Teens Passing Prescriptions as Much as Pot

words of a feather
The Official Student Newspaper of
the Crete High School Cardinals
Crete, Nebraska
November 25, 2009
Volume 4 Issue 3
Teens Passing Prescriptions as Much as Pot
Jessialyn Holdcraft
Copy Editor/Staff Coordinator
Teens today are just as likely to open the
medicine cabinet as they are to light up a joint
as the number of new abusers of prescription
drugs equals that of marijuana.
Every day, 2500 teens use prescription
drugs to get high. This startling statistic does
not go unnoticed. After surveying 31 teachers,
77 percent of them said they worry about students using prescription drugs.
“I worry about students or athletes abusing prescription drugs,” Alternative Education
teacher Matthew Hoffman said. “However,
legitimate prescriptions are intended for use
as long as the recommended allowance is followed.”
Even more unnerving is the idea of students
selling prescription drugs.
“Unfortunately I am aware that we have
a number of students who solicit medication
from other students who are injured,” Band
Director Eric Fahrlander said.
According to a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Survey on Drug Use and Health,
more than one in ten teens have abused prescription drugs in their lifetime.
Of those teen prescription drug abusers,
eight out of ten of them get the drugs from
friends or relatives by stealing, buying or simply asking for the drugs as stated in a Partnership for a Drug-Free America’s 2007 Partnership Attitude Tracking Study.
One place to find prescription drugs is the
medicine cabinet, right at home within arm’s
reach of a teen. Prescription painkillers, especially, can collect under the strain of serious
injuries and surgeries leading to the
packed cabinets.
“If
parents
would have something that’s a longterm issue, so they
would have refills
on a regular basis,
it’s a matter of taking two or three
pills a day at a time
and they don’t even
notice,” Principal
Tim Conway said.
“That would be a
concern.”
Riley*, a Crete
student, has used,
abused and sold
prescription drugs.
“I’ve used Oxycodone,”
Riley
said. “I used it because it makes my
body feel good.”
Riley admits to
using the prescription painkiller and
reaping the consePrecription medicine has become widely abused by teenagers in recent years. More than one in ten teens are reported to
quences.
abuse prescription drugs in their lifetime. Students have found new, innovative ways to borrow or take another person’s pre“I have been sent scription or even non-prescription medication.
to rehab for using
drugs. If you do it
No stranger to injury, having suffered mul- lowed to take prescription drugs, especially if
once, you get that feeling, and you don’t want tiple requiring four knee surgeries, a reattached it’s a pain medicine, typically with that you
it to stop,” Riley said. “It’s addicting, and it finger injury, hand surgery, ankle repair, and get a refill,” Conway said. “Once we get past
can ruin your life.”
shoulder surgery, Conway knows how serious day number five and the pain subsides…then a
Rehab was not a solution for this student. injuries can require prescriptions that can po- student would have some extra pills that they
Riley continues to sell and abuse prescription tentially lead to abuse issues.
may be able to sell or give away.”
drugs, but realizes that it is a problem.
“Anytime you have students who are al*Name has been changed
Words Includes Economic Turmoil Filters Teen Employment
La Voz Hispana
Section, pp 4-5
Words of a Feather
Staff Reports
In This Issue...
The student population at Crete High represents multiple nationalities and languages and
those students enrich the learning atmosphere
in a variety of proven ways.
As a result of that diversity, the Words of a
Feather staff is collaborating with the Native
Spanish Speakers III and IV class to help better represent the student body by including a
double-page spread on pages four and five every further issue.
La Voz Hispana, translated as ‘The Hispanic
Voice’, is a section written by the Native Spanish Speakers III and IV classes, designed and
edited by Marilyn Bolaños and Dulce Castañeda of the Crete High Journalism Staff.
“We decided to include the students who
previously produced their own, smaller student newspaper (in the Native Speakers class)
in the production and publication of the ‘official’ school newspaper,” Journalism Adviser
Katie Wright said.
Native Spanish Speakers Teacher Janet
Eckerson was approached by Wright about
combining the efforts of both classes to include elements of La Voz Hispana in Words of
a Feather.
“The students and I are really pleased to
be collaborating with the school newspaper,”
Eckerson said. “It is great to have the voice of
Spanish-speaking students included.”
Page 2:
Contact Lenses Yield
Eye-Catching Interest
Senior Mikayla Casteel confers with Counselor Jeanne Stec about college options. Currently, some
students are planning on taking general classes at a community college and then transferring to a
university to finish with their minor or major in their area of expertise.
Renzo Martel
Staff Reporter
As 2009 started, a crisis was on the horizon.
The stock market has dropped to it lowest
point since the Great Depression.
The most affected areas are those in the East
and West Coasts and although the Midwest has
not been affected as much, it has had its impact
on teenagers.
Page 4:
Students Document
Lives In and Out
Teenagers everywhere have seen a need to
cut down on expenses. The aim at becoming responsible may be intervened by the low amount
of available jobs at this moment.
“Few months ago we used to go to restaurants
in Lincoln every few weeks, and now we rarely
go out anymore, only on special occasions because we cook more food and eat at home more
often,” Sophomore Lukas Renker said.
As teens are rapidly becoming more independent, the need for jobs has highly increased.
Pages 10:
Cardinal Sports Start
Winter Seasons
The unemployment rate is increasing and
with that, fewer jobs are now available to teens
who are looking to save for their wants.
“Since the economic turmoil started it has
been very difficult to find a job,” Junior Francisco Alarcon said. “Now I am not able to buy
the things that I really want such as clothes.”
The turmoil has also had an effect on teenagers’ ability to choose colleges.
According to The New York Times, student
drop out rates from public universities have increased.
“I plan to go to SCC, also because it’s cheaper and I don’t know exactly what I want to do
and right now I’m really trying to focus on a
high paying career so in the future I’m not financially ruined,” Senior Mikayla Casteel said.
“And that is why SCC is a good choice so that I
can get my general classes and get started with
something.”
The Obama administration is now trying to
increase the amount of money that could be
lent to college students by passing bills and
making new laws.
The economy has been trouble to those students in Crete who live below the poverty level.
Some parents have even lost their jobs
“Sometimes when parents lose their job it
can create a lot of stress in their families and
kids,” Counselor Karen Buchfinck said, “which
often times leads to kids having headaches and
other mental issues on their minds.”
Many students affected by this go through
stressful times because their families either do
not have enough resources or they themselves
can not obtain everything they would like.
“Our family is cutting back on many of the
things that we use to have for granted,” Junior
Jimmy Nguyen said. “Now sometimes we have
to choose between one snack between my siblings and I, which often times makes us get into
arguments, but I always win.”
Page 12:
Facebook Mounts to
State Patrol Concerns
November 25, 2009
Page 2
words of a feather
News
Illegal Contacts Pose Risks to Students
Words Staff Investigates
or physician that authorizes the dispensing of
contact lenses to a patient and meets the requirements of section 69-303”.
A visit to Total Image in the Gateway Mall
in Lincoln to try to buy a pair of these attention-grabbing colored contacts did not go as
planned.
The employee working, Anthony, refused to
have any pictures taken and argued that he was
not illegally selling the contacts. Even after
seeing chapter 69, he said that the contacts he’s
selling aren’t prescription, therefore, aren’t illegal.
The truth is, prescription or non-prescription, a person cannot sell cosmetic contact
lenses without a license in optometry, and Total
Image did not have one.
The prices of these eye catching contacts
range anywhere between $40 and $150. The
cost depends on where somebody goes to buy
cosmetic contacts.
“I heard from a friend and we both bought
a pair for $54 at Total Image in Lincoln,” said
Freshman Rosa Alarcon, who wears a non-corrective pair of blue cosmetic contact lenses.
Alarcon also said that Total Image had
colors like purple, hazel, green, orange and
white.
Another type of non-prescription contacts
are for costume use. These lenses can be custom made, which means they are printed,
not tinted like colored contacts; these can be
bought at a store or online. Costume lenses
have different patterns on them such as making eyes look bloodshot, or like cat eyes.
Correction contacts and colored contacts
are perfectly fine to wear every day as long
as the user takes certain precautions to keep
infections out of the eye. Dr. Sarah Zink, Optometrist of Pearle Vision Center in Lincoln
said that as long as the contact user is well
monitored and uses the cosmetic contacts as
advised, there shouldn’t be any problems;
however, if the user misuses the contacts, long
term damages, such as corneal ulcers that can
cause a person to go blind, can occur.
“I went to my eye doctor and he told me
about an online site I could go to so that I
could buy my colored contacts,” Freshman
Johnny Beltran said.
Although many non-FDA-approved sites
do not ask for a prescription, the online site
that Beltran used did ask for his prescription.
Sophomore Josefina Ortiz, unlike Alarcon,
needs contacts to correct her vision. Ortiz has
a prescribed pair of colored contacts from her
eye doctor, Dr. Steven J. Lehr.
“It’s important to care of your contacts so
they don’t get messed up,” Ortiz said.
suck,” which usually was followed by an influx
of more vivid vocabulary, heavy sighs, and a
reluctant acceptance of the realities of school
life when it comes to the testing procedures.
“I am strongly against standardized testing,”
Senior Dale Potter said, having a more pronounced view on the matter. “It doesn’t allow
teachers to teach the way they are supposed
to.”
Among the teachers, these tests are met with
decidedly mixed feelings. “I think it limits creativity in the classroom,” Social Studies teacher Greg Hobza said. “It leads some teachers to
only teach for the test, just regurgitated facts.”
Math teacher Dr. Doug Dolezal believes
standard tests are not a true indicator of a student’s knowledge. “As soon as students learn
it’s not for a grade, they just draw in funny pictures,” he said.
One must also consider the number of students who get very nervous during tests and do
not perform at their highest intellectual capability.
Also of the math department, Jeremy Fries
positively compares a standard test to “a little
cloud over your shoulder” in regards to its accountability aspect, although he mentioned that
his Algebra students miss out on almost two
weeks of potential learning because of the extra
tests he must administer.
These concerns are shared by many across the
nation. Although most agree it is a reasonably
convenient way of holding schools accountable, critics argue that interactive learning and
the variety of the curriculum
are slowly being murdered
by NCLB and its tests. Some
even go as far as linking the
act’s concentration on such a
narrow group of subjects and
its neglect toward physical
education to the rising level of
childhood obesity.
Also being put on the sidelines of the field that is our educational system are the arts
and programs specifically designed for remarkably gifted
students. As the internationally renowned Sir Ken Robinson put it, “...we are educating
people out of their creative
capacities.”
But if these tests are doing more harm than good, are
there any alternative and convenient methods of ensuring
students are getting a proper
education? Not according
English teacher Mary Georgi,
who understands the system
may not be perfect, but figures
it is about the best anyone can
do at this point.
So whether anyone likes it
or not, standardized tests are
here.
And they’re here to stay.
Junior Nicole Reetz demonstrates the proper way to clean and place a contact. Many students are
illegally buying non-prescribed contact lenses. This could cause permanent damage to the eyes.
by Jessica Thatcher
Staff Reporter
A near 75 million people are at risk today
for corneal ulcers and scarred retinas due to the
illegal use of cosmetic contacts. This includes
some Crete High students.
Many students can be seen wearing cosmetic contacts, both corrective and non-corrective,
but one thing is certain. They are illegal to sell
or buy over the counter or at a local store without a prescription, however, students are still
getting away with it.
In chapter 69 of the Nebraska Law it states
that “Comtact Lenses cannot be sold unless
there is a written order bearing the original signature of an optometrist or physician or an oral
electromagnetic order issued by an optometrist
Proper Guidelines to
Care
for Contacts
At Home
Whether or not a person has a prescription to
wear contacts, they still need to know how
to care for their cosmetic contact lenses.
1. Wash and rinse your hands thoroughly
before touching eyes, especially before inserting or removing your lenses. For contact
lens cleaning, use a good contact lens cleaner and store the lens in a contact lens case.
2. Do not sleep or swim while wearing your
lenses. This greatly increases the chances
of infection. Do not share your lenses with
anyone. Start with the same eye for insertion and removal of the lenses. This prevents the spread of infection from one eye
to the other.
3. Remove the lens. Rinse the lens with
sterile solution appropriate for your lenses.
This removes microbes and particulate matter from the lens.
4. Custom made contact are for occasional
use only, not every day wear. (Colored contacts are excluded from custom made contacts).
Following the guidelines for taking care of
contacts will greatly minimize the risk of
future eye problems.
Overtesting Causes Test Anxiety
by Will Veguilla
Staff Reporter
The pencil shakes in his sweaty hands. His
mind is chaotically filtering through a mass of
incomprehensible thoughts. He is well-studied, but this test, like many others he has taken,
is quickly overwhelming. He just cannot relax,
so instead he vomits all over the test papers
on his desk. This student is, of course, suffering from severe test anxiety, a condition which
has become more evident as standardized tests
reign over the educational system.
Since the infamous implementation No
Child Left Behind Act of 2001 in all public
schools, standardized testing has become a
part of everyday life for students. Millions of
dollars are poured into these tests in order to
rate and hold schools accountable for the education of its students in proportion to how high
the test scores are. But are these tests really
helping anything?
When students were asked about how they
felt about standardized tests, most responded
with either violent apathy or stern dislike.
Junior Race Krasser nicely expressed the
opinions of fellow students who really did not
care by slightly shrugging at the question before he wordlessly embarked on a quest to find
something better to do.
The truly favored answer within the student body, however, was a halfhearted “They
Junior Nick Janssen is testing over the Islam video in World
Studies with Mrs. Conway. Students have lately brought the
issue of overtesting to teachers’ minds.
Crete Awarded Bronze Level for Health
Wellness Committee
Awarded for Change in
Healthy Choices
by Amber Kress
Staff Reporter
Kathy Boyes, Jebb Hatch, Sandy Rosenboom, Chuck McGinnis, Jodi Erickson stand holding the
Healthy Schools Program Bronze Level Award.
In a follow-up to last month’s article regarding the health of school lunch choices, Crete
seems to be coming out in the lead when it
comes to health and wellness. The Crete wellness council was recently awarded the Healthy
Schools Program Bronze Level Award. This
award is an honor given to showcase and acknowledge schools that have created healthier
school environments.
Crete is the only school in the state of
Nebraska that has won this award, given to
schools who meet certain guidelines in areas
such as foods, staff wellness, physical activity
and health education.
Crete received this award because of the
improvement in the overall health of the
school and its various programs.
One aspect of the award is the increase
of school fitness and use of the weight room
before and after school. Physical Education
teacher Chuck McGinnis helps staff with their
exercise and weight lifting so that it fits their
fitness goals and body type. This relates to this
award because “the curriculum meets the standards for this award” said McGinnis.
Another aspect was that the school signed
a new beverage agreement meeting healthier
generation beverage guidelines. Prices of beverages were adjusted so that water and 100
percent juice cost less than diet sodas.
In September, the wellness council held a
health event for staff during an in-service day.
During this time, the Crete Area Medical Clinic lab drew blood to check for cholesterol, triglycerides, and glucose levels. A “Watch Your
Numbers” card was given to each participant
so they could record and keep their information.
After winning this award, one of the committee’s new goals is “try to move to the silver
award by meeting more of the guidelines” said
Health teacher and committee Member Jebb
Hatch.
Opinion
Page 3
November 25, 2009
words of a feather
Veguilla Ponders Defeating the Economy
Will, With a Hint of Lemon
multi-award winning bikin model, to drop me
off at a beach somewhere. I don’t especially
care where – I can afford not to.
See, this glorious economy which has contributed to the ruthless destruction of many
lives has actually been like a rich, exploitable
friend to me. As soon as the market began to
show signs of spinning wildly into hell, I created several little recession-proof companies
for myself. I’ve been richer than Toucan Sam
ever since. No, I don’t really own a helicopter with a Scandinavian pilot. I was just being
silly. Scandinavians, of course, cannot operate helicopters. But I do want to point out that
even this seemingly hopeless economy, there
are success stories. So stop whining, everyone.
If you ever want to be able to use iPhones like
they are cheap pants, read on.
While I was doing a bit of skip tracing some
years ago, I stumbled upon a comprehensive
list of businesses which are not only recessionproof but also “recession-amped.” These kinds
of professions do doubly as well during an
economic disaster, which makes them rather
ideal.
Number one on the humble list: dating
services. This is just common sense, I think.
When people lose their faith in money, they
turn to the next best thing – love. Although I
sons which mystify moose-ologists around the
world, moose seppuku-by-katana (ritualistic
self-disembowelment by Japanese sword) has
risen to an appalling statistic. Scientists suspect
by Will Veguilla
it may have something to do with the Delhi
Staff Reporter/Columnist
Blackout Crisis of 1997, but the evidence for
this is, at the very most, entirely fictitious. Regardless of what the case may be, it ultimately
ven our kitchen sink was repossessed
means moose talk therapy is suddenly highly
by the bank,” grumble many citizens who’ve
lucrative. Goodness knows something needs
been stabbed
to be done before Canada is kayaking through
by today’s
moose gore.
crap-faced
I know what you’re thinking. “Will, if peoeconomy.
ple can make loads of money from analyti“WHAT?
cally interpreting the behavioral phenomena
I can’t hear
of moose, why isn’t everyone doing it?” Well,
you because
there’s a catch: Sarah Palin. Wherever there are
of this very
moose, there are wolves, and you can bet this
loud
herogue ex-Governor of Alaska and aerial wolf
licopter
I
huntress will inevitably be hovering by with
bought,” is
a gigantic sniper rifle, ready to kill. Chances
my typical
are you’ll get caught in the midst of bloody
response to
firefight during some point in your career. On
these hapthe positive side, you might be mentioned in
less individthe paperback edition of her latest bestselling
uals. I then
book as the “possibly liberal-minded person
laugh, put
who died from a bullet that unluckily ricoon my diamond-encrusted sweater, and order
cheted from the wolf’s snarling teeth.”
my Scandinavian pilot, who, incidentally, is a
And you thought your economic issues were
insurmountable. Ha.
Editorial Policy:
The Crete High School Newspaper gladly accepts letters to the editor and news releases from students, faculty, administration, community residents and the. general public. We ask these submissions be
“E
believe love is simply a clever myth, it does
not stop me from manipulating every last cent
from its passionate pursuers. That’s why I set
up www.darlinglovekitten.com. Any site can
match a person through complex compatibility
tests. My site, however, rates the profile picture of sad soul mate searchers on an elegantly
designed Kitten-o-meter, with scores ranging
from radioactive barn cat ugly to godlessly
adorable. Users are then randomly matched
within their respective niches. The initial fee
is $600, and it only gets more expensive from
there. You should try it sometime.
The second and perhaps most fantastic option: fantasy dealerships. Oh yes, they actually
exist. Dreamers come to these places to have
their delusions be realized at a remarkably reasonable price. Which reminds me, do you want
your fantasy to manifest itself into reality?
Well, come on over to my backyard! We here
at Château de Comté™ specialize in complete
customer delight. Whether you dream of surfing storm clouds, battling interstellar librarians
with automatic crossbows, winning Le Tour de
France with a broken unicycle, or practically
anything, we guarantee you won’t be disappointed.
Last on the list is a relatively unknown
trade: professional moose therapy. For rea-
of 300 words or less and contain the author’s name, address, phone number and signature. All submissions will be verified in person and in writing. Our editorial staff withholds the right to refuse any
letter, and/or parts of any letter and may return a letter for revision if it contains unprotected speech or errors that could hamper its meaning. Please submit letters to Mrs. Wright in room 412.
words of a feather
Crete High School Journalism
c/o Crete High School
1500 E. 15th Street
Crete, NE 68333
Phone: (402) 826-5811
Editorial Staff:
Layout/Design Editor:
Jasmine Foster
Copy Editor
& Staff Coordinator:
Jessalyn Holdcraft
Sports/Photography
Editor:
Amanda Reetz
Features Editor:
Cheyenne Persing
Business Manager:
Nicole Reetz
Circulation Manager:
Christina Jackson
Staff Reporters:
Words Staff Divided Over Overtesting
Over testing is an issue; however, the
strength of the issue depends on who is asked.
Half of us feel that testing is a natural part of
the high school career, whereas the other half
feel over tested.
We’re in high school. It’s one big college
prep course. It’s not going to get any easier for
those of us in our junior and senior years, and
it’s better for underclassmen to learn early
so they’re prepared.
For those in AP classes,
the tests are going to be
longer and harder.
Those
students
should expect more
tests that are challenging. Otherwise don’t
take the AP classes.
The
Administration is required to give
a number of tests each
year.
Something that we
all agree on is how
much we dislike standardized tests. It may
be because we have to
take them for the state, or it may be because
we miss out on a great learning experience. Or
neither.
Spending the millions of dollars on tests
just to have students write random answers is
pointless. When students are told that the tests
do not affect their grades, they don’t try. Not
only does that make the students look bad, it
makes the teachers look like they don’t teach
us. It makes administrators ask themselves,
“Why did we hire this teacher?” This whole
hypothetical situation could have been avoided.
How can standardized testing be a sure
there are several in one day. We know that
there are certain guidelines the teachers must
to follow, but is it too much to ask for a little
leeway?
What were asking is for the teachers to
get together on one of those meetings where
they play Wii or talk about the social aspects
on the internet and talk about who is having a
test which day. If it’s not
possible, maybe we could
have two small tests or
one larger test and one
smaller test. These are
just suggestions.
Over testing is an issue, but not as big as the
students are making it.
True, we have a lot of
tests, and it would help
to have our tests more
balanced; but we’re used
to it, or we should be by
now. Not to mention,
when college comes, test
are going to fly at us from
every different direction.
What better way is there
to prepare?
We all agree that two, three, sometimes
even four tests in one day is a little ridiculous,
but testing is a natural part of life whether we
like it or not.
Quit complaining because that’s not going
to make things any easier.
How can standardized testing be
a sure way to “gauge a student’s
knowledge” when there are students
who don’t try on them? The students
who actually do try on the tests are
overshadowed by the failure of the
many who don’t.
way to “gauge a student’s knowledge” when
there are students who don’t try on them? The
students who actually do try on the tests are
overshadowed by the failure of the many that
don’t.
Nobody loves taking tests, especially when
Dulce Castañeda
Rachel Hoesche
Amber Kress
Renzo Martel
Tanna Nitzel
Taylor Reetz
Haley Sowders
Jessica Thatcher
Will Veguilla
Jake White
Adviser:
Mrs. Katie Wright
Words of a Feather is the official
monthly, student-produced
publication by and for students
in the journalism program
at Crete High School
in Crete, Nebraska.
This paper has been established
as a designated public forum
for student journalists to inform
and educate, and to act
as a catalyst for thought
and discussion.
Content in Words of a Feather
is determined by and reflects only
the views of the student staff
and not school officials,
faculty or staff.
The intent of this publication
is to act as an agent
to facilitate the learning
of the principles of journalism,
including writing,
photography, design
and editing.
Página 4
25 de noviembre del 2009
Palabras de una pluma
La Voz Hispana
Hispanos se Verán en la Pantalla Grande
Siete Estudiantes Hispanos Serán Estrellas de un Documental
Jonathan López
Reportero
Un documental que mostrará la vida de los
estudiantes hispanos de Crete está siendo filmada por esfuerzo cooperativo entre el Ministerio de Educación de Nebraska junto con el
Centro de las Américas.
Siete estudiantes destacados de la preparatoria fueron elegidos para participar en el documental y serán filmados durante todo
el año escolar.
El documental
tratará el tema de la
disparidad entre la
tasa de graduación
de estudiantes hispanos y la tasa de
graduación de sus
compañeros
anglo-americanos, es
decir, blancos.
- En Nebraska más de ochenta por ciento de
estudiantes se gradúan de la preparatoria y eso
enseña que todo va bien, pero de todos los estudiantes hispanos cincuenta y seis por ciento
se están graduando- dijo Brent Meier, del Centro de las Américas.
Un reporte de ‘The Alliance for Excellent
Education,’ una fundación que realiza investigaciones sobre el sistema de educación en
EE.UU., encontró que en el año escolar del
2005 a 2006, 79% por ciento de todos los estudiantes se graduaron en Nebraska, pero sólo
51% por ciento de estudiantes hispanos se
graduaron durante ese mismo año escolar.
Cada cuarto del año escolar los estudiantes
involucrados con el documental son entrevista-
dos además de grabar a sí mismos durante sus
actividades rutinas durante todo el año escolar.
Durante el verano editarán el documental para
estar listo para el próximo año escolar.
Filman sus vidas dentro y fuera de clase.
Según Brent Meier, Se completará en agosto y será enseñado en cines en nuestra área y
también se podrá ver en el Internet.
Siete estudiantes de la escuela preparatoria
de Crete están involucrados en el documental.
Son tres seniors, Maira Méndez, Sonia Orozco y Melisa
Franco,
tres juniors,
Marco Ortiz,
Francisco Padilla y Will
Ve g u i l l a .
También se
incluye una
sophomore,
Dulce Castañeda.
Sonia Orozco tiene dieciocho años de edad, ella vive con
su esposo e hijo. Sonia está escogiendo universidades para continuar su educación, piensa
estudiar para asistente de doctor en University
of Nebraska Medical Center o UNMC.
-Se siente raro participando en el documental porque no me gusta que me graben- comentó
Sonia sobre su participación en el proyecto.
- Yo me siento incómodo pero está bien
porque no soy el único que está participandodijo junior Francisco Padilla
Padilla planea seguir estudiando y buscar
una carrera en el futuro.
-Yo pienso que esto es especial porque no
muchas personas tienen esta oportunidad- dijo
Will Veguilla sobre el documental.
“Yo pienso que esto es
especial porque no muchas personas tienen
esta oportunidad”
-Junior Will Veguilla
Senior, Maira Méndez, se graba contando sobre su día. -Creo que este es un proyecto único y para
mi es una experiencia agradable porque tengo la oportunidad de demostrar mi vida. Los que están
dirigiendo el proyecto son bien amables y relajados. Nos mandan mensajes de textos y nos dejan
hacer tal y como somos.
Clubes al Servicio
de la Comunidad
Raquel Pineda
Reportera
Más de 40 estudiantes se reunieron a varias partes de Crete el 31 de octubre para realizar servicio a la comunidad en que se juntó
y llevó a la chatarrería basura que tenían los
residentes de la ciudad, como lavadoras viejos, calentadores y muebles.
La cantidad de estudiantes que participaron
era más que nunca. En total había 63 personas que prestaron su ayuda ese día, entre ellos
miembros de clubes escolares, administradores e incluso 12 profesores.
Hubieron participantes del C-Club (Club de
Honores), Prizm Club (Club Multicultural),
FSA (Futuros Científicos de América), FBLA
(Futuros Lideres de Negocios de América),
FFA (Futuros Agricultores de América), y
NHS (Sociedad Nacional de Honores).
Para el desayuno miembros del C-Club
trajeron quiche y bagels para que los estudiantes pudieran tener fuerzas para trabajar. Felipe López, junior, dijo -Me gustó porque la
comida estaba bien buena y ayudamos en la
comunidad.
Scott Johnson, profesor y uno de los patrocinadores que organizó el evento, dijo -yo creo
que habían dos metas que queríamos concentrarnos en este evento. Uno es para que los
estudiantes tengan experiencia para seguir entrando en clubes y servicios. La segunda razón
es porque queríamos ayudar a la gente que no
tienen camionetas para tirar su basura o no pueden porque están minusválidos.
Después de desayunar los estudiantes se
reunieron a varias partes de Crete donde se
necesitó recoger basura.
Cada club se repartió en diferentes grupos
para que se mezclaran con otros estudiantes.
Kimberly Linares, freshman, dijo -Estuvimos ayudando muchas personas que no tienen
tiempo para ir a tirar su basura en el depósito
de chatarra, fue divertido en realidad.
Las personas que tenían camiones tuvieron
que ir donde había muebles grandes para ir a
dejar al depósito de chatarra. Cada grupo tenía
uno con ellos. Para comenzar tuvieron que escoger un paquete que contenía la dirección de
la persona que necesita la ayuda y el tipo de
basura que tenían las personas de la comunidad. - Fue bien divertido porque estuve con mis
amigas recogiendo camas y ventanas- dijo
Miriam Uribe, freshman, del trabajo que realizó esa mañana.
Los grupos que terminaron primero volvieron a la secundaria para escoger otro paquete
y volver a salir. Después de recoger toda la basura, los estudiantes lo llevaron al depósito de
chatarra.
Para unos estudiantes como Khanh Do, junior, lo más divertido del servicio fue tirar la
basura.
-Me gusto tirar la basura en el depósito de
chatarra y que estuvieron muchas personas de
los clubes – dijo.
Claro que después de tanto trabajo los estudiantes tenían hambre otra vez, por lo tanto
volvieron a la escuela secundaria y comieron
hamburguesas y perros calientes.
Toda la basura que fue recogida ese día fue
pagada por la ciudad, gracias a unas donaciones se pudo pagar el uso de la chatarrería.
Se agradece a Tom Orada de la municipalidad que ayudó a organizar el evento.
Al final del todo, el servicio tuvo gran éxito,
según Johnson, recogiendo la basura en 50 casas. Es probable que sigan teniendo este evento
con todos los clubes en los próximos años.
Seniors Nate Parks y Micah Grote y el señor Wittstruck, profesor de agricultura en CHS, recogen
un calefón para ir a dejar al basurero. Muchos estudiantes tomaron su tiempo temprano en la
mañana para participar en limpiando basura de la ciudad.
Los estudiantes están atentos escuchando lo que los entrenadores les están explicando sobre la
nueva temporada de futbol. Juan Carlos, sophomore de la chaqutea blanca al fondo dice que piensa que si va a hacer una buena temporada ya que todos tienen una actitud positiva.
Sobrarán Jugadores
Carlos Escobar y Melissa Franco
Reporteros
Un número récord de estudiantes están
interesados en jugar fútbol en la escuela secundaria de Crete para la próxima temporada.
Se organizó la primera junta para estos estudiantes en septiembre y 58 estudiantes se presentaron.
En esta reunión los entrenadores, Jay Quinn
y Derek Spence, ambos profesores, explicaron
a los interesados lo que tenían que hacer para
poder formar parte del equipo.
Para empezar, los estudiantes que tengan
cuatro F’s no podrán ingresar al equipo. Si un
estudiante tiene dos ‘F’s’ es requerido a ir a
“Study Hall” de martes a jueves para tratar de
subir sus calificaciones.
Study Hall es de 7:30am a 8:00am o de
3:30am a 4:00pm en la sala del señor Quinn.
Según los entrenadores es para que los estudiantes consigan ayuda en tareas.
- Les da 90 minutos de estudio extra a la
semana,- dijo Quinn. -También ayuda y motiva a los estudiantes a que suban sus calificaciones.
Edgar Lancerio, junior, asiste al Study Hall
y dice que esta ayuda es buena porque le da
más tiempo para hacer sus tareas.
-Además, podermos hacer tareas con los
amigos.
La otra parte para formar parte del equipo
es participar en acondicionamiento. Por las
reglas de NSAA, los entrenadores no pueden
obligar a los interesados a ir a acondicionamiento para que puedan ser parte del equipo,
pero Quinn y Spence lo ofrecen.
Le conviene al equipo que los jugadores se
pongan en forma antes de la temporada.
-En lugar de utilizar las primeras dos o tres
semanas de práctica en acondicionamiento, las
utilizaríamos para comenzar tocando el balón
y comenzar de una vez- dijo Quinn.
Los dos entrenadores esperan que 30 a 40
estudiantes puedan formar parte del equipo.
-Pienso que el equipo de fútbol va estar en
forma para cuando venga la primavera y creo
que vamos a romper más récords este año- dijo
Spence.
El entrenador Quinn dijo que se siente muy
optimista ya que muchos estudiantes de verdad
están haciendo su mejor esfuerzo.
Marlon Arita, y René Escobar, ambos juniors, han sido parte del equipo los últimos dos
años.
Según Arita, la cantidad de interesados en
jugar fútbol es bueno porque - cada uno tiene
su talento único, afuera y a dentro de la cancha.
- Ya en el tiempo de primavera vamos a
tratar de romper mas récords- dijo René Escobar. - En las temporadas anteriores no se ha
podido llegar tan lejos debido a acondicionamiento y comunicación de los jugadores.
-Al tener más estudiantes interesados en
jugar fútbol hace más competencia entre unodijo Juan Carlos Bautista, sophomore, quien
planea jugar fútbol por primera vez este año,
ya que no había equipo en la escuela a que
asistió el año pasado en Alabama.
- Estoy muy emocionado en jugar porque el
acondicionamiento me va a ayudar mucho en
hacerme mejor jugador y ponerme en formadijo junior Bryan Guardado.
La Voz Hispana
25 de noviembre del 2009
Página 5
Palabras de una pluma
Descubriendo los que tenemos en CHS
¿Quieres Presentarte?
Mi nombre es Roxana Domínguez y soy una
sophmore. Mi familia es de El Salvador y yo
nací en California. También tengo familia en
California y Pensilvania. Tengo una hermana
que es una junior y un hermano que va en el
sexto grado.
Ahorita la actividad en que estoy es Speech.
También juego fútbol. Algo que me gusta hacer
es dibujar ropa.
¿Cómo comparas a California con Crete?
En California es mejor porque no hace frío
como aquí en Crete. Yo nací en Los Ángeles
pero yo viví en el monte de California. Nomás
que si hay bastante violencia.
Por ejemplo, en las noches habían balaceras,
y a veces había robos. Aunque California sea
peligroso me gusta más que Crete.
Explica lo que haces en Speech.
Yo presento poemas en los torneos. Pienso
que hago más o menos porque practico. Hago
a veces chistes, es un tipo de evento y es muy
divertido. Y para mí es divertido y fácil.
¿Qué es lo que más te gusta hacer?
A mí me gusta dibujar ropa a la moda. Me
nació la idea desde los 11 años. Me gusta la
alta moda y ver modelos por televisión.
Quisiera ir a una unversidad de arte en
California para empezar una carrera de dibujar
modelos de ropa. Quiero que la ropa que haga
salga en Nueva York o en un lugar así.
Dos Estudiamtes Cuentan Sobre sus Vidas y Hacen a Todos
Reír Una y Otra Vez Durante su Tiempo Libre
¿Quieres presentarte?
Mi nombre es Josué Hernández, yo nací en
California. Mi papá es de El Salvador y mi
mamá es de Guatemala. Yo llegué a Crete en
febrero del 2009.
Algo terrible que me ha pasado es que perdí
a mi hermano en el año 2006. Empecé a tomar
el mal camino en California, pero cuando llegué a Crete empecé a cambiar.
¿Juegas fútbol?
Si. A mí me gusta jugar fútbol. La única
diferencia es que aquí en Crete es una sola
temporada y en California es todo el año. Pero
todo lo demás es igual, todos somos amigos y
jugamos juntos.
Algo que me ha pasado es que me quebré
mi pie dos veces jugando fútbol.
¿Es Crete muy diferente?
Hay muchas diferencias. En California, hay
más violencia que aquí en Crete. En California
hay mucha gente robando, peleas y muertes.
Es muy bonito California nomás que hay mucha violencia.
¿Qué es lo que te hace interesante o differente a los demás?
Todos vienen de un pueblo chiquito como
Crete y yo vengo de una ciudad grande. También soy chistoso, tonto y trato de llevarme con
todos los demás.
La Están Viendo: “Sortilegio”
dad? Descúbralo en Univisión de lunes a viernes a las 8:00pm centro.
Melisa Franco
Reportera
Los estudiantes estan hablando de
“Sortilegio”
María José, una humilde vendedora de
tiendas en Mérida es huérfana de madre, y la
enfermedad de su padre la obliga a dejar sus
estudios y trabajar para mantener a él y a su
hermana menor.
Su vida cambia con la aparición de Alex
Lombardo, un hombre humilde que la ama y
se casa con ella. Pero antes de casarse, Alex
muere en un accidente y María José recibe su
primer susto al enterarse que su esposo era
millonario.
El segundo susto que recibe María José es al
descubrir que Alex en realidad se llama Bruno
Albeniz y está vivo.
Alex Lombardo era el hermanastro de Bruno y el jefe de las empresas familiares. Sin
quererlo, María José ha sido parte de un plan
que deja a Bruno dueño de la fortuna y de la
“esposa” del difunto.
El tercer y mayor susto es cuando aparece
el verdadero Alex preguntándose quién es esta
esposa a la cual él no recuerda. ¿Qué pasará
cuando el verdadero Alex descubra la reali-
“Me gusta la telenovela porque participa William Levy.”
“Desde que comenzó la veo.”
“Me parece interesante por la pareja, William
Levy y Jacqueline Bracamonte que hacen bonita pareja.”
Nuestra Música
Alejandro Sanz—“Paraíso exprés” salió el 10
de noviembre
Jenny Rivera—“La gran señora” saldrá el
1 de diciembre
Alejandro Fernández—disco pop y ranchero
viene el 8 de diciembre
David Bisbal—“Sin mirar atrás” álbum reciente
Ednita Nazario—“Soy” más reciente álbum
Para Reírse
Chistes y
Adivinanzas
Chistes:
1. ¿Cuál es el objeto más gracioso que existe?
- la escoba…
¿Por qué?
-Porque siempre VA-RIENDO
2. Jaimito, ¿Por qué llegas tan tarde?
Por el rótulo en la calle.
¿Cuál rótulo?
El que dice: “Escuela adelante, vaya despacio”.
Adivinanzas:
1. Hay una vaca, una gallina, y un caballo, todos
tienen 14 meses. ¿Quién tiene más meses?
2. Todo el mundo lo lleva, todo el mundo lo tiene
porque a todos les dan uno en cuanto al mundo
vienen.
3. Adivina quién soy: cuanto más lavo, más sucia
voy.
4. Tengo patas y no ando, soy plana y no canto, se
me apoyan para escribir y no te puedo hacer reír.
Aún Existe la Segregación
Comentario
Janneth López
Reportera
La segregación en la secundaria pública de
Crete aún existe, aunque ya no es obligatoria
como hace 70 años cuando la ley requería la
separación de las razas minoritarias y los blancos.
Ahora las razas pueden juntarse en las partes
públicas, pero es como si hubiera una barrera
que les impide convivir, porque aquí no todos
se comunican unos con los otros.
Al entrar a esta escuela, se nota la
diferencia de razas. En el desayuno,
al igual que en el almuerzo, en casi
todas las mesas se sientan alumnos
de la misma nacionalidad, pero en
rara ocasión de razas diferentes.
En ciertas clases donde el profesor o profesora deja que los estudiantes elijan su asiento, los hispanos
están de un lado del salón y los
blancos del otro.
Durante el ritual pep rally que
se realizó para “homecoming”, dos
alumnos de cada grado y dos maestros fueron
elegidos para competir en juegos y ganar puntos. La mayoría de los elegidos fueron blancos, sólo Gerardo Saldaña, representante de
los hispanos, fue escogido para participar. Y
eso que la escuela es como 40% hispano. No
sólo los blancos tienen que reconocer que hay
más hispanos que quieren participar, sino que
los hispanos tienen que hacer algo para ser
reconocidos y poder participar.
En los clubs que ofrece la escuela como
FFA, FCA y Robotics, la mayoría de los miembros son blancos. Pero en Prizm club es diferente, la mayoría son hispanos y uno que otro
blanco.
En los deportes como el fútbol americano,
wrestling, y básketbol, los jugadores son más
blancos y menos hispanos. Pero, el equipo de
¿Será intencional la discriminación o no
se dan cuenta al escoger más blancos que
hispanos?
La barrera de idiomas en la escuela puede
ser parte de la causa por la que los hispanos
y blancos no se asocian tanto. Sin embargo,
ésta no es la situación de todos los alumnos.
La mayoría de los estudiantes hispanos sí
hablan y comprenden bien el inglés. Hasta
los que hace poco llegaron a los Estados Unidos pueden entender el inglés a cierto nivel.
Y los blancos que estudian español podrían
aprovechar la práctica.
Todos los hispanos hablan
con sus compañeros blancos en cierta ocasión, pero
no son amigos.
El problema no es sólo
la discriminación de los
blancos hacia los hispanos, sino también de los
hispanos hacia los blancos.
¿Si los hispanos no
quieren ser discriminados
por qué discriminan a los
blancos?
Hay que dar el primer paso y empezar por
tratar a los demás como si fueran tus iguales
y no inferiores. Empieza por hacer un amigo
que no sea hispano, ayudará que seas tratado
con igualdad y no inferioridad.
“Será intencional la
discriminación o no se dan
cuenta al escoger más
blancos que hispanos?”
fútbol está lleno de hispanos y pocos blancos.
En la noche de honores cada primavera los
maestros eligen a los alumnos que son los más
destacados de la clase, pero la mayoría de los
estudiantes que reciben los honores son los
blancos.
Póliza de cartas al editor
La Voz Hispana accepta gustosamente cartas al editor y noticias actuales de estudiantes, docentes, administración, residentes de la comunidad
y público en general. Pedimos que estas cartas no consistan de más de 300 palabras y que incluyan el nombre del autor, dirección, número telefónico y firma original. Todo material entregado será verificado en persona y por escrito. Nuestro equipo editorial tiene el derecho de rechazar
cualquier carta y/o partes de cualquier carta y podrá devolverla para revisión si contiene lenguaje inapropiado o errores que cambien el significado. Favor de enviar sus cartas a Sra. Eckerson en el salón 703.
Respuestas:
1. La gallina porque tiene 14 meses y pico.
2. El nombre
3. El agua
4. La mesa
Gerardo Saldaña
Reportero
La Voz Hispana
Personal de La Voz Hispana
c/o Escuela Secundaria de Crete
1500 E. 15th Street
Crete, NE 68333
Teléfono: (402) 826-5811
Personal Editorial:
Diseño, Redacción y Coordinación:
Marilyn Bolaños
Dulce Casteñeda
Reporteros:
Melisa Franco
Carlos Escobar
Raquel Pineda
Gerardo Saldaña
Janneth López
Jonathan López
Consejera:
Mrs. Eckerson
‘La Voz Hispana’ dentro
de ‘Words of a Feather’ es
producida por la clase de
español para hispanohablantes
nivel III/IV de la secundaria
de Crete. Esta sección de
del periódico se ha diseñado
como foro público para que
estudiantes periodistas informen y eduquen, específicamente en español y procuren
reflección y discusión en la
comunidad. El contenido de
‘La Voz Hispana’ se determina
por la clase de hispanohablantes nivel III/IV, con el apoyo
del personal de periodismo
escolar, y el contenido no
refleja la opinión del personal
de la secundaria, únicamente
de los estudiantes quienes lo
crearon. El propósito de esta
sección es publicar la escritura
de estudiantes hispanos en una
vía pública para facilitar el
aprendizaje de los fundamentos de escritura y fotografía
periodística. El diseño de esta
sección se realizó por miembros del personal periodístico
escolar en conjunto con la
clase de español para hispano-
November 25, 2009
Page 6
words of a feather
Special
Dealing With a
Bond of Brothers Broken by Foggy Morning
Jessalyn Holdcraft
Copy Editor
“They were driving to school, and it was foggy. They were turning to go into school when
a semi hit them,” Senior Cody Wendelin said,
explaining the accident that killed his two older
brothers. Kirk, 17, and Brady, 13, died October
4 and 3 respectively, in 2002.
“When I was ten in fifth grade, I was at
school recess, just playing and my uncle Dave,
who I never see except for holidays, came. He
got me out of recess, and my teacher was crying. I didn’t know what was going on. Then we
were going, driving, and he told me that Kirk
and Brady were in an accident. I was just really
shocked; I didn’t know what to think.”
It has been seven years since the accident, but
the family always remembers the two brothers.
“In our family, sometimes when something
bad happens or we do something during Christmas, we talk about the memories and what we
had done with them.”
The little moments help Cody remember his
brothers every day.
“As I go through day by day stuff that happens with my friends, like just joking around,
that stuff reminds me of them, or my PAL likes
Legos a lot, and I remember building Legos
with Kirk and Brady.”
Time can’t heal everything, but it can make
remembering easier.
“I’m now getting to the point if I remember
a story about them, I can tell it without think
about it too much.”
Cody learned two important lessons that Oc-
Kirk, 14, Brady, 10, Cody, 7, and Elizabeth, 4, Wendelin enjoy an afternoon out in South Dakota. Three years
later, Kirk and Brady died in a car accident in 2002.
tober day.
First, “if you’re having a bad day and feel like
taking it out on your mom or sister, remember
not to because that could be the last time you see
them.”
Second, “I think it made me value life more
instead of just going through life, it made me
realize there’s not always a next time, so make
the most of what you can right now.”
After Loss of Brother, 20 Becomes Loneliest Number
Amanda Reetz
Photo Editor
Brothers Nathan and Aaron Paulsen proudly show off their number 20 football jersey that they have both wore while particpanting in sports. In August of 2008 Nathan
passed away due to a car accident on Highway 33.
For Aaron Paulsen, losing his brother, Nathan, was one of the hardest
things to deal with in his life.
“The hardest part is not being able to talk to him about different things
and not being able to do things with him,” Paulsen said.
Remembering all the fun memories with his brother is the one thing he
likes to look back and smile about.
“The last memory that I had with my brother was when we both went to
Lincoln together and drove around for a while,” Paulsen said.
With the loss of a family member, the family has changed their routines
a bit.
“We have changed our routines by taking counseling classes and just by
remembering all the good memories with him,” Paulsen said.
Sports are a big thing in the Paulsen family, even when Aaron was younger he always wanted to wear his brother’s jersey, number 20.
“Last year was kind of the hardest for me just knowing that he wasn’t going to be there to watch me,” Paulsen said.
Aaron always intended to wear his brother’s jersey. “I have always wanted to wear his jersey since I was younger; it was just hard for me last year,
but I love wearing number 20 just because it brings back good memories,”
Paulsen said.
Rooming right across from each other, Aaron has had some days where
it’s hard for him to walk by his brothers old room.
“Sometimes if I am thinking about him, I remember him, but I just try to
forget about it and just go on with my day,” Paulsen said.
The Paulsen’s have taken some classes to mourn over the loss of Nathan.
“We went to a family counseling group that went over a family member’s
death and it seemed to help our family out,”Aaron said.
Section
Page 7
November 25, 2009
words of a feather
Sibling’s Casualty
Sisters Separated by City Park Cement
Jasmine Foster
Design/ Layout Editor
Thinking the end of the year school picnic would be a time of enjoyment and
epiphany, a tragedy was about to take place. On a day I thought would be a
breath-taking last day of the sixth grade, my whole life was about to change in
an instant. At Tuxedo Park, a celebration combining food, friends, water guns,
and family was taking place.
It was time for the annual water fight.
My youngest sister Brooke, my mom, and I were sitting on the picnic tables
eating our dinner. I had my water blaster stuck to my side, protecting it from all
the devious kids.
Alexa, my second youngest sister, came up to me.
“Jasmine, can I please use your water gun?” She said. I grunted, rolled my eyes,
and refused. Alexa frowned and walked away in disappointment.
The fight had just begun.
There were kids running at each yelling “watch out for me”. I decided I was
“too old” to participate, so I watched the action from the picnic tables with my
mom.
During the fight, Alexa, Brooke, and a few of their friends decided to go into
the nearby bathroom to fill up their water guns.
They were all inside, ready to get back to the fight, when a cinder-block wall
started to collapse.
Alexa was behind this wall.
The other children tried to help her out as the wall crashed down, but she had
slipped on the cement floor, knocking her unconscious.
The children came racing out of the bathroom screaming “The wall fell, Alexa
is hurt”. As soon as my mom and I heard her name, we ran to the scene while an
adult called 911.
As we arrived at the hospital, praying the whole way there, we were forced to
wait outside in the parking lot with my grandparents.
About an hour later, we were told to go inside because my parents wanted to
speak with us. The nurse guided us to the “family consolation room” which was
my worst nightmare.
Right then and there, I knew that my life was about to change forever.
“Girls, there have been some complications.”
“They tired really hard to save her,” my mom said. I knew my sister would
now be gone forever. I knew that everything in my life had just come crashing
down right before my eyes.
Knowing my sister is not going to be here for the rest of my life is a hard concept to grasp. Going to therapy helped the healing process.
Reporter Jasmine Foster (age five) poses for a picture with her little sister, Alexa FosAnyone who has had lost a sibling or family member should go to therapy or a
ter (age two), in 1997. Alexa passed away in an accident after a concrete block wall in
psychologist for help.
a city park restroom collapsed on her.
Sometimes it is hard to talk about my sister passing, but having friends around
that I trust to talk to is a great way to let feelings out and say how you feel.
How to Help a Young Person Experiencing Grief
 Use terms “died/dead/death” rather than a phrase like “passed away” or “taken from us”. Give an honest explanation for the person’s death,
avoid clichés or easy answers. Straightforward, gentle use of the words helps a person confront the reality of death.

Explain and accept that everyone has different reactions to death at different times. The reaction might not hit until the funeral or weeks later.
 Reassure the young person that his or her grief feelings are normal. There is no “right” way to react to a loss. Give permission to cry, or let them
know it’s OK not to cry if the person does not typically act this way.
 Permit or encourage the young person to talk about the person who has died. At the moment of loss, but especially after the funeral, this is a vital
part of the healing process. Often we want to protect the person from the pain of the memories, but experiencing the pain is the first step of acceptance
and of healing.
 Do not try to minimize the loss or take the pain away. Phrases like, “Don’t worry, it will be OK,” “He had a good life,” or “He is out of pain” are
not helpful. Grief is painful. There must be pain before there can be acceptance and healing. It is very difficult to do but most helpful to acknowledge
the person’s pain and permit him or her to live with it without trying to take it away or make it better.
 Encourage the young person to talk about their feelings. Encourage communication first in the family, but also be aware of other support people
such as clergy, trusted adult friends or trusted peers.
 Listen. Listen to your heart. Listening to the feelings of the young person is most important. Listen through silences. Just being there, showing
you care by listening is more important than knowing what to say or ever saying anything at all.
 Help the young person make decisions in regards to attending the funeral. The funeral can be a way to say good-bye. Often times it is better to
attend and mourn with others, but abide by the young person’s wish and express understanding if he or she chooses not to go.
November 25, 2009
Page 8
Activities
Speech Invasion: The War on Speaking
words of a feather
by Christina Jackson
Staff Reporter
Sophomore Roxana Dominguez is awarded the seventh place Novice Poetry medal from the Lincoln East/Pius X Speech Meet on Saturday, November 21.
FBLA Members
Travel Nationwide
Bus Trip Brings
New Experience, Expertise.
by Taylor Reetz
Staff Reporter
The Crete Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) members went to one of the three
National Leadership Conferences. This conference switches locations
each year,
and this year
the chosen
destination
for
CHS’
chapter was
Denver, Colorado.
Eight students went on the trip, which is a
few more than in years past. Usually, there are
only five to six students who choose to attend
the national conference.
“On this trip, we toured the Hammonds
Candy Factory and the Broncos stadium. We
also had a lot of free time on the trip so we
got to go shopping. On Saturday is when the
workshops really began,” Junior Morgan Ramer said.
The students left at around 1:30 p.m. on a
Thursday and came back the following Sunday
at around 8:30 a.m. They rode on a charter bus
with students from Wilber, Tri-County, Friend,
Centennial, Sandhills, Kearney, Sandy Creek,
Wood River, and Syracuse.
“The bus ride was very long. I got my own
seat so that was good for sleeping and we
watched movies the whole time and got to
meet new people from surrounding areas,” Ramer said.
“The bus ride was very interesting. We
watched movies and played cards a lot of the
time, but the rest of the time we slept,” Junior
Nicole Reetz said.
Once in Denver, members listened to speakers and had a leadership workshop. With the
time they had free, they went shopping.
“The best part about the trip was meeting
new people.”
Junior Garrett
Ebbers said.
“The workshops
there
were probably
my least favorite thing. Some
were very interesting while others were not,”
Reetz said.
At the confrence all the members split up
and listened to different people talk about different things. Some went to confrences on
leadership skills, communication skills, business skills, and others.
“The worst part of the bus ride was that, on
the ride home on Saturday, we drove home in
snow,” Sponsor Jennifer Coe said.
The FBLA members will report everything
they learned from the confrence at the next
meeting and hopefully use those skills in every
day life.
“The best part about the trip
was meeting new people,”
Junior Garrett Ebbers
Unique New York, Unique New York,
Unique New York. Red leather, yellow letter.
These are just some of the slithering tongue
twisters the students in speech encounter
For those who are in speech it’s about gaining confidence, improving speaking skills
and meeting others. There are eight returning
members, ten new members, and a new assistant coach.
“I wanted to join to get confidence and I enjoy performing in front of people,” Freshman
Mason Roth said, a new member
For other new members it’s about expressing themselves.
“I wanted to express myself so I do poetry,”
Freshman Stormy Polfus said.
Being one of the seniors still on the speech
team, Senior Dale Potter has a way to make
the new members feel welcome and want to
stay in speech.
“I plan on giving them their space because
if you push them too hard they might quit. I’m
there for support,” Potter said, who is in his
fourth year of competing.
Potter plans on working harder than ever,
putting more effort and time into it. Reaching a goal for some is as simple as improving
speaking skills, not being nervous, and being
the best speaker possible.
“Students can expect the following outcomes: a different level of comfort when
speaking in front of a group of people, strategies from dealing with nerves, the ability to
think on one’s feet, and self-motivation,” said
Head Speech Coach Liz Boyle.
Speech may be a little strict at times but it’s
also fun. For the kids involved meeting other
people at speech meets and bonding with teammates is the best part.
“The best part of speech is being with your
friends and having a good time,” Sophomore
Roxana Dominguez said.
Others enjoy different aspects of speech.
“Going to speech meets and the warm ups”
said Freshman Kay Mensburg
Spanish and ELL teacher Angie Wagoner is
taking the place of Jay Quinn.
“Ms. Wagoner has a much different coaching style than Mr. Quinn did. She’s ready for
whatever we throw at her,” Potter said.
The speech team practices officially on
Thursdays for about two to three hours.
“The students who are most competitive in
speech are the ones who have the self-discipline to work on their own or with the coaches
outside of regular practice times” said Boyle.
Speech meets are on Fridays and Saturdays.
A typical Saturday speech meet includes gathering at the High School to get on the bus and
leave at about 7am. Members who are presenting go over their speeches about thirty minutes
before arriving at the meet. Then round one begins for the presenters. There are three rounds
of the speech meets and presenters get ranked
one through six based on performance in each
round. Those who have good rankings go on to
the final round. At the end of the day, the presenters come out with a smile on their face for
doing well on their performances as they look
forward to the pizza, school van rides, and the
endless amusement of the tongue twisters.
If you still want to join speech you can visit
Ms. Boyle down at the middle school or at the
high school before 4pm on Thursdays.
(From the left) Morgan Ramer, Marco Ortiz, Shelby Tachovsky, Kiana Ybarra, Nicole Reetz,
Jackie McGinnis, and Garrett Ebbers excitedly pose while visiting Denver, Colorado, to hear
people speak.
Teens’ Outrageous
Spending Habits
by Dulce Castañeda
Staff Reporter
Teens like money. Even more than liking it,
though, they like spending it.
The International Communications Research (IRA) has shown that over $150 billion
dollars a year are put back into the economy by
teens nationally.
This money is usually spent on items such
as clothing, food, and gas.
“I spend all my money on gas. It’s too expensive,” Junior Nicholas Youssef said.
“I usually buy energy drinks and then an occasional game,” Freshman Preston McElravy
said.
Studies show that females ages 15 and 16
are more likely to spend their money on cosmetics and fashion products.
“My Uggs cost $150. I’ve been wanting them for a while, so I just decided to buy
them,” Sophomore Natasha Kingston said.
Statistics are now showing new research.
Education Week, an Editorial Project in Communication, has recently taken a survey of
teens ages 14 to 19 showing that more than 62
percent of teens say their top priority is saving money for college. This is an increase from
40 percent of adults who said their top priority
was college when they were teens.
The IRA has published that teens get their
money through a variety of methods. The most
common is getting it from adults as an allowance or as a gift.
“I get my money from my parents,” Sophomore Colten Mach said.
Findings have shown that more teenage
girls get their money from their parents. About
87 percent versus 77 percent of boys use this
method.
Money isn’t always obtained easily, though.
Many teenagers try to hold down a job and balance schoolwork at the same time.
“I work at Isis Theater two or three times a
week,” Senior Daniel Young said.
The China Youth Research Center has
shown that the United States has the most high
school students that have or have had part-time
jobs. It is ranked number one out of the top four
countries in the world with a whopping 74.4
percent of teens having a job. Japan proved to
have 49.2 percent, and South Korea didn’t fall
far behind with 44.9 percent. However, only
36.6 percent of high school students worked
part time in China.
With this data, experts have proven that
teens in the United States are more likely to
spend more money on items that are not necessarily essential. Teens now have a higher probability of getting wrapped up in debt before
getting to college.
Adults are worried that teens are spending
money unwisely and will soon cause American debt to increase even more. Experts agree
that most teens gain their money management
skills from their family. Without budget skills,
teens are likely to face debt. More and more
responsibility is landing on parents to teach
these skills to their teens.
“My budget is $20 a week. My mom is
teaching me how to budget my money, and I
have a savings account for college and a car,”
Sophomore Meghan Shrewsbury said.
Whatever the case, teens continue spending
money either wisely or unwisely according to
what they have learned about debt and money
management.
Some teenagers still go to extensive measures to get money.
“I’ve pretty much lived off my change holder in my car for the past three weeks,” Sophomore Jake Hollman said.
Senior
Spotlight
By Rachel Hoesche
Staff Reporter
Jennifer Kleinweber
Q: Do you
plan on
going to
college, if
so what college?
A:“Yes,
UNL”
Q:What
was your
favorite class
throughout your
high school years?
A:“Any class Mrs.
Boyes taught”
Q:What do you
think your class will
most be remembered
for?
A:“Trying to break
the rules”
Eric Brockway
Q: Do you
plan on
going to
college, if
so what
college?
A: “Yes,
SCC in
Milford”
Q:What
was your
favorite
class throughout your
high school years?
A:“Science classes”
Q:What do you think
your class will most
be remembered for?
A:“Their smarts”
Crescencia
VanMeveren
Q: Do you
plan on going to college, if so
what college?
A: “I do plan
on
going
to college.
I’m going
to SCC first
though to get my prerequisites out of the
way then to UNL.”
Q: What was your favorite class throughout your high school
years?
A: “My
favorite was English
and German. I want to
major in English, but I
love learning German
with Frau Schumacher.”
Q: What do you think
your class will most be
remembered for?
A: “I’m not sure...maybe trying to break tradition last year with riding
bikes to school. Maybe
when we all promised
no drama then utterly
failed.”
Brandon Lempka
Q: Do you
plan on
going to
college? If
so, what
college?
A:“Yes. No
idea where.”
Q:What
was your
favorite class
throughout your high
school years?
A: “World Studies. Mrs.
Conway is hilarious.”
Q: What do you think
your class will most be
remembered for?
A: “I dunno.”
words of a feather
Cardinal Crossword
Across
3. Students and teachers could be friends on
what social network?
5. What new undertaking has Mr. Ludvik tackled
on this year?
8. The Cardinal football team lost not once, but
twice to this team.
13.One advantage the volleyball team would
have next year is the amount of _____ who were
on the team this year.
14. This act started in 2001 instituting standarized tests in public schools.
Down
1. The journalism staff is _____ over the issue of
over testing.
2. One thing that Coach Gillespie wants to improve for girls’ basketball this year is ________.
4. How many students went on the FBLA field
trip?
5. Teens’ money is usually spent on _____, food
and gas.
6. Teens are more likely to use what kind of drugs
other than marijuana?
7. The exercise that Senior Cody Wendelin wants
the wrestlers to do every day is __________.
9. The economic turmoil has affected students’
ability to choose what after high school?
10. There are how many new assistant coaches
for the boys’ basketball team?
11.What must you do before touching your eyes
when putting in contacts?
12. It is_____ to sell cosmetic lenses without a
license in optometry.
by Rachel Hoesche
Staff Reporter
Words of a Feather gladly accepts submissions for People page items, including questions of the month,
senior spotlight questions, crossword questions and answers and items for the Cardinal Community
Connection board. Students, Teachers and Administration are encouraged to submit items for the
editorial staff to review and consider reporting, especially items not contained within the school calendar. Submissions should be given to any editor or Mrs. Wright in Room 412.
Cardinal Community Connection
by Haley Sowders
Staff Reporter
Purchase your yearbook
for $50 in the office
High school finals are
December 21st and
22nd
T
cel ree o
D ebr f lig
Cr ecem ation hts
C ete ber on
Ho enter Area 6. A
no at M t t
r a 5p ed he
lov m ica
l
ed
on
e
People
Page 9
Novemeber 25, 2009
SAT regisrtation end on
December 15th
SAT Testin
g will be
held on
January
23rd
Breakfa
on Dec st with Santa is
8:30amember 5th fro
Come s to 10:30am. m
upport
FBLA
re
s a HOP
p
i
R
sh
lat ollege r 1st
o
h
e
c
r s tate C ecemb
o
j
Ma yne S is D
Wa dline
dea
Senior
s need
tw
senior
pictures o
f
the yea
rbook s or
t
a
by De
c. 22 to ff
room
412.
Question of
the Month
By Jasmine Foster
Staff Reporter
What is the best
Thanksgiving
food?
Freshman Lejla Alic
“ Mashed
potatoes because
my mom makes
them different than
regular potatoes
because we are
from Bosnia.”
Sophomore Jhonny Beltran
“Turkey,
because it
tastes like
chicken.”
Wint
e
delie r coat dr
ive.
ver c
oa
elem
entar ts to the
Dece y before
mber
1st
AXA achie
vm
scholarship ents
s$10,000 sc
holarships
to 52 stud
ents. Read
online Dec
ember 15
Need your senior pictures taken?
Contact Amanda Reetz
for more information
Profess
io
Withou nal-Looking P
o
t the P
rofessio rtraits...
nal Pric
e!
2
Dec. 2
Wed.,
y
b
e
u
412!
s are d
Portrait Staff in Room
r
io
n
e
S
ok
Yearbo
to the
Stop by room 412 if you have any questions.
Junior Sonia Lopez
“Birria- spicey
broth with
goat meat. Its
our traditional
meal of the
holidays.”
Senior Travis Hier
“Stuffing
because my
mom makes
it the best.”
Full Time Substitute Teacher
Kathy Koerner
“My Mother’s
homemade
dressing.
None of this
out-of-thebox
nonsense.”
November 25, 2009
Page 10
Sports
words of a feather
Grapplers Kick Off New Season
Middle School
Teacher Joins
Coaching Staff
Freshmen Tyler Winker and Nick Clement practice takedown drills during the first week of practice. The wrestling team’s first competition is a
dual on Dec. 3rd at Schuyler.
Tanna Nitzel
Staff Reporter
And the season begins. The wrestling team
is eager to kick off the 2009-2010 season. With
the same amount of boys going out,
the team hopes for the success they
have earned over the past six years.
First and foremost, the team expects to place higher at the state meet.
Head Coach Matt Anderson
said that there are some guys that
have great potential to be competing in the final round at state.
The Cardinals will be returning
four state qualifiers, two of which medaled at the 2009 State Tournament.
Sophomore Corey Kalkwarf placed
sixth and Senior Taylor Phipps placed fifth.
The wrestlers have been hitting the weight
room and worked hard in the off-season by
attending summer camps. Phipps and Junior
Brock Sherman traveled to Florida in June to
wrestle on Nebraska’s National Dual Teams.
“It was a good learning experience; the competition was amazing, and
I’m glad I had the opportunity to go
down there and wrestle,” Phipps said.
Two of the senior leaders, Phipps and
“I want to have the whole team do
fifty pushups every practice for the entire year. I want to push everyone to their
ability,” Senior Cody Wendelin said.
Not only must the wrestlers handle the
hard practices daily, many have the challenge of losing weight. This involves eating light meals, cutting
out the junk food, and working out.
“My favorite part about
wrestling season is being able to
eat after weigh-ins,” Phipps said.
“Seeing the guys devolp
over the years and getting better through out the season,” Anderson said about his favorite
part about coaching wrestling.
The Cardinals first dual is on
Dec. 3 against the Schuyler Warriors, in Schuyler. Sat., Dec. 5 they then travel
to York for the first tournament of the season.
“Being in the best shape of my life and feeling that I can accomplish things on my own,”
Wendelin said is why wrestling is the best.
Middle School Social Studies Teacher Aaron Wagoner has been named
the new assistant wrestling coach.
He wrestled for Clarinda High
school in Clarinda, Iowa. He coached
middle school wrestling in 2009.
When the assistant job came open he
decided he wanted a new challenge
and to work with high school kids.
“I
have
high
expectations
for this season. I want it to be a
successful year.” Wagoner said.
Wagoner is planning to do whatever is needed to help the team out
this year. He is “team oriented” and
is going to use that to create success.
“My favorite part about
wrestling season is being
able to eat after weigh-in”
-Senior Taylor Phipps
Boys’ Basketball Adds
to Coaching Staff
Alex Rivas, want to lead by example and
show everyone that they are great role models.
Head Coach Matt Anderson is expecting the
upperclassmen to take pride and ownership
in their team and help everyone get better.
Young Team Matures From 1-19 Season
Doane Students Cameron Duba and Will
Pope have joined the boys’ basketball
coaching staff as assistants. Not pictured:
Brad Anthony.
With the love of the game, Social Studies teacher, Chris Whitwer, has decided to take the opportunity to coach the
freshman boys Basketball team.” Teaching players how to compete at their highest level is very fulfilling to me,” he said.
“There was a need for a freshman coach
and I decided to take the chance,” He said.
With the experience from coaching freshmen boys at Omaha Skutt Catholic, he held
a record of 52-11, also with assisting with
back to back state titles. He coach at Skutt
for eight years. He also played basketball in
high school as well has a league in Lincoln.
With the season on its way, the boys
started out on a tough note with the first
day. “Three boys, who will remain nameless, through-up. After the first day the
conditioning came a lot easier,” he said.
Along with Whitwer assigned to the
freshmen coach the Boys basketball team
has seen some new changes with three new
volunteer coaches, Brad Anthony, Cameron
Duba, and Will Pope. All three have had their
experience at Doane. Duba attended Crete
and has played with Hobza as well has J.V.
Coach Shawn Carr, and played basketball
at Doane. Pope attended Chadron and has
played with the Doane basketball team for
two years. Anthony was the head coach at
York as well as Ord. He attended Doane and
there he also played four years of basketball.
“We will be able to get a lot more
done in a shorter pie rod with all the extra help,” Head Coach, Greg Hobza said.
Junior Alex Moore and Ryne Reeves and Sophomore Kyle Frew do wall sits during the first week of practice.The boys’ basketball team will
kick off their season at home against Lakeview.
Nicole Reetz
Staff Reporter/Business Manager
With the new season already in progress, the
boys’ basketball team has taken many
strides to progress toward where they
want to be at this point in the season.
The boys squad is led by two seniors.
“As a senior I know I have a
lot of potential in this group of
boys,” Senior Luke Ruhlman said.
Head Coach Greg Hobza has
coached at Crete for ten years,
eight of them being the head coach.
“Hobza
helps
us
overcome
adversity,”
.Junior
Aaron
Paulsen
said.
“Hobza has been working really hard
to turn the corner and take the next step
as a team,” Junior Alex Moore said.
Last year with a tough with the record of
1-19 was a definite growing season.“The boys
have matured a lot from last season,” Hobza said. “We have several boys with a lot of
varsity minutes that will help us this year.”
With
the team led by
two
seniors
many
underclassmen
have
this summer and with the camps we went
to,” Sophomore Mitchell Marvin said.
Coming off with the football season, Hobza said that he has seen great
things that they boys have done with football and hope it continues on the court.
“We will have a surprising team;
we have to get mentally tough and
win the close games,” Hobza said.
With the coaches and boys excited for this season, Hobza has met
with four different coaches to see how
they deal with the different situations.
“I try to get better each season.”
“This year we will be athletic and talented, we will tear it up. ‘Nough said,”
Sophomore
Derek
McGinnis
said.
“This year we just clock in. put our
hard hats on and go to work. This is a blue
collar team,” Junior Ryne Reeves said.
The Cardinals will have their first
home game on December 3 at 7:15
pm against
the Lakeview Vikings.
“You have to play your best
basketball in February,
that is when it counts”
-Head Coach Greg Hobza
stepped up to play their “A” game.
“You have to play your best basketball in February, that is when it really counts,” Hobza said.
“We will be returning a lot of players we have got a lot better through out
Sports
Page 11
November 25, 2009
words of a feather
Football Finishes Season 6-5
Juniors Jonathan Avelar, Ansel Whittle, Ryne Reeves and Sophmore Colten Mach defend against Omaha Skutt in the quarterfinals of the state playoffs. The Skyhawks defeated the Cardinals 20-13.
By Amanda Reetz
Photo Editor
With the football season ending with a close
loss, the Crete Cardinals ended with a record
of 6-5
“Being 1-4 after the first game, many people wrote us off saying it was a building year.
That statement drew us closer together helping
us win five in a row.”
“I had the time of my life this season
and I am proud to say I played for Crete High
Football,” Senior Luke Ruhlman said.
With their regular season ending with a
heartbreaking loss to state finalists Omaha
Skutt, redemption was the focus of the seasonending 20-13 loss.
“When we played them the first time we
were 1-2 and not very confident.” “The next
time we played them we were on a 5 game
winning streak and we had a lot of confidence going in on the last game,” Junior Ryne
Reeves said.
Someone who cheers on the Cardinals regardless of the record is Coach David Bish. He
was always at the home games to support the
Cardinals no matter what the condition was.
“I loved the random quotes Bish would say
like ‘she is hot’ or ‘what are we doing Thursday for meal.’ I will also miss how polite and
caring Bish was.” Senior Austin Askamit
said.
With fourteen seniors this year, the under
classmen thought the seniors did a good job
leading this team.
“I thought the seniors did a good job this
year. They would be the ones to get us pumped
up and get us going before the games. We are
going to miss them,” Sophomore Derek McGinnis said.
Beating Beatrice is one of Junior Brock
Sherman’s favorite memories.
“Being able to beat Beatrice was a great
win for us and it felt great beating them big
and not allowing them to score,” Sherman
said.
“My goals for next year are going to gain
weight in the off-season and help take state for
Crete,” Junior Ansel Whittle said.
Being a senior, Robbie Sattler has taken
many skills away from Crete High football.
“I had to find other ways to help the team
win since I didn’t start at quarterback. I ran
scout them for the defense in practice and also
found myself on the kickoff them,” Sattler
said.
the girls realize how good they are and could
be we will be a vary dangerous team in Class
B.”
However, there seems to be a different
game plan in store for them this season.
“I would like to run more transitions this
year and also press more to up the tempo and
stay away from the half court games. We are
very deep on bench so we should be able to
wear down teams, hopefully,” Gillespie said.
Having a deep bench the team will be quick
and will be a very surprising team. Many girls
have steped up to play at their best.
With their record last season it raises the
bar for the goals set for the team.
“The obvious goals would be to win the Doane Holiday Tournament, win conference, win
districts, and win state, but I will take a lot of
hard work to get that done which all, I think,
could be possible. The main goal though is to
prepare the girls for life outside of basketball
through the game,” Gillespie said.
The regular season starts out on Thursday,
December 3 vs. Columbus Lakeview at 5:30
p.m. The Lady Cards will have the home court
advantage to start the season.
Senior Meredith Wahl and Sophomore Caroline Cote work on two-line passing in the first week of
practice. The Cardinals come off of a 12-4 seaon last year and start their season Dec. 3 at home.
Basketball Starts With High Hopes
By Cheyenne Persing
Staff Reporter
With four returning starters, five seniors to
lead the team, and various talents throughout
the grades, it looks like the girls basketball
team is set for the season.
“Having five seniors is going to be a big part
of any success that we have this year. I think
that we have some good leaders in that class
and a lot of experience, which helps out greatly, said Head Coach Marcus Gillespie. Also, I
think we will have a strong core in the underclassmen but talent doesn’t mean much without good work ethic. They will definitely help
our depth on the bench which we have not had
in the past.’
Last season the team went 12-4; this year’s
schedule isn’t going to be any easier and no
team becomes a good one until going through
some struggle first.
“ The hardest struggle the team will have to
face is Seward and getting the girls to believe
in themselves and that they can beat any given
team on any given night,” Gillespie said. “We
have a lack of confidence at times and once
Head Coach Looks Back on Season
By Jasmine Foster
Staff Reporter
Freshman Kaitlin Bradley hits the ball against the Schuyler Warriors. The Cardinals lost the
match in five sets 25-19, 23-25, 23-25, 25-20 and 13-15.
Looking back on the 2009 season, Head
Coach Jill Oltman had a lot of positive feelings.
“Everyone showed up to practice consistently and competed,” Oltman said. “They
showed their support for each other at all times
and never gave up.”
There were a lot of ups and downs of this
season, as can be said for any sport, any season.
“Some positives for this season were
that we improved each and every game and
everyone showed their effort to their full
potential,”Oltmen said,
“The only negative I could think of was that
we only had one returning varsity player,”
The record for this year was 3-28.
“Compared to last year our record is lower,
but we have had many new players and have
tried our best,” Oltman said.
Having underclassmen was both an ad-
vantage and disadvantage for the team as a
whole.
“They all played well together and had great
chemistry. Our one senior has great leadership
and never gave up on the younger girls,” said
Oltman, referring to Amanda Reetz.
“We will miss our senior a lot. She has done
a lot for us this year,” said Oltman.
“Something to work on next year is being
more consistent in all areas when we play on
the court,” Oltman said.
“This will make us a stronger team next
year.”
Our main focus for next year is definitely
tougher defense, being more aggressive, and
attacking while at the net,” Oltman said.
We have a strong team coming back next
year, and it has overall been a good year,” Oltman said.
“We accomplished a lot of different goals
even though our record didn’t show that.”
“This year, being inexperienced hurt us.
Now that they have had the varsity experience
they know what to expect,” Oltman said.
“We now have a better feel of what it takes
to compete at the varsity level.”
November 25, 2009
Page 12
words of a feather
Features
Facebook Frenzy Creates Safety Concerns
Senior Sevleta Alic logs into her Facebook account. Sevleta is one of the many teenagers to use this site, which helps people stay connected with
friends and promote business and other social networking relationships.
“One female student brought in a print out of
one of the statuses about sex which included her.
She was upset that they would do that.” ‘They’
being the student(s) who created the profile.
The students committed ‘defamation of
character’ which is a serious charge that
may result in criminal and/or civil action.
Essentially, one person falsely accuses another in some way that damages the other’s character.
In Denker’s case, there were three main
components of the defamatory profile:
1.
Pornographic
pictures
2. Posting fake statuses and wall posts
claiming to have sex with girls from school
3.
Sending
fake
messages
ask
ing or thanking the girls for sex.
Through this ongoing investigation headed up by the Nebraska State Patrol, one student has admitted to creating the profile and
was expelled. Others are being investigated.
Denker wants this experience to be a lesson
to everyone who may be on that or other sites.
“I want students to know just how this
type of action affects people personally and
professionally,” Denker said. “Today, anybody can create a profile about anybody.”
Fake Facebook profiles defaming anyone
have the potential to become civil law suits
with a charge of slander because it’s in writing.
A principal in Washington received 10 million
dollars after a fake profile damaged his career.
On a regular basis, Crete has its own
issues with fighting over Facebook.
“Probably on a monthly basis we’ll have our
students come in saying ‘this person is making
comments to us by Facebook’,” Principal Tim
Conway said. “It becomes a school issue once
it affects the students within our building.”
Even the world outside of school deals
with social networking sites. According to
careerbuilder.com, approximately 77 percent
of employers use search engines to evaluate candidates, and about 35 percent of employers have actually eliminated a candidate
based on information found on these sites.
“I wouldn’t really have a problem with it
because I don’t have have anything damaging on my page,” Junior Ali Schuerman said.
“I think that employers want people with a
good reputation not someone who does or
posts inappropriate things on facebook.”
The Internet limits the amount of privacy
one has, though, sites such as Facebook provide certain safety measures such as a private profile option and limiting what can be
seen to categories including friends only.
“I think they (people) make it (Facebook) less safe for themselves,” Junior
Nick Youssef said. “If you are scared of
creepers, then the obvious thing to do is
to have the privacy settings on there.”
Facebook is on the world wide
web, so caution
should be exercised
when posting anything on the site.
“Anything you say on Facebook,
you say to the world,” Eckerson said.
new, but it was never the
same because I missed it
so much,” Ludvik said.
After all his of teaching, Ludvik has a ton of
memories but not one
is his absolute favorite.
“Every class is special
and unique to me and for
many different reasons.
I will always remember
the people here,” he said.
Ludvik has a definitely
calling to be a teacher and
relates to all the students he
meets and teaches. He has had
an impact on many students.
“I like being around young
people and the best times of
my life has been here meeting and teaching different
grades, Ludvik said. Every
day is a new challenge. I
found out I communicate
with kids better. Being
with them keeps me young
and involved. You can’t
fake caring about people.”
Ludvik began a new endeavor relating to something he’s been involved
in for years. This year will
be his thirteenth time goBernie Ludvik sustitute teaches student in Greg Hobza’s Govern- ing to Washington D.C
ment and Economics class.
for the close-up program as the main sponsor.
“I really enjoy every aspect of politics, there’s
by Cheyenne Persing
so much to see and do there and I really enjoy
Features Editor
sharing it with the students and seeing how much
the students change when they come back.”
Family and community are two words
In addition to teaching and sponsorSubstitute Teacher Bernie Ludvik would ship he also helped out with getting the
use to describe Crete High School af- Brady Wendelin Scholarship instituted.
ter teaching at the school since 1979.
“I retired a year after Kirk and Brady’s
“I feel like I have a connection with ev- accident. After it happened I worked
erybody here at the school. It’s almost with Brady’s class to raise money for
like a second family to me,” Ludvik said. a scholarship in his honor,” he said.
Ludvik worked at the high school
Last year, Ludvik had extensive
as a seventh grade world studies teach- open-heart surgery in Austin Texas. It
er and the high school’s modern prob- took him three weeks to recover rathlems teacher for 24 years before retiring. er than the six weeks usually required.
“When I retired I wanted to try something
“When I had my surgery I received a
lot of get well cards and many people kept
in contact with me. I was really anxious to
come back, Ludvik said. This is my home and
where I want to be. My motivation to get better was being able to come back and work.”
Ludvik has since made a full recovery and came back in full force.
He will be taking a group of 2025 students to Washington D.C. for
Close-Up
the week of March 28.
“Planning all this out and organizing it
takes a lot of time. I really enjoy going and
don’t want to see the program die. A lot of
adults don’t understand how the government works and the concept of D.C,” Ludvik
said. “It is full of fun things to see and do,
people don’t understand that Washington belongs to us. Our tax dollars pay for all of it.”
Fundraising is a big part of paying for
this trip. The students going on this trip sold
five hundred poinsettias, the most ever sold.
“The trip is really expensive; not many
people can afford it, and it is my duty to
help them raise as much money as they
can. This year the students going have
done a great job raising money so far.”
by Jessalyn Holdcraft
Copy Editor/Staff Coordinator
It’s not official until it’s Facebook official, so officially no teachers want to be
friends with their students on Facebook.
A survey of 34 teachers revealed
that most won’t add students until after they have graduated, if at all.
“I never add current students. I add former
students whom I am genuinely interested in
remaining in contact,” Spanish teacher Janet
Eckerson said. “I will not accept your friend
request just because you were my student.”
An incident at Seward High School did not involve a teacher adding a student, rather a student
creating a profile of the Principal, Chad Denker.
“There were two profiles created, one on
Facebook and one on MySpace. The one on
Facebook was out of control,” Denker said.
Above and Beyond the Call of Duty
Substitute teacher Bernie Ludvik leads the students section in cheering the ‘Go Big Red’ chant at a
home football game. Ludvik, a teacher in the Crete Schools since 1979, has been retired since 2003,
but came back to the school to substitute teach. He has recently taken on the head sponsorship of
the Close-Up program, fundraising and organizing the trip with students.