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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

Jacob Hargens

Jacob Hargens, Staff Reporter

Jacob is a senior at Millard West and is in his third year on the CATalyst staff. One of his favorite things to write involves stories about different students around the school. He also likes writing about recent releases in entertainment as well as big topics around the world. Outside of school, he likes playing games & competing with friends.

All content by Jacob Hargens
While breakfast and lunch aren’t the only thing that a student needs to succeed in school, it is by far the most important factor. A student getting the correct amount of nutrients in a day is crucial to their success.

The shift to healthier meals

Jacob Hargens, Staff Reporter
December 15, 2023
“Marvel’s Spider-Man 2” released to critical acclaim, scoring a 90 on Metacritic and being nominated for Game of Year, amongst other awards.

Worth getting a PlayStation 5 for

Jacob Hargens, Staff Reporter
November 29, 2023

Tardies PSA

Jacob Hargens, Staff Reporter
November 21, 2023
Girls wrestling assistant coach James Ferguson came back from Greece competing in the Veterans World Championships back in October. In his division, he placed second in the greco-roman style of wrestling. He trained his mind and body for months leading up to the competition, and it paid off. “It’s an amazing feeling being invited,” James Fergsuon said. “I’m 44, I was invited to this competition in high school as a junior as well. Looking back, it’s nostalgic, it feels like a dream.”

Competing against the world’s best

Jacob Hargens, Staff Reporter
November 13, 2023

Better Driving PSA

Jacob Hargens, Staff Reporter
November 8, 2023
The HOSA blood drive recently took place at Millard West, encouraging all students over 16 and staff to donate blood. “I thought the drive was a good way to get more experience in the medical field,” sophomore Brooklyn Bavaresco said. “I was glad to save three lives with the blood I donated.” Blood drives are hosted at other places such as libraries as well, but you can donate blood via appointment at any time.

Quick and life-saving

Jacob Hargens, Staff Reporter
November 2, 2023
ACP students with their Scooter’s branded aprons and cups ready to deliver coffee to thirsty teachers. “It’s a part of a Daily Living class, and a Work Introduction Network class,” ACP teacher Nicole Schwalbach. “The coffee cart program is a vocational training program for students with disabilities that teaches them life skills that they could carry to a job.”

Coffee for teachers

Jacob Hargens, Staff Reporter
October 18, 2023
OnToCollege provides one of the best ways to prepare for the ACT, as their videos are shown throughout the school year. On the website, you can also take practice tests, and learn all the secrets to succeeding on the ACT. “It’s nerve-racking for sure, but I feel confident,” sophomore Jacob Larson said. “The PSAT is going to help a lot with how I feel next year with the ACT.”

Test stress season

Jacob Hargens, Staff Reporter
September 29, 2023
Launching seven years after its last installment, “Street Fighter VI” brough many old and new fans back to the world’s biggest fighting game franchise.

Street Fighter is back

Jacob Hargens, Staff Reporter
September 13, 2023
With everything they need, juniors Caden Lentz and Casey Olson started their business, C+C Crêpes, this past summer. All the Crêpes are fresh and made on-site at each farmer’s market since the batter only lasts for 48 hours. “We would like to be able to sell more during the spring and fall,” Lentz said. “But because me and Casey are involved in many sports and other activities, we do the majority of our markets in the summer.”

Crêpes to cash

Jacob Hargens, Staff Reporter
September 1, 2023

New renovations at West

Jacob Hargens, Staff Reporter
August 31, 2023
The team that placed first in the Programming Competition, “teamScores[me] > teamScores[you]” composed of senior Thomas Cooper, senior Jillian Weland, and senior Noah Wilber. The eventual second place finisher did not have enough points to wager to hold their first place spot, as the final question acts like a Final Jeopardy.  “I think working in a team is best,” first place finisher and senior Jillian Weland said. “We are able to talk and bounce ideas off of each other which makes us more successful.”

Programmers dominate

Jacob Hargens, Staff Reporter
December 19, 2022
This is an example of how inconvenient road construction is for everyone. It makes traffic slower and it lasts for so long, it seems like nothing ever changes after construction is done anyway.

Inconvenience for everyone

Jacob Hargens, Staff Reporter
December 9, 2022
“Pokémon Scarlet” and “Pokémon Violet” already sold over 10 million copies in the first three days of the game launching. This was not just the largest launch for a Pokémon game, not just the biggest launch for a Nintendo game, but the biggest launch for any console exclusive game ever.

The best in years

Jacob Hargens, Staff Reporter
December 1, 2022
Members of the publicity crew hanging up a checkerboard in the auditorium lobby. It will be used as a backdrop for photos when “Clue” premiers Dec. 1-3. “This process has definitely been on the harder side due to the short amount of time we have to pull it off,” Publicity crew co-leader and junior Ali Gardener said. “There are only six weeks to pull off Clue so it has been a struggle trying to get everything ready and come up with ideas to sell as many tickets as fast as possible.”

Behind the scenes

Jacob Hargens, Staff Reporter
November 22, 2022
Senior Jack Carrol getting ready to throw the bowling ball down the lane. “The athletes bowl in a baker's format,” ACP teacher and coach Bret Seipker said. “This allows all members to participate equally.”

Inclusivity and bowling

Jacob Hargens, Staff Reporter
November 17, 2022
This graph shows how just a little bit of money can help DECA. DECA found this campaign as a great way to incentivize these rewards.

The Amazing Wildcat Race

Jacob Hargens, Staff Reporter
October 27, 2022
“Mat Kilau” could have been something great, but it wasn’t.

All for nothing

Jacob Hargens, Staff Reporter
October 19, 2022
Many countries around the world have no restrictions on how big gatherings can be. China does not allow gatherings of more than 10 people, it may have something to do with their enormous population, being over 1.4 billion. China also has had some of the highest numbers of COVID of any county in the world, the population being one of the main factors for this.

Finally back to normal

Jacob Hargens, Staff Reporter
October 5, 2022
Sophomore Burke Newton in one of his games with the puck, getting ready to score. While the season ends in March, Newton is already thinking about his future. “When the season ends, I’ll want to come back and play for the team, I like it here,” Newton said. “Great school, it’s definitely different and the size is much bigger, football games are awesome.”

2,000 miles for hockey

Jacob Hargens, Staff Reporter
September 30, 2022
“Lightyear” was hyped up to be something it isn’t.

Short of infinity and beyond

Jacob Hargens, Staff Reporter
September 14, 2022
Winston is ready to help make Legally Blonde a great performance from Oct. 6-9. “I wanted Winston in because he’s cute and everybody loves him and I think it’s fun,” Halsey said.

New dog in town

Jacob Hargens, Staff Reporter
September 8, 2022
Science teacher Parker Lowe working during his planning period while also watching another science teacher, Jeff Hacker, teach his class. “I teach Physical Science Chemistry and Biology, which are both required for graduation,” Lowe said.

Next generation of teachers

Jacob Hargens, Staff Reporter
September 2, 2022
An assortment of completed Rubik's Cubes. Rubik's Cubes are the main focus of the club, but they are all different sizes, such as the standard 3x3 or the more advanced 7x7.

The kings of Rubik’s Cubes

Jacob Hargens, Staff Reporter
October 7, 2021
The Bond girl normally plays a non-violent role. Having one in the future that could fight is a good idea.

Gender swapping doesn’t fit Bond

Jacob Hargens, Staff Reporter
September 28, 2021
This concert in Omaha from 2019 has thousands of people huddled up together. This is an example of what not to do right now.

The return to normalcy isn’t here yet

Jacob Hargens, Staff Reporter
September 10, 2021
Grachek starts making his crepes at the Dandelion pop-up on 13th and Howard. "Downtown gets busy during brunch. Last weekend in one day we sold about 60 crepes. I don’t know what Millard Days will look like. It’s sort of like fair food and we have competition with basic fried food."

A nice distraction from school

Jacob Hargens, Staff Reporter
September 3, 2021
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