Raising the standards for the St. Mary’s choir,

Deanna Tomjack has been chosen to sing in the UNK Festival Choir scheduled to perform January 28.

Tomjack

According to music instructor Stephanie Trimble, this event requires a taped audition. Students practiced for weeks, and recorded two scales and a verse of “My Country, Tis Of Thee.”

Trimble said select students from around the state are cho-sen to spend the day at UNK, practicing the songs together as a mass choir, and meeting new people.

Tomjack was thrilled when she heard the news of her accep-tance. “Carissa told me ahead of time. I freaked out! I was so excited that I made it. But I was so sad to find out that no one else had made it with me.”

In addition to Tomjack, several choir students auditioned. Carissa Soukup and Makala Jeffrey also prepared audition tapes.

Tomjack Selected for Honor Choir

by Rachel Schmitz

The Marian is a monthly publication of the journalism students at St. Mary’s High School. The goal of The Mar-ian is to provide accurate and informative news and fea-tures about St. Mary’s school and students. Opinions on the opinion page do not necessarily represent those of the entire school community. To contact The Marian, email LuAnn Schindler at lschindler@smcards.org.

Editor - Seth Miles Advisor - Mrs. LuAnn Schindler Reporters - Bradley Reynoldson, Cody Colman, Deanna Tomjack, Kaylee Krotter, Anthony Harvey, Miguel Diez, Aaron Ohri, Jean Zakrzewski, Matt Kelly, Rachel Schmitz, Makala Jeffrey, Sarah Pribil, Carissa SoukupPhotographers - Kaylee Krotter, Krissy Krotter, Ale-jandra Vergara, Traci Vandersnick, Erin Meyer Natasha Parks

The SMH Speech team starts competition this week-end at the Stuart Invitational. Forty-six students will par-ticipate in prose and public speaking events this season. LuAnn Schindler begins her third season as head coach at SMH and is joined by first-year assistant Leeza Adams. Merri Schneider vol-unteers with the program. Students started prac-tice after Christmas break. Schindler would have liked practice to begin earlier, but state one-acts took time away from speech practice time. “It’s a good problem to have though,” said Schindler. The team competes in four invitationals before

conference and district com-petition. On Feb. 8, the team travels to LHNE; Feb. 15, the team ventures to Plain-view, and on Saturday, Feb. 23, SMH hosts an invite. The NVC tourney will be Monday, Feb. 25 at O/C. The SMH T-shirt meet is planned for March 4 and districts will be at SMH on March 12. Why go out for speech? Schindler cited numerous reasons. It builds confidence and allows you to gain the lifelong skill of public speak-ing. “It’s an awesome sight to see a student grow in confi-dence and develop his or her talents.” Schindler is optimistic about the team’s potential. She said the team has a lot of talent, and she’s impressed with the underclassmen’s abilities, creating a good bal-ance with the veterans. She’s hopeful that a large number of students qualify for state. “It won’t be an easy road - we have a extremely tough district - but the speechsters will work hard to meet team goals.”

Speech Team Begins Competition This Weekendby Anthony Harvey

Reading Between the LinesFirst Graders Practice Skills with Living Center Residents

by Matt Kelly What started as a reading project has turned into more than first grade teacher Carole Willis could ever imagine. The past four school years, Willis’s first grade class has been visiting the O’Neill’s Golden Living Center every Wednesday after lunch. Why?

Students and residents pair up, allowing students to fine tune their reading skills. Before students visit the center, Willis shares “Wilfred Gordon McDonald Partridge” by Mem Fox. The children’s book tells the story of Wilfred, who lives next door to an “old people’s home.”

Willis said the story fits well with remembering memories. “It has evolved into more than a reading project.” Willis said the intergeneration-al project is a great experience for everyone involved. The kids enjoy reading to and talking with residents. The residents enjoy the new friendships, too.

“There’s a mutual admira-tion,” said Willis. Not only do students share reading, they also partake in spe-cial activities with the residents, including the pumpkin play. “The project fits right in to religion, the message of spread-ing good news and sharing.”

Gissele Galvan (left) shares a story with a resident of O’Neill’s Golden Living Center.

Photo by Krissy Krotter

Lorissa Reiman (left) and Mya Hedstrom read from a vari-ety of books. Teacher Carole Willis said the program is a good motivator.

Photo by Krissy Krotter