Messmer High School News 2013-2014

Doesn't it feel really good that there are people at our school because they care about your safety? Here at Messmer High School we are grateful to have four people who keep the school secure and can assist in the event of trouble. Our head security guard is Mr. Marty Wallner, and this is his fourth year working here.

Before arriving at Messmer, Mr. Wallner worked in landscaping at Shorewood High School while getting his bachelors degree in criminal justice. Now the current head coach for Messmer JV football, and a track assistant coach, Mr. Wallner says, “The most exciting thing about my job is the fact that it has given me the opportunity to coach.” He also explains that the positive attitudes of the teachers and students encouraged him to want to be a part of the Messmer family.

Another security guard that helps Mr. Wallner is Mr. Daniel Solorzano who is a Messmer class of 2010 alumni. Before returning to Messmer Mr. Solorzano was a cook at Chipotle for two years. In addition to being a security guard he has too been able to participate in the school athletics by helping coach the boy's soccer team in the fall and the girl's soccer team in the spring. He never had plans to be a security guard her at Messmer until he was asked. He said, “I originally began working as maintenance here at Messmer. I had never planned on working security until one day Mr. Wallner asked me if I could give him a helping hand and help keep an eye out after school. It was intended as a one day job, but I was then asked to help out everyday."

We are also lucky to have Mr. Winn Kitzman and Mr. Steve Middlecamp working part time to help keep our school community safe. They both joined the Messmer family recently and are welcome additions. Mr. Kitzman greets us in the morning, and Mr. Middlecamp send us off in the afternoon.

Some students may be intimidated by the thought of security guards, but Mr. Wallner said, “I didn’t know that some students find me scary or mean, I wish that those students who feel that way would come and talk to me. I think they would find that I’m a nice guy.”

When Senior Adriana Briley was asked how she felt about having security here at Messmer, she replied, “I think that when there are people who care about us we could enter the school safely.” Senior Ajon Roth added, “I think overall it is a pretty safe for us to be here. They are always outside watching the students making sure they don’t run into trouble.”

Having security guards here at Messmer is a good thing. We feel safe here because there are people who care about us. These people get up early and stay late so that we the students can feel protected and secure at Messmer.

--Contributed by senior Missael Alba

Spanish Spoken Here

Spanish is a language that is spoken throughout the entire United States. Some people speak it better than others, and there are different ways of speaking Spanish.

Hispanics/Latinos are a big contribution and are part of the diversity that is at Messmer High School. Senora Cristiana Edgar is one of the Spanish teachers here. She is originally from Costa Rica and Spanish is her first language. Ms. Edgar said, “When I first got here to the United States it was difficult for me to adapt to the Spanish spoken here because I didn’t know the language and culture, and it took me a year to feel comfortable.”

She found many differences between what she was used to and the Spanish spoken in the United States. About the challenges of teaching Spanish Senora Edgar said, “I wouldn't say it's hard. I love my job and I enjoy teaching what I do best. Teaching about Latin American Culture is something I also think is very important.”

Esmeralda Cruz a senior who is part of Senora Edgar's Spanish for Native Speakers II class. Esmeralda feels the class has helped her improve her Spanish. She came into this class not knowing what to expect because she found the way she was speaking Spanish wasn’t correct. Throughout her second year of a required Spanish class she has realized that her reading and pronunciation has gotten better. Esmeralda says, “Spanish is very important personally because it comes from Latin. Latin is the root of many other languages and it can [help you] to understand other languages.”

Senora Edgar and Esmeralda both believe that Spanish is very important professionally because it can open the doors to many other opportunities. In specific Senora Edgar stated, “Working as a Spanish teacher I help students know about the importance of learning a new language. When I have some of my old students come back to visit from college and they tell me that they continue to study Spanish I am glad I helped them to get there.” Thanks to Senora Edgar who dedicates her time after school and Saturday mornings, many students have improved their Spanish. The hard work and effort has put in is paying off, and she is greatly appreciated. Gracias, Ms. Edgar!

Contributed by senior Sandra Calderon-Torres

Polar Vortex=Schedule Changes

Recently at Messmer High School, the students received some important news regarding their early dismissals on Wednesdays. Talking with the teachers about what is going on, Mr. Chad Hofmann, a business and computer teacher at Messmer High School stated, “The new schedule changes include scheduling two days for regular classes that were previously conferences and a day off. We also will be going to school until 3pm on Wednesdays starting in March.” This is all due to missing 4 school days due to the awful Milwaukee weather this winter.

The student body and staff at Messmer has different thought/feelings towards the new changes. Mrs. Laura Hancock, a theology teacher stated, "I'm okay with them because they are necessary. Any change can be challenging because I think we like our routines, but I know we'll all be fine!" Trevon Howard, a senior, agrees it will benefit the students as well. He said it will give students more time to get more assignments done during class periods.

Messmer High School will no longer have early dismissals on Wednesdays starting in March.

--Contributed by senior Deniko Montgomery

On The Dotted Line

Messmer High School senior football players Tywan Ramsey and Jonathan Carson faxed in their National Letters of Intent and their acceptance of athletic scholarships on February 5, 2014. At 4 o'clock pm that Wednesday afternoon there was a celebration and announcement at Messmer. This event was for media, friends and family to take pictures.

Senior Tywan Ramsey said, “I will be attending South Dakota State University because it gives off a family environment.” Several other schools were interested in Tywan such as Northern Illinois, Western Illinois, Eastern Illinois, West Point, North and South Dakota and UW-Madison. South Dakota State University offers a nursing program that Tywan says is wonderful. He received a full ride scholarship to study nursing. Tywan said, “The football program at Messmer was wonderful in training me, and the academics prepared me for the college [expectations].” The signing event was something to remember. Tywan said, “This was the first time in history for the co-op [Messmer-Shorewood] schools and it was the first time in over 20 years for Messmer High School.” He also said, “ I feel honored to even be considered let alone receiving a scholarship, and be one of the first to do it in a long time at Messmer.”

Senior Jonathan Carson said, "My signing event was very historical and it made me feel like I was being honored by my school." Carson will be attending Central Michigan University because it is has a family environment and it "makes me feel like I am back at home." Just like Tywan, several other schools were also interested in Jonathan. Wisconsin, Michigan state, Northern Illinois and Harvard were all interested in him. Central Michigan University offered Carson a full ride scholarship to play football. Jonathan said, "Messmer helped me prepare myself by making sure my grades were up and on point and by making sure my work ethic never changed." Jonathan says that he thinks this signing event had the biggest impact on his parents because they no longer have to pay for college.

Coach Drake Zortman, also Messmer’s PreCalculus teacher, said, “Jonathan is a great young man, he made himself into a scholarship player at the highest level with his hard work and determination year round.” Coach also said that Tywan has the potential to be a special player in the coming years. He said that Tywan has a huge upside even though he has been only playing football for three years. Coach Drake also said, “I hope people realize that Milwaukee has special athletes in all sports, not just basketball. There are some very good football players in the city that people need to know about. We were lucky enough to have two in one class, which is not common.”

This signing event was one to remember. These two young men are grateful for all the support they received from family, friends and the media.

--Contributed by senior Brittany Harmon

Check Out The Stats!

Next year there will be an addition to the class courses that students are able to take. A new math related class will be available to students and it is called Statistics. This class will be taught by Mr. Drake Zortman, math teacher. According to Mr. Zortman, This class will open the eyes of students to “use statistics in an assortment of ways to accentuate their work in all their other courses”. Statistics class is a study of data, both in numeric and graphic form.

Mr. Zortman was encouraged to teach this class because he has had an extensive amount of experience in teaching statistics courses. He said, “I believe we see and hear statistics everyday. I think it is essential that we are able to understand these and utilize them for many purposes. My experience includes introduction to Statistics, AP Statistics, and Analysis”. Learning something new every day will not hurt anybody. So why not try out this new course?

Looking at two variable statistics, the normal distribution, confidence intervals and hypothesis testing are just a few things that will be discussed in this class. So students, get ready to be challenged and to learn about the different statistics around you! Run to guidance and apply for this course now before the spaces are filled!

--Contributed by senior Daijah Devine-Williams

Sing Loud and Proud

When you join this choir, you have to be prepared to sing loud, proud, and to sing with the spirit of God in you. The After School Gospel Choir is the choir to join. Not only do they sing for Messmer High School, but they travel to sing at different church events and for other performances. Mr. Kurt Hauswirth, the new choir teacher, said, “I hope that these students have an outlet for their passion for singing both in and out of school, and also have a platform to share their musical gift with the Messmer family.”

The members of the choir are very dedicated to what they do and they never give up. These students meet outside of school to practice and make sure that everything is just right for each performance. Junior Briana Marks, says “I take out at least four hours a week to do different events and to rehearse with the choir.” These motivated students have the ability to inspire other students and to push them to achieve excellence.

After School Gospel Choir has been around for years and they still have room to grow. Even the After School Gospel Choir director, Valencia Patton, has room for improvement. “I hope to improve my directing skills and I want to improve my singing vocals.” This isn’t just any ordinary Gospel Choir- they sing all types of music. Valencia said, “We sing songs from hymns to upbeat, hand-clapping music. We sing songs by Tamela Mann, Tasha Cobbs, Hezekiah Walker and more.” The choir is made up of all girls, who are humble and have fun together. Mr. Hauswirth said, “I personally have a blast each gospel choir rehearsal, and look forward to hearing more from these fine students!” Enjoy the After School Gospel Choir!