The Voice of Scottsbluff High School
Follow us on Instagram and Tiktok @Scottsbluff Echoes
Follow us on Instagram and Tiktok @Scottsbluff Echoes
Which Grinch is Best?
by Jaeden Monaghan 12/12/2024
Photo from Goodfon
With the holiday season approaching, many are looking forward to watching movies to celebrate their holiday spirit. There are countless options to choose from, but many always say their favorite movie of the season is The Grinch.
But which Grinch is the best? The Grinch franchise has three main movies everyone knows about: How the Grinch stole Christmas (1966), How the Grinch stole Christmas (2000), and The Grinch (2018). With the 2000 version being by far the best when coming down to set designs, character building, and adding onto the story.
The 1966 version of How the Grinch stole Christmas follows the Dr. Seuss book more accurately. In only 26 minutes, the TV movie follows the Grinch wanting to steal Christmas due to his hatred towards the Who due to their loudness and joyfulness for Christmas.
Eventually, the Grinch runs into a girl during his mission of stealing Christmas, which briefly makes him rethink his decision of stealing Christmas, near the end of the movie the Grinch, after stealing all the Christmas presents and decorations, the Grinch hears the Who’s still celebrating Christmas by singing with everyone in the town, which makes him return all the presents and celebrate Christmas with the Whos.
The 2000 version starring Jim Carrey gives a little more explanation on why the Grinch hates Christmas so much. It also put more characterization into the cast of the Grinch, showing how Sindey Lou Who, the girl that the Grinch meets in the book, is having her own doubt about Christmas and wants to know if her reasons for doubt are the same as the Grinch’s. It does follow the same format as the original, but it adds more emphasis on how much the Who truly love christmas.
The 2018 version is described as “The Grinch and his loyal dog, Max, live a solitary existence inside a cave on Mount Crumpet. His main source of aggravation comes during Christmas time when his neighbours in Whoville celebrate the holidays with a bang. When the Whos decide to make Christmas bigger and brighter, the disgruntled Grinch realises there is one way to gain peace and quiet. With help from Max, the green grump hatches a scheme to pose as Santa Claus, steal Christmas and silence the Whos' holiday cheer once and for all” by Morro Bay Movies.
Which one is the best? Well, everyone knows about the 2000 version of the Grinch starring Jim Carry, and it has become a household classic during the holiday season. The 1966 version is one everyone can enjoy especially with its short watch time. So don't be a Grinch, and watch some Christmas movies this holiday season.
But which Grinch is the best? The Grinch franchise has three main movies everyone knows about: How the Grinch stole Christmas (1966), How the Grinch stole Christmas (2000), and The Grinch (2018). With the 2000 version being by far the best when coming down to set designs, character building, and adding onto the story.
The 1966 version of How the Grinch stole Christmas follows the Dr. Seuss book more accurately. In only 26 minutes, the TV movie follows the Grinch wanting to steal Christmas due to his hatred towards the Who due to their loudness and joyfulness for Christmas.
Eventually, the Grinch runs into a girl during his mission of stealing Christmas, which briefly makes him rethink his decision of stealing Christmas, near the end of the movie the Grinch, after stealing all the Christmas presents and decorations, the Grinch hears the Who’s still celebrating Christmas by singing with everyone in the town, which makes him return all the presents and celebrate Christmas with the Whos.
The 2000 version starring Jim Carrey gives a little more explanation on why the Grinch hates Christmas so much. It also put more characterization into the cast of the Grinch, showing how Sindey Lou Who, the girl that the Grinch meets in the book, is having her own doubt about Christmas and wants to know if her reasons for doubt are the same as the Grinch’s. It does follow the same format as the original, but it adds more emphasis on how much the Who truly love christmas.
The 2018 version is described as “The Grinch and his loyal dog, Max, live a solitary existence inside a cave on Mount Crumpet. His main source of aggravation comes during Christmas time when his neighbours in Whoville celebrate the holidays with a bang. When the Whos decide to make Christmas bigger and brighter, the disgruntled Grinch realises there is one way to gain peace and quiet. With help from Max, the green grump hatches a scheme to pose as Santa Claus, steal Christmas and silence the Whos' holiday cheer once and for all” by Morro Bay Movies.
Which one is the best? Well, everyone knows about the 2000 version of the Grinch starring Jim Carry, and it has become a household classic during the holiday season. The 1966 version is one everyone can enjoy especially with its short watch time. So don't be a Grinch, and watch some Christmas movies this holiday season.
Unraveling the Year through TikTok
by Lukas Matonte 12/10/2024
Photo from The Lance
2024 is coming to an end and a great way to encapsulate the year is with social media and the trends throughout the year. One of the top social media platforms, tiktok. It is no surprise how tight of a chokehold that the app has on the youth. The short videos and shock value that creators use to encapsulate their audience means for success, and ever changing trends.
Tiktok trends circle through the internet and seeps its influence into all the other big social media until eventually it dies. This process happens multiple times a year.
Some fan favorites are the gnome and knight war in july where people dressed up and posted medieval esc videos of them fake fighting or preparing for battle. People also really loved the “demure” trend which was a way of calling themselves mindful and considerate.
Other than funny trends and goofy videos, people have noticed a drastic change from what the app was in its younger years.
“The app has become more boring. It has people stealing videos and a bunch of advertisements within the app,” stated Sophomore Alyssa Gray.
This reflects off of the profitability that creators have on the app with the “tik tok shop”.
Although some people think that the app has gotten boring there are many others that still hold the same love for the app. There seems to never be a shortage of content for any audience any time. Some might even say it keeps them in a continuous cycle of scrolling and consuming content.
“It keeps me busy," explained Junior Missy Armstrong.
Tik Tok has a way of sucking people in. Although some people say it's what makes the app so successful, others say it's harmful to teens and younger children. All you have to do is swipe a few times and you can stumble upon any type of content that could be potentially triggering to impressionable audiences. There are accounts that could promote body/eating issues, drug use, bullying, or any other type of harmful behavior. According to The Children's Society Tik Tok can affect a young teens self-esteem and social skills. There are videos all over Tik Tok telling you that you need to be skinner, have more muscle, you need to have a “symmetric face,” or “positive canthal tilt”.
The United States Government is concerned about how TikTok is a Chinese company. Because China is a communist country and how hostile it is to the United states. The government has been trying to ban the app for US citizens since 2020. A lot of people think that the US government will go through with the ban. Some are more skeptical.
No matter what happens to the app people still need to be careful on it. TikTok will continue to evolve and change with the people and the trends TikTok could even follow in the footsteps of its predecessors vine, Facebook, or MySpace and slowly lose popularity and only retain a predominant audience of the older generation. But no matter what you believe, it will be seen as a powerful force that influenced and changed the social culture of the newer generation.
Tiktok trends circle through the internet and seeps its influence into all the other big social media until eventually it dies. This process happens multiple times a year.
Some fan favorites are the gnome and knight war in july where people dressed up and posted medieval esc videos of them fake fighting or preparing for battle. People also really loved the “demure” trend which was a way of calling themselves mindful and considerate.
Other than funny trends and goofy videos, people have noticed a drastic change from what the app was in its younger years.
“The app has become more boring. It has people stealing videos and a bunch of advertisements within the app,” stated Sophomore Alyssa Gray.
This reflects off of the profitability that creators have on the app with the “tik tok shop”.
Although some people think that the app has gotten boring there are many others that still hold the same love for the app. There seems to never be a shortage of content for any audience any time. Some might even say it keeps them in a continuous cycle of scrolling and consuming content.
“It keeps me busy," explained Junior Missy Armstrong.
Tik Tok has a way of sucking people in. Although some people say it's what makes the app so successful, others say it's harmful to teens and younger children. All you have to do is swipe a few times and you can stumble upon any type of content that could be potentially triggering to impressionable audiences. There are accounts that could promote body/eating issues, drug use, bullying, or any other type of harmful behavior. According to The Children's Society Tik Tok can affect a young teens self-esteem and social skills. There are videos all over Tik Tok telling you that you need to be skinner, have more muscle, you need to have a “symmetric face,” or “positive canthal tilt”.
The United States Government is concerned about how TikTok is a Chinese company. Because China is a communist country and how hostile it is to the United states. The government has been trying to ban the app for US citizens since 2020. A lot of people think that the US government will go through with the ban. Some are more skeptical.
No matter what happens to the app people still need to be careful on it. TikTok will continue to evolve and change with the people and the trends TikTok could even follow in the footsteps of its predecessors vine, Facebook, or MySpace and slowly lose popularity and only retain a predominant audience of the older generation. But no matter what you believe, it will be seen as a powerful force that influenced and changed the social culture of the newer generation.
Holiday Traditions
by Laetner Malm 12/10/2024
Photo from PickPik
Holiday traditions help people celebrate the Christmas season throughout the world. Holiday traditions are what shape fond Christmas memories we carry with us each year. Holiday traditions are important because they help bring everyone together and create a sense of warmth and comfort. They also give an opportunity for each family to celebrate the holidays in their own way.
One of the most famous traditions include putting up a Christmas tree and decorating it with many ornaments and colorful lights with a star or angel on top. Another tradition is making hot chocolate and watching nostalgic Christmas movies, such as Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, A Christmas Carol, Elf, and Christmas Vacation. Some families drive around to look at Christmas lights while listening to Christmas music and sipping a warm holiday drink.
Moving towards food, a lot of holiday traditions involve cooking and baking. Many families will participate in creating their own Christmas dinner. Christmas baking is one of the most popular traditions. The most famous Christmas treats include sugar cookies, gingerbread cookies, puppy chow, fudge, rice krispies, and other chocolate-dipped treats.
Overall, these holiday traditions are only some of the many holiday traditions today. Holiday traditions create wonderful nostalgic memories for people to hold. Without fun traditions, the holidays wouldn’t be the same. Holiday traditions create a sense of belonging and excitement. Since there are so many traditions, there must be a tradition that fits everyone’s interests.
Since the holidays are here, be sure to participate in some of these most memorable traditions and may your holidays be bright!
One of the most famous traditions include putting up a Christmas tree and decorating it with many ornaments and colorful lights with a star or angel on top. Another tradition is making hot chocolate and watching nostalgic Christmas movies, such as Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, A Christmas Carol, Elf, and Christmas Vacation. Some families drive around to look at Christmas lights while listening to Christmas music and sipping a warm holiday drink.
Moving towards food, a lot of holiday traditions involve cooking and baking. Many families will participate in creating their own Christmas dinner. Christmas baking is one of the most popular traditions. The most famous Christmas treats include sugar cookies, gingerbread cookies, puppy chow, fudge, rice krispies, and other chocolate-dipped treats.
Overall, these holiday traditions are only some of the many holiday traditions today. Holiday traditions create wonderful nostalgic memories for people to hold. Without fun traditions, the holidays wouldn’t be the same. Holiday traditions create a sense of belonging and excitement. Since there are so many traditions, there must be a tradition that fits everyone’s interests.
Since the holidays are here, be sure to participate in some of these most memorable traditions and may your holidays be bright!
Bright Futures
by Addie Peck 12/10/2024
Photo by Methius Gonzalez
As fall, the season of leaves and chilled air, comes to an end, winter arrives, which means fall sports such as football, volleyball, girls golf, cross country, and softball are over. Unified bowling, basketball, wrestling, and swimming are just around the corner.
The athletes are already in full swing; conditioning for most of these sports started a couple weeks ago. They can be seen around the school in the weight room, gym, and through the halls. They are hard at work to prepare for a successful winter season.
Unified bowling already made their first appearance earlier in Nov. Last year, they were successful with earning a district championship. Senior Collin Cole was honored “Student Athlete of the Week” for Nov. 18-23 for his participation in Unified Bowling. At the SHS invite, the team had the highest score with a 159 and placed third at their recent district conference.
The next sport to compete was girls and boys basketball. On Nov. 30, they were at Bridgeport for an unofficial scrimmage to start their season. Their first official games was on Dec. 7 in Norfolk against multiple teams.
There is much to look forward to this year on both sides of the program. Both teams attended the state tournament with girls not making it past the first round, taking a loss to Elkhorn North, who did have Senior Britt Prince (now playing division one at University of Nebraska at Lincoln), so it is nothing to scoff at. The boys made it one further step to the second round, beating Roncalli in the first, then suffering a loss to Norris.
On the boy’s side, many returning players contain skill and height. Many of the boys have played together for a long time and have perfected their craft. Though having a small senior class, they have a strong junior class that can lead the team to success.
For the girls' side, there's much to look forward to as well. Although they do have limited numbers, that will not hold them back. Many will be back out of injury such as Junior Ava Reed, who is coming out of one sustained during the fall volleyball season, marking her second season playing on the court as a valuable member of the team. They are working hard to do their best this winter.
Then, girls and boys wrestling will make their first appearances on the mat. The boys wrestling team is not lacking numbers this year at all, with many returners and newcomers. Their first duel was against Mitchell on Dec. 5 in Scottsbluff.
The girls program is also experiencing a flux in numbers, not near the boys but much more than last year. The first competition for the girls was on Dec. 5 at Chadron High School against multiple schools.
Both programs have been successful with many boys participating in state the past couple of years, such as state champion Chance Houser and state medalists Connor Whiteley and Josiah Mobley. For the girls, Emily Reyes was the first ever girl wrestler from Scottsbluff High School to go to state.
The last sport to compete was girls and boys swimming competing in Hastings on Dec. 7. The swimming team is known as the Seacats, joint with Gering. As of last year, they have added a diving team that travels to Chadron a couple times a week to practice.
Although their practice space and resources are limited, they have had a lot of success. With many individual relays and swimmers competing at state with medists, such as Wisley Mooc. They spend countless hours before and after school working on their technique and stamina.
Like many other sports and activities at Scottsbluff High School, these winter sports display success. Each and every athlete on these teams would appreciate the support of their student body, so make sure to go out and support them when you can.
The athletes are already in full swing; conditioning for most of these sports started a couple weeks ago. They can be seen around the school in the weight room, gym, and through the halls. They are hard at work to prepare for a successful winter season.
Unified bowling already made their first appearance earlier in Nov. Last year, they were successful with earning a district championship. Senior Collin Cole was honored “Student Athlete of the Week” for Nov. 18-23 for his participation in Unified Bowling. At the SHS invite, the team had the highest score with a 159 and placed third at their recent district conference.
The next sport to compete was girls and boys basketball. On Nov. 30, they were at Bridgeport for an unofficial scrimmage to start their season. Their first official games was on Dec. 7 in Norfolk against multiple teams.
There is much to look forward to this year on both sides of the program. Both teams attended the state tournament with girls not making it past the first round, taking a loss to Elkhorn North, who did have Senior Britt Prince (now playing division one at University of Nebraska at Lincoln), so it is nothing to scoff at. The boys made it one further step to the second round, beating Roncalli in the first, then suffering a loss to Norris.
On the boy’s side, many returning players contain skill and height. Many of the boys have played together for a long time and have perfected their craft. Though having a small senior class, they have a strong junior class that can lead the team to success.
For the girls' side, there's much to look forward to as well. Although they do have limited numbers, that will not hold them back. Many will be back out of injury such as Junior Ava Reed, who is coming out of one sustained during the fall volleyball season, marking her second season playing on the court as a valuable member of the team. They are working hard to do their best this winter.
Then, girls and boys wrestling will make their first appearances on the mat. The boys wrestling team is not lacking numbers this year at all, with many returners and newcomers. Their first duel was against Mitchell on Dec. 5 in Scottsbluff.
The girls program is also experiencing a flux in numbers, not near the boys but much more than last year. The first competition for the girls was on Dec. 5 at Chadron High School against multiple schools.
Both programs have been successful with many boys participating in state the past couple of years, such as state champion Chance Houser and state medalists Connor Whiteley and Josiah Mobley. For the girls, Emily Reyes was the first ever girl wrestler from Scottsbluff High School to go to state.
The last sport to compete was girls and boys swimming competing in Hastings on Dec. 7. The swimming team is known as the Seacats, joint with Gering. As of last year, they have added a diving team that travels to Chadron a couple times a week to practice.
Although their practice space and resources are limited, they have had a lot of success. With many individual relays and swimmers competing at state with medists, such as Wisley Mooc. They spend countless hours before and after school working on their technique and stamina.
Like many other sports and activities at Scottsbluff High School, these winter sports display success. Each and every athlete on these teams would appreciate the support of their student body, so make sure to go out and support them when you can.
Banner Presentation Ceremony
by Addie Peck 12/10/2024
Photo by Jaeden Monaghan
For the second time, Scottsbluff High School has been honored as a Unified Champion Banner School by the Special Olympics. Students and staff participated in a banner presentation on Wednesday, Dec. 4 in the SHS Gym.
Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools (SOUCS) is a program for schools Pre-K through university that intentionally promotes meaningful social inclusion by bringing together students with and without intellectual disabilities to create accepting school environments, utilizing three interconnected components: Special Olympics Unified Sports, inclusive youth leadership, and whole school engagement. 9, 400 schools across the country participate in the SOUCS program according to the Special Olympics website.
Scottsbluff High School joins 208 schools across the nation that were awarded Banner school status for the 2024 school year. Banner schools demonstrate commitment to inclusion by meeting ten national standards of excellence developed by a national panel of leaders from Special Olympics and the education community.
The presentation in the gym included performances from the Choir, Cheer, and Drill team, with a presentation of colors from Air Force Junior ROTC, recognition for students and coach who participated in Unified Bowling, Track, Volleyball, and Basketball as well as Circle of Friends and Peer Paras, a special guest speaker and banner presented to SHS from Special Olympics Staff. Students had the opportunity to Join the Inclusion Revolution by signing a pledge of inclusivity.
All the students, including those not involved in the many activities recognized, attended the assembly. Many students have similar opinions on the event.
Senior Chloe Joe states, “I thought the assembly was really nice for all those involved in the activities, and I enjoyed the messages from students on the screen, such as Junior Missy Armstrong’s. It really showed how important our dedication to inclusivity is.”
Her opinion is similar to Junior Carlie Margheim’s.
“I like the shortened schedule and thought it was a good reason to recognize all the students,” Margheim states.
Both opinions represent an overall consensus of the assembly. It shows how SHS could not have been given this honor without all the students involved in the activities.
As many of the sponsors of the activities said, any students can join: all you have to do is reach out. One upcoming activity you can join is Unified Track sponsored by Mike Burda.
Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools (SOUCS) is a program for schools Pre-K through university that intentionally promotes meaningful social inclusion by bringing together students with and without intellectual disabilities to create accepting school environments, utilizing three interconnected components: Special Olympics Unified Sports, inclusive youth leadership, and whole school engagement. 9, 400 schools across the country participate in the SOUCS program according to the Special Olympics website.
Scottsbluff High School joins 208 schools across the nation that were awarded Banner school status for the 2024 school year. Banner schools demonstrate commitment to inclusion by meeting ten national standards of excellence developed by a national panel of leaders from Special Olympics and the education community.
The presentation in the gym included performances from the Choir, Cheer, and Drill team, with a presentation of colors from Air Force Junior ROTC, recognition for students and coach who participated in Unified Bowling, Track, Volleyball, and Basketball as well as Circle of Friends and Peer Paras, a special guest speaker and banner presented to SHS from Special Olympics Staff. Students had the opportunity to Join the Inclusion Revolution by signing a pledge of inclusivity.
All the students, including those not involved in the many activities recognized, attended the assembly. Many students have similar opinions on the event.
Senior Chloe Joe states, “I thought the assembly was really nice for all those involved in the activities, and I enjoyed the messages from students on the screen, such as Junior Missy Armstrong’s. It really showed how important our dedication to inclusivity is.”
Her opinion is similar to Junior Carlie Margheim’s.
“I like the shortened schedule and thought it was a good reason to recognize all the students,” Margheim states.
Both opinions represent an overall consensus of the assembly. It shows how SHS could not have been given this honor without all the students involved in the activities.
As many of the sponsors of the activities said, any students can join: all you have to do is reach out. One upcoming activity you can join is Unified Track sponsored by Mike Burda.
Modern v. Nostalgic Christmas
by Amalie Gutierrez 12/10/2024
Photo from Emme Hilyard
“Christmas has always been a special time for me and my family. One of my favorite traditions I have with my mom and sister is making treats for the first responders, and delivering them on Christmas day. Christmas for my family has always been more about not just presents but having our family all in one place. My favorite tradition with my dad is the dinner we have with my dad’s side of the family, because it is always so fun to catch," - Senior Emersen Hilyard
The world is constantly modernizing, and minimalist life has become extremely common. Christmas was once maximalist, with over-the-top, tacky decorations and handmade ornaments from elementary school.
Now, we see plain frosted trees, with neural bulbs and white and warm lights. The stockings are all the same beige, and the decorations are white and gold, all to create a certain “aesthetic.”
What happened to the colored lights hand strung around trees or going to get your own tree? Kids would want to have their own mini-colored trees with character ornaments, while the big family tree was filled with keepsake ornaments pulled out of the same box each year.
The nostalgic Christmas aesthetic is vastly better than the new modern, clean, boring, beige aesthetic.
The classic red and green stockings were hung, possibly handmade with everyone having their own personalized stocking. They were filled with candy, chocolate flavored chapstick packs, and even the magic washcloths that would unfold under the water.
The presents under the tree were not all wrapped in plain paper or a bag to match the theme perfectly; they were bright and extravagant with different patterns like snowman, reindeer or even music artists. Dad would pull out his camcorder to see his kids demolish the paper on Christmas morning. The cheap colored bows were stuck on the top of the presents with tacky gift tags or even just sharpie.
Decorations were a collection of classics and new items each year. The typical red and green would be sprinkled throughout the house with yellow lighting, making for a warm and cozy feeling.
The most exciting part was looking at people’s Christmas or getting your own outdoor decorations that weren’t just white lights on the trimming with gold Christmas statues. There were as many lights as you could hang with character blowups and figures all around your yard.
There wouldn’t be plastic gingerbread houses. You would make your own covered in different candies with frosting smothered everywhere. A collection of Christmas cookies would be handmade with different colors and loads of sprinkles; it wasn’t just gingerbread cookies with white frosting. Christmas dinner was chaotic in a way that many dishes were sprawled all over the tables, with Christmas themed paper or plastic dinnerware.
Christmas is meant for outrageous vibes. The new modern aesthetic simply doesn’t match the holiday. Keep it old school, keep it bright and fun.
Now, we see plain frosted trees, with neural bulbs and white and warm lights. The stockings are all the same beige, and the decorations are white and gold, all to create a certain “aesthetic.”
What happened to the colored lights hand strung around trees or going to get your own tree? Kids would want to have their own mini-colored trees with character ornaments, while the big family tree was filled with keepsake ornaments pulled out of the same box each year.
The nostalgic Christmas aesthetic is vastly better than the new modern, clean, boring, beige aesthetic.
The classic red and green stockings were hung, possibly handmade with everyone having their own personalized stocking. They were filled with candy, chocolate flavored chapstick packs, and even the magic washcloths that would unfold under the water.
The presents under the tree were not all wrapped in plain paper or a bag to match the theme perfectly; they were bright and extravagant with different patterns like snowman, reindeer or even music artists. Dad would pull out his camcorder to see his kids demolish the paper on Christmas morning. The cheap colored bows were stuck on the top of the presents with tacky gift tags or even just sharpie.
Decorations were a collection of classics and new items each year. The typical red and green would be sprinkled throughout the house with yellow lighting, making for a warm and cozy feeling.
The most exciting part was looking at people’s Christmas or getting your own outdoor decorations that weren’t just white lights on the trimming with gold Christmas statues. There were as many lights as you could hang with character blowups and figures all around your yard.
There wouldn’t be plastic gingerbread houses. You would make your own covered in different candies with frosting smothered everywhere. A collection of Christmas cookies would be handmade with different colors and loads of sprinkles; it wasn’t just gingerbread cookies with white frosting. Christmas dinner was chaotic in a way that many dishes were sprawled all over the tables, with Christmas themed paper or plastic dinnerware.
Christmas is meant for outrageous vibes. The new modern aesthetic simply doesn’t match the holiday. Keep it old school, keep it bright and fun.
2024 All Wrapped Up
by Aaron Coffman 12/10/2024
Photo by Marqui Keim
Every year, Spotify releases the annual Spotify Wrapped. It usually comes out at the beginning of Dec. or end of Nov. Spotify Wrapped shows the top five artists and top five songs that its customers listened to throughout the year. It also shows the amount of minutes the listener spent streaming music.
This year, Spotify introduced something new in telling the listener what their music taste was at different points in the year rather than just summing up the total taste for the whole year. For example, if one listened to some country in Feb. it shows that, then shows how they liked teen pop in Aug. or Beethoven in Oct.
Spotify had a lot of top artists and a lot of top songs. Spotify’s top artists of 2024 in the U.S.A. were Taylor Swift at number one, Drake at number two, Zach Bryan at number three, Morgan Wallen at number four, Kanye West at number five.
Spotify’s top songs for 2024 in the U.S.A. were “Espresso” by Sabrina Carpenter at number one, “Not Like Us” by Kendrick Lamar was number two, “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” by Shaboozey at number three, “I Had Some Help (Feat. Morgan Wallen)” by Post Malone at number four, “MILLION DOLLAR BABY” by Tommy Richman at number five.
Top artists globally were Taylor Swift again at number one, The Weeknd at number two, Bad Bunny at number three, Billie Eilish at number four, and Travis Scott at number five.
Top Songs Globally were “Espresso” by Sabrina Carpenter at number one again, “Beautiful Things” by Benson Boone at number two, “BIRDS OF A FEATHER” by Billie EIlish at number three, “End of Beginning” by Djo at number four, and “Too Sweet” by Hozier at number five.
Scottsbluff High School also has a Spotify Wrapped that sums up the top five songs, top five artists, the average minutes listened throughout the school, and the top genre from the year.
2024 brought many memories, good and bad, it also brought many relationships and friendships and also a lot of different music tastes. Hopefully 2025 can step up the game.
This year, Spotify introduced something new in telling the listener what their music taste was at different points in the year rather than just summing up the total taste for the whole year. For example, if one listened to some country in Feb. it shows that, then shows how they liked teen pop in Aug. or Beethoven in Oct.
Spotify had a lot of top artists and a lot of top songs. Spotify’s top artists of 2024 in the U.S.A. were Taylor Swift at number one, Drake at number two, Zach Bryan at number three, Morgan Wallen at number four, Kanye West at number five.
Spotify’s top songs for 2024 in the U.S.A. were “Espresso” by Sabrina Carpenter at number one, “Not Like Us” by Kendrick Lamar was number two, “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” by Shaboozey at number three, “I Had Some Help (Feat. Morgan Wallen)” by Post Malone at number four, “MILLION DOLLAR BABY” by Tommy Richman at number five.
Top artists globally were Taylor Swift again at number one, The Weeknd at number two, Bad Bunny at number three, Billie Eilish at number four, and Travis Scott at number five.
Top Songs Globally were “Espresso” by Sabrina Carpenter at number one again, “Beautiful Things” by Benson Boone at number two, “BIRDS OF A FEATHER” by Billie EIlish at number three, “End of Beginning” by Djo at number four, and “Too Sweet” by Hozier at number five.
Scottsbluff High School also has a Spotify Wrapped that sums up the top five songs, top five artists, the average minutes listened throughout the school, and the top genre from the year.
2024 brought many memories, good and bad, it also brought many relationships and friendships and also a lot of different music tastes. Hopefully 2025 can step up the game.
Christmas vs. Halloween
by Addison Peck 11/24/2024
Infographic information from U.S. News & World Reports
Christmas and Halloween are two of the most widely celebrated holidays in the United States, with contrasting traditions, cultural significance, and public roles. While Christmas is rooted in religious and family-centered traditions, Halloween comes from ancient pagan rituals and revels in the eerie and gory.
According to Brittanica, Christmas traces its roots to the birth of Jesus Christ, celebrated on Dec. 25. Initially established as a Christian holiday, this timing coincides with older pagan winter solstice festivals, such as Saturnalia in Ancient Rome and Yule in Scandinavia. These pagan influences introduced celebratory elements like feasting, gift-giving, and the use of evergreen trees, later incorporated into Christian traditions. Ove time, Christmas evolved into both the sacred religious ritual and a nonreligious holiday, embodying themes of peace, generosity, and goodwill.
In contrast, Brittanica explains that Halloween originated from Samhain, a Celtic festival marking the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. Samhain was believed to be a time when the boundary between the living and the dead blurred. With the Christianization of Europe, Samhain was merged with All Saints’ Day (Nov. 1), creating All Hallow’s Eve, or Halloween. Despite its Christian associations, Halloween retains many of its pagan elements, including the emphasis on spirits, costumes, and rituals to ward off evil.
According to Britannica, Christmas represents hope, renewal, and togetherness. Its central message-spreading love and joy is symbolized by naivety scenes, Christmas lights, and carols. Iconic figures like Santa Claus have become synonymous with the holiday, representing generosity and childlike wonder. The themes of giving and kindness reinstate universally, transcending religious boundaries.
History.com explains, Halloween, on the other hand, celebrates the mysterious, the supernatural, and the frightening. Common symbols include pumpkins, ghosts,skeletons, and witches. Costumes and decorations draw from folklore, horror films and gothic aesthetics, reflecting society’s fascination with the unknown and the taboo. While Christmas fosters unity, Halloween allows for individual expression, often through creative or provocative costumes.
Students have many different opinions on whether Christmas or Halloween is better.
Junior Carlie Marghem states, “I love Christmas way more than Halloween; it is much more enjoyable.”
Margheim explains how all the aspects of Christmas elevate it way higher than Halloween, but not all feel this way.
Junior Shae Gribble says, “I like Christmas, but Halloween is better. It is more fun. It’s that perfect time of year where it isn’t too cold, it’s fall, and you can dress up.”
There is much controversy on which is better. Christmas and Halloween, though vastly different, hold special places in cultural traditions and collective consciousness. Christmas inspires hope, unity, and compassion, while Halloween celebrates creativity, mystery, and individuality. Their distinct themes and practices reflect the diverse ways people find meaning, joy, and connection throughout the year. Together, these holidays enrich the cultural fabric, offering moments of both reflection and celebrating.
According to Brittanica, Christmas traces its roots to the birth of Jesus Christ, celebrated on Dec. 25. Initially established as a Christian holiday, this timing coincides with older pagan winter solstice festivals, such as Saturnalia in Ancient Rome and Yule in Scandinavia. These pagan influences introduced celebratory elements like feasting, gift-giving, and the use of evergreen trees, later incorporated into Christian traditions. Ove time, Christmas evolved into both the sacred religious ritual and a nonreligious holiday, embodying themes of peace, generosity, and goodwill.
In contrast, Brittanica explains that Halloween originated from Samhain, a Celtic festival marking the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. Samhain was believed to be a time when the boundary between the living and the dead blurred. With the Christianization of Europe, Samhain was merged with All Saints’ Day (Nov. 1), creating All Hallow’s Eve, or Halloween. Despite its Christian associations, Halloween retains many of its pagan elements, including the emphasis on spirits, costumes, and rituals to ward off evil.
According to Britannica, Christmas represents hope, renewal, and togetherness. Its central message-spreading love and joy is symbolized by naivety scenes, Christmas lights, and carols. Iconic figures like Santa Claus have become synonymous with the holiday, representing generosity and childlike wonder. The themes of giving and kindness reinstate universally, transcending religious boundaries.
History.com explains, Halloween, on the other hand, celebrates the mysterious, the supernatural, and the frightening. Common symbols include pumpkins, ghosts,skeletons, and witches. Costumes and decorations draw from folklore, horror films and gothic aesthetics, reflecting society’s fascination with the unknown and the taboo. While Christmas fosters unity, Halloween allows for individual expression, often through creative or provocative costumes.
Students have many different opinions on whether Christmas or Halloween is better.
Junior Carlie Marghem states, “I love Christmas way more than Halloween; it is much more enjoyable.”
Margheim explains how all the aspects of Christmas elevate it way higher than Halloween, but not all feel this way.
Junior Shae Gribble says, “I like Christmas, but Halloween is better. It is more fun. It’s that perfect time of year where it isn’t too cold, it’s fall, and you can dress up.”
There is much controversy on which is better. Christmas and Halloween, though vastly different, hold special places in cultural traditions and collective consciousness. Christmas inspires hope, unity, and compassion, while Halloween celebrates creativity, mystery, and individuality. Their distinct themes and practices reflect the diverse ways people find meaning, joy, and connection throughout the year. Together, these holidays enrich the cultural fabric, offering moments of both reflection and celebrating.
Chinese Netizens: How Asian Cats have Stormed the Internet
by Romelo Thompson 11/26/2024
Photo from The New York Times
Since the beginning of the internet and video sharing, pet videos have become some of the most popular types of videos to share. Posting to show friends, family or strangers, all kinds of pets are adored, so much so that separate accounts online across multiple platforms are made dedicated to pets whether a compilation of animals or one specific cute critter.
But as technology advances, we’ve been able to see videos from all over the world, and with the creation of TikTok, Chinese netizens have been some of the most popular creators in the pet video genre, offering a new perspective on a classic phenomenon.
Chinese netizen is a term referring to internet users in China, netizen meaning, “citizen of the internet,” which is a surprisingly well respected term by journalists and western audiences. Between TikTok and its Chinese counterpart Douyin, the 15 second to one minute portrait video format has become dominant all over the world as the standard for pet videos.
A newer popular format for Chinese netizens to record pet encounters is through HelloStreetCat, a Chinese application that allows viewers to watch strays eat from the view of the food bowl. HelloStreetCat skyrocketed in popularity with western audiences in mid 2023, as clips of funny or mysterious moments were taken from the HelloStreetCat app and reposted on TikTok. Originally, HelloStreetCat was a Chinese only stream, with others being forced to watch re-streams on YouTube or TikTok.
Now, there are alternatives such as Purrrr, a western alternative to HelloStreetCat and a website alternative known as meow.camera. Now, anyone may donate to feed these silly kitties!
This style of content creation has become so popular that certain cats have been given nicknames, such as Mr. Fresh, a cat who will only eat food that is freshly dropped from the feeder. Other nicknames include, Mr. Snack, a cat who only ate freeze-dried snacks, and Brother Calm, a cat who is less interested in eating and more so in meditation, working his way towards the ethereal plane of existence.
On the other side of the pond, TikTok is where Rydran Pets World can be found, posting daily animal videos with a wide variety of characters. One of the pets, nicknamed Uncle Bao is often found lounging as he is a heavier cat than the rest. Uncle Bao is often seen with pillows of himself and occasionally wearing various glasses and hats. If he is not laying around then he is in situations where he shows extreme patience, such as being around children or having his nails clipped. Uncle Bao is so popular that he has his own Instagram account, sitting at 578k followers under the handle, uncle_bbao.
Another famous cat from Rydran Pets World is nicknamed Tole Tole, coming from the soundbite known as “Moka Chan Ohshiete Kureta Irona Mita,” a Japanese TikTok from a Cinnamoroll fan made animation, as Cinnamoroll speaks about using a filter that makes him look cuter. Tole Tole is famous for his uneasy look, as after blowing up on TikTok in late 2023, was used often to describe dire or uncomfortable situations.
Another iconic clip of Tole Tole is of him scrambling away after being placed on the floor by his owner, although slipping on the smooth tile as he makes his frantic getaway. Other animals featured on the Rydran Pets World account are Uncle Sole, the antithesis of Tole Tole as Uncle Sole’s audio is the same as Tole Tole’s but very pitched downwards, as he’s meant to give off a more creepy vibe than others.
Other animals, such as varying cats and a capybara, appear in videos but are often accompanied by either Tole Tole or Uncle Bao. Rydan Pets World typically achieves 20k-500k views with each video, but it still holds a large catalog of videos ranging from 1M-61M views. It’s safe to say people around the world enjoy these eastern critters.
As technology continues to evolve, so too does the way we connect with the world around us, including our beloved pets. From the early days of simple video uploads to today’s global platforms like TikTok and Douyin, pet videos have become a cultural staple, transcending borders and uniting audiences with their universal appeal. The rise of apps like HelloStreetCat and its western counterparts demonstrates how even small, everyday moments with animals can create massive waves of joy and engagement online.
These digital encounters not only celebrate the quirks and personalities of individual pets like Uncle Bao, Tole Tole, and Brother Calm but also highlight the enduring fascination with animals that connects people across continents. As platforms and formats continue to innovate, pet content remains a testament to the internet’s power to share, entertain, and foster connection in the simplest and most heartwarming ways.
But as technology advances, we’ve been able to see videos from all over the world, and with the creation of TikTok, Chinese netizens have been some of the most popular creators in the pet video genre, offering a new perspective on a classic phenomenon.
Chinese netizen is a term referring to internet users in China, netizen meaning, “citizen of the internet,” which is a surprisingly well respected term by journalists and western audiences. Between TikTok and its Chinese counterpart Douyin, the 15 second to one minute portrait video format has become dominant all over the world as the standard for pet videos.
A newer popular format for Chinese netizens to record pet encounters is through HelloStreetCat, a Chinese application that allows viewers to watch strays eat from the view of the food bowl. HelloStreetCat skyrocketed in popularity with western audiences in mid 2023, as clips of funny or mysterious moments were taken from the HelloStreetCat app and reposted on TikTok. Originally, HelloStreetCat was a Chinese only stream, with others being forced to watch re-streams on YouTube or TikTok.
Now, there are alternatives such as Purrrr, a western alternative to HelloStreetCat and a website alternative known as meow.camera. Now, anyone may donate to feed these silly kitties!
This style of content creation has become so popular that certain cats have been given nicknames, such as Mr. Fresh, a cat who will only eat food that is freshly dropped from the feeder. Other nicknames include, Mr. Snack, a cat who only ate freeze-dried snacks, and Brother Calm, a cat who is less interested in eating and more so in meditation, working his way towards the ethereal plane of existence.
On the other side of the pond, TikTok is where Rydran Pets World can be found, posting daily animal videos with a wide variety of characters. One of the pets, nicknamed Uncle Bao is often found lounging as he is a heavier cat than the rest. Uncle Bao is often seen with pillows of himself and occasionally wearing various glasses and hats. If he is not laying around then he is in situations where he shows extreme patience, such as being around children or having his nails clipped. Uncle Bao is so popular that he has his own Instagram account, sitting at 578k followers under the handle, uncle_bbao.
Another famous cat from Rydran Pets World is nicknamed Tole Tole, coming from the soundbite known as “Moka Chan Ohshiete Kureta Irona Mita,” a Japanese TikTok from a Cinnamoroll fan made animation, as Cinnamoroll speaks about using a filter that makes him look cuter. Tole Tole is famous for his uneasy look, as after blowing up on TikTok in late 2023, was used often to describe dire or uncomfortable situations.
Another iconic clip of Tole Tole is of him scrambling away after being placed on the floor by his owner, although slipping on the smooth tile as he makes his frantic getaway. Other animals featured on the Rydran Pets World account are Uncle Sole, the antithesis of Tole Tole as Uncle Sole’s audio is the same as Tole Tole’s but very pitched downwards, as he’s meant to give off a more creepy vibe than others.
Other animals, such as varying cats and a capybara, appear in videos but are often accompanied by either Tole Tole or Uncle Bao. Rydan Pets World typically achieves 20k-500k views with each video, but it still holds a large catalog of videos ranging from 1M-61M views. It’s safe to say people around the world enjoy these eastern critters.
As technology continues to evolve, so too does the way we connect with the world around us, including our beloved pets. From the early days of simple video uploads to today’s global platforms like TikTok and Douyin, pet videos have become a cultural staple, transcending borders and uniting audiences with their universal appeal. The rise of apps like HelloStreetCat and its western counterparts demonstrates how even small, everyday moments with animals can create massive waves of joy and engagement online.
These digital encounters not only celebrate the quirks and personalities of individual pets like Uncle Bao, Tole Tole, and Brother Calm but also highlight the enduring fascination with animals that connects people across continents. As platforms and formats continue to innovate, pet content remains a testament to the internet’s power to share, entertain, and foster connection in the simplest and most heartwarming ways.
#FreeYoungThug
by Romelo Thompson 11/26/2024
Photo from The New York Times
On May 9, 2022, the world came to a screeching halt for the rap scene in Atlanta, GA. According to Vice, Jeffery Lamar Williams Jr., AKA Young Thug, was arrested on a 56-count indictment for violating Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, also known as RICO. Young Thug was identified as the leader of YSL, at first referring to the name of his label Young Stoner Life Records, later recognized by the prosecution as Young Slime Life, the name of a gang based in Atlanta with ties to the national Bloods, one of the biggest gangs in America.
The prosecuting District Attorney, Fani Willis had described the gang as violent, with a long list of crimes stretching back to 2012, including robbery, grand theft auto, and murder. It took over a year for the RICO trial to begin.
Finally on Nov. 27, 2023, the trial against Young Thug and YSL began. Streaming of the trial was allowed, and soon, many iconic clips surfaced over the first few days, as Thug’s attorney, Brian Steel, had described that the “Thug” in Young Thug, had really stood for “Truly Humble Under God” and that “Pushing P” was instead, “Pushing Positivity,” trying to change the narrative of YSL and Young Thug being violent entities. (Saponara)
Unfortunately, with the streaming of the trial being authorized through Zoom, came with its many problems. On Dec. 15, 2023, as the trial was streamed on Zoom, multiple internet trolls had unmuted themselves shouting “Free Young Thug” using a virtual camera to display pornographic videos of a black man known as Dreamybull. Shortly after being removed from the call, the Discord server used to accordinate the attack called THUG CCP, was taken down for violating Discord TOS, and an official investigation was launched to find those who had interrupted the trial.
Afterwards, the selection of viewers allowed to watch through Zoom was not restricted but included more moderation. As more iconic clips became available, on Jan. 11, 2024, the courtroom played Young Thug’s song from 2014 “Lifestyle” with a largely unenthusiastic response from both parties.
On Jan. 17, as previously mentioned, Pushin P was a focal point as the Pushin P music video was played inside the courtroom, shortly after another Zoom bomber joined the call and began to shout “Free Thug, mistrial! Free Thug, mistrial!” (Darnell) being kicked out shortly after.
On the other hand, many YSL and adjacent gang members had been called to the stand, as RICO arrests and investigates everybody involved, this also included famous rapper Gunna, but was released by Jan., many speculating that he had ratted out other members of YSL for an early release. Many of these YSL members pleaded guilty and took plea deals, as their defense was not nearly as good, or compromising for what they felt was the least amount of punishment.
Finally, on Oct. 31, 2024, after nearly a year of trial, Young Thug pleaded guilty to one gang charge, three drug charges and two gun charges. According to the FOX 5 Atlanta, he was allowed to walk free under a non-negotiated plea deal: 15 years of probation with 100 hours of community service required for each year he is under probation, such as a concert or presentation inside a school, boys & girls club or recreational center that's focused on speaking out against gang activities.
Other parts of his plea include being banned from metro Atlanta for the first 10 years of his probation, only ever being allowed for work, community service, or visits to immediate family, and he is not allowed to contact anyone from YSL or adjacent gangs other than Gunna.
From his arrest, to trial and eventual freedom, the last year has been historical for the rap genre, especially now that he’s free. Young Thug continues to be an inspiration for hundreds of aspiring rappers, and he inspires rappers who have already made it out, such as Travis Scott who tweeted on the day of Young Thug’s release, “My brudda otw home,” and T.I who said “Welcome Home lil bruddah It’s been too long… Time to get back to it!!!”.
One of the last pieces of music Young Thug recorded before his arrest was his track on Metro Boomin’s Heroes and Villains, with many describing it as “the work of a man who knew he was going to go away for a very long time.”
Since his arrest in 2022, his name has been called out by thousands even remotely intune with the Atlanta rap scene. “Free Young Thug till it's backwards!” Many exclaimed. Finally, after two years of waiting with a dramatic courtroom finish, “Free Young Thug” can be said backwards and this chapter of rap history can be closed.
The prosecuting District Attorney, Fani Willis had described the gang as violent, with a long list of crimes stretching back to 2012, including robbery, grand theft auto, and murder. It took over a year for the RICO trial to begin.
Finally on Nov. 27, 2023, the trial against Young Thug and YSL began. Streaming of the trial was allowed, and soon, many iconic clips surfaced over the first few days, as Thug’s attorney, Brian Steel, had described that the “Thug” in Young Thug, had really stood for “Truly Humble Under God” and that “Pushing P” was instead, “Pushing Positivity,” trying to change the narrative of YSL and Young Thug being violent entities. (Saponara)
Unfortunately, with the streaming of the trial being authorized through Zoom, came with its many problems. On Dec. 15, 2023, as the trial was streamed on Zoom, multiple internet trolls had unmuted themselves shouting “Free Young Thug” using a virtual camera to display pornographic videos of a black man known as Dreamybull. Shortly after being removed from the call, the Discord server used to accordinate the attack called THUG CCP, was taken down for violating Discord TOS, and an official investigation was launched to find those who had interrupted the trial.
Afterwards, the selection of viewers allowed to watch through Zoom was not restricted but included more moderation. As more iconic clips became available, on Jan. 11, 2024, the courtroom played Young Thug’s song from 2014 “Lifestyle” with a largely unenthusiastic response from both parties.
On Jan. 17, as previously mentioned, Pushin P was a focal point as the Pushin P music video was played inside the courtroom, shortly after another Zoom bomber joined the call and began to shout “Free Thug, mistrial! Free Thug, mistrial!” (Darnell) being kicked out shortly after.
On the other hand, many YSL and adjacent gang members had been called to the stand, as RICO arrests and investigates everybody involved, this also included famous rapper Gunna, but was released by Jan., many speculating that he had ratted out other members of YSL for an early release. Many of these YSL members pleaded guilty and took plea deals, as their defense was not nearly as good, or compromising for what they felt was the least amount of punishment.
Finally, on Oct. 31, 2024, after nearly a year of trial, Young Thug pleaded guilty to one gang charge, three drug charges and two gun charges. According to the FOX 5 Atlanta, he was allowed to walk free under a non-negotiated plea deal: 15 years of probation with 100 hours of community service required for each year he is under probation, such as a concert or presentation inside a school, boys & girls club or recreational center that's focused on speaking out against gang activities.
Other parts of his plea include being banned from metro Atlanta for the first 10 years of his probation, only ever being allowed for work, community service, or visits to immediate family, and he is not allowed to contact anyone from YSL or adjacent gangs other than Gunna.
From his arrest, to trial and eventual freedom, the last year has been historical for the rap genre, especially now that he’s free. Young Thug continues to be an inspiration for hundreds of aspiring rappers, and he inspires rappers who have already made it out, such as Travis Scott who tweeted on the day of Young Thug’s release, “My brudda otw home,” and T.I who said “Welcome Home lil bruddah It’s been too long… Time to get back to it!!!”.
One of the last pieces of music Young Thug recorded before his arrest was his track on Metro Boomin’s Heroes and Villains, with many describing it as “the work of a man who knew he was going to go away for a very long time.”
Since his arrest in 2022, his name has been called out by thousands even remotely intune with the Atlanta rap scene. “Free Young Thug till it's backwards!” Many exclaimed. Finally, after two years of waiting with a dramatic courtroom finish, “Free Young Thug” can be said backwards and this chapter of rap history can be closed.
Cold Weather Celebrations
by Kierra Crawford 12/3/2024
Infographic by Kierra Crawford
The weather gets colder, the days get shorter, and the reasons to celebrate draw near. Many different holidays occur during Winter: Christmas, Hanukkah, Winter Solstice, and many more. Although these holidays all take place in Winter, they all celebrate something a little different. Sources used in this article were “Winter Holidays” by Learning Liftoffs and “Winter Celebrations” by National Geographic.
Christmas, or sometimes known as Noel, is the most prominent of these holidays that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ in Christianity. This is important to Christian culture because Jesus is the son of God, as read in the bible.
Kwanzaa is an African holiday celebrating family values and social values. This is mainly celebrated in the U.S. and Swahili culture, and it lasts from Dec. 26 to January 1 with each day representing an important principle. Candles are lit in honor of each principle and a feast is held called Karamu.
Hanukkah, or spelled Chanukah, is the Jewish “Festival of Lights,” lasting eight nights to celebrate the rededication of the temple in Jerusalem after Jewish fighters liberated it from foreign forces. They light candles on a menorah as the soldiers did in the story. The soldiers’ candle lasted eight days, which is why eight candles are lit on the Menorah.
Las Posadas, a Hispanic holiday, lasts from Dec. 16 until Dec. 25 and celebrates and honors the journey of Mary and Joseph from Nazareth to Bethlehem to give birth to Jesus Christ. Los Posados is celebrated by recreating the journey as told in the Bible and hanging star shaped pinatas filled for children to break.
Winter Solstice or Yule is one of the oldest known Winter holidays, celebrating the rebirth of the sun. It is called the rebirth because this takes place on the darkest day of the year. Some ways this holiday is celebrated is by cutting down an oak tree, and during the 12 days of Christmas, the oak is slowly pushed into a fireplace. The sacrifice of a wild boar is also traditional, but nowadays, celebrants usually eat ham.
Diwali is a major festival in Hinduism, Jainism, and Sikhism, which lasts for five days in the lunar months of Ashivina and Karttika or November. Some customs for this holiday include lighting diyas, worshipping the Goddess Kali, creating designs with colored rice, and celebrating the birthday of Lakshmi. However, these traditions depend on culture and region. This festival is mainly celebrated in Western Asia and the Middle East.
Finally, Thanksgiving is an American holiday to celebrate togetherness between the Pilgrims and Native Americans. Nowadays, we celebrate everything we are thankful for, especially family. The traditions for Thanksgiving are mainly filling dishes eaten at a large dinner banquet, including turkey, ham, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, casseroles, and fresh bread and butter.
This is only a fraction of holidays to celebrate in the cold weather this year. Each culture and religion have unique holidays, bringing people together to celebrate traditions, each other, and faith.
Christmas, or sometimes known as Noel, is the most prominent of these holidays that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ in Christianity. This is important to Christian culture because Jesus is the son of God, as read in the bible.
Kwanzaa is an African holiday celebrating family values and social values. This is mainly celebrated in the U.S. and Swahili culture, and it lasts from Dec. 26 to January 1 with each day representing an important principle. Candles are lit in honor of each principle and a feast is held called Karamu.
Hanukkah, or spelled Chanukah, is the Jewish “Festival of Lights,” lasting eight nights to celebrate the rededication of the temple in Jerusalem after Jewish fighters liberated it from foreign forces. They light candles on a menorah as the soldiers did in the story. The soldiers’ candle lasted eight days, which is why eight candles are lit on the Menorah.
Las Posadas, a Hispanic holiday, lasts from Dec. 16 until Dec. 25 and celebrates and honors the journey of Mary and Joseph from Nazareth to Bethlehem to give birth to Jesus Christ. Los Posados is celebrated by recreating the journey as told in the Bible and hanging star shaped pinatas filled for children to break.
Winter Solstice or Yule is one of the oldest known Winter holidays, celebrating the rebirth of the sun. It is called the rebirth because this takes place on the darkest day of the year. Some ways this holiday is celebrated is by cutting down an oak tree, and during the 12 days of Christmas, the oak is slowly pushed into a fireplace. The sacrifice of a wild boar is also traditional, but nowadays, celebrants usually eat ham.
Diwali is a major festival in Hinduism, Jainism, and Sikhism, which lasts for five days in the lunar months of Ashivina and Karttika or November. Some customs for this holiday include lighting diyas, worshipping the Goddess Kali, creating designs with colored rice, and celebrating the birthday of Lakshmi. However, these traditions depend on culture and region. This festival is mainly celebrated in Western Asia and the Middle East.
Finally, Thanksgiving is an American holiday to celebrate togetherness between the Pilgrims and Native Americans. Nowadays, we celebrate everything we are thankful for, especially family. The traditions for Thanksgiving are mainly filling dishes eaten at a large dinner banquet, including turkey, ham, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, casseroles, and fresh bread and butter.
This is only a fraction of holidays to celebrate in the cold weather this year. Each culture and religion have unique holidays, bringing people together to celebrate traditions, each other, and faith.
2024 Election Results
by Lukas Matonte 11/26/2024
Photo from WikiMedia Commons
It’s Nov. 5. All you have been seeing on social media are posts about the election. No matter how informed you are of politics and government issues, you can’t help but notice the whole country is holding its breath. People are crowded around their TVs, families are debating, and some are making a game plan for what they will do depending on the results. The whole country is the most divided and united at the same time for the first time in four years.
The election results come in. People are crying, others are celebrating, some are speechless and shocked. Donald J. Trump wins by a landslide. For a moment, everything is silent. The silence only lasts for a split second until the chaos. Social media is flooded. Trump's win surprised everyone. Compared to Kamala Harris, Trump was wildly unpopular to the younger voters.
According to NBC, near the end of the race, Trump gained a lot of traction with young male voters, while more and more female voters leaned towards Kamala for her opinions on abortion. What really solidified Trump's win was the blue collar class older than 35. People from that demographic felt Trump was more relatable to them than the opposing team, who leaned more towards the young early voters, LGBTQIA+ community, and women.
Even though the country seems to be divided by red and blue, we have to remember that we are all human beings. No matter who you voted for, no matter what political party you align yourself with, you are American.
The election results come in. People are crying, others are celebrating, some are speechless and shocked. Donald J. Trump wins by a landslide. For a moment, everything is silent. The silence only lasts for a split second until the chaos. Social media is flooded. Trump's win surprised everyone. Compared to Kamala Harris, Trump was wildly unpopular to the younger voters.
According to NBC, near the end of the race, Trump gained a lot of traction with young male voters, while more and more female voters leaned towards Kamala for her opinions on abortion. What really solidified Trump's win was the blue collar class older than 35. People from that demographic felt Trump was more relatable to them than the opposing team, who leaned more towards the young early voters, LGBTQIA+ community, and women.
Even though the country seems to be divided by red and blue, we have to remember that we are all human beings. No matter who you voted for, no matter what political party you align yourself with, you are American.
Hot Chocolate Evaluation
by Lukas Matonte 11/26/2024
Photo from FreeRange Stock
It’s that time of year again where the windows are frosted over, the cold pierces through your bones, and all you want is to bundle up with your favorite blanket and drink some delicious hot cocoa. The scolding heat that burns your taste buds off, the refreshing whipped cream, the marshmallows. Many claim this sweet treat helps them cope with seasonal depression. The days are shorter, it’s colder, but you can still find a glimpse of the sun in your mug.
Nothing is better than a cup of hot chocolate made right. Unfortunately, some places in town do it wrong.
What does it take to make the perfect cup of hot cocoa? Who does it better?
Some people make it with water. They claim the milk makes it too heavy. Others insist it is a mortal sin to make it with anything but milk. Besides milk v. water, there is more to discuss about this beloved winter treat.
Where is the best place in town to order hot chocolate? Rise and Shine is one of the most popular. The only place that can make their hot chocolate any more creamy would be Maverick.
However, some people aren't the type to seek out creaminess in their cocoa. They want theirs to be rich and chocolate, which is where Scooters takes the number one spot.
It is clear that there are a lot of good places in town that will match your specific chocolatey needs. But what are the least popular spots?
Some places in town should be avoided when searching for the perfect hot chocolate. The Emporium is one of them. People think it’s too bitter, and it makes you want a glass of water afterwards.
That was a pretty standard evaluation, but what is a controversial take? Starbucks does not meet the right standards for hot chocolate. The whipped cream is tasteless, the drink itself is too bitter, and it leaves much to the imagination.
People may debate the best hot chocolate, but what truly matters is how you decide to indulge in your chocolatey treat. Where will you decide to get it?
Nothing is better than a cup of hot chocolate made right. Unfortunately, some places in town do it wrong.
What does it take to make the perfect cup of hot cocoa? Who does it better?
Some people make it with water. They claim the milk makes it too heavy. Others insist it is a mortal sin to make it with anything but milk. Besides milk v. water, there is more to discuss about this beloved winter treat.
Where is the best place in town to order hot chocolate? Rise and Shine is one of the most popular. The only place that can make their hot chocolate any more creamy would be Maverick.
However, some people aren't the type to seek out creaminess in their cocoa. They want theirs to be rich and chocolate, which is where Scooters takes the number one spot.
It is clear that there are a lot of good places in town that will match your specific chocolatey needs. But what are the least popular spots?
Some places in town should be avoided when searching for the perfect hot chocolate. The Emporium is one of them. People think it’s too bitter, and it makes you want a glass of water afterwards.
That was a pretty standard evaluation, but what is a controversial take? Starbucks does not meet the right standards for hot chocolate. The whipped cream is tasteless, the drink itself is too bitter, and it leaves much to the imagination.
People may debate the best hot chocolate, but what truly matters is how you decide to indulge in your chocolatey treat. Where will you decide to get it?
Once upon a December
Mr. Ronne announces the Spring 2025 SHS musical.
by Laetner Malm 11/26/2024
Photo by Hannah Reisig
On Oct. 16, Brad Ronne announced the 2025 Scottsbluff Musical. Acapella students entered the class to Ronne telling them they wouldn’t need their music today. In the front of the room, an almost finished puzzle of SHS's playbills was lying down with a few pieces missing.
Ronne proceeded to say there were clues around the room that would reveal this year’s musical. Students scoured the room looking for missing pieces, and soon enough, some found the missing pieces in hidden places. As the students put the pieces together, they discovered purple puzzle pieces that didn’t match the box. Right away, a few students guessed the musical due to the color. As the last piece of the puzzle was placed, the name of the spring 2025 musical was revealed: Anastasia.
As the puzzle was completed, Ronne confirmed the musical and started playing songs from the Broadway soundtrack. Some students had prior knowledge about the musical, while others didn’t. However, the excitement in the room was beyond comparison. Ronne explained the plot of the musical and how he thought it was the right choice for the SHS choir.
Anastasia the Musical is originally based on the 1997 animated film Anastasia, which follows the story of the fall of the Russian Royals, The Romanovs. While the Romanovs are taken down by Russian citizens during the Revolution, Anastasia ends up surviving. Although she survived, she has amnesia and refers to herself as Anya. Anya wants to remember who she is and wants to reunite with the family she thinks is in Paris.
Meanwhile, two con artists, Dimitri and Vlad, are trying to find a young girl to impersonate the real Anastasia to con her grandmother the Dowager Empress, who Anastasia was very close with. Dimitri and Vlad stumble upon the lost Anya and bring her to Paris, convincing her she is the lost Anastasia.
However, Anastasia thinks their intentions are genuine, and she is unaware Dimitir and Vlad just want to reward money from the Dowager Empress. While all of this is going on, the story’s antagonist, Gleb (a Russian soldier), secretly follows Anya due to his suspicions that she could be the living Anastasia. Overall, the characters end up developing and having a change of heart, leading to an emotional ending.
Auditions for Anastasia will take place Dec. 11- 16. The cast list is expected to be released during Christmas break.
Ronne proceeded to say there were clues around the room that would reveal this year’s musical. Students scoured the room looking for missing pieces, and soon enough, some found the missing pieces in hidden places. As the students put the pieces together, they discovered purple puzzle pieces that didn’t match the box. Right away, a few students guessed the musical due to the color. As the last piece of the puzzle was placed, the name of the spring 2025 musical was revealed: Anastasia.
As the puzzle was completed, Ronne confirmed the musical and started playing songs from the Broadway soundtrack. Some students had prior knowledge about the musical, while others didn’t. However, the excitement in the room was beyond comparison. Ronne explained the plot of the musical and how he thought it was the right choice for the SHS choir.
Anastasia the Musical is originally based on the 1997 animated film Anastasia, which follows the story of the fall of the Russian Royals, The Romanovs. While the Romanovs are taken down by Russian citizens during the Revolution, Anastasia ends up surviving. Although she survived, she has amnesia and refers to herself as Anya. Anya wants to remember who she is and wants to reunite with the family she thinks is in Paris.
Meanwhile, two con artists, Dimitri and Vlad, are trying to find a young girl to impersonate the real Anastasia to con her grandmother the Dowager Empress, who Anastasia was very close with. Dimitri and Vlad stumble upon the lost Anya and bring her to Paris, convincing her she is the lost Anastasia.
However, Anastasia thinks their intentions are genuine, and she is unaware Dimitir and Vlad just want to reward money from the Dowager Empress. While all of this is going on, the story’s antagonist, Gleb (a Russian soldier), secretly follows Anya due to his suspicions that she could be the living Anastasia. Overall, the characters end up developing and having a change of heart, leading to an emotional ending.
Auditions for Anastasia will take place Dec. 11- 16. The cast list is expected to be released during Christmas break.
SHS DINNER THEATRE
SHS theatre class and play production host an eventful evening.
by Laetner Malm 11/26/2024
Photo by James Shaske
On Nov. 25, the SHS theatre class performed villain-themed monologues while eating a delicious meal prepared by SHS Pro-Start. After dinner and the monologues, the audience could watch the junior varsity and varsity play production teams perform their thirty-minute shows.
The junior varsity show performed Fast Food by Tracy Wells. The comedic play follows the story of fast food cashiers and shows various scenes of them at the fast food restaurant, “Mac Burger.” This show was filled with fun characters and made the audience smile.
The varsity play production team performed The Seussification of Romeo and Juliet by Peter Bloedel. Almost everyone is familiar with the story of Romeo and Juliet; however, this show took a whimsical turn. Two enthusiastic narrators guided the audience through the colorful story, while actors made the stage come to life. All the characters in this show had the audience laughing every scene. The combination of Dr.Seuss and Shakespeare made a fantastical and comedic show that was a flawless pick for the cast.
Although the story of Romeo and Juliet ends being a tragedy with multiple characters dead, The Seussification of Romeo and Juliet ended with a big group hug and all characters alive and well. From the colorful set to the colorful costumes, the varsity play production team created an extravagant performance loaded with comedic entertainment.
Overall, both play production teams and the theater class made memorable performances for their audience, full of laughter and big smiles.
The junior varsity show performed Fast Food by Tracy Wells. The comedic play follows the story of fast food cashiers and shows various scenes of them at the fast food restaurant, “Mac Burger.” This show was filled with fun characters and made the audience smile.
The varsity play production team performed The Seussification of Romeo and Juliet by Peter Bloedel. Almost everyone is familiar with the story of Romeo and Juliet; however, this show took a whimsical turn. Two enthusiastic narrators guided the audience through the colorful story, while actors made the stage come to life. All the characters in this show had the audience laughing every scene. The combination of Dr.Seuss and Shakespeare made a fantastical and comedic show that was a flawless pick for the cast.
Although the story of Romeo and Juliet ends being a tragedy with multiple characters dead, The Seussification of Romeo and Juliet ended with a big group hug and all characters alive and well. From the colorful set to the colorful costumes, the varsity play production team created an extravagant performance loaded with comedic entertainment.
Overall, both play production teams and the theater class made memorable performances for their audience, full of laughter and big smiles.
Coffman’s Conspiracies: Parties, Pageants, and Peasants
by Aaron Coffman 11/25/2024
Photo from Printerval
People love to debate conspiracy theories, whether it is birds aren’t real or the reality of the moon landing. Without the wonder of conspiracy theories, we wouldn’t be the people we are today. A couple of conspiracy theories that will be covered today are the Diddy Parties, Beauty Pageants for children, and the Illuminati.
Sean (P. Diddy) Combs was an influential rapper who hosted the “greatest parties in Hollywood.” According to Forbes, at his parties, it was revealed that he hosted “freak offs” after his parties, which involved various celebrities doing unspeakable crimes against other people who were trafficked.
According to Prestige Online, a huge conspiracy with this was that Beyonce was a regular attendee, and she and Diddy hired hitmen on anyone that would steal the spotlight from Beyonce. This allegedly happened in the deaths of Aaliyah, Left Eye and Michael Jackson. This was referred to in the song “She Knows” by J. Cole, and it explains why at the Grammys. Adele won Album of the Year and ripped her Grammy in half and gave half of it to Beyonce and thanked her for success.
Many also believe that is why Kanye West interrupted Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech and thanked Beyonce because he wanted to save her.
According to NPR’s interview with Amy Argetsinger, author of There She Was: The Secret History of Miss America, another conspiracy is the beauty pageants children participate in. The conspiracy with this is that parents force their innocent children to be judged in front of a giant crowd of grown men, in order to relive their “Old Success.” This conspiracy links to concerns about bullying and violence within the beauty pageant industry.
Many believe this to be true based on the fact that parents usually seem more interested in the competition rather than their own children. Many videos have shown the children not wanting to participate and refusing. The videos also show the parents punishing their kids for refusing to be judged in front of a group of people.
The last conspiracy is The Illuminati. According to The Week, The Illuminati is rumored to be a group of highly classed and wealthy individuals who control the media, all aspects of entertainment, and even the government. They are rumored to control and possess multiple A List celebrities. Many think the Illuminati worships the devil; however, that has never been confirmed. Others say celebrities and other people have made deals with them for success.
Conspiracy theories are all around the world whether the citizens of the countries realize or not. Anywhere we go, the theories will follow.
Sean (P. Diddy) Combs was an influential rapper who hosted the “greatest parties in Hollywood.” According to Forbes, at his parties, it was revealed that he hosted “freak offs” after his parties, which involved various celebrities doing unspeakable crimes against other people who were trafficked.
According to Prestige Online, a huge conspiracy with this was that Beyonce was a regular attendee, and she and Diddy hired hitmen on anyone that would steal the spotlight from Beyonce. This allegedly happened in the deaths of Aaliyah, Left Eye and Michael Jackson. This was referred to in the song “She Knows” by J. Cole, and it explains why at the Grammys. Adele won Album of the Year and ripped her Grammy in half and gave half of it to Beyonce and thanked her for success.
Many also believe that is why Kanye West interrupted Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech and thanked Beyonce because he wanted to save her.
According to NPR’s interview with Amy Argetsinger, author of There She Was: The Secret History of Miss America, another conspiracy is the beauty pageants children participate in. The conspiracy with this is that parents force their innocent children to be judged in front of a giant crowd of grown men, in order to relive their “Old Success.” This conspiracy links to concerns about bullying and violence within the beauty pageant industry.
Many believe this to be true based on the fact that parents usually seem more interested in the competition rather than their own children. Many videos have shown the children not wanting to participate and refusing. The videos also show the parents punishing their kids for refusing to be judged in front of a group of people.
The last conspiracy is The Illuminati. According to The Week, The Illuminati is rumored to be a group of highly classed and wealthy individuals who control the media, all aspects of entertainment, and even the government. They are rumored to control and possess multiple A List celebrities. Many think the Illuminati worships the devil; however, that has never been confirmed. Others say celebrities and other people have made deals with them for success.
Conspiracy theories are all around the world whether the citizens of the countries realize or not. Anywhere we go, the theories will follow.
The Passing of One Direction’s Liam Payne
by Amalie Gutierrez 11/26/2024
Photo from WikimediaCommons
Former One Direction member, Liam Payne, was pronounced dead on Oct.16. The tragic incident happened at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where Payn fell off his third floor balcony.
The tragedy immediately stormed the internet with 1D fans sharing in world-wide shock. While all of the band members have been on their own solo careers since splitting up in 2016, there was always a hope they would come back together, with the conspiracies being especially heavy within the last few years. This was devastating for so many as this interrupted any hopes for a reunion.
The case immediately became under investigation, as it was unknown how or why he fell. NPR explains, Payne had posted on Snapchat that he had traveled to Argentina for the concert of former 1D bandmate, Nial Horan on Oct. 2. He was accompanied by girlfriend, Kate Cassidy, who left after the show, while Payne stayed in Argentina.
Three people have been charged with video footage of the star being hauled back to his hotel room after displaying concerning behavior.
NPR shares, “Prosecutor Andrés Madrea charged the three suspects, whose identities were not revealed, with the crimes of ‘abandonment of a person followed by death’ and ‘supplying and facilitating the use of narcotics,’ the prosecutor’s office said.”
His autopsy showed many injuries and external bleeding.
NPR states, “Payne’s autopsy showed his injuries were neither caused by self-harm nor by physical intervention of others. The document also said that he did not have the reflex of protecting himself in the fall, which suggests he might have been unconscious. Prosecutors in Argentina also ruled out the chances of Payne committing suicide.”
Y!entertainment did state the “autopsy found that the former boy-bander had a toxic mixture of drugs in his system at the time of his death — including crack and so-called ‘pink cocaine’ — which is a mixture of ketamine and other drugs.”
A funeral was held in Amersham, Buckinghamshire on Nov. 20, where all former band members gathered together. One Direction fans have come together on several occasions to gather at memorials in his memory, where they sang 1D songs.
The tragedy immediately stormed the internet with 1D fans sharing in world-wide shock. While all of the band members have been on their own solo careers since splitting up in 2016, there was always a hope they would come back together, with the conspiracies being especially heavy within the last few years. This was devastating for so many as this interrupted any hopes for a reunion.
The case immediately became under investigation, as it was unknown how or why he fell. NPR explains, Payne had posted on Snapchat that he had traveled to Argentina for the concert of former 1D bandmate, Nial Horan on Oct. 2. He was accompanied by girlfriend, Kate Cassidy, who left after the show, while Payne stayed in Argentina.
Three people have been charged with video footage of the star being hauled back to his hotel room after displaying concerning behavior.
NPR shares, “Prosecutor Andrés Madrea charged the three suspects, whose identities were not revealed, with the crimes of ‘abandonment of a person followed by death’ and ‘supplying and facilitating the use of narcotics,’ the prosecutor’s office said.”
His autopsy showed many injuries and external bleeding.
NPR states, “Payne’s autopsy showed his injuries were neither caused by self-harm nor by physical intervention of others. The document also said that he did not have the reflex of protecting himself in the fall, which suggests he might have been unconscious. Prosecutors in Argentina also ruled out the chances of Payne committing suicide.”
Y!entertainment did state the “autopsy found that the former boy-bander had a toxic mixture of drugs in his system at the time of his death — including crack and so-called ‘pink cocaine’ — which is a mixture of ketamine and other drugs.”
A funeral was held in Amersham, Buckinghamshire on Nov. 20, where all former band members gathered together. One Direction fans have come together on several occasions to gather at memorials in his memory, where they sang 1D songs.
District DECA
by Amalie Gutierrez 11/26/2024
Photo by Kayla Bowles
DECA students attended District DECA on Nov. 12, held by the Scottsbluff chapter. With over 120 students competing, with Gering and Alliance schools attending, the event was very successful.
Each competitor takes a one hundred question test and participates in a role-play, both pertaining to a specific event, including Apparel & Accessories Marketing, Automotive Services Marketing, Accounting Applications, Business Finance Series, Business Services Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Food Marketing, Hotel & Lodging Management, Human Resources Management, Marketing Communication Series, Quick Serve Restaurant Management, Restaurant and Food Management, Retail Merchandising Series, and Sports and Entertainment Marketing.
Thirty five SHS students placed top three in their judged and/or written event. Twenty-four students were overall medal winners with ten in first, eight in second, and six in third.
With the event previously being held at the Harms Center, this year the second floor of the new education center building was used. Many people commented that it felt more like an actual business situation because of the cubicles and offices, which were used for talking to judges.
Business Teacher and DECA sponsor, Justin Gipe has been a part of eight districts and shares how much planning goes into the event.
“We have to get roleplays from the state, choosing the appropriate one, create test keys, and make sure we have judges for everything, making sure each judge sees about four to five students. Every year, we try to do something a little better, next year it would be nice to have a DECA backdrop where medal winners can take pictures,” said Gipe.
This year, certificates were given to those who were first, second, or third in their role play or written event but didn’t place overall.
Over forty hours were invested into the planning of district DECA, both prior to the event and matters after, such as press releases. SHS members represented their high school well, along with the chapter officers helping the day run smoothly.
Each competitor takes a one hundred question test and participates in a role-play, both pertaining to a specific event, including Apparel & Accessories Marketing, Automotive Services Marketing, Accounting Applications, Business Finance Series, Business Services Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Food Marketing, Hotel & Lodging Management, Human Resources Management, Marketing Communication Series, Quick Serve Restaurant Management, Restaurant and Food Management, Retail Merchandising Series, and Sports and Entertainment Marketing.
Thirty five SHS students placed top three in their judged and/or written event. Twenty-four students were overall medal winners with ten in first, eight in second, and six in third.
With the event previously being held at the Harms Center, this year the second floor of the new education center building was used. Many people commented that it felt more like an actual business situation because of the cubicles and offices, which were used for talking to judges.
Business Teacher and DECA sponsor, Justin Gipe has been a part of eight districts and shares how much planning goes into the event.
“We have to get roleplays from the state, choosing the appropriate one, create test keys, and make sure we have judges for everything, making sure each judge sees about four to five students. Every year, we try to do something a little better, next year it would be nice to have a DECA backdrop where medal winners can take pictures,” said Gipe.
This year, certificates were given to those who were first, second, or third in their role play or written event but didn’t place overall.
Over forty hours were invested into the planning of district DECA, both prior to the event and matters after, such as press releases. SHS members represented their high school well, along with the chapter officers helping the day run smoothly.
Tangled in Homecoming
by Addison Peck 11/7/2024
Photos by Jaeden Monaghan
Homecoming is a longstanding tradition, consisting of not only the fun of one night but a whole week of festivities. Homecoming week took place from Sept. 30 to Oct. 5, beginning with the parade and super rally on Monday and ending with the homecoming dance on Saturday.
The parade included many floats including sports, clubs, marching band, and walkers. Some students say they felt that the attendance at the super rally was smaller than in previous years.
Junior Shae Gribble states, “I remember the super rally of my freshman and sophomore year had a lot more people; the gym almost felt empty.”
A new element was introduced last year was the change of location of the super rally. In previous years, the event happened at the football stadium, but last year it was moved. Other students agree the attendance was limited.
Junior MolliJane Smith said, “It was a bit empty, and I think it’s because there were a lot of activities happening around the time of the rally, so people just wanted to stay home.”
The day of the rally included a cross country and girls golf meet. Ultimately, the students who attended the rally enjoyed the experience.
Homecoming royalty were announced at the super rally. Ten individuals were nominated to be the finalists. Senior Adriana Rodriguez was nominated by softball, Senior Dawson Barrett was nominated by National Honors Society, Senior Emery Wineman was nominated by FFA, Senior Fabian Zamaripa was nominated by Tri-M, Senior Hannah Shaddick was nominated by drill team, Senior Jhett Webb was nominated by football, Senior Joseph Loomis Molina was nominated by band, Senior Lili Dewitt was nominated by cheer, Senior Nolan Lambertson was nominated by JROTC, and Senior Sierra Little was nominated by Student Senate.
The results were as follows: second attendants were; Wineman and Zamarripa. First attendants were; DeWitt and Barrett, and queen and king; Shaddick and Webb.
With the theme Tangled In The Memories, dress up days for the week were Rapunzel’s Royal Monday: dress like a Disney character, Pascal’s Pair Tuesday: dress as an iconic duo, Rapunzel’s Hair Harmony Wednesday: dress as you favorite artist or song, Mother Gothel’s Red Flags & White Lie: dress as your red flag or white lie, and Tangled Spirit Friday: dress as our school colors.
On Friday night, the homecoming football game took place. The student section theme was barbie/pink out with a larger attendance than usual. The football team played against the Gering Bulldogs and won 35-0!
To be eligible to attend the dance a student has to have no more than two failing classes and no more than five unexcused absences. This year, 499 tickets were sold for attendance to the dance!
Many other activities took place throughout the spirited week. On Monday, the FCCLA Fall Leadership Conference took place at Chadron State. Girls Golf was at the Alliance invite. Cross Country was running in Colorado. Boys JV tennis were at the Kearney invite. JV Football was at home, and Freshman Volleyball was playing at Gering.
On Tuesday, Boys Varsity Tennis were at the Gering invite. JV and Varsity Softball played at home. Boys JV tennis competed at home. Freshman Volleyball was at Sidney.
The Bearcats finally took a day off on Wednesday, but on Thursday, they were back to it with Freshman Football in Rapid City and JV Volleyball at Gering.
On Friday, Boys Varsity Tennis played at the Kearney invite, Math Olympiad competed at Colorado Springs, Varsity Cross Country had their home invite, and Varsity Volleyball played in a tournament at home.
Lastly, on Saturday, Volleyball continued playing in a tournament at home.
The Scottsbluff Bearcats are always busy in their success and followed the trend with a successful homecoming week. One that will be tangled in the memories.
The parade included many floats including sports, clubs, marching band, and walkers. Some students say they felt that the attendance at the super rally was smaller than in previous years.
Junior Shae Gribble states, “I remember the super rally of my freshman and sophomore year had a lot more people; the gym almost felt empty.”
A new element was introduced last year was the change of location of the super rally. In previous years, the event happened at the football stadium, but last year it was moved. Other students agree the attendance was limited.
Junior MolliJane Smith said, “It was a bit empty, and I think it’s because there were a lot of activities happening around the time of the rally, so people just wanted to stay home.”
The day of the rally included a cross country and girls golf meet. Ultimately, the students who attended the rally enjoyed the experience.
Homecoming royalty were announced at the super rally. Ten individuals were nominated to be the finalists. Senior Adriana Rodriguez was nominated by softball, Senior Dawson Barrett was nominated by National Honors Society, Senior Emery Wineman was nominated by FFA, Senior Fabian Zamaripa was nominated by Tri-M, Senior Hannah Shaddick was nominated by drill team, Senior Jhett Webb was nominated by football, Senior Joseph Loomis Molina was nominated by band, Senior Lili Dewitt was nominated by cheer, Senior Nolan Lambertson was nominated by JROTC, and Senior Sierra Little was nominated by Student Senate.
The results were as follows: second attendants were; Wineman and Zamarripa. First attendants were; DeWitt and Barrett, and queen and king; Shaddick and Webb.
With the theme Tangled In The Memories, dress up days for the week were Rapunzel’s Royal Monday: dress like a Disney character, Pascal’s Pair Tuesday: dress as an iconic duo, Rapunzel’s Hair Harmony Wednesday: dress as you favorite artist or song, Mother Gothel’s Red Flags & White Lie: dress as your red flag or white lie, and Tangled Spirit Friday: dress as our school colors.
On Friday night, the homecoming football game took place. The student section theme was barbie/pink out with a larger attendance than usual. The football team played against the Gering Bulldogs and won 35-0!
To be eligible to attend the dance a student has to have no more than two failing classes and no more than five unexcused absences. This year, 499 tickets were sold for attendance to the dance!
Many other activities took place throughout the spirited week. On Monday, the FCCLA Fall Leadership Conference took place at Chadron State. Girls Golf was at the Alliance invite. Cross Country was running in Colorado. Boys JV tennis were at the Kearney invite. JV Football was at home, and Freshman Volleyball was playing at Gering.
On Tuesday, Boys Varsity Tennis were at the Gering invite. JV and Varsity Softball played at home. Boys JV tennis competed at home. Freshman Volleyball was at Sidney.
The Bearcats finally took a day off on Wednesday, but on Thursday, they were back to it with Freshman Football in Rapid City and JV Volleyball at Gering.
On Friday, Boys Varsity Tennis played at the Kearney invite, Math Olympiad competed at Colorado Springs, Varsity Cross Country had their home invite, and Varsity Volleyball played in a tournament at home.
Lastly, on Saturday, Volleyball continued playing in a tournament at home.
The Scottsbluff Bearcats are always busy in their success and followed the trend with a successful homecoming week. One that will be tangled in the memories.
Short n' Sour?
by Kierra Crawford 11/7/2024
Photo from GoodFon (Creative Commons)
Sabrina Carpenter, a rising star, went from Disney channel to writing the song of the summer. Carpenter is out in the world of music on tour. However, with such a large tour planned, controversies arose, like ticket prices, and Carpenters outfits for the show.
The Short n’ Sweet tour started this year on Sep. 24 and will go until March 26 of next year. With Sabrina’s music gaining more fans by the day, tickets have been selling rapidly; however, some fans thought twice before their purchase since a seat in the nosebleeds goes for around $400 and the pit is over $1,000 per person.
This angered people because tickets for an artist who only has a singular number one hit on Billboard’s website tickets should be cheaper to purchase. Even with the current prices the Short n’ Sweet tour is not worth its price. Why does it cost so much?
Of course, demand is one of the biggest reasons. As Sabrina has grown in popularity, her fans have been eager for a tour like this to kick off. Another reason for pricing is her stage props and outfits for the tour.
Carpenter brought stairs with her to use during choreography, as well as bedazzled outfits unique to each stop in the show. These include personalized tights,dress up costumes for her Halloween show, and a bedazzled towel, kiss marks, bodysuits, and two piece dresses seen in clips online. Special things like this made for the Short n’ Sweet tour influenced what Sabrina may need to earn back with ticket and merchandise sales.
Besides Carpenters' eye -catching choices in fashion, people were staring for another reason. Many parents and fans were angry that Sabrina was showing too much skin for her younger audience. Some fans shared how uncomfortable they were online or that they were worried Sabrina would influence young listeners in a bad way.
Sabrinas performance of “Juno” also caught people's attention. People online shared that the performance might be inappropriate for children or uncomfortable to anyone in the audience. The performance contains a sequence showing Carpenter from “the back” in which you can see decorative underwear over her leggings. Many parents were taken back by this, as well as fans who felt they saw a little too much of a show.
Even though Sabrina has gotten all of this criticism, the Short n’ Sweet tour included positive sides. Sabrina has made around 1.5 million dollars so far, and about a million on Espresso, which was released as a single before its release on the album.
Many fans who enjoyed her outfits on the tour have begun to recreate some of them online, and others posted their experience on the tour to be positive overall with a unique vibe.
However, according to critics online say the set was all over the place, songs did not transition smoothly, and there were some issues on set, including audio and microphone failures, and other audience critiques. Is the Short n’ Sweet tour really worth it?
The Short n’ Sweet tour started this year on Sep. 24 and will go until March 26 of next year. With Sabrina’s music gaining more fans by the day, tickets have been selling rapidly; however, some fans thought twice before their purchase since a seat in the nosebleeds goes for around $400 and the pit is over $1,000 per person.
This angered people because tickets for an artist who only has a singular number one hit on Billboard’s website tickets should be cheaper to purchase. Even with the current prices the Short n’ Sweet tour is not worth its price. Why does it cost so much?
Of course, demand is one of the biggest reasons. As Sabrina has grown in popularity, her fans have been eager for a tour like this to kick off. Another reason for pricing is her stage props and outfits for the tour.
Carpenter brought stairs with her to use during choreography, as well as bedazzled outfits unique to each stop in the show. These include personalized tights,dress up costumes for her Halloween show, and a bedazzled towel, kiss marks, bodysuits, and two piece dresses seen in clips online. Special things like this made for the Short n’ Sweet tour influenced what Sabrina may need to earn back with ticket and merchandise sales.
Besides Carpenters' eye -catching choices in fashion, people were staring for another reason. Many parents and fans were angry that Sabrina was showing too much skin for her younger audience. Some fans shared how uncomfortable they were online or that they were worried Sabrina would influence young listeners in a bad way.
Sabrinas performance of “Juno” also caught people's attention. People online shared that the performance might be inappropriate for children or uncomfortable to anyone in the audience. The performance contains a sequence showing Carpenter from “the back” in which you can see decorative underwear over her leggings. Many parents were taken back by this, as well as fans who felt they saw a little too much of a show.
Even though Sabrina has gotten all of this criticism, the Short n’ Sweet tour included positive sides. Sabrina has made around 1.5 million dollars so far, and about a million on Espresso, which was released as a single before its release on the album.
Many fans who enjoyed her outfits on the tour have begun to recreate some of them online, and others posted their experience on the tour to be positive overall with a unique vibe.
However, according to critics online say the set was all over the place, songs did not transition smoothly, and there were some issues on set, including audio and microphone failures, and other audience critiques. Is the Short n’ Sweet tour really worth it?
The Game, 20 Years Later
by Romelo Thompson 11/7/2024
Spoiler Alert! Photo from Wikimedia Commons
It has been 20 years since John Kramer, Jigsaw, hit theatres. 20 years of games played spanning across 11 films. 20 years since Tobin Bell, Cary Elwes, Leigh Whannell, and Shawnee Smith debuted on the then indie film, Saw. 20 years of growing the franchise and placing the Jigsaw puppet amongst the top of lists for most legendary and iconic horror villains. With its most recent film release in 2023, SAW is back with a rerelease of the iconic first film made in 2004 to celebrate its 20th anniversary.
SAW (2004) starts with two men awake after being kidnapped and captured by the hands of a mysterious killer. as one of the men, Lawrence Gordon, turns on the lights, they see they are held captive in a dilapidated bathroom, chained to the exposed pipes in the walls. Featuring all the bathroom essentials, a bathroom, a sink, a two-way mirror, and a dead body on the floor with a gun in one hand and a cassette player in the other.
After the other man, Adam, finds a cassette tape in his back pocket, he reaches for the cassette player and begins the tape. A mysterious voice clicks on and explains the game to Adam: to escape the room alive by 6 pm.
By this time. Lawrence has a clue, listening to the tape again and recognising a coughing pattern, one that belonged to one of his patients, John Kramer. Lawrence further elaborates that he had been a prime suspect for one of Jigsaw’s previous games, as his pen was on the scene.
Then, the story goes into its subplot, following a girl named Amanda Young, as she explains her experience with Jigsaw. She explains her trial, being strapped to a chair with the Reverse Bear Trap installed, “A device that’s looked to you upper and lower jaws, and once activated will permanently rip your mouth open.” (Wan, 2004) and the only way to get the key is to cut open her “dead” cellmate, as she was kidnapped to begin with for being a drug addict.
However, her cellmate isn't dead, but extremely sedated as the camera pans to his eyes, moving around right before she begins to hack and cleave at his stomach, crying profusely.
She finds the key and removes the trap right before it goes off, one of the franchise's most iconic moments. Amanda and the Reverse Bear Trap appear as the franchise's iconic duo in the following films, advertisements, and video games. Amanda is featured in the asymmetrical horror survival game Dead by Daylight in her role as a killer known as “The Pig,” where one of her powers involves using the Reverse Bear Trap.
Returning to the main plot, John goes after all of those who are “ungrateful of their lives,” the scumbags of society, and to John, he isn’t a murderer at all, but someone who offers “reawakenings” and “salvation”. As John repeats throughout the movie, “Many are ungrateful to be alive, not you, not anymore.”.
Kramer’s philosophical perspective on what he does keeps the balance between nonsensical gorefest and proper horror film. But as Adam and Lawrence waste time, it is 6 pm before they know it. Out of desperation, Lawrence uses a hacksaw found earlier in the movie to saw off his foot connected to the chains, crawling to Adam, queasily reassuring him that he would find help, but it is too late.
Zepp, who had been monitoring them, was revealed earlier in the film as an assistant at the same hospital Lawrence worked at, busted into the room and prepared to kill them both after failing to kill Lawrence’s wife and daughter, which was his game from Jigsaw. Adam kills Zepp with the lid of a toilet as Lawrence crawls away, managing to live.
On the other hand, the movie's final plot twist is revealed as the dead body in the middle of the bathroom at the beginning of the film was John Kramer all along, hinted by subtle foreshadowing earlier in the film. Adam attempts to shoot John but is electrocuted, and left on the floor.
“The key to those chains are in the bathtub,” John says, but as the viewer knows, those keys had gone down the bathtub drain at the beginning of the movie. As John shuts off the lights, Adam screams for his life.
“Game over,” John says, shutting the door as the film cuts to black screams, becoming more distant.
Saw was a smash hit at the box office, completely reinventing the horror genre, by straying away from the typical slasher or monster films popular then. Instead, Saw pushes the limits of human nature and the horror of human instincts as people are forced to reach into the darkest part of their souls to live.
SAW (2004) starts with two men awake after being kidnapped and captured by the hands of a mysterious killer. as one of the men, Lawrence Gordon, turns on the lights, they see they are held captive in a dilapidated bathroom, chained to the exposed pipes in the walls. Featuring all the bathroom essentials, a bathroom, a sink, a two-way mirror, and a dead body on the floor with a gun in one hand and a cassette player in the other.
After the other man, Adam, finds a cassette tape in his back pocket, he reaches for the cassette player and begins the tape. A mysterious voice clicks on and explains the game to Adam: to escape the room alive by 6 pm.
By this time. Lawrence has a clue, listening to the tape again and recognising a coughing pattern, one that belonged to one of his patients, John Kramer. Lawrence further elaborates that he had been a prime suspect for one of Jigsaw’s previous games, as his pen was on the scene.
Then, the story goes into its subplot, following a girl named Amanda Young, as she explains her experience with Jigsaw. She explains her trial, being strapped to a chair with the Reverse Bear Trap installed, “A device that’s looked to you upper and lower jaws, and once activated will permanently rip your mouth open.” (Wan, 2004) and the only way to get the key is to cut open her “dead” cellmate, as she was kidnapped to begin with for being a drug addict.
However, her cellmate isn't dead, but extremely sedated as the camera pans to his eyes, moving around right before she begins to hack and cleave at his stomach, crying profusely.
She finds the key and removes the trap right before it goes off, one of the franchise's most iconic moments. Amanda and the Reverse Bear Trap appear as the franchise's iconic duo in the following films, advertisements, and video games. Amanda is featured in the asymmetrical horror survival game Dead by Daylight in her role as a killer known as “The Pig,” where one of her powers involves using the Reverse Bear Trap.
Returning to the main plot, John goes after all of those who are “ungrateful of their lives,” the scumbags of society, and to John, he isn’t a murderer at all, but someone who offers “reawakenings” and “salvation”. As John repeats throughout the movie, “Many are ungrateful to be alive, not you, not anymore.”.
Kramer’s philosophical perspective on what he does keeps the balance between nonsensical gorefest and proper horror film. But as Adam and Lawrence waste time, it is 6 pm before they know it. Out of desperation, Lawrence uses a hacksaw found earlier in the movie to saw off his foot connected to the chains, crawling to Adam, queasily reassuring him that he would find help, but it is too late.
Zepp, who had been monitoring them, was revealed earlier in the film as an assistant at the same hospital Lawrence worked at, busted into the room and prepared to kill them both after failing to kill Lawrence’s wife and daughter, which was his game from Jigsaw. Adam kills Zepp with the lid of a toilet as Lawrence crawls away, managing to live.
On the other hand, the movie's final plot twist is revealed as the dead body in the middle of the bathroom at the beginning of the film was John Kramer all along, hinted by subtle foreshadowing earlier in the film. Adam attempts to shoot John but is electrocuted, and left on the floor.
“The key to those chains are in the bathtub,” John says, but as the viewer knows, those keys had gone down the bathtub drain at the beginning of the movie. As John shuts off the lights, Adam screams for his life.
“Game over,” John says, shutting the door as the film cuts to black screams, becoming more distant.
Saw was a smash hit at the box office, completely reinventing the horror genre, by straying away from the typical slasher or monster films popular then. Instead, Saw pushes the limits of human nature and the horror of human instincts as people are forced to reach into the darkest part of their souls to live.
A Killer Christmas Movie
Trigger warning: mentions of death, child endangerment, animal cruelty, and extreme violence
by Kierra Crawford 11/7/2024
Photo from DeviantArt (Creative Commons)
Milk, cookies, and… murder? These aren’t your typical holiday necessities, but they will be for this year. On Oct. 11, Art the clown starred in his newest film ‘Terrifier 3 ’. Terrifier 3 is a supernatural slasher film starring Lauren Lavera as Sienna Shaw, the final girl and David Howard Thorton as Art the Clown, the main villain.
The film's opening scene depicts the main antagonist as Santa adding the holiday feel in a Christmas setting, before leaving off where the second film ended. After the short recap the film jumps in time to five years after Terrifier 2, to follow Sienna Shaw’s recovery after her attack from Art the Clown and how it has affected her since as he hunts her down once again.
The film dives into the real life trauma, which is portrayed in two different ways by the Shaw siblings (Lauren LaVera and Elliot Fullam), It also demonstrates supernatural horror through Art the Clown and Victoria Hayes. However, this is not what made the film blow up upon its release.
Terrifier 3’s kills contain extreme gore and graphic contents. This includes torturing victims before they die, including but not limited to: cannibalism, kidnapping, child abuse, assault and battery, animal cruelty, arson, etc.
The final act in the film had a scene with rats so graphic that Thorton almost threw up on set. This scene, along with a few others, caught the attention of audience members and critics on the internet. Many reports of people fainting or leaving the theater were made, including reports of paramedics on standby near theaters.
Many thought even though the kills were unique and different, they were too much to put into film. In countries such as Canada, the film has already received the NC-17 rating. Some netizens believe the terrifier films have no plot because of this, and many people also felt that because there are child deaths in the film, it was taken too far.
The plot of the film can be overshadowed by kills in the movie, especially if they are graphic for the viewer; however, the plot carries off from the first two films. When paying attention closely or on a second watch of the movie, the final act has a lot of lore to add to Art the Clown and Sienna, including on how they are connected using religious imagery.
Fans of the first two installments will enjoy this continuation of the story and seeing new unique kills. Art is quickly becoming the Ghostface or the Jason Voorhees of this generation as ‘Terrifier 4’ is already in the works. Which is set up perfectly with the cliffhanger left at the end of Terrifier 3. Director Damien Leone stated in an interview during the Nightmare Weekend event that after four or five films the Terrifier saga will come to a close.
With the saga ending in such a small amount of films will viewers get an explanation to the whole story or will they continue to get small bits as the films have been doing? Fans online have begun to theorize for the next film and how the plot will expand. Some questions people begin to ask include: ‘what is Art's real identity?’ ‘What happened to Sienna’s dad?’ ‘Where did Gabby go?’ ‘How are Art and Sienna really connected’
As this movie gains more popularity and new fans, it also has its haters: people who think the movie is too graphic or that the director should be canceled. Despite the opinions, we know for sure viewers will get terrified.
The film's opening scene depicts the main antagonist as Santa adding the holiday feel in a Christmas setting, before leaving off where the second film ended. After the short recap the film jumps in time to five years after Terrifier 2, to follow Sienna Shaw’s recovery after her attack from Art the Clown and how it has affected her since as he hunts her down once again.
The film dives into the real life trauma, which is portrayed in two different ways by the Shaw siblings (Lauren LaVera and Elliot Fullam), It also demonstrates supernatural horror through Art the Clown and Victoria Hayes. However, this is not what made the film blow up upon its release.
Terrifier 3’s kills contain extreme gore and graphic contents. This includes torturing victims before they die, including but not limited to: cannibalism, kidnapping, child abuse, assault and battery, animal cruelty, arson, etc.
The final act in the film had a scene with rats so graphic that Thorton almost threw up on set. This scene, along with a few others, caught the attention of audience members and critics on the internet. Many reports of people fainting or leaving the theater were made, including reports of paramedics on standby near theaters.
Many thought even though the kills were unique and different, they were too much to put into film. In countries such as Canada, the film has already received the NC-17 rating. Some netizens believe the terrifier films have no plot because of this, and many people also felt that because there are child deaths in the film, it was taken too far.
The plot of the film can be overshadowed by kills in the movie, especially if they are graphic for the viewer; however, the plot carries off from the first two films. When paying attention closely or on a second watch of the movie, the final act has a lot of lore to add to Art the Clown and Sienna, including on how they are connected using religious imagery.
Fans of the first two installments will enjoy this continuation of the story and seeing new unique kills. Art is quickly becoming the Ghostface or the Jason Voorhees of this generation as ‘Terrifier 4’ is already in the works. Which is set up perfectly with the cliffhanger left at the end of Terrifier 3. Director Damien Leone stated in an interview during the Nightmare Weekend event that after four or five films the Terrifier saga will come to a close.
With the saga ending in such a small amount of films will viewers get an explanation to the whole story or will they continue to get small bits as the films have been doing? Fans online have begun to theorize for the next film and how the plot will expand. Some questions people begin to ask include: ‘what is Art's real identity?’ ‘What happened to Sienna’s dad?’ ‘Where did Gabby go?’ ‘How are Art and Sienna really connected’
As this movie gains more popularity and new fans, it also has its haters: people who think the movie is too graphic or that the director should be canceled. Despite the opinions, we know for sure viewers will get terrified.
|
|
|
|
New Teachers
by Addison Peck
9/26/24
Each year, many new faces walk into Scottsbluff High School: freshman, new students, and new teachers. This year, a few unfamiliar faces are the new teachers: Theresa Ascherl, Regan Hodsden, and Alyssa Noble. Some young, new teachers are ready to dedicate their time to our education.
Ascherl is an English teacher raised in Tryon, Nebraska. She has always loved reading and writing, and she has a passion for others to find a love for it too. She pursued her undergrad degree at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. She enjoys spending her free time reading books and watching movies, spending time with her family, and being on her brother's boat on Lake Miniatre. She is deeply honored for the position and is ready for a great year!
Hodsden is an agriculture teacher from Mitchell, Nebraska. She grew up on a farm where her passion for agriculture developed. Her favorite things to help with lambing and calving season. During her high school years, she was an active member of the Morrill-Mitchell FFA chapter, competing in a variety of leadership and career development events. She will be joining Mr. Alan Held as an FFA advisor this year.
After graduating from Mitchel JR/Sr. High school, Hodsden pursued her studies in Animal Science at Colby Community College, where she ran cross country and track. After completing her master’s degree, she transferred to Fort Hays State University. She changed her major to agricultural education to align with both her passion for agriculture and love for teaching others. Throughout her academic journey, she continued to pursue her passion for running. Outside of teaching, one can find her helping out on her family’s farm, baking, or participating in outdoor activities.
Noble is a physical science teacher in the Freshman Academy as well as Wildlife Management. She is taking over for Rob Shoopman after he taught physical science for nine years in the freshman academy at the school. Noble is originally from Chadron. After graduating from high school she went on to attend the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. She has received a bachelor's degree in Fisheries and Wildlife, and a masters degree in Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education. She is very excited to be at Scottsbluff High School.
Each year starts a new chapter in each student and staff member's life. These three teachers and many others are ready for a great year.
Ascherl is an English teacher raised in Tryon, Nebraska. She has always loved reading and writing, and she has a passion for others to find a love for it too. She pursued her undergrad degree at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. She enjoys spending her free time reading books and watching movies, spending time with her family, and being on her brother's boat on Lake Miniatre. She is deeply honored for the position and is ready for a great year!
Hodsden is an agriculture teacher from Mitchell, Nebraska. She grew up on a farm where her passion for agriculture developed. Her favorite things to help with lambing and calving season. During her high school years, she was an active member of the Morrill-Mitchell FFA chapter, competing in a variety of leadership and career development events. She will be joining Mr. Alan Held as an FFA advisor this year.
After graduating from Mitchel JR/Sr. High school, Hodsden pursued her studies in Animal Science at Colby Community College, where she ran cross country and track. After completing her master’s degree, she transferred to Fort Hays State University. She changed her major to agricultural education to align with both her passion for agriculture and love for teaching others. Throughout her academic journey, she continued to pursue her passion for running. Outside of teaching, one can find her helping out on her family’s farm, baking, or participating in outdoor activities.
Noble is a physical science teacher in the Freshman Academy as well as Wildlife Management. She is taking over for Rob Shoopman after he taught physical science for nine years in the freshman academy at the school. Noble is originally from Chadron. After graduating from high school she went on to attend the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. She has received a bachelor's degree in Fisheries and Wildlife, and a masters degree in Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education. She is very excited to be at Scottsbluff High School.
Each year starts a new chapter in each student and staff member's life. These three teachers and many others are ready for a great year.
Dunkin' Daze
by Amalie Gutierrez
9/23/24
When Dunkin Donuts opened their doors on Monday, July 8, the city of Scottsbluff rushed to this new highly anticipated spot. Open daily from 5AM to 8PM the store is part of the 9,361 locations across the US, according to Locations Cloud.
Although Scottsbluff contains locations from the Starbucks and Scooter’s chains along with local donut shops, Dunkin brings a taste of something we don’t have. This has provided a lot of jobs, especially for high school students.
Senior Molly Stricker explains how she ended up going in for an interview after her mom sent her a Facebook post. She then became part of the first crew hire in the middle of June and has worked there since. There are twenty seven staff members with three different types of jobs: managers, crew members, and donut bakers.
“I like working there because of my co-workers. It doesn’t feel like working because I hit it off with one of my co-workers and we are really good friends outside of work,” Sticker said.
Customers have the option to go through the drive through or go inside, where they have a small seating area. After opening, lines were nearly out the door and the drive through was backed up all the way around the building.
“The biggest challenge of the job is handling rushes without getting behind and getting drinks out in our time frame,” explained Stricker.
Dunkin offers a wide variety of options besides donuts and coffee with beverages including, teas, refreshers, energy drinks, and hot chocolate.
“My favorite drink is a french vanilla toasted almond latte with almond milk and cold foam,” said Stricker.
As far as food, breakfast sandwiches, bagels, and muffins are on the menu, although they are well known for their wide and unique donut collection.
Stricker explains how her favorite donuts are the glazed chocolate or jelly munchkins.
It is easy to see that Dunkin has been very successful in the short amount of time it has been open. If you find yourself unsure what to get, there are options for everyone.
“My go-to order recommendation is either a caramel latte or the signature lattes, and if you’re looking for a non-coffee option, a mango pineapple refresher with lemonade,” stated Stricker.
If you haven't tried Dunkin, it is definitely worth the trip. You can try something from their fall lineup, such as a pumpkin spice latte or apple cider donut, or you can try one of the drink combinations viral on TikTok!
Although Scottsbluff contains locations from the Starbucks and Scooter’s chains along with local donut shops, Dunkin brings a taste of something we don’t have. This has provided a lot of jobs, especially for high school students.
Senior Molly Stricker explains how she ended up going in for an interview after her mom sent her a Facebook post. She then became part of the first crew hire in the middle of June and has worked there since. There are twenty seven staff members with three different types of jobs: managers, crew members, and donut bakers.
“I like working there because of my co-workers. It doesn’t feel like working because I hit it off with one of my co-workers and we are really good friends outside of work,” Sticker said.
Customers have the option to go through the drive through or go inside, where they have a small seating area. After opening, lines were nearly out the door and the drive through was backed up all the way around the building.
“The biggest challenge of the job is handling rushes without getting behind and getting drinks out in our time frame,” explained Stricker.
Dunkin offers a wide variety of options besides donuts and coffee with beverages including, teas, refreshers, energy drinks, and hot chocolate.
“My favorite drink is a french vanilla toasted almond latte with almond milk and cold foam,” said Stricker.
As far as food, breakfast sandwiches, bagels, and muffins are on the menu, although they are well known for their wide and unique donut collection.
Stricker explains how her favorite donuts are the glazed chocolate or jelly munchkins.
It is easy to see that Dunkin has been very successful in the short amount of time it has been open. If you find yourself unsure what to get, there are options for everyone.
“My go-to order recommendation is either a caramel latte or the signature lattes, and if you’re looking for a non-coffee option, a mango pineapple refresher with lemonade,” stated Stricker.
If you haven't tried Dunkin, it is definitely worth the trip. You can try something from their fall lineup, such as a pumpkin spice latte or apple cider donut, or you can try one of the drink combinations viral on TikTok!
The Joy of Play Pro
by Eleanora McPhail
9/23/24
SHS Varsity Play Production plans to bring a humorous and exciting production, The Seussification of Romeo and Juliet, to the stage. Two cast members of the show have a lot of exciting feelings about the show and overall Play Production Program.
Junior Lukas Matonte, plays Gregory in the varsity production. Matonte states they bring the “fighter” and “hostile” characterization needed for the role. Matonte dedicates a lot of time to thinking about the body language, speaking habits, and embodiment techniques for their role, even though the character has few speaking lines.
Matonte is excited about their role and states they’re very happy to be involved in this production. They enjoy the small amount of stress they feel while working on their character.
“It’s going fast! It’s really good” Matonte said.
These actors are very talented and exceed expectations in the development of their characters.
Senior Audi Sell is also in Seussification of Romeo and Juliet and plays Monk Larry.
“He’s a tired old monk from the Bronx who helps move along the story by helping the two lovebirds”.
“I try my best to give him a sort of bitter old man energy” Sell said.
Sell finds it easy because they are used to playing older characters, playing Agatha Trunchbull in the SHS musical Matilda and Miss Davenport in Square One for Play Production. Though Monk Larry wasn’t the role Sell auditioned for, they do find the silver lining.
Monk Larry, in Sell’s opinion, has “some of the funniest lines”.
It’s very encouraging that our students can move past their initial disappointment and jump into the character they were casted for.
Sell has been in the program since their freshman year! Students like Sell keep coming back every year. Sell has a lot of positive things to say about how the program has impacted them.
“It impacted me quite positively. Before joining Play Pro, I never was one for speaking roles before, but now I adore the spotlight and being able to flesh out my characters for people to watch” Sell said.
It is truly a beautiful development seeing students like Sell find themselves in the performing arts. Play production has provided students a second family with the connections being built and the amounts of time students dedicate to the program.
Both students interviewed speak very highly of the program and encourage others to join, Sell even said to “ask Muhr about the Davenparts”! Anyone who enjoys acting can find their second home in SHS Play Production.
Junior Lukas Matonte, plays Gregory in the varsity production. Matonte states they bring the “fighter” and “hostile” characterization needed for the role. Matonte dedicates a lot of time to thinking about the body language, speaking habits, and embodiment techniques for their role, even though the character has few speaking lines.
Matonte is excited about their role and states they’re very happy to be involved in this production. They enjoy the small amount of stress they feel while working on their character.
“It’s going fast! It’s really good” Matonte said.
These actors are very talented and exceed expectations in the development of their characters.
Senior Audi Sell is also in Seussification of Romeo and Juliet and plays Monk Larry.
“He’s a tired old monk from the Bronx who helps move along the story by helping the two lovebirds”.
“I try my best to give him a sort of bitter old man energy” Sell said.
Sell finds it easy because they are used to playing older characters, playing Agatha Trunchbull in the SHS musical Matilda and Miss Davenport in Square One for Play Production. Though Monk Larry wasn’t the role Sell auditioned for, they do find the silver lining.
Monk Larry, in Sell’s opinion, has “some of the funniest lines”.
It’s very encouraging that our students can move past their initial disappointment and jump into the character they were casted for.
Sell has been in the program since their freshman year! Students like Sell keep coming back every year. Sell has a lot of positive things to say about how the program has impacted them.
“It impacted me quite positively. Before joining Play Pro, I never was one for speaking roles before, but now I adore the spotlight and being able to flesh out my characters for people to watch” Sell said.
It is truly a beautiful development seeing students like Sell find themselves in the performing arts. Play production has provided students a second family with the connections being built and the amounts of time students dedicate to the program.
Both students interviewed speak very highly of the program and encourage others to join, Sell even said to “ask Muhr about the Davenparts”! Anyone who enjoys acting can find their second home in SHS Play Production.
