Seniors’ ACT scores listed among state’s highest marks Teagan Jacobs

Every year, kids all across the state walk in to take the ACT. None of them expect to be number one in the conference, let alone the state. But the Yutan seniors did just that last year. For many years, it was not required to take the ACT. Last year that was changed. Instead of all juniors taking the NeSA, they all had to take the ACT to be compared to other Nebraska students. “I consider this a true test of how our ju- niors last year, seniors this year, really rank stacked up against everybody,” said Tim McNamara, principal at Yutan High School. On the ACT, the highest possible score is 36. Yutan’s best score last year was a 33. Yutan’s average composite class score was 23.21. SCHOOL SPIRIT - Seniors Cole Egr, Colton Feist and Bryland Menicucci lead the cheers during a pep rally for the winter sports. The senior boys dressed in Continued on Page 5 cheerleader outfits to lead the cheers. Photograph by Haley Herman Superintendent, principal turn in resignations Administration decides to wrap it up Natalie Lothringer coworkers) do,” McNamara said. “The re- three years, it is his time to leave Yutan. will get the opportunity again. sult of that is that our students have excelled While he could choose to be sad about this, “It just kind of depends on the dynamics Walking through the school hallways academically and extracurricularly.” he decides to look at it in a different light. of the situation,” Hendricks said. “I don’t each day just waiting for the end to hurry up Not only does he value them, but he “I’ve been at a lot of different schools, know if it will be a possibility or not.” so they can cross the graduation stage and has created stronger connections with them and there’s something always exciting Although Hendricks has had the chance take hold of their diploma, most seniors are than the average prinicipal and teacher about a change,” Hendricks said. “I don’t to work with his wife the last few years, more than ready to leave. relationship. fear change. I actually kind of get excited McNamara has not. He has become more Although most are ready, some still “I think we have some great teachers and about it.” than excited to retire and spend more time aren’t. These are the ones who decide to go many of them have become life-long friends Even though Hendricks is happy for with his family. into education. They hope that their walks of mine,” McNamara said. some change, he still enjoyed his time at “A great thing is that my wife, who has through the hallways never end, but even McNamara has decided it’s not only his Yutan and wishes he could have done more been in education for 35 years, is also going with this hope, they eventually do. time to leave Yutan, but his time to retire during that time. to retire,” McNamara said. “The timing of Yutan principal Tim McNamara and from education all together. “Three years is not very long,” Hen- it all is just really, really swell.” superintendent Stan Hendricks will both “I qualify for the rule of 85. That means dricks said. “For some people, three years Whether it has been three years or seven soon be making their last walk through the once your age plus your years in service seems like it’s been a while, but three years years, both McNamara and Hendricks have hallways of Yutan High School. In January equal to or exceed 85, then you can retire,” is just getting things started in the direction noticed big differences in Yutan compared to of 2018, both gave their letters of resignation McNamara said. “I’m 55, and I have been that you would like it to go into.” other schools they have worked with. to the school board. at this for 34 years, which is way over 85.” While being a part of Yutan High School, “With smaller schools, some aspects “I’m going to miss the kids like crazy,” While McNamara has chosen to retire, Hendricks has had the opportunity to work have to be the same,” Hendricks said. “But McNamara said. “I am really going to miss Hendricks has other plans in mind. He has with his wife, Julie Hendricks. Once he every place has its own personality, which my teaching staff.” not chosen to retire but has found that, after leaves for another school, he isn’t sure if he Continued on Page 5 McNamara has been the principal of the Yutan Chieftains for an ongoing seven years. Chieftains claim During this time, he has come to value those he works with. “Over the last seven years I have become boys ECNC title extremely attached and developed a deep By Shelby Fenner appreciation of the hard work that they (his As the saying goes, “defense wins championships,” and that’s exactly what See What’s won the Yutan boys’ basketball team a Inside...... conference title on Feb. 3 with a 52-45 win against Auburn. Pages 2-4: “The defense was the key,” freshman Brady Timm said. “We didn’t let them get Student Opinions in a flow offensively.” Yutan entered the championship game Pages 6-7: with confidence and felt prepared. “I think going into it we had a good idea In-Depth - Fears of what we wanted to do and what we could do,” senior Mason Timm said. “Once we got Pages 8-9 to the ‘ship, we just took care of business.” ADMINISTRATION SHARE A LAUGH - Principal Tim McNamara and superintendent Stan Hendricks The Chieftains played man-to-man the Sports share a laugh in McNamara’s office. The two administrators submitted their resignations in January. Photograph by Emily Fisher Continued on Page 8 Should48… 49… 50! One after another, states Puerto as well, but the residents of theRico territory be 51stNew diversity state? might cause some short- to the electoral college. have been added to the United States have already voted against it five different If they were to join, Puerto Rico would term issues, but in the long run, it would throughout its history. As of now, there are times, most recently in June 2017. Adding join as a democratic state, which would be a benefit. 50 states, but some people have been push- Puerto Rico would cause some backlash weaken the republican power and would Also, allowing statehood would help ing to have 51 by adding the U.S. territory from their people. affect future political races. According to Puerto Rico tremendously. In September Puerto Rico. They have already CNN, they would have five members in the 2017, Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico, Statehood started with separated into two House of Representatives and two senators, and they are still attempting recovery. Delaware in 1787 and the Student groups: pro-statehood a total of seven votes in the electoral college. Many areas of the territory are still without most recent addition was and anti-statehood. But joining might also help Puerto Rico electricity. Alaska in 1956. Puerto And just on the fact receive more respect and recognition. Also, If they were to join, they would receive Rico became a territory in Opinion that they voted on it, the according to Vox, only about half of Ameri- the same amount of federal money as other 1898, and in order for it to anti-statehood group cans understand that Puerto Ricans are, in states from which they could use to recover become a state, the citizens of the territory has started major boycotts and other forms fact, considered to be citizens of the United and rebuild from this hurricane. Statehood must vote and then be accepted by the U.S. of protesting. States as well. would mean more people paying taxes be- Congress. If they were to do so, both Puerto This is causing Puerto Rico to become Some people in the United States don’t cause as of right now, the United States can’t Rico and the United States would face its divided, and who knows what would happen even realize that Puerto Rico is a U.S. terri- make a territory pay federal tolls. pros and cons. if they were to become a state. Protesting is tory. Making this territory a state would also 51st state or not, I could care less. Each Congress has already stated that it would great and all, but if it’s not what the people of make the United States more diverse. Rising side has its pros and cons, but if the majority welcome Puerto Rico to become the 51st Puerto Rico want, then why keep pushing? diversity could create opportunities such of Puerto Rico citizens don’t want to join state and Puerto Rico’s lawmakers and gov- And depending on your political views, as economic-growth potential and greater then there’s no point of pushing it. Maybe ernor Ricardo Rossello push for statehood this could be either a pro or a con pertaining innovation and business competitiveness. someday they’ll change their minds because it could help them in the long run, but I don’t think that will be any time soon. It’s time seniors move to the next chapter in life By Shelby Fenner

As the end of the school year slowly ap- proaches and we wish for it to come faster, I stop and think maybe we should be enjoying these last few months rather than wishing them away. Although senior year brings excitement for our future, we tend to lose focus on living in the moment. I personally am ready to move on but have found it rather difficult to let things go. Running that last 3.2 miles with Yutan across my chest, playing that last home game in our gym and even being at that last dance at homecoming have been difficult. But it’s something that was going to hap- pen eventually, and there’s nothing anyone can do about it. I’ve had many memories throughout the years here, and it can be 2017-18 hard to accept the fact that some things I will never do again. Chieftain I’ve attended Yutan for seven years of my life, and in those seven years, I’ve learned a lot about myself and other people. Times Staff I’ve learned that sometimes things don’t always go your way, and some things you Julia Kennedy have to work harder at to achieve, such as Shelby Fenner earning that A on a hard test or earning more playing time in a sport. Machala Woodcock I’ve learned some people aren’t always Natalie Lothringer who you think they are, and it’s okay to try new things. Noelle Josoff I’ve established a routine. I will admit Haley Herman that forming a new routine after leaving will be hard, but I look forward to the challenge Ilona Bodnaruk of being out on my own. I’m also looking forward to all of the Taylor Arensberg new things I will be able to experience, Brenden Leahy such as studying abroad and participating in intramural sports. Emily Fisher Despite the fact that some of the “lasts” Teagan Jacobs will be rather hard, I’m mostly excited for my future and to start finding things out Rachel Pohl for myself. For so long, I’ve had the help of my Emma Lloyd parents and teachers to guide me through The Chieftain Times Staff wel- education and life’s challenges; it’s time comes letters to the editor and com- for me to use everything I’ve been taught ments on our coverage of the school throughout the years here and apply them and concerns you might have. Please out in the “real world.” submit them to the journalism Although it might be a scary transition room. All items must be signed and at first, I believe that because of everything appropriate. - Adviser Rod Henkel I’ve learned throughout the years, I will be okay. DACA situation raises concern for kids By Ilona Bodnaruk be unaffordable for a lot of people. DACA is an executive order concerning months, these people who were under the There are nearly 13 million people immigration policy that gave amnesty and governmental umbrella will lose their status Writing about such a theme as DACA who are currently in America with no legal opportunity to receive a renewable two-year and will be deported. can seem like a wrong decision for the documentation. period of deferred action from deportation And here the huge factor is the matter school newspaper, because it’s difficult So why do people do it? They risk their and the ability to stay legally. The program of your own perspectives. to put ourselves, people whose biggest lives, they choose not to live a full life and it has some difficulties in terms of proving The biggest argument on the one side is problems are often finding prom outfits, in is just for coming here and usually working your position, addition expenses and a big no matter what, these people broke the law, the shoes of somebody who is dealing with in horrible conditions, omitting their talents age limitation(Only people that were under the undeniable and intact fondament of the the terms of illegal immigration from the or desires. But what is even more impressive age 31 on June 15, 2012 (Born on June 16, American society. Therefore, when govern- youngest age. - they often bring their kids with them. And 1981 or after)). ment officially admitting the crime amist While DACA is one of the most talked if they were lucky enough and didn’t have There are a couple of other obstacles like the criminals, it’s a complete disrespect to about current issues, let’s dot the I’s and children before and then want to have them coming into the United States before your the dignity and the roots of the justice. And cross the T’s, and discuss what it is from in America, kids receive the US citizenship 16th birthday, having reliable witnesses, it’s surely reasonable to state it and agree several different angles. according to the 14th Amendment. having no legal status until June 15, 2012, with putting the law first. There must be no First of all, DACA stands for Deferred However, it’s just a matter of luck for being convicted of no felonies or having an excuses in terms of the law and government Action for Childhood Arrivals, and it was those kids whether they were born on this intention to continue schooling or going to must not support and encourage this crime. created to help people who were brought to side of the border or not. serve in the army. On the other side, what does this law the United States illegally as minors. So now let’s talk about those children However, the biggest question in terms do if it doesn’t work for protection of the Being a country of dreams for millions, whose childhood was interrupted by social, of “dreamers” now is the amount of money people. The opposite argument stands for America was always an image of some kind political or financial problems of their fami- it costs to pay for these people. Even though the sense of humanity and the morals, be- of an escape, a second chance for those who lies. Imagine the situation is the beginning the U.S. economy has been doing pretty cause according to them, it’s not proper to were lost. Not surprisingly, the United States of the 2000s where parents who lost their well recently, the current government is kick out people who were brought illegally is now a shelter for people of all nationali- jobs due to economical crisis in the home aimed to make some changes in the illegal at the young age. People believe that there ties, religions and opinions. Whether you country now cannot afford rent nor essen- immigration issue. is no common sense or logic in sending like it or not, historically America is the tials, and they cannot even provide food to While doing a deep research of the finan- people who were living here all their lives country of immigrants. However, now the feed their two year old daughter. Taking into cial side of Deferred Action for Childhood to the countries they oftentimes do not even country is facing an enormous problem consideration all the possible dangers, the Arrivals (full name of the DACA program), remember. Obviously, being at the age of concerning immigration. family decided to immigrate to the United the final result turned out to be not that three, parents, who made a decision to come Nowadays the estimated amount of States illegally. They succeeded and now expected. In fact, American government to America illegally didn’t really ask their documented immigrants coming each year the parents are working hard for a minimum doesn’t spend money on it, meanwhile to kid’s opinion. is one million people, which puts us at wage and preparing their child for school. become DACA eligible a person must fill in And the discussion can go on and on approximately 37 million people who are In a few years, they already forgot about the form where the application fee is $380 with a lot of supporting reasons on both considered as legal. all the hell they have been through. Now the and biometric fee is $85. Also dreamers sides. However now we can clearly see It’s not as easy as you think for some daughter is a young woman, who is attend- must inviolately pay all the taxes and any strong intentions of the government to stop people to come here legally. Just for fill- ing community college and is searching for wrongdoing can cause the cancellation. the program (that is by no means perfect), ing out the documents and paying for the a job. However her family was found by the Moreover to even apply a person must admit but the question becomes whether it is just application it’s $1000 for one person to police and they are ready to be deported. his or her illegal living, which is a law, and blind cancelling of the previous administra- apply for a Green Card, the United States Meanwhile the girl doesn’t even remember if the person is somehow not eligible, the tion’s decisions or the real plan to resolve lawful permanent residency, informally the place that is called her home country. person that came and surrendered before the huge contemporary issue of uncontrolled known as green card. It is the immigra- And there are thousands of people with can now easily be deported. immigration. And there is most definitely no tion status of a person authorized to live this same situation. Due to a big wave of Currently there are more than 800,000 right or wrong opinion here - it’s all once and work in the United States of America immigration at the beginning of the century, DACA recipients, and 91% of them have again the matter of perspectives, neverthe- permanently(Wikipedia). And sometimes it many kids of a very young age were brought an actual job. And if (or it’s probably better less it doesn’t make it less interesting to fol- can be like the lottery and you can just lose here, obviously, without their permission or to say “when”) this program stops in a few low all the further choices the government all the money. Besides, even this finance can agreement. will make in the very close future.

Chuck Taylor shoes stand the test of time By Haley Herman Well, Chuck Taylor was an actual man spun the design into the well known shoes ed producing basketball shoes, and rock n’ that played basketball in the 1920’s, but he is of today. Because of his work, his name was roll adopted the shoe as a trademark. The Chuck Taylor is one of the most rec- also the man responsible for the well known added to the logo on the shoes. The style has company experienced a fallout during the ognized names of society. Unless you’re a Converse All-Stars. Contrary to popular barely changed since and more colors are 1980’s and ‘90’s. In 2001, Nike bought the diehard basketball fan, you probably hear belief he did not start the brand; he was the constantly being added to the line. company and brought Chucks back into the name and think of the shoes on your man that changed the brand into what we “I love everything about Converse,” style. feet. Most people think of Chuck Taylor know today. sophomore Hayley Tarumoto said. “There “There is a circle of fashion in today’s as a brand name and not an actual person. In 1917, the Converse All-Stars com- are so many different styles and colors and society,” senior Hannah Burright said. “I had no idea he was a real person,” pany produced their first basketball shoe. materials. You can buy low rise, high tops “Anything that used to be in style will senior Jaymie Schroeder said. “I just thought Taylor joined the Converse team in 1921 and even wedged and heeled Converse.” eventually come back around and be cool it was the brand of shoes.” and turned the whole design around. He Chuck Taylors have fallen in and out again, and that’s alright with me.” of fashion Today, American society has adopted throughout the style and added yet another spin. Con- their exis- verse are the universal shoe. Though the tence. Start- shoes were originally designed for men’s ing as a bas- basketball, more and more girls have chosen ketball shoe the look. for the most From sweatpants to a dress, Chuck Tay- well known lors can be worn with virtually any outfit and teams in this makes them very appealing to girls. America, the “I like that they are universal,” Schroeder shoes have said. “I bet most of the girls here own a pair evolved with or two.” the changes All generations have been able to wear of the cul- Chuck Taylors. This makes the shoes even ture. When more special in families. The pair of shoes Chucks worn by someone today would’ve been the were first same pair their parents bought in 1980. produced, There’s no doubt that Chuck Taylors teenage boys will be around for quite a long time. Kids in wouldn’t future generations will be able to enjoy the leave the style just like kids in the 1920’s. house with- “They (Converse) will never go out of out a pair on. style,” Tarumoto said. “You can wear them Soon with literally anything and they will always other com- look cool. There will never be an outfit I panies start- can’t wear my Converse with.” Book Review: Tough to quit reading John Green book Writer has way of making stories personal ers into the mind of a 16-year-old, Aza Holmes, who The fact he writes about has more than a touch of anxiety that usually stems from her immense knowledge about and fear over the personal experiences and human microbiome. struggles, such as mental While Holmes tries to manage her inner thoughts, she is taken on an investigative journey by her best disorders and hardships friend Daisy Ramirez with hopes to track down a fugitive billionaire who just happens to be the father separates his books of Holmes’ long-lost, more-than-friend Davis Pickett. By Machala Woodcock The thing that really grasped my attention about Turtles All the Way Down is the fact that Green doesn’t More times than not, books don’t live up to my give readers a typical teen love story. His story has expectations. I buy a book that I can’t wait to read, but mystery and loss, friendship and medical insight and once I start it, I’m disappointed and mad at the author. most importantly his unique touch as a writer. They never seem to live up to their potential. Green has a way of producing stories that feel This wasn’t the case with Turtles All the Way Down more personal and lifelike than some authors. As I’ve by John Green. When I bought this book weeks ago, I witnessed in his previous books and what holds true had no clue what it was about. I had no preconceived in this one, Green almost never includes what is typi- opinions or hopes, but I knew Green as a writer. cally called a “happy ending.” It makes his work more So when I finally forced myself to dedicate some realistic. That along with the fact that he writes about time to reading, I wasn’t surprised that I couldn’t put personal experiences and struggles, such as mental it down until I was finished—286 pages of interesting, disorders and hardships, is what places his books at a eye-opening literature was finished within a couple higher level in my mind. of hours. Turtles All the Way Down now holds a top-10 spot Unlike the title suggests, Turtles All the Way Down in my ever-growing list of favorite books, even though has nothing to do with actual turtles; it’s a philosophy I was slightly disappointed to find out it wasn’t actu- mentioned late in the story. Green’s work takes read- ally about turtles. App Review: Free game Pitch Perfect 3 maintains of Run Sausage Run! suspense until movie’s end By Noelle Josoff Their audiences loved them, and they features simple, yet didn’t sing their normal “only sung by girl “Perfect” is the best way to describe songs.” This tour lasted for three days, this movie. Pitch Perfect 3 was such a good singing every night, and by the end of it, addicting competition movie to start off the New Year. they blew Evermoist out of the water. By Brenden Leahy with coins you earn from playing the game All three of these movies were about The day they went to find out who DJ or unlock them by completing various love and family, and Pitch Perfect 3 ended Khaled was going to sign, Fat Amy’s dad, If you are looking for a mobile game achievements. that on a superb note. Throughout the en- Fergus Hobart, had someone kidnap all the just to pass the time or have a little fun, There are various achievements for tire series, everyone was wondering where girls and bring them to his yacht. Fat Amy then Run Sausage Run! might just be the certain costumes such as logging into the the Bellas would end up. and Becca were not with them because game for you. game three days in a row or collecting five The movie was exciting the whole time they were off doing their own things when Run Sausage Run! is a free-to-play game coins in one run. and always keeping the audience wonder- the rest of them had been kidnapped. developed by Crazy Labs by TabTale on the If earning coins by playing the game ing what was going to happen next. But, Fergus proceeded to call Fat Amy and iOS App Store and Google Play Store. is too slow for you, then you can buy 300 there were some dead spots where I felt tell her that she had 30 minutes to be at At first glance, the game feels smooth, coins for $1.99, 1,000 coins for $4.99 or they were just trying to kill time. The good the boat otherwise she would never see graphics look nice and the gameplay is just watch an ad for 25 free coins. You can moments, though, outweighed the boring the girls again. decent. You start out as a sausage running watch ads to continue from where you died moments. So, Fat Amy and Becca put together a plan across kitchen counters and dodging ob- without having to restart the game as well. In the beginning, the Bellas, a colle- on how they were going to rescue the girls. stacles such as kitchen knives, flaming oven And every couple of hours you earn a chest giate acapella group, are on a luxury yacht, When they arrived at the boat, and Becca stoves and mallets. of coins for free. performing another choreographed cover sneaks into where the rest of the girls are The gameplay is The game also version for the three unknown men who sitting to help distract Fergus from hearing simple but still can Run Sausage Run! is has options to remove are on the yacht. all the ruckus Fat Amy is making. be addicting. For con- a simple and fun game all ads in the app for Suddenly, Fat Amy comes crashing In the meantime, Fat Amy is down- trols, you just tap and $0.99 and to double through the skylight and hoses the men stairs beating all of the workers in order hold on the screen to that can be slightly the amount of coins with a fire extinguisher. Then, they proceed to save the girls and jump off to safety. run faster and duck you earn in the game to all jump overboard before the yacht There were three minutes left. Fat Amy down, or you can let addictive at times. for $4.99. The in-app explodes. jumps down through the glass ceiling and go of the screen to The score is counted by purchases aren’t nec- The rest of the movie is just back- starts spraying a fire extinguisher in order slow your character essary though, and tracking on what happened before the to distract Fergus so they can all jump off. down to just a jog. the distance you run. you’ll have just as first scene. When they arrive on land, Becca tells You can use these much fun without buy- Pitch Perfect 3 is all about showing the rest of the girls that only she had been to your advantage to run and duck through ing anything. how the Bellas aren’t coping with the out- chosen to sign with Dj Khaled. obstacles or wait for them to pass by. There Besides buying costumes with your side world beyond their university lives. She didn’t know if she was go- are also power-ups you can add such as coins, you can also use them to buy differ- Of course, they plan a spontaneous ing to take the offer because she snowflakes that will freeze the obstacles so ent sausages than the one you start out as. trip to start a tour at a U.S. military base didn’t want the other girls to be mad. you can just walk by. In addition to the original, there are two in Europe, where DJ Khaled will sign the They end up telling her to take the offer The score is counted by the distance more different sausages in the game, the winning act to be a part of his team. because they are now entering adulthood, you run. If you happen to get cut, burned Weisswurst and the Blutwurst. But things don’t quite go as expected and they need to start looking at real jobs. or smashed by one of the kitchen tools or The two characters have the same for the Bellas. All of the girls go their separate ways, appliances, you’ll have to restart from the costumes and gameplay mechanics as the When they show up to the base, they leaving their acapella days behind remem- beginning. originals, but add variety in the look of are completely thrown off by the other bering that the friends they made are their The game has leaderboards, which rank your character. The Weisswurst is shorter musicians: a country band, a hip-hop duo family, and they are never going to forget your high score in a list with other players’ and more wide than the original, and the and Evermoist, a female trio. So, the Bellas about each other. scores and achievements that you can earn Blutwurst is slightly taller. did what they do best, and started a riff-off. Pitch Perfect 3 makes you feel ener- from doing certain tasks. Overall, Run Sausage Run! is a simple But when things didn’t go gized after watching the movie. Besides the gameplay, you can custom- and fun game that can be slightly addictive how they planned, they walked out Throughout the entire show, I was ex- ize your character with several different at times. of the venue because everyone else cited to see what was going to happen. The costumes. It is a new and fresh mobile game that had instrument and they didn’t. series Pitch Perfect was one to remember, A zombie, bacon strip, ninja, robot and gives you a good way to pass time while That night they came back to start the tour, but I am happy they are ending it on a even a unicorn are just a few of the cos- having fun. I recommend it to anyone look- and it actually went fairly well. good note. tumes you can use. You can buy costumes ing for fun new games to add to their phone.

Class ranked number one throughout state Seniors’ potiental shows in ACT Continued from Page 1 “We were ranked first, five percent centage meeting state standards and Yutan’s 244 schools Hendricks examined. The actual “I think the scores are so high because higher than Elkhorn, who was second,” average ACT score. average scores - 23 for math, 23 for ELA this class is very motivated and has worked McNamara said. Ninety-two percent of Yutan’s current and 22.4 for science - ranked 1st, 1st and hard preparing for this,” McNamara said. Hendricks did research across the state seniors met state standards in English- 8th, respectively. There are six scored sections on the and found out that Yutan was also ranked langage arts, 87 percent in math, and 82 “Overall, I think if we keep emphasizing ACT. These sections are math, science, first in certain areas. percent in science. the ACT and doing what we are doing, we stem(science, technology, engineering and Hendricks looked at about 244 Nebraska Those percentages ranked second, can continue the trend of high ACT scores,” math), English, reading, and writing. school districts. He compared Yutan’s per- fourth and 10th, respectively, among the McNamara said. Yutan’s highest composite average was in English. This score was 24.23, and 92 percent of the students met or exceeded the state average. “I’m very proud of this class,” Yutan English teacher Ginger Eikmeier said. “I think we are doing a very good job at pre- paring our students for the ACT and not just that but also for the real world.” Yutan’s ACT average is ranked first in the East Central Nebraska Conference. “In the conference we are not just ranked first, but we are ranked first, 10 percent higher than the next ranked school, which is Mead,” McNamara said. Although it is great to be first in the conference, McNamara and superintendent Stan Hendricks wanted to learn more. “We were very curious and wanted to learn more about how we ranked not only in the conference, but in the area and state,” McNamara said. When McNamara did research for the area, he looked at the Elkhorn, Ashland, Gretna, DC West, Wahoo and Platteview schools. Large college appeals to small town kids UNL pulls more and more students By Noelle Josoff University of Nebraska at Lincoln (UNL), a school that is so close to home. Even though most kids look at what the and there are multiple reasons why. “UNL being close to Yutan makes it school has to offer, O’Malley has a different “I don’t think I could see myself going “I think UNL attracts more people that easier to come home and see my parents thought as to why kids are more likely to to a small college, since growing up in a maybe aren’t academically at the top of their when I feel like it,” Hendricks said. “If I start attending UNL. small town,” senior Frankie Hendricks said. class,” counselor Becky O’Malley said. was to go out of state, I wouldn’t be able to “I think that kids started going to UNL Over the past couple of years, more and Some seniors at Yutan have multiple dif- see them very often.” when they started offering College Bound more Yutan students are starting to attend the ferent reasons as to why they want to attend Senior Cole Egr went on a college visit Nebraska,” O’Malley said. “Which if you to UNL over the summer, and he has nothing qualify for a pell grant, you get the rest of but good reviews on the school. your tuition waived, so most students that Shouldn’t colleges consider “I really like the atmosphere,” Egr said. attend get their tuition waived without get- “The setup of the campus is really nice also, ting a scholarship.” entire high school academics and all of the people there are so friendly.” But going to a school so close to home According to U.S. News, the University can also keep you in contact with kids you y aylor rensberg I don’t think it is fair for students to B T A of Nebraska at Lincoln offers more than 155 put in so much hard work and effort toward grew up with, causing some disadvantages majors to choose from, and it offers a wide I understand that I am a junior in high their education and future throughout high of going to UNL. variety of graduate departments. They are school and that I have not yet taken this great school, only to have all of it possibly be “I think that there are some schools that also ranked #9 in Undergraduate Biology/ and terrible test that basically determines worth nothing if they score poorly on one are definitely cheaper,” Egr said. “But I have Agriculture engineering in the world. where and how I start the next chapter of single test. heard nothing but great reviews from friends “Picking UNL was kind of a given when my life. A poor ACT score could mean less that attend UNL.” I saw everything that they offered,” Hen- My classmates and I will soon spend scholarship money and limited options when According to Hendricks, college is what dricks said. “They had my top 10 choices of weeks and weeks preparing for this dreaded choosing between colleges. you make of it, so in order to live the college majors, so I didn’t have to change anything day. It sounds merely overdramatic, and If colleges were to put more emphasis life you need to enjoy your time there. to be able to attend.” quite frankly, it is. on GPA, then I think that could help a lot of I don’t understand why colleges look students who have all the right requirements more at ACT scores rather than a student’s when it comes to getting into college, except Hendricks resigns after three years work and achievements during their entire the right ACT score. high school career. One test is not going to And this method will not minimize at- show a college what type of student you tention from those who do earn favorable at Yutan; McNamara looks to retire are; it will simply show how good you are scores, but it will simply open up opportuni- Continued from Page 1 of successes in the last seven years. at test taking. ties to the students who cannot bring about “It’s not me, it’s we,” McNamara said. Some people are good students but bad the scores they want or need. is what makes Yutan different.” “Together we have created seven years of test takers, and some people are bad students The ACT can make or break you. Sure, Every high school has its students, its really good stuff, and I am sure it will con- but good test takers. it’s great if students bring in good scores, teachers and its various other staff members, tinue to be great.” This is why I think colleges should focus but it’s terrible when students can’t. but according to McNamara, Yutan’s stand As graduation gets closer and closer, more on the student’s academic work during Colleges should not focus on one single out among them all. that last walk through the hallways for both the course of their whole high school career test because no one is going to remember “Our student body that has consis- Hendricks and McNamara does as well. The and not base their judgement of a student every single thing they learned throughout tently and aggressively had the mental and bittersweet moment will be here before they solely on a single test. high school. I think your grades during your physical skills to be extremely competi- know it. I think that sometimes students make four years of high school demonstrate your tive,” McNamara said. “To me, that’s a big “It’s been a great seven years,” McNa- silly errors under pressure, and because work ethic and academic capability better difference.” mara said. “I have said many times before there is so much pressure to have a good than the ACT does, which is why I think the As the principal, leading these students ‘thanks for the memories’, but this time, ACT score, it’s easy for good students to system should be changed. and staff members, McNamara chooses not for the last time, it truly is thanks for the crack. to take all of the credit for Yutan’s high level memories.” WhatSome believe are ghosts we exist, afraidtell stories ofof? proof By Emma Lloyd People track and document paranormal phenomenon or EVP,” Lastovica said. door that she had closed just minutes before. activity on a day-to-day basis. With all the EVP is the sounds found on a recording This door now stood wide open with the “Oh Mom, you scared me,” sophomore facts and stories people have, we still refuse that are said to be spirits. light outside of it flickering on and off. She Michaela Dooley said after she randomly to accept that there may be something else “The idea of this both fascinated and then turned herself back around and contin- woke up at 5:34 in the morning. She looked living among us that is not quite “alive”. scared me, so I had to find out more,” Las- ued to work. She felt something cold surge at her door and saw what she thought was “I do not believe in ghosts because I tovica said. over her and the push of something to check her mom. Later that morning, she had a have not had any experiences myself,” Lastovica later founded YPI in 2007 the door. This time it was completely closed. conversation with her brother about what sophomore Emily Kennedy said. with several other members; Darius Pruss, The Dooleys have lived in their house they saw the night before. Coincidentally, Contrary to some people’s beliefs, Brian Jordan Schnoes, Matt Sauer and Nick for more than 20 years. They have multiple he woke up at the exact same time and de- Lastovica, the founder of Yutan Paranormal Anderson. Lastovica said that they have stories and experiences with their inhabited scribed the same figure that walked by his Investigators or YPI, does believe in ghosts. investigated several places in Yutan, but ghosts. door. When she asked her mom, she said she “My interest in ghost hunting was have never had any paranormal experiences “They (ghosts) are obviously real,” had heard her say something to someone, but sparked in 2004, while watching a show on in town. Dooley said. “It depends on what the ghosts she had been in her bed all night. the Travel Channel about electronic voice Although they have never experienced do; we have a nice one and a not so nice anything in Yutan, they have seen some- one.” thing strange in the Museum of Shadows The Dooley family was not the first in Plattsmouth. family to live in the house. It is believed, “This museum houses a lot of objects by some of the town people, that the houses that are supposedly haunted,” Lastovica were built over an old Indian burial site. said. “ I was with another investigator in the “My brother walked out into our new basement of the museum and I witnessed addition and saw a full apparition of a Chief- what I would describe as a ball of light about tain late one night,” Dooley said. the size of a football shoot up a wall, fly At the time of their renovation, her towards us and then disappear.” Lastovica brother and she were staying home alone. continued. “What made this event even They would hear loud booms in the walls more strange was that we were in a room at night. First, they passed them off as nails with the windows boarded shut and no lights popping out of the walls, but then it started on whatsoever.” to get closer and closer until they would be YPI uses several different tools to in- right next to them. vestigate the paranormal. They use things One night at three in the morning, she such as digital cameras, K2 meters, EPV, received a text from her brother asking who and video infrared cameras. she had in the house. She was confused be- “Our group has investigated a few dif- cause nobody was with her, and she had just ferent places in Yutan. We have never really awaken from her sleep. The next morning had any strange experiences in town here,” he told her that he heard two male voices Lastovica said. and one female voice, which he thought Dooley was home alone sitting on a stool was hers, yelling at each other. These voices in the family office when, out of nowhere, would yell then pound on the wall, as though someone jerked her around. She faced the they were angry or frustrated. Phobias constrict how people live their lives By Taylor Arensberg it scurry across my bed,” Zabrocki said. “I activities. matic experience early in their life. did not sleep on my bed that night because “I was mowing the lawn when a snake Some other uncommon fears include There are many different things that I couldn’t find it.” slithered out in front of me and instead of Ombrophobia, the fear of rain, Hylophobia people fear. Some fears may not be as ex- Zabrocki found the spider the next day running it over I screamed like a little girl, the fear of trees, and even Pogonophobia, treme as others, but all fears, to an extent, and trapped it with tupperware. She then and I made my dad finish the lawn,” Juedes the fear of beards. create feelings of anxiety and panic in us all. waited until a friend came over to kill it said. “I’ve just never really liked the fact of Although many people suffer from fears The most common phobia among people for her. how they slither around without legs.” involving animals, the most common type is Arachnophobia- the fear of spiders. Ac- “I was a pretty city girl when I was grow- Many other common fears of the world of phobias are social phobias and anxieties. cording to FearOf.net, 30 percent of suffer- ing up and we didn’t have a lot of bugs or include Acrophobia, the fear of heights, Social anxiety is the fear of interaction ers of Arachnophobia reside in the United spiders,” Zabrocki said. “There’s just too Claustrophobia, the fear of small spaces, with others that brings the possibility of be- States. This phobia also affects women four many legs!” and even Agoraphobia, the fear of open or ing judged. Social anxiety is more common times more than men: 12 percent men and The second most common zoophobia is crowded spaces which may be more com- than you think, affecting millions of people 48 percent women. Ophidiophobia, the fear of snakes. Accord- mon than you think, affecting two out of every day, about 1 in 20 people. Social pho- Yutan High School teacher, Natalie ing to FearOf.net, this fear affects nearly one every 100 Americans. bias are usually associated with depression Zabrocki, had a frightful encounter with a third of the population. Some people even have a fear of dogs, and alcoholism. spider when one crawled into her bag and Sophomore Dyson Juedes has been af- Cynophobia. This fear may seem ridiculous Fears and phobias continuously affect she brought it home with her. fected by this phobia since he was little and to some but understandable when knowing people daily and it’s very unusual to come “When I sat my bag on my bed, I saw is still affected by it when doing everyday most sufferers of this phobia are children across someone who says they have no fear. and their fear is usually started from a trau- Everyone has something they’re afraid of. Students depict their own thoughts about death By Emma Lloyd afraid. different, better place,” Smith said. Some people think about death daily and These people see it as a way of life. Most people are afraid of the process of find it interesting. Death is inevitable. There is no way to “Death is inevitable, so I am not afraid dying itself. “I think about death most days,” sopho- avoid the grim reaper coming and snatching of it,” sophomore Hayley Tarumoto said. “I am scared of getting in an airplane more Jay Royal said. “It intrigues me but you up one day. No matter what religion Whether you are scared of death or not, crash because you might not die right away,” scares me at the same time.” or faith you believe in, death will always you have a general idea in your head about sophomore Nolan Dudik said. When we do think about death we think happen. what happens to us once we die. Death does not always allow us to live about the ways we die. Some people want to Some people are more afraid of death “I don’t believe in God so I don’t think up to our potential and that scares most live as long as possible. “I want to be able than others. there is a heaven, but I do believe there people. to live full and long and die at an old age,” “I don’t know how it happens or what it is a spiritual place we go to.” junior Kira “I don’t want to die not having lived my Smith said. feels like, so it’s scary to me,” junior Lynn Embry said. dreams,” Tarumoto said. Others just want to die a peaceful death. Smith said. Along with this belief, people have We have a fear of not being all that “I want to be in a hospital and peacefully go People believe that this is the last and another view on the topic. people wanted us to be or we wanted our- on my way,” Embry said. final part in a person’s life. Others are not “I do believe in God and that we go to a selves to be. FearFears of failure come haunts teenagersin varieties until adulthood By Emily Fisher or a decent family. And there’s really no way of knowing don’t even know what you need to face and We will be living alone in poverty, if things worked out later on in life because what is planned ahead of you. Fear itself is inescapable. Whether it’s becoming individual disappointments to nothing is ever permanent. It seems that so many people are fearing dogs, the dark or death, we are all afraid of our family. We could think that we finally made it, life. And you can’t blame them; one wrong something. And the most basic way of over- So how do we overcome this? Do we that we’re living a successful life only to move and it could all be done. coming these fears is to face them head on. keep walking blindly and trust those people wake up the next morning to find that your I am a true believer in “everything hap- After all, that’s what society has been who say it’ll be okay? Should we continue family has been murdered, you lost your pens for a reason” but naturally, you have telling us for generations. Toughen up and to live in our self-doubt and feel uncomfort- job and your dog doesn’t love you anymore. to wonder about all the possibilities of what get over it, right? able every day? And maybe that’s a little exaggerated, could potentially go wrong. Well, if you and I are anything alike, you This fear isn’t exactly one of those fears but you get the concept. This fear isn’t Everyone feels this anxiety, whether would understand what I mean when I say you can just face head on once and never something you can just get over because they know in the back of their minds that it’s easier said than done. worry about it again. This is an ongoing life can be unpredictable. Anything could it’ll be okay or not, it is an everyday fear And no, I’m not talking about petting fear that could go on deep into adulthood, happen at any time and that could just throw that everyone deals with, maybe just some a puppy, sleeping with the nightlight off or a fear that most people might live with for off your whole plan. more than others. visiting a graveyard in broad daylight. I’m their entire lives. You can’t face this head on when you talking about those deep and dark fears like loneliness, failure and disappointment. Being a teenager comes with a lot of pressure and we’re all afraid we will break underneath it. It seems that everything we do right now will affect our whole future. I’m sure we are all freaking out about nothing because they tell us, “Don’t worry about it too much! It’ll be fine!” But it’s too late for that. Since as early as seventh grade, we have this seed of fear planted inside us, growing every day and eating away at us. If we don’t study and we don’t score decent on our tests, we won’t get into a decent college, we won’t have a decent job Fear consumes you, Environment, gender without you knowing natural response to the fear of failing. and age play into fear Many people own High school students may possess more By Natalie Lothringer go by, they also generally change based on fears than any other group of people. With- the gender of the fearful individual. Often fears that exist out even knowing it, fears may be what Tick, tick, tick. The roller coaster inches times men are suggested by society that keeps them up at night. nearer and nearer to the peak of its ride. With they should be “fearless” in order to appear within the mind, There will always be fears burning in sweaty palms, trembling hands, a pale face more masculine. This idea that only women the back of their minds and most will never and look of terror, it’s time to go down. In should be allowed to be frightened leads not visible for all believe this. that one intense moment of fright, the fact men to hide their fears and appear brave Many people fear what is inevitable. that sweat is dripping down their faces and even if it isn’t true. By Haley Herman This could be moving away from home or their eyes are squeezed tightly shut doesn’t Even if men and women try to repress losing a loved one. even register with them. There is only one their fearful feelings, they have them regard- Ask anyone, anyone at all, there is no Fear is something no one will ever be thing on their minds: the fear of plummeting less. No matter how many fake smiles they such thing as fearless. People may put on a able to escape. Life is full of mishaps and to their deaths. put on their faces, they still have the same brave face and say they have absolutely no struggles and thus society is constantly Everybody is afraid of something. wrenching feeling in their gut every time fears, but they are lying. creating new fear. Whether it’s roller coasters, clowns or even they’re scared. No one is truly fearless. Fear is a natural thing that all humans After a driver gets pulled over for the something that most people might find sweet Some fears are more relevant in certain possess, maybe without even knowing it. first time, they will forever be scared of it such as puppies, everyone has their own areas than they are in others. For instance, Fears don’t have to be of something happening again and hit the brakes every little cause of anxiety that will forever sit there’s no reason to be scared of gorillas if tangible, like spiders or sharks. Fear can be time there’s a cop in the area. in the back of their minds. you live in Yutan, NE. The chances of even something that lives in your mind. Humiliation is a motivator of fear. Mess- Although everyone fears, their fears can being remotely close to one are incredibly Fear doesn’t have to be the idea of a ing up a speech in front of the entire student be drastically different. Varying between small unless you’re climbing into the glass clown murdering a teacher outside the body can be enough to send someone into ages, genders and environments, fear can cases at the Henry Doorly Zoo or traveling school or a zombie apocalypse occuring. hiding for the next month. range immensely. to Africa on a regular basis. Fears can be much more simple. Being embarrassed drives the mind to Fears typically change as people grow Environment is a key factor to the rea- For most high school students, fear is avoid similar situations and this creates a older. Being five years old and scared of the soning behind many people’s fears. The ar- an everyday occurrence whether they want fear. dark doesn’t seem to be uncommon for most eas they were raised in and currently reside to acknowledge it or not. Fear is constantly present in the human people. What may, on the other hand, seem in have, over time, left impressions that can One student may fear failing a test, while mind. It will never be escapable; it will never out of the ordinary is a 25 year old who still leave fearful marks. another fears not making their free throws in leave. Fears grow and change alongside the needs their night light turned on in order to So, the rollercoaster reaches its peak, tonight’s big game. Fears are always cours- person who believes them. fall asleep every night. pauses and rushes down towards the bottom ing through our minds even when we don’t In kindergarten, the biggest fear was Even though these individuals are grow- of its crest. This motion of fear building want them to. seeing a spider or a snake. In high school, ing up, they don’t grow out of being fearful. up and suddenly being gone in a matter of This may not be what everyone believes the biggest fear may be failing a test. The Their fears just switch from being scared of seconds is the same in many fearful circum- to be “fear,” but fears can range for each and rest of the adult life is spent gaining and the dark to being scared of unemployment. stances, not just rollercoasters. every person. conquering new fears. What once was a terrifying fear for them as While this feeling of fear may never Fears can be practically anything: fear of A wise man once said, “there is nothing children has now become a silly worry and change, the fears still will based on ages, the truth, fear of the future, fear of oblivion. to fear but fear itself.” This may be true, but they have been presented with bigger, more genders and environments. Regardless of A fear is anything that someone tries to fearing fear just sounds like one more thing mature issues that are a constant fright. the change, we all still have to go along avoid. Faking the flu to get out of a test is a to be afraid of. While fears tend to change as the years for the ride. Brotherhood bond leads to ECNC basketball title Continued from Page 1 When the Chieftains entered the third quarter leading 26-24, they knew they’d whole game versus the Bulldogs and out have to come out strong. rebounded them 27-19 with senior Colton “We knew we would have to step up on Feist bringing down nine of them. defense, improve our help side and give it In addition to out rebounding, the Chief- our all and we would win,” Heuertz said. tains also caused Auburn 11 turnovers, and Despite the close game, free throws and with the help of Brady, the Chieftains held defense became critical in the Chieftains’ the Bulldog’s leading scorer to just five win. Yutan shot 40 free throws making 65 points. percent of them, while Auburn only shot 14 “It was difficult, and I was gassed,” making 28 percent. Brady said. “That guy and I go way back, “I sucked at free throws,” Mason said, but the willingness to want to make him “but we made enough as a team to win.” embarrassed and just get after him helped With winning the conference tourna- me guard him.” ment, the Chieftains’ finally broke the four Along with contributing on defense, year drought. Brady led the team in assists with a total of “It feels really good knowing that no six and combined with senior Brett Heuertz other class has won it in like four years,” scoring 22 out of the Chieftains’ 52 points. Heuertz said. After the first quarter, the Chieftains Not only did Yutan win their first confer- knew they’d be in for a battle when they ence championship since 2014, Mason also were only leading 16-12. marked a major accomplishment of 1,000 “We knew that we were in for a tight career points by scoring 14 points. game,” Heuertz said, “but we knew that as “I didn’t even realize it until after the long as we played solid defense and con- game,” Mason said. “When the team was verted on the offensive end then we would freaking out and jumping on me, that’s when be able to come out with the win.” it kicked in, and it was really special.” In addition to the close game, there were The Chieftains currently held a 17-game also a couple heated situations between the winning streak after that win and owe it a two teams. lot to the brotherhood of the team. “I ‘bout got in a couple fights because “We have great team chemistry,” Mason of some overly hard fouls,” Mason said, said. “Come in the locker room and you can JUMP BALL TO BEGIN THE GAME - Senior Allan Leahy wins the tip against Fort Calhoun in a recent “but Allan held me back, and I didn’t want see it. All of us get along so well and that game. The Chieftains won their 17th consecutive game in capturing the East Central Nebraska Conference to hurt the team.” really shows in our success.” tournament championship game Feb. 3. Photograph by Haley Herman Timm brothers prove successful for team have actually played on the same team. In tersen, the head coach of the Yutan basket- a high. Proud father looks the past, Brady had been brought up as a ball team. “Sometimes we have to keep them away reserve for Mason’s club team. On the other hand, Brady is not as much from each other or else they may try to kill on a year of many “Playing as a reserve for his team is way of a scorer as Mason. each other,” Petersen said. “This competi- different than high school basketball with “Brady doesn’t always have to score to tiveness is not negative. They have a mutual achievements, firsts him,” Brady said. “I use to never get in and impact the game,” Petersen said. “He makes respect for each other, and they are always was just kind of there. Now we are playing everyone around him better.” pushing each other.” and lasts for two sons together, and it’s really fun.” “The reality is that they make each This will be Mason and Brady’s first and By Teagan Jacobs Like most siblings, they drive each other better and that probably makes me last year of playing together. other nuts at times and do their fair share the most proud,” said Andy Timm, Mason “Watching them simply gives me a lot In high school, many siblings may not of arguing. and Brady’s dad. of pride and enjoyment,” Andy Timm said. see each other much because of practices “In our relationship, there is a lot of Mason and Brady are very competitive. “It’s just a short time in their lives they get and games for extracurricular activities. fighting, but there are good times also,” “We are so competitive that we have to play together and I’m making sure I enjoy This is quite opposite for the Timm broth- Mason said. gotten into fist fights before,” Brady said. every minute of it.” ers. Mason and Brady Timm spend a lot Spending all this time together they have At practice this competitiveness is at more time together because of these extra grown closer and made many memories. curricular activities. “My favorite memory of Mason and I Mason a senior, and Brady a freshman, is going to the gym together when we were both play basketball and run on the cross younger and playing one-on-one,” Brady country team. said. This is the first year Brady and Mason On and off the court the Timms have a different rela- tionship. “On the court we get along great,” Brady said. “We have one goal in mind, win.” Contrary to Brady, Mason said, “On the court we argue a lot more, off the court it takes a lot longer to make him mad.” Mason and Brady each has his strengths. “Mason is a better shooter and is just bigger SENIOR STAREDOWN - Senior Mason Timm stares at an opponent before making and stronger,” FRESHMAN ON THE MOVE - Freshman Brady Timm looks to drive past a Fort Calhoun defender. Timm a move. Timm recently scored his 1,000th career point when the Chieftains won the said Justin Pe- starts along side his brother Mason, a senior, for the boys basketball team, which won its 17th consecutive ECNC tournament title. Photograph by Haley Herman game to capture the ECNC championship. Photograph by Haley Herman Hunting and fishing: Hobbies not just for the boys anymore? Natalie Lothringer hobbies. “I don’t think that girls should be judged Time to rise and shine. It’s crazy early in for hunting or fishing,” sophomore Drake the morning, and yet the thought of getting Hobza said. “If they want to do it, then out of the warm, cozy bed isn’t too awful. they should.” Normally, getting up and rushing out into There seems to only be specific male the cold weather to primarily sit in a tent worries about women hunting. According to and wait for animals that may or may not some of the Yutan male students, hunting is come by might sound awful, but for these a time not just for shooting at animals, but particular Yutan students, it’s thrilling. also for bonding. Living in what may be considered a rural “Sometimes my favorite part of hunting area, several Yutan students enjoy various isn’t even the shooting,” Hobza said. “It’s outdoor activities such as hunting and fish- just the people I get to be around while I ing. What may seem uncommon about this shoot.” is the amount of female students who share Sitting out in the cold tent for several this fondness for these activities. hours forces one to connect with the others “I don’t think that there are as many around them. girls in the bigger schools who like hunting For some males, they enjoy being able and fishing,” freshman Hunter Sieburg said. to spend this time with only other males as EIGHTH GRADE RUNNER AND DRUMMER - Eighth grader Seth Janecek plays the base drum with “Yutan isn’t far from Omaha, but the girls company. Now that women are interested the marching band. Janecek is preparing for high school cross country by running miles on a daily basis. Photograph by Natalie Lothringer here are definitely different.” in these hobbies as well, some men feel as Traditionally women, especially young- if their bonding time has been taken away er women, don’t enjoy these types of from them. “manly” hobbies. Even if they may have “There are some things that girls like to Janecek continues his thought of taking part in one of these activi- do by themselves too,” Hobza said. “Like ties at some point, they very likely may have when they go get their nails done and use been worried about losing their “ladylike” that time to bond. It’s kind of the same thing running after season appearance towards others. for us guys.” “I get why some people might not think This doesn’t mean that they are opposed By Natalie Lothringer priorities and running is one of them. that hunting is ladylike,” Sieburg said. “But I to the idea that women could ever enjoy “I make sure to find time for it,” Janecek don’t think that should stop them from doing activites such as hunting and fishing. It just Crossing the finish line while hearing said. “I always find a way to fit it in my what they want.” means that some prefer to do the activity loud cheers, claps and words of motivation schedule.” While these were definitely considered with others instead. from parents and coaches, several runners During the cross country and track sea- to be men’s hobbies in previous years, the While there are some hesitations about give their best efforts as they race their way sons, attending practices becomes one of gender roles have recently shifted. More women enjoying hunting and fishing, both to what would be the end of their last run of Janecek’s main priorities. He even strived to girls have become interested in hunting and genders can agree that it is a positive step their cross country season. While the run- attend practices with the high school cross fishing, and it’s becoming a social norm towards gender equality. Gender equality, ning ends at the finish line for most of these country team once the junior high season rather than an appalling look that would especially in America, has advanced im- athletes, it continues on for Yutan eighth had long been over. delare them all as being “unladylike”. mensely in the past several years, and it all grader Seth Janecek. “I would rather run with a team because “More and more girls seem to like to starts with the little things such as females The running man, Seth Janecek, has when you’re on a team you have someone hunt and fish nowadays,” Sieburg said. hunting and fishing. been practicing his talent for some time now. you have to try to beat,” Janecek said. “That “I don’t think it’s just all based on them “I’m so happy I get to live in a time He has been a part of the Yutan junior high makes me try harder because I have to try wanting to be equal to guys, but them just where things like hunting and fishing are cross country team for two years and will to be faster than they are.” wanting to have fun.” okay for women to do,” Sieburg said. “I next year begin the start of his high school Starting out on the cross country team at In fact, it seems to have the opposite ef- know it wasn’t always like this, and it just cross country experience. a young age, Janecek has had the ability to fect. Many male hunting and fishing fanatics makes me appreciate that I’m able to do “I’m excited to start running in the big- grow as a runner through watching others don’t seem to be so upset that women have some of my favorite hobbies even more.” ger races next year,” Janecek said. “The ju- on his team. chosen to take part in some of their favorite nior high races are a lot shorter than the high “The seniors and others on the cross school’s, and I’m ready for the challenge.” country team have really helped me a lot,” During the time he has before he begins Janecek said. “My coaches have also helped his first high school cross country season, me a lot by pushing me to work hard in Janecek is doing his best to put in effort to practices and other workouts.” become a better runner. Although his team has been there for “I like to run during the off-seasons so him, he has also found that there are advan- I have a good start when I have to compete tages to running alone. again,” Janecek said. “I usually try to run “Running alone is also nice because you around five miles at a time when I go out have nothing to distract you,” Janecek said. for runs.” “Sometimes it’s easy to be distraced during Rain or shine Janecek is out on the a practice or a meet when you have other streets running. Weather conditions aren’t teammates around.” a deciding factor of whether or not Janecek While he is out there running alone, he chooses to go out for his daily run. still has others to help guide him. “I like running in the cold because you “My parents are there to support me and get really hot when you run,” Janecek said. that helps,” Janecek said. “It’s nice because being cold makes it feel In junior high, the students have the abil- like the run is easier.” ity to try multiple sports at once. Although Even though Janecek chooses to run in Janecek has been given this opportunity, he the cold, he knows he needs to be prepared hasn’t chosen to give anything but running for the cold weather that he’ll face during a chance. his runs. In order to make sure he can keep “I might just stick with running for my running, he gives his best effort to stay away high school sports,” Janecek said. “I like it from illnesses. too much to try anything else out.” “I want to stay healthy during the off Not only has he been dedicated to stick- season,” Janecek said. “I like to maintain ing with running, but he also has made sure where I’m at.” that he stays dedicated to staying productive. Where most people might not want to “There’s never really a time where I can wake up early or cut out other activities in tell myself where I’m too tired or busy to CATCH OF THE DAY - Freshman Hunter Sieburg shows off a recent catch inside an ice fishing tent. their day to find the time to run five miles run,” Janecek said. “I know if I start doing Sieburg is one of several Yutan girls who enjoy outdoor sports that were once considered male-only activi- on a regular basis, Janecek finds it to be this then I might start not doing it at all, and ties. Courtesy photograph easy. He tries his best to even out his daily I don’t want that to happen.”

Sophomore expands outside of school Unusual sport takes state title By Teagan Jacobs naments on Saturdays. At practices they Fremont Girls Bowling Club was unable to Grand Island and won the state title. usually start out by doing one-steps, where compete at state since 2009, when they won “I was really excited and proud,” Lewis When you think of winning a state cham- you go straight to the line then take a step the state title. This year was different. The said. pionship, you probably think of the sports back and do your final step to make sure team was full, and they made it to the state Besides bowling, Lewis also competes football, basketball and volleyball, but for you follow through all the way. Then Lewis championship. In the championship, they in other extracurricular activities. She sings sophomore Marylynn Lewis her mind goes just starts practicing actual bowling. They bowled against Grand Island. in the choir, plays the clarinet in the band to bowling. also practice their follow through by hitting “It was really nerve-racking,” Lewis and participates in the musical. Lewis has been bowling since seventh their mark. said. “There were cameras and screens set Outside of school Lewis also enjoys grade and decided to pursue bowling be- “My mark is the second one in from the up to record the match.” painting, running, swimming and ice skat- cause of her sister and her brother who used right side,” Lewis said. “You’ve got to hit Fremont Girls Bowling Club defeated ing. to bowl. Her sister bowled for North Bend, that arrow and make sure you are flicking and her brother bowled for Mount Michael. your wrist.” “I always knew I wanted to bowl after During practice and competitions, Lewis watching my brother and sister do it,” bowls with a 12-pound ball. Bowling balls Lewis said. range from 5-16 pounds. Lewis started bowling at a club in North “Twelve is the lightest you want if you Bend. She is currently bowling for the Fre- are going to play for an actual federation mont Girls Bowling Club. Lewis became team,” Lewis said. connected with Fremont Girls Bowling Other factors like size also affect bowl- Club through her coach from North Bend. ing. He was good buddies with the Fremont “If you’re a bigger or more muscular coach and asked the coach if she could try person, you can get more speed and power out for the team. when throwing the bowling ball, which will “Marylynn bowled very well at tryouts,” create more pin reaction, so you don’t have Fremont Girls Bowling coach Trevor Muel- to be as accurate when throwing the ball,” ler said. “I knew she would be a great addi- Mueller said. tion to our team.” “In Marylynn’s case she is a smaller Lewis’ average score is around 150 or person and doesn’t have the ball speed so 160. she has to be accurate when aiming at the “As long as you bowl higher than 100 board she is aiming at and be able to adjust we are usually pretty happy,” Lewis said. where she stands and where she throws the She ended up making the team and for ball when the oil pattern changes.” the last year has been competing with the This season has been special for Lewis club. and the Fremont Girls Bowling Club. In BOWLING STATE CHAMPION - Sophomore Marylynn Lewis prepares to bowl in the state champion- Fremont Girls Bowling Club practices the past years, the team has not had enough ship match as a camera is pointed in her direction. Lewis bowled for the Fremont Girls Bowling Club , every Tuesday for one hour and has tour- girls for a full varsity team. Because of this, which defeated Grand Island for the state title. Courtesy photograph Musical promises not to leave crowd drowsy Unique young actors Freshman Kaden Hufstedler has one of the major roles in the musical, Robert Mar- tin, along with some of the other younger under senior leaders kids who were given large roles. Freshman Ted Tiefel is taking on the role prove to be the perfect of the villain, Mr. Feldzieg. “I actually tried out for a different part combination for success and Mr. Gunter gave me this role because he felt I would do it better,” Tiefel said. “But I By Taylor Arensberg do enjoy playing the role of Mr. Feldzieg.” And although Tiefel is a younger student Singing, acting, a wedding and sabotage participating this year, he said he isn’t overly are all aspects of this year’s musical at Yu- nervous when performing. tan: The Drowsy Chaperone. “I get nervous because I don’t want to Vocal music teacher Matthew Gunter has mess anything up, but I’m excited because been in charge of the school musical for four I want to perform and make people laugh,” years. He picked this specific musical partly Tiefel said. because of the many roles Senior Emily Pogue it offered to the many kids “It’s the kids’ says it’s not a shock to who were interested. have new faces in musical “Another reason why musical. I’m there because each year the cast we chose it is because is “super original.” the kids I knew we had to guide them.” Pogue, who has been fit these characters really participating in musical well,” Gunter said. Musical director for six years and is play- Veterans assist new- ing the female lead of Ja- comers during practice. Matt Gunter net, is excited to sing her “Sometimes I don’t song “Show Off” because even have to get on stage and coach because it’s a song that shows a different side of her. the seniors are up there telling the younger “Everything is all about me during ones how to improve,” Gunter said. “Lauryl the song, so it’s just super fun to act like Hebenstreit has done a fantastic job taking someone else,” Pogue said. “I just get to charge and guiding these younger students.” be really fun and outgoing throughout the Hebenstreit is the narrator in the musi- whole thing.” cal. Another senior, Hayden Lassek, is play- And although this is drama club, Pogue ing the role of Aldolpho, and he has been said there is no drama amongst the cast and participating in musical since 8th grade. crew during the production. “I really enjoy the singing aspect of “It’s the kids’ musical. They’re putting musical because it’s not your normal choir it on,” Gunter said. “I’m there to guide stuff,” Lassek said. “It’s also really exciting them, help them out, and make sure it’s a MUSICAL IMPROMPTU ACTION - Musical cast members Kaden Hufstedler (freshman), Kailen Wing- to see the amount of younger kids taking on structured musical. Otherwise they like to ender (eighth grader) and Jaymie Schroeder (senior) ham it up during a recent practice. The cast will big roles.” present The Drowsy Chaperone next month. Photograph by Haley Herman take charge, which is great.”

Flu doesn’t seem serious until you become sick By Rachel Pohl crossed my mind until my dad came in and told me I had to go to the doctor because When I used to think of influenza, I he thought I had the flu. I remember telling thought of it as another illness that people him that I thought it was stupid because the get; nothing that was too serious. flu wasn’t a big deal. He then told me that This year as the strain has proven to be people were dying, and I was shocked. more deadly than other years, I am starting This year more people than ever have to realize how wrong I was all those years been dying, and it’s not just the elderly and and how weak it can actually make some- little kids, young, healthy adults too. People one. I am not the type who is sick a lot. I die from the flu because it weakens your sometimes have the average cold that could immune system which makes you likely to make me miss a day or two of school, but get other bacterial viruses, like pneumonia. rarely do I miss more than that. The doctor confirmed I had it and put One day I woke up not feeling the best. me on Tamiflu. Some people have experi- That day just happened to be a late start due enced delusions after taking it, but I ended to weather, so I went back to sleep, and when up being fine. I woke up, I felt a little better. I still could barely sleep through the As the day progressed, I could not stop night and my throat was even more sore than coughing, and I was feeling weak and achy. it had been. I ended up losing five pounds After asking my parents if I should go home, from it and missing three days of actual I decided to stay for the rest of the day and school. In the end, I missed seven days of tough it out because I figured I just didn’t school due to there being a weekend and get enough sleep. We also had a game and, two snow days the next week. of course, I didn’t want to miss that. Going back to school felt so good, but I remember warming up and feeling su- it was so weird. I felt super weak and was per weak. Once the game started, I couldn’t drowned in all the homework I missed. It stop coughing and I was really struggling. also seemed like everyone was sick. When I got home, I was exhausted and In all my classes, people were coughing went straight to bed, not even looking at non stop and someone went home sick pretty my homework. much every day. This year people have been Sometime in the middle of the night calling it an epidemic. I woke up and felt super sick. I took my Then came the part I knew was going to temperature and it was 102. I went back to be toughest on my body: basketball practice. bed and the next morning I had become even It felt so weird to be running and touch- worse. I couldn’t eat, could barely walk by ing a ball again after being out for seven myself and could not stop coughing. days. I definitely struggled but I made it The thought of me having the flu never through. Wayne State College student assisting Eikmeier to be teachers often find themselves back in “I was asked to take on a student teacher interested in and it can be 125 miles from Bottrell graduated the high school classroom again as students at the beginning of the year,” Eikmeier said. Wayne,” Bottrell said. “My dad is friends as they have to learn how to teach. “I was a little hesitant at first because I knew with Mr. McNamara, and he asked him if from Palmyra, will Jordyn Bottrell, a new student teacher that a lot of extra work would be involved.” he had any English teachers that would be at Yutan, found her inspiration for becom- Bottrell attended high school at Pal- willing to take on a student teacher.” assist with activities ing a teacher from her father, David, who myra and was involved in speech, one act, Bottrell thinks some of her biggest is a principal at Palmyra. She is currently basketball, cross country, track, FFA and struggles are going to be waking up in the speech and track student teaching for English teacher Ginger NHS. In college she was involved in Beta morning and managing the classroom, but By Rachel Pohl Eikmeier. Phi Alpha sorority. she is not that worried about it. Although Bottrell just started student After high school, she attended Wayne “One little thing is I’m not used to this Being in high school for four years is teaching this semester, Eikmeier was first State College and majored in 7-12 Language schedule; I never had an 8 a.m. in college,” enough for most people. People who want asked at the beginning of the year. Arts education. Bottrell said. “I’m a little nervous about She ended up student teaching at Yu- classroom management, but I think Wayne tan after giving Wayne the names of four prepared me pretty well.” schools where she would like to student Eikmeier said students must adjust once McNamara confirms that teach and having her dad talk to the Yutan they enter the classroom as teachers. High School principal Tim McNamara. “Student teaching and teaching on your MAPS testing is beneficial “You tell Wayne four schools that you’re Continued on Page 12 By Rachel Pohl them and their score increases, it is safe to say that they should be more prepared for Every school has different ways of keep- the NeSA test and the ACT.” ing track of students’ progress throughout McNamara says that one negative is that the year. At Yutan, one of the many ways it will take a day of instruction time away teachers keep track of a student’s progress from the teacher, but overall he thinks that is through MAPS testing. it is worth it. MAPS tests are used to see if a student English teacher Ginger Eikmeier also progresses throughout the year. According agrees that the negative is class time the to Tim McNamara, Yutan principal, students testing takes away. take one test in the fall and one at the begin- “In English it is hard because there are ning of second semester to see how much two different tests so that’s two different progress they are making. class periods in the fall and two in second “You will take a test in the fall and semester so that’s four class periods you maybe you get a six out of 10 and hopefully lose,” Eikmeier said. “I think we could do if we are doing our job when you take the more with the data than we currently do.” test again it should show that you’re a little Even though the MAPS tests are most smarter,” McNamara said. like the NeSA test, McNamara still thinks One advantage of the test is teachers can that MAPS has helped students score better see what areas their students struggle with, on bigger tests like the ACT. and focus more on those areas in class. “I think what we have in place here to “We can identify where some kids help kids score well on the ACT is working,” struggle,” McNamara said. “Then we can McNamara said. “We are number one in the ENGLISH ASSISTANCE - Student teacher Jordyn Bottrell assists sophomore Rachel Pohl with an Eng- give more attention to the particular areas area, conference and the state in ACT, and lish assignment. Bottrell, a Wayne State College student, is working with Ginger Eikmeier this semester. that they’re struggling in. If we can help that’s not because we are lucky.” Photograph by Emily Fisher Unbreakable bond forms with Lassek-Egr By Teagan Jacobs paired up for three years now,” O’Malley Due to Lassek mentoring Egr the past Since Lassek is graduating in May, said. “Their relationship has been very three years, they have become very close. Egr and him only have a few months left Everyone needs a role model, whether good.” “I think we are closer than most men- together. it be a parent, an older sibling, a celebrity Egr is a sixth grader who has Battens tees,” Lassek said. “Whenever he wants to “I am sad Hayden’s graduating, but or a friend. Disease, which affects his eyesight. do something, I’m always up for it. He can maybe I’ll still see him,” Egr said. Here at Yutan High School, sophomores “It doesn’t seem to bother him much,” depend on me.” through seniors can be role models. They Lassek said. “We still have as much fun as can join JuniorMates mentoring. any other mentor-mentee pair, and nothing JuniorMates mentoring is a program holds him back.” Bottrell teaching with Eikmeier where a high school student gets matched Most mentors know what they are go- Continued from Page 11 to slowly take over Mrs. Eikmeier’s class.” up with an elementary student, and they ing to do with their mentee each week. For own are a little bit different,” Eikmeier said. Bottrell plans to assist with some activi- meet once a week for a half hour. During Hayden, that is just the opposite. “To begin with, it’s just getting to know ties, including track. this half hour, they usually spend their time “Each week I come in and have no idea all the students, getting used to the routine “I’m excited to help with extracurricu- doing a fun activity. what to expect,” Lassek said. “Most people and being able to juggle different things in lars like speech and one act,” Bottrell said. “Most students play games in the will just do one activity during their time the classroom at the same time. Classroom “I’m excited to get to know the students.” cafeteria,” Becky O’Malley, the guidance together. Ollie and I may do five different management can also sometimes be tough Bottrell has many goals with teaching. counselor, said. things.” for a new teacher.” “My goal for teaching is to eventually Through this program, many cool rela- Egr has one particular memory that For the first couple weeks, Bottrell just become a guidance counselor,” Bottrell said. tionships are formed. There is one relation- sticks out to him. observed. “I want to be a lifelong learner and help my ship that is very unique. “My favorite memory with Hayden is “For the first couple weeks it will be me students learn how to do that and help them “Ollie Egr and Hayden Lassek have been when we played restaurant,” Egr said. watching,” Bottrell said. “Then I’m going like learning.” One student makes her snow day productive By Noelle Josoff When the clock hits 10, and school snow day. I make all the beds upstairs, and vacuum hasn’t been cancelled, I am suddenly sad- My snow days are probably a little dif- the carpet since Brandi, my dog, makes quite Snow and the cold are the two things dened to know I can’t get the house cleaned ferent than others. I hate the cold, so going the mess in the house. Once everything is that I hate most in life. So I try my hardest anymore. I start working on my homework, outside is a no go. So it looks like I am go- done, I know that my snow day was com- to stay away from them. when it’s already too late and hope and pray ing to stay inside and do laundry, clean and plete, and that there is just homework that The night before the storm is supposed schools cancelled. watch Grey’s Anatomy. needs to be done. to rush in, I lay awake in my bed wondering Finally, 10:30 rolls around, and my mom I wake up around 9 o’clock and make When my mom comes home from work, if this snow day is actually going to happen. comes to my room and says “turn your alarm myself a decent breakfast; now my day is she is ecstatic to see that I was actually I sit and stare, hoping this day actually off, there is no school tomorrow.” Finally, just beginning. I start folding laundry while productive on my day off. Normally, on my comes because I have better things I could the day I have been waiting for. I throw another load is in the wash, hoping that the days off I spend time doing other things, like be doing other than attending school. my homework on my floor and begin my enormous pile in the laundry room will pampering myself. soon be gone. She then begins to make dinner so I can go In the meantime, my sister went to start on my homework that is due the next day. school the night before, so the kitchen is Soon, my snow day is coming to an end, destroyed, and that is next on the list. While and I sit in my bed and hope that the next one load is in the washer, I am upstairs day will also be a snow day. I feel that I cleaning the kitchen and washing dishes. It am more productive on a snow day than a is like an ongoing cycle. normal weekend. In the afternoon it might be time to take a I wouldn’t consider my snow day nor- little nap, but it won’t last long because there mal, but it is what I enjoy doing in my free is laundry waiting to be folded and put away. time. If it weren’t for the recent snow days, Three o’clock rolls around and I am ready the laundry wouldn’t have gotten done, my to make any finishing touches to the house room would still be a disaster, and the rest before my mom comes home from work. of the house would be a mess.