A holiday story...

Going away, in the rink

or two...or three...

or here to stay

Rookies1000 E. Century Ave.

December 2011

there comes a moment when a leader must...

Accept the challenge. Seize the opportunity.And take command. With a single thought in mind.

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NDARNG_Century Star_NOV_11.indd 1 10/17/2011 11:09:38 AM

Century SADD

The STAR newsmagazine policy

The Star policy is a document that covers everything from our purpose to our plan of action if something goes wrong. It’s the staff’s guideline as to how our decisions are made. The Star is a student-generated newsmagazine published through the efforts and decisions of its editorial board and staff without any prior review. It is produced, edited and maintained by students. It is an open forum for student expression and the discussion of issues of concern to its audience. The Star and its staff are protected by and bound to the principles of the First Amendment, made possible by the Constitution and various laws and court decisions implementing those principles. The Star staff will strive to report all issues in a legal, objective, accurate and ethical manner, according to the Canons of Professional Journalism developed by the Society of Professional Journalists. The Canons of Professional Journalism include a code of ethics the Star staff is encouraged to follow. The Star publishes itself and covers the budget costs entirely through advertising sales, subscriptions and fund-raising projects.

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Century High School 1000 E. Century Ave. Bismarck, ND 58503

Abby Kopp

Carrie Sandstrom

Madison Barney

Brent Weber

Sue Skalicky

Coleman Spilde

Alexander Piyamahunt

Jillian Sisk

Kenzie EdingerSydney Harvey

Coleman SpildeMarissa Sipes

Tani Sailer

Ryan Haas

Nick LaQuaElizabeth Schaff

Lucas Sackman

Skyler HusebyeBre Moyle

I am leaving. I am going to Greece, then to New York, then on to the rest of my life. And 99 out of 100 days that is all I want to hear. But that one day, it is terrifying. I am leaving and what if nothing becomes anything? What if I go onto the rest of my life and I am the only advocate of it? What if I am leaving all I have and can’t muster up the resources to create what I want? What if the last 17 years have been my lucky streak and the next 70 are my downward spiral? Well then, I will come back I suppose. But for now, I am leaving because leaving is what I have to give myself. Leaving is change and change is necessary. So while change does not mean boarding a plane for everyone, it does mean being something that wasn’t the something you were yesterday. Change is the part of life that makes it it, it is what happens when we try to avoid it. Seasons change (19).Bodies change (22). Sports change (14). Home changes (25). And while sometimes change makes us better, sometimes change makes us worse. Sometimes change is nauseating and awful and magnificent and simple and inconvenient. It is what it is and it is going to happen. Let it happen, and let it make you better, because you deserve the best, today and every day.

Madison Barney

Tani Sailer

Letter from your editor

3

Table of Contents4

Ente

rtai

nmen

t

Spor

ts

Clos

e- Up

News

Opin

ion

10Student of the year

11Give me Jundt or give me death

8Reviews

13Rookies of the year

14Dream big, play bigger

1634 years later

18Fast and fabulous

19A different kind of Christmas

25Leaving the nest

27From here to there

31Sydney

32Marissa

33Isaac

38It’s my life

36Fiction

23Pedaling the pounds

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1. Buy pattern and material.

2. Cut out your pattern pieces.

3. Follow your sewing instructions and sew them together

4. Buy mittens from Wal-Mart.

Senior Emily Neuhardt tells the STAR how she keeps her fingers warm during the wintershort&photo | Abby Kopp

My sibling is . . .short | Carrie Sandstrom

short | Sydney Harvey“We usually put up a fake tree and

once a year I go to my dad’s house.” - sophomore Logan Galloway

“We bake cookies, put up the Christmas tree, decorate the house, and have a big party with

family and friends.” - sophomore Jessica Unruh

“Every year, on Christmas Eve, my uncle reads ‘The Night Before Christmas’ to the entire family.” - junior Kellie Fleming

“We celebrate my birthday on Christmas.” - junior Kaitlyn Maitland

“We have a meat and chicken fondue.” - sophomore

Edward Herdebu

“We have an ornament that we try to find and the first one that finds it gets to open up a present.” - junior Gretta Schwab

6

Entertainment

How to: make mittens

5. Sew them to the cuff.

6. Shove that inside the mitten.

7. Roll up the cuff.

8. Stitch the cuff up so it stays in place.

Who do you want to kiss under the

mistl eet ? Alec Rauhausser cause he’s a little cutie! - senior Marcus Abfalter

Boyfriend. - senior Kaila Wentz

That’s easy, Denise Richards. -junior Braxton Felch

TAYLOR LAUTNER. He’s beautiful. - junior Miriah Deichert

Scott Terrasa’s mom. - junior David Lange

Josh Hutcherson. - sophomore Macy Nelson

Ryan Gosling, and maybe my boyfriend, Conner Trom. - sophomore Kenzie Lewis

Christmas Traditions

Century students reveal their holiday customs

“Crazy” -sophomore Mandy Jordan

“Caring” -sophomore Kyle Hagler

“Smart” -senior Kaitlin Haugen

“Stupid” -senior Ethan Sayler

“Odd” -junior Anthony Huggett

“Courageous” -junior Jake Kok

short | Sydney Harvey

short | Jillian Sisk

Santa’s reindeer are named Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen and Rudolph.

Christmas trees are usually seven years old, but they can be as young as four and as old as 15.

There are 25-30 million real trees sold every Christmas.

The largest Christmas gift ever given was the Statue of Liberty, weighing in at 225 tons and having a height of 46.5 meters.

Bing Crosby’s White Christmas is the best-selling Christmas song of all time.

Santa visits 832 homes every second to deliver all of his presents.

shorts | Marissa Sipes

Sources: http://www.venere.com/blog/infographics/christmas-in-the-world-2010/ http://www.christmastree.org/facts.cfm

Christmas trivia Christmas movie countdown The STAR’s top

Christmas movies

Thethanks our sponsor

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“A hunting rifle with rhinestones.” -sophomore Jacob Barth “A year supply of bananas.” -sophomore Sam Baumgartner

“A baby llama!” -sophomore Brianna Schneider

“ I want a new car! One that will actually start.” -junior Paige Weigel “Willie James Huff.” -senior Logan McConnel

“A new puppy.” -senior Garrett Williams“Andrew Luck to be drafted to the Colts.” -senior Nolan Schmidt

“Hockey gear.” -junior Nikki Rittenaur

Home Alone

Charlie Brown Christmas

The Grinch Who Stole Christmas

Elf

It’s a Wonderful Life

A Christmas Story

Miracle on 34th Street

6

24

7531

What do you want for Christmas?

short | Skyler Husebye

Grace Helbig, a YouTube vlogger who goes by the Web pseudonym DailyGrace, is by far one of the funniest people ever to have access to the Internet and a camera. Helbig uploads videos five days of the week and has a different theme for each one. Mondays are nonspecific. Tuesdays are reserved for commenting on comments. Wednesdays are reviews. Thursdays are how-to’s, and Fridays are “Sexy Fridays.” Helbig is a skilled improv, which shows as her humor flows naturally throughout her videos, but she does have an occasional dud. Her song parodies aren’t always winners and her reviews aren’t always as humorous as they could be. However, when she takes on cooking or makes false attempts to be sexy when doing a daily task (like cleaning a toilet), Helbig’s comedy shines through the computer screen.

DailyGracereview | Coleman Spilde

Michael Bublé’s voice has soothed many souls with his various pop and jazz albums. His latest album, simply titled Christmas, continues this spellbinding of listeners- but this time, refreshing takes on Christmas classics- as well as a new original tune- take the place of Bublé’s usual repertoire. This album certainly lives up to, if not exceeds, the expectations placed before Bublé. From the upbeat pop melody of “All I Want for Christmas is You” to soulful ballads with angelic children’s choir accompaniments like “Silent Night,” Christmas covers nearly all genres of holiday favorites. To aid in the creation of his Christmas magic, Bublé brings in Shania Twain, as well as other lesser-known artists, who create beautiful harmonies and make the holiday tunes even better. He has even included a special Christmas greeting on himself- a special, if not remotely tacky, final touch. The only other less-than-delightful addition on this otherwise enchanting album is Bublé’s rendition of “Santa Baby,” a song traditionally sung by a woman, which thus forces him to rephrase the lyrics to ‘buddy’, ‘poppy’ or ‘pal-ly’. Even with these minute imperfections, Christmas is a wonderful, powerful album, and is well worth anybody’s listen when they are in the mood for a little bit of festive spirit.

Christmas review | Elizabeth Schaff|opinion|

Boneshaker Coffeereview | Ryan Haas

Ambition

Newly discovered rapper Wale, definitely has a lot of ‘ambition’ and his new album shows it. Ambition consists of 15 songs that reveals Wale in a whole new light. Unlike other rappers, there aren’t as much features with the songs, which makes it one of the strengths on the album. Wale brings many upbeat and slick tracks to accommodate the different styles of rap. Songs such as “Focused,” “Lotus Flower Bomb” and “Ambition” are the most powerful songs on the album. “That Way,” featuring Meek Mill and Rick Ross, was a smooth collaboration made well and has quickly gained popularity. The only downside to this album was Wale’s repetitive flow that he kept throughout the record. Yet, overall, Wale’s album does not disappoint the average person seeking the next new artist to arrive on the scene.

review | Sydney Harvey

Opening the door to a fully fledged contemporary environment, most coffee enthusiasts- or rather, addicts- are provided warm company by the room itself. Influenced by its relationship with bicycling, cycling, biking, pedaling or whatever one might see fit to name it, the shop is often adorned with posters of cycling events, and its obviously relevant logo. Aside from the aesthetic environment, they do provide wonderful coffee, with many options. Since a person is likely to sit in and relax-- in opposition to the vulgar rush to a Starbucks window-- they can watch their coffee unfold by the hands of their barrista, which is something a person should be able to enjoy. Typical of most coffee shops, Boneshaker provides treats as well, from seasonal to the morning necessities to provide a person with that “most important meal of the day” to go with their coffee. Boneshakers will start the day off right, and bring a person back to its comforts for any other part of the day as well.

Acer’s Aspire One mini laptop may have won head over heels by its outside appearance and selection of colors, but looks can be deceiving. From the second the laptop comes out of the box, hopes of the laptop lasting for years to come is shattered. The Aspire One has a fairly quick start up time, but after that everything runs very slowly. The keyboard is nearly useless, as it picks up about one in every ten letters. The lack of a disc tray makes transferring music annoying, and the speakers are nothing to brag about. Don’t plan on taking this laptop anywhere except by an outlet, because the battery life will leave one frustrated after only two to three hours. The tiny 10.1 inch screen requires corrected vision just to check social networking sites. The only good thing about this laptop is the size, it will easily fit in a backpack or purse, so one will never have to worry about theft, because nobody else wants it.

Acer Aspire One laptopreview | McKenzie Edinger

|opinion|

J u n d tstory & photos | Coleman Spilde & Elizabeth Schaff

A friendly face sitting a desk away in class, a greeting in the hallway or some hopeful words of encouragement. Everyone needs

their sunshine on a cloudy day, or someone to show they care when it seems as though everyone else has turned their backs. Many students know exactly who to go to when they need a person like that.

Senior Lindsey Horner is different from most teens in many ways. Instead of spending an entire summer on the river or at the mall, Horner is across the country doing what she loves most, helping others in need.

“Horner truly cares about other people and their needs.” Bismarck High School junior Karlee Graham said.

Horner and Graham met through church in fifth grade. They both currently attend The Element and work together at Country House Deli.

“She encourages me, we can always lift each other up,” Graham said. “She’s my best friend.”

Horner has been on missions trips to Milwaukee doing a poverty simulation, and she’s done inner city work in Atlanta and Chicago. She attended National Fine Arts Festival in Orlando, and in the summer of 2010, she traveled around the world to share her love in Malawi, Africa.

“She’s very involved in church,” Graham said. “She’s on the worship team, involved in kids’ church, and goes on missions trips.”

Horner’s youth pastors, Terry and Christina Parkman, have known her for 4 years.

“She truly cares about people, issues, and places,” Terry said.

Not only does Horner care for people in different parts of the world, but also the people she sees every day. She strives to make others feel loved, and she goes out of her way to let them know they matter.

“She spends time getting to know people,” Christina said. “They actually are special to her.”

Horner has been known to pick people up and take them out for ice cream, write thoughtful notes saying she cares, bring humor and joy to a stressful night at work or give helpful advice to make a stressed out classmate feel relief.

“She is kind and a very loyal friend,” junior Danielle Zimmerman said. “She puts others before herself.”

Zimmerman and Horner’s friendship began in church more than 7 years ago.

“She has a passion to help others,” Zimmerman said. “She is one of the most caring people you will ever meet.”

Horner’s personality is what makes her stand out from others.

“She doesn’t like to flatter but genuinely show she cares,” Terry said. “She speaks life into people.”

Horner’s strong spiritual life has shaped her into the person she is today. She brings Christianity into every aspect of her life, which makes her so secure in who she is.

“She’s truly joyful and happy,” Terry and Christina said. “She’s super honest and influential, yet still positively influenced by others.”

Horner is a big influence is Graham’s life, also.

“I strive to be like her. Her ability to be friends with anyone is very unique,” Graham said. “She’s not afraid to be nice to someone that others might not be nice to, but she doesn’t try to draw attention to herself. She’s very humble.”

Horner plans on graduating after first semester. She hopes to go back to Africa for a few months right after graduation. She has a desire to help others in need, and the determination she needs to achieve her dreams.

Student of Lindsey Horner is the STAR’s student of the year

the yearstory | Kenzie Edinger

|close-up|

English teacher Bev Jundt is the STAR’s teacher of the year

11

J u n d tstory & photos | Coleman Spilde & Elizabeth Schaff

She sometimes drinks three cans of Diet Coke in class. She hands out the occasional candy bar. She makes great salsa. But most importantly,

she teaches English with a passion and a smile.

Century High School English teacher Bev Jundt has developed a skilled teaching style and curriculum that turns typical English class into the best class of the day for many of her pupils.

“She’s laid back and funny...she cares so much,” Century English teacher and sister Gail Beaudoin said. “She really loves teaching.”

Beaudoin and Jundt have been teaching together at Century for many years, which Beaudoin says has strengthened their relationship both as sisters and as teachers.

“We’re really best friends. We spend too much time talking about school. We always discuss philosophy and do lesson plans. She cares so much that it gives her headaches. She’s a perfectionist,” Beaudoin said. “We own mineral rights. Even if we get oil wells we may not quit teaching- that’s ridiculous!”

Jundt’s passion for teaching goes far beyond what common perception may at first reveal. She’s dedicated to each student in her classroom, as well as the profession itself.

“She presents the material in a way [that is] familiar to us,” junior Zach Chase said. “Mrs. Jundt is almost more of a kid than the students.”

But even more important than how she is seen by her coworkers and family, is how her students perceive her. Many of them walk into her classroom for the first time, not knowing what to expect. Overall, however, their experiences are similar- most have nothing but kind thoughts and fond memories of their time spent in room 204.

“I loved Mrs. Jundt,” senior Lexi Hagler said. “Her personality was really uplifting and fun yet she still taught in a way that was interesting that made me excited to come to class and learn.”

Jundt is fully devoted to her students, and makes a point to be available to them whenever they need assistance with their homework or essays. She keeps the class interesting and fun with out-of-the-ordinary activities and movies to help reinforce lessons.

“I like that we always have fun in class,” junior Shane Herman said. “It is a very laid-back atmosphere. We get to watch compelling movies, take on challenging topics, and play [current events] trivia every-other-Friday.”

Besides being an incredible English teacher, loving sister and diet soda fanatic, Jundt also devotes a portion of her time to humanitarian endeavors. In past years, she has helped organize a food drive for the Abused Adult Resource Center and encourages her students to participate.

“She opened my eyes to a problem that I didn’t know was so prevalent in Bismarck,” Hagler said. “She inspired me, whether helping out others in need or by her 365-day wardrobe. Mrs. Jundt is a beautiful individual.”

or give me death

Give me

sports

-junior Riley Riehl“Basketball, softball, gymnastics, track, soccer, football, rodeo.”

-sophomore Chloe Coleman

“Dance, gymnastics, cross country, volleyball, soccer, basketball and tennis.”

-sophomore Joana Jensen“Volleyball, basketball, soccer, taekwondo and swimming.”

-junior Ashley Westbee

-senior Jake Dehne“Hockey, golf, baseball, football, track and cross country.”

12

“Basketball, soccer, T-ball, bowling, taekwondo, softball, volleyball, hockey, figure skating, tennis and golf.”

ChildhoodSports

short | Brent Weber

The Century high school girl’s swimming and diving team won the 2011 state championship. The Patriots, coached by Loic Joseph, have won the last three state titles. Century dominated all three relays and set records in two of them, while freshman Dani Bergeson won the 200 individual medley. Century narrowly beat Fargo North Bruins by 14 points and Minot came in third respectively by beating West Fargo by just a point.

short | Brent Weber

“I like the lockout because basketball players are already getting paid 7-digits and I wish the extra money would go to help people who are struggling with hunger and people who don’t have homes!” -junior Dani Lowman

“I personally do not like the lockout because basketball is one of the only things I watch on TV when it comes to athletics.” -junior Broc Otterness

“I’m glad there is a lockout because then the highlights on SportsCenter aren’t all about basketball and there is more hockey.” -sophomore Seth Kreft

“I find it funny that the NFL solved their lockout problems before the preseason and the NBA didn’t, even though football is a much tougher sport and they actually deserved more money unlike the basketball players.” -senior Brandon Talley

“The lockout is incredibly stupid because they already make so much money and asking for more is just greedy. Your getting paid to do something you love, and your not happy with the money your getting? wow.” -sophomore Kellie Meschke

CHAMPS

NBAS t r i k e

13

The puck drops, sticks clash, bodies collide, coaches shout and fans scream. It’s just another Friday night for two Century High School seniors.

Seniors Aaron Nelson and Cody Boyd are representing Century High School as Bismarck Bobcats. Nelson is back at Century this year after living a year in California. While in California, Nelson tried exposing his name to scouts by playing for the Orange County Hockey Club. Boyd, on the other hand, is new to Century this year after living in Lansing, Michigan.

“I love being in new places,” Boyd said. “I just want to meet new people and make new friends.”

Both men are now juggling the duties of a Bobcat and a high-schooler. Boyd doesn’t want people to think he’s cocky and Nelson wants to go slow and not rush things.

“I try not to get stressed out,”Nelson said. “Just go with the flow.”

The two are not just a juggling act, but they are also terrific hockey players.

Nelson is a goalie while Boyd plays left wing. Boyd likes his physicality and shot while Nelson loves his quickness and aggressiveness.

“Well, Nelly isn't a big kid, but he’s very quick and he sees the puck well,” Bobcats head coach Layne Sedevie said.

This is Sedevie’s second year as the Bobcats head coach and he has led them to a 16-4 record as of Nov. 16.

“We have definitely got off to a good start,” Sedevie said.

Playing at this high of a level at such a young age is definitely not a piece of cake for these two seniors, but they both love the challenge. They usually have practice Monday through Friday during Century’s second and third period at the VFW for an hour and a half, then right after school on Monday and Wednesday they have one-hour workouts.

“Practice keeps getting harder and games keep getting tougher,” Nelson said. “I like the challenge.”

The Bobcats will most likely have one of their biggest games of the season December 21 when they host the Russian Red All Stars. The All Stars are also playing college teams such as the Fighting Sioux.

“It’s something to look forward to,” Nelson said.

story | Brent Weber

double hockey sticks

photo | Tani Sailer

| sports |

Dream big. Play bigger.High expectations for the season to come

story&photos | Marissa Sipes

Both of Century High School’s basketball teams are looking forward to new seasons with high expectations. The seniors on the

girls’ team have been playing together since fourth grade and are taking on the responsibility of making the team feel connected to one another and staying focused on their goal- the state championship.

Last year, the girls took fifth at state, but they were the first place team out of the west going into the tournament. Senior Tessa Delzer described the loss as a heart-breaker.

“We were kind of expected to have a better state tournament than what we had, but this year we’re expecting to do a lot better than that,” Delzer said. “I think not doing as well as we wanted to last year [is] motivation to be like, ‘Okay now this year we really need to go as far as we can.’”

Delzer and the rest of the senior girls- Hannah Jeske, Lexi Eli, Ann Govig, Alexis Jacobs, Kelsey Shatz and Kelsey Glatt- hope, and somewhat expect, to earn the title of the state champions this year.

“It’s been literally our goal since fourth grade,” Delzer said. “I can remember sitting at sleepovers with the other seniors at traveling tournaments and saying, ‘Okay, our senior year we’re gonna be champions.’”

The senior girls’ attitudes encourage younger players to set high goals as well.

“My goal is to play JV...and maybe get looked at to play varsity,” sophomore Macy Lynch said. “[The team’s] goal probably is that we want to win the championship this year.”

The older girls have also succeeded in their goal of bringing the team together.

“Everyone kind of just gets along,” Lynch said, “It’s a really big, good team.”

The boys’ basketball team took first at state last year, and is also hoping to do well this upcoming season.

“We’re gonna be a smaller, quicker team with a lot of new guys this year,” senior Tom Fraase said. “We’ll just have to work a lot harder at practice this year so we’re more mentally prepared.”

The boys’ basketball team, like the girls’ team, is made up of strong friendships, as well as the same goal of winning the state championship.

“I think if you have a goal less [than] a state championship then it’s not a goal at all,” Fraase said.

“Broomball” - senior Kel Roseneau

“More Broomball” - junior Nathan Erdmann

“Figure skating. Yes, let’s do this” - junior Clay Moody

“Mens’ power volleyball” - junior Greg Heilman

“Quidditch” - sophomore Ian Toepfer

“Cricket” - senior Aryan Eells

“Kickboxing” - senior Alex Lacombe

“Lacrosse” - senior Abby Holland

Tim Wegner

Derrrick Rose

junior

Kansas State University

Brian Cardinal

Duke

Markelle Zieglerjunior

Lebron James

Jimmer Fredette

Dallas Cowboys

Minnesota Twins

Marcus Thunesenior

basketballbasketballbasketball

Green Bay Packers

B. J. Raji

Lebron James

Miami Heat

Sean Ternes

Troy Palamalu

golfsenior

Tim Tebow

Pittsburgh Steelers

Minnesota Vikings

Kennedie Boehmsophomore

Abby Wambach

L. A. Galaxy

No one

Who’s your favorite athlete?

Who’s your least favorite athlete?

What’s your favorite team?

What is your least favorite team?

short | Alexander PiyamahuntSophomores

- Megan Blocher: Gatorade, because it tastes better.

- Alyssa Nelson: Gatorade, why? I don’t know why. It just is.

- Brad Kelly - Gatorade, because it’s the original... I think.

Juniors

-Kalli Schirado: I like them both! They taste the same. I bet someone sold the recipe.

-Dylan Leutz: Gatorade, ‘cause I feel better after I drink Gatorade.

-Lucas Weber - Gatorade, because Gatorade tastes better and is overall just great.

Seniors

- Brennan Johnson: Powerade, it’s got a lot more flavors and types. Gatorade is too sugary.

- Alex Johnson: Powerade, it’s healthier, and has a wider variety.

- Danny Zeric: Powerade, Gatorade is a wannabe Powerade.

short | Ryan Haas

15

The sports leagues students wish Century had

Gatorade vs.

Powerade

The STAR gets a glimpse into these athletes’ lives

short | Brent Weber

diving

Minnesota Vikings

High expectations for the season to come

|sports|

16

| sports |

Century players huddle up for the upcoming play.

Century senior Dalton Weisz and junior Jacob Loraas get ready for the next play.

Senior Taylor Thompson and junior Kaitlyn Maitland, cheerleaders, pump up the crowd.

Century senior Taylor Thompson cheers on the team. Century cheerleaders prepare for their upcoming cheer.

Century’s pep band traveled to Fargo for battle of the bands 2.0.

The two teams go back to their respective huddles after a tough play.

34 years ago Century High School went to the state football championship game. Now, in 2011, they returned to the field after a spell of unfortunate semi-final game endings. The Patriots faced off with their cross-town rivals, the Bismarck High School Demons. The Demons were victorious with a 21 to 3 win over the Patriots. The fan base was comprised of students, parents, teachers and alumni. Regardless of the outcome, the Patriots have something to be proud of for making it as far as they did.

The Patriots focus hard on the game, and wait for their turn on the field.

| sports |

34 years laterstory&photos | Madison Barney

The team anxiously watches their fellow teammates.

Fa T and fabulous

What inspires your style?

There she sits. Waiting for the signal to go. To fly past everybody. The man wearing all black raises the flag he holds in his hand. In one sweeping

motion he starts everything. The crowd screams and cheers for racers on the track. She takes off, leaving everyone in smoke- and she doesn’t stop there. She keeps going, until she crosses the white line that takes her breath away.

Sophomore Emily Mundahl has been racecar driving for only two years and she is taking everybody by storm. She drives a blue, pink and white Thunder 4. Other racers have memorized that car. It drives past them so many times, it’s like a reflex. Racing is in Mundahl’s blood. Her mom, Carrie Mundahl, has been racing for 24 years.

“Emily is one of the best drivers I’ve watched, but she does take after me,” Carrie said between smiles. “She will go far, and I will be right beside her, cheering her on.”

Thanks to her mom, Mundahl is racing her way to the top, whether her competitors are ready for her or not.

“My mom is my hero,” Mundahl said. “I learned about racing from her.”

Everything comes with a risk. As Mundahl waits for the sign to take off, thoughts of spinning out and hitting another driver or wrecking her beloved car are running through her mind.

“I do get scared before the race begins,” Mundahl said. “But, before each race, my parents and brother give me advice. That helps me calm down.”

Her dad, Steve Mundahl, is a pit crew chief, so he knows the conditions and ways to be more careful when Mundahl is racing. He also shares worries of Emily wrecking.

“I think about the weak spots on the car, the axles and spindles breaking,” Steve said. “ And Emily not being able to finish the race due to parts failure.”

Emily goes to her dad for advice before a race to help her calm down and have a more clear look of the track.

“My dad tells me about the rough spots on the track- where it is high and low,” Mundahl said. “With his advice I get a better look of the track, and what to look for when I’m racing.”

Mundahl has her whole family out there on the track. Her older brother also races.

“Since my brother races, it’s like our whole family is always together,” Mundahl said. “On and off the track.”

Mundahl also BMX races- as if racecar driving wasn’t enough. She has won so many, it’s hard to keep count.

“I love racing,” Mundahl said. “It’s a rush that I never get sick of. It’s breathtaking.”

A few races that Mundahl has claimed are: fourth at the Cornhusker nationals in Kearney, Nebraska, fourth at Las Vegas nationals, third at Land o’ Lakes nationals in St. Cloud, Minnesota, and finally second at Hoosier nationals in Portage, Indiana. And Mundahl is just getting started. In the future Mundahl sees herself moved up to a new race class where her skills will be tested.

“I’m always going to be in racing, whether it’s just for fun or not,” Mundahl said. “It’s part of my life.”

Mundahl also pictures herself traveling around to see different tracks, where she will embrace her love for racing.

“I really want to see other tracks around the world,” Mundahl said. “How they are different or the same.”

Mundahl will be racing for years to come and she will only get better and better. Racers everywhere should brace themselves for Mundahl’s will to win. She will not stop. She will keep winning, until she meets a competitor that has the slightest thought that their going to win. They’d better not get their hopes up.

The life of Emily Mundahl story | Sam Baumgartner

| sports |

Fa T and fabulous

What inspires your style?

Students share why they dress the way they do

short | Bre Moyle

“Whatever I can find.”

- sophomore Gwen Becker

“My death metal music inspires my style.”

- sophomore Shelby Steckler

“I see things that inspire me everywhere I go. I get ideas from Vogue and make up my own unique style.”

- junior Jenna Inman

“My brother’s style influences mine a lot. I like casual, comfy, stylish stuff like American Eagle and Aero.”

- senior Dawson Rogstad

“I like vintage, flowing things.”

- junior Dina Moss

“Humorous shirts are my thing. I prefer function over fashion. I also wear my Sioux hat a lot.”

- junior Ben Schlafmann

Close-Up

A different kind of Christmas 19

story | Abby Koppphotos | sbumitted

ww

20

2011 Winter holidaysDec. 20 - 28- Hanukkah

Dec. 24- Christmas Eve

Dec. 25- Christmas

Dec. 26- Boxing Day

Dec. 26 - Jan. 1- Kwanzaa

Dec. 31- New Year’s Eve

Jan. 1- New Year’s Day

Jan. 17- Martin Luther King Jr. Day

ww

21

“”

| close-up |

It happens when the temperatures dwindle below zero and when flakes fall lightly upon the streets. It happens when shopping centers fill to the brim,

cookies are baked, presents are wrapped and school gets out. It happens whether lights are put up or candles are lit, and it happens whether there’s four feet of snow on the ground or there’s none at all. It happens when loved ones surround a tree or a menorah, and it happens when there’s only one present for mom this year. It happens every December, without fail. Happy holidays.

A different kind of celebrationHanukkah, or the Festival of Lights as it is often

referred to, is a Jewish custom to commemorate the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. It is an eight-day holiday that is celebrated by lighting a menorah after sundown and reciting special prayers.

“What we’re celebwwrating is a miracle,” senior Brandi Rothberg said.

As Rothberg would know, the story of Hanukkah is a complex one that can only be done justice by one who has experienced it.

“[Jewish] synagogues got raided and they only had enough oil to burn for one night,” Rothberg said. “The oil lasted for eight nights, so it’s a miracle that they had light and were able to celebrate their holidays.”

While some Jewish families like to adorn their homes for Hanukkah, the Rothbergs prefer to keep it simple.

“Some families decorate for it, but we just use menorahs,” Rothberg said.

The Rothbergs are different from many Jewish families in that they celebrate both Hanukkah and Christmas. Each day of Hanukkah, Rothberg opens presents, and then again on Christmas morning.

“My father’s Jewish and my mother [celebrates Hanukkah] just to keep my father happy,” Rothberg said. “What we usually do is light the candles, say the prayer, then we just hand around our presents and hang out as a family.”

A different kind of familyThe Christmas of 2007 should have been like every other

one before it- snow, presents and a family around a tree. Senior Sabra Bertsch, however, wasn’t so fortunate.

Bertsch’s mom was deployed for a year beginning in May 2007. She spent her deployment in Baghdad, Iraq and was in charge of her unit.

“Her deployment was different from everyone else’s because I stayed with one of her best friends instead of my dad,” Bertsch said.

And while Bertsch’s temporary family did the best they could, Christmas is never the same without tradition.

“I spent my Christmas with [my mom’s friend’s] family in Williston. It was different in the aspect that I didn’t get to spend it with my mom’s side of the family like I normally do,” Bertsch said. “It was a totally different experience, different presents and totally different things.”

Bertsch got to see her mom’s side of the family the next day, and even talk to her mom on the phone. Although she missed her mom, she’s grateful for the experiences that were brought to her.

“It wasn’t Christmas,” Bertsch said. “You can’t really have Christmas without your mom, but they made it the best that they could.”

A different kind of traditionLeaving home for the holidays is often a tricky feat.

It involves packing for days, cramming presents and people into a suddenly too small vehicle and getting a small vacation in before the school season starts up again. This wasn’t the case for one of Century’s seniors.

Senior Fadi Douri’s family didn’t just leave Iraq for a Christmas holiday. Before 2009, Fadi had spent Christmas with his entire family, and had only seen snow twice in his lifetime.

“[Christmas is] different here because we don’t have as much family,” Douri said.

With only his mom, dad, sister and two brothers, the holidays are now a more intimate occasion. Back in Iraq, the children got mostly money for presents, and everyone bought new clothes for the holidays.

“It was tradition. Everybody got new things for [Christmas],” Douri said.

Whether it be tradition or family that divides the community during this season, these three seniors have one common thought- the holidays are meant to be cherished and remembered for many years to come.

It wasn’t Christmas. You can’t really have Christmas without your mom, but they

made it the best that they could.

“Are you really God?” - sophomore Daniel Wassim

“March of The Penguins was amazing.” - sophomore Sadie Betting

“I’d probably see if I can high-five him.” - sophomore Sean Hyer

“You’re very inspirational.” -junior Veronica Herrman

“You have the best voice ever.” - junior Hayleigh Reynolds

“Keep the voice alive!” - junior Dylan Sether

“If God was black he would look like you.” - senior Danni Schwartz

“Narrate these stories for me. Can you, Samuel L. Jackson and Denzel Washington get together and narrate Macbeth?” - senior Colton Ulmer

“Get me out of high school, away from these people. Use your magic powers.” - senior Emily Hess

What would you say to Morgan Freeman?What the student body would say to the silky smooth voice of Hollywood

short&photo illustration | Coleman Spilde

22

A new take on senior pictures What’s the best class you’ve ever taken?Algebra 1 with Mr. Ledger! we had an awesome class

and our teacher was super funny! Plus my friends sat right beside me and got me in trouble all the time!

-senior Mallorie Henke

short | kenzie edinger

Chemistry because Mr. Walz is the coolest person ever and erases the board with gardening gloves.-junior Mikalah Dahl

U.S History with Mr. Kaufman. History is my favorite subject and he has a great way of mixing class up.- senior Cody Schuh

Faces of America in 8th grade at Simle. It was fun, we learned more about history in depth without using boring textbooks. -junior Cassie Kraft

Spanish because everything was very interesting and I loved Mrs. Haunson.-sophomore Matt MacArthur

8th grade English with Mr. Doppler, because he was crazy and fun.

-ophomore Christian Walter

Zach Holmen |Devon Butz |

match these seniors with thier baby pictures for a chance to win a prize from the Century STAR

Destin Glaser |Kelly Swanberg | Noah Schaible

The melting of snow became the melting of pounds.

At the end of winter last year senior Ryan Strand committed to himself and his health

and began losing weight. His efforts accumulated to the absence of 60 pounds from his frame.

“[I] try to eat healthier and watch what I eat and that helps,” Strand said. “I eat breakfast because I heard that can help with weight loss, and I eat less at meals. I watch calories, I go by 2,000 calories a day.”

Because so much time would be dedicated to his endeavor, Strand decided to do what he loved, and that was bike riding.

“I lost 60 pounds by riding bike six miles two to three times a week and drinking hardly any more pop and a lot more water,” Strand said. “And that’s how I lost most of my weight.”

Although he puts it in simplistic terms, his weight loss was not consistently so easy.

“At first it was pretty hard, but then I started getting used to it and it got easier and easier and I liked doing it,” Strand said. “I feel a lot better about myself because I can do a lot more stuff- I can run

a lot easier and I just feel better about myself.”

Prior to his weight loss, the inconvenience of thinking about changing his eating habits caused him to avoid paying much attention to it.

“I kind of thought about my weight, but I got tired of thinking about it so I stopped thinking about it,” Strand said.

If support is what people need Strand found it in his parents.

“They thought it was a really good thing for me to do because I was overweight,” Strand said.

Strand plans to take a year off of school after graduation, then

go to college. He is looking to be a landscaper, but is not set on one thing

just yet. However, he does know that he will ward off the ever-common freshman fifteen.

“I will just stay away from it- you know, I’ll eat, but I will just watch what I do eat,” Strand said. “Ever since I lost weight I don’t want to gain it back.”

Strand learned to make decisions for himself, and to make himself happy. He learned that if he wanted something, it was his duty to get off the couch and get it for himself.

“Keep the voice alive!” - junior Dylan Sether

“I feel a lot better about myself because I can do a lot more stuff.”

23

An increase in miles became a decrease of pounds

Peda

ling away pounds

story | Madison Barney

| entertainment |

“You swallow eight spiders a year in your sleep.” - sophomore Courtney Bauer

“On average, a cow gives eight gallons of milk a day.” - sophomore Olivia LaMontagne

“More people use blue toothbrushes than red ones.” - sophomore Maddy Lobsinger

“Thirty-seven percent of people wash their belly button daily.” - junior Landon Huber

“There are 18 different animal shapes in an animal cracker zoo.” - junior Allison Bodvig

“Meriwether Lewis, who is commonly believed to have committed suicide, may have been assassinated in an attempt to cover up embezzling.” - junior Taylor Oster

“Chuck Norris can kill two stones with one bird.” - senior Shaunna Messmer

“In the Harry Potter books, the snake Harry lets out in the zoo is Voldemort’s snake Nagini.” - senior Emily Archer

“Porcupines float in water.” - senior Erika Quist

Strange

short | Elizabeth Schaff

The 335th day of the year (336th on leap years).

There are 30 days remaning until the end of the year.

1885 – The first serving of Dr Pepper at a drug store in Waco, Texas.

1918 – Iceland becomes a sovereign state, but remained a part of the Danish kingdom.

1964 – Malawi, Malta and Zambia joined the United Nations.

1969 – The first draft lottery in the United States was held since World War II for the Vietnam War.

1976 – Angola joined the United Nations.

1981 – The AIDS virus is officially recognized.

December First is also known as World AIDS day.

This day in historyshort | Alexander Piyamahunt

“Helps me lose weight and keeps me fit.” - sophomore Edward Herbedou

“Gym class is living hell.” - sophomore Hope Landsberger

“Gym class equals dying from the pacer.” - sophomore Quentin Schumacher

“Domination of the weak, in gym class winning is everything.” - junior Jordan Fetch

“Gym is a must-beat-everyone hour of power.” - junior Tanner Brunelle

“A great time to be a try-hard.” - senior Jake Erickson

“Time to kick some butt.” - senior Dave Hofstad

“Taking Noah Schaible to Bahrtown.” - senior Mike Bahr

What does gym class mean to you?

short | Skyler Husebye

24

News

Who would you vote for president?“Rebecca Black” - sophomore

Anne Sandstrom

“Myself!” - sophomore Erin Clayburgh

“Carrie Sandstrom” - sophomore Kylie Williams

“Andrea Casson” - junior Kallie Anderson

“Bass Nectar” - junior Colten Dahle

facts

short | Elizabeth Schaff

cartoon | Bre Moyle

“Mickey Mouse” - junior Mariah Zeien

“My mom” - senior Robin Gowen

“Mr. Krabs from Spongebob because he’s good with money” - senior Kathryn Alexander

“Ron Paul” - senior Spencer Mlekoday

This day in historyshort | Alexander Piyamahunt

The road separating Century High School from the Red Carpet gas station is possibly one of the most jay-walked streets in the

city. Students dash across the asphalt, attempting to dodge cars in a deadly game of tag.

In the past months an overfull lunch room and the merchandise offered by the gas station have tempted many students to cross the road. However, the trend of crossing the road with disregard for the designated crosswalk is proving to have its repercussions.

“[I got hit] around 8 o’clock coming back [to school] from the gas station with a friend,” sophomore Sarah Stoehr said. “We walked out of the gas station, and we were crossing the street and neither me or the driver were paying attention and I got hit.”

In the moments immediately after being hit, Stoehr was aided by the friend she had been walking with, senior Braden Kjonaas, who did his best to make the situation as calm as possible.

“I rushed to her and had the driver of the car call the police,” Kjonaas said. “Then people started coming to help. We mostly tried to comfort her and have her not move.”

He then watched as the ambulance came and his scared and injured friend was taken to St. Alexius hospital.

“[I had] a major concussion with some memory loss, hairline fracture in my left leg and a bruised up body from head to toe,” Stoehr said. “I really couldn’t believe that it actually happened. I wasn’t conscious through the whole thing, but I really couldn’t believe it. I was at the hospital and I just couldn’t even think straight. I was really scared that I wasn’t going to be able to move my legs again because I had no movement or much feeling in them for that day and the next.”

Such an accident involving a pedestrian and a vehicle has never before occurred at Century. Assistant

principal Lee Ziegler says that not paying attention is one cause, along with taking shortcuts.

“I don’t know if the concern is going across the street,” Ziegler said. “The concern is the path that [students] take to get there. None of the students are going to the crosswalk, they’re going across the middle of the road.”

Just like it was for Stoehr, crossing the road is a normal part of students’ lives, done frequently and with little care. Stoehr has helped serve as a reminder of why parents stress road safety to young children, harmful and dangerous accidents can happen to anybody if the circumstances are right and they aren’t paying attention- and they do.

“The moment from when she got hit I felt super scared on how bad she could have gotten hurt,”

Kjonaas said. “If I hadn’t been paying attention I could have [been hit].”

School administration says that in the past they’ve placed reminders for students in the daily announcement but they seem to make little difference. Nevertheless, Ziegler says that the school trusts the students to make their own decisions, and that recent events should not have any impact on the school’s current open campus policy.

“As high school students, there has to be some expectation that they make good choices,” Ziegler said.

Since the accident, Stoehr has been forced to reconsider her actions.

“I’m definitely going to struggle crossing any street for a long time,” Stoehr said.

Stoehr learned her lesson the hard way and has a few suggestions for the many other students who cross the road everyday.

“My advice?” Stoehr said. “Count your blessings and look both ways.”

From here to therestory&photo | Carrie Sandstrom

“I really couldn’t believe that it actually

happened.”

The distance to the other side of the road may be farther than it seems

| news |

26

vingstory | Elizabeth Schaff

LeCentury seniors seek new opportunities far from home

A young man pulls a hefty suitcase out of his car and trudges up to the brick building. His whole family stands around with tears in their eyes as they

give him a final embrace before turning around to begin the long journey home. As he takes the small step into the dorm building after his last farewells, he takes a huge metaphorical jump- a leap into life as a college student.

Many of Century High School’s seniors will be college-bound this coming fall, with some venturing much farther than others. Whether it’s transitioning to BSC, a different North Dakota university or somewhere around the country or around the world, this is a moment of both celebration and discovery.

“Several of our students are going out of state this year,” counselor Connie Armstrong said. “Many aren’t quite sure of where they want to go, but others are certain.”

The choice to leave the state is one that relatively few students at Century make.

“Most of our students stay within the state,” Armstrong said. “In fact, the vast majority just go over to BSC.”

However, some students have opted to further their education farther away from home. One such student is senior Kathryn Alexander, who has chosen to leave the United States entirely for her university experience.

“I am planning on attending Brandon University in Brandon, Manitoba, Canada,” Alexander said. “The fact that Brandon is over the border is a little frightening. I’ve had the privilege of living in an excellent state and country, and starting anew in a completely

different place both excites me and scares me.”

Even with the uncertainty of an unfamiliar place looming above her, Alexander feels that the benefits clearly outweigh the cons of her decision.

“I hope to get an excellent education for less money than I would pay in North Dakota,” Alexander said. “The price of tuition at Brandon is low, and the university has an excellent program for my major (music). The university has an excellent faculty as well as a good teacher to student ratio, with its rather small student population. There will be so many people who share a love and passion for music like me, which excites me.”

Though Alexander expresses some concern at her moving away from all she knows, senior Danny Zeric embraces his decision to move across the country without apprehension. Zeric, who plans on attending Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, feels only excitement at the idea of attending a school in a completely different part of the United States.

“I’m not afraid,” Zeric said. “I’m excited. I like bigger towns...I like that there will be lots of people who are similar to me. And I like the east coast!”

Zeric believes that the experience of a well-known school for his program will provide him with many advantages that would be unavailable to him here.

“There aren’t many good programs for my major in North Dakota...There are so many more opportunities in Boston,” Zeric said. “I think going there will help me go to my full capabilities.”

thenest

| news | aphotos | Elizabeth Schaff &Abby Kopp

vingPURE JOYTry our new Peppermint Mocha

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“I forgot to

buy my

yearbook!”

Don’t worry. Yearbooks will be on sale one last time in March 2012 for $75. Don’t

miss it!

short | maddy barneyJanitorial by the numbers

“Powerade at all schools.” - sophomore Devon Hartford

“I would make Justin Bieber be banned and burning of all things him mandatory.” - sophomore Marissa Bauer

“iPods and phones would be allowed in class.” - sophomore Summer Whiting“

“I hate it when hicks put big stacks on their truck and think it’s fast. So I would make a law banning stacks.”

- junior Tyler Schaeffer

“I would have old people retake their driver’s tests.” - junior Jake Erickson

“I would make downloading music off iTunes for free, because I’m sick of paying for it.” - junior Whitney Lindbo

“I would end no child left behind.” - senior Ashley Flickinger

short | Skyler Husebye

If you could make your own law, what would it be?

28

9 janitors

4 hour shifts

20 keys on the 1 head janitors 1 ring

2 shirt options. 1 polo, 1 denim

10 cases of 96 rolls of toilet paper = 960 rolls a month

pick up so much garbage!

rotate weekend events

1 from 12:30-9

3 start in school morning

3 from 2 to 10:30

1 head janitor

Huff Hills is one of the more popular hangouts for teenagers in Bismarck during winter. Snowboarding, being one of the few things to do in the great state of North Dakota, is a sport many people enjoy. Huff Hills is approximately 16 miles south of Mandan on County Road 80. It may have little to show, like my backyard, but has a lot to offer. It is North Dakota’s biggest ski resort, having four ski lifts and 16 runs, the longest being 0.75 miles long. Winter enthusiasts love the 450’ vertical drop and the friendly beginner bunny hill. With a lodge that includes amazing food, a comfortable environment and huge windows to watch the skiers and snowboarders, it is hard to beat. The season is the perfect length of time, opening in late November and closing the second or third week in March. The rates aren’t bad either. An adult full day on a holiday weekend is $28, and a regular weekend is $25. An adult pre-season pass is $250, but after the season starts it goes up to $360. Huff hills is a fun, family-friendly resort suitable for all ages. Take a weekend off this busy holiday season, have your dad break out the old skis, and hit the slopes!

short | Alex Skalicky

29

8 years, 260 days since Secretary of State Colin Powell found evidence of Saddam Hussein’s biological weapons program

8 years, 215 days since the US invasion of Iraq.

8 years, 175 days since the “Mission Accomplished” speech was delivered by George W. Bush on the USS Abraham Lincoln.

6,274 US military fatalities

30,182 US military injuries

468 contractor fatalities

103,142 - 112,708 documented civilian deaths

2.8 million internally displaced Iraqis

$806 billion in federal funding for the Iraq War through FY2011

$3 - $5 trillion in total economic cost to the US

$60 billion in US expeditures lost to waste and fraud in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2001

0 weapons of mass destruction found in Iraq

8 years and 215 days. This was known as the “cakewalk” to Baghdad, according to George W. Bush adviser Kenneth Adelman. Although all United States service men and women in Iraq are to be home by Christmas, the costs of war, financially and emotionally, will leave scars across our country for years to come. The Iraq War, the false assumption of Saddam Hussein developing weapons of mass destruction, has resulted in surprising numbers.

short | Kenzie Edinger

“I use my phone to get the news.” - junior Lauren Johnson

“The widget on my Droid.” - sophomore Eric Schmidt

| entertainment |

“My computer’s internet opens to MSN News, so I usually use that to find my information.” - senior Alexis Eggers

“MANSWERS.” - senior Jade Lysring

“Cosmopolitan all the way.” - junior Jordan Oster

“The six o’clock news every night.” - junior Madison Brown

“ESPN, because sports are the only thing that matters!” - sophomore Nick Schmidt

“Google, because I can type any question in and it shows up tons of resources to find the answer.” - sophomore Tawniel Retzlaff

What is your favorite news

source?

The cost

of war

short | Nick Laqua

Devote a little time to reflecting upon how many times you say “thank you” on an average day. The person that held the door, sold you your morning fix of caffeine, the person that turned the vibrate off on your phone, the person that provided you with the word that was at the tip of your tongue- you thanked them all. But what about the person that cleaned the bathroom after you left school last night? What about the person that tied on an apron at dawn this morning to make your breakfast and lunch? What about the person that made sure nobody parked upside down or on top of your car in the parking lot? Did they get a “thank you?” The janitorial staff of Century spends hours and days and weeks picking up trash in the parking lot, a job that is the duty of the individual that set it in the wind and not the can. Every day, people do things for you that you are capable of doing for yourself, and not only capable, but obligated. It is nobody’s job to come in at 7:15 so you can make up a quiz because you went to Gloria Jeans instead of to class, but they do it. It is nobody’s job to flush the toilet you were too inconvenienced to flush, but they do it. It is nobody’s job to do your job, but they do it. So while other’s do your job, be sure to be thankful. Be sure to thank them, by action and by voice. And above all, thank them by doing it yourself, whatever it may be, so they do not have to. You are your own responsibility. And while you are being appreciative, you might as well pick up the slack for those that are not. Pick up other’s trash, sincerely thank every lunch lady you pass, because the person behind you may not. Call your role model, call your boss, send a letter to your aunt, hug your friend, text your brother, and say thank you.

Thank youeditorial | STAR staff

“Just let him go. He always eats all of the donuts in the teacher’s lounge.”

Opinion

cartoon| Bre Moyle

Sydney Harvey

Opinion. A word defined by Merriam Webster as a view, judgment, or appraisal formed in the mind about a particular manner. As the opinion editor,

I sit here to conjure up a column every month to convey a manner about what I feel is fit for the entire student body to read. Yet of course, everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Each to take everything in its own context. To form a belief of their own. No one person is the same, and neither are minds. Throughout life I have realized that people choose to believe what they want. Some may try to swindle them into thinking otherwise, but others stand firm in their own judgment.

Like every other kid in the sandbox, I didn’t care if my clothes were enveloped with sand or if the kid I built sand castles with was a different race or if they were popular or not. The only thing on my mind was to build a towering castle I would be proud of. Elementary days were so long ago, yet simplistic. A time in my life where it didn’t matter if anyone I knew was superior in society. No one judged me back then, and I was fine with myself. Now trying to fit in is all that seems to matter anymore. I felt as though I had to please others in order for them to like me. Being someone I wasn’t didn’t feel right. The only way I could be happy is if I learned to love myself for who I was and not live up to anyone’s expectations.

It doesn’t matter what people think of me or if they judge me based on what I wear or what race I am. I love myself and I am content with who I am. In order to make myself happy I am to make the choice which makes myself happy and not for another. To form a sort of ‘declaration of independence.’

Like our forefathers, I must stand up to my British successor and demand a refund. It took mighty courage for

the measly commoners of Britain to stand up to their king, but in order to make themselves happy, they had to sacrifice everything they obtained. Thus, they fled to the land known as America and created the free country that I live in. They didn’t live their lives in misery in order to please their ruler. If they had, freedom wouldn’t have a meaning like it does today.

Life shouldn’t have to be about living up to the high standards that society comes up with, and no one should have to their life unhappily. If no one had taken risk in order to change their life to do what was right, the world would still be stuck in their selfish ways of what they felt was fit for everyone else. Inevitably, there will always be someone who doesn’t agree with me but that shouldn’t mean I should change myself in order to please them. My opinions matter and the life I convey is the result of my own decisions. Only I can change my life... no one else can do it for me.

column | Sydney Harvey

“I love myself and I am content with who I am.”

| opinion |

imperfectEmbrace it

column | Marissa Sipes

This summer, I met Kayla Folven. We became fast friends through a short-term missions trip to inner-city Chicago and our summer Bible

camp in Devils Lake- yes, I know, a Bible camp in Devils Lake, ha ha ha. Other than that, we didn’t see each other much, since she lives in Watford City. Shortly before one of her frequent visits to Bismarck, she told me via a Facebook wall post (oh, technology) she would be at my youth group on Wednesday night. This produced a spew of comments in which Kayla said something about me being perfect and I argued back saying that I was in no way perfect. Kayla commented back telling me I was and that I needed to “embrace the perfection” and I told her that should be a motto for a makeup company, or some company that produced beauty products. Kayla said that would be the first thing she said to me when she saw me. But that Wednesday I ran up to her and yelled “Embrace the perfection!” before she turned around to see it was me. Laughs and hugs ensued, and not much more was said about perfection after that.

But recently, I started thinking- a very dangerous thing for me- about it again. I’m not perfect. Nor is Kayla. Or

anyone, for that matter. Every single person is imperfect, because we were made to be so. Selena Gomez and P!nk serenade us with lyrics about how perfect we are, asking us who dares to question our perfection and begging us to never forget our perfection, but empty promises can’t take away our flaws, not even if they are made by a celebrity.

Our flaws make up who we are, and the imperfect moments of life create beautiful memories. Ones like the I-laughed-so-hard-I-just-peed-my-pants memories or the ones when we misquote our favorite movie. Heck, sometimes I forget how to spell the word banana, and I have hilarious memories of trying to say something smart but using a totally wrong word. And people’s mistakes and flaws, what makes them unique, are the things we learn to love. Those are the things that make someone perfect, at least in the eyes of someone who loves them.

So I guess P!nk had a point in saying “You are so perfect to me.” Because the imperfections of those we love are the things that make them an individual and, although not according to its technical definition, perfect in our eyes.

32

“Our flaws make up who we are, and the imperfect moments of life create beautiful memories.”

|opinion|

imperfect Bro’in’ aroundWhat happens when a bunch of dudes are hanging out

column | Isaac Sauer

When a bunch of dudes get together to hang out, it always ends up taking an unexpected turn. If you have ever hung out with a group

of guys you know what I mean when I say “Dude wouldn’t it be sweet if we...” That’s usually just the start of it because even if it wouldn’t be that sweet or fun, the whole group ends up doing something stupid.

Sometimes when there are no dumb ideas floating around, the group can always watch Jackass to get the good ideas flowing. One day after watching a new episode, we got this wonderful idea of trying to swallow goldfish and regurgitate them back into a fish bowl. It turned out everyone was gagging, and let’s just say we never saw those fish again.

While snowboarding, my friend Chip and I also started the new craze we call “Double Shifty.” A shifty on a snowboard is where you just turn your board 90 degrees without moving your body. Charlie rides his snowboard goofy and I ride regular. We had this wondrous idea that if we both go off a jump together and shifty we’d get extremely close to each other. Well, when you’re flying about 40mph and are more than 15 feet in the air, being close to anything or anyone is a bad idea.

My friends have now all got new video cameras and have started filming all of our hangouts. The camera is also another great provocation of bad ideas. The video camera, though, adds a whole new spin to the “ideas.” With the video camera my group always takes it to a whole new level because even if we crash it still looks gnarly on camera.

Us turning 18 also contributed to our good ideas. We don’t buy cigarettes or anything like that. We buy flare guns. And when you put longboarding and flare guns together, it’s always a good time. So we are longboarding down a hill going 40-50mph in a tight group of 8-12 when all of a sudden we hear a BOOM as a bright red flare flies within feet of our heads. This is so startling that it throws some people off their board. Hitting the cement at that speed isn’t usually fun, but since we got it on video camera it doesn’t matter because whether you stayed on your board or not, the video is absolutely hilarious to everyone.

And even though we’re wincing in pain by the end of the night, we are all proud of each other and it’s actually a good bonding experience. All of us bros are actually really close and would do pretty much anything for the other. One time after a long day of snowboarding doing a 540, I actually broke my humerus and dislocated my shoulder. It hurt pretty bad, so Charlie Duncan put it back in my socket to take away the pain even though he had no clue what he was doing. And that pretty much goes for any of us. We always got each other’s backs no matter what.

RANTS“The number 23 has come up in suspicious occurances in our lives for two

years now. Did you know, you are 23 percent more likely to die if you are texting while driving, according to Channel One? Two years ago the fire alarm went off at 2:23... Coincidence? I think not. And last but not least, my mom’s name is... 23. Just Kidding!” - juniors Jackie Ortega and Meera Patel

“I hate how you can joke about something and people blow it way out of proportion. Then it becomes an epidemic!” - junior Shantel Mihm

“I can’t stand when we are done with a test, then I ask if we can talk. But [the teacher] says no, although everyone is finished.” - junior Riley Riehl

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|opinion|

“I hate how we can’t listen to music in class. It helps me concentrate. I don’t understand why we can’t even listen to it when we’re not doing anything. I JUST WANT MY MUSIC.” - sophomore Ashley Goehring

RAVES

“Raving about Ravens! Best defense in the NFL? I think so! Most inspirational team in the NFL? That too! As I watch the defensive line-up for Baltimore Ravens and Terrell Suggs says “Sizzle, Ball So Hard University,” it just makes me crazy. And watching Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, and Terrell Suggs make plays and taunt other player just makes everything about them better! Ravens D are machines! Jerk!” -senior Justice Johnson

“The Golden Girls are amazing! Every episode is absolutely hilarious. I have 62 episodes recorded on my DVR so I never have to go a day without Blanche, Rose, Dorothy, and Sophia are the four crazy grandmas I never had.” - senior Nicole Johnson

“I hate how you can joke about something and people blow it way out of proportion. Then it becomes an epidemic!” - junior Shantel Mihm

“I just got a North Face jacket. It’s soft and fuzzy and I want to wear it everywhere. It’s perfect for indoors and outdoors. Thank you North Face.” -junior Peyton Lind

“I love how I can come to school with my best friend Carlee Gebeke.” - junior Lexi Sayler

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“I hate how we can’t listen to music in class. It helps me concentrate. I don’t understand why we can’t even listen to it when we’re not doing anything. I JUST WANT MY MUSIC.” - sophomore Ashley Goehring

|opinion|

senior Danni Schwartz

sophomore Brianna Schneider

Stories told

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|fiction|

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|fiction|

What do you do in your free time?

I like to hang out with friends, play piano and watch movies.

Who’s your hero?

My mom, she is always there for me.

If you could be any animal, what would you be and why?

I would be a bird because I want to fly.

What do you like about skating?

I love my teammates. They are so awesome.

What’s your hidden talent?

I can do bird calls and pogo stick.

If you could wake up anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

New Zealand. I’ve heard it’s amazingly pretty.

How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop?

I actually tried once, but I lost count around 20.

profile | Abby Kopp

Senior Karly Knudson gives a glimpse into her hectic life

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It’s my life

Careers Start in High SchoolKim FeistCHS Class of 1979Kim is good with people and numbers. She’s a natural fit in the Accounting Department at Knife River Corp., a construction business based in Bismarck. One of her favorite things about numbers is not being one of them. Although Knife River — an MDU Resources Group company — has thousands of employees across 13 states, Kim doesn’t feel lost in the shuffle. “We’re a big company in every way, but we still operate like a family,” she says. “I love my co-workers and I love Knife River.”

Your future starts in school. We look forward to meeting again.

1200 W. Century Ave., Bismarck • www.mdu.com

It’s my life

OANYONE ELSE’SBEYOND.What is your beyond? Is it loud? Healing? Brimming with pixels? A work in progress? No matter what it is,

Bismarck State College has the programs and faculty to make it a reality. Our campus delivers the educational

options you want. Enroll in technical programs and be working in your dream job in two years or less.

Or enroll in liberal arts transfer programs and have your credits transfer to a four-year college.

You choose your beyond. BSC will help you get there. Get started by visiting WheresYourBeyond.com/info

or call us at 224-5429.