A BERLIN HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT OPEN FORUM SINCE 1924
in This
Red ‘n’ Green
The
Issue
VOLUME 45, ISSUE 4
-Is today the end of the world? 473 people at BHS say no, 31 people say yes -See page 4&5 for more!
DECEMBER 21, 2012
Alumna travels across continents to ‘make a difference’ by
Becca Wenig
From a small, rural town to traveling across the world, Berlin alumna, Megan Hess is taking donated items to make a difference in Africa. On Dec. 29, Hess will leave for Nakuru, Kenya where she will stay until Jan. 21. As a student at UWLaCrosse, she, along with 12 other students and two advisors who went on the trip last year, will participate in the program, “Kenya Make a Difference.” This program was created by UW-LaCrosse graduate, Mike Wilson. According to kenyamakeadifference.com, last year was the first year that this trip was offered to college students. The students helped build an elementary school and brought many donations, such as clothing and school supplies. This year, Hess will be working on a different project to help Nakuru’s community. “The group of volunteers will be building a kitchen onto an elementary school so that the kids can eat lunch at school,” Hess said. “We also received donated items of clothing, shoes, school supplies and hygiene supplies to give to surrounding communities.” For the last few months, Hess has returned to Berlin to ask the community for donations of shoes. Junior Alec Huggins helped by giving shoe donations for the project. “I felt it was important to give back to people who are less fortunate and to help a good cause,”
Photo Submitted On Dec. 29, Berlin graduate Megan Hess will leave Chicago’s airport to fly to Nakuru, Kenya. Hess is one of the 13 students from UW-LaCrosse participating in the program “Kenya Make a Difference.” For her donations, she has collected shoes from people in the community. She has collected approximately 450 pairs of shoes. Huggins said. “We donated about 10 like we are making a difference by has to make several different prepa- during the trip and a month after pairs of shoes that are around three helping someone.” rations, including gathering dona- the trip.” years old, so they are still in pretty When it came to the amount of tions and being cautious about her For Hess, the real reason behind good shape.” shoes the Block family donated, they health. all this work and preparation is to Along with Huggins, sophomore were very generous. “Vaccinations were probably the make a difference in someone’s life. Richard Block also participated in “We donated a garbage bag full of most important preparation for the “I have always been very fortunate the program. shoes,” Block said. “There was a mix- trip,” Hess said. “I had four different and feel it is important to use the re“My family thought it was a good ture of quality among the shoes.” vaccinations, two in each shoulder sources I have to help others,” Hess cause,” Block said. “It makes us feel Before leaving for her trip, Hess and received malaria pills to take said.
Newsbriefs Play auditions see high turnout National Honor Society donates dinner boxes
As in previous years, the NHS will make dinner boxes to help families in need as part of a community service project. On average, NHS students assemble between 15 and 18 boxes. Each box makes a full holiday dinner for a family of 4-6. “Many people make Thanksgiving boxes, so I thought making holiday boxes would also be good,” NHS Advisor Jody Ziemann said. Various clubs, organizations and classes were involved in gathering food items. NHS took the boxes to the Berlin Food Pantry where they will be given to the families.
Key Club sponsors blood drive
The Key Club hosted their sixth annual blood drive on Dec. 7. Their goal was to get 45 students to donate, and 48 students signed up, 28 of them as new donors. In total, 35 units of blood were donated. “It is great having the blood drive around the holidays,” Key Club Advisor Sarah Gumtow said. “It is a way to give back without having to spend money.”
Social media leads to fights
Recently, there have been more fights in the hallways than usual. Most of the fights are said to be caused by social media. “When something is said on social media outside of school, it is easy to keep talking,” Principal Lynn Mork said. “When students come to school, it is a mutual venue where they see each other and then approach one another.” Consequences for getting in a physical fight during school are a three-day suspension and usually a county referral.
by
Danielle Fralish
Play director, Angela Femali, said “Alice In Wonderland” had the biggest turnout of interested students over any other year she has directed. The play auditions were held on Dec. 12 at Primetime. Femali expected there to be a lot of talent at the auditions, and she was not disappointed. “I expect a lot out of juniors Lee Laudolff and Robert Reeves and senior Brianna Beier,” Femali said. Beier has always been interested in drama and theater work. “I auditioned for Alice and the cat,” Beier said. Femali did her best to give as many people a spot as possible. The auditions ran in a cold reading form. This means that actors read against or with someone else while Femali switched
people around and matched different people together. “This way of doing auditions has been the most effective way because it goes the quickest and I can match up anyone that I want,” Femali said. The auditions began with a warm up. Everyone had to go on stage and Femali would tell them to do something, such as walking a certain way. This got everyone going and in the dra-
matic mood. Just like any other extracurricular activity, the students have to maintain their grades to keep their roles in the play. “I would like all the students in the cast to keep their grades up,” Femali said. “ If they do not, they will not be a part of the cast, and yes, I do monitor them.” The play will be Friday Feb. 22 and Saturday Feb. 23 at 7 p.m. in the auditorium.
8 hours until the world ends! 4 p.m. -School is over, and it’s time to say goodbye to teachers and friends for... FOREVER!