Lead actor in musical was sick during performance week
By Elena Chamberlain, Current Staff
For his first lead role in a high school musical, West Bend West ninth grader Keegan Kainz sacrificed seven pounds. Continue reading
Take My Temperature, Baby, One More Time
Filed under Entertainment
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
The Current View: Standards-Based Grading
What are your thoughts about standards-based grading, the alternative to traditional letter grades that has been used this year in some high school classrooms?
“I like it because it’s in favor of the students.”
Mara Perkins, West senior
Continue reading
Filed under School News and Features, Viewpoint
Navigating a New Path
For students of the closed Pathways Charter School, the transition to WBHS has been an adjustment
By Megan Landvatter, Current Staff
In Jack Elliot’s first week transitioning to West Bend East High School, he had to drop two classes—his first time ever doing so. Continue reading
Filed under School News and Features
Introducing the All-District Strings Festival
By Elise Marlett, Current Staff
The orchestra program is putting on their largest performance in history. Continue reading
Filed under Entertainment, School News and Features
Movie Review: I Lost My Body
By Brandon Labecki, Current Staff
Among this year’s Oscar nominees is a gripping animated film from France that depicts the extreme aspects of the trials of life. Continue reading
Filed under Entertainment
A Little Friendly Competition
Drum major Larscheidt challenges Tillman for first chair
By Megan Landvatter, Current Staff
Leah Duckert-Kroll, in her 17 years working with the West Bend High Schools Band program, cannot remember having two drum majors who play the same instrument. Continue reading
Filed under 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
Students Aren’t Mellow About Xello
Rollout of new career planning vehicle hasn’t been smooth
By Rachel Gergetz, Current Staff
The very tool meant to help students is causing them confusion. Continue reading
Filed under School News and Features
It’s Garbage Time
Students can help custodians by properly using the trash and recycling bins
By Elise Marlett and Noelle Mentch, Current Staff
Custodians at the West Bend High Schools may be working harder to protect the environment than students realize. Continue reading
Filed under School News and Features
Missing Pathways: One Student Reflects on Closed School and Moving to WBHS
VIEWPOINT
By Stephanie Snyder, Current Staff
Fitting in at a new school can be frightening.
Pathways Charter School was closed by the West Bend School District in June, which means this fall Pathways students like me moved to East and West High Schools fulltime. The transition hasn’t always been easy. Continue reading
Filed under School News and Features, Viewpoint
Playing for Laughs
By Annika Olson, Current Staff
Leah Duckert-Kroll has put together an unusual twist for the upcoming West Bend High Schools band concert next week. Continue reading
Filed under School News and Features
‘I Felt Very Scared’: Exchange Students Bewildered by School Violence
By Samantha Dietel, Editor in Chief
For local foreign exchange students, this month’s school shooter threats were a culture shock. Continue reading
Filed under School News and Features
WBHS Implements New Safety Measures
Plans include a new district safety coordinator position
By Samantha Dietel, Editor in Chief
Improving campus security has now become a top priority at the West Bend High Schools. Continue reading
Filed under School News and Features
Fear Grips Local Students After School Threats in Wisconsin
By Samantha Dietel, Editor in Chief
Before last week, Kayla Lemens had never been afraid to come to school. Continue reading
Filed under School News and Features
Huxley’s Brave New World Is Here
VIEWPOINT
By Gabe Gauger, Current Staff
Aldous Huxley’s “Brave New World,” a novel notorious for deconstructing the societal conscience of English civilization through intelligent and witty satire, appears as mere fiction. Or at least did. Continue reading
Filed under Viewpoint
‘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
The Return of Art History
By Lily Mottet, Current Staff
For West art teacher Deborah Prahl, teaching Advanced Placement Art History has been a goal for a long time. Continue reading
Filed under School News and Features
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
Don’t Resist the New “Dark Crystal” Series
Prequel series honors the original film
By Brandon Labecki, Current Staff
Netflix recently released “The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance,” a series that expands the creative world of 1982’s “The Dark Crystal.” That begs the question, how does the new show compare to the original film? Continue reading
Filed under Entertainment
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
Milwaukee Film Festival Review: The Ground Beneath My Feet
By Brandon Labecki, Current Staff
Sometimes the most interesting films to examine are the ones that are closest to reality. Continue reading
Filed under Entertainment
Three of Six Administrators are New This Year
Twin Day: The administration of West Bend East and West High Schools dressed as triplets during homecoming week. From left to right: John Graf, Zachary Daniels, Tyler Wood, Michelle Marschel, Patrick O’Connor and Ralph Schlass. Photo courtesy of Jennifer Rausch.
By Noelle Mentch, Current Staff
They might be new to the school, but that doesn’t mean they are new to the game. Continue reading
Filed under School News and Features
Feeding a Dream
West senior will attend prestigious culinary school
By Caitlin Marsch, Current Staff
For West Bend West High School senior Maddy Coultas, a passion for the culinary arts led to being accepted into her dream college. Continue reading
Filed under 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
New Phone Policy Leads to Confusion
Are students allowed to use phones for academic reasons during resource and study hall?
By Kael Beltmann, Current Staff
Maddie Fell wanted to do her homework, but her teacher said no. Continue reading
Filed under School News and Features
Student Inventors Detangle the Chromebook Disaster
WBHS has implemented a solution designed by two seniors
By Rachel Gergetz, Current Staff
After struggling for years with misplaced Chromebooks and tangled cords, two West Bend East High School students decided to invent a solution. Continue reading
Filed under School News and Features
West Seniors Aim to Break Eight-Year Losing Streak
Playing the game is not always about the scoreboard
By Lily Mottet, Current Staff
With the end of the football season approaching, West senior Mason Wallschlaeger is putting everything he can into each game. Continue reading
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
Climate Strike 2019
PHOTO ESSAY
Members of SEED, the environmental club at the West Bend High Schools, participated in today’s West Bend Climate Strike at the Regner Park Labyrinth. The local demonstration was part of a worldwide effort demanding government action on climate change. Photos by Veda Selin, Current staff.
Filed under 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
Youth Impact Club Will Promote Mental Wellness
Suicide prevention is deeply personal for the new club’s adviser
By Elise Marlett, Current Staff
Anticipating high student turnout, a new club has moved its first meeting to one of the largest rooms in the school. Continue reading
Filed under School News and Features
Welcome to the 2019-20 School Year
By Samantha Dietel, Editor in Chief
Perhaps you have a passion for storytelling. You crave the written word. You take photographs to share your interests and ideas. Maybe you are curious about how our lives are affected by the events unfolding within and beyond the walls of the West Bend High Schools.
If this sounds like you, then the Current extends an invitation to join our award-winning staff of student journalists. Consider serving as an investigative reporter, columnist, photographer, cartoonist or entertainment reviewer. We uphold a mission to consistently provide accurate and balanced news for the local community as we engage the principles of authentic journalism.
For more information, please see Mr. Beltmann in room S95.
(Photo of Samantha Dietel courtesy of Hannah Kane.)
Filed under School News and Features
