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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

In the Advanced Studio class, students are granted a number of freedoms. It allows student’s imagination to run wild and think and execute ideas normally not done in lower level art classes. Senior Aryan Naik has let his creativity shown by painting the back of his denim jacket with the famous painting The Creation of Adam by Michelangelo. “This is by far the project I’m most excited for,” said Naik. “The freedom of this class has really allowed me to express myself fully in this class.”

Coordinating the craft

Chloe Parker, Staff Reporter
November 26, 2019
After creating the cake base for her cupcakes, senior Alissia Graybill must decide how she will choose to decorate. Here, she demonstrates her piping skills as she finishes her Chocolate Reeses cupcake with her decedent chocolate frosting. She then tops the cupcake with bits of the chocolate peanut butter candy. One of the best parts is finishing the cupcake with frosting and toppings, Graybill said. I have about 30 different piping tips that I can use to decorate. I want to get into fondant in the future and play around with that in addition to the frosting.

Baking miracles

Chloe Parker, Staff Reporter
November 15, 2019
When in the kitchen, freshman Edison Gilbert uses a lot of decorating techniques to elevate her cakes. One of her favorites, includes using the drip technique to emphasize the otherwise basic design. By using this bottle, Gilbert can control the topping and decide where she would like the drips to fall on the cake but the process to get here does take some time. Each cake I make usually takes about two days to make completely, Gilbert said. I like to make the cakes a day prior and then decorate them the next day. I’m a really impatient person and don’t like to wait for the cakes to cool down and would rather just do it all in the same day.

Bold with baking

Chloe Parker, Staff Reporter
November 4, 2019
Surprised, junior Delaney Richardson finds out she won Homecoming Princess after her softball game. Her friends and family give her flowers and sash to her which she later on wears on Homecoming night.

Dreams coming true

Michelle Miller, Staff Reporter
October 16, 2019
 Millard West Band sweeps the Golden Regiment Invitational winning overall second place, one of the awards being the Outstanding Drum Majors. “I was pleasantly surprised when we placed second over this last week, it was a really tough competition,” Keith said. “We have goals and we met those. We what tell our students is that we’re really going against ourselves each week to be better than the band we were last week, and if we do that, good things will happen. They showed up this week, and their hard work paid off.”

Conducting the perfect duo

Olivia Oeth, News Director
October 15, 2019
A colorful, one of a kind pair of wedges painted by Emily (Adrien)

Pumped Up Kicks

Mackenzie Gonzales, Cartoonist
October 15, 2019
Senior Chloe Moore performs at various events in the Omaha area. Her programs have given her long lasting connections and opportunities that she loves to do. “Most events I’ve performed at are usually offered to me through programs I’m in,” Moore said. “It’s really nice to have connections to people in the music world.”

Growing up gifted

Anna Blumenthal, Staff Reporter
October 14, 2019
Millard West’s first football coach Dan McLaughlin shakes the hands of many as he receives his Hall of Fame plaque. He was a part of a special ceremony held at halftime of this year’s first football game. “I don’t know if people really understand how special this place is,” McLaughlin said. “When we first played here in 1995, we went 0-9, didn’t win a single game, and none of them were even close. Look where it is now. The crowd, the atmosphere, the new scoreboard and field; it’s a great place.”

Not your average coach

Dana Summers, Staff Reporter
October 14, 2019
Senior Josh Pachunka displays his undershirt that says “SUPER HERO!” after his program’s graduation. With the help of a mentor, he delivered a great speech on his strengths and the importance of Special Olympics. “I am hoping all of you are getting involved with Special Olympics to help other superheroes get stronger, faster and learn more about themselves,” Pachunka said. “And remember, always be super!”

Superhero training camp

Emma Baker, Staff reporter
October 3, 2019
Braiding quickly, junior Milina Mike does an intricate braid on junior Dakota Horrocks for homecoming. Mike and Horrocks have run a hair and makeup business since February of 2019. “I am so proud of what I do, and I love when people are happy with the outcome,” Mike said. “I love doing hair and practicing new styles on people, and I plan on doing this for my future career.”

The beauty of business

Jenna Reynolds, Staff Reporter
October 3, 2019
Emma Baker, Alex Stamer-Fuentes, Martin Plascencia, Daniel Leiva and Christhor Roy stand with their right hands raised as they are sworn in as junior members of the Los Angeles Police Department. After being inducted, we met the chief and our officer for the day. Then, we rode in the motorcade to Raleigh Studios. “The motorcade was super fun,” junior Alex Stamer-Fuentes said. “I felt some empowerment because they closed down Hollywood Boulevard for just the president and us, the Sunshine Kids.”

Sunny in Cali

Emma Baker, Staff reporter
October 3, 2019
Junior Erica Michel and another volunteer are working hard at building houses for the people in Erie, Pennsylvania. Our residents started crying when they saw their house because they were so shocked that normal kids could come and do this, Micheal said. They were so grateful they made us these nice memory boxes and thanked us several times.

Kindness over the summer

Michelle Miller, Staff Reporter
September 23, 2019
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