With the last of the Class of 2017 graduations concluding this week in Shawano County, here is a glance at the top students at each of the area high schools.

Shawano Community High School

Valedictorian Patrick Brodhagen

Patrick is the son of Roy and Kim Brodhagen. He has achieved a 4.0 grade-point average at SCHS and also participated in Mathematics League, Science Society, Rocketry Club and Astronomy Club. His other special achievements include Optimistic Club Academic Honors and Wisconsin Academic Excellence Scholarship. He plans to attend the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay to study environmental science and geoscience.

Valedictorian Julia Haarth

Julia is the daughter of David and Crystal Haarth. She has achieved a 4.0 grade-point average at SCHS and also achieved Highest Honors and a Chancellor’s Scholarship. She has been active in the National Honor Society, Student Council, tennis, softball and Junior Achievement. She plans to attend the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh to study nursing.

Valedictorian Alec Wendland

Alec is the son of Jerry and Corrine Wendland. He has achieved a 4.0 grade-point average at SCHS. Other special achievements include a National Merit Scholarship and Highest Honor Roll. He has been active in the National Honor Society, Tri-M Music Honor Society, Math Club and Science Society. He plans to attend Carroll University in Waukesha to study mathematics.

Valedictorian Alexis Wilber

Alexis is the daughter of Aaron and Ronda Wilber. She has achieved a 4.0 grade-point average at SCHS. She has participated in Science Society, the National Honor Society, Spanish Club, EPIC Youth Group and tennis. Her other achievements include the Lois Crowe Scholarship, a Scholastic Achievement Award and Highest Honors. She plans to attend Bellin College in Green Bay to study diagnostic medical sonography.

Bonduel High School

Valedictorian Ivy Martin

Ivy is the daughter of Dawn and Jamie Martin. She attended homeschooling through eighth grade and then excelled at Bonduel, achieving 21 college credits, completing two AP courses. She participated in many clubs and activities, including Future Business Leaders of America, FFA, Spanish Club, Math League and Forensics. She plans to attend the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay to study accounting and Spanish.

Salutatorian Megan Fischer

Megan is the daughter of Kris and Gene Fischer. Throughout her years at BHS, Megan achieved 13 college credits, completed three AP courses, and is the Herb Kohl Educational Excellence Scholarship winner. She is active with athletics, band, and co-curricular activities. She was a first-place finisher as a state solo/ensemble competitor, and also held offices in National Honor Society, senior class, and student council. She plans to attend the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse to study biochemistry.

Gresham Community School

Valedictorian Kayli Posselt

Kayli is the daughter of Michelle Hirst and Scott Posselt. She has completed her high school years with a 4.0 grade-point average. She also has been active in volleyball, basketball, Culture Club, Math Club, Book Club, forensics, FFA, National Honor Society, Quiz Bowl and Homework Club Tutor. She plans to attend the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities to study pre-med.

Valedictorian Sydney Jensen

Sydney is the daughter of Jason and Amy Jensen. She has completed her high school years with a 4.0 grade-point average. She has also been active in Culture Club, Math Club, Book Club, FFA, National Honor Society, Quiz Bowl, Band, Homework Club Tutor and Technology Aide. She was a captain on both the basketball and volleyball teams. She plans to attend Brigham Young University-Idaho to study graphic design.

Salutatorian Alyssa Roe

Alyssa is the daughter of Jason and Laura Roe. She has completed her high school years with a 3.9 grade point average. She has also been active in Culture Club, Band and Choir, FFA, forensics, student council, volleyball, basketball, track, Drama Club, All-Star Choir, Solo Ensemble, Quiz Bowl and Math Club. She plans to attend Northeast Wisconsin Technical College to study nursing.

Clintonville High School

Valedictorian Tyler Petermann

Tyler is the son of Robert and Karen Petermann. Tyler has been an outstanding and involved student at CHS. Tyler has maintained a 4.0 grade-point average while being involved basketball, football, National Honor Society, and student council. Outside of school, Tyler is a running club mentor, a Sunday School teacher, works at the Senior Center and has been active elsewhere. He plans to attend Michigan Technological University to study mechanical engineering.

Salutatorian Joshua Kutchenriter

Joshua is the son of Terry and Patricia Kutchenriter. Joshua currently carries a 3.93 grade-point average. He has been active in soccer, Math League, track and field, cross country, student council, and in the German Exchange program. He has been active in the community at the Iola Car Show, in Earth Day clean-up activities, and in his church. He plans to attend either the University of Wisconsin-Madison or or Michigan Technological University to study chemical engineering.

Tigerton High School

Valedictorian Amber Brown

Amber is the daughter of James and Susan Brown. She has attended school in Tigerton since kindergarten. She has a 3.9 grade-point average. In addition to her academic achievements, she has been active in Math League, Letterwinners Club, National Honor Society, Pep Band and softball. She plans to attend the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay to study accounting.

Salutatorian Wyatt Matteson

Wyatt is the son of Brian and Cindy Matteson. He attended school in Wittenberg-Birnamwood before moving to Tigerton. He has a 3.7 grade-point average and studied AP psychology. In addition to his academic achievements, he has been active in FFA, National Honor Society, Quiz Bowl, Letterwinners Club, Tech Ed Club, student council, basketball, baseball and football. He plans to attend Viterbo University to study nursing.

Wittenberg-Birnamwood High School

Valedictorians: Madison Bushman, daughter of Derrick and Tammy Bushman, of Hatley; Helia Gagnon, daughter of James and Melanie Gagnon, of Birnamwood; Corrissa Konkol, daughter of Chad and Michelle Konkol, of Hatley; Alex Nelson, son of Steve and Wendy Nelson, of Eland; Michael Nelson, son of Steve and Wendy Nelson, of Eland; Kyle Premeau, son of Lance and Lori Premeau, of Hatley; Kendra Stoltz, daughter of Sara Stoltz, of Eland.

Bowler High School

Valedictorian: Brooke Breitrick, daughter of Kerry and Scott Breitrick, Bowler.

Salutatorian: Jacob Strassburg, son of Jeni and Jeff Strassburg, Township of Almon.

Marion High School

Valedictorian: Delaney Greene-Gretzinger, daughter of Roy and Sharon Greene-Gretzinger.

Salutatorian: Camille Radies, daughter of Mark and Shelly Radies.

Junior Achievement, Wolf River District, presented Olga Brener Intermediate School fifth-grade teacher Karen Preston with the JA Teacher of the Year award on May 26.

JA and the Wolf River District board of directors asked its volunteers to submit nominations and supporting comments for the award. Nominations were then judged by three members of the board.

Principal Terri Schultz arranged to have the presentation take place during a staff meeting. The award was presented by Sandy Ebbinger, JA district director, Marty Monfils, board vice chair, and Kelley Strike, board member.

Comments supporting Preston’s selection included the following:

• “Karen loves her students. Her purpose is simple: transform intermediate level students into students who can and will achieve at the middle school level and beyond.”

• “Karen takes the lessons I teach and expands them through the week helping students come to a deeper understanding about entrepreneurship and the free market.”

Junior Achievement USA is the nation’s largest organization dedicated to giving young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their own economic success, plan for their futures, and make smart academic and economic choices. Volunteers are welcomed into K-12 classrooms to teach work readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy.

JA reaches approximately 2,600 students in Shawano and Menominee counties annually, and more than 162,000 students in schools statewide. JA reaches more than 4.8 million students throughout the United States and over 10 million students in over 100 countries worldwide.

Fans of “The Sound of Music” can rejoice as Gresham Community School performs the classic musical this week.

The school is performing the junior version of the musical written by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein, “Getting to Know the Sound of Music,” on Friday and Saturday nights. Nearly 40 students are in the cast.

The musical harkens back to the 1930s, when Nazi Germany was on the rise. Audiences are introduced to Maria, a young postulant in a nunnery who is sent to be a governess for the Von Trapp family, which includes seven children.

As Maria tries to assume her duties of teaching and caring for the children, she introduces the children to the concept of music, something alien to them because their father, Capt. Von Trapp, has forbade any music since the death of his wife years earlier.

Maria soon finds herself falling in love with the captain, and he with her. After some doubt, the two decide to marry, but the honeymoon ends quickly as Germany takes over Austria. The captain is forcibly commissioned to command a warship.

This is the third year that Gresham Community School has produced a musical, and the program seems to be gaining in popularity. Heidi Cerveny is directing this year’s show after the teacher who directed the first two musicals left for a job in another school district.

“The talent that we have at the school right now, it just seemed to be the right fit to put on this production,” Cerveny said.

Besides the usual challenges with a theatrical production, Cerveny had the added task of helping the students, who range from elementary to high school, understand the historical context for “The Sound of Music.” At the start of the rehearsals, she made sure they learned about the rise of Nazi Germany and the impact that the annexation of Austria had on Europe.

“We tried to explain the seriousness of that period of time,” Cerveny said. “This is definitely a historical musical they’re putting on, whereas in the past they’ve had more of a fun element to them. I did some research myself to help explain things, so they could be present in the period of time.”

Because the show is a junior version, lasting 90 minutes instead of 2 1/2 to 3 hours, some things have been removed from the version fans have grown up on. For example, the character of the baroness and the wedding scene have been cut, Cerveny said.

“Some of the songs are in a different order from how they were in the movie,” Cerveny said. “It’s half as long, which is good for families that bring their kids.”

Menominee Indian High School

Seniors from Menominee Indian High School who took 4x4 classes at the Northeast Wisconsin Technical College were recently recognized for their hard work at the Shawano Regional Learning Center.

The 4x4 classes allow high school students to take one NWTC general studies course at a time. Each class is held four days a week and is completed at the end of four weeks. Students can apply their credits toward a degree at NWTC or transfer credits to a four-year college.

Th MIHS students had an average GPA each year of over 3.0 and took between nine and 21 college credits.

Recently, 13 students were recognized at an informal ceremony in front of their family and friends. Each student received a certificate indicating the number of credits they completed at NWTC.

A special celebration was held Tuesday at the Wisconsin Executive Residence in Madison honoring the academic accomplishments of current and former foster youth.

Ryan VanNewKirk, of Shawano, was among the students recognized.

First lady Tonette Walker gave the keynote speech during the Department of Children and Families’ fifth annual Foster Youth Graduation Ceremony. She was joined by DCF Secretary Eloise Anderson and State Superintendent Tony Evers in recognizing the young adults for their recent graduations from high school or for reaching other post-secondary educational milestones.

“This event is a heartwarming way to honor the accomplishments of these special graduates,” Walker said. “Foster youth often have faced significant trauma in their lives and frequently experience additional challenges during their academic journey, so it is my distinct privilege to be able to recognize these amazing and resilient young men and women. They serve as role models to other foster youth, and help to remind all of us about the power of perseverance.”

Nationally, only about 54 percent of foster youth will graduate from high school and only 2 percent will go onto college. Most suffer not only the loss of their biological family, but also might have had to face multiple foster home moves, changes in case workers and being uprooted from friends and schools. On average, foster children will move six times between kindergarten and 12th grade.

The 27 graduates who were able to attend the celebration represented the 82 foster youth throughout Wisconsin who are known to have reached commencement in the 2016-17 academic year.

“These students prove that with hard work and determination, you can overcome life challenges, finish school, and give yourself a solid foundation for a successful future,” Anderson said. “They are truly inspirations to us all.”

For information on Wisconsin’s foster care services or how to become a foster parent,visit the Department of Children and Families website at https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/fostercare/parent or the Coalition for Children, Youth and Families website at www.fosterparentsrock.org.

Karelyn Malliet, of Shawano, recently spent two weeks studying at the Birch Creek Music Performance Center in Egg Harbor.

The Shawano Community High School student was among 20 young musicians from throughout the country to attend the percussion and steel band session at the academy, whose mission is to provide intensive, performance-based instruction to promising young musicians by immersing them in a professional, mentoring environment.

Birch Creek features a student-to-faculty ratio of approximately 2-1. Students are given the opportunity to hone their technical skills and learn firsthand all the aspects of life as a professional musician.

During the two-week residency, Malliet and others attending the percussion and steel band session performed seven concerts alongside their teachers in front of paying concertgoers.

Dan Moore, program director of the percussion and steel band program, is a professor of music and the percussion area head at the University of Iowa. He is an internationally known musician, composer and educator.

Bonduel School District media specialist Lisa Sorlie attended the Energy Institute for Educators, a teacher workshop hosted by the Wisconsin Energy Institute on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus from July 19-21.

The three-day professional development program offers educational professionals the opportunity to learn about the latest developments in energy research, and to discover practical tools and materials for teaching students the fundamentals of energy and sustainable energy systems.

During the institute, Sorlie toured UW-Madison research labs and field sites, learning directly from the scientists and researchers working on sustainable biofuels, solar energy, microgrids and other areas of clean energy research.

Last summer, Sorlie also attended the Bioenergy Institute for Educators and the seven-week Research Experience for Educators.

She said her goal is to bring “best practices and state-of-the-art STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) education to our rural family.”

The Wisconsin Energy Institute is the collaborative home of energy research and education on the Madison campus.

Fourteen teachers from across Northeast Wisconsin, including five from Shawano County, had the opportunity to participate in a unique experience this summer through the CESA 8 Career Academy Teacher Externship program.

The program places classroom teachers into area businesses for three- to five-day paid externship experiences during summer break. The idea for the program stemmed from the state Department of Public Instruction’s initiative PI26, which calls for all Wisconsin school districts to embed academic and career planning within grades 6-12 classrooms starting this fall.

“Having stepped out of the classroom myself after 20-plus years, I know that classroom teachers really know their content areas, but they might not have a good idea about the types of employment opportunities available in their local areas,” said Lynn Aprill, director of the Center on Education for Economic Development at CESA 8, which created and managed the program. “The CATE program allows teachers to step through the doors of local businesses, shadowing people from many departments and really learning about the job opportunities available in our own backyards.”

The externship teachers will use that information to create lesson plans that they’ll use in their classrooms this fall.

Among the 14 teacher externs were Brenda Hoffman (Gresham), Kelly Carlson (Bowler), Kim Strayer and Lisa Sorlie (Bonduel) and Melissa Braun (Shawano). Menominee Tribal Enterprises, Nueske’s Meats, Cooperative Resources International, Green Valley Dairy and Top Brass opened their doors to the teachers.

Funding for the program came from corporate sponsors and grants. For Shawano and Menominee counties, funding was received from Nueske’s Meats and Menominee Tribal Enterprises, as well as through a grant from the Bleser Family Foundation, Inc.

Along with occupational information, teachers also gained information on the importance of employability skills in the workplace.

“It was a packed three days,” said Braun, an agriculture teacher who was placed at CRI. “It was really insightful to see all of the different safety aspects. Even though it’s an agricultural-based company, there’s so much more they need than just those ag skills.”

“I just asked a ton of questions,” said Kim Strayer, a special education teacher who was placed at Ascher’s Janitorial Service in Abrams. She learned that attention to detail and interviewing skills need to be emphasized with students.

After a successful first year, CESA 8 is planning to expand the program next summer.

“We’d like to find a placement for at least one teacher from each of our 27 school districts in CESA 8,” Aprill said.

Shawano Community High School graduate Rachel Marquette has received a Student Volunteer Award from Scholarship America Dollars for Scholars.

Marquette was awarded a scholarship for her postsecondary education at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and was chosen for her dedication and service to her community, as well as strong academic achievement at SCHS.

During her high school career, Marquette was a member of the National Honor Society, Tri-M Honor Society, student council, president of FAAR (Fighting Against Abusive Relationships) and 4-H. She entered her photography and visual art material in many competitions, receiving first place for several entries. She played the violin and shared her love of music by volunteering to play in many activities outside of her orchestra classes, such as the school musicals.

Her volunteer work included being a Bridge Leader, where she helped freshmen adapt to the changes that come along with the transition from middle school to high school. In Teachers of Tomorrow and Brainworks, she spent several hours each week helping third- to sixth-grade students with their homework and serving as a mentor.

Rachel also participated in Destination Imagination each year since elementary school, helping her to learn team-building, creativity and public speaking skills. Her teams won several awards.

“Rachel had an outstanding career at Shawano Community High School,” said Stuart Russ, president of Shawano Dollars for Scholars. “We wish her well as she embarks upon the next stage of her academic journey this fall.”

Marquette plans to pursue a major in music education at UW-Stevens Point.

“On behalf of Scholarship America, we are honored to be able to award such a talented and giving young woman with this scholarship,” said Robert C. Ballard, president and CEO of Scholarship America. “Rachel Marquette embodies exactly what Scholarship America and our Dollars for Scholars program is about — serving communities at a grassroots level to improve the lives of local citizens from the ground up.”

Fifteen students were chosen nationwide to receive a $1,000 scholarship based on volunteerism, community service and academics.

Shawano Dollars for Scholars was started in 1993. That first year, the organization handed out 16 $500 awards. This year, it handed out over $440,000 in scholarships, helping 266 students with their college expenses.

The Bonduel School District will begin classes for the 2017-18 school year Sept. 5 for high school freshmen and students in grades 4K through sixth. The remaining students will report for classes Sept. 6.

Starting and ending times at district schools will be as follows: 8:07 a.m. to 3:04 p.m. at Bonduel Elementary School, 8 a.m. to 3:20 p.m. at Bonduel Middle School and 8 a.m. to 3:20 p.m. at Bonduel High School.

All school buildings open at 7:45 a.m. and close at 4 p.m. Parents are asked not to drop children off at the schools prior to 7:45 a.m., especially in inclement weather.

All visitors are required to register at school offices upon entering the buildings.

Drop off/pick up

Elementary (4K-6) pick-up/drop-off is located in the east parking lot. Parents of students in grades 7-12 asked to drop off and pick up students in the west lot of the high school, just off of Shioc Street. The middle school office is closed, and all business for seven through 12th grade should use the high school entrance and office.

The Student Services office has moved to the old middle school location on the southeast corner of the building. If your child has a scheduled IEP meeting in the 7-12 building, you can report to those doors. Otherwise, the doors will be locked and all business should go through the high school entrance.

Registration

New students can enroll in person at the appropriate school offices from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. weekdays. New students must be enrolled prior to Tuesday in order for schedules to be prepared before attending classes on the first day of school. Parents of 4-year-old kindergarten registrants are asked to bring their child’s immunization records and birth certificate when registering. No documentation is needed for any other student registrant since the building principal will request the student’s records from the school district previously attended.

Registration for all returning students in grades K-12 and students already screened for 4K is available online, through Family Access, at www.bonduel.k12.wi.us. If need assistance, visit or call the appropriate building office.

Open houses

Each building will host its open house from 4-6 p.m. Aug. 30. Kobussen Ltd will have a bus and representatives on-site at the elementary school to answer questions.

Fees

Online payment of student fees, parking fees and lunch accounts is encouraged. Payments may also be made via mail or dropped off in the school offices. Waiver applications are available at the appropriate office.

Music rental: $40

Student registration: grades 4K-6, $25; 7-8, $30, 9-12, $35.

Athletic participation: middle school, $20 per sport; high school, $30 per sport.

Parking: $20. If you wish to pay online, visit the high school website.

Classroom assignments/schedules

All classroom assignments and schedules are available via Family/Student Access for elementary and high school students. Middle school class assignments will be completed by Aug. 28. If you do not have internet access or are unable to use Family Access, contact the appropriate building office (715-758-4810). Students should report to their assigned classrooms, homerooms or first-period class when they arrive at school on the first day of classes.

Meal program

Daily elementary lunch prices will be $3. The middle school and high school daily lunch price will be $3.25. All payments for any food service programs, including a la carte items, will be deposited into a family or household account rather than into an individual child’s account. All meals and a la carte items purchased by children in the same family or household will be charged to the family account.

A breakfast program is also available daily for all students. The price of the daily breakfast program is $1.25 for students in kindergarten through sixth grade and $1.75 for seventh through 12 grades.

All payments for any food service programs including a la carte items will be deposited into a family or household account rather than into an individual child’s account. All meals and a la carte items purchased by children in the same family or household will be charged to the family account.

Menus are posted on the district’s website.

Applications for free and reduced lunch rates were recently mailed to every family in the district. The application should be completed and returned prior to the first day of school. All parents, whose income qualifies, are encouraged to complete the forms, even if their children might not participate in the food service program. The district’s reimbursement for many grants and entitlement programs are based on the number of students qualified to participate in the free and reduced food service program.

Reduced lunch rates are 40 cents per meal.

Anyone having questions on completing the forms should call Brenda Staszak in the district office at 715-758-4862.

Student transportation

All families will receive phone calls with pickup/drop-off times and bus numbers/colors from their bus driver. Phone calls will be completed by Aug. 25. Anyone uncertain about transportation should call Jess Tipton at 715-758-4870 or email her at Jessica.Tipton@kobussen.com.

St. Rose/St. Mary’s School in Clintonville will hold its inaugural Gala Evening & Casino Night at the Imago Dei Village Lodge on Long Lake on Saturday.

“We invite everyone to celebrate the shared history that the communities of Clintonville and Bear Creek have had with our educational community,” said Michelle Vosters, principal of the school. “Our histories are interwoven, and this is a great opportunity to come together and honor St. Rose/St. Mary’s ties to the community and the community to our school.”

The evening includes dinner, featuring hand-cut ribeye and grilled pork chops, catered by Mathew’s Supper Club.

The casino fun night which will be facilitated by professional dealers and attendants. Guests will be able to purchase $500 in chips for $10 and play casino games such as slot machines, blackjack, Texas Hold’em and more. Winnings can be turned into chances to win prizes.

Tickets are $60 per person. For information or tickets, call 715-201-9913.

“Let’s Go to the Movies” is the theme of the 2017 Clintonville High School homecoming festivities.

Windows around town will be painted in school colors and inspirational messages on Oct. 1 to kick off the weeklong celebration.

The week’s highlights include a powder puff football game at 7:30 p.m. Monday, pep assembly at 11:45 a.m. Friday in the CHS Fieldhouse, parade at 2:15 p.m. Friday, football game vs. Oconto Falls at 7 p.m. Friday, and dance from 7-11 p.m. Saturday in the high school commons.

The homecoming court will be announced at halftime of the football game.

High school students will have dress-up days with different themes: Monday, haunted; Tuesday, animated characters; Wednesday, science fiction characters; Thursday, class color T-shirts; Friday, Truckers orange and black T-shirts.

Other events include a junior varsity football game at 5 p.m. Monday, junior varsity and varsity soccer matches beginning at 4 p.m. Tuesday, movie at 7 p.m. Tuesday, varsity soccer at 4 p.m. Thursday, junior varsity and varsity volleyball beginning at 5:45 p.m. Thursday, swim meet at 6 p.m. Thursday, and boys nighttime volleyball following the girls volleyball matches Thursday.

Clintonville High School

Luke Crocker has been named a Commended Student in the 2018 National Merit Scholarship Program.

He will receive a letter of commendation from Clintonville High School and the National Merit Scholarship Program from Principal Lance Bagstad.

About 34,000 of more than 1.6 million students who took the 2016 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship qualifying test administered by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation were named Commended Students.

About 16,000 students were named National Merit Scholar semifinalists. The group will be narrowed to about 15,000 finalists. Of this group, about 8,000 will be awarded scholarships.

Gresham School

Gresham School has been very busy with the start of homecoming, including a beach dress-up day Friday. This week’s homecoming festivities included dress-up day themes with the following themes: twin day, Monday; school spirit, Tuesday; blast to the past, Wednesday; color wars, Thursday.

Shawano and Bonduel schools will participate in International Walk to School Day 2017 on Wednesday. The event brings parents, children and community members together to experience the fun of walking to school together.

Thousands of schools in more than 30 countries will participate in the event.

Over the last 30 years, the percentage of children biking and walking to school has declined from 50 percent or more to now closer to about 15 percent, according to a Safe Routes to School news release. Today, parents drive as many as 50 percent of the children traveling to school, and school bus trips account for an increasing share of the rest.

The purpose of Walk to School Day is to start to reverse those trends. The event also serves as an opportunity to focus on the importance of physical activity, safety, air quality and building bicycle and pedestrian friendly neighborhoods.

Safe Routes to School is an international movement that promotes walking and biking to school in order to improve health, safety and the environment.

If it rains Wednesday morning, the local walk will be postponed until Thursday.

To join or learn more about Shawano Area Safe Routes to School, contact Nancy Schultz, family living educator for the Shawano County University of Wisconsin-Extension, at nancy.schultz@ces.uwex.edu or 715-526-6136.

Bonduel Middle/High School

We are introducing a new program that we have started here at Bonduel Middle School and High School called Student of the Month, which is sponsored by local businesses.

Each month, we recognize one student from each department. They are awarded a certificate as well as a reward from the business sponsor, which for this month, was Red Rooster Café and Catering. We are so appreciative of their support as well as the support of other businesses that have agreed to sponsor other months of the school year.

Gresham School District

The Wisconsin Association of School Boards has set Oct. 1-7 as Wisconsin School Board Week as a time to build awareness and understanding of the vital function an elected board of education plays in our communities.

Gresham School District is joining all the public school districts across the state to celebrate Wisconsin School Board Week to honor local board members for their commitment to Gresham and its children.

“It takes strong schools to build a strong community, and these men and women devote countless hours to making sure out schools are helping every child learn at a higher level,” District Administrator Newell E. Haffner said. “They make the tough decisions every month and spend many hours studying education issues and regulations in order to provide the kind of accountability out Gresham community members expect.”

Gresham Community School

Gresham Community School had homecoming week last week. Dress-up day themes included twins, spirit, blast to the past and color wars. On Thursday the classes competed against each other in games such as Lifesaver pass, beach ball pass, dizzy bat race, tug of war and more. The senior class won the homecoming games followed by the juniors, freshmen, sophomores and the staff.

The Wildcat Invitational was held Saturday with the high school soccer and volleyball teams hosting tournaments. The volleyball tournament included Gresham, Gibraltar, Northland Lutheran and Bowler. The soccer teams were Gresham/Bowler, Wisconsin Valley Lutheran, Central Wisconsin Lutheran and Tri-County.

We had midterms and picture day on Thursday.

The Bonduel School District hosted award-winning author and speaker Michele Borba for two sessions last month.

Borba addressed parents and community members on Sept. 28, and met with teachers and staff throughout the school district on Sept. 29.

Borba’s message focused on empathy, character and resilience. Her aim is to build compassionate school cultures by working with parents and educators.

“The presentation by Dr. Borba had a profound impact on me both professionally and personally,” Spanish teacher Bobbi Jo Martinson said. “It forced me to analyze my own actions, and the responsibilities I have as a mother and an educator.

“Understanding the feelings of others, putting yourself in someone else’s shoes, is one of the most important life skills we can teach our children. Dr. Borba gave us some amazing ideas to promote empathy, and I look forward to implementing these ideas with my students and my own children.”

Teachers in the school district are reading Borba’s book, “Unselfie: Why Empathetic Kids Succeed in Our All-About-Me World,” and will participate in a book study and use Borba’s ideas to create a culture of kindness in their schools.

The ideas will supplement the philosophy of “growth mindset” that many teachers are already implementing in their classrooms. In the growth mindset philosophy, students face the world with a positive attitude and work continually to solve problems with an attitude that they can always learn if they keep trying. Brains and talent are just a part of who they are, but hard work is what makes the students successful.

Borba’s message takes this attitude one step further by teaching students to care about others.

Studies have shown that students who are taught empathy, emotional literacy and a sense of community are more successful and resilient.
Research has also found that students are 40 percent less empathetic than they were 30 years ago, leading to a culture of bullying and self-absorption. Borba calls this the “Selfie Syndrome.”

“Dr. Borba opened our eyes to the needs of our current students and reinforced many things about our school culture,” Superintendent Patrick Rau stated. “Our school culture has evolved to teach grit, respect, and empathy, important habits to be successful at school and in the community.”

Borba is the author of 22 books and has been featured on the “Today Show,” “Dateline” and numerous other television programs. She has worked with parents and educators worldwide, speaking and doing research on five continents.

People who believe they live or work with fools will think differently after they see Shawano Community High School’s latest theater production.

SCHS will present the Neil Simon comedy “Fools” starting Thursday. Director Alex Konen said he first read the script two years ago when he ultimately decided on “Harvey” for the show, but “Fools” remained in his mind as a good show for the high school students to perform.

“I just had no idea how to stage it at the time,” Konen said. “I re-read it this summer to see if it was something I could viably produce as a comedy.”

A drive to Pennsylvania gave Konen the chance to think about the set and how to create one that didn’t require major scene changes. He came up with a design that allowed for scene changes to take part on one area of the stage in darkness while characters are on another in the spotlight, continuing the show.

“Fools” follows Leon Steponovich, a teacher who has been asked to travel to the Ukrainian village of Kulyenchikov to teach a young girl named Sophia Zubritsky. When he arrives in the village, he soon realizes that the girl is not the only one who could benefit from a proper education, as he discovers all the townspeople are idiots.

It’s not their fault, they proclaim, as the village has been cursed for more than two centuries. Vladimir Yousekevitch cast the curse after his son killed himself because a girl — also named Sophia Zubritsky — was forbidden to see Vladimir’s son by her father, who found out the boy was illiterate, and made to marry another man.

One way to break the curse is for Leon, played by Hunter Krolow, to educate Sophia — the current one, that is. However, when Leon meets the fair Sophia, played by Alma Oviedo, his heart overrides his head, and he is uncertain whether he’ll be able to give the girl a proper education.

Unfortunately for Leon, the other way to break the curse is for Sophia to marry a descendant of the Yousekevitch family, Count Gregor, played by Drew Kane. Even worse, if Leon is unable to educate Sophia within 24 hours, he will also fall victim to the curse and be as idiotic as everyone else in Kulyenchikov.

“It’s not your traditional Neil Simon,” Konen said. “It’s not the ‘Odd Couple.’”

Rounding out the cast are Alana Krolow, Lily Herrmann, Megan Herrmann, Erica Krueger, Emma Etten, Matthew Schwitzer and Sahara Homan.

Konen is pleased with the way rehearsals are going into the final week, noting that the line recall is much improved over the first day students were off-script.

The play moves very quickly from one scene to another, similar to “Frankenstein” performed last year, Konen said. He expects the show to be around two hours, with an intermission.

“I’m trying to keep that idea alive that we don’t have to stop every time there’s a scene change,” Konen said. “It tends to take the audience out of what they’re absorbed in, so I want to keep the audience involved.”

Konen described “Fools” as “a fairy tale gone awry.”

“It’s got that fairy tale curse in there, but the curse is so unusual, it’s not like a kiss is going to be the only thing that breaks it,” Konen said.

He hopes audiences will take away the message that, when it comes to your own potential, sometimes you can be your own worst enemy. It’s a scenario the teacher sees regularly in his own classroom.

“The only thing that’s been holding them back their whole lives is that they’ve been told they were stupid,” Konen said. “If they could just break out of that mold, then they could be successful.”

Sacred Heart Catholic School

Students and staff at Sacred Heart Catholic School had an amazing time the afternoon and evening of Oct. 11 during a special fitness program called “Move to the Groove!”

Rhexz Arboleda is a music teacher from Neenah who created the program that targets obesity. It is being used in several elementary schools. It’s not only for children; it’s for the entire family or entire school. Move to the Groove demonstrates healthy choices to students and their families. It helps everyone understand the relationship between activity, exercise, nutrition and health. Sacred Heart works hard to educate and assist in the growth of all children, mind, body and soul. This was an important part of the school’s attempt to do just that.

Sacred Heart is so very grateful to the anonymous donor that made this program possible. For information about Sacred Heart Catholic School, call the school office at 715-526-5328.

For information on the Move to the Groove program, visit movetothegroove.org.

Eight Shawano Community High School students and teacher Angela Kowalewski recently attended the two-day Nobel Conference at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota.

They were sponsored by the Mielke Family Foundation and were joined by students from various high schools and colleges in Appleton. Students attending from SCHS were Meagan Beaulieu, Isabella Burr, Corrine Hutmaker, Levi Johnson, James Krueger, Lina Liu, Morgan Meyers and Matthew Schwitzer.

To encourage intergenerational discussion and understanding, additional community members from both cities accompanied the students. Shawano community members attending were Kristin Brickl, Glen Gilbert, Diane Heikes, Kari Krueger and Chris Marcks, as well as Ed and Gloria Grys, who serve on the steering committee for the annual event.

The Nobel Conference focuses on a scientific topic and brings together world-renowned speakers to share their research and lead discussion and debate. This year’s topic was “Reproductive Technology – How Far Do We Go?” Four female and two male speakers addressed such topics as gene editing, disability rights versus DNA research, reproductive technology regulation in the United Kingdom (a 40-year review of the first IVF infant), prospects for male contraception, and the future of reproductive technology and its moral implications.

This conference has been held at Gustavus Adolphus for 53 years to share scientific research and knowledge with people of all ages. Next year’s topic is “Living Soil: A Universe Underfoot.”

The Mielke Family Foundation will provide funding for students and a teacher from SCHS to attend the event from Oct. 2-3. Any community members who are interested in attending at their own expense are welcome to contact Diane Heikes at dheikes@hotmail.com

A grant from the U.S. Department of Education will help provide ACT preparation courses and leadership opportunities to Menominee Indian High School students. The four-year grant of $798,199 will be managed by the Sustainable Development Institute (SDI) of the College of Menominee Nation.

Part of the funding will enhance and expand SDI’s successful youth enrichment program and bring new, multifaceted activities to help introduce language and culture teachings, science, technology, engineering and math concepts, along with leadership and responsibility. The students will gain a better understanding of how indigenous ecological knowledge and Western science can interact, and how to apply that understanding to address environmental issues both inside and outside the classroom.

Also, the project team will provide more ACT preparation opportunities for the Menominee Indian High School students to generate an increase in the number of students who take the ACT and apply to college. In addition to receiving ACT preparation, students will work with teaching teams, language and culture practitioners and College of Menominee Nation staff to develop science lessons using indigenous knowledge as the base.

The grant was announced by the office of U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin. Project partners collaborating with SDI include the College of Menominee Nation’s teacher education program and digital media program, Menominee Indian School District; Menominee Tribal School; Mawaw Ceseniyah, a community-based Menominee culture and language organization; and the Bureau of Indian Affairs’ Midwest Region Fire Prevention program.

Funding for the project, titled “Preparing Native Youth for the Future through the Sustainability Leadership Cohort,” is through the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Elementary and Secondary Education and Office of Indian Education: Indian Education Discretionary Grants Programs: Demonstration Grants for Indian Children Program.

Information on the Sustainability Leadership Cohort, and other related efforts can be found at www.menominee.edu, or by contacting Christopher Caldwell, SDI director, at ccaldwell@menominee.edu, 715-799-6226, ext. 3145.