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The Student News Site of Millard West High School

The Catalyst
The Student News Site of Millard West High School

The Catalyst
The Student News Site of Millard West High School

The Catalyst
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MWHS Wildcat News
Learning English
Aasif Sultani, Staff Reporter • November 19, 2024
Attendance PSA
November 19, 2024
Teaching story
November 19, 2024
Wildcat Cafe serves opportunity
November 19, 2024
News
Juniors Issac Cotrell and Will Maddox work on choosing which sound effects would be heard best over both the orchestra and the actors' singing. “I ran the soundboard which included running the microphones for the leads,” Cotrell said. “Turning them on and off and adjusting their volumes if I needed to.” They used websites like Soundtrap to make a lot of the battle scenes or Zapsplat for other ones like rain.
The Miserables
Lexi Vore, Staff Reporter • November 14, 2024

Work on the production of “Les Mis” has been going on since September, but the crew has had very limited time to work without actors on stage. The last crew-only day was Oct. 24th, and everyone jumped to help whoever needed it...

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Seventh grader Mae Carmichael and her family get ready to begin the JDRF/Breakthrough walk at Mahoney State Park. The walk began at the activities center and the course was two miles and finished near the sledding hills. “This year's walk was really fun because my cousin brought his dog," Mae Carmichael said. ”We were also able to get snacks and drinks throughout the walk so we were able to stay hydrated and not go hungry.”
Walk for a cure
Wyatt Carmichael, Staff Reporter • October 17, 2024

The weekend of September 29th the Breakthrough Type 1 diabetes walk was held out in Ashland, Neb at Mahoney State Park. The walk is a fundraiser hosted every year by BreakThrough, formally known as JDRF. The event helps raise money...

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Before the run begins, senior Chloe Teter and junior Montana Chronister pose for a picture with the handmade signs they made to cheer on the kids. Children dressed up as superheroes for the run to demonstrate the strength people have when fighting through Congenital Heart Disease. “I decided to participate with DECA for the Heart Hero Run because I wanted to volunteer and have fun with the kids with fun activities,” junior Montana Chronister said. “Heart Heroes impacted me because it was so great to see such a close community of people supporting one another.”
Heartbeats and heroics
Lillian Tinker, Staff Reporter • October 17, 2024

On Sept. 29, Millard West DECA participated in the yearly Heart Heroes Superhero Run fundraiser. A month before the run, DECA students put up signs all around Omaha to spread the news and even participated in numerous activities throughout...

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Opinion
Cancel culture is detrimental to Gen Z’s mental health. It is important to reshape digital punishment to leave room for the inevitable mistakes that come with being teenagers.
Cancelled in a click
Natalie Fink, Opinions Editor • November 11, 2024
High-school athletes can be severely demoralized after going down by large margins
The mercy rule
November 7, 2024
In the last year or so, two super teams for football have been formed in the Omaha area and are built of kids from all over the city, Many of them have to transfer in and even move houses to be eligible to play and be enrolled as a student.
Staying or leaving
November 4, 2024
October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, so it is important to know some basic things about breast cancer such as what it is, the most common breast cancer, the genes that can cause it, treatment, and new research for it.
Pink matters
November 1, 2024
Not nearly enough schools educate their students about recycling and it's about time we start. Public schools in the United States produce over 14,500 tons of waste every day. That's waste that could have been recycled like plastic, aluminum and steel cans. By recycling, we would lower that number significantly.
Trash to treasure
October 29, 2024
Feature
In a hurry to finish the race, junior Nathan Biles cycles on the course representing Millard West’s mountain biking team. Biles built a sturdy bike from scratch, from his many rough drafts to finally experiencing his finished product on the courses. “Somehow this bike was faster than the one I normally race on,” Nathan Biles said. “It had impressive riding characteristics and performs 100 times better than imagined other than a bit too much flex.”
Fast and fearless
Lillian Tinker, Features Editor • October 31, 2024
An informal DECA Officer meeting discussing a future meeting for all students in DECA is being attended by Senior Michael Jones. With Jones being an Executive Officer, he has gained business experience that will continue to help him push for his sandwich business’s name sitting next to Subway and Jimmy John’s.
Mikey sells Mikey Subs
Luka Pashia • October 28, 2024
Theater director Brooke Phillips earned the Inspirational Theatre Teacher of the Year Award, recognizing her dedication to her students and colleagues over the years. “Everything I do is for the students at our school,” Phillips said. “But any teacher will tell you the best part of our job is to know that we made some sort of difference.”
An inspiration to many
October 25, 2024
Smiling for the crowd, former student Kelcey Wetterberg dances for the Dallas Cowboys football team. Wetterberg went from being on the Millard West Dance Team to trying out and making the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders team, where she got to perform in front of thousands. “My favorite part of being a DCC was the impact we were able to make on young girls,” Wetterberg said. “The dancing and glamour was so much fun, but seeing little girl’s eyes light up when they see you in that uniform is something you’ll never forget.”
Cats to Cowboys
October 18, 2024
Hanging out on the field, junior Zachariah Skeikh pumps up the crowd during the game. He gets to join his fellow Cats as our football players take the field. “My favorite thing about it would be dancing or seeing the game up close,” junior Zachariah Skeikh said. “Also, hanging out with the cheerleaders and dance team is fun.”
The man behind the mask
October 2, 2024
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Entertainment
Cafe Botanica is a locally sourced, healthy option that can be a substitute for going to a fast food restaurant. In the image I'm eating a signature egg and cheese wrap along with a pumpkin spice latte.
The greenhouse of the midwest
Caden Reynolds, Uproar Radio-Station Manager • November 1, 2024
The documentary was directed by Eva Orner and came out on April 9th, 2024.
Fashionably flawed
October 16, 2024
“Inside out 2” was released into theaters June 14, 2024 and has been made over 1.5 Billion since its release.
Out with the old and in with the new
September 27, 2024
“Uglies,” a dystopian novel based on a futuristic society where everyone eventually turns pretty, bringing attention to self-love and not conforming to the world's norms.
Not so pretty
September 27, 2024
Drake releases “100 GIGS” EP, his first EP outside of the “Scary Hours” collection since 2019. The six songs have a 19:02 total run time, making it the perfect length for a small, casual listen.
The boy is back
September 25, 2024
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Kevin Mar takes position as he referees for 16th season in college football. Kevin has officiated many games and is a veteran in the industry, with 28 total year under his belt. “This job has granted me with many experiences that I couldn’t get anywhere else,” Kevin said. “I love to travel the country and get the opportunities that I get through the NCAA.”

Stripes and whistles

2
Junior Nathan Delaney likes to listen to music during work time. Studies suggest that listening to music can increase your focus while studying and increase productivity.

Music in class should pass

3
Gene Wilder had extensive input into the design of his costume. He even wrote to the movie director Mel Stuart to express his raw and unfiltered thoughts after viewing the early costume sketches.

50 years of Willy Wonka

4
Juniors Issac Cotrell and Will Maddox work on choosing which sound effects would be heard best over both the orchestra and the actors' singing. “I ran the soundboard which included running the microphones for the leads,” Cotrell said. “Turning them on and off and adjusting their volumes if I needed to.” They used websites like Soundtrap to make a lot of the battle scenes or Zapsplat for other ones like rain.

The Miserables

5
Haynes holds his bracket as he takes in the win

The triumphs of state champion wrestlers

Polls

What is your favorite extinct animal?

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  • Millard West High School
    56
    Bellevue East
    3
    Oct 3 / Football
  • Millard West High School
    60
    Bellevue East
    57
    Jan 17 / Boys Basketball
  • Millard West High School
    52
    Bellevue East
    62
    Jan 17 / Girls Basketball
  • Millard West High School
    1
    Westside
    2
    Jan 17 / Hockey
  • Millard West High School
    4
    Fremont
    1
    Jan 15 / Hockey
  • Millard West High School
    70
    Lincoln Southeast
    76
    Jan 14 / Boys Basketball
  • Millard West High School
    45
    Lincoln Southeast
    53
    Jan 14 / Girls Basketball
  • Millard West High School
    5
    Gretna
    0
    Jan 11 / Hockey
  • Millard West High School
    42
    Bellevue West
    70
    Jan 10 / Boys Basketball
  • Millard West High School
    37
    Bellevue West
    39
    Jan 10 / Girls Basketball
  • Millard West High School
    17
    Lincoln Southeast
    16
    Oct 7 / Football
  • Millard West High School
    2
    Grand Island
    1
    Oct 6 / Softball
  • Millard West High School
    5
    Papillion-LaVista
    13
    Oct 6 / Softball
  • Millard West High School
    10
    Omaha Westview
    0
    Oct 5 / Softball
  • Millard West High School
    6
    Papillion-LaVista
    11
    Oct 5 / Softball
Sports
Taking it all in on the ice, senior Eli Simard skates around the ice during warmups. Simard received the call on the morning of Nov. 2 that he had the opportunity to fulfill a lifelong dream that same night. “It was special for me because I’ve always wanted to play for the Lancers or the Stars as a little kid,” Simard said. “It made me so happy to see that dream come true. Stepping on to the ice, I had so much adrenaline pumping and I was genuinely so happy and enjoyed every second of it.” Photo courtesy of Eli Simard
Shooting for the Stars
Sam Whittaker, MWHS Wildcat News Editor-in-Chief and Catalyst Editor-in-Chief • November 11, 2024
Awaiting the puck to drop, senior defenseman Cole Grandgenett positions himself to receive the puck. Grandgenett’s goal helped lift the Cats past Elkhorn North along with his great defensive play and leadership. “I am expecting a good run this year,” Grandgenett said. “I think after we get things together and our feet under us, we can figure it all out from there.”
Wildcats blank Elkhorn North
November 4, 2024
Senior Chance Roberts was able to record one interception in the shutout win against Lincoln North Star. Roberts and company kept the Navigators off the scoreboard multiple times late to seal the low scoring game on senior night. “As a defense we are all really close, so it is easy to play with and for each other,” Roberts said. “ Our coaches do a great job of keeping us focused on the goal. As a unit we understand what we have to do to win.” Photo By Chloe Vaughn
Playoffs still in sight for the Cats
October 28, 2024
Senior Ximena Galarza prepares to start a match with her opponent during a tournament. She has been wrestling for Millard West for a year now and has no plans to leave the team. “I think that's the best part for me. If I don’t get hurt during a match it wasn’t a good match,” senior Ximena Galarza said.“If I get hurt, I know it was a good fight.” Photo courtesy of Ximena Galarza
On the mat
October 17, 2024
Senior Hayden Hart helps the Wildcats build momentum in key moments against Lincoln Southwest. The Cats win their second top five matchup this season at home. “The gameplay for the team was to trust one another and enjoy every given moment we have with each other on the court,” Hart said. “The season is slowly coming to an end so the opportunity to play with this team is also wrapping up so winning gives us the ability to play a few more games together.” Photo By: Lilly Stoops
Wildcats dominate the defending state champions
October 16, 2024
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Podcasts
Logan's Sport Takes: Nebraska Episode
Logan’s Sport Takes: Nebraska Episode
Logan Moseley, MWHS Wildcat News Editor-in-Chief • December 1, 2022

Logan's Sport Takes: NFL
Logan’s Sport Takes: NFL
November 22, 2022
AC Podcast 2
AC Podcast 2
May 5, 2022
AC Podcast 1
AC Podcast 1
May 5, 2022
Logan's Sports Takes: Episode Four
Logan’s Sports Takes: Episode Four
March 31, 2022
Photography
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