Renovations to downtown Homecoming Competition activity center underway By Julia Kennedy

Yutan is a small community with a rich history. Kevin Johnson, superintendent, is working to preserve a piece of that his- tory while meeting the needs of current students. As the community center undergoes renovations, Johnson works side by side with the school board to move the process forward. The center also holds many memories for previous generations of families who continue to live in Yutan. Former students played sports there for 35 years. Now, it will once again serve as a gym. “It will be used for junior high practices, special events, school dances, hopefully prom, as well as the Yutan youth basketball and volleyball,” Johnson said. “It will also help during basketball season when there are morning and late practices so kids can get home around 6 or 6:30.” BALLOON FUN AT THE CHIEFTAIN GAMES - Competitors closely eye the balloons during the balloon toss at the Chieftain games Sept. 19. The community center already has a Homecoming festivities Friday afternoon featured a parade, the balloon toss, dodgeball and cupcake eating. See more coverage of homecoming on new look inside. The front entrance loft and pages 4-5. Photograph by Julia Kennedy. stage have been removed. The basement was filled in so a new, larger gym floor could be installed. New rest rooms are currently be- Softball team captures Cellphone policy ing built at the front entrance with a storage room above. change designed In a few weeks, the building will have ECNC title at Auburn a freshly-painted exterior, new doors, win- By Haleigh Wuster more Ellie Petersen said. to keep devices dows and lighting, and finished drywall. The nerves eventually disappeared as The setting of new floors and basketball Every team sets high goals it wishes to the game verses Johnson County Central out of classrooms hoops will bring the new gym closer to accomplish that season. The Yutan-Mead went into play. By Madison Davis reality. Because the gym will primarily players crossed one of their top goals off “We started out with not a lot of intensity be a practice facility, no bleachers will be their list on Sept. 27, becoming the East but picked it up in the end,” Petersen said. Cellphones are a big part of everyday installed. Central Nebraska Conference champions Sophomore Haleigh Wuster had nine life, but what happens when you are no lon- Thanks to local contractors, such as for the 2014 season. strikeouts this game, and seniors Jessica ger allowed to use them regularly? With the Long Construction, Brase Electric, Thomas Waking up bright and early for the long Pleskac and Lauren Taylor each had triples start of the 2014-2015 school year, teachers Plumbing and Bullock Construction, the trip to Auburn, Neb., players had mixed in the fifth inning. The Patriots won the first and administrators decided on a more strict community center is nearing completion. emotions about the day to come. The Pa- game of the tournament 8-2. cellphone policy. Johnson said they are hoping to have the triots were seeded third coming into the The Patriots’ second game was played Taking away the privilege of cellphone building done by Dec. 1. If not, by the first tournament. against second-seed Conestoga. Starting usage in class, students are only allowed to of the year. “I was kind of nervous, but I was mostly out strong, the Patriots scored five runs in have them during lunch and passing periods. Continued on Page 3 excited in hopes of getting the gold,” sopho- Continued on Page 7 “Cellphones were becoming an issue with students misusing them,” principal Tim McNamara said. “We feel this will limit non-educational purposes of phone use during school.” The school board members hope that the new policy will have a more positive academic effect on the students McNamara said. However, they might not know how music affects students. “I used to listen to music in study hall,” freshman Shelby Fenner said. “It helped me stay focused and get my work done.” Continued on Page 3 See What’s Inside...... Page 2 Opinion/Cartoon Pages 6-7 Sports/Activities

CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS - Junior Nealie Josoff tags out a runner from Logan View during a softball game early in the season. Yutan-Mead captured the Page 8 East Central Nebraska Conference tournament championship with three wins at Auburn Sept. 27. The Patriots entered district play as the No. 1 seed with a 14-6 record. Photograph by Julia Kennedy. New Teachers Ebola not likely New teachers offer positives New teachers have the opportunity to throughout the first few weeks of school. the activity will already be adjusted to their to have impact breathe life back into a school. They can Joy Tiefel replaced Yutan’s Spanish new coach. shake up the curriculum and teach their teacher of four years, Kristen Day. Tiefel New choir teacher Matthew Gunter and on United States students in fresh, innovative ways. They can has made several changes to the curriculum math teacher Kassandra Bik have also taken bring new blood to sports, clubs and other and has brought in a more hands-on way of on several coaching and sponsor positions. extracurricular activities by taking over as teaching. She often uses a teaching tech- Gunter, who replaced Molly Schacher, has as it had on West coaches or sponsors. nique called total physical response, which made jazz choir accessible to students not allows students to walk around the room and in regular choir by moving practice times perform actions spoken to them in Spanish. before school. It is a great opportunity for African people Student Tiefel focuses on students’ speaking and non-choir students because it gives them the listening skills, which should help with chance to get involved in choir without hav- By Jessica Wade real-world applications of Spanish. ing to commit to taking choir as a class. Bik, Opinion New English teacher Laurie Kotalik has who replaced Christina Modrell, has taken Ebola is a deadly infectious disease that also made several changes to the curriculum over as assistant cheer coach as well as the is spread through bodily fluids; it causes Though there are many positive aspects and has taken over two coaching positions. junior high math counts sponsor. internal and external bleeding and, accord- of becoming a new teacher, there are also Her predecessor, Heather Niedfeldt, taught Despite facing challenges, Yutan’s new ing to the World Health Organization, as of many challenges. Students are often upset at Yutan for one year and was the speech and teachers have the potential to be wonder- Sept. 23 has killed over 3,000 people. about their former teachers leaving and can one-act coach. Kotalik has taken over both ful additions to Yutan High School’s staff. Most of the victims of Ebola have been find it difficult to connect with new teachers. coaching positions as well as the sophomore They have stepped up to fill in the gaps left in West Africa, but an unidentified man in They are used to their former teacher’s rules, speech class from Ginger Eikmeier. She by former teachers who were coaches and Texas has become the first person to be diag- routines and ways of teaching and can often has introduced impromptu Fridays into the sponsors. If they continue to have the suc- nosed with the disease in the United States. make a new teacher’s job more difficult. class in an effort to help students become cess that they have been having throughout The man is believed to have been visiting Despite having to face many challenges, better at writing and performing speeches the first few weeks of school, they will have family in Liberia when he was infected. the four new teachers at Yutan High School quickly. In my opinion, having the speech the potential to positively impact Yutan High The main concern of public health of- have done a fantastic job of updating the coach take over the speech class was a good School and its students. ficials is the amount of contact this man may curriculum and filling coaching positions idea because students who are interested in have had with others and whether or not the disease has spread. Despite the toll Ebola has had on West Africa, the fact that it is now in the United States should not cause mass panic. There is a huge difference between get- ting sick in a third world country and getting sick in a country like the United States. Because the disease is spread through bodily fluids rather than through the air it is harder to become infected, and Ebola does not kill everyone who becomes infected. The panic caused by the idea of a deadly disease can become just as catastrophic as the disease itself. The effect of the disease has already taken a toll on the already un- stable economic state of many West African countries. It is causing people to stop going to work and school. Instead of only reporting the horrors of Ebola, the media should also report what is being done to fix the problem. Health officials have already isolated and tested everyone the man from Liberia has come into contact with. Ebola should be treated with necessary precautions; it is an infectious disease that has killed thousands of people. But the possibility that an outbreak such as the one occurring in West Africa will oc- cur in the United States is highly unlikely. 2014-2015 Chieftain Student battles with arthritis By Madeline Miller deficiency. Because of this, I am always my mind. Steroids are well known for their Times Staff cold. I bring a blanket to the movie theater effects on users’ temperaments, and I, a hor- For most of my life, I thought of arthritis and shiver through the whole film. monal teenage girl, am no stranger to these. Jessica Wade as a disease for the elderly. I have since been On occasion, I get dizzy after standing Stereotypical “roid rage” is really only proven wrong, however, in a particularly un- for any period of time. I have come terrify- typical of steroids that increase testosterone. Cassie Wade pleasant way. On Aug. 13, I was diagnosed ingly close to fainting in the shower more Instead, prednisone, a corticosteroid, causes Colton Leal with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis. times than I care to count. a shift in hormones that poses somewhat My detection of my disease started in All these ailments have their prescrip- different side effects. Megan Wade March with faint wrist pain and minor swell- tions, however. Ferrous sulfate combats Emotional examples include crying Madeline Miller ing. Since then, the pain has increased the anemia. For the arthritis, I take methotrex- when angry; crying when sad; crying when 10-fold and spread to my ankles, my knees, ate weekly to suppress my immune system; frustrated; crying when thinking about be- Haleigh Wuster my elbows, my fingers and my left shoulder. folic acid daily so that my hair does not ing angry, sad, or frustrated; crying for no Maddie Davis My elbows no longer straighten fully fall out because of the methotrexate; and reason at all; anxiety both social and oth- and neither do my knees. Not only do I prednisone, a type of steroid, so that I can erwise; symptoms of depression; difficulty Julia Kennedy struggle to stand up, I struggle to sit down. actually walk and move throughout the day. controlling emotions; increased distraction; The Chieftain Times Staff wel- At this point, it is more like strategic falling My morning starts when I drag myself feelings of uselessness and futility and won- comes letters to the editor and than actually sitting down. out of bed and descend the single flight dering if my friends even like me anymore. comments on our coverage of the Things that I used to do with ease, of stairs, an impressive feat that can take Physical examples include embarrassing school and concerns you might such as taking showers, getting dressed anywhere from two to six minutes. When acne, sensitive teeth, abdominal pain and a have. Please submit them to the and brushing my hair, have become nearly I stay up past 9 p.m., I know that the next dry mouth. These seem to blend into my journalism room. All items must be impossible tasks to complete. morning will be spent hobbling around like life, and I hardly even notice them anymore. signed and appropriate. - Adviser Along with the great joy of my immune a 98-year-old woman. On the bright side, I cannot be counted Rod Henkel system attacking my joints, I have the plea- Almost worse than the physical pain is tardy. People are much more likely to get sure of a severe anemia, which is an iron the emotional roller coaster that goes on in Continued on Page 3 BAND MARCHING DOWNTOWN - Juniors Sam Butler and Leanne McLaughlin carry the banner in leading the band through downtown during the homecoming parade Sept. 19. The band attended the Nebraska State Fair and plans to march in Columbus later in October. Photograph by Maddie Davis. Marching requires multi-tasking By Jessica Wade take too big of a step or too small of a step, petitions each year: the Nebraska State Fair Koopmann said that marching band it’s like a domino effect, and you can screw and the Columbus parade. helps students learn how to work together Playing an instrument is hard enough for up the whole band with one person.” Koopmann said that having such a small because they receive a cooperative grade. some people, but members of the marching The drum major for the marching band band makes it difficult to find a free time for “In lots of classes you have your own band don’t just perform music. They play is sophomore Ellie Peterson. According to everyone to compete. score, your own quizzes, tests and home- from memory while walking and keeping senior Jayden Rannells, the drum major is “Our students are involved in mul- work, so if the person beside you is failing in line with fellow band members. Those similar to a director. tiple entities, whether it’s athletics or other it doesn’t affect you at all,” Koopmann fellow band members are also playing in- “There are rank leaders who are in clubs,” Koopmann said. “This creates a said. “In this class, because our product is struments and attempting not to run into the charge of their section, and then there’s a well-rounded education for students, but made with everybody, the weakest link does person in front of them. drum major who directs everyone,” Ran- it’s hard to find a time where there is not a impact everyone.” Senior and rank leader Skyler Limbach nells said. conflict.” said that marching band involves a lot of Rannells is usually a clarinet player, multitasking. but because the band only had two percus- “You have to memorize new music, sionists, both he and fellow senior Zachary march in time, stay in a straight line and Palmer were moved to those positions. play your notes correctly,” Limbach said. The band marches in two different com- “It requires more thinking than regular band. Instead of just moving your fingers, you have to move your whole body.” Senior girl Band director Kevin Koopmann said that just like any sport or club, the band has practices to prepare for competitions. learns to live The band will practice on the track using sidewalk chalk. “We will even practice with our eyes with effects shut because the size of step has to be the same each time,” Koopmann said. “If you of arthritis Student battles with arthritis Cellphone policy Continued from Page 2 up and get something for me when I do not changes student want to leave my comfy spot. My parents have begun to let me say almost anything use during school I want, partly because they know that with Continued from Page 1 stronger, more powerful emotions comes stronger, more powerful sarcasm, and partly As the no-cellphone policy continues, because they feel bad for me. some students have found it harder to finish People no longer ask me to help them work efficiently. carry anything. Also, I am not allowed to Though many students think they should run. This is the single most glorious fact of be allowed their phones, some might argue my entire high school career. For the first that the cellphone policy best benefits the time in my life, I can justify my laziness school. with a doctor’s note. “I wasn’t one of the people that would Ultimately, my lumpy wrists, screwed use their phone during class,” said senior up pinky finger and double-foot limp can- Brooke Phillips. “But I feel that this is the not change the fact that despite having an best thing for us.” old person’s disease, I am still a teenager. I With this new policy in place, teach- am dealing with this the way any teenager ers are finding it easier to keep students I know would: whining excessively, using involved in lessons rather than their phones. it to justify laziness and bad behavior and “I don’t see the cellphone issues we had ignoring the signs that I am actually falling last year,” health teacher Chris Feller said. “I apart. PERCUSSION IN UNISON - Junior Jeremiah Johnson and seventh grader Jordan Garlock play the think, for the most part, students are doing At this point, it seems likely that I will drums with the band as it marches through downtown Yutan. The band marched during the homecoming a good job respecting this rule.” end up like the Tin Man pre-oil can. parade and stopped downtown to play. Photograph by Jessica Wade. New teachers share memories of homecomings By Julia Kennedy

Homecoming is full of memories that will leave a lasting imprint. Each school creates those by their unique traditions. New Yutan teachers Laurie Kotalik and Joy Tiefel had the opportunity to experience the “Chieftain Way” this year after teaching at different schools. Coming from Essex High School in Iowa, Kotalik has an idea of some of the similar traditions at Yutan. “We had dress-up days, but most of them were different like backwards day, gen- der switch day, hat day, funky socks day and pink day,” Kotalik said. “The students got very involved as well as the younger teachers when it came to dressing up.” Kotalik’s former students also participated in decorating floats. Students were pulled out of class a lot to help decorate the windows and doors of the school. “I enjoyed watching the students build their floats,” Kotalik said. “They really got into it and spent a lot of time and effort on them. There was a lot of pride in the decorations.” The parade followed the Trojan games at Essex. After the parade, students were allowed to leave school early. Some stu- dents came back later to watch the home- coming game, but there wasn’t much of a student section. Unfortunately, the Trojans did not have a very strong football team. “They never won both years I taught there,” Kotalik said. Although the football team was not the best, Kotalik enjoyed homecoming at Essex. Coming from North Side High School in Indiana, Tiefel had a different experience for homecoming. It wasn’t considered a big deal because dress-up days and activities were not allowed. Also, pep rallies weren’t encouraged. Students could only attend them if they made the honor roll. During the pep rally, students participated in a tug of war. Along with the honor roll being required to participate in the pep rally, students also had to have a good academic and behavioral standing to go to the dance. “Students could check a list outside of the office to see if they could go,” Tiefel said. Most of the students at Yutan are fortunate to participate in homecoming and buy fancy dresses. “Since it was a formal dance, many of my students couldn’t afford dressy clothes they thought they should have, so there was a community clothing bank girls could go to in order to find a dress to wear, “ Tiefel said. Coming from such a different background, Tiefel looked forward to experienc- ing Yutan’s homecoming. “Because Yutan is smaller, there is a lot more school spirit and support from the community,” Tiefel said. “It is an activity to help unify and support the entire school. In large schools, there is so much to do the community spirit is lost.” Football players named homecoming king, queen By Jessica Wade part of being on the court was having the opportunity to participate in the activities. Homecoming royalty is a long-standing Rew is the fifth member of his family to tradition at Yutan High School. be on the court, following in the footsteps of Every year the court is announced over three older siblings and his father, who was the intercom the on the court his week before the “Riding in the parade was senior year. big homecom- “Riding in ing football probably my favorite part.” the parade was game. No one probably my knows the iden- Senior Boston Rew favorite part,” tities of the king Rew said. “Ev- and queen except for student council spon- eryone got to see you, and it’s not something sors Amy Arensberg and Chris Feller, and you get to do everyday.” they keep the results top secret. Madison Egr, Connor Worden, Morgan “No one knows who won except for Burkle, Colton Leal, Brooke Kelly and Tad Mrs. Feller and me,” Arensberg said. “We Nelson were also on the court. don’t tell anybody; not even Mr. McNamara Worden said that his favorite part was knows.” also riding in the parade. Everything about the homecoming court “I had never been in a convertible be- went according to tradition, except for one fore,” Worden said. “I also liked dancing detail. This was the first time in the history with Tad and Morgan.” of Yutan that both the homecoming king Rew said that the atmosphere of home- and queen were football players: running coming week was electric. HOMECOMING ROYALTY - Seniors Boston Rew and Megan Wade smile for the cameras after being back Boston Rew and kicker Megan Wade. “So many people participated in every- crowned homecoming king and queen following the football game Sept. 19. The fact that both the king and queen were football players made several newspapers and television newscasts. Photograph by Julia This was Wade’s first year playing on the thing,” Rew said. “I had a great time.” Kennedy. football team, and she said that her favorite

Week provides students chances to participate By Haleigh Wuster coming week, comes some stress. This is student council sponsor Amy Arensberg’s To some, homecoming week is the most second year helping with student council. exciting part of the school year. It is filled She says there is a lot of “pressure” involved with school spirit, excitement and a chance in homecoming week, but it is still worth to make so many unforgettable memories. having. This year’s homecoming week pro- “Homecoming is a lot of stress for the vided many chances for people to become faculty and the students, but you have to involved. There were class floats for every make those memories,” Arensberg said. class to build on their own, and the Chieftain Arensberg and co-sponsor Chris Feller games got almost all students involved. brought some new ideas to homecoming Along with being involved in those last year and again this year. The floats were activities, dress-up days were a big oppor- changed from sports floats to class floats. tunity for students to show their spirit. The Chieftain games also had some changes. “I like the dress-up days because some “I’ve always liked homecoming week, people go all out and it’s funny to see all but I’m glad we are finally starting to switch the crazy ideas,” sophomore Daleigha Ford things up a bit,” senior Christian Kazos said. said. Every day of homecoming brings more Most students and staff had a positive and more excitement leading up to the big opinion about how the week of homecom- game on Friday night. Although homecom- ing went. ing is a distraction from schoolwork to “Homecoming is my favorite part of the some, it is an enjoyment to all. year,” freshman Machala Woodcock said. “I have made great memories during “Everyone is always so happy and excited.” homecoming week that I know I will never Along with all the excitement of home- forget,” Woodcock said. Seniors enjoy final week with homecoming activites By Colton Leal Plus, other school groups also became more involved during the week. On Tuesday Out of the entire school year, one spe- of homecoming week, the student council cific week stands above the rest when it hosted a game night during a junior high comes to school spirit: homecoming week. football game, and the new art club helped There is no doubt that this week is special make decorations. to everyone, but being the last of up to six “The week gives every student a chance homecomings between grades 7 and 12, it’s to express themselves and take their mind especially touching for seniors. off of school,” senior Jayme Bussing said. FOCUS ON MAKING THE CATCH - Senior Christopher Stevens focuses on catching his balloon during By the time Friday rolled around, a the Chieftain games competition. The balloon toss followed the parade and then students went to the gym “We feel like we’re on top, and we run for dodgeball and cupcake eating. Photograph by Jessica Wade. everything,” senior Christian Kazos said. special vibe of pride and anticipation filled “The little kids look up to us.” the school, and about half of the day was The week kicks off with a series of devoted to competitions and getting pumped dress-up days. This year’s week consisted for the football game. Seniors like Kazos Bussing spends summer of Dress-Like-Your-Dream-Job Day, Retro/ saw the Chieftain games as the highlight of Hippie Day, Color Day, Character Day and the week, but seniors like Josh Trost saw Spirit Day. This was the most exciting part the football game as the week’s high point. of the week for many people at school. By Saturday, the homecoming vibe lived living Japanese culture “I expect everyone to show their school its last day with the homecoming dance. By Jessica Wade go to Australia for a foreign exchange year spirit,” librarian Michelle Dooley said. “I “I thought I was going to cry at the and wanted help with her English skills. love seeing how creative everyone gets with dance,” senior Megan Wade said. For most high school students summer Bussing said that the language barrier their costumes.” Although the school spirit will live on, vacation entails a summer job, playing on was one of the more challenging parts of Also during the week, each of the fall there will be no returning to the most special a summer sports team, hanging out with the experience and that it was hard not to sports received additional support at their week of the year. friends and going on family vacations. Se- be able to communicate properly. competitions in the area, from the home “I tried a little harder because it’s my last nior Jayme Bussing’s summer was spent in Bussing attended a four-story Japanese cross country meet on Monday to the foot- year,” Bussing said. “I know I won’t have a a foreign country. school while she was there. ball game on Friday. chance to do it again.” After the long process of applying for “I went to an all-girls Catholic school,” an exchange scholarship, which included Bussing said. “There were two Canadian setting up a profile on the YFU (Youth for English teachers there, and there was an- Understanding) website, writing five short other foreign exchange student from Finland essays, filling out contact information, who spoke great English.” receiving doctors notes, applying for a Bussing said that the education system passport and a student visa and requesting in Japan is much more intense than the one recommendation letters-a process that took here. nearly a year - Bussing didn’t receive the “They have to take entrance exams to scholarship for which she applied. get into high school,” Bussing said. “If they “I was in Canada, which was the plan [students] don’t pass, then they get put in a if I didn’t get the scholarship, and half way lower-level school.” through the trip I got a call from YFU that Bussing said that the most rewarding said that one of the girls that had received thing about her trip was visiting so many a different scholarship had a medical emer- places and making new friends. gency,” Bussing said. “They said that I was “I spent a weekend in Tokyo and went next on the list to replace her and could I shopping all day,” Bussing said. “There was get ready in three days to go to California?” an Anime store that was eight stories high.” Bussing flew from Toronto to Detroit Bussing said that she wants to be an before traveling to San Francisco where English teacher in Japan and it was a good she stayed for three days while attending opportunity to learn the language and about orientation. Bussing was finally on her way the culture. to Japan on June 16, which was also her “It was really fun and a great experi- mom’s birthday. ence,” Bussing said. “It made me realize that Bussing had a host mom and dad, a I want to live there at some point in my life. younger host sister who is 15 and three older It made my career goal clearer.” FRESHMEN SING - Freshman Nic Lothringer leads the freshmen football players in singing the school song during the homecoming pep rally. Each fall sports team is recognized during the pep rally, with the host brothers. Bussing’s host sister plans to football players and volleyball players singing. Photograph by Jessica Wade. Seventh grade boy excels with go kart By Colton Leal of his help and support from his father, but he has also let his friends Joel Pleskac and Looking back to kindergarten, most Levi Larson take part in his experiences at people remember taking naps, playing at the track. the park and other stress free activities, but “It’s pretty cool that a lot of people his seventh grader Chase Brown voluntarily age are racing together,” Pleskac said. became involved with an extremely stressful Even when he’s not on the track, Brown activity for a kindergartener: racing go karts. says that the sport takes up a lot of his time. Over the last eight years, Brown has He spends a lot of his free time working on been racing around the dirt oval at speeds one of his two cars at his race shop a couple of up to 50 miles per hour in his go kart. miles outside of Yutan. He was first inspired to get involved In school, Brown takes the most interest with racing because he wanted to follow in in things that can relate to his racing career. the footsteps of Scott Brown, his dad and a “I really like to work on stuff with my former drag racer. hands,” Brown said. Currently racing in Eagle, Neb., Brown Because of this, it’s no surprise that has two points championships and one Brown’s favorite class is industrial tech, and track title under his belt. Accomplishments Brown also competes with the junior high like these can only be achieved by “being football team. consistent throughout the season and getting Being that he is only a seventh grader, as many points as you can by winning,” there are still plenty of things that Brown can he said. do to further his talents in and out of racing. Most kids his age don’t really focus on In the future, Brown hopes to move up driving in any form, but racing is something in classes and continue racing. He even has that’s always on Brown’s mind. goals of driving the fastest and most danger- “I just love to go fast and turn left,” ous cars that have ever been on the dirt track. Brown said. “I want to drive a sprint car at the big Although, there are some major dangers track someday,” Brown said. involved with his racing. Brown has even This dream might be considered un- SENIOR FINISH - Senior Jacob Schulz sprints to the finish line at the Ashland-Greenwood cross country been upside down before. realistic for some people, but, then again, invitational Sept. 22. The boys cross country team has won each of its six meets this season entering the “I got spun out, and it was really tacky it is probably fair to say that most people ECNC meet. Photograph by Jessica Wade. that night,” Brown said. “It [his car] just wouldn’t be able to find as much success at hooked, and I barrel-rolled five times.” speeds of up to 50 miles per hour as Brown When things go wrong or even when has from the age of six. Six meets into season, things are going great, Brown gets most boys remain undefeated By Maddie Egr dedication to the team. “Colton has done a great job, not only The Yutan High School boys’ cross with workouts and competing at meets, but country team has gone undefeated so far this also with leading the team in terms of work season. Having won all six of its meets, the ethic, encouragment and advice,” Henkel rest of their season is looking bright. said. The team is made up of seniors Colton Helping Leal lead the team is other Leal, Jacob Schulz, Cayden Menicucci senior runner Schulz. He agrees with Leal and Luke Breitenfeldt, sophomores Jayden that being undefeated “feels amazing” and Graham, John Grinvalds and Corrigan that all of their hard work after four years Abraham and freshmen Mason Timm and is beginning to pay off. Tyler McLaughlin. One sophomore who has really excelled The six varsity runners are Leal, Schulz, this season and help lead the team alongside Graham, Grinvalds, Abraham and Timm. the seniors is Abraham. He has followed Together as a team, they have won meets Leal with team second-best performances in at Tecumseh, East Butler, Bergan, Yutan, three of the four meets he has competed in. Ashland and Fort Calhoun. Due to a poison oak incident, Abraham Each team member is required to run so sat out of the last two meets. He hopes to many miles during summer vacation to keep be fully recovered and back running for the in shape. About two weeks before school ECNC and district meets. SEVENTH GRADER IN ACTION - Seventh grader Chase Brown competes in his go kart during the begins they start practicing five days a week, “I feel bad because I let my team down summer. Brown, who was inspired to race by his father Scott, has been racing for eight years and has occasionally meeting early Saturday morn- when I was out with poison oak,” Abraham won several events. Courtesy Photograph ings. Some people may think cross country said. “But (other runners) really stepped it is only running, however, there are many up. (They) filled the varsity positions and things you have to work on such as your did a nice job.” Megan Wade becomes breathing, pacing yourself and your mental Over all the season, which only contains toughness to finish the race strong. three more meets including ECNC and dis- Due to all of this training the boys’ team tricts, has been a memorial one for everyone first girl to play football this year has had its most successful season not just the seniors. Grinvalds and Timm in Yutan cross country history. have run well, Henkel said, in the absence By Colton Leal “They said they had never kicked a Leal leads the team with the top perfor- of Abraham and Graham, who was nursing football before,” Krajicek said. “But Megan mances at all six meets. He was champion at a sore ankle. Hockey, wrestling and, most of all, made her first one.” the East Butler meet, runner-up at Johnson “I think the highlight of this cross coun- football are all sports that explode with tes- Not long after this experience, Wade County, third place at the Ashland and Fort try season is being undefeated,” Graham tosterone, but that didn’t stop senior Megan began practicing in pads with the team. Calhoun meets and fifth place at the Yutan said. “I’m having a lot of fun competing, and Wade from joining the football team. “She stretches, warms up and starts and Bergan meets. it’s even more fun when you’re winning.” Being in need of a kicker, Yutan head practice with special teams,” Krajicek said. “This is my senior year,” Leal said, “but With high hopes for the district and coach Dan Krajicek was open to every “As soon as she’s done kicking we let her I’m treating it like any other season. Being state meets, the runners continue to practice solution he heard, and when senior Josh go because there is no need for her to do undefeated is great and all, but in the end hard and wait to see where their work will Trost mentioned a couple of senior girls anything else, and we don’t want to wear there is one meet that really matters.” take them. who played soccer, Krajicek was interested. out her leg.” Being one of two senior runners for the “This boys team has had the most suc- Krajicek and his players did some re- Wade said that learning the in’s and varsity team, Leal is showing a lot of senior cess of any team in the history of the Yutan cruiting and invited Wade and her sister out’s of football has been one of her big- leadership. program,” Henkel said. “Hopefully they Jessica to try kicking field goals after school. gest challenges, but learning to play with Head coach Rod Henkel has seen not can continue as strong as they’ve begun They accepted. Continued on Page 7 only this leadership from Leal but also his the season.” First Cornhusker game Pleskac catch seals Patriots’ ECNC win rated great experience Continued from Page 1 In the bottom of the seventh inning, the Patriots were up 6-4. They needed just one just the first inning. Junior Kaitlynn out to win the game, but Auburn’s big hitter By Megan Wade fense, but I was disappointed when within Hunt started off the game with a double, was up to bat. Auburn had runners on first just a couple of plays, the pathetic Illinois followed by singles by Taylor and Wuster. and third base. One thing the University of Nebraska is offense scored. The frustrated Husker fans Taylor struck out three and allowed Cones- On the very first pitch of the at-bat, the famous for is football. The atmosphere of a sat back down in their seats as the small toga only two hits. Taylor also had two key Auburn hitter drove the ball into deep center. Husker game is a major draw to Memorial section of Illinois fans cheered. hits in the game. Center fielder, senior Jessica Pleskac, caught Stadium. That was one thing I was looking By halftime, the Huskers were easily in “The girls hit really well, which gave us the ball as it was going over the fence, rob- forward to as I attended my first Husker the lead. For the half-time show the UNL a lot of momentum throughout the game,” bing Auburn of a three-run homer and the football game. marching band took the field. Alongside head coach Brian Sass said. championship game. We waited in line as all the people the band were baton and flag twirlers. The The team run-ruled Conestoga in the “I was really excited when I realized I flooded into the stadium. band marched into different fourth inning with a score of 10-1. caught the ball,” Pleskac said. “It was a great We climbed all the way up formations, creating an amaz- “We had one of our best hitting games, feeling when all of my teammates came to row 93, and watched the Student ing show. They even spelled so it was really exciting,” junior Nealie running into the outfield after my catch.” cheerleaders warm up as we out “fear Ameer”. Josoff said. The Patriots have won the conference waited for the game to start. The television cameras The Patriots were then headed to the title twice in the last three years. After the The intensity of the crowd Review zoomed in on the baton twirl- championship game to face the Auburn conference tournament, the team’s record grew until all at once, every- ers as they lit the ends of their Bulldogs on their home field. Taylor had was 10-5. one stood up as the Nebraska football team batons on fire. Toward the end of halftime, one strikeout and allowed four hits against “I think our team played great this ran onto the field. The stands literally shook the king and queen were crowned, each Auburn. Taylor also hit her first homerun weekend,” Josoff said. “I’m so proud of as the more than 90,000 fans stood up to candidate walking out as the announcer of the season. my team.” cheer on their Huskers. listed their impressive majors. Only two of The homecoming Husker game against the 20 candidates were not originally from

Illinois continued the tradition of more Nebraska. Two YHS alumni than 300 consecutive sell-out games. Ne- The crowd cheered again as the Huskers braska was favored to win, but had a rocky came back onto the field. The Huskers easily first quarter. maintained their lead through the third quar- The Huskers ran the ball for a touch- ter. The crowd attempted to start the wave. march as Huskers down early in the game. The crowd went It took about 20 tries before the wave what sort of songs we play with the drum crazy, and more than a thousand red balloons reached all around the stadium to the stu- By Cassie Wade majors and section leaders.” were released. Fireworks were released after dent section. Once the student section took According to UNL band director An- the touchdown and after the extra point went control of it, the wave ran the entire length Excitement races through your veins as thony Falcone, the band rehearses for an through the uprights. of the stadium. Each section of fans stood you march from the music building to the hour and 20 minutes five days a week. The crowd calmed down as the entire up as the wave traveled around first fast, and football stadium. It is game day, and today “We perform a different halftime show stadium waited on a commercial break. then in slow motion. you will stand with the other members of the for every home game,” Falcone said. “Typi- Everyone had to wait until a man standing The Huskers finished the fourth quarter University of Nebraska at Lincoln band, 300 cally, this adds up to eight shows a year on the field with a headset gave the okay for strong, going on to win the game 45-14. The strong, and play the familiar Husker fight with different music and a different drill, play to resume. exciting atmosphere of the Husker game was songs that fans adore. all performed from memory.” The interruption slowed the momentum everything I had expected. Many people dream of being able to McLaughlin said that it can be difficult of the play and the excitement of the crowd, My favorite part of the game was when participate in their favorite extracurricu- to memorize all of the information, but the but the exciting atmosphere returned when the entire crowd cheered when the Huskers lar activities after high school. For Yutan friendships he has been able to make by the famous Nebraska Black Shirts ran onto did well, and booed in disappointment when alumni Ryan Ambrose and J.T. McLaughlin, participating in marching band makes it the field. Their theme song played over the the Illinois offense beat our Black Shirts. this dream becomes a reality during home worthwhile. intercom, as skulls with Husker helmets Overall the game was a great experience Husker football games as they play in the “Our section is essentially our family flashed across the three jumbo screens. and I can’t wait to go back and cheer on our marching band. on campus,” McLaughlin said. “On the I had heard about the Black Shirt de- Nebraska Huskers. Ambrose said that he first became in- weekends, we hang out together and even terested in continuing his band career in go home with each other.” college after speaking with a UNL band McLaughlin is currently a freshman representative at an all-state competition majoring in music education and can play his senior year of high school. the euphonium, piano and baritone. He said “They told me that they are always that his favorite part of being in marching looking for good trumpet players, so I told band is the crowd at the football games. Mr. Koopman (Yutan’s band director) that “It is unreal seeing all of the people mak- I wanted to try out,” Ambrose said. “It’s ing their way to the stadium,” McLaughlin one of the best decisions I have ever made.” said. “One of the cool things we get to do is Ambrose is currently a senior at UNL, high-fiving the little kids as they walk by.” majoring in elementary education and work- Both McLaughlin and Ambrose agree ing toward an endorsement in coaching that the atmosphere at UNL football games basketball, volleyball and football. He is a is different than the atmosphere at Yutan four-year band member and a second-year football games. B rank marching band leader. “In Yutan, you can stand out as an indi- “I lead the second part trumpets in sec- vidual,” Ambrose said. “At UNL, however, tionals and critique marching and things you are part of something way bigger than like that,” Ambrose said. “I also help decide yourself.” Wade kicks for football team actually gotten to kick, and she’s improving Continued from Page 6 quickly. Krajicek said that in the beginning, all new teammates has been almost no it took Wade about two seconds to get the problem at all. ball off, and that was a problem. “I feel like part of the team,” Wade said. But after only one week, Wade was kick- “The boys are nice.” ing in less than a second and a half. Along Her teammates feel similarly. with the coaching staff, her teammates have “We treat her the same as everyone else,” picked up on her improvement as well. Trost said. “She makes the extra point, and “She’s a great addition,” said Wade’s we all go tap her on the head.” holder Parker Hinrichs. “She can make any Because of this support, Wade just extra point now.” focuses on doing her job for the team, no As for the future, the team will be de- matter how big and fast the men running pending on Wade to continue making its at her are. extra points and close-range field goals. “I don’t care about getting hit as long as “We need her to make 75 to 80 percent of KEEP THAT HEAD DOWN - Senior Megan Wade kicks an extra point out of the hold by junior Parker it’s after I kick,” Wade said. our extra points, but I really believe she can Hinrichs during the Palmyra game. Wade joined the football team this season when it was in need of a kicker. Photograph by Julia Kennedy. Two games into her season, Wade had do that,” Krajicek said. “She’s been work- made three of the four extra points she had ing hard, and we’re really happy with her.”

New vocal teacher began at Minatare Gunter brings enthusiasm to YHS By Madeline Miller his rather musical family. guidance counselor, or a pastor of some sort, or even a Gunter’s enthusiasm for music is rivalled only by his psychologist.” Despite the back-up plans, Gunter ended It is always difficult to adjust to a new teacher, espe- enthusiasm for teaching. He loves to help people and to up with the original career he wanted. cially when that new teacher’s policies differ greatly from be the center of attention. “A director of mine said, ‘If you teach it, then you their predecessor’s. Such is the case with new vocal music If he had not been a teacher, he would have been “a know it,’” Gunter said. teacher Matthew Gunter. That adjustment is not always negative, though. “[Gunter] knows how to handle our choir, especially those who are very rowdy,” junior Samantha Butler said. Students have reacted positively to the learning envi- ronment that he creates in the classroom. “I like the way he keeps it organized and focused but still keeps a relaxed aura,” said Kaitlyn Rider, a senior. Gunter has a few years of teaching experience under his belt and uses it to keep his students on task. “He kind of has a different way of doing things that I kind of like because it’s strict but not [stifling] at the same time,” Rider said. Gunter graduated from Wayne State in 2011 with a degree in K-12 vocal education. He began his teaching career at Minatare High School, a Class D2 school. The town of Minatare, Neb., has a population of about 816, and Yutan High School is double the size of Minatare High School. Despite this, Gunter feels that the two schools share a close, family environment. “You know everyone,” Gunter said. “You know all the staff. You’re pretty close; it’s pretty family-like, I would say, between both schools.” Gunter’s own family is made up of himself and his wife Shawna Gunter. The couple has been married for less than a year; they will celebrate their one-year anniversary on Oct. 26. Gunter’s cats Forte and Faith and dog Melody NEW MAN IN CHARGE - Matthew Gunter directs the choir during a recent rehearsal. Gunter is in his first year of teaching at Yutan after further prove his love of music, which he inherited from graduating from Wayne State College in 2011 and beginning his teaching career at Minatare, Neb., High School. Photograph by Haleigh Wuster. Bik replaces Modrell in math department By Haleigh Wuster teacher when her college professor had her “The staff here is great,” Bik said. great addition to the team,” Zabrocki said. instruct the class for a few days. Growing up in the small town of Emer- Bik enjoys coaching the cheerleaders, Yutan is filled with new faces this year, “After that [teaching] I started thinking son, Neb., Bik was involved in many activi- but prefers dance rather than cheer. including a new math teacher, Kassandra about being a math teacher. I’ve always ties such as softball, basketball, volleyball, “I was a dancer, so I wish it was more Bik. This is Bik’s first year of teaching after liked math,” Bik said. gymnastics and dance. of a dance team than a cheerleading team, graduating from Wayne State College, and Bik’s favorite part about teaching is the “If I could pick anything, I definitely but the girls are nice so that makes it fun,” student teaching for a semester in Wayne. relationships built with students. miss softball the most,” Bik said. Bik said. When Bik was young, she never thought “I like having that relationship with my Because of her love for sports, Bik Although under much “first-year stress,” about becoming a teacher. students that I care about them and get the decided to become involved in coaching. Bik says she likes it here and is hoping to “I always wondered why anyone would chance to get to know them,” Bik said. She is the assistant coach for the cheer- stay here for years to come. want to be a teacher and be at school all the On top of the relationships with students, leading team alongside head coach Natalie “May is a long ways away, and a lot can time,” Bik said. she enjoys the relationships built with other Zabrocki. change, but right now, this is where I want Bik first realized she wanted to be a staff as well. “Kassie has been a ton of help and a to be,” Bik said. New Spanish teacher can relate to students not liking language

By Megan Wade Tiefel was a long-term substitute teacher last year at an inner-city school in Fort Wayne, Ind. She worked in a Talking, singing and laughing can be heard down the large language department as one of four Spanish teach- southwest hallway this year at Yutan High School. With ers. Her smallest class size was 35 students. the addition of Spanish teacher Joy Tiefel, students enjoy “It was an experience,” Tiefel said. “I’d say about learning Spanish in fun and creative ways. an eighth of my classes were native (Spanish) speakers, “She teaches us songs and dances,” freshman Shelby which was frustrating because they didn’t want to let us Fenner said. “They really get stuck in your head.” test them to higher levels because I was Spanish 1.” Tiefel grew up in Mississippi, with her dad working Tiefel has five kids and will be teaching her oldest as a minister. She was not always sure she wanted to be son in Spanish 1 next school year. Tiefel said she tries a Spanish teacher. to teach Spanish to her kids at home. “I hated Spanish in high school, absolutely detested “My sons are open to it [learning Spanish]. My one it,” Tiefel said. “I did not want to be in the class; it was daughter hates it,” she said. hard and boring.” Tiefel said that she wanted the job at Yutan so much Tiefel’s job experience in a slaughter house in Gibbon, because she has family living nearby. Neb., led to her future career in teaching and caused her to pursue a degree in secondary education from Indiana- Purdue University. Work begins on activity center “I was one of only four people in the entire slaughter Continued from Page 1 house that spoke English; everyone else spoke Spanish,” As with any renovation of an older structure, there Tiefel said. “I had a realization that as a country we are were a few snags in the construction process. Lead paint going to need to know Spanish, even here in Nebraska.” had to be removed and tuck pointing was also necessary Tiefel said that it is important for students to learn to repair concrete blocks. Spanish because Nebraska has a high immigration rate, The response of the community has been very posi- SPANISH TEACHER AT WORK - Joy Tiefel writes on the board while and it’s a high probability that students will come into tive. teaching one of her Spanish classes. Tiefel came to Yutan after a year of contact with a native speaker. “People are excited to have it back as a functional substitute teaching in Fort Wayne, Ind., where her smallest class had 35 “Spanish is definitely the most-needed language building. It’s not only something that helps the school, students. Photograph by Megan Wade. here,” Tiefel said. but it is good for the community, too,” Johnson said.