Issue 7 (2018-19)

The Oshkosh West

INDEX 2

Meuller investigation shows world that Harm to ongoing matter

Page 2 3-5

news

Boeing crashes and burns as catastrophe necessitates company-wide resurrection.

Pages 3-5 6-7

Community Oshkosh sweeps out ‘Sawdust’ in attempt at cleaning up city finances

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8-9

Future goes up in smoke through mistakes made in present

Page 8-9 10-11

Sports

Spring - when a sports fan’s fancy turns to baseball!

Pages 10-11 Entertainment 12-13 Missing Fluffy? Wishing you could bring back Spot? Think again....

Pages 12-13 Features

15-16

Students get to experience the Big Apple as soundtrack to musical success.

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www.oshkoshwestindex.org Volume 115, Issue 7

April 29, 2019

‘Chaperone’ provides musical wake-up for audiences

This Issue: opinion

“Your source for Wildcat news”

While students sleepwalk- from rehearsals, finding the right that the cast members get to The musical instr uments ing through the end of the year outfits, and even fundraising. have that are special to each and under the stage strive to be as might look the part, the music The music department is one of everyone of us,” said sophomore perfect as possible and, like the department brought Steven Reigh, who cast, have had hours of rehearsal high energy to their played Robert Martin, alone and on stage with actors. execution of T he “I nst r u ment al musicians ‘The Bridegroom.’ “I Drowsy Chaperone have learned from my have a part that is a solo for the this past weekend. musical experience entire show. With no part layerThe show follows to try and do the best ing, a lot more responsibility is the protagonist, you can do, no matter put on each student, which helps na med ‘Ma n i n what you are doing. them grow in their musical skills,” Chair,’ who remiIt is so i mp or t a nt Singer said. “It is also enjoyable nisces and shares to do well, but also to work hard with others to put his favorite musito want to do well.” forth a quality performance. Stucal, T he D rows y The musical was dents have a sense of pride for Ch a pe rone, w it h quite a sight to see, what they have accomplished.” the viewers. Set in The pit orchestra is something but it wasn’t just the the 1920s and naractors visible on stage special that usually only musirated by the Man in that were vital parts cals have and it generally goes Chair, the show’s to the entertainment. underappreciated or forgotten photo by Ashlyn Casey comedic plot and Sophomore Nick Smith endured countless spit takes as he and senior Amber “It is ver y dif- when the viewers are looking at a c t io n s of m a ny Wiedenhoeft prepared for their opening night performance of the Drowsy Chap- ficult to perform mu- the large visuals, characters, and unique characters erone. Running from April 25-28, the show dazzled audiences through music, sicals because there action in front of them. The highstoryline, and impressive staging. created a dramatic is a lot of teamwork est compliment for a pit member series of events, all and communication derives from anonymity. Senior taking place at a wedding. The the most underfunded parts of that goes into the whole show,” Ariana Hagen plays trombone in musical, often described as a school programs, and it takes a Reigh said. “There is also mak- the pit and knows this feeling. “comedy within a musical,” paro- lot of money to set up and work ing a set, just countless things “Playing in the pit is pretty dies musical tropes and contained out all the money for a musical. ” that go into the final product.” different from being on stage beJu nior Brendan Rohloff, nonstop action, music and charm.

Wit hout t he help of t he cause the audience tends to forget “It is such a different musical, who played the ‘best that you’re there one that I had never heard of and, man George,’ learned and everyone is for that, it is so unique,” junior Re- a lot of new techniques focusing on the becca Behling said. “The energy through this experience. people on the “ E a ch s how h a s level is amazing and every line has stage, which is an opportunity to be laughed at.” something else to offer essentially the This year’s musical proved and new techniques to goal,” she said. unlike any other dramatic and learn, and I think spe“When you’re in well-known performances from cifically for this show, the pit orchestra, past years. Many scenes were the choreography was you have to pay intentionally over the top to cre- a real challenge for a close attention ate a more comedic experience. lot of the cast,” he said. to what’s going Although some of the lines may “With the help of a proo n a n d m a ke have been conf using or less fessional choreographer sure the music suited for younger audiences, this year, we looked goes along everyone could find something really good doing the w it h t he p e rt o e njoy. Se n ior K at he r i ne big chor us nu mbers! son on stage.” photo by Ashlyn Casey Matzke, who played ‘The Chap- Toward the beginning of Juniors Ivy Neas, Jessa Nemeth, and Yemeng Thor collaborate with the pit musiJ u n i o r erone,’ understands crowds and the show, Steven Reigh cians in order to prepare for the upcoming show. The musical brought together the Olivia Everett, talents and humor of all within the music programs. what they will find amusing. and I sang a song that who ser ved “If you weren’t a big fan had a longer tap dance a s t he u nde rof My Fair Lady last year, this break, and it was so much fun backstage crew and artists, the st udy for ‘T he Chaperone’, one wa s complet ely d if fe r- to learn a whole new style of show would not have looked as personally can attest to why ent,” she said. “Ever y single dance rather than your classical exciting or f lowed as well. It’s more students should join the character is incredibly talented jazz squares and grapevines.” all about keeping the audience theatrical activities, whether or Cast members do put a lot immersed into the world of the not they are involved in music. a nd per fect for t hei r role.”

Behind “It’s super fun and it’ll bring musical. The backstage the scenes, crew and the people you out of your shell,” she said. actors and who helped create the “You can get involved by being in actresses scenery, makeup, and the show if you are in any music d i l ig e n t l y costumes that the cast program at the school you can rehearsed used need to be as ac- try out. You can be part of the many days curate and characterized crew no matter who you are.” a nd hou r s St udents, f rom the main as possible. The other a school crucial group in the mu- cast to backg rou nd d ancers w e e k . sical process isn’t lyrical and singers, behind the scenes J u n i o r or on stage, but rather members like the stage crew or Ye m e n g in the pit orchest ra. makeup, or the people below Thor, who “ We , a s t h e pit in the pit orchestra, ceaselessly played ‘The orchestra, have to al- worked on creating the best posGangster,’ ways be aware of what sible performance an audience k nows exis happening on stage could hope for. They were very a ctly how and adjust to it. If a excited to share what they love difficult it is cast member skips a so much about the musical. photo by Ashlyn Casey to work on Seniors Katherine Matzke and Kelly Kehoe hold a pose for minutes on end, contribut- line, speeds up, slows “I think musical theatre is somethi ng ing to an essential piece in the play due to hilarious outtakes executed by junior Grant down, or misses an such a cool thing because it takes s o l a r g e . Horton. The musical quickly became a favorite of the cast and crew during practice as entrance, we have to you away to another world and the they delved into character and finally costumed for dress rehearsal.

“The adjust in a way that al- audience is able to get away from hardest lows the performance real life problems and just watch part I think is the commitment of work into their collective to continue without the audience a fun, upbeat show with song and in the musical, because you goal of the show, but that does knowing that anything unusual dance,” Rohloff said. “I hope the have to spend lots of your time not mean there were not any re- happened,” band teacher and pit people that came were able to enlearning things like dancing, wards for anyone working on it. director Daniel Singer said. “The joy Chaperone as much as we did.”

“My favorite part about this pit orchestra is an important part dialogue, and singing,” he said.

by Javit Thao “A lot goes on behind the scenes musical were the little moments of telling the story on stage.”

2

April 29, 2019

Opinion

Volume 115, Issue 7

Ten second editorials...

Thumbs up What is an extracurricular that you tried and didn’t succeed in?

“It was actually in Index; I tried so hard but I’m bad about procrastinating” - freshman Claire Garton

“Soccer, I was just not...good” -sophomore Jake Austin

Thumbs down

...To the release of the Mueller report. There are certainly some...varying opinions...but it is nice to finally have some transparency. ...To Redbull. -Uncle Mike ...To the long awaited arrival of spring. Mother nature has punished us enough, bring on the warmth. ...To prom! Definitely a momentous production, but the memories are one of a kind, and who doesn’t love to feel like royalty once in a while? ...To the fast-approaching end of the standardized testing season. We have officially entered the final stretch, and with a month left to go, we are all ready for the end. ...To doughnuts! Thank you to she who provided doughnuts for the Index staff. Say whatever you want about processing and sugar, that stuff is good. ...To Avengers Endgame.

No matter the ending, the franchise has made more of an impact than most, and the ride has been worth it, despite the amount I am going to cry.

...To politics. Can we just put a dog in charge of the country? It might honestly be less drama. ...To the undesirable nature of teenage male handshakes.

How do they work? How do they predict each others movements? We don’t understand!?!? ...To all the desperatelytrying-to-be-inspirational posters and slogans floating around school in the home stretch. We know we should finish strong, just let us struggle in peace! ...To high school drama. Nobody’s life is actually that interesting, stop pretending that it is. Four years of dramatic absurdity is too much for anyone to handle. ...To the plague that’s slowly making its merry way throughout the school population.

Spring brings flowers and dehabilitating nasal congestion. ...To young love. Prosperous, healthy relationships are great and all, but thanks for being the golden standard that none of the rest of us can hope to achieve.

The Oshkosh West

“Volleyball, I tripped over my own feet too much” -junior Kaitlynn Ewing

INDEX

Oshkosh West High School 375 N. Eagle St. Established in 1903 Volume 115, Issue 7

General Adviser: Trent Scott

“Wrestling and basketball, but my free throw game was on point” -senior Dylan Lippold

“Soccer, I wasn’t good enough for varsity and took JV, but quit” -language teacher Senorita Tome

Managing Editors: Ashlyn Casey Mikayla Heath Annabelle Wojahn Editors: Zade Alzoubi (Sports) Keerthana Ambati (Community) Nithya Ambati (Production) Addy Barber (Web) Victoria Chanez (Outdoorz) Jacob Collins (Web) Izzy Gabavics (Features) Simran Gandhi (Photography) Akashraj Karthikeyan (News) Paul LaCosse (Entertainment) Joe Mayo (Features)

Aspen Oblewski (Entertainment) Emma Olson (Community) Hannah Olson (Graphic Magic) Amiliana Roa (Photography) Jack Rowe (Ads) Payton Willis (Web) Writers: Sophie Burke, Abigail Eaton, Kailey Freund, Caeden Smith, Javit Thao Photographers: Frances Kerkhof, Dylan Lippold, Grace Weber Cartoonist: Griffin Holdridge Mascot: Mulligan and Buster

Non-Profit Organization Oshkosh Area Schools P.O. Box 3048 Oshkosh, WI 54902 April 29, 2019 Issue #7

The purpose of the Oshkosh West Index is to educate, inform, and entertain through eight publications each year. The paper will provide a forum for students’ ideas and opinions. All letters must be signed. Index editors reserve the right to edit all letters for reason of space, clarity, or libel. All letters express the opinion of their authors and not necessarily that of the Index staff. Drop off all letters in E25, direct them to www.oshkoshwestindex.org, or mail them to Index, Oshkosh West High School, 375 N. Eagle Street, Oshkosh WI 54902. Index accepts advertisements from businesses, faculty, or students, thus creating a market for saleable goods.

The Mueller Conundrum

ASPEN: “Oh my God. This is terrible. This is the end of my presidency” (The New York Times). This is probably the very last sentence you would like to hear from “your” President when he finds out that his presumed collaboration with Russia to win said presidency is being investigated by none other than the sixth Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Robert Mueller.

Though the popular assumption that Trump is technically free of charge continues to circulate around the country, the case had concluded anything but Mueller was unable to clear Trump on not only obstruction, but criminal conduct as well. The most important question about Mueller’s conclusions is ‘did he make the right call?’ The simple answer is no, probably not. It is said that “Trump’s public acts can be considered obstruction,” as the power that he holds can name his comments “obstruction efforts” (CNN). These claims are fairly obvious when it comes to Trump’s tweets, as he called the entire investigation the “Crazy Mueller Report” and claimed that it was written by “18 Angry Democrat Trump Haters,” proving that even if he isn’t technically obstructing any justice, he blatantly handled it like a middle schooler.

IZZY: “Russia, if you’re listening, I hope you’re able to find the 30,000 emails that are missing” (CNN). Maybe Hillary’s email server also holds the evidence to Russia taking over the US one election at a time. Too bad they were anonymously deleted. With the 2016 election still on every liberal’s mind, they just cannot seem to accept that Donald Trump is our president.

Whether they like it or not, they continue to find an excuse for the way the election played out. A case that opened in 2017 seems to be never ending, as they keep dragging it out trying to find proof that anything was tampered with at all. Maybe there is evidence to back it up but are they finding any actual evidence worthy of conviction? No. If they actually had evidence within their 448 -page, waste of money and words, something would have been done about it by now. With some of the best technology in the world equipping our CIA and FBI it is a mystery how no convicting evidence has surfaced to indict one of the most hated men in America. The “evidence” they have found only claims that Trump’s “acts can be considered obstruction,” (CNN) Wow, thank you CNN for that great insight. If there is evidence, that is wonderful, but they need to actually convict him of something that is illegal that matters. President Trump obviously did have contacts with Russia, as a businessman planning on building a Trump Tower in order to expand his global enterprise, he needed to be in contact with the country. Last time I checked, it is actually encouraged for a CEO to be involved in his company.

A. Oblewski and I. Gabavics

News

Volume 115, Issue 7

3

April 29, 2019

Frequent fliers take flight or fright as 737’s crash

With summer dominating the horizon, students and teachers have excitedly begun to plan vacations, and some will travel hundreds or even thousands of miles to get to their destinations. Flying via airplane has long been the preferred form of travel for long-distance trips. Thus, when hearing about the Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines’ f lights crashing only minutes after takeoff, travelers have become cautious about the actual merits of air travel.

The common factor in both these crashes?

The multinational aircraft manufacturer Boeing and its best-selling 737 MAX. “The 737 MAX was created for higher efficiency of the engine - it’s supposed to use about 15-20% less fuel,” United Airlines Senior IT Manager Kamal Ahmed said. “While designing it, one of the things Boeing had to do was use a larger engine.

To use a larger engine, they had to move the engine forward on the wing. But when they did that, the plane started having an issue because of buoya n c y. T h e pl a n e started to unexpected ly t ilt up, a nd if this happens the plane will eventually just stall because it can’t go further up based on its speed. If this happens, the plane basically drops.”

To a dd re ss t h is proble m , Boe ing created a software to stop the aircraft from tilting. Ironically, this same software is what caused the crashes.

“Boeing created a software called MCAS (Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System) which basically uses special sensors to try and intervene when the plane tilts up in order to balance it out,” Ahmed said. “In both these cases of the Ethiopian Airlines and Lion Air crashes, the software was trying to overcompensate. So, even though the plane may not be tilted, it’s thinking, because of a software issue, that it is tilted and it’s trying to bring the plane down. So, what happened is that the pilot is trying to keep the plane up, but it’s just going down. That’s how the planes crashed.”

The most concerning aspect of these crashes is not necessarily that the planes crashed in the first place, but crashed because of design flaws in the aircraft itself.

“I am starting to travel more frequently now by plane than compared to earlier in my life. I have traveled by plane to Spain, the Dominican Republic, Las Vegas, California, Florida, and Georgia. I will be travelling to London this summer and then to Costa Rica and Panama next year,” Global Academy Level II teacher Justin Hable said. “So, it is concerning to hear that due to possible design flaws, fatal crashes have occurred. As passengers, we assume that companies have tested their products and have gone through all the necessary safety checks so that we can be more at ease while traveling.”

Passengers boarding a plane are subjected to intense security and background checks. If arriving in a foreign countr y, passengers are expected to pass through immigration and customs.

With all this emphasis on security, one would expect that the same scrutiny is applied when inspecting the aircraft itself, and at least on the surface, does exist.

“Aircraft inspection is not a one-day process. It is a multi-month process where the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) has requirements about the required design changes allowed in order to say it is compatible to the prior version. For example, in this case, the engine was changed

substantially,” Ahmed said. “So, there will be specific requirements for critical components like that. Then, there will be a lot more scrutiny in the specification of inspection requirements and the FAA mandates all of that. There will also be other flight requirements that the plane has to fly in without anyone in it to make sure all conditions are met like weather and altitude.”

However, in order to circumvent such thorough and arduous inspection, major aircraft companies like Boeing claim to make only minor changes to each version of a plane and retain the same base name throughout each version. In over 50 years, the base design of 737 has not changed and can thus can avoid intense scrutiny.

“In general, the 737’s reputation is quite good. It was introduced in 1968 and since then the 737 has been a very safe plane. But, that probably also led to this mistake because you can only change every version of the plane to a certain level.

Essentially, Boeing was tr ying to

keep the same 1968 desig n, but just do electronics and sof tware improvements - the design and t h e layout was still the s a me,” Ahmed said. “The reason Boei ng does t h is, like Airbus as well, is to prevent pilots from having to do expensive training. If a pilot switches to a completely new plane, there’s a whole new procedure about going through hundreds of hours of simulation training and training as a co-pilot. It’s an FAA mandated procedure that all the airlines have to follow.”

With Boeing’s major competitor being Airbus, the two multinational giants are often at odds as each company tries to overshadow the other. Possibly, due to the pressure of such competition, Boei ng r ushed the process of developing the 737 MAX because of the shortcuts they were able to make.

“The Boeing 737 MA X was announced a few days after the Airbus act ually announced a newer version of their A320 which had high fuel efficiency. Boeing, from a competitive point of view, had to announce something. So, they probably cut some corners and took some shortcuts in design and announced the 737 MAX sooner,” Ahmed said. “By keeping the ‘737’ brand, Boeing could’ve bypassed the FAA’s scrutiny because when you announce a totally new plane, there will be a lot more scrutiny compared to saying ‘we are just using the same design, with just a few tweaks.’ So, there are all kinds of questions now for Boeing.”

Others would argue, however, that the Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines crashes were not in fact 100% the fault of the 737 MAX’s design itself, but the lack of training other countries’ pilots have received.

“It does sur prise me that Boeing would let something of this nature occur, although I believe it wasn’t entirely their fault. The two fatal accidents, while of course tragic, were due to reasons other

than the design of the aircraft, in my opinion. In the U.S., we have yet to have a fatal accident with the MAX series, and have only had minor reports of issues from pilots,” sophomore pilot Ryan Elliott said.

“The two countries that had the accidents appear to have had some major training issues, and pilots who didn’t know how to properly react to the now faulty MCAS auto-piloting system. For example, the Lion Air pilots knew how to disable MCAS, but thought it was still needed for recovery, and thus re-engaged the faulty system, causing a loss of control of the aircraft.”

Regardless of how the plane crashes could have been prevented, it is clear that Boeing’s faulty system somehow lead to t h e deaths of more than 300 people.

W i t h ov e r 100 years of history, these crashes have tarnished the corporation’s prominence and international prestige.

“In terms of reputation, Boeing is in trouble,” Ahmed said.

“Boei ng stock has gone d ow n r e c e ntl y,

there have been lawsuits a g a i n s t Bo ei ng f rom f o r e i g n nationals, airlines, from victims families, and the FAA is looking into it. The U.S. Senate has already sent a letter to the FAA asking for an explanation for how the 737 MAX got approved. It’s not good days for Boeing.”

For those affected by the crashes, such as various airlines, families of victims, and travelers who have met delays at airports, there is likely a certain degree of punishment that is expected for Boeing.

However, with Boeing’s world importance in and out of America, some would argue that this should not necessarily happen.

“There’s been a lot of talk about how the government and the FAA should get more involved; there’s the argument that it’s the government’s job to keep people safe. Honestly, I think that there’s a certain ‘laissez faire’ approach that should be taken,” junior and frequent flier Ekaan Ahmad said. “When a company like Boeing has planes start crashing, the invisible hand of the people’s market is going to say ‘hey, we don’t want to fly with Boeing anymore’ and go to a different aircraft company. When that happens, Boeing will lose customers and lose lots of money, causing them to shutdown in various areas. There needs to be a balance between free market deciding and government.”

Even if the general public sees punishing Boeing as the correct decision to make,

this may not happen, again due to Boeing’s huge status, especially in the U.S..

“I think that a free market approach might be better because the government relies on Boeing for a lot of stuff, whether it’s for space projects, military, and many types of transportation,” Ahmad said.

“It’s a pretty big part of our economy - a multi-billion dollar company. They might let Boeing off easy because it’s one of the biggest contributors to the military.”

Despite the repercussions for Boeing itself, there have been huge impacts in airlines across the world that have invested heavily in the 737 MAX. One such airline is f lydubai, an upcoming company based in the UAE which services the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Europe. With a large portion of its fleet consisting of 737 MAX’s, flydubai hopes it will be able to resolve the issue with Boeing, as it has already ordered 237 of the planes for delivery over the next 10 years.

“Following the Safety Decision issued by the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) flydubai’s fleet of 13 Boeing 737 MAX 8 and MAX 9 aircraft has been grounded as a precautionary safety measure,” a flydubai spokesperson said.

“With regards to f light cancellations, f lydubai will cancel up to 15 f lights a day. The flydubai team is working hard to minimize disruption to its passengers.

Flydubai continues to work closely with its regulator and Boeing and we value our long-standing relationship with these partners. Our MAX aircraft remain an integral part of our strategy for the future.”

When observing the grand scheme, the 737 MAX crashes serve to represent only a small portion of the overall safety of air travel. Despite this, air travelers, especially those with little experience in planes, may overreact when considering to f ly.

“I think that this crash will make people even more wary of air travel. Even though statistically, air travel is one of the safest ways to commute, recent world happenings have heightened people’s wariness when it comes to flying,” Global Academy Level I teacher William Brydon, who travels frequently by plane, said. “Crashes like these do nothing to instill confidence in the consumer, and I am guessing that people will be more curious as to what type of aircraft they are flying on in the future.”

For families of the victims, airline companies, regular f liers, and Boeing itself, this has been a very undesirable experience. Most importantly, Ahmed hopes that Boeing will be able to resolve the problem as soon as possible and extends his sympathies to those affected.

“Hopefully Boeing will find the issue and fix it,” Ahmed said. “More importantly, Boeing will hopefully learn from its mistakes. It’s very tragic and I feel very sad about the people who lost their lives in both the crashes. It was not their fault, but that was their fate.”

by Akashraj Karthikeyan

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April 29, 2019

News

Volume 115, Issue 7

Forensics trio looks to fund trip to Nationals The highest aspiration for any student Ivy Neas said. “Based on how you do involved in a school extracurricular is to there, you will qualify for nationals. make it to a state competition, whether it Through the CFL - the Catholic Forensic be for a club or a sport. However, West’s League, which is held in Milwaukee this forensics club has even surpassed that, year - the top five from the final round as three students have qualified for na- qualify. At NSDA - the National Speech tional competitions this year. While the and Debate Association, which will be forensics team has a dynastic legacy held in Dallas this year - the top two from throughout decades of competition, this every final round advance to nationals.” is the first year a competitor has qualified However, as with any major enfor the prestigious national competition. deavor that a school club or spor ts “ Fo r e n sic s is a competitive speaking and acting team. It h a s 18 d i f fe re nt c at egor ie s including poetry, prose, orator y, demonst ration, solo hu morous and serious acting, duo and many more.

We go a rou nd the state ever y photocourtesyScottThurwatcher Saturday and we Sophomore Kiki Bess and juniors Grant Horton and Ivy Neas celebrate a compete against victoryataforensicsmeet.Allthreequalifiedfornationalcompetitions,an s c h o o l s f r o m unprecedented achievement. all over,” junior G r a nt Hor t on , one of three forensics members making it team achieves, there is a cost involved, to nationals, said. “We have three prelimi- which often frustrates and even disnary rounds and we get ranked from one courages. For the forensics qualifiers, to five by one judge, one being the best there has been somewhat of a struggle and five being the worst. If you score well to attain funds for these competitions. enough you go to the power round: the “We always have registration fees finals. There you have three judges instead for every tournament that are based on of one and you compete against the best number of entries,” forensics adviser and of the best and win trophies and medals.” English teacher Scott Thurwatcher said.

The path to the national level is very “There is also the added cost of judges involved, with coaches taking into con- that are required to provide based on sideration students who perform well at number of entries as well. The going regional competitions before nominating rate for paying judges is between $100them as national qualifiers. With there be- $125 a day. It is unclear how much the ing two national competitions for forensics, students will have to pay; it all depends there is plenty of opportunity to compete. on how much we raise through our fun“We competed in our regular season draising. It can be difficult to raise in a tournaments per usual, those have noth- crunch, especially with how late in the ing to do with national qualifiers. For season the qualifying events take place.” national tournaments you have to attend This raises the question of how a ‘qualifier’, which is the competition West clubs and sports are funded. While where you compete in three preliminary some clubs have difficulties in paying rounds and depending on how you place for various costs, some sports teams, in those rounds you advance to the final such as wrestling, have been able to send round,” junior and forensics co-captain students to state competitions for free.

“Athletic teams receive funding from the school district in an athletic budget that Mr. [Brad] Jodarski manages,” principal Erin Kohl said. “Our Booster Club also raises funds and disperses those funds to our athletic teams. Many teams also do their own fundraising. Most clubs do not get any funds from the school or district, so all of those funds are raised by those organizations. DECA has some funding that comes from the school store proceeds and I do have a student initiatives account that I have tapped into to assist with transportations costs for DECA or Mock Trial when they have made it to the state level.”

Fu nd i ng shor t ages ca n f r u st r ate students and teachers involved in West clubs, but this precedent is often out of the cont rol of school administ rators.

“Some activities get some funding through the academic areas here at school, others don’t,” Activities Coordinator Brad Jodarski said. “When those budgets were originally set, I don’t know what the criteria was regarding who got funding and who didn’t. A lot of those things were in place well before I got here. Regarding the different clubs and activities, I don’t know why some get no funds or not as many.

When things change, as needs in schools evolve, sometimes Mrs. Kohl and I try to find ways to help. Unfortunately, in our district, there’s just not enough money to go around for all the needs that we have.”

For those less fortunate (and funded) clubs, they have to do their best in fundr aisi ng on t hei r ow n.

“We’ve got lots of kids doing lots of really good things at West, and we’re really proud of all the time a nd ef for t all those kids put in,” Jodarski said. “We wish, in a perfect world, that we had more funding to help, but our district gives us what we have and if we need more we have to figure out how to raise those funds. That’s our situation.”

While qualifying for any state or national competition is a great accomplishment, the challenge arises in actually sending the students to the competition, where a large portion of fees are spent for various clubs. Due to limited monies, this can be very expensive.

“Transportation is a big cost for an activity and you’ve got potential hotel room lodging if it’s an overnight stay,” Jodarski said. “There might be an entry fee involved to go to those higher level competitions. Depending on where the competitions are, it can be expensive.”

For the forensics club specifically, there is a variety of costs to visit both national competitions. CFL is close to home, only a few miles away in Milwaukee. However, NSDA is being held in Dallas this year, and the team is having some difficulty in fulfilling the cost for these trips.

“We’re anticipating about $3,000 to pay for both tournaments. The team has to pay for the bus to and from every tournament, and we have to pay for every entry, and every judge we hire,” Neas said. “This can be frustrating, but not because of the cost itself. It’s mostly because we have not much of a fund at all. We have to do all of our fundraising ourselves, which is super annoying because we don’t have the privilege of other schools of having monetary security. We, as students,

shouldn’t have to worry about our budgets.

Other school teams, specifically sports, don’t really have to worry much. Yes, they fundraise, but they’ll always have money.”

As adviser of the forensics team, Thurwatcher knows firsthand about the challenges. Though the team manages now, he fears for the future of the club as it expands.

“With the ongoing rise in costs, such as transportation, registration fees, judges, and materials, it is ver y difficult to be able to give the kids all of the opportunities they deserve and have earned,” he said. “If our team were any bigger - which I hope to see happen in the coming years - it would be very difficult to be as active as we would like to be.”

No matter the expenses, though, the forensics students have a lot to be proud of in their endeavor to make the best of their time here at West, according to Thurwatcher. Making it to nationals is no small feat, and each of the three individuals qualifying have learned much this year.

“My success has come from breaking out of my own shell and actually listening to my coach,” sophomore Kiki Bess, also qualifying for nationals, said. “I think one of my biggest problems was that I tend to get in my own way. Whenever I notice myself doing this, I try to do what Mr. Thurwatcher tells me, which is to just get up there and do my thing and put whatever it is bothering me, behind me.”

This practice of speaking is an important skill used beyond the walls of West.

“Public speech is ever y where and it prepares kids for the formality of the workplace and the adult world ,” Bess said.

The students attribute a lot of their success to Thurwatcher and his efforts to push each member to their maximum best. This has allowed them to become more independent as Neas, Horton, and Bess seek to improve in any way they can.

“Our coach Mr. Thurwatcher has definitely been huge to our success,” Horton said. “We would not be nearly as good as we are without him. However, we have also been putting forth a lot of individual effort outside of rehearsal without him and came up with all of our own blocking, where and when we move, and cutting our piece down to ten minutes, something most schools have their coaches do.”

Thurwatcher hopes the national competitions will serve to display all the hard work and dedication that the forensics members have put in to reach a high level.

He hopes that this will encourage even more students to join and be a part of the club.

“The team has been so successful because of the time and commitment the students have put in,” he said. “They have worked so very hard. It’s that level of dedication that gets one to nationals and I am very proud of our whole team this year.”

Thurwatcher urges those interested in forensics to get involved as soon as possible.

“Forensics is one of those activities you hear from people as they get older that they wish they had been a part of,” he said.

“You hear from those that were in forensics beneficial it was for them. There is literally something for everyone in forensics.”

by Akashraj Karthikeyan

News

Volume 115, Issue 7

5

April 29, 2019

Chaplain Schaick teaches value of humility, service A man who has been around the world never forgot the little city where it all began. On April 9, Chaplain Major General Steven Schaick was presented the Distinguished Alumni award while also speaking to students and staff during a two session interval. Driving the organization and committee, English teacher Cory Beaulieu and Program Support Teacher Leah Werch collaborated with administrators, current and former teachers, and students to put together the ceremony and choose the recipient.

Although it was only their first year on the committee, Beaulieu and Werch were able to organize the rest of the committee members with the help of Principal Erin Kohl in scheduling the day for students and staff.

“In the end it worked out really well,” Beaulieu said. “Mrs. Werch and I had a lot of help from a lot of great people.

Each year there’ll be changes based on the alumni’s preferences because they have a large say in how the ceremony goes.”

As a committee member and one of the seniors presenting the award, Brennan Hoem is thankful for the experience of the ceremony.

“Going through the process of selection and public speaking was an experience I will cherish for a lifetime. I developed skills that will be beneficial for my future,” he said.

Hoem worked together with other members to continue the preceding legacy of the committee carrying out the memorable ceremony.

“The entire committee worked corroboratively as a team to make sure the event turned out successfully,” he said. “We all put in extra hours of meetings and work outside of school to ensure the ceremony would be smooth, and a positive experience for Chaplin Schaick and students alike.”

Beaulieu is also thankful for such a supportive alumni for his

first year co-heading the committee. friends is really the treasure of life,” he said.

“Chaplain Schaick was a great indiIn his youth, Schaick took on a vidual to have for us planning it because love for cycling and continued to put he had been back to school not that long more time into the sport as he grew up. ago as the keynote speaker for the Honor “When I was younger, about eleven Wall and we knew that he’d be okay with or twelve, I would ride my bike from my speaking in front of everyone,” he said. house to the Wittman Airport and watch Schaick’s humble personality con- all the planes take off and land,” he said. tinued offstage “Some did tricks the day of the and others just ceremony. flew, but I was fas“He was very cinated by them.” personable walkGetting to ing through the know the pilots halls,” Beaulieu after making it said. “He talked a routine to bike with a couple of to Wittman, they students doing invited Schaick an experiment in to fly with them. the fall and did “I was hunthe experiment dreds of miles away with them in the in the air doing photobyTitaRoa stalls Science Wing.” and, quite B e a u l i e u While speaking to current students, Chaplain Schaick literally, learnsees a connection encouragedselfawarenessaswellasworkethic.A1976 ing how to fly an graduate ofWest, Schaick has risen to the rank of Chapbetween Schaiairplane from the lainMajorGeneralwhileministeringaroundtheworld. ck’s ability to back seat and my connect with stuparents had no dents and the impact he will have on them. idea. When I came home after adven“Having a relatable alumni is the tures like these, I told my parents every most important part because the whole night at dinner what I did that day, but it reason we have a Distinguished Alumni is didn’t really seem to phase them,” he said. to show the students an example that they During high school, Schaick had a can emulate in the future,” he said. “At one class called airplane construction, an inpoint, they were all high school students dustrial arts class, taught by Mr. Scoval. sitting where current students are today.”

“He was actually a pilot that built Schaick was humbled to receive the airplanes before and he talked the Distinguished Alumni award and took the school board into buying the mateopportunity to inspire students in their own rial to build a Wittman Tailwind delives. He spoke of advice students could signed by Steve Wittman,” he said. use now as well as later in their future.

The project was a large time com“I hope students try new things and mitment for those students involved, but gain as many experiences as possible. Hav- it was one Schaick did not mind making. ing these experiences with family and real “We started the project when I was

a freshman and when I was a senior the project was about at the 80% point and he sold it to a private buyer and he finished it and its flying now,” he said.

After winning a plethora of prestigious awards and heading numerous humanitarian efforts overseas, Schaick credits Oshkosh for his integrity.

“My parents made it a normal regular practice that we went to church on Sundays. It was through that I did mission work. This is where my giving ethic started to grow,” he said.

Since then, Schaick has had the privilege of leading other humanitarian efforts.

“The biggest effort was when we had a chance to provide care for communities that were cut off from food and other necessities during the Bosnian War in the mid 90s,” he said. “I had the chance to affect the lives of thousands by collecting goods to include the airdrop we made in Frankfurt, Germany.”

From his base in Frankfurt, Germany, Schaick helped set into motion Operation Provide Santa.

“The government was paying for large boxes that were 4 feet by 4 feet that would be pushed out of the back of UR airplanes with parachutes and they would float down,” he said. “There was a gap on top of the boxes, so we began collecting little stuffed toys and candy from other bases across Europe.”

Schaick’s advice to students centered around appreciating where they came from no matter where they will be in the future, a motto he lives by today.

“I’ve traveled all over the world and lived overseas and really have seen a lot of the world through the military,” he said of a lifetime of service. “Because of this, I have more of an appreciation that I didn’t have for Oshkosh before.”

When thinking of the laboratory of rocket scientists, a middle school basement usually doesn’t come to mind. However, some of Oshkosh’s future engineers, scientists, software developers, and business leaders spend hours of the winter months beneath Tipler Middle School to design, manufacture, wire, and program a robot in order to develop a sustainable robotics team. For this year’s design, Wave Robotics’ robot qualified for the international championship competition from April 24-27 for the space-themed 2019 FIRST Robotics game.

“Our robot this year can place these orange balls in what’s called the ‘rocket ship’ on the field, but in order to place those, you have to place these plastic panels called hatch panels on either side of the rocket in order for the balls to stay in,” senior Isaac Janness said. “Along with that, at the last 30 seconds of the game, our robot can climb to one of three levels to gain additional points.”

Although the team is focused on building a 125-pound robot rather than spacecraft, the focus remains steady on an efficient design to complete certain game tasks as fast as possible. The students use similar engineering skills to develop methods that achieve the tasks outlined by the rules of the game.

“We have these wheels that can intake the hatch or the ball, and we can just lift up the elevator to put it on the top level,” freshman Melanie Krukow said.

The team’s robot, named “Pollux”, is similar to the design crafted for the previous year’s game. This allowed students to jump into the design right away, and learn from the mistakes of the previous year to make parts that are lighter and more effi-

cient. Simplicity has paid off for Wave, as sphere, and also inspires teamwork and they ranked third at both of their regional strategy to score the most points possible. competitions this season, participating at “Not everything works out how you events in Duluth, MN and La Crosse, WI. would expect it to work out,” Akinleye said.

“At our first competition, our alliance “In our last competition, we worked really took second, and in our most recent com- well with our partners and having that type petition, Seven Rivers, we took first,” of connection with another team helped us.” freshman Olufunsho Akinleye said. “Now Wave’s alliance in La Crosse dominated we’re going to Detroit for championships.” the elimination rounds, not losing a single The three-day events test the durability match, and proceeded to defeat the first and strength of the roseeded alliance to bebot and its various elecome the Seven Rivers ments. Scouters scour Regional winners. The the fields for the skills of team qualified for the different robots, and the championship compestands scream with entition for their second couragement to the drive place finish overall in team down on the field.

Duluth, but the blue ban“Competition is very ner they brought home intense,” senior Ryan to Oshkosh proves that Bal said. “The first day they belong amongst is always practice day; the elite. The team was we make improvements excited to travel to Deto our robot, and then troit this past weekend.

Friday, the second day “There’s teams from of the competition, is China and other counqualification matches. tries, and it was cool The last day, Saturday, photobyAnnabelleWojahn to look at their rois the elimination tourbots and talk to them SophomoreMercedesStromberghelps nament which gets re- deliver a hatch panel to Wave’s robot. about how their robots ally intense because The team went on to win the match and work,” Akinleye said. there’s always really qualify for the world championship in “Now that I’m on the good teams competing Detroit from April 24-27. team and understand against each other and a CAD (Computer Aidlot of screaming fans.” ed Design), I can go Each robotics team is paired with up to teams and have a good conversatwo others to form an alliance for each tion about their robot and what they use.” match. This three-on-three style conAs the team sees their months of hard tributes to the vivid competition atmo- work and late nights come to fruition,

they’ll grow even closer as they wrap up the competition season. The robot they’ve created has not only widened their understanding of STEM topics outside of the classroom, but it’s brought them closer together from across schools in the community.

“I think my favorite thing is the little family we’ve created,” senior Natalie Anderson said. “Because it’s nice to see everyone getting along most of the time, it’s like a little family, siblings and all.”

Not only does the competitive atmosphere and culture of FIRST Robotics allow students to develop strong bonds with their teammates, but lasting friendships can be made at competitions to further inspire STEM education.

“I really like the environment,” Bal said.

“You meet a lot of new people when you go to competitions, especially championships. You learn a lot of things that you wouldn’t if you didn’t join the program.”

Overall, it is the learning that impacts the team the most. Wave’s success from the skills they’ve learned is satisfactory, but it will pay off to a greater extent in the futures of the individual students as they pursue further education.

“I think me, along with a bunch of other people, have been greatly impacted by the program,” Bal said. “I think a lot of people who join robotics are a step above everyone else and they have a little more knowledge when it comes to things like designing or electrical or manufacturing and stuff like that. We all learn new skills everyday: communication skills, leadership skills, which will help us in future careers and in college.”

by Victoria Chanez

WAVE engineers dynasty with return to Nationals

by Annabelle Wojahn

6

April 29, 2019

Volume 115, Issue 7

Community

Rodney’s Cafe brings inclusivity to Oshkosh Due to popular demand, Rodney’s Cafe Frazier enjoys giving people like this is back in Oshkosh, delivering delightful a jump-start on their careers. He retastes and a unique dining experience. The members what it was like starting his owner, Rodney Frazier, is confident that own business and he wants to help other his business is all about serving the people. people out in the community as well.

“I’ve been in business for quite a “I moved to Oshkosh about 13 years ago while and I’ve always liked to work with from California and I’ve always been a people I love and the public,” he said. businessman for myself even when I was “I’ve been working with people with in California,” he said. “I am an entrepredisabilities for most of my life, so I like neur, so wherever I go, I try to start my to incorporate that into what I’m do- own business, and I love the restaurant ing here at the cafe, which is to provide business so that’s why I do what I do.” job opportunities and entertainment for Frazier is not the only one who has appeople and also for the elderly as well.” preciation for the restaurant, of course. His The cafe offers meals for the public, includ- efforts are to make the space somewhere ing sandwiches, fresh coffee, salads, soups, where visitors can feel safe and welcome. ice cream, and other desserts. Frazier wants “They love what I do and when they his food to be a clear indication of the spe- come in and see the pictures on the wall cial touch he adds to everything he makes. of the people who come from Clarity Care “My mission is huge and very important homes, and they see who I’m impactfor me and also for people in the commu- ing and serving, they really enjoy it.” nity,” he said. “What we do every Saturday Sophomore Abigail Eaton can testify is provide to this activities, fact as meals, and she vistraining it e d t he for people cafe and from Clarenjoyed it y Care how welhomes and coming for people the whole w it h d isat moabilities.” sphere But w a s . not only “I does Frat h i n k zier want Rodney’s to help Cafe is people photobyEmmaOlson r e a l l y like these, awesome he is also OwnerRodneyFrazierprovidesafunexperienceforcustomerswithhisbright and difexcited to personality.Withthecafebeingre-opened,Frazierhopestospreadcommu- f e r e n t p r o v i d e nity awareness about his unique business. because t r a i n it’s ver y ing for those looking for a place to inclusive,” she said. “The staff there are learn the basics of the business world. very friendly and welcoming. I got to “I’m a trainer as well and I like to see meet Rodney himself and he was so nice!” people in the restaurant business and teach Eaton could feel how Frazier wanted them everything about that,” he said. “If to ma ke the customers’ exper ience you want to have experience, you can work at the cafe the best it could be. She behere and I can give you that so you can go lieves anyone else who stops by the out and get a job. It’s all about getting the cafe would enjoy it as much as she did. experience, and offering the experience.”

“I would encourage other people to

go to Rodney’s because the food is su- sion, which is all about the people. per yummy and the staff is very sweet “I think what I’m doing here is very, too,” she said. “I think that involving very important,” he said. “We provide staff with special needs brings an element public service in a big environment and to the cafe that other cafes don’t have.” just a place where anyone can come By providing these jobs for them, Eaton and enjoy the smells and communican feel the effect it has on the whole feel cate and fellowship with other people.” of the Fracafe and zier also how this wants to in turn make it affects very clear t h e a tthat his tit udes goal is and outto reach looks out to of cuspeople in photobyEmmaOlson all walks tomers.

“I think Right behind Marcus Cinema resides a hidden treasure. Rodney’s Cafe hosts o f l i f e specialeventsonSaturdaysformembersofthecommunityandinvitesstudents the cafe and those to showcase their talents. b e n f rom all efits the k i n d s community by providing a family friendly o f b a c k g r o u n d s . H e i s a l w a y s environment,” she said. “It is an advocate for w e l c o m i n g v i s i t o r s t o t h e c a f e . those with special needs because it allows “I would always encourage people to them to be involved in the business world.” stop by. We have great food, it’s environNot only does Frazier make these mentally friendly, and we are all incluworkers feel included by providing job sive,” he said. “I don’t just focus on people opportunities, but he also hosts games with disabilities; I want to serve everyone.” and other pastimes for them to enjoy at With a focus on customer care, Eathe cafe. Some of the special features ton can see the difference bet ween that the cafe includes are various activi- t h is bu si ne s s c ompa r e d t o ot he r s. ties for people with disabilities and the “This cafe is different than other cafe elderly, whom he hosts on the weekends. markets because it promotes inclusiv“On Saturdays when Clarity Care ity. With most restaurants, a person walks homes come here, we do activities, in, quickly orders, and then leaves. But li ke bingo,” Frazier said. “We also with Rodney’s cafe, a person can come have a barbershop quar tet now and in and chat with the employees and sit t he n a nd t hey p e r for m for t he m.” down to eat or drink with their family and When Frazier reopened, he reached friends,” she said. “That kind of environout to many local schools, asking for ment is not often seen in Oshkosh cafes st udents and g roups who would be and it really make Rodney’s stand out.” willing to spend some time in the cafe Ultimately, it all comes down to on the weekends and add to the mix of Frazier’s goal of unif ying the comact ivit ies t he customers can enjoy. munity and bringing in those who, like “I would love for the school to get in- him, are eager to make an impact on volved and come and sing or do whatever t he com mu n it y a nd people’s lives. talent you guys have to perform for the “If you have a talent, can sing, teach people that are here on Saturdays,” he said. them how to paint, or whatever it may “I want to get all the schools and every- be, get involved,” he said. “Just give one involved in what I’m doing here.” me anyone who wants to be involved.”

Frazier is passionate about getting

by K. Ambati and E. Olson the word out about his cafe and his mis-

Community

Volume 115, Issue 7

7

April 29, 2019

Sawdust Days has possibly launched last firework

“I would like to think that people After 47 years, Sawdust Days is no longer going to be a part of the summer care enough that they would try to help fun and festivities in Oshkosh. Chair- us. But I don’t think Sawdust Days is gowoman Ellen Schmidt shares the history ing to happen this year because it just is of the event and who it was supported by. impossible,” she said. “But if it would be “Sawdust Days started with a group of able to come back, one of the things that businessmen who wanted Oshkosh to have would be bad for us is the fact that the a free community festival and get some oth- city fireworks are going to be moved to, er entities and opportunity to raise funds,” from what I hear, the Leach Amphitheshe said. “Over the years we have had sev- ater. I don’t know how the public will take eral non-profits that have been involved. that because it is a much smaller area.”

As the news of Sawdust Days ending For two or three veteran organizations, r e a ch e d We s t , this event was their many st udents, biggest fundraiser.” like junior When the city Drew Best, rei mple me nt e d t he membered past special event policy, experiences they however, they starth ave h a d d u red charging Sawdust i ng t hat week.

Days for different “I went last things, and as time yea r; it wa s a went by, the event little expensive, didn’t raise enough but with all the to pay for the fees. music and rides, I “So that’s why think it was well this year we are unworth it,” he said. able to pay our fee This event to the city,” Schmidt is k now n for said. “That kind of photo from Sawdust Days Website t h e m a n y f u n put us in a difficult With its many popular rides and attractions like summer acposit ion. We d id the ferris wheel, Sawdust Days has been a fun adtivities includtr y to go to Win- dition to many community members’ summers. ne con ne, so t hat Sawdust Days was located near Menominee Park. ing amusement rides, live music, we could still have food t r ucks, an event and mayb e r a i s e s ome f u nd s s o we c ou ld fireworks and a historical village. With pay our bill, but it didn’t work out.” these many events attracting many OshkoBecause of the financial troubles shians, it can be hard to coordinate it all.

“It was definitely very memorable, that the event has been exper iencing, Schmidt hopes that the public will but clearly there were some aspects want to do something to lend a hand. t hat t he people who r u n t he event

needed to change in order to r un as “I’m really sad because it’s always hectic of an event as Sawdust Days.” been a fun thing to do with people you But despite the fact that there was some want to spend time with,” she said. “I adjusting to do, the festival still provided don’t think they should close it because visitors with a unique summer experience. it stops kids, teens, and adults from “It definitely had more of an impact having fun with people they enjoy and on the older kids, mostly middle and summers they’ll remember forever.” high school, and some younger college Best also feels that closing down students,” Best said. “It had a very open should only be a temporary solution. atmosphere with a “I personally lot of activities to think that they do as a group, which d id what t hey made it a good event needed to do, but t o h a ng out at .” it is something Other students they need to feel the same way bring back when about Sawdust they finally figDays becoming a ure out how to tradition for them. patch up thei r Sophomore Emma wounds,” he said.

Everett recalls her Best underpast attendance and stands why the what it meant to her. directors and photo from Sawdust Days Facebook Page c o o r d i n a t o r s “It’s kind of scary at first because of The exotic animals at Sawdust Days have attracted decided to close all the people, but many to the festival and provided fun for kids and d ow n , b u t h e spending time with adults. After 47 years of happening faithfully dur- still feels that ing Independence Day week, Sawdust Days will no friends and family there could be a longer be running. makes it so much way to prevent fun,” she said. “My favorite memory would this from happening again in the future. probably have to be last summer. I went “From what I hear, money was a with a group of friends and we got the all conf lict, so they need to either make it day pass wristbands. My friend and I didn’t a little smaller and focus on the more wanna do anything too intense, so we went popular rides, or they need to find a way on those f lying swings like 10 times!” to fundraise more money to put it on During the summer months, families and advertise it more than ever before,” and friends are always in search of ways to he said. “It was a fun event for anyone have fun while also having a wide variety who wanted to attend and was a very faof activities to do. Sawdust Days gave them mous staple in the Oshkosh community.” this, which is why students like Everett

by K. Ambati and E. Olson believe this decision should be rethought.

Bone marrow drive finds match in Oshkosh

Students at West have undoubtedly heard of blood drives done routinely. It is shown on flyers around the school and is announced many times, and West even has a “gallon graduate” program for seniors who have donated a gallon of blood or more during their high school career. However, students are not fully aware of bone marrow drives. UW-Oshkosh Football is joining Be the Match in trying to encourage the Oshkosh community to participate. Coach Pat Cerroni recalls past participation.

“During the 60 years we have done this, we have had four football players donate and at least five more continue to the second step in the donation,” he said.

On average only about one in every 430 people will finish the donation process.

But when someone follows through with the process, they could be saving a life.

Jessica Klingberg, the Community Engagement Specialist from Community Blood Center in Appleton, helps out at many events like this throughout the

Fox Valley. She acknowledges that donation can be daunting to some people.

“Even though sign up is greatly appreciated, there is, of course, no legal obligations to hold you to the donation,” she said. “We understand that lives change and keep going and donating may not be something that the patient is able to do.”

Though it is not required to continue the process, donating could be someone’s last option. Klingberg knows how important a drive can be and does her best to help out wherever she can.

“I appear at many community events whenever a patient wants to have a drive or in cases like this to get information to the community,” she said. “I’m trying to tap into high schools as well.”

Not only are they trying to grab schools’ attentions, they have already been able to draw in athletes into testing their own bone marrow.

“We have a drive like this partnering with the football team every spring,” Klingberg said.

As well as UWO sport involvement, in Cerroni’s opinion, athlete involvement should be greatly encouraged in all aspects of the university and community.

“They are healthy and are likely to continue this lifestyle after donation,” Cerroni said. “Many other athletes have donated as well and at least around 75% of our football team is in their registry.”

Many students and staff do not know about events like this, compared to their awareness and involvement in the blood drives held. Without information, people wouldn’t be able to decide if they would participate. Jean Framke, an office staff member and donor herself,

describes her thought process about being introduced to the bone marrow drive.

“I’m an organ donor and my family are all organ donors but I’ve never really looked into something like this,” she said. “Would I be interested?

Yes. Would I do it? I don’t know.”

Even though there are a small number of students, primarily seniors, who would be eligible to donate, Framke highlights why many students may not jump at the chance to donate.

“I think these students should be educated about the option so that when they are older they are able to have the knowledge to donate,” she said.

While educating the students will make an impact, the age restriction of 18, to ensure the donor is a legal adult, makes it less available for high schoolers. In Cerroni’s mind, the younger students would actually be better candidates.

“I wish they would drop the age to 16 to get the high schoolers more involved,” he said. “They are young and are more likely to have the health requirements.”

Framke, Cerroni, and Klingberg can all agree that students should be more educated on donations like this. Both are hopeful that, in the future, West can work with Be the Match to educate students on the topic and add some seniors and staff to their registry.

“In the future, we hope to get more people involved and simply continue what is happening now. Many people are in need and this donation could save someone’s life,” Cerroni said. “So if you are eligible to donate, what is a few weeks of recovery to help someone survive?”

by Sophie Burke

T

hrough news, the media, rap songs, and stories passed in the hallways, drugs have lived a long and dangerous life in the mainstream culture, as well as the lives of high school students. Despite the consequences and roadblocks that come with participating in these illegal behaviors, students still use substances with the intent to survive and navigate high school life.

“I would say there are not a lot of kids who bring drugs to school but my suspicion is that there are a lot of kids using illegal drugs outside of school,” Assistant Principal Rebecca Montour said.

This intuition comes from stories of students, overheard gossip in the halls, and the relation to adolescent

Student drug usage tr hopes for prese

culture that has existed for decades. Serving as a social crutch in many cases, using these illegal substances provides an alternate source of entertainment, restricting its elevated effects to the weekend.

“I think when talking about drugs in school, I don’t think it’s a very big issue at all,” Principal Erin Kohl said.

“Does it happen? Yes. Are there times when we catch kids with either drug paraphernalia or drugs? Yes, but it’s not very frequent at all. Even though I believe that there is a lot of drug use that happens with high school students, I think most of our students are smart enough not to bring it on school grounds and come to school under the influence, but it does happen on occasion.”

Opinion: substance abuse sends dreams up in smoke You take another hit and blow out the smoke. drugs. I have watched them go from happy sons and daughIt’s Sunday night, the weekend is ending, Monday’s ters in a healthy family to kids their parents have given up stress is coming again and you are perched in front on. Yet, they continue to use to numb that pain. It is a of your open bedroom window, hoping the stench of vicious cycle that I almost pity because it is so unfortunate, weed does not get you in trouble once again. You get however impossible to fix without the person recognizing hungry and feel particularly better than you had be- the issue and being determined to wean off the substance. fore. For about two hours. Then, it wears off and you Some refute that weed is addictive because it is a realize you are exactly back where you started. Your natural substance and does not produce physical withbrat of a sister is still overshadowing you, reminding drawal symptoms. However, drugs like cocaine and heroin you everyday that you are unable to compete with the are similarly made from natural ingredients. Cocaine is ‘golden girl’ she seems to be in the eyes of your par- made from coca leaf extracts and heroin is made from the ents. Your friends are still drifting away, your grades resin of poppy plants. While marijuana is nowhere near are still dropping, and your anxiety is still not cured. the severity of drugs like those, coming from nature does People usually use marijuana for two reasons: to not mean it is good for you mentally and physically. Alhave a fun time or to escape the emptiness they feel. If though marijuana does not cause as strong of withdrawal your reason for blazing up is the former and you are a symptoms as hard drugs, studies show they have similar ‘social smoker’, I guarantee that there is a plethora of symptoms, like migraines, restlessness, sweating, and ways to have fun without the craving. Am I saying marijuana use of illegal drugs. If having does not have medicinal benfun with your friends means efits? Certainly not. Am I denypassing around multiple blunts ing that the incarceration rate is a must, I highly encourage for weed is incredibly high? Of methods that do not cause course not. Do I hate and have breathing problems, increased something against those who heart rate, paranoia, impaired use marijuana? Definitely not, I memory, low sperm count and have many friends who smoke or pregnancy issues when trying have smoked. Am I highlighting to conceive, about three years the effects of an illegal drug that of accelerated aging, as well when abused can deteriorate the as lung irritation and a weakgrowing minds and bodies of alened immune system. This ready angsty teens? Absolutely. does not even begin to cover The truth is, we are young the mental illnesses that are adults with a lot to lose. This linked to consistent and heavy is the foundation of our future marijuana smoking, such as we are building at this stage of schizoph renia, depression, our life. Right now is the time anxiety, etc. How is someto shape yourself to become thing that can create so many whoever or whatever you want problems possibly a good idea to be in order to be successto be doing every weekend? ful and happy in life, whether When weed becomes a that means a happy career or form of escapism, that is when a family. Fun is necessary and serious dependency problems very important; I do not deny can occur. Those who become that. However, our focus at this cartoon by Payton Willis age should be making the best used to smoking every day or every other day find it very difdecisions for our upcoming ficult to stop, even when they realize it is the source of life, and setting ourselves up for the right opportunimost of their issues. They begin to rely on it in order to ties to achieve our goals. Life is difficult, and it is not feel something other than the usual numbness they have surprising that fixes like drugs are common for teens, gotten so accustomed to. It is their medicine, they claim; especially. Nonetheless, believe me, true happiness however this ‘medicine’ has taken their motivation along from within rather than a temporary false perception with their parent’s trust. Marijuana is very likely to affect will feel so much more satisfactory in the long run. your performance and outlook on life, and I have seen

by Simran Gandhi countless people I used to call friends be changed by

Some who turn to marijuana for enjoyment understand that it is important to keep their usage separate from schoolwork.

“I’m responsible with it, I don’t go to school high, ever,” anonymous senior student Jane Doe said. “Sometimes I do it on weeknights, but I usually just do it on the weekends. It really hasn’t affected at me at school or anything, I still do my work and stuff and keep track of things.”

Other times, drugs are used to suppress feelings of sadness, an extreme coping mechanism for the stress of the immense weight placed upon the shoulders of students in the prime of their lives, usually in response to an uncertain future.

“I didn’t do it that often, maybe once every two months, then I was stressed about school and stuff and eventually it got to the point where I didn’t really care about anything else except getting high,” anonymous junior student John Blow said. “So I think it was just confidence, so I was just looking for something to do that turned into making me feel good.”

Turning to drugs and alcohol to rescue feelings of low selfesteem and anxiety contributes to the obsession of the “relaxed and giddy” feelings that drugs provide. Chasing after experience rather than spending time dwelling on the ailments of the future, those who refer to drugs as a source of diversion face consequences greater than the law, but ones that impact their future livelihood.

“I really just want to live in the moment, and yeah I know I probably won’t live up to my potential because drugs definitely are a distraction and stuff, and it definitely does impact my mental speed,” Blow said. “But when it comes to my future, I’m not going to be regretful. It definitely will affect my future, it definitely has already because of drugs. I haven’t done so well in school so that limits my college options.”

In the eyes of school administration, the lifestyle this student described isn’t maintainable or ideal for the enjoyment of the future. “ I think they’re setting themselves up for a lot of hard work and a lot of struggle,” Montour said. “I think that sometimes they realize they don’t want to be using the drugs any more, and they’ll find themselves in a position where it’s much harder to quit. Maybe they’ll have to go back to high school or maybe they’ll have to start a career later in life, but I think they’re setting themselves up for a lot of challenges.”

The adventure that accompanies the concealed intricacies of utilizing illegal substances provides part of the high and rationalizes the dangers that go into drug hustling.

“When I think about

ge trades future esent esc apism growing up and being an adult and having my children, I know I’m going to have these crazy stories to tell my kids,” Blow said. “When it comes to my future, I think all things can dictate your future, it’s just about doing or not doing. Some drugs make you have a different outlook on life. It makes you see things differently.”

Students who are involved with drugs attest to receiving benefits from its usage, through an altered perception of reality that remains in their mindset.

“I feel like it’s helped me as a person; it’s made me a more calmer person,” Doe said. “I feel like it’s made me more aware of things too. Obviously when you’re high you’re gonna be more aware of things, but I feel like I’ve gotten better at understanding things.”

A greater emphasis on understanding things may be in greater relation to the universe, rather than understanding the knowledge contained in their textbooks.

“You can usually tell if a student starts to develop habitual drug use just looking at their student records,” Montour said. “Nine times out of ten, grades go down, attendance goes down, they start having behavioral issues, and everything kind of just falls apart. Whenever we’re working with students, especially if they’re going to a pre-expulsion or an expulsion, we’ll look at their records all the way back and we’ll ask, ‘When did you start using drugs?’ We can usually guess based on test scores and grades, you can see it just falls right off.”

When drug-users do attend school, the consequences of continuing their substance-induced behavior usually prevent them from continuing their high.

“I feel pretty fortunate that I haven’t had a lot of kids come in, but the downside of that isn’t that it isn’t going on, it’s just not being brought in to us,” Assistant Principal Aaron Herm said.

“We know students are using drugs.”

Involvement of the Oshkosh Police Department comes in once students are discovered under the inf luence or in possession of illegal substances or paraphernalia. Since t h e students keep their drug usage o u t of the classroom, their perce p tion of the consequences may vary.

“Yeah, I am aware [of the consequences] but I never think of it when I’m doing i t ; i t ’s never in my mind because I’m always at home,” Doe s a i d . “ T h e r e ’s s u c h a low possibility of somebody f inding out and act ually calling the cops, I’m sure most people just want t o mind their own business when it comes to st uff li ke that.”

A t s c h o o l , however, the Q u ick Fif t y policy is w e l l - a d v e rtised, and st udents may be more likely to leak information in return for cash.

“Our Alcohol and Other Drug policy is very, very clear,” Kohl said. “It doesn’t matter if you’re under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or if you’re just in the possession of drugs or paraphernalia, it’s all under the AOD policy and it’s an automatic five day suspension.”

The threat of the law doesn’t prevent drug users from continuing their behavior, however, they realize the risk of repercussion if their illegal acts are discovered.

“I think we’re more concer ned about the consequences than people who actually don’t do it,” Blow said. “You don’t know the drastic measures to not get caught. To avoid getting caught, I will lie, I will harm my own

body, just to get away.”

West staff is concerned about these issues for their students. Although the consequences exist, the emphasis of the individual comes first, and administrators are knowledgeable about the adverse effects drugs can have on the future of their students.

“Drug and alcohol use, especially as a teenager, changes your body chemistry,” Herm said. “It affects brain development. When you’re addicted to something, which is going to happen with drug use, your biggest concern becomes getting your next fix and less about school and the things that we hope teenagers care most about, so they’re setting themselves up for the future.”

Students who partake in illicit behavior do care about the way they are doing so, as well as

the poss i bl e

dangers of otha r ou n d t h e m . prevention programs i mpact on t hei r h ave c a u s e d

ers E v e n h ave lef t a n lifestyle choices and them to adapt their behavior.

“Yeah, we do all this dangerous stuff, but we still like to take p r e c a u t io n s , we know it isn’t good in the first place, but we do it the safest way possible to still get the happy effect,” Blow said. “I had to take this underage program, and it changed me, I was like, I really shouldn’t be doing this, like drinking and driving and mixing certain stuff, I’ve learned a lot about it. We know the consequences and we don’t want to get caught, so we have a sober person drive.”

Thinking about their actions despite the activities themselves potentially having disastrous consequences, the students leave their behaviors to after-school hours.

Even though they leave this part of their lives outside of

school, plenty of resources exist within the building to provide help in changing behaviors for the better.

“Very few kids have gotten in trouble for drug use,” Assistant Principal Aaron Herm said. “We know that it’s going on, and when it’s not happening in school, ou r cou nseling staff is great at helping those students, and our social worker Ms. [Courtney] Wagner is great at working through those issues with kids.”

Und e t e r r e d by consequence or readily available resources, students who are involved with drugs and ba d decision s receive a negative reputation.

Although the students are viewed poorly because of their bad decisions, they still desire basic respect as individuals.

“Drug dealers and drug users are not bad people,” Blow said.”They may make bad decisions and do bad things, but they’re not bad people. They can do great things still; they might just need to find their way to what they can do.”

In order to achieve success, the students are urged to take advantage of aid that will reduce the burden of drugs from obscuring success ahead of them. Reaching out can be the first step to go out with a blaze.

“I would say reach out to a trusted adult, whether that’s one of the administrators here or one of the counselors or our social worker, or a teacher or another staff member, let the adult know you need help,” Kohl said. “You’re only going to get in trouble if you have it on you and you’re under the influence, you’re not going to get in trouble if you come to us and say “I’m into drugs and I want help,” it’s not illegal to say that on school grounds or be in that situation.

Then we can help you have that conversation with parents and connect you to resources.”

story by Annabelle Wojahn graphics by Hannah Olson

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Volume 115, Issue 7

What is the worst weather you have played in?

“In the eighth grade football championship, it was fifteen degrees and sleeting.”

- freshman Zach Bancroft

“In a tournament, we played soccer in a terrible rain storm, and there was a tornado warning.”

-sophomore Ciarra Prill

“Heavy rain and hail.”

- junior Kurdo Ali

“For a soccer game, my team shoveled snow off the field.”

- senior Brecca Bettcher

Sports

Soccer gets transfusion of players, leaders

West girls soccer has taken a radically best to learn the team’s skill set early on. ally well together, communicate, and “ E v e r y s e a s o n i s d i f f e r e n t ,” make good technical decisions. Also, new turn, as three new coaches, Head Coach Jim Jungwirth, JVA coach Jamie he said. “Somet i mes tea ms g r a du- our team does really well with passAnderson, and also JVB coach Sohrab ate a number of seniors, sometimes ing to our feet, connecting passes, and Akhavein have taken the helm. Along very few players move on. The key is creating many scoring opportunities.”

Freshman JVA team member Elwith the new overhaul of head coaches, to quickly understand the st rengths Greg Ruark is also now the assistant coach and weaknesses of the current roster.” lyse Benesh has really enjoyed the Losing many players changes a team beginning of her high school season. for the varsity squad. Aside from the new “So far this season has coaches, the varsity team is full of many and creates difficulties; however, positive been g reat,” she said. fresh players. Statistics show that the “I’ve been able to interact with new Wildcats have had higher percentages in people and upperclassmen and just have possession of the ball than the opposing fun doing something I love. On our team this season, as possession is one of team, a lot of us girls have played with the most important aspects of the game. each other, which can be beneficial, but With a lot of lost seniors from last it’s also a cool opportunity to experience season, Jungwirth and the girls were a different soccer team. Our record right faced with a tough first game against now I believe is 5-0-2, so super fun and Bayport High School, last year’s state well scoring games most of the time.” champion, and suffered a 5-0 loss.

With this promising start to the “Not going to lie, losing those season, Anderson continues to set 10 seniors is tough. That was a ton of goals for the rest of their time together. experience and leadership. The cur“O u r overall goal is to de rent seniors are stepping up and are velop our players for our varsit y all in leadership roles; they are doing photo courtesy of Abe Weston a great job,” Jungwirth said. “We are Junior Jocelyn Schmidt dribbles the ball past a Hartford play- team and make them successful in a younger team and have had some er. The girls soccer team hopes to have a successful season that environment,” Anderson said. despite new coaches and many new players.

The varsity players have an ungrowing pains so far. But we also have derstanding of just what is most found a way to overcome and grow.”

Se n ior a nd c o - capt a i n L au r e n attitudes are important and displayed by i m p o r t a nt o n t h e p a t h t o s u c e s s .

“It’s essential in soccer to work as Singstock agrees regarding the dif- the coaches and players. The time is limf ic u lt ie s of lo si ng m a ny pl aye r s. ited to connect as a team and the first few a collective unit and this season, having “We have a lot of new girls on the games have been rough for the Wildcats, many new members, team bonding is a priteam and have had to try and build chem- but improvement is evident as time goes on. ority,” varsity senior Brecca Bettcher said.

On a positive note, the JVA soccer Similarly, senior co-captain Kaitlyn istry and continuity in the little time we’ve had to play together,” she said. team has started the season with many Rock believes these strong relationSingstock will be continuing her soc- wins. As many may know, Coach Patrick ships need to be strengthened on and cer career and education at the Univer- Lawton now is teaching at New London off the field. A season is not a sprint, as sity of Minnesota- Duluth. She has been High School. Anderson has stepped in the cliche goes, but instead a marathon. “ C o m m u n i c a t io n o n t h e f iel d on varsity for four years and will play and now coaches for the J VA girls.

“This season, we have multiple a n d b o n d i n g a r e c o m m o n n e c e s for the women’s soccer team at UMD. Ruark, having experience being the strengths that make me really excited to s i t i e s f o r t h e t e a m ,” s h e s a i d . women’s soccer coach at Ripon Col- coach these girls. We have a really strong

by Sage Wesenberg lege and a coach at West, thinks it is defensive line,” he said. “They work re-

Senior Spotlight: Miller leads ‘Cats softball

The snow has finally melted, and when it comes to softball, you will never a huge part of a team’s success, the spring time has arrived. With the arrival catch her making the same mistake twice.” way a team bonds together on and of spring comes the excitement of a new Although softball is a team sport, off a f ield is always going to play a softball season. The Wildcat softball Miller is one of the driving forces for huge role in how well the team does. team is preparing for a state champion- the Wildcats through four years of var“Our dynamic as a team from day ship run behind the leadership of senior sity experience. Not only her skill on one has always been really welcoming and Emily Miller; the girls have started off the field, but her openness to new play- positive,” Bauer said. “Age, normally, is their season with a winning record a dividing factor but I think it with the majority of them conferjust brings us closer in sharence games. Miller has made it her ing experiences and getting mission to lead the Wildcats on a to know each other better.” journey to state, seeing as though Miller has expectations for last season they were just one game not only herself but the team short of making it all the way. Deas well. Last year the Wildcats spite a hard loss to Kaukauna on were regional champions but April 9, the train has yet to stop. got stopped on their way to According to Head Coach Timothy state. Miller’s personal expecKohl, the team as a whole has a lot tations will be a force to be of potential but has to work on setreckoned with on the diamond. ting the glue that bonds the team. “ My ex p e c t at ion s for “We will have to hit the ball. this season is to have over a If we can put runners on base, we .400 batting average and two photo courtesy of Steve Schultz Photography can manufacture runs in many difor fewer strikeouts,” she said.

Players from the girls varsity softball team meet during the game. The ferent ways,” he said. “Defensively “Another goal for this season team strives to work together toward a successful season. we can’t afford to make too many is to receive a first team allm ist a kes. T h is tea m is lea r nconference award since the ing ver y quickly that things happen ers and her ability to be coached makes last few years I’ve received honorable very quickly in this game. It will be up her a great role model. Freshman Domi- mention and second team all-conference.” to us to make positive things happen.” nique Bauer has filled in the hole left As the season goes on, Miller has A large part of the team’s success this next to Miller at third base. some advice to help the underclasmen. year will be determined by Miller, the “Starting varsity as a freshman is “Have fun because it goes by fast,” senior shortstop and leadoff hitter. Se- very stressful for anybody, but I’m play- she said. “I used to think to myself that nior Lacey Cruz has nothing but positive ing a whole new position, making it that my senior year and playing softball memories of Millery and her leadership. much harder,” Bauer said. “Having Em- wouldn’t come fast but time f lew by. I “Emily’s biggest key to success is ily around as a mentor, and having years want them to enjoy the time while it lasts her resilience,” she said. “She is like a more experience than me, gives me some- because it will gone before you know it.” rubber band; no matter what happens she body to go to that always has my back.”

by Alyssa Ebel always bounces back. Emily is a sponge A lt hou g h s e n io r le a d e r s h ip i s

Sports

Volume 115, Issue 7

April 29, 2019

11

Tr a p t e a m of f e r s c i t y-w i d e c ol l a b o r a t i o n Oshkosh Trapshooting has provided clubs. As the team plans to rebuild, a opportunities for young shooters to start group of middle schoolers are movand compete in many ways. During the ing up in the ranks with strong scores. spring, competitors from West, North and “As long as they keep shooting, scores Lourdes come together to make up the will go up,” Perzentka said. “Like any sport, Oshkosh Trap team and be a part of the practice leads to better accuracy, which North Conference of will show in the Kettle Moraine du al meet s.”

Conference League.

T he conShooting against tinuum of high other schools within schoolers comthe Fox Valley, the ing in as freshteam has become a man and leavgroup that supports ing as seniors one another. Working has shown that with students to make this is a simithem better shooters, lar patter n. assistant coach and “A lot of science teacher Brian t he sho ot e r s Perzentka has volunthat are in for teered his time to keep photo courtesy of Ginger Yakes a long t i me, the program af loat. you see a Senior Garret Yakes destroys a target during “I try to follow big improvethe dual meet with North Fond du Lac at Van the kids I am helpment from the Dyne Sportsmans Club. Coaches have taken ing, but I try to be time they are c on st r uct ive w it h the time to encourage young shooters to im- a f r e s h m a n m y c o m m e n t s , ” prove their scores while also supporting their to a sen ior,” he s a id . “ I t h i n k victories.

Perzentka st udents do best said. “So, when they figure out their own strengths eighth graders that shoot for the team and weakness by reading the targets.” w il l be g reat i n up com i ng yea r s.”

W hen creating the prog ram the Se n ior Eva n Ruddy h a s e ngoal was to inspire lifelong member- joyed his long r u n with the g roup. ship to the sport and support local trap “ I h ave b e e n o n t h e t e a m fo r

t h r e e ye a r s , but h ave b e e n sho ot- the hunting season while competing ing for eight years altogether,” he said. against and with other people who like J u n i o r H e a t h e r K i e s e n j o y s doing the same thing,” Ruddy said. t he spor t a nd test if ies t hat t he atFor Ruddy, shooting on the team is a difm o s p h e r e a r o u n d h e r i s g r e a t . ferent experience than shooting on his own.

“Every“I can shoot with one is super friends and cheer them nice. I get on for extra motivation,” fr ustrated he said. “Even if I have when I don’t an off-day, I can still posget the score itively contribute to my I want, team’s score either way.” but I think Each meet, students that just shoot 50 clay targets, or happens to two rounds of 25 each. ever yone,” According to Perzentka, she said. “I team tends to all perthink the for m a ce r t a i n way. coaches “This year, it seems help me li ke ou r good shootshoot beters shoot similar each t e r exce pt me et. I f one p e r son photo courtesy of Ginger Yakes shoot s ba d , t hey al l for when o n e t e l l s Freshman Mason Bell, senior Garret Yakes, junior shoot ba d ,” he said. m e s o m e - HeatherKies,andeighthgraderTristanJohanknecht T h is is d if fe re nt t h i ng t h at oftheOshkoshTrapTeamposefollowingtheirwinning f rom previous years. contradicts meetagainstFondduLac.Astheteamhasprogressed “That could possithe other.” through the season, their scores keep going up. bly have to do with the L i k e pressure on a certain few other sports, trapshooting allows stu- shooters,” he said. “Overall, the squads d e nt s t o c omp e t e w it h t e a m m at e s work together as mini teams to shoot both individually as well as on a team. good and just need more practice learning “I like shooting because it gives each others strengths and weaknesses.” me a stress relief. I can practice for

Last year, the Wildcat baseball team is Joe Rebholz, who spends most of his left huge footprints for future players to fill time in the outfield grass when he is not by becoming third-place finishers in the up at the plate. Other seniors who made FVA and even winning a regional title. The the varsity roster include, Klatt, Reid team lost 12 seniors entering this spring, Oleson, Alex Grey, and Jordan Steinbeck. eight of whom were starters. The 2019 As of April 16, the Wildcats had won varsity team only two will need to games out m a ke t h e i r of their first mark and put six, ranking in hard work sixth in the ea rly on i n F VA. Wit h order to fill the long seatheir shoes. son a he a d , E v e n the players wit h a n alhave plenty most entirely of opportunew lineup, nity to enter the Wildcats a hot streak plan on haventering the ing a successphoto courtesy of Steve Schultz photography postseason. f u l s e a s o n Senior Joe Rebholz grimaces while launching a pitch during a reAmong u nder Head cent Wildcat performance. Rebholz, along with his fellow seniors, t h e s e n i o r Coach Tony has had to step up into a leadership role after the loss of several a t h l e t e s , Gerharz, who leaders from last seaon’s regional championship squad.

G r e y fe el s enters his that he 32nd year at the helm of West baseball. has a new responsibility on the team.

Among the impressive senior class “I want to continue working with the that left were Tyler Whiteley, Michael juniors on the varsity team to help them in McBriar, and Ben Kohl, who have all all aspects of the game so that they may have continued to play baseball in college. success in their high school career,” he said.

With big shoes to fill for the upcoming Rebhol z also b el ieve s t h at t he varsity team, the top dogs of the Fox Valley t e a m ca n c ont r ibut e t o g re at s uc may sense weakness in the young Wildcats c e s s i n h i s f i n a l y e a r a t We s t . of West, so the athletes must enter every “ G o o d t e a m wo r k i s ve r y i m game with the same goal of coming out on top. por t a nt when it comes to ba seball “Although, us seniors didn’t get because you need to rely on each other a lot of playing time last season, it to do their jobs so you can put it towas very easy to learn from last year’s gether and win some games,” he said. senior class because of their leaderIn a spring sport, athletes are more ship and talent,” senior Ryan Klatt said. likely to get to know each other beforeOther schools may see a setback with hand, whether in other sports, clubs, all of the former starters graduating, but the or classes throughout the course of the Wildcats will be working on the same level year. This helps the team understand as the past teams, towards the same goals. what it means to be able to connect and “The coaches expect to see hard work have solid chemistry on and off the field. and improvement each and every day and “ T h i s ye a r I t h i n k we h ave a a great athletic attitude,” Gerharz said. great group that anyone would want The only returning senior starter to be around,” junior Bryce Hinn said.

Hinn enters his f irst full season on the varsit y team, and he has already left his mark early on in 2019.

“Bryce has made a great impact on the defensive side throughout the first few games this season.” Gerharz said.

T he tea m has had to overcome many obstacles with the ever-changing Wisconsin weather and its spontaneous rain and snow hindrance. Make-up games can become a frustration both athletically as well as academically.

According to Gerharz, the weather in the early spring season is always unpredictable and this can be a major set back.

Of course, the winter is not the main factor in any team’s success. Most of the time, a baseball team will need to win a game through their success in the batter’s box and

by Victoria Chanez

Wildcats look to reload following graduation exodus

the efficiency of their defense and pitching.

“In order to be a good hitting team in the FVA, the team needs to be able score runs early and keep them coming as the game goes on,” junior Kaden Wright said. “We like to battle as much as possible at the plate to make the pitcher throw as many pitches as possible.”

The Wildcats have built a reputation on pitching and solid defense in the past, and these components are defined not by the individual but by the team.

“You can’t win without all nine guys and not one player can win the game by them self,” Klatt said. “It always takes a team effort and it starts with good chemistry off the field before it happens on the field.”

by Drew Best

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April 29, 2019

Volume 115, Issue 7

Entertainment

Five Feet Apart needs to be buried Six Feet Under

Those who know me will know that I indirectly contributing towards the prob- why deny the extensive and innovative care am, what some would call, a movie buff. lem of the stigma around mental illness, offered to him, and why constantly comI love my classic dramas, horror movies, and also probably somebody who enjoyed plain? Alright, maybe I’m looking too deep and the occasional Will Ferrell comedy; this movie and will hate this review. (Is that into this (after all, it’s not like the people however, having a younger “tween” sister mean? Oh well. This movie sucked.) But, who will enjoy this movie think too hard as gives me the frequent opportunity (or more r e a l l y, it is), but so obligation) to see young adult “tearjerk- taking a it’s still ers” with her. To my utter despair, the lat- crack at a weird est film on our list of poorly written PG-13 s o m e and inmovies with terrible plots was none other t h i n g consistent than Justin Baldoni’s Five Feet Apart. My that is aspect of sister, an avid watcher of the horrendous an exthe movTV show Riverdale and fairly big fan of tremely ie. Will is the newest teen heartthrob Cole Sprouse, c r i p supposed was not surprisingly excited for this movie, p l i n g to be a showing me trailers every time a new one a s p e c t m o p e y, came out and gushing about how attrac- of some rebellious tive Sprouse looked. Immediately, it was people’s teenager, evident that this movie had extremely poor l i v e s yet the writing, downright bad acting, and the big- and writers of gest problem: a blatantly stolen storyline. e v e n photo from Five Feet Apart Facebook Page Five Feet Thus, I am determined to tear this movie w o r s e , Apart still apart, and you should be warned: spoilers those jokes containing awful stereotypes give him the story line of somebody who are to come, however, I firmly believe that about OCD - is a super messed up detail should be happy and optimistic. It’s just you will all benefit from them by deciding to include in a movie made for young, im- something that makes Will look like an not to waste your time on this horrible film. pressionable teenagers, as it can further the even dumber character, and makes the plot While not the most important aspect of stigma and false beliefs surrounding mental of the movie messy. a movie, writing is a very noticeable fea- illness. Not only are these jokes thoughtNow, onto the acting. Oh, the terrible, ture of a movie, and Five Feet Apart defi- less, but they’re just awful to endure. terrible acting. Sorry Cole Sprouse, but nitely falls flat when it comes to its script.

Stella’s love interest, a fellow CF pa- there’s no holding back now. The only The movie’s main character, Stella (Haley tient named Will, receives possibly the words I can muster from the dirt beneath Lu Richardson), is a teenage girl suffering worst lines in the entire movie. Perhaps it is my feet to describe Sprouse’s acting would from cystic fibrosis. However, completely Sprouse’s horrendous delivery of the lines be along the lines of atrocious, unspeakunrelated to the main disease that possesses that makes them so terrible, but let’s give able, appalling, and a few more that I can’t most of the storyline, she also doesn’t fail him the benefit of the doubt for the moment write out because this is a school newspato make jokes and assume that the per. After watching this film, I can confirm about OCD writers are the rea- that Sprouse’s acting has truly taken a turn and mental illson why his char- for the worse, unbelievably. It would’ve nesses periodiacter comes off as been in everyone’s best interest for Sprouse cally within the so astonishingly to end his life in the acting world once The movie; this is lifeless. Will is a Suite Life on Deck had finished airing back something I see brooding teenage in 2011. How is it that a younger and even as extremely boy who shows no more moronic Cole Sprouse had more catasteless on the respect or grateful- pabilities of surviving in the acting scene writers’ part, ness for the incredi- than the present man we see before us? In and ignorant ble nurses and doc- all seriousness, Sprouse totally bombs his on the actress’s tors who support character in this movie, and I was honpart for being him throughout his estly expecting a lot more from him. Even alright with perillness. Will had though Sprouse’s newest acting roles, such forming such also been accepted as Jughead Jones in The CW’s Riverdale, offensive lines. into a clinical trial aren’t the best, I was hoping that maybe, Stella, a vlogfor his CF, which just maybe, starring in a Hollywood movie ger (something includes a new would be something to motivate him to becringeworthy treatment that doc- come a better actor and actually try to dein itself, sans tors are confident liver his lines with a little emotion. Howevmental illness will help his illness, er, this was not the case, and he still fails to jokes), often show any actual talent in Five Feet Apart. photo from Five Feet Apart Facebook Page or maybe even cure tells her Youit. Despite the optiThe real star of the film is none other than Tube audience that she feels the need to mism that everyone around him has, I can Moisés Arias, better known as Rico Suave have her cart of medicines organized in estimate that 90% of Will’s lines in the from the phenomenal Disney TV show that a certain way, or keep her hospital room film are negative. Not only does this make defined my childhood, Hannah Montana. clean, and that she’s very “OCD” with her Sprouse’s character look ignorant, but it Arias plays another CF patient named Poe, belongings. It’s pretty self explanatory why makes the writers of the film look ignorant who happens to be both Stella’s best friend these types of jokes are offensive to those as well. Will barely goes through any char- and the movie’s only gay character. As actually suffering from mental illness, and acter development in the movie, and his much as I detest this movie and think all can barely be considered a “joke.” If you’re pessimistic explanatory style stays strong copies of it should be doused in lighter fluid in high school, reading this article, and don’t throughout the movie. If Will is truly so and burned in a fire, I do have to applaud it understand why these comments are crude, happy that he has fallen in love with Stella, for having a gay character without him bethen you’re most likely somebody who is and truly believes that his life is good, then ing a flamboyant, annoying plot point who

is solely there to introduce a minority into the story. Arias’ acting is superb compared to his older days on Hannah Montana, and he delivers his lines in a sophisticated, emotional way. Arias’ character seems like he could be real, and faces his illness with a genuine reaction of depression covered with optimism. Arias and his character are truly the only reason that I just didn’t get up and walk out during this abominable film.

The most technical problem with this movie is its recycled plot. To sum it up, this story line is so stolen that if I followed what the writers of Five Feet Apart called “inspiration” from other films and applied it to an essay, Mr. Scott would have me nailed by administration for plagiarism. Let me explain the basic plot of Five Feet Apart to you simply. Character A is really sick, and falls in love with the charming, yet pessimistic Character B. Character A and Character B aren’t supposed to be together, because a physical interaction could worsen Character A’s illness. Despite the odds, A and B run away together, and have the time of their lives with one another. Upon their return, either A or B dies, leaves, or has a revelation. Sound familiar? If you’re a teenager in the 21st century then yes, it should because not only is this the plot of Five Feet Apart, but it’s also the foundation for Stella Meghe’s Everything, Everything, and Josh Boone’s The Fault in Our Stars.

Now, yes, these movies were based off of novels, but we’re focusing on the films here, and the director of Five Feet Apart still made the movie with the knowledge of the other films’ existence, and therefore, sucks. Not only does this make the film annoying because we’ve all seen it before, but also it’s super predictable, making it a waste of money.

Repeated story lines accompanied by bad acting and shoddy writing can only result in a truly awful film. Overall, Five Feet Apart is nothing but a poor redo of already yawn-worthy movies that follow the same campy plot, and I would not recommend wasting even a measly two hours of your time to watch this movie for free on Netflix, let alone pay money to see it in theaters.

With a bit of luck, my sister will soon age out of this genre and save my eyes.

Not only does Cole Sprouse fail to act in Five Feet Apart, but the film also fails to entertain audiences.

by Kailey Freund

Entertainment

Volume 115, Issue 7

13

April 29, 2019

M a nu f a c t u r e d mu sic fo r m a n ic u r e d m o o d i n e s s

At the peak of the new, oncoming wave of anti-pop emerges Billie Eilish, seemingly a breath of fresh air when compared to her other teenage counterparts including Khalid and many emerging out of the SoundCloud rap scene. By creating her niche in the music industry, she has successfully collaborated with some of the biggest names in music, creating more waves of critical success than any other seventeen-year-old can even imagine.

Eilish creates a chilling, edgy, emotional atmosphere within most of her songs that proves she can offer variety within the industry and foster a very dedicated and militant fan base. However, on her newest album WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP WHERE DO WE GO?, most of these beautiful vocals that the public had been previously introduced to seem only like inaudible hums and sounds now. With the exception of just a few of the songs, this album seems to be 43 minutes of ASMR that is awkward and uncomfortable to listen to.

The album is introduced by a set of funky and echoing beats on the song “bad guy” that create a haunting, yet beautiful aesthetic. The song soon transitions into a dance hall type interlude that is so infectious it is hard to stand still. Eilish’s vocals on this song are often layered, which creates an ominous and eerie effect along with a strange sense of bliss. The production is completely beautiful on this song, similar to the rest of the album. The song “bad guy” quickly shifts to an industrial and otherworldly aura, and I find that the production is superb throughout the album and is a serious reason as to why I come back.

A good showcasing of how the produc-

tion completely overpowers vocals in quality, however, is in the song “you should see me in a crown,” with a mix of depressed and emotionally saturated vocals that soon shift to ultimately boredom once their facade fades. The chorus is filled with ro-

The lo-fi indie rock trio Wallows emerged from the shadows in March of this year after releasing their debut album Nothing Happens, a collection of youthful lyrics and feel-good rhythms that give listeners a nostalgic and joyful ride. The dual vocal leads Dylan Minnette and Braeden Lemasters, accompanied by drummer Cole Preston, have played toget her si nce t he age of 11. After performing “These Days” on “The Late L at e Show w it h James Corden” i n ea rly May of 2018, their first big performance didn’t happen until they played at L ol lapalooza in August, drawing huge crowds for their two performances. After playing at bigger venues, the band recently performed at Coachella and is set to start their world tour for their album this summer.

As a smooth entrance into Nothing Happens, “Only Friend” sets up the existential themes that are hidden beneath the sunny instrumental facade. The trio uses a blend of drums, keyboard, and guitar to form a series of beachside grooves that touch on the ponderings of purpose in life, significance within relationships, and the ultimate question, “When it’s all said and done / Will you need me too?” The lightweight feel of each song graces the listener’s mind while eloquently disguising the heavier lyrics regarding uncertainty of the future.

lackluster vocals, and barely f lourishes without its accompanying video. Though possibly her most well received song, it’s easily her most wearisome, which proves a devastating combination.

Eilish’s newest album provided her first opportunity to express her emotions to a massive audience. With topics covering lost love and depression and other mental illnesses, Eilish captures the ears and hearts of listeners globally. However, most of her lyrics and vocals seem emotionless, boring and cheesy, as if from r/ Im14AndThisIsDeep. The production is the only true saving grace of the album as the vocals seem vacant and empty. I try and get myself to enjoy this album but can’t bring myself to the point. I find myself expecting more from Eilish but instead want to fall asleep during the album out of boredom. This album proves to be quite lackadaisical and inexpressive and leaves the audience wondering “was that it?” Eilish still has to find her identity as an artist and take her matters and music into her own hands.

botic and abrasive production that creates a jarring contrast with Eilish’s soft spoken vocals. During her verses, her vocals are just as dull as the chorus, and it sounds as though vapid air is seeping out of her mouth. Eilish, being born into a successful family already based in Los Angeles, has had all the opportunities she could want.

In addition, having her own brother as a professional music producer who writes most of her songs can easily jeopardize her exaggerated image as a depressed and angsty teen who has been through incred-

ible hardships to get to where she is today.

The music industry gives a complete makeover to an artist’s aesthetic and sound to coincide with their management’s vision, informally known as an industry plant.

This fosters a disingenuine connection to an artist, something that is vital to the fan-artist bond that make the relationship seem robotic and manufactured.

One of the first controversies that had surfaced around Eilish’s debut album was about the track “wish you were gay,” as the title immediately concerned some of Billie’s LGBT fans as queerbaiting. However, Eilish had confirmed in a livestream that the song was about a boy that didn’t reciprocate the feelings she had felt for him, and thus, wanted him to be gay in order for there to be a reason that he didn’t like her (assuming that she is perfect and nobody could ever turn someone like Billie Eilish down).

Even with Eilish’s explanation, it’s still annoying, insensitive, and just plain bad writing. Though the song did allow the main inspiration to come out as gay to Eilish, that doesn’t excuse the fact that it is a lazy excuse for a sad love song.

Audiences are greeted with a wave of refreshing and beautiful music on the song “when the party’s over,” a track that generates Eilish’s emotional release and engenders an ethereal ambience that encourages reminiscing of hushed lullabies. Speaking about true heartbreak and loss, Eilish perfectly embodies the emotional turmoil that teenagers do in fact encounter daily. However, it’s still a boring song, when looking at it technically. The song barely has a bridge, is so quiet that listeners must turn their headphones up to even hear Eilish’s

One of the singles released prior to the full album, “Scrawny” is a perfect portrayal of the strain that is keeping up with teenager appearances and social status. With the use of catchy rhythms and surfy riffing, the lyrics embody t he me ssage of the song as a whole.

Lead singer Minnette asks “Question though, how do I look to you? A m I something you can see photo from the Wallows Facebook Page through?”

Although the upbeat tone is presented throughout the entirety of the song, the serious message is still present. As the song comes to an end, Minnette once again brings up the teenager’s struggle with social appearance by stating that “You don’t like my clothes but you still like my smile… They think they’re cooler than me by a mile.” The chorus, repeating the phrase “Scrawny… with a cool hairstyle,” proves “Scrawny” to be one of many songs in this album that touches of heavy subjects such as insecurity, heartbreak and social anxiety but continuously delivers a lighthearted flow, contrasting the rest of the darker and heavier songs.

The first single to be released off of this album, “Are You Bored Yet?” featuring breakout artist Clairo, describes the fear

of someone being bored with a relationship and speculating if they should stay in the relationship or not. The track begins with a catchy guitar riff that carries throughout the entirety of the song as both Clairo and Minnette ask, “What’s wrong? You’ve been asking but I don’t have an answer. How come?” prompting the question that both are bored of the relationship but don’t know how to come to terms with it. The chorus of the song is persistent with this theme as the duet between Clairo and Minnette continues, “‘Cause we could stay at home and watch the sunset / But I can’t help from asking are you bored yet?” Although most songs these days are about cliche teenage love and heartbreak, this single feels original despite carrying the same themes as most songs in today’s music.

Seamless transitions from one song into another shroud any interruption between the thoughts, drawing the listener into the great depth of musical layers and unique elements present in the songs. As the Wallows boys become men, they harness other topics that are still familiar but addressed less often to convey their apprehension of the uncharted future. Settling into adulthood, they channel the confusion of growing older into songs that address insecurities of many individuals.

The second single to be released off of the album, “Sidelines” includes enchanting themes of a traditional love song, but the lyrics craft a situation that is much more intimate and personal, remembering that “We drove all night until you started to cry / because you saw a world without you and I”. In contrast to the romantic overtone of the record, the song discusses a strained relationship and the difficulty to continue without truly expressing their desires, with the consequences of not having the cour-

age to express true feelings causing one person to “see you loving on the sidelines,” although the narrator ends a relationship with a girl that they later end up regretting, as the girl moves on to find a new love, the pain starts to settle in as they are watching from the sidelines. The album continues a sweetly crafted rhythm throughout the ups and downs of its songs, each emanating a bright feeling, suspending the listener sonically into perpetual euphoria. The band effectively pries into the surf-rock genre but maintains an emphasis on pop with the upbeat nature of the songs, even though the themes they contain may be darker.

“Do Not Wait” is the last track to finish out Wallows’ first album. A steady, relaxing song drawn out to conclude the album’s existential themes leaves a sense of both satisfaction within the lyrics, yet restlessness of the undetermined future.

The tune is brought full circle as it fades out to the twangy guitar riffs of the album’s opening song, “Only Friend”. This album ultimately creates a brief sense of happiness as Wallows manages to incorporate a smooth, upbeat rhythm into a familiar focus of love and teenage turmoil.

photo from Billie Eilish Facebook Page

Billie Eilish’s new album seems to be very monotonous, onedimensional, and boring - which highlights her artistic immaturity.

by Paul LaCosse

Wallows presents pleasing paradox of refreshing nostalgia

The Wallows takes their fans on a psychedelic and youthful journey on their newest album, Nothing Happens.

by T. Roa and A. Wojahn

14

April 29, 2019

Entertainment

Volume 115, Issue 7

King revival continues as Sematary has two lives

For centuries, human mortality has interior of a car to introduce the main charbeen something mankind has pondered acters. Louis Creed, the father and the docheavily, and more specifically, what comes tor, is played by Jason Clarke (The Afterafter death. Coupled with this, fears at- math, Serenity, and Zero Dark Thirty). At tached to the idea of reanimation of the times, Clarke’s acting causes his character dead have been around for much longer to come off as a bit insensitive, especially than modern society. Look at legends in when speaking to his 9-year-old daughter Haitian folklore of zombies, for example. Ellie (Jeté Laurence) about death, and his bel ief t h at This ponderthere is no ing, and these afterlife, this fears, are being after exactly what her inquiries Stephen King about mortargeted in his t a l i t y fol b e st- s el l i ng lowing her 1983 novel, discovery of Pet Sematary. a pet cemeT hese sa me tery on their fears have p r o p e r t y. recently been T h i s brought to does not l ig ht i n t he detract from latest film adthe emoaptation of the tional aspect sa me na me, of Clarke’s replacing the character f i r s t m ov ie photofromPetSemataryFacebookPage after the cliversion of max of the Pet Sematary from 1989, not being the first time that film, however, because seeing Louis’ stony a movie based on a King novel has been exterior crack during a funeral did even brought back from the grave. It rocked the- more to evoke the viewers’ pathos. Rachel atres worldwide in 2017, clearing the bad Creed (Amy Seimetz), Louis’s wife, is burtaste still lingering from the 1990 version dened by her deep-seated fear of anything of It (which, besides Tim Curry’s presence, having to do with death, spawned from her provided more laughs than scares) and experiences as a child, as she watched her proving that reincarnating an old movie sister die a prolonged, painful death from doesn’t always end badly. Somewhat ironi- spinal meningitis. Rachel is portrayed by cally, the 2019 adaptation of Pet Sematary Seimetz perfectly, especially when Rachel is proving that, opposite to the theme of bursts into hysterics and tears following the movie, dead isn’t ALWAYS better, at the death of the family cat, Church, who least when it comes to remaking movies. was struck down by a truck on the county It is always difficult for studios to highway that the Creed’s reside on. Her revive an old movie for multiple reasons. attempts at explaining death to young Ellie Filmmakers can’t ever be quite sure of shows Seimetz’ depth and raw emotion as how much artistic liberty they’re allowed an actress, but also establishes the evil, in the plot, which is determined by how ominous nature of the nearby road, which diehard fans of the original movie are. will come back later in the movie, and They aren’t sure if they should update it invites the viewers to come along for a ride.

A rather surprising decision was made to be modern, or attempt to keep it set in the day and age it was originally set. in casting the typically comedic John LithRemaking a movie adaptation of a book gow as the Creed’s neighbor Jud Crandall. is even more difficult, because there’s a Lithgow is recognizable from his perfordual layer of that uncertainty and binding mances in movies in family comedies such to plot. However, Pet Sematary, directed as Daddy’s Home 2 or Pitch Perfect 3, and

by Kevin Kölsch and Dennis Widmyer so his appearance in a horror movie such (Kölsch and Widmyer both known for as Pet Sematary was surprising, to say the co-directing such horror f licks as Holi- least. However, Lithgow plays this part days and Starry Eyes), did a spectacular surprisingly well, never faltering throughjob of keeping true enough to the book, out the movie to maintain the rather stoic, while also making plot changes where always helpful Jud, while still giving off necessary to keep the movie from being that air that this man has seen a thing or two a complete regurgitation of King’s novel. (which he has, as the movie will later show).

As soon as the trailers came out, there From the very beginning, this film puts viewers in a state of unease and suspense, were concerns among the community of as it opens on a road winding through a for- King fans, as it seemed that there were est with ominous music in the background. quite a few climactic moments revealed Just as the camera pans to a bloodstained in the trailers. Because of this, I was wordoor-frame as the music reaches an unset- ried that the movie might fall flat, and the tling climax, the scene then cuts to the most intense moments of the film might

be the moments I had already seen in the dead family member. In the movie, the face trailer. However, such was not the case. of the antagonist seemed to take on the apThis thriller managed, despite having some pearance of different people, which seemed pretty big reveals in the trailers, to keep me a little too similar to Pennywise in that it on the edge of my seat the entire movie. was able to take on strategic forms based Pet Sematary managed to repackage the on who it was interacting with to evoke climactic scenes in such a way that the their emotions and their fears. In the novel, intensity didn’t drop at all. For example, however, the antagonist doesn’t possess a scene where Jud is stabbed is shown in this trait, which would’ve made this villain the movie’s trailer; however, during the seem fresher to all King fans. Additionally, movie, a different camera angle is shown the antagonist was portrayed as still being for this scene, and the scene is sped up the person who had deceased, while in the in the movie version of this scene. This novel, they were portrayed more as the all allows for the suspense and action to embodiment of the true antagonist of the remain, as well as making sure the scene novel (which I will keep secret for those does not feel recycled from the trailers. of you who do wish to go see the movie), Additionally, changing significant plot which made it more chilling to see the points, such as who in the Creed family true nature of the beast that had been redies or Jud’s wife Norma Crandall being leased through Louis’ near-sighted actions. dead upon the arrival of the Creed’s in However, the aforementioned scene Ludlow versus her dying shortly after their does, in fact, show a very interesting point arrival, keeps the movie fresh and full of in reference to the production of the movie. suspense even for dedicated King fans. Not only the special effects put into this The soundtrack also has quite a bit scene specifically, but into the entirety of to do with the suspense of the movie as the movie, were quite exceptional. Even well. Although Pet Sematary does not have though this scene did not, in fact, exist in an original score, it makes use of many the book, the creature’s seamless transition great, already existing works to keep the from one face to another exhibits the level suspense going. Using tracks from some of special effects less than well at this movie’s disk now n composal. There aren’t posers, such as many scenes that Otto Sieben’s abuse CGI, how“Deep Grief,” ever, and so the the movie sets moments that the up suspenseful movie decides to a nd om i nou s utilize them stand moments. Uso u t e s p e c i a l ly. ing a song The seamless unexpected in transition between a horror movie, faces, the surreal Tchaikovsky’s dreamscape (al“Dance of the though it’s less of Sugarplum a dream and more Fa i r y,” P e t of a nightmare) Sematary sets seen from the hill up one of the where the Micmac most dist urbBurial Ground is, ing moments in and the general the film, where appearance of the Louis finds his now living famresurrected relily member are ative dancing in all instances in the living room, which the special b efo r e s t a r teffects stood out photofromPetSemataryFacebookPage i ng t o t h row a s r e m a r k a ble , and smash and the rest t h i n g s a l l a r o u n d t h e r o o m . of t h e m ov ie i n d e e d d i s pl ay s t h e The movie also does a very good job special effects to the same caliber. at exposing the family and the characSo overall, Pet Sematary does a great ters from a different perspective. In the job at remaking the best selling King 1983 novel Pet Sematary, the character book. It has minor shortcomings in the who dies in the Creed family shows the portrayal of the antagonist, but overall, more individual side of the grieving they’re quite ignorable when compared to process. It shows how Louis goes about the rest of the movie. Pet Sematary will grieving the lost family member, pushing no doubt keep you jumping at every noise, everyone else away and dealing with the make your heart ache for the tortured pain detached from everybody else. The souls of the Creed family, and ultimately, novel ends with very few other than Louis make you leave the theatre wonderhimself knowing of what he had done. In ing if sometimes, dead truly is better. the movie, however, it exposes the family ties being tested through this ordeal.

Although everyone in the Creed family The revival of one of King’s most except Louis was in Boston when Louis iconic stories proves that some took the family member’s body, they had storylines can improve with time. returned in time to see the aftermath. By adding this small artistic liberty, the movie manages to show how the family dealt with the death preceding Louis’ resurrection of the dead family member, and then how the family attempted to stick together and remain intact after Louis’ actions.

A slight point of contention is to be had with the portrayal of the main antagoby Caeden Smith nist in the movie, who is the resurrected

Features

Volume 115, Issue 7

15

April 29, 2019

French students prep for State forensics Green Week As ambitious West French students with their fellow French speakers. The they wanted to see that the students acstepped foot into the warm months of students also enjoy being able to meet other tually knew what they were saying and spring, they began to prepare to enter French students at the competition, along showed understanding by using their body into the world of French forensics. This with practicing their language outside of language. Thompson instructed her stuis a competition for French students of all the typical school environment. dents to be lively and confident as they levels, where the competitors prepare a “I’d say my favorite part was getting performed. short dialogue, depending on the category, to know people and also learning more “If the students hope to go to state, and recite it for judges in order to receive French rather than just in a classroom envi- they have to be really polished, work on feedback. The ultimate goal of participat- ronment,” Bond said. “I came to Madame’s their pronunciation, not be scared, work ing students is to advance to state, on nerves, speak with confidence, while also perfecting their skills and sell the emotion in the story, ” as accomplished high school she said.

French speakers. French teacher After the regional competiKirsten Thompson relates French tion, if the students receive at least forensics to regular forensics. two out of three A’s, they make it to “French forensics was based state. The judges write comments off of regular forensics which for the students so that they can imis basically competitive public prove their performance for state. speaking,” she said. “The French The students are working on their teachers in the state of Wisconsin skills while they patiently await the decided to organize meets based state meet on May 10. Thompson on that format of regular forencongratulated the students particisics. They call it French forensics pating as she watched how much or ‘Concours Oral’ in French, they did to achieve this honor. photo courtesy of Abigail Eaton which means oral competition.”

“I definitely see their confiThis competition is designed SophomoresMarthaMillerandAbigailEatonenjoytheirtimeatFrench dence build in French and public to encourage French students in forensicsstateinMadisonlastyear.Theteamtookhomethehighest speaking in general,” she said. their studies by allowing them possible scores at competition.

“Also, doing things that are differto use their French outside of ent looks good on resumes, scholthe typical classroom setting, arship and college applications, while also gaining public speaking skills. W-hours when she had them available and because it’s an extra curricular that stands Thompson points out that a variety of stu- then I just practiced at home and studied out differently.” dents from different areas of Wisconsin a lot.”

While this competition is great fun compete in French forensics.

As a first year participant, Bond was for the students, it can also be financially “Anyone can be in French forensics. nervous about competing because she difficult to send so many students to meets.

There are kindergartners through twelfth wanted to do well and advance to state. Thompson wants to bring more student graders who compete because there are Thompson applauded students for being into French forensics in the future, but French immersion schools in Milwaukee willing to overcome their nerves. finances are slim in the foreign language so those little kids can compete,” she said.

“With any public speaking event, department.

At West, the opportunity to compete is public speaking, in general, builds your “We are very poor. I’ve done this 19 available to all students who participate in self confidence,” she said. “It’s an activ- years in a row, so I plan to take a group next French classes. Willing participants select ity that people are terrified of, even adults year but we are struggling with finding their program out of five categories: poetry, are scared of public speaking. I think that ways to pay for the buses,” she said. “They extemporaneous prose, extemporaneous participating is just a huge benefit, doing are very expensive and I don’t want to conversation, reader’s theater, and theater. something out of your comfort zone.” charge students $50 to participate in someThompson introduces this opportunity to Senior Maxwell Hermans, a French thing like this so I’m working on funding.” the French classes in the beginning of the 4 student, decided to compete in Readers Currently, without financially burdenyear, so that students have the chance to Theater, and he and his partner learned to ing the students, it is very hard to continue pick their categories. read and pronounce a French story. This to run these types of programs. Thompson “It’s making a plan for how you’re go- category was appealing, because it didn’t hopes that with more students joining ing to get it memorized and if you don’t require any memorization, and allowed French in years to come, the need will be have to have it memorized than it’s just them to compete as groups. recognized. practicing excellent pronunciation, mark“We choose Readers Theater because “I am thinking of some fundraisers ing up your scripts, working on the emo- it was the only group category that two and ideas for how to defray the costs of the tion, and polishing it,” Thompson said. different levels could really do because I’m bus,” she said. “Students love it and we get “It’s a lot of just being organized, being French 4 and my partner is in French 1,” he good feedback, so it’s definitely worth it.” dedicated to practice time, and then com- said. “We’re doing this as a group, because

by Abigail Eaton ing in with me to work on those pronuncia- it’s fun to be with somebody else and it’s tion issues.” much easier with the different levels in Savannah Bond, a freshman within French.”

French 1, decided to compete in the poetry As the students were practicing, category, and was very excited to go to Thompson critiqued their overall perforFrench forensics for the first time. mance as a judge would have at a competi“I decided to do poetry because it fits tion. Bond found that working with her me, I liked being able to memorize, plan was very helpful, as it simulated what it ahead, and know what I am going to say,” would’ve been like at the competition.

Bond said. “I’m really interested in French “She would sit like she was a judge and when I found out there was a forensics and then I would have to recite it as if I team, I wanted to be a part of it.” was competing at a meet,” she said. “That As a foreign language teacher, Thomp- helped me a lot because I was being judged son values the importance of competitions exactly like I would be at the meet.” such as French forensics, because it allows When the students arrived at the reher students to use their French outside of gional competition, there were nerves and the classroom. She wanted the whole expe- excitement; the students had put so much rience to be enjoyable, but also educational. work into polishing their performances.

The students who do participate are very Hermans had to rely on all of the time and committed to their studies, the additional effort that was put into learning his piece, exposure is beneficial to their learning. and go in knowing that he would be fine.

“The students who participate are dif“We had practiced a bunch in the ferent in the sense that they are willing to hallway before we went in, and since we take a risk and just get out of their comfort practiced so many times before, it was just zone,” Thompson said. “They give a little relying on myself and knowing that I knew more effort into their French rather than what I was doing,” he said. just the standard- take the quizzes and the The judges at the competition looked standard book type work.” for students who had demonstrated an efDue to the large amount of effort these fort in memorization, pronunciation and students put in, they tend to make friends the overall performance. Most importantly,

West celebrated Green Week April 22 - 26 with special events organized by West’s Environmental Club. Senior leaders Victoria Chanez, Annabelle Wojahn, and Amber Wiedenhoeft all came together and worked with club adviser and science teacher, John Reiland, along with Media Center specialist Ellyn Lahr to make the events possible. Club members worked on inspiring students to take ‘green’ initiatives. Chanez helped give West’s environmental club a fresh start as a sophomore and is happy with the group’s progress.

“When reviving the club three years ago to inspire and advertise for a greener school, we incorporated outside companies that were willing to come in and share with students how to be more energy and environmentally friendly,” she said.

Reaching out to the community was a push for students to see that companies are taking measures to preserve the environment. Wojahn, a leader of the environmental club, is excited that companies within the area are preserving the environment and that they are teaching students how to do the same.

“We are had speakers come in during W-hour this year. We actually had the vice president of Hoffmire Incorporated come, who owns this aardvark company which creates compostable straws, and they are one of the only companies that do this. So were really excited that they could come in,” she said.

Reaching out to a larger student group, the club changed their focus to be more school friendly and added the Wildcat Cafe into their initiative. Chanez was very excited to work with the Cafe to make it more environmentally friendly.

“We kept it local and talked to the Wildcat Cafe about the way their new location is being made to be more sustainable and eco-friendly,” she said.

Although the club is always recruiting members, the success from this year is ranked the highest of the last three.

“It was hard to continue the club after we did not get the support we would have liked in the past couple of years, but now I can see the light at the end of the tunnel,” Chanez said. “I know the program is in good hands now that we have laid the groundwork and we all hope it will flourish in the future.”

by Ashlyn Casey

16 April 29, 2019

Volume 115, Issue 7

Features

Orchestra pulls some strings to get to New York

Among the top three trips of the or- performance was outstanding and I had a re“The itinerar y was great, timing Irish descent and it was cool to think chestra groups so far, the New York trip ally great time watching and singing along.” wise it actually worked out really well, that my family came through this same proved to be a prime experience for stuAnother aspect the Orchestra enjoyed the events and everything seemed to fit place,” she said. “Tr ying to imagine dents and chaperones alike. Although the in New York was the beautiful spring weath- together nicely. This is one of the best trips what they went through was really cool.” time in the city itself was relaxing and en- er that was present, especially in the many that the groups have Kopper and Daly joyable, the months and weeks leading up parks that they were able to walk around been on at least in my both agree that thinkto that time were ing about the fact b e t w e e n e v e n t s . experience with all not so calming for that people f rom the “My favorite part the trips,” Grine said. orchestra director Grine was able past wal ked th rough was going to Central Yu k i ko G r i n e. t he sa me hal ls t hey Park; it was cool to see to work with the trav“First of all, did made Ellis Island the John Lennon me- el representatives and taking st udents seem much more real morial and there were give them an idea of of f c a m p u s i s and personal to them. a lot of people doing what she was hoping quite st ressf ul, “Being able to recool perfor mances to see and do in the so it raised my ally see that this was throughout the park city. Then they were stress level,” she the same huge room and it was entertain- able to help coordisaid. “But mostly, where every immigrant ing,” Lippold said. nate everything and it wa s a ver y who came here on the M a n y o f t h e finalize the itinerary. inspiring t rip “I just wanted s h i p s w a s f u n n ele d things Lippold and and ever y thi ng through this room to other students saw a nice mix of live ended up going get all their paperwork during the trip were performances, like ver y smoot h ly. big ones, like one of a nd eve r y t h i ng wa s not h i ng l i ke t hey photobyGraceLuebke I was also really the biggest orchestras amazing,” Kopper said. expected, but still Beforeseeing Frozen onBroadway,thestudentswere proud of how the able to walk throughTime Square and visit shops and turned out to be an in the world and a Overall, t he t r ip photobyDylanLippold students handled experience the hustle and bustle of the city. a m a z i n g e x p e r i - Br o a d way s how,” TheStatueofLibertystandstoweringoverNew had an impact on evthemselves musience for ever yone. she said. “I wanted York with promises of success, just one of many er yone who t raveled cally and as human “I f a st ude nt valid and interesting sights for orchestra students during their trip. in different ways. For beings and citizens. Really, a job well done.” was unsure about going, I would tell performance experiDaly, it opened her eyes T he g roup ha d ma ny t h i ngs to them that they should because the or- ences for the students like the Broadway to what life would be like in the city and get in and see in the few days while chestra trips are always a great experi- clinic and one with the New York Philhar- she found that she didn’t feel as intimithey were in New York, but for ev- ence where you can connect closer with monic member which were really cool.” dated by the tall buildings and huge crowds e r yone, d i f fe r e nt p a r t s s t o o d out . people in a class who you might not Along with performing, another big of people as she thought she would be.

“For me it was the New York Phil- talk to or hang out with,” Lippold said. experience that Grine wanted to ensure “I got to see what New York city was harmonic concert and the performance Kopper agrees that going on trips was in the itinerary was a boat ride to Ellis all about and how it would feel to live someof Mahler’s 6th symphony because that’s like these as a big group is a great way for Island and seeing the Statue of Liberty. where like that and I actually liked it a lot a huge and really important symphony students “ I more than I thought I would,” Daly said. “It’s which isn’t performed that often live,” to get to t h o u g h t an insane amount of people, but I felt comGrine said. “And also there was a really k n o w the Statue fortable there. I liked when we went to the wonderful female conductor on the podium e a c h of Liberty Rockefeller Center and the Top of the Rock. which, there is a really high glass ceiling o t h e r a n d E l l i s I loved seeing the skyline and everything.” for female conductors, so it was really won- b e t t e r Island were Because of all the places the groups derful to see someone up there conducting a n d i s really cool; visited while in the city, it is expected one of the greatest orchestras in the world.” a c t u m y g r e a t that there is a bit of a cost to visiting New St udents ag ree wit h G r i ne t hat ally very g r a n d f a - York. But if that was not a factor, Grine seeing this orchestra live was a high- b e n t h e r s a w would love for more and more students light of the trip. Juniors Ella Daly and e f i c i a l t h e s a m e to come along on future trips like this.

Nat h a n Ko p p e r, s o phomor e Re e s e f o r t h e “I always encourage students to travel photo byTita Roa t h i n g s I Meszaros, and senior Dylan Lippold group as Between clinics with a Broadway performer and New York Philharmonic d id w h e n because it really broadens your horizons all enjoyed different aspects of the trip. a whole. conductor, students got a chance to walk around and enjoy lunch in h e c a m e in so many ways and it’s a way to experi“I thought it was very cool when we “ A Central Park. The students were accompanied by live performances and f r o m B o - ence other cultures, even if they are in got to see the New York Philharmonic,” lot of the hemia and our own country. I don’t think you could Daly said. “When we had the clinic time you do end up talking to the people who that’s just really cool to me,” Lippold said. ever go wrong by traveling,” Grine said. with one of the members from the or- are sitting around you in the bus and people Like Lippold, Daly felt a special “I think it makes you a better human bechestra, I thought that was really cool. It who end up sitting next to you at dinner and connection to seeing Ellis Island and ing. Hopefully, some students were bit made me think more about what I want your roommates and those who are in your imagining her ancestors walking through by the travel bug and later on in life they to do in the future and whether or not I chaperone group,” he said. “It’s a lot of fun the same place she did on this trip. won’t be afraid to explore other states, want to pursue something with music.” to get to know the other orchestra people a “Going th rough the museu m on countries, and other parts of the world.”

The trip not only gave students some- bit more closely. I think it’s pretty healthy Ellis Island was really eye-opening beby Keerthana Ambati thing to think about concerning their path for the orchestra to get to know each other.” cause I’m from an immigrant family of for the future, but it also forced them to The 17 hour bus ride to New York learn new gave students skills in a nd ch a p e rorder to o n e s ple nt y adapt to of t i me to city life for talk and meet a few days. with each “I had other. G r ine to be more is grateful to indepenhave d rivers dent and who were a w a r e of able to make my s u ra d r ive t hat roundings long enjoyable at all times photobyTitaRoa for the group. in the city, TheOrchestrastudentswereabletoenjoyaviewofthenightskyattheTopof “Havi ng and it was theRockintheBigApple.Studentsspentthreedaystakinginthesightsand d r ive r s who a very new sounds of New York. are extremely experience confident for me,” Meszaros said. “I think that seeing and professional, a great tour director on a place so different from what I’m used the ground in New York and wonderful to in Oshkosh was very enlightening.” students and parent chaperones made It is no surprise that New York City the trip run very smoothly,” she said. was a huge change from Oshkosh and even When she was planning out the schedWisconsin itself. The trip ended with the ule for the trip, Grine’s goal was to have a group taking a visit to Broadway, a high wide variety of sightseeing activities. The point of the trip for many, like Meszaros. places they visited were all very different, “My favorite part of the trip was going but still worked together to provide everyto see Frozen on Broadway,” she said. “The one with a unique New York experience.