April 1, 2015 Volume 51 Issue 7 XchangePius X High School 6000 A Street, Lincoln, NE

Nebraska Adventures - 3 Members of the Pius Xchange staff explore some of the interesting places in Nebraska.

March Madness - 7 Get the latest scoop on this year's March Madness craziness.

Spring Musical - 8 Pius Players impress audiences with their own The Princess and the Pea.

PHOTOS BY REAGAN SCOTT 2 News & Opinion April 1, 2015 Pope Francis insinuates early leave, Opinion: Theo the possible retirement Olivia Appleget Thunderbolt extends Exclusives Editor

Back in late August, Pope step down, the first being Francis’ This tradition comes from PiHi tradition, spirit Francis light-heartedly announced predecessor, Benedict XVI in 2013. the first pope, Peter, who died a Meredith Larsen that he suspects he has “two or three “I think that Pope martyr for the faith, thus setting a Staff Writer years” left, in an interview with the Benedict made this gesture of popes high precedent for those to follow in

Catholic News Agency. emeritus. I repeat that maybe some his footsteps. PHOTO BY MEREDITH LARSEN Although the pontiff made theologians would say this isn’t just, Up until Benedict XVI the teddy bear-like quality it a point not to give any definite but I think like this,” Francis said. announced his retirement just two that draws them in or per- plans as to his retirement, the “The centuries will tell if it’s like this years ago, it would have been haps the fact that they are seventy-seven year old has made or not, we’ll see, but if you can to unheard of for the Pope to step down always handing out high recent comments that hint to an early say to me, ‘but do you think that one simply because of age. fives. Every kid wants to be leave. day if you don’t feel like it, will you Benedict XVI had friends with the mascot. “Our lives are getting go on?’ But, I would do the same.” legitimate reasoning, he knew he Our very own longer and at a certain age there The Holy Father, although would not be able to serve the Theo the Thunderbolt has is not the capacity to govern well, very popular and highly regarded Church as best he could in his age, been around for decades. because the body tires and health throughout the Catholic community, just as Pope Francis is wise enough Being passed on from class perhaps is good but there is the is under criticism for these public to foresee possible health issues in to class, the suit has been capacity to carry forward all of announcements of retirement the future. through many a state cham- the problems like those in the consideration. With only one fully pionship and many a district governance of the church,” Pope However, the controversy functioning lung and an agenda loss. Francis said in an interview with The comes not from the retirement- that encompasses the entirety of Thunderbolt pride is Guardian News. which in itself is by no means the world’s Catholic community, it something that every Theo has If Francis were to wrong- but from the way it would is plausible that the Vatican will be had. Having pride in our school announce his retirement from the stray from a firm tradition in the releasing new white smoke in just a and sportsmanship in our Theo the thunderbolt enjoys a papacy, it would be the second time Catholic faith: that the pope should few years. hearts. in history for the current pope to serve until his last breath. refreshing drink after a long day Student sections and cheering on girls state basketball fans love what a mascot stands for. As the history of a school Imagine, the worst, is expressed in what a mascot Same-sex marriage ban in Nebraska most putrid odor ever smelled, is, the pride for one’s school then multiply it by ten. All becomes that much more evi- the B.O. and stinky socks from dent. no surprise for the conservatives decades of sporting events and Plastered on about any Axel Malmstrom state championships stored in item they can get their hands Staff Writer one costume. on, mugs, license plates, lan- School mascots have yards, key chains, and t-shirts, a In 2000, Nebraska in union with one another and Being for it or against it been around for centuries, mascot gives people a sense of banned same-sex marriage. Early raise a family. This being said, can be a moment of truth for most pumping up crowds and suf- identity. this year, a federal judge struck the Church's stand on the subject Catholics that are trying to oppose fering from exhaustion. Doing So the next time you down the ruling as unconstitu- holds strong because natural pro- same-sex marriage in America. push-ups and dance-offs is their see your mascot give ‘em a big tional, but the state appealed the creation can only occur between a “I’m against it, I don’t specialty. hug. Even though they might decision. male and a female. hate the sin or sinner, but it is just Mascots are essential to smell like your dirty laundry With more than half of Popularly known not right,” Swinscoe said. sporting events and the success basket, they deserve all the love the states of the United States as a conservative state, most “America was founded of teams. A mascot can unite a you can give. allowing same-sex marriage, it Nebraskans agree that this issue on equality and that means crowd and keep spirits up when I believe, nay, I would mean a lot more freedom should be decided upon by indi- someone has the same rights that losing. They are also a source KNOW, mascots are essential to and choices that the couples can vidual states. everyone else does,” junior Sean of comic relief in intense situ- any student section. make in America. “It is more of a matter of Coffey said. ations. The Church teaches that the state’s government problem; it Thinking about what If that isn’t enough, such acts are violations of Divine should be left alone by the nation- love means and what it is truly kids love mascots. Maybe it’s and Natural Law. This is because al government,” senior Michael meant to be is really important the purpose of marriage is to grow Swinscoe said. regarding same-sex marriage rights in the United States. “Marriage is being between a man and woman, not with two men or two women, there will be consequences for these types of actions,” Swinscoe said. With same-sex marriage becoming a more popular topic in the United States, people will wonder if Congress is making the choice of making it legal. April 1, 2015 X-Clusives 3 Adventures in Newspaper: Staff writers hit the road, search for Nebraska's rarest, biggest sites Abbey Hugo & Erin Dolph Sports Editor & Staff Writer PHOTO BY ABBEY HUGO shop. We snapped a complete three car antique train on the side of the road. quick pic and went on Naturally, we raced the ladies while staying safely our way. below the speed limit (by which I mean they just happened After nearly to be next to us for a while and might have eyed us a few two hours of driving, times), swerved around the unfortunate animals, made a we reached Hebron spontaneous stop at the train and drove on until we reached and were not disap- York. pointed. Hebron had Lee Patterson’s rustic building is a hidden gem. It loads of small town houses not only Patterson’s immense marble collection but charm and prime photo also his clown and coin collections as well as many other opportunities, which random artifacts and trinkets. we claimed any chance This marble collection isn’t officially stated in the we got. Guinness Book of World Records as the largest but it is The porch by far the biggest near us. The next nearest collection is in swing sits a few blocks Kansas and Patterson has twice as many marbles as them. from the town center at “If anyone wants to come and challenge me, they Roosevelt Park. It was built can come count my marbles themselves,” Patterson said in in 1985 as a way to bring an interview with the Journal Star back in 2013. the community together. The last stop was Seward which houses the Erin Dolph poses by a three car antique train outside of York. The top, in true Nebraska World’s Largest Time Capsule. style, is constructed using The Capsule has held the title as the world’s larg- Two girls hit the road with nothing but a car, GPS, part of a field irrigation sys- est in the Guinness Book of World Records since it was and a dream. tem. placed in 1974. Their dream was to visit some of the most unique, The porch swing is about 25 feet long. Its title as The time capsule is shaped like a white pyramid recognizable, record-setting sites Nebraska has to offer. the world’s largest is unofficial only because the "Guinness with the dimensions 10 feet by 22 feet by 8 feet. Although Before any two teenagers embark on an adventure Book of World Records" does not have a category for the capsule was dedicated in 1975, the pyramid part was there are a couple problems that have to be addressed: food porch swings. not built until 1983. and music. We loaded the car with sweets and popped in a We explored the rest of their beautiful town, It holds two cars, a motorcycle and other memo- mix CD, of course starting with road trip themed songs like stopping inside a small shop dedicated to butters, honeys rabilia meant to represent the 1970’s when the capsule is “On the Road Again” and “Cruise.” and gorgeous home furnishings made by an adorable lady opened in 2025. We headed towards Hebron, Nebraska, home of obsessed with Pinterest. We returned to Lincoln content with our trip but the World’s Largest Porch Swing. Our next destination was Lee’s Legendary couldn’t help but dream of a time when we will be able to While driving down Interstate 80, we spotted a Marbles, a marble museum/flee market in York. visit other record-setting sites such as the World’s Oldest unique site: the top of a ginormous covered wagon. With a On the way there we encountered a carpool of Buick and the World’s Largest Stamp Ball… but that closer look, we discovered the wagon topped a small golf race-hungry elderly maidens, too much road kill, and a would be another adventure for another time.

The Pius X-Change Lincoln hot spot review: Defy Gravity Kaitlin VanLoon Staff Writers Becky Brooks Editor-In-Chief Meredith Larsen Staff Writer Features Editor Erin Dolph Located right the in the Furthermore, if patrons safety socks for $1.75 and a Defy Olivia Appleget Axel Malmstrom heart of Lincoln, Defy Gravity is feel like pelting small children with Gravity tracker bracelet for $1.25. X-Clusives Editor Becky Brooks every child’s dream. There are balls while jumping on trampolines, There are many more News & Opinion Editor Reagan Scott 12,000 square feet of trampolines Defy Gravity offers dodgeball, and fun things coming to Defy Gravity as high-schoolers, there is quite a this summer. Trampoline Ninja is Abbey Hugo in this complex, including angled Nolan DeWispelare trampoline walls. height advantage. opening this summer. Sports Editor Advisor The park is more designed The Pius X girl’s state Furthermore, if jumpers Justice Coleman for kids under the height of five basketball champions would reign want to get a total body workout, Entertainment Editor feet. Once jumpers grow beyond in Dunk City, where there is a tram- they should join their fitness class- Cover Editor the five foot mark, the jumping poline that propels the jumper up to es. In the class, jumpers burn up to slightly hurts the body, but fun is the basket for a Lebron James style 1,000 calories per hour. It increases The X-Change is a monthly publication of the Pius X High School pain. dunk. cardio vascular endurance, and is a newspaper staff. Opinions expressed on the opinion page do not Perhaps, the best part of Also located in the huge low impact workouts for joints. necessarily represent those of the entire school community. the park is the Free Fall Jump, a complex is a laser maze which Overall, if patrons want to giant white pillow that small chil- makes one feel like a CIA agent on have fun and get soaked in sweat, Students and staff are invited to share their opinion through a letter dren or slightly large eighteen year- a quest to save the world. Defy Gravity is the place for them. to the editor. The staff reserves the right to edit or reject any letter. olds throw themselves upon. For $8.95, adults can Interested patrons can find All letters must be typed, signed and sent to Room 264 or: People pretend the pillow return to their childhood for thirty the complex at 345 Sporting Village The X-Change Pius X High School is a pool, and practice their cannon minutes. During the jumper’s first Drive Suite #1 and can call 402- 6000 A Street Lincoln, NE 68510 balls, 360s, pencils and front flips. visit he must purchase Defy Gravity 817-6900 for more information. 4 Features April 1, 2015 Rube Goldberg reaches new heights due to talented students was happy to carry on the tradition. PHOTO BY ERIC CAO Kaitlin VanLoon Editor-in-Chief The purpose of a Rube Goldberg machine is to complete a task, this task changes each year. To This year’s 22nd Rube Goldberg project was a complete this task a team must build a contraption in hit. Many spectators speckled the crowd and it wasn’t a 6 by 6 foot radius of which includes 20 steps that just the parents and siblings of the participants. Many lead up to completing the task. Pius students came to watch the competition and several “This year the task is to erase a chalkboard, Pius graduates were among the masses as well. we modified it so students can also erase a white The eminent Goldberg project has been going board,” Scheffler said. “This task is the same one on long before physics teacher Jeremy Scheffler has used at the national competition.” taught at Pius. Scheffler who’s taught here for 14 years Four judges, all engineers, volunteer their time to assess all of the projects. Judges award 1st, 2nd PHOTO BY REAGAN SCOTT and 3rd place, as well as, a judge’s choice category. “They judge the projects according to theme, ingenuity in steps [and how well the steps stick to the theme] and impression,” Scheffler said. Students get the packet with the task and Using a selfie stick Rube Goldberg winners smile because they rules and guidelines before Thanksgiving and by got Scheffler to be in the picture. Christmas break they finalize their team members. On the day of the competition, after discom- tries to see if their machines run smoothly. bobulating the contraption to transport it to school, all For a machine to run smoothly team members teams spend most of the day putting the machine togeth- only touch the machine once and that is when they start er (in the Bishop Flavin gym) and conducting several the machine. Each time they touch the machine that test runs so it’s perfect for the judges. means points off the final score. “The hardest part of the project was the time The judge’s choice winner was team name “G” rd aspect and the testing, then retesting and rerunning,” with theme “An engineer’s workshop”, 3 place was nd Senior Eric Cao said. theme “A Day at School”, 2 was team “Scheff Squad” st Cao’s group worked on the project for about 3 with them “Duct Tape”, and 1 place was team “Cobra Team Cobra Attack Force 5 examnine their machine in weeks and spent around 80 hours building the machine. Attack Force 5” with team members and juniors Scott Alder, Nicholas Dean and David Tines. the early stages of putting it together. When judgment time comes all teams get two Life of a Highschooler: Straight from What's your spirit Public school vs. Private the Olts animal and why? Axel Malstrom for both private and public B Staff Writer school students. “I know that we have Public schools are a more work to do than public lot different compared to pri- schools,” sophomore Morgan vate schools. Many students Felber said. Name: Brooke from Pius have gone to public While the homework Kreikemeier schools in their lives and had may be any unlike any imag- the time to talk about what the ined it to be at public schools, Grade: Sophomore Name: Spencer Hruby differences are between the two the classes and curriculum are Grade: Freshman types of schools. a whole lot dissimilar at public My spirit animal is a What does a public than private schools. school have that a private “Classes are much manatee because My spirit animal would be school doesn’t? Well, maybe more secular and you aren’t manatees are chill and I’m a rabbit because I’m quick. the variety of food that students necessarily allowed to express pretty chill. And they’re can choose from. your religion or faith as much,” “I never ate school Coffey said. cute and I’m pretty good food at Lefler middle school, Rules are the biggest I heard it wasn’t good and I importance of any school and Name: Mickey Tran never wanted to try it,” senior that makes private and public Grade: Junior Luis Rivera said. school a lot more away from Other than the food being alike. that is different at public school “We have stricter rules, My spirit animal is a cat compared to private schools, higher expectations, and harder because I like to curl up in the teachers at public schools and longer days of school at aren’t what many expected. private,” Felber said. a ball, in a snuggie, “They don’t care as With the differences watching Netflix, while much at Lincoln Southeast, it is of a private and public school eating cookies out of a less strict at that school,” junior we can finally assume that not Sean Coffey said. every school is alike the rest in jar and judging people Homework is burden any given city. silently with my eyes. April 1, 2015 Features 5 PHOTO COURTESY OF ABRAHAM AND ISAAC DRIEWER SeniorXposed: Abraham and Isaac Driewer

ly safe, our late night kitchen talks, and how they are Becky Brooks Staff Writer such good brothers to Magdalen.” Ms. Driewer said. They both agreed that the best part about being Most people start off their lives all alone. a twin is being with their best friend all the time. However, Abraham and Isaac Driewer entered the “They are kind of just like one person,” Ms. world together. Driewer said. They are two of seven children—their siblings The only significant difference between the are Simon, Mary, Peter, Grace and Magdalen. two is the fact that Abraham is more math oriented, and “I had four babies in diapers in less than three Isaac is more English oriented. However, they both years. I sort of lost my sanity,” said Anne Driewer. hate homework. They must have some of the same DNA Simon is twenty. Mary is also twenty and Senior Driewer twins dazzle the camera while Pius studying at Notre Dame, and Peter is a freshman here because neither of them can turn down a cheeseburger, grad Amanda Hilger takes their senior pictures. at Pius X. Grace is their thirteen year old basketball and both of them love the movie Saving Private Ryan. star, and Magdalen is eight. During their time at Pius X, they participated in lacrosse, swimming and wrestling. They like having a big family. “I can solve one in about one minute and seventeen Their favorite memory from their high school “There is always someone to fight with,” seconds,” Isaac said. years was being state champions freshmen year in Abraham joked. His twin doesn’t have a shabby talent either. lacrosse. Isaac hopes to either attend the Naval “I can hold my breath until I pass out, so about Their only job is school at the moment. Academy or West Point and study cyber warfare. two minutes,” Abraham said. However, sometimes they help their dad with carpentry Abraham plans on attending either West Point With the similar mannerisms and thoughts, the and auto mechanics. or Notre Dame and major in mechanical engineering. fact that these two have been together since the womb If one needs help solving a Rubik’s Cube, “Since they are most likely going into the mili- is quite evident. tary, I am going to miss knowing that they are relative- Isaac Driewer is your man. Outdoors Club reaches new heights What should school gets out.” Fitzgerald said, “We also plan on Reagan Scott Staff Writer going hiking this summer.” Mrs. Bradley Trips are chosen at Outdoors Club meetings. With over 30 clubs at Pius, it’s not hard Once a location is chosen, the next few meetings to find one that might spark a student’s interest. cover the details of the trip. Jeremy Scheffler, the name her For those who love to traverse the outside world, club’s sponsor, finds information for all of the trips Outdoors Club provides the perfect opportunity. and helps put it out once a date is finalized. baby? Lead by junior Fiona Fitzgerald, the group Dates of the trips are normally arranged dur- meets up on Fridays to discuss ideas for future trips ing three day weekends so that Outdoors Club mem- Submissions to locker 115 and plan outdoor adventures to go on. The club is very bers have as much time as possible for their trip. With community based and is driven by its members. the club’s smaller numbers, the group can easily work “If you have something you want to do, we’ll around the schedules of members who might have find a way to do it,” Fitzgerald said. prior commitments. Past activities Outdoors Club has done Leading a club is not a commitment to take include rock climbing in Minnesota last school year, lightly and Fitzgerald knows this well. kayaking at Pawnee State and Recreation Area last “It’s a really cool leadership opportunity,” semester, and skiing at Mount Crescent in Iowa in Fitzgerald said. “It’s something I really get to take February. charge in.” “Right now we’re looking at going spelunking once Fitzgerald doesn’t act alone though, she is assisted by junior Aggi Fiedler who helps with PHOTO BY FIONA FITZGERALD designs and posters for the club. This year, she is also in charge of the group’s t-shirts. “It’s really great spending time with friends,” Fiedler said. “I like doing things outside since I live in the country and doing things with people my age makes it even more fun.” For more information on Outdoors Club meetings, students can watch the announce- ments in the lunchroom or join the club’s email list for the latest updates on meeting dates. Students can also check the folder out- side room 276 for upcoming trip information. It’s never too late to join clubs here at Pius and as any group will say, new members are Junior Fiona Fitzgerald snaps a selfie as she's getting ready always welcome! to hop on the ski lift. 6 Sports April 1, 2015 Pius alumnus works towards success as a Husker Kaitlin VanLoon he’d have a good opportunity to off, during which they usu- Thunderbolts especially helped Schleppenbach if he wanted Editor-in-Chief get playing time his first year ally go to yoga or other fitness prepare Schleppenbach when he to continue playing baseball at Nebraska. classes. played at the junior college. after college, he was quick to Jake Schleppenbach The biggest difference It’s difficult for all col- Senior and Pius base- respond with a yes, in fact it’s has traveled to Las Vegas, Schleppenbach has noticed lege students to keep up with ball player Michael Helman his goal. Arizona, and Los Angeles in between playing for the Blue their studies, but even more so played with Schleppenbach for “I would absolutely the last month, but it wasn’t for Dragons and the Huskers is the for college athletes. a year and a half while he was want to play after college, vacation, it was for the sport he atmosphere. “Nebraska is really at Pius. it would be a blessing,” loves: baseball. “At junior colleges good at helping with school “He was always doing Schleppenbach said, “But I Schleppenbach who there’s nothing flashy, the facil- work, we have our own advisor the ‘little things’ the coaches know baseball will always be in has in his eyes played since he ities are definitely different and that travels with us to all of our talked about and to the best of my life so if I don’t get drafted could walk, but officially start- so is the steer of the game,” games,” Schleppenbach said. his ability,” Helman said. I’ll coach.” ed in 6-year-old t-ball, plays Schleppenbach reported. Even with schoolwork Like Schleppenbach, Baseball has also for the University of Nebraska- There’s also the expec- and baseball Schleppenbach Helman will be going to taught Schleppenbach some life Lincoln baseball team. tation of being a Husker ath- still makes time to get involved Hutchinson to play baseball. lessons, most importantly how The Husker started lete. in his community. Helman’s twin brother to communicate and how to his first year of college base- “There are always “Husker baseball is Evan is also a Thunderbolt manage his time. ball at Hutchinson Community people watching and the involved in this community baseball player and played with “Baseball has taught College in Hutchinson, Kansas; coaches have done a good job service and outreach program,” Schleppenbach for a year. me how to work hard, after a great first year at Hutch making sure we know how Schleppenbach said, “As a “He was more of a I’ve never put more work Schleppenbach came and tried we need to carry ourselves,” team we volunteer at Madonna leader than a model, he helped into anything in my life,” out for the Huskers. Schleppenbach said. and elementary schools around people instead of showing them Schleppenbach stated. “Nebraska did want me The Huskers travel a Lincoln.” what to do,” E. Helman said. With his competitive to walk on as a freshman but lot, although they’re only in Playing for the Huskers Schleppenbach’s favor- spirit and positive attitude I went to play at Hutch, then Omaha today, there next big has taught Schleppenbach ite baseball memory was win- Schleppenbach will go far in after Pat Kelly was drafted his trip is to Maryland. important values including how ning 2012 State his junior year. life no matter if it’s his job, junior year I decided to come Division 1 athletics to work hard and hustle, as well “It’s a memory I’ll school, or baseball. try out,” Schleppenbach said. limit baseball practices to 4 as, what to pride himself on. never lose,” Schleppenbach Schleppenbach talked hours a day, so no two-a-days, The practice style reminisced. to his coaches and they said and the players get Mondays and conditioning of the When asking Coach's Corner: Tom Seib passionately leads Boy Golf

Meredith Larsen in,” Seib recalls. too seriously, these sports are PHOTOS BY ABBEY HUGO Staff Writer There was a crowd of fun and it’s good to keep it that at least 500 who were too late way,” Seib said, “Don’t get me March 11, 1989, this and had to be turned away. wrong, it’s good to be competi- date has been named Nebraska Even though fans were turned tive and have goals but when High School Basketball’s away there wasn’t an empty it turns into work rather than a Greatest Night. seat in the Devaney Center. high school sport, something is “There were basically Seib, who teaches wrong.” no other sports in that time, American Government and A.P. There is much to learn all games were on Fridays so American Government, is the from this sage history teacher. everyone came to them (the boys Golf coach now. Teaching has been an games)” Tom Seib said. Between Freshman important part of the way Seib Seib was the head Football, Boys Tennis, and coaches. When coaching he coach of the boy’s basket- Boys Basketball, he has gets to know another side of ball team at the time and will coached at Pius for eighteen students, in a different atmo- remember this night forever. non-consecutive years. sphere. He enjoys the extra It’s the night he lost to Wahoo Among the sports Seib time with students that are also at the state championship, for has a passion for, baseball is athletes. the second year in a row. his favorite to watch. “It’s good to know Both teams were unde- “I also played baseball they are not just bodies in a feated and had great seasons at a high school in Kansas,” Seib advises and observes the boys up to this point. The only thing Seib said. golf team before the start of their standing in the way was each Ironic, considering it is meet. other. a sport he hasn’t coached here With current head at Pius. coach Ray Forycki as his assis- As he looks back on tant coach, Seib said there are his days as a high school coach only a few people left at Pius and what he is still learn- who remember this amazing, ing about being a mentor for buzzer-beater game. student-athletes, he recalls the “It was a packed house; most important lessons he has they had to lock the doors so learned. people wouldn’t come rushing “Never take yourself April 1, 2015 Sports 7 March Madness in full swing ing games. It also had many major Erin Dolph Staff Writer upsets like No.14 Georgia State beating No. 3 Baylor by one point and No. 14 University of Alabama Brackets, surprising upsets at Birmingham beating No. 3 Iowa and endless basketball can only State also by 1 point. mean thing: March Madness is in In round 3 many top seeds full swing. prevailed but one very surprising Selection Sunday was upset did occur. No. 1 Villanova Mar. 15. The four number one seeds lost by 3 to No. 8 North Carolina for the men’s NCAA tournament State which ruined many people’s were the University of Kentucky in brackets. the midwest, Villanova University Sweet 16 started on Mar in the east, the University of 26 and had no major upsets or sur- Wisconsin in the west and Duke prises. So far the teams in the elite University in the south. Unfortunately Nebraska 8 are Wisconsin, Arizona, Notre isn’t represented at all in the men’s Dame and Duke. tournament. The University of Although the Nebraska men’s basketball team Nebraska men’s basketball team ended the season with a losing sea- didn’t make the tournament, the son of 13 wins and 18 losses. Nebraska women’s team did. Creighton University also They were seeded nine and played didn’t make it to the tournament, Syracuse on Mar.20. losing to Georgetown in the Big The women’s basketball East semifinals. They also ended team had a great season with a total with a losing record of 14 wins and of 23 wins and 9 losses. 18 losses. The number one seeded Notre Dame, Wisconsin, teams in the tournament are the Villanova, Arizona and Duke are University of Connecticut, Notre among top contenders for the cham- Dame, the University of Maryland pionship but Kentucky is heavily and the University of South favored for the win. Carolina. “I think Kentucky’s Connecticut is favored going to win because they were to win but Baylor, Tennessee, and undefeated all season and they are South Carolina are all promising a well-rounded team with many contenders. good players”, sophomore Audrey In the first round, many of Dworak said. the top seeds won but our Huskers Round 2 on Mar. 19-20 suffered a heartbreaking loss. They was filled with many close scor- lost to Syracuse by three. April 1, 2015 Entertainment 8 Pius Players perfect The Princess and the Pea

Justice Coleman PHOTOS BY JUSTICE COLEMAN The Queen’s son, Prince Dauntless, played by senior Andrew Entertainment Editor Vaggalis, was an extremely lovable character. The childish innocence of the Prince and his fear of standing up to his We all know the age old tale of The Princess and the Pea, “mommy” made the name Dauntless ironic. but I’ve got to be honest, I’m pretty tired of seeing fairy tale after That is, until Dauntless stands up to his mother and declares fairy tale being redone in as many ways as possible. It gets boring, his love for the fun, “shy” Princess Winifred the Woebegone old and repetitive. from a faraway kingdom full of murky swamp water and foul- But the Pius Players musical production of Once Upon a smelling air. Mattress has changed my mind. The Players kept the plot interesting by throwing in an extra They took old characters and made them new, funny and love story. The star-crossed lovers Sir Harry and Lady Larken, unique. Even though the play is set in medieval times, a modern played by senior Justin Minchow and junior Emma Finder, took twist was put on it making it easy to laugh at and enjoy. the audience on a rollercoaster of emotion. I found myself always laughing at King Sextimus the Luckily, near the end, all was well. Dauntless stood up to his Silent, played by senior Jacob Hotovy, and all of his elaborate mother, saying he would marry who he loves and Harry was games of charades. And towards the end when his curse of being granted permission to marry his Lady Larken. unable to speak was lifted and the king spoke Once the Prince was married, the rest out against the Queen, I couldn’t help but be of the kingdom could marry their loved ones. proud of him. Thank God, since they all must have been Now, I know what it’s like to have a together for an incredibly long time if they’re nagging mother who never lets me do anything able to break out in musical dance numbers the way I want to do it (just kidding, Mom), but together. the Pius Players production of Once Upon a Overall, I really enjoyed watching the Mattress takes controlling mothers to a whole play and getting a couple of good laughs out new level. of it. I loved the costumes, especially Queen Queen Aggravain, played by senior Aggravain’s dresses. Ansley Alberts, takes over the stage with her I would gladly see the play again and amazing voice and also takes control of her again and again, just to relive the magic of son’s life, saying he can’t marry any girl who Princess Winifred introduces herself to Queen Aggravain and the kingdom (top). living happily ever after. doesn’t prove herself to be a true princess. Cast and crew pose together after the musical (bottom). Insurgent movie impresses fans Phillip Phillips starts of popular book series Abbey Hugo In the original story, a flash drive is successful, stays successful Sports Editor simply stolen and protected by Tris and plays a major part in the development of the plot Kaitlin VanLoon Insurgent, the second installment of because it causes conflict between her and albums feature Phillips’ unique the Divergent series, came to theaters on some of her companions. Features Editor folk/pop rock sound. March 20. Like the box, the flashdrive does hold Phillips’ first album Insurgent is the movie adaptation of an important message about their society’s These days it’s the norm includes empowering tracks like Veronica Roth’s popular young adult dysto- past but it does not involve Janine obtaining when American Idol winners “Hold On” and “Can’t Go Wrong” pian novel by the same name. it and forcing a divergent to open it for her. become infamous “one hit won- that include influential lyrics: It follows Tris, the selfless, kick-butt Admittedly, the only thing the box had going ders”. Their next albums just pale “I can’t go wrong as long heroine, and Four, her attractive equally kick- for it is that it looks a lot more impressive than in comparison to this one song, but as I remember where I’m from, butt love-interest, on their journey after escap- a simple hard drive. this isn’t the case for 2012 Idol hold my head up just to keep it ing an attack forged by their government’s One difference I did appreciate was winner Phillip Phillips. clear, I want a chance to face my ruler, Janine. the fact that they cut out a lot of Four and Tris’ Phillips first hit “Home” fear,” Phillips croons in “Can’t Go Dedicated fans of the series had been ridiculous bickering which was an overpower- was the theme song of the 2012 Wrong”. waiting nearly a year for this movie to hit the ing majority of the book. Olympics and is still heard now “Behind The Light” with big screen. The one thing that stuck out most on American Family Insurance its original album cover sets the Being one of those fans, I can truly about this film was the special effects; they commercials. And although it can tone for the songs within the tell you it exceeded my expectations. were awesome. The effects could rival any be annoyingly difficult to get that record. With the fearsome and dark The film is action-packed, fast-paced larger-scale movie and were definitely ten jingle out of our heads, it’s plain to intro, “Thicket” throws listeners a and keeps one on their toes at all times. times better than in the first film. see that Phillips is a one of a kind different yet notable sound. As with any novel-turned-film, there Insurgent had a generally different singer. Phillips’ songs highlight are several noticeable differences, some big- style than Divergent probably due to the fact Phillips two most recent the significance of taking risks and ger than others. that they had hired a new director. While hits are “Gone, Gone, Gone” following your heart and at the For one, in the book, Tris was afraid Neil Burger did a decent job with Divergent, (which is also featured in an same time he delivers his perfor- to handle a gun due to a dramatic past experi- Robert Schwentke hit this one out of the park. American Family Insurance com- mance with undeniable passion for ence (she shot her best friend’s boyfriend) but Insurgent topped the box office mak- mercial) and “Raging Fire”. Both music. she was carrying a gun for the majority of the ing $54 million dollars on opening weekend songs stress the importance of liv- Phillips’ future looks movie. but did not surpass Divergent’s earnings. ing life to the fullest. bright, with his exceptional voice The largest, and most irking, dissimi- Although the statistics say differ- He has two albums out, and incomparable style of genre, larity was the mystery message-holding/diver- ently, I believe Insurgent is an overall better the first titled “The World From Phillips’ career won’t turn out like gent testing, ornately decorated box which production than Divergent and I would give it The Side Of The Moon” and the his predecessors. was completely made-up. And weird. a hearty 7.5 stars out of ten. second “Behind The Light”. These