2016 Winter Pilot

The WLHS

V o l u m e 2 3 I ss u e 2

December 2016

Artwork by Kate Xu Samantha Xu

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School

The WLHS Pilot

Winter 2016

After School Job

The pros, cons, and overall struggles that students face in balancing school work, after school activities, and also a job.

By Takara Williams

Students have trouble balancing homework, family obligations, and after school activities such as sports, drama . . . One of the many predicaments students find themselves in is handling an after school job because the job could take up too much time and could affect a person’s performance in school.

Will they learn to balance work and school commitments without becoming overly stressed and tired? There are pros and cons to having an after school job.

There are many positives that come along with having after school jobs. Jobs can serve as a self-confidence booster, especially as teens are growing up and discovering themselves. A job allows for the teen to develop a sense of accomplishment and personal achievement as they step away from always being reliant on their parents. It also helps to teach responsibility and helps a teen learn to prioritize. Teens also learn interpersonal skills. This is a valuable tool to have for the future, especially when communicating with a boss, other workers, customers, or others.

Having good communication skills can also put an individual a step above the others, especially if he/she knows how to use it well.

Additionally, having a job can also help teens learn how to save and wisely spend their money as they buy their own clothes, personal items, and food. Teens learn the value and importance of money as they earn it, and then learn to maturely handle it.

Many teens are able to set up their own individual bank accounts and learn how to save, withdraw money, and use a credit card as they budget and plan finances. The student also develops a better work ethic as well, that especially helps in the future for different and maybe more permanent jobs.

There are also some cons that definitely play a major factor in the decision for a teen to get an after school job. First, there is the amount of stress that comes with balancing a job and doing school work. It is no fun to work long shifts and to not get home until late in the evening and then have to start homework.

Grades are a major factor as well. Working can also cause the student to become tired and prone to getting less sleep than if there were no job involved.

Sleep deprivation is something that happens to all students at

one point or another, but students with jobs are more likely to get less sleep and therefore have higher levels of stress. According to Professor Jeylan T. Mortimer, teens are more prone to drinking, smoking, and obtaining more problematic behaviors as work hours increase. Mortimer also says that educators complain that teens that work put so much time into their jobs, they often come to school tired with no time to see teachers after school if they need help. Also, their jobs sometimes limit their ability to participate in some after school activities.

One of the important questions a teen and parent may face is: when is the student ready to get a job? People mature at different rates, and earning their own money through work requires a level of maturity.

One of the most important factors in determining whether or not the student is ready to work is if the individual will be able to take their work seriously along with balancing home and school responsibilities. Once the teen passes this barrier, he/she will be able to hold a position in the work force.

Because there are both benefits and struggles that go along with having an after school job, it is up to students and their parents to decide if they are ready to handle the responsibilities of managing both school and work. Just remember that both the benefits and the struggles can help develop a sense of independence, accomplishment, and personal achievement.

Winter 2016

School

The WLHS Pilot

3

Helpful Tips for Studying Some possible solutions that can benefit every students in learning how to manage and study for homework and tests.

By Nicole Blasezyk

After being in school for over seven hours a day, the last thing students want to do when they get home is homework; the school day is tiring enough. They are submerged in school work all day and often have more when they get home.

It is exhausting to say the least. However, there are some ways to make homework and studying bearable, and, most important, beneficial.

After school, taking some time to relax is important. Whether students come home directly from school, a job, or a practice, they should take at least 20 minutes to rest. They should also get something to eat. Food is important, and studying on a empty stomach makes it harder to concentrate. Eating healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, and carbohydrates (which provide energy) are all great options.

The next tip is to go somewhere quiet.

There can be many distractions in a student’s home: a loud family, electronics, and a comfy bed for naps. That's why getting out of the house is helpful. Going to the library is probably one of the best options, be-

cause it is quiet and spacious. Also, there are so many resources that are available there. Another place to go is to a coffee shop. They are usually quiet and have a relaxing atmosphere. Even studying outside when

the weather is nice enough is a good idea. People feel more motivated to get things done when they are not in the comfort of their homes.

Another tip for successfully studying is to not procrastinate. Students must actually do the work. Some assignments are long and very difficult. Sometimes students just want to take the easy way out and look up all the answers Online. This may seems like a good idea; however, this is only hurting the student because he/she is not learning. The individual is just mindlessly writing words down. The Internet is a great tool to help aid students with homework, but they need to be careful because there is false information on the Internet too, so they need to think for themselves and make sure the answer is logical. In addition, copying other people's work is plagiarism which is a serious offense. When students do their own work, they will recall information much easier and faster when it is time to take a test.

Relax, snack, and start early when possible.

This is good advice for all students.

4 Lifestyle

The WLHS Pilot

Winter 2016

Richest In America

The richest and most famous celebrities in America and how they spend their money.

By Kareem Edwards

While some may feel that for us the American Dream is dead, and may feel their future seems bleak.

However, there are some in our society that are the exception. They are the ones who walk the red carpets; the ones who we see on the silver screen; those we can’t help but dream to be.

They are the celebrities.

Celebrities are people that we see as more than human. We give them our attention and money in hopes for them to give us a piece of their art. It makes no difference if their profession is in film, music, or politics. From Taylor Swift to Madonna, Forbes has compiled a list that focuses on the richest celebrities in the United States in 2016 along with their various charities: #1 Taylor Swift, $107 million Taylor Swift started as a country music star and later branched out to other styles of music. Swift is the only female star to have three albums with 100 million sales in their first week.

According to looktothestars.org, she donates to many causes including The Red Cross. Swift donated $100,000 to the American Red Cross. #2 Dr. Phil McGraw, $88 million Dr. Phil is an American television talk show host that focuses on mostly repairing broken relationships between family, friends, or sometimes the combination of both. McGraw has a foundation, the Dr. Phil Foundation, that supports, according to its website, “The Dr. Phil Foundation is commit-

ted to supporting organizations and programs that build awareness and offer solutions to address the emotional, physical, mental and spiritual needs of children and families.” #3 Kevin Hart, $87.5 million Hart is a comedian. As stated by looktothestars.org, Hart collaborates with the Make-A-Wish foundation, and has supported the United Negro College Fund and the Alzheimer’s Association. #4 Howard Stern, $85 million Stern is a radio host on Sirius XM. He began on regular AM-FM radio, but he transitioned to satellite radio.

Looktothestars.org states that Stern supports North Shore Animal League America, Gabrielle’s Angel Fund, and Janie’s Fund. #5 Rush Limbaugh, $79 million Limbaugh is also a radio host. Radiothon.org claims that Limbaugh holds an annual “Cure-a-thon” to cure leukemia and lymphoma. #6 Lebron James, $77 million James is a professional basketball player for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

James has a foundation, The Lebron James Family Foundation, centered on “positively [affecting] the lives of children and young adults through education and co-curricular educational initiatives. We believe that education and living an active, healthy lifestyle is pivotal to the development of children and young adults,” taken from their website, lebronjamesfamilyfoundation.org

#7 Madonna, $76.5 million Madonna is a household name. The singer, born Madonna Louise Ciccone, has been around since the 80s and has led pioneering movements, in both music and culture. She has supported UNICEF, Amnesty, and the Make-A-Wish foundation. She has her own charity, Raising Malawi, whose focal point is supporting orphaned children in Malawi. #8 Ellen DeGeneres, $75 million Degeneres is another talk show host.

She has her own television show where she interviews celebrities and people who have caught the public eye for being a Good Samaritan.

She also interviews those who have gone viral on the Internet. Ellen has supported many charities and has received accolades for her charitable work, one of which is her Ellen for the Cure campaign. #9 Garth Brooks, $70 million Brooks is a country music star. He has donated money to the Muhammad Ali Parkinson center and many more. #10 Dwayne Johnson, $64.5 million Johnson, also known as The Rock, is an actor that started off on WWE and later progressed to acting in movies.

His charitable work extends to Red Cross, Make-A-Wish Foundation, and Starlight Children’s Foundation.

Celebrities may have abundant amounts of money, but they’re still just like us. They have hearts, compassion, and care for other human beings.

Winter 2016

Hollywood 5

The WLHS Pilot

Celebrity Deaths 2016

Remembering stars we know and love who have passed away in 2016.

By Jaydin Pluta

“The trouble is, you think you have time”, said Jack Kornfield.

Ranging from musicians, to actors, to professional athletes, 2016 has been a year filled with the loss of widely loved celebrities.

The first shocking death of 2016 was David Bowie, who died on January 10. Bowie had been in a secret fight with liver cancer for 18 months. Two days before his death, Bowie released an album entitled Blackstar. David Bowie impacted many people in the music industry. Lady Gaga stated, “I feel like my whole career is a tribute to David Bowie.” Paul McCartney, former member of the Beatles also shared, “David was a great star. . . His star will shine in the sky forever.” David Bowie inspired many musicians in their art. Bowie once said, “You can neither win nor lose if you don’t run the race.” Rest in peace, Starman.

On January 14, the world lost Alan Rickman. Rickman’s death was caused after his battle with pancreatic cancer. Alan Rickman is probably most known for playing Severus Snape in the Harry Potter franchise. He once said, “a film, a piece of theatre, a piece of music, or a book can make a difference. It can change the world.” The last role Alan Rickman played was the voice of the cat-

erpillar in Alice Through the Looking Glass.

To Kill a Mockingbird, and Go Set a Watchman--these books were created by Harper Lee, who passed away in her sleep on February 19. Lee’s book To Kill a Mockingbird left a great impact on the world. Its release (July 11, 1960) was at the peak of the Civil Rights movement.

The book gave the reader the point of view of a girl in the South who wanted everyone, regardless of his/ her race to be treated fairly and equally. The last book of Harper Lee’s that was published was Go Set a Watchman, mostly known as the rough draft of the previously mentioned book.

Prince Rogers Nelson, normally known as Prince, was a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist.

Prince passed away April 21 from an apparent accidental overdose. Prince was known to play over 27 instruments in his debut album For You. Prince showed that hard work really paid off:.He taught himself to play all sorts of instruments by the age of 20. His most iconic piece of work was “Purple Rain.” In 2004, Prince was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. His last public appearance was at a dance party in Minnesota.

“Float like a butterfly, sting

like a bee.” These words were spoken by professional boxer Muhammad Ali who passed away suddenly June 3 from septic shock. Ali had been suffering from Parkinson’s disease. His last appearance took place at Celebrity Fight Night XXII in Phoenix, Arizona. He was originally called Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr., but changed his name when he became a Muslim. Ali took up boxing when he was twelve years old after his bike was stolen.

Ali won a gold medal at the age of eighteen at the 1960 Rome Olympics.

In 1967, Ali refused to join the army because of his faith, and he was later sentenced to five years in prison. Four years later, the conviction was overturned, but Ali lost his title and was barred from fighting for three-and-ahalf years. Ali encouraged people to be themselves and was an advocate for African Americans.

Christina Grimmie was only 22 years old when she was murdered on June 10. Grimmie joined the Voice, a singing television competition in 2014 and won third place. She was shot after her last concert (Orlando, Florida) when meeting fans outside of the stadium. Her brother jumped in front of the gunman and tried to stop him. Grimmie was an inspiration to aspiring music artists, as she originally began on YouTube.

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School

News

Fall 2016

The WLHS Pilot

New Teachers

Photos by Gerry Milton

The Wisco family welcomes many new teachers and staff members.

Proverbs says, “In his heart a man plans his course but the Lord determines his steps.” This verse applies to Mr. Iles, a history and technology teacher at WLHS. When Mr. Iles was in second grade, the Lord placed Mr. Glock into his life to encourage him to be a teacher.

Mr. Iles taught in many schools before coming to Wisco. Over his nine years of teaching he taught in Oshkosh, Milwaukee, and Wauwatosa (some WELS schools, some public schools). Once he received and accepted the call to WLHS, Mr. Iles was excited “to get back into the ministry” and to work with Principal Leyrer who he has known for years.

Mr. Iles enjoys experimenting with technology, and he enjoys helping students and teachers “get the most out of the Chromebooks.” He also loves baseball and will be coaching JV baseball in the future. In his free time, he enjoys going to the zoo and attending Brewer games with his wife and three kids. If he wasn’t a teacher, “[Mr. Iles] would like to think that [he] would be a game show host.”

To those planning on becoming teachers, Mr. Iles advises that one should want to “live for others” and “lift others up.” He also wants his students to know that the “grade is not the end.” He wants students to work to improve their skills. Mr. Iles also loves reading with students and witnessing kids’ opinions change as they read books.

Mr. Iles is eager to support both teachers and students. He looks forward to radiating his friendly nature to others. Mr. Iles, along with his family, is “thankful for this opportunity to serve.”

Pastor Huebner, along with wife and two kids, left the warm sunny beaches of Florida to “work with students to strengthen their faith” here in a state with all four seasons. Pastor Huebner, Wisconsin Lutheran’s campus pastor, teaches Heritage of Our Faith and Proclaiming Christianity to freshmen and sophomores. He also coaches JV and Varsity football. When he isn’t sharing God’s word with students in the classroom, hallway, or in chapel, Pastor Huebner enjoys watching and playing sports, watching movies, and traveling with his family.

Pastor Huebner strongly believes that “there is no greater joy or privilege than serving as a teacher or pastor in God’s kingdom.” To students thinking about entering the public ministry he says, “Do it!” Pastor Huebner wants to “be a part of training the next generation of Christian leaders and servants,” and he encourages students to come to him with questions or problems.

When Pastor Huebner was a senior at Wisconsin Lutheran High School, he decided to be a pastor. For the past nine years he served God by pastoring Jesus’ precious lambs at Christ the King in Palm Coast, Florida. Pastor Huebner loves the faculty’s caring and loving nature and the Christian environment that Wisco provides. “I am happy to be here with my wife and to help raise up the next generation.”

Pastor Huebner

Mr. Iles

By Kaylee Mattek

School Fall 2016

The WLHS Pilot

News

Mrs. Luebke

Mr. Daniels

New Teachers (cont.)

7

“Be an expert in the subject you want to teach” is Mr. Daniel’s advice to students who are considering a career in teaching. In Mr. Daniels’ case, though, he has to be knowledgeable in every subject, since he is Wisco’s Commons supervisor. Mr. Daniels tutors, councils, and tries to get to know the students. Mr. Daniels wanted to “spread God’s Word and also coach sports,” so this helped to shape his decision to become a teacher. This is Mr. Daniel’s third year of teaching. He previously taught at Shining Star Christian School. He is excited to have the opportunity to coach football and wrestling this year.

In his free time, Mr. Daniels likes playing video games and working out. He also enjoys going out to eat, watching movies, and shopping with his wife and two children. If he wasn’t a teacher, his next career choice would be a real estate agent.

Mr. Daniels attended Wisconsin Lutheran for high school, and he enjoyed the diversity that was within Wisco’s walls. He had a great high school experience here and “wanted to be a part of the Wisco family” again. Mr. Daniels wants students to know that he is trustworthy, and that students “have [his] respect.” In return, he appreciates when students act in a respectful manner towards him. Welcome back to our family, Mr. Daniels!

By Diante Johnson, Formated by Delilah Trempala and Hannah Gorski

Mrs. Luebke is Wisco’s Algebra 1 and Algebra 2 teacher. She had no idea what she wanted to be when she grew up until her grandfather, who was a high school ROTC teacher, influenced her to become an educator. This helped to shape her decision to become a teacher As a child, she had a dream of “traveling to all 50 states.” She hasn’t quite been to all 50 states, but she has done her share of traveling. She attended Evergreen Lutheran High School in Washington State and later attended Martin Luther College in Minnesota and majored in math and Education. She then got her Masters of Science in Education from St. Mary University in Winona, Minnesota. Currently, she is working on her Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Concordia University. She has been teaching for 13 years and has lived in California, Washington state, Minnesota, and now Wisconsin.

She has six children (ages 21, 17, 10, 8, 6, 3)with her husband. One of her favorite things about teaching here is the Christian atmosphere. Mrs. Luebke wants her students “to have fun, but at the same time likes [her] classroom to be structured and organized.” We welcome you to WLHS!

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

Elisha Doerr

Copy Editor

Senobe Blathers Feature Editor

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School

The WLHS Pilot

Winter 2016

Mrs. Huebner

Teachers Continued Mrs. Huebner is enjoying the Christian atmosphere at WLHS. Growing up, she did not plan to be a teacher. Mrs. Huebner’s childhood dream was to be a police officer. Her dad did it as a part-time job, and she thought it would be an amazing career. She went to Mt. Lebanon for grade school, and then attended WLHS for high school. During high school, her teachers encouraged her to pursue teaching, and that is when she decided to become an educator. She attended Martin Lutheran College in New Ulm, Minnesota.

This is her 11th year teaching. She taught two years at Luther Prep in Watertown, WI and eight years at Christ the King in Palm Coast, Florida. She also hasn’t lived in Wisconsin her whole life. She lived in Tennessee for a year and in Florida for nine years. Mrs. Huebner was excited to be back at WLHS after her husband, Pastor Huebner, accepted a call to be the campus pastor.

Her philosophy of teaching is “We are a team. If we all do our best, work as a team, and communicate, we will be successful.” Her favorite quote is “Fair isn’t equal. Fair is everyone getting what he/she needs to be successful.” Her goal is to increase her students’ love for reading, and she wants everyone to pass the class. Mrs. and Pastor Huebner have two children- Noah, age 9, and Gwen, age 6.

Mrs. Mackey

Many teachers say that one of their teachers influenced them to become one. This is what happened to Mrs. Mackey. One of her former Spanish teachers who was always happy and energetic influenced her most. She has always wanted to be a teacher, and she loved Spanish in middle school, so she ended up majoring in Spanish. Mrs. Mackey teaches 2 sections of Spanish 2 during 7th and 8th hours.

Mrs. Mackey was born in Hawaii and moved to Wisconsin when she was a year old. She attended St. John’s Jefferson for grade school, Luther Prep in Watertown for high school, and then went to Martin Luther College. Her dream as a child was to travel a lot and have a family. Before coming to WLHS, she taught at Shoreland Lutheran high school in Kenosha, WI. The craziest thing she has ever done was zip-lining in Ecuador on her college immersion trip. Mrs. Mackey has been married for 4 ½ years and has a one year old daughter, Scarlette. Her classroom is fun, but she doesn’t like it to get too crazy. One of her goals for her students is for them to learn the Lord’s Prayer in Spanish. Her favorite Bible passage is Ephesians 2:8-9; “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith- and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- not by works, so that no one can boast.” Mrs. Mackey will not be returning to teach second semester because the 45 minute drive and the time away from her daughter has become too difficult. Thank you for your service, Mrs. Mackey.

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Sports

The WLHS Pilot

Winter 2016

Football

What are the latest and greatest football plays this year, and what can everyone expect from the Packers and the NFL.

By Star Llanas

It is that time of the year again!

The time where two thirds of Americans will spend Monday, Thursday, and Friday nights and all of Sunday watching men run around a field and crash into each other; this means football season has began. For the other one third of Americans who do not watch professional football, here’s a review of the season to date.

This season has been intense.

Teams played hard and surprises resulted, especially from two teams - the Oakland Raiders, and the Tennessee Titans. In the recent past neither team has performed very well; however, this year both teams turned some heads. The Raiders are leading their division with eleven wins and three losses and are in second place in the AFC playoff standings, behind the New England Patriots.

Many people are wondering what the reasons for this new found glory are.

Some believe the success is due their head coach Jack Del Rio who took the helm in 2015. Another theory is that Derek Carr, the starting quarterback for the past three years, has finally developed into the quality quarterback people expected. While Tennessee has not had the same amount of success as Oakland, they are still showing impressive improvement from previous years. This season the Titans had eight wins and six loses. A large factor in their improvement could be second year quarterback

Marcus Mariota, the Heisman Trophy winner from the University of Oregon.

Could a Super Bowl be in the future for either of these teams?

A regional favorite, the Green Bay Packers, are going through a rough patch. With some key players injured throughout the season and their normally top notch quarterback falling off a bit, the Packer’s record has suffered.

With eight wins and six loses, head coach Mike McCarthy must pull his team together to secure a playoff spot.

Although some of it is out of his hands, wide receiver, Davante Adams, has shown potential as a player, but he has also dropped some key passes and possible touchdowns. Luckily, the Packers still have receiver Jordy Nelson to depend on. During the middle of the season, important defensive player, Clay Matthews III, suffered a shoulder injury and sat out several games, leaving their defense vulnerable. The Packers still can surprise fans by making the playoffs.

Some fans were shocked by the way the New York Giants have played.

They showed football fans across America that they are a force to be reckoned with after earning ten wins this season - the first time this has happened since 2010. Superstar wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. has placed his stamp on the NFL with his famous one handed catches. Also, the Giant’s defense has made positive changes. With players like Landon Collins who is a Defensive Player of the Year candidate and Romeo Okwara, it’s hard not to be strong. Additionally, with the smart play of Olivier Vernon, Damon Harrison, and Janoris Jenkins, New York has proved its worth.

Another consistently strong

NFL team is the New England Patriots.

Two things about the New England Patriots are obvious: Tom Brady was suspended due to the deflategate controversy, and the Patriots lost a very valuable player for the first four games because of it. Luckily, head coach Bill Belichick had backup quarterbacks ready to go. Jimmy Garoppolo filled Brady’s shoes and did a pretty good job! He only played a few games before becoming injured, and then he was replaced by third string quarterback Jacob Brissett. Later, when the Patriot’s lost tight end Rob Gronkowski to a back injury, Patriot fans’ spirits rose when rookie Malcolm Mitchell played well alongside teammate Chris Hogan. New England remains a Super Bowl candidate with their record of twelve wins and two losses.

Another team with a backup quarterback performing surprisingly well is the Dallas Cowboys. Early in the preseason Dallas starting quarterback Tony Romo suffered a back injury and was out for an extended period. Head coach Jason Garrett then turned to rookie quarterback Dak Prescott. Hailing from Mississippi State University, this rookie rose up through college football and has proved his worth in the NFL. Prescott led his team to twelve wins and two losses, placing them first in the NFC East. What will this twenty-three year old bring to his team in the years to come?

From players rising when needed and teams surprising the nation, this 2016-2017 season was quite impressive. As the NFL marches toward the playoffs, it’s exciting to see emerging teams that will vie for a championship.

Winter 2016

The WLHS Pilot

School 11

Wisco Athletes

What makes a good althlete and teammate according to two senior WLHS athletes

By Larissa Roby-Brown

Michael Jordan said, “Obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it.” Therefore, it is best to never give up on your dreams. Wisco athletes Quincy Minor and Hannah Haakenson both had amazing things to say in regards to what they believe makes a good Christian athlete.

Hannah Haakenson ’17 Basketball

Quincy Minor ’18 Basketball “Stephen Curry. He’s a great guy both on and off the court. He is all about God in everything that he does.”

Q: What professional athlete do you look up to? Why?

“All of them, because they demonstrate how hard work can lead to success.”

“It is very important to have respect because if you don’t your coach will not want you on the team. If you didn’t have respect for him and your teammates, one can gain a bad reputation.”

Q: How important is it to have respect for your coach and teammates?

“It is so important to have respect! Your team is like your second family.”

“You might expect too much of yourself to be like that person.”

Q: What are the pros/cons of having a athlete as a mentor?

“They can teach you how to be successful!”

Q: What does it take to be an athlete and a good teammate?

“Hard work and determination.”

“Teamwork and respect!!”

Q: Do you have any goals in life for playing that sport?

“I always want to be able to play this sport until the day I die. Then I want to ball out with Jesus in Heaven!”

“It takes time and patience. It also takes the willingness to learn.” “It is important to push each other to do our very best, and encouraging one another!”

“Yes, I hope to get a Division 1 scholarship and go overseas to continue playing!”

“Give it all that you have and put in what you want to get out.”

“Pray to God and ask him for confidence!”

Q: Any tips for future Wisco athletes and students?

Picture taken by Delilah Trempala

“You can accomplish whatever you set your mind to.”

“Be confident in yourself! Show you’re coachable and TRUST IN GOD!”

12 School

The WLHS Pilot

Winter 2016

Classroom Tech.

Chromebooks have invaded the Wisco student body.

What are the potential advantages and disadvantages?

By Rebekah Dummer

In a world where technology is advancing, more schools are incorporating technology as a learning tool in the classroom. This fall each student was issued a Chromebook, which is a great tool to enhance student learning. As with any new technology, using these computers can be very useful, but some may view them as a distraction.

Using technology in the classroom has many advantages. For instance, every student now has a portable computer that can be used at home and at school. Students can now quickly access the Internet, which is useful for researching information and working on homework.

Students are able to view videos, use dictionaries, thesauruses, and access websites and other resource materials at the click of a button. Teachers and students can easily share documents and other resources or assignments.

The Chromebook also makes collaboration much easier, because students can work together on a project from their own homes. The Chromebooks are also very convenient for students; it allows students to work on their assignments wherever they are. Having a personal device to use in a study hall is more efďŹ cient than having to go to a computer lab.

While there are many advantages to using technology in the classroom, there are also a few downfalls.

Some students may not see the device as a learning tool, but as a device they can use for playing video games or chatting with other students, which may only distract students from completing their homework. However, the school Chromebooks are always monitored, and the technology department has games and other sites blocked. Students who misuse the technology are disciplined.

Another downfall of personal devices are that they may cause some students to form ineffective study habits. Research has proven that the more senses a person uses, the more likely that person will remember the content. For instance, when a person writes something down, they are seeing the information, writing it, and reading it; this helps the individual to better retain the knowledge in the future. Does typing notes on a Chromebook have the same effect as writing something by hand? Teachers may worry that the students will not retain the knowledge as well as when they would write them out. Some may use this as an argument against the use of technology in the classroom.

Teachers are also excited to

integrate the use of the Chromebooks into their lessons. The staff has attended seminars to learn new strategies to teach lessons more effectively.

For instance, teachers can use sites such as Google classroom to share assignments and presentations; students can easily access these items at home or at school using their Chromebooks. Additionally, assignments can be completed online and shared with the teacher, so there is no need to worry about students losing homework. Another way teachers have been utilizing this new technology is by allowing students to use their Chromebooks as a resource to look up information in class. It is fun and easy tool to help students to learn more effectively.

Having technology in the classroom has advantages and disadvantages, which we are beginning to experience here at Wisco. Students and teachers have the opportunity to learn from this experience by ďŹ guring out how to utilize the computer to improve student learning. While teachers are experimenting with new strategies, there is hope that using this technology will be the beginning of something exciting at Wisco.

World Winter 2016

The WLHS Pilot

Conforming to Violence

News

13

Why the world around us gets so easily angered and in return results into committing violence.

By Sierra Jones

Since the fall of man, sin has been a prevalent obstacle throughout the entire universe One bite of a forbidden fruit taken from a forbidden tree eventually led to the first homicide case. This particular sinful behavior never disappeared. Besides the obvious answer of sin, why do people conform to violence? Are there certain situations in which people accept violence? How could society reduce violence and work out their differences in a peaceful, civil manner?

According to the Peace Alliance, “violence causes more than 1.6 million deaths worldwide every year, and violence is one of the leading causes of death in all parts of the world for persons ages 15 to 44.” The article “Examining Mob Mentality”

by Tamara Avant, the Director of Psychology at South University, states that mob mentality, or violence, is affected by the number of people witnessing or partaking in the event. The more people present leads to a greater sense of general excitement, which leads people to think and act less rationally. Avant stated, “When people individuate, they are less likely to follow normal restraints and inhibitions and more likely to lose their sense of individual identity.” Additionally, during times of extreme hardship or fear, individuals are prone to violence in an extreme situation. For example, people might turn to violence to survive or if means are scarce.

Another contribution to the substandard trait of violence is personality traits. In the U.S., “youth homicide rates are more than 10 times that of other leading industrialized nations” (Peace Alliance). “American children are 14 times as likely to die from guns as children in other developed coun-

tries.” Avant stated, “Adolescents who share antisocial tendencies and lack close family bonds are more likely to search for social identity in gangs. The greater individuals feel like they identify with a group, the greater the pressures for them to conform” and the less likely that they will act as an individual. Thomas W. Blume, professor at the University of Michigan, stated that violent traits and behaviors can also stem from the environment, the people a person associates themselves with, video games they may play, or the genealogy of their family. All of these can play a significant role in the way a person reacts.

Another type of violence that is prevalent in society is domestic violence. The Bureau of Justice reported in 2010, “25% of women have experienced domestic violence and 6 million children witness domestic violence annually.” Some studies suggest that women are more vulnerable to succumb to violent mistreatment. There are many reasons why a woman may stay involved with a violent partner or spouse. For instance, some women stay because they believe it best for the child(ren); they worry that they are unable to support the children, or they are afraid of what additional violence might happen if they leave. This can lead to women staying in an unstable home and simply accepting their current situation. Sometimes when a woman reports the abuse, the abusive man tries to make officials believe that his wife is making up these stories.

When facing struggles, violence is not the answer. Just as God detests sin, he equally detests the sin of violence. God proclaims this boldly in Psalm 11:5, “The Lord examines the

righteous, but the wicked, those who love violence; he hates with a passion.”

Violence is not the answer; however, if a person is being attacked and may be injured, the person can defend himself. He/she should not look to hurt the attacker, but merely to get them off so the victim can escape safely. Matthew 5:39 states, “But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.”

Violence can hurt others. A person could potentially physically or mentally disable a person when being violent. This disability could possibly follow them throughout the rest of their life.

In order to counter the alarming rate of violence in society, people should first examine themselves to see what else can be done to resolve the situation. There will never be a complete resolution until we meet with our Heavenly Father to live with him for eternity; however, everyone in society could put a small step forward by making cautious decisions and thinking before acting. People must come to rational conclusions before acting impulsively.

Worldwide, an estimated 1.6 million people lost their lives to violence in 2000. Pray for all those in dangerous relationships and those who will encounter violence--that God will be with them.

14 Seasonal

Winter 2016

The WLHS Pilot

Christmas Traditions Where do some of the most well-known Christmas traditions come from, and how do they impact us?

By Nadia Zuniga

Here come winter boots and snowpants, because it is that time of year--Christmas! It is time for hot chocolate, roasting chestnuts on an open fire, and opening presents. It is also time to consider where the origin our Christmas traditions.

Most people know that the one tradition people enjoy most around Christmas is giving and receivng gifts. This tradition has itsbasis in the fact that the Wise Men presented gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to Jesus. Therefore, when giving someone a present, people should remember the gifts brought to the newborn King. Not only did the Wise Men bring gifts to Jesus, but Jesus is

the gift God gave to mankind.

Another common tradition is kissing under the mistletoe! Mistletoe actually comes from the stories of the Greek and Roman gods and godesses.

Frigga, the goddess of love, fertility, and destiny, had a son named Balder.

Legends says that he had been killed by an evil spirit with an arrow made of a mistletoe, and like any mother, she mourned her son’s death.

She cried tears that took the form of white berries, and her son came back to life! At that moment she blessed the plant and promised a kiss to all those who would ever pass underneath it from that day onward.

While the tradition of kissing

Art by Samantha Xu

under the mistletoe can be a sweet one, it is more important to remember that baby Jesus is a present from God; it is not like any other gift. The gift of Jesus is will never leave. He will stay in our hearts and never forsake us. While many will tell you different reasons for loving the holidays, the most important reason is the birth of our loving and caring Savior; remember, we call this Christmas for a reason. Even in the name Christmas, CHRIST is there.

Commercialized Christmas Christmas is more than just a gift exchange. Learn what the true meaning of Christmas is all about. the American culture.

By Rebekah Dummer The season of Christmas has As the season of Christmas become about buying material items. approaches, there are feelings of ex- Mark Gillespie states in his article that citement, exhaustion, and happiness. 85% of adults interviewed say that There are presents to be bought, food Christmas has become too commerto be cooked, and family gatherings cialized. Buying gifts, getting the best to attend. While these are all great deals, and the anxiety of shopping things, the real are issues that arise when the season meaning of of Christmas approaches. The joy Christmas can of giving has lost its appeal because be lost. In re- people are only worried about getting cent years the the latest technological item or the c o m m e r c i a l - newest fashion trend. Black Friday ization of the shopping is a tradition that serves a Christmas has purpose only to get people to spend become more more money and “kick off” the start prevelant in of the Christmas shopping season.

Retailers advertise in magazines, TV, and in their store windows the “best deals” of the season in an effort to lure people into purchasing their items.

Many people only see Christmas as a time for a “gift exchange.”

Gillespie also states in his article that 75% of people interviewed believe that religion has been lost when celebrating Christmas. It is time to bring the real meaning of Christmas to the surface again. The reason we celebrate Christmas is to honor the birth of Jesus, our Savior. This Christmas season, take time to celebrate not only family and the exchange of gifts, but also the real meaning of Christmas-the birth of our Savior.

Entertainment Winter 2016

The WLHS Pilot

Christmas Movies

15

Classical Christmas movies to watch, and the best places to watch this holiday season.

By Sarlynne Llanas

It is that time of the year again! How many times have you heard that statement? Since Christmas is associated with many things and some only happen around this holiday that line is used again and again. For example, many people enjoy getting together with family, especially if they do not see each other often. Another holiday normal is exchanging gifts with famiy and friends. Many people also look forward to watching their favorite Christmas movies!

F i n d ing the right movie can be difficult. Here is my list of the best Christmas movies of all

time and the television channels which are showing these movies.

There are hundreds of Christmas movies made, so it can be difficult to choose which one to watch. The classics are always a good choice especially if watching with the family.

Some popular classic movies are It’s a Wonderful Life, Holiday Inn, A Christmas Story, White Christmas, a n d Miracle on 34th Street. Of course, there are also some recent movies which are perfect for this merry time. For example, the Home Alone series, Elf, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, Scrooged, Santa Claus series, The Polar Express, and many more. Along with those well known movies, many more are made each year.

There are also many television channels that show Christmas movies. The most popular channel is the Hallmark Channel. Every year it has the “Countdown to Christmas” which airs original Christmas movies starting in the end of October and ending around the end of December.

Art by Samantha Xu

Another channel to tune into is NBC. Each year NBC shows It’s a Wonderful Life. One more popular television channel to watch is Freeform (formally known as ABC Family). This channel has it’s own movie countdown called, “Twenty Five days to Christmas” where they show more movies such as like Elf, The Santa Claus, Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, The Holiday, A Christmas Carol, the childhood favorite Snow Buddies, and many more!

There are many more Christmas movies--I hope this gives you a few ideas! May everyone’s Christmas be merry and full of love.

Art By Tou Lee