November 2016

A BERLIN HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT OPEN FORUM SINCE 1924

The

Red ‘n’ Green

222 Memorial Drive Berlin, WI 54923

VOLUME 49, ISSUE 3

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2016

Key Club hosts week of activities, fundraisers by

Issue

-Family receives aid during the holidy pg. 3 -Mary Poppins musical review pg. 6

Newsbriefs Red ‘n’ Green travels to National Convention In effort to improve their journalism skills in everything from writing to designing, the Red ‘n’ Green traveled to the JW Marriott Hotel in Indianapolis, Indiana on Nov. 10 through Nov. 12 for the JEA/NSPA National Journalism Convention.

“It brought students and advisers from all around the country together to share ideas and information,” Red ‘N’ Green staff member Mercedes Zabel said.

Staff members brought home more than journalism skills.

“Not only did the Red ‘n’ Green benefit from this but us students did too because of all the knowledge we gained,” Zabel said.

Mercedes Zabel

Members of Key Club hosted the first school-wide Key Club week Nov. 7-11. Throughout the week, students participated in dress-up days, leaving kind notes around school and fundraisers including a penny war and bake sale.

The total profit from the fundraisers was $250 that went to the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) and the Eliminate Project, a program that helps mothers and their babies that have maternal and neonatal tetanus.

“Key Club Week is the week where we talk about what Key Club is and give recognition to it,” Key Club President Lauren Disterhaft said. “It helps us raise money for charities. It can also bring in new members to our Key Club if they learn more about this week and decide that it’s something they want to do.”

In previous years, Key Club Week has only been celebrated within the club itself. This year, with hopes of getting more students involved, Key Club decided to extend commemorating the week to the rest of the students and staff.

“We have always done smaller projects within our club, but this year we wanted to do more and expand it to the whole school,” Key Club adviser Sarah Gumtow said.

in This

Key Club President Lauren Disterhaft (right) and Vice President Angie Evans (left) assist junior Kelsi Cravillion at the purple-themed bake sale on Nov. 9. All proceeds were donated to the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) and the Eliminate Project.

Photo: M. Zabel As a community service organization, Key Club’s purpose is to encourage leadership through helping others. Making Key Club Week school-wide is one way to promote that intention.

“This gets people aware of the club and helps out the community as well because we do mini service projects (kind notes, penny war and bake sale) throughout the week,” Bulletin Editor Makenna Murkley said.

Since Key Club is an internation-

al organization, Key Club Week is celebrated by schools across the world, all with the same concept of recognizing the organization.

It is up to the individual clubs to customize the week to best fit their schools.

“Key Club International has set days for the week and we took those ideas and expanded on them and came up with the dress-up days,” Disterhaft said. “We then planned our service projects and the things that we wanted to do

around school throughout the week.”

Not only were the members of Key Club striving to serve others a little extra during this week, but they also acknowledged those that had a helping hand in their service projects and activities by sending thank you cards.

“We wanted to show our appreciation for our school and community and thank the people in our community who support all of our projects,” Gumtow said.

BHS faculty helps light up the park History teachers Gary Knoke and Bob Prellwitz decorated a christmas tree for the high school faculty at the Lighting the Park in Nathan Strong Park on Nov. 7.

“We want the community to feel the school is active,” Prellwitz said.

Prellwitz and Knoke picked their theme to incorporate the students.

“Our theme, ‘Lighting our way to a bright future’, draws attention to the students with 500 lights to represent the student body,” Prellwitz said.

KIND Committee cleans parking lot, plans for future events by

Brittney Meyer

The BHS KIND Committee has kicked off a new school year, welcoming new members and already spreading kindness throughout school.

“The way we got members was new this year,” senior Julie Fleegal said. “The teachers recommended students and then those students filled out a sheet.

The sheet got looked over by Mrs. Ragus and from there they got accepted.”

These new members, like senior Amanda Gimenez, are looking forward to being part of KIND Committee and taking part in events.

“I’m excited to be in KIND Committee because it’s a good way to be even more involved in school,” Gimenez said.

The KIND Committee has already held several events, such as leaving kind notes with candy on desks and also cleaning up the student parking lot.

“The parking lot looked very gross so that is why we decided to pick up some trash. It is good to be kind to the environment,” Fleegal said.

Other KIND members agree with Fleegal, and say that it is important to make the school look presentable.

“We should all want our school to look good and be represented really well,” Gimenez said. “If we do it,

then maybe other people will start to do the same.”

Besides cleaning up the parking lot and leaving kind notes, KIND Committee also started something new this year by having a competition for KIND pops. The winning class received KIND pops on Monday, Nov. 21.

“We held a kindness contest between the classes.

The class that was the kindest got popsicles (KIND pops),” Fleegal said.

Members hope to hold more events like this in the future, and events that are not just in BHS. “I look forward to events where we reward other people for being kind, and spreading acts of kindness outside of our school,” senior Hanna Nitzke said.

Gimenez thinks that small acts like these make peoples day better, and can make an impact in the long run.

“We’re only in this school, in this community, and in this world for a short time. We can all make a big difference by being kind to one another,” Gimenez said. “People remember kindness in a person. Make sure that is what you’re remembered for.”

Parking Lot Treasures: - Picture of a frog sitting on a mushroom - Full water bottle - McDonald’s bags - A sock

- Plastic bottles full of spit - 30 cigarette butts - A glove - A butter knife

Several members from KIND Committee, including senior Julie Fleegal and sophomore Sarah Fleegal, picked up trash in the parking lot on Tuesday, Nov. 1 during CIA. In total, the club collected six bags of garbag, filled with various items.

Photo: B. Meyer

2

Opinion

Tuesday, November 22, 2016

Editorial

Clubs give back

Senior social commentary: Gender-neutral bathrooms not end of world by

A simple hello in the hall, or even a smile can make someone feel so much better.

We never know what somebody is going through. Everyone is fighting a different battle.

These are just a few reasons we love to give back at BHS. Some students do not realize that they do not have to be in a club to give back. We can radiate our own kindness and give back all on our own.

For every negative comment that is heard, give two positive comments. If we do hear someone receiving negativity we should try to stop it or comfort them.

People should not focus on what is wrong with something or someone; we should all focus on the things that matter.

Everyone knows how it feels to get a rude comment. Our school has tried to give back the kindness that was taken away by people who do not understand what we are going through.

Not only has BHS given kindess throughout the school, but also around our community.

Letters to the

Editor

Students stand up for transgender bathrooms

Brittney Meyer

There are always people talking about something around school.

But recently, a lot of this talk has been about the new gender-neutral bathrooms.

While some of the statements have been positive about this change in our school, the majority have been negative.

The seniors of the Red ‘n’ Green have come to an agreement on this topic, that students should not be making rude comments about these bathrooms, or the students who may use them.

For starters and for those who may not know, these bathrooms were put in because of a law. A letter was sent out to schools last May, informing schools that Title IX makes it so transgender students have equal rights.

Transgender students should always be allowed equal rights. Nobody can deny another their right just because they feel like it.

Nor can the school force these students to use one bathroom or the other. Schools had to provide an option, so they did what was best for everybody and installed these bathrooms.

These bathrooms are single-stall, meaning that students who may use them are not offending anybody by doing so. There is no need to be concerned about privacy, be-

Between fundraisers, gifts, charity and even simple tasks like leaf raking, there have been many forms of helping our community.

Clubs often sell baked goods or fun little secret notes to raise money for those in need.

In the past couple of years, kindness has become a very important characteristic of our school.

KIND commitee, Key Club, National Honor Society and Student Council have focused on many events and activities to make our school a better place.

Having a kind school makes for an environment that people want to be in and a place that people look forward to coming to.

Frequent smiles and nice comments always lighten the mood and make people feel more welcome and invited.

We do not want to view our school as a prison or a place that we hate. We want it to be a place where we feel safe and wanted. We want people to feel as if they have a second family.

It is important to treat others the way we want to be treated.

Photo: E. Schmidt cause these were staff bathrooms and have always been private.

Also, the bathrooms were not put in just for transgender students.

The signs outside of the bathrooms just say “restroom,” with a picture of a male, female and somebody in a wheelchair. They are genderneutral and handicap accessible, meaning that anybody can use them.

The response put out by many students has been hurtful to transgender students, and definitely does not show Berlin PRIDE. It is not our job as seniors of the Red ‘n’ Green to shoot down opinions and beliefs, but to show the facts before somebody criticizes something or somebody.

The fact is, the bathrooms are here because of a law, and they are not harming anybody. The only harm being done is on students who may use them, by people who unfairly attack them.

Dear Editor,

The sign by the teacher’s bathroom changed to show that anyone can use that bathroom. A lot of students seem to have a problem with this. Transgender students can use this bathroom because they are not comfortable in the bathroom of their current gender, and they aren’t accepted into bathrooms that they identify themselves as. Transgender students are people too, and they should have the basic right to use a bathroom.

Signed,

Students for tolerance and empathy

Female students outraged by unofficial dress code

Dear Editor,

I’m sure all female students at this school have heard of the “shoulder rule” and have maybe even been called out for it. The dress code does not mention shoulders at all, it only specifies what type of sleeves or straps you can wear. Next time someone harasses you to cover up your shoulders, politely tell them that they cannot enforce a rule that doesn’t exist. Teachers need to stop being so rude about how students dress as long as it’s within the confines of the rules.

Signed,

People with erotic shoulders

The Red ‘n’ Green The Red ‘n’ Green is printed monthly by Berlin High School and circulated free to students.

The purpose of the Red ‘n’ Green is to be an open public forum for our staff, students and readers. We want to create close ties between the administration, faculty, students and the Berlin community. We will give readers the opportunity to voice opinions. The Red ‘n’ Green will accept only signed letters to the editor, although names will be withheld upon request. We reserve the right to return letters for corrections before publishing. The staff will not print any material that is libelous, obscene or malicious.

Editorials are unsigned as they reflect the majority opinion of the staff. Editorial topics will be covered in a fair manner. However, controversial topics will be covered.

Subscriptions are available. Please contact the business manager at the below email address or phone number.

Editor-in-Chief: Brittney Meyer

Business Manager: Emily Schmidt

Social Media Manager: Bria Osterberg

Reporters:

Angie Evans James Hinton Caley Huggins Caylie Krebs Mackenzie Kurczek Allison Marks Alex McClelland Mercedes Zabel

Adviser:

Shannon Kuehmichel

The Red ‘n’ Green Berlin High School 222 Memorial Drive Berlin, WI 54923 920.361.2000

Editor-in-Chief: Brittney Meyer brittney.meyer@berlin.k12. wi.us Business Manager: Emily Schmidt emily.schmidt@berlin.k12. wi.us We want to hear what you have to say....

Submit a Letter to the Editor to any Red ‘n’ Green staff member.

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Feature

Tuesday, November 22, 2016

3

School district helps family during holiday by

Allison Marks

Many Berlin School District employees are looking to help out elementary school counselor Erika Krasavage, whose husband has stage four prostate cancer.

With medical bills and her husband, Steve Krasavage, not being able to work, employees knew Christmas is going to be hard so they want to find a way to help out.

“Staff members wanted to do something kind to help lift Erika’s spirit, and so many came to me asking what they could do,” elementary school counselor Rebecca Achterberg said. “It was decided to create a big Christmas tree with different options of gift cards employees could purchase to help with Christmas shopping.”

This was given the name “Gifts from the Heart,” and many employees wanted to contribute.

“Once middle school and high school staff heard about what we were doing they wanted a tree at their building as well so they could help out,” Achterberg said. “The outpouring of love

and support for Erika has been wonderful and proves there is so much more kindness in this world than hurt. Berlin Area School District employees have very kind hearts and are always looking to pass on the kindness to someone else.”

Erika said the outreach has been overwhelming and that they are thankful for the support they are receiving.

“Since we discovered he has cancer, the staff at Clay Lamberton has been giving our family weekly meals or gift cards. Also, many people said they have been praying for us or thinking of us and we have received inspirational cards from many different people,” Erika said.

Erika’s son, sophomore Ben Krasavage, has also noticed the support.

“The hardest part was first finding out about it, but we have seen a lot of support from family, like uncles and aunts, and from a lot of other people,” Ben said.

“My siblings and I have also gotten closer.”

Amongst the support, the family tries to keep busy and keep a normal routine, but a few things

have changed.

“The biggest change is that everyone has to help a lot more.

The cancer spread to a few areas of his bones such as his back lower back vertebrae; therefore, he should not be lifting anything heavy. Everyone also pitches in a lot more after he has his chemotherapy treatments because he feels weak or sick,” Erika said.

“Some days are hard emotionally, so staying busy helps and keeping to a normal routine really helps. The key that we have found is to take one day at a time, stay positive and keep busy. ” Achterberg said the school district employees just wanted to raise money for a fellow coworker who is consistently putting others above herself. They wanted to show her support so she could have a good Christmas.

“It’s so heartwarming to see how we all pull together when a family is in need. There is always someone in town willing to help out a family in need. We feel very blessed to have everyone’s support. Some days that’s the one thing keeping us strong,” Erika said.

Krasavage family (from left to right). Nick, Steve, Erika, Alex, Ben, Jack (in front). Steve has stage four prostate cancer and school district employees are trying to help the family out.

Photo: J. Piezker

How you can help

Visit the family’s “Go Fund Me page” at

www.gofundme.com/ forstevekrasavage

Seniors chosen for Student of the Month by

Bria Osterberg

Senior Kollin McGregor was nominated for this month’s male Student of the Month for being a kind, determined friend and student.

“I put effort into being a nice person because people look at me as a good person and not think badly of me,” McGregor said.

McGregor has a number of qualities that make him stand out in the classroom.

“He has great personality traits,” Spanish teacher Jairo Granados said. “He is humble, hardworking, tenacious, resilient and optimistic.”

Through LINC Crew and National Honor Society, McGregor gets involved by helping out his school and community.

“I help new freshmen for LINC Crew and clean up the community by raking leaves,” McGregor said.

McGregor not only makes an impact in school and the community, but also on the soccer field as a captain.

“Kollin just plays the game and doesn’t worry about bad calls,” se-

Kollin McGregor

Photo: Sarah Celine Photography, LLC nior Luke Dretske said. “He has great sportsmanship towards everyone.”

McGregor says he does as much as he can to be a good sport, make an impression and set an example. He never gives up easily in school or on the field.

“Kollin is a model student who is passionate about everything,” Granados said. “He is an individual who loves learning and makes a great contribution to the school culture.”

Being highly involved in school and always striving to do her best makes senior Megan Sobieski the female Student of the Month for November.

“I aim to do bigger things and do better things for people,” Sobieski said.

Sobieski strives to be successful and good-hearted, not only for herself but for others as well.

“It reflects what kind of person I am,” Sobieski said. “I treat others how I want to be treated.”

Sobieski’s drive to always be kind has made an impact on her best friend, too.

“Megan is such a brilliant and unique person. She is a very supportive and considerate friend,” senior Emma Blazel said. “She is a driven and hardworking person.”

Sobieski is involved in many things like Student Council, FFA, music, National Honor Society and dance. She is vice-president of FFA and has worked very hard to get there.

“Being in all of these clubs lets me make the school a better place,” Sobieski said.

Sobieski could not have been

Megan Sobieski

Photo: Catrina’s Creations as successful without her biggest influence, her mom and dance coach, Laura Sobieski.

“She is always doing her best and getting good grades,” Laura said.

“She is always volunteering for the community and makes an effort to put herself out there.”

Sobieski will continue to be successful and kind by staying committed.

“When Megan puts her mind to something, she goes through with it,” Blazel said.

Villegas returns to hometown by

Emily Schmidt

As migrant student Guillermo Villegas returns home to Plant City, Florida, he transitions to yet again another school district.

“It feels good to be back since I get to see most of my friends back at school as well as my family members,” Villegas said.

Moving from Wisconsin and Florida every year can make it difficult to have a place feel like home.

“Flordia seems more of a place that I consider home since it is a place I have fit in since I was a child,” Villegas said.

While at Berlin High School in the beginning of the school year, Villegas shared his experience on being a migrant student in Wisconsin.

“I still work after school some of the time, but mostly on weekends. I work at a farm that my father owns,” Villegas said.

Transitioning during this time of the school year can be a lot of work, but Villegas looks at it as a positive.

“I get to see new faces at the school I transferred to now,” Villegas said.

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4

In-depth series

Tuesday, November 22, 2016

Seniors take to voting polls for first time by

Caley Huggins

There is a first for everything, including making big decisions for one’s country. Seniors Shelby Williams, Christian Athens and Samuel Cason were just a handful of the many first-time voters.

“I didn’t really know what to expect going in since I’ve never done it before,” Athens said.

Political knowledge was gained from watching the political debates.

“I have a little bit of political knowledge. I watched all of the debates so that was enough to understand what’s going on,” Williams said.

The confidence level was low for some 18-year-olds, due to the candidates that were up for election.

“I was nervous because I’m not really thrilled about who I had to choose from to be president,” Cason said.

From nervous to thrilled, perspec-

tives varied from voter to voter.

“I am happy that I am old enough to vote now. But, it’s unfortunate that the election I finally got to vote in was the year that there are two political extremes to chose from,” Williams said.

There are many reasons the young voters thought that voting was a good idea.

“It’s the civil duty of an American,” Athens said.

For some, voting was all they have ever known or been taught.

“My parents have always voted so I didn’t really second guess it. I want to have a say in how the country is going to be run,” Williams said.

As the voters took to the polls for the first time, the experience was different for each one of them.

“It was way less painful than I thought it was going to be. I went in the evening and there were not many people there at all. Everything went smoothly,” Cason said.

Election

Q&A

:

Although it was easy for some, others had different opinions.

“I had to wait 10 minutes in line.

There was a lot of people there,” Athens said.

The whole voting process triggered different emotions.

“It was confusing for me because they expected me to know what to do even though I have never voted before. But, it felt cool to be able to represent the country,” Williams said.

Mixed feelings ran through each new voter of Berlin during voting hours.

“I actually felt pretty calm going in to vote. Everybody there was very helpful and talked me through the process,” Cason said.

All three students voted at one of the two of the locations in Berlin designated for voting: the Armory or at Berlin Town Hall.

“It was a good experience. I’m even ready to vote again,” Cason said.

With history teacher Gary Knoke

Q: How have elections changed since you have been able to vote?

A: “Thelengthofourelectionshasbecomeabsurd.

Reporter James Hinton: What was the first The amount of money in our elections is crazy and attack ads have become vicious all the time.” election year you could vote in?

History teacher Gary Knoke: “The 1960 elecQ: How does this election compare to other election between Kennedy and Nixon.” tions you have seen?

Q: Have you voted in every election that you A: “I have never been so worked up over an eleccould? If not, why? tion. This election was not so much about the isA: “No, not in 1972. I just could not line up with sues, but the personalities.”

Nixon or McGovern.”

Q: Do you have any other thoughts on the elecQ: What are your thoughts on the current elec- tion? tion and political climate?

A: “I am worried how the country will respond to A: “It’s very disturbing. I do not think the country the election, no matter who wins. I am afraid it has been more divided since the 1960’s.” will only create more division in the country.”

Created by James Hinton

Shelby Williams stands outside the Armory on Nov. 8 after voting in her first presidential election.

Photo: C. Huggins

Hillary Clinton Jon Cervantes Three reasons he likes Clinton: • She has a good foreign policy • She has been in government politics for years • She protects the U.S. citizens and wants everyone to have an equal chance How does he feel about Trump?

• He is an ignorant pig that disrespects women What does he think about Hillary’s “emails”?

• I do not think that it is anyone else’s business

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In-depth series

Tuesday, November 22, 2016

Students’ political views

What political party do you associate yourself with?

1%

7.3%

Libertarian Party

16.7%

46.9%

Democratic Party

28.1%

Republican Party Green Party

If you were able to vote, who would you vote for?

2.1%

Monica Moorehead Hillary Clinton

8.5% 8.5%

25.5%

Donald Trump Gary Johnson

55.3%

Jill Stein

When you are able to vote, will you?

Yes: 87.3% *From 102 students polled

Face Off

VS. Text and photos by Caylie Krebs

New President suprises students by

Independant Parties

No: 12.7% Created by Allison Marks

Donald Trump Sam Rucks Three reasons he likes Trump: • Trump tells it how it is • His policies are good • Not the normal person to run for president How does he feel about Hillary?

• She’s involved in a lot of scandals and is a manipulative liar What does he think about Trump bankrupting his own businesses?

• I do not think it has any concern to him becoming president

5

Angie Evans

America has chosen her new president, Republican Donald J. Trump.

Seniors at BHS were shocked by the results of this election.

“I am very disappointed in the election of Trump,” senior Michael Prindle said. “Not at those who voted for Trump, but at the spineless corporatist democrats that let it happen.”

With the whole nation in shock over the victory of Trump, many people are either relieved or furious.

“I am happy because I think that Trump was probably the best candidate available and that America chose right,” senior Jacob Paulsen said.

Many people around the United States hope he will bring America back to what they consider its ‘“glory day.”

“I hope that Trump will be able to keep some of the progress that Obama had going and help get rid of the bad, basically make America great again,” Paulsen said.

Americans had varied thoughts while watching the map turn red or blue.

“What was going through my head was that the fate of the nation will either be in the hands of a dishonest, power-hungry war criminal or a sexist, draft-dodging loser,” Prindle said.

The same proccess goes on in exchange student Ulugbek Sadiev’s home country Tajikistan. Voting starts at age 18 and citizens have the right to freedom of speech. He said his country’s democracy is changing, and he witnesses the same conflicts the U.S. goes through in an election year.

With Trump going into office Jan. 20, Prindle says he is hoping for the country to be equally governed.

“I would like the 45th president to get money out of politics, repeal Citizens United and keep us out of war. Under President Trump, none of that will happen,” Prindle said.

As for Paulsen, he just has a simple piece of advice for the president.

“Be respectful and be nice president,” Paulsen said.

6

Tuesday, November 22, 2016

Arts & Entertainment

‘Mary Poppins’ was “poppin” Angie Evans

The cast of “Mary Poppins” was on top of their game on opening night.

They had lines full of people waiting to enter the auditorium, and the theater on Thursday night, was 95 percent full. The musical ran right on time when the orchestra, conducted by band director Ben Ruetten, chimed in with a lively melody. The music was spot on every time.

Throughout the whole musical, the audience was filled with oohs and aahs by the beautiful singing from the leads. The acting, choreography, props and the lighting were set perfectly through the whole musical.

Musical director Lisa Utecht did a fantastic job picking the right people for each character.

Senior Samantha Hill played an outstanding role as the lead Mary Poppins. She portrayed her so well that she could prob-

ably be the younger twin of Julie Andrews. Junior Joey Schmidt, who played an excellent Bert, had the accent down pat and portrayed the chimmey sweep perfectly.

One of the things that really stood out was the dancing. The routine for “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” was incredible.

Everyone was on beat with the music. It is worth mentioning it was a broadway choreographed dance, and everyone did a fantastic job.

Another thing that really stood out and was unique was the flying of both Bert and Poppins.

Poppins mastered the flying and had her feet perfectly positioned just as the real Mary Poppins.

Bert also did a good job with the tricks for “Step in Time.”

Overall, the whole musical was very impressive. From the lighting, orchestra, choreography, singing and acting it really felt like the movie was happeing right then and there before or eyes.

Rating out of 5:

The cast of Mary Poppins dances to “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” on opening night.

Photo: A. Evans

*Talking about musical pit band*

Mary Poppins, played by senior Samantha Hill ,flyies in on the scene of “Let’s Go Fly a Kite.”

Photo: A. Evans

King of the Lot Chipped paint on the hood Original headlights

Faded paint on the roof Dented back bumper Dented panel

Cracked grill

In fifth hour sociology class.

“Mr. Kush, question for you. If soap drops on the ground, is the soap dirty or is the floor clean?” senior Willie Trochinski said.

In band during third hour.

Original 1991 rims

Senior Zach Wilson and his 1991 Chrysler Plymouth Voyager are this month’s King of the Lot. “The back of it is all bent and dented because I backed a truck into it awhile ago,” Wilson said.

Besides the fact that this 25 year-old van constantly squeaks while driving, it has been his way of transportation for just over a month now while his blue station wagon is in the shop.

Text and photo by Emily Schmidt

Bert, played by junior Joey Schmidt, dancing to “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.”

Photo Submitted

“What are we doing this evening?” senior Timothy DeRuyter said.

“I do not want to do anything with you this evening,” band director Ben Ruetten said.

“I meant this afternoon with the musical,” DeRuyter said.

Test your presidential knowledge...

1. Who was the second president?

A) George Washington B) John Adams C) James Madison

2. Who is on the nickel?

A) Thomas Jefferson B) Franklin D. Roosevelt C) Abraham Lincoln

3. What president got shot in a motorcade?

A) Harry S. Truman B) John F. Kennedy C) Richard Nixon

4. Who had the longest term in office?

A) James Madison B) Thomas Jefferson C) Franklin D. Roosevelt Answers: B, A, B, C

by

You said it, We write it

Sources:

www.nytimes.com, www.factretriever

Created By Caley Huggins

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Arts & Entertainment

Black Friday Frenzy The shopper vs. the employee

by

Shopper Rachel Bertzyk

Starts shopping at: (p.m. on Thursday)

Shops for: 8 hours Shops at: Shopko, Walmart, Kohls, Menards, Fleet Farm, Macys, Best Buy, Target, Cabelas and Younkers

Total spendings:

$200+

Employee Nicole Kopitzke

Starts work at: (a.m. on Friday)

Works for: 4 hours Works at: Walmart in Berlin Position: Cashier Total earnings:

$9 per hour Text and photos by Brittney Meyer

How much does your backpack weigh?

According to kidshealth.org, doctors recommend that backpacks should only weigh between 10% and 15% of a student’s total body weight.

Brianna Hameister Senior

Chris Werch Junior

26 lbs

20 lbs

Weirdest object: Mexican bookmark

Favorite object: Water bottle

Most used object: Headphones

Oldest object: Calculator from 8th grade

Lane Sobieski

Natalie Ceman

20.5 lbs

16 lbs

Sophomore

Freshman

Oldest object: Snacks and wrappers

Heaviest object: Algebra book

Weirdest object: Deodorant

Most used object: Lucky pencil Text and photos by Mercedes Zabel

Wordsmiths of Berlin’s second annual

Poetry Slam Friday, December 9, at 7 p.m. in the Berlin High School Auditorium

Talk to Mr. Reise for more details.

7 ‘Magnus Chase’ returns with new adventure Tuesday, November 22, 2016

Bria Osterberg

Magnus Chase is back with another Norse mythology adventure by Rick Riordan called “Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard: The Hammer of Thor.”

In this exciting sequeal to the “Sword of Summer,” Magnus and his friends are off to another crazy adventure with a new friend, Alex Fierro. The evil, decisive god, Loki, tricks them into finding a cursed sword. However, there are always things happening behind the scenes that the readers and characters do not know yet. That is what makes these books so interesting.

The god Thor lost his hammer, and Magnus and his friends have to retrieve it. Loki is forcing Magnus’s friend Samirah to marry a giant called Thrym who has the hammer.

They need to trade the cursed sword for the hammer at the wedding or else the giants will invade Midgard (the human world). This makes the readers want to know how it all ends.

This whole mess has to be fixed in six days. They get caught up in other crazy things that keep them delayed.

This is nailing biting for readers, it makes them want to finish the book in six days.

After Magnus and his friends find the cursed sword, they need to find the cursed stone that goes with the sword. Rick Riordan does a very good job of hitting all of the readers’ emotions. When they have to retrieve the stone the readers feel

Photo: B Osterberg sad because Hearthstone, another of Magnus’s friends, has to revisit his horrible childhood Alfheim (the elf world).

Now the feeling goes from sad to funny. They need to get help from a god named Heimdall who loves to take selfies with everything. It gives the readers a good laugh with all the sarcasm and selfies. Next, the readers get into anxious mode when the characters have to face giants at the wedding because they do not know who might die.

In all of Riordan’s books he ties in characters from his other series. Annabeth Chase is from the Percy Jackson series and she is Magnus’s cousin. She appears at the beginning and end and she might have a bigger role in the next book.This keeps readers loving the new characters and yet still loving the old ones, as well.

Rating out of 5:

8

Tuesday, November 22, 2016

Girls basketball scrimmages to begin new season by

Sports Sports Briefs

James Hinton

Girls basketball faced other teams for the first time this season at a scrimmage on Saturday, Nov 12.

“I think it went pretty well overall,” freshman Kara Block said.

The scrimmage was held so the team could practice against other schools without risking a loss.

No score was given, so the teams just had to think about how they played.

“We have put in a lot of hard work over the summer,” Coach Joe Brandl said. “The girls have put in a lot of hours of good practice.”

The team did not just show up for practices, but also for open gyms that were held throughout the summer.

“I was glad to see them take advantage of the open gyms and do good work in them,” Brandl said.

With the regular season starting, the team has to think about their strengths and weaknesses.

“The team’s speed is very good,” Brandl said. “We can really push the tempo of the game, which can give us some easy baskets.”

The team played well on defnese in the scrimmage.

Wrestling team welcomes new teammates

Sophomore Mari Beltran, freshman Myah Jodarski and senior Shelby Williams play in a scrimmage at Berlin High School on Nov. 12.

Photo: J. Hinton mistic about the upcoming sea“We really improved on de- overcome.

“We lost a thousand-point scor- son. fense,” Block said. “We’ve been “I feel confident about the er,” Brandl said. “So, we either working on that all practice.”

In addition to the defense, the need someone or a few of the season. We work together really girls have practiced on working girls to fill that place, or we will well,” Block said.

The team is ready to give it be missing a lot of points.” effectively together.

Older members of the team are their best, even with all the chal“We have been really good at working as a team,” junior Bailey also confident that they will per- lenges facing them.

“It’s always a little anxious, Sternitske said. “We are doing form really well once the regular since we’re in a tough conferseason begins. very well.”

“I thought we were going to do ence. As long as we compete, I The team recently lost a lot of good players because of gradua- well in the scrimmage and we did will be happy,” Brandl said. “I am looking forward to a great seation. As a result, the remaining do very well,” Sternitske said.

Members of the team are opti- son.” players have a big obstacle to

Krall pursues passion for gymnastics by

Junior Cassidy Krall competes on uneven bar at a gymnastics competition.

Photo: T. Meyer

“I compete over the winter from December through April and meets are usually every other weekend,” Krall said. “This year I have one meet in Arizona, Indianapolis, Minnesota, two meets in Illinois and four meets in Wisconsin.”

Through all of the traveling Krall has many supporters that are always there for her.

“My mom and friends are my biggest supporters, because they have a pretty good idea of what I have to get through and push myself through to get to where I am,” Krall said.

Krall’s mother, Teri Meyer, always supports her and is very proud of her.

“The skills she’s learned and the skills she continues to learn, it’s pretty amazing what she can do as a gymnast,” Meyer said.

“She’s very strong physically and mentally and when I watch her I am always amazed by what she can do.”

Mackenzie Kurczek

Junior Cassidy Krall has been involved in gymnastics for many years and is excited for what is yet to come.

“I have been in gymnastics for about 11 years now. I enjoy gymnastics and have a love for the sport,” Krall said.

Krall started her gymnastics career in Berlin and then later, moved it to Oshkosh.

“I took my first gymnastics class at Berlin during the summer Parks and Recreation program,” Krall said. “After taking that summer session, I was in love with the sport so my mom took me to the Oshkosh Gymnastics Center and signed me up.”

Krall puts in a lot of time to be able to make practices and to compete in large meets.

The wrestling team has gained many new teammates for this season.

“We have five new guys that have never wrestled before,” sophomore Austin Schrei said.

The new teammates fill in roles that have opened up from previous years.

“The new guys are like pieces to the puzzle because we had so many open weight classes last year,” Schrei said.

In addition, the new wrestlers bring in more of a challenge for the older wrestlers because they are competeing for spots.

“With all of the new kids it adds more competition for all the other wrestlers to push to make themselves better and that just makes for a great team,” Schrei said.

Schrei also says the team is always welcoming strong minded students to try out.

“Wrestling is a fun sport that will test every muscle and mental strength there is and I think all those high schoolers who are not doing other sports should give it a try,” Schrei said.

Numbers not affecting mental game

Six swimmers signed up for boy’s swimming but still can practice and compete well.

“We practice and compete the same even with small numbers,” sophomore Sam Ryf said.

Even with a small team the only thing that would affect them is their ability to compete against larger schools and in larger meets.

“The worst part is that we know that we will not be able to be conference or sectional champs, and we know that we are going to lose a lot,” Ryf said.

It is not all about the wins and losses for the boy’s swimming. It is also about getting to know each teammate.

“The best part is we get to know each other a lot better and we have a lot more fun as a smaller group,” Ryf said.

Up Next in Winter Sports • •

Tuesday, Nov. 28

Varsity Girls Basketball @ Berlin, 7:15 p.m.

Varsity Boys Swimming Dual @ Plymouth, 6 p.m.

Created by Brittney Meyer

Wednesday, Nov. 29

•

Thursday, Nov. 30

Varsity Wrestling Match @ Berlin, 6:30 p.m.

• • •

Friday, Dec. 1

Varsity Boys Basketball @ Berlin, 7:15 p.m.

Varsity Girls Basketball @ Winneconne, 7:15 p.m.

JV Wrestling Invitational @ Kimberly, 4 p.m.

• •

Saturday, Dec. 2

Varsity Wrestling Invitational @ Kimberly, 8 a.m.

Varsity Boys Swimming Invitational @ Plymouth, 10:30 a.m.