the

OICEVGretna High School • 11335 South 204th Street • Gretna, NE 68028 Volume VIII • Issue IV • February 2010

Could you imagine get-ting in front of 700 students to play a video game? Now imagine having to put together a band, sing, and play three different instruments. Before students were let free for Thanksgiving break the freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors were all given a chance to prove their skills in Rock Band. The freshman class really took one for the team and placed first. Juniors placed second, seniors came in third, and the sophomores ended up in last place. “I was nervous at first, but then I got up there and had fun, said freshman Camie Hemp-hill, who was the lead singer for the freshman class.” “I don’t think the audience was expecting a stellar performance, they just

Students battleit out

(See Rock Page 2)

Photo by Lexi Busch

What’s the technology for 2010? See Page 6

What does it take to make it to state?

See Page 15

How did snow days affect Gretna?

See Page 2

How is Gretna like the TV show Glee?

See Page 11

TP the Teacher!

Hilary Stover

Sophomores Tyler Cogswell and Mandi Wagner quickly try and wrap up Mr. Stastny for the last class competition. Sophomores came in second place.

newsMarch 2010 2

Most can agree that winter has been here forever and they’re ready for a break. Spring break is right around the corner and now that students have a to-tal of six days, including the weekend, they’re pumped. “I’m really excited; it’s gonna be a fun break,” freshman Tanner Silence said. Students are ready to get out of school and these days off are going to give students and teachers a much-need-ed break. Vocal music teacher Pat Ribar explains why he likes spring break. “I like how they’re doing it over two days this week and two days the next week,” he said, “We all need to go away and get a breath of fresh air.” Why do students all of a sudden have a longer break? “It always depends on where Me-morial Day is,” Superintendent Dr. Kevin Riley said. Because Memorial day falls lat-er on the calendar, we have more days of school which means a longer spring break. Now that students have days off that qualify for the title of spring break, plans are being made. “I’m going back to South Sioux where I’ll babysit throughout the week and cel-ebrate Easter that weekend at my grand-parents in Lenox, South Dakota,” gym teacher Jennifer Flynn said. Basketball coach and gym teacher Brian Hoffman has different plans. “[My wife] will probably have a kid, and I’ll watch Paul Pierce get beat,” Hoffman said. Six days may not seem like a lot, but most could conjure up something to do pretty easily so as not to be bored; anywhere from sleeping to going out of town. “I’m really excited to excited to catch up on sleep,” Silence said. “I’m stoked to go skiing at Cop-per Mountain,” junior Monica Crockett said.

Spring break right around the corner

By DeAnna HannerStaff Writer

Body aches. Headaches. Weight gain. That feeling where you just want to stay at home. All effects of a winter that seemed to drag on and on.

“I call it ‘Winter Rage,’” guidance counselor Anita O’Neill said.

This is what most of GHS has been feeling this winter. But as students and staff look forward to the warm spring air, the summer sun shining on our faces, the look of bright green grass, and the feeling of the hot cement, they can’t help but look back on one of the worst winters in Nebraska history. For the city of Gretna and surrounding areas, winter rage began in November when the snow began to fall and the temperature started to drastically drop. “I really just don’t like winter,” sophomore Shelby Dechow said. “It’s so long and when you get to November you just want it to be over with when it’s just the beginning.” Since then, students and teachers enjoyed catching up with family and friends during winter break and tried to move past the frigid weather but the wintry weather continued on and affected students’ and teachers’ moods. “When your brain gets out of control [during this winter] you’re just all down,” O’Neill said. “We had such high expectations that didn’t happen because our winter break was so unusual, our own life wasn’t as we wanted it to be.”

Flights were delayed and driving through the snowstorm was difficult, forcing people to rearrange holiday plans. “After the big Christmas snowstorms it seemed like teachers and students came back all down and depressed because we had that snowstorm and everyone was stuck and then we came back to school,” Dechow said. Students were sacked with makeup work and homework while teachers were ambushed with papers to grade before the new quarter began and their opinions about the bitter series of

snowstorms were the same. “I would say reality hit when we got done with the set of snow days,” O’Neill said. “We were stuck inside all break and teachers had to finish first quarter grades and that threw us out of balance and teachers were crabby.” As the weather threw everyone out of balance, it continued to take a toll on student’s moods. “I’ve been down a little bit,” Dechow said. “It hurts to go outside and there was a week when the sun didn’t shine. It’s sort of like, ‘when is this going to be over with?’”

As the weather grew colder and colder, students and staff dealt with the harsh consequences of winter.

“A lot of snow makes it really hard to get out of places and you just get stuck,” junior Brandon Koke said.

As the gloomy weather wraps up people just want to see some sunshine come into their lives and get rid of feeling stuck and start to get into what seems like never-ending routines.

“I hate it, the gravel and walking into it; I’ve washed my car everyday it gets warm. I’m tired of wearing black clothes. Even my little dog Skippy wont go outside,” O’Neill said.

With the arrival of spring, students are looking forward to various activities besides being locked up in the harsh winter. “The warm weather, skateboarding, I like driving fast on the ice without slipping,” Koke said.

Dreaming of warm weather and to finally be eager for seeing no snow or slush on the ground and various activities that warm weather has to offer.

“They have a little happier step and not frozen cold,” O’Neill said. “And I’m talking about track, soccer, all the spring sports, prom and summer activities, looking forward to young love and summer time most definitely.” The sun shining down on our faces now melting the snow, the dread of this winter is still in our memory but some can finally stop wearing our winter coats and get ready for spring.

“Is it obvious I’m ready for spring?” O’Neill said. “I want to help students enjoy and get where they’re ready to be.”

‘Winter rage’ gives way to spring excitement

By Kelsey CharrlinStaff Writer

What are you looking forward to this spring?

“Good vacation, so I can get peace and a break from school,”

-freshman Bryar Ringhoff

“Soccer, because its my favorite sport,” -sophomore Taylor Wageman

“Easter, because you get candy,”

-junior Sarah Donovan

“Warm weather, because it is cold out now, I look forward to going swimming,” -senior Jesse Brennan

Results based off of a poll of 100 students

Sleeping

Working

VacationHanging Out

Other

What are you doing over spring break?

3 newsFebruary 2010

As Gretna continues to grow so does the amount of classes students are allowed to take. There are six new classes that students can take starting next year. “We just wanted to get more of a variety for students to choose from and we also needed more dual credit classes,” Principal Kirk Eledge said. One of those classes will be Broadcasting and Video Production, which will be taught by History teacher David Stastny. Stastny and English teacher Jamie Hestermann proposed the class. “I really think it’s something the school needs” Mr. Stastny said, “Also, lots of other schools have done it with success,” Mr. Stastny said. In the class, students will learn about different types of filmmaking such as info pieces, sports high-lights, commentaries, etc. Students will go through step-by-step of the video making process, starting with writing a script, then taking it through until they get the final product. The class is a semester long and open to 11th and

It’s 18 hours of extra learning. It’s coming back to school every Monday night or Saturday morning for six weeks. It’s more homework and studying every night. On top of all that, it’s $175 out of your pocket. But what if all this would help students im-prove their ACT scores and get them into a better col-lege? How appealing does that sound? To junior Ste-phen Kessler that makes the other things all worth it. “Even though it will be a lot of work it will help me get a better score on it ACT, ” Kessler said. According to counselor Carole Carraher, stu-dents can raise their scores anywhere from 2-5 points from taking the class. Before GHS students started the class, they took a practice test. At the end of the class, students will test again and the scores will be compared. The test took three hours and they only had two five minute breaks. “ The test wasn’t too bad or hard, it was de-cent,” junior Nolan Schmid said. Although the test wasn’t very hard for Schmid, for others it was a little more difficult and frustrating to get through. “ It was really hard because I was tired and

didn’t know how to do a lot of the questions,” Kessler said. For junior Madison Healy, the thing she isn’t looking forward to is getting up early every Saturday morning. “The only thing I’m really not happy about is that I have to get up early on Saturday mornings to go to school again,” Healy said. The other option for the class was going Mon-day evenings from 6-9, which students weren’t very thrilled about that either. “ I can’t do anything or hang out with friends since the class is at night,” Schmid said. The thing that all three of these students agree on is they hope that the class is worth the $175. “ Hopefully by taking the class it will improve my scores and be worth the $175,” Healy said. Kessler believes that the class will definitely be worth all the money. “ I paid that much money for the class because the test will determine the rest of my life and where I go to college,” Kessler said. Even though it’s 18 hours of extra learning. It may mean coming back to school Monday nights or Saturday mornings. And it will be more studying and homework, but it can only help to improve your score. “ I’ve never taken the A.C.T. before and hope-fully the class will help me get a better score and get into a good college,” Schmid said.

ACT class worth it or not?By Lexi BuschPhotographer

Coming soon to a classroom near you...By Trey Russell

Staff Writer

Gretna High School students who are in-terested in the Health and Medical careers can now apply to the UNMC Alliance. Beginning in the 2010-2011 school year students can take these new classes at UNMC. This opportunity will give students the chance to work with health care pro-fessionals and researchers as well as earn credits for UNO as it is a Dual Credit class. Students that are admitted to UNMC will be on the UNMC cam-pus from 1 to 3p.m. The classes to pick from are Medical Decision Making, Biomedical Research, and Bioscience Innovations. Students interested in the Alliance must have registered by March 15, 2010

UNMC Alliance

12th graders. Another new class that students will be allowed to take is Cartooning, Caricatures, and Comics, which will be taught by art teacher Mike Moore. The class was created for those who are interested in drawing and animation. “I wanted to teach it because there was an ani-mation club already, so it just kind of evolved,” Moore said. Students will start with portraits and learn the basics of shadowing. Then they will break down car-tooning, caricatures, and comics individually, includ-ing learning some of the history behind each. “I would probably take cartooning because it would be sweet and I love Spongebob,” sophomore Brendan Barton said. From there, they will begin with basic cartoons followed up with comic strips and finished with cari-catures. It is a semester long class and sophomores through seniors can take it. Students must have previ-ously taken Basic Art however There are also four more classes that will be of-fered next year including Survey Anatomy & Physiology and Genetics which will be taught by science teacher Deb Childs, Small Engines which will be taught by shop teacher Jason Novotony, and Medical Terminology

which will be taught by science teacher Vince Burgett. “Some of the classes such as Medical Termi-nology and Survey Anatomy and Physiology are Dual Credit classes so it will help out a lot of the upperclass-men as well as students who are interested in the medi-cal field,” Eledge said. “As we continue to grow larger we are starting to look into culinary classes.”

Sophomore Matt Horan plays guitar in Mr. Wimmer’s Guitar I class.

4 editorialFebruary 2010

Editor-in-Chief: Liz StratmanPhotographer: Lexi BuschIn-Depth Editor: Features Editor: Lauren SawyerOnline/News Editor: Payton SamuelsonEntertainment Editor: Taylor BradishSports Editor:

The Voice News StaffStaff Writers:Hannah ApplegateKelsey CharrlinEthan DawesDeanna Hanner Kennedy Healy Kendall Hendrix Ashley JosoffChelsea Pote Trey Russell

Mandi WagnerAshley ZajacAdvisor: Jamie Hestermann

The Voice is a monthly publication spon-sored by Gretna High School, 11335 South 204th Street, Gretna, NE 68028. The office of The Voice is located in sponsor Jamie Hester-

mann’s room, room 400. The phone number is (402)332-3936. Reader response is welcome in the form of suggestions and ideas. They can be dropped off in room 400 at any time. Editorials are solely the opinions of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of The Voice staff or Gretna High School.

Results based on a poll of 100 GHS students.

If we had to make up snow days, how would you make them up?

65%Extend school day

14%Extend school year

21%Take days off Spring Break

When most kids are in mid-dle school they dream of grow-ing up to become professional athletes but for most kids it is no more than a dream. There are few select kids who have more realis-tic dreams considering that now 13 year olds are being pursued to commit to big time colleges. David Sills lives in Bear, Delaware and he is just like any other teenager in the town. He plays football, hangs out with friends and also breaks down NFL game tapes. The 6’1” thirteen year old is maybe just a bit different than most his friends, but then again most of his friends don’t have big time colleges recruiting him before he has even started a high school. “His skill set is off the chart,” his personal coach Steve Clarkson told ESPN. “I’ve never seen anyone at his age do what he’s been able to do.” Clarkson was on the phone talking to USC head coach Lane Kiffin about a 2010 recruit when Clarkson told Kiffin to watch a video of a young quarterback he was mentoring. Kiffin watched the videos and called back instantly saying the kid was ‘incredible’ not

Trey RussellStaff Writer

13-year-old football superstar signs

even caring to ask his age until later in the conversation. It just so happened that since he was a little kid Sills has wanted to be a Trojan, so within hours after Clarkson and Kiffin talked on the phone the Sills fam-ily got in touch with Kiffin. Sills’ father told Kiffin that USC had always been his son’s dream col-lege. Kiffin offered Sills a scholar-ship and on Feb. 4, Sills verbally committed. If everything holds up Sills will be a part of the Trojans 2015 recruiting class before ever tak-ing a snap in a high school game. However that is the catch, lots of things could change within the next couple of years, opinions can change, coaches can change, and life in general can change. Only time will tell if Sills remains a loyal Trojan and makes it through high school without enduring some type of career ending injury. Five years ago it was unheard of to look at high school freshmen with hopes of them committing four years early but now there are kids who are in middle school being recruited in both basketball and football. Sure everyone hopes the best for the kid, but all this does is put more pressure on the young-ster. The expectations people hold for Sills will only grow and it will become harder and harder for him to live up to them.

By Sam Greenfield

5 editorialFebruary 2010

New classes can benefit entire student body

On Tuesday, January 12, 2010 people across the world turned on their T.V.’s to see astonishing pictures, stories, and news about the 7.0 earthquake that hit the country of Hai-ti. Many people were sad, some prayed for the victims, and others went out and made a differ-ence. On a world level many organizations rushed to the relief of the victims and what once was their home. American Red Cross , Oxfam America, United Nations World Food Pro-gramme, Partners in Health, UNICEF and many others joined in helping the cause. Some peo-ple even started organizations when they heard about the devastating effects of the earthquake. The Clinton Busch Haiti Fund, and the Yele Hai-ti Foundation also assisted in helping the Hai-tians. Nationally many celebrities donated and raised money for the victims. Their best efforts showed in a “Hope for Haiti Now” telethon that was held January 22 through the 24. George Clooney hosted and a remarkable amount of ce-lebrities came to perform or answer phone calls. Mary J. Blige, Stevie Wonder, Shakira, and Tay-lor Swift were just a few who participated. The proceeds are still coming in as songs performed at the telethon are being sold on itunes. The profit will be split and given to the organizations listed above. People throughout the world have come together to help the cause. Here at GHS the library collected donations and late fees for a week which were sent to help. We also contrib-uted $1,149.34 from our penny war class compe-titions. With the encouragement of our student council and the help of everyone who donated we were able to contribute to the huge Haiti re-lief going on everywhere. This just goes to show that people can take the most horrible circumstances and make something good out of them. When something bad happens, there are many ways to cope with it. The best way is to do what you can to make a difference. Whether you’re Brad Pitt and Ange-lina Jolie who donated one million dollars, or a sophomore at GHS who donated five, it made a difference. We were all working towards a com-mon goal, and every penny counted.

Haiti Relief: Doing our best during the worst of times

By Kennedy HealyStaff Writer

By Tyler Novak

Heading away to college with a full semester of college credit hours completed. Skipping ahead to harder classes at the university to save time and money. Challenging yourself to more intense work and a higher-level education. With dual credit cours-es and specialized classes of your potential major, students can get a start on college without having to leave GHS. So what’s the problem with that? Nothing, except the chance that Gretna doesn’t offer any courses that could enhance your knowledge in the field you choose. While many classes have been added to the 2010-2011 school year, one may wonder if these new classes will benefit the majority of the student body or just a small portion? If GHS wants to expand our curriculum, then they should create classes for all student interests, not just certain areas. By adding new class options in the fall, the administration is taking a step in the right direction, but more steps must be taken in the future. It would be ideal if there was a specialized

class at GHS for every imagined career on the plan-et, but let’s face it, Gretna’s just not all that big. Too many options would form classes of only a few peo-ple. College is the time and place for specified learn-ing, but high school should still remain a time to get a head-start and explore possible fields of interest. Bottom line: take advantage of the new classes GHS has added. Even if the classes don’t sound like something you would enjoy, try them and you could be surprised. While only a chunk of students may need to further their education in the medical field through Medical Terminology or the art field through Cartooning, Caricatures and Comics, the classes could prove to be good experi-ence and exploration to determine what your career choice may be before committing to a major in col-lege. Broadcasting, Small Engines and Survey of Anatomy and Physiology and Genetics could also expand one’s knowledge or even introduce him/her to a whole new career he/she has never consid-ered. Frustrated that the new classes won’t ben-efit you at all? Don’t sweat it. The new classes can benefit the entire student body, that is except se-niors. So give them a try. Knowledge of any kind is a benefit in itself, regardless of what you plan to do with your life. Plus, GHS will hopefully keep adding more classes in the years to come.

The Staff’s Opinion

6 featuresFebruary 2010

By Mandi WagnerStaff Writer

2010 is thought to be one of the best years for new technology. Modern generations of gadgets will include 3D TVs, touch screen laptops, and Ford MyKey safety systems. Each of these items is something most high school students use in their daily lives. Only now they are updated to include the latest in technology. Watching 3D movies is a blast, but how would you like to watch just regular old television in 3D? “3D TV will be the new hype for 2010,” sophomore Ryan Kula said. The new generation of plasma TVs wants to release a screen that does just this. A 3D television set throws different images to each eye and angles them so the image appears to be popping of the screen without the help of 3D glasses. Right now the cost of one TV is about $25,000, which most people cannot afford, so they are trying to find ways to reduce the cost. Even new car upgrades are coming out, one of which lets parents keep tabs on their teen drivers. Ford is coming out with a new safety gadget called MyKey, to make sure their teen drivers are safe. They control how loud teens can make their music play and how fast they can drive their cars. The car

2010 brings new gadgets

BKE jeans, $79.50; scoop neck tee from Forever 21, $6.90; classic short Ugg boots, $139.99. This all adds up to $226.39. So how much is too much to spend to get your favorite brands? “$200 because your clothes get smaller and they get ruined,” sophomore Jared Berg said. Some students care about the little logo stitched on their shorts or that short name on the back of their boots, but not everyone. “No [I don’t care], because I can find cute things that aren’t name brand,” freshman Anne Studnicka said. Even though some can find alternatives, name brands are found almost everywhere at GHS. From Uggs to Nike and Hollister to Buckle, you can always find at least a dozen people, no

matter what the grade, wearing one of these brands. Jeans at Buckle range in price from $50 to $150, anywhere from sequined and sparkly to intricately designed stitching on the pockets. “My favorite jeans are probably ‘Miss Me’ because I love their sparkle pockets,” senior Jessica Wagner said. How about shoes? Students’ thoughts on how much they would spend on shoes ranges anywhere from $15 to $100. “$60 because my shoes get ripped up from skateboarding so it wouldn’t be worth buying expensive shoes,” Berg said. Different items of clothing come in many different brands. But is that logo or name really worth the cost? Not according to senior Anne Torczon. “I think you can find the same thing that’s not name brand.”

What to wear?

By DeAnna HannerStaff Writer

GHS debates over brands

Alyssa Jirkovsky,sophomore

Jared Berg,sophomore

Shirt:Buckle, $30

Jeans: American Eagle, $20

Bracelets: Charlotte Russe, $4

Shirt:Volcom, $20

Jeans: Pac Sun, $30

Shoes: D.C., $60

could be set to go no faster than 80mph. Buckling up is the law, but not everyone follows this law. The MyKey safety feature has a six second chime that goes off every minute for five minutes until the drivers buckle their seat belts. After five minutes, if the seat belt is not clicked into place, the music will automatically mute and cannot be turned back on until the seat belt is put on. Parents may think this new safety feature is a wonderful idea but many teen drivers think otherwise. “Being a teen driver is supposed to come with new responsibilities,” sophomore Courtney Murcek said. “This MyKey is not a good idea. If your parents don’t trust you when driving alone or with friends, they shouldn’t give you a car or the freedom to drive in the first place. Apple, Compact and Dell are all common names when it comes to computers and laptops. Well HP has broke through with the new HP Touchsmart tm2t Tablet PC. It holds 500GB of memory but only weighs 4.72 pounds. Twisting a full 180 degrees, the laptop can fold up with the screen on the outside to create a drawing pad or movie screen for example. Users can write, draw, or control the computer with a digital pen or their finger tips. This unique new laptops is quite expensive at about $949.99. From new TVs, to upgrades, and laptops, 2010 and the future will be taking us for a spin in the technology world.

“I would want a 3D TV because it would be cool to watch movies on in my room.” -freshman Anna Elbract

“I would want an iPod with a ridiculous amount of memory space for my songs.” -senior Emily Fleming

“I would make a robot guinea pig and a DNA neurotransmitter.” -senior Gabs Tarnick

What is your dream machine?

6 featuresFebruary 2010

By Mandi WagnerStaff Writer

2010 is thought to be one of the best years for new technology. Modern generations of gadgets will include 3D TVs, touch screen laptops, and Ford MyKey safety systems. Each of these items is something most high school students use in their daily lives. Only now they are updated to include the latest in technology. Watching 3D movies is a blast, but how would you like to watch just regular old television in 3D? “3D TV will be the new hype for 2010,” sophomore Ryan Kula said. The new generation of plasma TVs wants to release a screen that does just this. A 3D television set throws different images to each eye and angles them so the image appears to be popping of the screen without the help of 3D glasses. Right now the cost of one TV is about $25,000, which most people cannot afford, so they are trying to find ways to reduce the cost. Even new car upgrades are coming out, one of which lets parents keep tabs on their teen drivers. Ford is coming out with a new safety gadget called MyKey, to make sure their teen drivers are safe. They control how loud teens can make their music play and how fast they can drive their cars. The car

2010 brings new gadgets

BKE jeans, $79.50; scoop neck tee from Forever 21, $6.90; classic short Ugg boots, $139.99. This all adds up to $226.39. So how much is too much to spend to get your favorite brands? “$200 because your clothes get smaller and they get ruined,” sophomore Jared Berg said. Some students care about the little logo stitched on their shorts or that short name on the back of their boots, but not everyone. “No [I don’t care], because I can find cute things that aren’t name brand,” freshman Anne Studnicka said. Even though some can find alternatives, name brands are found almost everywhere at GHS. From Uggs to Nike and Hollister to Buckle, you can always find at least a dozen people, no

matter what the grade, wearing one of these brands. Jeans at Buckle range in price from $50 to $150, anywhere from sequined and sparkly to intricately designed stitching on the pockets. “My favorite jeans are probably ‘Miss Me’ because I love their sparkle pockets,” senior Jessica Wagner said. How about shoes? Students’ thoughts on how much they would spend on shoes ranges anywhere from $15 to $100. “$60 because my shoes get ripped up from skateboarding so it wouldn’t be worth buying expensive shoes,” Berg said. Different items of clothing come in many different brands. But is that logo or name really worth the cost? Not according to senior Anne Torczon. “I think you can find the same thing that’s not name brand.”

What to wear?

By DeAnna HannerStaff Writer

GHS debates over brands

Alyssa Jirkovsky,sophomore

Jared Berg,sophomore

Shirt:Buckle, $30

Jeans: American Eagle, $20

Bracelets: Charlotte Russe, $4

Shirt:Volcom, $20

Jeans: Pac Sun, $30

Shoes: D.C., $60

could be set to go no faster than 80mph. Buckling up is the law, but not everyone follows this law. The MyKey safety feature has a six second chime that goes off every minute for five minutes until the drivers buckle their seat belts. After five minutes, if the seat belt is not clicked into place, the music will automatically mute and cannot be turned back on until the seat belt is put on. Parents may think this new safety feature is a wonderful idea but many teen drivers think otherwise. “Being a teen driver is supposed to come with new responsibilities,” sophomore Courtney Murcek said. “This MyKey is not a good idea. If your parents don’t trust you when driving alone or with friends, they shouldn’t give you a car or the freedom to drive in the first place. Apple, Compact and Dell are all common names when it comes to computers and laptops. Well HP has broke through with the new HP Touchsmart tm2t Tablet PC. It holds 500GB of memory but only weighs 4.72 pounds. Twisting a full 180 degrees, the laptop can fold up with the screen on the outside to create a drawing pad or movie screen for example. Users can write, draw, or control the computer with a digital pen or their finger tips. This unique new laptops is quite expensive at about $949.99. From new TVs, to upgrades, and laptops, 2010 and the future will be taking us for a spin in the technology world.

“I would want a 3D TV because it would be cool to watch movies on in my room.” -freshman Anna Elbract

“I would want an iPod with a ridiculous amount of memory space for my songs.” -senior Emily Fleming

“I would make a robot guinea pig and a DNA neurotransmitter.” -senior Gabs Tarnick

What is your dream machine?

7 featuresFebruary 2010

There are three kinds of dogs at the Nebraska Humane Society. Green Dot, Red Dot and Blue Dot. Green means the average happy-go-lucky dog, Red means confident, yet not necessarily aggressive, and the Blue Dots are timid and less trusting of people. It was one of these so-called “Blue Dots” that stole junior Sam Soupir’s heart on her first day at the Humane Society. She was shadowing a neighbor who had inspired her to volunteer and was led into an adoption room where she was instructed to sit down and wait for the shy little dog to warm up to her. Then the puppy was let out of its kennel, but there really wasn’t any waiting involved. “It just came right up to me, curled up in my legs, and I realized that dogs need people’s love more than anything,” Soupir said. It was Soupir’s neighbors, who played with the animals and regularly devoted time to volunteering that first inspired her. However, she admits it was pressure from colleges to put forth more community service hours and the volunteer hour requirements on scholarships that really propelled her to fill out an application. With a bit of nudging from her mother, Soupir picked up an application. After her short essay was approved and her mandatory training sessions were completed, Soupir decided to volunteer as a dog-walker, requiring one more training session. “I knew I didn’t want to do anything with children,” Soupir said. “This is perfect because when I tell the dogs to do something I don’t get back talk.” Typically, Soupir volunteers every Sunday from about nine a.m. to noon. Upon arrival she checks a chart which tells her which dog to hook up to

a leash and taken out for some fresh air and exercise. “Dog-walking is something I look forward to every week, “ Soupir said. “I just relax when I take them out.” Soupir admits she has fallen in love with the dogs, and that if she were to skip a week, she would feel as if she disappointed them, not the colleges looking for dedicated, volunteering teens. Giving the animals an opportunity to venture outside makes Soupir happy, but seeing dogs that haven’t been given the chance to leave the Humane Society at all, through adoption, upsets her. They end up spending far too much time in a cage, Soupir says, then begin to go crazy. Volunteers will go into the kennels to pet them, but there comes a point when they need to get out of their lunch-table sized kennels and be loved by a family. “It’s sad that some dogs don’t appear the way they are inside,” Soupir said. Pitt Bulls, for example, sit in kennels without any potential families coming to visit just because they have

a bad reputation and aren’t as cuddly-looking as puppies, she said. Soupir e n c o u r a g e s people to look into adopting any of the Human Society’s Pitt Bulls. Truly,

Soupir advocates adopting any pet, not just dogs, as the Humane Society is constantly receiving more animals. It’s been around four months since Soupir first started volunteering at the Humane Society and she doesn’t even think about how it can be used in college applications. In fact, she hasn’t even looked up a single scholarship requiring community service. All the motivation she needs is the thought of helping others. “I like doing something that benefits someone besides myself; this is one of the best things I have ever done.”

By Lauren SawyerFeatures Editor

Volunteering becomes a love, not a responsibility

The Humane Society is located on 8929 Fort Street. Currently over 350 volun-teers are involved at the Lied Humane center.

Pausing from play, a black lab urges Soupir to throw his ten-nis ball. The Nebraska Humane Society has no time limit for an animal to be adopted.

You must be at least 15 years old. You must be willing to commit to a minimum of eight hours per month. You must be willing to make a com-mitment of at least six months. You must attend an orientation and training session.

The Humane Center’s volunteer requirements:

1.

2.

3.

4.Information from www.nehumanesociety.org

Submitted Photos

“I like doing something that benefits someone besides myself...”

-Sam Soupir,junior

8 in-depthFebruary 2010

9in-depth February 2010

By Ashley ZajacStaff Writer

By Taylor BradishEntertainment Editor

4 in 1023.5the average number of hours one GHS class uses technol-ogy each week

the number of teens who have experienced online harrass-ment

Battling the good side of the new world

Technology: Advancement into a new age

iPad Computer

20102000

19901980

19701960

19501940

19301920

Blu-Ray Player

I-Pod

GPS

DVD Player

CD Player

LaptopComputer

Television

Cellular PhoneVCR

Cassette MachineThe first telephone was in-vented by Alexander Graham Bell in 1876. He originally called it an “electrical speech machine.”

Telegraph to e-mail. Cassette tape to Ipod Touch. Landline to Blackberry. Technology. We see it, we hear it, we acknowledge it every day and in every aspect of our lives. From waking up to an alarm clock in the morning to simply listening to the radio while driving to school, technology has evolved through the years. “Our entire society is based upon present technology,” senior Matt Kennedy said. Let’s ask ourselves, is the world satisfied with the transformation of technology or do people thirst for more? The answer lies behind the eyes of the beholder. “Technology helps you stay connected with family and friends that you don’t normally see,” junior, Natalie Doering said.

Advancements in technology have made the world a more high tech place for everyone. Cell phones, TV’s, and computers make up our life at work and school.

Programs such as Turnitin.com, allows students to type a paper and submit it online and seems to be much more convenient for some faculty members.

“I love it. Mostly because it’s a digital version and I don’t have to cart around all those papers,” English teacher Stephanie Suhr said, “It decreases

the amount of time used in writing out comments, and it’s less evasive for students because of the small comment boxes.”

As a result, it is also environmentally-friendly by staying away from all of the paper assignments that end up being tossed away into the garbage.

A recent addition to classrooms, is the smart board, a touch screen white board with a projector to show the lesson being taught. These boards allow for student interaction and bring simple lessons to life.

“The kids are better able to interact with the lessons as opposed to sitting and listening,” math teacher Sarah Benzel said, “We’re able to highlight things that we can’t cover on a normal overhead.” Smart boards also have their disadvantages. Even though the technology has improved, smart boards are a little costly, with a price between $3,450 and $10,000. As a result, some districts sometimes end up having to choose between smart boards and other improvements, possibly keeping them from having the boards in every room. Then there’s the case of which the electronic doesn’t work or is misused. It all matters about how it’s presented to the students. “It can only be as good as the teacher using it,” technology coordinator Jerome Skdrla said. “Some people try to use it as a chalkboard, which is no better.”

Following the same route as a smart board, with a paperless scheme, Barnes and Noble

developed the Nook: the only way to carry the bookstore in your hands everywhere you go. With just a simple tap on a color touchscreen, any book, newspaper, or magazine can be downloaded within minutes onto a small apparatus that is the mere size of a notepad. “It’s great because you can have 1,500 books in your hands all at once,” sophomore Nicole Swanson said. “Plus it’s small and the price is pretty cheap at about $250.” Right now the Nook isn’t a big “must buy now, or I’ll die” product but it surely

will make its way to that status as it gains more popularity. Some question whether this small on-the-go object will affect the bookstores or even the authors. “I don’t think it would have a big effect on the stores, because some people are still going to want the traditional hardcover copy to read,” Skrdla said. Parents and administrators are also wondering about the future possibilities of the Nook being distributed throughout the school for students. “It’d be nice to not have to carry all those books from class to class,” Swanson said. The device could possibly turn from great classics of American Literature to Biology College Prep or even American History 101. They could apply to class activities and provide digitals of the normal computer in a small pocket nook.

Posting cruel things on facebook, sending emails, spreading nasty rumors via anything electronic is considered as cyber bullying. There are people out there that are guilty of spreading a rumor or saying something rude to someone in at least some point in their life. But cyber bullying is getting taken way out of hand. Currently, cyber bullying is one of the fastest growing problems facing school administrators and local governments around the country. According to makeadifferenceforkids.org, four in ten teens have experienced online harassment. Girls are twice more likely than boys to be the victims. What could possibly be the reason for this bullying? Comparing it to the old school way of trying to hurt someones feelings? It’s likely that online bullying is becoming popular compared to physically bullying somebody because those who bully can remain virtually anonymous. Another reason for this is possibly because people may think they’ll never get caught. No serious consequences. And as of now, there aren’t. But some states are trying to get “cyberbullying” laws drafted and implemented. According to makeadifferenceforkids.org, Victims of online bullying often have lower self-esteem, and increased suicidal thoughts and report feeling scared, frustrated, angry and depressed. In some extreme cases victims avoid doing things they once loved like hanging out with friends, and participating in activities, giving the cyber-bully

exactly what he/she intended. If you’re a victim of a cyber-bully it’s important to tell your parents or an authority figure because there has been more cases than one where being bullied has led to fatal outcomes. “If you’re being bullied I would say just cut off contact,” guidance counselor, Anita O’Neill, said. “Don’t respond, ignore them, and it if continues and it’s serious enough, inform the police. Don’t forget to keep all your evidence.” At least three children between the ages of 12 and 13 have committed suicide due to depression brought on by cyber-bullying, according to reports by USA Today and the Baltimore Examiner.

Megan Meier: A young victim of cyberbullying

Most people have heard about Megan Meier, the teenager from Dardenne Prairie, Missouri who commited suicide by hanging three weeks before her 14th birthday. A woman named Lori Drew, the mother of a former friend of Meier made a fake myspace account supposedly belonging to a 16-year-old named “Josh Evans.” Her mother was in on this with her daughter, and another one of her daughter’s friends. Drew used “Josh Evans” to exchange messages with Meier until she started to like this made-up person. Finally out of the blue the tone of the messages changed. Drew sent Meier numerous hurtful messages until finally the last straw. According to Meier’s father Ronald Meier, and a neighbor who had discussed the hoax with Drew, the last message sent by the Evans account read: “Everybody in O’Fallon knows how you are. You are a bad person and everybody hates you… The world would be a better place without you.” Meier responded with a message reading “You’re the kind of boy a girl would kill herself over.” She was found twenty minutes later in her bedroom closet, Megan had hanged herself. Despite attempts to revive her, she was pronounced dead the following day.

Information from meganmeierfoundation.org

“I think it would be good for college students mostly,” Skdrla said. “And the only disadvantage that I can think of is that it may be harder to read at times.” So think about it…how much do YOU use technology? The answer is most likely everyday, even if the user does not notice it. Technology is used all the time, whether it’s logging onto Facebook to add a new friend or even using a laser printer to design that “gotta have” t-shirt for the Hey Monday concert. So maybe someday those e-mail’s will turn into something ten times faster and those Ipod Touches and Blackberry’s will switch into a nanochip that’s inserted into the ear. Perhaps this generation will never know until new technology arrives.

W H A T T E C H N O L O G Y W O U L D Y O U L I K E T O S E E I N T H E F U T U R E

Cyberbullying: Bullying takes on a new edge

“A tool to read people’s mind.”

-junior Taylor White

“Clothing to make you invisible. That would be genius.” -sophomore Kade

Hollendieck

“Something to solve illness that’s way

better than today’s research and stuff.” -freshman Mandy

Ogg

“Flying cars because who wants to drive

on the ground anymore?” -senior Kevin Scheidemann

?

Using math teacher Sarah Benzel’s smartboard, freshman Chloe Boeka solves a math problem. Benzel received her smartboard after she requested it last year.

Information from makeadifferenceforkids.org

The Walkman Photocopier

Polaroid

entertainmentFebruary 2010 10

$66.99

Your Shape

Featuring Jenny McCarthy The Biggest Loser$36.99

New Wii Fit programs: Do they meet students’ standards?

“Fitness is not about six-pack abs,” personal trainer Jillian Michaels told Self magazine in the January 2009 issue. “It’s a tool to help you reinvent yourself. It’s about exercising your greatness, feeling the full potential of your power and reaching it with no shame.”

Not only does Michaels work as a trainer for NBC’s show The Biggest Loser and write books on staying healthy, she also has developed several fitness programs that can be accessed through the Wii Fit system. Her Fitness Ultimatum and Biggest Loser games are among the top selling Wii Fit games. Wii Fit has developed several new products over the past year, such as Wii Fit Plus, which enhances the basic features with more games and

options. Senior Jacque Stiles recently

bought Wii Fit Plus and says she enjoys the yoga, but can still get a better workout at the gym.

“I think Wii Fit is useful for some things but the gym is more effective overall,” Stiles said. “I really hope people buying all the programs don’t think it’s a replacement to the gym.”

Junior Sophie Schneider enjoys Wii Fit Plus because of all of the different game choices.

“Trying all different sorts of the games and activities offered will give more results I think than just doing one or two,” Schneider said.

Like the original Wii Fit, Wii Fit Plus contains activities in the categories of yoga, aerobics, strength training and balance.

According to wiifit.com, Wii Fit Plus consists of six new yoga and

strength-building activities as well as fifteen new balance games.

“There’s more stuff to do on Wii Fit Plus like skateboarding, snowball fights, tilt-a-table and karate,” sophomore Joe Daffer said.

Stiles says she’s practically addicted to the snowball game, which is one of the new balance games. Other balance activities added to Wii Fit Plus include: juggling, skateboarding, obstacle courses and Perfect 10, a balance game promoting physical and mental heath.

“I wanted to gain balance and I think I have located my center of balance to start gaining

better balance,” Schneider said.Stiles and Daffer agree the

balance games are the easiest, but still fun at the same time.

EA Sports Active, Your Shape, My Fitness Coach and Gold’s Gym Cardio Workout are also fitness games for Wii that have hit the stores and topped the charts within the past year.

Though there are products designed specifically for cardio, Stiles still believes results from cardio can only really be achieved at the gym.

“The gym provides more cardio because Wii Fit isn’t good for cardio, like running.”

Both Stiles and Daffer believe Wii Fit Plus was worth

their money.“It’s fun playing and

teaching my two-year-old brother,” Daffer said.

A guide to selecting your best fitfrom five of the top selling Wii Fitness games

Exercise controller • freeFun & motivational • exercise!More exercises than • any other game! --- Over 500 exercises!

Over 88 exercises • including upper body, lower body, core, cardio and yoga50 healthy recipes • from the Biggest Loser cookbookSelect from a 4, 8, or • 12 week program

EA Sports Active$52.99

Wii Fit Plus

$19.96

Range of games and customized options• Mix and match what yoga and strength • they prefer on a given daySelect an area for personal improvement•

Gold’s Gym Cardio Workout$24.79

Includes a free one week membership at Golds • GymAutomatically changes difficulty of workouts • based on your fitnessMaintains calender of your fitness, and calories • burned

20 minute circuits • that target upper body lower body and cardioVirtual personal • trainer20 minute workouts • that change as you progress each day

By Liz StratmanEditor-in-Chief

Senior Jacque Stiles

11 entertainmentFebruary 2010

By Kennedy HealyStaff Writer

“School. home. dinner. game. shower. homework. bed. txt mehh :).!” This is the famous facebook sta-tus typed frantically into computers as people rush out of school. Sorry if you have done this before, but do you ever wonder how many people really care what you’re doing tonight? And with all that going on, do you really have time for people to text you? And if there were a dislike button on facebook many GHS students would be clicking it. The most popular thing on face-book these days is the “What’s on your mind?” or status box. But what most facebookers don’t realize is that maybe people don’t want to know everything that’s on your mind. So what’s the most annoying part of statuses? “When girls like write a bunch of quotes and song lyrics and cr-- and when they talk about their life,” junior Tyler

Novak said, rolling his eyes. “I don’t care. No one cares.” Junior Sam Soupir doesn’t like it when people write a paragraph about love and heartbreak. Senior Justin Patterson’s biggest status pet-peeve is when someone puts a big paragraph about their life and then people comment on it, and the person posting the status tells them it’s none of their business. “Why do they post it on facebook then?” Patterson asked. According to students annoying pictures are another big facebook no-no. Novak, who logs on daily, personally dis-likes when people take pictures of them-selves in the mirror. Soupir hates the “MySpace pics” which consists of at least one peace sign and some pucker lips. And once pictures are posted people start to comment on them. And then, they comment some more. “I hate it when you’re in a pic-ture and it gets all these comments, but its nothing about you”, Patterson said.

Ordinary high school students gossiping in the halls at school, rushing to class and catching up with friends may seem like just another television show, so what is it that makes Glee so well liked?

Maybe all the popularity comes from the spiteful tension between characters, the spontaneous singing, or maybe the fact that almost anybody can relate to a character in the show somehow.

“I think what makes me love Glee so much is cause I love show choir and when I watch it, it makes me laugh so hard with how dead on they can be with things, and that it’s a comedy/musical/romance show all in one!” Junior Zach Omar said.

The Glee cast has all the

stereotypical types of teenagers in a high school. There’s the popular quarterback, the pretty cheerleader, the geek who spends most of his time avoiding bullies, the arrogant trouble maker, the determined fashion diva, and Gretna students definitely feel like they can relate.

“I feel I’m most like Mercedes because she is true to who she is and has a killer attitude, but she’s not mean to the other people,” freshman Anne Studnika said.

Omar feels like he can relate to the characters in the show too.

“I think I am most definitely like Kurt, but also like Rachel at the same time because she always wants to be the main person, but in the end, she knows what’s right and always has the best intentions for everything,” Omar said.

Even the teachers at Gretna High School feel that they can relate to

a character in the show somehow. “I think I’m most like the

director Will Schuester,” said choir teacher Pat Ribar, referring to the former star of the Glee club at McKinley High School. Schuester hopes to put the Glee club back on top, and will do whatever it takes to succeed.

If given the chance, he would switch places with Puck, the conceited football player, who also has a soft side.

“He just kind of likes to be part of them but at the end of the day he can just walk away from a situation” Ribar said.

Although GHS students are hooked on Glee, they don’t feel it’s like Gretna schools at all.

“In Glee they are so mean to each other and at GHS we don’t do any of that stuff, like throw slushies in faces or hate the show choir” Omar said.

If you aren’t familiar with

the popular show, the fans of Glee definitely think you should be.

“I would SO recommend it!” Omar said. “It’s just one of the best shows, it’s a mix of all the greatest shows put into one.

And it won’t just appeal to the students interested in music.

“It’s so hilarious and is not just “music people” hilarious,” Omar said. “Like every ones types of jokes and the singing will blow you away, and every single person can relate to at least one person in the show.” Ribar would also agree and thinks the show is great. “It’s really a funny show more than anything; it’s hilarious, because the reality is so farfetched. It’s my therapy.” Ribar said. “It’s my therapy” You can catch new episodes of Glee starting Tuesday, April 13th at 9/8c on FOX.

By Ashley Josoff Staff Writer

Gretna High School is hooked on Glee

Students sound off on their facebook likes and dislikes

The Cast of Glee

Mercedes Jones Puck

Rachel Berry

Sue Slyvester

Will Schuester

12 funFebruary 2010

A person who inspires me the most is . . .My cousin Frankie, because he is my awesome man 50 grand.

In the future I dream of being a . . . High School Marching Band Director, because Mr.Wimmer, (GHS Band Director) has taught me so much about marching. I love marching band competitions and I think they’re really fun!

In 10 years I see myself . . . as something amazing to this world.

My favorite place to hang out is . . . the mall, because it’s surrounded by people.

If a major motion picture were being made about my life, the songs that would be on my soundtrack would be . . . 21 guns By Green Day, Fireflies By Owl City, and Paralyzer by Finger Eleven.

If I were under an entry in a dictionary, people would find me under . . .the kid that describes himself as something awesome.

The title of my autobiography would be . . . My Life’s Tale.

If I were given a magic potion that allowed me to be invisible for one hour . . . I would play my guitar in the guitar store.

I believe the greatest unsolved mystery is . . .9/11, because it’s just random how you hijack two planes and crash them.

I love playing the guitar . . . because my cousin Frankie plays it and it inspired me a lot.

My favorite song to play is . . . ACDC: Back in Black.

The guitars I own are . . . The Ion Strat, and The Ibenez le Paul.

5 Things I Can’t Live Without.....At Random: Chris Clines

Guitars. . . because without guitars, I can’t play my awesome music

Girls . . .because most of them are my friends

Play Station Portable (PSP) . . . because whenever I am bored that’s the only thing that can entertain me

I-pod . . . I need to listen to my music

Cell phone . . . so I can txt my

friends whenever I want

“I’ve been playing guitar for eight years.”

Q: If you could have any superpower, what would it be? A: Super strength so I can be super strong.”

Q: In your oppinion, what is the funniest looking animal? A: Elephant Shrew because it’s like an elephant and a mouse put together.”

Q: If you could add a new room to your house, what would it be?A: “A no gravity room because it would be like you’re in space.”

Q: If you could change the traditional meal of Thanksgiving from turkey to any other food, what would you choose?A: “Green eggs and ham because Dr. Seuss recommended it.”

-Leanna Mathews

Q: If your picture could be on any cover of a magazine what one would it be and why?A: “17, for being the best dancer of the year.”

Q: If you could pick any job for a month which one would it be?A: “Somebody famous so I could walk on the red carpet.”

Q: If you could be any age for a week again what age?A: “7 or 9, so I wouldn’t have to do homework and deal with the drama.”

Q: If you could go back in time to stop yourself from getting embarrassed??A: “About three years ago I fell into the splits and broke my wrist during a competition.”

-Miranda Ross

Q: If you could market and create your own toothpaste, other than mint, what would you have?A: “Chocolate Cream Pie, because it tastes delicous.”

Q: If you could only eat at one fast food restaraunt what would it be and why?A: “Wendy’s, because they have good salads and milkshakes.”

Q: If you could be one inch tall for a day what place would you explore?A: “Outside in the grass, so I can hang out with the ants.”

Q: If you were in a circus what act would you perform?A: “Tightrope walking, because it looks fun and you get to wear a too-too.”

-Victoria Sorrentino

Mackenzie Trombly, 11thAndrea Hanson, 10th

Q: If you could be any famous person, who would you be and why?A: “Lebron James, because he is the best basketball player in the NBA.”

Q: What do you miss about your early childhood and why?A: “I miss the birthday cakes, because they were so good.”

Q: What do you want to be when you grow up and why?A: “Sports analyst, because I know a lot about sports.”

Q: What is you favorite class so far and why?A: “Metal shop, because you get to use your hands.”

-Adrian Dammermann

Alex Schumacher, 9th Austin Heesacker , 12th

Q & A

how to February 2010 13

Dates are a great way to meet people and learn a lot about them, but first dates are also very nerve racking. Building up the courage to ask someone on a date is key to a relationship because if the boy won’t grow up and ask, then it’s never going to happen. Guys you need to be strong and act like you’re on top of the world. If you really like a girl, go for it. Ask her out. When asking her, be specific and definitely flirt a little. Make sure she is into you just as much. If you’re going to do it, do it right, ask her in person. Do not ask her over text! Plus, girls are probably more likely to say yes if you ask them in person. Another big no’ no is don’t have a friend ask her out for you. That is probably the worst. Your friend is not going to be the one dating her, you are! So you ask. Once you have managed to ask out your date, you then you can jump to the planning step. Start by talking to your girl and plan when and where your date will occur. Think of a special activity that can be a fun, cheap, or just a date that will guarantee a second one. Examples

Ask someone out on a date

Girls, breaking up can be hard, can’t it? Especially if you and the boy happened to be friends before you started dating. You don’t want him to be your boyfriend anymore, but you don’t want him to hate you either. So how do you get out of the relationship part, but keep the friendship? Well, here are a few tips to help you let your guy down easy. Once you’ve decided you’re going to break up with your man, please just keep it to yourself. Don’t go around telling a bunch of your friends because guess what, one of them will end up gossiping about it to the whole school. Then guess who will find out? That’s right, the person you’re going to break up with. All that is going to do it make him mad. He will be all, “I heard you’re going to break up with me. Is that true?” or “Why am I the last person to know everything you’re going to do?” So anyway, what I’m saying is don’t spill the beans until the deed is done. When you figure out you’re going to break up with them, do it in person. Do not text, call, or have someone else tell him for you. We are in high school, people! We are old enough to break up with others in person now. So, when you’re talking to this guy, make sure you make eye contact. Don’t look at everything but him. First of all it’s really obvious, and second of all, it shows you’re scared to tell the truth. Next, just get straight to the point. Don’t give him the whole, “it’s not you, it’s me” speech. Also, if you say I still like you, but we need to take a break the guy could become confused. He could think that the two of you are still dating, but that you’re just not spending time together right now. Breaking up can be very difficult. So getting straight to the point won’t be easy for all girls, but trust me you can do it. After a breakup things can be a little awkward. After a month or so though, it should get back to normal. Hopefully he will forgive and forget and you two can start becoming friends again. We all have those times when we think we need to break it off with a guy. Now, I know I’m no expert, but believe me these tips should work. Don’t ever wimp out when it comes to this kind of stuff. I know you can do it! So stop reading this story if you are one of these girls and go get the job done!

Break up with your boyfriendare bowling or laser tag. You can also think about a

possible movie night. Maybe think of something unique, or out of the ordinary like rock wall climbing. Once you get a couple of options then you should narrow it down. Once you have completely decided what you’re doing, then set up a time for the two of you to get together and go. Keep in mind that for some places, the prices are more expensive on weekend nights. The next step to this fun date is getting prepared. For a more fun, adventurous type date, most people typically dress comfy, but that’s your choice. If you’re going to a fancy restaurant, dressing up a bit isn’t a bad idea. Going to the movies, on the other hand, that is your preference. But, if you think you might want to go on a future date with this person I would personally dress up and look your best to give an unforgettable first impression. While on the date, try to have as much fun as possible to make sure you are guaranteed a second date. I would say a typical date would last a couple of hours depending on what you decided to do. Fellas, if you’re thinking about a second date, then make sure she’s home by curfew. You want her parents to like you if you’re going to be around for awhile. Now all that’s left is to decide who’s paying or split the cost and to head home. So there you have it, all the steps to planning and going on a fun date. Keep all those things in mind next time you decide you want to ask someone out and hopefully you will have a good time.

What do you do to get ready?H: shower, [listen to my] i-pod to get pumpedB: shower/dress niceM: wear something comfyW: [if it’s a] fancy restaurant, dress up, but if it’s not a fancy place then keep casual.Zach

Huber Emily

Winkle

The panel:What’s your favorite place to go or your favorite thing to do?H: Genji Steak HouseB: Charleston’s or the moviesM: Watch a movieW: A water park

Who pays?H: MeB: Me, sometimes we splitM: HimW: Him mostly, sometimes we split

How long does the date last?H: All nightB: As long as possibleM: As long as I’m home by curfewW: Time varies

By Hannah ApplegateStaff Writer

By Kendall HendrixStaff Writer

By Ethan DawesStaff Writer

Your heart races as you approach the girl of your dreams. Nervously, your hands start sweating because you’ve finally worked up the courage to do the near impossible as it seems. Asking a girl out. But how do you do it? Taking some step-by-step instructions and advice can make any hook-up a breeze. First of all, know if she really likes you. I’m not saying to take chances because you never know how the girl might feel, but a clear indicator that she likes you is that she always wants to spend time with you or laughs at every joke you make. If you both hardly talk and don’t hang out, odds are that that relationship is not going to go anywhere.

“Just play it cool, said freshman Zach Mowinkel. “It’s all about confidence.” Next, actually keep conversation even if it’s in a text or on the phone. Talking helps build a stronger bond between you and the girl and will make things more comfortable for the both of you. The more comfortable you are, the chances are it won’t be so awkward between when you ask her out. “Yeah, I talk to girls all the time, so it’s really easy, they love me,” sophomore Hayden Morrison said. Finally, when you do ask the girl out, do not, I repeat do not, ask them out in a text or through a note. Act like you always act, but don’t be too obnoxious and annoying. Be polite and nice, not forceful and rude. It’ll be a little scary when you ask her out, but that’s just the feeling of the moment. It’ll subside after awhile. And, if you’re lucky enough, she’ll come and ask you out. “Well, most girls come to me, junior Brandon Koke said. “I’m just more of a flirt.”

How to talk to a girl

TylerBrungardt

Jordan Meadows

14 sportsFebruary 2010

The mats are set up in the gym, taped together to hold them in place. Some of the wrestlers form a line in the locker room, waiting to weigh-in. Others run around in the gym trying to lose that last pound. These are the signs of a wrestling meet. The part most people don’t see is the preparation for each wrestler to get to their specific weight class.

“Most of them want to be at their lowest body fat,” Coach Matt Bruggeman said. Still, wrestlers have rules for weight loss that are put into place by the Nebraska Schools Activities Association. According to the NSAA Wrestling Weight Management Program and Guidelines, a wrestler can only lose an average of 1.5% of his body weight per week. Otherwise the wrestler and his coach could face consequences. Each wrestler has to take a urine and body fat test at the beginning of the season. After that, the National High School Wrestling Federation decides the lowest weight class each wrestler can healthily compete in for each week of the season. There are 14 weight classes ranging from 103 to 285. To get to their lowest weight class, most of the time wrestlers have to lose weight and try to get to their lowest body fat. But losing weight is not an easy task. If Bruggeman’s practices aren’t enough for the wrestlers to lose weight, there are many other ways. Dieting and exercise are two of the most popular. A combination of the two is senior Ryan Hartnett’s method. Ryan has wrestled in weight classes from 103 to 130. “I don’t eat or drink and I work out with lots

of clothes on,” Ryan said. S e n i o r Jeff Homan has a different method. “Fiber pills and a lot of sweating,” said Homan, who has wrestled at 152 and is now in the 145 pound weight class. Each day the wrestlers weigh themselves multiple times. Sophomore Mike Hartnett, who has wrestled at 112 and 119, weighs himself three to five times a day. Ryan weighs himself around four times and Homan weighs himself two to three times each day. D u r i n g weight loss, or the entire season, there are certain items to consume and others to avoid. The best food to eat, according to Mike, Ryan, and Homan, is peanut butter. It’s filling but not weighty. Pop, water and Twinkies are the worst. “The thing that kills me is drinking too much water,” Ryan said. When in season and out all three wrestlers eat differently. Homan eats more fast food when he is

Stepping on the scale: The story behind weigh-insBy Payton SamuelsonOnline News Editor

At the Gretna vs. Blair wrestling meet, Ryan Hartnett makes his final pin against his oppenent. Hartnett, along with six others, represented Gretna at the state wrestling meet.

Jeff Homan makes his move by tackling his oppo-nent from Blair. Homan is another wrestler who had made it to state.

With legs thrown in the air, Mike Hartnett attempts to pin his opponent. Hartnett is also one of the sev-en wrestlers who made it to state.

Wrestlers have rules for weight loss that are put into place by the NSAA. According to the NSAA Wrestling Weight Management Program and Guidelines, a wrestler can only lose an average of 1.5% of his body weight per week. There are consequences for both the wrestler and the coach if this rule is not followed. If a wrestler participates in a weight class lower than his weekly eligible weight class, he is suspended for the next contest. The coach is also suspended for the next contest. Each wrestler has to take a urine and body fat test. After that, the National High School Wrestling Federation decides the lowest weight class each wrestler can healthily compete at for each week of the season. There are 14 weight classes ranging from 103 to 285.

not in season. When out of season, Mike drinks more pop. “I eat a lot of peanut butter in season and I hate the taste of peanut butter otherwise,” Ryan said. According to Bruggeman, most of the wrestlers don’t worry too much about their weight prior to the season. Mike, Ryan and Homan all ran for the cross country team as a way to stay in shape. “In 13 years I’ve never had a kid not make weight,” Bruggeman said.

State Qualifiers The 2010 wrestling qualifiers include: seniors Ryan Hart-nett and Jeff Homan, juniors Nick Barber, Logan Henning and Joey Roxburgh, sophomore Andy Janovich and fresh-man Mike Hartnett. The state tournament took place on February 18-20th.

Photos by Payton Samuelson

15 sportsFebruary 2010

Between reserve games, JV games, and varsity games, it seems like every day is game day. Each player has his own way of preparing for a game. Every game day morning starts with getting dressed up. “I like to look fancy and classy,” senior Nolan Samuelson said. “The best part of game day is having all the teachers say I look schnazzy.” In the morning some might also have a lot of things running through their mind. “When I wake up on a game day I just think about how to be more prepared than the other team,” junior Cole Spurgeon said. Some wake up not even thinking about the game. “I wake up in the morning feelin’ like P Diddy,” Samuelson said. Just because players have a game doesn’t mean it changes anything about their day. “For me it’s just like every other day,” Spurgeon said. Though the game might not be on their mind during the morning, toward the end of the day it might start to take over.

“Towards the end of the day it’s harder because I’m getting my game face on and my killer instincts intact,” Samuelson said. “I start to think about what we need to do to

win,” Spurgeon said. Once the game rolls around, players start to do what they need to get ready to play. “I stretch and I listen to music,” Spurgeon said. “Also, I focus on what I need to do.” “Before every game I get pumped up to Tik Tok by Kesha,” Samuelson said. “I listen to “Till I Collapse” by Eminem featuring Nate Dogg,” sophomore Jared Blum said. “Also, various music by 2pac.” After they announce the starting lineup the boys always run and get into a circle and in the middle, and doing most of the yelling Blum. “It’s called steppin’ up when the team needs to get pumped up for the game,” Blum said. “It’s a sacrifice I’m willing to make.” All we hear is yelling, but what are the teammates hearing? “I say stuff my mother would find inappropriate,” Blum said. Not everybody gets to experience the feeling of being the one to pump up the team. “It’s a great honor,” Blum said. For some of the players though, they are going to have to rely on all the memories they have because they will soon be gone. Once they graduate they will have to leave their high school basketball careers behind. “Tears flow through my eyes after every pre-game because I know it could be my last,” Samuelson said.

By Hannah ApplegateSports Editor

Every day is game day

With a record of 16-2, the girls basketball team hopes to make it to state for the tenth year in a row Getting there is going to take some hard work though. “I think the team needs to work on boxing out and rebounding,” sophomore Meghan Dennis said. Other teammates have different thoughts though. “We have to play the best defensive game and knock down our three point shots,” senior Hilary Stover said. They still need to work hard, but they could get by with a little help. “We’re number two in the wild card right now,” junior Brooke Arp said. Not only does the team need to play well, but the team needs to work on things individually too. “I will practice 100% every day and motivate my team to do the same,” Dennis said.

With the seniors on the team, people look to them for leadership. “I will encourage my teammates and make it fun,” Stover said. “Also, I will not yell at them.” The girls have had a season with only two loses. They’ve absolutely crushed some teams they’ve played like Platteview (75-19) and Nebraska City (77-27). “We will mostly focus on beating Skutt,” Arp said. “We have to get there first though.” The upcoming games may not be the only stressful things that are going to be happening. “It is stressful to play in the state gym,” Dennis said. “The crowd is much larger and were all hoping we don’t mess up in front of all those people.” Even though it can be stressful to play in front of bigger crowds, it isn’t stopping the girls from thinking they have a shot. “I think we have a chance to win,” Dennis said. “We still have not hit our peak and we will when the stakes are that high.” Getting to state can mean different things depending on the player. “Getting to state is a great accomplishment,” Stover said. “It’s just such a different atmosphere

and getting there will make my Gretna High School basketball career.” For Stover, it’s about ending her career with a bang, but for some others, like Dennis, they have a different reason. “Winning would give our team a lot of recognition and respect,” Dennis said.

Girls team eyes tenth state tripBy Hannah Applegate

Sports Editor

Senior Bo Shepard goes up for the shot as Nebraska City and other Gretna players look on. The boys bas-ketball team is currently ranked seventh in Class B.

Junior Brooke Arp fights for the ball while team-mate Jordyn Wollenburg looks to help. The girls are currently fighting to make it to state and are second in wild card points.

Photo by Madison Healy

Photo by Hannah Applegate

16 photostoryFebruary 2010

With a smile, sophomore Sam Greenfield works on her water color project in art class. She designed this picture with water colors and the colors of the color wheel.

Trying to get her painting perfect, senior Riley Schafer refers to a book to help her paint her picture. “ I liked the picture in the book, and I wanted to try and paint it,” Schafer said.

Deep in her thoughts, junior Madison Healy is fin-ishing up her project. The assaginment was to use all the colors of the color wheel in their painting.

Thinking about her next move, junior Victoria Sorrenti-no is marking out her picture before she starts painting. When the art students were done they cut out different shapes of their paintings.

Trying to stay in the lines, junior Erin Sholting cuts out her project. Her c0lor wheel was put in the display case when she was done.

Focusing on the task, senior Daina Keehn uses an exacto knife to cut out her painting.

Painting with the art class

By Lexi Busch

Concentrating hard, sophomore Hannah Gaebel is painting a picture of ipods. “ I made it in a shape of a circle so it looks like a color wheel,” Gaebel said.

Cutting and shaping her painting, sopho-more Emma Blank makes sure her flower gets cut out perfectly. When the art students were done they had to put their paintings on black paper to make the col-ors pop.