Ms. Reineking Bulding Rapport

There are many new teachers at Messmer High School this year. One of the new staff members is Ms. Rebecca Reineking. Ms. Reineking is from Sheboygan, WI and she went to Sheboygan South High School. After high school she said, "I went to UW-Whitewater for a  Kinesiology degree, then to Carroll College for my Physical Education and Health teaching certification." She said her family would describe her as, "...supportive, kind and loving." She said her favorite thing to do on her free time is "travel with friends and family." Ms. Reineking said her talents are,"I’m athletic and a good listener." Her favorite sports are softball and golf.

Ms. Reineking previously worked at Wisconsin College Prep Academy and in the summers she teaches in the Cedarburg School District. Ms. Reineking decided to come to Messmer because "I had heard great things about Messmer from teachers who currently work here." Ms. Reineking's goals for her gym students are, "...to educate students about the importance of lifelong fitness, and create an exciting, active environment here at school so that they will be motivated to take care of themselves now and in the future." Ms. Reineking said what she is looking forward to this school year is "...building rapport with students and staff.”

We are glad you are here, Ms. Reineking!

--Contributed by junior Shela Grant

Juniors Let God

Messmer has always been a faith-based, moral and spiritual template for other schools to follow the "Messmer Way." Students participate in yearly retreats to take time to reflect on themselves and their faith. 

These retreats are for students as individuals and as a team to challenge themselves to overcome fears and achieve goals in life. Each class goes on separate retreats. 

The juniors went to Camp Minikani as their religious experience. This retreat focused on trust, building relationships, and overcoming fears and obstacles.

This retreat also was for the students to enjoy themselves outdoors and have fun with their fellow class of 2015.

Juniors participated in low ropes, rock climbing, and the most challenging, high ropes. Junior Nadia Gracia said she was terrified when she first approached the ladder for the high ropes but she sang a song in her head "I’ll Make A Man Out of You" from Mulan. She says even though you're on a tiny wobbling rope you have to just "Keep Moving Forward." 

These  challenges required lots of encouragement from classmates. The junior retreat also required lots of teamwork and communication during the peer challenges. Nadia expressed happiness when she mentioned how she enjoyed herself with her peers. 

Many of the juniors looked forward to the retreat because the seniors gave them a good exemplar of their time last year at Camp Minikani. 

Morality teacher Ron Kuenstler helped plan the junior retreat. He wanted the juniors to have as much fun as possible. Mr. Kuenstler said the best part of the retreats was watching the students at work on their tasks. He took pictures and video to capture the energy of the students and to show them succeeding on the courses. He put cameras on some of the students' helmets to document their reactions on the high ropes and rock climbing. 

The high ropes was a big challenge for most students. Mr. Kuenstler advice was to just have an open mind and when you step foot on the rope "Just Let Go and Let GOD!!" 

Nadia thinks that retreats are for her peers to build friendships and gain memories that will last a lifetime. The teachers want the students to gain confidence to be able handle anything that comes their way in life. 

Retreats are for you to step out of your comfort zone and try something new and adventurous.

--Contributed by junior Anthony Richmond

Soccer Looking Ahead

Throughout the soccer season the players got used to the techniques of a new head coach, Brian Benn, along with assistant coaches Peter Johnson and Daniel Solorzano.

All three coaches worked really hard to improve Messmer soccer, in a way that will equal success. 

Soccer players had practice every day after school from 3:15 to 5:30. These practices were not easy. The players had to do “Chelseas” which is when they have to run 5 laps around the soccer field in less than 8 minutes. It was difficult at first, but players knew that they had to adapt to these practices in order to stay part of the team. The players found this exercise to be very helpful in the long run. 

Coach Benn reflected on the season, “The first part of the season the team was in constant fluctuation and the effects of that showed up in the game results. The second half of the season the team was much more cohesive and the team finished the year with a string of good results. After starting 0-3 in conference, we finished 3-5.” 

As freshmen joined the team they found it was difficult for them to transfer from middle school soccer to high school varsity. Freshman Daniel Hernandez said, “At first it was hard because I am a goalie, but then I got used to it.” 

Coach Benn said, “The biggest challenge was the lack of size. With such a young team we were fighting a size battle in every game. The team compensated by attempting to play a possession based game that played to the strengths of the team that are touch and speed. The overall youth was a problem as well, in most cases kids would lose their composure when put under pressure. The experience of playing a full season of varsity soccer will only improve-- this is still a young team going forward.”

The younger players finished the season ready to play for next year and waiting to see what will happen next. Junior Jorge Ramirez described what he can do better by saying, “I can motivate people more for next year, so they can try harder and not give up.”

Messmer soccer team: Do not give up, we are pulling for you!

--Contributed by senior Missael Alba

Freshman Retreat

Every year at Messmer High School, the students go on retreats. It is a graduation requirement for every grade. Two days in October are designated, with the freshmen through juniors divided into 2 groups, each attending one day. The seniors spend 2 days together, staying overnight.

Theology teacher and Campus Minister Ms. Marianne Giovingo said "Christian Discipleship" was the theme for the freshman retreat this year. Ms. Giovingo explained, "For Messmer being a Catholic school, we want students to experience God in a powerful way....[through] retreats we give God time to speak to our hearts." 

Theology teacher Mrs. Chris Nienhaus said, "Messmer believes that a retreat is a time to take a step back and take inventory about our personal past and where we're personally headed.  In order to do that we have to slow down and gather outside the normal pace of a typical day.  Retreats help us to regroup and set ourselves in motion for continued success."

Freshman Nyree Jones said, "I think Messmer requires retreats so that we have the opportunity to come together with our classes and learn new things about each other. Also, to learn how to become closer to God and overcome life's challenges." Mrs. Nienhaus added, "We hoped that the freshmen would have the opportunity to meet new people and get to know Messmer and some of its great teacher/leaders - we're all on their side and rooting for them to succeed." 

Ms. Giovingo said, "Retreats progressively grow on each other [over the four years]. For freshmen...we don’t want to overwhelm them too much...obedience and responsibility you learn as you grow." That’s why freshmen stay at Messmer for their retreat.

Nyree described the retreat, "We expressed ourselves through art, played games that had to deal with life challenges, and talked about how you can overcome those challenges. Also, we built a time capsule that we can’t open until we’re seniors." 

Ms. Giovingo said, "I wanted the freshmen to see that in their journey in life they don’t journey alone. All of their family, friends, and God journey with them and they should not be afraid." Nyree added, "I learned from retreats that there will be lots of challenges through high school and beyond high school. But you have to find some way to get through them." 

Ms. Giovingo said, "They really enjoyed making caramel apples... I would also say I saw a new way of thinking. They had to get one person on the other side of the rope, and they had to get through it without talking and it helped them think more and they really enjoyed it." Nyree said, "My favorite activity during retreats was when we had to do a jump rope activity because it was the most challenging activity and the most fun." 

According to Mrs. Nienhaus, "From what I could tell, they really enjoyed the more physically active activities as well as the caramel apples. They just loved hanging out with each other and getting to know each other since they all come from so many different grade schools and middle schools."

Overall, retreats are something that we all can take and learn something from that will help us in life. Nyree said, "I would like to say that what you learn from your retreats you should use in your life and make it become reality in the real world." 

Ms. Giovingo said, "I would encourage the freshmen and other students to allow retreats to become part of their lives." Mrs. Nienhaus said, "I think the teachers and staff who served on the retreat did an outstanding job in their different roles.  They played and laughed and told stories that helped everyone to grow spiritually and socially in making new friends and memories that will last a long time."

--Contributed by junior Shela Grant

Getting in the Spirit

Every year, Messmer students look forward to Spirit Week. It is a tradition that students like to be a part of. Vice Principal Mr. Geoffrey Kaiser said, "Spirit week is often as enjoyable for staff members as it is for students.  More than ever before, this spirit week was planned by students, from the pep rally, to the after school activities, and the dress-up week.  I thought it was very well thought out." Spirit Week is a whole week (Monday thru Friday) when the school has different activities going on.

Monday, the first day of Spirit Week, was twin or triplet day. 

Tuesday, was Jogging Suit day. 

On Wednesday, students had the choice to dress their best, like they are going to Church. 

Thursday, the Fourth day of Spirit Week, students could wear a pink shirt or a Dig Pink T-shirt for the volleyball game later on that day. 

Friday students had a choice to wear their class colors. The freshmen color was orange, sophomore's was yellow, the junior color was blue and seniors wore black.

Junior Tanisha Harris said "My favorite activity in spirit week was the pep rally, because I got to show my class pride with my fellow classmates and have a great time." Junior Shayla Evans said "My favorite activity during spirit week was Jogging Suit day. It was very comfortable and different."

On Friday was the Pep Rally. At the pep rally, students had the chance to show how much they enjoy their class and their school. There were activities like a tug of war, relay races, which class had the best cheer, teachers competing against each other dancing, and all classes doing the roller coaster and the "Messmer Rouser."

Junior Naomi Jordan said, "My favorite spirit week day was class color day along with our pep rally." Ms. Katie Schumacher, a Social Studies teacher, said "I will admit, I loved being able to wear sneakers and sweats on jogging suit day but since I really worked on the Bishop Bash, my favorite part was seeing students have fun and enjoy spending time with each other outside of the classroom." 

Theology Teacher Ms. Abby Demeter said, "My favorite activities were the dunk tank (even though it was cold!) And the Bishop Bash." Mr. Kaiser said "For me, the pep rally is always among my favorite things as it brings our Messmer community closer together.  We pray together as family, study together, and now we take time to celebrate as a family."

This year Messmer High School had a new activity as part of Spirit Week, the Homecoming Bash. This was a big step to most students and faculty. Junior Naomi Jordan said, "My first reaction was excitement and I was surprised that Messmer let us have a homecoming dance." Junior Shayla Evans said, "I was very happy and excited because it was going to be my first time going to Homecoming." 

Ms. Schumacher, who helped plan the Bash with Ms. Demeter said, "The hardest thing about putting the Bishop Bash together was trying to make sure we thought of everything to go smoothly yet create an environment the students could make the most of and really enjoy." 

Mr. Kaiser said, "Because we have so many people that want to help out (which is a great thing), it takes extra communication to make sure events and activities are well coordinated."

Ms. Schumacher last thoughts about the whole spirit week were, "I think Spirit Week was a success!  There were a lot of ways for students and staff to get involved and many people took advantage of it and made it memorable." Ms. Demeter said, "Spirit Week turned out great!  I knew our students would rise to the occasion and show their Messmer Pride." Thanks to all the people who helped put spirit week together--we enjoyed it very much!

--Contributed by junior Shela Grant