Monarch 2017@PLHS

PAPILLION- LA VISTA HIGH SCHOOL

VOLUME

58

PAPILLIONNEBRASKA

STUDENT LIFE

ORGANIZATIONS

SPORTS

PEOPLEPAPILLION-LA VISTA

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132-237HIGH SCHOOL 2016-2017

Opening Copy (Theme: @PLHS) The halls were monotonous; the days were gray. Yet inside of these days, we found ways to enjoy the gray and turn the halls and our lives into a sea of maroon, each body completely unique from the one next to it. When we looked deeper into that sea, all that could be seen was a family. This family existed only @PLHS. It was within these walls that the family supported one of its own, Brandon Steburg (12), on his fight for his life. No matter the struggles @PLHS we found ways to overcome them and achieve our goals. It was here that kids became adults and found the paths they wanted to blaze. We displayed our persistence to honor tradition through the Color of Hope game. However, we did not stop simply at carrying on traditions; we created them through grand accomplishments. Peyton Savington (11) helped the girls golf team to a Class A championship title. Jarrett Morgan (11) and the rest of Free Spirit dominated the competition at the Elkhorn show choir contest. Nicole Ludden (12) knocked the ACT out of the park and was accepted to Arizona State University. Olivia Boudreau (9) calmly drained two free throws as the girls basketball team upset Millard North at districts. Our family continued to grow as military families moved in and continued their stories with ours, @PLHS. We grew with 458 freshmen, and we graduated over 400 seniors. No change is easy, but within these walls, change was accepted and pursued. It was @PLHS that teachers like Mr. Chaz Zurcher, once a Monarch himself, who continued to teach tradition while pushing academic excellence. We continued the tradition that runs through our beige colored halls, plastered in posters of congratulations, support and inspiration. Here strangers became one family @PLHS.

OrganizationsDivision(Theme:@PLHS)

Weallsawthembothinandoutofthespotlight@PLHS.Theywerethestudentsweknewandloved,andlovedtosupport.Theyweretheoneswhowentaboveandbeyondtomakeourschoolthebestitcouldbeinthemostnovelways.Thestudentswhospenthoursoutofeachdaytomakeourhighschoolyearsinteresting,andwoulddowhatevertheycouldtofindsupportforwhattheybelievedin.

TheywerestudentslikeMadiWilson(11)whostartedtheYoungRepublicansclubforstudentstoshareandbuildoffofeachother’spoliticalviewsinrespectfulways.StudentslikeLaurenDominello(11)andJoeySilknitter(11)whostartedtheVegetarianClubforashort-lived,butall-inclusive,opportunityforstudentstolearnaboutadifferentlifestyle,whilescarfingdownpasta.TherewerestudentspavingnewroadsforfutureMonarchsthroughveteranclubslikeMorganEby(12)inDECAandEshuSenthil(11)inHOSA.

Whengroupsofstudentsgottogether@PLHS,theybecamestrongerthaneverbefore.StrengthinnumbershadawholenewmeaningafterseeingagymfullofstudentsandHOSAvolunteersdonatingbloodtoTheRedCrossorNHSstudentvolunteersmarchingattheannualSarpyCountyRelayforLife.

Theendlessamountofopportunitiesforstudentstoapplythemselveswaspartofwhatmadeouryearsoextraordinary.Theorganizationsbuiltupontraditioncontinuedtogrowaseachnewgroupofstudentsleftitsmarkbyworkingdayinanddayouttocraftexcitingwaystobringuniqueexperiencestostudentsthatcouldonlybefound@PLHS.

008 HOMECOMING

YouCan Top That?

Can you compare to these spirit week champions?[ [

2

4

@Student

Thank you so much for making the night possible! I had a blast!

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1. Ta-Da! Eric Pham (11) gets creative with the “Candy Land” themed decor. “My favorite song to

dance to was ‘Watch Me,’” Pham said. He “hit the whip,” did the “Nay nay” and danced to the music all night. Photo: Matthew Williamson. 2. Smooth Moves! A’lonte Davis (12) breaks out some sick

dance moves in the middle of the dance circle while everyone gathers around to watch. “My go to dance move was ‘The Stanky Leg,’” Davis

said. Photo: Laurel Glynn. 3. Strike a Pose! Emily Malotte (11) and Eshu Senthil (11) pose on

rows of shopping carts in front of the Papillion Wal-Mart. The girls went with a large group and

the supermarket became the hot spot before the dance. “We just wanted to be funny and do something kind of different,” Malotte said. “We

had a lot of fun, and overall, it was a great night.” Photo: Emily Malotte. 4. Say Cheese! Dayven

Warren (11), Faith Workman (11), Olivia Smith (11), Heather Sluga (11), Hailee Sluga (11) and

Tommy Loth (11) come together for a group photo, smiling and holding hands. “It was my first time going with a group,” Heather said. The group

went for dinner and danced throughout the night. “I liked it so much better than going with just one person so that all of my friends and I could just be

together.” Photo: Heather Sluga. 5. Congratulations! Ayo Akinwole (12) and Brendon Boatwright (12) welcome Kurtis Cotton (12) to the stage

with smiles and handshakes. The boys were good friends, as they all played fall sports, and they were

all on Homecoming court together. Photo: Cassie Lingreen. 3 5

Julianne Plourde (12) & Annie

Plumb (12)

“Red and white, but not feelin’ blue on ‘Murica Monday!”

“Wacky Wednesday with sweaters, heelys and stripes!”

“Monarch Friday with my best friend!”

Lindsey Ingwerson (9) & Skyler Smith (9)

Brendon Boatwright (12), Hannah Cahill (12), Rachelle Fokken (12) & Hannah Molinelli (12)

“tWINNING with my actual twin on Twin

Tuesday!”

Ben Nuss (9) & Dustin Nuss (9)

“Growing old with the best on Throwback Thursday!”

Jessica Epps (11) & Kylie Squiers (12)

Council

- Eric Pham (11)

“

“

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Royal

ALEXIS VICKERS & LAUREL GLYNN 009

6. Dance It Out! Blake Rule (12) shows off his moves in the middle of a dance circle. Many students watched as a heated dance competition began between Rule and several other boys. No official winner was declared, but it was something special that everyone enjoyed watching. Photo: Laurel Glynn. 7. Selfie! Megan Warrior (12), Christian Overly (11) and Joseph Amato (12) smile and pose for a Homecoming photo. The group went together and spent the night dancing. Photo: Laurel Glynn. 8. Smile! Jake Sykora (11) and Julianne Plourde (12) pose in front of Plourde’s house before the dance. The two went to Homecoming with a group after taking pictures at Halleck Park. “There were a lot of people there, which was cool because I got to take pictures with people outside of my group,” Plourde said. After photos, they went to Texas Roadhouse for dinner and were “fashionably late.” Photo: Julianne Plourde. 9. March to Victory. Hannah Cahill (12) walks onto Foundation Field, escorted by her mother, during halftime at the Homecoming football game. Everyone who was on the court got to walk on the field with their parents during halftime and be recognized. Photo: Ivan Hurst.

FamilyHannah Cahill carries on her family’s legacy as Homecoming queen.

The

Bow Down to the Crown!

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Story By: Laurel Glynn

Some students looked forward to dressing up in bright colors, wearing jewels and going to dinner. Others were more excited to be with

their friends and dance. But for Hannah Cahill (12), the main event of Homecoming was coronation.

“I was ecstatic to be on the Homecoming court,” Cahill said. “It was an amazing opportunity and so many good people were nominated.”

Many of the candidates were close friends. Cahill was with friends Rachelle Fokken (12) and Gabby De Los Reyes (12) when their names were announced over the intercom, and they even voted together.

“Hannah was so unselfish. She didn’t even think about voting for herself; she just loved the opportunity,” Fokken said.

“We all just wanted each other to win,” Brendon Boatwright (12), Homecoming prince,

said. “We loved experiencing it together.”Much of the student body felt that Cahill’s

appearance was prophetic. She was the third Cahill to be crowned at Homecoming. Her sister Jordan was named queen Hannah’s freshman year, and her brother Thomas was crowned prince the previous year.

“She said she was just so happy,” Fokken said. “It was something she wanted to be a part of because of her older siblings.”

Cahill may have carried on the dynasty, but she made the night entirely her own. She enjoyed spending the night with her friends and cherishing the moment.

“I just want to thank everyone who was able to participate: the court, student council and chaperones,” Cahill said. “Everyone was so amazing and supportive!”

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Princess Annie Plumb (12), queen Hannah Cahill (12), king Ayo Akinwole (12) and prince Brendon Boatwright (12) line up for a photo after coronation. The court spent time together in

the hallway before the winners were announced. “It was such an honor to be princess, and Hannah really deserved to be queen,” Plumb said. “Of the four Homecoming dances I’ve been to, this one

was by far the best.” For all of them, this was a night to remember. Photo: Cassie Lingreen.

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066 MARCHING BAND

In every competition, there is generally a team that is expected to sweep all the specialty (caption) awards. The students pay more

money, travel farther, and the whole team has better equipment. Whatever the odds that were stacked against them, the Monarch marching band persevered and came out on top by winning best percussion out of 15 bands at the Millard South competition, with some of the bands being nationally ranked.

This was not the first time the percussion section has won an award.

“Last year we won best percussion at Links,” Paige Benak (10) said. “It was an amazing win for us that I will always remember.”

With such a promising team, the win at the Millard South competition still came as a bit of a shock.

“Yates (drumline’s director) and I just stared at each other,” Ryan Kimball (12) said. “It was a wonderful surprise.”

Although winning best percussion multiple times is nothing to ignore, some think that the team’s best accomplishment happened somewhere else.

“Getting better over the season is an accomplishment,” Jake Litel-Smith (12) said. “I feel like we have improved a lot this season. That’s something to be pretty proud of. “

The percussion section proved that practice was what made them perfect.

“Our practices fluctuate a lot. Sometimes we have bad nights,” Kimball said. “But we come back the next day playing better and having better attitudes. It really shows how much we love this activity.”

Even after the season ended, the connections were still there.

“We still have the same supportive staff and are still friends with the same amazing people,” Litel-Smith said. “We still carry on the fun and traditions on our off season.”

Members of the drumline beat the odds, play like winners and reaps the rewards.

Beating

1. Kings of Brass. The brass section practices song their fourth song one last time before they head

off to the Lincoln links competition. Participating in this competition proved helpful because they

improved their scores from the previous event. Photo: Zoe Brink. 2. Sax to the Max! Andrew

McMurtry (9) and Cailtin Garcia (9) march their way to their assigned spots playing their tenor

saxophones in the halftime performance against Lincoln Pius X. They both worked hard to hold their

position while performing. Photo: Meggan Bottass. 3. Good Vibes. Payton Lott (10) smiles into the

crowd after he nailed his part on the vibraphone at the football game against Lincoln Southwest.

“We worked with our instructor and we practiced more than normal to be the best we could be,” Lott

said. Their effort definitely showed during every performance they had at both football games

and competitions. Photo: Madyson Mathison. 4. Conduct Away. Drum major Katie Kocanda

(12) puts on her game face prior to starting the halftime show at the home game against Pius X.

Kocanda was one of three drum majors in charge of this year’s show, “Dead Man Tells No Tales.” Photo:

Cassie Lingreen.

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Trendthe

Best of BothWorlds Why do you play football as well as play in the marching band?

Question “It is a good

experience just to be able to do multiple things

at once.”

AnswerCamron Wren (10) explains why he indulges in two conflicting activities.

Which activity do you prefer?Question Answer

“Sometimes it’s harder to do both. It would be easier if I

could pick the one I enjoy more, which is marching band.”

Story By: Madi Wilson

Do you plan on playing either in the future?

Question “Maybe, I can’t wait to

see what the future has in store for me.”

A nswer

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MADI WILSON & MAKENZIE RENNER 067

You were open, supportive, and you made marching band

fun and something that I looked forward to going to everyday. Thank you for helping me find something I love

@Trevor Kalal

&Joey Silknitter

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5. Flute for the Moon. Samantha Stuck (9) and Ayanna Keegan (11) hold their set while they play their flutes during the halftime performance. The band spent a lot of time working on their diagonal lines during practice. Their diagonals were executed perfectly by the time they marched at the game against Benson. Photo: Makenzie Renner. 6. “My Chops Hurt.” The trumpets and mellophones project their sound during the game against Millard North. There were some very dominant trumpet parts throughout the show which exhausted their lungs. Photo: Courtney Wallace. 7. Alto this World. Zach Wynn (11) marches his way across the field as he plays the alto saxophone at the football game against Lincoln Southwest. “One of my biggest challenges now that I am an upperclassmen was trying to train the freshmen on proper marching techniques,” Wynn said. However, it was worth it because their performance continued to improve throughout their marching season. Photo: Kaylee Penry. 8. “Trom” On! Megan Friel (10) holds ten degrees above zero in perfect form as she plays her trombone. She played “Word Up” as it was the featured pre-game song in the game against Lincoln Pius X. Photo: Meggan Bottass.

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GhostShip

FogDance

Bo2leofRum

TreasureSunken

Not Just Taps. Jake Litel-Smith (12), Harrison Holloway (10) and Paige Benak (10)

crab step across the field while playing song three, “And a Bottle of Rum.” The drumline had two additional practices with their instructor every

week to perfect their part in the show. “We won best percussion at our first competition, and we also got a superior at finals,” Litel-Smith said. The

drumline had the most awards out of all the sections. Photo: Heather Sluga.

What is theBestsong?

Ghost Ship

Bottle of Rum

Fog Dance

Treasure Sunken

Out of 44 students...

8 Students chose Fog Dance

12 Students chose Treasure Sunken

15 Students chose Bottle of Rum

5 Students chose Ghost Ship

- Megan Friel (10) 8

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Shout out to you for being

the best ‘dabber’

and dancer ever

-Mckenzie Michalek

(11)

@Ally Glaser

084 VOLLEYBALL

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Senior Steph Gaston describes the pre-game rituals she does every volleyball game.

1. We find an empty hallway and stretch while we play music.

4. Before warm ups we listen to the song “Sandstorm” to pump us up.

3. For big games, like State, we all put a type of braid in our hair.

2. We sing and dance to different songs, usually “High School Musical.”

5. Right before the game we do our stomp.

Ready to Play

6’5’’1. Servin It Up. Mckenzie Michalek (11) serves the ball to the school’s rivals, Papillion-La Vista South. The Monarchs won all three times that

they were up against the Titans this year. Photo: Heather Sluga. 2. Killin It. Steph Gaston (12)

tips the ball towards Marian, scoring a point for the Monarchs during the metro championship game. Gaston led her team on varsity for three strong years. “The team was so close this year,

and I can’t wait to see where the underclassmen take them in the future,” Gaston said. The seniors

left the team with great leadership for seasons to come. Photo: Hannah McQuistan. 3. We Run

This Town. The team brings it together and celebrates their win against Lincoln Northeast.

The girls beat the Rockets 3-0, making them district champions. “It was really great to see all

of our hard work pay off,” Megan Hicks (11) said. Hicks is excited to see where the team goes in next year’s season. Photo: Hannah McQuistan.

At the metro championship, Chloe Paschal (9) and Ally Glaser (11) jump in excitement after the Monarchs score the point. “This was a season I’ll never forget. I was so lucky to be on such a talented and hard working team,” Paschal said. This year’s team had a bond, closer than ever before. The girls finished the season with a record of 34-5. Photo: Hannah McQuistan.

Excitement in the Air.

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4. Setting Up a Victory. The varsity libero Maddie Krajewski (12) serves the ball during the state tournament. Krajewski was placed in the Monarch Hall of Fame for her volleyball skills. During the regular season, the girls went 34-3 to make it all the way to the state tournament. Photo: Lauren Lafond 5. Hard Work Pays Off. Seniors Dani Prusha (12), Maddie Krajewski (12) and Steph Gaston (12) receive the district champs plaque after their big win. The seniors helped lead the team to another victory, getting closer to the state championship. Photo: Hannah McQuistan. 6. Teamwork Makes the Dream Work. Ally Glaser (11) and Sydney Fitzgibbons (11) block their opponent at the rivalry game against Papillion-La Vista South. Glaser and Fitzgibbons were a dynamic duo and worked together all season to dominate opposing teams. Photo: Heather Sluga. 7. Spike. Mary Martincik (10) scores a point against Millard North in the state semi-finals. The girls were under a lot of pressure as that was their ticket to finals. Photo: Lauren Lafond.

Being the seniors of a team can be stressful. The whole team is counting on them to be the leaders, but all the

extra time and hard work pays off when the underclassmen aspire to be just like them.

“The seniors always motivate us to be the best we can be,” Mary Martincik (10) said. “They are always determined to win.”

Martincik has been on varsity since her freshman year and has spent countless hours on and off the court with the seniors.

“I will mostly miss the seniors’ vibes,” Ally Glaser (11) said. “They are funny when they can be, and serious when we need it. I admire them so much, and it will be hard to go on without my role models.”

The seniors’ high energy will be greatly

missed by Glaser and the whole team. “I will mostly miss their leadership and

all the good times and inside jokes that we had together,” Martincik said.

The team’s great chemistry would not be the same without the fun times that the seniors created.

“They always push us to make the right choices, and we know if we make a mistake they will always be there for us,” Martincik said.

Not only did the seniors have a great impact on the court, but they had an even greater influence off the court.

As the seniors on the team, Maddie Krajewski, Steph Gaston and Dani Prusha left their team with an outstanding legacy.

On and OffCof

the urtThe underclassmen on the varsity volleyball team look up to

their favorite senior leaders.Story By: Isabella Jacobs

Jessica Halski, isabella Jacobs & Julianne Plourde 085

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Setting RecordsSydney Dani

Setter

Height:Grade:

5’ 9”Sr.

Highlighted Stats:

All State and Records:

Prusha

Total Assists: Assists Per Set:

1304

109

MaddieKrajewski

Middle Hitter

Height:Grade:

5’ 10”Jr.

Highlighted Stats:

Sets Played:

Total Kills: Kills Per Set:

3573.3

109

Libero

Height:Grade:

5’ 2”Sr.

Highlighted Stats:

Sets Played:

Total Digs: Digs Per Set:

4584.2

109

#6 #8#9Fitzgibbons

12

Class A 1st Team

Sets Played:

School Record: Most Sets per Match and Season

All State and Records:Class A 2nd Team Class A 1st Team

All State and Records:

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@PeoPlePLHS

1

21. The Monarch Student Section. Photo: Madyson Mathison 2. Cynthia Gallegos-Perez (12). Photo: Madyson Mathison 3. Olivia Smith (11). Photo: Kylie Squires 4.Cole Wilson (11), Kaveon Foster (12), Janan Manivannan (11), Jake Sykora

(11), Billy Broderick (11), Brandon Dueling (11), Devin Vetter (11), Davis Showell (11). Photo: Courtney Nuss 5. Ben Fulton (12), Ben Crnkovich(12) . Photo: Madyson Mathison 6. Caylee Birkel (11) Photo: PLHS Journalism 7. Jacob Schil-

dhauer (12) Photo: Aidan Cho 8. David Grover (11) Photo: Caitlyn Thomas

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132PeoPle Division

All for one, and one for all,” written by Alexandre Dumas in The Three Musketeers may be a cliche’ saying, but when it cames to the Monarch Nation, it meant more @

PLHS. It represented the unity created by Monarchs: The ability to excel and live as one, but also to come together as part of the “all.”

There were over 1,700 students @PLHS and that number continued to grow. The students of PLHS were essentials to the prosperity

of the school. From the people like Brandon Arkfeld (12), head of the Student Section, to Abigail Saylor (9), a freshman member

of the soccer team, we were are Monarchs.The 2016-2017 school year brought battles of every size.

However, these battles did not bog down Monarch Nation, instead it strengthened it as one. From coming together and

supporting the recovery of Brandon Steburg (12), to raising thousands through My Color of Hope, we came and conquered

like true royalty. From the girls golf team winning state, to Connor Barnett (10) and varsity football team facing a tough

season, we all came together as one. Even through the start of new clubs withdiffereing political views, we still managed to form an

unbreakable core identity. Some Monarchs even left the school’s halls to volunteer and make a difference in the community.

This idea of becoming one was the result of the Papillion and La Vista areas creating something unique. With students

from all around coming together in one place, that place then became common ground. A place where everyone was free to

be themselves. A place where students similar to Aiden Cook (11), spent more time than he did at home. A place where they

felt welcomed and safe. That place was @PLHS, and every student who walked through those doors became a piece to the puzzle that creates the Monarch Nation.

“

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4

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Leading a Nation Zach McClure (12) leads the Monarch student section keeping heads up high and school spirit higher. “I really enjoy keeping the section excited and cheering,” McClure said. Even though the students of the Monarch nation might not always agree, they all can still come together and cheer on their classmates even in the darkest of times as the Monarch Nation that stays united.

Ivan Hurst133

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@Zach ZielinskiThank you so much for making my foods class so much fun! -Anastasia Kling

@Mrs. DavisThanks to Mrs. Davis the school psychologist, you have a great name and keep doing what you’re doing -Davis Showell

@Paige WolfeThank you so much for making my foods class so much fun! -Anastasia Kling

@Mr. NikolaBecause you’re better than my last teacher

-Peyton Haig

Megan HelmbergerLeauna Henke

Mariana HernandezMadison Hiatt

Abigail HicksMegan HicksRoger Higgs

Chaylee Hilding

Caiden HillCamryn Hirschfeld

Casey HirschfeldTaylor Hoelscher

Robert HollmanOlivia HornerTyler Hrupek

Alexandra Hughes

Ivan HurstTessa Hurst

Madeline HydaHannah Im

Garret JacksonIsabella Jacobs

Sarie JanguloDylan Jansen

Joshua JareckiJenika Jennings

Jacquelyn JensenCortney Johnson

Elizabeth JohnsonHailee Johnson

Skylor JohnstonTrenton Jordan

158 JUNIOR MUGS

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Papillion-La Vista High SchoolYearbook Theme Development“@PLHS”

184 FRESHMAN MUGS

Cole KleinJordyn Knox

Ashley KobzaDanielle Koch

Cameron KollsJakob Koory

Collin Kotz

Natalie KramerJones Kreifels

Sheehan KreifelsBenjamin Kroeger

Zach KrogmanShelby KrzemienSamantha Kurutz

Jacob KuzniaEvelyn Lafleur

Lissa LafondCassandra Laframboise

Rhaiyna LampeMilo Langston

Daniel Latka

Clayton LaushmanTarynn LiaBraatenKassandra Lichtas

Claira LieberJacob Liekhus

Vincent LinAbigail Long

Kaitlyn LongSalvador Lopez-Luna

Olivia LoveLesley Loza

Hieu LucCuong LuongGabriel Lyden

LEARNING FROM THE BEST

STORY BY: SAVANNAH HAMM

Watching a Food Network show on the couch with your family is one thing, but having your family watch you

create culinary delights on one is another. Helen Wilson (9) competed on two

different cooking shows and has been able to experience TV kitchens in person.

“I went on ‘Rachael Ray versus Guy Fieri’ when I was 12, and ‘Kids Cook-Off ’ when I was 15,” Wilson said.

Being on a TV show with celebrity hosts

allowed Wilson to be able to meet some of her cooking idols.

“I met Robert Irvine, Guy Fieri, Rachael Ray, and a ton of other people,” Wilson said.

Being on these shows taught Wilson plenty more about cooking, and it also helped her figure out what she wants to do in the future.

“I plan on going to just normal college, and then I’m going to culinary school after,” Wilson said. “I’m ultimately going to be a pastry chef.”

Don’t be surprised if Helen’s cooking talent lands her back on TV screens again soon.

Cooking up a StormHelen Wilson (9) stands next to Guy Fieri as he helps her with her dish. Wilson starred on the Food Network series, “Rachel VS Guy.”Photo: Helen Wilson

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