; it l u i y r , v d s a o o o m s, o r b ph o t t o s e e c le k would only do the opc d a e r e p s ge . gh t t. i a l m posite because d a e d r n igh i nf ra Already, some states have pushed for blocks and restrictions on the been used for good been taking advantage of the system for their own cameras after their implementation: notably, Texas. reasons, for example, advantage, rather than being used as a public safety Governor Greg Abbott banned state agencies from how in Colorado they mechanism. I think this is worrying for everyone be- spending money on those cameras, even though the were able to find cause these cameras are on 24/7 for every single day state had already provided funds for them in the past. I think that this is a good start because right now, abducted children of the year. More reports from notable groups, like the Ameri- the debate is ongoing with both sides to the argument, using these devices, they have also can Civil Liberties Union, have also said that these cam- and starting to reverse a wrong requires encouraging been abused by eras have been used to conduct arrests, searches, and services and groups to realize it is wrong. Overall, regarding the use, funding, and misuse of police officers, and immigration enforcement without warrants. This has they have some- brought up many questions about the legality of people these Flock cameras, many people across the country times been used who have access to these cameras in regard to people’s have concerns about the use of cameras. The solutions shouldn’t be “just live with it” or “if you have nothing to to overlook con- 4th Amendment rights. The 4th Amendment protects people from unrea- hide, you should be alright.” A system that can be easily stitutional rights to conduct arrests sonable searches and seizures by the government, but exploited by people is not a system we can live by. Our nation is changing in many ways, and we don’t and searches without because Flock operates a national database that allows any police officer or federal official to access it, would know what we can expect to happen within the next 20 warrants. According to Flock that require a judicial warrant to conduct searches or years or so, but one thing is certain: we cannot risk an authority, either physically or digitally, overseeing our Safety, their system of cam- make arrests based on evidence obtained from it? It’s a grey area right now, but I think that going lives in a way that violates our rights. Not now, and not eras and licence plate readers is noted to be a “public safety device,” used through the legal process to obtain and use the evi- ever.
JAYDEN MAPLE Staff Writer
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Lifestyle • 15
LET’S BOUNCE
Custodian Matthew Ziegler competes in table tennis tournaments, most recently at the Cornhusker State Games LYDIA HARLOW Co-Editor-in-Chief
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he room falls still as the onlookers quiet, waiting for the familiar ‘plink’ of the ball against the paddle. On either side of the table, competitors stare over the short net as they trade shots back and forth, making the only noise in an otherwise silent room. Custodian Matthew “Ziggy” Ziegler knows this sound well, having competed in table tennis tournaments for the last 15 years, most recently last July, at the Cornhusker State Games in Lincoln. “It was a really fun tournament. I won three medals in one day: I got the gold medal in singles, the silver medal in doubles, and then in mixed doubles, I got the bronze,” Ziegler said. The Cornhusker Games, an annual statewide sports festival, offer amateur table tennis players a chance to compete. Despite ultimately taking home the gold, Ziegler faced tough competition, particularly in his singles match. “I played against a guy from Lincoln who gave me a really, really tough match. He would not go away. I played him last year and beat him handily, but this year, he really pushed me. I ended up winning the point on a corner shot,” Ziegler said. This year’s win continued his streak of recent success in these games, where he’s gone from occasional victories to routinely placing in the top three. “It felt really good to win the gold medal and kind of repeat that from last year. Of course, it was kind of tough. I lost my grandpa back in February of last year,” Ziegler said. “When he passed away, it just changed everything”. Ziegler’s family, his grandparents in particular, have always been his biggest cheerleaders, attending his matches whenever they could, despite challenges with his grandfather’s lung cancer. “[My grandparents] would come in at 9 o’clock,
when the tournament would start, and they would sit in these hard metal chairs. I’d look over there, and they’d both be sound asleep… they were always there, really good support,” Ziegler said. “And this year, I think it really motivated me to win, knowing they were cheering from above”. Ziegler’s grandparents had been there from the start, cheering him on and watching what began as a casual hobby become an important part of his life. “I started out [in 2001], just going to the table tennis
rth ba r e ch S sie o R
nights. We play two nights a week… it took a while for me to learn the game, but as soon as I did, I just kept getting better and better each time,” Ziegler said. Experienced players quickly integrated him into their community, mentoring and coaching him, such as retired Air Force Major Joe Brazil, who has been playing table tennis for 56 years. “When I first met [Ziegler], he was virtually novice level. I took him under my wing. Ultimately, we learned he has a natural backhand. He and I are [now] at about the same level. We love playing doubles. He and I have won some medals [together]. It was my honor [to have] helped him establish a good foundation and have confidence in himself. [And most of all], to have fun and find
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joy in the sport,” Brazil said. But Brazil was not alone in his efforts to help coach and encourage Ziegler; soon, another person took the lead, focusPhotograph contributed by ing on the more Matthew Ziegler technical aspects of the game: Jocelyn “Shine” Cowles. “I’ve been coaching him for five years… [We focused on] technical improvement: [fixing] bad habits in footwork, posture, grip, and stroke mechanics for both basic and advanced shots, like topspin. [Also, I taught] him how to read opponents, choose the right shots, and transition between defense and attack,” Cowles said. Cowles brought years of experience to her coaching, having played in international tournaments in the Philippines and, since moving to the US, the USATT (USA Table Tennis) Open, one of the biggest tournaments in the United States. However, she has been unable to continue coaching Ziegler with her most recent move to New York. “Since Shine has moved, I don’t do the training as much anymore. So when I’m playing, it’s like I’m coaching myself. Like, ‘Okay, I got to move my feet more. Got to give them a better serve, or give them a slow or a chop serve.’ In your mind, you’re coaching yourself. In my mind, I’m thinking, ‘Okay, what did Shine teach me in the training?’ and just extend [it] into the game,” Ziegler said. And now, after years of learning from other players, Ziegler is working to pass his knowledge on to the next generation of table tennis players at the La Vista Rec Center. “One of my students is 10 years old: Joshua played in his first state games [this year] and won his first medal in table tennis. I am so proud of Joshua,” Ziegler said. Ziegler has grown greatly in his many years of practice, evolving from a novice to a strong competitor and even a coach. He works to maintain the legacy of camaraderie between coach and athlete: passing the lessons he was taught on to the next generation, while simultaneously training himself to become the best competitor he can be.
Success in Silver
Custodian Matthew Ziegle r “Ziggy” and friend Joe Br azil pose for a photo after winn ing 2nd place at the Cornhuske r State Games. Brazil and Zie gler have remained close-frie nds after Brazil trained Ziegle r in table tennis.
16 • Sept. 28, 2026
A DUMPLING EMPIRE
Trying Dumpling Empire on 156th and Maple and seeing how it compares to one of my favorite restaurants After the soup, came the soup dumplings, which are exactly what they sound like: Light dumpling dough filled with pork broth, along with ground pork and fresh green onions. I’m not positive how they even get the soup in the dumpling, but it should be considered a work of art. ast October, I found myself a guest of Seattle’s auHowever, when I opened the box, I tumn weather, where I was left windblown and freezing was mildly disappointed at what on a college campus visit. I saw. Two of my dumpDespite a new jacket and lings had ripped open jeans, the cool air seeped on my drive home into my skin and felt like Commonly referred to in English as a “potstickand spilled the it was eternal. I needed er”. It contains either beef or pork mixed with soup. It wasn’t to get warm, and fast. that big of a Right then was when scallions, all envoloped in a thick wrapper to deal; I just my parents and I stumspooned the bled across a Taiwanese get the golden brown finish on the bottom. broth up, fusion dumpling restaubut the fun rant, whose dumplings dumplings were piping hot and seemed to be the only thing that dles, with hand-stretched noodles covered in chili oil of the soup is how you get to sip the soup from brought the color back into my cheeks. over a simple beef broth. My only critique of the soup fault with the Even though I haven’t been back since then, the vi- was that the two beef pieces were a little fatty, and I the top. Probably my own ral spot Din Tai Fung remains one of my favorite restau- was given a lot more noodles than beef. Otherwise, the transport; I didn’t take any points off my ranking here. I thought they were average, but acceptable for me. They rants of all time. I still crave those delicious taste was spectacular. earned a 7/10. soup dumplings that changed my culiThe folnary life. lowing was the However, to my disappan-fried pork pointment, I can’t go back to Sedumplings – Potattle solely for those dumpCommonly referred to in English as a “soup stickers that relings. I needed to find an dumpling”. Pork broth is chilled until it turns mained golden acceptable alternative closand crispy during er to home. So I decided to gelatinous, then is enclosed by a paper-thin wrapthe ten-minute give a new, local restaurant a per. When steamed, the mixture melts back into drive back to my shot. house. They even This led me to Dumpling soup on the inside. remained crispy Empire, which has been open for when I ate them about a year and is located near the next day. Safe to say, I was thoroughly impressed. 156th and Maple. I came with exIt seemed like a perfect choice given The potstickers were served with a semi-sweet, tremely high expectations to see if they my circumstances for the night; I was hunched over would live up to the standards I set a year ago. the kitchen table in my kitchen, bowl of soup in one thick soy sauce glaze, and this made all the difference. I hadn’t ever tasted something similar to this sauce, but I sampled many different entrees from Dumpling hand, and my AP Calculus review sheet in the other. Empire, and after a long look at their menu, I settled on: The warm broth comforted my next-day test anx- now I can’t go back. The sweetness paired marvelously Cucumber salad, chili oil noodles, pork pan-fried dump- iety and played the role of a great study buddy. I rat- with the savory taste of the green-onion and pork mixlings, and their pork xiao long bao (soup dumplings). ed this soup an 8.5/10, earning an extra point for the ture they were filled with. I also added chili oil into the mystery The cucumber salad from Dumpling Empire large portion size. I even got another bowl of it the next sauce for a slight kick, and it was alhad surprised me. From what I remembered of the vi- night, when I was studying AP Psychology. most like the missing puzzle piece ral cucumber salad I tried previously, the balance was to my dumpling problem. I fiperfection. The ratio nally found something that riof cucumbers to the valed my favorite restaurant. sesame and chili oil While I still miss Din really accentuated Commonly referred to in English as a “bao Tai Fung dearly, it’s clear each ingredient. I now have an alternative Dumpling bun”. The dough is fluffy and thick, wrapped option when I find myself Empire’s salad was around a savory filling of sweet barbecued daydreaming about their missing that baldumplings. I recommend ance. I honestly pork, or more traditional pork and cabbage. Dumpling Empire to anyone couldn’t make up llustrations by Nadirah Johnson who wants to find an affordmy mind whether I able, local spot to try authentic liked it or not, just dumplings here in Omaha. because I couldn’t
KATELYN JUDD Co-Editor-in-Chief
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tell what the sauce was made of. The crunch of the cucumbers was extremely satisfying, but it had a little too much fish oil for my liking (or that was what I thought it was?). I rated it a 5/10. The next thing I tried was their beef chili oil noo-
GUOTIE
XIAO LONG BAO
BAOZI
mnhsonline.com • 17
FIRST-TIME WINNER
How senior Hillary Ajavon won the National America Miss Pageant a few months after starting pageantry JANEY RIFFEL Staff Writer
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enior Hillary Ajavon had never thought that she would do pageantry. Like many people, she thought that pageants were only for a specific demographic. This all changed when, unexpectedly, she got a letter earlier this year recruiting her to pageants, detailing that she would do well in the pageant environment. “I actually got a letter in my mailbox earlier this year, and it was basically saying that I could be a good candidate for a pageant,” Ajavon said. At first, Ajavon was shocked. Most people grow up in pageantry, doing it from a young age well into their high school years. Ajavon, on the other hand, was recruited during her junior year.
Giving Back Gratitude
Senior Hillary Avajon stands poised in front of the younger members of the American Muslim Association. She delivers a gratitude address to the children and thanks them for being a major driving force of her success in the pageant industry. Photograph contributed by Hillary Avajon
National America Miss in La Vista from Jul. 31-Aug. 2 was Ajavon’s first-ever pageant, occurring only a few months after her pageantry start. The competition and preparation process was grueling, with the judges noting everything from a participant’s poise, elegance, and even their stage presence. “I mostly had to prepare by myself. I was practicing my walk on our driveway every day, and I was even practicing my smile. We do smile naturally [on the stage], but it easily becomes very uncomfortable when you have to hold it during a whole walk or even a speech. Especially in front of people you’ve never met,” Ajavon said. “I was practicing for a long time, but I was already used to walking in high heels, so I didn’t feel rushed to learn everything.” As part of the competition process, competitors were required to write a speech before the pageant, memorize it, and give it live on the stage. “You don’t necessarily know what type of speech you are going to give, or what type of speech the judges were expecting,” Ajavon said. Ajavon, however, wasn’t completely alone in navigating pageantry, as she had strong family support and a coach to assist in writing her speech. Her community boosted and encouraged her throughout her journey, with her late father being one of the biggest inspirations for her. “[My father was] known for his hard-working character and striving to go higher and higher, which is probably why I also now want to become very successful in life,” Ajavon said. Ajavon carries this idea everywhere she goes, not just in pageantry. She is a competitive wrestler for Millard North, as well as track, and is also involved in the school’s MentorU program, which is how she met Michelle Cox, who is head of MentorU at MN. “I met Hillary last January. One of her friends invited her to come to a MentorU class, and she decided to join. So now I get to see her twice a week,” Cox said. While Cox has only known Ajavon for a few months, she has been able
to get a good grasp on her character and leadership skills. “Hillary is always positive, kind to everyone, and is a natural leader. She wants to help others,” Cox said. Though she remains positive, there are difficulties in the pageant world Avajon wants to change. “Most [modeling] magazines, like just the way they advertise it, they only put a certain type of girl, which is why some people would think, ‘Oh, I’m not fit to do this, but I think they should just be more diverse,” Ajavon said Ajavon loves participating in pageants, and challenges the preconceived idea that pageants are only for a certain type of girl. After all, anyone can do them; all they need is confidence and determination. “If someone is interested in pageants, really just go for it. Shoot your shot. And even if you don’t win the title the first time, the sisterhood is really big in pageants, and you’re not going to be sad at all. You’re going to learn a lot more things. You’re gonna learn more skills,” Ajavon said. She wants to expand the pageant industry, the world of it, and encourage young girls to go after their dreams. Ajavon is currently preparing for college, as well as the upcoming All American Miss Teen pageant in Orlando, FL.
18 • Sports • Mar. 25, 2026
THE SIBLINGS’ STRIDE
Two siblings’ growth in cross-country and how their relationship propels them forward NATHAN YEH Co-Opinions Editor
“It meant a lot, because before that nobody really knew who I was… After medaling at state, that changed — people ushing each other as both teammates and siblings, knew who I was. It put me on the map,” varsity cross-country runners Caleb and Elena Thome Caleb said. Developing as a leader throughout have grown as two amazing competitors with each passing year. Pumped by the arrival of a new season the years and making his mark last year and the victories of the last, excitement has been on at state, Caleb has gained a new perspective. the rise for both siblings. “I’ve been learning how to be someFor sophomore Elena Thome, that means building on her momentum from last season. Establishing one my teammates can look up to and herself as a varsity-caliber runner, she has improved trust. That role has changed me a bit by over two and a half minutes. Helping facilitate her — it’s like having a spotlight on me, so I can’t have moments of slacking off. I algrowth is her brother, senior Caleb Thome. “Back when I was on JV, he told me that if I wanted ways have to be ready,” Caleb said. That minda spot on varsity, set extends I had to earn it. beyond his own That was the motraining. When ment I realized he first saw I couldn’t just his sister’s apcoast anymore—I proach to runhad to push myning, Caleb was self to keep imskeptical. proving every “It’s made day,” Elena said. me realize Head coach there’s more Emily Janda, who than one way has coached both to get better siblings for years, at running. We has watched her have different growth firsthand. coaches during track season “With Elena, with different philosophies, we’d see her putand at first I didn’t trust her ting in mile after approach as much — I prefer mile, but that’s my coach’s training. But since not the same as it works for her too, it showed seeing her actume there isn’t just one right al speed. It was way,” Caleb said. exciting to watch Caleb and Elena help her show up in each other interpret and those 5K races achieve their new goals. Beand do what we ing able to talk to one anothexpected from er about their routines has all that summer encouraged both of them. mileage,” Janda Family in the Fast Lane “Knowing we always have said. Senior Caleb Thome and sophomore Elena Thome each other if things get hard While Elena pose for a photo together after the Platte River Rum— someone to talk to is great. is continuing to ble cross country meet. Both siblings broke a personal He has opinions on what I develop during record at this race, with Caleb placing 7th in the boys should be doing, and I have her first full varvarsity race. opinions on what he should sity season, her Photograph contributed by Caleb Thome be doing, so we give each brother Caleb is other input,” Elena said. excited to perTheir growth over the form for his final year of cross-country. Coming off a state medal finish years has been accelerated by Janda, who has helped last year, he has reflected on the impact of last year’s push them every day. “The athletes I coach have shaped me completely. success.
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Chasing the Clock
Senior Caleb Thome races at the Class of the Metro cross country meet.Thome finished 5th in the varsity race, marking his first varsity medal of the season. Photograph by Lucas Day
Caleb’s fierce dedication makes him a standout among the varsity boys, and Elena proves every day that you don’t need to be loud to be a powerhouse. They show up, push hard, and inspire me—I learn something new from these kids every single season,” Janda said. The pride Caleb and Elena have in each other is clear. “His success makes my family happy, which makes me happy, and it makes me want to improve more. He’s the best on the team, and I want to be one of the best too,” Elena said. As both siblings and teammates, Caleb and Elena have a special bond highlighted by their determination. “They don’t mind being uncomfortable for long periods of time, and that takes a certain grit that I don’t see in everyone — especially not in two people from the same family,” Janda said. “It’s more than being uncomfortable for a moment — it’s pushing yourself to your limits over and over again, and they can do that time and time again.”
mnhsonline.com • 19
TURF TURNS THE TIDE
The softball field gets an upgrade, turning the old dirt to steady turf and benefitting player practice LUCAS DAY Sports Editor
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or most softball players, skidding in the dry dirt, dust clouding your vision, is just another day on the field. Holes, dents and rivets are nothing but minor annoyances to these players – obstacles they’ve grown accustomed to overcoming. By tradition, these dirt softball fields are seen as the classic, the OG, and for years, our softball field kept to this tradition. However, over the years, dirt fields have slowly left the stage as schools abandon conventionality for improved performance. Following this trend, our softball field got a makeover of its own, upgrading from oldschool dirt patches to brand-new turf. Construction on the field began in February and lasted until early August; however, according to athletics director Keith Maly, this project has been in the works for quite some time. “We looked at this project over the course of about 3 years. The Board of Education last year approved the project for all 3 high schools to have the softball and baseball fields turfed,” Maly said. The project involved reconstructing baseball and softball fields across the district, costing around $1.3 million. According to coach Allison Rutherford, the renovation was a well-deserved gift for the softball team. “It was a big district idea, as far as I understand. And you know, we want nicer things, and the girls deserve nicer things… this is one of those things where the district can provide and do something awesome for them,” Rutherford said. Now, the new field looks vibrant compared to what it used to be, smoothly packed and lined in bright colors. But beyond aesthetics, this new turf also has gameplay applications. “The turf is like a cooling turf, so it doesn’t get as hot. It doesn’t have all the black little pieces of tar that are inside of it,” Rutherford said. For an outdoor sport like softball, cooling turf can quite literally change the game. Under the summer sun,
the dirt hardens, making the field tougher and much “I think it’s [playing is] a lot easier mentally. The less forgiving. Surface temperatures can reach over 100 more reps you get, you learn what the turf is, and it degrees, and dust kicks into the air more easily as the doesn’t really change. It’s the same hop every time,” ground dries. However, cooling turf allows the field to Johnson said. remain playable even in dangerously hot temperatures. “Whereas with the dirt, you can have a divot in it, “It [the cooling turf] so you don’t know makes a really big differwhat the hop is ence, especially weathgoing to be. I think er-wise. We can practice just mentally, more outside. The weathyou’re a lot more er doesn’t affect us as confident with much, so it’s really nice… reading the ball and I think you start to and the bat.” get more kids that want With a new to come out for the sport. and improved It changes the game a field, the softball lot,” Rutherford said. team expects to On top of improvcarry these ading practice conditions, vantages with the new field also helps them throughout with the game itself. the season. SeWith freshly compacted nior Sophia Philturf, the game becomes lips hopes these Fresh Field, Fresh Start much more predictable changes will imfor players like junior Lily prove the team The district recently renovated the softball field, Johnson than it was on just in time for turning the previous dirt to new cooling turf. the old, patchy dirt. the state champiThe field’s new turf allows for more vibrant de“With it being dirt, the old field signs and colors compared to the old dirt field. onship. had a lot of unexpected hops, and it “I hope that it Photograph by Lucas Day was also very uneven… I like it [the [the new field] will new field] because it’s really easy to make us all better read the hops, and it’s really comfortable,” Johnson players and help us to prepare for the state champisaid. onship, and I hope we go out and win it all this year,” A major component of the game, being able to read Phillips said. the ball as it hits the ground – or “hops” across the field As the team steps into the upcoming season, the – allows players to anticipate their next move. With new field represents more than just a redecoration. dirt fields, the ball can get caught in small divots and What was once a field marked by dirt, dust and unpreruts, making its motion erratic. However, with even turf, dictability has become a gateway to a fresh start for the ball’s movement is much more predictable, aiding the softball team, changing not just how they play, but gameplay and players’ mental confidence. preparing them for the future.
A snapshot into the mechanisms of cooling turf and how it functions.
Other innovations like reflective infrared fibers and dual-layered fiber systems improve air circulation and reflect sunlight.
HEAT
HEAT to RELIEF
According to Titan Turf, organic infills such as walnut shells and coated sand trap moisture. Once the temperature reaches a certain level, the moisture is released into the air.
mnhsonline.com • 20
MILES APART
Seventh-hour gym classes are splitting teams and creating a loss of community
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Lydia’s Lore
t seems like a perfect plan: school practices getting over sooner, allowing athletes to get home quicker. And getting gym credit for work they’re already doing? It seems ideal… in theory. However, as we have tried implementing this into our sports programs, creating seventh hour classes for many of our sports, the transition has been less than smooth. I have been both in the seventh hour class for cross country (last year) and in the group that runs outside of it (this year), and from what I have seen, the class causes more harm than good for the athletes. In many cases, students have been forced to choose between academics and athletics, and the repercussions of each individual’s choice have fractured the team. And I know cross country is not the only sport affected by this: football, both girls’ and boys’ basketball, and soccer all have seventh hour classes, and swim has a fifth hour. Teams warm up and run drills together for a reason: team cohesion plays a large role, even in individual performances. A study by Penn State’s Department of Applied School Psychology found that team cohesion could largely predict individual performances: groups with a greater social attraction increased individual performance. Being separated creates limited opportunity for competition and growth, as you can only work with and against athletes in your time frame, not the team as a whole. You lose out on the ability to push one another when you are not together. Splitting a team causes athletes at similar levels to lose out on the ability to improve and challenge one another. And for sports where the athletes leave campus, like cross country, even more cohesiveness is lost. By the time the after-school athletes are done warming up,
LYDIA HARLOW Co-Editor-in-Chief
Jock Talk Do you find the seventh hour sports class to be valuable?
Klaire Levy Senior
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Soccer
I do [find the seventh hour beneficial] because then we have time after school to do homework and stuff, so we’re less stressed.
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the seventh-hour students can be, literally, miles ahead. against academies they had been previously considerAthletes left behind don’t feel like part of the same ing, because they wanted to be able to get the most out team: they may be unified in name, but, at least from of their sport; their choice makes sense, but it’s not a my experience in cross country, it is essentially two en- choice students should be forced to make. tirely separate teams who happen to compete together. As student athletes, we should not be expected to And from my experience, the team sacrifice academics simply to be a part of the team. aspect is what makes sports truly It puts people who want to pursue more rigor enjoyable. Being able to spend in their schedules at a disadvantage: we STUDENTS REthat time together and build should be encouraging student-athCEIVE GYM CREDIT that community is critical lete balance and taking academics FOR THEIR SPORT. to healthy athletic purseriously; instead, it feels like suits, and its absence we are expected to discard acis greatly felt. ademic rigor in order to get STUDENTS CAN GO HOME FROM SCHOOL Of the female EARLIER, LEAVING MORE TIME FOR HOME- the same opportunities as athletes who didn’t our teammates. WORK, JOBS, AND OTHER ACTIVITIES. take the cross Matters are only made country class last more complicated when year, every one multi-sport athletes are STUDENTS GET EXTRA TIME TO DO DRILLS, quit mid-season, taken into account. It is WARMUPS, WORKOUTS, AND MORE. in large part due difficult enough at baseto that lack of line to juggle multiple team camaraderie Out of 87 cross country students sports and school, but and cohesiveness. when it is expected for you IN THE CLASS 74% So, the solution to be taking 8 semesters of seems to be to simply gym within your 4 years of OUTSIDE THE CLASS 26% have everyone take the high school, it leaves not much class. However, not everyroom for other interests. Furtherone has that capamore, winter sports, such bility: some people as basketball, begin their are in academies A look into a few benefits of the 7th hour class, and a look into students in a class in the first semesseventh hour sports class versus not in the class or classes held ter, at the same time as only during sevfall sports. enth hour, such as upper-level classes, or even freshI do agree that the seventh-hour classes are very man band; some want to continue an interest track beneficial in some regards: they allow students to have they have (such as art, foods, engineering, journalism, more time for homework and other commitments. Ador music) and simply run out of space in their schedule. ditionally, it gives athletes gym credit for the work they MN offers tons of unique opportunities for each are already doing, but that credit could be given in othstudent to customize their high school experience and er ways. focuses, but asking student-athletes to sacrifice at least For one, these gym classes could be moved to an one semester a year for a sport drastically diminishes eighth hour. This would allow students to get credit, the value of these other opportunities: a large propor- and because it is only required to have 7 classes, stution of the student population is now almost unable to dents could choose to take an hour off, allowing them take them. to have the exact same amount of time for homework I personally know multiple students who dropped as they would otherwise, just before or during school challenging classes they were excited for, or decided hours instead of after.
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SEVENTH HOUR BREAKDOWN
Preston Lea Sophomore
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Football
I like how it’s a seventh hour class, because you still get PE credits, and you can do what you love more.
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Allison Bell Freshman
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Cross Country
I like it [cross country class] because school’s a lot, and we just do our normal practice and workout of the day.
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Ryan Dyas Junior
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Basketball
[I prefer basketball in] seventh hour for sure. It’s better to have it during the day, because you can get more stuff done, and I like going home earlier.
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