Marian High School 7400 Military AvenueOmaha, NE 68134 402-571-2618 Volume 56 - Issue 1

printed on 100% recycled paperGO GREEN!

the networkAugust 2011

Gimme A Hug.No, Please, Stay Away!Marian Girls Debate the Art of Huggingpg. 9

Back to School Advice

pg. 6 & 7

Concussion Test Makes Impact at MarianAthletes Take Steps to Prevent Injurypg. 10

newsflash................................................pg. 2 & 3features...................................................pg. 4 & 5indepth.....................................................pg. 6 &7opinion....................................................pg. 8 & 9active life......................................................pg. 10entertainment.............................................pg. 11

Cover by emilyfischer

Michelle Tsatsos ‘13

Teachers Share Secrets to Success

When the topic of flooding comes up, many think, ‘How sad

for the farmers’ or ‘It doesn’t af-fect me.’ This is not so for some in the Marian community. A pair of sisters, a father daughter duo, and a lone junior who lives in Iowa have been dramati-cally affected by the flooding of the Missouri River. The four students and one staff member have had to alter their drive times in order for them to arrive on time to school and work.

The Iowa Department of Transportation closed I-29 from mile marker 61, near Crescent, to mile marker 71, at Loveland, on June 10 due to severe flood-ing.

Senior Kate Mendell was in the Dominican Republic when the flooding started to take a turn for the worse.

“The flooding started before we left, but I never thought it would get that bad,” said Mendell.

Mendell remembers talking to her mom on the second day of the trip and getting the news that everything had gotten much worse. Friends of Mendell who live in the south end of Council Bluffs were experiencing ground

water coming up through their basements

The closing of I-29 has led many residents of Crescent, Iowa to make dramatic changes to their commute. Sisters Kate and Maddie Mendell, as well as maintenance man Shane Beck and his daughter, sophomore Maranda Beck , now have to travel almost an hour to get to Marian.

“My commute usually took about 20 minutes on Interstate 29, [but now] it takes about 45 minutes on a good day, and an hour with traffic,” Mendell said.

“I only have immediate fam-ily in Council Bluffs, so mostly it was them scared for us.”

“I was so immersed in the D R that the fact that we might not be able to land when we got home hadn’t crossed my mind.” The group had to take detours in order to get home, and that wasn’t the worst of it. As more and more time passed, the levees started to weaken and it got to the worst point. Going forward a few months, things have slowly gotten better. “We can finally see the water levels going down.”

Sophomore Maranda Beck and her father have experienced the same problem. What used to be a 25 to 30 minute drive

on I-29 has now become a 50 minute drive that takes them through the city of Council Bluffs, Iowa, which is south of Crescent.

Junior Abby Peters, who lives in Council Bluffs, Iowa, says the flooding issue is

horrible. Abby’s drive to school used to take a good 20 minutes every morning, now she adds on an extra 10 minutes each way. “I used to take the route through Crescent, but now it’s flooded so I have to go a different way,” Peters said.

There is no way to escape it. Peters doesn’t have an idea of how long she will be traveling out of her way. “With all of the water that has been sitting on the highway, it will be really damaged. Some people have even said things won’t be fully repaired for two to three years.”

Waters in Nebraska have risen significantly over the summer of 2011. Followed by the Mississippi River flooding, the Missouri basin flooding was controlled by built up snow pack and heavy rain. On Aug. 3, the Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service said that the Missouri River reached its crest at 32.73 feet. The AHPS then

The Uniform Lowdown

Carving Out a New Way to School:

Tam

arra

h W

erns

man

‘14

No hair feathers allowed.

Black or gray socks and tights.

No open-toed shoes.

Moccasins arenow allowed!

Gray sweaters only!

went on to say that the 2011 re-searched data was presumption, and in any way could change. Other parts of the interstate are more damaged than others. The I-680 interstate near Mormon Bridge is going to take a long time to repair because of all of the water damage. Road of-ficials say that citizens should not expect the water to return to its banks until sometime in September at the earliest.

Many of the students at Marian may not be affected by all of the flooding that has hap-pened this past summer, but it is important to know what hard-ships people are going through. The flooding issue has ruined houses and lands of many. Being positive and helping people get through this time is something all people appreciate. Even a smile can make a world of differ-ence to one person. All it takes is showing someone the gift of hope.

How could anyone expect the new school year to come without any policy changes? As students jump into the 2011-2012 school year, reminders of old uniform policies and updates about new ones are shared.

Every Marian girl should be sporting a blue polo and a blue plaid skirt/skort or black slacks, daily. Other uniform staples, such as shoes and socks, must also meet handbook standards. Socks must be solid black or gray; even a small insignia on the sock, such as a Nike “swoosh,” is categorized as a dress code infraction. Shoes mustn’t be open-toed. Removing the popular, velcro-strapped sandals from the uniform list made room for the addition of hard-soled moccasin booties. Gray, and gray only, sweaters are not required, but are a cozy option for chilly school days.

Another new uniform restriction prohibits sporting hair feathers. Those girls with feathers in their hair are subject to disciplinary points. To avoid a uniform slip-up, check out the handy visual aid to the right!

Road block. Major streets and highways are closed due to the flooding.

Flooding over. As the water levels rose on I-29, near Crescent, Iowa, so did the tensions of all affected from the flooding.

Don’t Forget! Here are some simple rules from years past that girls can’t let slip through the cracks:

only short-sleeved white shirts are allowed

under polos: no long-sleeves!

steer clear of g r a p h i c boxers or

colorful shorts underneath the uniform skirts:

black shorts only!

Phot

os b

y tri

nity

glea

son

Gra

phic

by

hann

ahto

ohey

2 newsflash

clancynelson

Marian Girls are Redirected Due to Flooding trinitygleason & cassiephillips

At Marian there is a place for every-one.

Transferring can be perceived as a walk in the park to some, and a walk down the plank for others.

“If they aren’t famil-iar with the traditions, dynamics, and lingo of Marian... learning little things like that can be very interesting for them and will make for an easier transition for a transfer student.” Ms. Kathy DeBoer said.

While switch-ing schools can be an extremely taxing experience, when you end up at a school as welcoming and warm-hearted as Marian, it is known the alteration is for the best.

Transferring is a complicated ordeal. Whether you are from out of state or need a change of local scene, you cannot escape the initial feeling of awk-wardness.

Marian’s goal is to make these students feel comforted within the first few days, and it’s

up to each person in the student body to do so! “As time went by, people started to get to

know who I was, and I started mak-ing lots of friends,” Rouw said.

“Today, I feel like I was meant for Marian, meant to spend some of the best times here, like I’m just one of the family,” she said.

“Everyone at Marian is so friend-ly and welcoming! It makes the switch a lot easier,” new junior Anna Kaefer said. Kaefer transferred this year from Central High School.

What many transfer students do not realize is that they have the poten-tial to contribute more to the school than the average student.

They bring a sense of local and national perspective to the student body. New students bring spice to the Marian community and create a spunky eclectic environment in which all Marian girls can grow and mature in.

Picture being in a different school, sitting next to

people you did not know.

It is time for lunch, and you sit down at a random table with girls that have been best friends for years, but you don’t even know anyone’s name.

Welcome to the life of a transfer student.

“As a transfer stu-dent, it was difficult to adjust to people I had never met, already knowing who I was and having precon-ceived notions.

School was hard to face every day when I knew that girls already had their minds made up about me, ” senior Emily Rouw said.

Rouw transferred from Skutt to Marian in mid semester 2008 as a freshmen.

Marian has wel-comed 12 transfer students and count-ing for the 2011-2012 school year.

This far exceeds the number of stu-dents that have completed a transfer enroll-ment in the past years.

Is there a reason for the increase? Junior Marie Roubidoux gives her opinion, “They could be hearing about all of the positive changes that Marian is making and deciding that this is the right place for them.”

To many girls, transferring to Marian is non-negotiable. Some students move with her family and have no choice but to venture into a different school. Others do not have a choice because they have nowhere to return.

The four transfer students from St. Peter Claver Cristo Rey High School, were unable to return for their junior year to their previous school due to it’s closing in April of 2011.

New junior Diana Gonzalaez, recently transferred from St. Peter Claver High School, has some advice for the Marian student body to make all transfers feel more welcome,

“Try not to come off as harsh, don’t just say ‘Hi!’ to us once, keep saying ‘Hi!’ It’s hard for us to remember everyone.”

Marian could also be a haven for those who have not been able to fit in at their past schools.

michaelamcdonald

The Art of Switching Schools

Welcome Home. Marian welcomes its new sisters. Front row: Diana Gonzalez, Alysha Bremer, Rachel Rensch, Ginny Yost, Jackeline Valadez. Back row: Kristin Koley, Alysua Iniquez, Alondra Mora, Marissa Whately, Madeline Worth, Madeline Lambert, Anna Kaefer.

It was the evening of Freshman Orientation, the eve of the first day of school, Thursday, Aug. 18.Mrs. Kathy McPherson, art teacher, was

driving her daughter to Eppley Airport around 5:20 p.m. As she approached the airport, she saw dark clouds and lightning in the distance.

“Oh my gosh! This storm is so beautiful!” McPherson remembers saying to her daughter as they went into the airport.

Back in her car, McPherson hadn’t driven more than 10 yards when hail started coming down. The back window of her car broke, letting in rain and hail. This would not have

been such a big deal if her two dogs, Hannah, a German Shepherd, and Jack, a French bulldog, were not loose in the back of her SUV. She was filled with worry over her dogs, hoping they were not being cut by the broken glass.

Her sun roof was the next thing to break, leaving McPherson drenched and covering her head with her hands while screaming in surprise.

Not sure what the correct procedure was to do in a time like this, McPherson pulled over.

“I was terrified,” McPherson said.But

Mother Nature had one more thing in store for her. Not only did her back window and sun roof break, but her front

windshield broke, too.“I was scared the front windshield would

smash in on me,” McPherson said. McPherson waited until the hail stopped

and the rain died down a little before she decided to drive to the gas station down the street where she moved her dogs so they wouldn’t get so wet. From there she drove home.

With $15,000 worth of damage and three broken windshields, McPherson and her husband decided that it would be best to total her car and get a rental until they could buy another vehicle.

One would hope that McPherson didn’t go through this ordeal in vain. However, this was not the case.

Her daughter’s plane never left the terminal.

WelcomeTransfers!

Gra

deTe

nG

rade

Ele

ven

AlyshaBremer KristinKoley

MarissaWhatley MadelineWorth

DianaGonzalez AlysuaIniguez

AnnaAnnaKaefer MadelineLambert

AlondraMora RachelRensch

JackelineValadez GinnyYost

CentralIllinoisBurkeDuchesne

St. Peter ClaverSt. Peter ClaverCentralCentralSkuttSt. Peter ClaverIowaSt. Peter ClaverColorado

Glass Flies at Eppley Airfield

“They could be hearing about all of the positive changes that Marian is making and deciding that this is the right place for them.”

- Junior Marie Roubidoux

“If they aren’t familiar with the traditions, dynamics, and lingo of Marian... learning little things like that can be very interesting for them and will make for an easier transition for a transfer student.”

- Counselor Ms. Kathy DeBoer

Photo by michaelam

cdonald

Graphic by hannahgrace

trinitygleason

“I was scared the front

windshield would smash in

on me.”

- art Teacher

Mrs. Kathy McPherson

newsflash 3

...and Keeping Your Cool

Cupcakes.  Cookies.  Maybe a nice, piping hot pan of brownies.  Sounds like a pretty solid Marian bake sale,

eh?  The average Marian bake sale customer thinks so.  

But you can find these delicious treats some place other than the fold-up table right outside sophomore hall.  Want to know where?  

Just look to Olivia Greene.“I usually do it at night when I’m done

with my homework, but I really like to bake for my friends for school the next day.”  

Greene is always thinking of others, but she doesn’t only confine her talents to the kitchen.  

Baking is just one way that Greene provides joy to others.  

This summer, Greene took a week-long mission trip to Comayagua, Honduras.  Greene, a sophomore and a triplet, took the trip with one of her brothers, Walker (only two-thirds of the Greene triplets could partake in the journey; the final third, Charlie, had a prior engagement).  

Greene and Walker were willing tag-a-longs with their aunt and uncle who take the trip two to three times each year.  

The mission trip is coordinated by the Community of Franciscan Friars of the Renewal.

According to its website, the CFR “consists of St. Seraphin Friary and the apostolic endeavors associated with it.”  The friars span more than 18 countries and strive to “reflect the light of Jesus Christ.”  In the week she spent in Honduras, Greene did just that.  

She spent her trip volunteering at two different elementary schools, working with grade school Honduran children ages 4 to 14.  During the trip, Greene worked in groups

performing skits from the Bible, teaching the kids crafts and lessons, and playing games.   

Greene, a veteran of French I with Madame Tuttle, and a foreigner to the Spanish language, experienced what some people might call a language barrier.  But that didn’t stop her.  

The communication tool she used was simple.  In fact, she barely had to use words at all.  Greene was a smiling face and a welcoming lap to sit on.  Honduran children are different because, unlike your typical 10-year-old American student, she said.

“All they wanted me to do was hold their hand.”  

Another big difference she noticed was the importance for the children to get their arts and crafts perfect the first try.  

“If they messed up or broke a crayon, they would get so upset.  If an American child breaks a crayon, they just pick up a new one and keep coloring.  Honduran children don’t have that luxury,” Greene said.

The experience Greene had in Honduras was life-changing.  

She noticed how much Americans don’t appreciate all the opportunities available in the United States, and even at Marian.  

Greene recalls the cardboard houses with tin roofs. “They are so poor, but not the depressing kind.  They are happy.  They make the best of what they have.”

As cliché as it might sound, in retrospect, Greene knows that her experience made a greater impact on her life than she made on the Hondurans.  

Now, when baking for her Marian friends, she will remember her week in Honduras and wait for the time when she will return.  

And there will be a next time, but she’ll do something a little different.

 “Next time, I’ll bring Walker and Charlie.”  

Sophomore Spreads the Love in Honduraschristinarommelfanger

Hugs All Around. Sophomore Olivia Greene puts her arms around two Honduran children while on her mission trip. Greene gathered with the children in a local elementary school and spent the day with them. Photo courtesy of Olivia Greene.

Questions They Don't Ask in a Background CheckGet to Know Your New Staff

1. Oprah2. Yes3. His name was Mike4. Roll over5. Anything by Whitney Houston6. Being able to remember the names of students7. 7 1/2

1. I don’t really know celebrities!2. Yes, I normally sing toddler songs that are stuck in my head because I have a 2-year-old... Itsy Bitsy Spider?3. Terry...It’s kind of a dorky name.4. I’d train a dog to wash my dishes.5. I’d listen to “Rolling in the Deep” by Adele.6. I’m afraid I’ll never remember anyone’s names.7. I wear a size 8 1/2 shoe.

1. Sandra Bullock would be my favorite celeb as of now.2. Yes...3. Sean was the name of my first date.4. I would teach a dog to do my grocery shopping for me, I hate do-ing that!5. As of now, I would listen to “Springstein” off of Eric Church’s new album, but that could change.6. I hope I can keep my girls interested in math!7. Size 8 shoe.

marylouisewoltemath

1. Who is your favorite celebrity? 2. Do you sing in the shower?3. What was the name of your first date?4. If you could train a dog to do one thing, what would it be?5. What song would you listen to for 24 hours if you had to?6. What are you fearing most for this school year?7. What shoe size do you wear?

Mr. Shawn Gray

Science

Mrs. Julie LaBerge

Social Studies

Campus Ministry

Mrs. Michelle Keck-Cantave

Assistant to the

Head of School

Mrs. Amanda Crimmins

Math

4 features

1. I don’t really follow celebrities.2. Yes, I sing in the shower...and the car.3. What was the name of my first date? As in the girl’s name?...Lorie.4. I would teach a dog stoichiometry. That would be impressive.5. I could listen to “Tighten Up” by the Black Keys.6. I’m not really fearing anything. I just hope that I remember every thing that I’m supposed to re- member.7. I wear size 12 shoe.

American vs. Australian

We say . . . They say . . .Sketchy Dodgy Cotton Candy Fairy Floss Candy Lollies

Cookies Biscuits Skipping School Waggin’

The Omaha airport was buzzing on the evening of July 18; buzzing with the sound of 10 anxious and excited

Marian juniors and seniors about to begin their journey to the other side of the world--Australia.

The trip to Australia began as a way to create connections among the Servite schools around the world. In fall 2010, Marian girls applied for the exchange and went through a process of written applications and interviews. Eventually, the group was narrowed down to 10 girls who would represent Marian in Australia.

On July 20, after a lengthy 17-hour flight from Dallas, Texas to Sydney, Australia, and a 15 hour time change, the girls arrived at the Sydney International Airport along with chaperones, Vice Principal Mr. Jim Miller and Spanish teacher Mrs. Beth Shanahan.

Not wasting any time, the group set off exploring Sydney and saw all the famous landmarks.  

“My favorite part of Sydney was climbing the Sydney Harbor Bridge and seeing the Opera House,” senior Jessie Koraleski said.  The

four days spent in Sydney were filled with sightseeing, shopping, ferry rides, and heaps of rain.

After acclimating to the Australian way of life in Sydney, the group flew across the country to Marian’s sister school, Servite College, in Perth.  Each Marian student was paired up with a host family from Servite that she would live with for the next 10 days.

“When I did offer to have [a Marian student] I was really nervous because I was worried that I would get someone who I didn’t get along with or have someone weird,” said Bec Mirchef, a junior and hostess

from Servite College.The girls had been communicating with

the Servite hostesses via Facebook and email for months prior to meeting, but that didn’t seem to lessen the nerves.  “I was excited and nervous to meet them, but a good nervous,” junior Dani Morrell said.  Despite their nerves, the Marian girls quickly settled in with their new Australian families and headed to school.

“The first day of school was kind of awkward since we really stood out in our blue

polos.  Walking down the hallway was the most uncomfortable part because everyone would stare at you as they walked by or shout ‘America’ to get your attention,” senior Moira Delaney said. The Servite uniform includes a white button down shirt, green plaid skirt or black pants, black or green sweater, a tie, and a black blazer. The students must all wear black shoes and carry the same backpack marked by the Servite logo.

“In class I felt like a celebrity because all the students would bombard me with questions about America.  They would ask me if I’ve met any celebrities or live near Area 51.  One guy even asked if we all lived like Eminem in 8 Mile,” Delaney said.

Although Marian and Servite share the same foundation, the schools are vastly different.  Servite is co-ed and is not a college preparatory school.  The daily schedule includes six periods and a morning break in contrast to Marian’s eight consecutive blocks. Servite also has a system of six priories.  Each priory includes students from every grade.  

“The priory system at Servite was really unique.  It was cool to see the different grades

Let’s Go Outback Tonight

You’re Up for a

faithwilwerding

Down Under. Marian students that traveled to Australia gather for a group photo. Front row: Abby Johnson, Olivia Hershiser, Dani Morrell, Ally Pietrok, Moira Delaney. Back row: Annie Skradski, Jessie Koraleski, Faith Wilwerding, Jessica Samuelson, Rachel Langenfeld. Photo courtesy of faithwilwerding.

interacting and I loved how it carried a sense of unity to all the classrooms,” Delaney said.

The Marian girls tried to convey the unique Marian atmosphere to the students at Servite.  “I think Marian sounds like a really

fun school!  [My exchange student] told me how well all the girls get along and how you guys are like a family,” said Kate DiLallo, a sophomore hostess from Servite.

Although there were differences in culture and at school, the Marian girls fit into the Australian lifestyle by the end of their stay.  “It was so cool having a girl from another

country stay at your home.  I had a bazillion questions for her and we would sit at the table just looking through food catalogues asking if you had certain foods and if you didn’t, we would go get it,” Mirchef said

“I felt really comfortable with my family.  My hostess and I got along well.  It was kind of awkward the first two days, but then we clicked really well!” junior Annie Skradski said.

There’s no doubt that the exchange created a timeless connection between the two sister schools and their students. The next international Servite exchange will be in summer 2012; listen for announcements on the application process.

GERMANY

CZECH REPUBLIC

AUSTRIA HUNGARY

SLOVAKIA

Graphic by clancynelson and torinietzel

Lauren Pedersen ‘12

Graphic by haileywolf

June 13, 2011:

Day Two at the Campo

6am: Wake up and get ready for the day.

7am: Eat breakfast as a group. The rich Dominican

coffee is a great way to start each day.

8am: Service begins. Paint the entirety of a school,

inside and out, including a library and office.

10:30pm: Time to

reflect. Get ready for

bed and journal about

the day’s happenings.

12pm: Play time! Spend time with locals in the com-

munity as lunch is prepared. Lunch, considered to be

the biggest meal of the day, lasts for three hours.

5pm: Clean up and head home to bucket shower and

chat with our Dominican families3pm: The painting continues.

6pm: Gather for group dinner consisting of eggs,

bread, fruit or vegetables, and a Dominican oatmeal

drink.

8pm: Return to our homes to interact with our

Dominican families and other community members.

Play games and have fun singing and dancing while

experiencing another culture.

Slazburg: Filming of the

Sound of Music; Motzart’s birthplace

Munich: Learned Bavarian

dancing.

Vienna: Learned to waltz

Berlin: Saw where the Berlin wall once was (two rows of bricks

remain on the ground representing the wall).

Six adventurous Marian girls and their trusty chaperones set out from Eppley Airfield on a much anticipated day in June for a 12-day romp through Europe. Their adventures included stops in the capitals of five different countries, all while stuffing themselves with

delicious European cuisine. On their journey, they soaked up history in Berlin, Munich, Dresden and Oberammergau, Germany; Salzburg and Vienna, Austria; Prague, Czech Republic; Budapest, Hungary; and Bratislava, Slovakia.

Immerse Yourself

This past June, ten Marian girls and two staff members had the opportunity to spend ten days serving others and experiencing culture in the Dominican Republic. The girls visited the ILAC Center in Santiago, the Haitian community of Batey Libertad, and lived

with families in Loma de Comedaro. One traveler, senior Lauren Pederson, describes a typical day of service in the DR.

features 5

Marian Girls Spend Three Weeks in the Land Down Under

Marian Girls Serve, Learn and Play in the D.R.

faithwilwerdingtorinietzel

Marian students

travel abroad

Trip to Europe

Q: “When is it

a good time to stop at my locker?”- Ann Marie Hauser ‘15

A: “Go to your locker when you have a class on the same floor as your locker.”

- Elsie Boyle ‘13

As summer winds down, anxiety is up. Whether it be finishing another study guide for Remmick’s Honors World History class or currently possessing a half-finished personal essay (ahem, seniors), there is plenty of work to be done. The pressures of school, activities, and jobs are enough to make any Marian girl feel stressed. But not to fear ladies, here is advice from teachers who have seen it all.

Welcome Home!

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BU“KE,,,,S,Q: “Where should I sit at

lunch?”- Marie McCusker ‘15

A: “Whoever is in your class before lunch, walk down to lunch and ask to sit with them.”

- Cassie Thompson ‘12

Q: “How do I react to creepy boys at prep dances?”

A: “Just dance away or pretend to see someone on the other side of the room and run away.”

- Laura Wiggs ‘12

colleenfell

SPEAK

OUT!

Bailey Nihsen ‘15

6 indepth

Marian girls start the year with worries, recommendations, and a bucket list.

? ??

I walk into school at 8:32 Wednesday morning and rush to class.

Almost there, Almost there. I’m approximately 10 steps away when I see an underclassman walking into the

classroom I am heading towards. Ha ha ha, she’s walking into the wrong room, I laugh to myself. I step into the classroom and

realize she was definitely in the right place. I, on the other hand, was not. As a senior, I walked into the wrong classroom, and it is sure to happen again. Walking into the wrong class is a common occurrence for

students in all grades. Freshmen, you’re not the only ones doing it. Senior Jenna Glass gives some valuable advice for girls

who tend to go to the wrong classroom, “Don’t run away, just laugh it off.” Here is some more use-

ful advice for all your high school worries...

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“Seniors should really have fun this year, enjoy being with classmates, and don’t put off college apps. Cherish each day as a treasure.”

“Be like [homeroom] 320.”

“Get organized this year, carry a planner, and keep track of your schedule. Remember that everything is kicked up a notch next year.”So

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Q: “How can I make sure I makeand keep the right friends?”

- Megan Smith ‘15

A: “Join as many clubs and activities as your schedule can handle. Experiment

with different friend groups to see where you fit in best.” - Taylor Novacek ‘12

Q: “How do I avoid failing a class?”

- Charlotte Elsasser ‘15

A: “Make sure to ask teachers if you have any questions. They are there to help. Also, if

you are given homework that teachers won’t check, do it anyway.”

- Meg Rogers ‘12

Graphic by ellemostekCassie Edet ‘12

indepth 7

torinietzel

!

!!

-

-

I’ll admit... I think PajamaJeans look like the most comfortable and well-thought out clothing item ever invented. And they’re quite stylish too.What are PajamaJeans, you may ask? PajamaJeans

happen to be a mix of two of the best clothing options known to man (...woman, I suppose I should say). These pants combine the comfort and ease of pajamas with the classic look of a pair of jeans. In my opinion, it’s a win-win situation.

Have I ever seen anyone actually wearing PajamaJeans? No. Do I know anyone with a pair? No. I most definitely do not.

You might find yourself asking, well then, Emily, how did you discover these wonderful hybrid pants? My answer to you? A late night infomercial.

Most of us are familiar with the infomercial; long television commercials designed to convince Americans that we are in desperate need of whatever product that is being sold. And America is happy to oblige.

The typical infomercial runs for about five

The Network is a monthly publication of the journalism students at Marian High School, Nebraska’s only Class A, Catholic, North Central Accredited college preparatory school

for girls. The Network is a member of the N.H.S.P.A, N.S.P.A. and the C.S.P.A. It is our goal to provide an accurate and informative news source for the student community.

Opinions expressed on the opinion pages do not necessarily represent those of the entire community. Students, faculty, and friends are invited to voice their opinion in Letters to

the Editors. All letters must be typed, signed, and sent to: The Network, Marian High School

7400 Military Ave.Omaha, NE 68134

Or e-mailed to us at: netpaper@omahamarian.orgAn electronic version of this paper can be found at:

http://www.omahamarian.org/netpaper

the networkink lasts forever Managing Editors: meganandreasen & taylorhaag

Copy Editors: clancynelson & faithwilwerdingPhoto Editor: ellemostekGraphics Editor: kalanifortinaOnline/Convergence Editor: trinitygleasonFront Page Editor: emilyfischerNewsflash Editor: michaelamcdonaldOpinion Editor: christinarommelfangerFeatures Editors: catelinhotz & torinietzelInDepth Editor: hannahtooheyActive Editors: nicolewojtalewicz & marylouisewoltemathEntertainment Editors: colleenfell & gabriellamartinez-garro Photo Essay Editor: alexamooreColumnists: hannahgrace & zoeursickReporters/Photographers: naomijones, katykohlmeyer, cassiephillips, rosalieplofchan & haileywolfAdviser: mrs.marshakalkowski

I’m tired of this whole, “Look what our youth is being exposed to!” notion. It’s getting old, really. I’m tired of Initial-hyphen-“word”, and I’m tired of sporadic pauses

during TV-aired music videos. How am I to know what is actually being said?

Okay, so maybe I’m being facetious. I know what is being said. But apparently it is not fit to be broadcast on FM radio. Clearly, many things are unsuitable for such a medium. Words like (brace yourself) “gun,” or “alcohol.”

Thanks to this censorship implemented by many a public radio station, parents can now rest easy knowing their children will remain unexposed to not only foul language or derogatory slurs, but also to the evils of armaments and spirits.

To this, I can only say, “what the [heck]?!”Come on, America (and any other nation employing similar

censorship policies). These restrictive tactics bring back memories of my youth,

where utterances such as “stupid” or “shut up” were on par with the F-Bomb or the B-word in terms of profanity. Many a coin was donated (forcibly seized and confiscated) to the penny jar, and my threats to report attempted-poisoning-by-forcible-soap-ingestion to Child Protective Services will not be forgotten.

And now, it seems that the media is indentured to a metaphorical penny jar of its own. Driving home one night last summer, listening to the ever-catchy “Bottoms Up” by Trey Songz, I noticed that channel 94.1 FM was airing a version of the song that omitted the word “alcohol.” Not one of George Carlin’s Seven Dirty Words, not a racial slur or an obscene sexual reference, but the word “alcohol.”

This upsets me. I’ve always believed that censorship straight-up [stinks], but lately it’s reached a new level. I mean, “alcohol?” Really? Perhaps this is a movement by parents hoping to reduce underage drinking, or to protect their child’s tender ears from any mention of the notoriously problematic substance. But really, what kind of impressionable 6-year-old is listening to a top-40 station at midnight?

My real question is in regard to the words not censored out of the song. Why is “drunk” still included, but “alcohol” nixed? If anything, parents concerned about their children’s exposure to negative influences should be more focused on the… d-word.

“Alcohol” in and of itself isn’t a bad thing. It can be enjoyed in moderation by responsible adults. It cleans wounds and sterilizes fresh piercings. “Alcohol” isn’t the issue that parents

should be worrying about, especially if their own fridge is stocked with Coors Light or Dad’s football games feature beer commercials every five minutes. [Dang] hypocrites.

Another word I discovered to be censored by 94.1 is “gun.” A device children fill with water and assault one another with; a device used to implant nails or staples into wood; a device used to annihilate enemies in Call of Duty.

But alas, this is something Lil’ Wayne is not allowed to discuss in his song “Right Above It,” at least not in the public airwaves. So it seems that listeners will never really know what Wayne’s got in his boo purse. (Though finding out what the [heck] a “boo purse” is may be a more pressing issue; not even urbandictionary.com can supply me with an answer.)

The other day while perusing the Omaha World Herald I encountered an article discussing controversy over Foster the People’s song “Pumped Up Kicks.” The article was discussing how some people believe the song to be about the Omaha Von Maur shootings, because of the references to guns and ammunition and a guy named Robert. A load of [baloney] in my opinion; I may as well start telling people that the song “Brown-Eyed Girl” was written about myself.

But I digress.Evidently, this song is inappropriate.As I mentioned, the song’s refrain includes both “gun” and

“bullet” in the lyrics, which most radio stations have deemed unfit for broadcast. Though a cheerfully lighthearted and mellow-sounding tune, it seems Foster the People has secretly hatched a scheme to corrupt the minds of listeners with talk of violence and weaponry. Radio stations and the MTV channel have banned the original lyrics.

As it would happen, I actually have never paid close attention to the lyrics on the radio, but I really can’t imagine what they would replace such obscenities with.

And what most annoys me about this particular incident is that even MTV is censoring the lyrics. MTV?

I’ll start to trust the channel’s musical judgment once they actually start to play it. For now, they can just air their promiscuity and alcohol-riddled reality shows and leave the music to the musicians, as I just sit and wonder what the gun our world has come to.

The Age of Senseless C*nso@ship

8 opinion

Snuggie Up to This Idea:

zoeursickZo and Tell

minutes. That’s plenty of time to get me hooked. Five minutes of watching delicious smoothies being made in a Magic Bullet Blender and I need one delivered to my door STAT. Five minutes watching families at sporting events cheering in their Snuggies and I officially have Snuggie envy.

After five minutes of watching happy women slipping into their PajamaJeans as they run errands around town, I’m already trying to figure out my size so I can order my own pair over the phone.

Any time spent in front of the TV watching infomercials is time well spent. It’s similar to a hypnotic state. I find myself being drawn into a trance. My eyes glaze over, my mouth drops open, and I forget to blink. Forget documentaries, reality television shows, or The Price is Right. Infomercials are the most interesting programming on television.

For me, the highlight of turning 18 isn’t the legality of getting tattoos or the ability to vote. It’s the fact that as an 18 year old, I will finally be able to purchase my favorite informercial products over the telephone, starting with PajamaJeans.

emilyfischer PajamaJeans Are Where It’s At

naomijones

They’re the latest trend. They are available in hues of blue, pink, green and orange. They can be clipped, fused, or personally

applied. They’ve been spotted in the hair of students since last May, but are just now being banned from students’ flowing tresses.

Dean of Discipline Ms. Ronda Motykowski explained to freshman parents at the Faces of Marian Orientation that she simply doesn’t like them. This fall Motykowski has made it clear to the student body that feathers are not allowed. Although there is no direct mention of this in the student handbook, one can associate it with rule 10 on page 30, which states that, “…unusual head gear or accessories…unusual hair styles…colored highlights...” are not allowed.

“In the olden days, a Catholic school was thought of as clean cut,” Motykowski said.

Many students wore this fashion accessory throughout the summer, only to hear about the ban on their return to school.

Motykowski just doesn’t understand their significance. “It’s a fad that’s going to go away,” she said.

Motykowski admits they must have some appeal. Her own mother coming up on 80 years old even purchased one from her hair stylist.

“Well, she has two, an auburn kind of orange and a turquoise.” Motykowski comments on how her mother looks like a junior high student. “It looks like someone threw yarn in her hair.”

When feathers hit the fashion scene late last spring, Motykowski explained that she and the administration felt there was “no use making a big deal and changing the handbook,” so nothing official was said regarding the feathers last May.

Even though Motykowski can’t tell her mother what to do, as the Dean of Discipline, she can certainly tell Marian girls: no mo’ feathers.

No “Mo’ ” Hair Feathers

Bring it in.I know you want to. I love hugs, and I’m not

afraid to admit it. There’s something about being embraced that can’t be replicated. And you know that you love hugs, too. I mean, who doesn’t want to give a big ol’ bear hug to her Marian friends on the first day of school? Or any day of school, for that matter.

Think about the last time you experienced the Sign of Peace at an all-school mass. You can’t say that you didn’t embrace every classmate within your reach; unless you’re a freshman, in which case the closeness will come soon, I promise.

You could say I was raised knowing the value of a good hug. As a general rule, anytime I visited family, I was obligated to give everyone a hug hello and goodbye. Child cruelty? Hardly.

I’ve always believed that dear baby Jesus created hugs as a gift to mankind in order to share the love. Don’t agree? Well, maybe you have never been officially taught how to give a proper hug.

According to the all-knowing wikiHow, the steps for hugging are as follows: approach the person, embrace,

opinion 9

Cereal at noon? Spontaneity? Real tans?

What? Was that only a couple weeks ago? School returns in all its sleep deprived, sacked-lunch glory.

The excitement of my senior year at Marian ebbed away when my day suddenly became composed of face-planting into my cheerios, finding socks (especially since I totally forgot socks even existed with flip flops),

and starving throughout the day

without my constant snacking. Seriously, now I have to actually put effort into . . . everything. I mean everything besides my appearance. Gotta love Marian for that.

I can’t even check my e-mail for Pottermore every five minutes now. Not to mention, sitting in physics class only reminds me that I don’t go to Hogwarts.

I wish I could say that the beginning of the school year is all about easing ourselves back to alarm clocks and plaid skirts, but I don’t want to start this column with a lie. I had essays and assigned reading before school even started.

If I had to pick one word that I hear echoing off the blue lockers in the halls of Marian, I would pick the monosyllabic word stress. And if it’s not actually voiced, the stress is implied. If you hear someone talk about school,

and you don’t think she’s talking about how stressed out she is, listen again.

“I have second lunch because of my English class, what lunch do you have?” What she means to say is I bet

whatever class you have before lunch is easier than the forty pages I have to read tonight.

Or am I just reading too much into things?

Probably.Either way, all

this schoolwork is causing me

headaches (albeit, my caffeine fix usually solves these. I’m going to blame it on schoolwork anyway, since school indirectly

pushes me to legal drugs. Remember, caffeine addiction is real).

I can assume that everyone here is stressed out by something related to school. Does that sound okay? Then I can also say we all have ways to deal with it.

Escapism. I like to space out (with food, always food) in front of the kitchen’s glass door until I realize my neighbors are staring across our yards right back at me. Then I pretend to let

the dog inside and go back to the homework.

But stress needs to be dealt with. Unfortunately, as school causes more stress than it alleviates, we students take it upon ourselves.

Some students accomplish this by forgetting about their problems and opting for a night on StumbleUpon. (Note from personal experience that I would never recommend

procrastinating: the aftertaste is worse than fast food’s.)

Other students accomplish this by venting about their problems to everyone else.

As a community, Marian girls love to take care of one another. But we’re humans, with our own problems, and, well, imagine this:

Two girls are talking at lunch. After taking a bite of her PB&J, one says “Ugh, I still need to study for math tonight. It’s going to be awful. So much great TV is going to be on.” Math: a topic to bond over.

Of course the second girl nods and agrees (mainly because she just tried eating an entire tangerine and fears dribbling juice). She has to study for math as well. And she has a lab to do, as well as some worksheets. Reminding her about the math quiz tomorrow is not letting her enjoy those half-baked cookies she’s saving for dessert. Now only the sinkhole of work she has tonight asserts her attention.

I’ll admit that I talk about my stressful to-do list. Bemoaning work really ties people together. In a sense it’s a good conversation starter, or at least it reminds people that they have stuff due tomorrow.

Maybe we need to find healthier things to talk about.

Well, I bet this has only underlined how we all wished time machines could take us back to June, and the best news of all is that it’s only September. We have approximately nine more months of lugging textbooks . . . When’s our next day off?

Who am I kidding? The only time I get hakuna matata is summer vacation. And even then there’s always some assignment to complete.

Feel free to scream in the confines of your backyard; it might relieve stress.

Though the neighbors might watch.

Sucked Into theStress Vortex

Grace Notes

don’t hug too tightly, and don’t let go too early.

Overall, it’s a simple process that creates joy between two people.

The best thing about a squeeze is that it can be shared with anyone. Your dad, mom, siblings, cousins, mailman, etc. Even strangers can get in on the love.

While I was Chicago this summer I spotted a man walking with a Free Hugs sign. Immediately I dashed

up to him and followed the four steps to a successful hug.

Our embrace was nothing less than magical. After our

friendly exchange, the kind stranger thanked me.

“No,” I replied. “Thank you, sir.”

As a matter of fact, I have always wanted to walk around with a “Free Hugs” sign

downtown to see how many I might receive and how people would react.

According to BBC news, hugs can reduce blood pressure in women which reduces the risk of heart disease. See, we’re not just sharing the love, we’re saving lives!

I adore hugs because they warm the heart and soul of both the recipient and bestower. If you see me in the hall, don’t be afraid to ask for a hug; I can guarantee you’ll receive one.

It’s not that I was neglected as a child. I don’t feel emotionally or physically scarred or anything of that nature. I

guess it’s just personal preference that in times of extreme emotion or distress, I’ll opt for the congratulatory handshake or the consoling pat on the back instead of the dreaded hug.

At my last fake count, I’ve had about 17,028 hugs in my lifetime. I’d say 61 percent of these hugs lacked consent, another 20 percent left me feeling uncomfortable, 15 percent were “back-crack” hugs (the only acceptable kind), and the rest were initiated by myself in certain, rare situations.

The whole idea of hugging just doesn’t work for me. I understand that under certain circumstances with a close, intimate friend or family member, a hug is acceptable. However, casual hugs with casual acquaintances at par-ties, in the hall at school, and on the street NEED TO STOP.

When two people touch hands for some appropriate hand-holding or a high five, the level of germs and dead skin cells exchanged would make any-one cringe. The thought of a full body dirt exchange with a rando makes me want to slather my bod in Purell.

The next problem I have with the full body embrace is the extreme awkwardness that ensues. I’ll admit that I have a personality that can make any situation uncomfortable and I’m okay with that, but I wouldn’t blame myself for the strangeness in most hugging situations.

Another dilemma I often find when going in for a hug is the height differ-ence. As a tall girl, hugging a friend more than a few inches shorter than myself is not only strange, but might go against some law of science. How can I hug you when my hips are at the same

level as your head? It’s too confusing and it just doesn’t work out.

At a school like Marian, there are more than a few girls on the short side, and I’m faced with too many opportuni-ties for an awkward embrace.

During the Sign of Peace at Mass, I am surrounded by opportunities for hugs. It’s hard (sarcasm), but I limit my-self to five hugs during this time. Why do you think I joined Worship Choir? Up in the risers, I am able to steer clear of the hectic squealing and open arms at Mass. Speaking of arms, where do you put them? -Above the shoulders of a fel-low hugger? Underneath and across the back? I shiver with anxiety and confu-sion as I think about it.

There also seems to be emotional baggage attached to a deep, long hug. Why? When you feel sad or absolutely overjoyed, why do you want to open your arms, get close to someone, close your arms around them, and squeeze? Odd. I am not sure if it’s the angsty teen inside of me, but I like to keep emotions all bottled up inside. It’s the only healthy way to survive. When I’m feeling sad- first off, I wont tell you- I don’t want a body press, I want money. Or a pedicure. Or a sandwich. Or an hour of bonding time with my little sister, Smusch, watching Netflix. I DON’T WANT A HUG!

I know that I’ll probably give a few more hugs during the remainder of my lifetime, and maybe one day I’ll give one to you (unlikely). I don’t want to rule out any possibilities, but don’t hold your breath. This girl just doesn’t like to “hug it out.” Sue me.

hannahgrace

Con:

Pro: Hug It Out

Cut It Outrosalieplofchan

gabriellamartinez-garro

Share your views...Send us your opinions...netpaper@omahamarian.org

SPEAK OUT!

“I would obviously be in pain. And wouldn’t I like faint or something?”

“I would feel like my brain hit a wall. . . A.K.A. my skull. And I would probably say weird things because I couldn’t think.”

How do you think a

concussion would feel?

Running is obviously a great way to get in shape, and to stay in shape. But for senior Rachel

Lukowski, it has become much more than that.

Lukowski never used to be a big fan of running. In fact, she quit play-ing soccer in the fifth grade because she absolutely despised it. From that point on, she vowed to never again play a sport that required so much running (which clearly didn’t work out too well).

Once freshman year rolled around, Lukowski had to pick up that ever-dreaded form of working out once again, in order to train to run the mountain (a series of timed sprints) for volleyball tryouts. She also partic-ipated in track “for fun” the same year, as a sprinter. She later reflects on this decision and says, “It probably would have been a good idea for me to start distance running as a freshman, but I didn’t know I would be so good at it at the time!”

Things weren’t so easy for Lukows-ki in her first year of playing sports at Marian. She underwent an intense surgery on her hip to correct an injury she received while playing basketball in grade school. Her growth plate was growing “out” instead of “up,” which caused her extreme pain during cer-

tain physical activities. During this surgery, Lukowski had part of her hip, along with a benign “grapefruit-sized” tumor, removed.

After the surgery, Lukowski noticed that she experienced a heightened pain when falling during volleyball. In order to avoid this, she decided to not try out the following year.

Instead, Lukowski found some-thing that more accurately suited her: distance running. As a sophomore, Marian track coach Roger Wright offered Lukowski a spot as a distance runner on the Junior Varsity team. At the beginning of the season, she thought this was a horrible idea. However, once the season was near-ing its close, she realized distance running was a perfect fit.

“Rachel is a very hardworking and dedicated runner. Her big game this year is mental toughness and it is mental toughness that separates the great runners from the good run-ners,” Wright said.

Since then, Lukowski has enjoyed running and finds that it provides a great break in her busy schedule because she can clear her mind and relax. She competed with the Cross Country team her sophomore and junior year. Her skills benefited the team and she continually proved her

commitment to the sport. Lukowski says that running not

only benefits her mind, but it improves her eating habits as well. When Ra-chel is in running season, she is careful not to overindulge in fats and sweets. She also decided to stop drinking pop, and hasn’t for two years. “Since I have trained my body to stay active, unhealthy foods just don’t sound appe-tizing anymore,” Lukowski said.

One would think that all of this hard work and commitment would be enough to make this hard worker an overachieving athlete, but she has even more to add to her striking list of achievements.

This summer alone, Rachel ran more than 400 miles.

She had taken part in the Marian Cross Country 300-mile club last year, but this year she took it to a whole new level. Running an average of five miles a day this summer, Lukowski trained her body to be able to face intense heat, rough terrain, and other obstacles. “At first, I went into this just hoping to reach 300 miles,” Lukowski said, “But after I reached my goal, I decided to just keep running.”

Lukowski says when she really puts her heart into something, nothing can stop her from achieving her goal. Nothing.

Run Rachel! Run!

Morgan Lubeck ‘14

nicolewojtalewicz

Senior Rachel Lukowski commits her time and talent to doing what she loves: running

Emily

Mulle

n ‘13

Marian Athletics Crack Down on Concussion TestsIt’s an issue facing student athletes

across the country: concussions caused by high school sports

that slip by undetected. After several catastrophic high-profile injuries of high school athletes in the Nebraska, the Nebraska legislature decided to take action.

In the spring of 2010, the legislators passed LB260, a law that requires all high schools in Nebraska to inform and educate coaches, ath-letes and parents about the dangers, signs and symptoms of concussions on a yearly basis. It also requires athletes to be cleared by a licensed health care professional trained in the evaluation and management of traumatic brain injury.

One way Marian has imple-mented this task is to use the Impact Baseline Test with athletes.

The Impact Baseline Test is a neuro-cognitive test that athletes must complete before their particu-lar season has started. The test is a computer questionnaire testing an athlete’s speed and reaction time, along with his or her visual and verbal memory skills. If an unlucky athlete were to have a concussion during the season, they must retake the test in order to see when they are fit to play again.

Marian received a grant that allowed athletes to begin the tests last winter. This particular grant is part of Nebraska Orthopedic Hospital’s mission to help athletes stay healthy and

continue to participate in the sports they love. Marian’s athletic trainer, Mrs. Melissa Brusnahan, is much happier having her athletes tested with the Impact Baseline Test.

“When concussions happened, we would conduct a sideline test, but that didn’t always show an athlete’s true mental and physical state. It is much better for our athletes to take the Impact test so we know if they are completely ready to be competing again after a concussion has oc-curred,” Brusnahan said.

A sideline test is a series of ques-tions conducted immediately after a head injury has occurred. The trainer conducts a small, simple test to evalu-ate memory and visual acuity to see if the injured athlete has any brain dam-age.

“Even though we now test our athletes with the Baseline test, we still do the sideline test as well. The Baseline test provides a better indica-tion when an athlete is recovered enough to play again. The reason the Nebraska legislators decided to pass this bill was because too many kids suffering from SIS,” Brusnahan said, “with catastrophic results.”

SIS, or Secondary Impact Syn-drome, is a condition that causes swelling in the brain due to an athlete suffering a secondary concus-sion before a previous concussion symptoms subsided.

“Athletes were returning too early after suffering from a concussion. Players should be symptom-free for

seven days at least before playing again,” Brusnahan said.

The first player to use this test-ing system was sophomore Kate Liveringhouse. After a nasty fall during a basketball game last season, Liveringhouse was diagnosed with a concussion. Liveringhouse had previously completed the Baseline Test for Marian at the beginning of the basketball season.

“I remember thinking the first time I took the test, it was really easy. But after taking the test when I had my concussion, the reaction ques-tions were a lot harder. My scores went way down,” Liveringhouse said.

Liveringhouse had to take the test for the third time after being symptom-free for two days. Her scores rose from her previous test, and she was cleared to play for the remainder of the season.

Brusnahan and the rest of the Marian Athletic Department are grateful for the grant from the Nebraska Orthopedic Hospital that makes this test possible.

With any luck, these tests will cause permanent concussion injuries to decrease across Nebraska allow for safe athletic competition.

10 active life

septembervarsityhomegames

7

20

15

27

9

22

28

Softball vs. Millard West @ 6:30

Softball vs. Mercy @ 6:30

Softball vs. Bellevue West Senior High

School @ 6:30

Softball vs. Omaha South High School @

6:30

27

Volleyball vs. Papil-lion South @ 7:00

Volleyball vs. Lincoln Southeast @ 6:00

Volleyball vs. Millard North @ 7:00

Volleyball vs. Bellevue East @ 7:00

kalanifortina

I would be confused and dizzy. I would not remember what happened.”

Emily Bashus ‘15

Thoughts and Feelings

Smell and Taste

Hearing

Planning movement

Coordination

Touch perception

Sight

Graphicby hannahgrace

Photos by nicolewojtalewicz & marylouisewoltemath

For JV, Reserve & Freshmen schedules go

to mhsaaconference.org

September 3rd: First Husker football game at 2:30! Nebraska vs. Tennessee @ Chattanooga

September 10th: Jersey Boys at the Orpheum Theatre. 2 and 8 p.m.

September 15th: First Marian Mom’s salad lunch! Cost is $3.

September 16th: Katy Perry in concert. 7:30 p.m. Special guests include Janelle Monae & DJ Skeet Skeet

September 17th & 18th: Opening weekend at Vala’s Pumpkin Patch! Saturday & Sunday 12-9 p.m.

September 23rd: Walk-A-Thon!

September 7th: Spanish club meeting in room 111 : New members are welcome!

September 2nd-5th: Septemberfest at Century Link Center! Admission is $4

CROSSWORD

entertainment 11

Down1 This logo is not allowed to be shown on socks at school.2. Which teacher now calls Schad’s former classroom, 318, home?3. Over the summer, the 3rd floor hallways were painted ______.4. Which staff member’s office now occupies the Computers for Africa room?5. The author of Enrique’s Journey is named Sonia _____.8. ACDB is a.m., ______ is p.m.9. This popular social networking site is restricted at Marian.13. Which Marian counselor has the last part of the alphabet?14. This year, paintings of ____ will be hung in each hallway.

Across6. What game show was English teacher Miss Susie Sisson on?7. What is the Walk-A-Thon theme for this year?9. What is the name of the 2011 Prep and Marian musical?10. Why was the Quad closed off during the first days of school?11. Which new teacher has also become a cross country coach?12. What is the name of Marian’s literary magazine?13. What street is Marian on?

Summer. The best, least stressful time of the year for many Marian girls. A

season filled with laying by the pool, enjoying Popsicles after a day in the sun, and driving around those four kids in need of a nanny while their parents are at work.

For most high school girls, this was as far and wide as summer took them. For others, however, road trips to Kansas City and Chicago for musical festivals were on the agenda, and both trips exceeded expectations.

On Aug. 5 and 6, Kansas Speedway was filled with hundreds of thousands of fans, awaiting performances from their favorite bands scheduled to play at Kanrocksas. Artists such as Muse, Eminem, The Black Keys, Girl Talk, and Kid Cudi took the stage over the two day period, wowing fans who had traveled from near and far to see them.

Three Marian juniors, Sarah Reynolds, Chloe Sorrell, and Emily Johanek, were fortunate enough to attend Kanrocksas after winning a radio contest.

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“After we won the tickets and had a place to stay, there was no reason for my parents to say no. Not to say they weren’t hesitant, but we were with the Sorrells and they trust them,” Reynolds said.

Although Reynolds had an easy time convincing her parents, Johanek did not. “It took a very long time and lots of convincing for them to finally let me go. After a long

phone call, I finally convinced my dad to let me drive down following Chloe’s parents,” Johanek said.

Convincing parents and paying $50 a piece was

well worth the fight. “It was awesome! Nobody cared how close you were to each other or who you were. We were just all there for the music,” Reynolds said.

Another popular music festival attended by Marian girls was Lollapalooza in Chicago on Aug. 5-7. Although farther away, a few girls took the time and money to travel to see bands

similar to those who played at Kanrocksas. In addition to Muse and Eminem, who also debuted in Kansas City, bands such as Bright Eyes, Coldplay,

and Cold War Kids played and gave their fans their money’s worth.

Senior Maggie Steier made the trip to Chicago and enjoyed every minute of it. “The tickets were $215 and so worth it. My favorite part was probably walking around going from stage to stage and seeing the best bands of my life,” Steier said.

Like Johanek, Steier faced the issue of concerned parents. “We were fine with it as long as she didn’t go alone, she had to be with some type of parent,” Mrs. Susan Steier said.

Although many Marian girls had the opportunity to travel for various music festivals, some stayed close to home and enjoyed music here in Omaha. Freshman Lizzy Schumacher attended the Taylor Swift concert on May 27 at the Qwest Center. “It was super amazing. I got to touch her hand and I got to meet her mom,” Schumacher said. “I didn’t have the chance to go to any

outdoor music festivals but it would’ve been fun because I have never been to one,” she said.

Whether in Kansas, Illinois, or right here in

downtown Omaha, summer music concerts gave Marian girls exposure to different artists, as well a unique musical experience.

Tuned in to travelMarian girls go across the Midwest for concerts

Bright lights, big city. The Chicago skyline gleams as an event-ful day of Lollapalooza closes. Lollapalooza in Chicago was one of many popular destinations for Marian girls this summer. Photo courtesy of maggiesteier.

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Greek Goddess.Junior Theresa Kennelly poses for a picture in Greece. Ken-nelly traveled as a student ambas-sador with People to People--an international program to meet people and learn about different cultures. She em-barked on a three week journey to Greece, France, and Italy with 27 other students from Nebraska and Iowa. “It was probably one of the best experi-ences I’ve had because I made some really good friends and got to see amazing parts of Europe!” Ken-nelly said.

Puerto Rican Para-dise. Sophomore Leah Plofchan trav-eled to Puerto Rico this summer. She, her brother, sister, and her sister’s friend, trav-eled with her dad for a business trip. “We went to the rainfor-est (where it actually rained), scuba diving, explored the island, and tanned by the beach. The people were super friendly, we had an awesome time, and I recom-mend it!” said Plof-chan.

Flyin High. This summer, freshman Brynn Robertson traveled to Turks and Caicos--islands about an hour south of the coast of Miami. “When this picture was taken, I was thinking of a quote by Jascha Heifetz that says ‘there is no top, there’s always fur-ther heights to reach’” Robertson said.

Diggin’ in Dirt! Seniors Claire Wieger, Megan Devereaux, and Olivia Hershiser spent a week in San Antonio, Texas with Young Neighbors in Ac-tion (YNIA). They spent most of their time at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church painting classrooms, working with the elderly and delivering food to the homebound. “It was really amazing meeting all the other teenagers and all the different people in the community of San Antonio” said Wieger.

Photos courtesy oftheresakennellyleahplofchanelliehuppbrynnroberstonclairewieger

Photo essay byalexamoore

Segway City. Junior Ellie Hupp and senior Annie Hupp pose for a picture with their cousin and ‘09 Marian alum, Anna Kirshenbaum in Italy this summer. “The trip was totally different than anything I’ve ever done, since it was the first time I had ever been out of the country. I want to go back someday because I loved it so much” said Ellie.

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