Seniors AP English classes decide to make their legacy

Laura Springer

Editor-in-Chief

Mrs. Mazour, an English teacher at Northwest, challenged her AP English seniors to do something this year. She challenged them to make a difference in their community, something that could inspire others to do the same. “This is a time that the seniors are trying to get as many scholarships as they can. So I wanted to challenge them to do something for others that would leave a lasting impression at Northwest. I asked them, what will your legacy be?”

The seniors took this advice and ran with it, deciding to make their legacy by raising funds for Community Health Charities, a local organization that distributes funds to seventeen different charities to help people that have chronic illnesses. Senior Courtney Lierman is on the Community Health Charities board and gave a speech to the two AP English classes so they could be more aware of the different terminal illnesses that many people suffer from. “I just want to raise awareness and touch lives,” Lierman says. “You don’t have to be affected by a chronic illness before you do something to help and make a difference!”

The two classes brainstormed and came up with a variety of ideas. They looked at their lists and narrowed ideas down to something they could do soon. Northwest has allowed different organizations to raise money by letting kids wear hats to school in exchange for a dollar, so the seniors thought that would be a great thing to do on Halloween.

The seniors ended up raising around $620 for Community Health Charities. Senior Liz Galiart, who is in AP English and collected money, said “It was nice to see a good part of the student body participate and come together for a worthy cause.”

The seniors are hoping to do a different project every month to continue raising awareness and funds for some great charities. “We have a lot of good ideas for fun fundraisers that bring the whole school together to help out these charities, as well as raise awareness,” senior AP English student Rachel Phinney said.

Interviews with Northwest Students: Mission Trips

Bibiana Luevano

Staff Writer

 

Jaden Palu

What grade are you in currently?

I am a senior.

Have you ever been on a mission trip?

I have been on two mission trips.

Did you initially become involved through your church?

Yes, I did become involved with the mission trips through my church.

If so, what church do you attend?

I attend St. Leo’s Catholic Church.

How old were you when you went on your first trip?

I was sixteen on my first trip.

Who (organized/was mainly in charge of) the mission trip(s)?

Rita Hemmer.

How many mission trip(s) have you been a part of?

I have been on two mission trips, soon to be three.

Where did you travel for your mission trip(s)?

[For my first trip] I went to Chicago, [for my] second trip I went to St. Louis.

Do you enjoy going on mission trips?

Yes, I really did enjoy my mission trips.

What do you enjoy most about going on a mission trip?

I like meeting new people, and just being able to see new places.

What made you first become involved (inspired) to go on a mission trip?

My brothers went on trips, and said they really enjoyed them, so I thought I would try it.

What was the most frightening experience you had encountered during your trip(s)?

Well, on my first trip I saw a man jump from a building and commit suicide.

Which one was your favorite mission trip?

My first trip to Chicago was my favorite trip.

Would you please describe the purpose of the trip?

To help anyone in need, and show that they always have support and we will always help.

How long was the duration of this trip?

The trip was a week long.

What role did you play?

On my first trip I was the rookie of the group, so I didn’t really know how to approach it.

How many other people were there with you?

We usually have about fifteen to twenty kids on a trip.

Would you please describe the scenery/location of this area? (sound, sights, smells, weather, etc.)

Both [of] my trips were in bigger, urban towns. It was louder than Grand Island, and just felt like a whole new experience compared to Grand Island.

Do you believe you made a helping impact in visiting this area?

I think we helped the people in the area, and showed them [that] we are always willing to help.

Would you enjoy making another trip there?

I would love to go on more mission trips.

Are you planning to take part in another missions trip anytime soon?

The mission trips have impacted my life, they have opened my eyes to how lucky some of us really are to have what we have and live where we live, and to not take stuff for granted.

Would you recommend other students to at least go on one missions trip during their lifetime?

I would, for sure, recommend people to go on mission trips. They are great experiences for everyone.

Megan Canfield

What grade are in currently?

Junior.

Have you ever been on a mission trip?

Yes.

Did you initially become involved through your church?

Yes.

If so, what church do you attend?

St. Leo’s.

How old were you when you went on your first trip?

Sixteen.

Who (organized/was mainly in charge of) the mission trip(s)?

Our youth director, Rita Hemmer.

How many mission trip(s) have you been a part of?

Just one so far.

Where did you travel for your mission trip(s)?

St. Louis, Missouri.

Do you enjoy going on mission trips?

Yes, they are so much fun.

What do you enjoy most about going on a mission trip?

I liked getting to meet new people, or learning more about the people I already knew.

What made you first become involved (inspired) to go on a mission trip?

I liked getting to help people in need.

What was the most frightening experience you had encountered during your trip(s)?

The group I was with spent a week at this place called the Griffin center in East St. Louis. It’s a place where kids can go during the day to keep themselves occupied and out of trouble. While we were there one of the adults who work there had gotten shot at night, while he was going to the grocery store. We weren’t anywhere near there during the time it happened, but it was still frightening to know that bad things can happen to good people.

Which one was your favorite mission trip?

The only one I’ve been on. 🙂 I am looking forward to the one we are going on next summer, to Montana.

Would you please describe the purpose of the trip?

The group I was in spent the week with a group of kids at the Griffin Center. We played games with them and went to the pool with them. The kids that go to the Griffin Center are the kids who live in the government housing facilities in East St. Louis. So, a lot of them just needed someone to talk to, or someone to play with them. They were all great kids, but it’s hard because a lot of them won’t get the chance to not live in poverty anymore, if that makes sense.

How long was the duration of this trip?

One week.

What role did you play?

I didn’t really play a role. I was the navigator on our drive down there, but I failed badly at that.

How many other people were there with you?

From our church there were about fifteen of us. In our larger group in Missouri, there were about thirty-five of us.

Would you please describe the scenery/location of this area? (sound, sights, smells, weather, etc.)

The city St. Louis itself is very large. It’s like a more hilly version of Omaha. It didn’t really have a smell until you got near the Mississippi River [then it started] to smell like dirty lake water, but what river doesn’t smell like that? It was really quiet in East St. Louis; the town seemed desolate, and broken, like it was trying to stay clean, but everyone had given up. There was an old brick factory in that town and once it closed down, the whole town started to fall apart. St. Louis, though, was busy, with a lot of traffic. It did remind me of Omaha a lot, but just with a large arch in the city.

Do you believe you made a helping impact in visiting this area?

I don’t think we made a huge impact, but I do think we impacted at least one kid’s life.

Would you enjoy making another trip there?

Probably, but I would get lost trying to get there!

Are you planning to take part in another missions trip anytime soon?

Yes, we are taking one next summer.

Do you believe that these mission trips have had a great impact in your life?

Kind of, I feel like I’m a lot more aware of the world, and it was good to see outside of my own world and into someone else’s.

Would you recommend other students to at least go on one missions trip during their lifetime?

Absolutely, they are a ton of fun, and you learn so much about yourself and others!

Director of Bands has many “Pfans”

Jennifer Clement

Staff Writer

 

Unless you are involved in the Northwest band, you might not know who Shawn Pfanstiel is.

Pfanstiel is the director of the Northwest marching band, concert band, jazz band, show band, and pep band. He is at school from early in the morning to late at night. For being as young as he is, he always pushes students to do their best. And no matter how hard it is, they always come back.

“He works the band hard, but it makes us better in the the long run. I love band! I always look forward to it in the morning. [Pfanstiel] is a very nice person and he always thinks of the band first,” said junior Elliott Kosmicki.

Pfanstiel grew up in McCook Nebraska. After high school he went to the University of Kearney, and then he student taught at Holdrege High School. In 2008, he started his first job as the band director at Northwest. Pfanstiel has always had a passion for music, which led him into the career of being a band director.

“Music has always come easy to me, I’ve always enjoyed it. And I have always enjoyed working with people as far as helping people understand new things. I really enjoy my job. There are not very many people that would want to wake up at 5:30 every morning to go work with one hundred high school kids.”

The Northwest marching band has recently concluded their 2013 marching season with all superior ratings and three first place ratings in parades they have participated in. Pfanstiel is very proud of the marching band and all the time and effort they have done.

“The reward is so great at the end knowing that in July we had nothing. Literally less then nothing. And that in October we are able to put together a cohesive musical performance. I’ve never been about the trophies. I mean the trophies are nice, and we have a lot of them. To me I have always been about the music. And making people enjoy what we do. I think we succeeded in that.”

Pfanstiel has made a difference in the lives of a lot of students.

“I think he is amazing. He always finds a way to have fun and get things done. Band easily has become my favorite activity, not only because of the students in band, but [because of] Mr. Pfanstiel as well. He is a huge role model for me and I could not ask for a better instructor,” freshman Lauren Gebhardt said.

The freshmen are just starting their journey of being part of the Northwest Band. The seniors have more to say.

“He has taught me a lot about music and has led to minor in music next year. But most importantly, he has helped me become a leader. I am very thankful for his wise words and will carry them with me throughout college and my adulthood,” said senior Victoria Goerl.

Pfanstiel would like to thank the leadership team, the administration, and the Music Boosters for the success of the band.

“I won’t take the credit. It’s all them. That, and lots of coffee.”

“My Parents Chose Me”

Melissa Frias

Staff Writer

 

Adoption is a theme that everyone is well acquainted with. It is when a child is legally “given” new parents due to a number of circumstances. These new parents may be the child’s grandparents, aunt, uncle, or a couple that just wants a child to love but are unable to have one of their own.

Most people know at least one person who has been adopted or gone through foster care (foster care is when parents “temporally adopt” children until the situation with their biological parents improves). Every single child’s case is a different experience, especially for senior Maria Meyer.

“Well, before, I never had a real “mom” or “dad.” When I did get [real parents], I finally felt like I had a family. One thing a foster kid can’t say they have is a home. [After I was adopted, I could finally say that,]” Meyer said.

Meyer spent eight years in foster care with her two siblings, jumping from place to place, hoping the next family that took them in would be “the one.” Some families tried to create positive environments for the young children, while other homes let them run free with no parental supervision whatsoever. Eight years is a long time to be away from one’s biological parents, but Meyer understood and accepted her situation.

“I think everything happens for a reason, so, even though I used to always wish I could go back to my biological parents, that was out of the question…there was nothing I could do to change the situation I was in, even though I wished I could fix my mom and dad,” Meyer said.

The process of adoption is never an easy one.

“There are so many expectations going into it, and so much useless paperwork. If a person wants to adopt, they better be 110% on board [with it] because adopting is not simple. By the time I was officially “adopted,” I had been living with my parents for over a year, and I had known them for about two,” Meyer said.

When the day came that Meyer and her siblings were officially her foster parents’ legal children, it was and forever will be a day that is marked as unforgettable on Meyer’s calendar.

“I was in disbelief. I never thought I’d get adopted and it seems like a fairytale every time I hear about other foster kids finally getting families. I knew I was getting too old and that people wouldn’t want to take me in, let alone my two other siblings as well. I  wouldn’t change a thing. I live in a great home with parents that care about me and in the end, I was able to stay with my biological siblings,” Meyer said.

Review: Call of Duty: Ghosts

Kyler Janecek

Staff Critic

 

Now this, I’ve been waiting for all year. The newest installment of the most generic gaming series known to man- Call Of Duty: Ghosts is out as of November 5th. A new game, ready and waiting to be torn apart by an avid hater of the series. I realized quite some time ago, however, that that’s not how this is going to go. This is in fact going to be an incredibly painful process for me, and after this review it shall never be spoken of again.

Now I only played the campaign because I’m not quite self-hating enough to subject myself to online multiplayer just yet, which starts off as a fairly normal scene of a family sitting around a fire. Things get messed up soon enough, though, as a satellite is destroyed and comes crashing down to earth for some reason.

Soon, the two brothers and the dad have all signed up to be members of an American military force, armed against the unspecified and vague threat of “The Federation” which seems to be made up of every other country in the world. Oh yes, and it also apparently takes place in the future. This, as plots go, is very thin, but at least seems more original than last games. I won’t talk about the story any more, because who cares really?

Now I tried playing Black Ops 2 a while back, and literally couldn’t bring myself past the first level or so. It was so generic and boring that it backed up my already solid opinion of the serious being absolute trash, and made me never want to touch it again. That’s why I went into Ghosts so pessimistic, but stay with me here, this is going somewhere. No longer is the scenery just gray, ugly fields and buildings, but the game is a lot more colorful, at times almost to a Halo game’s standard.

It’s not all just the generic running, shooting, and hiding behind cover either. Most vehicle sections are horrible, but there was one section in which you man a cannon on the back of a vehicle driving along ice, shooting off pursuing enemies on snowmobiles. Now, you could either shoot at them, or shoot at the ice in front of them causing them to go flying, and I could have done that for hours. It was right around then that I realized I was actually kind of having fun.

Of course, for someone who’s trying to find flaws in the game, there are many to be found. The generic atmosphere of the whole thing, from the calls of fellow soldiers to the feel of playing, just makes me laugh in smug satisfaction, and as I mentioned before, vehicle sections are mostly trash. Helicopter controls in particular are painful to sit through, and I’m thankful that they only appear in one level.

The game also provides you with this military dog (by far the most characterized and relatable character in the whole game) who appears for all of two levels and is then mysteriously gone for most of the game. The dog shows up at one level towards the end where you have to carry him to safety and then is never seen again. Well I suppose the developers didn’t want him getting in the way of all that innovative and original gameplay.

One other thing I cannot go without mentioning is the big issue with combat, and the reason I hate these games- you cannot, at first glance, distinguish between an allied soldier and one who is bad for some reason. Due to this, many buddies of mine ended up with a few dozen bullets in their leg before I finally got the message to stop shooting. And yes, I forcibly restarted a few times due to friendly fire rules. Which is fine. I totally wanted to have to play that section twice, Ghosts, it was so creative and different from literally every other level, after all.

Still, however, all that healthy ranting and smugness the point cannot be overlooked that Ghosts quite possibly isn’t all that terrible, sometimes, maybe. I had a decent amount of fun with it, and it was worth the week’s rental.  An original storyline and some more colorful set pieces earn this a cautious recommendation, but don’t think this counts for acceptance of the series or even a nod of approval. It’s a grudging pass, nothing more, and remember that I’ll be the first one to say “I told you so” this time next year when they release Black Ops 3: The Mankind Hating Generic Sack Of Boring Continues.