words of a feather January 28, 2011

The Official Student Newspaper of the Crete High School Cardinals 1500 E. 15th St. Crete, Neb. 68333

Volume 5 Issue 6

DREAM Act: It was only just a dream

Courtesy Photo The DREAM Act was proposed by Sen. Orin Hatch [R-UT] and Sen. Richard Durbin [D-IL]. That would have helped about 65,000 immigrant students who do not get the opportunity to go to college.

Marilyn Balaños Layout/Design Editor “What are you going to do after high school?” “I’m not sure.” This is an answer many senior immigrant students

tend to respond with. On December 19th, 2010, the DREAM Act 2010 was denied by the senate.It needed 60 votes for approval and the vote ended with 51-41. DREAM, standing for the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors

Act, is a law that would give immigrant students the opportunity to go to college and receive citizenship after six years. They would have a Conditional Permanent Residency, which makes them able to attend college like a legal

teachers, feels that it is very beneficial. “Last year Mr. Hintz made my classroom podium in a very short amount of time,” Whitwer said. Whitwer was not the only teacher to benefit from the hands of CHS’s woodworkers. Jay Quinn had a trophy made by senior Micheal Tran who has also worked and helped with many other projects around the school. When asked what kind of things he had done for the school, Tran explained he had completed a plethora of projects. Not only did he give an extensive list but he could not even recall all of the projects he had done. “…the score box out on the baseball field, podiums, trophies, and the stands when you enter the gym. I don’t know. There is too much I have done to name them all,” senior Michael Tran said. Agreeing with Tran, Principal Tim Conway also had a long list of projects he has completed for the benefit of the school. “…trophy cases, window frames, score boxes, tearing out the risers in the gym,

there are just so many things. I can’t even begin to put my finger on the things we have made for the school,” Conway said. Another thing that Conway, Tran, And many other students and staff share is the feeling they get when they walk down the hall and see a piece of work they have done. According to Conway he feels that this type of handson work is a good chance for students to work with real situations and it could possibly even mean more to the students. “I’m sure it means more to the students knowing that their work will be around and used for years to come,” Conway said. Not only is money being saved and costs being cut, but time consumption is also cut down. According to Conway he installed the score box in the gym within a matter of four weekends with the help of Moore. “I only dedicate a small amount of hours out of my weekend to the school.” Conway said.” Even that is enough to finish a big project within the time that anyone

resident, but not able to go abroad for long periods of time. The DREAM Act 2010 would also allow immigrant students to receive student loans and federal work-study programs. In order for a student to qualify, he or she must have no criminal record, lived in the United States for at least six years, graduated from a Nebraska high school, and obtained a two- or four-year degree from a U.S. college or have been in military service for at least two years. “All I want is to go to college. It’s not like I am going to take anything away from anyone else, and anyway it is not my fault that I grew up in a country that everyone else thinks is not mine. I have lived in the United States since I was four,” an anonymous student said, “ I don’t even remember Mexico.” The Nebraska senators both voted against the DREAM Act. Senator Ben Nelson posted on his website why he is against the proposal. “I do not support the DREAM Act and I will vote against it. I oppose it because

it is an (unorganized) approach to illegal immigration and I believe border security must be our first priority. I will vote for cloture on this bill to allow the legislation to move forward for an up or down vote,” Nelson said. Senator Mike Johanns also gave his views concerning the DREAM Act on his website. “I am not unsympathetic to the plight of children in this country illegally who are facing difficult circumstances,” Johanns said. “Yet offering citizenship to illegal immigrants would not be just while so many are waiting to enter the country legally and also desire an American education for their children.” Before the Dream Act was denied on June 9th, 2010, about 150 people gathered around the Nebraska capital to proclaim their concerrns of allowing the DREAM Act. One O’Neill student, Daniel Dominguez, 17, walked 195 miles from O’Neill to Lincoln because he supports the legislation. A group of seventy people completed the last two-mile walk from Devaney through

the University of NebraskaLincoln to the capital chanting, “Education, not deportation,” and “We are the dreamers.” Although the DREAM Act did not pass, there is still a way for undocumented immigrant students to go to college. According to Couselor Karen Buckfink, everyone can go to college, but the problem is that when an immigrant student has their degree they can’t get a job unless they are legal U.S citizens. “I want to be an immigration lawyer, but I’m not sure how I’m going to be that when I’m not even legal,” anonymous said. This month, Senator Charlie Janssen of Fremont proposed the repeal of the DREAM Act of 2006 which allows illegal students instate tuition. “I didn’t even want to come to school the next day when I found out the DREAM Act was denied because I thought, ‘well what’s the point of being there if I won’t be able to practice what I have learned,’” anonymous said.

else could do it.” The students and staff are doing projects that are completed for the school just

because they have the “raw talent” as Tran called it. They are saving money and cutting costs subconsciously,

therefore helping the school by putting more money into other areas of necessity for the school.

Mr. Conway, shop students cut costs Mercy Thatcher Staff Reporter

In This Issue...

With the state of the economy, schools are digging up different ways to save money and cut costs. CHS has been doing things for years to save money,and according to Principal Tim Conway, the projects he has seen have been completed with the help of Industrial Technology teachers, Activities Director Jim Moore, and a variety of students. They aren’t just to save money, but also because “why pay someone else to do something that we can do?” “I don’t pay attention to the price of things,” Conway said. “I just feel that if we have the capability to do something, if not do it better, I don’t see why we wouldn’t,” Conway said. Even though saving money may not be the goal here, many students and teachers feel that it does help in many ways to not only save money but cut the cost of things down a great amount. Social Studies teacher Chris Whitwer, out of many of the

Page 2: Video games reveal beneficiary results

Page 6: Cheerleaders involve aspiring members

Photo by Will Veguilla Shop classes have lowered the cost of projects around the school. Participating students gain experience as they also help the school in doing so.

Page 8: Grapplers get a grip on their weight

Page 10: Crete graduate shares her story of success

January 28, 2010

Page 2 words of a feather

News

Priority 1: Safety for all Practice makes a prepared staff, students Jessalynn Holdcraft Copy/Content Editor/ Staff Coordinator April 20, 1999: two students entered Columbine High School with guns and killed 12 students and one teacher before committing suicide. September 22, 2010: a man went to Americold near Crete. He wounded three coworkers then killed himself. January 5, 2011: a student returned to school after being suspended earlier in the day and shot his principal and killed his vice principal. He left school and shot himself. “I told my husband a long time ago that when they started shooting administrators in Nebraska that he was out, he was done, that he wasn’t going to administrate anymore, but that’s not the case, he says that’s not going to happen,” World history teacher Mary Conway said. “It’s scary, it’s really scary because he has to make decisions like that every day about suspending people and he makes decisions that at the time are unpopular, particularly with students and with parents and sometimes with the community. It’s for the greater good but people don’t always see it that way at the moment.” Bold, black headlines burst from front pages describing every gruesome detail of the attacks. Naturally, shock and worry set into the readers.

“Of course, it reminded me of Columbine because it just makes me sick to my stomach because schools are supposed to be safe places. They’re supposed to be safe for kids and they’re supposed to be safe for everybody including teachers and staff. It’s like a church, it’s supposed to be sacred, and everybody is supposed to be safe here,” Mrs. Conway said. “When I heard about it was during my plan and I immediately went to the office to just reassure myself that everything was ok. You know on your conscious level that it’s not happening here but you just want to check and make sure everybody is ok.” The first thought is undoubtedly it could happen here. However, Crete High School is not Columbine, nor is it Americold or Millard South. “As far as dealing with weapons, I deal with it every time hunting season arrives because students forget because they get excited. The biggest one I have is deer hunters,” Principal Tim Conway said.

“They get their deer in the morning and they come right to school to show the deer off but they’re so excited that they forget that their firearm is still in their vehicle. Common sense tells you that they forgot, so you talk to the student, send them back home. It has happened four or five times since I’ve been here.”

“It’s a good thing that it’s so rare. My thoughts on it are that you prepare for the worst and hope for the best. All these schools, including Millard South, they run these drills just like we do and everybody prepares for it and talks about it but the reality is that you can’t always be prepared for everything,” As-

and Dr. Doug Dolezal had extra practice with a false alarm last semester. “It was something that was silly and stupid but hit you at the same time because it was so unexpected because at the moment, no one had any idea what happened or what went on,” Royuk said. Someone slammed Royuk’s door without warning. “Everyone was working in MAP quietly and no one saw it coming. But then a tile from the ceiling fell and the wall cracked because it got slammed so hard,” Royuk said. “I honestly looked around to make sure everyone was all right and then I went to out see in the hallway and that’s when I figured out what happened.” While Royuk thought bomb, Dolezal thought gun. Still, a disaster is a disaster “At first I thought that whether it is natural or man- sistant Principal/Activities someone had fired a gun out made; therefore, the high Director Jim Moore said. in the hallway so I made a “You can do your best to B-line for the door,” Dolezal school practices fire, tornado, and intruder drills. According prevent, your best to prepare said. “It was during MAP, to Mr. Conway, the school but if it’s going to happen so that’s about the only time will have one intruder drill students are going to come in that I leave my door open make it happen. It’s how you but when I got to the door, each semester. However, a simulation respond and protect everyone I realized that it hadn’t been cannot mimic a real school else that sets you apart,” Mr. a gun and that someone had shooting. That is why prepa- Conway said. just slammed the door. But Math teachers Kyle Royuk my first thought was ‘get the ration is vital.

“Of course it reminded me of Columbine because it just makes me sick to my stomach because schools are supposed to be safe places.” -Mary Conway-

door closed’.” Such incidents and threats can be startling or routine. “I’m threatened on a regular basis. Whether ‘I’m going to sue you’ or I’ve had kids tell me that they’re going to kick my rear end and so forth and so on. That’s a normal day,” Mr. Conway said. “You don’t take it personally; it’s your job. How many people come in and chew me out throughout the course of a day? How many parents are upset with a decision you have to make? If I took everything personally, I would be a mess.” Administrators, faculty, and staff are trained to be professional in the face of any personal attacks. “When people are upset you’ve got to try to stay calm. I mean that’s just the way it is. All of the administrators in this district, throughout the state, everybody has had crisis team training, but the one thing you know is that you’ve got to stay calm,” Moore said. “If being calm is professional, I think that’s how you have to act.” For the time being, there is no direct threat to the high school, but that doesn’t mean that safety isn’t important. “We got about 500 students in here and 60 teachers. Every one of them is important,” Mr. Conway said. “Students mean the world to him and I know he would do anything in his power to protect them,” Mrs. Conway said.

Video games shoot-down misbeliefs Students, teachers play video games, see benefits academically Dulce Castañeda Copy/Content Editor Pow Pow! Whoosh! Ch ch ch ch! Not only are these the sounds of video games in action, but they are the very sounds that help anyone in the spectrum from childhood to adulthood with physical and emotional troubles to improve in their daily routines. Despite reports and reviews on the harmful effects of video games, new studies conclude that video games may have their benefits as well. “They’re kind of like books, except they’re more visual,” junior Aaron McCain said. Decision making and quick thinking are essential components of learning to play games ranging from Mario Cart Wii to World of Warcraft. According to the U.S. Department of Defense, video gamers can achieve an increase from 10 to 20 percent in cognitive abilities, proving that being able to think rapidly can be an asset to a soldier on the battlefield. It’s no wonder then, why the U.S. military amounts for half of the money being spent on the $40 million video game market. “I think it gives troops a more realistic representa-

tion of what they’ll see when they actually go out there,” junior Patrick Haller said. “I don’t know if they should be spending that much, but I think they need them.” Additional research has confirmed that playing these games can result in better vision and improved attention skills. The University of Rochester, in a study, established that playing video games for a few fours daily over the course of a month improved visual capabilities by at least 20 percent. “I have the least prescription out of my siblings. Because I play video games, I have better eye power,” sophomore Jack Hung said. “It’s not fair that he doesn’t need as much eye prescription as I do even though he plays on the computer all the time,” junior Amy Hung said about her younger brother Jack and his vision abilities compared to hers. Furthermore, video games have been proven to enhance the level of hand-eye coordination a gamer has. “When I do something that involves hand-eye coordination, it seems like I can do it better thatn what I used to be able to,” sophomore Ryan Weide said. In fact, even surgeons play video games prior to performing surgery to decrease the error percentage by a minimum

of 37 percent when playing the games for three hours a week, details Verena Dobnik in an Associated Press 2004 article. Also, those same surgeons were 25 percent quicker in carrying out a surgical process as opposed to nongaming surgeons. Moreover, playing video games during adolescence may very well prove to decrease the potential for developing Alzheimer’s at a later age. “I play ESPN College Town and I also play the Wii. I think it helps with spatial skills. I do think it helps with memory; I don’t think I would go as far as to say it prevents Alzheimer’s because I’m not a doctor,” Weights teacher Jay Quinn said about the benefits of video games. “Video games are ok in moderation. An hour a day playing video games is not bad. Seven hours in one sitting…that’s bad.” Video games are also beneficial when it comes to giving young gamers and their parents the opportunity to interact with one another. “They’re entertaining. They’re good when it’s snowing outside and you’re bored. You can have a nice time with family members,” freshman and video game fanatic Steven Santos said. Even violent video games, which are often associated with negative connotations, are likely to help develop skills in certain areas. Games such as World of Warcraft and Mortal Kombat have shown to increase the use of following directions and using logic to determine what type of a decision should be made

in the gaming world as in the real world itself. “I can focus on that really good. I have some games from China so I have to read what it says and that kind of helps me read some words,” freshman Jacob Schafer said, who has spent 11.5 hours in a day playing video games. Gaming has indeed brought about room for further investigations and could in fact be used in school systems in the future as a learning device, as schools in New York City are already doing. “I think that using video games in photo by Dulce Castañeda schools is effective because Sophomore Jack Hung plays online video games on a Sunday afternoon. J. kids like them Hung has the least eye prescription out of the rest of his sibilings; he believes and they’re used it’s because he plays more video games on a regular basis than the others. to them. I would like it,” sophomore Preston McElravy said. h t t p : / / w w w. d e f e n s e . gov/news/newsarticle. aspx?id=57695 http://healthmad.com/ health/10-health-benefits-ofvideo-games/ http://www.msnbc.msn. com/id/4685909/ns/technology_and_science-games/

Opinion

Page 3

January 28, 2011 words of a feather

Veguilla ponders 2011 and stuff Will, With a Hint of Lemon Will Veguilla Staff Reporter/Columnist

I’ve never made a New Year’s Resolution – my lifestyle choices are already kind of absolutely perfect. So, because I’ve got my own life under control, I’ve decided to make 2011 resolutions for you, fellow students. Resolution one: stop talking so dang loudly. The only sorts of people I dislike more than those who eat ice cubes as if they cure death (I feel like someone is scraping a blunt, cold spoon across my spine just writing about it) are those who always talk as if they’re in the middle of a screaming fire-tornado seven miles away. Even if they’re, like, in a library, where it’s illegal to be loud, these people are loud. It might just be my excellent hearing – if you

drop a pin near me, blood will trickle out of my sensitive ears (side note: if you fire a high-caliber weapon close to me, my ears will literally pop away from my head and punch you into a liquid state). Or maybe these kids have a compulsive desire to shout about everything. I don’t know. So, I think it’d be best if we all tone it down a bit – or, better yet, whisper. Yeah. Let’s whisper for an entire year. Imagine how nice that’d be. We might s t a r t hearing birds sing or something. Resolution two: solve all conflicts by danceoffs. Recently, my eight-year-old sister and I got into a fierce theological argument. Though I provided her with numerous pieces of convincing evidence, she refused to accept the fact that my favorite Tiki god was more handsome than hers. When, out of frustration, I was about to knock her down with a chair, she told me: “Wait! Drop that chair. Rihanna will tell us who’s right.” When her Just Dance 2 video game loaded up,

a shoulder-burning Wii dance battle to Rihanna’s “SOS” song ensued. I was 2,000 points ahead of my sister by the end of it. Effectively destroyed, she collapsed on her room’s leopard-fur rug and wept: “You’re right. Your god is more handsome than mine.” Well, naturally. As I laughed at the little girl’s pathetic condition, I realized the significance of conducting dance battles. All the thrill of violent combat without, you know, actually slaying someone. If only all wars, revolutions, gang fights, family feuds, and even petty quarrels were waged in this way - humans would have to find cleverer ways of wasting themselves. Final resolution: pretend everyone is out to get you. Right. Let me explain. I realized I was the target of an international conspiracy (again) when, left home alone one day during Winter Break, I just about died ten times. Bruised my elbows on the slippery stairs, busted my glass-like knees on chairs unsafely placed in the shadows, punctured a lung on a bafflingly

“Final resolution: pretend everyone is out to get you.”

sharp doorknob, and who the in the blue-hell just leaves hot coals on the floor? My house, I discovered, was a deathtrap. I began limping to the store for bandages, which were conspicuously absent from home. On the way, an elderly couple offered me a ride. “Hop in,” they said. “We’re old and, therefore, honest.” “That’s completely fair.” I hopped in. Driving along, the man said, “Wow, the roads are so icy. I hope we don’t crash and die horribly.” Abruptly, the man jerked the wheel to the right. Like a rolling wildcat, I rolled out of the backseat before the car collided with a parked pick-up and burst into flames. I left the fiery scene without even notifying the fire department. Right then, I knew I was on a global hit-list. So. The rest of my break was spent productively. I constructed a panic room. I exercised regularly and balanced my budget – in case I need to make a quick escape involving physically-challenging obstacles and a lot of money. I broke my addiction to egg-rolls, which would be scarce if I must ever live in the wild with only canned tuna and a flare gun. I even spend more time with my family. You know, keep my enemies closer and all. By living as if the world is one move away from neutralizing me, I’m actually accomplishing several common New Year’s resolutions. Anyway. Ciao.

Editorial Policy: The Words of a Feather staff gladly accepts letters to the editor and news releases from students, faculty, administration, community residents, and the general public. We ask these submissions be of 300 words or less and contain the author’s name, address, phone number and signature. All submissions will be verified in person and in writing. Our editorial staff withholds the right to refuse any letter, and/or parts of any letter and may return a letter for revision if it contains unprotected speech or errors that could hamper its meaning. Please submit letters to Mrs. Wright in room 412.

words of a feather Crete High School Journalism c/o Crete High School 1500 E. 15th Street Crete, NE 68333 Phone: (402) 826-5811 Editorial Staff: Layout/Design Editors: Jessica Thatcher Marilyn Bolaños Copy/Content Editors: Jessalyn Holdcraft Jake White Dulce Castañeda Sports/Photography Editor: Nicole Reetz Business Manager: Nicole Reetz Circulation Manager: Christina Jackson Staff Coordinator: Jessalyn Holdcraft

General Staff:

Senioritis Spreads Early

MAPs are assigned due to “bad grades” A Few Words From the Words Staff... It’s the end of the Friday afternoon. Being a senior, one has no MAP. Also, it’s the first Friday of the third quarter, and grades are, well, decent. Feeling free, waiting to get out of that eighth period class to go home and (not) work on homework. Then you see Mrs. Stec heading your way. Your Friday afternoon just went down the drain. “I’m sorry,” Mrs. Stec says, “You have a MAP. You’re failing [enter class here].” She hands you your assigned MAP with a pass, and the rest is routine. With the near-deadly disease of senioritis, Mrs. Stec (or Buchfinck, for that matter) does not have a good job as the bearer of bad news. It’s really not her fault. The fault belongs to many people. Being a senior in MAP may not seem like such a bad thing to some people. Woohoo. More power to them. However, to many oth-

ers, it’s almost as if December 2012 came ion. We’re human beings, and we’re not perearly. fect. It’s simple, really. When teachers get the Teachers need to not manipulate students’ list of who is a “model student” and who is grades to satisfy their needs for power. Te a c h e r s should also not treat students who are failing like they are only complete failures. Some kids--not all-are trying to get their grades up and simply need extra help and not, they get this idea in their minds that com- encouragement, not to be made to feel incompletely erases the fact that some of those stu- petent. dents who are on those lists have straight A’s Students, many of you try with grades, but in every other class. many do not. Don’t give teachers a reason to Nope, they only see that big, fat F. treat you like you are imcompetent failures. That is prejudice. Go in for help and do your work. Soon, you’ll Who really knows if teachers know they’re be off the D’s and F’s list in no time and studoing this. We all do it in some form or fash- dents and teachers alike will be happy.

“...it’s almost as if

December 2012 came early.”

Jerri Casteel Skyler Doremus Cord Egger Rachel Hoesche Emily Potter Mercedes Thatcher Will Veguilla

Adviser:

Mrs. Katie Wright Words of a Feather is the official monthly, student-produced publication by and for students in the journalism program at Crete High School in Crete, Nebraska. This paper has been established as a designated public forum for student journalists to inform and educate, and to act as a catalyst for thought and discussion. Content in Words of a Feather is determined by and reflects only the views of the student staff and not school officials, faculty or staff. The intent of this publication is to act as an agent to facilitate the learning of the principles of journalism, including writing, photography, design and editing.

28 de enero del 2010

Página 4

words of a feather

La Voz Hispana

Balanceando la tarea y el trabajo Edith Rivas-Baños Reporteras Hoy en día, nacionalmente más de un tercio de los estudiantes en la preparatoria trabajan medio tiempo. De acuerdo con el “Journal of Educational Research” cuatro de cinco estudiantes son empleados en algún punto mientras asisten a la secundaría. En la escuela de Crete High para muchos estudiantes hispanos es común tener un trabajo de medio tiempo, es decir, un trabajo de menos de 30 horas a la semana. Pero también hay varios estudiantes que trabajan tiempo completo, más de 40 horas a la semana, además de venir a estudiar. Estudiantes de ELL son los que tienden a trabajar tiempo completo. Al menos 8 de 60 estudiantes de ELL tienen trabajos de tiempo completo. “Hoy en día muchos estudiantes trabajan y estudian a la misma vez,” dijo Señora Kuzma, maestra de ELL.

Andrés Rafael Lucas, Nelson Pineda y Pascual Lucas Tercero, todos de 18 años, trabajan de tiempo completo en Lincoln. Andrés, Nelsón, y Pascual son estudiantes que se considerann del grado 13. Ellos asisten a la escuela por medio día y no están planeando en graduarse, estudian en Crete High para aprender inglés. Estos tres estudiantes dicen que para ellos es obligatorio trabajar. Han decidido estudiar medio tiempo y trabajar porque tienen una esperanza de superarse. Aunque no a todos les agrada el trabajo porque no tienen tiempo para los amigos, o no tienen tiempo para estudiar lo suficiente y las calificaciones bajan. Según Journal Educational Research estudiantes que trabajan largas horas tienden a participar menos en clase, tienen menos motivación, y menos esfuerzo para aprender. “Cuando yo trabajaba casi no me daba tiempo para

hacer las tareas. Por trabajar mucho mis calificaciones bajaron especialmente la de matemáticas. Yo antes tenía una “A” y me bajo a una “F”, dijo Juan Franco, freshman, quien antes trabajaba en un restaurante. A pesar de todo esto a algunos estudiantes no les impide trabajar porque les gusta el dinero y quieren ser mas independientes. “Trabajo porque soy mayor de edad, y necesitó el dinero para pagar mis gastos,” dijo Andrés Lucas. Ortos no necesitan trabajar pero lo hacen para tener algo en que gastarse el tiempo libre. Humberto Sandoval es un senior quien trabaja en el Burger King. “A mi me ha ayudado a olvidar de la escuela por un rato y me puedo enfocar en mi trabajo y me ha ayudo a sacar el estrés que tengo”, dijo Humberto. Foto por: Marilyn Bolanos Casi todos los estudiantes dijeron que el trabajar y estudiar los ha ayudado a no an- Hay muchos estuduantes trabajando y estudiando a la vez. Unos estudiantes trabajan y van a la dar en malos pasos y ser mas escuela sin problema pero hay algunos que les afectan las calificaciones. Cuatro de cinco estudiantes trabajan en algún tiempo mientras están en la preparatoria. independientes.

Escojen clases fáciles

Tomando clases fáciles no hace que los estudiantes tengan que hacer menos tarea

Ingris López Reportera

Al comienzo del segundo semestre escolar algunos estudiantes optan por cambiarse a clases que son más fáciles aunque estén capacitados para obtener y pasar clases más avanzadas. Según oficiales de la escuela, esto pasa todos los años después del primer semestre escolar y en casi todas las materias. Según la consejera Jeanne Stec, muchos de los estudiantes que cambian sus clases Foto por: Ingris López por clases más fáciles pienLos libros demuestran la cantidad de estudiantes que se salieron de las clases de español y trigo- san que al hacer esto, ya no nometría después del primer semestre. Los estudiantes varias veces dejan clases difíciles para van a tener que trabajar tanto, que no van a tener tarea, o entrar a unas más fáciles.

que simplemente van a pasar las clases con una buena calificación, aunque no todo el tiempo éste es el resultado. La señora Eckerson, quien enseña niveles avanzados de español, reporta que entre dos a cinco estudiantes dejan sus clases al concluir el primer semestre por año por evitar hacer tareas o proteger su GPA (promedio de calificaciones). Algunos estudiantes imaginan que la clase que toman ahora será mas fácil que la supuesta clase difícil que dejaron. “Yo pensé que al agarrar una clase más fácil de Ingles la iba a pasar mucho más rápido y fácil, pero nos daban

más tarea y exámenes que en las otras clases más difíciles”, dijo Luz Ávalos, senior. Señora Conrad, profesora de matemática, opina que no es una buena idea que los estudiantes tomen clases que son mas fáciles. No los prepara en realidad para ir a la universidad ni para enfrentar a la vida real cuando se gradúen de la preparatoria. “Yo no pasé el primer semestre de álgebra dos y eso afectó mis grados, por eso este nuevo semestre decidí ya no tomar otro semestre de álgebra pero cuando vaya a la universidad me va a tocar que pagar por esa clase” dijo senior, Santos Domínguez.

El básquetetbol no es popular entre los Hispanos En el equipo de básketbol masculino solo hay un varon Hispano participando y en el equipo de hembras hay tres freshman. Nancy Elizalde Reportera Los estudiantes hispanos no se involucran en el deporte de basquetbol porque están en fútbol o en otra actividad que les impide estar en basquetbol, según investigó La Voz Hispana. Todos notarán la relativa ausencia de estudiantes latinos en los equipos de basquetbol de Crete High, tanto masculino como femenino. Pocos hispanos en el equipo de basquetbol no es sólo un problema en la escuela, sino también en las ligas nacionales. Según un articulo de Maria Burns Ortiz, el obstáculo más grande que impide a los hispanos participar en el equipo es porque los deportes más reconocidos por los hispanos son el fútbol, boxeo y el béisbol. El NBA, la organización

profesional de basequetbol en Estados Unidos, sólo tiene cinco jugadores hispanos que nacieron en los Estados Unidos y tiene diez y nueve jugadores internacionales que son latinos. Aquí en Crete el único hispano en el equipo masculino de basquetbol es júnior Juan Carlos Bautista. Según Juan Carlos, le gusta el basquetbol y por eso se dedicó a estar en el equipo. Sophomore Luís Valdez estaba en el equipo de basquetbol pero lo abandonó porque entró al acondicionamiento de fútbol. Luís ahora es uno de los asistentes del entrenador. “A mé me gusta más hacer de asistente del entrenador porque me la paso más tiempo con los freshman y es mas divertido” dijo Luís. Según los entrenedores, no es necesario que los estudiantes dejen un deporte por

otro, como lo hizo Luís. “No hay ningún problema con los estudiantes que juegan basquetbol y luego entran a fútbol, en mi opinión, yo creo que es mejor que los estudiantes estén en mas de una actividad física”, dijo el señor Quinn. Por otro lado, en el equipo feminino de basquetbol hay tres hispanas, las tres freshman: Lorena Islas, Yulieth Alarcon, y Noemi Saldana. Aunque hay pocos jugadores latinos de basquet aquí en Crete, la popularidad del deporte crece entre los hispanos en Estados Unidos. El NBA reporta que los hispanos forman 16 por ciento de su la audiencia. Las otras ligas como el NFL (fútbol americano) cuenta con 13 por ciento de su audiencia siendo hispano, el MLB Foto por: Márilyn Bolanos (biésbol) a 12.9 por ciento y la NHL (hockey) a 8.3 por Este es el primer año que Lorena Islas juega básquetetbol en la preparatoria. Ella es una de las pocas hispanas que están en el equipo de básquetetbol en la escuela. ciento.

La Voz Hispana

Página 5

28 de enero del 2011 words of a feather

Las vacaciones en familia Assenet García Reportera

Las vacaciones de Navidad y Año Nuevo dejaron muchos recuerdos, ¿verdad?

O, a lo mejor, no. Lo imLos estudiantes José Gar- dez fueron interrogados para portante es divertirse y estar rido, Montserrat Elizalde, ver cómo se la pasaron en conviviendo con la familia. Noemi Saldaña, y Luís Val- los días festivos. Todos com-

Montserrat Elizalde Freshman:

Noemí Saldaña Freshman:

Luis Valdez Sophomore:

Foto por: Assenet García En la Navidad y año nuevo no hicimos nada porque estábamos en el hospital porque mi sobrino iba a nacer. En Año Nuevo fuimos a misa a las 12 y comimos tamales con champurrado. Me gustaría haber viajado o algo así con toda la familia y juntarnos todos para una reunión familiar.

Foto por: Assenet García Yo estaba con mi familia en la casa de mi primo para la Navidad. Para Año Nuevo estuve con mis amigas y me divertí mucho. Mis primos y yo nos divertimos demasiado. Quisiera que para la próxima Navidad y Año Nuevo pueda ser tan divertido como ésta.

Foto por: Assenet García Para la Navidad y Año Nuevo yo fui a Columbus a visitar a mi mamá y hermana. Comimos chilaquiles y bailamos mucho. Sí, me divertí mucho estando con mi familia pero la próxima vez quisiera que se ponga todo más loco para que se divierta en las fiestas.

¡Si que se saben diver- pañeros. Sus historias son tir, eh! Éstas son unas de las interesantes ya que reflejan pocas historia de los com- como se pasaron sus días sin

escuela. Para el próximo año esperamos que se diviertan más todos y que tengan unas

buenas vacaciones. Tal vez se necesite tiempo para planeación y preparación, pero

partieron tiempo en familia y parecen haberse divertido bastante.

José Garrido Junior:

Foto por: Assenet García Para Navidad yo me quedé en la casa y estuve con la familia, yo quisiera haber ido a México. No me divertí, me hubiera divertido más en México. Para el próximo fin de año también quiero ir a México porque tengo familia allá y quiero ir a las fiestas a divertirme.

falta todo un año para otras con la escuela y los estudios hasta que llegue la hora de vacaciones Navideñas Pero, por ahora, a seguir celebrar de nuevo.

El vestuario no determina personalidad

Bryan Guardado Reportero Cuándo se trata de vestirse, muchas personas usan ropa de marca, de la que esté de moda. Otros usan ropa normal, sin importarles de qué marca es o de donde viene. Hay muchas personas que se llenan la boca diciendo que los jóvenes de ahora se creen mucho sólo por lo que tienen puesto. Lo que quiero dar a entender es que solamente porque una persona usa ropa buena, de marca y que sea cara, no quiere decir que la persona sea creída. Es cierto

que hay personas que son así, y no quiere decir que vengo nas no usan ropa cara o de pero conozco a muchos estu- de familia que tiene mucho marca porque sus familias y diantes de familias con dine- dinero. Mi personalidad ha ellos mismos han conocido ro, y ellos siempre andan bien sido la misma siempre. la pobreza y se conforman vestidos con ropa de marca y Individuos que no usan con lo que tienen. Por el otro a veces lado, hay hasta muchas nueva, persopero no nas que les he no usan notado ropa de ningún marca y cambio se visten de pernormales sonaliy todavía dad o son creímaldad dos. contra La perotras sonalidad persono tiene nas. que ver A Foto por: Dulce Castañeda m u c h o mí me “Miss Me” es una marca muy popular de pantalones de mezclilla. También con lo g u s t a es considerada una de las más caras. “Ugg” es una marca de botas que que la v e - tampoco es barata y se ha visto comunmente en la escuela. persona stirme t r a e bien. También tengo ropa ropa de marca han dicho que puesto. Uno tiene que tratar de marca, pero yo nunca me no les importa la marca o de hablar con las personas y he considerado ser superior a clase de ropa que usen, lo que conocerlas antes de criticarlos demás. La forma en que les importa es que les guste y las o tener una mala opinión yo me visto no tiene nada que que les quede bien. por cómo se visten. En mi ver en como yo soy y como Lo que les importa es que opinión, no hay que juzgar actúo. Desde que yo era anden vestidos y no desnu- a nadie sólo por la ropa que pequeño me he vestido bien, dos. Muchas de estas perso- usa.

Internet: pensar antes de actuar La Voz Hispana ¿Para qué sirve el cerebro si no para pensar? ¿Cuándo estás en Facebook piensas en lo que estás subiendo a tu página? Siempre se escucha de casos en Facebook u otras páginas en que personas son maltratadas por otros, o suben una foto para luego arrepentirse. La pregunta es, ¿por qué estas personas no piensan en el daño que le van hacer a alguien o a sí mismos antes

de cometer una tontería? El hecho de ser jóvenes no es escusa para permitir la estupidez. Sin embargo, hay personas que no entienden eso. Al escribir cosas como “**** a los ****” en tu página, das una imagen negativa de ti mismo. No muchos saben, pero en ocasiones los empleadores buscan a la gente en Facebook para obtener una imagen de su personalidad. Digamos que la persona investigada no tiene su perfil en privado; entonces, el

empleador podría ver las cosas de esa persona, como información personal, direcciones, y correo electrónico. Si esa persona tiene algo inapropiado en su página, es posible que el empleador no le dé el trabajo. La preparatoria de Crete ahora tiene una cuenta de Facebook: y aunque la escuela usa la página simplemente como medio de enviar información a los estudiantes, todavía es posible que la escuela entre a los perfiles de los estudiantes.

Dicho esto, nosotros los estudiantes debemos cuidar más nuestras palabras, al igual que las imágenes, que subimos al Internet. No sólo debemos ser cuidadosos por la escuela, sino porque un completo extraño puede usar nuestra información en contra de nosotros. La solución más simple de todas es que pongas tu perfil en privado. También es aconsejable que midas tus palabras y tus imágenes ya que todo lo que haces tiene consecuencias.

Póliza de cartas al editor La Voz Hispana acepta gustosamente cartas al editor y noticias actuales de estudiantes, docentes, administración, residentes de la comunidad y público en general. Pedimos que estas cartas no consistan de más de 300 palabras y que incluyan el nombre del autor, dirección, número telefónico y firma original. Todo material entregado será verificado en persona y por escrito. Nuestro equipo editorial tiene el derecho de rechazar cualquier carta y/o partes de cualquier carta y podrá devolverla para revisión si contiene lenguaje inapropiado o errores que cambien el significado. Favor de enviar sus cartas a Sra. Eckerson en el salón 708.

La Voz Hispana Personal de la Voz Hispana c/o Crete High School 1500 E. 15th Street Crete, NE 68333 Teléfono: (402) 826-5811 Correo electrónico: [email protected] Personal Editorial: Diseño, Redacción y Coordinación: Marilyn Bolaños Dulce Castañeda

Reporteros: Edith Rivas Baños Wendy Cevallos Nancy Elizalde Assenet García Bryan Guardado Ingris López Sonia López

Consejera: Sra. Janet Eckerson ‘La Voz Hispana’ dentro de ‘Words of a Feather’es producida por la clase de hispanohablantes nivel III/IV de la secundaria de Crete. Esta sección del periódico se ha diseñado para que estudiantes periodistas informen y eduquen, específicamente en español y procuren reflección y discusión en la comunidad. El contenido de ‘La Voz Hispana’ se determina por la clase de hispanohablantes nivel III/IV, con el apoyo del personal de periodismo escolar, y el contenido no refleja la opinión del personal de la secundaria, únicamente de los estudiantes quienes lo crearon.El propósito de esta sección es publicar la escritura de estudiantes hispanos en una vía pública para facilitar el aprendizaje de los fundamentos de escritura y fotografía periodística escolar en conjunto con la clase de español para hispanohablantes nivel III/IV.

January 28, 2011

Page 6 words of a feather

Seniors skip out on speech Jake White Copy/Content Editor Seniors skip out on speech should be added to the warm-up tongue twisters for the speech team. If one were to ask a “speecher”, he or she would be informed that speech takes a lot of work. That is presumably the reason why there are a lack of seniors on the speech team this year. “Who needs seniors,” sophomore Lincy Meraz said. This year is Meraz’s second year in speech. According to her last year the seniors trained the sophomores to be well prepared leaders for this year. A few of the leaders mentioned by some of the novices are juniors Amy Hung, Dulce Castañeda, Emily Potter, Naomi Ristvedt, and Shane Kraus. “They know pretty much everything about speech,” Meraz said. The number of seniors has been decreasing through the years, with the 2009/2010 season having only two seniors.

“There are certain schools where speech is really valued. I think it isn’t as valued here as in some of the other schools. However, I do think the team works hard to stand out,” junior Amy Hung said. “When I joined speech three years ago, there were a lot of seniors. Now, there are

common, and the members don’t stay in their events for critiquing. “For peer coaching it’s random,” Hung said. “Our coaches put us into rooms. I think they try to even out the Varsity and Novices, but we watch events outside of our own.”

Meraz said. “I do what needs to be done and take care of the young; I lead with an iron fist and expect no back-talk,” Kraus said. “I don’t mind not having seniors because I don’t really have anybody there telling me what to do. I make my own choices.” The juniors stepping up has opened up the eyes of the novice speech members. “I think they see how hard the varsity team works, and they want to to well along with us, so they all put in a lot of effort as well,” Hung said. Speech has never had a team the size of football. It is a common misconception that speech is only going up to the front and giving a speech about a topic. However, besides the informative and persuasive speeches, there are numerous other events one can be a part of. A few of thes are humorous interpretation, dramatic interpretation, a duo or duet. It’s more like acting, according to the members. “Speaking in front of people isn’t exactly on everyone’s to do list,” Hung said.

Clubs/Activities Calendar Jan 29: Forensics Lincoln Northeast Feb 1: FBLA Meeting 7pm

“There are certain schools where speech is really valued. I think it isn’t as valued here as in some of the other schools.” -junior Amy Hung none,” Kraus said. “ I don’t think it’s just a problem for our school. It’s just noticed more because of the size of the program.” Although there are no seniors, the speech team is in no way in trouble with organization and leadership. “The juniors are doing a phenomenal job. Probably better than seniors could,” Meraz said. One of the activities the members do is peer coaching. This is a practice in which the members perform their event, and their teammates comment and critique on them. It has become more

The juniors have stepped up and taken jobs and responsibilities normally acclompished by the seniors. Hung and Emily Potter are points captains. They enter points individuals earn at a tournament, sort out ballots, and organize the trophy case. Dulce Castañeda and Naomi Ristvedt are communication captains, and they write articles for the newspapers and create the announcements in school. “Shane Kraus is a very good competitor. He’s really good in his events, but he doesn’t like to show off. He also gives good advice,”

Feb 2: FFA District Degree Interviews/Exam



Student council members Alan Poteet and Alex Smith were elected for the Nebraska Association of Student Councils (NASC). Poteet became President and Smith reveived VicePresident. Alan was elected without much trouble. The NASC is in charge of district fundraisers such as Make a Wish. Crete High is part of District 7. Student Council is planning some activities in February. “We are talking about doing a talent show,” Student Council Sponsor Jeremy Fries said.

A Spirit Week is also planned. February 7-11 is the week that has been chosen for the talen show to take place. Day theme ideas being tossed by student coucil member are Decade Day, Nerd Day, Superhero Day, and of course, at the end of the week, Spirit Day. Keep in mind, these day themes are not yet fixed and there is a possibility to they will change before the week gets here. “We are just trying to do something different,” Fries said. After Homecoming there is not much to keep students interested during second semester. So, the talent show was an idea to give students something to be excited about.

Student Council member Brook Nerud gave several ideas about what could be done during the talent show. One idea would be to gather senior guys and have a beauty pageant in between talent displays. As the council posted in the announcements, if there are not enough people signed up for the show, then there will not be a show “The last talent show was when the middle school was up here,” Physical Education teacher Chuck McGinnis said. The middle school has been around for six years. Therefore there has not been any talent shows in the las six years. According to McGinnis,

singing and playing musical instruments were the most common talents in the shows. Dancing was the next most common. One talent that he mentioned was someone preformed some hacky sack tricks. Another act during the last talen show was a pair of students asked each other trivia questions. Controversially, if either one of them answered a question wrong they could be hit with a stick. That act was stopped right in the middle. The snow day on January 10 delayed student council discussions about having the talent show. As of now the talent show is planned for February 10 at 7 pm in the auditorium.

Cheerleaders host another successful mini camp

Feb 5: Forensics – Crete Speech Invite Feb 7-11 National FBLA Week Feb 7: FFA Meeting 7pm Prizm Club Meeting 7pm Band Boosters Mtg. 7pm

Student Council celebrates school spirit, again Cord Egger Staff Reporter

Activities

Feb 11: SAT Registration Deadline



Feb 12: ACT Test Forensics-Northstar

Feb 14: TBA B FR BKB @ Seward Tournament Parent Teacher Conf. 6-8:30pm Feb 15: TBA B FR BKB @ Seward Tournament Feb 17: Parent Teacher Conf. 2-5, 6-8:30pm

Photos by Jessalyn Holdcraft Senior Taylor Schelstraete helps lead kindergarden through fourth graders during the mini camp performance.

Sophomore Alexis Determan practices doing the splits with one of the girls before the performance.

Feb 18: No School G/B JV/V BKB vs. Seward 4:30/5:15/6/7:30pm Feb 21: All City Band Concert (Doane) 7pm

Seniors Alli Sherman and Kara Seidoff lead the girls during a performance. The seniors choreographed the routine.

Senior Christina Jackson teaches elementary school students some cheers during mini camp practice.

Feb. 21-25 National FFA Week Scholastic Journalism Week

People

Page 7

December 21, 2010

Senior Spotlight Jesssalyn Holdcraft Copy/Content Editor & Staff Coordinator Rene Escobar Q: Do you plan on going to college, if so what college? A: I’m not sure. Q:What was your favorite class throughout high school? A: I’d have to say Ms. Georgi’s class. Q: What do you think your class will be remembered for? A: Football. Q: Do you plan on staying in Nebraska or moving out after you graduate ? A: Staying.

Taylor Schelstraete Q: Do you plan on going to college, if so what college? A: UNL. Q:What was your favorite class throughout high school? A: Mrs. Hiemer’s class. Q: What is do you think your class will be remembered for? A: How awesome we are. Q: Do you plan on staying in Nebraska or moving out after you graduate ? A: Unfortunately staying here. Alex Moore Q: Do you plan on going to college, if so what college? A: UNL. Q:What was your favorite class throughout high school? A: Eleventh grade English. Q: What do you think your class will be remembered for? Football. Q: Do you plan on staying in Nebraska or moving out after you graduate ? A: Staying.

Yanett Ortiz Q: Do you plan on going to college, if so what college? A: UNK. Q:What was your favorite class throughout high school? A: Spanish. Q: What do you think your class will be remembered for? A: We’re the best of the best. Q: Do you plan on staying in Nebraska or moving out after you graduate ? A: I’m planning on staying.

words of a feather

Coming of Age Emily Potter Staff Reporter

an entourage of people. Sophomore Lincy Meraz turned 15 on November 19. Her Quinceañera was the week of her birthday. Lincy’s family had previously told her that they would not be able to throw her a party; little did she know that they were planning her 15th birthday party in secret. “My mom had to try on my dress,” she said. “I didn’t know anything until that day.” Coming of age is an imLincy said, “If they have portant time in a teenager’s the change to do it, just do life and is commemorated it because it’s a memorable in different ways around the moment.” world. These celebrations In the United States, the range from huge parties to sixteenth, seventeenth, and just a cake and candles. Some eighteenth birthdays are imof those traditions are cele- portant milestones brated at Crete High School. for teenagers. JuA Quinceañera is a huge niors Emily Manparty centered on the girl turn- ning and Julie Jiring 15. She puts on a beauti- ovec celebrated with ful dress and is escorted by friends and family. “I ate at Carlos O’Kelly’s and then went ice skating with my friends,” M a n ning, who turned 17 on the 16 of January, said. About the preparations, she Courtesy Photo said, “I sent out invites the week of.” When boys of the Jewish faith reach Jirovec will turn the age of 13, they celebrate with a bar mitzvah and a reading of the Torah. 17 on the 24 of

Bar Mitzvahs, Quinceañeras, Sweet 16s are cause for celebration

January. About her sixteenth birthday bash, she said, “We had a dance party. It wasn’t t o o huge, but we Courtesy Photo had quite a lot of A new car is a common gift for children when they p e o p l e reach the age of 16 and get their drivers’ licenses. come.” S h e However, not all coming of celebrated her 16th birthday age parties are grand and orwith other January birthdays nate. For junior Amy Hung, a like Emily Manning and Jake quiet dinner with family was Hollman. This year, however, enough. “I hung out with my friends,” she said. As for what she did with her family, “We went to Great Wall.” T h e r e ’s a reason why Hung doesn’t celebrate birthdays like most do: her family emigrated from Taiwan to the United States when she was little. “BirthJirovec will tone down the days aren’t as important in partying. the asain culture. Age isn’t “I’m probably just going seen as important. We look to celebrate with my family.” up to our elders.”

“My mom had to try on my dress. I didn’t know anything until that day.” -Lincy Meraz

Why I didn’t go to Mexico Jessica Thatcher Design/Layout Editor

Christmas is a time for happiness and family. But for a concerned family who was unable to be with part of their family, fear was in the mind. Junior Ben Adame and his family travel to Mexico, where he still has family residing in San Jose, each year, usually for a celebration in March. “I have fun with my family in Mexico, it’s a free feeling to be there,” B. Adame. It’s tradition and this year that tradition had to change and they had mixed emotions about the situations why. “We are scared something might happen to my grandma and the rest of the family in

San Jose, that they might have a run-in with gang members,” B. Adame said. It’s a familiar topic, the violence in Mexico. That is the reason they didn’t go, not

chance. Some violence that B. Adame mentioned was being held for ransom or possibly killed. In the Adame family’s situation if the cartel found

B. Adame said the cartels aren’t as easily bribed as the police were in Mexico. “You could get pulled over and get a ticket, but if you offer the cop money, like 20 dollars, they’ll let you go. The cartels want more,” B. Adame said. Not all the violence is caused by the cartels, it’s people on the streets also. “They threaten you if they think you have money, and if you don’t want to give it to them they pull out a gun,” B. Adame said. Going to Mexico may have downed Christmas break for the Adame family but they have other opportunities to go, like in March because they didn’t have the out they owned an Ameri- when they usually go. money but because they were can business there could be a “You don’t want to be in afraid of what could hap- chance they would become a the wrong place at the wrong pen to them if they took the target. time,” B. Adame said.

“You don’t want to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.” -Ben Adame

Cardinal Quotations

Freshman Cole Bodfield “Because most people don’t even remember what they say.”

Senior Taylor McLain “I think kids aren’t responsible enough to keep their goals.”

Skyler Doremus Staff Reporter

Why do you think people don’t finish out New Year’s resolutions?

Sophomore Leah Keller “Because they are procrastinators.”

Teacher Bernie Ludvik “Most people don’t have to drive and determination to complete them.”

Junior Ross Van Horn “Because they set their goals to high and can’t achieve then.”

Januray 28, 2010

Page 8 words of a feather

Sports

Weight loss worries students Skyler Doremus Staff Reporter “I have a problem with my weight during wrestling season,” freshman Vince Thatcher said. At the start of every wrestling season many of Crete’s students thoughts are filled with worry and concern for the wrestlers. Insane workouts and starvation may be in the cards for some wreslers. “I usually wear four shirts during practice,” Thatcher said, “It helps me get down to weight and it’s a really easy way of losing the weight that I need.” Head coach Matt Anderson believes that the way the wrestlers choose to lose, gain, or maintain their weight is better and healthier than it has been in the past because there are new rules and guidelines that they are forced to follow. “It’s been awhile since we have had serious problems with guys not eating, and starv-

ing themselves,”Anderson said. In past years the students of Crete have seen acts of starvation among the grapplers. “I have seen in the past where some of them go to huge extremes in order to lose the weight that they need” junior Alison Sandoval said. “They are more disciplined in what they eat. More often than not, it’s the underclassmen with the eating problems because they are not used to high school wrestling yet,” Anderson said. “I don’t think all of us have problems. I doubt if even half of us do,” Thatcher said. “It may be true that there has been problems in the past, but I don’t think that applys to us.” For many wrestlers, it’s just another part of the sport that they have to deal with anytime they’re in season, but it makes other students worry about the health of some of the boys. “I feel bad for them some-

times because they work extremely hard and say they don’t eat. I think it’s dangerous for them and I just hope they are careful about it,”Sandoval said. “The guys whine a lot about not being able to eat, but it’s not as bad as they make it sound. Most of them just want sympathy. They’re disciplined, but if they eat a ton on one day and aren’t able to eat the next, that’s their own fault,” Anderson said. According to Anderson, if his guys can’t make weight they have to wrestle at the next weight class. “I could probably tell you how much each of them (wrestlers) weigh. With the new rules a lot of paperwork has to be done. We try to weigh in as many times as possible just to keep them aware of their weight,” Anderson said. “I like to weigh in a lot because it makes it easier for me to know how much work I need to do to gain or lose weight.” Thatcher said.

The Muff family is no stranger to the NSAA State Championship games. As a senior, Ben earned his spot in the football state championship game at Memorial Stadium, meanwhile last year he put his name in the program of the NSAA state basketball games. As a freshman, Ben participated in the state track meet in the 4x1 relay and as a junior he competed in the 100-meter dash and the 4x1 relay. Nikki is a state track qualifier for the past two years in the 100-meter dash hurdles. “I’ve always wondered how we are so fast and athletic but I guess my dad way fast back in the day,” Nikki said. Parents, not only in the Muff family, have influenced Crete High athletes by starting them at a young age. Junior Will Dittmer gets to hear about his fathers past ‘glory

days’ as a Husker football player. “My dad would play

Photo By Jessayn Holdcraft Junior Corey Kalkwarf is ready for any move from his opponent. Kalkwarf has been wrestling since he was little and intends to continue to wrestle. Kalkwarf has been apart of the wrestling team for three years now.

Starting from a young age Nicole Reetz Sports/ Photography Editor Business Manager When the Muff starting growing 18 years ago with Ben and two years later with Nikki and followed by a eleven–year-old brother Zach. Growing up, their parents Joe and Jenny never participated in athletics. “The only thing my parents did was my mom did gymnastics and my dad bowled,” Junior Nikki Muff said. Jenny also participated in 4-H while Joe was active on the farm. Ben Muff participated in gymnastics, “I was like five years old when my mom put me in gymnastics,” Ben Muff said. “It was a family thing that we all did it.”

“I was five years old when my mom put me in gymnastics. It was a family thing, we all did it.” -Ben Muff catch with me when I was little and show me a little bit

Female Athlete of the Month Morgan Hill Sophomore Morgan Hill was chosen as December’s Female Student Athlete of the Month. “It’s unexpected,” Hill said. “I think each of us have tried to step up more.” In December, she averaged 10.7 points, eight rebounds, three steals, and two assists per game. Among the female Cardinal cages she leads the team in rebounding. “A big reason why I chose her was not only because of her statistics, but because she’s one who will go hard every possession in a game and she goes hard every drill in practice. There’s never a letdown with her,” head coach Marcus Gillespie said. “She’s always going 100 miles an hour and always giving it her all.” “I think we have a lot of leaders on the team that’s why we’re starting to see a change in how we play. I feel that I’m contributing to it,” Hill said.

Photo by Jessalyn Holdcraft

about how to play football,” As a wrestler and football Dittmer said. “He is a major player senior Blake Reistroffer was influenced by his father. Troy. “He played, so I play,” Reistroffer said. Tory played football and wrestled for a year. While his mother, Patty was a Cheerleader. Younger sister, Karlee, is currently a cheerleader. “My mom didn’t really push be to be a cheerleader, I personally wanted to be one. She said that, that would be the only time I would be able to do the splits,” Freshamn Karlee Reistroffer said. From the sidelines assistant soccer coach Jay Quinn has already started introducing the game of football to his son. “When we have spare time, I will roll a football to him and he tries rolling it back,” Quinn said. “Growing up that is what we would do impact as to why I play to- to pass time so what is what day.” I am going to do with my

son.” The Fye family was born and raised on the track. As a junior, Breanna Fye, watched he father coach, as she would sit along with him as she listened to what she needs to fix. Marty Fye, her father, went to Doane and partook in Track and Field. “I was influenced by my dad who was one of the best bull riders in the world,” Marty said. “I was also influenced by my five older brothers,” One of Marty’s brothers is now the Doane Head Track and Field coach Ed Fye. “I’ve hear a lot about track through my dad so I thought I would give it a shot,” Breanna said According to livestrong. com having kids in sports boost the self confidence, exercise, socilization skills and keeps kids in shape.

Male Athlete of the Month Grant Harms Senior Grant Harms was choosen as January’s Male Student Athlete of the month. “I was really surprised when they told me,” Harms said. “I wasn’t expecting it so it was a good surprise.” “Grant goes hard in every game and works even harder in every practice,” Cardinal boys basketball head coach Brent Cole said. “He’s a good player on our team and has the right leadership skills to excell in whatever he puts his mind to.” Not only is Harms playing Basketball, but he contributed to this years football team and the championship title the Cardinals now own, “This year’s football season was great,” Harms said. “We couldn’t have done it without all of the team work from all of us.” “We chose Grant for this nomination because he’s an outstanding student and a great athlete,” Athletic Director Jim Moore said.

Photo by Nicole Reetz

Sports

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January 28, 2011 words of a feather

Building blocks Jessalyn Holdcraft Copy/Content Editor/Staff Coordinator They are the scout team, the benchwarmers, the replacements, and the future. “It’s tough because we usually go up against the starters and they usually dominate us,” sophomore Cory Hintz said. However, as it is said, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. “I think it’s important that we have a JV team because then it gives us more experience so we can play to our best ability at the varsity level,” junior Natasha Kingston said. “But it kind of sucks sometimes because you feel like you don’t matter if you play JV.” While some athletes feel frustration from JV, freshman Clare Hollman looks at the team as an accomplishment. “You don’t really expect underclassmen to be on a higher level of competition like JV, and since I am an underclassman on that team it feels like I’ve risen to that kind of competition,” Hollman said. Junior varsity provides mostly underclassmen with time to learn the plays and prepare for varsity-caliber contests.

“JV is just a stepping stone to varsity. You’re building the foundation for varsity,” sophomore Alexis Page said. “They’re the future of our team and so you want to develop those guys. High school athletics isn’t always about winning; it’s about kids, an experience, and an opportunity to grow and learn in other ways,” head wrestling coach Matt Anderson said. “For instance, you look at Francisco. He’s a senior and he’s on JV but he helps to provide an extra workout partner and we’re providing an education for them in an activity.” “Sam wrestles varsity and he’s also a senior, so he’s my competition,” senior Francisco Padilla said. “It’s my first year and I get more out of practice because I’m wrestling someone who is at the varsity level. When I practice against him, I have to give him a challenge.” In one case an upperclassman requested to play JV. “Typically we didn’t allow seniors to play JV but Robbie (Sattler) came to us with the idea. We knew Robbie; Robbie just simply wanted to play and he didn’t ever complain, he worked hard, he was role model, and that’s why we made the decision,”

assistant football coach and former head boys’ basketball coach Greg Hobza said. Following the 2009-2010 basketball season, Sattler won the Sixth Man Award for Class B from Huskerland Preps. “I nominated Robbie because I felt what Robbie did was unbelievably unselfish. I thought it was great because here’s a kid who’s getting rewarded just because he wants to be a part of something,” Hobza said. “I’ll probably never coach another kid like him again because the attitude today is that the kids are more worried about themselves versus the team or the program but, to me, JV is tough at times because you don’t get the glory of playing varsity, but it’s still a game.” The old saying ‘There is no I in team’ still rings true for a number of athletes. “I think the ultimate goal is for the JVs to make the varsity better which makes us better, so we have to work harder to make varsity better because we want to have the best team all together,” Kingston said. “In practice we’re helping them get better, we’re helping them run plays, and we’re running plays with them, so if varsity wins, it’s a win for everyone.”

Several athletes are on the roster for multiple squads. Being a part of freshman and JV, JV and varsity, or even all three can pose challenges for the players. “Mostly we don’t get enough time to practice together because most of the time at practice it’s just the JV players on one side and everyone who suits up varsity on the other, so that creates a problem because we’re not used to playing with each other,” Page said. “I think it’s kind of hard because I don’t get to practice as much with the freshman team because I’m always with the JV team so it’s kind of hard to balance between two teams like that. It’s a work in progress,” Hollman said. Coaches see eye-to-eye with their players on this issue. “Our JV kids play scout team all week long for varsity so they’re playing the upcoming team’s offense and running their defense so they don’t get as many reps at our own stuff so that’s definitely a challenge. Usually our playbook is a little smaller than on Friday night so we’re not able to do as much,” assistant football coach Jebb Hatch said.

“It was hard to get any continuity or team unity going because we never got a lot of practice time together. Games came and we would be thrown into the game and they hadn’t played together a lot,” assistant volleyball coach Merri Kaye Bradley said. Kingston, Hintz, and Hollman are players on the bubble; these individuals have the opportunity to see varsity minutes. “You freak out. You’re like ‘Oh my gosh, what am I doing here? Why am I playing?’ But then you have to get over it because if you make a mistake you’re going to get taken out,” Kingston said. “You have to be more mentally tough than physically tough to play in a varsity game because you have to be ready to go in and do your job.” “I’ve learned that when you do get into the game to go 110 percent all the time because that’s what the coaches are looking for,” Hollman said. Coaches agree with Hollman’s assessment. “I think the thing that’s missed is that coaches take JV games seriously and if there are kids on the border of playing varsity minutes, then, as coaches, we put a lot

of stock into JV games,” Hobza said. As athletes improve throughout the season, instead of spending just the last few minutes in a varsity game, they could become one of the first off the bench. “We definitely miss them on Monday night but it’s always nice to see those guys make big enough improvements that they can help us on Friday night and become a starter or a contributor so it’s kind of double-edged,” Hatch said. Although some JV competitors can move up to solely varsity time, most remain locked in their JV roots for the season while they continue to grow and develop in their sport. “I try to focus just on our team. I try to get them excited or get them motivated to play our game and try not focus on them not being able to play maybe where they want to play. I try to encourage them to get better with the JV team and prepare them for the next level,” Bradley said. This outlook may be disheartening for a few but others recognize the cycle. “If I don’t go all out in JV then I’m not going to be worthy to play varsity,” Hintz said.

Girls battle back into top 10 have to figure out how to apply in a game,” Gillespie said. “Once we figure out that third quarter, I think we’ll start seeing some Ws.” They jujitsued the FairFour of the six Cardinal losses on the season were bury Jeffs 44-35 for the last handed to the cagers by home game of 2010. Senior Nicole Reetz led the charge ranked opponents. “There’s a reason we with 18 points and sank four scheduled those games. I out of four shots from the knew they were all were go- three-point range. Sophoing to be ranked high and more Morgan Hill added nine be very good teams,” head points and nine rebounds coach Marcus Gillespie said. while sophomore Kaitlin “If I didn’t schedule those Bradley had six points, six games, we could be at 4-2 steals, and eight assists. “It felt great. I shoot the like we were last year, but I don’t think we’d be where we ball when I need to shoot it,” Reetz said. want to be as a team.” No. 3 Gretna handed Crete Challenging the ladies all year has been their seeming- their second loss of the season ly unavoidable third quarter 59-35. Hill led with 11 points and three steals and Bradley slump. “We’ve been trying, as added eight rebounds and coaches, desperately trying eight points. The Doane Holiday Tourto fix that third quarter. I just think that it’s lack of defen- nament was the team’s last sive intensity. Intensity is stop for 2010. They lost their something that the girls will first game to Omaha DuchJessalyn Holdcraft Copy/Content Editor/Staff Coordinator

esne 49-48. Bradley scored 20 points and nabbed eight steals while Hill added 14 points and nine rebounds. They faced off with the Pierce Bluejays for a battle of the birds in the consolation game. The ladies won 47-26. Edwards led the team in scoring with 12 points, Bradley added 11 points and four assists, and Hill performed her first double-double of the season with 11 points, 12 rebounds and five steals. “It felt good to beat Pierce, and it felt great because it was my first double-double,” Hill said. The Cardinals rounded out December with a 4-3 record. Missteps met the Cardinals in the first two games of 2011. Class C-2 No. 5 Lincoln Christian cooped the Cards 36-28 for their primer contest of 2011. Bradley scored seven points, six steals, and three assists; Hill had six points

and eight rebounds; and junior Breanna Fye worked the inside for six points, six rebounds, and four steals. “I’m feeling pretty good because we’ve been working on post moves in practice to get a good seal that led to my buckets,” Fye said. In a double-overtime matchup, undefeated Class C1 No. 2 Wahoo beat Crete 6453. Bradley scored 17 points, seven rebounds, three steals, and five assists; Fye added 10 points and four rebounds; Hill had nine points, eight rebounds, and four assists; and Edwards hit the boards for 10 rebounds, six points and four assists. “It was the first time I can remember that we went into double overtime. It was overwhelming. I got a little tired and I knew they were tired, too, but it just didn’t go our way,” Bradley said. A 48-37 victory over the York Dukes brought the Car-

dinal’s record to an even 5-5. Fye led the girls and scored 15 points and six rebounds, Bradley added 12 points, and Hill hit the boards with five rebounds and five assists. “It feels good to know that I’m contributing to the team,” Fye said. The team traveled to Norris to face their fifth game against a ranked adversary. The Lady Cards tore down the then No. 6 Titans 48-44. Following the contest the ladies rose to No. 10 and knocked Norris down two spots to No. 8 in the Lincoln Journal Star rankings. This was first “W” the girls saw as a result of snapping out of their third quarter slump by outscoring the Titans 12-10. “This was their first game where we actually didn’t lose a lead, because we were up by nine at halftime and we were up by 11 in the fourth quarter, so I thought that’s a step for-

ward for us,” Gillespie said. “Then we kind of struggled in the fourth quarter after that, but we did get through that third quarter slump alive and we were able to compete with Norris and eventually beat them.” Hill led the tirade against the Titans with 17 points, six rebounds, and three steals, while teammate Bradley had 16 points, five rebounds, and four assists. “It felt great to beat Norris and watch G dougie,” Hill said. Pius X Thunderbolts struck down the Cardinals 44-40 in overtime. Hill scored 13 points, five rebounds, two blocks, and four steals; Edwards had 12 points, and senior Taylor Reetz seven rebounds. The Cardinals commenced Central Conference action after press time. Crete faced off in a rematch against Fairbury at home.

Ranked wrestlers take flight Jessalyn Holdcraft Copy/Content Editor/Staff Coordinator State Wrestling is a month away and three Cardinal mat men have worked their way into the rankings. The Lincoln Journal Star ranked junior Corey Kalkwarf and senior Brock Sherman sixth and first, respectively, while HuskerMat had concurring rankings for the two and put junior Chase Sherman at sixth. “Chase is really improving and he gave the No. 1 kid a pretty good match last night. Corey looks strong; he’s go-

ing to have some tough kids down the line but Corey can beat anybody,” head coach Matt Anderson said. “Brock is expected to do well. He’s a little out of shape because he was a little banged up over Christmas and couldn’t workout quite as hard as he needed to, but we’re working on that and what he needs to do to win it all.” The grapplers gripped a final win in 2010 in their Auburn Dual 51-28. Three open weight classes and pins by freshmen Isaac Betke and Hunter Poteet, sophomore Jordan Loy, and junior Ross Van Horn led the Cardinals in the matchup.

“As a freshman you’re not expected to win most of your matches so you’re the underdog,” Betke said. “It feels like I’ve proved the world wrong.” Poteet’s season ended after a reoccurring wrist injury led to a cracked scaphoid. Poteet will undergo surgery to repair the fracture and faces a sixmonth recovery. “It sucked. I cried about it,” Poteet said. “I still participate with the team and go to the duals and invites.” The Cardinals’ first stop in 2011 was to the Wilber Duals Tournament. They defeated Johnson County Central 69-9, Sutton 51-26,

Wilber 38-36, and Lincoln Christian 60-21 to advance to the championship dual. The team earned second place after West Point-Beemer outscored them 45-32. Undefeated for the night were juniors Tyler Stinson, Kalkwarf, and C. Sherman; freshman Thatcher, and seniors Sunny Phommavongsa and B. Sherman. “It’s always a good meet to come back with after Christmas and get our guys tuned up and ready to head into probably the hardest stretch of our season,” Anderson said. “For our final dual with West Point, they were deeper than we were and they were

able to put a pretty solid guy at every weight class and that was really the difference.” After a week without contests, the team placed fifth at the Elkhorn Invite led by first place finishes from Kalkwarf and B. Sherman. Four more Cardinals added places. C. Sherman placed second, Betke and Thatcher earned thirds, and Loy was sixth. “It was pretty rewarding because I’ve never won that tournament before,” Kalkwarf said. A re-rescheduled dual against No. 10 ranked Aurora ended with the Huskies beating the Cardinals 53-21. Crete’s 21 points came from

an open at 119, Kalkwarf winning by decision 2-1, and pins from Thatcher and B. Sherman. “I feel like some of the guys look up to me so I work hard during practice and conditioning,” Thatcher said. “I feel like a leader already as a freshman.” Crete placed fifth as a team at the David City Invite. B. Sherman and Kalkwarf topped their podiums for the Cardinals. Adding places were C. Sherman second, Thatcher third, Betke fourth, and Reistroffer sixth. The Cardinals traveled to Lincoln Southwest after press time.

January 28, 2011

Page 10 words of a feather

Features

Preachers’ kids pivot from parents

Photo by Christina Jackson Photos by Christina Jackson Junior Naomi Ristvedt and Freshman Joel Senior Jonny Avelar supports his fathers loRistvedt siblings share the . Pastor Ristvedt cal church. Pastor Avelar preaches at Dios es fathers, mentors, and preaches at the Lutheren Amor (God is Love). church.

At Crete High there are six students whose parents are preachers at different church“There’s a higher power es in Crete. Preachers’ kids that will judge your indecenare held to a higher cy,” Marianne said. “Tom Cruise?” Olive said. standard in school In Easy A, Marianne is the to reflex the leadperfect preachers kid who ership and qualidoesn’t do anything wrong. ties of the pastor. “People think She leads bible studies at kids school, prayer circles, and preacher’s doesn’t judge. However in can’t do anything wrong, behave, the movie, To Save A Life the preach- and attend church ers son smoked pot, lied to every Sunday,” jupeople, and tried to get an- nior Natasha Kingston said. Kingston’s father, Kirk other student in trouble. Those are two sides most Kingston, is the associate people believe are preach- pastor of Crete Berean. “A perfect kid who does ers’ kids. Either they are the goody good students in everything right but most are the opposite,” junior Aaron school or the opposite.

Christina Jackson Circulation Manager

Photo by Christina Jackson Junior Aaron Braunberger and Freshman Marc Braunberger attend church every week as father Brent Braunberger pastors at the Radiant Springs church.

said. Avelar’s father, Isreal Averlar is the pastor of Dios es Amor (God is Love). “They are as normal as any other kid just a little restricted” freshman Mark Braunberger said. Some preachers’ kids are taught to do things a certain way at home which carries over to school. ant Springs. “I was raised at home to Some preachers’ kids didn’t know where to start do things a certain way,” A. when to describe the typical Braunberger said “ If I swear I get grounded for weeks so preacher’s kid. “I don’t know because I’m it’s easier to do the things I not it,” senior Jonny Avelar do at home at school too.” Braunberger said. Braunberger’s father, Brent Braunberger, is the pastor of Radi-

“ We all have our own personal flaws” -senior JonnyAvelar said

Photo by Christina Jackson Sophomore Rachel Pedersen enjoys her father when he’s at home. Pastor Rod Pedersen is the pastor at Faith Christian Fellowship.

“At home it doesn’t feel that my dad is being the pastor,” sophomore Rachel Pedersen said. Students whose parents are in the ministries and are pastors are most likely to go into the ministries themselves when they become older. However, some of the students in our school don’t know whether or not it’s for them. “ I’m not going into pastoring because it’s not the job for me,” Avelar said. “I don’t know yet, we will have to see,” Junior Naomi Ristvedt said. Ristvedt’s father, Nathan Ristvedt is the pastor of Crete Luthern church. Preachers kids think of

themselves as just another student in the school who is just like everyone else. No one is perfect. “We all have our own personal flaws,” Avelar said. There are many advantages and disadvantages to being a Preachers’ kid. “ One advantage is that our parents care about us more but the disadvantage is that they always make us go to church,” Freshman Joel Ristvedt said. “The disadvantage is that if anything conflicts with church it’s always church first,” M. Braunberger said. “The advantage is that you learn more about your faith and always have someone to count on,” Pedersen said.

Alumnus makes it big as marine biologist Skyler Doremus Staff Reporter

When Cami Holtmeier was a senior at Crete High school, nobody, not even her, thought she would continue her journey to travel around the world, teaching marine biology to people of all ages from 6 to 75. “When I think about my days at Crete High School, I never would have quessed that I’d be here now,” Holtmeier said. Holtmeier, now living near Seattle, Washington, is married, has two kids named Zeya, age nine, and Mace, age 7, and countless ‘little critters’ running around, including chickens, cats, rabbits, and guppies. She is now a seventh grade science teacher, working near seattle, and greatly appreciates her job and home life that she’s been blessed with. Though she is far away, the memories at Crete will never fade in her mind. She is not alone in remembering her days at Crete. Lifelong friend, Jack Lionberger, lives near her and frequently shares stories from hard tests ,to rumors, to food fights during lunch. “We’ve been best frinds since seventh grade and have kept in touch throughout the years, and now by coincidence we both live near Seattle after moving countless times, and share stories that nobody particularly cares about or thinks is funny, except us,” Holtmeier said. “Mr. Coe’s class was probably my favorite class out of

all because of the material I learned. That is when I first learned that I was very interested in biology and when I thought seriously about making a career out of it. If I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to take his class, I wouldn’t be where I am today and have the experiences that I’ve had the pleasure of going through,” Holtmeier said. According to Holtmeier, she learned more than just biology facts in Mr. Coe’s class. “His class was challenging, not only in the school work, but also in life. It taught me some great skills that helped me out after high school. It wasn’t just about that facts. He taught us how to be on time, organized, and how to work with people in the right ways. They are all skills that have helped me in every job situation I’ve encountered. All of the classes I took at Crete helped me in preparing for not only the college courses I took, but the jobs I had while I was attending high school and college,” Holtmeier said. While she was in high school, Holtmeier juggled a job working in a lab that raised crickets with her school work. “It was pretty disgusting,” Holtmeier said. “I had to feed the crickets and clean their cages. It doesn’t sound glorious but it led to better jobs in the science field in the future.” After graduating from Crete in 1987, Holtmeier attended college at the Univer-

sity of Lincoln, Nebraska, taking classes pertaining to biology and science. Holtmeier earned her PHD in Ecology and Evolutionary Science from Cornell University. After graduating from college Cami traveled to the Everglades to research the ecology of small fish living in the mangroves of small islands. “I was almost always alone so I had no one to joke around with so it got pretty lonely. Whenever I had boat problems I was pretty much out of luck until someone came looking for me because cell phones were not popular yet,” Holtmeier said. Driving to the mangroves was her least favorite part of working in the everglades because of the chance of sudden intense storms and because of having to maneuver through shallow waters that could cause serious damage to any type of boat and it’s driver. If she ever encountered a storm while working on one of the small islands, it meant staying the night on the island alone, or until the storm passed. “I was always prepared for anything the weather decided to do. If it acted up with rain, or it got really humid out, I always always kept a tent and the bugspray handy,” Holemeier said. Holtmeier’s job as a mangrove reasearcher meant she was responsible for catching small fish, and examining their habits, bevaviors, and habitats. “It was really physical work. I had to walk through

Courtesy Photo Cami Holtmeier and her nine year old daughter, Zeya, and sever year old son, Mace, enjoying the mountainous view, near her home in Seattle, Wachington.Holtmeier now teaches seventh grade Science in a school in Seattle.

small, muddle shallow waters with twent pound boots on after they got wet. I’d compare it to detassling, though I wouldn’t know for sure. I always carried at least a fourt pound back pack on my back,” Holtmeier said/ One of her most memorable experiences of when she was working in the Everglades involves a dolphin and a sand dune. “On my way to the mangroves I was focusing on not hitting the sand dunes that littered the waters. They could pop at at any minute. I spot-

ted a sand dune and swerved to miss it when a donphin jumped up and out of the water and literally scared me to death. That dolphin followed me and my boat for what seemed like an hour, until I got to where I was supposed to be,” Holtmeier said. While finishing up her work in the Everglades, Cami found a job in the Bahamas that in terested her greatly, causing her to move yet again. Holtmeier taught marine biology to people of all ages, the oldest being 75 years of

age. Her favorite course was teaching retired or handicapped people about marine biology. “I hope someday when I am 75 years old I’ll still be brave enough to go off and fly somewhere and learn something new,” Holemeier said. “To me, my life has been the dream I’ve always wanted, and it’s came true, and there’s no way I would have gotten here without all of my hard work put towards my dream,” Holtmeier said.