Friday, January 25, 2019

Chadron Drivers

          At Chadron High School, there are many people who can drive. When you think about it, licenses aren't that easy to get for some people. At CHS there are some people who have taken their driver's tests multiple times and, unfortunately, still haven't got it.
          Katelyn Briggs, a student at CHS, said, "Driving is not hard unless it is snowy, then it is a bit more difficult." Briggs was an early driver, getting her learner's permit at the age of 14. She achieved getting her permit in Rushville, Nebraska, but proceeded to get her license in Chadron at the age of 15. Briggs said ,"The only thing I missed was looking over my shoulder and checking my blind spots."
        Morgan Rutledge, a student at Chadron High, said, "My learner's was not hard to get." One down side to just having your learners permit is you have to drive with a parent in the passenger seat. Rutledge said, "I have to drive 50 hours before I can get my driver's license, but I am not very good at keeping track of them." For Rutledge, she only took the test one time, and she did study. Rutledge said, "The part that was the hardest, was I was nervous I was going to fail."
       For another student at CHS, he wasn't so lucky. Wyatt Camerlinck said, "I took the written test one time and did study, but failed my driving test three times." Although a large majority of people say the tests are easy, it may not be for everyone. Camerlinck said, "It was kind of difficult, but the hardest part was thinking everything through to make sure I was doing things right." 
      Many people do have to take their tests multiple times so it is nothing to feel bad about. 

Wednesday, January 23, 2019

Chadron Wrestling Dual/Tournament 1-12/1-13

          The Chadron wrestling team went to Ogallala on January 12 for a dual. The next day they went to Gothenburg to a wrestling tournament. In the Ogallala duel the score was Chadron with 57 points and Ogallala with 21 points. They placed 5th in the Gothenburg tournament.
          Sophomore, Sawyer Haag, said, "The dual went great. I pinned him [his opponent] in the first period; one period is two minutes and you get to go three periods. I scored 6 points for the team in the dual, because I pinned the Ogallala kid." The next day at the Gothenburg tournament, Sawyer went 3-2.
          Senior, Jake Lemmon said, "The competition I went against in the dual was not the fiercest, and I took away good wins that will look good in districts." In the Gothenburg tournament, Jake went 5-0.
          Coach Slingsby stated that the wrestling team had weaknesses and strengths in the dual and tournament. The weakness was that they were inexperienced in ways, because they had some young guys representing some of the weight classes. "Our strength was being in very good condition and using that to our advantage," said Slingsby.
          "To be able to do well at districts, we just have to improve each time we wrestle, and we need to put our moves together, which is called chain wrestling. We have to be the best wrestlers we can be so that we can do well at districts and take home a lot of wins. This means that we can't give up if we don't do well in one match and just have to keep going hard," said Coach Slingsby.

Stress of Senior Year

     The senior year is the year that everyone looks forward to. They look forward to getting out of their house and living on their own. It is the year that seniors are counting down the days to graduation. Senior year is known to be the year of all the fun. Little do non-seniors know that it is actually one of the most stressful years.
     Senior year is the year seniors have to start looking for colleges. They have to know what they are going to do with their future. It is also the year that they have to start filling out scholarships and trying to find a way to get money for college. 
     Senior, Patrick Rust says, that he feels like the most stressful part of senior year is deciding on a college and where to spend the next four years of life. He feels that he is the most stressed out when it comes to scholarship deadlines. 
     Senior, Madison Cogdill says she is most stressed when she doesn't feel like she has enough time to give her work her best. She said that she never has enough time to do scholarships because teachers expect seniors to take high level classes with homework and have a job and still somehow fit scholarships in with all of it. She suggested that it would help us relieve some of the stress if Chadron had a college readiness class and had a scholarship block instead of taking another class.
     Guidance Counselor, Mrs. Watson believes there is never enough time for scholarships. She stated, "It is very important to prioritize, or find a day that works in your schedule and do the work then." She believes if student takes a couple hours a week to schedule out a scholarship time at max, they can get many done. They should make the time to do them and actually do them, and put their phones away and focus.
     Mrs. Watson says that senior year is "absolutely stressful" because making decisions is very taxing, and the students don't realize it until they are in it and making those life choices. It is also the first time as a young adult that their parents and other adults can't make the decision for them. The reason she feels like it is the most stressful is because there are so many choices to make and many things that the students would like to do in just a short amount of time. Trying to narrow it down to one choice, but knowing at the end of the day that it is only a choice for a year can help. She believes that seniors are the most stressed around prom, baccalaureate, and honors night.

Remind Ends for Verizon Users

          
             Recently, Verizon, the telecommunications company, has developed a fee for Remind, an app used for schools and students, to send text reminders to the users. Remind is trying to negotiate with Verizon, but Verizon isn't complying to their requests.
            Verizon decided to issue this fee because it wanted to stop the spam coming through the Remind app. This fee requires Remind to pay almost 11 times more than what it already pays today. Richard Young, a director of corporate communications at Verizon, told USA TODAY, "We want nothing more than to ensure that parents, teachers, and students will receive text message. Users of the app shouldn't worry about not being notified if there is an issue at school." Young said that Verizon has offered to run the app through text messages for free.
            A Remind CEO told USA TODAY that Remind won't be able to afford to pay a new fee, because it has over 31 million monthly users. This would significantly increase the price to run the app. Not being able to afford to pay for the usage of Remind through text messages will result in over 7 million users not being able to receive the text messages.
            Many teachers at Chadron High School will be greatly affected including Brenda Lanphear, English teacher. Lanphear uses remind in her classroom to remind students of upcoming tests and projects. She also uses it to notify students of weather conditions or updates of competition times for the Speech team. Lanphear said, "The members of our school have the opportunity to download the app, but most schools will be negatively affected." She hopes that Verizon will decide to not charge for usage of Remind.
            Jerry Mack, principal of Chadron High School, says, "All students without a smartphone that are unable to download the free app will be unable to receive texts and will be forced to subscribe by email." Mack said that people don't often check their email, so they won't be able to receive important school notices such as the safety and crisis announcements. He also said, "We would hate to see interruptions in our notices. It is very vital that we communicate with our community." Chadron has had one of the older and most used accounts on Remind. They have lots of students and parents that are notified of important activities or assignments that are happening. Not being able to notify all of the students, staff, and parents could put some of them unknowing of what is happening, said Mack.
            Some of our students including, Morgan Rutledge, rely on Remind every day. Morgan uses Remind for advanced biology, FBLA, and for dance. "The change won't affect me a lot, because I can easily switch to the app to get the messages," said Morgan. Morgan said that the change was very weird and random, but it shouldn't affect too many students. Another student,
            Since the fee was put in place, many of Remind and Verizon users will have to put the app on their phone to receive the reminds instead of through text messages.


         

Tuesday, January 22, 2019

Bizarre Foods CHS

     Just imagine eating a LIVE squid, squirming and thrashing its tentacles everywhere in your grasp. You open your mouth and throw in the squid. As you are chewing you can feel the squid's tentacles touching your teeth and tongue, then you swallow. Chadron High School is full of students and teachers that have eaten some of the most bizarre foods, from cow's organs to fruits and vegetables that don't mix well.
      People love meat, even cow meat. But others prefer to eat the parts that people don't favor the most. Mr. Mack, the principal, and Leah Huber, a sophomore have both eaten calf testicles. Though it's no big shock, most ranchers who have cattle, eat calf or cow testicles when branding. "The testicle was cooked on a branding pot, it was chewy and hot but no flavor since it wasn't seasoned," stated Mr. Mack. The next grossest thing people have eaten is cow tongue. AJ Fernau, a junior, has courageously tasted cow tongue. "It tasted weird, had a distinctive taste," stated AJ. Aside from cow organs, other have tasted animals that Nebraska does not have naturally without shipping- seafood.
      Mrs. Lanphear, English teacher, and Kade Waggener, a sophomore, have both tasted squid. "The squid had a rubbery texture but tasted like chicken," stated Mrs. Lanphear. "If you like chicken, and don't want to eat chicken, then go eat squid," stated Kade. 
      Mrs.Williamson, activity secretary, has eaten a beaver tail. Mrs. Williamson ate the beaver tail at her friends house. It was fun experiencing new things, but I didn't really enjoy it." 
     There are a lot of fish in the sea, but there are those who decided to eat clams and or oysters. Mrs. Paopao, yearbook teacher, has eaten clams. "My mother-in-law got them for me, and they tasted salty and like chewy rubber," stated Mrs. Paopao. 
     AJ Fernau had also tried Rocky Mountain Ousters down at Wild's. "The taste was weird. It had like a distinctive taste," stated AJ.
     Now that the sea food it covered, it is on to the fruits and vegetables and people say they don't mix well. Lucy Biernacki, a sophomore student, decided to mix a banana and ketchup together. "I was seven when I tried it, and I'll probably never do it again since it was such a weird taste," stated Lucy. 
     Some people like fruit on their pizza, while other's don't love it.  Morgan Rutledge, a sopohmore student, preferred not to have fruit on her pizza. "It was at my ballet exams late at night, and the teachers decided to order pizza, and I was hungry, so I gave the pineapple pizza a try, it was very overwhelming," stated Morgan.
     Students and teachers can eat the most bizarre things; from sea creatures, like squid and clams to eating animals parts that most people don't find appetizing like cow testicles to beaver tails. In some cases others like to mix fruit and vegetables together like pineapple pizza and bananas with ketchup.

Chadron High Educator Travels to Europe

Chadron High's history teacher, Mr. Michael Sandstrom, is one of eighteen teachers picked from across the country to travel to Europe and learn more about WWI through the program of Memorializing the Fallen. The trip will be in June of 2019 and will last twelve days.
Mr. Sandstrom achieved this opportunity by answering questions as to why he should go, how he and his future students would benefit from this experience, and what he could provide to the group that he will be traveling with. When the group is given downtime, they will be able to explore their location more in depth.
Throughout this trip, the group will experience lectures, visit battle sites, view cemeteries, and be part of the 100th anniversary of the Treaty of Versailles's signing. The signing will take place at the French Palace. Mr. Sandstrom said he is looking forward to the signing because it is such a significant event.
Before the trip, every teacher researches a soldier who went to war. They are to get as much information as possible. When visiting the cemeteries, each educator will be searching for their researched individual who did not return home from war. Within the trip, the educators will be finishing up their research profiles, which will be released in 2019-2020.

Monday, January 21, 2019

Colors of Beauty

     As you look around a typical high school, you probably would notice people with all colors of hair. People who dye their hair are similar but different to a chameleon. These people have various reasons for dying their hair.
     Hayly Clark, who has red tips, said the only reason she dyed her hair a different color was to "stand out." She said the color made her feel rebellious and a little different. Hayly said the experience of coloring her hair was alright, but the smell was strong. The next color she wants to try is a blue-green color.
     Adelia Fernau, who had red hair when she started high school said, "I colored my hair so that it would stand out." Adelia said the experience of coloring her hair was exciting because she thought she looked cool. Her next color is going to be a velvet, purple, plum color.
     Karalynn Sierra has her hair colored black. She said she colored her hair because she wanted to try something new. Karalynn said the experience of coloring her hair was very time consuming. It took a long time because of the length of her hair, which is below her waist. She doesn't know if she will do it again.
     Lucy Biernacki's hair is a pale pink, but it was supposed to be a hot pink. She said she colored her hair because it made her feel good. Lucy said the dye that was used on her hair smelled good as it was scented. Her next color will be orange as soon as her hair grows out.
     Mrs. Berry, the high school secretary and registrar,  who has brown hair with blonde highlights said she has been dying her hair since she was 18 years old. She thinks her original color, which is dark brown is too boring. Mrs. Berry said she likes getting her hair dyed because it is relaxing and she feels refreshed when it is done. Her next color will be a darker, red-brown with blonde.
     Mrs. Girard who has brown hair with blonde streaks said she colors her hair because she likes to try something new, and it changes her look; it is a boost of confidence. Mrs. Girard says she loves getting her hair dyed. Being a full time teacher and mother, she doesn't have much time for herself. It is something she can do for herself, plus she has a refreshed feeling afterwards.
     The only similarity between chameleons and people who dye their hair is, they both can change colors, although chameleons change their color to blend IN, but some people dye their hair to stand OUT in their environment.

Gering Speech Meet

     On Saturday, January 12, Chadron High Speech Team had their first competition in Gering, Nebraska. "We killed it." coach Breanda Lanphear said. "I was very proud of them because we were the champions of the meet. Out of seven events we took, four of the events got first."
      Lucy Biernacki, Hayly Clark and Alexis Conboy all participated in the "Poetry" event. Alexis Conboy was the only student in the poetry section to place, taking home fourth place on her poem about her life. Hayly recited a poem about slavery and freedom, while Lucy Biernacki's poem was about insomnia.
     Along with poetry another event students participated in was persuasive speaking. Taya Leija was next in finals (an understudy) with her piece on animal testing. Paige Carattini took home third place with her persuasive piece on prison reform and the justice system. "Public Speaking and acting is my jam!!!" Carattini said.
     Another event was the Oral Interpretation of Drama or OID. Four year speechie, Claire Margetts, and two year speechie, Alexis Conboy both participated in the OID. Claire's OID group took first place with their condensed version of Disney's "Hercules." Alexis's OID group took home third place with their "School Reunion" piece.

Prom dress swap

     On February 10, there will be a prom dress swap that is going to take place in the high school
commons. 
     This prom dress swap is being organized by Mrs. Noble. This prom dress swap event is going to be put on with the purpose of helping with the prom funds. Mrs. Noble said, "I got to thinking about all of my prom dresses that aren't ever going to be worn again, and I thought maybe if some girls don't want to spend money on a new one, they can go the easier route and buy one cheaper from the prom dress swap event."
   The money form the event can be used in many different ways. It solely depends on how the customers want to do it. People can bring in dresses and donate them, and the funds will be going towards this year prom. Another way to participate is people can bring in their own dresses, and they will be given their own selling stations, and the funds they make will stay with them. However, "a free will donation would be appreciated," said Mrs. Noble
    This process is going to work by people coming in, and if they want to donate, there will be racks they can hang the dresses on, and there will be changing rooms for people who want to try on dresses and they will have long mirrors for viewing.












Friday, January 18, 2019

Real Colors

      Real Colors is recent program implemented at Chadron High School. The program uses peoples' personality traits to place them into four groups based on like characteristics. 
      Loni Watson, the school counselor, recently decided to get parents involved in this program. This took place on January 8th, from 6-8 p.m., in the high school library. Around 30 parents attended and they participated in ice breakers, a Real Color survey, discussion, and a fun group activity. Mrs. Watson decided to get parents involved in this program because, "Parenting is tough, especially when your kiddo has a very different temperament than your own. Finding ways to help kids through stress, and help motivate them are essential to parents."
      Mrs. Watson was drawn to this specific program because it is a lot of fun and laughs. She also likes that is focused less on surveys and more on fun activities. Mrs. Watson also liked that Real Colors can be used to teach people to better communicate with each other, and better understand themselves.

Boys' Basketball suffer tough loss to Alliance

     On Friday, January 11, the Chadron Boys' Basketball team had a tough game in Alliance falling 31-65. In the first half of the game, Chadron held Alliance to just 22 points, trailing by only 5 going into half time. Senior Pat Rust said, "Communication was good in the first half, but in the second half everyone was trying to do too much." 
     Trevor Berry, a junior, also said, "Offense the entire game was not good, and we played a lot better defense in the first half than we did in the second half."
     At the start of the second half, Rust said, "We started the second half too lazy," and senior Colton Olson added, "Alliance made a run early in the second half with pressure, and we couldn't handle the ball." 
     Alliance out worked Chadron, and outscored them 39-11 in the second half of the game. None of the Chadron players broke double digits. Trevor Berry led the Cardinals with 9 points, and Colton Olson followed with 8. The Cardinals now have a 7-6 record on the season.