A BERLIN HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT OPEN FORUM SINCE 1924
The
Red ‘n’ Green
VOLUME 45, ISSUE 5
JANUARY 31, 2013
in This
Issue
-How tell twins apart pg.3 -Backpack weight pg. 5
Berlin Belly Floppers train for Polar Plunge by
Emma Hargrave
As cold weather and ice accompany winter’s arrival, the annual Polar Plunge also rounds the corner. The 2013 Polar Plunge, “Freezin’ For A Reason,” will take place at Menominee Park in Oshkosh on Feb. 16. The Plunge is a fundraiser for the Special Olympics that involves the whole community, but especially a few daring individuals. “I’m a big advocate for the Special Olympics, especially being a special education teacher,” Nicole LeDioyt said. The Polar Plunge is hosting a new event Friday, Feb. 15 around 6 p.m. as an extra fundraiser. “Toss Your Teacher or Plunge Your Principal” requires schools to raise a minimum of $1,000 to participate in the jump, or to watch faculty take a cold dive. LeDioyt is the team leader of the Berlin Belly Floppers, a faculty team that is planning to take the plunge. LeDioyt also encourages students to help with donations and raising money. “We’re doing the ‘Toss Your Teacher’, but if students want to do it they can join the team also,” LeDioyt said. “Ripon did it last year and raised a good amount of money. Berlin students should get involved and beat Ripon’s top dollar amount.” Since the Berlin Belly Floppers currently consist of 11 members and need a total of $1,000 to jump, each faculty member needs to raise
Photo: E. Hargrave The 11-member Berlin Belly Floppers practice their jump, preparing for the cool dip into Lake Winnebago on Feb. 15. about $100. “If my students don’t raise $75, I’m not jumping,” math teacher Shawn Manata said. Students can contact LeDioyt if they want to donate, join the Berlin Belly Floppers or help raise money. “Students can actually do the plunge,” LeDioyt said. “If you’re too chicken you can just raise money, donate and watch. The biggest part is jumping in.” Students can also go on the Polar Plunge website, www.sowi.kintera.
org/foxvalleypolarplunge2013, for more information on how to help. Besides raising money for the Special Olympics, participating teachers are taking part in the plunge for personal reasons. “I vowed in 2013 to step out of my comfort zone,” Manata said. The team is looking forward to spending time with fellow staff members as well. “It’s a great team building experience and I’m always up for crazy stuff!” LeDioyt said.
2013 BERLIN BELLY FLOPPER TEAM MEMBERS Nicole LeDioyt Lynn Mork (not pictured) Paul Bell Melissa Daubner Shawn Manata
Ann Ragus Maxson Beth Paskey Andrew Reise Alecia Starks Karri Youngbauer Sarah Markel
Newsbriefs KIND committee gives to community ‘Under the Sea’ for Winterfest
A nontraditional Sadie Hawkins style, “Under the Sea” themed Winterfest will be held Feb. 16, at 8 p.m. in the commons. “This year’s Winterfest is Sadie Hawkins style because we thought it would be something fun and different than other years,” student council secretary Mariah Moe said. The price for one ticket is $8 in advance and $10 at the door.
Freshman takes lead
Freshman Rachael Van Dyke will play the lead as Alice in the play, “Alice in Wonderland.” This will be Van Dyke’s first performance in Berlin. “I’m very excited for the play,” Van Dyke said. “The set will be very cool and the costumes are fun.” “Alice in Wonderland” will show Feb. 22 and Feb. 23 at 7 p.m. in the auditorium.
Mascot update: Class of 2013 will graduate as Indians
Berlin High School will continue waiting to see what the State Supreme Court will rule in the Mukwonago case. “Mukwonago is still fighting their case in court,” athletic director Joe Brandl said. “We are still waiting to see what happens with Mukwonago before we move forward.” However, Berlin will stayas the Indians until the end of the school year. The class of 2013 will graduate as Berlin Indians.
by
Hailey Prachel
The KIND committee has collected numerous stuffed animals to give to local organizations. The committee originally planned on getting their donations from spectators at the girls basketball game, which was supposed to be held on Dec. 21. Due to snow storm Brianna, the game was cancelled. Most of the donated animals came from Badger Mining and local banks. The stuffed animals were supposed to be sent to Newtown, CT, after the Sandy Hook Elementary school shooting that killed twenty children and six teachers. After hearing that Sandy Hook was refusing any more donations from organizations, the committee had to re-think their plan.
“I knew if we kept it local, our kids would enjoy the animals just as much,” Guidance Counselor Ann Ragus said. The collected stuffed animals went to places like Clay Lamberton Elementary School and Community Health Network to be distributed to kids. “I think that this will really brighten someone’s day,” senior KIND committee member Becca Wenig said. “Being stuck in a hospital all day gets old, so I think this will be a really positive thing.” Although the specific number of animals raised is unknown, Wenig says there will be enough to put smiles on many faces. “There was a really big bag full of stuffed animals that we gave to local children,” Wenig said.
Photo Submitted
KIND committee member Becca Wenig shows the collected stuffed animals that were given to organizations such as Clay Lamberton and Community Health Network.