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!

--Contributed by senior Daijah Devine-Williams

Driven by the Spirit

'Tis the season to be jolly, Bishops! Messmer High School is known for its hunger to help the hungry. Our annual food drive shows those less fortunate that we care, and that we are living up to our faith and service-based mission. We give until we can’t give any more. Because of this, Math Teacher Ms. Marilyn Mathay said, “We have been committed to fill 80 boxes, if there is any money or food left over it will be donated to St. Bens and the House of Peace.” The dedication and determination of the staff and students who are spearheading the drive inspire hundreds of God’s children to donate as much food and money as possible.

Each box donated contains the following: 1 box of mashed potatoes mix, 1 bag of stuffing, 1 box of cake mix, 2 boxes of pudding or Jell-o, 2 boxes of cornbread mix, 4  cans of low sodium corn, 2 cans of cranberry sauce, 1-32 oz. can of sweet potatoes or yams, 2 boxes of macaroni and cheese, 4 cans of low sodium green beans, and 1 can of gravy.  These are things that will make for a nice family holiday meal.

The reason senior Tori Carter-Story wanted to promote the Food Drive is because “I was raised to help people who are struggling.”  Tori has contributed her own time to help out with this program. “Honestly, I joined at the last minute. I only had the intention of bringing in food. Once I saw all of the boxes that needed to be packed, I decided to help out with that and everything else.” She has a heart full of love and a passion for helping others, a true Messmer Bishop.

The reason Ms. Mathay wanted to promote this program is because, “I see the need for less fortunate families to have good food during the holidays.”

Tori said that the challenges that the Food Drive went through was “Everyday, there was always some item that was missing. To fix the issue, I went to get food, so did Ms. [Theology/Economics Teacher Chris] Neihaus.” Ms. Mathay said, “The response to the food Drive wasn’t very productive at the beginning. The last couple days, in addition to collecting food, we have been collecting money from the students and faculty.” 

Because of a final push at the end inspired by a passionate plea from Theology Teacher Ms. Abby Demeter, the goal of 80 boxes was reached!

As you are sitting down to your own holiday meal this Christmas, remember Bishops, you enabled others to enjoy theirs as well.

--Contributed by senior Treveon Howard

The LBC is in the House!

When it come to recording music at school, the LEADERS Beats Center (LBC) is the place to be. The LBC is a combination of a writing lab and a production studio. It was organized by teachers and is run by students with the ultimate goal of creating music. Thanks to previous  Music Teacher Mr. Greg Flattery, students have the equipment and knowledge to write and record their own music.

LEADERS (Learning Education Advancement Development and Employment Readiness Skills) is the after school program that helps students develop their academics, talents, responsibility, and character. The LBC is a great addition to what LEADERS has to offer students.

With the help of Mr. Leroy Fullwood (Dean of Students) and Mr. Ken Klatkiewicz--aka Mr. K.-- (head basketball coach/guidance counselor), the LEADERS Beats Center has all the assistance that it needs. Mr. K. helped establish this program, he said, because, "It’s no secret teenagers love music and not a day goes by I don’t hear them saying their own raps or singing someone else’s lyrics. So why not use the studio in conjunction with the classroom to help grow their creativity?"  The reason Mr. Fullwood helped establish this program, he said is because, "It was something I was into, I’m a music fan and it brought me back to when I used to rap." These two supporters are the reason the LBC is alive and active. When asked, "What made you want to promote the LEADERS Beat Center?" Mr. K replied, "I was speaking with [English Teacher] Ms. [Lauren] Brown, and she wished students were more excited about writing." Mr. Fullwood said, "I saw it as a creative outlet that is also entertaining." 

Giving the students a chance to record their own music is something that has never been done before at Messmer, and the students appreciate the adult pioneers for their time and effort. According to Alexius Heard, (studio producer assistant/artist) "The LEADERS beats center is a place where students can show their musical potential." She feels it takes "...hard work, dedication and mad skills" to become a MC.

JaVaughn Harris (studio producer/artist) said, "The LEADERS Beats Center is a program where our school can record our musical talents for free." JaVaughn has a big part in the LBC--he has the experience, the lyrics, and the skills to show our school’s rappers how to record professional music.

A world without music is like a world without water; it is needed in different ways. Martin Luther once said, "Next to the Word of God, the noble art of music is the greatest treasure in the world." The LBC will leave its mark on Messmer High School because of the hard work, dedication, and talent that the participants and advisors put into it. If you have music that you would like to record for people to hear, join the LEADERS Beats Center!

--Contributed by senior Treveon Howard

Adding Spice to an Old Tradition

This year at Messmer there is an addition to the school’s traditional prayer service. The students go to their third hour classes after prayer service and take time to reflect.  This gives both the teachers and the students a chance to say how they feel or what message they received from the prayer service. Each week the teachers receive a new list of questions pertaining to that Wednesday’s prayer service to help guide the discussion. 

This new idea of prayer service reflection is so students can be clear on that week’s message and learn more about those in their school community. Prayer Service Director and Theology Teacher Ms. Donna Eddy said, "This is a time to reflect, and to come together as a community.  A time for both teachers and students to share their faith on an equal level of learning." In addition she hopes that the Wednesday discussions have a positive impact on the school. If both the teachers and students are open to the reflection as opposed to participating just because they have to, then they will discover the depth of their faith. Through this new idea, as a high school we all can become active participants. This half an hour or so allows the third hour class as a whole to come together as one. 

The students are expected to enter their third hour class and wait for the teacher to share the questions.  Once the questions are shared all students should take a minute or two to think about their responses.  After thinking about the questions and relating them to the prayer service and themselves, students should then participate in a meaningful discussion. This new idea is still in its beginning stages. Ms.Eddy said, "We will wait until the reflection process has a little bit more experience to tell [how successful it is]." Until then we wait, listen, and reflect.

--Contributed by senior Brittany Harmon