December 2005 - Lincoln East High School - Lincoln Public Schools

oracle v. 38 i. 4 december 23

Destiny’s Child returns blonde to brunette Hurricane Katrina New England Patriots: Super Bowl Champions Barnett
fired at CU Britney has baby Jessica/Nick split Backstreet Boys are back... but apparently they were never gone
Aaron Stephenson appears in every Oracle 2000 th US Casualty in Iraq U2 returns with Vertigo Micheal Brown
Bradgelina 50 Cent makes movie, video game, proves Americans need help Hurricane Rita NHL strikes... no
one cares Huskers go 8-3 Flaming sweatshirt USC wins back-to-back titles, third in sight Chronicles
of Narnia Are you still reading this The Surreal Life Laguna Beach.... that’s reality Kanye West
“Bush doesn’t like black people” Golddigger Jennifer v. Angelina “This **** is banannas”
Green Day strikes back I went to Seattle Kashmiri earthquake The O.C. X-Box 360 goes
for over $800 Micheal Baker gets busted on charges of being “too cool for school” Family
Guy Kyle, the security guard, roams the halls freely Mariah Carey returns Iranian
president denies holocaust East Football wins game, breaks 16 game losing streak If
you can see Chuck Norris, Chuck Norris can see you. If you can’t see Chuck Norris,
you’re seconds away from death Wedding Crashers is hit iPod iPod mini iPod
shuffle iPod nano iPod movie Batman is back Arson rampant at East High
Fichthorn goes down waterslide
Terrel Owens continues to spread joy and
merriment everywhere he goes Paris Hilton, ‘nuff said Spurs win NBA
title Husker volleyball continues to roll Qwest Center brings big acts
to Nebraska Gas prices skyrocket Tom Cruise the scientologist defines
science Being Bobby Brown proves Americans will watch anything
Johnny Depp revives classic children’s tale Jacko trial
Poker becomes televised sport Rollin’ Stones still rollin’
Iraq rebuilding continues Harry Potter back for more
Desperate Housewives show American desperation for
entertainment Fall Out Boy hits it big Maroon
5 returns to Lincoln Vintage clothing is trendy
(again) Movie remakes White Sox win World
Series Rosa Parks dies Huskers baseball at CWS
East sweeps state soccer Scooter Libby KING
KONG The Surreal Life Reggie Bush wins
Heisman. 2005: The Year That Was

inside...
4-5 News:
Find the ways to
keep you well
6-7 Voices: Get the
low-down on God...
and political correctness.
8-11 Faces:
As we find ourselves half
way through another
school year, many seniors
begin looking towards the
future
12-15 Focus:
An Oracle
year in review
16-19 A/E: An end of the year
celebration of what was fly and what
flopped!
20-21 Sports: All you
need to know about Spartan
sports in our winter preview.

Breast cancer hits
close to home
Robin Lundy posing in the
Library (Photo by Shuqiao
Song)
Robin Douglas-Lundy is a technician in East’s
AV room. Perhaps some of you have heard her
name recently during announcements. Sadly, her
name is not being heard because of some happy
event, but because she has breast cancer, again.
Free from the cancer for four years and ten months,
on October 26 she found a new lump. With the lump
removed surgically on November 16, Robin began
chemotherapy to treat the cancer in early December.
But despite all this, Robin is able to offer some
upbeat advice for how to deal with cancer:
“You have to keep our spirits up; if you don’t,
you’ll be beat.”
In normal
breast tissue, a
gene named
H E R 2 c o d e s
for protein receptors
on the
surface of the
cell. The protein
receptors
help with cell
reproduction
by signaling
for cell division.
In many
forms of metastatic
breast
cancer, where
the cancerous
cells spread
Name: Robin Douglas-Lundy
Position: AV technician
Elementary School: Calvert
Middle School: Pound
High School: Southeast
Years at East: 13
Experience at East: Special
Education for 9 Years, 1 year
as ISS Para, and the rest in AV
New weapons in
the war on cancer
How Hereceptin works (Courtesy of Gene.
com)
from the primary source, the HER2 gene is over expressed,
causing a signifi cantly increased number
of protein receptors on the cell. These receptors
signal for more divisions and reproductions, thus
increasing the rate of the growth, and spread, of
the cancer. Herceptin, a relatively new drug, helps
fi ght the cancer by the introduction of an antibody
that blocks many of the protein receptors, slowing,
or even stopping, the growth of the cancer. Herceptin
is just one example of a slew of new drugs
and treatment that have been created recently,
helping the fi ght against breast and other types
of cancer.
_Compiled by Sean Dwyer
Teen pregnancy is one of the most
taboo issues in America. It is rarely talked
about, but the issue remains, even in Lincoln.
The Lincoln Public Schools 2004-2005
Student Parent Statistical Report lists 260
student parents in the district last year, attending
17 different schools. In order to
support these parents, LPS has established
a Student-Parent program at each high
school and most middle schools. The program
consists of a counselor, a nurse, an
administrator, and sometimes a teacher.
According to East Counselor Dianne Dunning,
the primary goal of the program is to
keep student parents in school.
“What we know is that someone
with a high-school diploma will do better in
life,” she said. If student parents complete
high school, they and their parents have
more chances to succeed.
For additional aid, four Lincoln high
schools have daycare centers for the children of students:
Lincoln High, Lincoln Northeast, Lincoln North
Star, and Bryan Community Center.
While LPS strives to support student parents,
pregnancy prevention remains the main goal of the
district. “Abstinence and prevention are the biggest
keys,” said East counselor Brenda Leggiadro.
For students who don’t abstain, there are
many methods to prevent pregnancy. One method
is emergency contraception, or “the morning after
pill.” If taken within 72 hours of intercourse, emergency
contraception can reduce the risk of pregnancy by 75
percent.
One type of preventive medicine, called Plan
B emergency contraception, delivers a high dose of
hormones that prevent ovulation. It is effective in reducing
the risk of pregnancy by 89 percent.
Traditionally, Plan B has been made available
to women only through prescription. However,
because the medicine must be taken within 72 hours,
many feel that over-the-counter sales would allow
women the necessary immediate access.
So, in April 2003, the original manufacturer of
the drug, Women’s Capital Corporation, asked the
FDA to approve the drug for over-the-counter use.
Barr Laboratories later bought the rights to the drug
and continued to seek FDA approval.
In December 2003, an FDA advisory committee
suggested that the approval be granted. However,
Dr. Steven Galson, acting director of the FDA’s drug
center, announced that the application would be
denied, even before the scientifi c review had been
completed,
Barr then fi led another application in July 2004
that would make the drug available over-the-counter
to women who are at least 16 years of age. Though
the FDA was required by its own rules to issue a decision
last January, it didn’t, and it has given no indication
that it will make one any time soon.
Susan F. Wood, former director of the FDA’s Office
of Women’s Health, resigned in protest, claiming that
the agency’s actions were “political.”
A report issued by the Government Accountability
Offi ce says that the agency’s decision, or lack
thereof, was indeed unusual. First, the report says that
many top agency offi cials had decided to deny the
application even before scientifi c evaluations were
fi nished. Further, out of the 23 over the counter application
requests made over the past decade, Plan B’s
application was the only one that was rejected.
4/News December 23, 2005
Plan B a plan for controversy
Sol Eppel
_ Voices Editor
Walgreens’ extensive condom selection (Photo by Erin Brown).
The controversy over Plan B isn’t just brewing in the
offi ces of the FDA, however. The pill is also the focus of
a battle between pro-life and pro-choice groups.
First, Pro-Life supporters are concerned that
over-the-counter Plan B will lead to increased sexual
activity and inadequate education among teenagers.
Kim McCarthy, of the Lincoln Crisis Pregnancy Center,
said that “anytime you have availability, girls will start
taking it a lot.” She also worries that such a purchase
wouldn’t be a thoughtful one.
“If women were able to purchase it over-thecounter,
they wouldn’t likely be educated” by their
doctors, she said.
However, supporters of Plan B point to statistics
showing that teen sexual activity has declined in
recent years despite easy access to other birth control
methods.
Supporters also argue that the pill is safe. “It’s
basically a birth control pill and they’ve done a lot of
studies” and it’s only used “over a short time period,”
said Lincoln gynecologist Dee Hutchins. “There is no
risk to minors.”
The main concern over Plan B, however, is its
method of preventing pregnancy. While Plan B typically
works by preventing ovulation or conception, some
researchers believe that it may prevent a fertilized egg
from implanting in the uterus.
For those who believe that life begins at conception,
then, a medicine that blocks a fertilized egg is
morally objectionable.. McCarthy called the pill an
“abortifacient” when it works in this way, meaning that
it causes an abortion.
“The girl will never know which of the three ways
the pill worked in her body,” she said. This is why pro-life
groups believe that Plan B should not be sold.
But proponents of Plan B argue that it doesn’t
cause an abortion. Bobbie Kierstead, vice President
of Public Affairs for Planned Parenthood Nebraska
and Council Bluffs, which proscribes Plan B, says that
the idea that the pill causes an abortion is only an
opinion.
“The American Medical Association, American
College of Gynecologists, and virtually every other
agency view it as a contraceptive,” she said.
Many believe that this debate has stalled the
FDA’s ruling on over-the-counter sale of Plan B. As of
now, the pill remains available through prescription
only, although doctors can prescribe the pill to minors
without parental consent.

Fleshing out America’s fastest growing problem
Carrie Chen
_ Staff Reporter
Sign of the health apocalypse “Ketchup is a
vegetable.”
Ronald Reagan’s argued that the condiment
should be classifi ed as a vegetable because it’s red
and comes from tomatoes. Fortunately, his contention
was ridiculed and dismissed by the public. But ketchup’s
partner-in-crime, the French fry, seems to have carried
on fast-food’s campaign for nutritional legitimacy.
The favorite vegetable of American youth is none other
than those deep-fried, greasy batter sticks.
Obesity is not just an epidemic affecting adults,
but also youth. In fact, the American Obesity Association
declared childhood obesity as the major health
challenge for the 21 st century. A study by Nebraska
Health and Human Services indicates that “1 in every 3,
or approximately 106,000 Nebraska students in grades
K-12, is either at risk for overweight or overweight.” The
devastating impact of obesity is evident now. Diseases
that formerly occurred among the middle-aged, such
as Type 2 diabetes, are increasingly frequent among
teenagers; other disorders such as high cholesterol,
blood pressure, and orthopedic problems, are plaguing
young people as well.
Today’s students apply the USDA Food Guide Pyramid
in their daily lives as they do the ancient Egyptian
pyramids – almost never. It’s a wonder teens expect
gigantic portions of junk food and sugary beverages
to work as fuel. For example, doubling a regular hamburger
increases calorie intake by 100-180 calories, and
a 12-ounce soda contains 10-12 teaspoons of sugar.
Even Gatorade isn’t necessarily all healthy.
“Sports drinks are good for athletes because of
they replenish electrolytes lost during vigorous physical
exercise, but for someone sitting around watching TV,
there is too much sugar,” said East nurse Susan Kangas-Packett.
What’s more, today’s foods are noticeably
beefed up. Hamburgers in 1957 contained about 1-
ounce of cooked meat, compared to as much as six
ounces in 1997.
Beyond the consumption of mountains of calories,
fat, sugar, and sodium, the obesity problem is further
compounded by lack of physical activity. According
to a report released by the Office of Disease Prevention
Anatomy of MyPyramid
One size doesn’t fit all
USDA’s new MyPyramid symbolizes a personalized approach to healthy eatcing and
physical activity. The symbol has been designed to be simple. It has been developed
to remind consumers to make healthy food choices and to be active every day. The
different parts of the symbol are described below.
Activity
Activity is represented by the steps and
the person climbing them, as a reminder
of the importance of daily physical
activty
Moderation
Moderation is represented by the
narrowing of each food group from
bottom to top. The wider base stands for
foods with little or no solid fats or added
sugars. These should be selected more
often. The narrower top area stands for
foods containing more added sugars
and solid fats. The more active you are,
the more of these foods you can fit into
your diet.
Personalization
Personalization is shown by the person
on the stepes, the slogan, and the URL.
Find the kinds and amounts of food to
eat each day at MyPyramid.gov
The new food guide pyramid (Photo courtesy of the USDA).
and Health Promotion, during an average school day,
Nebraska high school students spend more than 3.65
hours engaged in electronic recreation: watching television,
playing video games and using the computer
– for anything but homework.
However, Mike Heyl, director of “Lincoln on the
Move” program at the Lincoln/Lancaster Department
of Health and specialist in diet and exercise, argues
that teens’ packed schedules forces them to grab
quick bites to eat, sacrifi cing nutritional value and
exercise time. Heyl is trying to change that trend. He
organizes projects that develop awareness for healthy
lifestyles, such as goals for implementing more health
and physical education programs in schools, offering
more nourishing school lunches, and constructing pedestrian-friendly
roads, so students can walk to school
when possible. Heyl is also aware of the stigmas that
Proportionality
Proportionality is shown by the
different widths of the food group
bands. The widths sugest how much
food a person should choose from
each group. The widths are just a
general guide, not exact proportions.
Check the Web site for how much is
right for you
Variety
Variety is symbolized by the 6 color
bands representing the 5 food groups of
the Pyramid and oils. This illustrates that
foods from all groups are needed each
day for good health.
Gradual Improvement
Gradual Improvement is encouraged by
the slogan. It suggests that individuals
can benefit from taking small steps to
improve their diet and lifestyle each day.
face teenagers: pressure
to look a certain
way or have a certain
body type. The primary
concern, says Heyl, is
always health, not appearance.
“It’s not about the
fatness,” said Heyl, “it’s
about the fi tness.”
Because LPS requires
students to take
only 7.5 credit hours of
physical education, P.E.
teacher Jan Tucker feels
this is not enough to demonstrate
the importance
of lifelong physical activity.
But the P.E. department
continues to
encourage East students
to take the initiative to
improve their health.
“We want
people to enjoy movement,
and the means to
do so is different for everybody.
We offer a wide
variety of classes to meet different people’s needs,”
said Tucker.
From aerobics to weight training (East received
new pieces of cardio equipment this year, and will unveil
the refurnished weight room next year), P.E. classes
at East cater to individual interests. Even though students
are allowed to choose their P.E. classes, students
are required to fi rst take “Fitness for Life”, an introductory
course to fi tness, where students develop and
implement personalized fi tness assessment programs,
using technology such as heart rate monitors and pedometers.
Adolescence is a critical time for establishing
lifelong habits of nutritious eating and physical activity.
Hop to it now, because twenty years later may be
twenty years too late.
Fjust
the
Facts
About School
Lunches
School lunches started in 1946 with the
National School Lunch Act
In 2003, more than 28.4 million students
got a lunch through the National School
Lunch Program each day
Lunches served since start of modern
school lunch program: 187 billion
National School Lunch Program cost in
FY 2003: $7.1 billion
National School Lunch Program cost in
1947: $70 million
School lunches must meet the Dietary Guidelines
for Americans, which state:
-No more than 30% of calories come from fat
-Less than 10% of calories come
from saturated fat
Provide one-third of Recommended
-Dietary Allowances of protein,
Vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, calcium and
calories
December 23, 2005
_Compiled by Sean Dwyer
5/News

Staff Editorial:
PO’d about PC
Condoms. Race. Homosexuality.
These three topics have one thing
in common: They are 100% off-limits for
discussion. Political Correctness is to
blame for this no-fly-zone in conversation.
It’s a simple fact: you can’t make
everybody happy all the time. But the PC
police try. Take, for example, airplane
stewardesses. Whoops, not stewardesses,
“flight attendants”. “Stewardess”
has been deemed too sexist for the
friendly smiles in the sky. But I doubt flight
attendants are really offended by being
called stewardesses. Perhaps we’re just
offended on their behalf. Respect is a
great goal, but our society is abusing
the concept.
Political Correctness hinders constructive
discussion of important issues.
Want to have an open discussion on
contraceptive use in school, or a chat
about abortion Hey, watch it! That subject
is bound for the Bermuda Triangle.
Hot debate turns cold through Political
Correctness. Moral issues are notorious
for their PC barriers. Because PC
constricts discussion the sides become
more polarized. Dividing lines become
darker and harsher because Political
Correctness, ironically, accentuates
differences and prejudice. Because
we can’t talk openly about abortion,
the sides seclude themselves instead
of confronting opposing opinions. The
issues can’t be discussed effectively because
we’re too afraid to offend. Face
it. Pleasing everyone is impossible. Rather
than create cohesive bonds of various
viewpoints, PC widens the rifts between
opponents. The intended unity of Political
Correctness is nonexistent.
Sometimes respect exceeds the
bounds of ethics. Political Correctness
attempts to create a diverse community.
The utopia that American society envisions
is a community of diverse cultures
that better each other, but our PC world
falls far short of this goal. We institute
demographic requirements to synthesize
a contrived environment of multiculturalism.
But this only belittles minorities. PC’s
reduction of humans to tally marks and
token reps is unacceptable. Conversely,
we can’t define culture through race or
ethnicity or wealth or gender or sexual
orientation. Rather, we should let character
speak for them.
Granted, Political Correctness has
some great ambitions. It tries to forge
respect, unity, and a cohesive, diverse
community. But we’re missing the mark.
Instead we’re using soft language,
avoiding offense, ignoring difficult issues,
and insulting individuals.
We depend on society to move
closer to the good intentions of Political
Correctness. The process starts with individuals.
Be honest. We must admit our
opinions, our prejudices and fears, but
don’t stop there. Once we’ve exposed
our true thoughts, we must be willing
to own them. We can’t just beat our
chests and hide behind labels. Honesty,
openness, and tolerance are the only
way to correct ourselves. By adopting
these principles, society can wrench
itself from the divisive hole that political
correctness is digging.
And the “Say What!” award goes to...
I don’t like celebrity tabloids. I don’t
like Entertainment Weekly. I don’t care
about Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, or
Brad, Jennifer, and Angelina. I avoid most
celebrity news like the bird flu.
I do, however, have one personal
exception. I love it when famous
people say something stupid or
outrageous. It’s not that I really
care, it’s that I am amazed at
some of the things that people
choose to say in public.
So, my ChristmaHanukahKwanzikah
gift to you is
my compilation of outrageously
stupid things famous people have
said in the past four months. In recognition
of their “achievements,” each
speaker deserves an award. So, when
I get around to it (which will be never),
each person mentioned on this list will get
a trophy featuring a head with duct tape
over the mouth. I hope you enjoy, but be
careful not to laugh too hard. Or cry, if
that’s the case.
First up, let’s look to the wide world of
sports. Coaches and athletes are notorious
for saying stupid things, but these two
take the cake.
Most insensitive sports quotation:
After losing to TCU, the coach of the
Air Force Academy football team, Fisher
DeBarry, said, “It just seems to be that way,
that Afro-American kids can run very, very
well. That doesn’t mean that Caucasian
kids and other descents can’t run, but
it’s very obvious to me they run extremely
well.” Thank you, Fisher, for ignoring practice
and hard work and attributing skill on
the football field solely to race. What great
judgment you have.
Most naive sports quotation:
Marcus Camby of the NBA’s Denver
Nuggets said of the new NBA dress code,
“I don’t see it happening unless every NBA
player is given a stipend to buy clothes.”
Marcus Camby makes $8 million a year.
I would say something witty, but I don’t
need to.
Let’s be honest. Despite all its cheer
and merriment, the holiday season is the
most stressful time of the year. In an effort
to avoid a winter meltdown, I’ve
prepared a simple guide to giftgiving:
Operation Eggnog.
Objective One: Know
your mark. There is no such
thing as a right to privacy when
presents are on the line, so
take a lesson from the master
gift giver: Santa Claus. It’s a
little known fact that Kris Kringle
trains with the CIA during the offseason.
Over the years, he’s honed his
skills as super sleuth. Sure, he knows when
you are sleeping and knows when you’re
awake, but that’s for amateurs. These days
he knows that you still watch Full House and
exactly how much time you spend reading
livejournals. Big Brother’s got nothing on
the Big Guy.
Since we can’t all be omniscient,
start with the basics. Is she blonde Lefthanded
Republican Vegan But don’t
stop there. In this digital age, you can
6/Voices December 23, 2005
Now to the press. Talk show hosts,
pundits, and other famous people have
ideas about anything and everything.
Sometimes, its interesting to hear these
ideas. Other times, it’s just sad. See for
yourself.
Most scientifically backwards
quotation:
In an interview with NBC’s
Matt Lauer, host of the “Today”
show, Tom Cruise declared
that “psychiatry is a pseudoscience”
that should be
“outlawed.” I wholeheartedly
agree. Mental illness can only
be cured when doctors drill holes
in the skull to release evil spirits.
Most cocky quotation:
Citizens of Dover, PA didn’t reelect
school board members who tried to make
“intelligent design” a part of the curriculum.
The Reverend Pat Roberston responded
by saying “to the good citizens of Dover:
If there is a disaster in your area, don’t turn
to God. You just rejected him from your
city.” Apparently, Pat Robertson is also a
prophet. Good for him! So much for an
all-forgiving All Mighty.
Now, let’s look at the political arena,
a part of our culture that is always ripe for
satire and scorn.
“Most often heard in the 17th century”
quotation:
Oscar Goodman, the mayor of Las
Vegas, offered his solution for curbing graffiti:
“I’m saying maybe you put them on TV
and cut off a thumb.” Hey, what happens
in Vegas stays in Vegas. And if you spray
something on the wall, your thumb will stay
in Vegas too.
“Most often heard in the 18th century”
quotation:
Speaking on the lack of protection
for women in Iraq’s new constitution, Reuel
Marc Gerecht said, “In 1900, [American]
women did not have the right to vote. If
Iraqis could develop a democracy that
resembled American in the 1900s, I think
we’d all be thrilled. I mean, women’s
practically perform a complete background
check. Search his MySpace, scan
her iPod, scour his internet history. You may
not always like what you find (like
his secret Ricky Martin fetish…),
but certain sacrifices must
be made when the perfect
present’s on the line.
Remember, all is fair in
love, war, and shopping.
Objective Two: Appraise
the target. Put your
friends to the tax bracket test.
Decide on your top tier and scale
down from there. Deductions are
your friend. Forgot your birthday Minus
$10. Kissed your boyfriend Minus $20.
Moocher Feel free to make up for all
that lost gas and food cash. Once the
recipients have been priced, stick to your
budget. If you’ve got room in your wallet,
keep a reserve fund for emergency gifts.
Objective Three: Choose your weapon.
Once you’ve done the prep work,
you have to select your gift. However,
due to security concerns, this information
social rights are not critical to the evolution
of democracy.” So a democracy is
still a democracy even if over half of the
country’s population can’t vote I guess
the 19th Amendment didn’t matter after
all. Oh, I forgot to mention, Mr. Gerecht is
a former Middle East specialist for the CIA.
I wonder why he lost his job...
Most cowardly quotation:
Michael Brown, former director of
FEMA, e-mailed someone about his outfit
for an evening engagement. He first asked
in one e-mail “Tie or not for tonight Button
down blue shirt” In the next e-mail, he
further explained his outfit by saying “I got
them at Nordstrom’s. E-mail McBride and
make sure he knows! Are you proud of me
Can I quit now Can I go home” As New
Orleans was flooding, the person in charge
of dealing with the problem was worrying
about his clothes. Simply astounding.
Now, for the last award, given to the
epitome of outrageous, stupid quotations
that should never, ever have been said.
Remember when I said you might cry
Here’s why.
The winner of the “Most likely to make
you cry” quotation award is William Bennet.
Bennet was a former Secretary of Education
and now hosts a radio talk show. To
be fair to him, I’ll give the full quote. He
said “But I do know that it’s true that if you
wanted to reduce crime, you could -- if
that were your sole purpose, you could
abort every Black baby in this country, and
your crime rate would go down. That would
be an impossible, ridiculous, and morally
reprehensible thing to do, but your crime
rate would go down. So these far-out,
these far-reaching, extensive extrapolations
are, I think, tricky.” Does anyone else
find it scary that Bennet characterizes this
idea as “impossible” before he says that it
is “morally reprehensible”
So there you have it: the dumbest,
most outrageous quotations from famous
people in the past three months. And
never fear, there’s plenty more where that
came from.
Operation Eggnog: A plan of attack
is classified. Don’t blame me. Blame the
Patriot Act.
Objective Four: Defense. Defense.
Defense. Gift giving is like comedy: timing
is everything. It never pays to be pre-emptive.
Attempt to lure the target into giving
first, allowing maximum time for a counterattack.
There’s nothing more embarrassing
than being gifted by a person you didn’t
know was still breathing, let alone shopping.
If necessary, go into hiding. Leave
town over the holidays. Your gifts will have
arrived when you get home, so you’re free
to go on the offense. Bonus: you get to
take advantage of after holiday sales. If
fleeing isn’t an option, you can still play it
safe. Always keep reserve ammo in stock.
Stash a box of candy canes in your locker in
case someone drops the fruitcake bomb.
Play it like a boy scout: Be Prepared.
Follow your orders, and success is
in store. When you ring in the New Year
you’ll be proud to say, “Mission Accomplished.”

The rough draft of this article was
a passionate defense of why God and
politics can’t really be separated. I said
all the usual things you hear, and they
weren’t bad things really, you can’t set
aside large parts of your world-view when
you enter a voting booth, for example. But
what I was missing was this: there is simply
no defending the way God has been used
by Christians in the political realm.
Sadly, today when most people hear
the words ‘god’ and ‘politics’ in the same
sentence they probably think of pro-lifers
who picket Planned Parenthood or of televangelists
who scorn homosexuals. That
is why this piece has gone from a defense
of God and politics to a confession for
Christian men and politics. I’m a Christian,
and so are Tim Lahaye, Pat Robertson,
and Jerry Falwell. We all are followers of
Jesus and we all mean well. But, we’re still
human, our egos gets in the way of our
good intentions. I say all this because as
I read Christ’s words, “Love the Lord your
God with all your heart, soul, and might,”
followed by “and love your neighbor as
yourself,” I am struck by how far short we
often fall from this standard. But where do
we begin in trying to follow it Maybe here:
One of the most basic ways of showing
love to others is by apologizing when you
have wronged them, so that is the only
place to begin.
I’m sorry for taking personal agendas
into my faith. I’m sorry for how so many of
us have tried to rewrite scripture to suit our
own tastes. I’m sorry that we are often arrogant
and refuse to listen. I’m sorry that
instead of trying to understand we often
only condemn. I’m sorry for trying to force
non-Christians to follow Christian rules. I’m
sorry for using the word “gay” out of context.
I’m sorry for (and if you’re wondering
where I’m going, stay tuned) missing the
way of love and finding the way of judgment
and superiority.
I wish I could tell you now that from
here on out you won’t see Christian arrogance,
condescension, or constant
judgment of others, I can’t do that. I can
promise that God is still faithful and if we
lean on Him we will become more loving,
gracious, kind, compassionate people. If
we succeed, we can create a whole new
Buddy Maixner
_ Sports Editor
Last year, a flier was hanging in the hallway. I looked
it over and decided it was something I wanted to experience.
I wanted to take a trip to Japan.
I had heard that when I would land in Japan I could
count on two things, jet lag and culture shock. I was able
to take care of the jet lag easy enough (melatonin will do
that for you), but the idea of culture shock scared me. I
was afraid of not being able to navigate my way through
Japanese culture.
So in preparation for my trip to the Far East, I read
up on the culture and customs. I wanted to eliminate as
much culture shock as I could, so I made my way through
various websites and several books to equip myself with
knowledge.
I learned about the nuances of the culture, how
to bow politely, how to say “Itadakimasu” (thanks for the
food) to begin eating, and how to make myself a knowledgeable
Gaijin (foreigner).
But ‘Japanese for Dummies’ didn’t really prepare
me for what I saw there.
The thing I wasn’t warned about was how similar
world of Christian political action.
Right now Christian political action
consists mainly of trying to reverse Roe v.
Wade, trying to ban gay marriage, and
trying to teach Intelligent Design in science
classrooms. But that’s not what we find in
the Bible. Look at Acts 4, Peter and John
healed a man who’d been crippled much
of his life, he’d sat outside the temple, the
hub of Jewish religion, for many years and
he was still homeless, he still had nothing.
The religious people of that day were so
strangled by their opulence and law that
they had forgotten the most basic law: To
love God and love your neighbor as yourself.
For years they had failed this man. Peter
and John came along and healed him.
Peter and John didn’t try to Christianize
Israel, they loved one man who needed to
be loved. That’s a powerful story for Christians
today. We do the same thing those
Israelites did. We get caught up in our laws,
and forget about love. I just read about a
minister in Ohio who, from his million dollar
home in suburbia and his 5200 member
mega-church is trying to ban gay marriage.
How much have we missed
the point Banning gay marriage
is not the mission of the church! So
what is the mission, you ask Glorifying
God in all that we do is the
mission! Can we say we’re fulfilling
that mission when the world God
made to testify to his power and
glory is being destroyed and we
stand idly by Millions of people
made in God’s image are sick,
poor, and homeless. Not nearly as
much we should.
I wish I could tell you that I
know how the story will end, but I
don’t. It could follow the path it’s
currently on, that of the religious
hypocrite, or it could change into
something else entirely. G.K. Chesterton,
the great British journalist of
the early 20 th century, once said,
“The Christian ideal has not been
tried and found wanting, it’s been
found difficult and left untried.”
Perhaps we can give it a try.
Jake Meador
_ Design Editor
Religion in Poilitics
Two Views
You want fries with that sushi
I consider myself to be a religious
liberal. I know that that to be
a sort of contradiction. These days
when the words “Christian” and
“liberal” are mutually exclusive. I
guess that makes me an officially
nonexistent species.
My liberal half believes that,
as its stated in the First Amendment
of our Constitution, the institutions
of church and state should be
separate, and no religion should
be promoted above any other.
My Christian half believes that faith
is a major part of everyone’s life,
no matter what you believe in. Yet
these two halves aren’t duking it
out in my mind. In fact, they coexist quite
peacefully.
Perhaps it’s because I realized that
the government of the United States is
meant for all of its citizens, not just those
who believe in a Christian God. After all,
isn’t that why the Pilgrims came here in the
first place To have people worship (or not
worship) as they pleased
The question here isn’t necessarily the
positive or negative effects of invoking a
religious figure, but whether or not it should
be done at all. Consider recently elected
governor of Virginia, Mark Warner. He’s
a Democrat and a professed Catholic,
and is very open about his opinions and
beliefs. For example, he’s against capital
punishment. However, Warner also realizes
that if U.S. Courts were to declare a death
sentence, he should not use his religion
as a pardon for the criminal. Warner understands
that even if politicians who are
openly religious use their faith for good
works, they are acting “unconstitutionally.”
(It’s great to use that word from the left, instead
of hearing it from the right, isn’t it)
This is a step in the right direction.
However, there are still many instances of
politicians using religion, even casually.
Ever listened to the State of the Union
addresses What’s that last line again
Oh yeah, “…and God bless America.” If
we wanted to be true to the framework
of the Constitution, the president would
need to say, “…and God, Buddha, Vishnu,
Yahweh, Allah… or nobody at all, may all
those deities bless America.” Or perhaps
Japan has become to America in recent years. I had
expected to be out of place, completely torn away from
all my English language and American roots.
In Japan, though, American culture was everywhere.
I could walk out of my hotel and go to McDonald’s
for breakfast. The only movie I saw advertisements for was
“Corpse Bride,” and the music stores were full of American
CD’s. I had to work to separate myself from the west.
Dave Barry once poked fun at the skewed English
written on Japanese T-shirts and advertisements, but I see
more mistakes in the language here than I did in Japan.
English has become the Japanese students’ most important
subjects. Even kindergarteners are required to know
several words in English.
English was everywhere; on the intercom at the train
station, and in the newspaper. At the convenience stores
(mainly 7/11’s) the people at the registers all said “Thank
you” when I was expecting “Arigatou gozaimasu”.
I did start to notice a difference between their
country and ours however. After getting past my initial
disappointment, I even started comparing the Japanese
we could suggest equality to all religions
by excluding them all equally.
The effects of a conglomeration of
church and state go outside the United
States’ borders as well. The first day of
President Bush’s administration happened
to coincide with the 28 th anniversary of
the Roe v. Wade decision, which allowed
women to choose whether or not they
could have an abortion. So what did our
newly instated president do to celebrate
He re-imposed the Global Gag Rule, which
sets a kind of ultimatum on family planning
clinics all over the world. Here’s what the
Global Gag Rule says, translated out of
Congress-speak into something you and
I can actually understand: “If a you offer
abortion as a method of family planning,
we’re not gonna send you any more
money. Just try us. Nah nah nah nah boo
boo.” While the rule gave Bush brownie
points from the conservatives who thought
this was a huge win for the morally upright,
let’s examine what’s happening to people
with REAL problems. In Africa, a continent
where the pandemic of AIDs runs rampant,
family planning clinics would use abortions
to drastically cut down the number of
the infected, which would cut down the
number of those who were going to be
infected, etc. etc. Without the possibility of
abortions, the number of people with AIDs
in Africa will continue to rise at a staggering
rate. But I guess that’s just a sacrifice
we’ve got to be willing to make for a morally
pure world.
President Abraham Lincoln closed
his famous Gettysburg Address with these
words: “…that government of the people,
by the people, for the people, shall not perish
from the earth. “Notice his phrasing: “for
the people,” not, “exclusively for the conservative
Christian people.” At the same
time, there are no foot-notes in the First
Amendment stating that there should be
a separation of church and state, except
the Christian church. The founders of our
country meant for America to be a land of
freedom in all ways, especially the freedom
to worship however one pleases.
Katherine Wild
_ Staff Editor
things with their American equivalents.
At the 7/11’s I saw the same rotating warmers that
keep hotdogs warm that you see in America, but instead
of hotdogs they had eel. Harajuku (the teenage section
of Tokyo) had “goth” shops on every street, and the
clothing and styles reminded me a lot of what I see in
downtown Lincoln.
But the trip was a hurried attempt to see as many
tourist sights as possible. I’m sure that if I took more time
and actually slowed down to look at the culture I would
have found more differences, so maybe my opinion isn’t
the most reputable.
It’s cool to think that the entire world is stirring the
water together, that we’re all contributing to each other
in one way or the other. But at the same time it takes
something away from a culture.
It makes me wonder just what it means to become
a global culture. Without the nuances of each culture,
what do we have We have a lot of the same.
December 23, 2005 Voices/7

College Prep:
Easy as S-A-T
Roshni Oommen
-Staff Reporter
We’re halfway through the school year, and most seniors are
freaking out. From test scores to transcripts, they’re all trying to make
themselves look good. Some seniors are wishing that they were more
prepared and more involved during high school; others are wishing
that they had just done better. But almost every senior is wishing that
they knew what to do.
Spartans Speak Out
“I’d like to be a neurosurgeon.”
For most seniors, college is looming in the
near future. For younger students, it seems like
years away. But ask a senior, and they’ll tell you
that before you know it, you’ll be in their shoes.
So what can you do to prepare How can
you be surefooted as you take the steps towards
college Well, if you’re planning on going to college
after you graduate from East, here’s some
advice to help you throughout the rest of your
high school career.
Most colleges and universities require that
students take the ACT or the SAT. While some
colleges have a preference over which test they
would like you to take, most are willing to accept
your scores for either one. You might, however,
want to check with the colleges that you’re applying
to, just in case they only accept one of
the two.
Most students who take the ACT or SAT
choose to take prep classes for the tests- and
there are many to choose from. Baylor, Kaplan,
and Sylvan Learning Center all offer prep classes
for both tests. The prices for these classes range
from $200-$400, depending on where you take
them. But do prep classes really help Sophomore
Jim Hao took a prep class for the PSAT
(administered to juniors and highly motivated
sophomores) this summer in California.
“The class taught me test taking strategies
and really helped me on the reading section,”
says Hao. In preparation for the SAT , Hao has 5
books on his shelf at home, and is considering
taking it in the spring. Everyone needs reinforcement
in some area of these tests, but preparation
through books or classes is your own choice.
A large part of high school includes extracurricular
activities. Every high school student has
opportunities to build their resume and become
a part of their school community. No matter
what grade you’re in, you should start building
your activities list. These come in handy when
Compiled by Salome Viljoen & Melanie Fichthorn
What do you want to be when you grow up
“I’d like to be a fashion
designer.”
“I want to be a scuba
diver.”
applying for college scholarships and asking for
teacher recommendations. And everyone should
be looking for college scholarships. Believe it or
not, there are scholarships for everyone, and
even specialized scholarships for underclassmen.
Since the amount of students that tend to apply
for these scholarships is low, the field of competition
is low- thus, if you apply for one of these
scholarships, you have a good chance of getting
it. Even it the scholarships seem like they’re a
small amount, many scholarships will add up over
time, and college could eventually pay for itself.
A great place to find information on scholarships
is from the Student Services Bulletin. This bulletin is
published every Thursday and is available in the
counseling office, on line, or will be posted in most
teachers’ classrooms.
Even now, it’s time for student to plan for
next school year. As you sign up for the classes
that you’ll take next year, consider classes that
will challenge and motivate you. Sophomore
Madison Graulty is currently taking Mr. Bayne’s
Advanced Placement (AP) World History class.
AP classes give students challenges and provide
them with an idea of what a college level class
might be like. AP students also have an opportunity
in the spring to take the Advanced Placement
Test in the spring, which may earn them
college credit.
“AP World History is a challenging class,” says
Graulty. “There’s lots of homework, and compared
to most high school classes, it’s difficult.”
One of Graulty’s favorite parts of AP World History
is the stimulating and intellectual conversations
that they have in class. Hao’s favorite class,
Chemistry D, also gives him a good idea of what
college will be like.
“There’s less teacher involvement, and
you’re responsible for your own learning,” says
Hao. “It’s my favorite class.”
Page design by Jetz Jacobson
“I want to be a fireman.”
-Erik Risco,
third grader
– Ashley Clegg,
kindergartener
8/Faces December23, 2005
– Alison Roh,
kindergartener
– Zach Luebke,
fifth grader

An early end, a new beginning
Jetz Jacobson
-Faces Editor
Senior year is a year of lasts: the last Homecoming,
the last holidays in high school, the last football game,
the last dance, the last chance to spend time with your
friends. But, some students decide to cut their list of lasts
short. Some seniors decide to graduate at semester, while
some juniors graduate their junior year. By graduating early
these students begin a new chapter of their lives.
One junior who has
decided to graduate a
year early is Megan Watchorn.
“I asked myself what
I’d be doing my senior
year,” said Watchorn. She
has already met all of her
requirements thanks to
dedication and going to
summer school. “I didn’t
want to waste my senior
year doing nothing, and
waste the potential to explore.”
Now that she has an
extra year at her disposal,
she wants to use it to her
full advantage. “I want to take my time in college and
travel a lot, be able to study a wide variety of things,” said
Watchorn. Journalism, Spanish, and teaching are Megan’s
main interests these days.
Her decision to graduate early was not easily
reached, however. At first, her parents didn’t like the
idea of Megan graduating a year early. “They think I am
growing up too fast, but they had to realize I could hold
my ground in the world. They have to deal with letting me
go, and know that I am mature enough to handle myself.
They support me now.”
Megan’s friends also wondered why she would want
to miss out on a year of her high school life-- the main
question they asked was: “why”
“It’s a personality thing, it’s not for everyone. I’m
the kind of person who can’t stay in one place for too
long,” said Watchorn.
Indeed, this decision is not for everyone, and while
many students may believe that they want to graduate
early, they need to evaluate their reasons for leaving
before making such a decision. Watchorn reached her
decision through hard work, evaluating what was right for
her, and lots and lots of planning.
She decided during her sophomore year that she
would graduate with the class of 2006. Her main piece of
advice to anyone considering graduating early “Plan,
definitely plan. It’s not hard. You just have to be able to
be motivated, and be mature enough to handle that
you aren’t going to be with your friends forever,” said
Watchorn.
Helping the students along with their decisions to
graduate early are the counselors. Diane Dunning is one
counselor who works with many students contemplating
early graduation.
“By the time a student is ready to graduate, they
are a young adult,” said Dunning. There are advantages
and disadvantages to this decision. Dunning said some
students do it for economic reasons, to help support their
families. Graduating early puts them in the work force
six months or a year before other students. But there are
economic drawbacks as well. Students must realize how
much everything costs. Owning your own apartment,
paying for utilities, and earning only minimum wage can
be difficult.
A major disadvantage is the loss of a free education
and missed opportunities, to improve core reading, writing,
math, science, and social studies skills. Never again will
students be provided with a hands-down free education.
Graduating early means that the student may have to
give up some of their learning.
Graduating early isn’t a surefire escape, either.
New kid on campus
Sammy Wang
-Focus Editor
Graduating early has become increasingly popular
with students wanting to expand and experience life
outside of high school. One such student is former Spartan
Alexander Lin. Lin, 16, graduated in 2005 after his sophomore
year and is now majoring in biochemistry and music
at UNL.
“I took a lot of advanced courses in middle school
and extra courses in high school,” said Lin. “I just thought
it was time to move on.”
Not only is he moving on, he’s m a k i n g
huge strides. Lin plans to graduate
f r o m
UNL in three years and go on to
medical school at Johns Hop-
kins
University or Harvard.
“I’m thinking of pursuing
a PhD-MD,” said Lin, who is
currently doing cell research
and hopes to help find cures
f o r
Alzheimer’s.
While taking on the
Lin has learned a few
things about the differences
between high
school and college.
“You don’t
get to mix with the
same people as often,”
said Lin. “It’s
harder to meet new
people. And there’s
no daily homework,
just studying for exams
and writing a few big
papers,” said Lin. That
lack of daily homework
requires self-discipline,
though.
“I’ve really
learned about time
management. In high
world,
Spartans Speak Out
Compiled by Salome Viljoen & Melanie Fichthorn
What do you want to be when you grow up
“Many students think that if they are not in high
school things will be better,” said Dunning. “It doesn’t
always solve personal issues, and when this happens then
they are disappointed,” said Dunning. She noted that
many students who initially think that they want to graduate
early end up changing their minds. But have no fear,
semester grads don’t miss out on much of their list of “lasts.”
They are still allowed to come to Prom, senior meetings,
and graduation. No matter what their choice, Dunning
encourages students to know what they’re doing, and to
be fully aware of the ramifications for doing it.
“Students need to have some kind of plan, and be
ready for the next step,” said Dunning. “If another semester
of high school will help them make a better decision,
school they block out everything for you. You go home
and everything’s structured. In college you have to figure
everything out for yourself,” said Lin. “No one’s there to
take care of you.”
Even so, enrolling in college was not a challenge
for Lin.
“I spent this past summer in Washington, D.C., and I
became really independent there,” said Lin.
Independence is important when Lin is away from
home. “I don’t get to see my family as much,” said Lin. “But
I don’t have to do as many chores.” Like any teenager,
cleaning is not one of Lin’s top priorities. “I just recently
vacuumed my dorm room for the first time.” That is understandable,
considering Lin spends much of the week
in his eight classes, double the number of courses most
students take.
Taking everything in stride, Lin has adjusted to college
well. “The interactions that I had with people in high
school helped,” said Lin. “Because I did a wide variety
of things, I can have all that experience to help me in
college.”
“I’d like to be a lawyer.”
-Grant Ozaki,
6 th grader
“I want to be a police
officer.”
-Nate Wiesen,
,7 th grader
“I want to be a
pediatrician.”
-Kristy Schmidt,
8 th grader
December 23, 2005 Faces/9

10/Faces December 23, 2005
Spartan seniors sign early
Kayla Knott
-Staff Reporter
Semester break is just around
he corner. Winter weather has come.
tudents of all ages are anxious for the
reak, but for seniors, along with the
oliday bliss comes a frenzy of college
pplications, reference forms, and essays
to write.
Megan Jensen at an Omaha Central game.
( Photo courtesy Megan Jensen)
For many colleges, January is the
cut-off date for applications. Early decision
deadlines are often in December
or January, and for many seniors, this
season is a blur of visits to the counselors’
office and essay writing, in which they attempt
to describe themselves and their
goals—in 500 words or less.
But for senior Megan Jensen, this
semester has been different.
“I haven’t had to worry about the
application process for college,” she
said, “and I haven’t had to mess with
traveling to visit various schools, or making
a fi nal decision.”
Jensen is not lazy. She has plans
and will defi nitely be attending college.
She just got a head start on the process.
Jensen is one of few seniors who decided
early what college she wanted to attend.
She will be attending the University
of Kearney to play soccer next year.
“ I knew I wanted to play soccer,”
Jensen said. “I looked at a lot of colleges
in the Midwest, and then visited a few of
them and attended the soccer games
also, so I could see the team play.”
By starting early, she was able to
deal with the application process in the
summer time, when the stresses of school
and extra curricular activities weren’t
taking her time as well.
“Before I narrowed down the
choices, I had to send out letters to
let the coaches know I would be at a
tournament so they could come see
me play,” Jensen said. “Then, when I decided
on a few schools, I attended their
camps so I could work with the team and
the coaches cold see me as well.”
By the end of the summer, she had
made her decision and taken care of
business. Her paperwork is done, decisions
made. Now, she simply waits.
Senior Philip Yao also signed on
early, through the Early Decision program.
Early Decision allows students
to hear from their fi rst choice school in
December. The catch is, if accepted, ED
applicants must attend that school.
Yao chose to apply Early Decision
to Cornell University in Ithaca, NY. Yao
began his college search when most
students do, as a junior in high school.
“I began researching on the Internet
for various schools,” Yao said. “Then
I would talk to some of my parents’
friends who had attended some of these
places. Having both resources was very
helpful.”
He has already applied and been
accepted to Purdue and UNL. As for the
colleges on the East coast, he is simply
waiting.
“Application is a painful process,”
Yao said. “And I hope to get everything
done, so that I can have things decided
by December.”
Whether already decided, or actively
looking, seniors have many choices
ahead, and many “adult” decisions to
be made. Time is scarce, though. Soon
May will be upon us all, and then decision
made by seniors will be paving the
way for their bright futures.
How much does it cost to graduate
Seth Flowerday
-Staff Reporter
1. What is the price to take the SAT
(A) $33.00
(B) $41.50
(C) $37.50
(D) My parents paid for
it, so I don’t really
care.
3. What is the total price for taking the SAT,
taking the official online study course, and purchasing
the offical study book
(A) $131.40
(B) $100.00
(C) $122.35
(D) $117.50
5. What is the average cost of invitations for a
high-school graduation party
(A) $25.00
(B) $75.00
(C) $66.50
(D) $55.00
2. What is the price to take the ACT
(A) $30.00
(B) $35.00
(C) $43.00
(D) $25.00
4. What is the application cost for UNL
(A) $20
(B) $45
(C) $30
(D) $50
6. What is the perfect score on the new SAT
(A) 1600
(B) 2000
(C) 2400
(D) 3200
Answers:
1)d 2)c 3)a 4)b 5)c 6)c
Spartans Speak Out Compiled by Kelli Blacketer
What do you want to be when you grow up
“ A writer.”
“ Graphics Designer.”
“ A physical therapist.”
“ A Doctor.”
–Katy Burnett, senior
– Jamie Kort, junior
-Courtney Petersen,
junior
– Lindsey Anderson,
sophomore

December 23 2005 Faces/11
(Larry Summers, President of Harvard)
NICKO FRETES,
HARVARD
BEST THING
ABOUT HARVARD:
You’re guaranteed
to find people
with passions
similar to your own.
FAVORITE
SCHOOL
TRADITION:
The Harvard
Huffer. He’s a guy
who runs through
the yard every night
at 11:50 pm carrying
bags of stuff. People
gather nightly to
watch him sprint by
along the same path
every midnight. Apparently
he’s just some
dude who’s always late for work and the bus drops him off
with only ten minutes to make his shift. We like to think he
achieves some sort of enlightened state by running.
“Leaving Lincoln has made me realize how great of a
place it is. When people ask me where my home is I never
say, “Boston”. I’m from Lincoln, Nebraska and I love it.”
TIM CARRELL, POMONA
GREATEST CHALLENGE:
Keeping on task studying
with so many friends so close.
BEST THING ABOUT
DORM LIFE:
Living literally 10 feet from
your best friend.
BEST THING ABOUT
POMONA:
Everyone is so nice and
so interesting and so smart. It’s
wonderful.
SCHOOL
MASCOT:
Cecil Sagehen.
The sagehen is a bird native
to this part of California.
It is known for running around
in circles when threatened.
Not surprisingly, it is now extinct.
FAVORITE SCHOOL
TRADITION:
At the end of the last day of classes before winter finals,
we have an absolutely massive chocolate festival called
“Death By Chocolate.”
BEST THING ABOUT L.A.:
We are close to all the cultural junk of LA, as well as some
mountains and some beaches. I miss the stars, though.
ADVICE FOR THOSE APPLYING TO COLLEGE:
Don’t wait until the last minute to decide which colleges
to apply to. (Feel free to wait until the last minute to pick from
those that admitted you.)
Halley Ostergard
St. Andrews, Scotland
GRESTEST CHALLENGE:
Catching onto the slang. I’ve been here 3 months
and I’m still alarmed when someone tells me I looked
“knackered” (tired).
BEST THING ABOUT DORM LIFE:
Spontaneity.
WORST THING ABOUT DORM LIFE:
Spontaneity. That’s suddenly not so much fun when
you have a test the next morning.
BEST THIND ABOUT ST. ANDREWS:
The diversity. I have friends and professors from
France, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Poland, Sweden, Venezuela,
Scotland, and England.
FAVORITE SCHOOL TRADITION:
On Raisin Monday, all the first years engage in a
huge foam fight on the main quad dressed in absurd
costumes.
ADVICE FOR NEXT YEAR’S FRESHMEN:
Moderation. Don’t become a hermit and forget
there’s more to college than what’s taught in the classroom.
But, also don’t forget that the library is there for
a reason.
Flash Forward
Last year, these seven
Spartan grads were feautred
in the Lincoln Journal-Star.
Here we bring you up to date
on where they are now, and
how college life is treating
them.
Compiled by: Sally Hudson
Design by: Jetz Jacobson
GREATEST
CHALLENGE:
The survival of the fittest
atmosphere. Everyone
tries to show off in class, and
in order to get the connections,
internships, recommendations,
you have to show a
lot of initiative.
BEST THING ABOUT
BARNARD:
It’s a small school, so
you get to know your security
guards and everything’s
close by. Plus we have tunnels,
so you can keep wearing
t-shirts in the winter.
BEST THING ABOUT
NYC:
FAVORITE CLASS:
My math course. It was designed
about a decade ago to
be the hardest math class in the
country, and it’s lived up to its
billing, attracting 17 International
Math Olympiad
gold medallists this year.
BEST THING ABOUT
STANFORD:
Biking through the
main quad under the sun and
palm trees in December.
SCHOOL MASCOT:
The Tree. But before you
jump to conclusions, you have to
see our mascot dance. She can
really break it down.
BEST THING ABOUT
SAN FRANSISCO:
It’s really exciting being in
the middle of Silicon Valley, where
undergraduates are highly valued
by some of the hottest firms in
the country, like Google and
Yahoo. San Francisco also
gets some really good concerts.
NADIA BULKIN,
BARNARD
The diversity and confidence of New Yorkers. Being
biracial here is not unusual, and people-watching on the
subway is always fascinating. Also, it really is the city that
never sleeps - there are hundreds of cabs racing past the
front gates at 4:00 am.
THING I MISSED ABOUT EAST:
Not having people laugh hysterically when I tell them
I’m from Nebraska.
ADVICE FOR THOSE APPLYING TO COLLEGE:
If you want to go into a globalist field, like international
relations, strongly consider going to a big city where you have
access to a lot of off-campus, real-world resources.
ANISH MITRA, STANFORD
Ann Hunter-Pirtle, UNL
FAVORTIE CLASS:
“Literature and Revolution”--my honors seminar, which is a
survey course in Russian lit. I took it because Russian history has always
interested me and I won’t have many more chances to study it.
DORM FOOD:
Every month or so, they have “Good, Fresh, Local” or “GFL”
meals in Neihardt (my dorm). They’re delicious, with organic and
locally-grown vegetables and free-range meat and eggs, as well
as homemade desserts. I wish they had them all the time.
WORST THING ABOUT DORM LIFE:
It’s nice to have parents as a safety net in case you hit the
snooze button a few too many times or forget to set the alarm.
BEST THING ABOUT UNL:
Since it’s such a large university, virtually every imaginable
opportunity is available here.
FAVORITE SCHOOL TRADITION:
I joined the marching band here, and obviously football carries
a lot of tradition at Nebraska, but the support the band receives (at
the games), shows that the people of this state truly love this university.
Sasha Zheng, UNL
PLANNED MAJOR:
Pre-med, Biochemistry
GREATEST CHALLENGE:
There are so many opportunities on campus that it’s hard to
decide which ones to be a part of.
DORM FOOD:
Try to eat with the athletes, because they get the best
food.
WORST THING ABOUT DORM LIFE:
Community bathrooms. I miss not being able to scatter all
my toiletries over the bathroom counter.
ADVICE FOR THOSE APPLYING TO COLLEGE:
Look at the opportunities colleges have. UNL has an
amazing science program that allows freshman to obtain lab
positions and get experience right away.
ADVICE FOR NEXT YEAR’S FRESHMEN:
Self-motivation is the key to success in college. It’s so
tempting to go out every night, but it’s important to realize
why you’re in school.

From Iraq, to iPods, vi
it’s all in the Ora

ntage duds to football studs,
cle’s year in review.
Photos courtesy of Gary Baker and by Shuqiao Song and
Ted Kirk/Lincoln Journal Star, all photos used with permission.
Page Design by Jake Meador

I heart iPods
2005 Year
Another year, another
iPod. With fi ve new iPods in 2005
alone (the One More Thing fi fth
generation, the special Harry Potter
iPod, the Shuffle, the Nano, and
the iPod with video) it seems that as
soon as you’ve bought your brand
new iPod there is already another
out. But give Apple credit. Most of
the time there really is a cool new
feature that sets the latest one
apart from the old ones… smaller
size, more songs, or even a video
player. You can always count on
iPod to be at the forefront in mp3
player technology.
Reality check
Reality TV has been the oxymoron of
the entertainment world since “The Real
World” debuted in 1992. While many reality
shows have come and gone such as “Joe
Millionaire” and more recently “The Simple
Life”, others seem to have staying power.
“American Idol”, “The Apprentice” and seasons
11 and 12 of “Survivor” are scheduled
to air next year, while season 17 of “The Real
World” is also due.
Even scripted reality shows like “Laguna
Beach” capture huge audiences. Many celebrities
exploit their lives as springboards to go
further than a reality show. Even
though “Newlyweds” and
the marriage are over,
Nick Lachey will star
in a WB newlywed
sitcom. Reality shows
have paved the way
for creating network
dramas such as ‘Lost’ and
“Desperate Housewives”. Such dramas have
shone bright in this year’s TV ratings.
Zac Taylor photo by Ted Kirk - courtesy of the
Lincoln Journal Star.
Compiled by Jake Meador, Kayla Knott, Tina
Zheng, Jessica Lane, and Sammy Wang.
Photos by Tina Zheng, Jessica Lane, Susanna
Webb, Shuqiao Song, and Erin Brown.
14/Focus December 23, 2005
On Oct. 25, the 2,000 th U.S. soldier died in Iraq. The death count has forged a political rift, causing
many to question the war. The situation even brought U.S. Congressman John Murtha—a Vietnam
veteran and once a hawk about the Iraqi confl ict—from the political shadows into the limelight where
he openly denounced the U.S.’s current role in the Mideast. As a result of the deaths and mounting
nonpartisan criticism, President Bush’s approval rating has plummeted to 34 percent. In fact, 61 percent
of U.S. citizens polled want immediate withdrawal from Iraq.Indeed, there is nothing casual about the
military’s Iraqi-war casualties.
Nebraska soldiers photo courtesy of Gary Baker.
Page design by Sammy Wang.
Going green
SUV lovers are fi nally starting to feel the burn of high gas prices. As
2005 closes, trends show the fall of these infamous gas-guzzlers and the
rise of hybrid and more fuel-effi cient cars, dubbed green vehicles. Honda
has released the revolutionary hydrogen-powered FCX to the Spallinos of
California, the fi rst hydrogen family. These clean machines threaten big
US car manufacturers, like GM and Ford, setting them up for a rollover if
they don’t reform. However, SUV and fuel-effi ciency don’t have to contradict
anymore. Ford’s Hybrid Escape and Toyota’s Hybrid Highlander
have both been released to appease the concerned buyers.
The darker side
of “duh”
Blonde bombshells have had too much fun. Celebrities
such as Renee Zellwegger, Ashlee Simpson, Mary
Kate Olsen, Reese Witherspoon, and Brittany Murphy
decided to throw off their Goldilocks image and try life
on the dark side. And the rage is not predicted to cease
any time soon. The ever-growing list of celebs going dark
is rubbing off on the girls who idolize them. It seems that
many girls were just waiting for someone to lead, for they
are quickly shedding their surfer girl blonde locks for the
deeper, maple look, which is bringing a dark end to the
blonde era that has dominated the heads of many girls
and women for…oh, like a really, really super long time,
probably like more years than I could ever like count on
my fi ngers and toes, like, combined!

in review
His goblet
runneth over
Harry Potter has been working
his magic on readers all over the
world since the summer of 1997.
This magical tale has delighted
imaginations of all ages. JK
Rowling’s fi rst six books have
sold more than 90 million copies
in the U.S. alone, and her
seventh and final book is
rumored to be on the way,
much to the excitement of
her many eager fans. Rawling’s
imaginative literature
has also sparked movies,
the fourth of which recently
debuted, bringing in $201.1
million in its fi rst 10 days. All of
the four “Harry Potter” movies
are ranked among the top
ten highest grossing box offi ce
weekends, standing with movies
such as “Titanic” and “Star Wars”.
This tale of magic and mystery has
truly made its mark on history, from
bookshelves to big screens around
the world, it seems that this charismatic
teenage wizard is here to stay.
Seeing red
This year’s Huskers fi nished the season
7-4… in related news, Steve Pederson
is expected to fi re Bill Callahan at a news
conference tomorrow.Just kidding. Actually
this has been a great year for
the Huskers, aside from two
midseason disasters in Columbia
and Lawrence. The
Huskers took several noticeable
steps forward this year.
The offense showed signs
of life, especially against
Iowa State and Colorado.
Also, QB Zac Taylor has,
even in his poorer performances,
earned the
respect of many fans for
his gutsy play and poise in
the pocket. There have also
been fl ashes of brilliance from
many Callahan recruits, namely
Nate Swift, the freshman receiver from
Hutchinson, MN. After such a dramatic
improvement over year one of the Callahan
regime, it’s safe to say that the Big
Red is on the right track.
omg_lyke_wow
Fashion
flashback
Blogspot, xanga, livejournal, and myspace sites have
become some of the most popular online destinations this
year. Fingers of fury bombard keyboards at school, work,
and home. New blog systems have swept across the country,
including thefacebook.com, on which college students,
and now even high school students, can post. In the last
month alone, thefacebook had 9.4 million hits, making it
one of the hottest Internet sites around. But blogging is not
without its controversy. Lawsuits have risen because of postings
divulging confi dential information. Proponents argue
that blogging can draw out young writers, open doors for
the future, earn revenue, and entice publishers. Like it or not,
this new online addiction has helped defi ne 2005.
As fashionistas hem and haw
over what’s in and what’s out, the
recent trend of vintage clothing has
turned fashion into a blast from the
past. Any student with a thread of
credibility in the style department
is seen wearing paisley ties, argyle
sweater vests, or a brooch on their
power blazer. Many celebrities
such as Natalie Portman
and Scarlett Johansson
don vintage and classically
inspired fashion.
Vintage clothing
serves as an expression for
individuals who want to set themselves
apart from the rest. Ironically,
wearing something old has become
something new for many people this
year.
December 23, 2005 Focus/15

Oracle’s Grammy Winners
Best
comeback:
U2
Song the radio killed:
“She Will Be
Loved” by
Maroon 5
Singer who needs to invest in voice lessons:
Ashlee Simpson
Least appreciated
genre:
Jazz
Worst excuse for a
comeback:
Backstreet
Boys
Group
that needs to put a
sock in it:
Nickelback
Weirdest song lyric:
“I’ll be your number one
with a bullet
A loaded God complex, cock
it and pull it”
–Fall Out Boy’s “Sugar, We’re
Going Down”
Spartan Student Survey:
We asked you to tell us your favorites
in music in the past year, here are the
results.
Group we can’t understand!
Coheed and
Cambria
Best artist: Dave Matthews Band
Best comeback: Green Day
Best album: “American Idiot” - Green Day
Worst comeback: Backstreet Boys
Layout design by Kari Tietjen
Compiled by Sarah Melecki, Darja Dobermann, Salome Viljoen, and Kari Tietjen
16/A&E December 23, 2005

Past and Present: Oracle’s
A look at music’s integrity upon
reaching fame
Aaron Stephenson
_ Staff Reporter
music favorites
N o w : A f t e r
roughly 15 years of relentless
touring, Dave
Matthews Band is arguably
one of the most famous acts in the world.
Their latest effort, “Stand Up” (featuring the single
“American Baby”), is an ambitious blend of their
usual jam band rock and the hip-hop style of new
producer Marc Batson. Sold-out tours nationwide
prove that Dave and Co. aren’t quite ready to quit
just yet.
DAVE MATTHEWS BAND
Then: Formed by guitarist/vocalist Dave
Matthews in the early 90’s, the band which bears
his name is a brand new breed. With a real respect
for musicianship, DMB creates pop songs that musicians
can listen to. Their major label debut, Under the
Table Dreaming, sold more than four million copies
in the U.S. alone.
GREEN DAY
Then: With the release of its major record
label debut, Dookie, Green Day created a brand
new genre. The punk-pop fusion brought the underground
youth revoluton to the suburbs. With three
chords and a library of lewd, livid, and witty lyrics,
Green Day forever changed the face of the popular
music scene.
Now: After the
release of their politically
charged album,
American Idiot, Green
Day has become one
of the hottest sounds in modern pop music. The
punk-pop power trio has embraced the mainstream,
alienating many of the fans who brought them fame.
But with great power comes great responsibility. Green
Day uses its popularity as a megaphone for their cries
against government corruption and consumerism.
Protest has never sounded so catchy.
U2
Then: With the release of their third album,
War, in 1983, U2 became some of the world’s most
recognizable Irishmen. Their religiously infused alternative
rock sound gave amplified their message of unity
and peace. The rockers used their fame to better the
world, promoting causes like Live Aid. Their public appeal
propelled the band to rock stardom. In fact, Rolling
Stone magazine voted
U2 “band of the 80’s” for
defining the decade.
Now: When the much anticipated, How To Dismantle
An Atomic Bomb hits shelves in late 2004, U2
reminded fans that they’re still one of the biggest names
in music. U2’s fame has since stretched into new fields.
The band has their one iPod endorsement deal. They’ve
were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in
their first year of eligibility. Lead singer Bono was even
lauded as a candidate to run the World Bank. And, oh
yeah, they’re still making some pretty rocking songs.
N o w : Madonna
has since
become a global
icon. With more than 10 albums under her belt,
she’s cranking out the hits a little slower these
days. She now spends much of her time as the
most famous mother in the world, while also finding
time to release a new dance album, Confessions
On a Dancefloor. She’s acting and writing
children’s books, to boot. By constantly shaping
herself to the latest style of dance pop, Madonna
has stayed not just relevant, but cutting edge for
more than two decades.
MADONNA
Then: Bursting onto the scene in 1983, Madonna
quickly established her career goal: “to rule
the world.” With chart topping hits like the title track
of her sophomore album, “Like a Virgin”, Madonna
became an international superpower. Though not
the world ruler she imagined, she certainly conquered
the radio waves.
K N O W Y O U R G R A M M Y S
The Grammy award is a small, gold-plated gramophone.
The Grammys recognize 105 categories and 30 music genres.
The Grammys is the highest rated annual award ceremony.
The Grammys were first launched to ward off the threat of the rock ‘n roll explosion
back in the 1950’s.
Expensive gift bags are given out at the Grammys, filled with ipods, digital cameras,
bracelets, cell phones, makeup, watches, and luggage.
Carlos Santana and Michael Jackson share the record for most Grammys won in
a single night, eight.
Many groundbreaking bands such as Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, The Who, and The
Doors have never won a single Grammy.
Eight Grammys were awarded to Ray Charles after his death.
Compiled by Danny Jablonski
December 23, 2005 A&E/17

Deja ´ vu: Movies rewind and replay past favorites
´
Chris Oltman
_ Staff Reporter
Modern moviemakers must be running out of new ideas. Increasingly, today’s movies are fi nding inspiration from old movies, TV
shows, video games, and almost anything else that directors can secure the licenses for. Critics argue that the repeats are inferior to
their original versions and alienate fans faithful to the originals. Check out how the new movies stack up to the real thing.
OLD
“Fantastic Four”: The Fantastic Four is a Marvel Comics superhero
group. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, they fi rst appeared in
Fantastic Four #1.
The team usually consists of four friends who gained superpowers
after being exposed to cosmic rays. They are Mr. Fantastic, The Invisible
Woman, The Human Torch, and The Thing.
Since their introduction, the group has been portrayed as a dysfunctional
superhero family of sorts. They squabble but ultimately truly
love and care for each other. The team launched the revival of Marvel
Comics in the early 1960s, and secured themselves a pivotal place in
the history of American comic books.
“Fantastic Four”
NEW
: After the disaster of the first Fantastic Four
fi lm, expectations were high for this one. However, the latest movie was
criticized for weak storytelling and fl at characters, especially the bland
Doctor Doom (arguably one of the hallmark villains in the Marvel Comics
world) whose original version was replaced by one that had been
transmuted into a metallic being with electrokinetic abilities.
The fi lms fans praised Michael Chiklis (The Thing) for accurately
depicting his character’s diffi cult adjustment to his transformation. In
addition, Chris Evans’ character (The Human Torch) was considered a
refreshing change of pace for modern superhero adaptations.
“Yours, Mine, and Ours”:This 1968 movie stars classic actors
Lucille Ball and Henry Fonda. This timeless classic features two families and
their struggle to join together. A widower with 10 children marries a widow
with 8, creating a family of 20 in total.
The movie has comedic twists while also dealing with deeper problems.
With great actors, an interesting story, and actual laughs, the 1968 version of
“Yours, Mine, and Ours” will forever be considered a classic.
“Yours, Mine, and Ours”
: The 2005 remake of features
Dennis Quaid and Rene Russo as the parents of 18 children. High school
sweethearts Helen and Frank Beardsley reunite at their 30th reunion, meshing
the two families into one family with 20 people.
The plot line is changed from the original, but for the worse, becoming
predictable and bland. This forgettable comedy is defi nitely not worth
watching. Instead, check out the 1968 version.
“Dukes of Hazzard”: “The Dukes of Hazzard” television series originally
aired on the CBS television network from 1979 to 1985. The TV series followed
the adventures of Bo and Luke Duke, living in Hazzard County,
GA, where they race around in their 1969 Dodge Charger, the General
Lee, and evade corrupt Boss Hogg and his inept county sheriff Rosco
P. Coltrane.
Many episodes focused on Boss trying to engage in an illegal
scheme with criminal associates. Some of them were get-rich schemes,
though others revolved around the fi nancial security of the Duke farm
(property which Boss wanted to acquire).
Boss often hired criminals to frame Bo and Luke for crimes such as
bank robbery (resulting in probation revocation, allowing Boss to easily
acquire the Duke farm). It was up to Bo and Luke to uncover the schemes and foil
the criminals.
“War of the Worlds”: The original “War of the Worlds” was written
by H.G. Wells in the late 1800s. In it, Wells describes the fi ctional turn-of-thenineteenth-century
invasion of Earth by Martian aliens, who use heat-rays,
chemical weapons, mechanical three-legged “fi ghting machines”, and
crab-like handling-machines to attack the earthlings. After defeating the
humans, the Martians devastate much of southeastern England, including
London, before being unexpectedly killed by terrestrial diseases, to which
they have no immunity.
This novel has been considered one of the great science-fi ction
novels of its time, and has been the inspiration for many sci-fi topics after its
publication.
Statue height: 13.5 in
Statue weight: 8.5 lbs
Statue is plated in 24-karat gold
Oscars are awarded in 24 categories.
It takes 20 hours for 12 people to make each Oscar.
Statue fi gure: Crusader knight standing on a fi lm reel.
Origin: Academy librarian stated it looked like her
uncle Oscar.
Awkward moment: 1934- Frank Capra believed he won
the award when Frank Lloyd had actually won.
Marlon Brando declined his Oscar for playing mafi a
boss Don Corleone in “The Godfather”.
“Dukes of Hazzard”
: Directed by Jay Chandrasekhar and released
to movie theatres nationwide on August 5, the movie still depicts
the adventures of cousins Bo, Luke, Daisy, and their Uncle Jesse as they
outfox crooked Hazzard County commissioner Boss Hogg and Sheriff
Rosco P. Coltrane.
The fi lm was #1 at the box offi ce its opening weekend, grossing
$30.7 million — despite being panned by most professional fi lm critics.
Roger Ebert gave the fi lm one star, calling it a “lame-brained,
outdated wheeze” and suggesting that Burt Reynolds’ part in the fi lm
is “karma-wise... the second half of what ‘Smokey and the Bandit’ was
the fi rst half of.”
The Washington Post’s Desson Thomson saw it differently. She said,
“This is one unusual case in which aiming for a middling C grade turns out to be
A-plus work,” said Thomson.
“War of the Worlds”
: This fi lm draws elements from the H. G.
Wells novel, the 1938 radio play and the 1953 fi lm. Like the original novel, the
story is told from the point of view of civilians caught in the confl ict. Whereas
the novel portrayed the experience of a British journalist in the nineteenth
century, the fi lm shows the war “through the eyes of one American family
fi ghting to survive it,” according to director Stephen Spielberg.
Though the fi lm had a positive box offi ce response, reviews have
been mixed. Many have praised the movie for spectacular sound and
special effects. Critics found inconsistencies in the fi lm’s logic and unlikely
coincidences in the storyline. Other critics felt the movie’s characters were
simply not likable characters.
T H E R E E L D E A L
Award presenters at the Oscars are given gift bags,
worth over $100,000 a piece. Last year’s gift bags contained
paid vacations, dinners, gadgets, jewelry, and
a year’s supply of coffee.
A 45-second time limit is set for acceptance speeches.
Compiled by Danny Jablonski
18/A&E December 23, 2005

The Oracle’s Academy Awards
Most underrated
movie:
Crash
Best explosion:
Mr. and
Mrs.
Smith
Movie with the kissing scene you
want to reenact:
The Notebook
Biggest waste of money:
Roll Bounce
Soundtrack that
made you want
to bust a move:
RENT
Worst excuse for an actress:
Hilary Duff
Gross-out movie:
Waiting
Spartan Student Survey:
We asked you to tell us your favorites
in film for the past year. And the
winners are:
Best actor: Johnny Depp
Best actress: Rachel McAdams
Best movie: Wedding Crashers
Worst actor: The Rock
Worst actress: Hilary Duff
Worst movie: The Pacifier
Compiled by Sarah Melecki, Darja Dobermann,
Salome Viljoen, and Kari Tietjen
December 23, 2005 A&E/19

WINTER PREVIEW
Jon Rye
NAME: Jon Rye
GRADE: 10
SPORT: Boys Swimming
COACH: Fleming
SEASON OUTLOOK: “We’re
hoping to do really well this year.
We’ve got some good newcomers
and some good returning
guys.”
PRACTICES: Swim 5000-7000
yards
CONDITIONING: “For the
sprinters, it’s anaerobic things and
for non-sprinters it’s aerobic.”
GOALS: “Personally, I would
like to get a 21 low at State in the
50 yard freestyle.”
PHILOSOPHY: “Train your
hardest!”
BIGGEST COMPETITION:
“Creighton Prep is our biggest
competition. But you can’t discount
Westside and Millard West.”
TRADEMARK MOVE: 50 yard
freestyle and 100 yard butterfly
SPORTS IDOL: Jason Leezak-
Olympic swimmer
FAVORITE MEMORY: “When
Coach Fleming dressed up as a
Warrior Princess.”
MEET TO WATCH: Knight
Invite, Conference, and State
TYPICAL INJURIES: “Currently,
I have a shoulder injury.”
NAME: Sydney Unzicker
GRADE: 11
SPORT: Girls Swimming
COACH: Greg Fleming
SEASON OUTLOOK: “It’s
pretty positive. We have a lot of
returning swimmers and a lot of
new people.”
PRACTICES: “We swim for
about three fourths of practice
and work on strength the other
fourth by doing dry lands (abs,
stairs, push ups, etc.)”
GOALS: “For the team,
we’d like to exceed expectations
of us and have personal
time drops for everyone.”
PHILOSOPHY: “Work hard
and improvement will come.”
BIGGEST COMPETITION:
East vs. Southeast.
TRADEMARK MOVE: “I do
the backstroke.”
SPORT IDOL: Ian Thorpe-
Australian swimmer
FAVORITE MEMORY: “When
Coach Fleming dressed up as
Cupid on Valentine’s Day!”
MEET TO WATCH: Knight
Invite
TYPICAL INJURIES: Shoulder
injuries
Sydney Unzicker
NAME: Garth Hamilton
GRADE: 10
SPORT: Boys’ Basketball
COACH: Ed McPherren
SEASON OUTLOOK: “Hopefully
we’ll make it to the State
tournament. I think we have a
good chance.”
PRACTICES: Run through
plays, work on individual
moves
OFF-SEASON: Conditioning,
weight lifting
GOALS: “I want the team
to do well in the State tournament,
and I want to do the best
I can when I’m out there.”
PHILOSOPHY: “We push
each other to be the best -
player to player.”
BIGGEST COMPETITION:
Northeast
SPORTS IDOL: Kevin Garnett
– Minnesota Timberwolves
FAVORITE MEMORY: “Last
year against Lincoln High we
made a free throw at zero seconds
to win.”
GAME TO WATCH: East vs.
Southeast
TYPICAL INJURIES: Sprained
ankles and fingers
Garth Hamilton
Kati Poppert
NAME: Kati Poppert
GRADE: 11
SPORT: Girls Diving
COACH: Greg Fleming
SEASON OUTLOOK: “I’m excited
for our big meets, the Knight
Invite and State.”
GOALS: “Personally, I’d like
to make state again and place at
state.”
PHILOSOPHY: “If there was
a meet tomorrow, would you be
ready”
BIGGEST COMPETITION: The
Knight Invite and State
TRADEMARK MOVE: “We all do
all the dives because you have to in
order to compete, I’m best at twisting
dives.”
SPORT IDOL: Lisa Silvestri-Indiana
University
FAVORITE MEMORY: “When I
qualified for state.”
TYPICAL INJURIES: “I don’t have
any right now!”

Anna Wagner
NAME: Anna Wagner
SPORT: Girls Varsity BasketbalL
COACH: John Strain
SEASON OUTLOOK: “We have a lot of strong players, with a lot
of speed and athleticism. I’m looking forward to a good season.”
PRACTICE: Pre-game warmup, jump rope, plays, rebounding
drills, scrimmage and/or condition
CONDITIONING: “Endurance is something we always work on.
It’s pretty much go go go. We don’t have a lot of time to rest.”
GOALS: “Since I’m just a sophomore on the team, I just want to
contribute to the team. We really hope to make it to State.”
PHILOSOPHY: “Focus and keep pushing yourself.”
BIGGEST COMPETITION: Lincoln Southwest
TRADEMARK MOVE: “If anything, just post moves, like the up and
under or the fake shot.”
SPORT IDOL: Nebraska Women’s volleyball team
FAVORITE MEMORY: “Last weekend the team kidnapped the
new girls. We got a chance to bond a lot and become closer as a
team.”
GAME TO WATCH: Lincoln Southwest
TYPICAL INJURIES: “Not any serious injuries, just my bad knees
that I have to keep iced.”
Winter Sports Schedule
Varsity Boys Basketball
1/6 Fremont Fremont 7:00 P.M.
1/7 TBA East 5:15/7:00 P.M.
1/10 Omaha Central Omaha Central
8:00 P.M.
1/12 Council Bluffs East 8:00 P.M.
1/14 North Platte East 7:00 P.M.
1/20 Southwest East 8:00 P.M.
1/21 North Star East 7:00 P.M.
1/27 Southeast Southeast 8:00 P.M.
Varsity Girls Basketball
12/28- 30 HAC Tournament Fremont
1/5 Fremont East 8:00 P.M.
1/7 TBA Millard North 5:30/7:15 P.M.
1/14 North Platte East 3:15 P.M.
1/19 North Star North Star 8:00 P.M.
1/20 Southwest East 6:15 P.M.
1/25 Southeast East 8:00 P.M.
NAME: Derek Forgey
GRADE: 12
SPORT: Boys Diving
COACH: Greg Fleming
SEASON OUTLOOK: “This is
my first year and I’m still getting
used to how things go, but I think
this year will be good.”
PRACTICES: Run through
dives, work on new dives
GOALS: “I’m not too concerned
about how I finish state
wise. Mostly I just want to have
fun and meet new people!”
PHILOSOPHY: “Make sure
we practice like there is a competition
tomorrow.”
TRADEMARK MOVE: “My
best is probably the front double
pike. The fun dives are also the
ones you smack the water on the
most, so it’s hard to decide!”
SPORTS IDOL: “I don’t really
have one in particular. I tend to
choose my sports idols based on
their work ethic and competitiveness
and don’t choose just because
they compete in the same
sport I do.”
FAVORITE MEMORY: “I
placed first in my first ever meet
which was December 1!”
MEET TO WATCH: Knight
Invite
TYPICAL INJURIES: “We
smack on the water a lot everyday.
Sometimes people hit the
board which causes some bleeding
toes.”
Derek Forgey
Jared Mar
NAME: Jared Mar
GRADE: 11
SPORT: Wrestling
COACH: Marty McCurdy
SEASON OUTLOOK: “I think we can place in
the top five at State.”
PRACTICES: Drills, live wrestling, conditioning
GOALS: “I want to place in the top four at
State.”
PHILOSOPHY: “The journey is greater than the
destination.”
BIGGEST COMPETITION: Southwest and
Northeast
TRADEMARK MOVE: “A blast double, where
you lower your level and tackle your opponent.”
SPORTS IDOLS: Jeff Rutledge, Keenan Mc-
Curdy, Ryan Etherton - former Spartan wrestlers
FAVORITE MEMORY: Making it to the State
tournament last year
MATCH TO WATCH: Northeast
TYPICAL INJURIES: Cuts, bruises, bloody noses,
strained muscles, hyperextension
Varsity Swimming
1/5 Omaha Burke Omaha Burke
4:00 P.M.
1/7 Ralston Relays (boys) Ralston
10:00 A.M.
1/12 Fremont East 4:00 P.M.
1/14 Millard North Invite
Millard North 10:00 A.M.
1/17 Lincoln High East 5:30 P.M.
1/24 Papillion/La Vista Papillion
5:30 P.M.
1/26 Grand Island East 4:00 P.M.
1/31 Northeast East
5:30 P.M.
Varsity Diving
1/13 Millard North Invite
3:00 P.M.
1/28 Lincoln High Lincoln High
10:00 A.M.
Varsity Wrestling
12/30 LNS/LSW/East East
10:00 A.M.
1/04 Northeast Northeast
7:00 A.M.
1/07 Millard West Invite
9:00 A.M
1/13 Southeast East
7:00 P.M.
1/14 LPS Classic Lincoln High
8:30 A.M.
1/21 Sioux City Sioux City
9:30 A.M.
1/24 Lincoln High East
7:00 P.M.
1/27 Liberty Missouri Tournament
TBA
1/28 Liberty Missouri Tournament
TBA
Stories by: Sarak Melecki, Kari Tietjin, and Sammy
Wang
Photos by: Susanna Webb, Erin Brown, Shuqiao
Song, and Peter Panther
Graphic Design by: Buddy Maixner and Melanie
Fichthorn
Page Design: Buddy Maixner

22/Business December 23, 2005

LINCOLN EAST 05-06 ORACLE STAFF
A two-time Cornhusker award winning publication
editor sally hudson_design editor jake meador_news and business editor william chen_voices editor sol eppel_faces and copy editor jetz
jacobson_focus editor sammy wang_a/e editor kari tietjen_sports editor buddy maixner_photo editor erin brown_kelli blacketer_carrie chen_
darja doberman_sean dwyer_melanie fichthorn_seth flowerday_lindsay graef_danny jablonski_kayla knott_jessica lane_sarah melecki_chris
oltman_roshni oommen_peter panther_tasha roth_shuqiao song_aaron stephenson_bj valente_salome viljoen_susanna webb_katherine
wild_tina zheng_jane holt/adviser
The Oracle is the official newspaper of Lincoln East High School. It is published 9 times a year and serves as an open forum for students,
teachers and administrators.
Letters to the editor, articles, original artwork and photographs are welcome. Letters must be signed, but you may request anonymity.
The Oracle reserves the right to edit the letters and articles for length, clarity, and factual accuracy without attempting to alter meaning.
Unsigned editorials represent the opinion of the Oracle staff. Signed editorials and columns represent the opinion of the Oracle staff.
Signed editorials and columns represent the opinions of the individual writers.
The Oracle meets daily during 3 rd period in B-159.
December 23, 2005 23

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