2021 Spring Pilot

Pilot Volume 27 Issue 3 March 10, 2021

Drawn by Wenyuan Lucy Li

Winter Sports at Wisco

By Oliva Hermanson and Kaliska Klusmeyer

Sports are a huge part in the lives of high school students everywhere; however this year everything has been turned upside down. Because of Covid-19, sports have been cancelled, pushed back, and rescheduled again and again. Masks are a requirement, and the number of spectators is limited.

At Wisco, the athletic director is Mr. Jeff Sitz. He has been working hard since last spring, scheduling and rescheduling the sports for this year. He says that between the WIAA and the CDC, there have been many changes to plans.

In fall, Wisco kicked off the sports season (a little late) with volleyball and cross country. Both were fairly normal, but masKs were still a necessity, and viewers were limited. The football and boys soccer seasons were originally going to be pushed back to spring; however, the WIAA then created a fourth season- the fall alternative season. That season is in early spring and is a replacement for fall sports (football and boys soccer). Most of the Woodland Conference went that way, and Wisco was going to do the same because the health department was being very restrictive.

However, at the last minute, Marquette University High School strongly objected to not allowing football. They pushed back until the health department let Milwaukee schools hold all fall sports.

The major decisions were made at the last sec-

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ond and the schdules were quickly put together.

The winter schedules that Mr. Sitz worked so hard to put together were quickly abandoned with the news that the whole winter season was going to be pushed back. The CDC stated that games and practices could not be held in Milwaukee either. Mr. Sitz says, “I am very grateful to WLC for letting us hold our games there.

Not only WLC, but thanks to Christ Lutheran Church Pewaukee, Star of Bethlehem, Christ the Lord, Zion, and St. John’s Tosa--all of these schools let us use their facilities for our games and practices. We simply wouldn’t have had the winter season at all without their generosity.”

The WIAA has allowed for 15 days of spring sports practice in March and April. Then, April 19 to the end of June will be the spring season. That is the current plan, and Mr. Sitz and the spring coaches are working hard to plan schedules accordingly. However, as many people have seen this past year, plans can quickly change and rescheduling may be required. Mr. Sitz explains that they need to plan this season as if it was a normal year with no changes. “Everyday it’s like one day at a time in my office here,” he says.

Next fall is being scheduled as normal, and we pray it will stay that way. Mr. Sitz wants to thank the coaching staff for all they have done this past year. “The coaching staff is phenomenal. They have worked so hard,” says Mr. Sitz. Also a big thanks to all the players and parents for being so flexible with the season. God-willing, next year will be a big improvement.

Sports Varsity Boys Basketball won the Regional Championship.

David Carson and Amos Weide competed at the WIAA State Wrestling Tournament.

Pictures by Carolyn Sachs, Michael Wiechmann, and Gerry Milton.

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Seasonal Depression

By Julia Neuman

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Do you find yourself feeling down at the same time every year like clockwork? Do the gloomy skies and shorter days never fail to make you feel exhausted, and you can’t quite place why?

You, along with 15 percent of the population, may suffer from seasonal affective disorder, also known as seasonal depression.

Seasonal depression is a form of depression that occurs during the same time each year, typically during winter. You may notice that you or your friends have a difficult time concentrating. You may also feel more tired and find less enjoyment in your normal activities when the winter months roll around. One of the places these symptoms are very prevalent and may even show the most is in school.

Students might have difficulty getting homework done due to a lack of motivation and low energy.

Someone might not be able to enjoy extracurriculars and their favorite classes as much due to loss of enjoyment and changes in mood. Together, these things may make doing things like daily homework or class participation seem overwhelming to a student suffering from seasonal depression. It could make keeping up with the demands of school and social interactions practically impossible and can leave lasting effects even after the dark winter days are over.

Despite the gloomy winter weather, there are things you can do to help you and your friends, even if you don’t struggle with seasonal depression.

For example, merely going on a walk or exercising outdoors, even in the cold, can help reduce the severity of the symp-

toms. If you don’t want to brave the cold, there are plenty of other things you can try.

If you’re a social person, hang out or chat with friends or family. If you enjoy caring for plants, get a few small houseplants or succulents to remind you that it will not always be this gloomy. One thing that seems to help the most is getting as much light as possible. Open the curtains, sit by a window on the rare occasions when the sun is shining, or invest in a lamp that mimics natural sunlight.

These dark winter days will end eventually, but if you need more help, reach out to your guidance counselor or a trusted adult. Stay safe and keep looking on the bright side.

From - Mrs. Chavez “If students are experiencing seasonal depression or any symptoms of depression, it’s okay to not be okay sometimes. However, no one should have to experience feelings of depression alone. An important tool for coping with depression is to reach out to loved ones and let them know how you are feeling.

Building that support system will reduce the feeling of isolation that can creep in with depression. On days that it may feel that ‘no one is there,’ we always have the comforting promise that our Savior is by our side in the darkest of times. 24 hours of the day, 7 days a week, and 365 days of the year he promises us, ‘So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.’ Isaiah 41:10. What a comforting reminder that even on our loneliest days, God is still right beside us!”

Fashion Trends from Decades Ago are Making a Comeback!

By Jada Lawrence Fashion trends from earlier decades are making a comeback. From Vans to Converse to joggers, many fashion trends that grandparents and parents have worn during their childhood are resurfacing in 2021.

One of these trends that came back in today’s fashion are mom jeans. These jeans were very popular in the 1980’s and were a staple in almost everyone’s closet. Mom jeans have made a comeback recently and can now be found in stores nationwide.

Flannels have also returned to modern fashion. They were originally designed in the 17th century for people who worked outdoors or in factories. Over the years, they have become especially popular and have been styled in many unique ways. Recently, one of the most popular ways to style a flannel shirt is to put it over a sweatshirt or a hoodie. Not only is this a very popular style, but it is also very comfortable especially in the winter months.

Scrunchies, which were very popular in the early 1990’s, have also made a return in modern fashion.

Many different varieties of

scrunchies are made, so people can mix and match their hair accessory with their outfits.

Even corsets, which were popular in the 1840’s, have become a huge fashion trend. These corset tops are often paired with mom jeans to complete a total vintage look.

Iconic shoes from past decades, such as Vans, Converse, Air Force 1’s, Jordan 1’s and Doc Martens have also come back into fashion. These shoes are often worn with other throwback clothes. Many of these trends were brought back due to social media. Many Photo by different influencers began Mariah Whitelow to wear clothing from past decades and style it in a more modern way!

It’s amazing how clothes from different decades return and become popular again!

Lifestyle

THROWBACK FASHION:

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Festival Samuel Hartman and Leah Pinnow

Isaiah Hopf and Kayla Williams

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Benjamin Brown and Sydney Miller

Photos By: Mason Marrari, Emma Kammholz, Juliet Chin, and Mr. Wiechmann

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Endangered Animals

By Mason Marrari

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God has created many wonderful animals, but sadly not all of them have a steady population rate. In fact, each year more animals are becoming endangered.

Leatherback sea turtles are an example of a threatened species at risk for extinction. These large, black sea turtles live in many parts of the world, typically near the coasts of large continents.

There are several reasons why they are on the endangered animals list. For example, since they primarily feed on jellyfish, sometimes these turtles mistake plastic bags for their favorite food. The plastic can confuse their body system and starve them to death. Additionally, growth and reproductive rates rapidly decrease. Fishing methods such as netting is another factor that is leading the leatherback sea turtle to perhaps an unfortunate future.

When these turtles are caught in nets, they can’t travel to their proper grounds, and sometimes, they suffocate.

Destruction to their habitat around beaches also contributes to a smaller population. Only 36,000 adult nesting females remain throughout the world. 36,000 may seem like a lot of turtles, but their population is declining at an alarming rate. “If the decline continues, within 20 years it will be difficult if not impossible for the leatherback to avoid extinction,” says Thane Wibbels, a professor of reproductive biology at UAB (the University of Alabama at Birmingham). “That means the number of turtles would be so low, that the species could not make a comeback.”

Furthermore, all species of tiger may not be around much longer. A small number of 3,900 tigers are still living in the world today. Between new cities being made and lumber getting stripped away, tigers have lost over 90% of the area they

used to cover. To add to that, poachers have killed numerous tigers illegally over the years for their precious fur and bones. Many tigers have also been imprisoned illegally and are sold for a great deal of money. Estimations indicate that tigers may indeed go extinct within the next few decades or so if nothing is done.

David Williams-Mitchell, director of communications at EAZA (the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria) spoke about what certain animal extinction can do: “Once you start removing large predators from the food chain, then you start destabilising the ecosystem, which could cause a massive ecosystem collapse all of its own.”

There are many more threatened animals than just tigers and sea turtles. To name a few, the whooping crane, the cross river gorilla, the blue iguana, and the bonobo are all at risk for possible extinction.

Preserving endangered animals may sound like an unattainable achievement, but there are slow, yet promising solutions to these problems. David Williams-Mitchell said this in regards to helping endangered animals: “We have to work on human behavior change first, and also solid conservation work, in order to save species and habitats.” Additionally, efforts are being made to rid much of the plastic released into the ocean by groups such as the Ocean Clean-up Group

(OCG). Another supporting group, the WWF (World Wildlife Fund), is doing things to help not only tigers and sea turtles, but a great deal of other endangered animals too. To help tigers, they are putting up cameras in their habitat to study the tiger population, and they are partnering with a surveillance system company to stop tiger trafficking.

The WWF aids sea turtles by taking plastic out of the ocean and untangling any struggling turtles in sea nets from net fishing.

To help cut down on numerous everyday products are being made out of recycled products

and are being sold all around the world. On the island of Grand Cayman, several protective groups are creating safe areas for small iguanas to live and breed without large predators such as wild dogs. This has been successful, and the blue iguanas have increased their population by 1500% in the last decade. These are just some of the things that are being done to preserve animal life.

Hopefully, more solutions will be found and executed in order to proper care of God’s Creation.

Nature

What can we do?

10 Actions You Can Take to Conserve Endangered Species

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Volunteer with endangered species conservation organi ations for ideas visit the

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ESC Member Directory.

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Re ort

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harassment and cruelty toward animals

Reduce your carbon footprint: use less plastic. Wal-, bi-e, bus. Eat less meat. Advocate for climate

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Protect

ecosystems and habitat: support laws creating open space, wildlife crossings

change education and carbon

and corridors, and other

reduction policies.

protections.

Garden

without pesticides and herbicides: toxic chemicals can accumulate,

threatened/endangered

migrate up the food chain,

species are protected

harming and -illing a range of

from these illegal actions.

species.

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Plant native plant species: cultivate native, regionally appropriate plant species, creating habitat for pollinators and other species.

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Never buy products made from or threatened/endangered

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Travel compassionately: don't participate in activities exploiting

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Choose alternatives to single use plastic: reusable bags, utensils, straws, and pac-aging advocate for increased

animals or live animals

threatened/endangered species,

and plants.

such as animal selfies, animal rides,

Help end illegal species trade.

or trophy hunting.

recycling and measures li-e plastic bag bans.

Raise

YOUR VOICE to support threatened and endangered species

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VOTE for elected officials, be involved in the political process.

ATTEND city and county council and game agency meetings.

SHARE information about issues facing endangered species.

EMAIL, tweet or call your member of congress.

CREATE and sign petitions.

WRITE letters to the editor.

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Sledding in Milwaukee

By Anastasia Landowski

Along with cold weather and snow comes the popular activity of sledding. There are a number of hills and places in the Milwaukee area to ensure an experience to remember.

Humboldt Park This large park located in the Bayview area contains many large hills that are perfect for sledding.

It is open throughout the day and is a popular spot for a walk with family or friends.

3000 S Howell Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53207 Wilson Recreation While the indoor skating rink is currently closed because of covid, Wilson Park is still a great place to visit for its sledding hills.

4001 S 20th St, Milwaukee, WI 53221

Kilbourn Reservoir Park An older place with a great deal of history, Kilbourn Reservoir Park has many magnificent views on the tall hill. This makes it an ideal spot for sledding, as long as you’re cautious of the surrounding streets.

2230 N Bremen St, Milwaukee, WI 53212

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Whitnall Park With a 400 hundred-foot hill, Whitnall Park is an excellent place to sled. This park is lit up from 4:30 to 8:30 pm and features a toboggan run nearby.

5879 S 92nd St, Hales Corners, WI 53130 LaFayette Hill Lafayette Hill boasts a great view of the surroundings as well as a steep hill. This is a great place to sled for one who doesn’t fear heights.

2323 N. Lake Dr. Milwaukee, WI 53033

Waukesha County There are sledding hills at Menomonee Park in Menomonee Falls, Minooka Park in Waukesha, Mukwonago Park, and Nashotah Park. Lowell Park in Waukesha has a sledding hill and a 350-foot taboggan run. There has to be at least 6 inches of snow on the ground for this to be open.

Reservations are required and the cost is $10.

All of these places are excellent for enjoying a sledding experience in the cold and snowy months. Sledding is a fantastic way to spend time outside during the winter. Remember to stay safe wherever you go!

Look for the article “5 ways to get outside and enjoy a fresh snowfall in southeast Wisconsin” by Chelsey Lewis of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel for more fun ways to enjoy the snow. It covers sledding and tobogganing, snow tubing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and fat-tire biking.

A Student Celebration

Pictures by Iva Nisavic and Julian Vu

Events

LUNAR NEW YEAR PARTY

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