By Dakota Gunnare, Editor in Chief
Once known for his basketball prowess, Chris Herren now visits schools around the country, urging students to question how substance abuse affects those around them.
Continue reading‘It Helped Create More Empathetic Kids’: Former NBA Basketball Player Speaks to WBHS about Substance Abuse
Filed under School News and Features
I’m With the Band-Aid
STUCO’s blood drive is one of the largest in Wisconsin
By Mia Herdeman, Current Staff
Sometimes the best way to maximize blood donations is to shut down for 16 weeks.
Continue readingFiled under Community, School News and Features
West Bend Students Trained to Save Lives
Members of the WBHS Youth Impact Club learn to recognize the warning signs of a mental crisis
By Hope Schensema, Current Staff
A new training technique is being implemented for suicide prevention at the West Bend High Schools.
Continue readingFiled under School News and Features
Saying Goodbye to UWM Washington County
By Dakota Gunnare, Editor in Chief
Many West Bend High Schools’ students who wanted to live at home and get a college education are now facing the choice to commute longer or attend online classes instead.
Continue readingFiled under Community
‘Confusion Now Hath Made His Masterpiece!’: Local Teacher Shopping Book that Modernizes Shakespeare Play
By Mia Herdeman, Current Staff
While teaching “Macbeth” two years ago, Brett Hartman had a moment of inspiration.
Continue readingFiled under Entertainment, School News and Features
The Current View: Choice Books
What is your favorite book club choice that you’ve read at the high schools?
“My favorite choice book was The Glass Castle because I think it’s important for people to realize that things they don’t regard as serious happen to a lot of people and people need to recognize that.”
Tatiyana Patrick, East sophomore
Filed under Viewpoint
Bags Become Beds
By Dakota Gunnare, Editor in Chief
This winter, thanks to the crochet skills of a local community member, 10 homeless people will have a bed to sleep on.
Continue readingFiled under Community, School News and Features
Redrawing the Art Program
By Khyana Jimmerson, Current Staff
After years of thinking about changes with a broad brush, the West Bend High Schools art department is carefully sculpting a new set of classes.
Continue readingFiled under School News and Features
Ms. K-O Knocks Out Her First Quarter
By Shiloh Peters, Current Staff
The new orchestra teacher for the West Bend High Schools is ready to play quite a few new notes.
Continue readingFiled under School News and Features
School’s Not the Same This Year
VIEWPOINT
By Noah Mintie, Current Staff
Even the iconic Nifty Nibble cookies are smaller this year.
For me, the West Bend High Schools have always been a place of opportunity and safety, which is why it feels discouraging to say that this year, most students feel resentment like a dead weight within their chests, a weight that drags down with every stride through the halls. But what has changed? Why does this dead weight hang?
Continue readingComments Off on School’s Not the Same This Year
Filed under Viewpoint
Hey, Bentdahl’s Drivin’ That Bus!
By Keaton Beltmann, Current Staff
West Bend teacher Michael Bentdahl has spent his career guiding students, but this year he’s doing it on wheels.
Continue readingFiled under School News and Features
West Bend High Schools Tighten Morning Security
By Dakota Gunnare, Editor in Chief
The second floor at the West Bend High Schools, usually swarming with students before school, has been unusually quiet.
Continue readingFiled under School News and Features
Downtown Businesses Plan Reopening Festivities
By Ren Daute, Current Staff
Business owners in downtown West Bend are so thrilled to finally have their street and sidewalks back, they are planning to throw a party.
Continue readingFiled under Community
Student Group Restores Disc Golf Course
By Mia Herdeman, Current Staff
When he saw a group of disc golf baskets collecting dust under the football bleachers, West Bend East High School special education teacher Ryan Olson had an idea.
Continue readingFiled under School News and Features, Sports
Why We Shouldn’t Ban Books
VIEWPOINT
By Dakota Gunnare, Editor in Chief
The human experience is rarely easy to digest. There isn’t a shield protecting us from discomfort.
Great art makes you feel something. Great art doesn’t shy away from the unpleasant. Feeling uncomfortable is what forces introspection, understanding and deeper thought.
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Filed under Viewpoint
High School Principal Has Big Plans for Next Year
By Dakota Gunnare, Editor in Chief
The end of the school year is a time of reflection and new beginnings for students and staff in the West Bend School District, especially for Jennifer Potter.
Continue readingFiled under School News and Features
Going the “Extra” Mile
By Hasti Ghasemivaghar, Current Staff
There he was, a West Bend high schooler passed out in front of movie star Oliver Platt.
Continue readingFiled under Entertainment, School News and Features
Coats and Oaths: Biomedical Program Sets School Record for Graduates
By Mia Herdeman, Current Staff
This time, when Grethel Hokenson stood with her husband in front of a crowd, she was thinking about a white coat instead of a white dress.
Continue readingFiled under School News and Features
Schauered with Duties
By Noah Mintie, Current Staff
The complex math of engineering is difficult, but equally difficult is managing a classroom in your first year of teaching.
Continue readingFiled under School News and Features
Open Door Policy
Securing all doors a priority for the West Bend High Schools
By Dakota Gunnare, Current Staff
Do you feel safe and secure in the West Bend High Schools?
Continue readingFiled under School News and Features
Manufacturing Students Deserve a Medal
By Cassidy Scherzer, Current Staff
The dedication of a few manufacturing students allowed the West Bend High Schools to save several thousand dollars.
Continue readingFiled under School News and Features
Artificial Intelligence Might Short-Circuit the Meaning of ‘Friend’
VIEWPOINT
By Noah Mintie, Current Staff
The question of whether AI is friend or foe has been debated for decades, and while a new chatbot aims for “friend” it ends up feeling a little more like foe.
Continue readingFiled under Viewpoint
‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’ is the MCU’s Fifth Symphony
VIEWPOINT
By Noah Mintie, Current Staff
One of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s most beloved series just wrapped up, and with its success, the MCU’s future looks bleak.
Continue readingFiled under Entertainment, Viewpoint
The Current View: Aaron Rodgers Leaving Packers
What are your thoughts about Aaron Rodgers being traded to the Jets?
“I think it’s a very good thing because he’s been done for a couple of years and it’s been kind of toxic for the team, so it’s time to get some fresh blood in there.”
Michelle Hunt, West math teacher
Filed under Viewpoint
In Sync for 60 Years
This year’s Dolphins show marks an important milestone
By Diego Prescott, Current Staff
Did someone say diamond?
Continue readingFiled under Entertainment, School News and Features
Business in the Front, Party in the Back
New event will help local shops celebrate with West Bend residents
By Noah Mintie, Current Staff
Check your calendars, because an exciting new milestone is coming to West Bend.
Continue readingFiled under Community, School News and Features
The Current View: Female Role Models
In honor of Women’s History Month just ending, who is your female role model and why?
“Jennifer Lawrence, because I believe her acting has created such a large impact across audiences of all ages, and because of how real she is with the media and doesn’t try to put up a front. If you watch many of her interviews, you’ll see how funny and charismatic she is in every setting, and I don’t think she realizes how refreshing that is for an audience and maybe even other fellow celebrities.”
Shay Feiter, West sophomore
Filed under Viewpoint
Two Tongues Up: Reviewing the School Water
By Cole Bruce, Current Staff
Some movies are a 6 out of 10. So are some bubblers, says one area teenager.
Continue readingFiled under Entertainment, School News and Features
Have Passport, Will Travel
Temporary guidelines will govern student trips to France and Germany
By Cassidy Scherzer, Current Staff
For the first time since 2018, students at the West Bend High Schools are traveling on international language trips. However this year, it looks a little different.
Continue readingFiled under School News and Features
Read All About It: Video Classes Produce the School News
By Hasti Ghasemivaghar, Current Staff
Three years after COVID-19 restrictions halted them, video announcements are back at the West Bend High Schools.
Continue readingFiled under School News and Features
Calling All Art Enthusiasts
By Amber Georgenson, Current Staff
Imagine if the picture you took of the sunrise this morning won the grand prize at an amateur photo contest. With no fee to enter, what is stopping you?
Continue readingFiled under Community, School News and Features
Decision 2023: Meet Board Candidate June Kruger
By Annelise Paczesny, Current Staff
June Kruger is looking to provide a service for the community. She has always been a community-oriented person and wants to give back to West Bend.
Continue readingFiled under Community, School News and Features
Decision 2023: Meet Board Candidate Chad Tamez
By Dakota Gunnare, Current Staff
Chad Tamez wants to run for school board because he feels like he is a good communicator between people who could ease some of the discord in the school district.
Continue readingFiled under Community, School News and Features
Decision 2023: Meet Board Candidate Kelly Lang
By Annelise Paczesny, Current Staff
Kelly Lang wishes for everyone to recognize the good that comes out of the West Bend School District, especially because the district offers so many unique opportunities.
Continue readingFiled under Community, School News and Features
Decision 2023: Meet Board Candidate Nick Stewart
By Dakota Gunnare, Current Staff
Nick Stewart is running for West Bend School Board to ensure transparency in the district.
Continue readingFiled under Community, School News and Features
The West Bend Current 