By Caitlin Marsch, Current Staff
After a safer-at-home audition, West Bend West High School junior Brionna Banovich has been selected as one of the top eight student bassoonists in the state of Wisconsin. Continue reading
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
Time-Honored Senior Traditions Are Now In Quarantine
VIEWPOINT
By Caitlin Marsch, Current Staff
I never thought that my senior year at the West Bend High Schools would be abruptly altered by a deadly virus. Continue reading
Filed under School News and Features, Viewpoint
Italy Trip Postponed Until Next Year
Students understand, but still feel disappointed
By Elise Marlett, Current Staff
Global illness concern has forced the West Bend High Schools band to reconsider their own safety.
Even before today’s announcement that the West Bend School District will close for the next four weeks due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus, the WBHS band had postponed their spring break tour of Italy. Since the trip will now take place during the spring break of 2021, current seniors will not be able to attend and are being issued full refunds. Continue reading
Filed under School News and Features
Meet West Point Cadet James Miller
West senior heads to U.S. military academy in June
By Samantha Dietel, Editor in Chief
James Miller’s childhood dream of attending West Point is at long last becoming a reality. Continue reading
Filed under School News and Features
Take My Temperature, Baby, One More Time
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
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
