West Bend poet invited to Carnegie Hall to receive an award
By Samantha Dietel, Current Staff
A talent for poetry has earned one local student national recognition and a plane ticket to New York. Continue reading
City of Hurried and Sparkling Waters! City of Spires and Masts!
Filed under School News and Features
Dolphins Make Waves at School Board Meeting
Synchronized swimming team successfully petitions the district to overturn lighting directive
By Mattie Zautner, Current Staff
Over 60 dolphins swam into the last school board meeting.
Members of the Dolphins, the West Bend High Schools’ synchronized swim team, crashed the April 9 school board meeting to persuade district officials to allow the natatorium lights to be turned off during their show scheduled to open just three days later. Traditionally the show depends upon a darkened room for effect, but this school year the team had been notified that the lights could not be turned off for safety reasons. Continue reading
Filed under Entertainment, School News and Features, Sports
Video Made the Wrestling Star
By Auburn Larson, Current Staff
After placing fifth at the state wrestling tournament, Cayden Henschel grabbed his video camera.
Henschel, a sophomore at West Bend East High School, is known for being one of the top wrestlers in the state, but he is becoming more popular due to his YouTube vlogs which highlight his daily life. He started posting videos last November. Continue reading
Filed under School News and Features, Sports
State Champ? That’s Hilarious
Kolb takes first in Solo Acting Humorous forensics category
By Caitlin Marsch, Current Staff
The West Bend High Schools are home to three of the funniest students in the state of Wisconsin.
East junior Emily Kolb took first place in the category Solo Acting Humorous at the state forensics tournament held April 7 at the University of Wisconsin—Whitewater. Kolb was joined at the podium by West senior Anna Pitz and East junior Ian O’Day, who were also among the six finalists in the category. Continue reading
Filed under School News and Features
That’s Snow Way to Practice
By Auburn Larson, Current Staff
On Tuesday, East golfers grabbed their putters and headed to the library.
The unexpected snow and freezing temperatures in April has forced many West Bend High Schools sports teams to practice in very unconventional ways this spring. Continue reading
Filed under Sports
Video Announcements 4/20/18
(Video created by students in West Bend High Schools’ advanced video production class, under the supervision of Michael Bentdahl, East High technology teacher.)
Filed under School News and Features
Orchestra Department Has New Mascot
By Lily Mottet, Current Staff
Even before he knew what was happening, West Bend High Schools orchestra teacher Seth Matuszak knew something was up. The giggling gave it away. Continue reading
Filed under School News and Features
Student Artists Raise Holocaust Awareness
Art show’s theme was inspired by 1937 Munich exhibit
By Jessica Steger, Editor in Chief
This year’s art show, Forbidden Art of the Nazi Era, is celebrating what German Nazis had once deemed degenerate.
The art show is 4-7 p.m. Wednesday in the Silver Lining Performing Arts Center atrium. Art and written work from local students will be on display. Students of West Bend High Schools will be able to tour the gallery during the day with their classes. Continue reading
Filed under School News and Features
Safety Plans Go Right Out the Window
By Samantha Dietel, Current Staff
During an intruder situation, some students at the West Bend High Schools would be instructed to climb out a classroom window. Continue reading
Filed under School News and Features
Video Announcements 4/6/18
(Video created by students in West Bend High Schools’ advanced video production class, under the supervision of Michael Bentdahl, East High technology teacher.)
Filed under School News and Features
‘Our Thoughts Are Our Own’: Walkout Organizers Respond to School Board Candidate’s Criticisms
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
On Wednesday, March 14th, hundreds of students poured onto the West Bend High School’s football field to honor the seventeen lives that were taken on the Valentine’s Day Parkland shooting. In light of the recent discussion on school safety, we would like to respond to Mary Weigand’s blog post directed at “the protesting students and supportive administration” regarding the walkout. Mrs. Weigand is currently running for school board. We would also like to clarify and enlighten our community members on the events of the day. The following response does not reflect the views of the high school administration. Continue reading
Filed under Community, School News and Features, Viewpoint
Video Announcements 3/23/18
(Video created by students in West Bend High Schools’ advanced video production class, under the supervision of Michael Bentdahl, East High technology teacher.)
Filed under School News and Features
‘We’re Unprepared’: Students and Staff Have Safety Concerns
West assistant principal Patrick O’Connor monitors the West cafeteria during the first lunch period on Tuesday. Photo by Samantha Dietel, Current Staff.
By Samantha Dietel, Current Staff
Not everyone is satisfied with the safety of the West Bend High Schools.
After the recent shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., both students and staff at WBHS have expressed their own concerns about the building’s safety. Some even believe that the school would be unprepared for an attack similar to what occurred in Parkland. Continue reading
Filed under School News and Features
Decision 2018: Meet the Four Candidates for School Board
Two seats on the West Bend School Board will be up for grabs in an at-large election on April 3.
Joining incumbent Monte Schmiege on the ballot are three challengers, Chris Zwygart, Kurt Rebholz and Mary Weigand. Leaving the board is Tim Stellmacher, who was appointed to the board mid-term and did not file for re-election.
The West Bend Current asked the candidates about their background. That interview material is presented below in the order that the candidates will appear on the ballot. Continue reading
Filed under Community, School News and Features
Decision 2018: Board Candidates on Why They Chose to Run
Why are you running for school board?
Monte Schmiege
Well, I have three years of experience in the district. I think it is important to have some experience on the board rather than new members every single year because it does take some time to get acclimated to the business of the school board and what it’s all like, what the responsibilities are, what you should be doing and what you shouldn’t be doing. So it takes quite a bit of time to get acquainted to all of that. Continue reading
Filed under Community, School News and Features
Decision 2018: Board Candidates on Spending Money
What are your budgeting priorities for the school district?
Monte Schmiege
Seventy-five percent of the money goes towards staffing so that is a big component of that and then you’ve got a component which would be for construction materials and all of that. The district is putting 1.4 million dollars into retaining the school grounds. Those are the primary ones and we also have debt that we have to pay for. Continue reading
Filed under Community, School News and Features
Decision 2018: Board Candidates on District Curriculum
What is the board’s role when it comes to curriculum changes?
Monte Schmiege
That’s an interesting question because I have a different opinion on that. Some people will say that we need to leave that to the experts and I don’t necessarily believe that. If we had policies or some way to describe what curriculum should look like that would be one thing, but we really don’t. And things change so much that it is difficult to do that. I think the board’s role is oversight. But I worked with administration to update our policy to allow the board to approve standards and curriculum and this is modeled after what Green Bay does, as a matter of fact. And the board is also responsible by law and action in August to authorize a list of board-approved standards so there is a precedent of the board approving standards. Continue reading
Filed under Community, School News and Features
Waking Toward Greatness
Video game review: ‘Hearts of Iron IV’
By Robert Pulford, Current Staff
World War 2 is, if unintentionally, the perfect time period for war games. Continue reading
Filed under Entertainment, Viewpoint
Video Announcements 3/16/18
(Video created by students in West Bend High Schools’ advanced video production class, under the supervision of Michael Bentdahl, East High technology teacher.)
Filed under School News and Features
‘I Couldn’t Just Sit Back’: Protest Organizers Call for Change
WBHS students are divided about how to address school violence
By Elise Marlett and Lauren Oppermann, Current Staff
Four West Bend teenagers have taken the lead after the recent school shooting in Parkland, Florida.
East junior Lindsay Kramer, West senior Olivia McClain, East senior Alina Prahl and West sophomore Jada Williams organized the West Bend High Schools’ participation in a nationwide moment of silence. The demonstration took place 10 a.m. Wednesday on the football field. Continue reading
Filed under School News and Features
How Have the High Schools Addressed Safety Since Parkland?
Community Q&A planned for March 22
By Samantha Dietel, Current Staff
“If you see or hear something, say something” is a phrase that has lately been given a great emphasis at the West Bend High Schools.
In light of the recent shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., students, parents and other West Bend community members have wondered how the district is planning to respond to the calls for better safety in schools. Several steps to improve the safety of WBHS have already been taken since the attack, including plans for a community discussion about safety that will be held by the school board March 22. Continue reading
Filed under School News and Features
Local Students Protest School Violence
PHOTO ESSAY
Today students at the West Bend High Schools participated in a national school walkout. According to organizers, the event was intended to honor the 17 lives lost at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla. and to encourage legislators to pass stricter gun control laws. These snapshots, taken by Current staff reporters, capture how the event unfolded on the WBHS campus.
Filed under School News and Features
The Current View: National Walkout
Why did you participate in today’s national school walkout?
“I went just to support the kids that were killed in any school shooting. And I went to have that moment of silence for the people who died in the Florida shooting.”
Nick Matsunaga, West senior
Filed under School News and Features, Viewpoint
East Teacher Will Study the Holocaust Overseas
By Bailey Schultz, Current Staff
West Bend East High School social studies teacher Scott Lone is taking a trip to the birthplace of Hitler for spring break. Continue reading
Filed under School News and Features
‘Our Students Are Very Safe’: WBHS Officials Discuss Campus Security
Recent changes were implemented prior to Parkland shooting
By Samantha Dietel, Current Staff
For students shifting from class to class at the West Bend High Schools, it’s easy to miss the numerous cameras that monitor each of the hallways.
In recent years, the West Bend School District has placed an increased focus on the security of its high schools to ensure the safety of the students and staff within the building. But after a gunman took the lives of 17 students and faculty last month at a high school in Parkland, Fla., there has been a heightened number of inquiries regarding the safety at WBHS. Continue reading
Filed under School News and Features
Guns in the Classroom?
By Samantha Dietel, Current Staff
A typical classroom inventory contains plenty of paper, pens and dry erase markers, but now, some believe a gun should also be included.
Students and staff members of the West Bend High Schools have been left with many thoughts, questions and even some concerns due to recent proposals to allow teachers to possess a gun in the classroom. Such proposals began to circulate through the nation in the wake of the tragic shooting that occurred at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla. Even Wis. Rep. Jesse Kremer proposed the arming of private school teachers in February. Continue reading
Filed under School News and Features
The Current View: Teachers and Guns
What do you think about arming teachers as a safety measure?
“I think that arming teachers is unnecessary. If teachers want to have a gun, I think that they can. I don’t necessarily agree with it but they are their own person, they are independent. However I don’t think it should be a mandatory thing.”
Alex Schloemer, East senior
Filed under School News and Features, Viewpoint
Video Announcements 3/8/18
(Video created by students in West Bend High Schools’ advanced video production class, under the supervision of Michael Bentdahl, East High technology teacher.)
Filed under School News and Features
Come for No Nonsense, Stay for Coffee
Student band will perform at the Hub’s ribbon cutting ceremony
By Jessica Steger, Editor in Chief
No Nonsense is making its big break into the community.
The band will help kick off the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Hub Thursday at noon. The Hub is a coffee shop opened by the Washington County Volunteer Center on Water Street in West Bend. There have been several soft openings, and a weekend-long Grand Opening will begin May 17. The ribbon cutting marks the beginning of regular business hours. Continue reading
Filed under Community, Entertainment, School News and Features
Teaching History Through Music
Music scholar visited WBHS to talk about Jewish traditions
By Caitlin Marsch, Current Staff
One way to study the Holocaust is by using your ears.
Amanda Ruppenthal Stein, a doctoral candidate in musicology at Northwestern University, visited band students at the West Bend High Schools Feb. 26 to deliver a presentation about Jewish music. Her presentation was part of the ongoing WBHS project to integrate the art, music, culinary and social studies departments for a Holocaust memorial taking place in April. All three band classes are playing pieces either by a Jewish composer or regarding the Holocaust. Continue reading
Filed under School News and Features
The Secret Rock Life of a Guidance Counselor
By Samantha Dietel, Current Staff
This Friday, Kara Phillips will be stepping away from the typical lifestyle of a high school guidance counselor to pick up a microphone.
Phillips, a counselor at West Bend East High School, is the lead singer of the local rock band Love Handle. She and her band will be performing at 8 p.m. Friday inside Pillars Pub, which will be the group’s first gig since December. Continue reading
Filed under Entertainment, School News and Features
Pencil, Ink and Digital Paint: East Grad Has Ties to Oscar Nominees
Rory Kurtz is an award-winning illustrator
By Jessica Steger, Editor in Chief
West Bend East High School alumnus Rory Kurtz has a personal reason for hoping “Baby Driver” wins an Oscar on Sunday.
Kurtz, an illustrator who graduated from East in 1997, created the official movie poster for “Baby Driver.” He also produced the alternative key art for “I, Tonya,” another Oscar nominee. Kurtz creates art for many clients, including Mondo-Alamo Drafthouse and well-known publications such as the New Yorker and Rolling Stone. Continue reading
Filed under Entertainment
East Swimmer Wins State Title
Fitzgerald takes first in 200 individual medley
By Elise Marlett, Current Staff
West Bend East High School has a state champion swimmer for the first time since 2013.
Bryan Fitzgerald, a senior and member of the West Bend Boys Co-op Swim and Dive team, placed first in his claim-to-fame race, the 200 individual medley, at the WIAA Boys Division 1 state meet on Saturday. His time of 1 minute, 50.15 seconds is the eighth-fastest time in the history of Division 1 boys swimming for this event. He also participated in two relays, placing 14th and 22nd, and received second place in the 500 freestyle. The team placed 14th as a whole. Continue reading
Filed under Sports
Video Announcements 2/23/18
(Video created by students in West Bend High Schools’ advanced video production class, under the supervision of Michael Bentdahl, East High technology teacher.)
Filed under School News and Features
There’s Always Time for Charity
Playoff basketball might interfere with Saturday’s Charity Ball
By Jessica Steger, Editor in Chief
Scheduling Charity Week proved much more difficult this year as compared to the past. Continue reading
Filed under Community, School News and Features
