1. the
ECHOES
Scottsbluff High School | March 31, 2011 | Volume 94 | Issue 8
SHS welcomes
bigg
Milt
aka Milton Creagh,
a different kind of
motivational speaker | pg. 3
[ ] Student-ran concert set to benefit
victims of child sex-trafficking | pg. 11
Boys’ soccer team looking to defend
district title, go to state | pg. 16

2. Administration monitoring student reading with reading logs BRIEFLYg
s pe akin
story by In addition, it gives the adminis- reading stamina when it comes to
SCOUT WILSON | news editor tration an idea on how long it actually reading tests. Students are used to the
does take for students to read assign- technological world of information Prom Hollywood Nights
With reading scores lower than the ments and if classroom activities need briefs and when it comes to sustained Prom is coming up soon. Tickets
state average for last year’s juniors, to be adjusted accordingly. reading, students don’t have the pa- are $12 per person and will go on sale
this year’s seniors, the administration “We have a lot of faith in our tience,” Porter said. the week of prom. This year’s Prom
has taken another step to improving students. We hope based on students’ “To get students to read, we need will be April 9 at the Hampton Inn
“
from 9 p.m. to 12 a.m.
student reading: the introduction of want of reading better they will be to find out what their interests are and This year’s theme is “Hollywood
reading logs to the weekly agenda of truthful,” Porter said. make those topics available,” Porter Nights,” so come and enjoy a night of
homeroom. said. “The library is going to find dancing with your friends!
The reading logs are set up to
be a weekly occurrence for years to
To get students to read, we high interest books, along with
teachers bringing something
come, which will give students the need to find out what their to read other than text books to Bearcats make waves
at district, state
”
opportunity to track their reading
interests are and make create conversation topics with
over the years and try to improve.
“The vocabulary we issue to those topics available.
teachers.”
Porter believes the school speech competitions
homerooms to go over is a strategy system needs to teach students
we are taking to improve reading -Principal Rick Porter how to read different types of
This year at district speech, the
Bearcats placed second to Kearney
by getting students to understand text, such as text books, manu- in the team standings and qualified
words in context,” Principal Rick The Nebraska State Accountability als, newspaper, and leisure reading seven speakers for the state contest
Porter said. Reading Assessment for last year’s because each takes a different type of in Kearney.
Senior Nick Roussel placed first in
Along with student reading logs, juniors for Class B ranks Scottsbluff 21 concentration.
Serious Prose and first in Duet Acting
teachers are also keeping a log. Teach- out of 26 with a score of 62.90. Porter has also considered requir- with senior Tyler Webber. Webber
ers are recording on their logs how This score made the School ing students to carry a book around also placed second in Humorous
long certain assignments should take Improvement/Data Team decide to with them as their hall pass and as a Prose.
to read, giving the administration a require weekly reading logs to en- conversation starter, to get students Senior Sara Frederick placed
third in Serious Prose and first in
way to check how honest students are courage students to read. more involved with teachers on a
Oral Interpretation of Poetry. Senior
filling out their logs. “One problem we have is students’ literary level. Madelin Parsley placed fourth in
Persuasive Speaking.
Senior Victoria Bravo and sopho-
Drill team wins state more Derrick Goss placed first and
second in Entertainment Speaking,
respectively. Bravo teamed up with
again, performs senior Kirby Thornton to take fourth
in Duet Acting.
well at nationals
A top-4 place at districts guaran-
tees a spot at the state competition,
so, two weeks later, Roussel, Webber,
Frederick, Parsley, Bravo, Thornton,
and Goss traveled to the University
of Nebraska at Kearney for the state
meet.
The Bearcats made waves at the
competition, where they compete in
Class A against Omaha and Lincoln
schools, some with more than triple
the number of students of Scotts-
bluff.
Roussel and Webber won in
Duet Acting, Roussel won in Serious
ALL Senior Danni Becker performs the state routine Prose, Frederick placed third in Seri-
SMILES
and helps the drill team capture first at state in ous Prose, and Goss placed sixth in
the high kick division. Photo by Gordon Rock
Entertainment Speaking.
Overall, the Bearcats tied for third
with Lincoln North Star high school
story by have to be here at 6:45 every morn- elated. We hadn’t seen any of the with 66 points, behind runners-
RYAN MEISTER | news writer ing,” drill team coach Angie Hinze other teams so we had no idea what up Millard North High School and
champions Lincoln East High School.
said. to expect,” Hinze said.
On Feb. 19, fourteen Bearcat A unique part of the Nebraska After winning state, the drill team Great job, speech team!
women - armed with tights, French state cheer and dance competition is had one more big competition on their
State DECA
braids, bright red lipstick and seven that there is no lead-up. There are no plate: nationals.
months of rigorous practice - hopped other competitive events until state. “Nationals this year was in Or-
on a bus headed for the Heartland The competition began four years lando, FL, and we competed in the
Events Center in Grand Island. ago, and the drill team has won the high kick division once again,” Hinze Scottsbluff DECA enjoyed an
outstanding year, winning in fifteen
Two days later, those fourteen girls high kick division every year. How- said.
events and qualifying thirty-six
were back on the bus with yet another ever, no matter how new, the competi- The team of fourteen girls, ten new members for the International Con-
state championship under their sus- tion is still fierce. and four returning, recorded the high- ference in Orlando.
penders and pom-poms. This year, the drill team once again est score in school history at nationals, There were eight first place win-
The drill team’s fourth consecutive won the high kick division. placing sixth in the small varsity high- ners, twenty-one second place win-
state championship was not easily But the good times did not stop kick division. ners and three thrid place winners.
won, however. there as they scored third out of 118 After competing against schools Three members were also Ne-
“These girls practice incredibly all-class teams, losing only to Oma- from across the nation with at least 22 braska DECA Scholarship Winners:
hard; they practice five days a week ha’s Millard West and Millard South different states represented, the girls Hattie Guzman, Meghan Pritchard,
2 | NEWS all year round. They High Schools. returned home to begin the whole and John Haslam.
“When we won our division I was process over for next year.

3. Motivational speaker enlightens students
story by and well, stupid, really,” freshman “It meant a lot to me that he talked how he actually cared and was pas-
RYAN MEISTER | news writer Sarah Mercer-Smith said. “But he about drugs and alcohol because sionate about the things he said.”
amazed me. By the end of the assem- many people in my life are affected by “I was shocked by some of the
For a minute, junior Michael Miller bly I actually felt ‘enlightened’.” that,” junior Courtney Imel said. “It statistics he brought up dealing with
thought he was in Alcatraz. “The speaker was amazing. I was motivating to me that he empha- abuse and drug and alcohol use. Also
Every escape route was blocked loved the fact of how straightforward sized the point that you are respon- some of the stories he brought up
by a stern-looking teacher bent on he was - he didn’t sugar coat any- sible for making your own person were pretty eye opening,” junior War-
keeping all 807 teenagers penned in thing,” freshman Niki Anderson said. and your circumstances don’t matter ren Eubanks said.
the freezing auditorium for the next The primary focus of Creagh’s talk as long as you have heart and work In the end it was Creagh’s deliv-
two hours. was about avoiding drugs and alcohol hard.” ery and the powerful content of his
With no way out, Miller resigned use. Although the primary focus of speech that won the student audience
himself and joined the masses filtering “He made all of us realize that the talk was about drugs and alcohol over.
into the auditorium. we, and all of our friends, have been avoidance, Creagh addressed other “I was extremely surprised at how
Two hours later, as he exited the affected in some way by drugs and life issues. quiet the entire auditorium was when
room, Miller was glad staff had forced alcohol,” junior Josh Lever said. “Sometimes I felt like I was alone he paused; you would have been able
he and his classmates to spend time “I didn’t realize how many lives with all the stuff in my life, but when to hear a pin drop,” junior Crystal
listening to the message of motiva- have been affected by drugs and he had us stand up for all the issues Chacon said.
tional speaker Milton Creagh. alcohol,” junior Josh Pilkington said. in our life. I no longer felt like I was “I thought the speaker was awe-
Miller wasn’t the only one who “I would have never thought that a battling the right alone,” junior Yadira some. He was very inspirational and
thought a two-hour assembly was go- small town could be so widely af- Gurrola said. I believe he touched many of the
ing to be boring. fected; it really changed my perspec- “I liked how he didn’t beat around students’ lives,” senior Kasaundra
“When I heard about a two-hour tive on how common these problems the bush and just told it like it was,” Klein said.
assembly I thought it would be boring really are.” junior Kevin Stewart said. I also liked
Homeroom skipping
has consequences
Pollution: is there a solution?
Science classes get down and dirty to expose pollution on SHS campus Administration cracks down on homeroom skipping, particularly seniors
story by “I was suspecting this amount story by Lunch detentions, detention after
RYAN MEISTER | news writer of garbage from the beginning, the SCOUT WILSON | news editor school, and Saturday detention are
worst was the kids coming back from some of those consequences for stu-
On March third, students walked the parking lots and there were even “We are a school of privileges and dents not abiding by the school rules.
into the school to be greeted by an more places we couldn’t get to,” Hab- those privileges can be taken away,” Though many students express
ugly surprise: trash everywhere. erman said. was Principal Rick Porter’s response disapproval of homeroom, adminis-
In the commons there was a This is easily explainable by the to the problem of many students, and trators have no intention of removing
shocking display of all the piles of reports of students simply opening particularly seniors, skipping home- it.
litter picked up by Mrs. Habermans their car doors and dumping all of the room. “Homeroom is here to stay as the
environmental science class. trash out into the parking lot. Just like any other rule one breaks, district judges have agreed that home-
In 20 short minutes the classroom This presents a problem at the there are going to be consequences for room is counted towards a student’s
was filled with heaping piles of trash. school but does not solve it. skipping homeroom. curricular activities,” Porter said.
“We were studying oceans, par- “One of the first questions I asked For this year’s seniors, the conse- The possibility of homeroom
ticularly plastics, and we went out to my students when we got back was quences are the same as they were disappearing would result in that
do a campus survey and pick it up to how we could change this and they last year, i.e. seniors could be faced time added to the classroom time, not
see what was out there,” Haberman had some interesting ideas.” Haber- with the possibility of not having the lunch.
said. man said. privilege to walk at the graduation “If homeroom was taken away,
Most of the trash left on school With the simplest ideas being add- ceremony. we could alter the periods of the
campus gets washed down storm ing more trash receptacles, to more se- Along with this is the possibility day and have five periods, requiring
drains leading to North Platte vere punishments of closing campus stripping prom priviliges - though students to take ten courses a semes-
River which eventually dumps into if it doesn’t get better. seniors may not know it, it is a loom- ter. Another option could be creating
larger rivers and finally ends up in the Littering and pollution not only ing possibility to encourage seniors to a 45 minute study hall at the end of
ocean. destroys the environment of the cam- attend homeroom. the day for all grade students who are
The amount of trash brought many pus, but adds to the destruction of the The same consequences of being failing a class,” Porter said.
students to reality about the condition world environment. tardy or absent during a class count
of our campus. for homeroom as well.
NEWS | 3

4. Here to Sophomore Simon Deng
In China, “When he first got here Simon was
stay
students have almost too compliant and you could
to take a test to tell that those behaviors had definitely
comes to the U.S. and
move on to the come from his strict upbringing in
next level. The China, but American culture has worn
exam is done by on him and he has become a little bit
learns the culture of
individual cities lazy sometimes,” Aaberg said.
to determine For Vidlak and his three young
the brightest sons, the biggest adjustment of having
America
students to Simon in their home was the lan-
story by send to the best guage.
RACHEL CLEMENS | feature writer schools. “It was pretty hard to understand
“In middle him at first, but the boys really enjoy
After living in the United States Worden’s have parental rights to him.
school in China they give a competi- having Simon around. They think
for only a year and a half, sophomore They are predominately responsible
tive test. In Simon’s home city 30,000 he is fun. Simon likes to try to cook
Simon Deng knows he still has a lot to for Simon in America.
8th graders took the test and Simon Chinese food sometimes which is an
learn about culture in America. “It is very different living with an
placed third out of 30, 000,” Aaberg adventure. He is a really nice kid,”
But there is one thing he is sure American family. I had a hard time
said. Vidlak said.
about; he is here to stay. understanding English when I first
Another piece of the American The rigors of his academic sched-
When Deng first arrived in got here. Americans speak too fast
puzzle that has helped Simon adjust ule in China have also been an adjust-
November 2009, Deng lived with and I can’t follow them,” Deng said.
has been sports. ment Simon has had to make.
his relatives, the Chan’s, until they Deng has had to make many ad-
“Sports have been very good for Because Simon’s schedule in the
moved to Rock Springs, WY, at the justments since he moved to America.
Simon; the more social interaction the states isn’t as rigorous, he has had to
end of the summer in 2010. The most difficult has been mastering
faster he learns the language,” Aaberg learn how to manage his free time.
In November 2009, Deng began the the English language and the change
“
said. “He is still working on the balance
journey of moving to America with in educational systems.
between his school responsibilities
his parents. In China,
and what he does in his free time,”
His parents wanted to get into the Deng went to
Living here has
restaurant business here, and maybe
work at or take over the Wonderful
House restaurant.
Back in their hometown, Jiangmen,
China, Deng’s dad worked as a chef at
a well-known restaurant.
school from 7
a.m. to 10 p.m.
on Mondays
through Satur-
days.
“We go to
changed my
mind to think that
America is better
than China.
“ Aaberg said.
Simon’s experience in America has
changed what he thinks about the
country.
Stereotypically, before arriving in
America, he assumed Americans were
extremely lazy.
As it turned out, however, the school longer -Simon Deng, 10 Simon said he still believes
Wonderful House wasn’t what they than Americans
Americans are lazy compared to their
were looking for, so Deng’s parents and we have
Chinese counterparts. He has found,
moved to Memphis, TN, to work in a more subjects to do every day. We live
Deng has appreciated the many however, that Americans are better
restaurant there. at school for six days a week. We go
people who have helped him adjust to people individually than he previ-
Deng wanted to stay in Scottsbluff home Saturday night and go back to
America. ously thought.
since he was already established and school Sunday night,” Deng said.
Those who have been especially “America has changed me a lot. It
had made many friends. At Deng’s school in China, he had
helpful have been the Worden family, has made me think a lot of stuff about
Jamie Worden, a local judge and eleven classes total, eight in one day.
Aaberg, John Vidlak, the Chan family, the different social aspects of America
father of sophomore Luke Worden, His schedule included Chinese, math,
and his friends. and China and changed my mind
had gotten to know Deng and wanted English, physics, chemistry, biology,
“Mr. Aaberg has helped me with to think that America is better than
to help him out. Worden asked his geography, business, music, and art.
speaking, listening and writing in China,” Deng said.
neighbor, John Vidlak, who works in Simon’s passion in the classroom is
English, and teaching me the things I Although Deng loves America, he
the radiology department at Regional math and he wants to go to Harvard
want to know and things I shouldn’t plans to go back to China for vaca-
West; if he had room for Deng. Vidlak and become a math professor.
do in the school,” Deng said. tions and to visit his friends and fam-
had an extra bedroom for him to stay Deng’s math prowess is obvious
Aaberg has seen a lot of changes in ily. He has a sixteen year old sister
in, and agreed to take him in. not only here, but also when he was
Simon since he arrived in America. living in China.
Although Simon lives with Vidlak, in China.
Around the world
.Scottsbluff
.
L.A. .Las Vegas
Guangzhou .
4 | FEATURE

5. Getting their
Laucomer has also acquired his
own skills.
“I’ve learned how to be more
involved with other people, too,” Lau-
comer said.
WINGS
Learning social skills and how to
be involved with others also lead to
making some great friends in Scouts.
“I’ve kept a lot of friends. I started
early so a lot of people that have
graduated I still keep in touch with,
and I’ve also met some pretty interest-
ing people through it,” Lake said.
Now that they have accomplished
their goals of earning Eagle Scout
rank, both boys have the chance to
relax when it comes to Scouts.
Boy Scouts receive the hardest “I’m not as involved now as I used
to be,” Laucomer admits. “Mostly be-
cause all of the older people I used to
rank, Eagle, and soar with their hang out with have already left. Now
there are just a lot of new Scouts that I
new wings in the community
don’t really know.”
Although Scouts is coming to an
end for both boys, they will never
forget the memories and experiences
they have learned over the years.
story by the 5th grade. For Lake, it took seven knot tying, wood working, leather “It’s extremely rewarding to say
ASHLEIGH SMITH| feature writer years to earn his Eagle, and for Lau- work, social citizenship in the world that you went through every rank and
comer, five years. type of stuff. I’ve done a lot of badges finished. It was hard, but I wouldn’t
After five long years of waiting,
With it being so difficult, how ex- so I’ve learned quite a bit,” Lake change it for the world,” Lake said.
the time was finally here. Sophomore
actly does one earn their Eagle badge? explained.
Lane Laucomer’s palms were sweat-
BADGES
ing and his head was spinning as he It all starts with joining a Boy
stared back at a panel of judges and Scout group. From there, the goal is to
leaders, all of whom were waiting to move up the ranks by earning merit
evaluate his worthiness. Laucomer badges – you must have a minimum
was about to find out if he’d finally of 21 badges to reach Eagle Scout
reached his long awaited goal of status. When the time comes to earn
becoming an Eagle Scout. the Eagle, one must present a service
Eagle Scout is the highest rank project in front of judges and also a
group of Scout masters.
achievable in the Boy Scouts of
A service project is any effort or de-
World crest
America program. It’s extremely hon-
velopment that the boys work to im- Pioneering emblem
orable and hard to achieve; the rank is
only achieved by about four percent prove their community by. Lake chose badge
of scouts. However, SHS is the holder to put up informational posters at the
of many Eagle Scouts; two being Lane county fairgrounds this summer, and
Laucomer did some landscaping and
Laucomer and Terrance Lake.
renovation at his church. While this First aid badge
Very little Scouts become Eagles
because of the long process that may sound simple, both boys had to
requires dedication and time commit- put a lot of time and effort into the
ment. projects. Eagle
“It was difficult to get my eagle. It Of course, hard work deserves Personal fitness rank
some fun. Lake and Laucomer have
was mostly just persistence and stay-
traveled, camped, and had many
badge patch
ing with it because once you’re 18 you
can no longer get your Eagle Scout if good times at Scouts, too.
you haven’t already. Plus once you hit “Summer camp is definitely my fa-
high school it’s really hard to make vorite. My father and I both go up; it’s
meetings anymore. High school takes a week of just hanging out and doing Environmental
stuff like canoeing and then working
up a lot of your time outside of school
on five or six badges that you work on
science badge
too, so even on weekends it’s hard to
continue and stay active,” Lake said. for about half the day,” Lake said.
Both Laucomer and Lake were After all was said and done, Lake
encouraged by their parents to join and Laucomer completed all of the
Scouts, and it was their parents and steps to successfully earn their Eagle Personal finance
Scout masters who helped them con- – meaning all of the hard work and badge
tinue till the end. dedication had paid off. Both boys
“My dad and my mom have for agree that it was worth all of the ef-
sure helped me. My scout masters and fort. Not only was earning their Eagle
rewarding – they’ve also learned
them always pushed me every step
countless essential life skills.
Camping badge
to keep going and stick with it,” Lake
“I’ve learned anything from first
5
admits.
Both boys started Boy Scouts in aid, compass work, gps, geocaching,
FEATURE |

6. March
Cat Calendar 11th- GSO/BSO VAR @ Torrington- 3/5pm
31st- SP NFL National Qualifier Inv. @ 12th- BGO JV @ Mitchell Inv.- 9am
Cheyenne (LCCC) GSO JV & VAR vs Chey. Central- 3/5pm
SHS Musical- 7pm BSO JV & VAR @ Chey. Cnetral- 3/5pm
April GTN JV @ Alliance Dual- 4pm
1st- April Fools Day 13th- GTN A Kearney Catholic & Kearney @
SHS Musical-7pm Kearney- 1:30/4pm
GTN @ North Platte Inv. - 9:30am 14th- BGO@ Hastings Inv.- 9am
2nd- GTR/BTR VAR @ North Platte Buffalo GTN @ Lexington Inv.- 10am
Bill Inv. -12:15pm GSO/BSO JV & VAR vs Newcastle- 3:30/
SHS Musical- 7pm 5:30pm
4th- GSO/BSO VAR vs Lexington & Grand 16th- GTR/BTR JV & VAR @ Alliance Inv.
Island NW @ N. Platte- 11am 8:30am
5th-BGO JV & VAR @ Sidney Inv. - 9am GSO JV & VAR A Sterling- 10am
GSO/BSO 9-10th JV vs Cheyenne BSO JV & VAR vs G.I. Central Catholic-
Cental- 3/5pm 11am/ 1:30pm
GTN JV & VAR vs Alliance- 4pm 17th- Palm Sunday
7th- GSO/BSO JV & VAR vs Gering - 3/5pm 19th- High School District Cal & Band
8th- GTR/BTR VAR @ Cheyenne Okie Contest WNCC-TBA
Blanchard- 11am 20th- GTN VAR vs Gillette- 4pm
GSO/BSO VAR GNAC @ N. Platte- TBA 21st- GTN-SHS Inv.- 9am
9th- ACT Testing GTR/BTR VAR- West Ne Twilight-12:30pm
GTN JV vs Sterling Dual- 11am GSO/BSO JV & VAR vs Torrington- 3/5pm
PROM- 9pm
The CAT CALENDAR is brought to you by the
SCOTTSBLUFF BOOSTER CLUB

7. Varsity athletes
and
the
eChOes
PhysiCal eDUCatiON
staff
editor-in-chief | KariN sheDD
news editor | sCOUt WilsON
Is it really necessary for America’s finest high school athletes to take PE classes? news writer | ryaN Meister
A
nyone who pays even receive diplomas without sweating it the high school athletes? Is forcing
the slightest modicum out in a PE class for at least a semester them to burn off calories along with feature editor | MeGhaN PritCharD
of attention to American during their high school careers. their not-so-athletically-inclined peers feature writer | raChel CleMeNs
society has heard the “shocking” and While the intentions behind necessary, or even fair?
feature writer | ashleiGh sMith
“staggering” statistics concerning the mandatory PE classes are all well and According to the Nebraska Depart-
average citizen’s expanding waistline. good - considering that one in three ment of Education, it is. They require center section editor | GaBrielle CarliN
“Two-thirds of Americans are every NE student to sweat through
center section writer | ethaN hUGhes
overweight, and one-third are medi-
cally obese.”
The views expressed two semesters of PE to receive a
diploma, and participation in a
entertainment editor | rUssell MOrGaN
“Between 1980 and 2000, obesity in this editorial were school-sponsored sports season is not
rates doubled among adults and chil- justification for waiving this require- entertainment writer | ViCtOria BraVO
dren and tripled among teenagers.” supported 15-0 by ment.
sports editor | Kelsey eMPFielD
“Obesity is causing a drastic rise
in the number of reported cases of
The Echoes staff However, save for maybe one or
two school sports, one season of the sports writer | MaDDie hOlsCher
Type 2 diabetes, once thought to only type of high-intensity daily activity
affect adults, in children as young as children in the United States are over- mandated by football, swimming, sports writer | MiChael Miller
twelve.” weight or obese, physical fitness is not track and field, etc. is sure to be more
ad manager | Casey siGrist
In order to combat this epidemic, an idea to be cavalierly brushed aside effective at maintaining the health of
Americans turned to the nation’s - all the focus and hype surrounding young people than a semester of a PE adviser | terry PitKiN
schools. Currently, 36 states require the health of school-age Americans class.
The Echoes is a tri-weekly publica-
physical education (PE) for elemen- has left one glaring question unan- That being said, we here at The
tion printed by the Business Farmer. The
tary students, 33 for middle school swered. Echoes believe that a better policy for Echoes is a member of the Nebraska
students, and 42 for high school What about the already-healthy the NE Department of Education to High School Press Association and the
students. This means that no stu- kids? adopt would be to equate the suc- International Order of the Quill and
dents living in any of these states will And, more notably, what about cessful completion of one season of Scroll.
The Echoes encourages readers to
varsity athletics to a semester of PE
write letters to the editor in response
class and to waive the PE requirement to a story, but does reserve the right to
Pregnant? for varsity athletes.
Besides, the adoption of such a pol-
icy would be a win-win: in a poll of 31
publish said letter.
The Echoes also encourages all
readers to submit their ideas for story
Think you might be? of Scottsbluff’s finest varsity athletes,
coverage, feedback on stories, and any
other input.
Birthright can HELP
only 7% said they would not take a The Echoes
PE class if given the option. 19% said Scottsbluff High School
they would take one, and a whopping 313 East 27th St.
FREE and Scottsbluff, NE 69361
74% would still take one or more PE
CONFIDENTIAL classes. PE teachers would lose only a
Letters with obscene, slanderous,
of Scottsbluff, Inc. libelous, or false information will not be
Pregnancy Test An International Pregnancy Service sparse few of their best students, and printed. The letter must also be signed
NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY those students would have the option to be run. Content may be edited due to
to pursue other interests. grammatical or content needs. A signed
Open Monday-Friday 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm Yes, America has an obesity prob- copy must be presented to the Scotts-
bluff High School journalism depart-
632-5866 lem - but high school’s varsity athletes
ment, room 130. Also, please check out
24-Hour Hotline 1-800-550-4900 are not part of it. The Echoes’ Facebook.com group and
10 East 17th Street • Scottsbluff, NE MySpace page online!
www.birthright.org
All School Year Long
Every 10th
student gets a
free lunch
Student Specials Anne Talbot, PsyD www.optionspsych.biz
Available
Mark Hald, PhD 2622 Avenue C.
2201 Broadway Alan Smith, PhD Scottsbluff, NE
Scottsbluff
Charlotte Ingram, LMHP, ATR 308- 632- 8547
632-3644 Georgia Nelson, LMHP

8. With over 640 million Facebook users worldwide
and over 95 million tweets written each day In the technology race, I’m still in the starting blocks
TECH.NO.LO.GY
in less than 100 years, mankind went from trillion texts were sent in 2008 in the United settings on the camera for my phone are.
commentary by two men flying a kite like craft for less than States alone. It’s actually so bad, that I was recently at a
Ethan 100 yards to comfortable 100 passenger cabins How about Y2K? People were going friend’s house and he had to show me where
hughEs | making 49,315 commercial flights daily, trav- AWOL because every computer was sup- the ‘X’ button was on the Xbox controller!
center section writer eling thousands of miles over seas and moun- posed to crash. People were stock piling That’s un-American for a teenage boy in
has taken over
tains, all fully equipped with satellite T.V. chlorinated water in order to survive like it today’s world!
We are in an age where everything Does anyone remember Pong? The one was the impending apocalypse! Don’t even get me started on my Droid.
needs to be fast: fast food, high speed inter- pixel game that could keep a generation en- Society relies too heavily on technology. I can call, text, take pictures and check my
net, Derrick Rose, etc. It seems like tech- tertained for hours. Now we have Call of Duty I’m like everyone else, I text and check my horoscope; that’s it, (although messing with
nology is at the forefront of our fast-paced that appears so real, it’s like you’re watching Facebook every day and get about an hour of the unlock pattern is fun).
society. a movie. T.V. in, but I could go without. I am very grateful for technology. It’s
A recent Best Buy commercial sums up It’s no wonder people have trouble adjust- I’m also not the most tech savvy guy either. wonderful for news, homework help or just
technology perfectly. As soon as the con- ing. I have trouble functioning on the new I’m still rocking my generation one iPod entertainment, but the bottom line is, in the
sumer buys the latest gadget, a better deal Microsoft Word. Nano. 100 yard dash, technology is taking a victory
hits the market. According to techcrunch.com 175 million For me, technology is moving a little too lap while I’m still in my starting blocks.
Technology can be hard to keep up with, people log onto Facebook daily and over a fast. I can get by, but I have no idea what the
In a world that thrives on
TECH.NO.LO.GY,
have relationships become less personal?
TE(a)CHNOLOGY
personal commentary by I could understand a small minority of even begin to keep track of it all. of doing on my own.
It is often said that technology is making relationships starting online, and I’m sure As soon as I get up in the morning, I turn While it worries me that technology is
each generation lazier.
gaBRIELLE CaRLIn Match.com and Eharmony have produced my cell phone alarm clock off and plug my suppressing our knowledge, it’s almost
“I think this generation is for the most Not too long ago, I was minding my own some solid relationships, but I find it hard to iPod into its dock. At school, I spend great more disturbing how less personal our
part very entitled. Most students want instant business, lounging around on my couch comprehend the allure of meeting someone deal of time on the computer typing these world has become.
Two teachers examine the use of technology in the
results without much effort. I don’t think I watching a little T.V, when an incredibly on the internet. columns or researching papers. I usually Instead of sitting down and writing a
would place all the blame on technology, but unnerving advertisement popped up on my It’s not just online dating either…it’s check Facebook every other day, flipping person a letter, we poke them on Facebook
it certainly has played a large part,” Ronne screen. the constant texting, online shopping, vast through the channels or watching a movie is a or type on their wall.
classroom and in their personal lives and show effects. The music tech class has
many current and ‘out of the box’ type proj-
said.
“Actually a lot of people are becoming
It was your typical I-met-the-man-of-my-
dreams-thanks-to-Match.com-commercial.
number of e-mails, and the huge popularity of
social media.
daily routine, and while all of this is going on
I’m constantly texting away and checking my
Instead of picking up the phone to talk
to someone or going to see them in person,
ects. For choir, students made their own radio more inactive out of their own choice, but Of course, I reached for my remote…but It seems to me that technology is making email on my phone…it’s all so exhausting. we send them a text.
story by I use things such as Facebook and texting spots for musical advertisements,” Ronne it’s because they have so many technological before I had time to flip the channel, match. the world a less personal place to live in. But here’s the thing, I know a countless Technology is slowly taking away face
Ethan hughEs | center section writer daily and I would say I’m up-to-date in the said. options that they don’t want to play sports,” com flashed a little statistic across the Being born in a generation that thrives on amount of people that spend way more time to face interaction and forcing people to
technology world,” Choir teacher and musical “I’m limited to an overhead in my room, Kreutzer said. screen: technology, it’s hard to imagine life without it, than I do taking advantage of the endless have relationships with their Blackberrys
Technology has become one of the fastest director Brad Ronne said. but I’m taking a tech class right now and Although she feels that to a degree tech- “One in five relationships start online.” but I can’t help but think life and the relation- amounts of technology the world has to offer, rather than actual people.
growing mediums in our modern society. English teacher Kiley Kreutzer admits to would love to incorporate the things I’m nology partly influences laziness, Kreutzer I’m honestly not one to judge – but re- ships we might encounter would be more so it’s no wonder that people now use the I understand that technology makes
It is borderline impossible to own all the being a little less tech-savvy. learning if I could! I would love a Promethean admits she relies on it in her everyday life. ally? One in five relationships? meaningful and personal if we didn’t rely as internet as a way to scout out their future things so much easier, but is it really worth
new gadgets and gizmos, let alone keep up “I can easily use computers and a variety board or even a projector,” Kreutzer said. “I text and use Facebook all the time. I use When I saw that commercial, I couldn’t much on computers and cell phones. spouse. losing a personal connection with people?
with all the apps and programs that accom- of programs as well as regular cell phones, Both agree that technology is moving and technology getting to work, finding direc- help but be a little freaked out. I understand Now I’m not going to sit here and con- I feel like technology, something that was While cell phones and computers are
pany them. but I don’t yet have the knowledge for differ- changing fast, and both see the effects of it as tions, calling/texting, for entertainment and that the dating world can be harsh and demn the world for overusing technology, created to advance the world, is now starting convenient, are they truly as necessary as
Even in the classroom, technology is ex- ent apps. I could learn easily if I wanted to well. communicating and finding information. I competitive, but it worries me that we live because I’m the first one to admit that I’m a to have the opposite effect. we think…and even more so, could the
panding our way of learning i.e. Promethean though. I’m not really up-to-date on the latest “The technological changes are great, but find it hard to live without a cell phone and in a society that has become so reliant on technology/electronics junkie. As our dependency on technology in- overuse of them be making our world a
boards. technological equipment; it usually takes me a I think that sometimes personal interactions GPS,” Kreutzer said. technology that we can’t even meet a poten- If someone had asked me even a week ago creases, it seems like our ability to do things less personal place to live in?
To accommodate the fast paced world of while to get into it,” Kreutzer said. suffer because of some of technology’s tools.” Technology is moving fast, and although it tial partner without the use of a computer how much time a day I spend using electron- on our own has decreased. The omnipotence of technology has
technology, everyone has had to adapt and Although the two are at opposite ends of Ronne said. may be hard to keep up with, it is necessary in and keyboard. ics, I would’ve answered ‘hardly any time at I can’t even remember the last time I cited become like a beast we no longer control.
learn quickly. the spectrum per se, they both try to incor- “I think we depend on technology too some aspects. I’m sure the ‘one in five relationships’ all.’ a book in a bibliography, did a math equation There’s always something bigger and bet-
“I would say I’m very into technology. porate technology into their classroom and much and if something were to happen (a “I think the interpersonal parts of building statistic isn’t 100 percent accurate, but it’s What a joke. I spend such a ridiculous by hand, or didn’t take advantage of Google ter being developed in electronics, which
lesson plans. technology crash) a lot of people wouldn’t a choir will become more difficult, but all the still pretty crazy. amount of time using electronics that I can’t while doing homework I’m more than capable only deepens our reliance upon it.
8 | CENTER SECTION “We use technology in our stage lighting know how to survive,” Kreutzer said. more necessary,” Ronne said.
CENTER SECTION | 9

9. SERIOUSLY? PERSPECTIVE: It doesn’t take a state championship
Life isn’t that serious, so just laugh it off
or a perfect GPA to win at life
personal commentary by VICTORIA BRAVO
personal commentary by MEGHAN PRITCHARD
“The world is a tragedy to those tion!” on many occasions when it
who feel, but a comedy to those who could’ve been handled differently I suck at life. more than the good?
think,” -Horace Walpole And for anyone who has thought Life loves to throw curve balls at We dwell on break-ups, family
That’s my philosophy. the same thing… maybe milk is a jerk, my face when things are going so well deaths, and not receiving accomplish-
Stop feeling sorry for yourself and maybe it wasn’t the right time, maybe for me. Thanks, Life - you just broke ments we deserve.
think about the world around you it was serious but so what? Move on. my heart. Well guess what? LIFE ISN’T FAIR.
and everything it has to offer. I am so glad I was saved from a I’m a bit of an over-achiever. I have Nothing can go perfectly. I’m
I walk around SHS with not what boring, overly-thoughtful, serious to do things to my best ability, no mat- always going to have something go
I would consider a cheerful disposi- lifestyle. ter what it is. But for Life, that’s never wrong.
tion, but one that is open to humor the I am very thankful that I had been enough. But where’s the good to remem-
world has to offer me. people walk into my life and teach me I can’t say that I’ve been the best in ber?
Things don’t have to be going par- very differently. a single thing - I’ve never had a first We spend so much time on the
ticularly great, but I am still not afraid My family, my best friends, and place trophy, never been the popular, pain of our lives that happiness is cut
to crack a smile in a boring classroom people I look up to have taught me so “best friend to-all” girl, or been the too short.
or act strangely to make someone much about life, and how to handle it top –ranked person in the class. I can say that besides my loss at
laugh. when it doesn’t go your way. I’ve always felt I’ve fallen short. state DECA, I’ve also had the perfect
Some might call me “weird.” I They taught me how to laugh. Just Literally. I’m 5’4”. senior year.
disagree. I’m just not as serious about laugh. No matter what is going on, Even in choir, the one thing at I am on the Student Senate, Nike
life as you. there is always something that can which I’m actually good. Club, and DECA Vice President. I am
Some say that I pride myself in cheer you up. Singing is my passion. It’s who I the lead in this year’s musical, Aida,
being that way. I don’t. It’s just how I I know that seems simple but you am and what I want to do with the my dream since elementary school. I
am, how I choose to be, and a little of would be surprised how many people rest of my life, but there have always got a solo in show choir and won the
how we all should be. forget to laugh in difficult times, my- been one or two people who are better Old West Music Festival. I received a 1
Granted - there are things that self included. than me. rating at All-State choir for the second
deserve our serious, undivided atten- I’ve had to be reminded time and I can’t seem to win. year in a row and got called back for
tion. time again by a friend, someone I Just recently I went to the state a solo. I am on the leadership team in
On the other hand, there are things can always look to when I’m feeling DECA competition. My partners and I my youth group and the founder and
that aren’t as earth-shattering as we down, that everything will be alright worked on our project for six straight leader of my youth group worship
make them out to be, and I want to and to let something run its course, to months. It consisted of a 30-page pa- band. I have a 3.9 GPA as one of the
shake people for taking them too seri- stop clenching the wheel and just… per and a presentation with a script, top twenty-five in the 2011 class.
ously. drive. visuals, and matching outfits. My I may have never been a state
Just kidding. I don’t shake people. Metaphorically of course - I don’t project was meant for first place from champion or Miss America, but I have
When… tell me… has sweating the really drive. the beginning because of all the work lived a wonderful, blessed life.
small stuff ever helped anything? He can always make me laugh, we put into that paper and presenta- I know what you’re thinking.
It doesn’t. It makes it worse. laugh at me, or help me when I need tion. For half of my senior year, my “She’s crying over a DECA project
If I spill milk and start freaking it. We all could use a friend like that. life was DECA. when she has so much going for her?
out, I’ll probably spill more milk. That’s the best medicine. Not to The top three at state go to nation- What a drama queen.”
If I would’ve not taken it as comfort someone with more tears but als, which is in Orlando, FL this year. Well maybe I am, but if I’ve
seriously, and just Lysol-ed it up or to make them laugh, and to remind My project got fourth. By two learned one thing from life it’s that
something… no problem. Now I need them that life goes on. points. picking myself up from falling flat on
a mop. It’s like that song Float On by After a full day of sobbing, I my face has made me better. Not be-
I used to be the same way. Modest Mouse. couldn’t help but feel embarrassed ing the absolute best has made me try
I used to walk around in a gloom, “We’ll all float on okay.” that I didn’t make the expectation harder. Not fitting in right away has
feeling sorry for myself, my spilled Things might be up and down like people wanted of me. made me kinder and more consider-
milk, and… you get the picture. the waves in the ocean, but we will all Not hearing my name announced ate of others.
I thought “seriously, milk?”, “how float on okay. on that podium, after putting my I’ve learned from my failures and
could someone laugh at a time like Not great, not bad, not seriously, heart and soul into that project, tore grown to love the life I have. So thank
this?”, and “this is a serious situa- or jokingly. Just okay and that’s all we me apart. I had failed not only myself, you, Life, for creating in me ambition
really need. but my teammates and people who to be the best and learn to take it how
Seriously. expected us to win. it is.
10 | OPINION Why is it we remember the bad Man, I rock at life.

10. Whe re’s
the
?
Local concert to benefit cause
that is relatively unknown...
personal commentary by
Russell moRgan | entertainment editor
There are 1.2 million children opportunity. It is guaranteed that a child will to be found.
around the world without names- Human trafficking generates an never recover psychologically or This experience changed Morris’
they are simply identified by a average of $32 billion a year, making physically from such an experience. life, and was the reason for the start of
number. it the second most lucrative crime in This crime is keeping the most impor- Love146.
Adults, who are not their par- the world. tant generation of human existence Many people will go their entire
ents, refer to each child by his or her This terrible crime is mainly aimed from ever living a fulfilling life. lives unaware of such evils in the
number. toward female children, and is a tragic Love146 is a program that fights to world. It is tragic to think that such
These adults have sex with these cause of psychological and physical end this crime, and help reintegrate an experience is needed to spark the
numbers, and they sell these numbers damage in children, as well as a lead- victims back into society. The founder effort to improve the world.
to other adults so they can have sex ing cause of infectious diseases such and president of the organization, Rob The average child is quite fortu-
with them. as HIV/AIDS. Morris, began his fight for this cause nate to grow up in a safe home, have
two childr n
e
Adults: those who are supposed to a loving family, and have nothing but
raise children, teach them right from opportunity before them. It is a bless-
sold e ve ry
wrong, protect them. What does this ing that is often taken for granted.
say for adults? What kind of adults Imagine a child, your age that
would do this to children? did not have the opportunity to go
minu te
Severn Suzuki, in her Global Sum- to school, play sports, date, sing in
mit Speech talked about how adults choir, etc. All they know in their lives
teach their children one thing, but act is abuse. They can only imagine a life
upon the world completely different. with simple freedoms.
She said, “As a child, what you are Two children are sold every The concert in April to benefit
doing makes me cry.” minute, meaning that by the time Love146 will not stop this terrible
What these adults are doing is you are done reading this article; crime, but it is a step.
making millions of children cry. about 8 children will have been sold. It will spread knowledge, which is
The average age of these numbers This is not just a foreign issue what people are in desperate need of
ranges from 3-15 years old; how- either. It is estimated that over 100,000 right now.
ever, these are not numbers-these are U.S. children are forced into prostitu- Not enough people know about
children. tion and/or pornography each year. when he witnessed what these children are going through
At each brothel where children are What scares me is that this statistic the tragedy of this crime first-hand. everyday.
sold, menus are available for adults to is not widely known. It scares me He was in a brothel full of “num- Not enough people know about
see the age, number, and price. Adults that the stories of United States high bers”, and he saw children in a room the injustices that go on around the
get to pick and choose their favorites- school students being forced into gathered around a television playing world, and it is time they join the
a menu, like a restaurant. prostitution and other disturbing cartoons. All but one of the children’s fight.
These children are slaves- victims activities are not heard. eyes was fixed on the screen. One The concert to benefit Love146 will be held
to unimaginable crimes that would This particular problem calls for at- little girl, #146, stared at Morris. in Scottsbluff’s Auditorium on Tuesday, April
make the average child cringe. tention beyond borders. These are the Morris recalls that in her eyes he saw 19th. Admission will be $5, and all money will
There are children in this world, lives of children. Innocent generations a desperate plea for help- this girl benefit the efforts to stop human trafficking and
many years younger than those cur- that should have the world at their wanted Morris to save her. reintegrate victims into society.
11
rently reading this article, which will feet; instead, they find themselves in When Morris returned with a team
never be able to experience a life of an unimaginable hell. to raid the brothel, #146 was nowhere ENTERTAINMENT |