PUBLIC SPEAKING STUDENTS PLACE FIRST IN CONTEST

NPCC CHALLENGE AWARD: WORD SPEECHES

“Students were asked select a unique word,” Mrs. Crumly explains. “I requested that they tell a story illustrating the meaning of the word and incorporate effective figurative language.”

"Estrapade" by Alex Frey



"Ophidiophobia" by Ashley Gibbons

Kansas State Wildcats get the big W against Texas A&M

I could easily sum up the Kansas State versus Texas A&M football game with just one word, wow! Not only was this my first college football game but it was one hell of a game. I could not have picked a better weekend to go to a game than this one. As I sat in the student section listening to their chants, surrounded by purple, I tried to act like I knew what I was doing but it was clear that I had no clue. Experiencing the rush as the K-state players ran out of the tunnel is unexplainable, chills overcame my body with the students roaring and chanting to pump up the players to start the game.

K-State did not show up in the beginning of the game, it looked like they had never played together before. The students were disappointed in their team and most of them were planning to leave at half time until quarter back, Collin Klien, threw a 34 yard pass that ended up with a touchdown to tie the game 14-14 just before half. K-state was lucky enough to be tied but barely keeping up with the strong Texas A&M team. The students were on their feet in the third quarter and then Texas A&M player, Uzoma Nwachukwu intercepted a pass and returned it for 57 yards resulting in a touchdown to regain the lead on the Wildcats.

The game ended 53-50 after four wild over times, K-state Wildcats pulled off the victory. The hype of the game was amazing and the dedication the fans give the athletes is incredible. From 9 o’clock, when some start to tailgate, to almost 7 o’clock the fans supported the Wildcats.     I am so grateful I got to experience something like that and I cannot wait to be at a University or State college supporting my own school. All detailed information I got was collected from Kellis Robinett Kansas State-Texas A&M game report website.

College Football 2011: The Big Ten Conference (B1G) and the Nebraska Cornhuskers

By: Evan Troxel

This article will be mainly about Husker Football and the Big Ten Conference.

Versus Michigan State, Nebraska took care of business in the second half.  They controlled (and owned) the second half of that game.  As for the Northwestern game, I thought I would never see the Nebraska Cornhuskers lose to the Northwestern Wildcats in my lifetime.  Well it happened.  I’m not going to rule out the possibility that Iowa could still beat us this year.  They have already beaten Northwestern 41-31 earlier this year.

My thoughts on the Penn State game are that if Nebraska would have lost that game then Penn State fans might have literally gone crazy afterwards.  As for Nebraska losing to Michigan 45-17, I’m glad to see that there was clearly a winning team for this game.  The last time Michigan and Nebraska met before Nov. 19^th’s game was in the 2005 Alamo Bowl.  In that game, there were controversial calls by the officials and replay officials which positively or negatively affected and definitely had an influence on the outcome of that game.

Nebraska still has to play one more home game this year vs. Iowa the day after Thanksgiving.  And then (since Nebraska will not be going to the Big Ten Championship Game), the bowl game.  What bowl game will the Huskers go to?  I don’t want to speculate but I’m pretty sure Nebraska will be playing its bowl game on January 2^nd.  If I had to say right now which bowl game the Huskers will be going to I will say it’s going to be the Gator Bowl.

My thoughts on recent bowl games Nebraska has played in are that I don’t think Nebraska should not have gone to the Holiday Bowl two years in a row.  Nebraska was definitely cheated out of playing a later bowl game date one of the past two seasons or at least a tougher bowl game opponent. 

Nebraska played Arizona…what a joke.  For the first (and currently only) time in its bowl game history, Nebraska shut out the opponent in that game.  That season for Nebraska might be the best it will ever have as long as Bo Pelini is the head coach.  I think Nebraska should have played in a later dated bowl game for that season.  Nebraska would have played in a later dated bowl game if the Big Ten teams (then) who aren’t better than the Big 12 teams (in my opinion) didn’t lobby the BCS (and give them money) to put them in those bowl games.  The previous sentence was my personal bias and I believe it is true whether it actually is or not.    If any team (such as Nebraska) shuts out their opponent in a bowl game (such as Arizona) then Nebraska the next season should get to play in a bowl game on a later date or at least a much tougher opponent in the same bowl game (or a different bowl game). 

As for Nebraska playing Washington in the bowl game last season, we met our match and Nebraska just flat out lost.  Nebraska threw the ball too often in that game (especially the entire 4^th Quarter when Nebraska was really desperate to score points).  Not to mention the Huskers doing too much early in the game (with Rex Burkhead trying to throw the ball).

In my previous article “CornhuskerFootball 2011: My thoughts of this season’s games” three weeks ago, some things turned out to be somewhat correct which I predicted.  Well, let’s get to and analyze those “somewhat correct” predictions.

Here’s what I typed a little over three weeks ago about the then upcoming game between Nebraska and Penn State: “Nebraska has 6 wins and 7 losses against Penn State all-time.  Hopefully nothing controversial happens in this upcoming game.  After the Michigan State game, this (I think) is Nebraska’s next true test.”

Okay.  So Nebraska now has 7 wins and 7 losses against Penn State all-time.  Big deal.  What else?  I indirectly predicted that “controversy” would at least happen and one can arguably say that it did.  That credit is given to the recent scandal that has been surrounding Penn State.  Unfortunately, there wasn’t any controversy as far as I know “about the game” so it kind of just negated everything I said within this paragraph so far.  One thing is for sure, Nebraska’s “true test” happened a week earlier than I anticipated because they lost to Northwestern.  Penn State still proved a test for the Huskers even though Nebraska won anyway.

The Universities that formulate the Big Ten Conference are Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska, Northwestern, Ohio State, Penn State, Purdue, and Wisconsin.  The schools in the Legends division of the Big Ten Conference are Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska, and Northwestern.  The schools in the Leaders division of the Big Ten Conference are Indiana, Illinois, Ohio State, Penn State, Purdue, and Wisconsin.

Nebraska currently (as of Nov. 18^th) has an overall record of 8-2, (4-2 within the Big Ten Conference), and is 2-1 and in second place within the Legends division.  Michigan has an overall record of 8-2, (4-2 within the Big 10), and is 2-2 and in third place within the Legends division.  Iowa is 6-4, (3-3 within the Big 10), and 2-2 and in fourth place within the Legends division. Michigan State has an overall record of 8-2, (5-1 within the Big 10), and is 3-1 and in first place within the Legends division.    

Currently, Penn State has an overall record of 8-2, (5-1 within the Big 10), and is 3-0 and in first place within the Leaders division.

NFL Regular Season 2011: Week One through Week Nine

By: Evan Troxel

The area National Football League teams out here in Nebraska to cheer for have not played really well at all.  The Denver Broncos have (3 wins and 5 losses or 3-5), the Kansas City Chiefs are (4-4), the St. Louis Rams are (1-7), and the Minnesota Vikings are (2-6).

Out in Denver, who knows if the Broncos are set on their quarterback (QB) situation yet.  Personally, if I had to choose between Kyle Orton, Tim Tebow, and Brady Quinn as the starting QB I would choose Tim Tebow if I had to pick one.  Tebow in my opinion has the best capability to do everything a QB needs to do.

However, if Kyle Orton could run more and faster, and elude defenders I would make him the starting QB.  Orton is taking this season…I don’t want to use the word easily or the words “laid back” but comfortably, he is (in my opinion) having the best year of his career in keeping his composure, and he’s not trying to do too much (like Tebow fortunately and unfortunately).  

I also feel bad for Kyle Orton.  Orton getting benched for Tim Tebow is probably coming at the prime of Orton’s career.  Orton had a career season last season.  

The Kansas City Chiefs have been playing better football of late.  That is, until they got beat 31-3 by the previous winless Miami Dolphins (1-7).  Kansas City started the season (0-3) and then won four straight games.  The Chiefs have beaten the Minnesota Vikings, Indianapolis Colts, Oakland Raiders and San Diego Chargers this season.  It would be nice to see the Chiefs make the playoffs and win at least a playoff game this season. 

The St. Louis Rams defeated the New Orleans Saints (6-3) 31-21 in Week 8.  In Week 7 the Saints murdered the Indianapolis Colts 62-7.  That’s not a mistype, 62-7.  The Rams are almost due to make the playoffs again although unfortunately it’s probably not going to be this season.  I think the Rams could win some games if QB Sam Bradford drops back to pass but then after a second takes off and runs with the football.  The Rams will definitely win games if they don’t throw the ball as often as they are currently.

The Minnesota Vikings have beaten the Arizona Cardinals and the Carolina Panthers.  Christian Ponder is the starting QB for the Vikings and I haven’t seen him play but I think the Vikings are definitely playoff bound next season if he keeps starting (and doesn’t get hurt). 

Staying with the NFC North Division, the Green Bay Packers are still undefeated with 8 wins and 0 losses.  I’m sick and tired of seeing them win and I think they should have lost more than one game by now.  Well, I think their winning streak will end on Monday (Nov. 14th) when the Vikings will try to upset the defending Super Bowl Champions.

The Packers really haven’t played excellent football this season.  I feel like the following teams could have already beaten the Packers this season: The New Orleans Saints, Denver Broncos, Minnesota Vikings, and San Diego Chargers.  If that happened then that means the Packers would have four wins and four losses.  The Packers are probably an average team right now.

My thoughts on the Indianapolis Colts who still haven’t won a game yet this season are these simply.  SHAME.  The Colts are way better than their record is showing.  If the Colts keep on losing, they are making Peyton Manning look “really good.”  All the Colts are doing now is tanking the remainder of the season by “sucking for (Andrew) Luck.”  

I don’t like the rule that the team with the worst record in the NFL Regular Season gets the first pick in the next season’s NFL Draft.  If a team is not even going to try to win a game, then they (in my opinion) shouldn’t be allowed to get the first overall pick in the NFL Draft or even a first round draft pick.  Maybe the NFL needs to fine teams, coaches, and players if their team cannot win at least one game during the regular season.

Haunted Hayride

by Ashley Miller

Being a softball player at North Platte Community College, we get the chance to do a unique fundraiser. We put on a Haunted Hayride, like a Haunted House but the people get to walk to a trailer full of hay bales they could sit on and they are driven through the Old Museum where the softball team and other volunteers do anything and everything to scare the people on the ride.

We have men with chainsaws, a person getting beheaded, a person hanging themselves, a person burning in a fire, a “dead bride” getting shot, a carnivore hungry for more, and during all this “zombies” would be on the trailer scaring the people along for the ride. I enjoyed my part because I could do whatever I wanted to scare people wherever.

During the first couple nights I would just scare the riders coming out of the barn then I would get on the ride with them and see everything happen. When the riders would least expect it, I would get in the face and stare at them until they realized I was there. This was fun because I loved to see the different reactions from people, some people had no reaction they would just say, “oh hey” others would hit me and some would even scream and curse. There were many times where I would scare the same person multiple times, one after another, and all I could do was laugh out loud.

Towards the end of the week I would go through the line that was all the way to the gate and scare people. I would creep in and out of people and scare the ones who already looked scared, making them completely terrified to step onto the ride in the first place and we would not stop until they jumped off the trailer and ran out the front gate and even then sometimes we would chase them all the way out. My character was unexplainable, I was just an ugly old saggy zombie that creeped on people scaring them with the ugliness of my mask. 

A Tribute to Steve Jobs

By Ashley Miller

Steve Jobs was the CEO of Apple Co. before he passed away in October of 2011. Jobs is a hero in our world today because of his dedication and ability to keep inventing the unthinkable. The iPod, iPhone, and iPad are all considered to, “dictate the evolution of modern technology” says the A&E Biography website. Regardless of Jobs rough child hood, he still accomplished the unthinkable and took technology to a whole new level. According to the A&E Biography website, Jobs and his partner, Steve Wozniak,  “…are credited with revolutionizing the computer industry by democratizing the technology and making the machines smaller, cheaper, intuitive, and accessible to everyday consumers.” Jobs is a hero in our world now because he has advanced technology greatly. I am an owner of an iPhone, and iMac and I know I can speak for most of society when I say that Jobs inventions are simply amazing and have changed our world of technology completely

MLB Postseason 2011: The World Series and my thoughts

By: Evan Troxel

This article will be about my thoughts on the remainder of the 2011 Major League Baseball Postseason and adding onto and clarifying my thoughts from my previous article (earlier this year) “Major League Baseball (MLB) Postseason 2011: The St. Louis Cardinals are in the World Series! GO RANGERS!”  

I was pleased with this year’s World Series matchup.  There was not a better matchup in my opinion out of this year’s playoff teams.  Another interesting matchup would have been the Detroit Tigers and the St. Louis Cardinals.  Still to present day, out of this year’s playoff teams the Tampa Bay Rays, Texas Rangers, and Milwaukee Brewers have never won the World Series.

I knew before this year’s World Series started that the St. Louis Cardinals were the “more talented” team.  Well, I guess I was wrong in that the Rangers would win the World Series…this year.  It was worth going on a limb for them to see if they actually could “get it done.”  Ultimately and “morally” my main reason for picking the Rangers was that I thought they had the edge over St. Louis in how they celebrated after winning each postseason series in 2010 and 2011.

I am going to be critical now of the Cardinals.  In the 2006 World Series, Games 3, 4, and 5 were played in St. Louis.  Game 4 got postponed (via weather obviously) by an extra day.  And what happened three days later after Game 3, the Cardinals won the World Series.  Here in 2011, Games 1, 2, 6, and 7 were played in St. Louis.  Game 6 got postponed by an extra day.  And what happened this year?  The Cardinals won the World Series.

Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington had his uniform on when he talked to the press about the postponement of Game 6 of this year’s World Series.  On the other hand, St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa didn’t even have his uniform on when he talked to the press.  I’m critical of who decided to postpone Game 6.  I thought (whoever it was) postponed Game 6 way too early.  They didn’t even try to play.

I like the rule implemented after the 2008 World Series that a World Series game must be played from start to finish without going home or back to the motel/hotel (if you’re the away team).  I think though that if it doesn’t stop raining for a long time (let’s say 100 minutes) then they should pick up where the left off the next night or early morning at whatever time it was that the game was stopped.  For example, if Game 1 starts at 7:00 p.m. on October 15th and is stopped because of weather at 8:18 p.m. then Game 1 I think should start up again at 8:18 p.m. on October 16^th of that same year.

What do I have to say about this year’s World Series going to all seven possible games?  SHAME!  Both teams played well (and didn’t play well) and I think a good World Series is decided in six games.  This year’s World Series was not a classic one in my opinion.  Game 6 was not the greatest baseball game ever (unless you’re a Cardinals fan).

If I had to blame the Rangers players themselves for losing the World Series I would have to go with Adrian Beltre and Nelson Cruz as my top two choices.  Beltre wanted to “win” with the Rangers and all Cruz thinks about every time he steps up to the plate is…“Home Run.”  Cruz also played horrible and embarrassing defense.  I also think Alexi Ogando needs to get blamed.  Neftali Feliz showed through his actions that he was the more humble than out of any of the other three I mentioned before him and he gets blamed for blowing the save in Game 6.

What was Rangers manager Ron Washington thinking?  Die-hard Rangers fans are asking: Why didn’t Ron Washington start C.J. Wilson against the Cardinals starting pitcher Chris Carpenter in Game 7 of the World Series?  I want to ask: Why didn’t Ron Washington start Colby Lewis in Game 7?  Colby Lewis is “the guy” in my opinion.  He helped Texas win its first World Series game.

As for next year’s World Series, I don’t think the Cardinals will be in it.  I don’t know if Texas will be back but they played better this year than the Cardinals in the regular season.  Whatever ends up happening, I think a National League team will win it and it will end in a city with an American and a National League team.

I wonder what team Cardinals first basemen Albert Pujols will go to next season if he doesn’t go back to the Cardinals.  I got a feeling he’s going to stay on the National League side and not go to an American League team.  I actually think he will stay with the Cardinals.