THE CINEMA CHRONICLES By Gabriel Sieling Hosted by Gabriel Sieling
Official Transcript:
How The Spider-Verse Changed Modern Animation
{RISK BEGINNING THEME}
Gabriel Sieling: Hello Everyone and welcome back to The Cinema Chronicles. I’m your host Gabriel, and today we will be talking about how The Spider-Verse changed modern day animation.
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Question 1: What is “Spider-Man into the Spider-Verse?
Gabriel Sieling: For those who do not know, In December of 2018, Sony Pictures Animations released the first ever theatrically released Animated marvel film “Spider-Man into the Spider Verse.”
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Gabriel Sieling: Produced by Phil Lord and Chris Miller, the film follows Brooklyn teenager Miles Morales,
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Gabriel Sieling: as he suddenly develops mysterious powers that transform him into the one and only Spider-Man. When he meets Peter Parker, he soon realizes that there are many others who share his special, high-flying talents. Miles must now use his newfound skills to battle Wilson Fisk, AKA The Kingpin. A mad businessperson who has a device that can open portals to other universes and pull different versions of Spider-Man into miles universe.
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Gabriel Sieling: This Film opened with incredible reviews, and even won the academy reward for best animated feature film.
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Gabriel Sieling: And as you might of guess, the attention this animated film was getting made the other studios very aware.
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Question 2: how did Spider-Verse change the world of animation?
Gabriel Sieling: Spider-Verse had an Animation Style unlike any other animated film before, with the animation specifically made to look like a comic book come to life. The animators wanted to try something different from the common Pixar esk 3D animation, trying innovative ideas such as switching the frames per second on a specific character, and making every character have a unique style and tone to separate hem from the other. This is what caused “Into the Spider Verse” along with its sequel, “Across the Spider Verse” to start a trend in modern animation by invoking its hero’s comic-book origins with Ben-Day dots and wild, hallucinogenic sequences. This made it so that major studios have grown less fearful of animation and encourage them to diverge from the norm. The film proved that audiences would not reject projects that look drastically different from the house styles of Pixar and DreamWorks. Films like “Teenage Mutant Ninga Turtles Mutant Mayhem,”
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“The Mitchell’s VS The Machines,”
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“Puss in Boots the Last Wish”
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And “Nimona”
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Gabriel Sieling: all have distinctive looks that are visually sensational without conforming to established playbooks. Like “TMNT Mutant Mayhems” approach to animation to make it look like it was drawn by a teenager, and “Puss in Boots the Last Wish’s” approach to make the animation look like each frame was pulled from a story book. If Spider Verse did not take the risk and tried to do something different with animation. Sure, not all new animated films take this approach such as animation studios like Pixar and Illumination. It does not affect the impact that these different animated films have on the audience.
Gabriel Sieling: If it were not for Spider-Man into the Spider-Verse, Animation would have never changed. The Spider-Verse films are classified as cinematic masterpieces. And with these films’ combination of great storytelling, animation, special effects, and heart, I believe they deserve that title. This just goes to show that technology is always evolving. And it is our choice if we evolve with it and try new things, or just stay in the past while everyone else moves on.
Thanks For Watching this episode of the Cinema Chronicles!
EPISODE 3: The Professional Dream By Jackson Odden Hosted by Abby Smith
Official Transcript:
[THEME SONG – ORGAN.]
Abby Smith:
Hello everyone! This is the Mustang Post: The Home Turf, our new sports podcast, where we dive into not just the home turf of Sheyenne but the home turf of the love of all sports for fans and athletes who invest themselves and their lives in their passion. In this episode, Jackson Odden speaks with two Sheyenne baseball players about how they balance sports with education and their personal lives.
Here’s Jackson.
Jackson Odden:
Hello my Name is Jackson Odden I am a sophomore at Sheyenne High School and I will be interviewing two other sophomores.
Gavin Satrom:
I’m Gavin Satrom I’m a sophomore at Sheyenne high.
Ashton Loe:
My names Ashton Loe I’m a sophomore at Sheyenne High School.
Jackson Odden:
Every child has a dream. Sometimes those dreams are as simple as getting that new toy. However, there are those times where dreams become more complex, more life-impacting, bigger than big. Something like, “I want to be a pro athlete. A pro baseball player.” But what impact would attaining a dream like that have on that child’s life and the lives of his family and friends.
However, there’s a lot that goes into building that road to becoming a pro athlete. Namely, there those seemingly simple stages like preparing for a game. Gavin, a sophomore at Sheyenne High School plays on its C team and prepares for that moment he steps up to bat versus the pitcher.
Gavin Satrom: “Well, like if you scout the pitcher, you can like see how he throws, but um, I don’t really scout pitchers that much. So, I really just get there in the game and, like, see how fast he throws and try to time him up.”
Jackson Odden:
Ashton, also a sophomore at Sheyenne high school on the C team, is a bit more focused and determined.
Ashton Loe: “When I am in the dugout or the on-deck circle I try and time him up, look at how he’s throwing what pitches he’s throwing basically all the mechanics of it.”
Jackson Odden:
In order to accomplish the goal of playing professional baseball ball you need to know what goals to have for yourself and for the future. And more specifically the goals you have in life after you have gotten your high school diploma.
Gavin Satrom: “Well, I want go to college to play baseball, and then hopefully we get to the professional level, but like if not, then something probably something in like the accounting business.”
Jackson Odden:
Ashton may share the same goals as Gavin but has a different perspective of life after high school.
Ashton Loe: “First I want to continue my baseball career in college and then if that doesn’t work out somewhere in the medical field like athletic trainer or something like that.”
Jackson Odden:
Having a belief in yourself is a difficult thing to do when your goal is so high as to make it professionally. But it is a requirement in order to have confidence in yourself to accomplish it.
Gavin Satrom: “Well, I would like to say I am pretty good, but, like, you never know what’s going to happen. Its baseball it is up and down a lot of the time. You do good one time, really bad the other.”
Jackson Odden:
Ashton Shares being honest with yourself about your ability can be difficult but necessary in the path of life.
Ashton Loe: ” If I am being honest I don’t really know because a lot of the players around me are really good and watching videos everywhere I see players younger than me that are throwing really hard so I don’t know.”
Jackson Odden:
How does a baseball player maintain their focus amidst adversity, such as when they encounter struggles on the field? Can they find the inner perseverance, despite if they may be struggling in baseball?
Gavin Satrom: ” Well, like honestly you got to leave the last at bat or like batter when pitching behind you. And you just move on next batter, next at bat, all that.”
Jackson Odden:
How can seeking out different environments to practice in help a baseball player regain their focus and improve their performance during tough times?
Ashton Loe: “Whenever I’m struggling on usually I just try and practice that more like go to the Ballyard practice that and get better at it.”
Jackson Odden:
How has the discipline and teamwork learned from playing baseball translated into success? How have skills honed on the field, positively helped you in aspects of your life?
Gavin Satrom: “Baseball’s helped me by like keeping me in like so like for baseball, I have to focus on like on what ever I am doing, and then I can use that like in school too or for like what ever I am doing in my life.”
Jackson Odden:
How does playing giving a person a good mindset in baseball and a peace of mind?
Ashton Loe: ” I like playing baseball because it gives me something to do all the time I am always practicing it.”
Jackson Odden:
In the intricate dance between failure and success on the baseball diamond, how do you navigate the fine line, seeking growth amidst strikeouts and home runs? Can you share the strategies and mindset that help you maintain in your journey as a baseball player?
Gavin Satrom: “Well, Like balance the success is really just how hard I practice and all that, but then with like the failure I can just practice even more and harder to like get that success back.”
Jackson Odden:
Keeping to yourself and working on you can be a great way to challenge yourself.
Ashton Loe: “Well, usually I try to ignore how other people are playing, focus on myself, and make sure I am working hard.”
Jackson Odden:
As the crack of the bat echoes through the air, what specific milestones and improvements do you envision achieving in your upcoming baseball season, both individually and as a team, to make it a truly successful and memorable?
Gavin Satrom: “Well, really, it’s just to win the season and the tournament, so win as much as we can and play as best as we can.”
Jackson Odden:
Self challenges can make you a better leader and player than you think you are.
Ashton Loe: “I want to play really good hit a lot better than last year, and hopeful our team can win the tournament again.”
Jackson Odden:
What aspirations and objectives do you envision for your journey through college and beyond, and how do you plan to achieve them?
Gavin Satrom: ” Well, with college, I hope to still play baseball and keep up good grades, but then after college, I want to play professionally; if it doesn’t work, then something in the accounting business.”
Jackson Odden:
What would you do if everyone didn’t look at you what if baseball doesn’t work out?
Ashton Loe: “For college I want to continue my baseball career hopeful go D1 maybe make it to the majors otherwise probably stay in the medical field like I said before.”
Jackson Odden:
How do you navigate the challenge of resisting comparisons to peers of similar age who might be excelling in various aspects of life?
Gavin Satrom: “When I’m playing the game of baseball, I don’t really look around to see how people are doing; I just care about how I am doing myself and think if I can perform better or, I guess play better.”
Jackson Odden:
Comparing yourself to others can be a tricky thing how do you try to avoid it?
Ashton Loe: “Although I do see a lot of better players I just try and ignore them focus on myself get better get better than them.”
Jackson Odden:
“How do you manage the juggling of your academic studies while also dedicating significant time to practice and play baseball, and what strategies have you found most effective in maintaining a balance between these?”
Gavin Satrom: “Well, I mean If I can focus on the grades, then I can go out and just play baseball.”
Jackson Odden
One of the most beautiful parts of playing sports is you are a student athlete how do you balance being a student and an athlete?
Ashton Loe : “Usually I am pretty good at keeping my grades up keeping eligibility so I just focus on baseballs a ton during school.”
[THEME SONG – ORGAN.]
Abby Smith:
There you have it, with one athlete confident with his rise to the professional level and another riding the wave, who knows what the outcome will be.
This podcast was recorded by Jackson Odden and hosted by Abby Smith and our thanks goes out to Ashton Loe and Gavin Satrom for their time which helped make this podcast possible.
In our next episode of The Home Turf, Reise Berg and Aiden Johnson, take a look at the world of professional basketball.
EPISODE TWO: The Human Element in Baseball Dwindles By Ethan Laabs and Jonah Peterson Hosted by Abby Smith
The Mustang Post’s Ethan Laabs and Jonah Peterson take a critical look baseball’s mix of technology and humanity and where the fine line between the two begins and ends.
THE CINEMA CHRONICLES By Gabriel Sieling Hosted by Gabriel Sieling
Official Transcript:
[THEME SONG -RISK.]
Gabriel Sieling: “Hello everyone and welcome to The Cinema Chronicles. I’m your host Gabriel, and today we are going to be talking about what are Fan Films, and what impact do they have on the internet and pop culture.”
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Gabriel Sieling: “You might be asking, what are Fan Films? A film is a film or video made by the fans of a popular form of media such as Films,
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TV Shows
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Comic Books
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and Video Games.”
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Gabriel Sieling: “A Fan Film is a way for beginning creators to make a project about one of their favorite fandoms of pop culture, without having to deal with the copyright laws. As long as you give credit to the original creators of the thing your film is based on, then you can make a fan film on basically anything you can put your mind to.”
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Gabriel Sieling: “The process of making a fan film is not that different from making a normal film. The only difference is that unlike most modern big budget studios,
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fan film creators usually take a lot of time and care into a topic they genuinely care about. A fan film creator usually has a lot of respect for the source material and puts every ounce of care they have into the project.”
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Gabriel Sieling: “What kind of impact can a Fan Film have on the internet and pop culture? A Fan Film can usually have any kind of impact on pop culture. For example, fan films can make a good and lasting impact when first announced.
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But nowadays if something that the creator said a long time ago comes up, it can tear the whole thing down to the ground.
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and make people question the point of fan films in general. A huge example of this actually happened very recently with a fan film called “Spider-Man Lotus.”
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When the first full trailer was released on October 27th, 2021, on YouTube, it was a smash hit. The trailer grossed over two million views.”
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Gabriel Sieling: “Things were looking great for the film until one day, an old tweet made by the creator of the film “Gavin J Konop” was leaked. The tweet had a racist comment, which immediately turned the whole internet on the film. The film was released, but it still made a lasting impact on not just Spider-Man Lotus, but other Spider-Man fan films in general. Spider-Man Fan Films made by people like “Joey Lever” Creator of the “Spider-Man Lost Cause duology,” and “Health Gleason” Creator of the Spidey fan film “Intractable.” Both had their films affected because of this controversy. People have even been commenting on my fan films saying, “I hope this won’t be like Spider-Man Lotus.” I usually do not care for criticism, and this comment does not mean anything to any fan film creators. If anything, I take it as a complement because I personally loved Spider-Man Lotus, and I have even modeled some of my films after it. But at the end of the day, no matter what kind of impact you make on the community, weather good or bad, there will always be people somewhere out there to appreciate what you do, and not just what you did.”
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Gabriel Sieling: Thanks for tuning in, my names Gabriel and I will see you next time on… the cinema chronicles.
EPISODE ONE: The Science Behind the Scare By Addison McCroskey Hosted by Addison McCroskey
Horror movies. You love ’em or you hate ’em.
Additionally, when watching a horror film, there is control over both the situation and the viewing experience. Unlike the real world, people can press pause when a situation in a film becomes too dire to handle. So, this gives those who do enjoy horror a sense of relief and comfort within their fear. That is, knowing that at any given moment they could turn it off.
This can help maintain healthy anxiety levels and promote healthy coping strategies. Sometimes viewing movies such as these can function as a distraction from other emotions besides fear. Even so, being fearful of a movie does not necessarily make watching it unenjoyable.
Psychological Horror’s Target Audience
Most types of horror can be scary, but psychological horror specifically tends to hook analytical audiences, and provide a sense of curiosity and hunger to identify the plot and characters’ utmost intentions. Horror entertainment such as this can satisfy our constant investigation of the human psyche, and how we relate it to ourselves.
Many people (myself included) are fascinated by what human nature is truly capable of. Research indicates that those who appreciate this genre of horror tend to question mental phenomena, and how mental health can affect the body’s functions. Studies show that those who seek out this specific genre of horror tend to wield more investigative and inquisitive traits.
When it comes to horror films, there is a large spectrum of movies to select from depending on what you’re in the mood for. For some, psychological horror is a thrilling experience. Realistically, sensation seekers tend to enjoy the new and intense experiences that come with lack of control in the film. On the other hand, individuals who are of a more empathetic nature tend to enjoy these movies less. This divide makes fight-or-flight experiences easier for some than others.
Psychological horror explores the anxieties and vulnerability behind the human brain and how flawed thinking can occur when not in the correct state of mind. For example, an unsuspecting woman being chased down a dark corridor may instead of exiting the building back herself into a dead end. ultimately leading to her demise. This can cause the audience to subconsciously root for the woman, yet again relating back to the ideology of empathy and paranoia.
Elements of Psychological Horror
Some additional topics in psychological horror include madness, anxiety, self-doubt, and emotional turmoil. Supposing you put too much thought into the storyline of any other horror, you might find that the plot itself is made of glass. Psychological horror plots on the other hand are often less identifiable.
Some of the most frequently used tropes in psychological horror are a deteriorating mental state, loss of control, or newfound hallucination. These are typically driven by emotional manipulation or when tragedy strikes.
On the topic of tragedy, some writers construct films solely based off true events or events that could take place, in an attempt to scare the audience further. Nonetheless, an audience may not always be aware that the film is based on a true event because of its severity. This can be an adaptation, realistic fiction or even an extension of a real event. Some prime examples of this may include The Conjuring (2013), The Exorcist (1973), Jaws (1975) and Poltergeist (1982) to name a few.
While the film industry has had a lengthy run of high caliber horror cinematography, a person must admit that the recent decline of quality within these movies has been devastating…. Will these motion pictures ever return to their previous state of perfection? Or will they soon develop backwards with a more refined and modern touch?
Subjectivity of Horror
Horror is subjective, meaning certain types of horror may appeal to some but not others. There are several factors that can influence a person’s tolerance towards distinct types of horror films: from gore to possession, slow-burning mystery to full-on slasher.
Another way horror films may appeal to an audience is by using diverse types of media and special effects within the film. This may include CGI, makeup, prosthetics, gore, and many others.
Although some films have limited budgeting, mechanical effects are not necessarily the most blood-curdling aspect of an excellent quality horror film. Each film holds its own story.
Furthermore, there are crucial moments of suspense that can tie a scene together if done correctly. These small thought-provoking details can make or break important scenes.
Some prime examples of this are in Madhouse (2004), when Psychiatric intern Clark Stevens (Joshua Leonard) completes his descent into madness. His coworker turned lover Lisa, (Jordan Ladd) had not yet realized this until after he had already begun killing those around him. In a turn of events, when Clark has Lisa cornered on the deadliest floor of the building, she pleads for him to spare her and for his affection once more. Clark is stunned, and sent into a state of shock. Lisa manages to unarm him and escape.
As well as in Silence Of The Lambs (1991) when Clarise Starling (Jodie Foster) enters the grim and hideous home of Buffalo BIll. (Ted Levine) It is in this house which Clarice must find a beaten woman being held hostage. To her surprise, the entirety of the home is pitch black and covered in filth. The complete darkness combine with the disturbing surroundings is enough to petrify Mrs Starling.
Key Elements of Horror
A few key elements that make these films memorable are the use of dramatic irony, growing tension, and a steady turning point or change of morality. Regardless of what you are shaken by it is undeniable that a good amount of suspense in a film is desirable.
On a different note, some horror films stray from the everyday: exposition, climax, and resolution type storyline. This may include completely different plot elements in many different orders.
But where do jump scares come into play? Most of the time they don’t. They’re far too easy. A broad number of jump scares end up being dragged along in a scene making it blatantly obvious of what is to come. Knowing when to use them is what makes them truly effective.
EPISODE ONE: COOKING UP CONTENTION By Chad Neumann, Logan Jacobs & Roland Regner
Official Transcript:
[THEME SONG – ELEVATOR MUSIC.]
Roland Regner: Hello everybody and welcome to our new podcast called Cooking Up Contention. A new argumentative podcast from Mustang Post News. Today we will discuss 4 arguments that myself, Chad, and Logan will argue about. Welcome to Cooking Up Contention from Mustang Post News. I’m Roland Regner.
CAST YOUR VOTE FOR DEBATE ROUND WINNERS!
Chad Neumann: Queso vs salsa, two of the most popular dips on the market. Ever since it was made, people have argued all the time about which one is better. Queso. Salsa. Let’s say we are at a Mexican restaurant, and we order chips. Yo guys, what dip should we get for our chips?
Roland: SALSA obviously.
Logan Jacobs: No, I think we should get QUESO.
Logan: Clearly queso is the better dip. Not only is it great to dip your chips into but queso also goes amazingly with numerous amounts of food. For example, burritos, or tacos, both great choices that are elevated if you eat them with queso. The cheesy and sometimes spicy sauce really adds the final touch needed to make a good meal great.
Roland: While true, don’t forget how closely correlated chips and salsa are with one another. Queso goes well with lots of things, but chips GO WITH SALSA. What do you get when you order chips at a restaurant? Salsa. It’s perfect for chips; it doesn’t need to be “good” on other things when it complements chips the way it does.
Logan: Sure, salsa is almost synonymous with chips but queso is a much more far-reaching food. It’s found almost everywhere all around the world, for example with Korean corn dogs. A half cheese half meat delicious concoction often enjoyed, dipped into an amazing queso dipping sauce.
Roland: The widespread use of Queso is impressive, but it’s always the same. There are only so many varieties of queso, at the end of the day it’s just a cheesy flavor. Meanwhile salsa comes in TONS of different varieties. Regular salsa, chunky or smooth salsa, mild to spicy salsa, salsa Verde or even SALSA CON QUESO.
Logan: Salsa may have a wide variety of flavors and consistencies but that doesn’t mean that queso is bad, if anything it proves the opposite. Queso’s flavor has stood the test of time not needing to be altered to enjoy. Just a delicious cheesy flavor that can be enjoyed by anyone.
Roland: In the same way salsa has been enjoyed by many for a long time, much longer than queso as the first recorded salsa recipe was created in 1574 as opposed to queso’s first recipe in 1896. It’s very flavorful and has an incredibly recognizable taste that goes perfectly with chips, and that’s why, I think.
Logan: Queso may be later to the game than salsa but that doesn’t mean it’s worse. It has an iconic cheesy flavor and the fact that it can complement almost any dish around the world proves that.
(They overlap).
Roland: Salsa is better.
Logan: Queso is better.
Logan: Since the first chicken was fried there’s been a great deal of debate between which is better? Fried chicken or grilled chicken? This great chicken contest goes back through the ages, our parents’, parents’ argument. Imagine this, the three of us are seated at a restaurant and both Chad and Roland decide to get a chicken sandwich for dinner. After the waiter comes over, they ask the most important question of all, “would you like your chicken grilled or fried”?
Chad: Fried chicken, obviously!
Roland: Il have the grilled chicken for sure.
Roland: Obviously grilled chicken is better, it’s the classic choice when it comes to eating chicken. Simple yet great, it works in tons of different foods like sandwiches, wraps, chicken tacos, quesadillas, chicken alfredo, and just having it marinated or plain.
Chad: Those are good options, but the amount of choices with fried chicken is WAYYY more. Chicken nuggets, chicken strips and tenders, fried chicken thighs or legs, chicken wings, chicken patties; not to mention that all of these go great with all sorts of different condiments like ketchup, BBQ sauce, buffalo sauce, sweet and sour sauce.
Roland: Okay okay, sure there’s a lot of different condiments that go with fried chicken; but what about sides? Grilled chicken by itself can go with tons of other foods like, fried rice or white rice, soups, salads and other greens, tortilla chips, and pastas like fettuccine or shells.
Chad: Alright, Grilled chicken goes well with rice, but fried chicken goes well with both as well. For example, think of Chinese restaurants; they have fried chicken served with fried and white rice. Fried chicken also goes well with mac and cheese, fries, and mashed potatoes.
Roland: I hear you, but there’s one big problem with fried chicken. IT’S UNHEALTHY; not to mention that most of the sides you mentioned are unhealthy as well. Mac and cheese? Potatoes with gravy? Chicken doused in deep fryer oil? It’s a pretty unhealthy combination, especially compared to grilled chicken.
Chad: Okay fine! You caught me on that part, BUT you’re forgetting one thing… Most people eat it occasionally rather than every day. So even though it might be unhealthy it can be part of a balanced diet when not eaten regularly. Not only that but your sides aren’t exactly the healthiest either. Pasta? It’s loaded with carbohydrates. Tortilla chips? Saltier than the ocean.
Roland: At least it’s only the sides that have issues, your main course and sides have problems. Of course everything can be healthy enough in moderation, but that doesn’t take away the fact that grilled chicken is simply a healthier option all around. Grilled chicken is my preferred choice because of it’s simple and healthy taste that is an essential part of many different delicious meals.
Chad: Even though it’s not the healthiest, fried chicken is a great food choice that always satisfies my “Crunchy Cravings” and goes great with lots of different sauces and sides.
(they overlap)
Roland: Grilled chicken is better.
Chad: Fried chicken is better.
Roland: All this talk of chicken is making me want something SWEET. I think we should order a dessert, but what kind should we get? Cake? Ice Cream? Pie? I can’t decide, Logan, Chad, what do you guys want?
Chad: Ice Cream without a doubt!
Logan: Pie is much better, let’s get that.
Chad: I think that ice cream just has to be the best dessert no questions asked. It’s sweeter than pie and has more flavors. Logan, what do you have to say to defend pie?
Logan: There is no WAY that ice cream is better than pie, think about it, pie may not have more flavors, but they are all natural. Using real ingredients compared to ice creams artificial flavoring. This combined with the fact that pie typically has a pastry crust makes for pie to have an amazing all-natural flavor that clearly stumps ice cream.
Chad: Okay fine ice cream does usually use artificial ingredients… BUT you’re forgetting one thing… You eat pie and ice cream as a dessert most of the time. Even though pie uses better ingredients sometimes, most people like me for example aren’t going to care about that if you’re only eating ice cream and pie for dessert SOMETIMES. And the creamy and cold texture is obviously much more refreshing and satisfying than crusty dusty pie.
Logan: The only problem with that creamy cold texture is how fast it goes aways, melting within minutes, ending with a soupy bowl of flavored milk. Pie doesn’t have that problem, enjoyed cold, hot, or even at room temperature pie will always be delicious.
Chad: Yeah of course ice cream will melt eventually. You can say the same things for some pie’s as well. If you’re eating ice cream as a dessert, you’re not waiting an hour to eat it all. You’re going to eat it before it melts. Ice cream takes around 15- 30 minutes to melt unless you’re in a hot area of course. so realistically by then you’re probably going to be done eating the ice cream.
Logan: Alright, ice cream may take quite a while to melt but pie has by far the better toppings, whip cream or ice cream most famously. Both are commonly added to elevate pies’ already complex flavor profile by adding in a third flavor. Contrast this with ice cream toppings? A singular cherry? Oreo crumbs? Pies toppings are much better at adding to the flavor of the dessert.
Chad: It’s funny that you think those are the only toppings that you can put on ice cream. Why not combine all of those toppings you said? Maybe even add chocolate syrup, sprinkles, nuts, and other candies. The list for toppings could go on for ages. Ice Cream has SO Much more toppings than what you could put on pie!
Logan: Sure, pie may not have all of those toppings, but pie’s toppings improve the dish much more. Regardless, pie has also been around for longer letting the dish gain even more enhanced flavors overtime. This combined with its healthy flavors and delicious pastry crust is why.
Chad: They have both been around for a very long time so they both have enhanced their flavors overtime. Ice Cream toppings are better with more quantity and overall.
(They overlap)
Logan: Pie is better!
Chad: Ice cream is better!
Roland: It’s time for the FINAL most HEAVILY DEBATED food related discussion. Imagine it’s breakfast time, and you need a FRUIT DRINK to wake you up, but you can only pick one. IT’S TIME FOR THE ULTIMATE, HEATED ARGUMENT TO BEGIN. THE JUICE WARS! WHAT’S BETTER, APPLE JUICE OR ORANGE JUICE?!
Chad: Mhm, I’d say it’s pretty good. Better than orange juice.
Roland: Yeah I agree.
Group: (Murmurs of agreement)
Logan: THANKS FOR LISTENING AND WE’LL SEE YOU ALL IN THE NEXT EPISODE!
EPISODE SIX: Persona Impacts Art By Dairell Alvarico Hosted by Dairell Alvarico
Official Transcript:
[THEME SONG – KOLBY THOMPSON.]
Dairell Alvarico:
Great to see you all again everyone. Here’s to our second year with our new format: Podcasts.
I am excited to introduce the first episode for the year, one that dives into the art scene, more specifically the impact of someone’s persona when it comes to creating art, the personalization of intricate details and how life experiences and preferences shape the focus of a canvas.
Welcome to Sheyenne Perspectives from Mustang Post News, I’m Dairell Alvarico.
Dairell Alvarico: Creativity in the form of art can show how diverse society can be. A lifestyle, a talent, some personal affiliation that makes someone who they are. In all four corners of the world, creativity can be sought and shaped. From the first line of a child’s drawing to the beginning stitches of a single crochet.
It would be no surprise that in the very walls of Sheyenne, creativity runs a great deal among the students. Take, for example, our Artist Spotlight on last year’s issues, previous talents such as Field, Karianna, and Brianna were, rightfully so, displaying their amazing art on The Mustang Post.
When it comes to their implications and moral messages, it was definitely not scarce. Their works were brimming with their own personal touch, an element that makes an artwork distinct from its peers.
Throughout time, different artworks can reflect an artist’s persona and experience. In this episode, we delve deep into the personal aspects of art and its creation, and answer the question: how can a work of art mirror a student’s diversity?
In order to gain more insight on this topic, I have gathered people who are familiar with art and creativity and can give a broader perspective about it.
Reagan: My name is Reagan Koppelman, I’m a junior.
Autumn: My name is Autumn Radebaugh, I’m a senior.
Ms. Murphy: I’m Miss Murphy, I’m an art teacher here.
Dairell Alvarico: Art has different meanings for different people: it is ambiguous, it’s fluid and diverse and is sprinkled with details that derive from a person’s interests and experiences. This concept is the basis of what persona can do to influence art, and it is very much so with their unique responses to my simple question: what is art?
Reagan: For me, Art is I guess primarily like a hobby.
Dairell Alvarico: That’s Reagan Koppleman.
Reagan: Like a way to express myself and just like cool off like aside from just like basic like primarily academic focused classes art is like a way to like channel basic my views and like the things that I think in like a constructive way which can also just be fun, win awards, stuff like that.
Dairell Alvarico: Reagan focuses more on portraying what he sees of society’s affairs and how he can express his perspective of it visually. His view on art leans towards it being a medium, his works are tied to his beliefs… a frame of reference of the outlooks he has on topics that are prevalent for editorial cartoons.
Reagan: Last year, I didn’t do arts I got back into it this year with an independent study with Ms. Hopper and the first piece I did it’s what I’ve been thinking for a bit it’s called “Night of the Woke” right now, it’s over at MSU and it’s basically its a political cartoon in the style of like old like 50s pole- poor comic and it’s basically focuses on like my views and it’s kind of like a criticism of like fear mongering used by like the GOP and stuff. Like within schools to express their own agendas and to marginalize different communities and stuff.
Night of the Woke by Reagan Koppelman
Dairell Alvarico: Autumn has a similar attitude towards art, however her point of interest is on spreading the appreciation of beauty.
Autumn: I feel like a big thing for art for me is like, In Senior Comp. we did like uh a little thing . Where we like picked three of our biggest values and one of the ones I picked was beauty because I feel like , there a lot of like importance in appreciating the beauty of like, not only of the outside world but also like, focus on inside everyone’s minds and stuff so I feel like a big part of art for me is recognizing and spreading beauty.
Dairell Alvarico: Beauty is everywhere in art, it’s the fire that motivates society to turn their heads and admire the work artists put and yet beauty isn’t the only response art creates: revulsion, disgust, confusion, introspection, and much more.
Those responses, from enrapt beauty to rejection are difficult to portray, but how does an artist get to the point where they can make an audience respond the way they intend? Perhaps it has something to do with an artist’s growth, their development of style and skill that translates into audience manipulation as they develop their persona throughout the years.
Ms. Murphy: I think art can really be a great way to reflect society, uh where we’re at as a species along with like you know the personal venture that people have with art work.
Dairell Alvarico: As an art teacher, Ms. Murphy has observed what students can do as they slowly understand their potential and what they can pursue…when it comes to filling a blank canvas. Reagan and Autumn definitely fit the bill seeing as she spoke with her arms raised to gesture to them both.
Ms. Murphy: At this point in their lives um you know teenagers are really figuring out how to express themselves through their own personal lens um so I think that comes out through their artwork and I think especially these two how they see the world and interact with it.
Dairell Alvarico: Expression is what a teenager holds close to their heart, it’s part of the stepping stones that lead them to discover who they are and what they want. In this phase of life, they discover the deeper intention of the world’s angle: Socially, psychologically and politically.
Ms. Murphy held true to her words FOR not long after, the two students shared their inspirations that were brimming with their own personal touch, and of what connection they have with their work that’s parallel to their own lives.
For instance, Autumn previously shared that she recognizes and spreads beauty, and that made me wonder. How does she convey that in her art in regards to that?
So of course, I had to ask her.
And when I did, she leaned forward into the mic, her face deep in thought.
Autumn: I suppose, I have a work in progress right now where it’s um. It’s a sculpture of a girl and she’s like standing in water and screaming basically and I’m going to like paint the surface of the sculpture with oil paint and it’s going to depict um like a family on the ocean on one side and the other side like somebody alone on the other side and that one has a lot more meaning because it’s like, for me it’s about my relationship with like home. I’ve always felt drawn to the ocean and it always felt like home.
Sculpture made by Autumn Radebaugh
Dairell Alvarico: There is beauty in knowing that home is where the heart is, and yet within the heart bears the feeling of desolation where one can truly feel alone, so much that you can even almost scream.
However no matter the agony, as long as there’s a door that welcomes you, as long as there is the familiar warmth of an awaiting embrace. A family, you can’t truly be alone despite being oceans apart. You’re drawn in, the unbending connection of tranquility, comfort, and contentment. A sorrowful thoughtfulness that emancipates the hidden beauty of home.
As for Reagan, his inspiration originates directly from the environment he grew up in, and the dynamic within his family.
Reagan: I only started pol cartoons recently but I guess my dad, my grandpa, they’re both politicians. My mom was a paralegal so I had lots of connections to like government and law. Um and I guess and also being in things like debate, speech and like student congress now I recently started mock trial team uh I guess politics have always been central in my life it’s just only now I’ve really started expressing my own views on them.
Dairell Alvarico: The amount of key elements in Reagan’s life, such as the extracurricular activities he joined and the career of his parents and grandfather have helped bolster his ideal standing when it comes to expressing his art.
The political agenda, its effect in society and all the branches under the umbrella term has created leeway for Reagan’s creative undertakings to be manifested into canvas.
What he has learned from his family, his clubs and personal journey has formed his own take of what he perceives of politics. It merged with his persona, his way of thinking and what he believes in. Dabbing in politics is a huge chunk of his persona,
and to take it further up a notch, he expands his agenda with illustrating ideas to make it visional, with its own straight to the point message.
Reagan and Autumn are like two sides of the same coin. They love art, that’s evident enough, they love to create, to make their ideas a reality. It is what makes them stand out, to be their own person and Ms. Murphy couldn’t agree more.
Ms. Murphy: But definitely especially with these two being a junior and a senior you see some deeper development and personal voice in their work. Um, and even just now sitting here listening to these two talk about it. I was like, oh yeah of course.
Dairell Alvarico: But how can these two be so different from each other? What makes them unique? What can they do to further express themselves in the long run?
I turned to Ms. Murphy again, knowing that she would have the answer to that.
Ms. Murphy: Autumn’s soft sensibility I think is also present in her work and um it’s really exciting to see that happen. I know Autumn’s interested in career in art um looking into that so definitely for her, like developing a portfolio, having a strong voice, those are things that will help you get into a solid art program, and um just learning to think like an artist I think is really important for everybody.
Ms. Murphy: Reagan’s sense of humor I think is very present in his work. I don’t really know what Reagans gonna do with the rest of his life, but um again developing critical thinking skills, uh taking feedback, being able to dissect the world around you are all important skills that adults need.
Dairell Alvarico: How marvelous it is, how intricate yet passionate that in the art scene anyone can do anything with what they want to express, what they want portrayed to the rest of the world. Sharing a part of themselves that is so personal and important, that harnessing the imagination of its agenda results in multiple paths of articulate meaning.
Every time you walk past an art gallery full of works from various artists, even the displays outside by the 1202 art room in Sheyenne, you are unraveling someone’s growth and diversity that led them up to that point. With your own eyes, you are witnessing someone’s identity.
May it be a sculpture of a woman screaming in water, or a depiction of school censorship on watercolor papers or Bristol boards. The diverse results that are presented to the public is more than just work, it’s an artist’s personality, their experience, their life. Look closer into it and you can see truly how persona can impact art.
[THEME SONG – KOLBY THOMPSON.]
Dairell Alvarico: This podcast was recorded and edited by Dairell Alvarico.
Sheyenne Perspectives theme music was composed and performed by Kolby Thompson under the direction of Mark Berntson. Thank you, Reagan, Autumn and Ms. Murphy, for sharing their wonderful thoughts and experiences.
So long, everyone. We hope to see you on the next episode of Sheyenne Perspectives.
EPISODE FIVE: CHANCE FOR CHANGE By Dairell Alvarico Hosted by Hailey Boehme
Official Transcript:
[THEME SONG – KOLBY THOMPSON.]
Hailey Boehme:
Good to see you again, everyone. From Mustang Post News, this is Sheyenne Perspectives. I’m Hailey Boehme.
In our last episode of Sheyenne Perspectives, Carter Phillips delved into creativity’s drive on the theatrical stage.
This week Dairell Alvarico focuses on a chance for change through the personal experiences of new student immigrants, their personal struggles, and their joys.
Here’s Dairell.
Dairell Alvarico: In my last podcast, I discussed the concept of change in the lunchroom and how students adapt into various environments that come their way. To add a little insight, the majority did not want to change at all, they would rather stay consistent.
Now that we have gathered more understanding towards the topic, I figured I’d branch out more on the subject. Change does not limit in the lunchroom, it also affects people’s lives aside from school; giving them the opportunity to pave a path they made for themselves, and grasping the new obstacles that would either be used to improve their personal development or bring up walls of regret that would take time to break down.
One circumstance that checks off this list is the process of adapting into a whole new country. This type of change exceeds most struggles relating to the lunchroom; trying to find a vacant spot near the restroom does not compare to the anxiety of not knowing what the next step is when you are in an unfamiliar area.
A lot of students here in Sheyenne Highschool moved in America from all distinct parts of the world, learning their ways, and experiencing new heights of appreciation or depreciation towards change.
The American Dream. People who moved here are bound to hear that term at some point, maybe a lot. Great jobs, great pay, more opportunities, and benefits: Land of the Free. But how does this romanticized expectation change their lives in the long run?
This episode, I have gathered stories of fellow immigrants. All of them have something to share, something to reflect on, to reveal that the life of an immigrant is not easy at first, there is always going to be something that holds them back.
Now we get to hear what they’ve been through, what they learned, and how they developed their skills and abilities to adapt to the U.S and finally call this place their home.
There’s always a beginning to all this. Something that convinced them to make the decision to move here. Coincidentally, they are not that different from each other.
Jacob: Apparently my, like my parents found out this like job that was here in the U.S, through Facebook which is probably the most oddest thing you’ll ever see, in Facebooks. And then like we had like go to like the Bureaucratic nightmare of the Philippines. And we like go up and down to these bureaucratic offices, and we uh had to really like ask them, if they’re willing to do it. They had to like beg them.”
Manila (Capital of the Philippines)
Dairell Alvarico: Another student, whom we will call Sam, had a similar scenario, one that involved her dad and his drive to finish his education. Here is an excerpt from her story:
Sam: My father decided to come to America to get his master’s degree when I was in second grade. I was so astonished when I found out we were heading to America because I didn’t want to leave my friends and move out of Saudi Arabia to a place we had never visited before. We had argued with my dad about not wanting to go to America because first we didn’t speak the language, English, and we have no idea about America and how things over there work out.
Dairell Alvarico: Sam and Jacob’s experiences are not that far from each other. In their cases, it was their parents who set the motion to move to America.
This is a very common reason, especially on immigrant children. They may have never even thought of the U.S until their parents mentioned it, and when they do, they are also doing it to give their kids a better life. Like John, who was hesitant at first, but later saw this opportunity as a blessing in disguise, which he makes clear when he wrote his story.
John: Reasons why I moved here? To have a better tomorrow. Every immigrant would have the same answer as me, but the future my parents wanted me to have was an American Education. I wish I had a choice; I wish I could stay in the place I am used to, but I am here and I can’t do anything anymore. So, I have to do this.
Dairell Alvarico: John was supposed to move here when he already graduated high-school, but the plan changed and he arrived one year early. This took a toll on him; he wanted to graduate with his friends. He felt at home and didn’t want to spend his last high-school years in a whole new country, but his parents insisted.
This is one of the most difficult things to do to when moving. Leaving your friends and dreading making new ones, since it can be a bit overwhelming, thinking that you’re different than everybody else. It affects them so much, depleting their confidence and anticipation to learn new things.
John: Leaving my friends, the high-school graduation I always wanted, was so hard for me because I’m graduating here instead of home.
Dairell Alvarico: But John wasn’t alone on this one. Sam struggled among her peers as well.
Sam: I wasn’t fluent in English, only knew just a few basic phrases when I arrived in America. So, my first day of school wasn’t really great. When you travel from one country to another, everything is different: the language, friends, lifestyles, and so on. My teacher was giving me a school tour as I walked; to be honest, I didn’t even understand a single word and was just nodding my head the entire time, wanting to be over with it. My father came to get me out after 3rd period to see how I was doing. With tears in my eyes, I told my father that I wanted to go back.
Dairell Alvarico: English is a very widespread language, but not everybody knows it. And when it comes to moving to America, knowing English is what gets you through basic everyday life.
So, Sam was already a mess. She could not understand anything around her. Overcome with anxiety, her first few days were so bad, it was enough for her to want to go back home.
Jacob on the other hand, did not have these types of struggles. If anything, he actually anticipated moving to America. He was eager to experience things he couldn’t do in the Philippines, and won’t hesitate to share his opinions on it.
Jacob: A lot of stuff actually. I could just get like the stuff I want, that was like being imported before I get it. I had to get stuff like that, because they were imported and they’re expensive too, and I could just get it for a dollar and a half.
Dairell Alvarico: If you care to share, what’s like one negative thing that you experienced.
Jacob: I started working in fast food, ooh man they kinda, kinda entitled not gonna lie, like I don’t know like they’ve been requesting stuff that should not be, you know it’s not even part of their order.
Dairell Alvarico: While Sam and John were mostly worried about the people around them and how to cope with their new life, Jacob was more concerned about the transit system.
Jacob: I mean, I expected them to have like a good like, transportation system when I came here, you know you don’t need to ride a personal car. But then, we still had to buy a car.
Dairell Alvarico: To add more context, the transportation in the Philippines has multiple options. From calling a taxi to randomly riding on the back of a stranger’s motorcycle for less than two dollars.
There’s so many vehicles to pick from that not having your own personal vehicle isn’t a huge deal. So, in Jacob’s case, he wasn’t used to it at all.
There’s always a way to get comfortable with change. There’s time, and patience to adjust themselves to feel comfortable and safe in America.
Sam knew that her not knowing English held her back, so she did her very best to learn it.
Sam: Taking English classes has greatly helped and improved my English compared to when I first arrived. Being bilingual is uncommon in my country; yet, knowing how to communicate in another language, particularly English, opens doors to greater and more chances.
Sam: Looking back, I believe I would not be where I am today if I hadn’t gone through these obstacles. I felt like I wasn’t going to make it at the time, and that nothing I was doing, especially reading a book, would help me improve my English. However, I have discovered that no matter what you do, you will achieve a result.
Dairell Alvarico: John was still bummed out about leaving the people he’s close with, so he grew into his curiosity of experiencing what it’s like to be in America, slowly getting used to it.
John: Studying in Sheyenne is different to what I’m used to. But change is nice overall, I love understanding different cultures beyond what I’m used to. It’s nice on behalf of the weirdness and cultural shock. It’s nice to see what’s on the other side of the wall (metaphorically)
John: The silver lining is I became a better person here, I lost mostly everything I ever was, but I became the person I thought I would be.
Dairell Alvarico: Everybody has a certain reaction moving to America. Fear, excitement, anxiety or all of them at once. But what really matters if how they push through and adapt into the people they are now. Change can be scary, mainly because it’s what would push people to a different path than they predicted.
The people in these stories did see it through, because there’s always a way when it comes to change. They accepted it, found their peace and paved a new path for themselves.
“Your life does not get better by chance, it gets better by change” Jim Rohn, a motivational speaker said that and I am confident to say that these people’s stories are proof that this quote is true.
Change can be a good thing, it’s just pretty bad at the start. Immigration can be just like that. All you got to do is guide it to the right direction.
[THEME SONG – KOLBY THOMPSON.]
Hailey Boehme: This podcast was recorded and edited by Dairell Alvarico and hosted by Hailey Boehme.
Sheyenne Perspectives theme music was composed and performed by Kolby Thompson under the direction of Mark Berntson. Thank you, Dave and Jewelyn, for narrating the excerpts. We’d also like to thank Sam, John, and Jacob for sharing their wonderful stories.
This wraps up Sheyenne Perspectives for this school year. We appreciate you, our listeners, and hope you’ve enjoyed Sheyenne Perspectives.
PART TWO: THE THRILL OF VICTORY By Jaxson Miller Hosted by Hailey Boehme
Official Transcript:
[THEME SONG – KOLBY THOMPSON.]
Hailey Boehme: Hello everyone. This is Sheyenne perspectives, and I’m your host, Hailey Boehme, with Mustang Post News.
In Jaxson’s last episode of Wins, Losses, and the Unexpected, Sheyenne football’s defeat and heartache was his focus.
If you missed this podcast or any other releases, they’re all free to stream on mustangpost.news.
This week, Jaxson wraps up his two-part podcast by taking a turn toward Sheyenne volleyball’s state championship victory and joy.
Here’s Jaxson.
Jaxson Miller: A couple of weeks later, Sheyenne’s volleyball team was back in the state tournament once again. Even before the Mustangs catapulted themselves into the history books, the season they were having was already historic.
The Mustangs won their first 22 games, their best start in program history, finished undefeated in the EDC conference, which helped them capture the EDC regular season title, and then they went on to win the EDC conference tournament.
Sheyenne entered the state tournament 32-2 and had to face a tough Bismarck St. Mary’s squad. The Mustangs swept the Saints.
Next up was the Jamestown Blue Jays. In another great performance, the Sheyenne Mustangs were able to get the sweep against another solid team. They were heading to the state championship for the first time in program history.
Kennedy Colter, one of the top servers on the team and one of the eight seniors on the team, described what she felt throughout the state tournament.
Kennedy Colter: “I think that whole weekend, I thought I was going to have a million heart attacks. That whole weekend was a lot because every game is so important. But, after winning that second game it still didn’t hit me because… just beating Jamestown, they are really good team, and we had to come out… and that we played really good against Jamestown so taking that whole game in was a lot after the game and I don’t think it hit me until later that night… like… holy cow, this isn’t real… like… we are actually going to the state championship.”
Kennedy Colter serving during Sheyenne’s matchup against Fargo Shanley on September 27, 2022. Photo courtesy Mustang Media.
Jaxson Miller: Sheyenne had to face Bismarck Century, a team that was in the state championship for the 12th straight year, a team that was looking for their 10th state title, and their 8th in the last 12 seasons. An absolute dynasty.
Did that bring a lot of pressure or nerves to the Mustangs? Of course. That is part of being an athlete. If there are not any nerves, there is something wrong.
The best athletes in the world get nervous. The players or teams that win are the ones that are equipped to handle it. So how did Kennedy and her teammates manage their nerves?
Kennedy Colter: Our team has two songs that we like to play before big games and to get us into the mindset of how important volleyball is to us and how much we care about each other. We play “I Lived” and “Halo.” And we were like, ‘Okay we have all this extra time’ before the game ‘Let’s play the song’ so we turned off the lights, we all got in a circle, and you could just feel that everyone wanted to win, and that everyone loved each other… we still do. It was a really good feeling and I think that helped calm my nerves down. I think all of us were crying, bawling our eyes out before the game, so that was great, but it was just that moment where we all got together, looked at each other, and it was like… this is the last game we will ever play together as a team, and for some of us, ever again, so it just meant a lot to know that everyone in that huddle had each other’s backs.”
Jaxson Miller: Sheyenne had faith that they could beat this dynasty of a team that Bismarck Century was.
Sheyenne beat Bismarck Century at the Bismarck Crossover, where the teams from the EDC, the Eastern Dakota Conference, travel West to play teams from the WDA, the Western Dakota Association.
Century got the upper hand against Sheyenne at the Fargo Invite towards the middle part of the regular season.
The Mustangs and the Patriots were the top two teams in the Class A state poll all season long. With each team splitting the amount of time spent at the number one spot, it was the perfect matchup for a state championship game.
[VOLLEYBALL BROADCAST SOUND – FREESOUND]
And the Mustangs did not shy away. They came out with a great amount of intensity and won the first set 25-21. Century responded with an early lead in the second set and won the second set 25-22.
Throughout the third set, Sheyenne and Century traded points with each other until Sheyenne was able to pull away. At this point, they were just one set away from their first ever state title, in their first ever state title game.
[VOLLEYBALL BROADCAST SOUND – FREESOUND]
Jaxson Miller: As a winning program, Century was simply not going to back down. With their backs against the walls, Century responded with clutch defense and minimal errors in the fourth set.
However, despite taking the fourth set, the momentum did shift back towards Sheyenne late in the set.
The Patriots had a lead of 24-18, but the Mustangs went on a five-point run to get the lead down to one before Century setter, Geneva Ding, faked out the Mustangs and got the point to close out the fourth set, 25-23.
[VOLLEYBALL BROADCAST SOUND – FREESOUND]
Jaxson Miller: The next set could have gone either way as it was a winner-takes-all scenario. What more could you have asked for as a fan? There was not a lot of room for errors. It came down to who wanted it more.
After the first half of the fifth set went back and forth, Sheyenne went on 5-1 run to go up 12-7. Century called timeout.
That momentum for Sheyenne did not stop. The Mustangs did not collapse and kept their foot on the gas pedal. Great setting by Kennedy led to Isabelle Albrecht and Lexus Terhark each getting a kill to make it a 14-8 game.
Sheyenne was now just one point away from knocking off Century and capturing their first ever state championship.
On the last serve of the game, Century was able to return the ball over the net. Khloe Brown passed to Brooke Johnson, who was serving to close out the game. Brooke Johnson gave outside hitter Reagan Bogenreif a great set.
Bogenreif rose and hit the ball with great power. Century’s front row almost blocked it but… the ball made contact with the ground. At that moment, just a little after midnight, Sheyenne reached the summit at long last. They dethroned the Patriots.
[VOLLEYBALL BROADCAST SOUND – FREESOUND]
KENNEDY COLTER: “I personally didn’t even see Reagan’s hit hit the ground. I didn’t even know, I was in an awkward spot, I couldn’t see, so I was like, ‘If everyone starts running, we won.’ And then everyone started running, and I just followed them. I was like, ‘This is not real’ and it was crazy. The best part of it was… I was sitting there… I think it was the fourth set and only in front of me, I could see our parents, our fans, and the Century fans. I was like, ‘Oh my gosh’ so I was like, ‘You know what? I need to take this all in.’ I stand up, I look around, and behind us is all the teams from the East, the West, and just everyone watching the game, cheering for us, so excited that they were jumping up for every single point. To have that feeling of everyone in the gym besides the Century fans cheering for you is something I will never forget, and that was a really cool experience too.”
Jaxson Miller: Kennedy says that what went on in all the huddles that occurred during the timeouts throughout the course of the match were a big factor.
Kennedy Colter: “I think that she (Newton) was just telling us to keep playing our game and to not get scared or tighten up because that is not going to help you win at all. I think when we got that run at the end of the fourth set, that really helped our momentum coming into the fifth set. I think that is really important and a huge thing in volleyball, is having the momentum of the game and although we did lose the fourth set, we did bring a lot of momentum into the fifth set, which was very helpful and that did push us to win the fifth set.
Jaxson Miller: Aiden Knodel was one of the many fans in the Bismarck Event Center that evening. He was in the student section with some friends.
Aiden Knodel: “Just seeing the redemption that the volleyball team was able to make up for our shortcomings, it was a really cool experience to witness and probably out of all the sporting events I have been to, it honestly was just like… crazy to watch, just the amount of energy that was inside the gym and just watching the emotions of the players, it was really cool to watch. And it kind of makes your heart ache because it is something that you wanted for yourself, but to see someone else go do that for you, was also a really cool experience.”
Jaxson Miller: It took Sheyenne’s volleyball team nine years to finally bring home a state championship trophy. The next step is to build off of this. They will have a good number of seniors to lead the team next year and will look to repeat as state champions.
The football team is hoping to rebound from the disappointing end to the 2022 season and return with vengeance next season.
Here’s the thing with sports, whether you achieve your storybook ending or not, it is important to understand that sports offer us the life-changing lessons that we need to grow as people and to make this world a better place. And for us to bounce back from our failures and our shortcomings.
[THEME SONG – KOLBY THOMPSON.]
Hailey Boehme: This podcast was recorded and edited by Jaxson Miller and hosted by Hailey Boehme. Sheyenne Perspectives theme music was composed and performed by Kolby Thompson under the direction of Mark Berntson (BURNT-son). Our thanks goes to Aiden Knodel and Kennedy Colter for their insight and time interviewing as well as Mustang Media and BEK Sports Network for providing the sports broadcast audio in this two-part podcast.
In our next episode of Sheyenne Perspectives, Carter Phillips returns for part two of his feature on creativity.
The Mustang Post 