How does birth order affect siblings? See page 6

Volleyball makes state after 18 years!

the

OICEVGretna High School • 11335 South 204th Street • Gretna, NE 68028 Volume VIII • Issue II • November 2009

Photo by Chelsea Luedtke

How fake is Reality T. V.? See page 10

Do you miss our German students? See page 16

How well do you know GHS? See page 11

2 newsNovember 2009

Students show their school spirit with their Hawaiian wear at a football game. Louise Gabrielsson, one of the two foreign exchange students, is on the bottom, far right front.

The crowd roars as the star quarterback scores a touchdown for the Dragons, making it a 7-0 lead. The cheerleaders excitedly shake their poms and kick their legs in the air, pumping up the student section. Football players chest bump and make various gestures to congratulate each other. Let’s face it, the U.S. loves football; but this sport isn’t common for all countries. So while most GHS students know at least a little about what’s going on at the Gretna football games, senior foreign exchange students Gesa Mayer from Germany and Louise Gabrielsson from Sweden are overwhelmed with confusion. Mayer and Gabrielsson say football is totally new, but they’re

Foreign exchange students discover sports through school

By Liz StratmanEditor-in-Chief

starting to catch onto how it works. “I have tried to understand it and people have tried to explain it thousands of times and I still don’t get it,” Gabrielsson said. She says volleyball, cheer and football aren’t very common in Sweden, but she enjoys watching them here. “I especially like football, cheerleading and dance team because it’s so ‘American,’” Gabrielsson said. Dressing up according to the theme of each football game, Gabrielsson tried her best to show her school spirit as well as learn the football “tricks of the trade.” In both Germany and Sweden, sports aren’t connected to school. The only sports-related activity through school is P.E. class. Any other sports are played with clubs instead. Gabrielsson likes how there are a variety of clubs at GHS because of the lack of activities at her school.

“Here, schools are very focused on sports,” Gabrielsson said. “In Sweden we b a s i c a l l y don’t have any sports that are connected to the school u n l e s s you go to a special program.” Gabrielsson currently plays club soccer and plans to play for school this spring. Back in Sweden, she danced and played soccer. “Here you can choose what you want to do,” Mayer said. “There are competitions so it’s much more

important, like with school spirit.” Mayer plans to join the track team in the spring and maybe the basketball team. Right now, she is a member of the band and plays saxophone. “I was in swim team, [in Germany] but you don’t have a pool at school,” Mayer said.

Submitted Photo

Gutersloh, Germany

Enebyberg, Sweden

Dusseldorf, Germany

Chicago, IllinoisOmaha,

NebraskaLondon, UK

Stockholm, Sweden

Des Moines, Iowa

Kansas City, Missouri

Mayer: First she took a one & a half hour flight from Gutersloh to Dusseldorf, then a flight from Dusseldorf to Chicago, and finally a two-hour flight from Chicago to Omaha.Total Travel Time: 12 hoursGabrielsson: Starting in her hometown Enebyberg, she traveled to Stockholm, then took a two-hour flight to London, a nine hour flight to Chicago, a six hour bus ride to Des Moines, then to Kansas City for a soccer tournament and after that, she finally arrived in Omaha.Total Travel Time: 4 days

ebraska • Mayer says people are friendlier in Nebraska• “I learned British English in school so you [Nebraskans] have kind of an accent to me,” Mayer said.• She finds it strange that people in Nebraska eat dinner and lunch very early.• Mayer says she doesn’t like that it snows in October here and thinks the cold is awful. • Mayer says in Germany they use bikes and have dance clubs open to people over 16 and there’s a lot of swimming in public pools.

Journey to • “People are not as shallow as in Sweden,” Gabrielsson said.• She says people are more outgoing here and “welcoming.”• Gabrielsson says it seems like everyone is centered around sports people here and dress very sporty.• “I’m used to everyone really dressy,” Gabriels-son said. “Tennis shoes, for example, would never be used other than when you’re working out.”

Germany vs. U.S. Sweden vs. U.S.

What do you miss? What will you miss? What have you learned?

What do you hope to learn?“I miss my brothers, my light blue scooter and my friends. And

the fact that you don’t need a car there because you can do

everything by bike.” --Mayer

“I will miss the people here and the huge cars.” --Mayer

“I miss living next to the ocean and living close to an actual ‘city.’” --Gabrielsson

“I will miss the awesome ice cream.” --Gabrielsson

“It is important when you are in another coun-

try that you talk a lot to make contact. “--Mayer

“I hope to learn more advanced English.” --Gabrielsson

“I want to learn to shoot a gun.” --Mayer

“I’ve learned to be more independent.” --Gabrielsson

DIFFERENCES

3 news November 2009

From strapless dresses and short skirts in the summer, to holey jeans and low-cut shirts in the winter, styles change all the time. As the fashion world gets more and more revealing by the minute, students struggle to keep in line with the dress code. Students just want to try to express their individuality and wear what’s in style rather.

“People don’t realize that what they wear reflects on what people think of them,” junior Cindy Sedlacek said. “I don’t think they should allow low cut shirts and booty shorts.”

Principal Kirk Eledge said rule No. 1 on the Dress Code states a student’s appearance should be of high enough standards to contribute to the general learning environment, and that rule covers many of the dress code violations, including holes in jeans. “No, I have nothing against the dress code except for the hole in the jeans [rule], because it’s stupid because when you have to wear shorts you show more skin than the hole,” sophomore Dean Wilkins said.

For students who get caught numerous times for sneaking around the dress code, it is not a good idea because there are penalties day after day. “If a student gets caught, we usually let them change the first time, but for repeated offenders it can be anywhere from a DT or a Saturday School,” Eledge said.

While some students have to worry about accesorizing around the dress code, others don’t.

“No it’s fine,” sophomore Angie Kauffman, said. “I really don’t dress inappropriately.” The majority of the students who get sent home are students caught

The halls are full of students speed walking towards the cafeteria. The line stretches down the hallway and the starting point, the place where the lunch ladies fill the colorful trays with the school food, seems miles away. After all of this hustle and bustle students look down at their dragon ribs, green beans, grapes and a small carton of milk and think to themselves… “This is all I get?”

The lunches high school students eat are not much bigger than the ones the elementary students receive. What does a senior guy think about getting nearly the exact amount of food as a little second grade girl? “They could be a lot bigger,” senior Josh Reynolds said. “People get hungry and school lunch does absolutely nothing.” “If you’re an ant, you’d be full,” sophomore Derek Hill said.

with jeans with holes or, revealing tops Principal Kirk Eledge said.

“The holes in the jeans should, like certain areas shouldn’t,” junior Trey McCampbell said. “Like printed words, I had to take off a shirt that said ‘crap’. They said I had to cover it and like supposedly if it’s beeped out like censored it would be allowed [when we all know what it means]”.

McCampbell isn’t the only one that has been caught with a dress code violation. “Yes, I just got sent home for my jeans,” junior Jenna Derosa said. Some students think that the school board should change the dress code and make it more lenient. “Some girls wear extremely short shorts, and you have a girl who with really long arms and it’s different,” sophomore Brianna Silence said. “Jeans with holes, they sometimes make you change in to shorts, when you’re showing more skin,” Silence said. When the fact is, the dress code will most likely continue to be the same even as the styles continue to change and become more revealing.

By Kelsey CharrlinStaff Writer

By Payton SamuelsonOnline News Editor

1.Student’s appearance should be of high enough standards as to contribute to the general learning environment. 2.Shoes will be worn at all times.3.Printed wording or pictures on clothing advertising or promoting tobacco, alcohol, drugs, or is vulgar in interpretation will not be permitted to be worn. Violators will be disciplined. 4.Headwear is not to be worn in the building during the school day. Examples of head wear include hats, caps, bandanas, and scarfs. 5.Sleeveless shirts, tank tops, or shirt/blouses showing the midriff, bust line or back are not permitted. 6.All shorts/dresses/skirts are to be mid-thigh or longer. With arms hanging at the sides and all fingers extended, the length of the clothing should be not shorter than the tip of the longest finger. 7.Any clothing or accessories that may interfere with the educational process may be removed or confiscated as to improve the learning environment.

Students decide whether dress code is fair or not “The lunches are normal size

if you want to feed elves,” sophomore Sam Applegate said. Reynolds, Hill, and Applegate agree that the lunches should be twice the size they are now in order to be filling. The question behind all this is: why are the lunches the size they are? “The state has portion guidelines we must follow,” food service director Kathy King said, “There are three options, Enhanced Food Based Menu or Traditional Food Based Menu or Nutrient Standard Menu. We use the Enhanced Food Based Menu.” For students who don’t find the lunches filling, they can get extras. According to Nancy Turpen, the secretary who handles the computer at lunch time, about one third of the students in the school get extras. “Crispitos are the most popular,” Turpen said. And the cafeteria workers are prepared for that. “We make about 400 extra crispitos,” King said.

Why are lunches so small?

K-6 7-12

Meat or Meat Alternate (per week)

10 oz. 10 oz.

Milk (per day) 8 fl. oz. 8 fl. oz.Fruits and vegetables (per day)

3/4 cup 1 cup

Grains and breads (per week)

12 servings 15 servings

Enhanced Food Based Menu Planning Option

Dress Code

“If you’re an ant, you’d be full.” -Derek Hill, sophomore

4 editorialNovember 2009

Editor-in-Chief: Liz StratmanPhotographer: Lexi BuschIn-Depth Editor: Natalie DoeringFeatures Editor: Lauren SawyerOnline/News Editor: Payton SamuelsonEntertainment Editor: Taylor BradishSports Editor: Danielle Spurgeon

The Voice News StaffStaff Writers:Kelsey CharrlinEthan DawesMcKenna KerrHannah Applegate

Advisor: Jamie Hestermann

The Voice is a monthly publication sponsored by Gretna High School, 11335 South 204th Street, Gretna, NE 68028. The office of The Voice is lo-cated in sponsor Jamie Hestermann’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 re-flect those of The Voice staff or Gretna High School.

Halley Samuelson

While passing out Vanilla Wafers to the infants, all under one year of age, I look across the room and see Tyson touching the tips of his fingers together, signing “more,” because he had already devoured the two cookies I gave him. As I made my way toward him with the box, he moved his right hand in a circular motion over his chest, indicating “please.” When I gave him two more cookies, he touched his lips with the front of the fingers on his right hand and moved his hand away from his mouth, palms upward. He was saying “thank you.” At the daycare I work, we teach the babies sign language and incorporate it into every day activities, since they cannot talk, only make random obnoxious noises. This goes to show that even in high chairs, children are already learning. According to Multnomah County Library research, babies are born learning. During a baby’s first year, his/her brain more than doubles in its size, and by three years, a child’s brain is twice as active as an adult’s. So why is it that young children

By Liz StratmanEditor-in-Chief

Learning loses its lusterare so much more willing to learn than high school students? Because children’s brains are in young stages of development, they’re fascinated by the smallest things and don’t even realize they’re learning. Like in the preschool room, the kids love putting together puzzles and they just happen to be alphabet puzzles; so while they lay the pieces in place, they recite their ABC’s. As children get older their interests change, and they no longer are infatuated with ordinary things because they aren’t new to them. They don’t want to put learning before activities they enjoy, as where in younger years, discovering something new was exciting. Children today would probably choose playing video games over reading and most teens would much rather download new songs onto their I-pod rather than study for a biology test. By the time high school comes around, most students are sick and tired of learning, especially in subjects that don’t interest them. Learning becomes more of a chore than a privilege. When students are forced to take all of the core classes, including some that they can’t possibly see benefiting their future career in any way, they no longer have as much motivation to try. Most students succeed more in their electives, because they are more relevant to what the person likes to do. Nearing the end of high school,

students are stressed about looking into colleges, and feel the pressure on their shoulders. Their future lies ahead and what they choose to do after high school can change their lives forever. Some stop caring about grades and school all together, even when they should be giving more of an effort. Learning should always be a privilege and not a chore because what’s the worst that could happen, someone learns too much? Too much knowledge doesn’t exist; it never hurts to gain more. If teachers mixed it up every once in a while, students would stay motivated and enjoy learning like they used to. In Jennifer Berry’s article on Sylabus-rpp.blogspot.com, she lists five secrets to making learning fun: involve

everyone, utilize the entire body, give positive reinforcement, work in groups, and change up the routine school day. These secrets to having fun in the classroom may work in some circumstances, but I can’t say that all of them would make high school learning more fun. Teachers have tough curriculum, and they must teach the required materials because at this age it’s crucial with college approaching. I do think changing up students’ environments would help, as well as giving students more say in what they want to do. If the students are invested in what they’re doing, they’ll do better. Just like the infants with the treats they receive for their signing, high school students need encouragement to stay motivated to learn.

5 editorial November 2009

What’s the first thing you do when you get up in the morning? Draw the curtains to let the earliest beams of dawn shine through your window? Pull your slippers on, and mosey into the kitchen to start a pot of coffee? No, if you’re like virtually every human being on earth, you check your alarm clock to see what time it is. I do the same. If it’s early, I roll over and attempt to squeeze in another few minutes of shuteye before I have to start my day. But if it’s late, I spring out of bed and make a beeline for the bathroom. I’ve been awake under five minutes and my day has already being dictated by time. Whether it’s on the bedside table, the corner of a computer screen, or my very own wrist, I’m constantly checking the time. In this fast moving world, it always seems that the time-

Brainwashed by speed: How valuable is time?

All teenagers are self-absorbed and careless. FALSE. Most teens wish they had the time to help others. TRUE. Some students find a way to make volunteering possible, and the outcome of the experience is usually rewarding. TRUE. Students realized just how rewarding this experience could be through TOPSoccer, The Outreach Program for Soccer. This past fall, eight GHS students volunteered to assist children with disabilities in playing soccer for National Honor Society (NHS). More students will sign up in the spring as well. Without even

The Voice’s Opinion

train is leaving the station, just as I reach the platform. The modern world moves so fast that it would seem, despite the cleverest scheduling, there are simply not enough hours in the day. To an extent, it has always been so, but today, society feels the pressure of time even more. I’m not proposing a war on speed. Speed has helped shape our world in ways that are wonderful and liberating. Who wants to live in a world without the Internet or jet travel? The problem is that our love of speed, our need to do more in less and less time, has gone too far; it has turned into an addiction. Even when speed begins to backfire, we religiously cling to the go-faster gospel. Diet not working? Try liposuction. Too busy to cook? Buy a microwave. Many millennia ago, cavemen slept when they were tired, hunted when they were hungry, and played when they felt like it. Now, people feel they must get a minimum of 8 hours of sleep, but no more than 10. It’s customary to eat 3 times a day. And people who have time to simply enjoy life? They’re looked down upon, but

everyone still wishes for time to stop and smell the roses. In 1748, Benjamin Franklin coined the infamous phrase: “Time is money.” Nothing embodied this new mindset in a clearer form than the shift towards paying workers by the hour, instead of for what they produced. Here in the present, we deal with the exact same idea of “making a fast buck.” Companies release software before their projected date of completion. Why? To meet the demands of masses of people who are too impatient to wait any longer for the product. So, the incomplete software comes out with multiple “bugs,” and the correction process takes even more time that waiting another month to release the product. The balance between time and technology is lost. Working long hours and booked schedules creates stress. With stress, come health problems such as: insomnia, migraines, hypertension, and asthma. I’m no doctor, but it would be easy for me to prescribe a healthy dose of relaxation for overbooked people. However, it’s not that easy. People want to have successful careers,

eat out with friends, play sports, catch their favorite shows, work out at the gym, read the newspaper, see the newest movies, listen to music, have the hottest gadgets, holiday in exotic locations, spend time with family, and put in a few hours of community service along the way. It’s an insane notion to expect this much from life. Rushing from one meeting to another practice, to my job, I start to feel like my schedule is living my life for me. I run out the door without a coat, when it’s raining, and think, “How could I have missed that?” I even check the time too quickly to notice what the clock actually says and have to look again. Just like everyone else, I’m not immune to a rushed lifestyle. But next time I type in my e-mail password incorrectly, I won’t retype it faster to make up the time, causing me to make mistakes again. In the long run, it’s better to slow down for 5 seconds of my life, instead of having my e-mail provider lock me out of my account for 15 minutes. I suppose that’s just what I get for forgetting life is too short. I need to slow down, andenjoy every minute of it.

realizing, the students formed bonds with the partners they were assigned and helped them in more ways than just how to play soccer. Aside from TOPSoccer, NHS also requests volunteers for other various activities; from helping children with Kids Connection or Math Madness, to the community with bell ringing or Gretna Neighbors, to the school with the show choir competition or Library Latte, there are volunteer opportunities for any students’ interests. Volunteering means taking time out of one’s busy schedule to help others. How is this possible for a student overwhelmed with activities, work and school? The idea of setting aside time for yet another task seems

practically impossible for many, but the pros of volunteering definitely outweigh the cons in most cases. Not only do students feel a sense of accomplishment and pride after volunteering, they can prove the stereotypical self-absorbed teenager assumption wrong. With this alone, students should realize why volunteering would make a great addition to their lives. By satisfying others, people can actually make themselves feel good as well, so why not go the extra mile? There is nothing to lose and the benefits are endless. Often times instances such as helping at a local soup kitchen or homeless shelter make people realize how fortunate their lives are. While some people don’t even have clothes to

wear or food on the table, the majority of teens these days own a cell phone and I-pod on top of basic necessities. Our society sometimes forgets to be thankful for the possessions they own and the privileges their lives entail. Volunteering makes for better person because the caring attitude shows in everything he/she does. That’s why scholarship organizations often ask applicants to list their volunteer or community service hours. Through the amount of time a teen volunteers, organizations develop a sense of what the student is like. A student with many volunteer hours on their belt can gain an advantage over others. But don’t let that be the only reason to help out the community.

By Lauren SawyerFeatures Editor

Taking time to volunteer proves to be rewarding

6 featuresNovember 2009

“Mom! Jimmy hit me!” “No I didn’t!” “Ya, you did!” “No I didn’t. She’s lying!” Sound familiar? The pushing, fighting, and constant accusing that little Sally is mom’s favorite has be-come a common occurrence in almost every household. You always have the oldest that’s bossy, controlling, but has the freedom to do what they want. Then there’s the youngest who gets away with everything, but also has to wait to do “the big kid stuff.” So between the bossing around of the younger one and the framing of the older one, is there really such a thing as “brotherly-sisterly love.” Or are siblings just one more person to fight with? Have you ever been blamed for something you sibling did? Mak-ing a mess, breaking a lamp, starting a fight. Every per-son has a different story. “[My sister] stole my mom’s make-up,” said junior Demi Duin, “but I got blamed for it.” It’s a common belief that the youngest child is the most spoiled and gets away with a lot more, but why? “The young-est [is spoiled more] because you were once spoiled as the youngest, but now you are not as interesting,” senior Spencer Strong said. Do the youngest re-

ally get the most attention? “I think I get the most atten-tion,” Duin, who is the oldest child, said. Some students would say extra attention for younger children is deserved. “They deserve more attention than me because I can do more on my own and they can’t,” Strong said. If a person is not the oldest but not the youngest, obviously he/she is classified as a middle child. So, is being between the bossy oldest and the babied youngest a walk in the park, or is it just an annoying curse? “It’s not good or bad,” senior Zach Eggert said, “because you’re not the oldest but you’re not the young-est.” When being in the middle, that child has to deal with not getting as much attention as the older child once got. “My mom barely has any baby pictures of me because she was obsessed with my older brother Spencer,” sopho- more

Mattie Strong said.

In every fam-ily where there is more than

one child, there is going

to be sibling rivalry and the accompanying fights.

“We fight at least once a day,” Duin said. If siblings fight so much,

what exactly are they fighting about? “We’re different from each other, so we have different views on different things,” Mattie Strong said. If all siblings do is bicker, what makes having a sibling worth-while? “They’re someone you can talk with about personal things that you couldn’t talk about with anybody else,” Spencer said. Whether they are younger or older, brothers and sisters will always be there making every day special. They may not always make you happy, but they’ll always be there when you need them.

By McKenna KerrStaff Writer

Sibling order: Do you fit the mold?

Oldest:People PleasersReliableCooperativeCaregiversCrave ApporvalPerfectionistAssertiveAmbitiousEnergeticScholarly

Middle:FlexibleRebelliousPeacemakersStubbornCynicalFriendlyUptightOutgoingImaginative

Youngest:Risk takerIdealistHard-workingAttention-seekingSecretiveSensitiveSociableConfidentSpoiledManipulativeFunny

Sophomore Codi Backen and Senior Timbre Backen

Sophomore Mattie Strong and Senior Spencer

Strong

birthorderandpersonality.com

Are you a stereotypical sib-ling? Check below to see how your qualities match up.

7 in-depth November 2009

By Natalie DoeringIn-depth Editor

Surviving Subbing

with Mr. Ahrens & Mrs. Mazur

“There’s challenges like getting the students’ attention and keeping it and keeping them working, but I don’t have any problems, espe-cially in Gretna.”

Are there any challenges?

Do you have any funny stories?“My own kids never wanted me to sub in any of their classes.”

What is your favorite part of subbing?“Just having experience with different new people every day”Are there any challenges in Gretna subbing?

No. The kids are really well behaved, and good lesson plans are preconceived. I haven’t found many discipline problems here”

To say that all subs are alike would be a lie. Some choose to dive into the current topic, discussing and explaining what the absent teacher would normally do. Others are more apt to pop in a video, dim the lights and hope no one causes any trouble. But just as the teaching style varies, so does the ways to survive the days when your normally present teacher is gone. Junior Alyssa Stahr knows what she does to survive, and what she doesn’t want to receive. “I just keep on the down low because I DO NOT want a five hour detention,” she said. Senior Marissa Sichta shares similar views and follows the same plan. “I try not to annoy subs by not doing anything that would draw attention to myself,” she said. It’s a common conclusion that many do all that they can to avoid the warnings and the sound of pen hitting paper as the substitute teacher writes their name down. Sometimes though, it’s hard not to get caught up in the joy of an

by the students will be received with cheers and sighs of relief. “It all depends on if they’re in a good mood or not when it comes to survival,” Reuter said. Unfortunately, in the haste to judge the substitutes performance during the given period, students lose track of the fact that subs have to survive students as well, and must plan their attack also. “If I were a sub, I’d be pretty nervous. Especially if it was at the high school…we can be brutal,” Stahr said. Rittenberger disagrees, and would welcome the opportunity to be a sub. “I think it would be fun to be

interrupted routine a sub places. “I don’t do anything to aggrivate them [the subs], but I think we just mess around more which probably makes them mad,” sophomore Tate Rittenberger said. Sichta agrees. “When the subs are filling in for teachers nobody likes, the one who give long assignments, everyone is happy and excited to get a break,” she said. Luckily, Rittenberger can gauge what the sub will be like before he decides how to survive. “I see how they react to the first question someone asks and base my actions on that,” he said. Junior Lindsay Reuter chooses not to take the risk and remain neutral when it comes to surviving the substitute

situation. “I’m an

excellent student who listens and follows

directions,” she said. Opinions of

subs may vary as often as the plan of survival does. Dreaded subs will be

welcomed with moans and sighs of

distaste and those

who are more favored

in new places and meet new people,” he said. But after some thought, he realizes where the downfall lies. “Unless the kids were bad. Then that would stink,” he said. One must remember though that while being judgemental of substitue teachers is easy when they are mean and demanding, it’s the moments that you enjoy having them that matter. Because although you have to survive subs, subs have to survive students just just as much.

How to survive: Substitute teachers

8 in-depthNovember 2009

9in-depth November 2009

”

‘‘Walk and talk at the same time. And just stay out of the way of people who need to get to their classes.

Teacher gives you a pass.

Move forward 2 spaces

Locker jams.Move back 2 spaces

Aced a test!Move forward 3 spaces

Caught texting.Go back to start to get your phone back

The lunch line is short today.Move forward 3 spaces

Four tests tomorrow.Move backward 4 spaces

Three day

weekend!

Move

forward

1 space.

Teacher postpones the test for a week.Move forward 5 spaces

Mr. Miller calls you to his office.Move backwards 2 spaces.

Supsended for getting in a fight.Move backwards 2 spaces

Expulsion from Gretna Schools.Automatic loss.

Book checked in the hallway.Move backwards 2 spaces

New car!Move forward 4 spots.

The server crashes before

saving.Move backwards

2 spaces

‘‘

‘‘

If you’re running late there is literally nothing you can do to make it on time

‘‘”

”

”

I hate when people stopin the middle of the hallway, unless it’s some of my friends, then I would stop and talk to them

It really bothers me when people kiss in the hallway. Start

PLAN testing.Move backwards 2 spaces.

Leave for vacation at noon. Move forward 4 spaces.

It rains at a band competition.Move backwards 2 spaces.

Make playoffs.

Move forward 2

spaces

Sophomore Jenni Davis

Junior Kelsie Troudt

Senior Chris Piper

Freshman Anna Elbracht

Make a varsity meet. Move forward 2 spaces

Extra Crispitos!

Move forward

4 spaces

Parents are notified of failing grade. Move backwards 6 spaces

Snowday! Move forward 2 spaces

Car doesn’t start. Move backwards 3 spaces

Good grades this semester. Move forward 3 spaces Sick wih

Swine Flu.

Move backwards

5 spaces

Class competitionMove forward 3 spaces

Forgot to study for a final.Move backwards 7 spaces

Slipped on banana peel at lunch. Move backwards 3 spaces

Overslept! Lose your turn

Two hour late

start. Move

forward 4

spacesServer won’t connect. Lose your turn

Picture is in newspaper! Move forward 1 space

New school clothes! Move forward 3 spaces

Late book fine.Move backwards 3 spaces

Fell asleep

during

class. Move

backwards 3

spaces

Not being able to play basketball

Senior Chase Brion

Getting homework

Senior Zach Self

By Natalie DoeringIn-depth Editor

The green walls slowly close in on you as your breathing quickens, and the stench of old gym socks and a moldy sandwich rush into your nose. The thought to scream for help crosses your mind, but during passing period no one will think twice about loud voices. Instead, you rest your head on the backpack of whomever occupies locker 715 and dream about next year when you will be a sophomore, and no longer have to worry about surviving freshman year. Although the stereo-typical upperclassmen, those who push kids into lockers and torment underclassman, do not exist at Gretna High School, it is still vital that freshmen plot and plan their survival. Freshman Erin Miller has already mapped out a strategy to making it through the rest of the year. “Surviving isn’t hard as long as you don’t ask for trouble. I don’t act like I’m in their grade,” she said. Luckily, Miller is wise in her decision because many juniors and seniors are known to

become angry when freshmen forget this. “They think they’re better than the upperclassmen,” senior Ty Vetter said. Freshman Nicole Emanuel has determined her plan of attack for survival during the 9th grade, and it remains similar to that of Miller’s. “I’m surviving by studying and remembering that I’m just a freshman!” she said. But those who remain at the top of the food chain must also remember that they too were once in survival mode, struggling to make it through the first year of high school. Along with this understanding comes advice that is sometimes vital to the youngest in the school. Junior Maggie Hobbs shares some wisdom that she learned 3 years ago when she was in the same predicament as the current freshmen. “I survived by finding good friends and sticking with them and just having fun. I would suggest the freshmen learn to respect us. It will make their life a lot easier,” she said. Vetter takes a different approach. “I didn’t get any… so why should they?” he said. Miller and Emanuel both agree though, that middle school is vastly different from high school. “I like being a frosh! High school is way better

than middle school,” Emanuel said. Miller comes to the conclusion. “In high school you get more freedoms and more fun!” she said. A blast of light reaches your eyes, and a sense of panic sets in as you pray it isn’t your locker-stuffing upperclassman “friend”. The smell of cleanliness returns, and you feel a sense of control and freedom, similar to when the transition from middle school to high school was made. You feel a sense of relief and realize that freshman year isn’t too bad (aside from your recent adventure), and if you work to survive it, it can be a great year.

How to survive: Freshman year

What makes your school day difficult?Trying not to fall asleep!

Junior Brooke Arp

Finish

10 entertainmentNovember 2009

You’re flipping through thechannels on a Tuesday night. You’remostlikelygoingtostoponthetvshow,or movie that catches your attentionright?Mostlikelyyou’regoingtocomeacross a reality tv show. Four out offiveAmericanssaythattheythinktoomanyrealitytvshowsareontheair.Sowhycan’t teenagers seem topry theireyesawayfromthem? “People likereality tvbecausetheyhaveachancetoescapefromtheirown life and because they need theirdaily dose of drama,” senior NikkiHotovysaid. TeenstalkforweeksaboutthestupidfightsomeonehadonThe Ruins, orthedramathat’sgoingonThe Hills.It’s innocent entertainment and hardnottoenjoyrealitytelevision. “There are a lot of stupidpeopleonrealitytvshowsandpeople

feel better about themselves knowingthat therearemorestupidpeopleoutthere then them,” German foreignexchangestudentLiviaKuklicksaid. People don’t seem tomind iftheshowisactuallytruereality,orjustamadeupscriptwithpaidactors.Whoknowsifsomeshowsontheairarereal,orifthey’refake. “I think shows are fake, like“Date My Mom”, on MTV, but thereareothershowsthatIthinkarereal,”Kuklicksaid. Who’s really going to say?Wouldt.v.shows losea lotofviewersif they publicly came out and saidtheirshowwasfake,eventhoughmostpeoplealreadyagreethatrealityt.v.isstaged? “I think tv shows would loseviewersiftheycameoutandsaidtheywere fake because you couldn’t takethe show seriously if people knew itwasn’treal,”Hottovysaid.“Butontheother hand, I think that most of thesituationsonrealityt.v.arereal,butitswaytodramatictomakeforgoodt.v.

Reality Tv?ByTaylorBradish

EntertainmentEditor

Do you remember jammingouttotheBackstreetBoys,Nsync,NewKids on the Block, back in the day?Howwould you feel if youflipped on94.1 andheard the framilar balads ofthebackstreetboys? Theformercharttoppers,TheBackstreetBoys, are trying tomakeacomeback. They released their album“Thisisus,”onSeptember30th,missingonebandmemberKevinJohnson.TheBackstreetBoysaretryingtopromotetheir original old style of pop andhip hop, similar to Chris Brown. Butdespitetheirchangesinstyle,theystillstaytruetothecheesylyricsofbroken

heartsandtruelove. Some people think it’s a badidea bringing old bands back in thepicture. “Ithinkitwouldbealothardertogetanoldbandbacktogetherbecausetheydon’tknowwhatsinstyle,”SeniorJakeButlersaid. For whatever reason thesebands want to come back and startmakingmusicagain,there’snothingwecandoaboutit.They’rebackandreadyto attack.But is it going tobeharderfor these bands tomake a comeback,knowing there past? Or will this givethebandsanadvantage?Theirnameisalreadyknown. “Idon’tthinkitwillbeharderfor them to come back because theyalreadyknowtheindustry,they’vegot

connections,” senior, Ellen Eitzmannsaid. But fors o p h om o r e ,W h i t n e ySilence, it’s adifferentstory, “ T h e yprobably won’thave an easiertime comingback.” B u thonestly afterbeinginthedarkforsolongwhatwould makethesepopbandswanttopopbackup?Most people have the same response:theywantmoremoney,they’remissing

Bands attempt comeback!ByTaylorBradish

EntertainmentEditor“Ithinkitwouldbealothardertogetanoldbandbacktogetherbe-causetheydon’tknowwhat’sinstyle.” -JakeButler

Senior

the glory days, and basically in a nutshell, they wanttheirfameback. “ T h e y ’ r erunning out ofmoney, or losingtheir fame,”Eitzmannsaid. “Theywanttogetnoticed again,”Silencesaid.Its going to comeas quite a shockerwhen people hereNsync blastingthrough theirstereos, will they

besucessfulorwilleveryonebesingingtherefamouslyrics,byebyebye?

Ascenefrom“TheLittlestGroom.”

The most outrageous reality tv shows of all time:

“The Littlest Groom”: A group of tiny bachelorettes competed against average-sized women for the heart of a 4-foot-5 bachelor. At the end of the show, would the little sized groom choose a long-legged lover or a pint-sized princess?

“Amish In The City”: Five Amish young people were taken from their traditional lifestyles and sent to the city where they shared a home with roomates and got their first taste if a whole new world.

“Married By America”: Viewers played matchmaker for complete strangers. The newly created couples were immediately engaged to be married all whiile being filmed.

realitytv.about.com

11 fun November 2009

Across1. First person alphabetically in the school3. Disease people are worried about getting5. They got third in state6. People who came to visit us for two and a half weeks7. Our varsity football quarterback8. This team got an excellent rating at state14. The grade the oldest volleyball girls are in16. Our homecoming king18. Number of twins in the sophomore class19. Our homecoming queen

Down1. Last person alphabetically in the school2. Gesa Mayer is from this town in Germany4. Louise Gabrielsson is from this town in Sweden9. Our mascot10. Name of our One Act play this year11. Number of new teachers this year12. Made up disease that seniors catch13. This was banned from the school this year15. Kennedy Healy held a fundraiser for this17. Teacher who does the famous hawk impression

How Well Do You Know Your School?

Everybody has their obsessions

“I’m obsessed with music be-cause it’s a way of expressing your feelings.” sophomore,

Brendan Barton

“I’m obsessed with cleaning because it digusts me when stuff

is dirty.” junior, Lauren Faris

“I’m obsssed with comlain-ing because it makes me feel better.” senior, Molly Dem-

binski,

“I’m obsessed with food be-cause I like it, it tastes good,

and it’s ummy in my tummy.” English teacher, Blaine Chris-

ten

“I’m obsessed with football because I like the adrenaline.”

freshman, Anthony Rippe

12 featuresNovember 2009

With homework, sports, work, and every other responsibility students have, it seems remarkable that high school students would make their top priority, for six consecutive Thursday nights, donating time to helping children they didn’t even know. As time went on, volunteers would soon get to know their buddies closely and develop a great respect for helping others.

“I never really thought my partner knew who I was,” junior Cassie Kirkpatrick said. She was wrong. It was a special moment when Kirkpatrick returned to practice after missing the previous session, and learned how much her buddy truly thought of her. Thrilled she was back, Kirkpatrick’s buddy ran up and gave her a hug. It’s moments like these that make volunteers of Gretna’s TOPSoccer program feel like they’re gaining more than they’re giving. The Outreach Program for Soccer, or TOPSoccer, is a community-based training and team placement program for children with disabilities, organized by youth soccer association volunteers. The programs kickoff was two years ago, with about five players. The most currant games took place this past fall. It doesn’t seem like a teenager’s favorite after-school activity, but students used the greater purpose for motivation. “The first time I didn’t really want to go, but then I saw what it was about, and loved it,” said junior Stephen Kessler. Eight students volunteered through National Honor Society this year. The time served went towards required community service hours for this academic program. National Honor Society sponsor

Jami Ewer said she has always received positive feedback regarding students’ participation in community work. She had nothing but high expectations for TOPSoccer participants, and they didn’t let her down. Gretna TOPSoccer Player Coordinator Mike Bartenhagen was pleased with the volunteer’s efforts as well. “The kids in Gretna have been a great support for the program,” Bartenhagen said.

Students put their hearts into each game where they were paired with a buddy and began with stretches to prevent injuries. Next were warm-ups including lunges and high knees, plus a game to work on basic balance. A favorite warm-up was Red Light, Green Light. When “red light” was called, everyone would have to stop the soccer ball they were kicking.

Just as in the warm-ups, the actual game of soccer helps teach sportsmanship and teamwork, however normal rules aren’t followed precisely.

In each game, the goal is to use many of the same rules, as junior Jessica Tarsikes said, but usually referees make few calls.

“It’s a great opportunity to help kids who really need help,” Kessler said.

TOPSoccer uses two teams, but the competition doesn’t overshadow each player’s accomplishments. No matter who scores, everyone cheers for them.

“Even my buddy got really into it. He kept cheering, ‘Wazza!’” Tarsikes said.

The children need help to keep focused on the game, and in some cases, to merely stand up. Disabilities range from Autism, Down Syndrome, Epilepsy, Cerebral Palsy, to physical disabilities that require a wheelchair. Through it all, fun is still the main priority, and the children played each game with just as much enthusiasm as any healthy child.

One day, senior Matt Kennedy’s buddy kept throwing the ball over the

By Lauren SawyerFeature Editor

net. He was up to about eight times before he stopped. Kennedy describes his buddy as having a hilarious expression as he threw each ball in utter fascination.

Sometimes, to keep the spirit of fun alive, a humongous yellow ball was used instead of a soccer ball.

Ironically, the most exciting part of the game was guaranteed to be the end. After the official game was over volunteers and their buddies did the chicken dance. Waddling and flapping limbs around was used as motivation for the children- if they kept running, they could do the chicken dance. It was simply a positive way to end each game.

This season has come to an end, however the program’s impact has remained with the high school volunteers.

“I learned a lot and volunteering helps you make the best of life,” Tarsikes said.

A veteran volunteer of three years said he enjoyed, “Getting to help those who have never had a chance to play a sport, it probably sounds very generic, but it is the truth,” Kennedy said. “When you help someone have fun and find happiness, who wouldn’t have the option otherwise, it really does mean a lot.”

Volunteers junior Zach Hadden, junior Stephen Kessler, and senior Han-nah Dittmar congratulate each other after a game. The Gretna TOPSoccer program started two years ago with about five players.

Submitted photo

Gretna TOPSoccer: More than playing a game“The first time I didn’t really want to go, but then I saw what it was about, and loved it.”

-Stephen KesslerJunior

13 features November 2009

Sweat rolls off the hunter’s brow as he patiently waits all day for his chance. His camouflaged suit is uncomfortably positioned on his body while he crouches cautiously in his tree stand. Finally, an eight-point deer crosses his path and turns broadside to him. A hunter’s dream kill. He takes the final pull back on his bow and releases his arrow. This past year, sophomore Riley Smith has taken bow hunting more competitively. He has killed four deer this year compared to one deer last year “ I concentrate on what I’m going to do,” Smith said, “I get really excited when I finally see one.” Smith’s mindset is strictly focused on becoming a better hunter and not coming home empty-handed. “I’ve gotten a lot more serious in deer hunting this year than last year,” Smith said. “It’s more fun actually trying.”

After Smith gets one though, the question is what to do with that deer. Surprisingly, there are many things that can be done with the meat of the deer that you get. “ I field dress it and process the meat myself, “ Smith said. “It’s pretty gross but I’ve gotten used to it.” First off, deer jerky. This can be easily made from spare pieces of the deer and cooked for two to three hours. Other parts of the deer can be made into summer sausage, steak and hamburgers. “My jerky is a big hit at school,” Smith said. “I’ve made a couple dollars selling it too.” Smith hunts all year long for different game, but mainly his focus is whitetail deer. The deer-hunting season starts from September 15th to November 13th and November 23rd to December 31st. In order to keep the animal, you must buy a tag to bag your kill. The bag limit is one deer of male or female gender and one antler-less deer or whitetail deer. “It’s my favorite thing to do cause it’s a way to be by myself and enjoy the wildlife, I love it.”

By Ethan DawesStaff Writer

Hunting: A student’s passion

Submitted photo

Deputy Lance Schickert bows down to the students in the BASE room after losing the weekly football face-off. Each week, the BASE room students and various school officials predicted the winners of major football games, and each week the students reigned victorious. Other school officials who lost include: Mr. Eledge, Mr. Mueller, Mr. Brandon, Mr. Bruggeman, Mr. Ribar, Dr. Riley, and Mr. Feeken.

Sophomore Riley Smith (middle) presents his prized white-tailed deer. Hunting has been a passion of Smith’s since he was a toddler.

Submitted photo

14 sportsNovember 2009

What’s yourRonnie Brown

“Freshman year, play-ing scrummage in Brian Bartek’s backyard and we picked names from the Miami Dolphins, he gave me Ronnie Brown, and it just stuck.”-Ross Labenz,12

“Everyone calls me ‘Ginger’ because I have red hair and ‘Gla-dius’ is just an inap-propriate nickname.”-Kevin Andersen, 11

“Stefan started calling me it and then the rest of the seniors called me that now everyone does.”-Colton Motsinger, 11

“I think people think of Dennis Rodman because he is crazy and I am too!”-Ian Grigsby, 11

Ginger/Gladius

Slinger

Dennis

Match em’

Jam

ie C

arlso

nBr

ando

n Fr

ink

Brad

Mor

gan

Dave

Dud

ney

Patrick

Carn

ey

E. Schvinx

A. Tank

D. Moose

C. The Chosen One

B. Diesel

nickname?

Answers: Brandon Frink- Schvinx, Jamie Carlson- Moose, Brad Mor-gan- Tank, Dave Dudney- Diesel, Patrick Carney- The Chosen One

First stateappearance

in 18 yearsSophomore Elaine Cramer goes up for a spike during Gretna’s state game against Grand Island. The winner of the best out of five match-es won the game. Grand Island took the victory with three wins over Gretna’s zero.

With hands held high, juniors Emma Hulsey and Kelsi Kuhn go up for a block hoping to pull it off and gain the point.

Photos by Chelsea Luedtke

15 sports November 2009

Waiting for the start, she stretches and mentally prepares to go out on the grounds and run free. Sweat rolls down her face, as she is approaches the finish line and kicks it into full gear, it is now time to step it up. As she passes runners, one by one, hoping to take a victory for the team. Did she push hard enough to break her personal record and take the gold? This year’s cross-country team did very well throughout the season. They had many competitions over the two months, which led them to become state qualifiers. “The team did awesome, boys and girls both competed very well throughout the season. They are a good group to work with,” cross-country coach Joe Marik said.

The girl’s varsity team won districts so they attended the state meet. Out of the runners that competed, two of them placed in the top 15 at state. Freshman Emily Roll took 6th place and junior Sam Soupir earned 14th.

Soupir has gone to state all three years and received a medal with every appearance she has made in the state tournament. There have only been six girls from Gretna that have medaled at state, and Soupir holds three out of the six medals. Although they didn’t place in the top 15, freshman Maddy Paskelvic ran away with 18th place and junior Katie Allen with 26th. The girls took an overall team score of 33, taking third place in the state tournament.

“As a freshman, I was worried about going to state,” Roll said. “I didn’t want to mess up or do bad. It was fun though because I got to hang out with all my friends and compete with all the good competition.”

By Danielle SpurgeonSports Editor

How does girls’ cross-country stack up to boys?

The boys, however, didn’t win districts, but they still had three runners qualify. The qualifiers were senior Spencer Strong, senior Brett Friesen, and freshman Tim Grundmayer. Unlike the girls nobody placed, Strong took 72th, Grundmayer 50th, and Friesen 48th.

“I did better this year than the last and the team was as good as I have ever seen,” Friesen said. The girls team may have had a better season than the guys but we will see what next year will bring.

In hope of a win, the girls’ varsity cross-country team gets lined up to start their run. The weather was not cooperative at all.

Photo by Courtney Randall

As the girl’s golf team members look back on their season, they remember the good and bad times. The good seemed to overshadow the bad. The record for varsity duels was 6 and 1 making their only lost to Platteview 237 to 236. Their lowest score of the year was 185 versus AGEM and Nebraska City. When the girls think of the bad times, they think of the long practices walking all around the golf course and the rough start to the season losing to Platteview, only by a point. But as the season went along they all realized their potential and most started to improve. “I improved a lot through the season,” junior Lauren Faris said. As time went on the team improved too, but we didn’t start out too hot.” Having long practices every day after school and walking all that

Looking back on an exciting season for girls golf By Lexi BuschPhotographer

way would be intense in many eyes, but these girls say otherwise. “We pretty much messed around the whole time. Even though we went to the range every day, we didn’t do much,” Faris said. Now if these girls just went to the range every day and messed around it maybe a surprise to hear how well they did in districts. They got first out of eight teams and their score was 423. “I was really surprised how well we did in districts. 7 out of the 10 of us placed. It made us think we could do really well at state,” junior Abby Allgood said. Once they got to state they soon realized that it wouldn’t be an easy task to even place. The competition looked tough and the girls didn’t know what to expect going into this because a lot of the girls were younger and had never been to state. “I was really nervous and I didn’t place but it was cool to be only

a sophomore and going to state,” Wollenburg said. Although Wollenburg and the other girls at state didn’t place, there was one player who proved practice makes perfect. “ I worked really hard through the season, and I was really excited when I medaled in state,” Allgood said. It showed how it all paid off.” At state, the focus wasn’t always on golf or who placed, the girls had fun times in the hotel and brought back some funny stories to tell. “At the hotel we filled a trash can with water. We put it against one of the hotel doors then we would knock on the door and when the person opened it the water would spill all over their room,” Wollenburg said. Throughout the whole season the girls had a rough start but laughed their way through it with all the fun times they really had. All in all, the girls think they had a great season, no matter the outcome of state.

“ It was a fun and good season even though we didn’t do the best in state,” Faris said. “I think we can improve and do even better next year.”

Photo by Brooke ArpWith eyes focused on the ball, sophomore Jordyn Wollenburg takes a swing, deter-mined to have a great hit.

16 photo storyDecember 2009 7entertainment

March 2009

Coming to America

All of the German exchange students

and their host families gather for a

picture on the stage. The German stu-

dents got to stay in Gretna for 2 weeks

then they were off to New York.

Junior Trey MCCamble push-es German exchange student Frau Lowding around in a cart at Sams Club. They were get-ting snacks for movie night.

German exchange student Flo plays inside a toy car. Flo stayed with Eric Smith while he visited here.

Concentrating hard on their work Ole and Rob-

ert look through pictures. They took pictures

of their friends and learned how to download

them to the computers.

Robert, Ole and Jacob pose for a picture

outside of the school. The German stu-

dents played soccer after school almost

every day.

Deputy Lance handcuffs Jacob in the

middle of German class. The Ger-

mans met in the German classroom

every day before classes.

Junior, Trey MCCamble and Moritz

play a video game at Cabels. Mortiz

beat Treys high score in the game.

Nineteen German exchange students got a taste of America when they came to Gretna High School. They were paired with students here in the school and had the opportunity to experience GHS life and participate in a number of activities. They enjoyed exciting activities like going to the capital. They also got to do whatever they wanted with their host family. “We went laser tagging, to the zoo and Target, and we got hot chocolate,” sophomore Shane Nevius said. Other students found things to

do around school. “I have walked around the school and ate pizza,” German exchange student Kristina Jaenisch said. As a group though, German teacher Kellye Deane set up some trips for them to take. “I planned the welcome and going away party,” Deane said. “We also went to the State Capital, Nebraska Historical Museum, and many other places.” Just because they had a host family though didn’t mean they had to spend every minute with them. “There is a lot of space between us,” Nevius said. “We don’t always hang out, maybe a couple times a week.”

Students weren’t the only ones who got to host somebody though. “I got to host the teacher Mrs. Lowdy,” Deane said. So when they are not hanging out with people, what did they do? “I’m usually eating or sleeping,” German student Ole Lender said. The real question though is why they decided to come visit America? “It was an offer at our school,” Jaenisch said.

While they were here they had noticed some big differences and similarities.

“The school is very different here,” Lender said. “The students here walk to their teachers. In Germany the teachers walk to their students.”

“All the sports and hanging out with friends is very similar to back home,” Smolka and Jaenisch said. The schools aren’t the only differences between America and Germany. “The food here tastes good, but it’s not as healthy,” Lender said. For these Germans it was a very exciting and possibly scary experience. Some of them came knowing some of the other German students already. “Some of the others that came were friends,” Jaenisch said. So even though they were only here a couple weeks, they made a lot of friends and became very popular in Gretna High School.

By Hannah ApplegateStaff Writer