Category Archives: School News and Features

Nifty Nibble Flooded with Changes

By Brandon Labecki, Current Staff

The Nifty Nibble, the campus restaurant at the West Bend High Schools, has had dramatic changes since being flooded twice due to problems in a bathroom across the hall.

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Dance the Night Away

By Rhys Chesick, Current Staff

After being postponed, the West Bend High Schools charity week and dance are back on.

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‘Keep Getting Up’: Area Trainer Sets World Record to Raise Mental Health Awareness

By Cassidy Scherzer, Current Staff

There was a personal reason why Jackie Vazquez wanted to set a new world record in weightlifting.

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Trailblazing Fifth Graders Are Now Seniors

District restructuring presented new world language and music opportunities

By Kayla Lemens, Editor in Chief

Eight years ago, the class of 2022 entered Silverbrook Intermediate School as the first fifth grade class in the building.

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Chess Club Growing Fast

First in-person tournament will take place Saturday

By Austin Hunn, Current Staff 

The West Bend High Schools chess club, which has been in operation for over a year, is finally starting to take off. With an estimated 85 members and plans for an in-person tournament, it can now be considered an official club. 

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Brickner Sets School Math Record

By Cassidy Scherzer, Current Staff

Let’s do the math: When Cullen Brickner scored a perfect 200 on the General Educational Development Option II math exam, it was the highest score by a West Bend School District student in the 13 years the program has existed.

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Goodbye Green, Hello Blue

By Leah Schmidt, Current Staff

Students and staff returned from Thanksgiving break to a subtle but noticeable change to the West Bend High Schools campus.

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Juniors Still Waiting for Traditional High School Experience

By Caroline Peplinski, Current Staff

The coronavirus pandemic forever changed the lives of nearly every human on the planet. Current juniors at the West Bend High Schools, for example, have never had a normal year of high school.

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The Sky Isn’t Falling

Temporary supporting columns are needed until a structural flaw can be repaired

By Hasti Ghasemivaghar, Current Staff

When concrete falls through the ceiling, the clean-up needs more than a dustpan.

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Musical Auditions are Back

By Leah Schmidt, Current Staff

If the pandemic era has felt a little like being isolated in a swamp, Tess Breit believes area audiences are ready for a fairy tale experience.

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Crew of Juniors and Seniors Mentor Ninth Graders

By Hasti Ghasemivaghar, Current Staff

Incoming ninth graders at the West Bend High Schools were surprised in September to discover that their first-day activities were being led by juniors and seniors rather than teachers.

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Farewell, 10-Minute Passing Period

By Kayla Lemens, Editor in Chief

Thanks to a schedule change, students at the West Bend High Schools are struggling to manage their time in between classes.

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Racing to Save Lives

By Stephanie Snyder, Staff Writer

A race against suffering, hosted for the people by the people. 

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Welcome, Editor!

Kayla Lemens, West junior, will serve as the West Bend Current’s Editor in Chief for the 2021-22 school year. She replaces graduating senior Elise Marlett. Congrats, Kayla!


Photo courtesy of Kayla Lemens.

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The Resiliency of the Music Department

COVID-19 presented challenges for choir, band and orchestra

By Kayla Lemens, Current Staff

After eight long months, the music department is finally returning to normal. 

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Exams Done, Advanced Placement Students Keep Learning

Students were surprised to learn of changes to exam week

By Elise Marlett, Editor in Chief

This year’s final exam week will look different for Advanced Placement students at the West Bend High Schools.

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A Towering Gift

By Norah Johnstone, Current Staff

This year the graduation committees of the West Bend East and West High Schools chose updating the tower stairwells and adding window decals as their gift to the school.

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‘Would You Make It By 4:30?’: Graduation Speaker Must Race to Muskego

By Elena Chamberlain, Current Staff

Directly after giving her graduation speech, Danielle Schumacher has to bolt.  

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Water for All People

By Amber Georgenson, Current Staff

After graduating from West Bend East High School, Laura Burns didn’t know what she wanted to do when she grew up. Now she works for a global non-profit organization, and students at her former school are trying to help.

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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.

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Student Lounge Brings Fresh Look, Crowds to Second Floor

By Kayla Lemens, Current Staff

A new lounge at the West Bend High Schools has created new opportunities for students and, according to some staff members, new headaches.

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The Courtyard: Past and Present

Students once were allowed to smoke in “the pit”

By Caroline Peplinski, Current Staff

Most days, the West Bend High Schools’ courtyard sits empty and silent. However, that wasn’t always the case.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Teen Employees Affected by COVID-19

By Megan Landvatter, Current Staff

A year ago, Chris Meyers spent his Friday nights seating customers at Texas Roadhouse. Now, he spends his Friday nights wiping down menus. 

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Natalie White Is Going Places


By Amber Georgenson, Current Staff

West Bend East High School senior Natalie White was recently chosen to receive a scholarship to the Peck School of the Arts in Milwaukee. Continue reading

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Color Out of Space

By Elena Chamberlain, Current Staff

Ceiling tiles or blank canvases? The white, removable ceiling tiles have sprouted student-led creativity at West Bend West High School. Continue reading

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Masks On, Sleeves Up

By Elise Marlett, Editor in Chief

The COVID-19 pandemic couldn’t cancel this decades-old tradition. Continue reading

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Teachers Adapt to New Cohort Schedule

By Elise Marlett, Editor in Chief

The West Bend High Schools have a new approach to limiting the spread of COVID-19. Continue reading

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The West Library Is Back


By Amber Georgenson, Current Staff

After months of renovations, the West Bend West High School library is reopening for student and faculty usage. Continue reading

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The Current View: The Cohort Model

To stem the spread of COVID-19, students will be split by last name into two groups that will alternate between in-person and virtual learning starting Wednesday. What are your thoughts about the new cohort model?


“I actually really like it because it is a good way to limit the spread of COVID while still being able to go to school.”
Lydia Winklbauer, East senior
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WBHS Rescinds Ban on Afterschool Activities Meeting In Person

By Caroline Peplinski, Current Staff

Today marks the first opportunity for clubs and co-curriculars at the West Bend High Schools to connect in person this year. 

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‘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

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Mandate the Masks

VIEWPOINT

By Elise Marlett, Editor in Chief

I do not envy those in power in this school district whose choices have the potential to drastically alter the lives of my friends, family and teachers.  Continue reading

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