Issue 5 January 2011

ECHOES
Scottsbluff High School | Jan. 20, 2011 | Volume 94 | Issue 5

Hometown
royalty
2010 SHS graduate Teresa Scanlan
named Miss America 2011 | pg. 3

Scanlan performs as Sharpay Evans
in SHS’ 2010 musical, High School
Musical. photo by Gordon Rock

[also]
Major victory for the gay rights move-
ment when President Obama signs
repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell | pg. 5

Valedictorian requirements changing
For the class of 2013 and beyond, only one student will claim the title of Valedictorian
story by and salutatorian, there will be a new possible for a student to get B’s in in courses and get students to engage
SCOUT WILSON | news editor category added to the equation for the
classes of 2011and 2012: an Advanced
AP courses and still keep a 4.0 GPA.
Students who are scoring A’s have a
in harder more challenging classes,”
Cantril said.
The second semester has com- Placement (AP) valedictorian. better chance in the running for AP For the classes following 2012, the
menced and, with it, the excitement of This will give students an oppor- valedictorian as their GPA could be second category will cease and the
graduation. tunity to compete with other students higher than a 4.0. regular system will revert to the new
Graduation is a time of crying enrolled in AP courses, rather than The regular valedictorian and weighted system.
mothers, long processions, time con- less academically challenging classes. salutatorian will be based, as always, This in turn could result in the
suming speeches, recognizing student In order to be eligible to be the AP on accumulated percentage rather selection of a single valedictorian and
achievements, and awarding the top valedictorian, students must take at than GPA. salutatorian for the classes of 2013 and
of the class. least one AP course, but the more a Principal Rick Porter believes it beyond.
The top of the class is a coveted student takes the better their chance will be a good thing for students and Students expecting the same old
group made of the students who keep at the title. their GPA. status quo in May with the graduation
their grades as a main priority. One reason for this new title is to “One of the goals of the change is speeches maybe pleasantly surprised.
In recent years, however, that ‘cov- introduce a weighted Grade Point Av- to raise the GPA by getting students to Instead of the traditional valedic-
eted group’ has grown significantly in erage (GPA) scale, where AP courses challenge themselves to try for those torian and salutatorian speeches, a
size, with some classes having numer- are ranked on a 5-point scale. titles,” Porter said. committee will be created for students
ous salutatorians and valedictorians. This means if a student receives an Counselor Rick Cantril also thinks wishing to audition to speak at gradu-
To combat this phenomenon and ‘A’ in an AP course they will get five it would be good for student enroll- ation.
restore the tradition of valedictorian credits rather than the traditional four. ment in class. This change could be a permanent
With this new system it would be “It should increase participation part of graduation for years to come.

The future of study hall Teacher salaries in Nebraska
story by make an average of $2,933.74 per
It may become mandatory for all grades RYAN MEISTER | news writer student, while our teachers make
$2,660.59.
story by Nebraska nationally ranks 42 in Even though Lincoln schools have
SCOUT WILSON | news editor Principal Rick Porter has seen good average teacher salary in the United
States. What, if anything, does this say
a higher population, they have a bet-
things come from this study hall. ter student-to-teacher ratio than SHS
Riiinnggg! “It seems that some sophomores about Nebraska? does. On average they also get paid
It’s 11:30 and you know what that are taking on an attitude that they are It says the average teacher in more per student than the teachers at
means........IT’S LUNCH TIME! failing and that study hall is some- Nebraska makes around $40,382 an- Scottsbluff.
Students have already burst out thing they need to do and want to get nually. With the teacher per student The question then becomes if
of their classrooms creating a flow of their grades up,” Porter said. ratio being 13.5 students per teacher, Scottsbluff teachers have a higher
hungry and impatient teens. The study hall certainly does create it means teachers make just under student to teacher ratio than Lincoln
Many are going to the parking lot a lot of incentive to have good grades $3,000 per student. Southeast, why don’t our teachers get
hoping to get a chance to get out be- and would be good incentive for all This ranks Nebraska teachers’ paid as much or more?
fore the chaos of driving teens ready students. wages at about the 25 percentile in the The answer: property tax. Property
to get far away from school. This will become a reality in the nation. tax is what pays our teachers and
But for some the lunch bell sym- oncoming years as juniors will be However, teachers at SHS make supports our public school system,
bolizes more than lunch, it’s also the added to the list of students who with an average of $45,230, compared to and with Lincoln’s greater population
call of study hall. a failing grade will face a mandatory Lincoln high school teachers which they can afford to pay teachers more,
This year there has been a manda- noon study hall. make $46,940. even though they have several differ-
tory study hall during lunch for any The following year seniors will be At Lincoln Southeast High School ent districts.
freshman or sophomore with a failing added to the list, creating an all-grade the student per teacher ratio is 16:1, Even though teachers don’t get
grade. mandatory noon study hall. while in Scottsbluff the average is paid enough, most of them teach for
17:1. the love of teaching and not for the
2 | NEWS This means that teachers in Lincoln economic aspect of it.

BRIEFLY SHS Graduate wins Miss America
s pe akin g Teresa Scanlan’s victory is a first for Nebraska and the nation
Speech team wins
story by
prestigious SCOUT WILSON | news editor
Cheyenne meet “And the 90th anniversary Miss family’s
America, your 2011 Miss America is….. restaurant
Recently the Scottsbluff Miss Nebraska, Teresa Scanlan!” watching
Speech Team has been on roll What followed was the collec- the evening
asthey placed first in a challeng-
tive gasp of a family, a community, a unfold.
ing Cheyenne meet as well as
taking second at Alliance on the state, and a nation, all reacting to an “I was
same day.. unprecedented achievement. at the the
The Wyoming meet took On Saturday, Jan. 15, 2011, Teresa, Skyport
place over a two-day period, a 2010 SHS graduate, was named the and besides
with four preliminary rounds, 90th anniversary Miss America at the crying I was
a semi-final round, and then Las Vegas Planet Hollywood Casino jumping up
finals. and Resort, making her the youngest and down.
The meet gave students the winner since the age limit (17-24 years I ran into
opportunity to compete against
of age) was imposed in 1938 and the the kitchen
speakers they will face in March
to qualify for Nationals in June. first Miss Nebraska to ever win the and started
Schools involved in the meet title. screaming,
included Fort Collins, CO., Teresa’s win sent shock waves of ‘She won!
Lead and Deadwood, S.D., as excitement and pride through the Teesh won!’
well as Green River and Chey- Cornhusker state and left the Nebras- and then I
enne, WY. ka fans attending the pageant hoarse ran to all the
The Cheyenne Central Heart from cheering. tables at the
of the Rockies Tournament “We were expecting her to do restaurant
resulted in several Scottsbluff
really well, but as the cuts kept hap- screaming
speech members displaying an
outstanding performance plac- pening and she kept being included, and crying
ing them in the top positions. we kept freaking out,” sophomore and telling
In Drama Interpretation: Christine Scanlan, Teresa’s younger every per-
Nick Roussel placed first, Sara sister said. son I saw,”
Frederick finished second, and Emotions ran high when 2010 Miss Schluter
Tyler Webber took fifth place. America Caressa Cameron placed the said.
In Humorous Interpretation crown on Teresa’s head. Follow-
Webber took first, while Jay
Grote placed third in Extempo-
raneous Speaking.
In Original Oratory, Maddy
Parsley placed third, Frederick
placed third in Poetry, and in
Duo Interpretation Roussel
and Webber placed second
”
“There was a lot of crying when
she won and then I was silent and
stood there staring at her for about
two minutes and then I started crying
again,” Christine said.
Senior Taylor Counter, one of Tere-
ing the
coronation,
Teresa was
ushered to a
press confer-
ence where
sa’s closest friends, was in the balcony she talked about the experience.
HIGH SCHOOL Teresamusical, High School last
MUSICAL
year’s
Scanlan performs in

Musical.
Photo by Gordon Rock

“I’m so excited to see what this
year has in store for me,” Teresa said.
while Victoria Bravo and Kirby section among “These girls are After the press conference, Teresa
Thornton placed third. strangers at the at the highest level was allowed an hour in a suite over-
With nine speakers from We were expecting her to do looking Las Vegas to relax and catch

”
casino. imaginable; they’re
Scottsbluff at the Cheyenne
“They
really well, but as the cuts kept up with family and friends.
incredibly, high-
meet, some ‘rookie’ speakers happening and she kept being “It was crazy because she all of
competed at Alliance. called her caliber girls that are
The Bearcat speakers name after a included, we kept freaking out. just so amazing in so a sudden had a bunch of security
finished well, placing second long wait and -Christine Scanlan, 10 many ways,” Teresa people around her,” Counter said.
behind Gering in the team race. I went crazy,” gushed about her “There were two guards outside the
This was an impressive Counter said. competition in the room and three in it.”
accomplishment considering “I don’t even remember her being pageant. Teresa was then whisked away
the ‘rookies’ competed against crowned because I couldn’t see any- Despite being the youngest com- by pageant officials who flew her to
some of the tougher speakers thing from the tears in my eyes,” New York to begin a series of public
petitor at 17, Teresa said age did not
ofromGering. appearances, some on national talk
The Scottsbluff/Gering community affect the outcome.
Derrick Goss placed first
in Informative and Andrew celebrated similarly from nearly 1000 “We didn’t know ages. That didn’t shows like “Fox and Friends” and
miles away. matter because at this point it’s about “The View”.
Holsinger placed first in En-
tertainment, with Goss taking Choir director Brad Ronne, who what we’re doing; it’s about what At this point, no one, not even
fifth in Entertainment followed worked with Teresa last year in show the projects we’re involved in; it’s Teresa’s family, knows when she will
by Latosha Rojas and Michael choir and in the spring musical, found about our dreams and our hearts and get to return to the Panhandle.
Wright. the experience nerve-wracking. what we’re doing. It’s not about age “She won’t live with us anymore
In Duet, Mariam Castelli and “When it was down to the final because age really is just a number,” and she now has a full time job with
Sarah Hall placed second while five, I was so nervous,” Ronne said. barely any breaks until Christmas,”
Teresa said.
Nikki Catrina Anderson and Christine said.
“Each time they called a name that Because she so thoroughly con-
Michelle Clark placed fourth. For security purposes, Teresa’s
Joey Orozco placed second in wasn’t Teresa, my eyes got bigger and vinced the panel of judges of this idea,
my palms got clammier.” Teresa won a $50,000 scholarship and schedule is not made public.
Serious Prose.
Senior Jessica Schluter, another
|3
a year of domestic and international
close friend of Teresa’s, was at her travel. NEWS

BACK After dropping out of high
FOR school in 2009 and a stint at the
Pine Ridge Job Corps, junior
ROUND Skyler Sullivan is hoping to
TWO make the most of his second

Second
chance at SHS. Photo by Terry
Pitkin

CHANCES
Newman said she sees all kinds of
different reasons why kids decide to
drop out.
“Some kids have school phobia
while some struggle with school and
just get tired and worn down but
some live at homes where families are

After dropping out of school a year
in turmoil. For example, there are kids
whose parents just got out of treat-
ment and feel like they need to be at
and a half ago, junior Skyler Sullivan home with their parents to make sure
they aren’t using. Kids get behind in
has returned to finish his education credits early on in high school and
feel like they can’t catch up,” New-
man said.
Newman said drug and alcohol
usage is another problem that often
story by cally translates to upgraded juvenile tennis. makes it difficult for a student to be in
RACHEL CLEMENS | feature writer detention center. Dakota Britthouer, a senior at school.
Sullivan received $25 every two VALTS, also dropped out of high There are many things the school
There are decisions and moments weeks. school. can do to try and convince students
in every teen’s life they regret. “My experience at Job Corps was Britthouer decided to drop out of not to drop out.
They include things like getting pretty rough. I didn’t really talk to high school because he was scared of They are shown statistically what
that speeding ticket, not studying for many people; I was kind of a loner. getting jumped by people that didn’t their lifetime earnings would be.
that final, sneaking out of the house, They treat you like you’re in prison, like him and he found it hard to con- Counselors also talk about alterna-
dating the wrong guy or girl, shop- and I threw up every day from the centrate while seeing people he didn’t tives and how difficult they would be,
lifting or not getting involved in an food they served,” Sullivan said. like in class. or showing them different ways they
activity or sport. After Sullivan’s seven months at He dropped out in 9th grade, after can graduate.
For junior Skyler Sullivan, one of Job Corps, he decided he wanted to being sentenced to the Department “Kids really only get one opportu-
those moments happened when he come back to high school. of Corrections, a juvenile program in nity to go to high school. Sometimes a
dropped out of high school at the When he first got back to Scotts- South Dakota, at age 11. kid drops out of high school and tries
beginning of his junior year in 2009. bluff, Sullivan was going to start CNA A person is required to stay in the to come back and they are too old,
After a year and a half Sullivan’s (certified nursing assistant) training program until age 21 unless they’re and don’t fit in with the age group of
back for another try. and GED classes. released early for good behavior. classes they would be in, so we can’t
“I regret dropping out of high “I thought about getting a GED, During Britthouer’s freshman year put them back in. They only have one
school in the first place. I probably but with the economy right now a he got into trouble and was locked up chance to make this work,” Newman
wouldn’t be having as many troubles GED probably isn’t going to get me at the end of the year. said.
in my life right now if I wouldn’t have very far in life,” Sullivan said. “I also After getting out of jail, he wanted Students under the age of 18 who
dropped out,” Sullivan said. thought about going to VALTS but to get back into school because of job decide to drop out have to get permis-
Sullivan’s decision to drop out I didn’t want to be known as a kid opportunities. sion from their parents.
wasn’t made on the spur-of-the- who went to VALTS. I wanted to be Britthouer started going to VALTS The legal age for dropping out
moment. There were a lot of events known as a kid with their high school in September of 2009. He registered at is 16, but Newman thinks putting a
leading up to his dropping out. diploma.” Sullivan said. Scottsbluff, Gering, and Morrill High magic number on anything doesn’t
Sullivan got into some bad habits. Sullivan’s mother played a big part Schools, but once a person goes to change people’s behavior.
He skipped class regularly and in his decision to come back. VALTS, they’re not allowed back to Even if the legal age was raised,
eventually stopped going to class all “My mom really encouraged me to regular high school. kids would still find a way to drop
together. go back to high school. Eventually she After Britthouer receives his di- out.
“I thought school was pointless influenced me into the idea,” Sullivan ploma in March, he plans on enlisting “Typically kids don’t just all of a
and that I didn’t need it,” Sullivan said. in the Navy. sudden drop out, it’s usually been a
said. Trying to get back into high school Scottsbluff High School counselor long process of failure, personal is-
Sullivan was sent to Job Corps in wasn’t exactly an easy process for Julie Newman said the school does sues, and kids who start high school
Chadron, NE on April 27 for seven Sullivan. One thing he had to do was many things to prevent kids from without the goal of graduating are
months. have meetings with school officials. dropping out of high school. much more likely to drop out,” New-
Job Corps is a free education and Sullivan said this time around he She said counselors meet with the man said.
training program that helps young plans on trying hard to be successful. student and his/her parents and try The graduation rate from 2009-
people learn a career, earn a high “I’m definitely going to go to class, to meet their needs as far as classes 2010 at Scottsbluff High School is
school diploma or GED, and find and do my homework, and everything and other programs. 88.78%.
keep a good job. else I need to do to succeed,” Sullivan If they don’t have a home or mon- The overall graduation rate in the
Instead of typical high school he said. ey for things they need for school, state of Nebraska in 89%. The dropout
alternated between work and school Sullivan is planning on participat- then there are many resources that rate in Nebraska has actually de-
every week. ing in tennis next fall and hopes to get can be tapped into in order to help a creased in the last ten years.

4 | FEATURE
Job corps basi- a scholarship to Hastings College for student be successful.

If you ask,
now I can tell
The repeal of a military law forces America
to pick a side and look back at history
story by tough, learning the ropes of a new
MEGHAN PRITCHARD | feature editor army. Basically anyone was in - except
Lieutenant Gotthold Frederick Enslin, legitimate privacy and associational with an openly gay guy or bunk with
With no time to brush his teeth, he the first soldier discharged from the rights of all service members.” him,” Griess said.
simultaneously gargles mouth wash U.S. military for sodomy. During Barack Obama’s Presiden- Although he agrees they are still
and combs his hair. Sodomy (sexual intercourse be- tial campaign in 2009 he promised the his fellow Marines and brothers, the
“The storm caused thousands of dol- tween two males) has been grounds repeal of the military law and, after situation seems uncomfortable.
lars of damage but claimed no lives.” for discharge from the American winning the election, went right to “If you think about it this way: It’s
Spitting out the mouth wash, he work on the effort. similar to a straight guy showering
reaches down to tie his shoes.
“In other news, Obama fulfills one of
his pledges.”
Running downstairs, he shoves
his arms through the coat holes and
drops the car keys in his pocket.
changed. ”
military since the Revolutionary War,
but over the past century, a lot has

The United States entered World
War II with new psychiatric screen-
ing added to the military’s induction
process; which differentiated homo-
By a vote of 65 to 33, with eight
Republicans joining the Democrats,
the Senate approved and sent Obama
a repeal of the Clinton-era law.
“As commander in chief, I am also
absolutely convinced that making
with a bunch of women he would
be attracted to, and I’m sure no one
would be comfortable with that,”
Griess said.
But the Senate’s vote will not
change Griess’s mind on serving in
“The Senate voted yesterday after- sexuals from this change will only underscore the the Marines.
noon the debated ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ heterosexu- profession- “I will fight next to a straight or
I believe anyone should be able alism of

”
policy.” als in 1942. gay guy as long as it means keeping
The scent of freshly-toasted cherry Gay service to serve for their country no our troops my country and people free and safe,”
Pop-Tarts wafts into the air as he members as the Griess said. “I signed up because I
matter their race or sexual best led
shoves them in his mouth and slings were court- want to fight and earn my freedom,
the camouflage back-pack sitting by martialed, orientation. and best not just have it handed to me. Even
the door onto his shoulder. imprisoned, -ISS Supervisor & veteran, Jenn Parks trained if that means giving my life I would
“Yes America, Obama has won and and dishon- fighting gladly give it up for this nation and its
the law is repealed,” blares from the T.V. orably discharged. force the people.”
through the kitchen just as he opens In 1944, a new policy said ho- world has ever known,” Obama said. Miss Parks, a Navy veteran, views
the door to speed to school. mosexuals were to be committed Not only the Senate, but most of the repeal differently from Griess.
His mind goes completely blank. to military hospitals, examined by the military itself is in favor of this “I believe anyone should be able to
July is when he’s scheduled for psychiatrists and discharged. transition. serve for their country no matter their
recruit training, only a few months Throughout the next couple of “Today’s vote means gay and race or sexual orientation,” Parks said.
away. He’s been waiting for almost a decades, policies were changed, but lesbian service members posted all Even though she doesn’t serve
year to finally be a part of the few, the homosexuals were always discharged around the world can stand taller anymore, she sees the future of the
proud, the Marines. in some manner. knowing that ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ military service men unchanged.
But he doesn’t know what to think In the 1970s, the gay and lesbian will soon be coming to an end,” said “I don’t think anyone will have to
now. This could change everything. rights movement emerged in the Aubrey Sarvis, an Army veteran and act or do anything different from the
Sure, he knows some homosexuals United States. The movement chose executive director for Service mem- repeal of this law,” Parks said.
and even counts a few as friends, but the anti-gay military policy as one of bers Legal Defense Network. Not only do future servicemen and
how will this change his service in the its main targets. The Department of For many, this repeal will mean a veterans have opinions on this case,
military? Defense issued a 1982 policy, stating complete change in the way the mili- but many of the students and faculty
Driving to school he thinks, “Will homosexuality was clearly incompat- tary can train and fight. at SHS have a say.
I have to bunk with one?” or “Will I ible with military service. R. Clarke Cooper, a member of A survey was handed out Wednes-
have to shower with them, now that Once Bill Clinton won the Presi- the Army Reserve, said repeal will day the 12th to eight homerooms.
they can be very open about it?” dency in 1993 Congress worked right "finally end a policy which has Sixty-one students and 19 faculty
Things will be different from what away to enact the existing military burdened our armed services for far members responded.
he planned, but regardless of the re- policy on homosexuals. This is where too long, depriving our nation of the Fifty-two percent of the students
peal, he will still fight for his country. the ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ (DADT) talent, training and hard won battle are in support of the repeal of DADT
*** policy finally surfaced. experience of thousands of patriotic and 48% voted not in support of the
It’s 1778. Every countryman fights DADT restricts the United States Americans. " repeal. Sixteen faculty members are in
for the new world: America. People military from efforts to discover or Now the question is: what do ser- support of the repeal and three aren’t
want to see this country flourish to the reveal the sexuality of secretive homo- vicemen think of this change? in support.
unstoppable giant it is today, which sexual or bisexual service members or Senior Taylor Griess, an August With the repeal new and fresh the
means stopping at nothing, fighting applicants, while barring those who enlisted Marine, does not agree with changes to the law are just now going
with everything you have, and never are openly gay, lesbian, or bisexual the policy ban. into effect. Whether this helps or hurts
giving up. from military service. “I think the ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ the military, men and women are will-
The American military in the Clinton said that the policy would policy was great because you didn’t ing to fight for their country no matter
Revolutionary War was small but establish “a decent regard for the have to worry about having to shower the circumstance.
FEATURE | 5

Financial Aid Night
Students and parents are invited to attend a financial aid
Anne Talbot, PsyD www.optionspsych.biz
presentation to learn more about the following:
Mark Hald, PhD 2622 Avenue C.
FAFSA forms • Scholarships • Pell grants • Student loans
Any other questions you have about paying for college Alan Smith, PhD Scottsbluff, NE
Charlotte Ingram, LMHP, ATR 308- 632- 8547
John N. Harms Georgia Nelson, LMHP
Advanced Technology Center
February 5 • 10:00 a.m. Pregnant?
Think you might be?
Drawings for door prizes will Prizes include scholarships Open and free to anyone looking to attend
be held at each location. to WNCC. any college, not just WNCC. Birthright can HELP
FREE and
For more information, contact the Financial Aid Office at 308.635.6011. CONFIDENTIAL
Pregnancy Test of Scottsbluff, Inc.
An International Pregnancy Service
NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY

Open Monday-Friday 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
632-5866
wncc.edu 24-Hour Hotline 1-800-550-4900

800.348.4435 10 East 17th Street • Scottsbluff, NE
SB Echos Quarter Page b_Layout 1 1/17/2011 11:28 AM Page 1
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Mulligans At the Monument Shadows
Are you in?
Golf Course
Great food & atmosphere
Open to the public all year round
2550 Club House Drive Gering, NE 69341
308-635-6868

Get inspired
Get informed
Get in
The Citizen!
www.GeringCitizen.com
633-NEWS (6397)
PO Box 532, Gering or 1447 10th Street, Gering

When the right to the
ECHOES
FREEDOM OF SPEECH staff

becomes the editor-in-chief | KARIN SHEDD

FREEDOM TO HATE news editor | SCOUT WILSON
news writer | RYAN MEISTER

America will be a nation divided
feature editor | MEGHAN PRITCHARD
feature writer | RACHEL CLEMENS
feature writer | ASHLEIGH SMITH

The recent shooting in Tucson is evidence of an even bigger center section editor | GABRIELLE CARLIN
problem in American politics: a lack of unity
center section writer | ETHAN HUGHES

F
reedom of speech: the shin- to his/her personal flaws, no mat- It is this atmosphere of hate and
ing tour de force of America’s ter how old or outrageous, and, as a divisiveness, peddled for profit and entertainment editor | RUSSELL MORGAN
political system. consequence, the ethical constraints election victories by television pun-
In the late 18th century, this First of civility have been pushed and dits, rabid party leaders, candidates entertainment writer | VICTORIA BRAVO
Amendment right served as a beacon strained to the point where no one is for public office, and the media alike –
of hope for a haggardly war-torn sure anymore where exactly the line all of whom work under the protec-
band of colonies looking to repair the on smear campaigns is or should be tive umbrella of the First Amendment sports editor | KELSEY EMPFIELD
damage inflicted by the tyranny of the drawn. – that was bared all too clearly that sports writer | MADDIE HOLSCHER
British Parliament. Before last year’s mid-term elec- day in Tucson when Jared Loughner
sports writer | MICHAEL MILLER
For generations thereafter, it held tions, Sarah Palin, a rising political wounded fourteen people and killed
the promise of a better, brighter future star and GOP/Tea Party favorite for six more, including a nine year-old
for the millions of immigrants who a 2012 presidential candidate, posted girl.
ad manager | CHANDLER BRILL
landed at Ellis Island. on her website a picture encouraging Giffords herself remains in critical
Today, it is the constitutional right voters to ‘take a stand’ against twenty condition after one of Loughner’s ad manager | CASEY SIGRIST
most exuberantly employed and Democratic bullets tore through
fiercely defended by American citi- Congressmen The views expressed her head. While doc-
adviser | TERRY PITKIN
zens from every branch of the political and women tors remain highly
spectrum. We as a nation brandish (including in this editorial were optimistic about her
free speech more than any other
right as proof of the equality and fair
Representative
Giffords) who
supported 13-2 by chances of recovery,
it is currently impos-
The Echoes is a monthly pub-
lication printed by the Business
principles of our particular brand of supported the The Echoes staff sible to know the Farmer. The Echoes is a member of
democracy. recent health extent of the damage the Nebraska High School Press
But, on Sat., January 8, 2011, 22- care reform done to her mind. Association and the International
year old Jared Loughner violently bill – all well and good in the spirit We can only hope that what Order of the Quill and Scroll.
exposed a bitter truth about America’s of competition that defines American remains of her life will serve as a The Echoes encourages readers
exploitation of the right to free speech politics. cautionary tale for all Americans. Re- to write letters to the editor in re-
when he opened fire on a crowd of What made Palin’s photo cross gardless of party or political ideology, sponse to a story, but does reserve
people meeting with Congresswoman the line from ‘competitive’ to ‘di- for us to make progress as one nation, the right to publish said letter.
Gabrielle Giffords in a suburb of Tuc- visive’ were the depictions of the we all need to put aside the hate and, The Echoes also encourages
son, Arizona: recommended method for defeating no matter how much we disagree all readers to submit their ideas
Too much freedom of speech has con- the Democratic health care support- with one another, remember that our
for story coverage, feedback on
stories, and any other input.
sequences. ers – on a map of the US, over the freedom to speak has consequences
The Echoes
Gone are the days when two peo- respective districts represented by when taken to the extreme.
Scottsbluff High School
ple on opposite sides of an issue could each Congressman and woman, Palin Information for this editorial taken
313 East 27th St.
have a civil exchange of ideas without superimposed the crosshairs of a gun. from: Scottsbluff, NE 69361
resorting to mud-slinging, denuncia- Certainly Palin’s intentions were 1. http://jade-log.newsvine.com/_ Letters with obscene, slander-
tory rhetoric. The proof of this blatant not for people to literally hunt down news/2010/10/22/5334751-republican- ous, libelous, or false information
exploitation of America’s constitu- and shoot the accused Democrats, and house-candidate-calls-for-violent-govern- will not be fun. The letter must also
tional rights is evident in nearly every she is assuredly not the only politician ment-overthrow-if-gop-loses-election- be signed to be run. Content may
political campaign throughout the to ever have made such a bold move – 2. http://tpmlivewire.talkingpoints- be edited due to grammatical or
country, from the casting of doubt on however, this example, along with the memo.com/2010/03/palin-uses-crosshairs- content needs. A signed copy must
President Obama’s citizenship status finger-pointing on the part of liberals to-identify-dems-who-voted-for-health- be presented to the Scottsbluff
and religion to accusations that Sena- who blame the entire right wing for care-reform.php High School journalism depart-
tor John McCain collaborated with his this tragedy, merely goes to show 3. http://www.huffingtonpost. ment, room 130. Also, please check
captors during his time as a prisoner the unchecked toxicity of the current com/2008/01/17/smear-campaign- out The Echoes’ Facebook.com
of war in Vietnam. atmosphere of American politics, one against-mc_n_81950.html group and MySpace page online!
The focus of political campaigns, that seems to say that Americans are 4. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/
it seems, has almost entirely switched no longer the united country we once mitchell-bard/mccains-smear-campaign-
from a candidate’s ideas and opinions were. wi_b_137284.html
OPINION | 7

Spider webs,
toads, and shoes
OH MY!
The Top 5...
most irrational most common strangest phobia
Three students talk candidly about their phobias phobias phobias names
story by 1. Geniphobia - 1. Arachnophobia -
Ethan hughEs | center section writer
fear of chins fear of spiders 1. Hippopotomonstrosesqui-
Freshman Kim DeLeon was only five years
old on that fateful day. A day that haunts her
dhi wore flip-flops. Thus forth, we can satiri-
cally prove: shoes = evil,” Bartow said. 2. Caligynephobia - ppedaliophobia -
over ten years later. Bartow never had a traumatic experience fear of beautiful women 2. Social Phobia - fear of long words
“When I was about five, I was in my aunt’s like DeLeon or Hughes, but he definitely had
garage playing with all the toys. As I looked a turning point, or better yet, an enlightening 3. Consecotaleophobia - fear of social situations 2. Hexakosioihexekontahexa-
around, I discovered a HUGE spider web for this young Gandhi.
on the wall. It was almost as big as I was! I “I’ve always hated things on my feet. fear of chopsticks phobia -
walked towards, touched it, and it got stuck When I was little I would crush my shoes
3. Aerophobia -
on my arm. I got scared and started to cry. I into mini sandals. In the summer before sixth 4. Eisoptrophobia - fear of flying fear of the number 666
tried to get it off, but it just got worse,” De- grade, I put on flip-flops and never took them
Leon said. off. I think people have more of a traumatic fear of your own 3. Paraskavedekatriaphobia -
A traumatic experience no doubt. A young experience at the sight of my feet than I do
child caught in the grips of a stringy prison. with shoes,” Bartow said. reflection 4. Claustrophobia - fear of Friday the 13th
5. Arachibutyrophobia -
While most of the normal world would Although these three have very different
have brushed off the nuisance in a nonchalant phobias, all have gotten similar reactions from fear of confined spaces 4. Didaskaleinophobia -
manner, people who witness the phobias in action.
DeLeon, however, was stricken with fear “People will usually say ‘wow’ and laugh fear of peanut butter fear of school
and succumbed to a condition called a phobia. when they watch me run from a spider web. sticking to the roof 5. Acrophobia -
Phobia [foh-bee-uh] They usually get a confused look on their
of your mouth fear of heights 5. Triskadekaphobia -
–noun face,” DeLeon said.
a persistent, irrational fear of a specific “People think being scared of toads is fear of the number 13
object, activity, or situation that leads to a ridiculous. They laugh their heads off at me,

Wait, you’re
compelling desire to avoid it. try to comfort me between stifled chuckles,
There are an infinite number of phobias. or sometimes they’ll pick up the toads and story by
People can be irrationally afraid of anything throw them as far away as possible,” Hughes gabriEllE Carlin | center section editor If a person grows up with a mother or
father that reacts with intense fear when
with a phobia.
Medications, such as beta blockers, anti-
and everything... said.
Your heart starts beating out of your chest. shown a spider, then, more likely than not, depressants, and sedatives, may be used to
For most people, a spider web is a trivial “I get a lot of questions as to why I’m
You feel like all the oxygen is being ripped that person will learn to react the same way as help calm and prevent the feelings of anxiety

afraid of
common occurrence in human life – but to wearing sandals when it’s snowing. I also
from your lungs as you desperately gasp for his/her parent when shown a spider. caused by phobias.
DeLeon, it’s a phobia. get a lot of laughs when people see me kick
air. Experts also believe that phobias may Another popular phobia treatment is be-
“When I see one, I freak out. If I get in one my shoes off as quickly as possible when I’m
You stumble a little as your knees begin to develop as a result of a bad experience. havior therapy, which is an exposure therapy
I’ll get nervous and teary eyed,” DeLeon said. forced to wear them,” Bartow said.
give out and your hands violently shake and A person suffering from glossophobia – that helps change a patient’s reaction to the
This may sound irrational, but DeLeon’s Some fears, like being afraid of the dark as
fill with sweat. the fear of speaking in public – might have situation or object that sparks the fear by

what?!
fear of spider webs pales in comparison to a child, are grown out of. DeLeon hopes she
“Stop it! You’re being ridiculous…” but, embarrassingly stuttered through a speech gradually exposing the patient to their fear
sophomore Claire Hughes’ fear of toads. might one day be able to overcome her fear.
no matter how many times you tell yourself as a child and had his peers point and laugh more and more, until the feeling of anxiety
“Anytime I see a toad, regardless of how “I try to take steps to get rid of my fear,
you’re being unreasonable, the anxiety you at him, thus ruining whatever career he may subsides.
far away it is, it is a traumatic experience and I almost did once too. My parents try
feel is uncontrollable. have had in public speaking because the mere Another form of therapy involves the
for me. I’ll scream, cry and hyperventilate,” to help me, but my brother just chases me
Phobias - an intense, often irrational, fear thought of talking in front of a crowd makes patient working with a therapist to view the
Hughes said. around with them. I really hope I can over-
of an object, situation, or activity, - are a scary his throat constrict. object or situation of fear in a different, more
Like DeLeon, Hughes has had this phobia come this fear. I would be so proud!” DeLeon
reality for approximately 26.7% of Americans. While the cause of phobias is a little hazy, positive light, the goal of which is for the pa-
since she was a wee lass. said.
There are over 600 documented phobias it is understood that some people are more tient to gain control over his emotions when
“I have always been scared of toads, but As for Bartow and Hughes, things might
recognized by medical experts. From achluo- likely to suffer from a phobia than others. confronted with fear.
not to the extent that I am now. I think it all not pass over that easily.
phobia – fear of darkness – to zoophobia Most phobias develop in childhood, so While many people think phobias are silly
began when I was a little girl at my friend’s “I don’t do things to try and overcome my
– fear of animals – just name it, and there’s people under the age of 25 are at a higher risk and juvenile, they have the ability to take over
house, and I stepped on one barefoot. I think fear. I don’t see toads that often, so it isn’t a
probably a phobia of it. of suffering from a phobia. and even ruin a person’s life.
that’s how the severity began,” Hughes said. common occurrence, but as soon as I do I run
While many people look at a person with Also, females are more likely to suffer from Feelings of social isolation and depression
Although spider webs and toads may seem the other direction as far as I can go. I might
the fear of the color white and think, “This phobias than males are. However, this may are extremely common in people suffering
like odd things to be afraid of, some phobias overcome it when I get older, but it’s not
guy is crazy,” the truth is that leukophobia - be an effect of men’s tendency to hide their from phobias – and people with extreme pho-
one would never guess. likely since I’m not trying to conquer my fear

Approximately 57.7 million Americans
the fear of the color white – is legitimate. anxiety, while women feel more comfortable bias often turn to substance abuse as a way to
Freshman Andrew Bartow hasn’t worn anyway,” Hughes said.
So, what causes people to fear such com- talking with experts about their fears and be- deal with their fears.
closed-toed shoes since sixth grade, although “I don’t really think I need to face this
mon and irrational things? ing diagnosed. Almost everyone is afraid of something;
he wouldn’t go so far as to call it a phobia. ‘fear.’ It doesn’t really impair me. It’s not near-

over the age of 18 suffer from a phobia
There’s a lack of medical research sur- Speaking of being diagnosed, how does it can be anything from germs to floss. The
“I wouldn’t call it a phobia, because it is ly as bad as walking in the snow as people
rounding phobias, but many experts believe one go about curing a phobia? point is to take it easy and not allow fear to
completely rational. Hitler wore shoes, Gan- think. It’s something I was born with and I
phobias stem from parents, which makes There are a couple of things that medical control your life.

8 | CENTER SECTION don’t think I’ll get rid of it,” Bartow said.
sense. advisors may turn to when treating a patient
CENTER SECTION | 9

bowels of this blasted typewriter. This cell phones offer people are all well
valiant effort of mine is the culmina- and good (get in a car wreck in the
tion of a week-long experiment I have middle of nowhere? No problem!), the
undertaken to live as my parents did dependence we in the modern world
when they were my age back in that seem to have on them is sometimes
simpler era, that veritable technologi- shocking.
cal dark age about which my genera- Take what happened on day five,
tion’s parents will reminisce and refer for example. On Friday, January 7,
to as “the good ol’ days” as they drift my fellow show choir members and I
into the senility of their golden years: performed at Governor Heineman’s
the 70’s, baby. breakfast inauguration at the Gering
To say this was a trying experi- Civic Center.
ence would be like saying Jeffrey But, due to a last minute change
Dahmer had only a slight affinity for of schedule of which our director in-
violence. For seven days, I abstained formed us via text message, I wound
from all technology not available to up sprinting into the Civic Center
the average American before the year half an hour later than I should have,
1975 - no cell phone, computer, iPod, my hair disheveled and damp from
microwave, satellite TV, VHS/DVD that morning’s swimming practice,
player, or television remote (avoiding and crowding into the room literally

It’s the 70’s, Man commercials has never been so hard)
- all while surrounded by people end-
lessly indulging in said items.
seconds before the photographer
snapped a photo of the show choir
with the governor.
In an era of Android cell phones, touch-screen iPods, and It was like being a recovering Though I’m pretty sure I looked
Google Television, I attempt to abstain from it all for one alcoholic in a wine cellar - at times, like a total schmuck because of that
week to live the life of an ordinary American in 1975 the temptation was more than I could little stunt, I blame neither the direc-
bear, like on the third night of my tor nor myself for this scheduling
personal commentary by KaRIn sheDD experiment. fiasco - it was a product of the times
That evening, I had a dramatic in which we live. In a world of instant
“Message Sent.” wound up sitting pretzel-style on the
meltdown involving the inexplicable communication, the need for planning
I snapped my little red flip-phone floor of my room, typing this column
(at the time) disappearance of my sta- ahead disappears.
shut, dropped it in my lap, and on an obscenely heavy, 1982 electronic
tistics folder and textbook. When my And who knows? Maybe the gov-
resumed staring out the window of typewriter emitting an incessant whir-
mind is reduced to such a scrambled ernor will use my antics as a mildly
my dad’s Prius at the bleak Nebraska ring noise from who knows where
blob of stress, I have trouble sleeping, amusing anecdote to entertain his
landscape blurring by at 65 miles per and making a TAP nearly as loud as a
so I caved sought comfort from the guests at dinner parties - which was
hour. sonic boom every time I press a but-
collection of movies on my laptop - exactly the thought I wanted to post
Then I started bobbing my head ton (and I type at a speedy 120 words-
the dulcet tones of Donald O’Connor, on my Facebook.
and humming along with Elton per-minute,
Ahh, Facebook. My kryptonite.
John’s “Candle in the Wind” playing which
By the I have used Facebook since

numbers
through the speakers from my dad’s makes my
mid-2007, but, over the years, it has
iPod. room sound
evolved from an entertaining pastime
Your candle burned out long be- something
to a finely-honed procrastinating tool.
fore your legend ever did… like what
I didn’t want to admit it to myself, but
*click*
The ethereal, otherworldly melody
I imagine
soldiers 3,339 - average number of text messages sent this experiment has opened my eyes
of Enya’s “Orinoco Flow” cut off heard in the and received per month by teens aged 13-17 in 2008 to just how addicted I am to Mark
Zuckerburg’s brain-child.
Elton mid-chorus. trenches of
My phone buzzed. I pulled it out,
read the text message, swiftly tapped
World War
I).
285,610,580 - number of activated I used to spend my free time
reading or playing the piano. Now I
out a reply, and snapped it shut again. Ac-
cell phones in the United States (Dec. 2009) fritter away hours ‘creeping’ on my
so-called ‘friends’ - commenting on
I scratched my upper left arm and
reached again for the iPod.
cording to
multitudes
600,000,000 - number of users their walls, checking up on their rela-
*click* of studies, active on Facebook as of January, 2011 tionship statuses, and perusing their
photo albums for the umpteenth time.
Can’t buy me love, love! my genera-
Breaking myself of these habits, resist-
I twirled a lock of my hair around tion suffers
ing the urge to remain updated on
my finger while the Beatles sang from a myriad of problems – shorter
Debbie Reynolds, and Gene Kelly in the lives of the 600 million people on
about diamond rings and the kinds attention spans and poor conversa-
Singin’ In The Rain turned out to be Facebook, was as painful a process as
of things that money just can’t buy. tional skills, to name a few – because
just the trick to cure my insomnia, Lindsay Lohan’s many stints in rehab.
Then I plucked one of my dog’s hairs our lives are so inundated with
though I did feel appropriate guilt But, in the end (the seventh day,
off the knee of my jeans. Blew a piece technology. From iPods to cell phones
about cheating in the morning. that is), I survived with my sanity
of dust off my glasses. Inspected the to computers to television, most of us
Surprisingly, I had significantly intact and was, I believe, successfully
contents of the glove compartment. are rarely more than several feet from
less trouble giving up my cell phone. rehabilitated. No longer do I feel the
Picked at a hangnail. Twiddled my an electronic device for more than a
Since my family no longer has a pressing need to respond to a text
thumbs. Let my finger once more drift few minutes per day.
landline, my phone sat where the message immediately. No longer do
to the iPod’s “skip” button. And, apparently, I so thoroughly
landline used to be, and it had an I rely on my laptop to soothe me into
“You’re twitchy,” my dad com- manifested the side-effects of this
imaginary, circa-1970’s cord attaching sleep. No longer do I skip to another
mented. cultural phenomenon that I failed to
it to the wall, meaning I was trapped song after only 30 seconds of the first
“Twitchy?” I asked. realize I had done so until my dad
in the kitchen any time I took a call. one.
“Yep. Twitchy,” he repeated. cavalierly pointed it out to me that
Still, I discovered that living without a ...okay, maybe I’m exaggerating a
And that is the story of how I day.
phone on my immediate person was... bit.
So, here I am, trying to wrest a
liberating. But I am less ‘twitchy.’
10 | OPINION workable piece of journalism from the
While the reassurance and security

Cat Calendar
January
21st- GSW/BSW Twin City Inv.- 4pm
WR VR @ Chadron Inv. – TBA
22nd- SAT Testing
GSW/BSW –Twin City Inv.- 11am
GBB JV & VAR vs Sidney- 2/3:30 pm
BBB 10th, JV, & VAR vs Gering @ WNCC- 4/7pm
WR VAR @ Chadron Inv. – TBA
SP @ Gering- TBA
24th- GBB 9 & 10th @ Chey. Central- 5/6:30pm February
BBB 9 & 10th vs Chey. Central 5/6:30pm 2nd- Ground Hog Day
27th- GBB/BBB 9th vs Gering- 5/6:30pm 3rd- Hasting Honor Choir
28th- GSW/BSW @ Omaha Westside Diving Chinese New Year
29th- WR JV & VAR @ Mitchel Inv- 9am 4th-BBB 10st JV & VAR vs Alliance- 4/ 7pm
GSW/BSW @ Omaha Westside Swimming- 11am SP @ Kearney Inv.- TBA
All School Year Long
Every 10th
GBB/BBB 9th vs N.Platte- 12/ 1:30pm 5th- WR VAR GNAC @ McCook- 9am
BBB 10th JV & VAR @ Sidney GBB/BBB 9th @ Alliance- 9/10:30 pm
SP @ Gordon-Rushville- TBA BBB 10th JV & VAR @ Sidney 4/7:30pm student gets a
free lunch
31st-GBB/BBB JV vs Gering 5:30/7pm GBB JV & VAR @ Sidney- 6/7:30pm
SP @ Gothenburg Inv- TBA
7th- GBB/BBB 9th vs Chadron- 4/5:30pm Student Specials
NCDA Show Choir Competition @
Available
Imperial- 7pm
10th-GBB JV & VAR vs Lexington 5:45/7:30pm 2201 Broadway
BBB JV & VAR @ Lexington- 5:45/7:30pm
Scottsbluff
The CAT CALENDAR is brought to you by the
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1 2 3 4

2010:
story by
Russell MoRgan | entertainment editor
In a year of slow turning in a
struggling economy, oil spills, and
earthquakes- it seems Recovery is
America has voted, and the best
of 2010 gives hope of a second
In 5
Review
chance and a feeling of nostalgia...
only fitting.
Rapper Eminem continued his leg-
points in between, people are recov- Woody, knowing what happened,
endary success in 2010 with his latest
ering from the struggles they faced must return and tell his friends the
album Recovery- a title that ironically
in the past year-and treasuring the truth.
defines the year itself.
blessings. The film unwaveringly shows not
As Eminem came from his dark-
Also at the top of 2010 was a re- only the maturity of characters, but are played with and appreciated.
ness of drug abuse and anger, the
minder of simpler times, and the child the maturity of its audience since the It is fitting with the New Year: a
United States began coming from
inside all of us. premiere of Toy Story in 1995. time is ending, and a new one begins.
their darkness as well. In the toughest
Toy Story 3 was the highest gross- The film fits a generation-particu- So this is a time of recovery from
of times, the entertainment market of-
ing film of the year, and rightly so. larly those who watched the first film the haunting occurrences of the past
ten reflects the attitude of the nation.
The third installment from Disney’s as a child, and are about to depart year, and a time of thanks for the
It also provides relief from the stresses
Pixar’s first film does not disappoint. from high school. This generation good that was found in 2010. As 2011
that individuals face in a recessional
A touching film about moving on grew up with this story, and now the introduces itself, new ventures begin-
period of American society.
and reluctantly letting go of the past, story ends. some good, others not.
In his album, Eminem often talks
the movie fits the times as well. This generation is starting a new Yet the country has grown from
about how fortunate he is to have
Woody, Buzz, and the gang of toys chapter- leaving the home and start- where it was this time last year, and
a second chance-an attitude that is
return as their owner, Andy, prepares ing a life for themselves. The interests the same will be said in January of
carried over into his listeners. Though
to head to college. of this generation’s childhood will 2012.
not all his listeners are recovering
While the rest of the toys head be left for younger kids who are on a So let America’s decision of the
from the personal obstacles that Em
for the donation box, Woody escapes similar path, but still near the starting best music and movies define the
faced, they are all united in that they
and accompanies Andy to college. As line. approach to the New Year: be thank-
are recovering from tough times in
Woody’s friends climb from the box There are new beginnings: Andy ful for another chance, and though
not only the history of America, but
and find themselves in a day care, the beginning his new life at college and everyone moves on, the child inside
the world as well.
toys feel unloved. the toys finding a new life where they will never really leave.
From Haiti to Pakistan, and all

Editor’s
Picks
2 2. The Promise-
Bruce Springsteen 4 4. Wake Up!-John Legend
featuring The Roots

1 1. To the Sea- Jack Johnson

3 5
3. Sigh No More-
5. You Get What
You Give- Zac
Mumford and Sons Brown Band
12 | ENTERTAINMENT

The auditions are
over and the cast
has been named.
It’s time to
GETcome to life on SHS stage
Aida will
TO WORK
story by
VICTORIA BRAVO | entertainment writer

Aida musical auditions took place before Christmas break with a chosen few
selected for call backs.
After singing and acting in call backs the cast list was posted on ronne.com,
a storm of emotional turmoil followed.
“I am extremely grateful that I got a part in the first place, but it wasn’t
exactly the part that I wanted. I’m still really excited for the musical, it’ll just
be hard having to watch others with the part I wanted,” junior Ashleigh Smith
said.
Of the 18 people called back, only eight were selected for leading roles. Two
of those roles were filled by musical rookies: seniors Nick Roussel and Nate
Goodwin.
“It was always something I thought about, but never pursued. I remember

“
when I was in 5th grade, my school went to see the musical and my teacher

I’m looking forward to all of the music
because there is not one piece of music
“
in it that isn’t absolutely beautiful.
-Jessica Schluter, 12
said ‘Nick, someday you’re going to be on that stage stealing the show’ and so
now I decided because it’s my last year, I’m going to go for it,” Roussel said.
The music and lyrcis from Aida were composed by Elton John and Tim Rice.
“I’m really looking forward to singing a lot. Last year I was Kelsey in High
School Musical, and I had a lot of speaking lines and like two singing lines. This
year, as Aida I sing about 13 songs and it’s all really good music and I get to hit
a high F,” senior Meghan Pritchard said.
The hype of the upcoming show has the cast excited.
“I’m really looking forward to dancing a lot on stage, and singing for people
who come to the show,” Roussel said.
The music for the show gives a foreshadowing of how powerful a piece Aida
truly is.
“I’m looking forward to all of the music because there is not one piece of
music in it that isn’t absolutely beautiful,” senior Jessica Schluter said.
Cast members say the overall chemistry within the group should make for a Youtube™ videos.
cohesive effort. “I haven’t even watched the YouTube videos, but I’ve been listening to the
“It’s a great cast and I think it will mesh together really well,” senior Sam CD, which my sister burned for me in like 7th grade,” Harvey said.
Harvey said. Senior Jessica Schluter is the only cast member who has actually seen the
The leads of the musical are familiar with sharing the spotlight in Choral- musical.
aires performances. “I went to Denver, CO about four and a half years ago, and saw their touring
“The chemistry between me and Sam is really good because we’ve had to Broadway show. I try to base what I do off of the one I saw,” Schulter said.
sing a lot of duets together in the past. Last year we had a really big duet in Aida is the story of the Nubian princess who gets captured by the neighbor-
show choir, so we are kind of used to it by now,” Pritchard said. ing Egyptians. Aida tried to keep a low profile about her identity.
Preparing for the musical goes beyond nightly practices for the dedicated The princess ends up falling in love with the Egyptian captain, Radames,
members of musical; it requires a lot of effort outside of the practice stage. and he returns the feeling, but is already betrothed to Amneris, the Egyptian
“I try to memorize the script every night. During Christmas break I started princess.
reading it because I’m not good at memorizing things so I need to work on it,” Radames is destined for the crown, and his eager father Zoser tries to speed
Pritchard said. up the process by poisoning the Pharaoh.
“I need to practice my lines and be serious at practices and get work done,” Aida has to choose between pursuing her love with Radames or saving her
Harvey said. people.
Musical can be a hectic time for cast members with so many activities going After the discovery of their love, the Pharaoh orders Radames and Aida to
on at one time. It can be difficult to juggle the busy life of a high school student. be buried alive together in a tomb. There, their love is so powerful that they
“Musical is a really crazy time for me. I used to be in soccer but I quit be- find each other in another life.
cause I get too busy during this time,” Pritchard said. “I mostly do a lot outside The Aida cast consists of: Meghan Pritchard as Aida, Sam Harvey as Ra-
of school like worship band, worship team at my church, voice and piano les- dames, Ashleigh Smith as Nehebka, Jessica Schluter as Amneris, Nick Roussel
sons, school work, college stuff, trying to keep a social life, spending time with as Zoser, Bernardo Urrea as the Pharaoh, Avery Montanez as Amonasro, and
family, show choir and I’m the Vice President of DECA,” Pritchard said. Nate Goodwin as Mareb. Sixty other students will round out the musical cast as
Aida was never made into a movie, but was first an opera. Then Elton John members of the chorus and various crews.
and Tim Rice decided to make it a Broadway musical.
The cast gets the majority of their references from the soundtrack or various
ENTERTAINMENT | 13

Warning:
personal commentary by Kelsey Empfield
Sportsmanship is contagious
and can lead to irrational actions
n-ship]Definition: sportsmanlike student section displayed serious acts Professional sports are highly pub-
conduct, as fairness, courtesy, being a of unsportsmanlike conduct. licized and they are an example for
cheerful loser, etc. Every single time junior Zach everyone, yet pro’s integrity is always
Cheerful loser? Whoa, that is so Clemens caught the ball, the stu- in question. Is good sportsmanship
kindergarten. Who really does that dent section booed him. Whenever that hard to achieve?
anyway? sophomore Eric Moreno had the ball, Perhaps we should look back to a
Player number five goes up for the Hm, really? Did that really just the section responded by obnoxiously softball game on May 1, 2008.
basket and… cross your mind? clapping. Sara Tucholsky of Western Oregon
You got swatted. Now let’s be honest here. We’ve That kind of behavior is obviously University had hit her first over-the-
The game is now all tied up at 22 all had our unsportsmanlike conduct inappropriate. Sadly, high school fence home run. As she rounded first
points… whether we were in the stands or on is not the only place we see these base, her knee gave out and she col-
Over-rated. Over-rated. Over- the field. sickening actions - professional sports lapsed onto the dirt.
rated. We are all confronted with the similarly are filled with the same type She crawled slowly back to first
Now the home team takes the lead moral dilemma of sportsmanship at of attitude. base and was unable to go any farther.
by six points… one time or another. But maybe the Tennis star Serena Williams is The dilemma: her homer could not
Check the score board. Check the dilemma can be solved once we ask infamous for erupting like a volcano count unless she physically tagged
score board. ourselves, “Why do we play sports?” when things do not go her way. Dur- each base and no one from her team
Although the visiting team played Are sports about winning at all ing the 2009 US Open, she was called could touch her.
well tonight, it looks like the home costs? Every day we see examples of for a foot fault and exploded at the Then members of the opposing
team will capture the win… good and bad sportsmanship. line judge. Central Washington University home
Na, na, naa, naaa, hey hey, good- In December the boys’ basketball In the end, she was forced to forfeit team did something startling: they
bye. team traveled to Chadron. the match because of the unacceptable
Sportsmanship. [spawrts-muh During the game, the Chadron outburst. Continued on page 15

SportsmanshipStats Average rating for SHS with 10
representing best sportsman-
Do you think displaying good
sportsmanship is important?
Have you ever witnessed bad
sportsmanship at a high school event?
ship and 1 as worst sports- Yes: 93% No: 7%
manship
Yes: 69% No: 31% 7.3 Stats taken from a survey of 94 homeroom students

Why I Play
personal commentary by Maddie Holscher
Taking a look at the high school sports
that are so much more than a game
People play sports for all kinds of During the season we go through I’ve also learned to respect my
reasons. Some for the exercise. Others everything together, remarkable wins coaches and elders if I want to get
because of their competitive spirit. and heartbreaking losses. respect.
Some people play just for the love of We get slap happy together and ev- I’ve learned that not eating any-
the game. erything seems so funny we can’t get thing before morning practice the
And others, like myself, play ourselves to stop laughing. We have week of two-a-days is not advisable Along with these things, come the
sports for the friends made, lessons inside jokes. We have heart-to-heart but consuming a large breakfast is an memories made and the times I’ll
learned and memories shared. talks and cry together. even worse idea. never forget.
I’ve grown up around sports my We even get annoyed because we I’ve learned that driving home I’ll never forget renting a scary
whole life. My dad got me started at a spend so much time together. Even from Norfolk on Highway 2 (aka the movie from Redbox and watching it
young age, and I never looked back. I though we love one another, we still highway of hell) in the middle of the on the charter bus. I’ll never forget
tried dance. I tried band and music. want to kill each other at times. night in an excursion with no moon is staying up late in the hotel room
None of those compared to going We give each other nick names probably one of the scariest and most researching MRSA.
out and playing the games I love: and make fun of each other. sketchy things one can do. I’ll never forget trying to get onto
softball, basketball, and tennis We get the same song stuck in all I’ve learned that Hot Hands hand the locked bus and climbing through
Through sports, I’ve made friends of our heads. warmers are essential when playing the emergency exit to do so.
I would not have even talked to We become a family, one that has softball in the snow and you can get I wouldn’t trade these times for
otherwise. each other’s backs through good through any weather condition if you anything.
Most of my closest friends are times and bad. put your mind over matter. Like playing card games in the
seniors. I’m already finding it hard When playing sports, so many of I’ve learned how difficult it can lobby. Taking crazy pictures together.
to imagine going through my three life’s lessons can be learned. be to hold my tongue when I would Getting my pillow sprayed with lav-
seasons next year without them. It’s funny how you can learn rather lash out at the umpire, referee, ender scent before I go to bed.
I wouldn’t change a single thing things through playing a simple or opponent, and carry myself with It’s these priceless times that I’ll
about them, and I wouldn’t trade the game. composure and class. hold on to forever.
times I’ve had or the friendships I’ve For example, I’ve learned that I’ve learned that to become good, This is why I play sports. It’s what
made for the world. early is on time, on time is late, and I can’t just practice until I get it right, I do. It’s who I am. It’s who we are.

14 | SPORTS late is unacceptable. but until I can’t get it wrong. We are athletes.

New School, Senior Willie Schwartzkopf may

Same Moves be new, but he still knows his way
around the mat
not the only Bearcat wrestler having a
story by
KELSEY EMPFIELD | sports editor
banner season.
Freshman Colton Adams is cur-
Senior Willie Schwartzkopf re- rently undefeated with 20-0 record.
members Sept. 22, 2010, very clearly. He is also ranked No. 1 in his weight
He walked into Mitchell High class in the state.
School’s main office and collected his “Colton is well polished for being
check-out paper. He then ventured a freshman. He knows the game,”
into each of his classes in order to get Robinson said.
the teachers’ signatures. Scottsbluff’s first Class B state
As he placed the paper in front of champion, junior Tyler Nation, is also
each teacher, they reminded him he undefeated this season and looking
had better be making the right deci- for a repeat.
sion and then each one reluctantly “Everyone has done their part on
signed the paper. the team. Sophomore Terrence Hessler
At ten o’clock, he signed on the has stepped it up. Sophomore Chris
dotted line - the line that officially Dillman is growing and learning the
signed him out of Mitchell -the school sport. Junior Jed Weiss has improved
he had attended since preschool; the immensely since last year. Senior
school he lived two blocks from his Avery Montanez has only three losses
DOWN Senior Willie Schwartzkopf takes down Gering’s Avery Pettitt the at the Scottsbluff/ this year,” Robinson said.
entire life.
FOR THE Gering dual January 13. Schwarzkoph recently transferred to Scottsbluff from With an abundant number of
He looked over his shoulder at his Mitchell and is currently undefeated in the 171 lb. division. Photo by Alexis Cook
COUNT athletes, there is an air of competitive-
classmates and said goodbye.
At 12:15 p.m. that afternoon he ent,” Schwartzkopf said. “I’ve been coached by my dad ness, yet the team is bonded.
walked into Lorna Davis’ Ameri- Schwartzkopf’s transfer came as since I was three years old. He takes “There’s more unity with this
can Family class at Scottsbluff High a pleasant surprise to Scottsbluff’s me to places like Ohio and Illinois year’s team than last years. It’s more
School and began his first day as a third-year head coach Claude Robin- to compete. I wrestled in about of a family base,” Robinson said.
Bearcat. son. fifty matches last summer alone,” “Once a wrestler, always a wrestler.”
“I officially decided that I was “I wasn’t aware that he was going Schwartzkopf said. “We have very good team unity.
going to transfer around Sept. 8. We to transfer. It was brought to me by Schwartzkopf’s dad, Willie II, is a We all get along most of the time. We
couldn’t find a house in the Scotts- his dad that there were issues [at 1992 graduate of Scottsbluff High and all love the sport,” Hessler said.
bluff district for about two weeks, so Mitchell] and that he was going to be has previously served as an assistant After finishing fourth and second
that’s why I didn’t transfer sooner,” transferring to Scottsbluff,” Robinson coach at Mitchell High. respectively the last two years at the
Schwartzkopf said. said. Schwartzkopf plans to further his district tournament, the team is aim-
As a junior at Mitchell, Schwartz- When asked about Schwartzkopf’s wrestling career and will sign with a ing to nab a first place finish.
kopf won the 171 weight division in weaknesses Robinson laughs. college after wrestling season. “We have the guns that can do it
Class C at the state tournament. By “He has no major weakness. He’s “I haven’t decided where to go with our supporting cast,” Robinson
transferring to Scottsbluff he would dedicated. He understands the game next year, but I’ve talked to Morn- said.
be competing in Class B. and likes to learn,” Robinson said. ingside, Hastings, and Kearney,” The team should receive plenty of
“There is different competition in Schwartzkopf’s success didn’t Schwartzkopf said. support at districts scheduled for Feb.
Class B. Not better, just different. The happen overnight. It has taken a lot Although Schwartzkopf has seen 11 and 12 at Scottsbluff High.
tournaments we go to are also differ- of persistence. major achievement this season, he is

Continued. from page 14 ning is not everything. tell about all the unsportsmanlike after a game, helping opposing
picked up Tucholsky and car- When I remember the Central conduct in games. players up off of the floor, and
ried her to second base, third base, Washington vs. Western Oregon We can use sports to exercise our simply saying good game after a
and eventually home base. game, I remember what kind of honor and uprightness. Superb char- tough match, maybe the world of
The three-run homer counted sportsmanship was displayed during acter and veracity is more valuable sports would look different.
and, because of it, Central Wash- that match. I don’t care that Central than any championship or trophy. The big kicker is that these ac-
ington lost and was eliminated Washington lost. In fact, I hardly Why do student sections and fans tions are contagious. If one person
from the playoffs. remember that part of the story. feel it necessary to be discouraging exemplifies good sportsmanship,
That game has been dubbed the Sports are recreational and, towards opposing teams? As if the another player is likely to pick up
“Unbelievable” Act of Sportsman- when they get to the point of vulgar player didn’t feel bad enough, student the good attitude, but the opposite
ship. But why is it so unbelievable? behavior, there needs to be a serious sections have to make a public display also remains true.
Why is this scenario so rare? intervention. When did victory with of it? A change needs to happen. It
If you were put in that situation, honor go out the door? Can’t student sections take cheer- is not impossible to display acts of
would you do the same? We see, all too often, another leaders lead and follow? Cheering good sportsmanship. So step up to
Sports are about character, player or coach getting kicked out of should be for raising your team up, the plate and let’s go back to the
integrity, and sportsmanship. Then another game. Headline news is made not tearing the opposing team down. days when ‘you got swatted’ was
why are we so focused on win- when a team does something sports- If every player did the little things left for flies.
ning? Although it is cliché, win- manlike, yet it would take hours to such as shaking the officials hand
SPORTS | 15

Collegiate Athletics
Insights on campus visits, college decisions, and what it takes to
be a collegiate athlete exposed
story by she’s looking forward to taking a step Another golfer that attends SHS, while attending there I received the
MICHAEL MILLER | sports writer up to the collegiate level. Kaylee Koeppen, has signed with the real college experience, living in the
“I’m extremely excited to compete University of Montana. dorms, getting involved, being a part
On Monday, Jan. 10, when most at a college level in track and field in- Former Scottsbluff athletes, Mad- of a team, meeting new people, and
students were leaving for school with door/outdoor and cross country. I feel die Hutt and DeNae Quijas also went finally getting that little bit of freedom
the temperature at -3, senior Aubree the biggest difference for me will be through the recruiting process, and from my parents,” Quijas said.
Worden was enjoying a balmy 50 the level of competition. I will have to now are living relatively good college Since enrolling at Omaha, Hutt
degree day on the campus of Florida work extremely hard to score for my lives at the University of Omaha and has seen drastic improvements in her
State University in Tallahassee as part team (top five). I will always have to WNCC, respectively. swimming times, most of which are
of an official campus visit. race my best to have a chance to have “I chose Omaha because it is a re- between a 3-5 second difference from
Worden, one of the most decorated a decent place,” Worden said. ally competitive D2 swimming school her times last year in the same races.
cross-country and track athletes in Out of her four top schools, two and I like the art scene of Omaha. Maria Winn, WNCC’s head softball
school history, was making her fifth have offered full-ride scholarships Omaha was the only college I visited. coach, has some tips for athletes seek-
and final college visit, in her quest to and the other two are offering sub- I met with the swim coach and knew ing to take it to the next level.
find the best fit to continue her run- stantial scholarships. it was the right choice,” Hutt said. “Contact the coach of the school
ning career after graduation. Another Scottsbluff athlete, Erik Quijas did end up playing for that you are interested in. Make sure
Worden went on a series of recruit- Krzyzanowski, has also found himself Chadron’s softball team and WNCC’s they know you are interested and
ing trips to Florida State, Colorado in a similar position for a very differ- basketball team. how to get a hold of you and let them
State, Oklahoma State, and Arkansas. ent sport, golf. “I didn’t visit either school that know when you play,” Winn said.
But what does a top athlete look for in Having found a great talent of his I have attended. I knew I wanted to “Good grades help separate you
a potential school? in golfing, Krzyzanowski will be able go to college and pursue a degree in from other players when coaches
“The most important factor is the to enjoy the luxuries of a full-ride education,” Quijas said. have to make decisions and athleti-
coach; the second most important is scholarship in Gonzaga. Both of these girls say college has, cally you’re equal to someone else.
the program, and the third factor is “I chose Gonzaga because they thus far, been a great experience. Academic and character are going to
the girls on the team,” Worden said. gave me a full ride and it’s a great “My college experience at Chadron come in to play,” Winn said.
Whatever school Worden chooses, place to play golf,” Erik said. was definitely unforgettable. I can say

Sports Update
in Bearcat gymnasium last Saturday Sidney in an afternoon home match
afternoon to raise their record to 11-3. while the boys will travel to Gering
The victories earned the girls a No. Saturday night to face the Bulldogs
10 ranking in the Omaha World Herald for the first time this season.
Senior Aubree Worden has just weekend home and away series Class B poll this week. While the wrestling team has had
been named the Gatorade Ne- against the Cheyenne East and Chey- The boys team maintained its No. 6 several individual success stories this
braska Cross Country Runner of enne Central, both the boys and girls rating in the World Herald poll follow- year, the group enjoyed one of its
the Year for the second consecutive basketball teams are rated in the Class ing a weekend split with the Chey- most impressive team experiences last
year. B ratings. enne schools. Thursday, Jan. 13, when the Cats de-
This standout is the first winner The girls entered the state rank- On Friday the boys dropped a 45- feated arch-rival Gering 40-24 in dual
to be chosen from Scottsbluff High ings for the first time this season after 69 game to the East Thunderbirds, but action at Bearcat Gymnasium.
School. sweeping the Cheyenne schools on bounced back for a 56-50 win over the Everything was clicking, it seemed,
Worden’s career was highlight- successive nights. Central Indians on Saturday night in as several of Scottsbluff wrestlers
ed this year with her third consecu- The girls handed Cheyenne Cheyenne. recorded wins.
tive individual state championship Central its first loss of the season on The results left the Cats with a 10-4 This not only avenged the Decem-
with a record time of 14:22.2. Friday night in Cheyenne 46-44. The record. ber 44-30 loss to the Bulldogs, but was
Also in Cats followed that up with a 56-47 Both teams will be back in action ever more significant because it signi-
this Saturday. The girls will entertain fied the first dual win against Gering
16 | SPORTS
sports, after a overtime win over Cheyenne East
in the last ten tries.

Issue 5 January 2011

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Issue 5 January 2011