Not all superheroes wear capes. But some of them can be identified by the cleaning supplies they carry with them. With spray bottles aimed like laser guns, floor scrubbing machines as their trusty steeds, and vacuums maneuvered like spears, custodians are among the school’s essential staff members.
But currently, our heroes are in the fight of their lives, facing off against an oppressive opponent in the form of a staffing shortage.
Over the past few years, the burden carried by custodial staff has increased exponentially, especially during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
“[It has increased] two-fold. During the height of the pandemic, I think [the custodial staff’s] responsibilities tripled. But even after COVID started going down, it still adds to their duties since they needed to take disinfecting surfaces into account,” Damon Sutton, District Manager of Environmental and Custodial Services, said.
Currently, MN’s list of custodial staff is the smallest in the MPS district, with 11 full-time workers, though a pattern of custodial staff shortages is apparent in schools across the city, state, and nation.
“Everybody [across the city] is actively trying to recruit employees. When you look at high schools, Millard North has a shortage due to staff resignations and some other factors,” Sutton said.
While the pandemic did cause many complications with staffing, it was its effects that ultimately played a major role in MN’s current shortage of custodial staff.
“I think COVID played a part in it, but I don’t think it’s a major factor. The part that the pandemic has played in it is by throwing the economy into a tailspin. That kind of trickled down into [custodial] jobs and positions,” Sutton said.
While the custodians put in their best efforts, they also have a significant amount of work cut out for them due to the staff shortage as well as the size of the school and its student body.
“In general, our custodians empty trash, vacuum, and clean up the whiteboards of every classroom daily. This is in addition to all the trash and vacuuming of the hallways and setting up and tearing down for events,” principal Aaron Bearinger said.
The limited custodial staff is only able to do so much in the limited amount of time available to them after everyone clears out of school.
“With Millard North being the most affected by the custodial staff shortage, it does have an impact on detailed cleaning and getting to all areas of the school. But North has done a great job because when you walk into that building, you don’t really notice it right off the bat,” Sutton said.
However, the results of this shortage affect everyone in the school, including students and teachers. For example, the music and performing arts wing currently lacks an assigned custodian.
“Since [the multipurpose room] is a very high-use room with forensics, orchestra, show choir, and more, the floor gets pretty dirty and beat up. But I would say the biggest difficulties are for the current custodian team. They are stretched so thin and when I need something done, they are quick to respond, but it adds more work to their load,” forensics director Sabrina Denney Bull, who spends much of her day in that wing, said.
However, the impact that this shortage has on the custodial staff is much more personal. Not only does this lack of staff contribute to the custodial staff’s workload, but it also can have a severe psychological toll.
ers and staff hope that students will begin to recognize the custodians’ diligent efforts.
“As evidenced by the mess that students leave in the lunchrooms, hallways, restrooms, and classrooms, our custodians are gravely under-appreciated by some students. I would love to see more love and appreciation given to them by our students,” Beautification Club sponsor Amy Roberts said.
By taking care of their space, students can minimize the strain their actions place on the already overworked custodians. For example, Sutton believes that when students stay for long periods of time after school has ended or in the
A custodian wipes down tables after lunch multiple lunch periods. The custodial team works around the clock to clean up after 2,400 students.
“I think at the height of COVID, both emotional and physical stress, as well as burnout, were significant. Even last year, we had a lot of overtime due to staff members being out during COVID. I think that this has lessened, but there are still some folks still experiencing stress. North is not immune to that,” Sutton said.
District administrators have been busy brainstorming and implementing solutions to this pressing problem. For the short term, they have implemented temporary workers to supplement full-time staff.
Currently, many students are unaware of the custodial staffing situation, but teach-
stadium after a football game, it makes custodians unable to do their job until those people leave.
“Anyone, not just students, can help out by picking up trash and throwing it away. We can make sure we are putting trash in the proper bins and taking pride in making our school look clean,” Bearinger said.
Though the pandemic has put us through trying times, the world has come out stronger and wiser. But now, more than ever, it is time to appreciate those who make students’ learning safe and secure — our silent superheroes.
Workplaces see the come-and-go of employees and staff as workplace common grounds change
Workplaces are changing, but what’s driving this shift?
• Working conditions are improving and developing.
• Communication over long-distance is improving.
Although custodian shortages stick out like a sore thumb at Millard North, multiple other jobs in the workforce suffer from a similar plight. In terms of turnovers, custodial jobs have it especially hard with a 200% turnover rate in the industry.
The construction industry has over 338,000 vacancies, with around 62% of contractors having difficulty finding skilled workers.
The hospital industry is predicted to be short by 139,000 workers by 2032. Currently, the industry is already short by over 90,000 workers.
The truck-driving industry is short by over 80,000 drivers, and is expected to be short by more than 160,000 drivers by 2030.
8% of teachers leave their profession every year, and this can even be noticed at MN as teachers fill in and sub for unmanned classes.
Information forbes.comsources: & yale.edu.
• Working from outside of the office is possible with little repercussion.
• Employees, staff, and admin take mental health and safety much more seriously than in the past.
“People leave because it’s a lot. [Many] people are joining and leaving [the workplace] right now. We [are] so [shortstaffed].”
Sophomore Gabe DeLeon, who works at Chick-fil-A
“We have had a lot of understaffing and we’ve been overworked. We needed more workers so they have had to hire a lot [more] people recently for that.“
Senior Spencer Siebe-Walles, who works at Walmart
The term ‘Turnover Rate’ refers to the amount of employees that leave a company over a certain period of time. This percentage is important in order to understand the costs and workplace defecits caused by high turnover rates.
The equation used to find Turnover Percentage:
Interim Huskers football head coach Mickey Joseph arrested for alleged domestic violence (Nov. 30)
B Coordinator Rhonda Betzold sits down in her office in September of this year and opens her computer to find an email from principal Aaron Bearinger about taking over as the National Honors Society (NHS) sponsor. She declines.
something good on your resume, but that you actually care about helping people out,” Mock said.
Other than the new leadership in place to both instill and follow these values, a few other things have changed.
Four cheetah cubs born at the Wildlife Safari Park cheetah breeding facility. 29 cheetah cubs have been born at the Safari Park since 2014. (Nov. 4) New York City mayor Eric Adams appoints Sheena Wright as the first Black woman to serve as the city’s First Deputy Mayor (Dec. 6)
Hawaii volcano Mauna Loa joins Kilauea’s eruption– the first dual eruption since 1984. (Nov 27)
WORLD NEWS
Elon Musk warns of possible Twitter bankruptcy after purchasing the social media platform for $44 billion (Dec 10)
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky named TIME magazine’s Person of the Year (Dec 7)
In mid-October, however, she changed her mind: “I was debating about it. I decided not to do it because it is a lot of work, but I just kept coming back to it. And then we didn’t have a sponsor, so I finally decided to do it,” Betzold said.
As both the IB Coordinator and the new NHS sponsor, Betzold is figuring out how to solidify the ground beneath her feet– adding on an additional 130 students from NHS to the 94 IB students she already assists.
“I wanted to broaden my conversations and relationships with students. And I understand the way high-achieving students work, that’s been my primary audience as a teacher and as the IB coordinator, so [being the NHS sponsor] felt like a natural fit,” Betzold said.
As the NHS sponsor, Betzold is in charge of organizing specific volunteer activities, organizing and holding monthly meetings, keeping track of volunteer hours, recommending students for scholarship opportunities, and more.
But Betzold isn’t the only one in a new leadership position this year. Senior Lila Mock is the NHS secretary starting this year.
“I help alongside our president and vice president, we help organize the volunteer activities that everyone is required to do. And we also help with the meetings that we have each month and let [the students of NHS] know what’s going on,” Mock said.
Being in NHS, especially in a leadership position, is about more than just college scholarships. It’s about the students and the impact the program has on the rest of their lives.
“[In order to be a part of NHS] they have to, obviously, care about the community and volunteering. It’s important to not just do it because you want to have
“Last year we didn’t have much involvement due to the sponsors being busy, but we had more volunteer opportunities. This year we haven’t really done anything yet, but I’m hoping to get out into the field more,” senior Lauren Vierregger said.
Senior Libby Meade feels similarly. As the new Vice President of NHS, she hopes to add more service in the community and build stronger relationships between new and returning members.
“Last year we didn’t have many meetings or do much outside of bell ringing and induction, so this year we will be more engaged and purposeful throughout the rest of the year,” Meade said.
For like-minded students, Betzold plans on doing just that.
“I would love to do more meaningful service projects as a group, in order to instill a life-long love of volunteerism and service into our MNHS students,” Betzold said.
Along with the other new changes, NHS has seen an influx in student acceptances this year, reflecting their goals to help more students set up lasting and impactful futures, as well as friendships. Among some of the returning seniors is Sanika Navalkar.
“I’m happy about the larger number of students admitted this year. Millard North is such a diverse and talented school, we have a lot of great students in each grade. NHS can only become better with more high-achieving students being able to showcase their full potential,” Navalkar said.
This is Navalkar’s second year in NHS. As she navigates through her final year of high school and the early stages of college, she’s thankful for the opportunity to bond with other students through community service and school-wide events that NHS provides.
“[With the] new sponsor, our regularly scheduled plans are changing– which is exciting. I look forward to seeing what the NHS has in store for our service this year,” Navalkar said.
New NHS sponsor Rhonda Betzold implements small changes to the society
Using a new app, Track It Forward, to track members’ service hours
Implementing a spring service project in addition to the December service project
Increased the number of students accepted from 110 to 137
The average U.S. NHS chapter contributes 1,000 hours of service; $26,000 in donations; 1,000 pounds of food to varying causes; and 100 pints of blood. Source: nhs.us
Will begin the application process in May rather than September
Leading up to their debut, show choir members have been drilling choreography and memorizing lyrics since the first week of school, while directors work behind the scenes to perfect small details. Along with the stage crew and show band, each person does their part to ensure they perform their best on Dec. 13.
As the director of choral activities, Megan Swain has countless duties leading up to Debut Night, ranging from teaching notes and rhythms to arranging the schedules. Swain co-directs the varsity show choir Infinity alongside Sam Tomas, and oversees logistics for both Illumination and Intensity.
In order to keep each show choir running smoothly, communication between all of the directors is key. Swain meets up often with Intensity director Nathan Wallace and Illumination director Allie Hoffmann during the school year to bounce ideas off of each other to improve their shows.
“We’re constantly finding inspiration for our shows because we’re sitting around for hours on end watching show choirs perform during the competition season,” Swain said.
Throughout nine years of directing show choir and competition season approaching, Swain’s students have taught her how it’s important to cheer on the people around you, regardless of competition.
“There’s no reason to be rude to those who you’re
competing against because we’ve all worked really hard to create these beautiful shows,” Swain said.
With Debut Night around the corner, senior and co-captain of Infinity Deana Nguyen works at keeping up morale between her peers. Nguyen has been in show choir since the seventh grade, trying out on a whim because her friend needed an audition partner.
“I had no clue what show choir was, but I just figured I would do my friend a favor and audition with her. So by accident it’s been a part of my life for five years,” Nguyen said.
Infinity is the varsity mixed group that’s different from the other two groups. While Intensity and Illumination performances focus on a theme, Infinity’s performances act out like a play. This year Infinity’s show will be based on the story of ‘Pompeii.’
“This story stands out to me because it doesn’t glamorize death, but instead makes it beautiful in a way. It leaves the audience wondering what their own legacy is,” Nguyen said.
Besides show choir, members of Infinity are involved in many activities, including the musical and marching band during the first half of the fall. For members involved in those activities, attending show choir practice on top of it could cause stress.
“A lot of our musical members got really tired and stressed out because they had to go from musical rehearsal right to show choir practice, which can be really difficult,” Nguyen said.
As a captain, Nguyen has the responsibility to keep
Beatiful Ballad:
Sophomore Jennifer Bonge sings a solo during Illumination’s ballad, Both Sides Now. Bonge plays the part of a mother.
Photograph by Rebecca Jacobsen
Freshman Cadence Fritz helps freshman Parker Smith with the “wings” on her costume. Both are in Intensity, the prep show choir which is doing a show based on the story of Icarus, whose wings melted off when he flew too close to the sun. Photograph by Rebecca Jacobsen
spirits up within the group during this busy season. She and the other captains often send out positive messages to the group when morale is low. Through encouraging pep talks and answering choreography questions, Nguyen and the other captains work together to ease the stress of their members.
Sophomore and dance captain of Illumination Grace Van Reisen takes the lead in rehearsals and makes sure no member is left behind. She and the other dance captains often record videos of them practicing the choreography if members are confused by certain moves.
“It’s really important to me that every member is confident in what they’re doing. Me and the other dance captains try to guide everyone in the right direction and always strive to improve every single rehearsal,” Reisen said.
This year, Illumination’s performance will be based on the movie Freaky Friday. Half of the members will be playing the character of the mother and the other half will be playing the character of the daughter, telling their story through the music.
“This concept stands out to me because it has a deeper meaning. It shows that in relationships it’s important to communicate because you never know what the other person is going through,” Reisen said.
While show choir members focus on memorization and making final touches to their performances, their directors are leading them along the way. Each person in the show choir program is doing their part for their upcoming debut.
Junior Emma Rhode dances to Lovely Day during the Feel Good Medley with Infinity. “I love how smooth it (Feel Good Medley) is, it’s so vibey and has a lot of soul to it,” Rhode said.
Photograph by Rebecca Jacobsen
EMILY SCHMUCKER Staff Writer
What makes you feel alive? At peace? Energized? Senior Eshaan Giri feels all of this and more when he plays the cello.
“It’s like visual art. It’s a way to express my ideas, it’s a way to express my emotions, it’s a way to de-stress,” Giri said.
From a young age, music has had a strong and impactful hold on Giri’s life. Since the age of five, Giri has been composing music on both the cello and piano.
“I’ve always had a passion for music. It’s a way to express ideas I just can’t use words for,” Giri said.
For the past ten years, Giri has been persistently dragging his bow across his cello to create deep, rich music. Music that has taken him far and wide across the nation.
So far, Giri’s efforts have paid off, as he was selected for the All-State Orchestra Ensemble. From there, he met the highest criteria and was chosen to participate in the All-National Honor Ensemble Symphony Orchestra in Washington, D.C.
“I practiced the audition excerpt for 10 or 11 hours, I was practicing everyday,” Giri said.
The road to All-Nationals was lengthy and difficult. Giri was given his music a couple of months in advance in order to prepare for the conference. Each participant was expected to have their music learned and perfected by the time of All-Nationals.
“Everyone had their own individual parts down. The purpose of rehearsal is for everyone to learn how to play as a group,” Giri said.
At All-Nationals, Giri spent the majority of his time rehearsing with some of the most talented orchestra students in the country. During the three day conference, rehearsing took up to 6-8 hours per day. The students ended the conference with an ensemble performance to showcase their skills.
“Playing a solo is nice, but playing with an ensemble is even better because then it’s an added element of a collaborative experience. You’re all making this music together, you’re all contributing to this one idea together in a fashion that nothing ever compares to,” Giri said.
Currently, Giri has an active role in the orchestra. His musical talent and admired enthusiasm makes him a great cello section leader.
“My job is to make sure our sectionals are as productive as they can be, so that when we come back into the full orchestra, everything runs smoothly, ” Giri said.
As a cello section leader, Giri is responsible for guiding rehearsals, figuring out what needs working on, and determining how the group is going to improve.
“He really helps push the cello section to perform at a higher level than a lot of other school orchestras,” senior Noelle Whitbeck said.
Giri’s hard work and dedication has not gone unnoticed. Others around him see the positive impact he has on the rest of his community.
“He is very persistent, he loves music, and he enjoys working with other people. Those three qualities just really help his drive for success,” orchestra director Debbie Martinez said.
In the foreseeable future, Giri envisions himself continuing to play and prioritize music in his life– ready to see where else his music will take him.
Giri has dabbled in a variety of music throughout his life, including composing music, playing piano, singing, and even playing the electric cello and being a vocalist in MN’s marching band show
Giri sits in his seat with his cello before the All-Nationals concert. “I think the most fun [song] was the last piece we played, it was called Rhapsody For Orchestra by Yuzo Toyama. It was a really powerful piece and a really fun kind of piece. We were just all going for it,” Giri said.
Photograph contributed
Eshaan Giri
ver a million Taylor Swift fans anxiously logged into their computers the morning of November 15, hoping to secure tickets to the highly anticipated Eras Tour. These lucky fans had been granted access to the Verified Fan pre-sale, which served to ensure fans got tickets over bots and scalpers. While fans expected to quickly select the best seats they could find and check out, most of their days could not have gone more differently.
Shoppers were met with challenges including multihour queues, site crashes, glitches, and a total delay of sales. Ticketmaster cited “unprecedented demand” and subsequent site traffic as the reason for this plethora of issues, although fans were quick to point out that, being the ones who sent out the pre-sale codes, Ticketmaster should have known exactly how many people to expect. When the tickets were finally available to buy, they went quickly. By that evening, seats were few and far between. After the next day’s Capital One pre-sale, they were practically gone.
Fans who were unable to purchase tickets on Tuesday, or who were not granted access to pre-sale, set their hopes on Friday’s general sale, anxiously awaiting access to the next round of tickets. Unfortunately, on Thursday night, Ticketmaster announced that they had canceled
the sale, due to “insufficient remaining ticket inventory”.
These events left fans feeling let down and frustrated, and they quickly took to social media to voice their disappointment, saying the user experience was terrible and the outcome disheartening. Even Taylor Swift herself shared a statement via Instagram stating that the situation was unacceptable, as Ticketmaster had assured her they could handle the demand.
“How could this possibly have gone so poorly?” Some may ask. The answer is simple. Since merging with their parent company, Live Nation, Ticketmaster has had virtually no competition in their industry, meaning they don’t have to be innovative, constantly finding new ways to offer the best service possible, in order to keep their customers. In simple terms, they have a monopoly.
For this reason, the situation has drawn the attention of many politicians, including members of congress, and the Department of Justice has launched an investigation on Live Nation. Their goal is to determine whether or not the company has abused its power in the music industry by failing to provide an acceptable experience for customers and performers.
While the date of the hearing has yet to be announced, one can assume it will deal heavily with antitrust law, a collection of (largely) federal laws that dictate how businesses conduct and organize themselves, and aims to promote competition. . With antitrust laying the
groundwork for the decision, this case has the potential to be highly influential in the ticket industry, affecting not only Swifties, but anyone who enjoys attending concerts.
As a whole, the ticketing industry is in desperate need of reform. Exceptionally long waits, extremely stressful buying experiences, and skyrocketing prices aren’t acceptable in almost any other industry, so why should they be tolerated when it comes to ticketing?
The best thing for both artists and fans would be to have an alternative service provider. If consumers had more options, they could choose the company that would work best for them. Additionally, the competition would motivate companies to provide the best services possible, potentially at lower prices, in order to secure more customers.
While discussion regarding Ticketmaster’s practices has been going on for a while, the Taylor Swift situation, while unfortunate, has proved to be the catalyst we needed to finally inspire some sort of real change. Perhaps, the immense coverage of the situation will inspire someone to come up with a more innovative way to sell tickets. In the current market, a new company may have a fighting chance against Ticketmaster, perhaps even overtaking them in popularity, similar to how Zoom took down Skype.
With the fate of the ticketing industry up in the air, only time will tell where we go from here.
HOW
“They’re very valuable... they always have a message that you’ve never heard before, so it exposes you to something new.”
“They’re not very important and I don’t think I’ll remember them.”
“I feel like a lot of teachers give a lot of books to read and dig too deep into them... But they’re good for the class.”
“I don’t think they’re totally pointless but I don’t really remember anything from them.”
In the course of my high school career, I have read about nine books, countless poems and short stories, and three or so independent reading project books for my English classes.
A similar problem lies in Kurt Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse-Five. Taught in schools across the country, it contains thought-provoking, anti-war themes and ideas about predestination and free will.
However, the book is simply not well-written. Slaughterhouse-Five is written in a non-linear style which only serves to jar the reader from any semblance of plot. The characters are not developed and not relatable beyond displaying the most primal or weak aspects of humanity.
Just because a book considered a “classic” may have a realistic portrayal of life, that doesn’t give it an excuse to forgo the aspects of “truth” and “beauty.” In addition, being well-written and having “high artistic quality” are positive characteristics of books, but having those characteristics doesn’t make it a good thing for them to instill hopelessness and despair through their message.
Rebecca Jacobsen Co-Editor-in-Chief
Reflecting on these readings, however, I have come to realize that there is a problem with some of them: their demoralizing qualities are mistaken for the makings of a classic. Instead of promoting messages and positive role models that students can follow, these books tend to present immoral characters and ambiguous ideals.
Take, for example, 1984 by George Orwell. I am well aware it is considered a dystopian classic, constantly referenced when discussing the action of any of today’s authorities. Considering this, I was excited to finally read it for my AP Lang class.
But, in reading the book, I grew more and more disappointed as I was immersed in a dreary world in which there was no hope for the protagonist, who desperately tries to cling to the truth in a truthless society. He was betrayed and he betrayed others. He faltered and gave up in the face of torture.
For me, this was terrible to read. 1984 gave me glimpses of hope in the moments when the protagonist found love, allies, and bravery. But these were eventually obscured by the gray clouds of defeat, and what the author seemed to be telling me was, no matter how hard you try or what assets humanity has, you will still fail against the inhumanity of corrupt powers.
Now, books don’t have to have a stereotypical happy ending every time. They can leave you with sad or uneasy feelings. Having difficult endings to stories can also provide thought-provoking discussion, as is the goal of most English classes.
But, “stories are by nature didactic,” as children’s book author Mitali Perkins said. “Didactic” is defined as “intended to teach, particularly in having moral instruction as an ulterior motive,” by Oxford Languages.
So what did 1984 teach me? Perhaps the importance of who is in charge of writing history, or the slippery slope that is censorship. Or maybe (and this is the idea the book left me with) it was that human nature can never prevail against a totalitarian government. I don’t know about you, but I think that’s a pretty messed-up lesson to ingrain in a bunch of high schoolers.
In addition to this, the novel’s only message is that of the meaninglessness of life. It overrides any idea of free will to tell the reader that all life is predestined.
But rather than putting any optimistic spin on this perspective or simply portraying it as an intriguing idea, it shows us this means there is no point in the actions we take, whether good or bad. Again, this is an incredibly demoralizing lesson, especially for teenagers who are supposed to be the future of the world.
Both 1984 and Slaughterhouse-Five are considered “classics” across America. A classic is defined as “a work of enduring excellence” by the Merriam-Webster Dictionary.
This has led me to ask, who decides what makes a book a classic? Beyond that, what qualifies a book to be placed on the required reading list? Why do we read the books we do in high school?
According to the Millard Curricu lum and Instruction Facilitator for 6-12 Language Arts, Jan Dahlgaard, cur riculum adoption occurs every sev en years. Every cycle, teacher teams present potential texts (both fiction and nonfiction) and narrow them down based on a “balance of themes, author diversity, publishing dates, etc.”
Then a number of people including teachers, community members and ad ministrators, read and review each book on the list. A form is then sent out to those individuals to determine the final books on the list.
This is all a reasonable process. However, after looking at only two examples of our required reading, why are better books not chosen? One of the reasons may be be cause society does not define the “classics” properly.
Looking at another definition of “classic,” according to refer ence website ThoughtCo.com, “Classic literature is an expres sion of life, truth, and beauty. It must be of high artistic quality, at least for the time in which it was written.”
So, what can be done about these required reading books? First, understand that I don’t believe that all “classics” should be erased from required reading lists. There can still be benefit from discussion of their themes and the social and cultural aspects of the time during which they were written.
However, I also don’t believe these classics should be placed on such a high pedestal. The first step to improving our reading lists is considering and acknowledging what these books are actually teaching students as they read them. Do these texts immerse the reader in a negative message about life? Do they promote unethical characters?
The next step would be to explore new options to start placing on the required reading list. They don’t necessarily have to replace the old books. They can even still be what is widely considered a “classic.” Just to add them Source: thoughtco.com,
How can we help ensure that every student gets food on their table?Photograph by Jack Durkan
For most people around the world, food is a source of joy. Through food, we connect with our culture and build relationships with one another. We eat when we are happy, during celebrations, and cook the food we enjoy for the people we love. However, many individuals in the Omaha community do not have the privilege of enjoying food in this way due to food insecurity issues. According to the Douglas County Health Department, 100,810 people, roughly 12.5% of people in the Omaha-council Bluffs area, struggle with getting enough food on their tables.
“It could be any family that struggles to go to the grocery store and provide food for their family on a weekly basis,’’ school social worker Peggy Breard said, describing what MPS defines as food insecurity.
These problems exist in our community for several reasons, ranging from a lack of low-income housing in Millard to the aftermath of COVID.
“The Omaha and Council Bluffs area simply does not have enough quality affordable housing to meet the need,” Omaha Community Foundation, the first charitable bank for philanthropists in Omaha and Iowa, said on their website.
Reduced housing and other in-cash housing assistance help alleviate the housing cost burden for low-income families. The lack of this affordable housing can make it very difficult for families to put enough money towards food when they have a large chunk of their paychecks going towards the house payment.
The consequences of COVID have also contributed to the rise in food insecurity in Millard. Causing an increase in food prices, the pandemic made it difficult for many low-income families to buy enough to eat.
For this reason, many families opt for free or reduced lunches. Over the years, the percentage of families in these affordable lunch programs has increased due to the lack of enough food for students at home.
“I’ve been in the district since 2007, and when I started, Millard North’s free and reduced lunch percentage was 6% or somewhere in that area, and now we’re up to 22%,” Breard said.
Some families don’t qualify for reduced lunch, as they don’t meet the federal poverty guidelines. However, this did not prove a barrier for families last school year, as the United States Department of Agriculture provided free school lunches for every student.
“It wasn’t a stigma to say you had free and reduced lunch, or it wasn’t something that your family had to apply for,” Breard said.
Hunger can have many effects on the body, and these struggles could be even worse for students who also have the stress of school. According to the American Youth Policy Forum, when youth are constantly hungry, it weakens their muscles, bones, and other internal organs.
Brain development relies heavily on proper nutrition and determines a person’s social behavior, language development, decision-making skills, and learning.
46% of children from low-income families who experience hunger perform poorly academically compared to their peers.
Not knowing when they might get their next meal can cause various psychological issues, including anxiety and depression. The physical and psychological effects that hunger causes directly affect a student’s academic performance and esteem.
It’s clear to see that the lack of sufficient food supply has caused devastating results. As for the future, with the rise of food prices, food insecurity is predicted to grow in the following years. Food banks will play a crucial role in providing food security for many families in the community.
Students are encouraged to remember what their friends and classmates may be going through at home. For those struggling with these difficulties, it’s highly encouraged to self-advocate and reach out for help in any way they can.
Food remains a connector for individuals in our community, and food insecurity is a societal problem that has increased in the past few years. Food banks throughout the community, including MN’s food pantry, will play a crucial role in providing food security and connections for those in need in the coming years.
Food Bank for the Heartland
Volunteer at the pantry
• sort donated products
• repackage fresh and bulk-donated products
The Salvation Army
Pack the Pantry
• organize donated food and stock shelves
help provid lunch to work in food trucks
Become a Food Helper
• help consumers with making food choices
• become a lunch or dinner meal server at the Lydia House Army food to trucks
•
•
School Join volunteer clubs
• Interact Club
• Unicef
ccording to the Nebraska Legislation, 16.7% of children in Nebraska are Food Insecure. That is about 80,000 children. These children lack consistent food and generally have to sacrifice something in order to guarantee they have food. For example, a student might have to exchange medicine for food. Millard North alone has 19 students who are experiencing food insecurity and receive aid from Millard North with free or reduced lunches.
“Those folk who applied were at 6% in 2007, and today, in 2022, it’s at 22%. So we’ve seen an increase of 16% of people who qualify for free and reduced lunch,” MN social worker Peggy Breard said.
With the increasing number of students with food insecurities, it is crucial to ensure that each kid has access to food. This is a problem that many schools are trying to solve. Free and reduced lunches were only the start. The MN Food Pantry is another resource MNHS provides, ensuring students have access to food for the weekend.
“[MN food pantry] is currently housed in what used to be a utility closet. We have non-perishable items in there that are used for students in need here at Millard North,” Breard said.
The Food Pantry has multiple shelves filled with pasta, canned meat, canned vegetables, and snacks. Due to most of the food in the pantry being non-perishable, even at a time when donations aren’t coming in, the pantry doesn’t need to be dependent on getting new food. This ensures a consistent food supply.
Each student receives about two meals and a handful of snacks for the weekend. The food given depends on the supply of the week and does not consist of anything that must be refrigerated. Thus students are not always able to receive nutritious foods.
“I usually stock a canned tuna or canned chicken breast, and then I try to pair that with something you can make a meal out of. So that they have a meal that they can prepare,” Breard said.
Sometimes Breard can pack meals, while other
times, she can only pack snacks. So, to ensure a stable source of donations, monthly donations come from Rejoice Lutheran Church and Steadfast Bible study.
“Rejoice Lutheran Church is one of our churches. So they donate in September, November, and January. Then we work with Steadfast Bible Study, and they donate on the opposite months. So I get a delivery about once a month,” Breard said.
Students and their families can also receive help from the Mobile Food Pantry, partnered with Millard Public Schools, which is a resource that offers a monthly food supply.
“Millard Public Schools contracts with the Food Bank for the Heartland to provide a mobile food pantry in the Millard area. The food is pre-packaged for pick up, and it is delivered to our site located at the Ron Witt building - 13737 Industrial Rd,” Abby Bjornsen said.
The mobile food pantry offers produce, bread, and dry pantry items for approximately 90 families monthly. By doing this, Food Bank for the Heartland and Millard Public School are able to certify that no student has to worry about food more than their studies.
Though there are organizations like the Food Bank for the Heartland, it is still not enough. It is important as an individual with the privilege of having a secure source of food to donate and help the students and families who don’t have that security.
ou are bent over your desk in class, struggling to focus, and your stomach growls loudly as you wonder whether or not there will be food on your table tonight.
This is the reality of a student- part of the one in ten people in the midwest- who struggles with food insecurity.
Last year, Senior James Wilson* was one of these people, as well as a student who needed to use the MN food pantry during a difficult time in his life last Spring.
“We were going through a divorce, and for a while, my dad wasn’t supporting us as he should’ve been,” Wilson said. “We were going through sometimes two to three weeks without having what we needed to eat.”
Wilson’s mom called the school during this time of need and discovered the food pantry. With School Social Worker Peggy Breard, Wilson was able to arrange a confidential way to pick up his food bag in the office.
“I do like the way we were able to get the food out,” Wilson said. “So we wouldn’t be able to be seen by other people.”
Students often don’t like using the food pantry or asking for help because it can be difficult.
“It’s really hard to ask for help. Regardless of what kind of help it is, for many people, it is a pride thing. They don’t want other people to see them. They don’t want other people to know,” Breard said.
This was originally the case for Wilson when the idea of going to the food pantry was introduced to him.
“I was a little nervous to use it because it was kind of, not demeaning, but having to ask for help is some-
Peggy Breard, school social worker, works to organize meal packages for students to pick up at the end of the day.
Photograph by Jack Durkan
times really hard, especially where you go to school,” Wilson said.
Wilson’s difficulties did not stop at having little to no food to eat. The circumstances that led to his situation were also taking a toll on him.
“Seeing my mom in a troubled time-- having her being a single mom now, no job, on disability, having to find something to feed her family… seeing that stressful stuff on her, that was probably the most difficult part, not the aspect of going to the food pantry, but seeing the strain it put on my mom,” Wilson said.
However, the food pantry provided him with stability and a place to find food.
“It gave me a sense of security that I was able to get some help. I was very thankful that we had something like that at Millard North to help students,” Wilson said. “Especially people like me when we were in that situation.”
Today, Wilson no longer uses the food pantry but is thankful for the impact it had on his life.
“I’m thankful that we were able to get out of that foxhole-- not having to use it anymore-- but it is a really good resource that we have here,” Wilson said.
Wilson doesn’t want the use of the food pantry to become stigmatized, as it’s a source of help for many people across the school.
“I don’t want ppl to look at it like it’s something bad because a lot of people really do need it,” Wilson said. “It saves people, in a way.”
*name has been changed
Experiencing food insecurity at younger ages can lead to a higher risk of going through developmental delays and have a negative effect on motor skills. The stress and mental toll that comes with mental health can also lead to changes in development regarding memory function and psychosocial.
Food insecurity can be a result of low income/unemployment, or lack of access to healthcare and housing. Because nutritional foods can be more expensive, individuals may not be able to actively and consistently make healthy choices. Cheaper foods generally have higher quantities of sugar and salt which can be harmful to a person’s health. Individuals who are food insecure have an increased risk (by 2 or 3 times) of getting type 2 diabetes.
ACP students help organize and shelve food in the food pantry to help the student body at Millard North. They help ensure that all students are able to meet their needs, lead healthy lives, and have a better exeperience at school.
Even when I’m frustrated at them they still show up for me at sporting events, school events, and other things I care about.
How I try to rebuild is by spending more time with family and trying to be more open-minded.
A blog called Silver Sneakers listed five steps to use in order to start rebuilding relationships in a family, these were the ones that stood out to me the most:
First, put yourself in the other person’s shoes. Imagine how it might have hurt the other person, or how the wrongdoing was perceived. I did this by understanding how I hurt my family and how this affected them.
Cece Vlieger Staff Writereing in high school, you experience lots of new opportunities to grow as a person. You make new friends and even build romantic relationships with people. Having these relationships with people at school can put a strain on relationships you have with your family. For me, it was hard to master the skill of appreciating family until I had ruined my relationship with them.
At the beginning of this year, I tried to ignore the importance of family, by putting a romantic relationship in front of them. By being dishonest and lying over and over again, I ruined the trust I had built with my parents over the years.
I also took risks that wouldn’t benefit me in the future. I also wasn’t honest with my parents and myself. By taking risks and being dishonestdoing this, I ruined not only my relationship with them but my relationship with myself, as my physical and mental health declined.
“Adolescence is widely recognized as a critical developmental period that shapes individual trajectories into adulthood... many young people engage in risk behaviors or experience adverse events that contribute to poor health outcomes and diminished life opportunities,” states the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Rebuilding from being dishonest and taking risks is hard.
The romantic relationship faded and died out faster than it started. I wish I could take back all the anger and sadness I took out on my family. They have always been my biggest supporters when I do the activities I love.
Second, reach out and take responsibility. A heartfelt apology is how you can start building a new foundation for this relationship. For me this meant taking time to apologize and find out how I can start changing my behavior.
Finally, know that things may not work out, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try. Put it all out there and try to fix things that are in your control. I’m working to put myself out there and hope for the best.
Having family there for me gives me the courage to tackle anything. My mom is one of my biggest role models. She is always confident and independent in everything she does and shows me how to be that way as well.
Along with my mom, my dad is also a role model in my life. My dad teaches me the importance of family and how to treat people with kindness. Using these characteristics, I try to be strong and independent but also willing to be there for family and show kindness to everyone around.
No longer influenced by a romantic relationship, I’ve realized that I am the person I am today because of my family, which isn’t something that can be replaced.
My new perspective is to get rid of the negatives and live my life to the fullest by not only appreciating the good things that I have, like my family and friends, but also making decisions for my future that will help me go further in life.
No matter what I do or where I go, I will always want to come home.
The Hoofbeat staff will publish eight issues of the paper at Millard North High School (1010 South 144th Street, Omaha, NE). Type is set with the use of Macintosh and HP computers. Printing is done by White Wolf Printing, Sheldon IA. The Hoofbeat is a member of the Nebraska High School Press Association and JEA. The Hoofbeat exists for the express purpose of student information and learning.
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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.
Olivia Torrez
Rebecca Jacobsen Front Editor
Elias Pipinos News Editor
Rebecca Jacobsen Opinions Editor
Teagan Lynch In-Depth Editor
Mahika Kanchanam Lifestyle Editor
Olivia Torrez Sports Editor
Sadie Hugelman Online Editor
Anuj Singh Social Media Editor Anuj Singh
Cartoonist and Artist
Violet Bredenkamp Photographer Jack Durkan Staff Writers
Mia Castro Adithi Deeduvanu Isabel Gross Natalie Hill Callie Menke Emily Schmucker Uzin Shrestha Cece Vlieger Amina Hussain Grace Evert Adviser Sarah Crotzer Principal Aaron Bearinger
was eleven years old when I was told I couldn’t enter the prayer room during a religious festival. As everyone shuffled into the room I waited outside for one simple reason: I was on my period.
At that age, I had never questioned this tradition.
It was simply something my family and many others always followed. But as years passed, I began to wonder why this naturally occurring process was preventing me from celebrating my culture and religious practices.
In the Hindu religion, when women are menstruating, they are considered “impure.” After coming to this understanding, I started to look more into this belief. I realized that menstrual discrimination wasn’t confined to my religion. It’s a societal issue that needs to be addressed.
Expected to hide our tampons on our way to the bathroom, and using code words to talk about periods, a stigma has been created. Conversations about menstruation are often suppressed, making women feel like it should be something to be embarrassed about. And this persists in our education systems as well.
Throughout my years of schooling, I’ve seen one ten minute video in a health class in middle school about menstruating. The boys looked away, barely paying attention, and the girls felt embarrassed.
According to a 2022 World Health Organization article, Ivana Orolicki, a school principal in Serbia, believes that education on menstrual health needs to be a bigger priority for girls in school. More exposure to menstrual health will help extinguish these stigmas and make it something we can openly talk about from a young age
This education shouldn’t only be for women in schools but for all students in order to destigmatize menstruation. Every single person affects a woman’s experience in menstrual health. A man may also be a husband, a brother, a friend, or a teacher. So, it is imperative that the people involved in a woman’s life are also knowledgeable on the importance of menstruation and menstrual health.
Unfortunately, in addition to a lack of education and harmful stigmas, periods have also become something to make a profit off of: the Pink Tax is the tendency for menstrual products to cost more than men’s products.
A 2021 Harvard Health article explains that 64% of women reported having difficulty when it comes to affording menstrual products like pads, tampons, and reusable menstrual cups.
Women all around the world are being stripped of a basic need due to the unequal pricing of these products.
In many regions, this could greatly affect a girl’s success at school. According to Actionaid International, an organization combating period inequality, “one in 10 girls in Africa will miss school when they have their periods” due to stigmas and a lack of menstrual products at school. And the effects don’t stop their. Often it leads to dropping out of school all together, putting them at a higher chance of child marriage or early pregnancy.
While these extreme cases are less likely in more developed countries like America, there is still a significant problem when it comes to access to menstrual products. While many schools meet the requirement for providing these products, they are often low quality products. This can do more harm than good, causing infections and severe health problems.
We need to give more attention to period poverty and ensuring menstrual hygiene for young girls because menstrual equity is a human right. I encourage everyone to start conversations to help take a step towards eliminating the shame and stigma that is attached to menstruation.
I’m glad to say that, now, I control when I enter the prayer room, not my period.
CALLIE MENKE Staff Writer
Crawling out of bed, exhausted from the relentless homework from the night before, I stumble, barely able to process the busy day I have ahead. I splash water on my face, yet my drowsiness persists. I wonder what can save me from this never-ending sleepiness. Then it hits me, I rush to grab my energy drink of choice. I crack open the beautiful refreshing can. I sip the cooling vibrant caffeinated wonder, and feel the life rush back into my body.
Everyone loves energy drinks, which got me thinking: What is the best energy drink? Results from a student poll showed the top three go-to energy drinks are Tropical Red Bull, Peach Vibe Celsius, and Ultra Zero (White) Monster. In the name of research, I tried them all.
The Tropical Edition Red Bull glistened in its bright yellow can. I took a sip, and felt an explosion of flavor. It tasted like a combination of mango and pineapple.
The intensity of the Red Bull never failed, its consistent taste and bubbly charm made me enjoy every sip. This made Red Bull’s fantastic flavor stand out against Celsius and Monster as the strongest flavored drink of the three.
With 114 mg of caffeine, the Red Bull felt refreshing. I felt motivated and awake until about five hours later, when the caffeine effects disappeared.
I was shocked that the energy wasn’t long lasting with the Red Bull. Although the effects were disappointing, the flavor redeemed Red Bull to secure second place in my ranking. When it comes to its rating, I give it a seven out of ten.
The next drink to review was the Ultra White Monster. Its can was menacing with its ominous three claw slash plastered on the front. When cracking open the can, I was appalled by its lack of carbonation.
Reluctantly I took a sip and was disappointed with the abrupt taste of stale air. After searching for what flavor I was tasting, I realized an accurate description would be that of nasty, moldy oranges.
The effect was disappointing too. With 150 mg of caffeine in this drink, I ex- pected
more. The Ultra White Monster was very weak, little to no effect was noted. What was noted was the migraine that followed due to the unpleasant taste that stained my mouth.
Overall, I rated Monster a two out of ten. In comparison to its competitors, the Ultra White ranked a well deserved last, claws and all.
With its teal palm trees and hot pink text, the Peach Paradise Celsius had a palpable appearance. After opening the can, I was stunned with a bubbly peach taste. The drink tasted electric.
With 200 mg of caffeine, I felt wide awake, refreshed and ready to tackle the once dreaded day ahead. Bring on the notes and numbers.
As my day went forward I felt a consistent surge of energy. Was it the flavor, the long lasting effect, the beautiful can, or all of the above?
Overall, Peach Vibe was consistent, had a distinct flavor, and the caffeine had a noticeable effect. I would rate the Peach Vibe Celsius a solid ten out of ten, placing it at number one.
In2011,1,499kids aged12gencyto17yearswenttotheemerroomforanenergydrinkre-latedemergency Symptoms of energy drinks can include dehydration, anxiety, insomnia, heart rhythm disturbances, and increases in heart Excessiverateandbloodpressure energy drink consumption may disrupt teens’ sleep patterns and be associatedwithrisk-takingbehavior
source:NCCIH , CDC
Official results from this caffeine critic rank Ultra Zero Monster dead last, Tropical Red Bull second, and Peach Vibe Celsius in first place. I take my final sip of the vibrant, cooling, caffeinated wonder. Headed into finals, it’s good to know which can to grab. Celsius for me please!
source:CDC
Educate yourself on the dangers of highly caffeinated beverages Limit your daily caffeine intake toabout100mgaday Listen to local health policies and the CDC to establishhealthynutritionalpractices Model good behavior for the younger generation by not drinkingenergydrinksinfront of kids
NATALIE HILL Staff Writer
Weaving the laces methodically around each hook, sophomore Kaiden Carmichael expertly laces up her skates, takes a deep breath, and prepares to hit the ice. She’s been up for hours in preparation for the day’s competition, and she’s determined to give the best performance possible.
Carmichael has been skating since she was just 8-years-old. When her younger sister discovered her skill for the sport at a party, Carmichael decided she wanted to try her hand at it.
“My sister and I were both scared, but we started to realize that we were actually good at it,” Carmichael said.
Carmichael spends most of her time and effort at Moylan Iceplex, and, witnessing her skate, it’s clear that none of the time is spent in vain. Every moment of practice has the potential to benefit her in the various competitions she competes in, such as Winterfest this December. She typically begins practicing for a competition two months in advance, so she has ample time to overcome any challenges she may encounter.
“[The biggest challenge I’ve faced is] not getting a jump and having to work at it a lot,” Carmichael said. “I guess it’s just not getting something the first time.”
Not only are the moves challenging and time consuming to perfect, but the training involved in skating is physically demanding as well.
“Training hurts a lot because it’s completely different from normal training at a gym,” Carmichael said. “You’re doing a lot of squats and building up your calves, and your joints are being disrupted. It isn’t good.”
Carmichael isn’t the only student with skating experience. Her friend and sometimes competitor, sophomore Madysen Leach, skates as well.
“I wanted to play hockey at first, but my mom said I couldn’t because it’s unsafe,” Leach said. “So I decided to skate because I love being on the ice so much.”
Like Carmichael, Leach has had to deal with the physical strain that comes hand in hand with her sport.
“When I’m in a spin or a jump, sometimes I’ll accidentally nick myself with my blade,” Leach said. “It hurts so bad, but you can’t do anything about it. You just gotta keep going.”
Along with physical challenges, Leach has struggled with her fair share of mental blocks as well.
“[My biggest challenge] has been being scared,” Leach said. “I’ll get scared to try new tricks, or if I do one and hurt myself, I’ll be scared to try again.”
While it’s challenging for skaters to perfect difficult moves and build up the necessary muscle, it can be even more challenging for them to overcome problems they may face regarding their mental health.
“I’ve been [skating] for seven years, and there have been times where I’ve fallen way out of it,” Carmichael said. “I’ve just felt like I can’t do it anymore.”
However, the skating community and culture seem to be taking a turn for the better.
“A lot of my coaches used to be really mean, but over the years they’ve gotten extremely nice,” Carmichael said. “They ask about school and how you’re doing mentally.”
Despite the challenges, both Carmichael and Leach agree that their time spent skating has been worthwhile, and has taught them valuable lessons.
“You have to learn to use your voice,” Carmichael said. “Like if you’re lining up for a jump and someone’s in your way you have to tell them to move.”
the girls to let out some of their emotions. Their time skating helps them to clear their minds and reduce stress.
courage their fellow students to try their hand at skating, even if it’s just for fun.
Walking down Howard Street of the Old Market, street lamps lit up the brick road. The weather was brisk and windy and my hands shook from the cold. Snow trailed the ground as I stepped into a shop with vine detailing and Christmas lights trailing up the sides to find some warmth-- the Tannenbaum Christmas Shop. Instantly captured by the Christmas Spirit, I decided to look around for a while.
Entering the Christmas shop, the cold air was left behind the door as it closed with a ringing bell. The shop smelled of hot chocolate and Christmas nostalgia. A small ramp led me to the open floor of the store. The shelves are immersed with red and green knick-knacks showcased across every display.
Ornaments hung from the ceiling and the walls of
the shop, varying from seahorses to tacos to Dr. Who. I turned a corner and there was a display of comfy socks, and around another corner led me to a display of children’s books and games.
As I shopped, “Let it Snow” played in the background. I walked over to a section dedicated to Christmas ornaments from different countries. The ornaments showcased flags and popular holiday sayings in other languages, such as “Frohe Weihnachten” in German, or “Feliz Navidad” in Spanish.
Tannenbaum is a popular shop visited by tourists and has invited citizens from other countries to shop for holiday decorations. As a tourist attraction, Tannenbaum is the perfect location to pick up a souvenir.
The shop is located in The Old Market in downtown Omaha, so the display dedicated to Husker-related Christmas decorations is to be expected. While the section celebrates football, it also invites tourists to purchase
something memorable for their stay in NE.
By the end of my visit, it seemed almost impossible to leave the shop without a memento. I bought an ornament and a small nutcracker. The shop is perfect for purchasing any decorations for your home or a nice Christmas gift for a friend.
The Tannenbaum Christmas shop was the perfect place to visit to get me in the Christmas spirit. Overall, I would recommend it to anyone visiting the downtown Omaha area to celebrate and be mesmerized by the holiday season.
Walking out of the shop, I took a final glance at the ornaments hung from the ceiling and shimmering lights. The bell draping from the door made a final chime as I walked back into the cold night. Leaving the shop and return- ing back to the familiar brick road left me with excitement for the holidays.
Hollywood Candy offers an amalgamation of experiences, from their retro diner, old-fashioned candies, walk of fame, pin ball machines, Pez dispensers, and more. Enjoy homemade holiday treats, like flavored popcorn and white chocolate
The Imaginarium is perfect for all retro and vintage needs. Carrying nerd, geek, and pop culture references from across both the US and time, it’s the perfect place to revisit some childhood nostalgia.
Ted and Wally’s first opened here in Omaha in 1984 and has continued making barrels of high-quality homemade ice cream made from scratch with fresh ingredients in each store.
Enjoy some of their ever-changing ice cream flavors for the holidays. 1209 Jackson
When someone mentions the world’s biggest soccer tournament, there is only one name that comes to mind, the Fifa World Cup. It is easy to picture the bright white lines painted on a green field so large it makes players look like action figures.
However, the only thing bigger than the World Cup field itself is the fanbase. With over 4 billion viewers, the World Cup makes soccer the most-watched sport in the world.
MN is home to many World Cup fans who have helped foster excitement for the tournament at school. Junior Mateo Rens is one of these superfans.
“I was raised in a Hispanic family, and soccer was really important to us. In 2014, I became really invested in the World Cup and started watching all the games,” Rens said.
One of Rens’ World Cup traditions is collecting stickers of players from different teams. He started doing this when he lived in Peru.
“Since the World Cup is really big in Peru, everyone at my school collected stickers, so that feeling of fitting in and supporting your team and country really got me hooked on the World Cup.”
Having lived outside of the United States, Rens
can see the difference in how the World Cup is watched around the world.
“It’s not very common in the US, but it is very fun and entertaining. More Americans are beginning to see that supporting your country and culture puts you in a good mood.”
After qualifying, 32 teams participated in this year’s World Cup, however, that number will increase to 48 for the next World Cup.
“Every team has a chance to enter the World Cup. Literally, anyone can watch their team. The diversity of all different people from different countries participating in professional soccer is very interesting and entertaining,” Rens said.
In addition to student superfans, many teachers talked about and watched World Cup matches in their classrooms.
“It’s a good chance for students to get to know the world outside the United States. It helps put things in perspective and make it a little more real,” French teacher Ryan Foehlinger said.
Foehlinger encouraged group discussions about the World Cup in his classroom and even filled out brackets with his students.
“It’s good to learn how to fill out a bracket and understand statistics,” Foehlinger said.
Deeper than the matches themselves, Foehlinger views the World Cup as a way to bring different people
from all over the world together.
“It’s a unifying presence going on in the world, where countries that are at conflict can put that aside. We all are playing the game together. Instead of just supporting a team that represents my state or city, I’m supporting a team that represents my country,” Foehlinger said.
Both Rens and Foehlinger shared that they have seen more students watching and talking about the World Cup this year than ever before.
“I have definitely seen an increased interest this year. I think it is because the US is in the World Cup this year, and they didn’t qualify four years ago. I also think more Americans are getting into soccer,” Foehlinger said.
Another contributing factor may be that the tournament was played in late fall due to Qatar’s extremely hot weather. The World Cup will take place in the summer as it normally does in 2026, which may decrease student involvement. However, no matter the sport, international competitions are valued by many.
“You have to put differences aside, it’s the US representing the US. It shows us that we all have something in common,” Foehlinger said.
Although fans won’t experience another World Cup for four years, each opportunity to watch athletes from around the world play soccer together on a big green field is a feeling that is always cherished.
“I’m anticipated to see which team will perform better. I feel like even people who don’t watch soccer will watch soccer. Even though [the games] are during school, everyone is still watching it.”
“This is a once in a life opportunity because the World Cup is always in June. So to be able to experience that with students has been incredible. I think it has sparked interest in a game that for a lot of kids is not interesting.”
What impact do you think the World Cup has on students?
Junior, Aadi Paudyal
What makes you most excited about the World Cup?
Teacher, Shaun Hoover
ELIAS Pipinos
Front Page Editor
Ablack puck of rubber flies across the rink, with players on skates not far behind. This sport, known for its high-speed action and its fight-prone players, takes place not only on the ice, but in conference rooms and in MN’s study halls as well.
Despite its reputation, hockey is a sport that requires a lot of time management skill and that needs to be well planned-out. Team captain Jacob Hyder, along with multiple alternate captains, takes on the role of leading the team and planning for the games ahead.
“Being directly involved in playmaking, gameplanning, and making sure that everyone on the team was working well together [is] much more hands-on than regular involvement,” Hyder said. “Actions speak louder than words, so I’ve pushed myself as a captain of this team to perform, and it’s worked well.”
As team captain, Hyder holds a large responsibility to his peers, and this responsibility can be daunting in a school environment.
“I am very focused on my academics, and my future is very important to me,” Hyder said.. “The balance I have right now is good for me because I still get to play as much as I like, and I still get to do all the other academic things I want.”
Like Hyder, alternate captain Dakota Crider finds that school and her sport often clash, but that she can be there for her team when the need arises.
“Usually, I start studying before practice. When I get to the point where I think I’m ready, I go to practice,” Crider said. “[Hockey] is a team game, and captains have to be there for their teammates.”
Despite the difficulties faced when planning around school, Hyder and Crider, along with their coach, Tom Leary, who owns his own contracting business, find time to plan for the games ahead.
“Working with different players with different skill levels presents a challenge that requires rethinking the game and helping all players enjoy the sport and get bet ter,” said Leary. “It requires some early work starts and late work evenings.”
Leary works with hockey players from Millard North and also works on various projects and building mainte nance at his own company. In his time, he has seen his fair share of difficulties, both as a coach and as a player himself.
“The progression of the game and refining of the rules over time has changed the way I coach the game as opposed to how I grew up playing,” Leary said.
Alongside Leary and Hyder, alternate captain Conor Michaud makes time and shows up for his teammates, being a part of both MN’s hockey and baseball teams.
“It’s a lot trying to mix [hockey, baseball, and school] in, but you just have to keep in touch and practice time management,” Michaud said. “Hockey is fast-paced and includes a lot of different body movements that definitely get me out of my comfort zone.”
Although Hyder, Crider, Michaud, and even their coach Leary all have their difficulties when it comes to balancing the events in their lives, they all make time to be on the ice.
“You get to go relax and have fun with some of the guys and girls on the team, and you can joke around and have a good time,” Michaud said.. “There’s always a good amount of laughs and hockey is just a great time.”
Passing the Puck: Junior Cane Cantrall (non-Millard North student) takes the puck down the ice as the fans cheer him on. The Mustangs are playing against the Millard West Wildcats.
Photograph by Jack Durkan
Head to Head: Senior Chase Wieczorek is in a stand-off with his opponent to get the puck. The Mustangs loss to the Wildcats with a score of 4-1.
Photograph by Jack Durkan
hen you think of girls high school sports, what comes to mind? You probably don’t think of callused hands, heavy lifting, and grimy metal bars.
At least, that’s what I believed before participating in high school sports. The harsh reality is that society has grown to make this misconception the norm.
MN girls athletics are coming together to fight this stereotype by promoting the weight room for girls activities.
“Female sports want in on this weight room and they want opportunities to get stronger and benefit their sport… it’s a community involvement,” head girls track coach Monte Scheef said.
Head girls soccer coach James Abueg agrees. Will conduct an interview tomorrow for missing quote
Female athletes do, in fact, want to use the weight room.
In the past, males have controlled the media and the status quo regarding sports. The idea of women playing sports is relatively new to American culture. In the early 1900s, women began to create informal athletic clubs. These clubs were never taken seriously and many frowned upon them.
It was only in 1972, when Title IX, a law that prohibits sexual discrimination in education programs that
receive federal financial aid, was passed that communities began to accept women’s athletics.
Thankfully things have changed over the years and women can not only participate in the sport they love, but go to college for it and make a career out of it, just like men were able to.
It all begins with fostering love and commitment to the activity at a young age.
they are striving to benefit themselves and their sports along with it.
With the help of programs like SWAT, an acronym standing for “Strong Women All Together”, this goal has become easier for female athletes here at MN.
“It was a year after we won state volleyball, state basketball, and state soccer and the administration was saying, ‘look at our female sports, this is great’. So we took that and ran with it, saying we want to get in the weight room together. The administration approved it and we got a two-hour spot in the summer where our female athletes could come in at a decent time that wasn’t at five thirty in the morning or in the evening,” Scheef said.
SWAT is available for every girl participating in a sport and coaches center their workouts to benefit their young athletes.
Mr. Bray, he’s like a great person to talk to, good with communicating, and a great teacher.
MONTE SCHEEF HEAD GIRL’S TRACK COACH
MN coaches strive to do just that by including everyone in the weight room.
“[Time in the weight room] helps a lot because since I throw it’s a lot of strength-based stuff. So when I get in [the weight room] it really helps give me a break from throwing while still getting stronger for the season,” Junior Kat Beachler, a thrower on the girls track team said.
Athletes on the girls soccer team utilize their lifting time in a different way.
“In the weight room you get to know your teammates, so that always helps, but also since we are a younger team, we have to make up for it… we do benching and RDLs, stretches, box jumps, core workouts, etc,” Sophomore Madison Jensen, on the girls soccer team, said.
The common theme in these girls’ situations is that
“We did weightlifting, we stretched, and learned how to run correctly and how to improve speed and agility while sprinting. My favorite part of SWAT was being able to spend time with teammates, while also improving athletically,” Sophomore Leah Mrsny, a player on the girls soccer team, said.
The coaches also recognize the effect SWAT conditioning has on their team.
“I believe the girls’ athleticism continues to improve as well as their mental growth as competitors. Utilizing the weight room will continue to have a huge impact on this,” Scheef said.
As a female athlete, I’m eternally thankful things have changed. It really is an uplifting thing that girls sports are finally getting their chance in the weight room.
Distinct athletic groups do different activities in the weight room because of the variety of their sports, but one thing is universal and for certain: we’re here to stay.
JUNIOR BaketballMy German teacher Frau Brennan, she’s nice, she has a sense of humor and she’s fun to run with.
Mrs. Lallman because she is always thinking of fun activities for us to do, and she is always engaging with our students so she would have great communication.
Which teacher would you want as your teammate and why?
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Female sports want in on this weight room and they want opportu- nities to get stronger and benefit their sport… it’s a community involvement
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