The West Bend Current

Last day to enroll is Wednesday

West Bend West senior Noah Mintie has always loved theme parks, and that’s why he’s inviting the entire senior class to Six Flags Great America.

Last October Mintie learned that Great America runs a program which includes school trips during the night. He brought the idea of WBHS participating to administration, and assistant principal Kelsey Petersen helped him organize the event. The trip is planned for April 26, and students can enjoy the park from 9:30 p.m. until 3 a.m.

“I heard that (Six Flags) did this and I ran it past our school’s administration, like hey, here’s something that’d be really cool if we could start this year and continue to do year after year,” Mintie said.

Petersen, who helped gain project approval from the school board, says the date was chosen to avoid the weeks of prom and Advanced Placement testing. She also appreciates Mintie’s enthusiasm for the project.

“Noah really was excited to bring a senior class trip,” Petersen said. “I thank him for initiating this idea.”

Six Flags’ “Grad Nite” is a night for schools where only students and chaperones are allowed in. The park uses this as an opportunity to give employees practice for the upcoming summer months. The trip will also include an all-you-can-eat buffet as a food option, and a student lounge area.

“I’m just excited for the prospect of running around a theme park with potentially lower to no lines and really making sure that I can experience this place that I love, but with my friends,” Mintie said. “I think West Bend needs a good senior tradition that the school can promote.”

What’s most exciting to Mintie is the opportunity to be among the first people to ride the Wrath of Rakshasa, a newly-constructed coaster slated to open this summer. The ride features a 96-degree beyond vertical drop and will be the world’s steepest dive coaster.

The trip requires two chaperones on each 50-kid bus, and one of these chaperones is East English teacher Brett Hartman. 

“I just have to be the pretty smiling face of the trip,” Hartman said. “My job is to hang out with the kids and go on rides. I’m expecting it to be a really loud and energetic and fun environment on the way down, and kids having hopefully a really good time. I mean, I’ve never been to Six Flags when it’s been dark out.”

Hartman also expects to be peer-pressured by students into going on rides. The funny thing is that this chaperone doesn’t care for roller coasters.

“I haven’t been to Six Flags since I was a senior in high school, which would be about 18 years ago,” Hartman said. “I haven’t really been on a roller coaster since then, so I’m both excited and nervous. Raging Bull I’ve only ever been on once, and I did not like it.”

An issue the trip is facing is the second bus not yet being filled, which could lead to larger problems.

“We’ll have to cancel that second bus,” Mintie said. “I fear that might create problems with tickets, and overall transportation. We’re hoping to boost sign-ups by the deadline.”

Participants must sign up by Wednesday. Mintie encourages any interested seniors to get to the bookkeeper’s office as soon as they possibly can, grab a form and sign up.

“Once you sign up you get to pick where and who you sit with in the bus, so I would suggest they do that,” Mintie said.

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(Photos and videos are official publicity material.)