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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

Ariana Griffin

Ariana Griffin, Staff Reporter

As a senior, this is Ana’s second year on the CATalyst staff. She was previously the Online Editor-in-Chief for the CATalyst website and worked with the radio as part of the High School Radio Project. Ana looks forward to writing compelling stories and interviewing new people. Outside of journalism, Ana enjoys drawing, writing, reading and video games. She looks forward to getting to know the rest of the staff and working together with them to produce new and interesting content.

All content by Ariana Griffin
Two decades later, "Mean Girls" makes for a musical comeback.

Regina George reigns again

Ariana Griffin, Online Editor
May 15, 2024
Student Equestrian Kalyn Horst has been riding horses for two years now because of inspiration from her sister. She quickly found a new passion. “I had just gotten out of gymnastics and I was kind of in need of a new sport,” Horst said. “My sister wanted to know if I wanted to do it and I tried different disciplines, but I never really stuck with one except for show jumping. So, I stuck with that one.

Unbridled spirit

Ariana Griffin, Online Editor
May 1, 2024
Sony releases “Madame Web” on Feb. 14  and it is not received well.

One tangled web

Ariana Griffin, Staff Reporter
March 13, 2024
The first-ever book swap was a success, with many students rushing into the library early in the morning to trade out their books. “This is all new,” librarian Amanda Gehrke said. “And it's not just kids participating, it's teachers too, which is great. They're bringing home books for their kids, and so it's really promoting literacy for everyone.”

Page-turning exchange

Ariana Griffin, Staff Reporter
February 7, 2024
 Most people give up on New Year’s resolutions before the end of January. Counselor Amy Reoh gives some insight on how to keep your New Year’s Resolution going. “Allow yourself some grace,” Reoh said. “Just know that you don’t have to stop or get rid of the notion if you make a mistake. Just continue.”

Starting with a clean slate

Ariana Griffin, Staff Reporter
January 24, 2024
Students stop by the band hallway to donate gifts for children in need. There were 30-40 gift donations and an envelope full of gift cards.

Season of giving

Ariana Griffin, Staff Reporter
December 20, 2023
This is an image of my original art (right) and an image after I ran my art through an AI art application called “Pica AI” nine times (left). This picture isn’t the best example of what AI art can create, but I wasn’t willing to spend money on it.

From muse to machine

Ariana Griffin, Staff Reporter
December 15, 2023
Senior Ayda Matya (left of center) looks forward to continuing on with cheer after high school. With the new tier, many new opportunities are available to the team. “I feel like we need to have a lot more trust in the team,” Matya said. “Because we’re not just having someone at shoulder length anymore. It’s a lot more risky if someone falls, so we need to trust each other and strengthen bonds.”

Flips, tricks and team spirit

Ariana Griffin, Staff Reporter
November 17, 2023
The President’s Own Marine band performed live at Millard West
Caption: The band performs live at Millard West for many people to see. This was the first of many stops they had made. “Many musicians and music educators from around the Omaha metro were in attendance and greatly appreciated the performance,” band director John Keith said. “It was also great to see so many men and women who have retired from military service in attendance and the pride on their faces when they stood for the branch's song.”

America’s music

Ariana Griffin, Staff Reporter
November 9, 2023
Language arts teacher James Grachek allows his students some free time to get their work done. “In my classes, the only homework I consistently assign is reading,” Grachek said. “Otherwise, I prefer to have students learn and practice skills in the classroom so they can use me and their peers as resources if they don't understand a concept. Students may occasionally have to catch up on work they didn't finish or work on an ongoing project at home, but otherwise, I don't design assignments specifically as homework.”

Beyond busywork

Ariana Griffin, Staff Reporter
November 1, 2023
Carpentry student work together to fix the rusted jointers. "That really hot, humid weather really rusted them out," carpentry teacher John Fraser said. "We fixed them with a mix of chemicals, elbow grease, and of course the electrolysis."

From sawdust to success

Ariana Griffin, Staff Reporter
October 27, 2023
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is an amazing game with plenty of things to do and places to explore.

From the sky to the depths

Ariana Griffin, Staff Reporter
September 20, 2023
Security guard Corri Pike sits in the new security office, which is now able to unlock one of the inside and outside doors remotely.

Summer brings change

Ariana Griffin, Staff Reporter
September 6, 2023
Junior Logan Moseley wins first place for his News Broadcast story, “Vote YES for MPS.”

“It was very cool hearing my name get called up,” junior Logan Moseley said. “Once they called second place, everyone kind of looked at me— it was just very cool and surreal.”

Effort leads to opportunities

Ariana Griffin, Catalyst Online Editor-in-Chief
May 15, 2023
 Interaction between students is important as they learn to communicate in English.

Learning English

Ariana Griffin, Catalyst Online Editor-in-Chief
March 1, 2023
After a long and demanding season, freshman Brooklyn Vaughn prepares for State. She is finally able to show that all her hard work has paid off.

Giving her all

Ariana Griffin, Catalyst Online Editor-in-Chief
February 22, 2023
Student Press Freedom day is coming up on Feb. 23. The wait for LB206 still stands as we stand up for our freedom of speech.

Playing the waiting game

Ariana Griffin, Catalyst Online Editor-in-Chief
February 22, 2023

Painting her own path

Ariana Griffin, Catalyst Online Editor-in-Chief
February 9, 2023
Scholarship deadlines are approaching fast for seniors on February 7.

Life after high school

Ariana Griffin, Catalyst Online Editor-in-Chief
January 17, 2023
Kelsey Nunnenkamp, Skylar Ostronic, and Kali Oleson collect donations for the Winter Clothing Drive.

A warmer winter

Ariana Griffin, Catalyst Online Editor-in-Chief
December 20, 2022

Clue hits the stage

Ariana Griffin, Catalyst Online Editor-in-Chief
December 15, 2022
Bravery and Greed is a fun multiplayer brawler game about four adventurers trying to discover the riches of the dwarven fortress.

Brave and Greedy for riches

Ariana Griffin, Catalyst Online Editor-in-Chief
November 22, 2022
The foreign exchange students take the stage during the pep rally. They show their Wildcat Pride by waving their flags and introducing themselves. Kanta Kanatiyanon is from Thailand, Patricia Dominguez-Adame Santalla is from Spain and Alexa Thesis is from Germany.

Learning a new culture

Ariana Griffin, Catalyst Online Editor-in-Chief
November 22, 2022
Chuck Hagel, was the 24th United States Secretary of Defense under President Obama and a former state senator for Nebraska. Every year Hagel takes the time to put on the Chuck Hagel Symposium at UNO, which was the school he attended, to allow students and teachers to ask him questions and learn more about public service.

Public figure teaches public service

Ariana Griffin, Catalyst Online Editor-in-Chief
November 14, 2022

LegallyBlonde takes the stage

Ariana Griffin, Catalyst Online Editor-in-Chief
October 27, 2022
The first blood drive of the year went fairly smoothly, not many people had issues with the donating process. " The blood drive went ok," junior Olivia Orr said. "We didn’t get a lot of people who had problems donating but we also didn’t reach our goal of how many people we had donate. Although we did get a lot of donors."

A small way to save lives

Ariana Griffin, Catalyst Online Editor-in-Chief
October 13, 2022
After the E3 Nintendo Direct in 2019, Zelda fans have waited three years and three months for the name and release date of "The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom."

A new breath of the wild

Ariana Griffin, Catalyst Online Editor-in-Chief
September 30, 2022
Annin, Mitchell, and other kitchen staff members enjoy talking to the students as they serve them food, learning what they do and don't like.

Surviving the lunchtime rush

Ariana Griffin, Catalyst Online Editor-in-Chief
September 15, 2022
Cameron Daniels and the rest of the High Flyers became National Champions after winning the 18 USA Volleyball Junior National Championship. Daniels is number 3 here.

Champion High Flyer

Ariana Griffin, Catalyst Online Editor-in-Chief
September 8, 2022
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