The WLHS
V o l u m e 2 2 Issue 5
Mission Tri
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rvice e S e h t n Seniors i 6) (p.
Seniors in P
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Cover Art by: Kate Xu
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Health
The WLHS Pilot
May 2016
A Musical Escape Music gives people a great way to escape from stress along with many other benefits. By Nikki Blaseyk
After a long stressful day at work or school, most people go home and do something to relieve their stress like hanging out with friends, going on social media, or shopping. It is important for people to have a break from life’s pressures. Many people have found that listening or creating music is a great activity to do because it helps with things such as increasing learning, boosting self-esteem, reducing stress, relieving anxiety and reducing pain. Countless scientific facts and studies support this fact. Music is great for helping students of any age. The article, “Music Psychology and Mental Health” by Henrietta Atkins states that learning how to play a musical instrument has been shown to have a very positive influence on a child’s brain. It helps with the ability to memorize, which can help students to achieve higher test scores. The article also says, “it is now generally accepted that learning an instrument broadens one’s ability to understand math and science, which is demonstrated by the fact that many mathematicians and scientists studied music when they were children, and still enjoy it as a hobby. Language, math, and music are processed in the same area of the brain.” Another benefit that music has is that it can help kids and teens improve their self-esteem. Learning to play a musical instrument helps teens to develop self worth and feel proud of what they have accomplished. Also, it is beneficial for children and teens to broaden their musical knowledge. By learning to enjoy and appreciate a variety of musical genres, a child or
teenager can get a better perspective on cultural history. Furthermore, music helps people to feel good. Psychologist William James once said, “I don’t sing because I’m happy; I’m happy because I sing.” Whether a person is singing, playing, or listening to music, it will give the same happy effect. The reason behind this happy effect is that when people listen to music they enjoy, their brain releases dopamine, a “feel-good” neurotransmitter. According to the article, “Scientists Find 15 Amazing Benefits Of Listening To Music” dopamine causes feelings of happiness, excitement, and joy. Music can also help people feel physically good. Stress causes 60% of all illness and disease, but listening to music can decrease the levels of the stress hormone, cortisol, in the body which counteracts the effects of chronic stress. In a study involving surgery patients, the stress-reducing effects of music were more powerful than the effect of an orally-administered anxiolytic drug which is used to reduce anxiety. Also, according to the article “5 Ways Music Improves Our Health,” by Jill Suttie, it is stated that music can prevent anxiety-induced increases in heart rate and blood pressure. Overall, music has the ability to naturally reduce anxiety and boost a person’s mood without any harmful side effects that prescription drugs might cause. Music can also relieve both emotional and physical pain. Charlotte Price Persson says in her article, “Music Can Relieve Chronic Pain” that “scientists have also known for
some time that music can have a direct and measurable effect on acute pain, such as when a person burns their finger. Now, for the first time, scientists have examined whether music can also have a positive effect on chronic pain in patients who suffer from fibromyalgia, a disease that causes severe chronic pain in the muscles and joints.” This new study found that fibromyalgia patients experienced less chronic pain after listening to their favorite music. “The patients reported that their pain became less unpleasant and less intense,” says study lead author Peter Vuust of the Center for Functionally Integrative Neuroscience (CFIN) at Aarhus University, Denmark. Vuust believes that the new findings may have even greater implications, “With people who suffer from a disease that causes chronic pain, the greatest problem is all the medicines they are forced to take. Whatever it may be, it’s bad, because it can cause stomach upset, can be addictive, etc...If music can help us to lower the doses of pain medication, that’s fantastic.” Music provides more benefits to people than they may know of. It is important and beneficial to both people’s physical and mental healths because it has the ability to help people with physical and emotional pain and provides a short escape from daily life and its problems. After a long day at school, instead of going home and having to stress about the end of the school year, try playing some music to relax.
May 2016
Skin Saver
The WLHS Pilot
With warm weather coming, it is time to stock up on the sunscreen. causes the skin to lose pliability and By Jayonna Hicks resilience. The deadliest effect of too When the sun comes out, and much sun exposure is skin cancer the weather gets warmer, many people caused by the sun’s ultraviolet rays. love to hang out by the beach a n d Skin cancer is the uncontrolled lie in the sun. Some sun growth of abnormal skin cells can be good for a perwhich can lead to tumors inson’s skin because it side of the body. There are can act as a source two types of skin cancers of vitamin D. Getting that are caused by sun exvitamin D from the posure--melanoma cancer sun helps you absorb and non-melanoma cancer. calcium for stronger Melanoma cancer is a type of bones and is good for t h e cancer that begins with a dark spot or body; however, staying in the sun for too long can be harmful. Sun- dark area called melanin on the skin. screen needs to be applied in order to Non-melanoma cancer does not begin protect the skin, but especially during with melanin appearing on the skin the summer, it is easy to forget to ap- and rarely spreads to other parts of ply sunscreen and only focus on hav- the body. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, melanoma ing fun outside. Protecting one’s skin from the is the second most common form of sun is important, and everyone should cancer in people aged 15 to 29. The Academy also released know how to properly protect it. Even though people with fairer skin have a research that found the using sunhigher chance of sun exposure, ev- screen daily cuts your chance of geteryone needs to wear sunscreen when ting melanoma in half. There are two going outside. Too much sun expo- major types of sunscreens that are sure can cause physical changes to used to protect the skin the skin such as the skin looking dry, from harmful sun expowrinkled, leathery, and discolored. sure which are lotions It can also cause sunburns, heat ex- and spray-ons. Sprayhaustion, heat stroke, or skin damage. on sunscreen is easier to People often think that theses skin apply and is usually less changes are simply a part of aging, greasy. Also, it creates but sun exposure actually causes 90% less of a mess than a lotion of skin aging. Also, 80% of sun exposure is obtained before the age of 18, so it is important to wear sunscreen. Additionally, some people who get too much sun get skin bruises because the sun
Health
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would. Spray-on sunscreens are usually used by people who tend to go outdoors more. Some problems with spray on sunscreens are that some can be sticky or not as protective as lotions can be. On the other hand, lotion has better coverage because it is rubbed into the skin. Sunscreen lotions also give the skin a more moisturized effect than what the spray on sunscreens give. In order to help people choose a sunscreen with proper coverage, sunscreen bottles all have an SPF number which stands for sunscreen protection factor. The SPF helps protect the skin against UV radiation. In order to protect yourself from both UVA and UVB rays, be sure the sunscreen contains zinc or titanium dioxide. Sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or greater would be best for days out in the sun. Besides sunscreen, consider going to the beach with an umbrella or hat to further protect yourself from harmful rays. In the end, it does not matter which sunscreen is used as long at is used properly and effectively. Putting on sunscreen should become a habit just like brushing one’s teeth. Even though it does not seem like a big deal, sunscreen can save you from a lot of pain later in life. Therefore, before going outside to have fun with friends in the summer sun, always make sure to apply sunscreen.
4 School News
Share the Mission 2015 By Hannah
May 2016
The WLHS Pilot
Gorski
Palm Coast, FL
Irmo, SC Senior Jason Wagner went on this trip where the students helped run a Vacation Bible School at the local church. During their free time, the students watched movies, played ping pong and other games, and did activities such as going shopping, going out to eat, river tubing, and visiting an indoor trampoline park. Jason’s favorite part of the trip was meeting and learning about all the kids, along with getting to know the other people on the mission trip. Jason’s advice to those going on a mission trip this summer is to have fun, get to know all the people involved, and use the opportunity to learn more about friends. Do not look back and think, “I could’ve done this, but I didn’t,” or, “Man, I wish I would’ve done this.”
ran a VBS camp and a During this trip, students also Beijin the church. The students mini-basketball camp at of y cit g, Chi the ng iti vis e ities lik na enjoyed some tourist activ ing ax rel d an Beach, ler ag Fl to ing go , ne sti Saint Augu paralso went to many pool ey Th h. ac Be na yto Da on urch. es of Christ the King Ch Senior Tay ties hosted by the famili lor Luck a nts who de stu the of e on s wa nd other stu e all-day En Sophomore Faith Goed dents ran a s g wa li p s tri h the of c rt a pa m ite n p for child r favor o n th is re m went on this trip, and he n ission trip. ages 7 to 1 es to ais pr ng sa s ler oo ch 1 T e-s ad hey taught as physica song time. When 160 gr c e. la l nc e s rie d s pe e u ex g s c vin a s ti u mo c on, science ible and most impo , art, music h their Lord, it was an incred rtantly, the on ssi mi ’s ar ye s , thi a on n ing d Old and N le go The days w e w Faith’s advice to the peop it; T e ke e re ma s ll ta u’ lo yo m ng, but the ent. u don’t think the childre y enjoyed trip is “Try it! Even if yo s ge n an ch h le It e a it! lp rn do in it, th g e Gospel m s worth the help of even if you’re not sure it’ essage wit translators well.” as ds en fri t ea h gr me so . The studen to many to your life, and you’ll make ts traveled urist sites s tes better at tas od fo ’s ald on u cD c M : h ith o a Fa f s m C fro T t h h fac in n e Fu a, The Forb Great Wall night idden City ssion group made a late o f H e , a T v midnight. (The entire mi h e e Temple her fondest memories.) many m n, The Olympic Bird of e on s It’ n. ru ’s ald on ’s Nest, an ore sites. T McD d hey also em culture by b ra ced Chines doing Tai C e hiate an delicious fo d eating lots of od.
May 2016
The WLHS Pilot
School News
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This mission trip included running a VBS camp in the mornings, Monday through Friday. Senior Elizabeth Mariscal went on the trip, and she helped with the music portion of the camp. They taught the children song s, actions, and a Bible verse of the day. The students also enjoyed many fun activities on the trip. One of the activities was going to a movie theater that had complimentary blankets , pillows, popcorn, and drinks. Since their host family had a pool, they went swimming ever yday. They also went hiking and went to Sedona, Arizona, where they shopped and went out to dinner. Other tourist spots the group visited were “Temple on the Rock,” which is a Cath olic church, and downtown Arizona. Elizabeth’s favorite parts of the trip were meeting people her age, going to pool parties, and getting close to the other three people on the trip. She also enjoyed the weather and that everyday was a new adventure. Advice that Elizabeth gives to people going on this year ’s mission trips is “Be prepared to do whateve r they need. It’s a lot of work, but it’s so beneficial! You will have so much fun and mee t so many people. Don’t be shy and put your best foot forward, always! Hard work pays off in the end. You do a lot of work, but also have so much time to have fun. Use your uniq ue blessings that God has given you to help those who don’t know Christ. Along with the Holy Spirit, YOU have the capability to change a person and help to bring faith into a child’s heart. And the kids are so cute! Being able to do this in a new environment you’ ve never been in, is so cool. It was the best week of summer!”
East F o Phoen rk/ ix,
AZ
This trip in vo Leigh Chri lved a lot of physical stnacht and labor. Senio other stude r Ami ed the wall nts on the s of a scho trip paintol on the W Reservatio hite River n. Along w Apache classrooms ith cleanin g and orga , they canv nizing asse uting 12,00 0 flyers. Th d homes in Phoenix, distribey talked to about high middle sch school and o o l faith. Whe free time, th n it came to kids e students their went hikin swimming g in the mo , cliff-jump u in n tains, g, mini golfi with their hos ng Phrase. Am t families, playing ga , and spent time mes such a i Le s Catch ing off a cli igh’s favorite part of ff, car ride the trip wa s, a s jumpshe would give to this nd jam sessions. Adv ice that ye trips is to a ppreciate th ar ’s people going on m e ission p eople you and look fo are with, h r God’s be ave fun, auty every where you go.
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Seniors
May 2016
The WLHS Pilot
Seniors in the Service Pilot gives a hearty salute to the Seniors willing to serve in the armed forces By Mia Walker
Erick Frey Which branch are you enlisting in after high school? After high school, I am attending UW-Milwaukee and will be attending Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corps (AFROTC) located on the campus of Marquette. During my four years of college, AFROTC will train and teach me, so that when I graduate I will be an Officer in the Air Force, rather than the much lower rank of airman basic which is what I would be if I were to join the Air Force straight out of high school. Planning on a full-time career or part-time? I plan to serve around 20 years in the Air Force, and after I retire from the Air Force, I will use the electrical engineering degree I obtain from my schooling at UW-Milwaukee to be my career for the rest of my life.
Taylor Genrich What got you interested in the military in the first place? I took a field trip to the Milwaukee’s 128th Air National Guard base in fifth grade. This really inspired me at a young age to start thinking about the opportunities that the Guard would have to offer me, and more importantly, what I could do to serve and be a witness of Christ to others. Plans after the military? I hope to attend the University of Minnesota (Twin Cities) to earn my nursing degree, become a flight nurse, and maybe even be a Nurse Practitioner at the Veteran hospital.
Drew Konkol Why choose the Air Force? The Air Force has many different divisions. One of these is the Air National Guard. I can serve my country part-time and remain in the area (Milwaukee’s 128th Refueling Base). The Air Force provides practical training and education that can be used in a civilian job. I feel that I can serve the U.S. best through the Air Force’s opportunities that are offered. What got you interested in the military in the first place? Both my parents were in the Air Force (They both happened to be deployed to Spain at the same time and met for the first time on a beach there.) Photographer Gerry Milton
May 2016
The WLHS Pilot
Jacob Nygaard What got you interested in the military in the first place? I was raised in a very patriotic and military supportive household. I am proud of this country and will be proud to be serving. Have you decided or thought about which field you are going into? I have thought about staying infantry, or becoming a paratrooper, or going into armor. Plans after the military? I plan to get a job in the civil engineering field, and I hope to have a family to enjoy the rest of my life with me.
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Kevin Llanas Why the Marine Corps? My family has a long history of military service, and I want to give back to the country that has blessed my family. What got you interested in the military in the first place? For as long as I can remember, I have always wanted to be in the military. Spending lots of time with my Uncle, who was in the Marines, Navy and Army probably had a lot to do with this. Plans after the military? If I do not stay in the Marines, I will most likely become a police officer.
“I, _____, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.” - Oath of Enlistment
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Seniors
May 2016
The WLHS Pilot
Pilot Seniors
It is time to say goodbye to Pilot’s Senior Editors. By Delilah Trempala
“If you are genuinely interested in learning how to better your writing, or you just want to try something new, stop in to a meeting.”
“Being in charge of something important is a good life lesson, and it teaches responsibility and humility.”
Mia Walker: Mia was introduced to Pilot her sophomore year when a classmate dragged her to a Pilot meeting, and she has stuck with it ever since. Mia has written a variety of articles on such topics as the effects of video games. As an editor for the last two years, Mia has worked to help develop interesting article ideas, and to edit articles. Through the “ups and downs” of her high school years, she has grown in her faith saying that “now it is stronger than ever, and I can only hope it will continue to grow throughout the rest of my life.” Her favorite classes were Child Development, From Friendship to Marriage, and Food Techniques. Some advice she would like to give to others is to “get things done as soon as possible.” (This is advice that she admits she has not always followed). Mia Walker has been a pleasure to have in the Pilot room, and we will miss her sarcasm. We wish her well in her future endeavors.
Photographer Gerry Milton
Grace Albrecht: For the past two years that Grace has been on Pilot, she has helped to develop article ideas for each issue, along with writing and editing articles for the Pilot. She was introduced to Pilot through Ms.Grzanna’s American Literature class, and this year Grace became an editor for the paper. Grace also participated in Agents of Change, National Honor Society, and been a member of the Girl’s Soccer Team. Throughout her years at Wisco Grace has enjoyed having chapel everyday and appreciates her “teachers who put lots of time into helping their students.” She plans to attend the University of Wisconsin Madison and is going to major in marketing. Grace is thankful she was able to attend a high school that has allowed her to “grow in my faith and to also grow academically.” Grace’s diligence will be greatly missed by the entire newspaper staff.
“In regards to joining the newspaper, I enjoyed getting to experience something new.”
May 2016
Seniors
The WLHS Pilot
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Landon Lehr: Landon has been on Pilot for four years, and he has been Layout Editor the last three years. Landon says that he will truly miss hanging out with the other editors during 8th hour and all of the fun they have had. Along with joining the Pilot, which he accidentally stumbled upon thinking it was a course on airplanes, he also has been a member of the Cross Country team, the Track and Field team, National Honor Society, and Agents Of Change International. Landon plans to continue his studies at UW Whitewater, and he wants to earn his CPA in accounting. He feels that “through the spiritual nourishment that Wisco has provided for me, I am closer to the Lord than I was when I came here.” His favorite teacher is Pastor Becker and, though “His quizzes in Revelation especially gave me grief, his class was enjoyable and learning from his life experiences was priceless.” Landon’s dedication to the paper will be missed, but his humor will live on through his Pilot layout guide--10 Commandments of Learning Layout.
“Pilot was a good way to learn how to work better with other people… but meetings with food were definitely a plus!”
“Some of the most memorable moments of my life took place in the Pilot room during eighth hour. Savor the moments of Pilot; savor the moments of high school.”
Amber Perez: As Editor In Chief of the Wisco Pilot, Amber has helped to guide the staff this year. She has been a member of the staff for all four years of high school, and often talks of how as a freshman, she saw the editors running the meetings, and hoped that she too could be an editor one day. She has spent the last two years helping to develop article ideas, editing articles, and helping with the responsibility of overseeing the Pilot staff. She describes her high school experiences as some of the most “crazy, amazing, tragic, and beautiful moments that I wouldn’t trade for the world.” She has also been on National Honor Society this year, in which she states that “being inducted into NHS was a really special occasion for me.” As a freshman, Amber also participated in drama club and Freshmen choir. She admits that some of her favorite teachers are her English teachers like Mrs. Braun, Mr. Tatge, Mrs. Schmal, Ms. Grzanna, and Dr. Krause. In her spare time she also loves to go to concerts, especially at the Rave and at Summerfest, and on occasions, likes to crowd surf. She plans on attending the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay to major in Human Biology, and then she wants to get a degree in Mortuary Science then start her career as a funeral director. Here at Wisco, she admits that she regrets nothing and would not change a thing because “it would take away from the amazing journey God has put me on.” She says that, “if it was not for Wisco, I do not know where I would be with my faith. I know that God has a plan laid out for me.” Amber was an inspiration to the members of Pilot, and her continued dedication and work ethic, helped to set the tone for the rest of the staff. Whenever anything needed to be finished, Amber volunteered to help. We will miss you next year.
10 Opinion
The WLHS Pilot
May 2016
The Feminist Fight The feminism movement continues the fight for equality among people. By Natalie Schultz
In the Constitution, it is written that “all men are created equal.” One of the foundational beliefs of the United States is equality. Even though equality has been fought for in the past, there is still more work to be done to make it a reality. Equality is the fuel behind the feminism movement which is defined as “the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes.” Some tend to misconceive feminism as an idea of a woman dominated society that will drag down the male counterpart. Feminism is the simple belief in equality among the sexes, and it can be used to describe any person who believes in equality. With its rich history, feminism continues to affect people by fighting against gender stereotypes and raising awareness for the need of equality among the sexes. The feminist theory has been around for generations, but its popularity grew immensely during the World War I era. Social activists were fighting against the prevalent belief of the “Cult of True Womanhood,”
which was the notion that a woman was naturally submissive in nature, must get married, and her hobbies should remain associated with the home. However, during World War I, men left jobs back home to fight in the war, which gave women the opportunity to break these stereotypes and gender roles as they took on “men’s” jobs such as making guns and ammunition for the war. The changes that took place sparked new concepts such as all-female football teams, women police officers, and later led to accepting more casual fashion attire for the female workforce. W o m en’s suffrage also marked the rebirth of feminism in the modern era and is historically credited as the first political protest ever done outside the White House. The fight for women’s suffrage had been around since 1848, but it took 72 years for the 19th Amendment to be ratified. On August 18, 1920, women were finally granted the power to vote and for the first time in the United States women had their say in government. The history of that time can easily be overshadowed by soldiers fighting wars, but women of that day were fighting their own wars for equality, the right to vote, and the breaking of stereotypes. Despite inaccurate beliefs,
feminism also benefits men as it fights against stereotypes and gender roles. Gender roles stereotype men and women to have certain attributes simply because of their gender. Men are expected to live up to certain standards in order to be considered masculine. If they do not have these attributes or do these activities, they are not considered “real men.” Phrases such as, “Real men don’t cry,” “Man up,” or “You throw like a girl,” help to enforce these standards by putting men down and isolating females as a weaker sex. These stereotypes lessen the chance for society to grow because without them men and women can prove that they are able to do the same tasks. One example of the way that stereotypes affect society is the expectation of men to become doctors and women to become nurses. This stereotype makes it difficult for male nurses and female doctors to receive the proper respect that they deserve. Furthermore, feminism can also promote the awareness of male sexual abuse and the fact that men can be and have been raped in our country. In fact, 2.78 million men in the U.S. have been raped or sexually assaulted. Men who are victims of rape are no different from women who are
May 2016
rape victims, and both parties should receive justice without being blamed. Both genders should have the right to seek nonjudgmental help after being violated. Sometimes, people conclude that feminism is unnecessary due to the lack of visibility these conflicts are given. Others believe that women make up problems which do not exist. However, anti-feminist organizations often gloss over the hard facts and the truth of the world today. Here are just a few of the issues facing women today: 1. Every six seconds in the United States of America a woman is raped, and 84% of women who are raped are violated by men they know, which is categorized as “date rape.” 9 out of 10 women who are “date raped” do not seek justice due to a lack of trust and the fear of public humiliation. 2. In the U.S., it is legal to breastfeed a child in public, but women have been asked to leave food courts to breastfeed in public bathrooms because it causes the people around them to feel uncomfortable.
The WLHS Pilot
Opinion 11
3. Women make 78 cents to every dollar a man makes for the same job. African- American women make 64 cents to every man’s dollar, and Latino and Hispanic women make 54 cents to every man’s dollar. 4. 20 women are currently operating in the Senate. Only 19.4% of Congress is females even though women make up 50.8% of the U.S. population. 5. Women in Saudi Arabia cannot vote or drive. 6. 100-140 million girls have become victims to female circumcision (FGM), a brutal genital mutilation that is still gaining popularity in Malaysia. These are just a few of the issues that demonstrate the need for feminism, but there are many more. Small changes are important, but it is also relevant to see past the minor inequalities and to look to the devastating conditions women in the world face. Women have come so far in overcoming the quintessential roles they were told to follow. Feminism fights the social constructs towards
women and girls, who are being judged based on gender instead of the intellect and power they hold individually. It teaches that women can make a difference in the world. They have the power to hold any position they work including the jobs of presidents, Prime Ministers, CEOs, doctors, scientists, artists, and more. As a society, humans should promote the equality of genders and respect for women as such. Freedom should never be limited due to the combination of X and Y chromosomes. It is important, however, to understand that there are different types of feminism. While a Christian can certainly believe in equal rights for women, and most certainly should fight to end abuse of women around the world, we must be careful of radical feminists. Equal rights does not mean a woman should have the right to kill her unborn child, to practice lesbianism, or to swing the pendulum the other direction and abuse men. Feminists should also not shame women who choose to stay at home with their children. God loves all his children and created us all in his image. Because of this, we are commanded to love everyone. “So, God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them” (Genesis 1:27).
12 Science
The WLHS Pilot
May 2016
Tablet Technology Could Wisco one day trade in textbooks for tablets? By Kailey Luehring
Carrying around tablets or laptops in place of heavy textbooks seems to be a dream for high school students. This dream may become a reality sooner than later as more schools begin to switch to electronic textbooks instead of the standard textbooks. Wisco, too, may join the trend in the coming years and make the big switch. As schools decide whether or not to make the transition from textbooks to electronics, there are many
things to consider. There are many pros and cons to having online books instead of paper textbooks. An obvious advantage to using tablets or laptops instead of textbooks is that they are lighter and can hold much more material. Students can put a lot of strain on their backs when carrying around backpacks filled with heavy textbooks for seven hours a day. According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, about 5,000 children a year are brought into emergency rooms with backpack related injuries, and over 14,000 are treated annually for injuries caused by backpacks. By using tablets, a lighter technology, children will no longer be putting this type of strain on their necks and backs causing a decrease in injuries and chronic pain. The online textbooks are becoming more popular because newer technology is being used more and more because it is more cost effective than buying textbooks. E-books are cheaper than textbooks, and they may last longer too. Tablets and computers can hold thousands of textbooks which offsets the initial cost of the possibly pricey device. They are very environmentally friendly as well; they lower the amount of printing done yearly. Although there are many upsides to switching from textbooks to electronic alternatives, there are also a few disadvantages that need to be considered. Staring at a screen for many continuous hours is shown to have various health related problems associated with it. Doctors believe that it causes eyestrain, blurred vision, and headaches, and when all are put together, they can result in a condition known as Computer Vision Syndrome. Additionally, as students use these devices, they may tend to become
distracted by the various other things they are able to access on it. Applications, games, and social media are temptations that schools would need to take into consideration before handing their students powerful devices like these. Lastly, electronic devices can possibly freeze, be hacked, or be infected with malware making them unable to use, and putting a stop to education for an undetermined amount of time. Although it does not happen very often, it is still something to consider along with everything else. Overall, it seems like the use of more technology in schools is unstoppable. A high school in White Plains, New York has made the complete transition to go all digital and not use any printed textbooks. They have replaced all of their textbooks with textbooks in a “digital library” that can be found on each student’s laptop or tablet. This new system has been widely accepted and praised by students and teachers alike. The great amount of benefits appeal to many school administrators, including our own at Wisco. As the years progress, Wisco would like to see personal chromebooks used by students, possibly even as soon as next year. By substituting chromebook laptops for heavy textbooks, students’ loads will literally be much lighter. Also, it would be easier to access textbooks at home. The teenager’s dream of not carrying textbooks is coming true for more and more students each day, and perhaps it will soon become a reality for Wisconsin Lutheran as well.
May 2015
The WLHS Pilot
Health
The Zika Outbreak Symptoms of the Zika virus may seem harmless, but they can indicate something deadly. By Delilah Trempala
When preparing to have a child, excitement and anticipation are usually surging through the parents’ thoughts. All of those emotions could change if they got a call saying that the mother has been exposed to the Zika virus. The question is what exactly is the Zika virus, and how can it affect unborn babies. The Zika virus was originally discovered in 1947 and was named after the Zika forest in Uganda. Though it is hard to say where specifically the Zika virus originated, it is most commonly found in Africa, Southeast Asia, and in the Pacific Islands. It has also spread to the people in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and in the American Samoa.
Furthermore, the Zika virus is most often passed along through the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito, but it can also be passed along through sexual intercourse. Since 2014, only fourteen cases of the virus have been discovered; however, many people do not know if they have it because the symptoms are so common. Still, the rise in Zika patients is growing, especially among unborn babies still in the womb. The Zika virus affects people in various ways. The most common symptoms of the Zika virus include a rash, fever, joint and muscle pain, and headaches. This is why many people are unaware that their blood may be infected with the Zika virus;
SUPERHEROES!
based on the symptoms, they believe it simply is a flu-like illness. People do not tend to get sick to the point of hospitilization when infected with the Zika virus, and few deaths have occured from it. Though the symptoms may only last for a few days or even weeks, more research needs to be done in order to find a vaccine for this virus. The only tips doctors can suggest for getting better is to stay hydrated, take medicines other than aspirin (to reduce the risk of bleeding), and get a lot of rest. Scientists also caution others not to travel to places outside of the country where the virus is common; those who still choose to travel should protect themselves by wearing long pants and
Favorite Superhero
---------------------------------------Which superhero h Man!” “De nc u P ne “O Wonder Woman 4.3% is your adp ool Captain America 11.7% favorite? Why? fun ! Cuz Superman 11.7% ny!” he’ “Thor! H s e has C Spiderman 9.6% lay Matthe “The Hu ws’ Hair lk ! He’s big Thor 11.7% !” and has mus e Batman 29.8% cles!” old m ! Elijah t n a m Other 22.3% t a “W “B ond to...” She er Wo ’s a m He’s girl an! “Captain America! ! ” !” r! cute and stuff hape n c S . io “Mr lanat p x e No ed.” need
Poll by: JOHN KIESOW
43.6%
56.4%
May 2016
The WLHS Pilot
Continued . . . shirts, putting on bug spray repellent, staying inside where there is air conditioning or screen doors to keep out mosquitoes, and also sleeping under a mosquito bed net if outside. Pregnant women are at a greater risk of having their baby infected with the Zika virus. Recently, the Zika virus has been linked to serious birth defects in unborn babies and has also proven to result in absent or poorly developed brain structures, defects of the eyes, hearing deficits, and impaired growth. M a n y doctors say that the baby will have b r a i n damage because the infected mother has transmitted the virus onto the developing fetus. Though the virus is known to pass from mother to child around the time of birth, breastfeeding does not seem to be dangerous for the baby; in fact, it is often encouraged, even in places where the Zika virus is present. Many mysteries about the virus remain; yet, many health officials are on high alert as the outbreak spreads. For instance, Donald G. McNeil Jr., a science and health reporter specializing in plagues and pestilences such as AIDS, malaria, Avian Flu, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), and Mad Cow Disease, states that “the infection appears to be linked to the development of unusually small heads and brain damage in
newborns – called microcephaly – as well as other neurological defects. In adults, the virus is linked to a form of temporary paralysis.” He goes on to say that “The World Health Organization has declared the outbreak of the Zika virus to be an international public health emergency. This is prompted by the growing concern that it could cause birth defects. As many as four million people could be infected by the end of the year.” Therefore, severe warnings have been issued in order to teach people about this dangerous insect and notify people, especially pregnant women, against traveling to other countries such as the Caribbean and Latin America because more than thirty countries have had traces of the Zika virus present. In fact, some athletes at the Olympic Games have dropped out due to fear because the outbreak has been detected in Rio de Janeiro, where the 2016 Games are being held. New York journalist Daniel Bases wrote, “In a January 29 letter from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to national committees, the IOC’s
chief doctors said they were monitoring the situation closely. They passed along mosquito avoidance advice, but remained confident the games would go ahead as planned.” He goes on the warn that with over 380,000 tourists and athletes are on their way to Rio, “An ongoing Zika epidemic could prompt some athletes, staff, sponsors and high-spending tourists to steer clear of the Olympic Games. Even if the risk of infection to any given visitor is very low – as health experts expect – uncertainties persist. There is no Zika vaccine, and the current available blood tests cannot always detect the virus.” The Zika virus is no laughing matter, and prayers should be said for the families who face these struggles.
EDITORS Amber Perez Editor-in-Chief
Landon Lehr
Chief Layout Editor
Delilah Trempala Business Manager
Chen Xu
Layout Editor
Mia Walker Feature Editor
Grace Albrecht Feature Editor