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Podcasts, Sports, The Home Turf

The Home Turf: Episode 3

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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.

Goodbye everyone. We’ll see you soon.

This has been a production of Mustang Post News. 

Feature & General, Podcasts, Setting the Scene

The Science Behind the Scare: Episode 1

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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.

Cooking Up Contention, Feature & General, Podcasts

COOKING UP CONTENTION EP:1

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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!

Chad: Bye bye!

Feature & General, Podcasts, Sheyenne Perspectives

Chance for Change: Immigration

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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.  

So long everyone. We’ll see you next year. 

This has been a production of Mustang Post News. 

Feature & General, Podcasts, Sheyenne Perspectives

BUILDING A LEGACY IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY

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EPISODE THREE: THE LONGEVITY OF SUCCESS
By Logan Jacobs

Official Transcript:

Hailey Boehme: Welcome back, everyone. From Mustang Post News, West Fargo, this is Sheyenne Perspectives. I’m Hailey Boehme. 

In our last episode of Sheyenne Perspectives, Dairell Alvarico delved into change and how we react to change, whether we like that change or not.  This week Logan Jacobs continues our series by reflecting on success. Specifically, what success and failure means in the music industry. Here’s Logan. 

[THEME SONG – KOLBY THOMPSON.]

Logan Jacobs: How does success stand against the test of time? Will those that are successful now find success in 20, 30, even 40 years? How can we know?

Will we yearn for music like this in the future? What makes an artist successful and how long that success last. 

But what is success? 

Anthony Peterson: the easy answer is sales, in the short term.

Logan Jacobs: That’s Mr. Peterson, choir and History of Rock-n-roll teacher at Sheyenne High School.

Anthony Peterson: Are they selling records, digital downloads? Are they streaming on YouTube? All of this is now playing a factor into the top ten records or song in a country or in the world

Logan Jacobs: Although that may not be all there is to it, maybe success is something much more complicated. 

Anthony Peterson: Sustained success is really more about can you evolve with the time and be a trendsetter instead of just repeating yourself over and over.

Logan Jacobs: Take for example rapper Redveil. For three years now he’s been producing successful albums. Three, in fact. He’s certainly popular enough where people are taking inspiration from him at this point. But will his success last? Will he be able to evolve and maintain his trendsetting creativity?  

But who are some others that could be successful? 

Anthony Peterson: Well, historically if you look at the bands or the artists that were able to recreate themselves year after year and record to record and do new things, while doing it at a certain level and keeping their level of success and sales, you have to initially look at someone like the Beatles or the rolling stones in the 60s and the 70s as a group that not only was massively successful but they were pioneering new styles and genres every year, and doing it in a way no one else had before, so not only were they successful but they were trailblazers into new areas of music

Logan Jacobs: Chance, another rapper, was once trailblazer, yet in recent years he has seen a significant decline. He hasn’t adapted. He hasn’t maintained a level of creativity and work ethic that promotes continued success.

Will, however, he reach a turning point? An epiphany? A moment where he’ll regain his creativity that will lead to a level of success as he achieved before. Lead to record sales.  

Although, there are some who are still successful 

Anthony Peterson: More recently I think you have to look at someone like a Taylor Swift who started in a more traditional country world and every record she’s had in the last decade plus seems to change and evolve artistically and lyrically which allows her to not repeat herself and she’s finding new success with new audiences; and she’s in her mid 30s now, for 20 years of success is not easy. In the music world it’s very easy to be a one hit wonder and then disappear because you have nothing else in that bag.

Logan Jacobs: The key to finding sustainable success is not only to grow and change, but to be untouchable by others in your genre. An unrealistic level of ability is needed at all times for you to keep your success. Chance had built up this reputation that came crashing down through the release of one record. 

Anthony Peterson: The neat thing about older artists success is that it doesn’t seem to go away, there is still a market for something that is now dubbed classic rock, and if you look at, locally at arenas near here there’s going to be a plethora of artists that are selling massive amounts of tickets, that have had their biggest amount of success in the 80s, 70s, and maybe even the 60s. That are still touring and selling out all over the world.

So having that impact that they had in their time is still very relevant because there is still a market for it. I want to assume that modern artists are still going to be musically interesting and sophisticated 30 years from now and people are still going to be seeing their concerts. 

Logan Jacobs: Now fans are stuck romanticizing about what they can not have, an older version of Chance. One that has not stained his ethereal presence on the music world. Reminiscing about the past, until another “Chance” comes around.  

Anthony Peterson: The one unique thing I could spin in for some artists is some of them never had a reunion, like the Beatles were never able to reunite because John Lennon was killed and now another member of the band has since passed away, there is only two of the four left, they can’t be the Beatles anymore because after the band broke up they were never able to reunite so like with the Rolling Stones who started at around the same time, they’ve been a somewhat stable group for the past 50 years, some people think that tarnished their legacy and its like there not as good as they used to be, or they’re old or dad rockers but obviously people still want to see them,  

where you have a different group like the Beatles who only existed in that one decade and they never were able to do anything else, so there are different ways to look at it because I think some people like what they can’t have more than something that’s like still around, I think that’s benefited the Beatles success because they know they can’t see them in concerts so they yearn for that old music cause it only existed back then and there’s no way to ruin it.

Logan Jacobs: Can an entire music career die, only because of one poor release? Can an artist redeem themselves after failure? Or are they forever stuck, known as the person they formerly were?

This podcast was recorded and edited by Logan Jacobs and hosted by Hailey Boehme. Sheyenne Perspectives theme music was composed and performed by Kolby Thompson under the direction of Mark Berntson. Special thanks goes out to Anthony Peterson. 

Hailey Boehme:

Next week on Sheyenne Perspectives, Carter Phillips will dig deep into what fuels people’s desire to create.  

So long, everyone. See you soon.  

This has been a production of Mustang Post News.