2024 May Pilot

WISCO PILOT Vol 30 no.5 “As I grew as a person, many things that once were crazy just became a normal part of life. Prism is the exception. No matter how many years I have done it, my own achievements and the extreme talents of others continue to astound me.

As the emotional peak of every school year, and the swan song for all our favorite seniors, this year, I truly understood why. Looking back, all of my greatest memories, accomplishments, and moments, they almost all accumulated in Prism.

The experience, the friendships, the standing ovations...none of it will ever get old no matter how old I get. Prism is an idea that transcends time itself, and for it I will always be thankful.” -Malikhai Mundt

Articles by and for students “I’m thankful for Prism because it unifies the music department as a whole, and you get to experience the joy that other groups have been creating”- Thea Stewartson

“The Prism Concert is a cherished memory that I will look back on fondly after high school. ” - Zent Kitjaphiwatwong

In This Issue...

P 1: Prism P 2: Prism P 3: Track & Field P 4: Rock Climbing P 5/6: AP Testing

P 7: Raptors P 8/9: Retiring Teachers/Staff P 10: Trust-Busting/Baseball P 11: Trust Busting/Pilot Senior P 12: Summer Maze

May 2024 “Prism is just an incredible experience that isn't quite like any other concert I've ever been. Even freshman year when we were still affected by Covid and had Prism in the auditorium, it was a crazy, fun, experience getting to be in and hear so many different musical groups. For choir members, it is a chance to venture into secular music and for band members, it is often an opportunity to play more experimental music.

All around, Prism is an amazing celebration of all things music at Wisco, and will be one of my most cherished high school memories.”

--Julia Neuman

Jesus, Savior, pilot me

Vol 30 no.5

Articles by and for students

MaY 2024

Prism 2024

by Maelee Darling

On May 17-19, students at Wisconsin Lutheran

parts too. Wempner adds, “One of the most interesting things about Prism is seeing all the different acts. I have been on the stage crew for two years and will do it again this year.

Being in the gym for the entire show and being able to hear every act is always enjoyable. It is also great to see people I have not seen in a long time, as many graduates from the past years come, and I can reconnect with old friends.”

Hopefully you were able to attend one of Prism concerts and see some of your friends on stage.

Everyone involved is so passionate about these concerts, and it’s so enjoyable to watch everyone perform.

High School performed in the annual Prism concerts.

For many art aficionado students, the Prism concerts are one of the most enjoyable times of the year. Various ensembles gather in the gym to showcase their talents.

Multiple choruses and instrumental groups perform on stages situated throughout the gym. However, the only way that concerts like this come together is through practice. If you go to one of the Prism concerts, you know that the amount of practice is worth it for these talented students.

Pilot interviewed some students to get their take on this exciting event. One of the participants in the Prism Concert, Senior Eviana Uttech, is willing to share her experiences: “It [Prism Concerts] is one of the coolest experiences you will ever have. It can be incredibly overwhelming depending on what you are involved in, but it is so rewarding in the end.” When asked about her favorite Prism Concert memories, she said, “I love performing in Steelpan and Jazz Ensemble. I remember seeing so many students dancing and having the time of their lives--it’s so amazing, especially on Sunday evening.”

Another senior, Paige Wempner, also has some funny memories. She says: “My best memories from Prism definitely have been the shenanigans we pull on Sunday. Since it is the last of four shows, we are allowed to ‘mess around’ a bit. My favorite one was probably my first year when our freshman choir made the guys wear tutus and do their choreography.” Along with the funny moments, Prism has many other fun

Prism photos by Compass staff

2

Vol 30 no.4

Articles by and for students

May 2024

Track and Field

by Hope Larabee

Track and field runs between March and June. It includes many different running and field events. The field events are shot put, triple jump, long jump, high jump, discus, and pole vault. Along with this are running events that range from sprints to long distance. The team practices for about two hours after school every day when they don’t have competitions.

Several track athletes were interviewed to find out what gives them inspiration in track. Alicia Wilkinson, a freshman track runner, said, “I have a sense of achievement after pushing myself to do something hard. I also just like being active, so track practice is pretty fulfilling in that respect. I’m doing hurdles for the first time too, and I really like it, so part of my motivation is that I genuinely just want to get better.” A sophomore teammate Eloise Lambrecht, also shared her motivation, “I like practice because I have a lot of friends there. Also the competition makes me want to do my best.”

Track is a place to exercise and meet new friends. Wilkinson even shared how she transferred high schools this year, and it was taking some time for her to make friends. She says Track really opened up opportunities for her to not only try new events in this sport, but was also a way to meet new friends. Participating in Track has helped them improve their skills, gain new lasting relationships, and glorify God.

Phtoos by Coach Lueck

3

Vol 30 no.5

Articles by and for students

May 2024

Rock Climbing

By Hope Larabee

Phtoos by Rachel Rosenberg

The Rock Climbing Club is one of the

newest clubs this year, and is advised by Ms. Rosenberg. They meet every Monday from 6--8 p.m. at Adventure Rock. The climbers start every practice with stretches and warm up climbs. After warmups, they are free to practice on their own! They have 3-5 competitions a year, and at the end of every practice they share what they improved on during that practice. One of the best parts about this club is that no previous experience or skills are needed. It is also a great way to hang out with friends and stay fit. Ms. Rosenberg stated, “From the very beginning, we wanted to create a club in which all students could come and feel welcomed and supported-no matter what their background in rock climbing may be. We eagerly welcomed students as they joined throughout the entire year and created an environment where the students became a team in which they could trust and rely on one another.”

One of the rock climbers, Oliver Saugstad (‘27), says his favorite style of rock climbing to practice is bouldering. It’s a style of climbing without a harness; however, you don’t climb as high as most of the other climbing styles. There are even more ways to climb. For instance, one such way suggested by Abigail Hartung (25’) is the partner climb. It involves “securing a rope around an object or person to secure yourself” or belaying off each other in order to have a fun and completely safe climb. As Ms. Rosenberg said, “Two of the largest fundamentals of rock climbing are faith and trust.”

Junior, Corbin Schaffer said, “Rock climbing also allows one to experience an "extreme" sport, without ever actually putting yourself in true danger.” This further shows the fitness involved and exhilaration of the sport.

o

4

k

Clim ng bi

Roc

verall the Rock Climbing Club is a very welcoming environment. If you are considering joining a sport that’s both fun and not too time consuming in order to stay fit, rock climbing is for you!

Rock climbing is in some ways very similar to a person’s life.

Ms. Rosenberg said, “Life is not and will not be easy at times. We will face many obstacles that will challenge our faith, but we can direct our focus on the end goal--which is heaven.

In a similar way, Christ is our belayer. He has our rope.”

Vol 30 no.5

Articles by and for students

May 2024

The Aviary: Modern-Day Raptors

by Angelina Tran

Few creatures command the skies with the grace,

T urning our gaze to the savannas of Africa, we

power, and predatory prowess as the raptors — the birds of prey. Raptors’ talons, beaks, and streamlined build are formidable tools for capturing prey, earning them a place at the top of the avian food chain.

Among those who soar like the wind, the peregrine falcon stands as the beacon of speed and the fastest animal on earth. Reaching speeds of over 220 mph (354 kph) in a breathtaking stoop, the peregrine strikes its prey with lethal precision. Without its incredibly efficient respiratory and circulatory systems, it would not be able to reach the speeds it does. Its tapered wings, sleek aerodynamic body and keen eyesight allows it to pinpoint targets from dizzying heights.

Venturing into Australia, a name such as the black kite or brown falcon seems unassuming. However, these raptors carry a much more evocative nickname — the Firehawk. Revered by indigenous peoples for its association with fire, the bird uses its talon or beak to carry burning sticks from wildfires to start another.

This serves to help them to find food by drawing out prey fleeing from the fires.

encounter the regal secretary bird. With its long, slender legs and distinctive crest of feathers, this bird patrols the grasslands with purposeful strides, hunting snakes, scorpions, and rodents. Armed with formidable kicks of 196 Newton that can crack skulls with ease, the Secretary bird embodies nature's beauty and ferocity.

Delving into the waters, the Osprey emerges as a masterful fisherman. With barbed talons designed for gripping slippery prey and wings built for effortless gliding, the Osprey executes precise dives, plunging into the water with pinpoint accuracy. Their strong wings give them an extra lift to fly up and out of the water with a heavy fish, and their reversible out-toe prevents them from dropping a catch.

In the vast tapestry of the natural world, birds of prey stand as timeless symbols of elegance and strength. As with all life on Earth, they remind us of its intricate beauty and boundless biodiversity. As they soar through the clouds, they carry with them the legacy of their ancestors, embodying the eternal spirit of the wild.

5

Vol 30 no.5

Articles by and for students

May 2024

May’s Biggest Obstacle: AP Testing

by Terry Cai

Every year, at the start of May, countless students are in a rush to study for the approaching AP

exams. AP, short for Advanced Placement, are college-level courses for high school students to take to earn college credits. The test score is determined on a scale of 1 to 5. Students who earn a score higher or equal to 3, pass the test and earn their credits. However, various prestigious colleges are known to set the standard score higher (as a 4 or 5) for students to be able to receive college credit.

There is a large variety of AP courses. There are

What are the benefits of pursuing these courses?

As mentioned before, if you pass the test, you may be eligible to earn college credits and not have to take certain classes in college, which can decrease your overall college tuition total. Furthermore, it can boost your college application as admission officers look for students who are especially prepared for college-level education, and what better way to show that than by succeeding in AP classes?

Lastly, taking these classes can improve your time management skills. AP classes usually have large assignment loads, and if you want to get a good grade in the class, it is a necessity to have good time management skills to finish all the assignments on time. (continued on page 7) .

math courses (AP Calculus, AP Statistics), science courses (AP Biology, AP Chemistry), to language courses like AP English Language and Composition.

Some schools even offer classes such as AP Chinese Language and Culture. Students at Wisco take many of these classes each year. Each class has a different level of difficulty, passing rate, and the probability of earning a score of 5 on the AP test. According to Prepscholar.com, the hardest AP classes are AP US History (APUSH), AP Biology, and AP English Literature and Composition. The classes with the highest passing rate are AP Art and Design: Drawing, AP Chinese Language and Culture, and AP Art and Design: 2-D Design. The lowest passing rates are AP Physics 1, APUSH, and AP U.S. Government and Politics. The classes where it is the most difficult to earn a 5 are AP Art and Design: 3D Design, AP Physics 1, AP German Language and Culture.

65

Vol 30 no.5

Articles by and for students

MaY 2024

May’ Biggest Obstacle: AP Testing (continued from page 6)

Since it’s not easy to take an AP test,

D espite these benefits, there are still

how can you prepare yourself for the challenge? Based on my personal experience, here is my advice. First, you should practice.

Regardless if the questions are from past years’ tests or questions from your teacher, take full advantage of those practices and polish your skills. Second, make sure that you fully understand all the important things for the test. All AP exam tests include important and big ideas. If you can understand those, you will have no problem passing the test. However, don’t try to memorize every single detail. There are going to be a lot of things you learn, but trying to memorize everything is absolutely not necessary and a waste of time and brain capacity. Third, if you have questions, please make sure you solve them, whether by asking your teacher, classmates, or researching it online. It is absolutely crucial that you enter the test without questions or things you don’t understand. Furthermore, be a wise testtaker. Have good time management. Answer the questions that you are sure of first. After you answer all the questions you are sure about, go back and complete the questions you don’t fully understand. Never leave a blank in the multiple choice question sections.

Additionally, be sure to bring water and snacks for the 15-minute break in the middle because AP tests are very exhausting. Finally, say a prayer before you begin, and never give up during a test. If you start to have a negative attitude, it will keep sliding and will negatively affect your test.

some drawbacks to taking these classes. The largest drawback is the amount of work students are expected to do which is bound to come with more stress. Another drawback is that the AP final exam is quite difficult. In order to prepare for the test, students have to study various portions of the entire course.

This can be especially difficult when having to review content taught in August.

Additionally, some exams require students to write multiple essays in the matter of a couple of hours. In order to accomplish this,, students must be proficient in organizing their thoughts in a short amount of time.

Furthermore, college policies may change.

Some universities may suddenly not recognize the AP test grades for college credits, which is very disappointing for the students who take the class. For example, perhaps the minimum score requirement changes from a 3 to a 4, thus, shortening the gap between those who pass and those who fail.

Pilot hopes that anyone who has taken an AP exam will pass with flying colors when they see the results on July 8th!

7

Vol 30 no.5

Articles by and for students

May 2024

Retiring Teachers

by Anaya Britton When teachers retire from a school, or move to another job, it can sometimes feel like they are leaving their students for good. Some students may feel like a chapter of their lives is coming to an end. However, as Christians, we know that one day all believers will be reunited in heaven. Every day Wisco’s teachers try their best to show their faith and advise their students. They make it known that even if the teacher leaves, or the student graduates, they always have a safe space to talk with Wisco’s faculty. This year several teachers are leaving Wisco, but they will never retire from the Wisco family.

Mr. lEYRER

Principal Leyrer will be moving to a new position in the district at the end of the year. When asked about one of the best experiences he had at Wisco, he happily replied with, “One of my best experiences is watching students grow from freshman year to senior year academically and spiritually.

Another is worshiping everyday as a family in chapel and watching students participate and lead in worship. Also, he will always remember “working alongside the dedicated staff members who show their love for students.”

When asked how his time at Wisco impacted his faith, his response was heartfelt, and

thoughtful. He replied, “The Holy Scriptures build faith, and this school is founded and centered on the Holy Scriptures, and all the exposure to God's word. Seeing the way that God blesses this ministry has been very affirming, and seeing the way God has blessed this school confirms how faithful he is and how he keeps his promises.” God has richly blessed Wisco. It is evident that Mr. Leyrer was a part of God’s promise for Wisco. His work with the students of Wisco and with the faculty has been faith filled.

Principal Leyrer said, “Serving at Wisconsin Lutheran High School has been a rewarding privilege for me.”

Photos by In-Focus Photography

Mrs. lEYRER Where are you going?

My husband Mr. Peter Leyrer, will be the Pastor in Hudson, Wisconsin, near my hometown of St. Paul/Minneapolis, MN, so I am moving with him! I also have a new position working for Kingdom Workers which is a non-profit church affiliated organization that does projects to serve people's physical and spiritual needs throughout the U.S. and the world.

Favorite memory of Wisco--Enjoying the student talent at Wisco through the amazing concerts, sporting events, Black History Month performances, and the activities that bring International and American student friendships together like the mentor program activities, International Food Fair, and the Global New Year Party.

Advice to students--You have a fabulous opportunity at Wisco to experience God's glorious world through making friendships with students from other countries, languages and cultures. Take advantage of it and expand your perspectives and knowledge!

8

Vol 30 no.5

Mrs. Krueger

Articles by and for students

Mrs. bITTer

May 2024

Mr. Harbach

Where are you going?

Not sure where I'm going yet...on Thursday 5/23 my husband's Call Service is in the morning at 10am.

We'll find out then where in the world we're going to serve!

Where are you going?

After 6.5 years at Wisco, I will be leaving to transition into the role of College Counselor at Brookfield Academy, where I will support students in their academic pursuits and career readiness in university and college.

Favorite memory of Wisco--There are FAR too many! This is a very special place for me. As a WLHS graduate from the Class of 1999, it has been such a privilege and blessing to return to my alma mater. There really is not one specific memory for me....rather it is more about the sum of all the amazing things that happen here. This community is one that uplifts and encourages one another, while having fun and working toward incredible goals both inside and outside the classroom! That is what makes me reflect fondly about Wisco!

Advice to students--Stay rooted in your faith! Having traveled the world, experienced many cultures, met incredible people, what has always grounded me and brought me back to who I am is my worth in Jesus. Life is crazy messy and insanely awesome. I promise you will be able to walk strongly through the low moments and feel unmatched joy through the high points if you walk through it all alongside Jesus!

Favorite memory of Wisco--My favorite memory of Wisco is taking the cross country girls team to state--those girls are so talented and also know how to have fun.

Advice to students--My advice to students is that they should take any opportunity they can to travel, for multiple purposes: to see the beautiful world God created, to gain perspectives of different cultures, and to give the gospel message to all the people who need a source of hope.

Where are you going?

I am going to be at my church, Victory of the Lamb, full-time.

Favorite memory of Wisco--My favorite memory can't be boiled down to a single instance, but I loved seeing the projects my students created.

Advice to students--Prepare yourself for every opportunity, so that you are ready when it comes.

Mr. Pufahl

Where are you going?

Next year, Mr. Pufahl will be teaching seventh grade at St. Jacobi.

Photos by In-Focus Photography

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD” Jeremiah 29:11

The departing staff have the joy and the memories of students of many nations worshiping together. They have memories of students progressing and succeeding. It was not by their own doing of course, but through God’s hand. It is crucial to recognize that God worked through these teachers. They were all indispensable pieces to the big and extraordinary puzzle God has made, named Wisco. Well done, good and faithful servant!

9

Vol 30 no.5

Articles by and for students

May 2024

Trust-Busting, Redux An opinion piece by Ryan Parker Are businesses people? Not people in the normal sense, as in bipedal mammals, but people in the legal sense: independent entities that are entitled to the full rights granted by the Constitution.

Although this may seem ridiculous from the outset, there are consequences to such a quick dismissal. How does one decide what is a business and what is merely a voluntary association of individuals? If the only difference is the production of a monetary profit, then there would no longer be a legal distinction between two children running a lemonade stand and a multinational textile corporation! And, if the government is granted the legal authority to interfere with businesses when the very title of “business” is applied under such broad standards, what prevents the justification of such interference in the lives of ordinary citizens?

Yes, I realize this seems like jargon that essentially ignores the common-sense understanding of what a business is and is not, but if the history of legal practice in this country has shown us anything, it’s that loopholes can - and will - be found and exploited. For the sake of fairness, precision is key.

At least, this is the argument offered by those who claim that to maintain equality under the law, businesses must be considered equal to human beings in terms of the rights to which they are entitled. If the aforementioned lemonade-stand operators are allowed to conduct their business without interference from the

government, then the same must hold true for the multinational textile corporation, however different their practices may be.

Believe it or not, this has essentially been the legal definition of businesses in the United States since the 1980s. While one could point to the origins of this philosophy in the 1920s, once the splendor of the Jazz Age’s unregulated economy gave way to the depths of the Great Depression, the American government established a foothold in business practices to prevent such an event from happening again, and kept this foothold for the better part of the next six decades.

However, when government measures proved unable to solve a recession in the late 1970s, the attitude that businesses should just be allowed to do as they please without constant oversight and bureaucratic red tape gradually gained traction. Eventually, many of its key supporters were counted among Representatives, Senators, Cabinet members, and, with Ronald Reagan’s ascendency, the president himself.

Since then, this free-market orientation has remained the American standard, though doubts have frequently arisen. This has been demonstrated by the 2008 financial crisis, the Covid-19 Pandemic, and, now, an era of powerhouse monopolies unseen in over a century. While a few hardliners would claim that the free-market approach is still the best way to handle such issues, very few presidential administrations (Continued on page 11)

“Varsity Baseball clinched their second straight Woodland West Conference Championship on May 16 with a 3-0 win over New Berlin Eisenhower.

Eddie Rynders ('24) dominated on the mound with a complete game 3 hit shutout, striking out 5.

Eddie was just named the National Player of the Week by Prep Baseball. He was also recently named one of the top 150 MLB draft prospects, high school and college combined, by ESPN! Our conference record finished at 10-2 with the overall record now at 16-4.”

Photo by Sarah Ross

(From Wisco Facebook Page)

10

Vol 30 no.5 (Continued from page 10)

would risk a major loss of public support by taking a backseat during serious economic issues in order to maintain some semblance of laissezfaire “purity.”

Just look at the case of Live Nation, an international entertainment company that operates venues, manages artists, and, after a merger with Ticketmaster, sells concert tickets. The government was skeptical about the nature of this merger, which occurred back in 2010, but allowed it to take place regardless. Now, though, it would seem that their worst fear regarding what this acquisition would lead to has come to pass.

Articles by and for students

MaY 2024

Live Nation has become a monopoly. Of course, this claim is contentious. Live Nation has not (yet) been declared a monopoly in a court of law, though many experts foresee this as a very likely outcome.

According to an article in Variety, “multiple congresspeople, regulators, and state attorney generals…call for the company to be broken up.” They are joined in these calls by average concert-goers, including the Taylor Swift fans who, with uncharacteristic rationality, noted that the excessively-high prices of tickets for the Eras tour was largely the fault of Live Nation’s total dominance in the concert industry.

Similar complaints echo across a number of other industries, including

accusations that Amazon has an unjustifiable amount of control over online shopping or that Google prevents competition in the search engine market. All in all, a new era of anti-monopolistic sentiments seems to be just on the horizon, and, with the apparent co-operation of the Department of Justice, this endeavor may actually find a degree of longdormant success.

Mason Marrari---Senior and Editor-in-Chief for Pilot Interview by Luke Carlovsky Where are you going for college, and what for?

In August, I’ll be attending Loras College with a major in creative media, specializing in film with a minor in creative writing.

What was your favorite article that you wrote for Pilot?

My favorite article was probably the Physics of Santa article that I wrote as a sophomore.

What is your favorite memory from Pilot?

I’ve enjoyed meeting a lot of different students throughout all of the meetings. I also enjoyed the journalism field trip to UW Oshkosh.

If you could say something to your freshman self, what would you say?

Give yourself time to enjoy your high school experience and try new things. Go to new events and see what you enjoy.

What’s biggest lesson you’ve learned from your four years at Wisco?

I’ve learned how to manage responsibilities that continue to grow each year. These are practical skills for the real world. High school has helped to prepare me to succeed. And, if you don’t have to take math senior year, don’t.

11

Summer Maze M

PILOT EDITORIAL STAFF Editor-in-Chief Mason Marrari

Layout Editor Kim Ha Anh “Angelina” Tran

Assistant Editors Anaya Britton Wanchun “Sarah” Lin Makayla Wendl

Layout Assistants Zuzanna Eft Ngoc Minh Anh “Natalie” Than

ad

eu

s in

gM

a ze

g en

er a

tor

.ne

t