December 2025 Pilot

WISCO PILOT Vol 32 no.2

Articles by and for students

In this issue . . .

Page 2: German Class Trip

Page 7: Ice Skating

Page 3: Spirit Week Photos

Page 8: Traveling for the Holidays

Page 4: Christmas Movies

Page 9: Candy Cane Lane/Christmas Music

Page 5: Winter Fashion

Page 10: GOAT Basketball

Page 6: Christ in Christmas

Page 12: Christmas Look & Find

PILOT STAFF Editors-inChief Anaya Britton Zuzanna Eft Natalie Than Assistant Layout: Wenyue (Vivian) Liu

Assistant Editors: Anghely Bastardo Nadia Alejandro

Layout Editors: Zuzanna Eft Natalie Than

Advisors: Mrs. Becker & Ms. Grzanna

JESUS, SAVIOR, PILOT ME

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Vol 32 no.2

Articles by and for students

This year's German 3-4 classes recently experienced the festive charms of the Christkindlmarkt, an annual German holiday market that captures the spirit of Christmas with its array of traditional crafts, foods, and decorations.Visiting such a market provided an immersive opportunity to explore German holiday customs firsthand.

DEc 2025

Class Trip to Chicago

By Anghely Bastardo

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Articles by and for students

Christmas Spirit Week Photos by Gabryel Drinkwater

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Articles by and for students

DEC 2025

Christmas Movies

By Jeraniha Gilbert HO! HO! HO! Merry Christmas, everyone! Christmas is the best time of the year; it is a season that brings joy and family together. It forces one to appreciate those around them. What better way to spend your time with each other than cuddled up in cozy blankets with warm drinks while watching the best comfort movies ever? Comfort movies like The Nightmare before Christmas, The Grinch, and The Star are some of the best movies Christmas has to offer.

Artwork by Elizabeth Scherzberg

Starting off strong with one of the most well-known animated works Tim Burton has produced, The Nightmare Before Christmas merges Halloween and Christmas into a masterpiece of a film. The story begins with the king of Halloween, Jack Skeleton, as he yearns for something new instead of the same old Halloween celebration that Halloweentown throws for the holiday. In search of something new, he comes upon Christmastown, and he becomes mesmerized by it: the colorful lights, the joyous carols, the holiday food, and best of all, gift giving. Despite living in Halloweentown, he decides to bring Christmas into their celebration and completely change the spooky Halloween atmosphere. The townsfolk try to go along with it, but with them being truly creepy inside, the end result does not fit with what Jack has in mind. To combat this, he attempts to be Santa Claus and rides into Halloweentown with gifts, but it does not go as planned.

Instead, he ruins Christmas for the town. By the end of the film, he learns that there is a reason why holidays do not mix and with the help of Santa, both towns end up happy and in peace. The Nightmare before Christmas gives a beautiful reminder to viewers to appreciate what they have and yet be open to what they do not yet have.

He’s green, he’s grumpy, and HATES Christmas. Yup! You guessed it, it’s The Grinch! In this wonderfully done 2018 remake, The Grinch starts off with yours truly, hating any and everything joyous in the world while being the selfish being he is. Living in isolation (with his dog), at the cusp of Whoville, he becomes very irritated by their loud and joyful ways ESPECIALLY during the Christmas season. However, the Whos planned to have that year’s Christmas celebration ten times louder and ten times brighter than all the other years. Not even being able to stand the awful thought of the celebration, the Grinch comes up with a plan to steal Christmas from the Whos and end it once and for all. To do this he concocts a plan to disguise himself as Santa and steal all the Christmas presents, meals, and decorations. He plans it in hopes that they would lose their Christmas spirit.

However, even after stealing everything Christmas, the Whos never lost their Christmas spirit and continue to sing their hearts out. In response to this, the Grinch’s heart grew 3 times bigger, and he returned everything he had taken. This movie is a reminder that the true meaning of Christmas is not about the gifts, the decorations, or the meals, but rather the people you spend it with.

(Continued on page 5)

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Articles by and for students

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(Continued from page 4) The Star is not your ideal traditional Christmas movie as it adds a Christian twist by bringing back the true meaning of Christmas. There are no Christmas trees, or decor, rather it brings the viewer back in time to the journey of Jesus’s birth through the lens of a lowly donkey. This donkey ventures on with Mary and Joseph Jesus is still in the womb), as they were trying to find a place to safely give birth to a baby. They were having trouble because of Herod’s decree to kill all the baby boys at that time.

Trusting in God, they followed the star and safely made it to Bethlehem to deliver the baby in a manger. Also following the star, the wise men found them and gave Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. This retelling of the Christmas story is a family friendly way of spreading the gospel while staying true to the Christmas Spirit.

The Nightmare before Christmas, The Grinch, and The Star are all wonderful Christmas movies to watch this season. While they are fun, remembering the true meaning of Christmas during this time is more important than any message in a Christmas movie. Have a blessed Christmas!

Winter Fashion: Dressing for the Cold

By Kazuha Kojo Winter is here, and many people are looking for ways to stay warm without losing their style. At Wisco, many students still dress in creative and fashionable ways even in freezing temperatures. So, how can you stay cozy and still look good? Here are a few helpful tips from students.

Artwork by Aneliz Medina Perez

I asked two students, Nur Ushkempirov and Kevin Zhao, how they managed to stay both warm and fashionable.

“I always wear warm shirts under my clothes and bring a coat wherever I go but I still make sure my outfits look stylish,” they said. Layering is one of the easiest ways to stay warm. Wearing a coat is important on cold days, even at school. You can remove it once you warm up, and your outfit underneath can still shine.

Ella Bollmeier shared her strategy as well. “I always make sure my feet are warm, so I don’t get cold.” She wears cozy socks, which help keeps your body warm. If you skip socks and go barefoot inside your shoes, you will get cold quickly in winter. Keeping your feet warm is important and since people don’t always see your socks, you can focus more on comfort than style.

By choosing warm layers, wearing a good coat, and keeping your feet cozy, can make you look stylish while still staying comfortable all winter long.

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Christ in MARIANA WELSH

What are you looking forward to this Christmas season? Is it being off school? Receiving Gifts?

Seeing family? Eating food? Well, it’s so easy to get wrapped up in all the fuss of the holiday season, but we have to remember the center of it all: the birth of Jesus Christ.

When I was little, I thought it was so cool that Jesus Christ’s literal name was in the word “Christmas.” You get it? Christmas! The name, “Christmas” is a reminder of who it's about--our savior. It is so easy to get lost in all of the worldly things Of Christmas.

Many have enjoyed the Children’s Christmas Programs at all of our different churches. Well, behind all the cuteness is the beautiful story of how our savior was born. I know many have heard reminiscent Chanting, “In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world…” (Luke 2:1). This year let’s try to truly remember and understand how Jesus Christ our Savior was born of a virgin Mary in Bethlehem, and that’s why we celebrate Christmas. Try not to get wrapped up in the silliness and craziness of the holiday season and remember the miracle on December 25th that is celebrated across the world.

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Articles by and for students

DEC 2025

Milwaukee On Ice: A Winter Tradition

By Mason Ware It’s that time of year where the air gets chilly and Christmas carols take over the radio.

There are many fun winter activities, but one of the most common and the most fun activity is ice skating.

Ice skating in Milwaukee began on rivers and lakes, such as the Milwaukee, Kinnickinnic, and Menomonee.

Over time, ice skating became more organized, leading to the formation of the Wisconsin Figure Skating Club in 1939. They would train beginners and host competitions, which helped people progress from the novice to the competitive level.

Later, in 1992, the Pettit National Ice Center was built. This building attracted national attention from athletes and coaches alike, allowing skaters to train year-round and establishing figure skating as a prominent part of Milwaukee.

Today, there are a variety of figure skating clubs for all ages. The Greater Milwaukee Figure Skating Club helps children as young as four develop both basic skills and an initial passion for skating. For the more experienced skaters, the Milwaukee Figure Skating Club does freestyle training and preparation for higher tier competition. There are also recreational clubs such as the Wilson Ice Arena, which turns figure skating into a laid-back family bonding experience for all ages.

There are four major types of figure skating. The first is singles.

This is when one skater is on the ice, doing jumps and spins and the like. Next is pairs, which is similar to singles, but includes partner stunts, such as one partner lifting the other into the air. Then there’s ice dance, which has rhythm and choreography added in. The last is synchronized skating, which involves large teams performing coordinated movements.

Figure skating continues to play a meaningful role in Milwaukee, offering something for everyone, from competitive athletes to families just looking for winter fun. The sport builds confidence, creativity, and community, and with so many opportunities to learn and skate, each winter brings a new generation onto the ice.

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DEC 2025

Traveling for the Holidays?

Are You Staying Near or Going Far?

By Nadia Alejandro

Artwork by Kathriel Khurram

Christmas break is right around the corner. It’s important to get away from the cold and monotony of winter during Christmas, and many people are already planning where to go and what to do. If you’re determined to beat the winter blues but not sure where to go, there are many popular destinations guaranteed to make your Christmas one to remember.

It might be too late to plan a big trip, but many places here in Wisconsin require little travel time. Here in Milwaukee, there are numerous places to spend the afternoon or evening. The Milwaukee Holiday Lights festival is a fascinating display of Christmas lights sure to please all ages. Try to take family photos and have a nighttime stroll along the illuminated paths.

Additionally, Red Arrow Park is a popular ice-skating choice. If you bring your own skates, it is free. No need to worry about your experience level and skating aides are available for purchase. If you have a free afternoon, explore the Pabst Mansion and feel the festivity in every corner of the museum. The tour is self-guided, and feel free to stop for holiday treats.

Another local place is the Downtown River Walk in Waukesha for caroling and an enchanting lighting ceremony tradition. Even if you miss the ceremony, the lights will be lit every January night.

If you’re looking for a place farther away but still in Wisconsin, even these small weekend getaways can help boost your mood for the New Year. Sleigh rides at Dan Patch Stables in Lake Geneva are a truly magical way to experience the winter wonderland outside.

Reserve a horse-drawn sleigh to take you through the most beautiful areas of Lake Geneva.

If you miss the beach and pool days of summer but don’t want to make the long trip south, Wisconsin Dells is the perfect place for you.

The thrilling waterpark rides feature festive themes, and the luxurious Christmas Mountain Village resort offers ski runs and golf courses.

While our state is often disregarded as a vacation spot during the bleak winter months, there are so many wonderful places you can surely give a try this Christmas. Plus, you could always dream of palm trees in your future. Maybe next year plan a trip to somewhere warm.

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Articles by and for students

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For more information go to-https://candycanelanewi.com

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Christmas Songs

By Bre'Yanna Boose The holiday season is filled with cheerful and jolly Christmas songs from a variety of genres. Some of the top songs that are played during the Christmas season are “All I Want For Christmas is You,” “Silent Night,” and “Jingle Bells.” Let’s check out some other genres of Christmas songs. Starting with R&B. The top song from the 90s was “Let it Snow” by Boyz ll Men, featuring Brian McKnight.

The next genre is pop. Another festive hit is “Rocking Around the Christmas Tree” by Brenda Lee. The last genre is country. “Winter Wonderland” by Luke Bryan & Ella Langley makes the top charts every year. These are a few of the top holiday songs that are played during this season. I hope everyone has a happy holiday season and listens to a new Christmas song.

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DEC 2025

WHO’S THE G.O.A.T. OF BASKETBALL?

By Jonah Seeger

“Who’s the greatest basketball player of all time?” It’s such a simple question, yet the answers to it almost always differ widely and get pretty complicated — even heated, in some cases. From casual fans to die-hards, everyone has specific reasons to defend why he/she would crown a certain player as the GOAT. Usually, though, it boils down to one thing: what do they personally value the most in a basketball player? Is it a gut feeling, or just who simply appears to have the most skill and talent? Do the stats tell the whole story? Or, as some suggest, does playing on a winning team count for something? The list goes on and on, and there’s really no “right” way of determining what matters and what doesn’t.

However, that’s exactly what makes the question so fun to ask, because you always hear something new each time.

NBA players themselves are divided, too. This past April, The New York Times sent out a poll to 100 active players asking who they thought the GOAT was, and

they received 18 different answers.

Unsurprisingly, the top three picks overall were Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Kobe Bryant. However, digging deeper into the results revealed that age group, nationality, and position all played roles that contributed to a player’s particular answer. Age, specifically, was something that San Antonio Spurs forward Harrison Barnes pointed to as a critical factor.

“I think, in general, the topic always has a recency bias,” Barnes explained. “Each generation has who they think is the greatest player of all time.” The poll backs what Barnes is pointing out here — only about 25% of the participating players born after 2000 picked Jordan over Lebron as their answer, whereas nearly 80% of players born before 1995 picked Jordan. In other words, who a person grew up watching heavily affected their answer, and people are naturally less inclined to pick someone they have never actually seen play live.

(Continued on page 11)

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WHO’S THE G.O.A.T. OF BASKETBALL? – CONTINUED (Continued from page 10)

“I’m a Lebron guy because that’s what I’ve seen,” said Bruno Fernando, a center who last played for the Toronto Raptors. “I didn’t get to watch MJ with all due respect, and I realize all the things he’s done for the game … but to see what Lebron is doing at age 39 is crazy. He’s who I grew up watching, too, and he’s the guy we’d talk about at school with my classmates.”

Many players still pointed to Jordan because of his past of playing on winning teams. The 14-time All-Star led the Chicago Bulls to six championships, never losing in the NBA Finals once. As former Utah Jazz forward AJ Martin put it, “To have six rings, never lose in the Finals, win MVP and Defensive Player of the Year in the same season, and average 30 (points per game) for your career … that’s tough to vote against.”

Martin went on to describe how Jordan’s career of winning helped establish him as an icon throughout the world, causing the NBA’s popularity to spread overseas. “All the things he’s done for the game of basketball because he was a winner — how can you not call him the GOAT?” However, does winning championships really show anything about an individual player’s talent and abilities? That’s also not to say that Jordan wasn’t already incredibly talented on his own; instead, do great players on losing teams get overlooked?

Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen argues that that’s definitely the case, “Personally, I think ‘ring culture’ is a scam,” he told HoopsHype. “Playing on a winning team is mostly out of your control.” One of the main examples he pointed to was Chris Webber. The Hall-of-Famer never won the NBA Finals once in his 15-year career, playing on some very bad Washington Bullets/Wizards teams in the ‘90s, and coming up just short many times with the Sacramento Kings in the early 2000s. Yet, Webber still boasts five All-Star selections in his career while averaging 21 points and 10 rebounds per game. Despite all the different arguments, Allen agreed that Lebron vs.

Jordan is still the ultimate debate. Line up the two’s career stats side-by-side and you’ll find that there are very little differences.

That’s what makes GOAT debates in basketball so fun, though- there’s no real way of measuring who the best actually is. You’re guaranteed to get a variety of different reasons from people of why they think a particular player is the greatest, whether it’s Michael Jordan’s winning career and his impact on the sport, Lebron’s dominance in this era, or Steph Curry’s unrivaled 3-point shooting. The debate is something that will never be settled, and with new emerging stars, it will only get more complicated in the future.

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Articles by and for students

DEC 2025

Look & Find

by Mariana Welsh

Can you find these pictures in the collage to the right?