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Leigh High School News Web Page contains weekly articles LHS Journalism
students wrote for The Panther Press published in The Leigh
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to email their teacher, Ms. Melanie Schultze. Her address is mschultze@esu7.org |
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The
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August/ September,
2004 |
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School Is In Session
School resumes for the 2004-2005 year
by Christa Hake
August
19, 2004, was the start of a brand new year. A year full of new faces,
new experiences and new ideas ready to enter the minds of all the students
at Leigh High. It was also the day that would be the end of a long eventful
summer that many students didn’t want to leave behind. “The
worst part is that I don’t get to sleep in anymore, or go swimming,”
said junior, Jessica Wendt, who is sad to give up the free time but glad
to get back to school to see her friends that she missed over the summer.
Highlights in Jessica’s summer were winning Grand Champion Showman
for FFA at the local county fair and spending time with her cousin Taylor.
Jessica, like many other students this year, is excited about attending
the football, volleyball and basketball games especially because she is
a cheerleader.
For other students, knowing that this is their last year keeps them pumped
from day to day. Senior, Tiffany Mullenhoff says that the worst part of
going back to school is, “going back to schedules and losing the
freedoms of summer.” “I am excited to be a senior and the
extra privleges that go along with it. I’m looking forward to Graduation,
Homecoming, Prom and all of the upcoming breaks!” said Mullenhoff
about the perks students can look forward to as they reach their last
years of school.
Students at
Leigh also have set goals for the upcoming year. Although some more exact
than others, they range from “having fun in everything I do”
as Wendt’s focus, to “going to state speech and accumulating
credits for college,” as Mullenhoff plans to do. Either way, students
are definitely getting back to the swing of things around the school.
Despite the sorrow of summer ending, there are some good things about
the new year such as catching up with good friends and being lucky enough
to have the schedule they wanted. As the days pass by, the countdowns
continue until the end of the year when school will be out once more and
summer will resume again. Students can only wait.
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Bump, Set,
Kill!
The 2004 VB season has begun
by Mickey Olmer
It’s here. The 2004 panther volleyball season has begun! The gyms
are filled with the cheers after a ball has been slammed down for a kill,
and the high-fives for the perfect set. Coach Jill Krienke and Coach Tammy
Osten are working hard with the girls getting them ready for the first
matches of the year. The Panthers are entering the 2004 season with high
expectations, and they have every intention of meeting them.
“The coaching
staff is very excited with what we have seen thus far. At all levels of
competition, we should have a very successful season,” comments
Coach Jill Krienke. As many of you know, high schools all around the US
are making the switch to rally scoring this year, but it won’t affect
the Panthers. “We will need to be in even better shape in order
to outlast our opponet should we go all five games in a match. Our girls
are working hard in practices in order to be in top-notch condition,”
states Krienke.
Meeting the
high expectations set for Leigh this year are a challenge the girls are
plunging into with full force. How are they going to reach these goals
set for them? “During duals, it will be important for the C-team
and JV to come in and set the tone for the night. As the season progresses,
it will be our job as a coaching staff to make sure that we continue to
vary the workouts so the girls continue to get better each week. It is
important to create high-pressure situations during practice so that playing
in games is like a piece of cake,” says Krienke.
The Lady Panthers are really focusing on team unity this year, and working
together for a big ‘W’. “The basic idea is that it takes
all 24 players on the squad supporting each other in our team goals,”
comments Krienke, “No one person is more important than any other,
and it is a goal that all girls involved have a positive experience no
matter what their roll on the team may be.” Without teamwork and
support from everyone, including parents, fans, coaches, and teammates,
it would be impossible to have come as far as these girls have.
The first game of the 2004 season is the Weeping Water Tournament played
over Labor Day Weekend. That is just a start. So where does Coach see
the girls at the end of the season? “Lincoln, Nebraska! I can even
picture the bus ride there...Becky will be telling some jokes to calm
everyone’s nerves, and it will be a great experience competing down
at the State Tournament!”
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Change Of Pace
New student roaming the halls
By Stephanie Larson
To most students,
it’s just starting another school year, to others it’s a whole
new pace and lifestyle. Holly Olmer, freshman, is trying to adjust to
her changes.
“I chose
Leigh because I already had a lot of friends here. My mom went to school
here and I wanted to go here. It just worked out.” With many new
students, it’s hard to come to a new school and make new friends,
but not for Holly. “The people from Leigh showed me around and told
me who people were.”With academics and after school activities she
is getting along just fine with socializing with the new crowd.
Holly is planning on going out for volleyball, basketball, and track this
year. She’s excited for a more thrilling season and she’s
enjoying playing with a new team. She also wants to try to improve individually
in every sport. It’ll be a whole new experience for her here at
Leigh High.
“I like school here way better. It’s fun having more than
just one student besides me in my class like I did in Creston.”
With changes in her schedule from last year, she is enjoying having a
teacher for every subject and being able to go from room to room for different
classes.
Holly is the
daughter of Glen and Lynn Olmer. She has 3 sisters: Mickey, Jamie, and
Allison. “I’m glad I came to Leigh. Let High School begin.”
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Wendt experiences new school
by
Tessa Wietfeld
Beginning a whole
new year, as well as a completely new school, starts a different life,
for freshman Seth Wendt. “I’ve made new friends,” Seth
explains of how he adjusted to the infamiliar school. It wasn’t
hard for the new freshman to make friends, he had previously known some
of the Leigh students. “They helped show me around,” explains
Seth of his old friends.
Coming from a smaller school, Seth enjoys seeing more unfamiliar faces,
as well as having the opportunities of many extra curricular activities.
The excited freshman plans on participating in football, basketball and
FFA.
“I chose Leigh because that is where the rest of my family went
to school,” explains Seth. The rest of his family, being his senior
brother Phillip, who is also roaming the halls of Leigh. Besides Phillip,
Seth has a younger brother, Preston. With any new school there are things
that take awhile to get accustomed to. Seth states “The only thing
I don’t like is that the days are longer.”
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| Growing
Up Fast
New 7th graders join Leigh High
by Amanda Wendt
When the first bell
rang on August 19th at 8:13, there were some new faces to be seen.
“The different teachers and playing sports,” said seventhth
grader Lauren Settje, about her favorite part of coming to the High School.
She is also looking forward to homecoming and playing sports, all of which
are new to these Jr. High students.
There are many changes that go along when the sixth graders graduate on
to Jr. High. There are many things to get used to, with a much bigger
school, different subjects and teachers, along with sports and the moving
to and from classes, it could be overwhelming.
“I miss
recess the most,” said seventh grader, Ethan Hathaway. While there
are certain things that will be missed, there are also many new and exciting
things. “Seeing my friends in the halls and getting to build things
in shop,” is exciting for Ethan.
Every year there are new things to be discovered for each seventh grader,
whether it’s where their locker is or acquainting with a new friend,
they are learning and making memories. No matter how you look at it, these
are some of the best days of their lives.
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New
Girl In Town
Jamie Olmer hits Leigh
by Tara Settje
Going from class to class, no recess, and more kids are some new things
this lively eigth grader is trying to get used to this new school year.
Not only is it a different grade but a different shcool for Jamie Olmer
transfer from Creston.
“Teachers explain things better here,” Jamie quoted on one
of her favorite things about Leigh. Jamie came to Leigh because her sisters
were here and she was coming to Leigh next year anyway.
Jamie is looking
forward to track and getting better in band, where she plays the saxophone.
Jamie is also involved in volleyball, basketball, track, and is student
manager for high school volleyball.
“I like switching
classes and having different teachers,” Jamie commented, “It
makes school not so boring.” Jamie’s parents are Glen and
Lynn Olmer. She has three sisters, Mickey, Holly, and Allison. Jamie spends
her free time reading, running, and crocheting. When Jamie’s not
doing those hobbies she probably is watching her favorite movies, What
a Girl Wants or Brother Bear. Jamie can also be found eating her favorite
foods pizza or spagetti. Jamie says, “I really like Leigh and am
looking forward to the coming school year.”
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New Face in
Leigh
Marc Doupnik in the Spotlight
by Holly Olmer
This year in Leigh High, there is a new Junior, Marc Doupnik. Mark is
the son of Rick and Cheryl Doupnik. Marc also has two brothers, Jeff and
Chris and a sister, Zoe. Marc’s favorite color is green and his
favorite food is sweet-n-sour chicken.
“Meeting cool new people,” states Mark is the main thing he
is looking forward to this coming school year. The biggest difference
for Marc is the difference in population between Leigh High and Madison
High, Marc’s former school. Marc’s class now is smaller than
his old class in Madison, but he says, “It is always a good experience
to get to go to a new school.” Although he did know a few people
before he came to Leigh.
Marc also knew a few people before he came to Leigh.
“Remembering
all the kids names is the hardest thing to get use to,” says Mark.
“The other major differences between Madison and Leigh are: there
are no lunch cards here, the lockers are smaller, and Leigh as the PIPPS
program instead of detention, not that I get any,” joked Marc. Since
wrestling is not offered in Leigh, Marc just plans on enjoying school
and cheering in the stands.
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| Hallway
Happenings
By Courtney Wendt
School Starts
On August 19, 2004 bells rang and hallways filled with students who made
their way back to school. The new school year has brought six new students
to Leigh High. There are now 125 students ranging from grades 7 to 12.
Volleyball and Football Begin
As school starts so does fall practice. Volleyball and Football practice
officially began on August 16. The 24 girls took to the courts on Monday
at 6 a.m. as two-a -days began. “We’ve had a great couple
of weeks of practice, and we’re looking forward to our first game!”
stated head coach Mrs Jill Krienke. She will be assited by Mrs Tammy Osten.
Twenty three anxious boys started football practice last Monday. “We
are looking forward to the year and I think we could surprise some people.”
is what head coach Mr Mike Sorenson said about the upcoming football season.
He will be assisted by Mr John Pokorney.
Gatorade Scrimmage
The annual Gatorade scrimmage is scheduled for August 27. Volleyball will
begin at 5:30 p.m. with football following at 7:00. The Booster Club will
be serving hamburgers during the football scrimmage for $1.00
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| Top
10
Songs of Summer
By Travers Leger
10.Tenacious D “Tribute”
9.Ozzy “Crazy Train”
8.Modest Mouse “Float On”
7.Brad Paisley “Whiskey Lullabye”
6.Jimmy Eat Wrold “The Sweetness”
5.Ozzy “Iron Man”
4.Linkin Park “Numb”
3.Lustra “Scotty Doesn’t Know”
2.Yellow Card “Ocean Avenue”
1.Blink 182 “Miss You”
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Season Outlook
Gatorade Scrimmage a success
by Mickey
Olmer
August 27 was the
first night of Panther football, as the annual “Gatorade Scrimmage”
took place. Everyone made their way down to the football field to see
how the team has come together and what they will look like for this 2004
football season.
“We have a really young team this year, but overall, I think the
scrimmage went pretty well,” states Zach Kabes, sophomore. Some
changes made this year include moving Jake McMullin, sophomore, to Quarterback,
and Cole Fischer, junior, to Running Back.
The Panthers are entering the 2004 season with a variety of strengths
on their side. “We have a really fast team that can move the ball
well, and we are playing more as a team,” says Kabes, “Now
we just need to work on tackling,” he adds as an after thought.
“Jake calling the plays in the huddle instead of the coach telling
him what to run,” is what Zach found the team did really well on
Friday night. After being put into a game situation, there are a few kinks
to be worked out, but for the most part it went over really well. The
fans should be expecting a great season.
The Panthers will make their way to NE Christian this Friday, to play
the first official game of the season. Kick-off is at 7:00.
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Three Day Break
Labor Day a welcome rest
by Brianne
Hake
“It is AWESOME!”
This enthusiastic quote from senior Phillip Wendt could only be about
one thing: the upcoming three day break for Labor Day weekend.
“Labor Day is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated
to social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes
a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the
strength, prosperity, and well being of the country,”according to
the U.S. Department of Labor at www. dol.com. For most working Americans,
it is a day to take a break and be appreciated for their hard work.
However, to the students of Leigh High, and many other schools, Labor
Day simply means no school. School has been in session for two and a half
short weeks, but it seems like a lifetime for some. “I am so relieved
and thankful to have a three day weekend. It seems like the school day
takes absolutely forever, yet the two day weekend flies by, so maybe the
three day weekend will seem longer,” said sophomore Jessica Herink.
Camping trips, neighborhood block parties, state fair visits, going to
a Husker game or just sleeping in are some of the many activities enjoyed
on this holiday. “Hopefully I will get in some shoppng! Other than
that, I’ll catch up on my sleep and just enjoy my leisure time while
I can,” said Jessica.
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| Hallway
Happenings
First
Week of School
by
Tara Settje
The first week of
school is underway as the halls of Leigh High were rolling with excitement.
As for the seventh graders it was a new experience walking the halls of
Leigh High. Seventh grader Carrie Urban’s favorite thing is changing
classes and having different teachers. The first student council meeting
took place. Officers were selected at that time as Dustan Hellbusch as
President, Kayla Wietfeld as Vice President, Secretary is Becky Rahtz,
and Courtney Wendt as Treasurer. Homecoming was discussed as well as student
parking and seating at games.
Science Olympiad
Breaking bridges, cracking eggs, and shooting off rockets is about to
begin. Anyone intrested is to sign up as soon as possible. Mr. Doug Rumsey
will be supervising this activity. Sophmore Becky Rathz quoted, “I
am looking forward to medaling at State Science Olympiad and hopefully
qualify for nationals’.
FCCLA
There’s a new twist in FCCLA this year Leigh and Clarkson have combined
chapters. Even with this change FCCLA members are looking forward to DLC,
Star, Cluster, and annual meetings. FCCLA was busy this last summer with
working at buisness’s appreciation days while running activities
for kids to play on. FCCLA also had a booth and float at the Colfax County
Fair. President Stephanie Larson quoted, “We have many things to
do this year and hope to accomplish everything’.
FFA
The Leigh-Clarkson FFA has 76 excited members looking forward to many
events this year. Nationals at Loisville, Kentucky, and districts are
two things the FFA is looking foward to. The FFA did many things over
the summer. They had a float in the Leigh and Clarkson fair, helped out
in the Leigh blood drive and had a huge fair with all the livestock shows.
President Jessica Herink is looking foward to “Having an awesome
year. We have a great team of officers that want to get many things accomplished
and there are many active members to help out with this too”. FFA
will compete at Loisville Kentucky at the end of October.
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| A
New Begining
A Seventh Grader Named Blake
by Leslie Schaad
For Blake Anthony
Brabec the start of this new school year was very different. This year
he started seventh grade at Leigh Jr./Sr. High School. Blake stated that
he was very excited about finally being in Jr. High, and that his favorite
thing about Jr. High so far is going out for sports, where he gets to
play football.
As the son of Gary and Charmayne Brabec and with all eight of his siblings
Blake has never had the choice of being lonesome. Gary and Charmayne were
blessed with their first son, Andy, then two years later, another brother,
Nate, and the list goes on with Dustin, Josh, Jake, Jordan, Kyle, their
first daughter Alisha, and finally Blake was born November 18, 1991.
In his spare time you might find Blake eating his favorite food, pizza,
or watching his favorite movie, Navy Seals. He also enjoys sports, hunting,
and farming. This busy seventh grader also raises cows, pigs, and chickens
on their family farm. So far Blake likes Jr. High better than elementary
school beacause “You get to do more stuff in Jr. High than what
you did in grade school.” He is having fun in Jr. High so far and
he is looking forward to the next six years that he will be in High School.
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