--Contributed by senior Daijah Devine-Williams
Sing Loud and Proud
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
--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
--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
--Contributed by senior Brittany Harmon
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.
We are glad you are here, Ms. Reineking!
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
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