By Cassidy Scherzer, Current Staff
One area student has gained behind-the-scenes experience at the Bend, West Bend’s historic theater that survived the Great Depression and now a global pandemic.
Continue readingCategory Archives: Community
An Oldie But a Goodie
WBHS senior helps revive old baseball tune with local ties
By Megan Landvatter, Current Staff
As the baseball season starts up again, a lost piece of Brewers history has been found and restored.
Continue readingFiled under Community, Entertainment, School News and Features, Sports
Mystery Couple Identified
By Caroline Peplinski, Current Staff
When an old picture of unknown high school sweethearts was shared online last week, West Benders wondered who they were.
As it turns out, today marks their 40th wedding anniversary.
Continue readingBe Kind, Rewind: Farewell to the Video Store and a Way of Life
Area teachers and former video store clerks ponder what Family Video’s closing means for the culture of film viewing
By Elise Marlett, Editor in Chief
It’s the end of an era.
As of February 28, all Family Video locations across the country are permanently closed, including the location in West Bend. With Family Video being the only remaining video rental store in West Bend prior to closure, local movie lovers must accept a transition from discs to streaming. For many, the transition prompts deep feelings of nostalgia as the culture of film viewing has changed so drastically in the past decades.
Continue readingFiled under Community, Entertainment
Decision 2021: Meet Board Candidate Kurt Rebholz
By Noelle Mentch, Current Staff
Kurt Rebholz believes that his financial background and openness to different ideas are some of his strengths that make him a great member of the school board.
Continue readingFiled under Community, School News and Features
Decision 2021: Meet Board Candidate Chris Zwygart
By Megan Landvatter, Current Staff
After serving on the school board for the past three years, Chris Zwygart believes that he is ready for a second term.
Continue readingFiled under Community, School News and Features
Decision 2021: Meet Board Candidate Jody Geenen
By Megan Landvatter, Current Staff
After watching her three daughters graduate from West Bend West High School, Jody Geenen hopes to give back to her community once more.
Continue readingFiled under Community, School News and Features
Masks On, Sleeves Up
By Elise Marlett, Editor in Chief
The COVID-19 pandemic couldn’t cancel this decades-old tradition. Continue reading
Filed under Community, School News and Features
‘I Never Had a Non-White Teacher’: New Group Seeks Change at the West Bend School District
By Elena Chamberlain, Current Staff
Former West Bend students have started a group that advocates for racial justice in both the community and school district. Continue reading
Filed under Community, School News and Features
A Beautiful Deed in the Neighborhood
By Elise Marlett, Current Staff
As of Tuesday, Diane Malicki has sewn an estimated 75 face masks for her neighbors in an effort to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Continue reading
Filed under Community
Decision 2020: Board Candidates on Another Referendum
What are your thoughts about asking voters to consider another referendum?
Tonnie Schmidt (incumbent)
The West Bend School District is very conservative. It is one of the reasons I choose to live here. I appreciate the need to be responsible with our spending and ensuring that responsibility is one of the reasons I sought to run for school board three years ago and it is still a reason why I chose to run for another term. Continue reading
Filed under Community, School News and Features
Decision 2020: Board Candidates on Why They Want to Serve
What is your motivation for wanting to serve on the school board?
Tonnie Schmidt (incumbent)
The gratitude I feel for the education I received as a child and young adult as well as the ability to serve the community that has welcomed the success of my business, Delta Defense, is what motivates me to serve on the school board. Continue reading
Filed under Community, School News and Features
Decision 2020: Board Candidates on How to Improve the District
What areas of the district do you seek to change or improve?
Tonnie Schmidt (incumbent)
In the immediate future, I would like to be directly responsible for hiring a new superintendent to replace resigning Don Kirkegaard.
I also would like to ensure that our facilities are in good shape going forward while not disregarding the declining birthrate and its effect on enrollment in the future. I have a commitment to neighborhood schools as is feasible, including incorporating central administration into existing vacant space in them as an alternative to closing multiple elementary schools. I believe in the priceless power of families to support one another in neighborhood elementary schools over a large centralized structure where children can feel lost and overwhelmed. Continue reading
Filed under Community, School News and Features
Decision 2020: Board Candidates on Their Experience with the District
What has been your experience with the West Bend School District?
Tonnie Schmidt (incumbent)
As a school board, we removed an inexperienced and toxic superintendent and conducted a thorough search for a new superintendent, which included input from the community, resulting in hiring a nationally recognized superintendent who has brought stability to our district. Continue reading
Filed under Community, School News and Features
New York’s Coronavirus Outbreak ‘Feels Like a Nightmare’
West Bend graduate is a public health scientist in New York City
By Samantha Dietel, Editor in Chief
The City That Never Sleeps now resembles a ghost town.
That’s what Kacie Seil, a former West Bender now living in New York City, says about how the COVID-19 outbreak has affected her current home.
Seil, an epidemiologist who attended Yale University after graduating from West Bend East High School in 2006, serves as a research scientist for data integrity at the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. As a resident and analyst, Seil has seen the impact of the coronavirus pandemic up close. Continue reading
Filed under Community
West Bend Teachers Miss Their Students
VIDEO
Teachers at Decorah Elementary School organized a car parade today to connect with their students. Students haven’t seen their teachers since schools were closed March 13 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The parade started on Vine Street and traveled through several neighborhoods. Staff members from Silverbrook Intermediate School will parade Monday starting at 5 p.m. Distance learning starts Tuesday.
Filed under Community, School News and Features
Former Exchange Student Reports from Italy
Andrea Sargentoni says he “underestimated” the virus at first
By Samantha Dietel, Editor in Chief
Italian student Andrea Sargentoni, like many people around the world, underestimated the severity and swift spread of the coronavirus.
Sargentoni was working through his fifth and final year of high school in Ancona, Italy, when his country’s first cases of COVID-19 were reported in late January and early February. The number of coronavirus cases and deaths rapidly escalated to the point that Sargentoni, who spent last year studying at West Bend West High School, now lives under a national lockdown. Continue reading
Filed under Community
‘Everyone Was Freaking Out’: Sisters with Local Ties Return from Europe
Twins were in Spain when President Trump announced new travel restrictions to slow the spread of the coronavirus
By Samantha Dietel, Editor in Chief
Last week, two West Bend graduates were uncertain that they would be able to return home to the United States. Continue reading
Filed under Community
Two Helping Hands and a Microphone
By Annika Olson, Current Staff
The West Bend Student Council has asked DJay Mando to put a new spin on Charity Week. Continue reading
Filed under Community, School News and Features
Innovative Dance Company Headlines Black History Month Event
Celebrate with food and entertainment
By Megan Landvatter, Current Staff
For the third annual Black History Month Celebration, the West Bend High Schools are welcoming the Water Street Dancers. Continue reading
Filed under Community, School News and Features
Mindel Named Wisconsin’s Teacher of the Year by the Veterans of Foreign Wars
School board will recognize East teacher who won a state award for his many activities on behalf of local veterans
By Darick Fait, Current Staff
Honoring veterans is one of the things that Scott Mindel has chosen to spend much of his time doing. It was just a matter of time before he received the recognition he deserves. Continue reading
Filed under Community, School News and Features
‘It Felt Like I Wasn’t Doing Enough’: Interview with Climate Activist Ally Bubb
By Samantha Dietel, Editor in Chief
Ally Bubb had her children in mind when she began volunteering with the Climate Reality Project. Continue reading
Veterans Day Assembly 2019
PHOTO ESSAY
Friday’s Veterans Day assembly at the West Bend High Schools featured many area veterans and a rare visit by the U.S. Army Drill Team from Fort Meyer in Arlington, Virginia. Photos by Olivia Langdon, Current Staff.
Filed under Community, School News and Features
US Army Drill Team Coming to West Bend
Veterans Day assembly will feature internationally recognized drill team
By Darick Fait, Current Staff
While sitting in his tree stand last November, Scott Mindel decided that in 2019, Veterans Day at the West Bend High Schools would be bigger and better than ever. Continue reading
Filed under Community, School News and Features
One Thousand Pairs of Shoes
Soles4Souls will send donated shoes to those who need them
By Caitlin Marsch, Current Staff
This year, the Spanish program’s usual Day of the Dead celebration at the West Bend High Schools will have a global impact. Continue reading
Filed under Community, School News and Features
East Grad Worked Behind the Scenes at the Milwaukee Film Festival
Twenty short film collections are included in this year’s Milwaukee Film Festival
By Samantha Dietel, Editor in Chief
Moviegoers may have a West Bend graduate to thank for the forthcoming Milwaukee Film Festival’s setlist of short films. Continue reading
Filed under Community, Entertainment
Local Students Demand Government Action on Climate Change
By Samantha Dietel, Editor in Chief
With cars racing past them on Main Street, a group of local students raised homemade signs to call for change. Continue reading
Filed under Community, School News and Features
Rise Together to Prevent Addiction
Students give standing ovation to 13-year-old speaker
By Elise Marlett, Current Staff
Walking into the auditorium, students were expecting a drug and alcohol presentation like any other, but were pleasantly surprised. Continue reading
Filed under Community, School News and Features
Remembering Local Heroes Lost to War
As a Memorial Day tribute, this video honors the 29 graduates from the West Bend High Schools who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. The video, which was produced by East social studies teacher Scott Mindel, was shown Friday to all WBHS students in their resource period.
Filed under Community, School News and Features
Jackson Elementary Feels Like Home
New job for area mom leads to a surprising reunion
By Kael Beltmann, Current Staff
Karen Carlson is back on the playground at Jackson Elementary School, this time with a whistle. Continue reading
Schools Must Encourage the Youth Vote
VIEWPOINT
By Samantha Dietel, Editor in Chief
I will likely be one of the few local teens participating in our American democracy on Tuesday. Continue reading
Decision 2019: Meet the Three Candidates for School Board
The West Bend School Board will soon have two new faces.
With no incumbents on the April 2 ballot, voters will choose among newcomers Paul Fischer, Christopher Bach and Erin Dove to fill two open seats. Leaving the board are Tiffany Larson and Ken Schmidt. Both chose not to seek 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 2019: Board Candidates on the Referendum
What are your thoughts about the referendum?
Paul Fischer
I am in support of the referendum. I, like most people, don’t enjoy paying more taxes, but at the same time, I recognize that it costs money to operate and maintain buildings. We are a large school district, and there’s a lot to manage here, a lot to maintain. You take a look at the age of the high school specifically—a lot of the mechanicals are at the end of life, they needed to be replaced at some point in the past, most likely. But because of the conservative nature of this community, we’ve done what we can to maintain investments in the classroom, potentially sometimes at the expense on the maintenance things, above the ceiling, below the floor, and so forth that you don’t always see. But the time has come where we need to address those things. Continue reading
Filed under Community, School News and Features
Decision 2019: Board Candidates on Their Vision for the District
What are the unique goals you would seek to achieve while on the school board?
Paul Fischer
My goal is to see the stability of the school district that they’ve attained in the last 12 months, to see that continue for the next 36 months. Beyond that, I really don’t have goals, per se, because I’m not bringing an agenda to the table. I think that’s maybe happened in the past, and that’s been part of our challenges as a community. We all want the same thing: to have well-rounded students coming out that are well-prepared for their post high school experience, whether that’s the workforce or secondary education. And our job is to support that, in the best way possible. Continue reading
Filed under Community, School News and Features
Decision 2019: Board Candidates on the Importance of Education
Why is education important to you and what is your current experience with education?
Paul Fischer
From a priority perspective, education is the foundation that’s going to set our students up for everything else that happens in life, whether it’s formal classroom education, hands-on job experience, whatever the case may be. It’s giving students that opportunity, and then the onus is on the student to make the best of those situations that they possibly can. Continue reading
Filed under Community, School News and Features
The West Bend Current 