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.