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No expectations. Deep breaths in through the nose and out through the mouth.

It’s hard to “find your chill” when the beginning of the year is comprised of 679 freshmen, the largest in school history. From the senior vets who struggle to

finish college applications, to the freshmen newcomers who struggle to find their classes that first day, no one, thankfully, has a clue what they’re doing. While this universal fact ruminates through

the jam-packed building of 2,490 students and 230 staff members, it doesn’t keep each individual from having their own point of view. It’s comforting to know that you are a part

of something as large and in charge as the Millard West community, but it’s also thrilling to find that singular spirit within. Music students sing to themselves in the

hallway, forgetting about loitering with friends because there’s choreography to remember. DECA students count cash drawers in the

Scratchin’ Post, vowing to make the sale goal by the end of the week and football fans swoon on Jersey Day, where school spirit and muscular arms collide. One could argue that every school has a

unique student body, but ours is stamped with a Wildcat signature; an untouchable paw print that is dipped in the zest of our Omaha experience. Each and every aspect of our lives can be

individualized from the first day of ninth grade when a timid "here" slips out of our mouths.There’s that one light bulb in first block

that wakes you up, that one teacher who stays before and after school for you and that one perspective always shining its light on all of your homework, essays and school days, no matter how trivial they may seem. There are dreamers in the stands, doers in

the IT labs, artists in the Green Mile Gallery, athletes in the locker rooms and champions in our history. Our strength in numbers does not take away from the depth of humanity and each story begs to be shared under the every

day flourescent lights, glaring and golden in a way that cannot go unnoticed.When your Millard West journey starts,

everyone tells you it’ll breeze by; it’ll zoom past even when finding a lunch table seemingly takes a million years. You shrug it off and groan at the thought of waking up for a Student Council meeting. But there will be a moment where you get the very last serving of pizza sticks, the clean lot traffic clears up at the perfect second and the AP Bio lesson makes sense. You make it to the edge, to the brink of who you are and you become better. But it's up to you. Millard West is full of

opportunity, but it's your perspective, your attitude, that makes the experience one and only.The stress, though extremely taxing, is yours.

The homework, though occasionally soul-crushing, is yours. The wins and losses. The voice cracks and bold ballads. The sunrises and sunsets. The misspelled parking permits and the fight for a front row spot. The 8:00s and the 3:15s. All yours. So own it.

MCkenzie andersonphotograph by

by Kamrin Baker

summerAt the end of May, as the final seconds of

the school bell tick off, our only thoughts are consumed with what our relaxing Summer Break might hold. There are some of us who will suffer through

the sweltering heat, shining in sweat, all in hopes to have our faces on the big screen at the College World Series. We might take in the pleasure of riding with our windows down, blaring “Cheerleader,” “Watch Me,” or “Cool for the Summer” to enjoy that time before it’s over. We might throw pool parties to rally in the

triple-digit temperatures that our summers are known for. We try to keep cool, as we make a splash or sip away at the sweet juices of our Kona Ice creations. These characteristics are what make up summer: it’s a time of relaxation, a time to enjoy the simplest pleasures and maybe even a time to try new things. There are students who truly branched out and

stepped out of their comfort zone. The ones who spent summers traveling distances far from home, to expand their knowledge of other cultures or help those in need. Students and teachers alike traveled far and wide

to foreign countries, fully immersing themselves in other culutures. Mrs. Palmer led the students who wanted a unique cultural experience, surrounded by cobbled roads, the smells of European delicacies and the Eiffel Tower looming over their heads. Mrs. Ehrke took the students wishing to travel abroad to Costa Rica and widen their language experiences in a whole new setting, surrounded by strange accents and adventurous excursions. Then there are those who spent their summer

dedicated to improving the lives of others around the world. Several students traveled to India to work together and teach English to children who have never been given the experience, impacting

the lives of others around them. The variety of summer experiences between us

is vast and unique to each individual student.While some students were able to escape the hot

Nebraska summer by going on vacations, soaking up the sun from a different latitude, others stayed behind, timing in long days at their summer job and building their bank accounts up. Whether we were bagging groceries at Hy-Vee, caddying a golf cart at Tiburon, or taking our summer readings to the beach, it all paid off in the end; basking in the warm summer sun and adding a little color to our skin after having quite the productive Summer Break.Each of us had our own summer stories, all

from a different point of view, which we bring with us to the first days of school. We catch up with one another, sharing our stories and adventures of the summer, just as the first bell of the school year brings us all back together again.

by Haley Dahlgaard

rafting out loudPushing against the current, junior Corey Hadfield white water rafts with his peers from Spanish class. They traveled to Costa Rica to learn more about Hispanic culture and expand on the language in a real-life setting. “Rafting was probably my favorite part of the trip,” Hadfield said. “It was so interactive, and since my mom came along, it was amazing.”

all aboardSharing smiles and the joy of simplicity, freshmen Taylor Evans and Kamry

Rasmussen savor an annual trip to the lake. While the thought of schoolwork and early mornings washed away in the fresh water, their minds focused on the task at hand: relaxing and having fun. “Hanging out with friends was the best part of my summer by far,” Evans said. “We went tubing, skiing and while I didn’t get a sunburn, Kamry did. Staying at my cousin’s cabin made the experience even better and I will never forget the summer of 2015.”

KIRSTEN EHRKEphotograph courtesy of

gone fishingComplete with a perfect midwest sunset and a gleaming aqua pond, senior Kara Sloane spends a night fishing on the lake. She had been invited to go camping in Iowa with a group of friends, and the adventure did not disappoint. “I’ve been camping before, but this time was with my friends,” Sloane said. “We played a lot of games, went fishing and made s’mores. I love being with them and just being there together and talking about pointless stuff made my summer perfect.”

ultimate summerAdvancing the frisbee down the field, senior ALEXANDER BERGERON enjoys a pick-up game at the park during the warm months of the year. A group of seniors organized a summer get-together to reunite after a summer of individual warm-up time. “Frisbee is an easy game to get everyone together and play.” Bergeron said. “I really like to be competitive and play the game. My friends told me I needed to come even after my baseball game because I dominate when I get on the field.”

photo by haley dahlgaard photo by catherine cowellphoto courtesy of kamry rasmussen

Corey Hadfield ‘17, Spanish teacher Kirsten Ehrke, Eric Kimberly, Kendall Schmidt ‘16

1st semesterBefore we know it, first semester is here.

It’s out with the old and in with the new. The summer sun has set, forcing

us to adjust our alarm clocks from 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. and sending us off to war for a parking spot in the clean lot. But as we face the struggle of getting out of

bed every morning, we also face a fresh start and infinite opportunities. Although the thought of texting underneath the table makes us feel rebellious, there’s no denying the excitement we feel walking up to the doors you seemingly just broke out of. Behind these securely-locked doors are 2,490

teenage students scrambling to find long lost friends with a Scooter’s Caramelicious in hand. In a way, everyone picks up right where they left

off; meeting at their usual bench and making a morning stop by the Cat’s Den. Suddenly, our lives start to revolve around

Millard West High School, and we realize we’ve missed it. Getting back into the swing of things, it’s hard to imagine life without saying the Pledge of Allegiance and donut Fridays in QT. After all, we do live for the Friday night battles for front row, the controversial Back to School Dance and the much-needed food days. We are the ones that take review games too far

and stay up too late studying to make sure our grade stays above a 92.5%. First semester smells like green body paint,

tastes like burnt marshmallows, looks like too many fire drills, sounds like the best student section in Omaha and feels like the beginning.

Everyone will set personal goals. Athletes can’t wait to break in their new shoes and take on their fierce opponents. The band spends countless hours in the dirty lot after school to perfect their tempo. Clubs hit the ground running with trips to the Hope Center and volunteer positions in consessions. School spirit is at its yearly high with the overcrowded pep rallies and abundance of class sweatshirts in the Scratchin’ Post. No matter our niches, each one of us has clean perspective.We’re optimistic and envision the next 10

months to be better than the last. Our minds are open to the possibilities of success and ready to take advantage of our unique points of view. We reach a feeling of anticipation, a sense of freedom that compells us to do more. And it starts now.

by MACKENZIE ROUW

wildat POWderUnder a cloud of baby powder, the student section, lead by the senior boys, thunders with Wildcat pride. Senior Dylan

Thompson was at the front of the pack. “It is a senior tradition to be in the front row,” Thompson said. “I love supporting everyone and cheering on the team.”

LAUREN LOOFEphotograph by

game faceEnthusiastically getting involved in a review game, senior Levi Drummond puts his focus on winning it all in International Relations. Drummond enjoyed advancing his political knowledge, especially with social studies teacher Alyssa Watson. “I had a really great experience with her as my teacher,” Drummond said. “She really is a great and awesome teacher who loves to work with students, which has been really helpful as my senior year is going by. I’m really excited to graduate and take on whatever life will throw at me.”

aligned in designWhile on a walking tour to learn about different features and styles of a house, senior Christina Thompson fills out her study guide beside senior Pauline

Hansen. The students were viewing neighborhoods around Millard West to extend their knowledge in an interactive way during class. “I thought Interior Design would be a fun class to take because you get to use your ideas and you aren’t constrained to a guideline,” Thomson said. “I thought about being an interior designer for a while, but now it’s more of a Plan B.”

nailed itWith safety goggles on his face, junior Harrison Hallowell builds upon his woodworking project. in Industrial Technology. Hallowell’s original intent behind this class was to fulfill his future plans of construction management. “I really enjoyed my first semester,” Hallowell said. “It’s hard to find a balanced schedule through all of the AP classes, but I am still able to have a social life and enjoy my junior year.”

photo by catherine cowellphoto by catherine cowell photo by kamryn buchanan

0231st semester022 august 30-september 5

the

club reaches new heights with increased membership

pancake power As the HOSA kick-off breakfast begins, senior Courtney Lombardo serves pancakes with HOSA sponsor Nathan

Seggerman. During the meeting, Lombardo and the other leaders discussed their plans for the year with the incoming members. “As a leader, you do a lot more for the club, like making executive decisions, running a meeting and organizing fundraisers,” Lombardo said. “I normally run the blood drive and this year I also personally designed the T-shirt.”

career kick-off First time HOSA member, sophomore Kathryn Huff attends the kick-off breakfast to check-out what the club is about. Interested in becoming a pediatric registered nurse, Huff joined HOSA to get involved with the medical field. “I’m going to volunteer for the blood drive and give out food to the students,” Huff said. “I am also going to help plan HOSA week after that.”

photograph by emmily hawk

O ne of the most popular activities for Computer Science Club members was flying the four drones that computer science club advisor Ramsey Young

provided for his members. While the drones were mostly used for exploring and programming for fun, students also took them to football games and other school events to shoot videos and take pictures. “We started using the drones and learning to program them last winter,” senior Dylan Christiansen said. “To fly them, we have an app on our phones that detects tilts, but when we take them to big events we control them with a joystick.” Main drone flyer, senior Collin Kauth-Fisher taught other members how to fly the drones by showing them the basic techniques and letting them experiment on their own. “There are not a lot of people who fly the drones in the club so I became one of the best by default,” Kauth-Fisher said. “I practice flying them once a week and have about two to three years of experience.” The Computer Science Club started out with only four members last year, but this year grew to over 20. The club was created by Young for students who were interested in or had taken computer science classes before. It gave them the ability to learn about computer science in ways where they had more freedom to explore what they wanted. “I needed a basis for students to be able to practice to do competitive computer science events,” Young said. “It allows them to be able to learn about computer sciences in more of a free, do-something-you-like-kind-of-way.” Later in the year, some of the members would participate in competitions to put their skills to the test. Splitting up the club and creating two teams gave them a better chance at winning each of the competitions.

On top of the band stand, seniors David Bradley, Dylan Christiansen and Collin Kauth-Fisher demonstrate how to fly the drones. Being the most experienced flyers, the three took them out to many school events. “I had experience with RC Electric cars,” Kauth-Fisher said. “So learning to fly the drones was relatively easy.”

SKY breakfast of champions

022 august 30-september 5

“When we were making Homecoming decorations, I helped lead my group and come up with ideas for the concession stand wall,” sophomore Ashton Koch said. “The officers had chosen a theme before we had even started meetings, but we all helped choose the song and quote for Homecoming. This year the quote was “Rock Around the Clock” and the song was “Twist and Shout!” We basically had members come up with songs and quotes that people could relate back to the 50’s so that it would match our theme.”

”We got to pick what we wanted to work on and who we wanted to work with for the weeks we decorated for Homecoming,” freshman Rachel Hedgecock said. “My group traced out silhouettes to hang on the wall because we didn’t have enough time to cut them out before the dance. We finished our project early, so we helped everyone else out the rest of the week. I joined Student Council this year because I like volunteer work and hanging out with friends. It also looks good on college applications.”

“I have been in Student Council since the beginning of my freshman year,” junior Hannah

Carron said. “My favorite part about being in the club is decorating for Homecoming and helping come up with and vote for the theme. Every Tuesday and Thursday for three weeks leading up to the dance, we meet to paint posters and make the other decorations like the silhouettes, after school. I like seeing our hardwork pay off at the dance and hearing compliments from others. I am proud that our work makes people happy.”

photos by grace kelly

is the limit

story by emmily hawk, Kira johnson, madison paces, majbritt Takkebos and sinja michel

road to homecomingphoto by annaliese punt photo by annaliese punt photo by emily jones

034 SPIRIT WEEK 0351st semester

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046 reserve/freshmen football 047fall sports

reserve football divides and conquers their biggest rival, Creighton Prep

PLAYING FOR A REASONEvery athlete plays for a reason, whether

it involves playing to overcome stress, to impress college scouts, or to follow in their family’s footsteps.

Sophomore Jaden Cover played to be admirable not only to coaches and teammates, but also his grandmother. She was diagnosed in March of 2015 with not one, but two, types of cancers: stomach and liver.

Despite these medical obstacles, Cover’s grandmother still managed to make it to all of his games. Out of respect, he styled one green and one purple sock; the green representing liver cancer; the purple representing stomach cancer.

“She supports me, so I support her,” Cover said. “I love her so much. She’d always yell things like ‘don’t touch my Jadey’ and I’d just laugh.”

Over the course of summer and fall, Cover’s grandmother’s health had improved slightly, leaving more time to watch her grandson continue to play on the undefeated team. Cover even managed to suit up for three varsity

games, as well as five JV, and nine reserve games. He specialized as right tackle throughout the teams.

“Jaden has a ton of upside and a chance to be a really good player. He’s a nice young boy,” coach Kirk Peterson said. “He is definitely senior Prom King material.”

Off the field, Cover continued to be a likeable spunky kid, and on the field his competitive side began to surface.

“I block during run plays and run for the quarterback on pass plays,” Cover said. “It can feel like you get no reward sometimes on offensive line, so it’s important to be close with the other offensive linemen.”

As her health weakened, she projected all of her strength and energy towards her strongly-willed grandson. Although Cover’s time was limited with his biggest fan, he pushed forward in and out of the game. Recognition towards him grew progressively, as did Cover’s grandmother’s excitement and cheers.

staying on his feet Fighting to escape the grasp of the other team, sophomore Brody

Belt races to score another touchdown. Prep’s defense during the game was challenging, but not a match for our offense. “It feels amazing to know that I tricked one of the other players,” Belt said. “Especially since it led to a touchdown.”

to theliving up

As the numbers ticked down to zero and the final buzzer rang, the reserve football

team cheered and gleamed with excitement.Although they were shaking

hands with Creighton Prep in that moment, they knew there would be nothing but mean words on their social media feed. Before the game started, the players’ minds were racing with thoughts about the upcoming game. The two teams debated over Twitter about who would win.“We wanted to beat them because

they are an all-guy school and they always talk about how they’re the best,” sophomore CHARLES

DONE said. “So we played to prove ourselves.”Going into the game, both reserve

football teams were undefeated. They had each played some of the hardest teams in their class, but they knew that their greatest opponents were each other. “Our biggest struggle was that we

had to play at their field,” reserve football coach SETH WHITE said. “At the beginning of the game we were struggling a lot because of that.”

Both the offense and defense were fighting a tough battle at the beginning of the game. They started off the second quarter with only one touchdown, whereas Prep already had two. Once sophomore BENJAMIN CHRISTeNSoN got an exciting kickoff return, they knew they were back in the game.“Adrenaline was running through

my veins when I caught the ball,” Christansen said “It was so surreal that I didn’t know what to do but run to the end zone.” After he scored the thrilling

touchdown, the rest of the Wildcats

were ready to beat the Bluejays. Their heads were in the game.“We did a lot of good things after

that play, and our comeback was amazing,” White said. “It definitely gave the team a lot of confidence.”Offense ran as far as they could

and defense pushed the other team back with all of their might. By the end of the fourth quarter, Millard West had scored six touchdowns and Prep still was stuck with two. As the final buzzer went off, they

knew they had achieved their goal for the season, and most of all, lived up to the talk.

“Being an inside linebacker is extremely fun. I get to watch the whole field and see the plays develop, and I also stop runs between the tackles. It’s the only position that I can play because of my size. I’ve been playing it for two years now and I really like it.”

“I like being a cornerback because I enjoy playing defense. It is better than others because it’s more of a challenge covering players than catching the ball.”

“Being a guard is really fun because you get to destroy the other team’s defense and you get to smash into them. I really like tackling other people because it makes me feel stronger. It’s definitely more strength than skill. I’m really good at it because of my height.”

“Being a quarterback is really fun because it makes me feel like a leader and I’m in charge of what happens during that play. I get to bond with everyone on the team and it’s really cool. When I was little I wanted to be one and it just kind of stuck with me.”

“I like being a wide receiver because I enjoy catching passes from the quarterback. Sometimes it leads to a touchdown, which is really exciting. I also like the fact that I’m out in the open field and not in between other people.”

“I like being a tight end because it involves a lot of running and that’s one of my favorite hobbies. You also have to be super fast and have some muscle. I’ve been playing this position for a while now and I really enjoy it.”

photo by delaney nordbrock photo by delaney nordbrock photo by delaney nordbrock photo by annaliese punt photo by delaney nordbrock

photo by annaliese punt

photo by annaliese punt

photograph byashleigh shafer

Play

ers’

POSI

TIO

NS

Pre-game rituals

“Every morning on game days, I eat Captain Crunch Berry for breakfast.”

-Jacob Harmdierks ‘19

“Before each game I listen to the song ‘Intro’ by Ja Rule. It gets me pumped.”

-Pryce Dornbier ‘19

“I listen to rap before each game, especially Fetty Wap. His music gets me pumped up.”

-ZacharyWillis ‘19

“Before each game I put an American flag bandana around my head.”

-Colin Backhaus ’19

“I usually put on either black or white Nike socks and I tie my shoes extremely tight.”

-Zachary Merkley ‘19

Cade Cutler ‘18Samual Heusel ‘19

jumping sky high Going into the Omaha South game, the reserve team is undefeated.

During one intense play, sophomore Ryan

Lasauskas spotted the ball flying above him and leaped into the air, desperately trying to get a hold of

his target, but missed. “I was mad because I missed the catch,” Lasauskas said “However I was happy for

Grant because it was his first touchdown and he’s one of my friends.”

wilbeck him up Running with all of his

might, sophomore Grant Wilbeck enters the endzone. After backing up one of his teammates

from a failed catch, Wilbeck snatched the ball and raced to another touchdown for the Wildcats. “It was

very exciting because it was my first touchdown of the season,” Wilbeck said “I was very energetic and

happy once I crossed the line.”

before the storm At the beginning of the game against Omaha Bryan, West starts off strong

doing well on defense and offense. When the first quarter ended, the freshmen team was down by a few

points. “We didn’t win the game,” freshman Riley

Scharff said. “But I enjoyed playing in the rain because it’s fun getting my jersey dirty.”

storm the field As it started to drizzle, the Wildcats continue to push on, trying to win against

Prep. The freshmen football team slipped and slid through the muddy field. “I like playing in the rain,”

freshman Samuel Stodola said. “It changed up how we played the game.”

photo by delaney nordbrock

Kaylor Donscheski ‘19Joshua Main ‘18

TALK

story by annaliese punt

photo by delaney nordbrock

Wade Ott ‘19

Alec Barrett ‘18

photo by delaney nordbrock

photo by anna buchannan

story by delaney nordbrock

sophomore plays to impress a loved one

052 crazies/mascot 053fall sports

think pink Screaming loud and proud, seniors MATTHEW LOBERG and RYAN EMMEL

cheer on the players seconds before kick-off at the “Pink Out” themed Homecoming game. “Matt and

I are a good team while on the sidelines,” Emmel said. “Both of us have a lot of energy to bring.”

coastal craze Although his toes aren’t in the sand, senior Matthew Loberg runs

along a make-shift beach with flag in hand during the Hawaiian- themed game. Loberg continued

the tradition of running on the track with his fellow Crazies after a touchdown. “My goal is to

get as many people that attend football games to also go to the volleyball and basketball games,”

Loberg said. “Every team deserves equal support.”

What are your goals as a Crazy?“I want to out-perform the last couple years Crazies by being fun and bringing plenty of energy to the student section. I really would like to come up with a couple of new chants to teach the student section but also keep the classics.”

Have you always been the “class clown?”“Yeah, I’ve always been somewhat of a class clown. I always have something witty to say back to my teachers when they make sassy comments. I love to joke around with my classmates and have a good time in school. Sarcasm is my favorite way of making people laugh.”

What are your goals as a Crazy?“I love being involved in our school events and my biggest goal as a Crazy is to get as many people as I can to have school spirit, pride and support for all activities. I also want to get them to love being involved as much as I do.”

What’s it like to get negative feedback?“It’s hard hearing negative feedback from my peers because so much effort is put into each and every event. It motivates us Crazies to come up with more chants and cheers and improve the ones we already use to pump up the crowd during all school activities.”

What are your goals as a Crazy?“My goals as a Crazy are to be better than the past years, and I don’t want any of us to feel like we can slack on our

responsibilities. Because I’m a Crazy, I feel like this will be the best year of high school for me.”

What was your favorite part of being a Crazy?

“My favorite part was getting to know everyone else that was a Crazy. I could tell from the first time we met that we would be good friends from then on. With all of our

outgoing personalities, we got along great.”

What are your goals as a Crazy?“I want to make the student section as loud as it can be

while getting support for our student athletes. My goal is to be able to say that we represented our school well and in a

fun and positive way.”

What motivated you to be a Crazy?“I liked watching previous Crazies pump up the crowd and I thought it looked like a blast. My personality is the main

factor that helps me not hold back in front of a crowd. I am outgoing and free spirited and courageous, just like a cat.”

GETCHA, GETCHA HEAD IN THE GAME Wildcat Crazies raise the bar for school spirit at games

EMILY“Being a Crazy is crazy and also a little

weird. The only time I get nervous is when people don’t follow along when we start

chants. Usually, my nerves are replaced with adrenaline and I always get really excited for the games to start. I take a lot of time to get

ready, and sometimes I’m a little bit late, but my weird outfits make up for my timing.”

“Being in the mascot suit is a great way for me to express myself without worrying about who will judge me. I love being able to do whatever I want to get both the student section and the parents involved. The only annoying thing is how hot it gets in the suit, but I usually just ignore the sweat and keep going with my job.”

“I love running around in front of our student section and I think it’s pretty cool that I’m able to make the crowd roar with excitement about our school. I’m just a crazy person in general, so I think that being a Crazy is a perfect fit for me.”

SUIT UP AND CHANT WITH MEperspective is shifted as student steps into Willie the Wildcat

To junior Chase Cousins, the phrase “school spirit” was more than just body paint and baby powder. Cousins spent Fridays disguised as Willie the Wildcat.

He decided that being a mascot would give him an excuse to act wild and passionately.

“Past mascots made it look like fun to dance on the track,” Cousins said. “I get to be closer to the game while pumping up the crowd.”

The environment of the game was altered when Cousins stepped into Willie’s shoes.

“It’s freeing to be inside

the suit and know that nobody knows who you are,” Cousins said. “It helps me to be more energetic.”

The opportunity to become a mascot was not taken lightly. Each contender was required to complete a variety of tasks while in the suit to prove their abilities.

“Our team of 11 mascots are expected to be creative during their tryouts,” bookkeeper Cynthia

Hamilton said. “That way, we know they will give it their all during the games.”

Cousins’ dedication to the athletic department helped pump up the crowd and athletes all year.

home of the Wildcats With caps removed and hands on their hearts, the close knit group of Crazies proudly respects the flag before taking on the Patriots. Friendships were created and memories were made through the desire to support their school under the Friday night lights. “Everything is always a group effort,” senior Emily

Bremers said. “We get along really well, which makes it easy to make decisions like the theme for the game or what chants we are going to call.”

s’lei the competition Surrounded by Hawaiian shirts and sunglasses, senior Kaitlyn Kurtzuba celebrates a sweep against Bryan. The Hawaiian theme was a favorite among students because it called for a variety of colors and things to wear. “The crowd responded to us a lot more during this game because of the score, so we were able to start more chants and go all out,” Kurtzuba said. “The turnout was really impressive for a game that wasn’t against a Millard team.”

friday bright lights Motivated to excite the crowd and cheer on the athletes, senior Spencer Bright displays his enthusiasm during a momentum-shifting play. With minimal time left in the half, Bright worked alongside his fellow Crazies to keep the students loud. “ I believe our noise level contributed to our team’s ability to keep the opponents from scoring,” Bright said. “The whole crowd was loud and involved.”

pink friday Digging out every piece of pink clothing from their closets, the Crazies displayed their support for Breast Cancer Awareness month. “It was a really solid game all around,” senior Benjamin Wenrich said. “The crowd was loud and all of the Crazies showed up.”

student takes his support to the sidelines after an injury halts his athletic career

DROP IT

LOBERG DROP IT

BRAYDEN BELT ‘16

SPENCERBRIGHT ‘16

Having to watch and support former teammates and friends finish their final Wildcat season was painful for senior

Matthew Loberg when a knee injury conflicted with his passion for athletics.Loberg played on a fractured knee throughout

his sophomore year without knowing it. At a basketball game the summer before his junior year, his knee finally gave out, and the injury came to his attention. “The surgery itself wasn’t bad, as it only took

two hours,” Loberg said. “I went home right after that and was able to walk around with crutches. It still hurts all the time, though.”With three screws in his left knee and a full

recovery time of three years, Loberg made other plans to express his school spirit.“I obviously can’t play the sports I would like to

anymore,” Loberg said. “But I’m happy I can still support my friends in an active way.” Others recognized Loberg’s fierce school pride

and jumped on the opportunity to appoint him as the lead Crazy. “He approached me and asked about being

a Crazy,” athletic director Christopher Loofe said. “Matt is perfect for the job because he is very energetic and attends a wide variety of events.” As the head Crazy, Loberg made it his duty

to make game days memorable. Loberg ensured that positive energy was present during events.“My biggest task is to start the group chants for

all of us,” Loberg said. “Then together, we decide the theme for that week and talk about how to get the crowd involved at games.”Cheering on his friends and teammates from

the track did not go unnoticed. Senior Logan

Anderjaska appreciated the support from his long-time friend.“I think the role fits Matt really well since he

has always been a crazy kid,” Anderjaska said. “I can see him pumping up the crowd while I’m playing.” Loberg was pleased with where he was as a

Crazy. However, he still looked forward to getting back on the track as an athlete with plans to overcome his injury and grow as an individual and as a runner the future. “I plan on running track in the spring,” Loberg

said. “Maybe in the future I will be able to run track in college with a scholarship.”Despite Loberg not being able to play football

his senior year, he did not let that determine how he would show his school pride.

photo by katherine gilroy

photo by lauren loofe

photo by katherine gilroy

photo by katherine gilroy

story by MCKENZIE ANDERSON, HANNAH BUTLER, and KATHERINE GILROY

photo by keegan holmesphoto by brooke sanchez

photo by grace kelly

photo by mckenzie anderson

BREMERS ‘16

photo by mckenzie anderson

story by MCKENZIE ANDERSON, HANNAH BUTLER and KATHERINE GILROY

photo by abigail durbin

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photo by lauren loofe

photograph by mckenzie anderson

-Adam Ortega ‘16

-Gwyneth Heisterkamp ‘16

-Kaitlyn Kurtzuba ‘16

-Benjamin Wenrich ‘16

photo by haley dahlgaard

074 cycling 075fall sports

Being one of the eight girl cyclists out of the 26 members involved in the new and uprising club, sophomore Alexandra Neel had a lot on her plate. With it being her first year, she had set the bar high for herself with improved goals from previous races that would lead her to a successful season.

Neel started racing competitively five years ago. Her dad had been very involved in cycling which helped spark her interest in the sport. He motivated her by going on rides with her and pushing her past her comfort zone.

“Throughout this season my goal has been to not only compete against others but to also compete with myself,” Neel said. “I owe the improvements this year to the help of my dad.”

In her second meet, Neel venturened out of her comfort zone competing in her first road bike race. Even though this type of race was

not what she was used to, she managed to push through and place higher than she had hoped.

“Road bike races were out of my comfort zone, but I still ended up in fifth place,” Neel said. “Regardless, I try not to let the numbers determine my success in my races.”

After competing in five races this season, Neel was rewarded with being named the second in the state, which was an astonishing accomplishment for a student in the club that was only in its second year.

“I am proud of myself on how well I placed this season, as I worked hard on my own time,” Neel said. “I go on an hour ride at least four times a week.”

Neel expected a lot out of herself and took the races seriously because she was determined to win and push herself past her limits to overcome her personal goals.

As a new and uprising club, no one could predict how the second season would go. Many

of the new members had very little knowledge and experience of riding bikes in a competitive way. The Cycling Club welcomed

students with a wide range of abilities and experience levels to join and experience a new way to be involved. Many students this year decided to take up the opportunity and try something new and out of their comfort zone by joining.“I came into Cycling Club not

knowing much about the sport or what to expect,” freshman Benjamin

Goeser said. “Even though I didn’t know a lot it was still a great

experience for my freshmen year.”Goeser wasn’t the only student that

decided to try cycling for the first time by joining the club. Freshman Mitchell Johnston also took the leap and experienced his first season of cycling after buying a new bike. “I had just bought a new bike

before school started,” Johnston said. “It worked out well because the bike I had bought ended up being specialized for cyclocross races, and that race is my favorite.” Members of the club all had their

own reason to join. Whether it was because they wanted to be involved with the school, decided to join with a close friend, or had a passion for cycling and had been a part of the

club in the past, all members joined with an open mind and excitement for the season. For freshman Tyler Kluch and his

best friend, freshman Andrew Bizal, cycling was how they decided to spend more time with one another and get involved in the school.“I am glad my friend Drew and I

decided to join, and it made us closer since neither one of us knew much about cycling or what to expect,” Kluch said. “I met lots of great friends that I probably wouldn’t have met if we hadn’t joined this year.”Following his brother’s footsteps at

Westside, social studies teacher and coach Ryan Moseley started up the club last year with high hopes of the

club succeeding at his own school.“This season has exceeded my

expectations tremendously,” Moseley said. “As a team, my roster almost doubled, and also as a race series we had significantly more racers and schools involved.” On top of the large number of

brand new cyclists in the club, the skill and talent of the athletes grew as well. The team this year included 26 members, six of them being girls. The wider range of members helped the club progress from the previous year. Cycling Club as a whole ended with many of the atheltes placing top in the state and left the members pushing themselves to accomplish more.

cycling into a SEASON

For sophomores Jennifer Ecklund

and Sarah Babcock, Cycling Club was a new activity which they discovered and really enjoyed together.

“We both wanted to find a club in school that we could join together and that we both would find enjoyable,” Babcock said. “We decided on Cycling Club with the influence of Jenny’s sister.”

They started off the season open-minded and not knowing much about the sport, leading them to learn about a new type of activity while they also

grew together as cyclists.Ecklund and Babcock wanted to

do something together and Ecklund remembered how much her sister enjoyed cycling last year. This led to asking Babcock if she would want to try it out.

“I am so glad Sarah wanted to join with me,” Ecklund said. “Spending the season with one of my closest friend made it way better.”

They had an amazing season and having one another led to their success.

girls on a mission Pushing on outside of her comfort zone, sophomre Sarah

Babcock rides in a race. Throughout the season they were determined to make a name for themselves. “I am really proud of how well us girls did in our meets this season,” Babcock said. “It was nice for us to have each other’s backs.”cole on a roll Throughout the season sophomore Cole Limpach works hard to progress. Not only did he practice on his own time, he also made sure to make it to every practice to better prepare himself. “At all of the meets I pushed myself to place well,” Limpach said. “My hard work paid off.”

“I have always had an interest and knowledge about cycling, but this club taught me methods I hadn’t used before. Coach Moseley pushed me to work harder and boosted my confidence.”Calvin Hilliard’18

“I placed top three in almost all of my meets this season. Placing well made the endless amount of time I spent practicing worthwhile.”Cole Limpach’18

“This is my first year being involved in Cycling Club. I signed up because my sister had been apart of this club last year, and she persuaded me to join. I didn’t think I would like cycling but it turned out to be something I am passionate about.” JENNIFER ECKLUND’18

“I am not a fan of running or a lot of other excersises, but Cycling Club is a perfect way for me to stay in shape.”Sarah Babcock’18

“I started to cycle in races in my free time my freshmen year, and when I heard West was starting a club last year, I was really excited to join. This year, I have continued to love being apart of this club. I got into cycling by participating in a lot of triatholons. They were always lots of fun, but after a while, I realized I hated the running and swimming parts. I also wasn’t the best at it so I decided I would stick to just the cycling side of it because that is what I was good at and enjoyed the most.”

ANDREW CALL ‘16

friends to the finish line

a story to tell Taking full advantage of every meet, freshman Benjamin Goeser takes a chance on joining a club he had known nothing about. ”This was easily one of the best decisions I made going into my freshman year,” Goeser said. “I’m not too experienced in cycling, so being able to join and learn throughout the season was a great opportunity. I was able to meet many new friends and found something I enjoy.”

story by Alexis Bohn, MORGAN EDWARDS and MadISON Hodges

story by Alexis Bohn, MORGAN EDWARDS and MaDISON Hodges

photo by mekenzie looney

photo by amanda leroux

photo by mekenzie looney

photos by mekenzie looney

A GIRL BIKE ME

photograph by

MEKENZIE LOONEY

Experienced cyclist continues to challenge herself to make it to the top

new season brings more determination to further progress the club

NEW

136 west in the groove 137performing arts

Welcoming change into their dance numbers, the members of West in the Groove stepped up their performance by incorporating a theme into their show. For the three years prior, shows had involved variety, but not a particular theme. Preparation for this show began in

January of last year, but the theme was not fully decided upon until the summer. Ideas flowed through the minds of show choir director Zachary Bjornsen and assistant show choir director Thomas

Young. From Shazaming catchy songs to e-mailing himself ideas, Bjornsen was determined to create a brand new experience for those performing and watching.

“I am so passionate about this theme that I knew the songs had to be absolutely fitting,” Bjornsen said. “I’ve created themed shows for Uptown Girls, but never for WIG. The idea that everyone has their place in the world evolved to what we now call Pleasantville.”For senior Ana Chavez, this theme

hit close to home. While realizing that the theme was inspirational in itself, she also realized that it was inspirational in her own ventures.“Everyone in WIG can relate to

this theme,” Chavez said. “But I noticed this theme talks about finding yourself, which is what I am focusing on during my last year of high school.”

Throughout the course of the show, members transformed from lifeless beings to cheerful souls with the help of various colorful ensembles. The numbers began with slow and dark melodies and ended with lightheartedness. “I love the opener because I think

it is such a good foreshadow to what the rest of the show is going to be,” senior Caleb Campbell said. “Personally, I think being who you are and not being scared to be different is the most important message of the theme.”Without Bjornsen’s thorough

passion for this year’s theme, the emotional connection may not have touched all of its members equally.

“For me, the bottom line is your emotional connection to the show,” Bjornsen said. “This theme is all about being true to yourself and finding your place in the world. The costumes throughout the show change from gray to living color, which represents their celebration of life.”For most members of WIG,

having a theme was a positive experience that allowed each performance to deliver an optimistic point of view to the audience. As the performances unfolded, spectators were able to witness the underlying message: that being you was the most important thing a person could be.

West in the Groove adds theme after three yearsCatherine Cowell

photograph by

Back IN THE

GROOVEstory by McKEnzie AndersoN and HANNAH BUTLER

picture perfect Taking in the moment, seniors Caleb Campbell and Annika Brown focus in on perfecting their performance and carrying out their theme.

“Someone once told me that when you perform on a stage where people come to watch, it is your job to have an effect on the audience,” Brown said. “That’s why getting to tell a story is my favorite part about show choir.”

Taking her leadership skills from the stage to behind the scenes, senior Katelyn

Hinderer helped spread her knowledge of music to future performers.

Working with students from Russell Middle School and SNJ Performer’s Edge Music Studio, Hinderer was able to expand both their show choir techniques, along with her teaching methods.

“I got started doing this because I used to take piano lessons at SNJ’s music studio and they asked me if I would be willing to help out with the younger kids,” Hinderer said. “This experience has helped me learn how to be a better leader, which has allowed me to grow in my role as an upperclassman in WIG.”

Hinderer taught middle school students how to be more comfortable on stage with their music, choreography and positioning during concerts and musicals. She also assisted choir director Zachary Bjornsen

in teaching fellow choir students as a substitute for her off block.

“Teaching two different age groups of

students has given me the ability to tailor my teaching skills to meet the needs of each individual performer,” Hinderer said. “Children and music are two of my favorite things ever, so I’m glad this opportuniy has given me the chance to combine the two.”

With college just around the corner, Hinderer planned to use her newly- learned skills in her future career. Hoping to become a teacher, she took every chance she could to better her abilites as a future educator.

“Before starting this, I already knew that I wanted to do something with music for the rest of my life,” Hinderer said. “The kids I’m teaching have impacted me so much that I have decided to focus in on education as well.”

Hinderer was moved by the lessons she learned from both her students and her peers. With a repertoire of skills and the experience of a young professional, Hinderer was hopeful for a future of harmony.

show choir pro takes her expertise to the classroom

one in emily-on Getting the chance to express herself, junior Emily

paulich showcases her confidence. “Performing makes me feel alive and gives me inspiration to be myself around everyone,” Paulich said. “It allows me to try new things without holding back.”

perfect harmony Holding their ending pose, seniors Sarah Petersen and Noah Renken soak in their show. “Meeting new people through show choir has been a one-of-a-kind experience,” Renken said. “It’s really important to work as a team, even though we might have differences.”

dancin’ david As he executes his choreography, senior David Douglas is empowered by the reactions he recieves from

the spectators. Having been in show choir since seventh grade, Douglas

was comfortable with the stage. “Performing is so much different than practice,” Douglas said. “My

favorite part is the reaction from the audience. I feel powerful when I’m on stage because I’m able to make

the audience feel the same way that I do.”

story by McKenzie anderson and hannah butler

photo by kamrin baker photo by kamrin bakerrenae nastase ‘17, diana bedell ‘18

photo by katherine gilroy

“Over the three years that I have been in WIG, we’ve improved greatly. It also taught me that it’s not about the trophies,” senior Jacob fontana said. “It’s more about being a team and having fun with your friends.”

“I am honored to have the opportunity to be part of such an amazing group,” senior hannah

rader said. “I never want to live life without being involved in music because it has truly changed my life.”

”Show choir taught me that if you want something to be a certain way, you cannot give up,” senior Rachel Bailor said. “I learned that you have to find yourself in order to perform with all your heart.”

”The most important thing I’ve learned from WIG is dedication,” senior Madison Hayes said. “We have been working on this since summer, and it wouldn’t be the same without every person being a part of it to tell our story.”

“WIG has showed me how passionate of a person I am,” senior Joel Carrasquillo said. “I haven’t cared this much about anything in my whole life and I am eternally grateful to all of the people I get to share this with.”

“Ending my high school career with WIG is really important for me because I’m not continuing with my music career next year,” senior GRACE OETH said. “It’s bittersweet but I love it because it’s my last chance to perform.”

aJOURNEYto rememberphoto by hanna pleissphoto by kamrin baker photo by mckenzie anderson photo by catherine cowell photo by catherine cowellphoto by hannah butler

photo by katherine gilroy

dediKATEd

Keegan Holmes, Kamrin Baker, Mekenzie Looney Yearbook Theme Development Millard West High School