The Tom Tom

Entertainment
Beast Brew vs. Scooters Coffee: which one is REALLY better?
September 30, 2024
Savannah Stultz, Newspaper Reporter
Entertainment
An all new spin on the past: ‘Twisters’
September 30, 2024
Lillian Herrick, Newspaper Reporter
Entertainment
Complexity hides behind club music in Charli XCX’s “BRAT”
September 30, 2024
Victoria Bogatz, Newspaper Co-Editor In Chief
Entertainment
Riddle me this: a review of the mystery ‘The Grandest Game’
September 30, 2024
Maya Valenti, Newspaper Reporter
Sports
East students play their first season at the high school level
September 30, 2024
Lailyah Duncan, Newspaper News Editor

News

No phones. Starting this school year, Bellevue Public Schools is enforcing a phone policy which doesn’t allow students to be on their phones, or any non-district device, during class. Sophomore Ciaya Smith used to listen to music on her phone but doesn’t like listening to music on the iPad. “I listen to music because it helps me learn, and an iPad doesn’t really do that, especially with these crappy headphones we have,” Smith said.

New phone policy introduced to Bellevue Public Schools

Lucy Cook, Newspaper Sports Editor, Co-Director of Media Production • September 30, 2024

Starting this 2024-2025 school year, there will be a new phone policy for the whole Bellevue Public Schools district to help reduce distractions...

Dark skies. Clouds in front of Bellevue University tell of an oncoming storm. The July 31 storms hit the Omaha area with winds of up to 90 miles per hour, causing $34 million in damage. “I felt very bad for the houses that we saw,” sophomore Elena Ruvalcaba said. “I’m talking like huge trees like the one that was outside of the school before it collapsed, trees like that on top of people’s houses and completely crashed through.”

Storms cause damage, power loss for Bellevue residents

Victoria Bogatz, Newspaper Co-Editor in Chief • September 30, 2024

Clatter. Clatter. Clatter. The movement all throughout the room sounds as instructors Heather England and Amy Joseph prepare for the next part of the day. This year’s schedule is packed compared to last year. “We had seven new ninth graders come in; it was just a big increase of incoming freshmen and because we doubled in size of kids, we had to add a second teacher,” England said.

ISEC gains more students this year

Emily Hollars, Newspaper Entertainment Editor • September 30, 2024

Story time. The kids’ room in the new library is almost ready to go. This is one room of many at the new Bellevue Public Library opening on Oct. 7. The new library will allow for many updated features that the old library doesn’t have. “We will have the same awesome staff, lots of windows for a brighter atmosphere, new technology, a drive-through service, a great location that is centrally located and easily accessible, all while looking after the taxpayers’ dollars,” Bellevue Mayor Rusty Hike said.

The Bellevue Public Library moves locations

Charlotte Palm, Newspaper Features Editor • September 30, 2024

Features

Rise and shine: Class of 2025 celebrates the senior sunrise

Lisa Connell, Newspaper Graphic Artist • September 30, 2024

Big heart and big dog. Ric Connell and his dog, Buck, cuddle together on the couch July 7, 2022. Connell gives words of wisdom to his anxious teenagers. “I know my children have a ton of potential, helping them find the key to unlock it is sometimes the hardest part,” Connell said.

Bellevue East student honors dad as personal hero

Layla Hango, Newspaper Opinion Editor • September 30, 2024

Inspire. The Education Academy students discuss with each other the assignment they were just given. Senior Sage Frazier said they like the collaborative nature of the Education Academy. “[Ms. Armstrong] always tried to give us the opportunity to talk to everyone,” Frazier said. “So, talking with everybody and everything, she [Ms. Armstrong] also opens up a lot of chances for communication like, ‘what did I do for today, and what do I need to improve for tomorrow?’ And she always asks that at the end of every class and she opens up every class with a journal prompt that she replies to everyday. It’s such a cool concept.”

Bellevue East students take advantage of college prep courses

Brianna Yang, Newspaper Managing Editor and Web Manager • September 30, 2024

Tap. Shuffle. Click. Typing away at her computer, instructor Stephanie Simon works hard to make her course ready to be taught. Simons became a teacher despite challenges in her youth. “I decided that I wanted to be a teacher and my counselor told me drop outs can't become teachers, so I went and got my GED and became a teacher to kind of show him that I can do whatever I put my mind to," Simon said.

Bellevue East gains new AP World History instructor

Emily Hollars, Newspaper Entertainment Editor • September 30, 2024

Opinion

New phone policy boosts student focus

Layla Hango, Newspaper Opinion Editor • September 30, 2024

If you were to survey the opinions of students in Bellevue about the new anti-phone policy, I’m sure most of them would be strongly against it. Hot take: the new phone policy...

Phone policy disrupts student growth

Lailyah Duncan, Newspaper News Editor • September 30, 2024

Classroom environment impacts learning

Newspaper Editorial, Tom Tom Staff • September 30, 2024

Not all school subjects should be required

Tom Tom Staff, Editorial • May 17, 2024

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Sports

Starting young. From the age of 6, freshman Grace Rued (Left) started playing volleyball with her childhood best friend. Little did she know, she’d one day go on to play for the varsity team as a freshman student at Bellevue East High School. “My mom just kind of put me in volleyball with my best friend, and I have now been playing for 5 years ever since,“ Rued said. “We are still friends now.” Photo courtesy of Grace Rued

East students play their first season at the high school level

Lailyah Duncan, Newspaper News Editor • September 30, 2024

Going into high school sometimes can include a drastic change in academics and sports. Your sport can go from being fun to serious, or from intense to even more intense. Freshmen...

Perfect putt. At Tara Hills Golf Course sophomore Jazlin Reimer carefully putts the ball on the green. Every stroke counts so this finish will help her team win the Chieftain Invite. “I was excited to play again, I really like the course [at Tara Hills],” Reimer said. Photo courtesy of Nicole Burns

Girls golf starts season with a win at invitational

Lillian Herrick, Newspaper Reporter • September 30, 2024

At bat. As she steps on the mound, senior Hayley deMontel is waiting for the perfect time to swing at the ball. With the team’s effort they were able to beat Westside 13-3 on Sept. 4. “Coaches are always teaching me new drills and how I can improve on and off the field, but I believe if you aren’t having fun there’s no point,” deMontel said.

Softball is rolling into the new season with a positive attitude

Lucy Cook, Newspaper Sports Editor, Co-Director of Media Production • September 30, 2024

Let’s win. Running across the field, senior Erick Gomez waves to his friends in the stands. The Bellevue East football team had a winning 2023-24 season and celebrated their victory afterwards. “It’s always been fun, and we all really just work together to do our best,” Gomez said.

After a winning season, East football begins a new year

Maya Valenti, Newspaper Reporter • September 30, 2024

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Entertainment

Refreshing. Made up of creamy milk and flavorful espresso, Scooter’s Coffee Iced Vanilla Latte is the perfect drink to quench any thirst. This beverage has been a timeless classic on the Scooter’s Coffee menu.

Beast Brew vs. Scooters Coffee: which one is REALLY better?

Savannah Stultz, Newspaper Reporter • September 30, 2024

Most of us start our mornings off with a cup of coffee, to get us up and prepare us for the day ahead. Here at Bellevue East, our school coffee shop, the Beast Brew, is a...