The WLHS
Volume 23 Issue 4 April 2017
Artwork by: Kate Xu
2 Sports
Spring 2017
The WLHS Pilot
Athletes at Wisco A look at some exceptional female athletes at Wisco By Stephanie Hernandez
Audrey Janik
Audrey Janik is one of the best distance runners at Wisconsin Lutheran High School. Janik started running cross country in the 8th grade at Saint John’s, Milwaukee and track at WLHS. She also played volleyball in grade school. Her mother and brother inspired her to run; her mother did marathons, and her brother Joel Janik (class of 2014) ran for Wisco as well. She said her favorite athlete is Steph Curry because “he is a humble athlete.” Janik has qualified for state all four years and has been in the top ten each year. She also has been named Athlete of the Year by the Wisconsin Little Ten for the past three years. Her top running performance was last year in the 1600 meter run with a time of 4 minutes and 59 seconds. She thinks it’s her best because she “ran smart compared to other runs and was more experienced than last year.” She also ran in a club called “MAD Running” during the summer of her freshman and sophomore years. She has won between 70-100 medals in track and cross country while running for Wisco. Janik signed a full scholarship to run at Illinois State University in Bloomington, Illinois. She plans on studying journalism and then becoming a park ranger.
Elle Van Grinsven
Elle Van Grinsven is another student who is one of the best female athletes here at Wisconsin Lutheran High School. Van Grinsven started volleyball in fifth grade at St. Jacobi Lutheran and made the Varsity team her freshman year. Not only does she play volleyball, but she also participates in basketball and track. She has been playing basketball since first grade and started track in the fifth grade. Van Grinsven signed a full scholarship to play volleyball at Loyola University in Chicago, Illinois and is planning to study communications and business marketing. Her top games were against Catholic Memorial during her junior year and against Whitnall in the second regional game this year. She was named player of the year this year by the Wisconsin Little Ten for girls volleyball. Her favorite athlete is her brother Leif Van Grinsven (class of 2015) because “he is a decathlete, where he competes in ten different activities. He attends Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois. He is 15th nationally and is a hard worker.” She strives to be as hardworking as her brother. She was All-Conference in volleyball for all four years at WLHS. Additionally, Van Grinsven has participated in many club sports--she has played with Milwaukee Sting 18 Gold for two years, and also competed and practiced at the USA High Performance Championships for three summers.
Photos by Chuck Cairns
Spring 2017
The WLHS Pilot
Musical
Guys and Dolls: The Musical
The cast and crew of Guys and Dolls had a successful weekend of shows.
Noah Petraske, Nathan Wranovsky, and Ira Harvey pose by the newsstand waiting...
Sam Reinke as Sarah Brown and Aleks Abel as Sky Masterson.
Havana Dancers finish performing.
Photos by Allison Miller
The members of Save-a-Soul Mission as they try to save the dirty souls of those who live in the town.
Prayer meeting at the Save-a-Soul Mission.
Eden Nass, Skylar Krutz, Gabrielle Steidel, Lauren Bacik, and Claire Leverence as Hot Box Dancers.
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4 Holidays
The WLHS Pilot
Easter History
Spring 2017
Photos By Leah Rausch
Interesting facts about Easter By Leah Rausch
Easter is the day when Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus after he died on the cross on
Good Friday. If Jesus had not risen, we would not be saved from eternal death. Why does the date that Easter is celebrated on always change? It’s because Easter falls on the first Sunday following the full moon after the vernal equinox. Several sources say this is also when the first Passover was celebrated. Many people who don’t go to church any other day of the year feel obligated to attend church on Easter. According to CNN, 50.8% of Americans planned to attend church on Easter Sunday in 2015.
Another question that some may have is why is this holiday called Easter? Oddly enough, it has pagan roots. The word Easter most likely originated from Eostre, the Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring. In order to overshadow or replace pagan rituals, Christians sometimes chose to replace the pagan celebration with their own and (in this case) adopt the name.
Easter Egg Traditions Easter egg traditions - religious and secular Jaydin Pluta
Eggs have a prominent place in many Easter traditions. It is interesting that these traditions seem to be a part of both religious and secular Easter celebrations. Dying Easter Eggs One tradition of Easter is egg dying. The decorating of eggs first began in the 13th century by Christians. Eggs are said to represent new life and also the resurrection of Christ. According to History.com, almost 180 million eggs are dyed each year!
Easter Egg Roll Each year people celebrate Easter with an egg roll race at the White House. The egg rolling first began when Rutherford B. Hayes was president in 1878. In 2015, CNN estimated that 35,000 people would attend this race. While this event has no religious background, some have compared the rolling of eggs to the stone being rolled away from Jesus’ tomb on Easter Sunday.
Chocolate Easter Eggs In addition to real eggs, chocolate eggs are a traditional Easter treat. Chocolate eggs were first created in Europe in the 19th century. Cadbury Creme Eggs were first sold in 1971. More than 500 million of these eggs are made each year. Bunnies are also made into chocolate, and according to a History info-graphic, 90 million chocolate rabbits are produced every year.
Spring 2017
The WLHS Pilot
Holidays
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National Pancake Day Did you know that a common breakfast food has its own holiday?
By Melissa Miller
Who does not love pancakes?! According to the Daily Press, pancakes are ranked number six in breakfast foods in America. Believe it or not, pancakes even have their own holiday! In 2005, Colleen Venable wanted to find a way to eat pancakes with friends one week after “Talk Like a Pirate Day,” a holiday which had begun to wear out. They decided that eating tons of pancakes like a lumberjack was a great idea for a holiday, so it was originally named Lumberjack Day. It was then changed to Pancake Day. This annual special is celebrated on September 26, not to be confused with IHOP’s Pancake Day on March 7. Feel free to eat as many pancakes as you want on that day, even for all three meals. People can either make them at home, eat them frozen, celebrate with friends, or head over to Perkins for free pancakes. While many countries enjoy pancakes, this holiday is only celebrated in the United States and Britain. So, mark this date on your calendar and ‘let us eat pancakes’!
Interesting Facts about National Pancake Day •
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One pancake fan (Mike Cuzzacrea--USA) ran a marathon while continually tossing a pancake in a frying pan for three hours, two minutes, and twenty seven seconds in October 1999. The first ready-mix food to be sold commercially was Aunt Jemima pancake flour. It was developed in 1889 in St. Joseph, Missouri. The first pancake recipe appeared in an English cookbook in the fifteenth century. There is archaeological evidence that suggests that pancakes are probably the earliest and most widespread breakfast food eaten in prehistoric societies. Ancient Greeks made “Tegenties,” which were made with wheat flour, olive oil, honey, and curdled milk. Celebrity chef Aldo Zilli set the world record for the highest pancake toss in 2005 with a toss of 329 cm. The largest pancake in the world was created in Rochdale, Manchester, UK in 1994, by the Co-Operative Union, Ltd. Measuring 15.01 m (49 ft 3 in) in diameter and 2.5 cm (1 in) thick. The pancake weighed 3 tons (6,614 lb), and took more than just a frying pan to flip over! A Melbourne, Australia restaurant celebrated Shrove Tuesday, more commonly known as International Pancake Day, by trying to set not one, but two pancake world records. The Pancake Parlour event led to Hayden Wilson eating 80 pancakes in 17 minutes and 26 seconds.
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The WLHS Pilot
Spring 2017
Black History Month The importance of recognizing Black History Month By Sierra V. Jones
Being a minority can be difficult, but I believe that being an African-American can be especially difficult. We often feel that we are undermined in society. I believe that having a month dedicated to us is needed and appreciated, for the most part. Black History Month was originally named “Negro History Week.� It was founded by the acclaimed historian, journalist, and author, Carter G. Woodson. This monumental week was originally celebrated during the second week in February. This was decided 50 years after the thirteenth amendment had been ratified. Since then, every president has set February apart as Black History Month -- a month to recognize and appreciate all of the accomplishments of African-Americans. Even after the long period of legal enslavement of Blacks, we were not treated fairly. I believe having a month where we are formally recognized is refreshing. Although there has been great improvements in actions and attitudes toward black people today, there is still room for more. I think Black History Month has not only helped African-Americans, but all races. Other races are finally able see a glimpse of the African-American culture. I think some have may gained a broader sense of diversity and admiration of the African American race. I also believe that Martin Luther King Jr. would be very proud of the improvement that not only the United States, but the world has made. I honestly think he would jump for joy after seeing and visiting Wisconsin Lutheran High School. Wisconsin Lutheran High School is very diverse, but we all have the same focus--keeping our eyes on Jesus.
Sincerely, A proud, black, young woman
Photos by Kaylee Mattek
Nelson Mandela
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News
The WLHS Pilot
Spring 2017
Driving Safe
Important Safety Reminders for Drivers By Reece Elton
Boom! Crash! Wham! The intersection is flooded with now stationary cars, and people are starting to get out of their vehicles. Some are still in their cars and severely injured or trying to see what is going on. The driver that started the accident is too young to be driving and was being reckless. Most of the people who are injured were either not wearing a seatbelt or were on their phone and not paying attention. According to one insurance survey, “motor vehicle crashes are the No. 1 cause of death among teens in the United States. The fatality rate for drivers age 16 to 19 is four times that of drivers age 25 to 69 years. The crash fatality rate (crash fatalities/100,000 population) is highest for 16- to 17-year-olds within the first six months after getting their license — and remains high through age 24.” In the world today, there are so many reasons why accidents happen. Some are more legitimate reasons than others, but most of them are because of the bad decisions that people make. So,
why are there so many accidents? Well, some of the top reasons according to Mario Mckellop from CBS Los Angeles include: speeding, drunk driving and distracted driving. According to www.roaddriver, speeding is something that most drivers do when they are late, or when they just want to act recklessly on the road. For each mile per hour that a driver goes over the speed limit, the crash risk increases. A survey by Allstate Insurance revealed, “Eighty-nine percent of the people surveyed say they’ve driven faster than the posted speed limit, and 40 percent say they’ve driven more than 20 miles per hour over the limit.” Also, based on this survey, “Men are more likely to speed than women (48 percent versus 30 percent). “ Crashes are more common among young drivers than any other age group. In the United States, 1 in 4 crash fatalities involve someone 16 to 24 years old. This is nearly twice as high as other age groups. Another common cause of ac-
cidents is drunk driving. This is preventable, and the results can be devastating. Teens are actually less likely than adults to get behind the wheel after drinking, but when they do, their risk of crashing is far greater. Distracted driving is another cause of many crashes. The cause of it can be anything from using a cellphone to looking in the back seat. According to the Allstate survey, 9 out of 10 teens reported it was common to see teens driving while talking on the phone. Also, teens have the lowest seat belt use of any age group. Only 65 percent of teens consistently wear their seat belts as both a driver and a passenger. Six out of 10 drivers ages 16 to 20 who were killed in crashes were unrestrained. This can be prevented if people stay focused on the road and wear seat belts. Most people get their license around 16 or 17 years old. In Wisconsin, when a teen gets his or her license, a parent or guardian needs to verify that the teen has had at least 30 hours of driving experience (10 of these must be night-time driving). This step in getting a driver’s license is very important because if the teen has not had enough driving experience before getting a license, he or she may not know how to react in situations, which can lead to frequent accidents. Although the 30 hours of driving prior to getting a license can give a new driver some driving experience, young drivers tend to get into more accidents. Besides a lack of experience, cell phone use among teenagers also makes teens more likely to get into an accident. In America today, accidents are in the top 5 leading causes of death. Many lives could be saved if people would follow the rules of the road.
Spring 2017
The WLHS Pilot
News
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Record Deaths in Milwaukee Frightening facts about Milwaukee By Star Llanas
The year 2016 was absolutely crazy. Numerous important (some unforeseeable) events took place. There were many acts of terrorism, planes crashed, unlikely sports teams won championships, police officers were shot in Texas, celebrity icons died, we had the first woman presidential nominee, and who can forget the killer clowns? It makes one wonder how Milwaukee was affected in the year 2016. Five years ago, Milwaukee was ranked the 29th most dangerous city in America according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). However, a recent rating moved Milwaukee to the 5th most dangerous city in America, mostly due to the doubling of the number of aggravated assaults. As students attending school and living in the greater Milwaukee area, that can be a very frightening fact. In 2016, there were 154 total homicides, as stated by
the Journal Sentinel. Of these 154 homicides, 36% were in the age rage of 18-29, 80% were African- American, and 83% were male. In 2017, the Milwaukee Police Department already has 15 shootings in January; five of which are ongoing cases. Fox 6 News have reports following cases in Milwaukee where people have been shot, robbed, abused, raped, or fatally injured. Milwaukee is not the only dangerous city in the Midwest. The second most dangerous city in America is Detroit, Michigan. According to the Detroit News, in 2016 there were 302 homicides; 148 more than Milwaukee. Also, Chicago had 786 homicides last year. However, Chicago has a population of about 2.719 million according to the 2013 census. That same census states that Milwaukee has a population of about 599,164 citizens, which means if we had the same population, they would only be ahead by 19 homicides. “2016 was the year of realizing stuff,” as reality television personality and
fashion designer Kylie Jenner said. It helped us realize how dangerous our city really is. When out and about in Milwaukee, remember to stay safe and alert.
EDITORS Delilah Trempala
Editor-in-Chief/ Business Manager
Chen Xu
Chief Layout Editor
Hannah Haakenson Copy Editor
Hannah Gorski Feature Editor
Nikki Blasezyk Feature Editor
Jayonna Hicks Feature Editor
Senobe Blathers Feature Editor
10 Opinion
The WLHS Pilot
Spring 2017
Donations
Research before donating to organizations By Delilah Trempala
Ever wonder what happens to the money that donors send to organizations? Obviously not all the money gets to where it is designated to go. People give donations daily to animal shelters, food organizations, and donate organs to those in need, but how does one know whom to trust? Slogans such as “We are their voice” from the ASPCA animal foundation to Christina Grimmie singing “I need a hero” for the Humane Society, shelters have created unique ways to raise money to support animals in need. However, sometimes the donations don’t actually go to help the animals directly. For instance, the ASPCA only gave $4.9 million to support animal shelters. That may seem like a lot; however, it is only four percent of its $129 million budget. Most of the animal organization’s charity money goes to PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals). Yet again this money is used for fund-raising, research, and protests. For example, in 2010 they received $33 million in donations and most of it was spent on advertising slogans such as “Vegans make better lovers” campaign. They have also worked on projects such as the disruption of the Westminster Dog Show and on a campaign comparing pregnant women to fattened cows to protest farmed meat. In total, they gave over $843,000 in grants to researchers and spent 17 percent of the donation money on fundraising to
raise more money. Therefore, though some animals awareness agencies may have the right intentions in mind, there are some that misuse donation money. So, what is the alternative? Consider donating directly to local animal shelters or smaller nonprofit organizations. You can also help by donating supplies or your time at local animal shelters. Donations to food shelters and charities can also be a scam for donors. Bridget Jones, a Pro-life activist says, “While the Salvation Army may not directly contribute to Planned-Parenthood, there is evidence that they do partner with one another. Research by Life Decisions International has found this to be the case and has placed the Salvation Army on their Dishonorable Mention list.” Companies such as Feeding America brag about giving money so that 4 billion meals could be given to 46 million Americans. However, research by Washingtonsblog.com shows that “Giant Food Corporations work handin-glove with corrupt government agencies to dish up cheap, unhealthy food.” Additionally, “researchers from Australia, Britain, Brazil and elsewhere said that through the aggressive
marketing of ultra-processed food and drink, multinational companies were now major drivers of the world’s growing epidemic of chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes.” So, while some food shelters may portray a noble picture, underneath they are may not be helping as much as they say they are. Local food pantries, on the other hand, do not typically misuse donations. Consumer Reports, which helps evaluate multiple products as well as nonprofit organizations says, “before making a donation, it’s a good idea to look up the charity you are considering at the websites of the charity watchdogs. The three big ones are CharityWatch, Charity Navigator, and BBB Wise Giving Alliance.” Furthermore, organ donations are not all that they appear to be when it comes to putting that orange dot on the back of one’s license. Sometimes the wealthy are able to get an organ transplant faster because they have more of the necessary resources to get multiple waiting lists and can travel to get to where an organ they need is located. “Multiple-listed patients were more likely to get transplanted and less likely to die,” said Dr. Raymond Given. “It takes money and knowledge ... traveling can make a difference in how quickly you get an organ,” said Robert Veatch, a medical ethicist. For instance, when Steve Jobs needed a transplant, and an opening became available in Tennessee, he got on a plane in California and got his
Spring 2017
Opinion 11
The WLHS Pilot
transplant. The Huffington Post went on to say “Patients on multiple lists often must pay for a new set of tests, which can range from $23,000 for a kidney to $51,000 for a heart, one study estimated.” Don’t let this stop you from putting that dot on your driver’s license though. Another person is added to the organ waiting list every 10 minutes, and currently there are 118,000 people waiting for an organ. There is much more that goes into who gets an organ than how much money they make. A person’s health is also a major factor. Many people of many different financial backgrounds are
saved every day through organ donation. According to the website, Donate Life America, “one organ, eye, and tissue donor can save and heal more than 75 lives.” Another thing more Americans should do is consider donating blood. According to the American Red Cross, someone in America needs blood every two seconds. “Although an estimated 38 percent of the U.S. population is eligible to donate blood at any given time, less than 10 percent of that eligible population actually do each year. Blood cannot be manufactured – it can only come from generous donors.” One pint of donated blood
can helps to save as many as three people’s lives. Approximately 32,000 pints of blood are used each day in the United States. Not all charities are corrupt, but it is always best to do some research before giving to corporations. Too many people are giving to bigname charities that simply squander the money for themselves and hope more people will continue to give. As it says in 1 Peter 5:8, “Be watchful, your enemy the Devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for whom he can devour.” Therefore, be watchful of those who try to take for themselves by deceiving others.
Consumer Reports - Tips for Giving
Artwork by Samantha Xu
Maze found by: Delilah Trempala / Elijah Pfeifer http://www.printactivities.com/Mazes/Shape_Mazes/Bunny-Maze.html