Controllers are the new basketballs

By Madeline Stratman

Within Northwest High School, there are many varieties of clubs and organizations to join, one being eSports or electronic sports.

“Anybody can join,” said coach Matt Hinkel. “There’s new kids that come in, and have never played the games before. There’s kids that come back every year to play during the season and enjoy it, and competitive kids that put hours into games. It’s definitely a range of skill levels and people.”

Practice is every Tuesday and Thursday in Hinkel’s room and business teacher Ann Purdy’s room. On some of those days, students are competing virtually.

“We have five different games within the year.” Hinkel said. “The first semester is Rocket League, Overwatch and Starcraft. In second semester, we play Super Smash Ultimate and League of Legends.”

“I’ve always been interested in gaming, and I thought joining was a good way to meet new friends,” said Sarah Clark, a sophomore that enjoys playing Rocket League.

“Competitions have been good.” Hinkel said. “We have students that are getting better every day. I would say that we have the top one or two Rocket League teams in the state right now.” After winning a championship last year for Rocket League, they’re hoping for another.

There are many ways to be involved in eSports. “One thing we’ve done is stream on Twitch, which is a gaming streaming service,” said Hinkel. “We’ve been trying to promote our competitions on social media, so there’s kids making graphics.” If students don’t want to compete, they still have options to be involved with eSports, and there may be future benefits for joining.

“The last couple years, kids got scholarships to different colleges,” said Hinkel. “Many colleges in the state are offering scholarships.”

Clark’s best moments in eSports are the practices they have and
being able to mess around and have fun with everyone in the activity.

Hinkel’s decision to coach eSports was simple. Even though he might not know the games as well as the eSport members, he’s has always enjoyed playing video games.

“I definitely recommend eSports for anybody, whether you’re good at gaming or not,” said Clark. “It’s always a lot of fun and the people there are friendly.”

Overall, eSports is always open for new players, and is always trying to have fun while competing and playing games.

It’s a pageant thing-you wouldn’t understand

By Areya Starke

Kennedy Brown is a sophomore, crowns and sashes is her language, and she does pageants and it’s not like the stereotypical Toddler and Tiaras television perceives it as.

“I started doing pageantry because I got a letter in the mail inviting me to do National American three years ago.”

Crowns and sashes are sophomore Kennedy Brown’s language, as she competes in pageantry and it’s nothing like the stereotypes.

The typical season for state pageants is during the summertime. Then, they have nationals in November in California, Florida or New York.

“I’ve been competing for about three years now,” said Brown. “I’ve done three pageants, two in Nebraska and one in Iowa.”

Last year, Brown got second place for top model, and has also received the Heart of Service award for helping in the community. She’s also been a top ten finalist, and can compete in nationals as an all American.

“I’m usually shy, so it was hard to get at first to get out there and talk to different girls,” said Brown.“There’s this one part of the competition interview, that’s pretty difficult. The judges save you some of the hardest questions like…. “If you’re a magnet what would you attract?” I did not know what to say.”you just brag about yourself basically.”

Competitions can be nerve-wrecking, so Brown always rehearses in her head, tries practicing to make sure she’s ready.

“Only in bigger competitions do they ask questions about politics and bettering the world mostly,” said Brown, regarding the sterotype of contestants answering questions falsey. “For Nationals you really need to be
prepared for anything the judges throw at you.” A big part of pageantry is confidence, keeping the converstaion going.

“Make sure you know what you’re going to say and if you mess up just keep on going. They aren’t gonna judge you if you mess up, judges watch you on how you fix it.” said Brown. One sterotype Brown confirms to be true is how important posture is.

“I like the stage and how they take pictures of you in your outfits That’s probably my favorite part competitions. It’s so much fun.” said Brown.

Northwest may not have a lot of students who are aware of pageantry, but Brown said that she would be more than happy to help with anyone interested in competing. Some people may take a different approach to what they think of pageantry, knowing from a first hand experience, perspective might have changed. Pageantry has taught Brown lessons
she never expected to learn.

*Photo Courtesy of Kennedy Brown

Getting to know: Jeremy Otto

By Gabriel Lorenzo

What is your position at Northwest?
“I teach in the special education department with Mrs. Coates, Mrs. Molling and Ms. Beins.”

Have you taught before?
“No, this is my first year teaching and my first job.”

What brought you to Northwest?
“[It’s] just home feeling, comfortable, basically family-oriented, and I have had relatives that go here.”

Is there anything you want your students to know about you?
“I’m a friendly person, I don’t bite and if you are friendly, I will be friendly with you. I like to get along with others!”

Are you involved in anything outside of school?
“As of right now, no, but I would like to. I just want to focus on teaching.”

What is an interesting fact about you?
“I am the oldest out of six children, and I have little holes in my [left] ear.”

*Photo Courtesy of Jeremy Otto

Getting to know: Katie Hornung

By Madeline Stratman

What is your position at Northwest?
“I am the agricultural education teacher here at Northwest, as well as the FFA adviser.”

Have you taught before?
“Yes, I have a couple of years of experience at a school called Diller-Odell, which is south of Beatrice.”

What brought you to Northwest?
“I graduated from Northwest in 2012 and got married in September. So my husband was living in Hastings, and going back here was the only option that I wanted to do.”

Is there anything you want your students to know about you?
“I grew up living on a farm in Chapman and showing cattle and horses. I was part of the musical and FFA in high school.”

Are you involved in anything outside of school?
“FFA Alumni Association, which is on state level. My husband is in it, so I’m active in it as well, along with showing in the summer.”

What is an interesting fact about you?
“I’m double-jointed in my elbow, which allows me to bend it backwards and pop it out.”

*Photo Courtesy of Tally Creative