If science classes at Bonduel Middle School had a rallying cry it would be, “Don’t expect to find the answers in the book!”

Lisa Sorlie, enthusiastic advocate of innovative classroom science, would definitely be holding the megaphone.

“Too often, classroom science has kids looking for answers between the covers of a textbook,” said Sorlie, who taught middle school science for 14 years before stepping this year into a new role as library media specialist for the school district of Bonduel.

“Here in Bonduel,” Sorlie said, “it’s absolutely our goal to infuse our future scientists, future innovators, with the realization that science is about asking questions.”

Last summer, as a participant in both the Bioenergy Institute for Educators and the Research Experience for Teachers program hosted by the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center and the Wisconsin Energy Institute , Sorlie had a refresher course in the art of scientific inquiry.

During the five-day BIE, Sorlie learned about recent scientific breakthroughs, critical questions driving UW-Madison’s current bioenergy research, and energy-related classroom materials developed by the GLBRC.

As part of the RET program, Sorlie then spent seven weeks working alongside UW-Madison geneticist Chris Hittinger, immersing herself in advanced research on yeast evolution and metabolism. As she explored the role of bioengineered yeasts in creating clean-burning biofuels, or the resemblance between yeasts and cancer cells, Sorlie was also developing hands-on instructional materials that could help her students ask — and then investigate — similar questions in the classroom.

“I came to UW-Madison on a mission to experience different perspectives on scientific thinking and teaching and bring them home to the community I care about,” Sorlie said. “And I found what I was looking for.”

Back in Bonduel, Sorlie is teaming up with sixth-grade teacher Zac Krause to get students engaged in authentic science. Recently, lessons inspired by Hittinger’s research had students working in pairs to identify yeast species based upon short DNA fragments and racing to different “check points” set up in the school gym to create cladograms, diagrams that illustrate relationships among biological organisms.

Drawing on her BIE experience, Sorlie also plans to host an after-school science enrichment program in which she connects through video conferencing with teachers and students in two neighboring school districts. Participating students will explore the concept of sustainability, life cycles of various fuel types, and the potential for cellulosic biofuels to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

“We’d like to foster learning to the point where kids are asking why this scientific information has value,” Sorlie said, “what impact it has for humans or animals or the world, and what are the most important questions to ask next and even help answer.”

Bonduel Middle School Principal Mark Margelofsky said that Sorlie’s engagement with these professional development programs is helping the school to fulfill districtwide goals.

“We want to offer our kids the homey atmosphere of Bonduel as well as more opportunities than we alone can provide,” Margelofsky said. “Experiences like Lisa’s enrich our curriculum, encourage collaboration with neighboring districts, and contribute to our vitality.”

“I’m really excited that our Bonduel family is starting to fit into the UW family,” Sorlie said. “It’s a great collaboration.”

The College of Menominee Nation is holding a number of activities next week in recognition of Earth Week, but the theatrical production could require audience members to bring sunblock.

“CMN’s Solar Energy Institute Goes to Washington,” a student-crafted play, will be performed on the Keshena campus Thursday to not only inform people about solar energy concepts in general but also to showcase the research conducted by the college in that field.

Ryan Winn, who teaches English, theater and humanities at the college, said he was approached by CMN’s Sustainable Development Institute about coming up with a performance piece involving an earth-friendly aspect to be part of the school’s weeklong celebration.

“Solar Energy Institute,” which had been a theater performance done by CMN when students attended the American Indian Higher Education Consortium student conference, seemed like the perfect piece, he said.

The play is a farce where a CMN representative is summoned before a U.S. Senate subcommittee populated by hostile and clueless bureaucrats questioning the college’s work in using solar panels for energy research. One senator refers to the idea as “Yankee liberal solar energy hogwash” during the course of the hearing, while another fears his oil business could suffer if the college gets national funding for its solar energy work.

“The one sane person in the script is a character based on a CMN student, which is Travis Spice,” Winn said. “The idea is to make the presentation of research more engaging to the community and that the only sane way forward is to move away from fossil fuels and toward renewable energy.”

Lloyd Frieson, one of the writers and actors for the play, said creating the script was a “lively” experience.

“We did a lot of research on solar energy,” Frieson said.

Besides the AIHEC conference, the play has previously been performed for the Menominee Youth Empowerment program, but this will be the first time it has been performed for the general public, according to Winn.

“This is a chance for us to share it with the larger community,” he said. “Using theater to talk about renewable energy but not just in passing; the science behind it is awesome.”

The play will also solicit audience participation, so those in attendance could become part of the show.

Prior to the start of the play, there will be some competitive performance pieces from the AIHEC conference to entertain the public. The performance begins at 12:30 p.m. in Room 126 of Shirley Daly Hall.

Gresham Community School

Junior high students completed the Forward Exam. Elementary students started testing after spring break.

On Tuesday, a mock tornado warning was issued, so all students had to go to their designated areas.

Grades 10-12 took a field trip to Wittenberg-Birnamwood High School on Wednesday for an assembly called “It Can Wait.”

Also on Wednesday, Smokey Bear visited the elementary students.

Bonduel Elementary School

Part of our fifth-grade social studies curriculum is for students to stay informed about current events. Our students get the weekly magazine, Time for Kids, and watch Channel One News.

Time for Kids includes seven to 10 short articles and one main cover story that is two pages long. Additionally, the students take a 10-question comprehension quiz that they complete when they are done reading their magazine. Some of the questions involve making inferences, figurative language, understanding vocabulary, cause and effect, the author’s purpose, and recalling key details, just to name a few. The articles are high-interest articles specifically for elementary students. However, we find many parents enjoy the articles as well. Another feature is called the “Mystery Person,” which includes a picture along with several clues given about an individual. Students use their laptops to search the internet using the clues to find out who is this week’s unknown person.

Another hit with our students is the daily news program, Channel One News. It is a program that is designed to capture the attention of elementary students, and they have succeeded. It is broken into three stories and runs about 10 minutes, total. This program really puts the “current” in current events as the program is filmed and shown, all within the same day.

Fork Union Military Academy

Cadet Alexis Andres Cubillo Mendoza, son of Guadalupe Nelson, of Shawano, earned an Academic Citation for maintaining at least a 3.0 grade-point average during the fourth grading term at Fork Union Military Academy in Fork Union, Virginia. He is in eighth grade.

A team from St. Paul Lutheran Church in Bonduel won first place at the seventh annual Wisconsin State-Wide Bible Bowl held April 1 at Rib Mountain Lutheran Church in Wausau.

Members of the winning team were Hannah Schmidt, Ben Schmidt, Leah Schmidt and Elizabeth Schmidt. They were coached by Dave Doell.

The competition, for youngsters in grades 7-12, was on the Book of Matthew.

Another team from St. Paul, coached by Doell, placed fourth. Team members were Jake Moede, Jordan Moede, Thomas Reignier and Cooper Uelmen.

Teams from Trinity Lutheran in Athens and St. Paul Lutheran in Amherst took second and third, respectively

St. Paul-Bonduel students earning individual medals for their scores on the written part of the competition were Hannah Schmidt, first; Elizabeth Schmidt, second; Ben Schmidt, third; Thomas Reignier, fourth; Jacob Moede, sixth; Dan Schmidt, seventh; Leah Schmidt, eighth; Abigail Palmer, ninth; and Anna Palmer, 11th.

Pastor Mark Palmer, of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Bonduel, organized the event. In addition to the double-elimination tournament, the day included an opening devotion and prayer by D.J. Schult, assistant to the president, North Wisconsin District Lutheran Church, lunch and fellowship.

Gresham Community School

Gresham Community School students in grades 10-12 gathered April 19 at Wittenberg-Birnamwood High School with Bowler and Birnamwood students to attend the “It Can Wait” seminar. The presentation showed how dangerous it is to text and drive. There was a simulation that engaged students to show the dangers of distracted driving.

Gresham’s annual tornado drill was held April 20 to educate students on how to react when there is a tornado spotted in the area. “Duck and cover!”

April 21 was registration day for 4- and 5-year-old kindergartners for the 2017-2018 school year.

Forty-one high school students took a trip to the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay for a science major informational meeting and tour.

Midterms were due April 21.

Students will work Friday to set up for prom, which will be held from 6-11 p.m. Saturday. The grand march is at 9:30 p.m.

Gresham will host a powwow in the gym from 12:30-3 p.m. May 5.

Gresham Community School

There was an assembly April 28 to congratulate the state solo and ensemble and state forensics participants. The forensics team received a perfect score at state. State solo and ensemble is Saturday.

Special congratulations to Fiona Hoffman on placing first, second and third in a writing competition.

Junior prom was Saturday.

Freshmen and sophomores had ACT Aspire testing all this week.

There is a powwow sponsored by the Gresham Culture Club on Friday.

The Cystic Fibrosis Walk is May 12.

Bonduel Elementary School

For five weeks there are eight students from St. Norbert College working in our classrooms at Bonduel Elementary School. The college students said they are enjoying the community atmosphere and the close-knit staff. They feel that some of the challenges of teaching include motivating and engaging every student. Students from BES have brought smiles to their faces by giving them hugs and compliments. The SNC students also had many smiles by witnessing the “light bulb” moments with the kiddos. Their favorite part of teaching at BES has been the students and the crazy stories they tell them, along with the welcoming teachers. The group said they love being at BES and are so sad that their time is coming to an end so quickly. They thank the district for allowing them to do their placement at BES!

To celebrate Arbor Day, on Friday the fourth-grade students at BES decided to give trees a helping hand and planted some white pines. We also learned about the benefits of trees. We had a great time making our area a better place.

Third-grade students from Bonduel Elementary had some special guests visit their classrooms March 23. Naturalist Tim Ewing from Navarino Nature Center and his assistant, Kaylee Leitz, talked to students about animals native to Wisconsin. They discussed the characteristics of a mammal — warm-blooded, live birth, fur/hair, mothers give milk. Students learned that the opossum is the only North American marsupial, and that they eat ticks. Another fact was that the gray fox is from the dog family, and it is the only one that can climb trees. While the students were learning about these awesome animals they were able to see/touch different pelts/furs of the animals as well. Students were also able to take home a plaster animal print that they made. The teachers and students would like to thank the Crawford Family Foundation for the educational grant to make this in-school field trip possible.

Menominee Indian Middle School

Proud, proud and even more proud. It was the feeling I had when three Menominee Indian Middle School students received recognition at the 2017 George Putz Memorial Student Writing Contest awards ceremony Saturday at the Mielke Arts Center in Shawano. Our own Kemewan Kinepoway, Beverly Peters and Rachel Peters were the recipients of the awards. Kemewan Kinepoway won first place for her submission of a poem titled “The Crow.” Beverly Peters received second place for her submission of a poem titled “Normal Poem,” and Rachel Peters received honorable mention for her submission of a fiction story titled “The Girl.”

The George Putz Memorial Writing Contest is put on by the Shawano Area Writers, a group formed in 1966. Entries are received from many of the area schools, including Shawano, Bonduel and Menominee. The contest has three writing categories, three age/grade categories and three prize categories, with an honorable mention. The writing categories are fiction, nonfiction and poetry. The age categories are grades 1-4, grades 5-8 and grades 9-12. A monetary gift is awarded for first, second and third places in each category, and honorable mentions receive a certificate of achievement.

After a keynote speaker and the awards portion of the ceremony, door prizes were drawn with winners from all the surrounding schools. Finally, students were encouraged to go on stage and read their submission. Many of the students took full advantage of that portion of the ceremony and proudly read their writing, including Beverly Peters.

I am so proud of this great honor for our students! Please congratulate them and their families in their being recognized for exceptional writing. Go Kemewan, Beverly and Rachel. Congratulations to you all!

— Linda S. White

The Crow

By Kemewan Kinepoway

A crow with curious eyes

The crow who has heard numerous lies

The crow with inked and greasy feather

Has come through overwhelming weather

To dance with the boy

Normal Poem

By Beverly Peters

Poems are supposed to rhyme

But that’s a total waste of time

Poems are supposed to be nice

Nothing good rhymes with nice

Poems are hard to write

Blah Blah Blah

Good Night

Poems suck

All you do is repeat stuff

And hope people read too far into it

So they don’t find out

You are an idiot

The End

Shawano Community High School is sending 92 students to the state solo and ensemble competition Saturday in Stevens Point. The students will perform 35 different individual and group music pieces.

Representing Shawano are Rachel Marquette, Megan Krueger, Gabby Tuma, Shannae DeBroux, Emma Schmidt, Sydney Utke, Alexis Nick, Sam Klein, Mikaela Selle, Faith Schenk, Hannah Kadonsky, Racheal Hutchcraft, Logan Buettner, Michael Mault, Sadie Cummings, Kiara Dorner, Mercedes Klatt, Britney Bamke, Savannah Johnson, Joseph Radtke, Lydia Williams, Callie Boyles, Kendra Griesbach, Madelyn Rabideau, Mikayla Miller, Lina Liu, Connor Angeli, Hannah Williams, Krista Fuller, Eli Albertson, Riley Jones, Sabrina Demaskie, Georgi Ritter, Ryan Steffen, Anton Piantek, Emily Anderson, Karsten Anderson, Brittney Angeli, Selena Bergner, Chris Black, Lauren Bohm, Skye Bohm, Morgan Briske, Isabella Buettner, Isabella Burr, Mallory Busch, Bryce Carlson, Erin Cerveny, Donald Chen, Lydia Colon, Alfonzo Cruz, Makenzie Foster, Jeffrey Green, Kori Halstead, Madeline Hanson, Carlie Hinnefeld, Nathaniel Huebner, Chase Huntington, Levi Johnson, Emily Jones, Grace Jones, Drew Kane, Shara Koeller, Tyler Konkel, Alana Krolow, Hunter Krolow, James Krueger, David LaPratt, Karelyn Malliet, Karly Marohl, Colleen McFarlane, Nathan Meisner, Hannah Millavitz, Jacob Moesch, Chris Parker, Maddie Rabideau, Lindsey Roloff, Ashley Rueter, Austin Schmidt, Noah Schmidt, Sam Schulze, Olivia Schultz, Nick Sherman, Harrison Sturycz, Nicole Thornock, Sage Tomashek, McKenzie Trinko, Zach Wehymeyer, Marcus Welander, Alec Wendland and Kaleigh Zoll.

Five Shawano schools will participate in Bike to School Day on Wednesday. They are Hillcrest Primary, Olga Brener Intermediate, St. James Lutheran, Sacred Heart Catholic and Shawano Community Middle School.

This is the third year local schools have participated in the program. Youngsters will receive a participation incentive, and members of Shawano Pathways will assist principals at the schools.

The first National Bike to School Day took place in 2012 in coordination with the League of American Bicyclists’ National Bike Month. The event builds on the popularity of Walk to School Day, which is celebrated across the country – and the world – each October.

Bike Safety Month reminds students and parents of the simple joy of biking to school. It also serves as an opportunity to focus on the importance of physical activity, safety, air quality, and building bicycle and pedestrian friendly neighborhoods.

Bike Safety Month is one part of a Safe Routes to School program, an international movement that promotes walking and biking to school in order to improve health, safety and the environment.

For information, call Nancy Schultz, Safe Routes to School coordinator, at 715-526-6136.

A story of holding on to one’s faith in the face of oppression and a changing world will be presented to local audiences next week.

The Wolf River Homeschoolers will present “Fiddler on the Roof” as its annual musical from May 12-14. Almost 60 children will sing, dance and become the characters of a small Jewish village in the early 20th century.

The beloved musical, turned into a 1971 film and adapted from the story “Tevye and his Daughters” by Sholem Aleichem, focuses on a Jewish milkman and his five daughters. Tevye must contend with his three eldest daughters wanting to marry for love, even though each marriage could draw them further away from their faith, and with an edict of the Russian tsar demanding the Jews be removed from their village.

Director Sue Kluge said she had been eager to do “Fiddler on the Roof” and was excited when the home-school group voted to do the show.

“It’s just a show that I’ve always loved,” Kluge said. “We sat down, and we looked at a lot of the scripts and picked our favorites. ‘Fiddler’ is what we eventually went with.”

Kluge believes the home-school parents were familiar with the show because of its national and international popularity. The home-school group has presented an annual musical to the public for more than a decade, and Kluge believes “Fiddler” is the most dramatic piece the group has performed to date.

“We’ve definitely done more lighthearted shows,” Kluge said. “They’re not always comedies, but they were definitely lighter.”

Because “Fiddler on the Roof” deals with the mature theme of marriage, Kluge had to plan carefully as she cast the show. She noted that a couple of the “papas” were younger than their sons, and there are a couple of elementary-age children playing grandfathers.

The home-schoolers have rehearsed once or twice a week since November, having a few extra weeks to rehearse due to scheduling conflicts with Clintonville High School. In previous years, the show was performed in April.

The group includes more than the Shawano and Clintonville families who home-school their children. Kluge noted that some families drive 45 minutes one-way to attend rehearsals.

There are some complex dance numbers in the show, including a couple of wedding dances, prompting some children to come in early for rehearsals.

“Those took a lot of work,” Kluge said. “The music, I think, has been a little more challenging than usual because there aren’t the usual melody rhymes for the children to follow, so they’ve had to work harder than usual to master those pieces.”

In the end, that’s a good thing, in Kluge’s view, because it gives the children a chance to stretch both as performers and as scholars.

Kluge said she likes how the show relates to faith and the traditions of one’s faith, especially when dealing with children who might want to marry someone who might not fit the mandates of that faith. One of the daughters marries outside the Jewish faith, causing Tevye, the father, great heartbreak.

“I don’t know much the little ones will connect with the issues, but I’m sure many of the older ones do,” Kluge said.

While the show is suitable for all ages, it is expected to last more than 2 1/2 hours, not including intermission, so parents should keep that in mind if they bring their children to the show.

Shawano Community High School sent 92 students to the state solo and ensemble competition Saturday in Stevens Point. The students performed 35 different individual and group music pieces.

Representing Shawano are Rachel Marquette, Megan Krueger, Gabby Tuma, Shannae DeBroux, Emma Schmidt, Sydney Utke, Alexis Nick, Sam Klein, Mikaela Selle, Faith Schenk, Hannah Kadonsky, Racheal Hutchcraft, Logan Buettner, Michael Mault, Sadie Cummings, Kiara Dorner, Mercedes Klatt, Britney Bamke, Savannah Johnson, Joseph Radtke, Lydia Williams, Callie Boyles, Kendra Griesbach, Madelyn Rabideau, Mikayla Miller, Lina Liu, Connor Angeli, Hannah Williams, Krista Fuller, Eli Albertson, Riley Jones, Sabrina Demaskie, Georgi Ritter, Ryan Steffen, Anton Piantek, Emily Anderson, Karsten Anderson, Brittney Angeli, Selena Bergner, Chris Black, Lauren Bohm, Skye Bohm, Morgan Briske, Isabella Buettner, Isabella Burr, Mallory Busch, Bryce Carlson, Erin Cerveny, Donald Chen, Lydia Colon, Alfonzo Cruz, Makenzie Foster, Jeffrey Green, Kori Halstead, Madeline Hanson, Carlie Hinnefeld, Nathaniel Huebner, Chase Huntington, Levi Johnson, Emily Jones, Grace Jones, Drew Kane, Shara Koeller, Tyler Konkel, Alana Krolow, Hunter Krolow, James Krueger, David LaPratt, Karelyn Malliet, Karly Marohl, Colleen McFarlane, Nathan Meisner, Hannah Millavitz, Jacob Moesch, Chris Parker, Maddie Rabideau, Lindsey Roloff, Ashley Rueter, Austin Schmidt, Noah Schmidt, Sam Schulze, Olivia Schultz, Nick Sherman, Harrison Sturycz, Nicole Thornock, Sage Tomashek, McKenzie Trinko, Zach Wehymeyer, Marcus Welander, Alec Wendland and Kaleigh Zoll.

Seniors in the Shawano Community High School music program have been waiting four years to step into the spotlight, and they’ll have their chance this week at the annual Last Dance.

The school’s jazz band and Showstoppers choir will perform more than two hours of beloved classics and some modern tunes as guests dine on stage on desserts provided by Fannita’s Bakery.

This year’s show is expected to be one of the best since the Last Dance debuted in 2005, according to band director Christopher Kent. One reason is that the selection of music includes some heavy hitters, including songs from Chicago, Glenn Miller and Duke Ellington.

“We have Earth, Wind and Fire tossed in there with ‘September,’” Kent said. “I don’t think I’ve ever done multiple Chicago tunes with Earth, Wind and Fire in the same set, never mind three Glenn Miller tunes, two Duke Ellington tunes and, oh, just for fun I’ll throw ‘Free Bird’ (by Allen Collins and Ronnie Van Zant) in.”

The second reason that this year’s show should be special is the current batch of seniors. Kent noted that all of his seniors perform well, but this year’s group seems to understand the education side of the music program, which, he explained, meant the students poured their heart and soul into their music every time, even when it wasn’t for a competition or a show.

“They’re very hardworking. The leadership is excellent,” Kent said. “We did things this year that I’ve wanted to do that we haven’t been able to do.”

There are no “giveaway” songs in the show, Kent noted, meaning songs the band and choir members can just perform halfheartedly. During rehearsals, Kent repeatedly tells his band that it’s important for the show to be better than a run-of-the-mill high school band concert.

“These tunes are all very difficult,” he said. “I am never easy on them. They want to do these songs, but they can’t go brain dead.”

The seniors will shine through a variety of solos. Grace Jones will perform a clarinet solo to Glenn Miller’s “Moonlight Serenade,” while her sister, Emily, will perform on the trombone for “The Way We Were.” On the choir side, Ryan Steffen will sing Marc Blitzstein’s “Mack the Knife,” and Georgi Ritter plans to sing an original song she wrote.

“Last Dance is all about the seniors. It’s their last gig (as high school students),” Kent said.

This will be the first year Last Dance has gone on without Jonathon Kent, who has been the choir director for many years but had to leave earlier in the school year due to health issues. Nathan Falk, the auditorium manager, has taken on the duties of directing the choir.

Bonduel Elementary School

The Bonduel Elementary first-graders have been working on “Wizard of Oz”-themed activities such as characters, setting, vocabulary, math word problems, compare/contrast, fairy tales and graphing. This is in preparation for their production of the mini musical, “The Wizard of Oz.”

They have been practicing their songs and parts since the beginning of March and are very excited to show off their hard work. They will perform at 1:30 p.m. May 19 at Bonduel High School in Sousa Hall. Community members are welcome to come and enjoy the presentation.

The children also make digital pictures of themselves in costume, which is shown at the conclusion when they are introduced. Each year we add more to the performance to make it better than before. Mark your calendars and make sure you come early to get a good seat. You won’t want to miss it! Refreshments will be served at the conclusion of the presentation.

Gresham Community School

Gresham Community School held its annual powwow on May 5. The event was put together by the culture club students. Everyone was encouraged to dance and enjoy traditional foods.

The spring soiree begins at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. Everyone is welcome to come enjoy the music performed by the students.

The school is participating in a walk for cystic fibrosis on Friday. Gresham students walk in memory of a former Gresham student who lost his life to the disease. The walk is open to anyone in the community, and everyone is encouraged to come and support the cause.

The educator who presided over all previous commencement ceremonies at the College of Menominee Nation returns May 27 in a new role.

S. Verna Fowler retired as CMN’s president in June 2016, shortly after CMN’s last graduation celebration. This year, she attends as the guest speaker.

Ceremonies begin at 10 a.m. in the Five Clans Ballroom of the Menominee Casino Resort Conference Center, Keshena.

Fowler holds the distinction of being one of the longest-serving presidents in the history of the tribal college movement. She was hired by the Menominee Nation in 1992 to establish a tribal college. CMN opened in January 1993 with an original enrollment of 42 adult students taking general education courses. Today, the college is an accredited baccalaureate-level institution with nearly 1,200 graduates. It provides academic degree and technical diploma courses, non-credit personal and professional development workshops, and a variety of outreach services to hundreds of individuals from campuses in Keshena and Green Bay.

During her professional life, Fowler worked as an educator and administrator at every level, from elementary through higher education. After entering a religious order and graduating from the convent college that is now Silver Lake College in Manitowoc, she continued studies at the Catholic University of America, University of San Francisco and University of North Dakota, where she earned her doctorate.

Among many awards, she has been chosen for honorary doctorates by two Wisconsin universities, and received the 2010 Alumni Achievement Award from UND and the U.S. Agency for International Development’s George Washington Carver Award for work in the field of agricultural development in developing nations.

Fowler’s service in education included work on the boards of the American Indian College Fund, American Indian Higher Education Consortium and Higher Learning Commission.

The winter 2016 issue of Tribal College Journal called Fowler “a giant in the tribal college movement.” The article cited her work building an enterprise that today employs some 130 faculty and staff, has more than a thousand alumni, provides an estimated annual economic impact of $37 million in its service region and is “dedicated to the goal of nation building — one student at a time.”

Joining Fowler on the stage as the 2017 student speaker is Lloyd Frieson Jr. Frieson is graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in public administration.

Frieson’s selection recognizes his academic achievements and extensive service to the college, various student organizations and the Menominee community. He is an enrolled member of the Menominee tribe and during the 2016-2017 academic year served as president of CMN’s student government.

Graduation participants include students who completed studies during summer session 2016 and in fall and spring semesters of the 2016-2017 academic year. The current class includes approximately 80 bachelor’s and associate degree majors and students who completed their technical diploma programs at either the Keshena campus or Green Bay/Oneida campus.

The 3-year-old preschool class at Sacred Heart Catholic School in Shawano recently painted and implemented a St. Teresa of Calcutta Blessing Box as a community service project.

Led by teacher Stacy Dickmann, the students painted the box with the help of parent volunteer Chris Marcks. The box was built and donated by Crossroads Custom Cabinetry of Shawano.

The class took their inspiration from the newly canonized St. Teresa of Calcutta, a Roman Catholic nun and missionary who helped the poorest of the poor.

The Blessing Box contains items that people in need can take. Students have filled the box several times with items such as toothpaste, diapers, canned food, bubbles and soap. The items are donated by parish families.

“St. Teresa of Calcutta was a soul filled with the light of Christ,” Dickmann said. “As a teacher at Sacred Heart Catholic School, I feel so privileged to be able to fuel that light in our students; instilling in the preschoolers the importance of caring for our neighbors and friends.”

The only guideline for the Blessing Box is “please take only what you need and leave what you can.”

For information about the project or Sacred Heart, call 715-526-5328 or email Autumne Gee, admissions director, at agee@sacredheartshawano.org.

Gresham Community School

We had our annual Cystic Fibrosis Walk on May 12. Cystic fibrosis is one of the most common chronic lung diseases in children and young adults. It is a life-threatening disorder. Cody Pluger, a charismatic member of Gresham community, lost his battle to this deadly disease at the age of 17. He was a loving son, brother and friend. We sold T-shirts and raised around $1,500.

We had our elementary and high school spring concert for choir and band May 11.

The FFA also had a clean-up day May 12.

The seniors had a garbage pickup day May 13 at the North Star Casino for the Stockbridge-Munsee Tribe.

The Culture Club went on its end-of-the-year trip to the Milwaukee County Zoo on May 17. They got to tour the zoo and visit the animals. Many of them got the chance to ride the Sky Safari and the Safari Train. Afterward, they stopped in Appleton and walked around the mall.

The elementary school had a bullying presentation on May 18.

A blood drive was held Friday. It was successful and many pints of blood were donated. Thank you to all the community members who donated.

The Booster Club Athletic Banquet was also held on Friday at the Pine Hills A-Frame. Athletes were honored for their outstanding performances.

On Wednesday, the junior high went on its end-of-the-year trip to Xtreme Air and Badgers Sports Park.

Seniors finished their final exams Wednesday. A senior breakfast will be held Thursday in Brenda Hoffman’s room. Graduation ceremonies begin at 7 p.m. Friday in the gym.

Bonduel Elementary School

On April 28, the first-grade classes from Bonduel Elementary took a field trip to Doc’s Harley-Davidson and the Navarino Nature Center.
While at Doc’s, students got a tour of the grounds and had the opportunity to get up close and personal with alligators, camels, snakes, lizards, kangaroos, birds and even an African porcupine. It was a wonderful experience and students enjoyed seeing and being able to touch the animals.

While at the Navarino Nature Center, students participated in a pond study, a habitat hike, and learned about the plants and insects that live on the forest floor. During the pond study, students waded in the pond in search of insects that make their home in the water. Students used nets to collect samples and later studied their specimens under a magnifying glass. During the habitat hike, students visited the forest, marsh, grassland and bog to learn about the plants and animals that live there.

Finally, during the forest floor study, students went on a scavenger hunt in search of various plants and insects that live on the forest floor. Students found fungi, moss, ants, slugs, frogs, salamanders and much more. It was a fun-filled day of learning and exploring.

Marion Elementary School

As part of April’s Autism Awareness month, Marion Elementary students donated coins for a local elementary school “penny war.” Schools in the area competed with one another to see which building could raise the most money for Shawano’s Bridge the Gap program, which is a locally based, nonprofit agency that serves children with autism in Shawano and surrounding communities.

Marion Elementary was the top school in the contest, raising $984.74.

Denise Rudersdorf has reached the end of her yellow brick road.

The Bonduel school teacher is retiring after producing “The Wizard of Oz” every year for more than two decades with first-grade students playing Dorothy and the other beloved characters.

The show has become a popular community tradition that draws big audiences. It also creates lasting memories for the first-graders who get a chance to step into the spotlight.

So much so that members of Rudersdorf’s first cast from 1995 returned last week and surprised her with an impromptu reunion during her final show before retirement.

Mindy Lohff, who played Dorothy as a first-grader in 1995, is now a 28-year-old career woman with a son who will be starting school in another year or two. Lohff remembers the excitement of performing in the

“Wizard of Oz” in first grade, and she is impressed that Rudersdorf made the show a yearly tradition with other children.

“I feel very thankful to have had her as a teacher,” Lohff said. “I think our community is very lucky to have had her.”

The surprise reunion also included Beth Przybylski, who played the first wicked witch, and Tim Kroll, the first cowardly lion.

Retiring after 27 years as a teacher, Rudersdorf said producing “The Wizard of Oz” was challenging at times, but she always enjoyed working with the children.

After months preparation every year, the teacher always beamed with pride while watching the 6- and 7-year-olds find their voices and become stage performers.

“They love it,” she said. “It’s always worth it in the end.”

The teacher’s final cast last week included first-grader Peyton Westrich, who had seen her two older brothers perform in “The Wizard of Oz” in previous years. Peyton set her sights on landing the scarecrow role, and she was thrilled to be chosen for the part.

Her mother, Tonia Westrich, is grateful that all three of her children got to experience the first-grade theatrical effort before Rudersdorf’s retirement. The production teaches young children the value of hard work while also giving them early exposure to the performing arts, Westrich said.

“It gives these kids an opportunity to see ‘I’m good at this,’” she said.

Rudersdorf began her teaching career in special education before switching to first grade at Bonduel Elementary School. To fulfill a curriculum requirement for teaching “presentation,” she decided to produce a class play. After trying other shows, she settled on “The Wizard of Oz” and knew she had found something special.

She retooled the show into a concise 40-minute version of the musical fantasy, using an off-stage narrator to move the story along. A piano player guided cast members through all the favorite songs, while handmade costumes and sets added to the charm of the first-grade presentation.

Within a few years, the show became a favorite among townsfolk, and the production was shifted to the Bonduel High School auditorium. Rudersdorf continued adding new features, such as making a costumed character out of the tornado that strikes Dorothy’s farmhouse.

Crowds of 200 or more turned out for the annual performances, which consisted of a morning show for students and an afternoon show for the general public.

“Every year it just got to be bigger and bigger and bigger,” Rudersdorf said.

When she decided to retire from teaching after the current school year, Rudersdorf found that no one else in the school district wanted to take over producing the “Wizard of Oz.” So the curtain came down for good after last week’s show.

Przybylski, who still remembers rehearsing with Rudersdorf in 1995 for her wicked witch performance, said she was grateful for the chance to join last week’s reunion — and to acknowledge Rudersdorf’s remarkable theatrical run.

“She was a fun teacher,” Przybylski said. “She made sure we learned what we needed to. But she also made school fun.”

The 108th Tigerton High School commencement exercise was held Friday at Tigerton High School.

The 22 graduates marched in to “Pomp and Circumstance” by the school band.

Valedictorian Amber Brown and class President Wyatt Mattson, also the salutatorian, addressed the audience.

Hall of Fame awards were given to Philip Salzman, accepted by his widow, Rosemarie, and to Corin Spiegel.

A slideshow of memories was presented. Diplomas were given out by District Administrator Benjamin Rayome and school board President Bonnie Levandoski.

The graduates marched out to “Premiere Suite.”

Residents of 26 Wisconsin communities, including members of nine American Indian tribes, received academic degrees and technical diplomas in College of Menominee Nation ceremonies Saturday in Keshena.

Retired founding President S. Verna Fowler presented the guest address, and baccalaureate degree graduate, Lloyd J. Frieson Jr. spoke on behalf of the Class of 2017. Both reside in Keshena.

Saturday ceremonies also honored Dennis Vickers, who was named the American Indian College Fund Faculty Member of the Year. Vickers, who teaches in the college’s humanities program, holds philosophy degrees from the University of Texas (Ph.D.), Bowling Green University (master’s), and University of Wyoming (bachelor’s). A resident of White Lake, he has served on the CMN faculty since 2006.

Here are the graduates:

Bachelor of Arts

Public Administration: Melinda L. Cook, high honors, Shawano, and Lloyd J. Frieson Jr., Keshena.

Bachelor of Science

Business Administration: Sally Florence Hill, honors, Seymour, and George V. Otradovec, honors, Suring.

Early Childhood/Middle Childhood Education: Lucille Rosemary Burr, honors, Bowler, and Benjamin R. Smith, high honors, Gresham.

Associate of Applied Science

Nursing: Christine Ann Van Dahm, Appleton; Sally Ellen Kauth and Sara M. Krueger, Clintonville; Cassie Lynn Petersen, honors, De Pere; Pamela J. Sporleder, Gillett; Liza DeCora and Ashley A. Tomschin, Green Bay; Audra Elizabeth Demmith, Mountain; Laura Reis, Seymour; and Jill Seefeldt, Wild Rose.

Pre-Engineering Technology: Sarah Brei, Gresham, and Chelsey Alane LaTender, Keshena.

Associate of Arts and Sciences

Accounting: Cassandra Lynn Simono, Gillett; Brady Ann Moreno and Brian Lee Moreno, Green Bay; ChristaLee Ann Waupoose, honors, Keshena; and Linda Sue Kaquatosh, Shawano. Biological and Physical Sciences: Mia Sue Haberl, Shawano.

Business Administration: Tyrone Joseph Barber, De Pere; Kayeloni Raye Heczko, honors, Dylana Kay Kinepoway, honors, Frances Joy Reiter, high honors, and Rayna Ann Tucker, all Keshena; and Alicia J. Mraz, honors, and Kayla Rusch, Shawano.

Computer Science: Randi R. Grant, Bowler.

Early Childhood Education: Nikole L. Webster, Bowler; Carol A. Red Kettle and JayCee Rae Tourtillott, Keshena; Chantel Lynne’ McLeod, honors, Oconto; Jessica Lynn Close, Oneida; and Sara Jean Esch, Shawano.

Liberal Studies – Humanities: Melissa K. Besaw, Shawano.

Liberal Studies – Social Science: Gary M. Adams Jr., Jennifer Lynn Barnes, Louis Scott Cottrell, Jamie F. Komanekin, Sheila Margaret Shawanokasic and Kyle Joseph Witt, all Green Bay; Courtney Nichole Behrendt, Jackson; Brittany Alice Hawpetoss, Keshena; and Barbara Marie Johnson, high honors, and Kelli Penfold, Shawano.

Natural Resources: Adam Joseph Schulz, honors, Bowler; Alex J. Adamski, Kaylee Jean Houle, and Eric Nacotee, Shawano; and Jamie L. Funmaker, Wittenberg.

Technical Diploma

Business Office Technician: Virgil S. Stevens, honors, De Pere; Lisa Marie Annamitta, Green Bay; and Rachel D. Corn, high honors, Keshena.

Electricity: Mequan Corn Sr.; Corey J. Dixon Jr. and Chance LaTender, Keshena; and

Justin J. Kriefall, high honors, Leopolis.

Practical Nursing: Laura R. Banuelos, Abrams; Odessa Lynn Clay, high honors, Bryant; Dylan Schroeder, Clintonville; Chelsea R. Kratky, De Pere; Matthew G. Safranski, honors, and Shellie Germaine Berg, Green Bay; Ka Zoua K. Moua, Menasha; Ellie M. Van Riper, honors, New London; Catrina Ann Bhatty, Oneida; Elaine Jo Rusch, honors, Pulaski; Jerilyn Ann Shooter, Shawano; Lori Jean Nieves, honors, Shiocton; and Susan Leurquin, Suring.

Sustainable Residential Building Systems: Michael W. Matchopatow, Keshena.

Welding: Asa V. Doxtator, Bowler; Tyler Hoffman, honors, Clintonville; Bernard G. Doud III, Neopit; David Bruce Pyatskowit, highest honors, Shawano; and Nicholas James Doud, honors, Wabeno.

Forty-seven of the 80 graduates are enrolled members or descendants of American Indian tribes. Represented in this year’s class are Chippewa, Comanche, Ho-Chunk, Lac Courtes Oreille Ojibwa, Menominee, Mohican, Oneida, Standing Rock Sioux and Stockbridge-Munsee.

Pam Patterson-Anhalt has always had a passion for science.

Soon, she will be able to spend more time working to instill that same passion in students at Shawano Community High School.

The high school faculty member has been chosen among 45 teachers nationally to promote better science education and to debunk myths about the difficulty of scientific research.

The honor from the Society for Science & the Public comes with a $3,000 grant, as well as specialized training in how to mentor young would-be scientists.

Patterson-Anhalt, a former private sector chemist and researcher, is looking forward to working with select students during the 2017-18 academic year who have shown an interest and aptitude for scientific research.

The program is geared toward encouraging students to enter research competitions that often propel young people into science-based career tracks.

“This is really a cool thing,” Patterson-Anhalt said. “I’m thrilled.”

The Society for Science & the Public is a nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C., that publishes Science News magazine and also promotes understanding and appreciation of science education.

The organization last month announced 45 teachers throughout the country who have been chosen as special advocates to expand opportunities for students within their districts to engage in scientific research. Patterson-Anhalt is the only one selected in Wisconsin, except for a college instructor in Wausau.

It is the third year for the national group’s Advocate Grant Program.

Maya Ajmera, president of the society, said the organization was attracted to the Shawano teacher’s credentials not only in education, but also her previous work as a private-sector science professional.

“She’s had the best of both worlds,” Ajmera said. “We found that really compelling.”

Patterson-Anhalt began her career at Johnson Controls Inc., a Milwaukee-based manufacturer of batteries and other energy-related products and systems. She worked as a research chemist and chemical engineer for about 10 years before deciding to stay at home with her young children.

When she re-entered the job market years later, she landed her position on the faculty at Shawano Community High School, where she teaches chemistry and physics. She has been at the high school for about 15 years.

Many students are intimidated by science, Patterson-Anhalt said, and they are particularly unsure about rolling up their sleeves and conducting scientific research.

“I know the whole process,” she said. “So it’s perfect.”

Looking ahead to her work as an advocate next school year, Patterson-Anhalt already has heard from a few prospective students who might be good candidates for mentoring. She travels to Washington this week to learn more about how the grant program works.

She is excited about the possibility of using her unique background in science to help students go to the next level.

“I can show them that they can succeed, they can do well,” she said. “I want to show them it’s there.”