“Seussical The Musical” performances coming soon

By: Kylie Coffin, Co Editor-in-Chief

Posted November 4th, 2015

As October comes to a close, Slinger High School’s musical production is quickly approaching. The cast is currently wrapping up their final preparations for performing “Seussical, The Musical” for the community on November 13, 14, and 15.

This fall’s musical experienced a major change in leadership as three new individuals stepped into the roles of directors. Emily Lofy, Heidi Lofy, and Joann Husslein were the individuals who took on the heavy but rewarding responsibility of bringing Dr. Seuss’ well-know characters to life. Mrs. Peters, Slinger High School’s choral director, has also put many hours into rehearsing music with the cast. One link to the three-part directing staff this year, Ms. Emily Lofy, is a Slinger High School alumnus and a current American Studies I and World Studies teacher at Slinger. Mrs. Heidi Lofy and Mrs. Husslein are founding members of the Hartford Players, and Ms. Lofy got her start in performing at age 8 by spending every summer in that theater. She also performed in three Slinger High School productions as a student from 2004 to 2008. Overall, she knows a thing or two about the dynamic and expectations of Slinger’s theater program.  

Adults, however, are not the only ones running the show in this musical. There are four student leaders whose past experience on the set and behind the scenes of Slinger productions has allowed them to make valuable contributions to this show as well. Becca Rodenkirch and Granite Goeller are the student directors and Renee Wagner and Kali Hottenroth share the title of stage manager.

The “Seussical The Musical” cast spends roughly 15 hours a week practicing. From Monday to Wednesday they are at rehearsal from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm and on Thursdays they rehearse from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. On the weekends, cast members devote time to building the set for the show, and soon they will begin holding Sunday practices as well. While dedicating so much of their after school time to making “Seussical” performance-ready, many of these student actors are balancing these duties with the responsibilities of being honor roll students. Ultimately, the passion the cast and crew have for the performance is incredibly real.

Although they spend hours of time on perfecting the show, this group has had an abundance of fun while memorizing lyrics, running lines, practicing dance steps, and learning notes. How could one not have fun while dealing with the storylines of Dr. Seuss? When asked what her favorite memories from this fall were, Ms. Lofy responded, “This cast is a treasure trove of talent and seeing them really get into character has been wonderful. I would also say that chasing the parade float (which went so fast!) was rather exciting.” It is highly likely that this fun-loving spirit and talent will shine through on performance dates as well.  

Because so many people are so familiar with the works of Dr. Seuss, this performance will have a relatable feeling of familiarity that might send you back in time to when you sat reading his books with your family. This musical touches on the deeper meaning behind Seuss’ plots and characters to make the simple, well-known stories something with more emotional weight. According to Ms. Lofy, “Seussical touches upon such universal ideals that whether you are 5, 15, or 50, you will identify with something in this show.” This show would be regretful to miss, so call your family and friends and take them to Slinger’s rendition of “Seussical the Musical.” Performances are at 7:00 pm in the Slinger High School Auditorium on November 13 and 14 and the matinee  performance is at 2:00 pm on Sunday, November 15. Tickets are available for purchase at the Slinger High School office.

The Best Halloween Costume Contest Submissions

Posted November 2nd, 2015

Thank you to those who have so far submitted pictures to the Nite Crier.  Remember that you have until 3pm today to submit pictures to nitecrier@slingerschools.org.

Who will be our winner of The Best Halloween Costume Contest?  Find out Wednesday afternoon!

Slinger’s incredi-bowl bowling teams starting up for the season

By Abbie Schmidt, Staff Writer

Posted November 2nd, 2015

Slinger High School’s bowling teams are supported by their head coach, Mr. Keith Scott, and two assistant coaches, Mrs. Jennifer Rozek and Mrs. Linda Ritger. I spoke with Mrs. Rozek who was very helpful in expanding my knowledge of High School bowling. I asked her what she was most looking forward to as a coach and she disclosed that she is excited to help the kids improve on their skills, pass along the enjoyment of bowling, and help promote the sport. She informed me that bowling is the fastest growing High School sport right now. “To be able to represent Slinger with a Boys Varsity team and a Girls Varsity team is very exciting.”

When asked how many people were on a team, she told me, “Right now we have 6 Boys and 5 girls. We may be adding another boy and we are really trying to get more girls involved.  We would like to add 1 or 2 more girls. At meets a team consists of 5 people.” Mrs. Rozek told me that they practice at Kettle Moraine Bowl in Slinger on Wednesdays from 3pm to 5pm. “We started practice October 7 and will continue until the end of January. We start practice with warm ups, do some drills, practice spare shots, and finish with bowling against each other.” Mrs. Rozek revealed.

All their hard work is preparing them for upcoming meets. They will have meets in November, December and January against other area schools. Tournaments will take place at the end of January and early February, with State the first weekend in March. Anyone is able and welcome to come and watch at these meets, but Mrs. Rozek made sure to mention that “the bowling lanes and area where the bowlers sit is ONLY for teams and coaches."

I asked about the highest score achieved so far and she surprised me by saying a boy has gotten a 225 already! (Bowling is out of 300 points.) Mrs. Rozek explained that High School bowling is a little different than traditional bowling. “High Schools and colleges use the Baker Format for bowling. Instead of one person bowling 10 frames, which is the typical format, the entire 5 person team will combine to bowl 10 frames. It works that the first bowler only bowls frame 1 & 6, the second bowler 2 & 7, third bowler 3 & 8, fourth bowler 4 & 9, and the fifth bowler (which is usually your anchor bowler - or best bowler) 5 & 10. This style encourages teamwork and camaraderie because you need to trust that your teammates will do well in their frames while also knowing everyone is relying on you to do well in yours.” She gave me the example that “if you would come and watch a meet Slinger would be on lane 1 and Hartford on lane 2 with 5 per team. 10 frames would be bowled. The teams would then switch lanes. Slinger goes to lane 2 Hartford to lane 1.  They would then bowl another 10 frames. Then they would switch again and bowl another 10 frames. After this Slinger would move to lane 3 and bowl against Kewaskum on lane 4. The games would go the same as above. At each meet you will bowl against 2 different schools.”

The amount of points you get in High School bowling matters even if you don’t win. The bigger score at the end ultimately wins, but they also keep track of how many strikes, spares, and opens the team and individuals get. Mrs. Rozek explained that this is called a fill percentage. “When it comes time for invitational/tournaments at the end of the year the fill percentage will be considered. The higher your fill percentage = you are getting more marks (strikes/spares).”

Overall, it sounds as though the bowlers are excited for a season of improving their game and being part a team. Hopefully they’ll have a strike-ingly good time!

The Story Behind the Man in the Turtleneck Gets Told in the Movie Launch of the Century

By: Robby Timmler, Staff Writer

Posted November 2nd, 2015

The movie Steve Jobs is about the career and personal life of Steve Jobs who is played by Michael Fassbender. The movie talks about Jobs being hired by Apple, then getting fired, and then eventually being rehired. But there’s more to the movie than just that. The movie also highlights the personal life of Steve Jobs, during the court case between him and his ex-girlfriend over their possible child.

The movie is set up so that at the beginning, middle, and end of the movie there is always a launch for one of Steve’s new computer products. At the beginning, with the launch of the Macintosh, the viewers see only the behind the scenes before the launch. This is where we  meet the different people in Steve’s life like Joanna, Steve’s secretary (played by Kate Winslet) and Steve’s friends. Steve Wozniak (played by Seth Rogen), John Sculley (played by Jeff Daniels), and Andy Hertzfeld (played by Michael Stuhlbarg). We also witness the strain put on the relationship between Steve’s ex-girlfriend, Chrisann (played by Katherine Waterston) and his daughter, Lisa (played by Makenzie Moss) because Jobs is ordered to pay child support for a daughter he “claims” isn’t his.

The movie then shows news reports on Steve Jobs getting fired from Apple and Jobs making his own company named NeXT. The movie then goes to the launch of the NeXT computer where Steve is again visited by his friends and his daughter Lisa. With every visit from Steve’s friends we are shown the truths behind Steve’s friendships and how Steve got fired through the conversations and actions of the characters. The truth behind Steve’s firing is show in flashbacks when Steve talks to John Sculley. Since the Macintosh failed, Sulley was forced by the Apple Board of Directors to fire Steve. At this launch, the viewer is also shown more about Steve’s relationship with Lisa and her home life with her mom.

From there we see the crash of the Apple Corporation and the firing of John Sculley, which leads to the Apple Corp. buying the NeXT company. This allows Steve Jobs to return as the CEO of the Apple Corporation. In the conclusion of the film, we see the launch of the iMac, and with that we see all of Steve’s relationships go full circle.

Steve Jobs is a movie that shows Steve Jobs for who he truly was, which was a very controlling, egocentric, tyrant of a man that thought he was the smartest of the human race.  The actors did an excellent job in portraying these people accurately. Steve Jobs is a very good documentary on a man who was depicted differently in the media than who he truly was in real life until now.

Meadowbrook Haunted Cornfield

By Kate Wallschlaeger, Opinions Editor

Posted October 30th, 2015

Though at first glance it seems to be a contradiction, Meadowbrook Pumpkin Farm and Market hosts a horrifying opportunity to pass through their haunted cornfield. This adventure is far from the traditional corn maze in which children hardly bat an eye at cardboard cut-out figures. In fact, such startling creatures lie within it, that it is discouraged to bring children under ten years old - or those who are simply faint of heart.

This West Bend Halloween destination is open regular hours everyday, but the maws of the entrance to the haunted cornfield are only open on Fridays and Saturday from 1pm to midnight until November 1st. The payment of $23.00 will gain admittance to 45 minutes of terror underneath the night sky.

Each Halloween, the Meadowbrook cornfield becomes possessed by eerie fog, live actors, chilling sound effects, and lighting that riddles the senses. The haunted cornfield is not the only attraction though. There is also a bonfire around which people gather to hear unnerving ghost stories. Whether mentally preparing oneself for a night of fright or extending the fun after braving the horror of the haunted cornfield, everyone has a place to be in the Halloween atmosphere.

Just as a suspicious shadow can deceive the eye, so can a name deceive the mind. The Meadowbrook Haunted Cornfield is a among the most frightening areas in West Bend around Halloween. All those who love or might love the thrill of being startled beyond reason are encouraged to come. If they dare to cross its threshold, of course.

DECA’s Trick or Can is right around the corner

By Maddie Hoitink, Co Editor-in-Chief

Posted October 26, 2015

DECA’s third annual Trick or Can is right around the corner.  Marketing 2 and Slinger High School’s DECA have conducted a joined event for the past three years in order to collect canned goods for the Slinger Food Pantry.  DECA members and students in Marketing 2 will hand out flyers throughout various Slinger neighborhoods during this coming week.  Then, on October 31st, during Slinger’s trick or treat, the DECA members and Marketing 2 students will collect the cans from the people who received the flyers.  In addition, if you bring at least five canned goods into the Rookery at Slinger High School, you will receive a Rookery discount.  Trick or Can is a great way to directly give back to the community, so everyone should definitely participate!

Sophmores Visit Civil War Museum

By Hannah Stadel, Staff Writer

Posted October 26th, 2015

On Thursday October 15th and Friday the 16th, 10th grade SHS American Studies I students visited the Kenosha Civil War Museum for the 8th consecutive year. At the museum, Mr. Acker, a civil war reenactor, did an interactive presentation for the students. During the presentation students got a feel for what it was really like for soldiers at war. Students also had a chance to walk through The Fiery Trial exhibit. They learned more in-depth about the civil war in the Midwest by reading "newspaper stories", looking at genuine artifacts, and hearing stories from life-size mannequins. A 360 degree film, a video screened in 360 degrees in a circular room, also played at the museum. This film entitled Seeing the Elephant told the stories of three men fighting for the Union, and visually captured the reality of this war. Sophomore James Matheson shared his experience of the Kenosha Civil War Museum saying,"It was very interesting. The mannequins were somewhat creepy, but overall it was a very good museum."

Nite Crier's Halloween Costume Contest

How spooky, funny, or realistic is your Halloween costume?  Here is your chance to find out.  The Nite Crier is having a best Halloween costume contest.  Submit a picture of your Halloween costume by Monday, November 2nd at 3pm to nitecrier@slingerschools.org.  The winner of the Nite Crier best costume contest picks up a $25 gift certificate from the Rookery.  Check out the Nite Crier online newspaper website www.shsnitecrier.blogspot.com for the finalists.   Happy Halloween!

Adopt a Military Division

By Korey Alder, Photography Editor

Posted October 25th, 2015

From October 26-28th, the social studies department here at Slinger High School will be collecting items and letters to send to soldiers overseas.

The lucky recipients of these care packages are the Wisconsin National Guard 2nd Battalion of the 135th Aviation Regiment, who are currently working in Kuwait as a medevac unit. This particular medevac unit uses UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter to extract injured troops, provide medical assistance during transport to medical facilities, and transfer patients between hospitals.

According to the WI Dept. of Military Affairs, most of the medical requests the unit has responded to thus far have either been patient transfers or heat related injuries. Staff Sergeant Jason Sweet described the working conditions: “Kuwait is by far the hottest place I have ever been,” he said. “Most thermometers here cannot give accurate readings because they do not go past 120 degrees.” Kuwait holds the record for the 3rd highest temperature ever recorded, at 128°F.

The unit has been supporting Operations Inherent Resolve and Freedom’s Sentinel (whose goals are to limit the spread of terrorism in the Middle East and fight ISIS) since the end of May, and won’t be returning for several months.

Captain Casey Voss, the man in charge of the 2nd Battalion (and cousin to social studies teacher Mrs. Stolaski), is glad of Slinger’s support, explaining that many of the soldiers under his command don’t receive gifts from home. The soldiers are stationed more than a fourth of the way around the world, entering potentially hostile situations to, as Voss puts it, “ensure the worst day of [soldiers’] lives [do] not become their last.” Even though communication with their families back in the US is possible, there’s no way to truly make up that distance.

Students can help out the soldiers’ moral by writing letters addressed to the 2nd Battalion, and donating items to school for the creation of care packages. Items to bring include beef jerky, Girl Scout cookies, dehydrated fruit, k-cups, granola bars, magazines, and non-regular beef sticks – along with any letters. These need to be in by the 28th, so they can be organized and make the week-long, 6 ½ thousand mile trip to Kuwait in time for Veterans Day.

Students can also support the troops this Veterans Day by purchasing stars at school, with proceeds going to the Honor Flight program.

You can read more about the 135th on the Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs website at the following links: http://dma.wi.gov/dma/news/2015news/15070.asp

Cedarburg defeats Slinger 8-0

By Ben Hoitink, Staff Writer

Posted October 24th, 2015

The eight and two Slinger Owls football team ended their season after a first round playoff loss to the Cedarburg Bulldogs (8-2).  In the driving rain on home turf, both teams struggled to move the ball and suffered several turnovers resulting in a low scoring 8-0 loss.  The Owls will take another winning season and trip to the playoffs into the off-season as they prepare for the 2016 season.

__________________

Scoring Summary:

QTR 1

No scoring

QTR 2

Cedarburg - safety off of punt attempt

0-2 1:50

QTR 3

Cedarburg - 70 TD pass

PAT blocked by Aaron Maternowski

0-8 6:30

QTR 4

No scoring

Slinger-Allenton Rotary Club Celebrates 50 Years

By Kate Wallschlaeger, Opinions Editor

Posted October 21st, 2015

Fifty years ago, ambitious members of the community joined together to begin the Slinger-Allenton Rotary Club. Their purpose was and remains to be to support the community and fulfill the needs of its people. As spoken through their maxim, “Service Above Self,” these leaders genuinely consider and act upon the best interests of the community.

Joined by their generosity and desire to serve others, the Rotarians better the community through their local projects. Landmarks such as the Rotary Ice Skating Rink, Ruckel Park Pavilion and baseball field lights, and Community Park Pavilion and parking lot were all brought from ideas to reality by the Slinger-Allenton Rotary Club. Furthermore, the Rotary is a supporter of the Honours, Inc. scholarships and the Slinger Fire Department standby generator.

Perhaps less noticed but no less important, they are a contributor to the incredibly well-equipped technology education department at Slinger High School. The environment they have helped to build enables students to become confident and skilled in engineering and vocational trades.

The impact of the Rotary extends beyond the local level through their international projects. As a part of their efforts to better health conditions for people worldwide, the Rotary supports Guatemalan medical clinics, the construction of water wells in Haiti, and the Polio Plus organization whose goal is to globally eradicate polio. As a closer connection between the community and world, the Rotary aids the student exchange program.

As an essential step within the process from idea to reality, the Rotary holds various fundraisers throughout the year. Comedy Night with John McGivern will be held at the Schauer Center on February 3, 2016. And the Golf Outing will be held at the West Bend Country Club on June 6, 2016. All who wish to come are welcome.

It is one thing to look back on past accomplishments with pride. It is another to see those same accomplishments and find inspiration for those of the future. The Slinger-Allenton Rotary Club has strengthened the community for the past fifty years and will only continue to do so.

Owls soar over Orioles 29-13

Ben Hoitink, Staff Writer

Posted October 18th, 2015

The Owls soared over the Orioles 29-13 on a crisp Friday night under the home lights.  Slinger (8-1) fought back from a 0-13 deficit, on the arm of Jerod Scheff and the legs of Tyler Reinhardt, with 29 unanswered points to deny Hartford a playoff berth and improve their own playoff seeding.  The Owls will face their first round opponent in the Division 2 playoffs next Friday.

___________________________

Scoring Summary:

QTR 1:

Hartford - Ryan Zuern 3 yd TD run 5:43

PAT blocked by Chris Evans

0-6

QTR 2:

Hartford - Ryan Zuern 5 yd TD run 10:51

PAT good

0-13

Slinger - Tyler Reinhardt 57 yd TD run 9:15

PAT no good

6-13

Slinger - Jerod Scheff 35 yd TD pass to Jesse Bellefeuil 5:08

PAT Deven Mason good

13-13

Slinger - Jerod Scheff 3 yd TD pass to Zak Schuster 00:18

PAT Deven Mason good

20-13

QTR 3:

Slinger - Deven Mason 32 yd FG 4:27

23-13

QTR 4:

Slinger - Tyler Reinhardt 53 yd TD run 1:53

PAT no good

29-13

Choir Concert on October 21st

By Megan Cichon, Entertainment Editor

Posted, October 15th, 2015

On the twenty-first of this month, at 7:30, Slinger High School choirs bring you America, My Home: A Concert of American Music. Beginning with the famous Star Spangled Banner from Vocal Jazz, and ending with Taps sung by Chamber Singers, the concert will take the audience on a journey through America. This concert will mark Men’s A Capella's first concert since officially becoming a curricular choir.

Trick or Treat? - A Halloween Poem

By Mariah Flynn, Staff Writer

Posted October 15th,2015

Trick or Treat? -A Halloween Poem

Long dark shadows creep out from the darkness.

In them lay monsters of varying shapes and substances.

Werewolves and vampires among them,

Teeth ready for a fright of their lives.

Phantoms dance and weave between the bare trees,

Using the dead leaves as a dance floor for the party.

Zombies walk around like they have no place to rest their arms,

Forever held up in the parallel position from the ground.

Black cats run around the streets,

Looking to bring bad luck where ever they step.

Jack O'Lanterns shine with internal candles,

Lit up so all who walk by can see their faces.

All these monsters and many more,

Aren’t all bad you see.

They just wait each year,

Until October 31st comes around.

Because once this day comes,

They can begin the annual ritual.

The ritual of tricks on young kids and unexpecting adults,

And treats to the real frights of this world.

Mariah Flynn is a sophomore that loves to read and draw outside of class who is also very passionate about animals. After she graduates high school, Mariah would like to major in either veterinarian medicine or graphic design/photography.

She is currently enrolled in Concert Chorale and she hopes to get into Vocal Jazz next year. She is also in Photography Class and Graphics II.  Clubs that she is involved in besides the Nite Crier Newsblog is FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) and SkillsUSA.

Girls’ tennis wraps up season

By Kylie Coffin, Co Editor-in-Chief

Posted October 12th, 2015

Slinger’s girls’ tennis team had a busy last week as varsity team members battled competitors at both the subsectional and sectional meetings. Slinger tied for third place at the subsectional which was held at Pleasant Valley Tennis and Fitness Club on October 6. All of the 10 varsity players competed. Doubles and singles players at the one position needed to secure just one win, while twos, threes, and fours needed two victories to advance to sectionals. Both of Slinger’s ones dominated their competition with huge wins that saved them a seat at sectionals. At one singles, Emma Sievers was a two seed going into the subsectional and defeated Plymouth handily. Slinger’s number one doubles duo of Josie Bjorklund and Kate Wallschlaeger were seeded at four and crushed Beaver Dam’s doubles team. Seniors Rachel Daniels, Kylie Coffin, McKenna Gartzke, Olivia Boden, and Julia Foxx finished their tennis careers as Owls at the subsectional, despite securing several big team points with first round wins. Rachel Daniels was a two seed at two singles and crushed her Port Washington competitor for a win, but lost in a well-played second match against West Bend West. As a one seed at three singles, Kylie Coffin quickly defeated West Bend West in her first round, but did not pull out a win against West Bend East to advance. After several hard-fought games, McKenna Gartzke with a two seed at four singles, fell to a tough West Bend East player. Julia Foxx and Olivia Boden had a three seed at two doubles and with the strong support of a Slinger crowd, pulled out a spectacular three set win against West Bend West in their first round. Unfortunately this year-long doubles team did not beat Hartford in their second round to advance. Maggie Aumann and Victoria Volkmann played at three doubles and pulled out a victory against Port Washington in their first round, and fell to Beaver Dam in their second match. Both Aumann and Volkmann will be returning for the team in the 2016 season.

Sectionals were held on a rainy Thursday morning in Neenah on October 8.  Emma Sievers, Josie Bjorklund, and Kate Wallschlaeger fought to keep their high school tennis careers alive. Despite not advancing, a majority of the varsity tennis team drove an hour to watch their teammates compete. Sievers faced off against a skilled Appleton competitor while Bjorklund and Wallschlaeger took on a fierce Neenah duo. All Slinger girls played with an immense amount of heart and fire but ultimately fell to worthy competition. Slinger had a strong tennis season, finishing third in the Little Ten conference and making all teams struggle for wins over them.

A Poem: A Road Worth Taking

By Cora Gregory, Staff Writer

Posted October 12th, 2015

A Road Worth Taking

A slow, silent beat sounds

As each drip, falls through the cracks

I’m alone, stuck forever

Chances of escape are slim to none

I could end up somewhere worse

I will take the road worth taking

In hopes of freedom

In hopes of happiness

But the dark is falling fast

Cora Gregory is a sophomore with a passion for writing short stories and poetry. She spends a lot of time outside listening to music. She has a little sister in sixth grade who loves to critique her work. After she graduates from Slinger, she wants to go to college for theatre and music. She’s currently enrolled in Concert Chorale and wants to later get into Vocal Jazz and Chamber Singers. 

The Owls roll past Germantown

By Madeline Hoitink, Co Editor-in-Chief

Posted October 12, 2015

On the sunny fall afternoon of October 10, the Slinger boys’ soccer team rightfully earned a 3-1 victory over the Germantown Warhawks.  Within the first 20 minutes of play, sophomore Justin Burns knocked the ball off the post.  However, junior Jordan Delaurier was able to hit the rebound, putting Slinger up 1-0.  Germantown came out hard in the second half, tying the match within the first minute.  Towards the end of the well-fought second half, Will Springer scored two more goals for the Owls.  Slinger was able to maintain their lead for the remainder of the game.

The Owls soar past the Vikings 28-12

By Ben Hoitink, Staff Writer

Posted October 10th, 2015

Owls football soars past Wisconsin Lutheran Vikings 28-12. A balanced land and air attack along with the usual dominant Owl defense, toppled the vikings for the first time in school history. Slinger (7-1) will finish the regular season hosting the Hartford Orioles (4-4) next Friday before Slinger's playoff run begins.

Quarter 1

Wisco- 85 yd td pass 3 to 7

Pat missed

0-6 9:46

Slinger- 25 yd pass to Schuster

Pat good

7-6 6:44

Quarter 2

Slinger 25 yd run Hafeman

Pat good

14-6 11:54

Slinger- 41 yd pass to Evans

Pat good

21-6 7:07

Slinger 10 yd run Reinhardt  

Pat good

28-6 0:50

Quarter 3

Wisco 19 yd run

Pat no good

28-12 7:51

Quarter 4

No scoring