Amy Coney Barrett: Trump’s nominee

By Gabriel Lorenzo

On September 18, the United States heard the unexpected announcement of the death of the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Many people surrounded the Supreme Court building giving their last respects. To fill the vacant seat, President Donald Trump announced on September 26 a new candidate, Judge Amy Coney Barrett.

Barrett received her education at St. Mary’s Dominican High School in Louisiana, Rhodes College in Tennessee and Notre Dame Law School in Indiana. According to the University of Notre Dame, she received a bachelor’s degree in English literature and was awarded with many honors at Rhodes College. She also received a doctoral degree in law and a few awards at Notre Dame. After getting her degrees, she clerked for Laurence H. Silberman, a judge in the U.S. Court of Appeals and for the Supreme Court late Justice Antonin Scalia. In 2002, Barrett became a professor of law at the University of Notre Dame.

Today, the world is full of many points of view on every argument. There are many big topics that can affect the future of American lifestyles. Barrett, like Trump, believes that allowing abortion is immoral, which goes against the 1973 case Roe v. Wade.

“[Choosing a nominee] will happen automatically, in my opinion, because I am putting pro-life justices on the court,” Trump said to NPR.

According to The Atlantic, she gave a lecture supporting pro-life at the University of Notre Dame. After the lecture, she decided to join an anti-abortion-rights faculty group by signing her name to a letter in the South Bend Tribune.

The Supreme Court will soon make a decision over the future of healthcare, reports the New York Times. Barrett will very likely be part of this conversation and is unsure of what she stands on.

Gun rights has been a controversy since the Constitution was adopted. According to the New York Times, Barrett wrote that the Second Amendment has a limit. The people do have the right to “bear arms,” but the government can also take away guns if necessary.

Republicans praised Trump for choosing Barrett as a nominee. Republicans would also agree with nominating Barrett for her values.

“Judge Barrett is just as brilliant and impressive as advertised,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell tweeted on October 13. “She is clearly qualified. She’s committed to fairness and impartiality. And she clearly understands the job of a judge under the Constitution is to apply the law and not impose personal policy views.”

Democrats disagree with having Barrett as a nominee or even choosing her before the 2020 presidential elections since there is limited time for voters to decide the next president.

“I clerked for Justice Scalia more than 20 years ago, but the lessons I learned still resonate,” Barrett said in an acceptance speech.

Barrett wants to continue the legacy of Scalia in the Supreme Court.

*Photo Courtesy of South Florida Sun Sentinel

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: Robby Collins

By Meghan Pennell

What is your position at Northwest?
“I teach Sophomore English, American Literature and Drama II. I am also co-directing the one-act play and am an assistant speech coach.”

Have you taught before?
“I substituted for a while and was an elementary paraeducator.”

What brought you to Northwest?
“When I graduated college with my master’s, I knew I wanted to stay close to home in Hastings. I had run into Ms. Gilliland, who told me about the position, and knew it was exactly what I was looking for.”

Is there anything you want your students to know about you?
“I am interested in more than just books. I enjoy watching some sports, especially the high school games here at Northwest. I love movies, video games and do a lot more than just sit and read.”

Are you involved in anything outside of school?
“I am a member of the Knights of Pythias, a group in Hastings focused on serving the community. We help out a lot with the Special Olympics and hosting different dances and events.”

What is an interesting fact about you?
“I would say I’m a jack of all trades, master of none. I know a little about a lot of things but not really a lot about one thing, except maybe English or theater.”

*Photo by Gabriel Lorenzo

Once a Viking, always a Viking: A sad departure

By: Gabriel Lorenzo

As the school year winds to a close, four Northwest teachers prepare to depart: Jessica Brondel, Trevor Menke, Sara Olsen and Pamela Moritz. Here are their stories. 

Jessica Brondel

What are your plans after leaving Northwest?
“I will be teaching Agricultural Education/FFA at Central City High School.”
How long have you been at Northwest?
“I have been at Northwest for 11 years.”
What kinds of activities were you involved in?
“I was the FFA Advisor, so we did a lot of community service (Adopt a Road, state fair, Ag Day, Husker Harvest Days, connecting chapters). The chapter also went to state and national conventions, district competition, fundraisers, career fair.”
What are some of the memories that impacted you?
“Definitely the students in the classroom and FFA. Most memories involve students. I will always cherish the thank-you notes I have received over the years. I liked to make up songs and sing them to students (they thought I was crazy, but I’ve been told some students used them in college to pass tests). Of course the staff relationships I will cherish.”
What are you going to miss most about Northwest?
“I will miss daily chats with my hallway teachers. I will miss the students and staff. I liked the staff homecoming king and queen (even though they did away with it and I was never queen).”
What advice would you give to students?
“Get involved in something and try something new (FFA … It’s fun). Laugh each day! Never complain, rather find solutions. Be kind. Everyone has something.”

Trevor Menke

What are your plans after leaving Northwest?
“I will be moving to Seward and joining Seward High School as a social studies teacher and head boys basketball coach.”
How long have you been at Northwest?
“I was at Northwest for four years.”
What kinds of activities were you involved in?
“During my time at Northwest, I served as assistant freshman football coach, assistant boys basketball coach (head JV) and assistant boys golf coach.”
What are some of the memories that impacted you?
“Truly just all the people I’ve met and relationships I’ve been fortunate to build here will last a lifetime.”
What are you going to miss most about Northwest?
“I am going to miss the students and staff. I was welcomed with open arms for my first year, and the students here at NW have been a blast to get to know. I’m very lucky to have had the opportunity to teach and coach here.”
What advice would you give to students?
“I would tell students to stick together and stay active. There is great culture here at Northwest because of how active kids are.”

Sara Olsen

What are your plans after leaving Northwest?
“My plans for next year is that I will be teaching at St. Libory and 1R. I won’t be at the high school anymore, but at least I still get to teach in the Northwest district.”
How long have you been at Northwest?
“This is my second year at NW.”
What kinds of activities were you involved in?
“I was involved with softball and track. I will still be helping out with both sports.”
What are some of the memories that impacted you?
“Being a young teacher I have had a lot of new experiences that will help me grow as a teacher.”
What are you going to miss most about Northwest?
“I will miss working with all the students and teachers.”
What advice would you give to students?
“Get involved in as many activities as possible.”

*Photos Courtesy of Jessica Brondel, Trevor Menke, and Sara Olsen.

Looking at COVID-19 through a different outlook

By: Gabriel Lorenzo

Today, we all have to stay at home and follow what the authorities say when it comes to practicing simple steps to defeat a big virus. As the outbreak continues to impact more and more communities, that hasn’t stopped them from giving and receiving hope amidst what is going on. Despite hearing those big numbers of cases in our county, state, country and even the world, there are people who are doing acts of kindness, making a greater impact on others. Being positive during these harsh times will light in us hope at the end of the tunnel.

There have been good things that happened because we have to isolate ourselves. The first is school standardized testing. On April 7, many students across the state were going to take standardized tests. The freshmen don’t have to take MAPS testing. Sophomores and juniors don’t have to take the ACT.

The second is being with family. Family is something that should be valued, but sometimes we think there is no importance in spending time with them. As many families have to stay in their homes, family relationships are positively impacted by spending time together.

The third good thing is the reduction of air pollution. There are graphs that show how big of a change has happened over China and Italy, including some cities in the United States like San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle and Atlanta.

There are many positive results, and people are also giving that same positivity to others. Many communities are starting to spread love. Some neighborhoods are coming together with teddy bears in windows, music, Christmas lights and birthday celebrations. Local photographers are offering family portraits free of charge to show life during these difficult times.

Another point that is good to mention is generosity. People have been generous with their time spent with family, friends and the community. Also, many celebrities like Justin Timberlake, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Taylor Swift have donated money and created fundraisers to help facilitate tests and a cure.

When we experience tough times, each one of us has to contribute in order to work together. We can be thankful for the people that are at the front of the battle, like doctors, nurses, farmers, employers and many more making a big contribution to mankind. Working together will enable us to help others with kindness that will make a greater impact to every one of us.

It’s not about shamrocks and snakes

By: Gabriel Lorenzo

March 17 is known for celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, the day when many people celebrate by wearing green and getting pinched for not doing so. All around the world every year, people celebrate him. While St. Patrick is known globally, few people understand that he was an influential missionary who brought faith to the pagans of Ireland.

St. Patrick’s original name was Maewyn Succat. According to a 2017 documentary, he was born circa A.D. 385 on the west coast of England. At the age of 16, he was kidnapped by Irish raiders who were sent by Ireland’s King Niall. The raiders took St. Patrick to Ireland as a slave. He escaped six years later and studied in France before coming back to his homeland. 

Meanwhile, he saw a vision that consisted of a common man who came to him. The man invited him to go to Ireland to teach Christianity to the people there. After he saw the vision, he went and landed at the same port where he escaped as a runaway slave. Most people believe that St. Patrick was sent by the Catholic Church and that he was a Catholic. He had the desire to share the good news to the people and wasn’t obligated to go.

Even though St. Patrick’s Day is a common holiday, there are also many well-known myths about him and what he did. One of the most common myths is that St. Patrick banished all the snakes from Ireland. According to an article called “Did St. Patrick really banish all the snakes from Ireland?”, in Ireland, the supposed “snakes” are actually lizards that have no feet. An article published by Ireland Calling, entitled “St Patrick myths and legends,” stated that the “snakes” were more of a figurative way of saying that Patrick was trying to expel the corruption of paganism that happened in his time.

Another myth mentions his walking stick. According to Ireland Calling, in the article “St Patrick myths and legends,” every time Patrick preached to the people, he would shove it into the ground. The myth states that one time, the walking stick became a living tree. The most common misconception of St. Patrick is the iconic symbol; the shamrock. According to Ireland Calling, in the article “St Patrick myths and legends,” the people didn’t understand the idea of the Holy Trinity. St. Patrick used the shamrock to help people understand the concept of the Trinity–the idea that God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit exist as one.

There are other parts of St. Patrick’s Day’s story that could be included in this article. The only first-hand accounts from the fifth century are found in Patrick’s writings. St. Patrick died circa A.D. 461. Now, St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated with leprechauns, gold under the rainbow, wearing green, parades and many other events. At least, the influence that St. Patrick left will be remembered because of his desire to tell the good news.

Senior Spotlight

By: Gabriel Lorenzo

Jack Butler:

Q: Who has given you the best advice? What did they say?
A: “Last year’s seniors, and they all told me, obviously ‘worry about your grades, get some work done, don’t spend too much time, enjoy your senior year.’”

Q: What is the worst thing about being a senior?
A: “I would say just how fast it’s going. I don’t think there is anything bad about it.”

Q: Describe your senior year in four words.
A: “Fast, fun, simple and eye-opening”

Q: What is the most creative excuse you’ve ever used to get out of a homework assignment?
A: “I dropped it in the sink. It got all wet, and I threw it away.”

Q: Describe senioritis.
A: “Just being lazy. I’m not doing track. I dropped Sports Performance. Just don’t feel like it anymore.”

Layla Ford:

Q: Who has given you the best advice? What did they say?
A: “I have to say my chemistry teacher, Mrs. Verba. ‘Some things are going to be harder for other people than others that you can do to be successful.’”

Q: What is the worst thing about being a senior?
A: “That the year goes by so fast”

Q: Describe your senior year in four words.
A: “Awesome, wonderful, fun, fast.”

Q: What is the most creative excuse you’ve ever used to get out of a homework assignment?
A: “I don’t think I have one.”

Q: Describe senioritis.
A: “They say that senioritis is getting lazy to do homework or some of them start slacking off. I don’t have that, and I don’t think I know anyone who does that.”

Ean Simmons:

Q: Who has given you the best advice? What did they say?
A: “My dad. He said to save up money.”

Q: What is the worst thing about being a senior?
A: “The fact that you are going to be done after this year. You got all your friends left behind. Flies fast.”

Q: Describe your senior year in four words.
A: “Easy, speedy, slow, different.”

Q: What is the most creative excuse you’ve ever used to get out of a homework assignment?
A: “It flew out of my truck, flooring it.”

Q: Describe senioritis.
A: “I don’t have it.”