Photographs by Kendyl Egr Christina Kerkman Students, staff living normally after flood V D BY HAYLEY TARUMOTO In early spring of this year, flooding E A brought devastation for students and faculty at Yutan High School. T Y For some, like the Beutler family and Kyle Thomas, their house and belongings E were destroyed by the events. Some oth- ers, like the Gunter household, were able R 2 to move back into their house after weeks of being evacuated. A 0 It has been almost eight months since the flooding, and the students and staff are N 1 in a different place now than they were at the time of the flooding. S’9 “Since the flood, we have moved from VETERANS’ DAY EVENTS - (Clockwise from top left) Juniors Hunter Mulhair, Tyler Pinkelman and Jack Moan stand during the program. Hank Sauer our previous place that was flooded to and Tracy Cogdill make presentations. The rose and flag are at the forefront of the table as senior Emma Lloyd speaks about Cornhusker Girls State. Freshman Tristen Honke and Taylor Schwarz sing during the program. Former WOWT sports director Dave Weber sings a song about two boys in the an apartment complex in Omaha,” choir Civil War. Weber and Cogdill both delivered messages during the event. teacher Matthew Gunter said. “One of the main reasons we left is that we felt paranoid, had nightmares, and just felt uneasy living ...Staff, students can have more control of selections in a place that was flooded.” The flood did more than just damage their house; it caused some fears that they Slepicka assumes food service role couldn’t escape. BY LAYCEE JOSOFF One change involves what students must option.” “When we moved back into our house have on their trays. People who have had to adapt to the after the flood, we just felt that we could Trying to get a new lunch menu set “For lunch, we basically do five com- new lunch changes are the new cooks who never be safe,” Gunter said. “We always up while organizing paperwork for the ponents,” Slepicka said. “We have a meat, have started a job in the last month at Yutan. felt that we needed to have a bag of clothes lunch program can be stressful. But Mary a grain, vegetables, and you have to take a “Stephanie McEvoy took Trish Barta’s or an escape plan when something like rain Slepicka, the food service manager for the half cup of fruit.” spot at the high school and I think Steph Continued on Page 4 Yutan lunch program, has “a business mind” The reasons the lunch program made comes with knowledge because she has 14 to get it all in order. these changes are because the lunches have years of lunch lady experience from big- The changes were federally and state to have a certain amount of calories, fats ger schools,” Slepicka said. “Then April mandated back in 2012 to high schools, but and low sodium. Abraham brings a new set of eyes to the School looks Slepicka just started running the program the “We have to be within so many calories, program to make the food look more ap- first week of September. and no trans-fats because Michelle Obama petizing and Darla Miller just started down at changing “We’re in compliance with the changes, set stuff up a while back,” Slepicka said. at the elementary with April.” but we’re changing it just a little bit,” Slepic- To be within those certain requirements, While making changes, Slepicka hopes ka said. “The staff and students can have the lunch menu had to be changed, and right to get all of the paper work settled and the philosophy more control over what you can say no to.” now Slepicka and her crew are making nutrition to the necessary amounts. One of the main adjustments at the high changes to the elementary lunch. “My future aspirations are to do the best on intruders school the students have noticed is the rear- “We have done a lot down at the el- job I can with this, getting all of the paper BY TRISTEN HONKE ranging of the lunchroom. ementary,” Slepicka said. “We rolled out work and nutrition back into compliance,” “I think it is a positive change because a breakfast grab’n’go, and on the fourth of Slepicka said. With changes in society come changes in it’s something different and it was time for November we are having a new sandwich Yutan High School’s intruder drills as well. a change,” freshman Savanna Hassler said. Principal Brian Daniell is head of safety Some students think of it as a positive at the high school. He hopes to start practic- change, but others disagree. ing evacuations from the school. Hiding in “I don’t really like the changes because a classroom might be the safest thing to do, it just makes everything messier,” senior but it depends on the scenario. Nick Martin said. “The new line of thinking is if a student Some other changes rather than the or teacher can get their class out safely, then remodeled lunchroom are being made they should take that,” Daniell said. throughout the high school and elementary. Daniell believes two good options to escape to are Cubby’s or the activity center. See What’s “We don’t want you coming back by the school in that situation,” Daniell said. Inside............ Daniell believes schools should have intruder drills at least twice a year. Page 5: “You’re not going to practice a drill like that like you would a fire drill,” Daniell said. Principal Preaches Throughout the years, there has been a Page 10: philosophy to make everyone quiet and to lock everything down. Now there are three Lloyd Going to NU options. “You can run, that would be the best. If Pages 12-13: you can’t run then you hide, and if you can’t KITCHEN DISCUSSION - Food service manager Mary Slepicka (right) and April Martin discuss the day’s hide then maybe you have to confront the In-Depth Coverage meal in the Yutan High School kitchen. Slepicka, who started the school’s lunch program in September, has been bringing the school into compliance with state and federal regulations. Photograph by Laycee Josoff Continued on Page 4 Turkey is preferred Put phones down and live life to the fullest Thanksgiving meat BY EMILY FISHER normally wouldn’t. “I mean, I eat the turkey,” Sheldon said, Many students and staff at Yutan High “but I don’t like the turkey.” School enjoy the traditional turkey meal on According to Sheldon, their household Thanksgiving day, along with 91 percent of has ham more often because they are fans of Americans, according to a survey done by the salty taste. They have turkey on Thanks- the National Turkey Federation. giving for traditional reasons. However, some people would choose While many people would choose ham ham instead of turkey any other day of the instead of turkey on any other holiday, oth- year for a variety of reasons. ers, like media aide Michelle Dooley, have Math teacher Kassie Trevarrow prefers different family traditions. ham because of childhood memories. She “On Christmas Eve, we make chicken recalls that her family only had turkey on noodle soup,” Dooley said. “It was my Thanksgiving, compared to the numerous grandmother’s recipe.” meals of ham they had throughout the year. Sheldon’s family also partakes in this “I always grew up eating dry, white Christmas tradition. turkey on Thanksgiving,” Trevarrow said. “We normally make white chicken chilli “And to me, you just eat it once a year, and and ham and bean soup,” Sheldon said. it wasn’t super great...I would choose ham Others stray away from the turkey and over turkey.” ham traditions in a different direction. Junior According to Trevarrow, she still has Ethan McEvoy’s family often has tacos dur- turkey on Thanksgiving, regardless of lik- ing the holidays. ing ham more, simply because of tradition. “It’s an easy thing to make, so my mom Similarly, junior Raven Sheldon has throws that together for holidays,” McEvoy turkey on Thanksgiving, even though she said. Seniors can relieve stress with variety of activities BY CHRISTINA KERKMAN “It mainly depends on your schedule I’d say almost everybody looks forward and the classes you take,” senior Will Hays to their senior year as a kid. It’s a big year said. “I made it so I had four college classes in your life before becoming an adult, but so it can be (hard).” is senior year really everything it’s made When you are taking difficult classes, it out to be? can be very stressful. So many people need Do doctors give A lot of important things happen senior some things to help them relax. 2019-2020 year. You apply to colleges and start thinking “Music really helps me when I have about your future. homework to do or tests to study for,” said Chieftain more medicine Another big part of being a senior is Hays. making sure you are a positive role model Even though academics are important Times Staff than required for all the kids younger than you. for college you should also be involved in Emily Fisher Be a leader. As a senior, this is expected other extracurricular activities. These are BY RACHEL POHL of you, so join anything you can whether what will make you stand out. Teagan Jacobs it’s speech team or FCA. Just make yourself Hays does basketball and golf.