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The Wingspan

  • May 2 / V. BaseballGretna East High School - 2, Elkhorn North - 3
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  • Apr 28 / V. Girls SoccerGretna East High School - 1, Bennington - 0
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  • Apr 25 / V. Girls SoccerGretna East High School - 1, Waukee Northwest - 1
  • Apr 24 / V. BaseballGretna East High School - 3, Blair - 4
  • Apr 22 / V. Girls SoccerGretna East High School - 2, Bennington - 0
The Student News Site of Gretna East High School

The Wingspan

The Student News Site of Gretna East High School

The Wingspan

Madeline Petrick

Madeline Petrick, Editor-in-chief

Madeline Petrick, otherwise known as Madie, is a senior who started her scholastic journalism career at Gretna High her freshman year, where she wrote for Gretna Media. With the opening of Gretna East, Petrick made the move and became a founding member of The Wingspan and Gretna East Media. That same year, she was appointed Editor-in-Chief and has retained the title ever since.

 

Throughout her time as a student journalist and editor, she has earned over 50 individual awards and led her staff to several team awards at the local, state and national levels.  Some of her proudest accomplishments on staff include winning a combined eight individual awards in the NSAA State Journalism Championships in her first three years, and The Wingspan being named a 2025 NSPA Online Pacemaker Finalist as a second-year program. In 2026, she was named the Nebraska Student Journalist of the Year. 

 

Aside from her involvement with Gretna East Media, she is the Gretna Swim Team Captain, Student Council President, National Honor Society President and a Head Producer for Gretna Live. Outside of school, she is a lifeguard and youth swim coach. 

 

Petrick will be attending Boston University and studying journalism next fall. 

 

See more awards here.

All content by Madeline Petrick
2025 Yearbook Distribution & Signing Party

2026 Guardian Yearbook nears sellout

Madeline Petrick, Editor-in-chief February 24, 2026

The deadline to purchase a yearbook is approaching fast. The Guardian yearbook staff only has 43 more books available for order as of this afternoon, and the deadline to purchase is this Sunday. “People...

Wingspan Weekly (14th Edition)

Wingspan Weekly (14th Edition)

Madeline Petrick, Editor-in-chief January 30, 2026

President Donald Trump named former Federal Reserve official Kevin Warsh as the next Fed chair, Luigi Mangione will not face the death penalty, the Justice Department says it’s releasing 3 million pages...

Wingspan Weekly (13th Edition)

Wingspan Weekly (13th Edition)

Madeline Petrick, Editor-in-chief January 24, 2026

A 5-year-old boy was detained by ICE, the U.S. is dealing with a massive winter storm across the country and protests are growing in Minneapolis over ICE presence. Here are our picks for the top stories...

Wingspan Weekly (12th Edition)

Wingspan Weekly (12th Edition)

Madeline Petrick, Editor-in-chief January 9, 2026

Russia launched a major attack on Ukraine and killed four people, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announced he is not seeking reelection and protests are growing in Minneapolis and Portland over ICE operations....

Wingspan Weekly (11th Edition)

Wingspan Weekly (11th Edition)

Madeline Petrick, Editor-in-chief December 5, 2025

Former Honduran president, Juan Orlando Hernández, was freed from his 45-year drug-trafficking sentence after a pardon from Trump, a college student was deported to Honduras after trying to travel to...

Eastside Exchange Episode Two: One Act

Eastside Exchange Episode Two: One Act

Madeline Petrick, Editor-in-chief December 1, 2025

Cast members from this year's One Act, "You Can't Take it With You," seniors Claire Hayworth and Adelaide Horst discuss the making of the production, building their characters and the competition outlook.

Wingspan Weekly (10th Edition)

Wingspan Weekly (10th Edition)

Madeline Petrick, Editor-in-chief November 21, 2025

This week, President Donald Trump met with the Saudi crown prince, Trump is set to meet with New York City mayor, Zohran Mamdani, today, Pope Leo XIV called for immediate climate action and more happened....

Eastside Exchange Episode One: Football

Eastside Exchange Episode One: Football

Madeline Petrick, Editor-in-chief November 21, 2025

Head Football Coach, Justin Haberman, and varsity players, seniors Connor Sams and Jonathan Rodriguez, reflect on their season, leadership, team culture and State game. Transcript Madie Petrick...

Wingspan Weekly (Ninth Edition)

Wingspan Weekly (Ninth Edition)

Madeline Petrick, Editor-in-chief November 14, 2025

The Supreme Court rejected a call to overturn same-sex marriage, JFK’s grandson, Jack Schlossberg, announced his run for Congress, the Justice Department is suing the California House to block their...

How to craft the perfect holiday wish list

How to craft the perfect holiday wish list

Madeline Petrick, Editor-in-chief November 12, 2025

Each year, we all scramble to rack our brains for everything we could want for the holidays. All of your family members request a “finalized list” before Black Friday, and you’re expected to know...

Griffin community celebrates Veterans Day

Griffin community celebrates Veterans Day

Madeline Petrick, Editor-in-chief November 11, 2025

Transcript Nearly 90% of Gretna East students know a veteran. But how many actually know why we celebrate Veterans Day? It all began with World War I. World War I began in 1914 after the assassination...

Police arrest the family after finding messages in their candy boxes reading “Dynamite the Capitol/White House/Supreme Court.” Ed Carmichael (played by senior Eli Reinarz) had simply printed phrases he overheard, but when officers discovered gunpowder in the basement, they mistook the family’s homemade fireworks for a bomb plot.

Police arrest the family after finding messages in their candy boxes reading “Dynamite the Capitol/White House/Supreme Court.” Ed Carmichael (played by senior Eli Reinarz) had simply printed phrases...

Furious with Grandma Vanderhof, Mr. Kirby yells at her after she criticized his business-first lifestyle.

Furious with Grandma Vanderhof, Mr. Kirby yells at her after she criticized his business-first lifestyle.

Making his first entrance, Tony Kirby gets surrounded by Penny Sycamore, Paul Sycamore (played by senior Jackson Omel) and Grandma Vanderhof. They immediately begin questioning him about his relationship with Alice.

Making his first entrance, Tony Kirby gets surrounded by Penny Sycamore, Paul Sycamore (played by senior Jackson Omel) and Grandma Vanderhof. They immediately begin questioning him about his relationship...

After fighting with Grandma Vanderhof, Henderson, the IRS agent, is frazzled by the family's quirkiness.

After fighting with Grandma Vanderhof, Henderson, the IRS agent, is frazzled by the family's quirkiness.

At the end of the play the characters come together for dinner.

At the end of the play the characters come together for dinner.

After wrestling him to the ground, Mrs. Kolenkov (played by sophomore Emmalynn Naylor) holds Mr. Kirby (played by senior Joel Berck) in a headlock. "The performance went really well," Naylor said. "I thought we were really successful this early in the season."

After wrestling him to the ground, Mrs. Kolenkov (played by sophomore Emmalynn Naylor) holds Mr. Kirby (played by senior Joel Berck) in a headlock. "The performance went really well," Naylor said. "I thought...

Stuck in jail, Paul reflects on how he could've made their daughter proud to Penny.

Stuck in jail, Paul reflects on how he could've made their daughter proud to Penny.

Before she falls asleep on the couch, actress Gay Wellington (played by junior Joscelyn Giron) laughs hysterically and stumbles around.

Before she falls asleep on the couch, actress Gay Wellington (played by junior Joscelyn Giron) laughs hysterically and stumbles around.

Wingspan Weekly (Eighth Edition)

Wingspan Weekly (Eighth Edition)

Madeline Petrick, Editor-in-chief November 7, 2025

Former Vice President Dick Cheney died, Nancy Pelosi announced her retirement, the government shut down became the longest in history, Tom Brady cloned his dog and more happened. Here are our picks for...

Wingspan Weekly (Seventh Edition)

Wingspan Weekly (Seventh Edition)

Madeline Petrick, Editor-in-chief October 31, 2025

More arrests were made in connection to the Lourve heist, Trump suggested that he wants to start nuclear testing in the U.S. again, and he also met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea. Here...

Wingspan Weekly (Sixth Edition)

Wingspan Weekly (Sixth Edition)

Madeline Petrick, Editor-in-chief October 24, 2025

The U.S. military struck their eighth boat suspected of drug smuggling, the Trump administration allowed oil and gas drilling on an Arctic wildlife refuge, Trump pardoned former U.S. Rep George Santos...

Wingspan Weekly (Fifth Edition)

Wingspan Weekly (Fifth Edition)

Madeline Petrick, Editor-in-chief October 17, 2025

This week, actress Diane Keaton died, Alaska is dealing with the effects of Typhoon Halong, Indiana University’s student newspaper was ordered to stop printing and the U.S. government is still shut down....

Wingspan Weekly (Fourth Edition)

Wingspan Weekly (Fourth Edition)

Madeline Petrick, Editor-in-chief October 10, 2025

This week, a rare moment of peace emerged in Gaza, the U.S. government shutdown disrupted travel, an Omaha police officer was shot in the head and more happened. Here are our picks for the top stories...

Wingspan Weekly (Third Edition)

Wingspan Weekly (Third Edition)

Madeline Petrick, Editor-in-chief October 3, 2025

This week, Bad Bunny was announced as the Super Bowl LX halftime performer, the government shut down and more happened. Here are our picks for the top stories of the week. U.S. Why the US government...

Wingspan Weekly (Second Edition)

Wingspan Weekly (Second Edition)

Madeline Petrick, Editor-in-chief September 26, 2025

This week, four people were shot at an ICE field office in Dallas, the Terence "Bud" Crawford Victory Parade was announced, world leaders gathered in New York City for the United Nations General Assembly...

Wingspan Weekly (First Edition)

Wingspan Weekly (First Edition)

Madeline Petrick, Editor-in-chief September 19, 2025

Here at the Wingspan, we believe in good, quality journalism. No matter which way someone may lean on the political spectrum, we want everyone to be informed on issues affecting them, their community and...

2025 Homecoming Court announced

2025 Homecoming Court announced

Madeline Petrick, Editor-in-chief September 12, 2025

The 2025 homecoming court was announced this morning. The candidates are as follows: King candidates (from left to right): Carson Hermann, Joel Berck, Andrew Dowd, Connor Sams, Blake Harris, Jensen...

To end the Pep Rally, junior Addison Walker jumps with her pom poms in the air. At the end, both cheer teams, the dance team and band showed off their skills at the same time.

To end the Pep Rally, junior Addison Walker jumps with her pom poms in the air. At the end, both cheer teams, the dance team and band showed off their skills at the same time.

The Griffin Pride Band performs the Gretna East Fight Song at the end of the Pep Rally.

The Griffin Pride Band performs the Gretna East Fight Song at the end of the Pep Rally.

Performing their "Band Chant," the varsity cheerleading team shouts with the crowd. This performance earned the team a first place win at the Universal Cheerleaders Association camp this summer.

Performing their "Band Chant," the varsity cheerleading team shouts with the crowd. This performance earned the team a first place win at the Universal Cheerleaders Association camp this summer.

During the junior varsity cheer routine, freshman Eliza Hendricks sits on the shoulders of freshman Hudsyn Johnson.

During the junior varsity cheer routine, freshman Eliza Hendricks sits on the shoulders of freshman Hudsyn Johnson.

Seniors Caden Annis, Avery Spiker and Evyyn Graver pose after winning the second class competition of the night. Three members from each grade held two pool noodles with plastic cups on the end with the objective of knocking each other's off.

Seniors Caden Annis, Avery Spiker and Evyyn Graver pose after winning the second class competition of the night. Three members from each grade held two pool noodles with plastic cups on the end with the...

Facing off, junior Jaelyn Love is confronted by senior Evynn Graver during the pool noodle competition. Senior Caden Annis ran up and knocked Love's last cup off of her pool noodle and the seniors won. "It was fun," Love said. "I was just trying not to lose but then Caden came out of nowhere and made me mad."

Facing off, junior Jaelyn Love is confronted by senior Evynn Graver during the pool noodle competition. Senior Caden Annis ran up and knocked Love's last cup off of her pool noodle and the seniors won....

With arms outstretched, sophomore Marlow Mixan perfoms a dance to "Drops of Jupiter" by Train with the dance team.

With arms outstretched, sophomore Marlow Mixan perfoms a dance to "Drops of Jupiter" by Train with the dance team.

Watching the football throwing compeitition, the football team reacts to senior William Miles's throws. The seniors placed last in this compeition.

Watching the football throwing compeitition, the football team reacts to senior William Miles's throws. The seniors placed last in this compeition.

With his eye on the ball, sophomore Shohjahon Boltaev watches his throw during the football toss competition. The sophomores received 40 points, tying for first with the juniors. Freshmen came in second with 30 points and seniors came in last with ten points.

With his eye on the ball, sophomore Shohjahon Boltaev watches his throw during the football toss competition. The sophomores received 40 points, tying for first with the juniors. Freshmen came in second...

Assisting in the class competitions, senior class officers Ava Croom and Sonia Morales Sanchez hold a hula hoop for each competitor to throw footballs through. The sophomores and juniors won the most points for this competition.

Assisting in the class competitions, senior class officers Ava Croom and Sonia Morales Sanchez hold a hula hoop for each competitor to throw footballs through. The sophomores and juniors won the most points...

Smiling at the crowd, freshman Melanie Benak performs her twirling number.

Smiling at the crowd, freshman Melanie Benak performs her twirling number.

Girls from Griffin spring activities accept the first place Buckle Up Phone Down Cup from the NSAA. The award, "recognizes high schools having the most successful interscholastic activities programs in the state for that year," according to the NSAA. Gretna East also placed second in the Boys Division and third overall. Assistant NSAA Director Ron Higdon presented the award.

Girls from Griffin spring activities accept the first place Buckle Up Phone Down Cup from the NSAA. The award, "recognizes high schools having the most successful interscholastic activities programs in...

Filming their last ever "Question of the Week" for Gretna East Media, Drew Rhoades and Peyton Parker wait to begin their introduction.

Filming their last ever "Question of the Week" for Gretna East Media, Drew Rhoades and Peyton Parker wait to begin their introduction.

Making sure to capture the "First Seniors" sign, Savannah Lloyd, Brianna Wozniak and Onnika Moore take a selfie.

Making sure to capture the "First Seniors" sign, Savannah Lloyd, Brianna Wozniak and Onnika Moore take a selfie.

All heading to the University of Nebraska Lincoln next year, a group of seniors gather for a future Huskers group photo.

All heading to the University of Nebraska Lincoln next year, a group of seniors gather for a future Huskers group photo.

After being named the NSAA Class B State Champion in Journalism, Gretna East Media students and their adviser, Ranae Duncan, pose for a group photo. "Honestly, it was close," Duncan said. "West Point Beemer really gave us a run for our money and made the kids work for this second championship."

Gretna East Media wins back-to-back state titles

Madeline Petrick, Editor-in-chief April 30, 2025

Gretna East Media (GEM) won its second state title on Monday. By becoming the 2025 Class B NSAA State Journalism Champions, GEM is the first program in Gretna East's history to win back-to-back state championships. “Honestly,...

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Madeline Petrick