It's A Prime Time for A School Board Election

by Saafia Masoom

Along with the Super Bowl, Valentine’s Day, and the usual February events, Platteville School District will have another date to add to the calendar that nobody saw coming: a school board election primary.

Even though Monie Konecny has decided not to run for re-election, veteran board members Steve Obershaw and Eric Fatzinger will try to hang on to their seats as they face six other candidates hoping to be elected for a three year term. That means eight candidates will be vying for the three available board seats. The primary held February 17th will allow the top six to continue to the elections on April 7th.

Community members Jaimie Brogley, Brian Brown, Jeremy Johnson, Colleen McCabe, Curt Timlin, and Matt Zielinski are up for the challenge of pursuing the spots. While many among the group are spouses of teachers, parents of students, or both, they want a say in the school board’s decisions, which is “the voice of the Platteville Community in shaping the quality of education offered to our students,” according to superintendent Connie Valenza.

So what’s the big deal?

There haven’t been this many candidates in a while. In fact, there were just enough candidates to fill the seats in the last board election. And the district can only speculate the reasons behind the six challengers decisions to run. Dr. Valenza does not speak for anyone regarding their motives for candidacy, but she personally believes a few key decisions the board has made and will have to make in the coming months may have piqued interest around the community.

Dr. Valenza says, “Board members play an important role in decision-making around budgets, staffing, and policy making. This is a time of huge changes in the educational system with new state testing, common core, and increased accountability measures.”

There’s also been a lot of talk about the upcoming referendum on updating facilities. The $17 million project going to vote on April 7th, as well, proposes to reconfigure which grades are in which schools and to renovate the schools. “I believe that many of the candidates recognize the importance of the decision and the process,” says Dr. Valenza in relation to board elections.   

The candidates may have been inspired by these decisions or maybe they simply disagree with the way Dr. Valenza and the board have been making them and want “to offer a different perspective in future decisions that are made,” as Dr. Valenza puts it. The superintendent realizes that the community values the board’s work and encourages its members to let their voices be heard.

In any case, all eyes will be turned to the board candidates in coming months. Currently, the body has nine members and usually meets on the second and fourth Monday of each month. As the superintendent herself says of the school board, “If we believe that our students are the future of Platteville, then the education they receive is of utmost importance. It is the board that plays the most important role in determining what that education looks like.”

From the Desk of the Editor--January

by Adam Roberts

This is my first and last editorial, and it marks the end of my time at The Voice. I’ve learned so much in the one and a half years I’ve been on staff, especially this past semester as I’ve served as an editor for the paper.  It hasn’t always been easy, but it’s taught me so much.  I’ve become a better writer and interviewer, and I’ve learned a little about management, deadlines and solving problems.  I’ve also learned some things about myself (i.e. I am a huge perfectionist).  

Most of all, although it is often stressful and seemingly fruitless as I can probably count on my fingers the number of people that will read this column to the end (including you, Mom), there is still something incredibly rewarding about publishing a newspaper.  Providing an outlet for students to reach out to the school is a great opportunity, and I’m so grateful that our administration has provided this for me.  

This being my last opportunity to use this medium, I have one final message to the PHS student body: stay informed.  I can’t tell you how frustrated I get when a student can literally write an essay about Kimye’s wedding or Super Bowl strategies but can’t even name the Speaker of the House.  

Things that affect all of our lives are covered in news media every day.  And no, this isn’t a plug for the school newspaper.  As much as I hate to admit it, The Voice isn’t the best source for all of your information.  However, keeping up with the latest news is even easier than just picking up a copy; worldwide news is just a click or swipe away.  

So please, PHS, don’t be the apathetic teenager anyone older than 25 assumes you are.  Read things that are longer than 140 characters, see pictures that aren’t taken from a front-facing smartphone camera, be aware of decisions and events that shape  our lives, and please, for the love of everything that is good, stop listening to TaySwift.  Seriously, she is a talentless music industry lemming.  Peace out. *drops mic*

Domino's Pizza Scare

by Pauline Justal

Before winter break Platteville was the scene of a crime that some can only imagine happening on TV. Ryan J. Barthel, Madison resident, was arrested early on December 19th on suspicion of armed robbery at a local business. Where at? Domino’s Pizza. 
The 39-year-old reportedly entered Domino’s around 2:15 in the morning with black boot polish on his face and a knife in hand. He proceeded to rob the store and leave in a dark-colored vehicle. That same morning Barthel was seen washing his face at a Mineral Point business where an employee alerted police. Eventually the suspect’s vehicle was stopped and he was arrested.  
Barthel now awaits a chance to enter his plea at the Grant County Circuit Court on January 22nd.
The real question comes down to safety: is Platteville as safe as everyone thought it was? Statistics show that living in a small city or town does not guarantee freedom from worry about these types of crimes. Barthel’s stunt is just further evidence. 
Some PHS students did not even hear about the event and when told the story confessed to not feeling as safe as they used to in Platteville. On the contrary, others, such as Dillon Shinee (‘17) and Claire McMannes (‘15) admitted they weren’t affected much. Shinee added, “I used to work at Pizza Hut, so it didn’t bother me.”

Back in Black: The Woman in Black 2

by Matt Schaefer

What better way to wrap up the holiday season than reviewing a horror movie? And more specifically, a sequel to a horror movie I never thought would get a sequel. The Woman in Black was released in 2013 to good reviews and moderate success, mainly getting a lot of publicity for being Daniel Radcliffe’s first major non-Harry Potter role. It was a tight and atmospheric ghost story that had me shivering in my seat. So, did The Woman in Black 2: Angel of Death live up to its predecessor or did it take a place next to the many other bland and routine horror sequels?

In war torn London, two school teachers take a group of orphaned children out of the city to keep them from harm. A doctor brings them to the countryside town of Crythin Gifford in the abandoned Drablow house. However, things take a dark turn when one of the school teachers, played by Phoebe Fox, is plagued by nightmares of her tragic past and one of the children, played by Oaklee Pendergast, seems to gain a connection with the house’s previous owner. Has “she” returned for another reign of terror? (Spoiler alert: yes.)

Once again, horror champions Hammer Entertainment deliver a gothic ghost story, shot with spooky forestry and one seriously creepy haunted house. The atmosphere is thick and drenched with gloom, ever prevalent in the dark subject matter. Suspense is a key factor of the film, which seldom goes for gore.

However, the film is too reliant on jump-scares and always left me feeling cheated when I was startled by something harmless. They even throw in the same stupid crow gag from the first film! And, that’s the biggest problem I have with this movie: it feels stale. Yes, the movie is suspenseful and even scary, but it follows a lot of the same routine its predecessor did, banking on the hope that you’ll find it scary because you found the first one scary. Add in a plot that has quite a few glaring holes (that also has the audacity to add the horror trope of a kid with a blank stare and a bowl haircut) and an ending “chair-jumper” that’s so insultingly tacked on, and you have all the makings of a bland horror sequel.

So, if you’re looking for a good horror movie of this generation to treat yourself to, I’d recommend sticking with the first film. If you have seen the first one, I’d say check this one out for curiosity’s sake. However, on its own right, I honestly can’t recommend The Woman in Black 2. There’s just better ghost stories to be told.

PHS Marvels at Comics

by Max Frommelt

Before PHS went on a well-deserved break, Marvel Comics artist Jerry DeCaire visited PHS. He offered a spectacle that could only be described as by Anna Greenhalgh (‘16) as, “I am not really into comics, but I thought his work was incredible.” The freelance comic artist who is recognized for his depictions of Thor and X-Men, among many others, is on a speaking tour that he began in 2013 to teach students nationwide about the way art, science, and math merge in his trade. Along with an impressive demo on his comic book magic, DeCaire had a number of things he wanted the student body to take away from his presentation. 

The Saginaw, Michigan native realized his passion for drawing when he was only seven years old. He saw a picture of a German shepherd and thought it was the most amazing thing he had ever seen. It was then that his instinctive vision took hold; wanted to draw that picture. DeCaire adds, “Our brain tells us where to go.”

The funny part was that upon showing his grandmother what he had drawn, she noticed how well it was drawn. And accused him of lying. While his pride was a little hurt, the young DeCaire moved on with his head held high.

The artist now resides in Mount Pleasant, Michigan and has reached amazing heights with his art, biology, and education degree he obtained from Central Michigan University. When asked about his experiences, DeCaire shares that his favorite series to draw was The Avengers, but his “absolute favorite [was the] Silver Surfer series.”

Even after his years of drawing, the work still has a charm. DeCaire admits that there off days when it becomes tiring to put pencil to paper. In case you were wondering, he does find that some of his pieces have evolved with his talent. “I like the Wolverine that I draw now compared to what I did for the real series.”

Eager to share what he’s learned in his experience, DeCaire advises the student body at PHS that everyone has an “arsenal of talents” but are too afraid to let them shine for fear of failing. He smiles at that point and says that you need to act like a hero sometimes. Even if there is only a one percent chance you’ll make it, it is worth a shot because, “Even a shot in the dark has a chance to be great.”

The Home Stretch: Beth Gardiner's Message to Seniors Who Applied to College

by Beth Gardiner

“What are you plans after high school?” Do you know what you want to do with your life yet?” How many people got asked this countless times over the holiday break? For many seniors, this question can be exciting as they share the next step in their journey, but for others it can be frustrating, terrifying, and dreadful. What if you don’t know right now what your life will look like once you cross the stage and receive your diploma? Find reassurance that it is okay right now.

Many seniors planning on going to a four year college have their applications turned in and are waiting to hear back or in the middle of tough decisions. Follow your heart, seniors. 

The college application process is over for most and everyone is focused on scholarships. The local scholarships are due at the end of January and financial aid has just become available for many colleges. If you have any questions about scholarships, be sure to stop in the guidance office.

Even if you haven’t decided exactly where you want to go next year (and remember, it is totally fine!), it is important to remember housing contracts. Many universities have these available, and students can be reimbursed if they change their mind. The earlier you do it the most likely you will get your preferences and can room with someone of your choice.

Most importantly, find reassurance that you are not alone in the senior journey. Two seniors shared with The Voice where they are at. Ashley Budden (‘15) has applied to five colleges. She knows she is accepted to three of them, and is waiting to hear back from the last two to make her decision. She admits the college choice is stressful, as many others are saying. 

Makayla Wodarz (‘15), on the other hand, decided in the middle of December that she will be attending Winona State University next year. Wodarz says she is “very excited” to attend school there. She already has her housing done and knows the campus will be a great fit for her. While both of these girls are at different points in their journey, they both are doing great and have amazing futures ahead of them. 

With the last finals seniors will take as high school students approaching, one thing remains: the last semester at PHS for the class of 2015. Make every moment count to learn from some of the best teachers, make memories, and enjoy being with the people you’ve spent the last twelve years with. The next chapter of your story hasn’t started yet, so finish this one strong.

20 Seasons Strong: Coach Statz Steps Down from Football

by Melanie Schaefer

After fourteen seasons, Mr. Scott Statz is stepping down from his position as the head football coach at Platteville High School. His career includes a 95-52 record, eleven play-off appearances, three conference championships, and one trip to the WIAA State Championship game. The Hillmen finished as state runners-up in division four in 2013. Mr. Statz has also been named Southwest Wisconsin Conference coach of the year twice: in the years 2004 and 2006.

One rumor as to why he is resigning deals with the controversy in other athletic programs at PHS recently. However, this is not true. “This has nothing to do with the recent situation with the volleyball program,” says Mr. Statz. “This is something I’ve been thinking about for a couple of years.” Mr. Statz has been the head football coach at Platteville and Lodi for twenty years combined, and an English teacher for twenty-one of those years. Without the responsibility of both teaching and coaching on his shoulders, he’ll have some time to devote to other engagements. He adds, “There are some other things I would like to do.”

Currently, no replacements have been found to fill the head coach position. But, the returning team continues to be optimistic about next year. Mitch Knockel (‘16) said, “As a team we can’t flinch and will not let this affect our upcoming season.” Coach Statz will be missed on the field.

Fact or Fiction: Controversy Surrounds PHS Volleyball

by Allie Serres

There has been a lot of talk, and a lot of controversy over Coach Yvette Updike getting fired after eight years of being the Platteville High School Volleyball coach. There are two very distinct, opinionated sides, as there are to every story. One side says Coach Updike was a great coach, and it was not fair for her to be fired. The other side claims she was too harsh and too mean.
But to some, the issue runs deeper than Coach Updike’s conduct or success in this season. Mr. Jeff Henderson, former assistant coach and Spanish teacher, says “Parents become too involved in sports.” 
However, superintendent Dr. Connie Valenza says, “It was very important to me to actually talk to and hear from students both present and former. The students that I heard from represented different views about what actions I needed to take. I did that so that I could try to understand what was best for our future students in the program.” She and the school board spent time reviewing the facts and hearing discussion from individuals involved. Dr. Valenza adds, “Parent complaints did not change my opinion. I am confident that any decisions I made related to volleyball are in the best interest of future Hillmen players.”
Many hurtful, unnecessary things have been said, coming from both sides. In the end, Platteville High School will be looking for a new volleyball coach for next fall and moving forward, putting all rumors to rest.

PHS Teachers: They're Flipping Students Off

by Anna Greenhalgh

It sounds bad, but it’s not actually what you think; flipped classroom is back at PHS. Physics teacher Mr. Heer just began incorporating the flipped classroom videos in his curriculum.

If you haven’t yet been introduced to flipped classroom videos in your high school career, let me briefly explain. Flipped classroom videos are, as the name states, videos of the teacher or of the material being taught. Usually, the videos are watched outside of school and students take notes on them. The next day, the material in the video is discussed as a class. Mrs. Hefty brought flipped classroom to PHS a few years ago and taught utilizing the videos for a while with her Geometry sections.

Mr. Heer explains his reasons for using the idea in his curriculum, “It’s not just a way to teach for me. It’s also a type of experiment.” The experiment is mainly “to see whether or not the videos help students and their grades.” Mr. Heer goes on on to describe his plan. He has gathered data from his past six years of teaching and plans to compare it to this year’s numbers after the first semester exam. The studies he has seen say that videos are the most beneficial to his students and the learning process.

When asked about the effect on students through the videos, Mr. Heer replies that there are both positives and negatives.  “Some of the pros are that the students can pause, rewind, and replay the video if they’re lost or if they missed something. And the videos will still be there when you’re in college, if you choose to refer back to them for review.”  

Another perk in the flipped system is that the notes to go with each section’s video are posted online along with it. They are printable, so if you’ve missed a day, you aren’t necessarily missing out on the instruction. You simply log on to the school website, go to the link, and voila! Mr. Heer pops up to teach you about work and power.

“On the other hand,” reasons Mr. Heer, “the videos aren’t as interactive as an in-class lectures.” The questions that pop in your head can’t be answered before you forget them. It’s also much less cost-effective, if you will, from a teacher’s perspective.  For every 15 minutes students see on the videos, it takes more than an hour of recording, editing and cutting down, and forgiving a few minor mistakes, even after all this.

The Interview Screens At Millennium Cinema

by Eramis Momchilovich

Despite the attacks on Sony by North Korea in late 2014 and all the controversy surrounding the movie, Millennium Cinema began showing the film The Interview on Christmas Day. 

The Interview was due to be released to theaters October 10, 2014, but was pushed back to December 25, 2014 and then completely canceled due to unprecedented cyber attacks on Sony Pictures that resulted in the leaks of intellectual property, private emails, and sensitive and proprietary material. Despite threats on the places where The Interview would be shown, Sony made it slightly less offensive and released the film online as well as in a select few smaller theaters across the nation.

In the movie the main characters of the film, Dave Skylark and Aaron Rapoport, manage a celebrity tabloid show called Skylark Tonight. The two are recruited by the CIA to assassinate their latest interviewee and avid fan, Kim Jong-un, on their trip to Pyongyang. Seth Rogen and James Franco star in the comedy, which has brought in more profit than Sony might have hoped for after the threats, leaks, and cancelations. Whether it’s considered a success might just be up to those who see it, something people in the Platteville-area can boast with their local display.  

Millennium Cinema was one of these courageous theaters to show The Interview. “The Millennium Cinema was due to show this movie before the release was cancelled,” says general manager Jeremy Patnaude. “We were just following through on what was planned.” Showing a film that already had such a reputation would be a leg up for a small town theater like Millennium Cinema. Patnaude also stresses that Millennium's priority was to get the customers what they wanted by showing the anticipated film. 

On the opening night there was “a wide audience with people ranging from seniors all the way down to college and high school students,” remarked Patnaude. The hype from the controversy surrounding the film peaked many people’s interests and they were not disappointed. “People seemed to like it; it was funny,” added Patnaude. As to the possible danger, Patnaude isn’t worried. “Platteville is in the middle of nowhere, how could a terrorist even find us?” he says. So head over to Millennium Cinema for some stress free laughs.

Activity Profile: Robotics

by Kyle McWilliams

Do you think about science, technology, engineering, or mathematics for more than three hours a day? Students involved in FIRST Robotics eat, live, and breathe these subjects--collectively known as “STEM”--for even more than that. 

FIRST, (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) was founded in 1989 by Dean Kamen. This program is in effect to inspire and motivate high school and middle school students in STEM. In 1992, FIRST held its first competition in Manchester, New Hampshire with only 28 teams competing. Since that time, the program has grown exponentially; this year, there were over 5,000 teams competing at over 100 regionals all over the world.

The main goal of the FIRST Robotics competition each year is to construct a 120 lb robot in six weeks from a universal "Kit of Parts" and other materials with the help of some mentors. Teams involved in the competition design and build this unique robot to perform the tasks given by the FIRST Game Design Committee. There are no instructions on how to complete the given tasks, but there are defined rules to keep the environment and robots safe. Building the robot is not a team’s only job, however; members of the team choose to also work on 3-D animations of their robot. 

While most students in FIRST would attest to the fact that it’s a fun activity, entertainment value is not the only incentive: there are 28 awards given out at regional competitions and the championship event. These awards include the Woodie Flowers Award for effective communication in the art and science of engineering and technology by a mentor, the Industrial Safety Award that recognizes a team that shows excellent safety from the shop to competition; and the Gracious Professionalism Award for outstanding sportsmanship.

Platteville’s team, FRC Team 171--also known as the Cheese Curd Herd--is the oldest team in Wisconsin, having competed for 20 years. Each year the team has 20-30 high school students. During the 20 years, they have won more than three regionals and have been named regional finalists three times as well. Team 171 has also won many awards,  including the Chairman’s Award (1997), the Gracious Professionalism Award (2012), and the General Motors Industrial Design Award (2006).

This year, Team 171 competed at two regionals, the Central Illinois Regional and the Wisconsin Regional. The Cheese Curd Herd was seeded 7th out of 40 teams, with a record of 13-7-0 at the Central Illinois Regional held at Pekin, Illinois. As finalists, they lost to the first seed alliance. At the Wisconsin Regional in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, they were ranked 42nd out of 60 teams, with a record of 4-6-0. 

FRC Team 171 would like to thank all the mentors and sponsors, including John Deere, Benvenuto’s, Timmerman Talents, Duane Foust, University Of Platteville-Wisconsin, and University of Platteville-Wisconsin Engineering Physics. “These mentors and sponsors have made FIRST an enjoyable program,” says First Robotics member Derek Greenhalgh (‘15).

Activity Profile: Forensics Students Shine

by Kyle McWilliams

One of the fantastic clubs to join starting in winter at Platteville High School is Forensics. Forensics is flexible because the teachers who run it understand that students are busy.The teachers meet with students before, during, or after school. 
Before you even consider going to competition you must choose among different categories. There are three distributions that these categories fall into: acting, intepretation, and speaking. Radio speaking, for example, would fall under the speaking, which is coached by Ms. Fredericks. Solo and group play acting are just two of the acting categories coached by Ms. Schober. And finally, prose is an interpretive category where students cut passages from literature works for performance. Ms. Kammerud coaches these categories. 
“I definitely wanted to do something in a group,” says Jake Klein (‘15). “I really like the different categories and the fact that no two performances are the same.” 
Students practice their pieces from late November until the local contest in February. This year the local contest took place February 4th. The team did not end up having more than the 25 entries that are allowed, and thus, everyone will be performing at the sub-district level at Lancaster High School on February 23rd. If students receive scores good enough to qualify for district, they’ll work toward that performance in mid-March. It all culminates at the state contest on April 7th this year where qualifiers from district will have a shot at medals.
Scoring is an interesting concept in Forensics. Each category has a different rubric, and scores are assigned out of a possible 25. This is the second year that head coach Ms. Schober will be taking the team to compete at the Lodi Forensics Invitational on February 21st. There they will compete for medals and trophies after four rounds of competition.
McKenzie Scanlan (‘15), a veteran performer of Forensics says, “Forensics has been a really fun and unique way to practice and enhance my public speaking skills and has given me different opportunities to perform.”

Extracurricular Overload: One Staffer Gives Her Take

by Claire McMannes

Basketball, forensics, French Club, choir, and FFA. All of these extracurricular activities have given you something to do besides staring blankly at your homework, hoping it does itself. 

Yes, student activities are encouraged and look good on a college application, but what happens when they start to conflict with one another? After school activities can range from three hours or more, depending on what you are in, leaving some students stressed and not having enough time to complete their assignments due the following day.

Platteville high school student Erin Bowden (‘16) tells how exactly school and its activities affect students' stress levels.

Bowden says, "School affected the sport I played because I wasn't able to attend all of practices, leaving me behind. One practice, we learned some plays, and I wasn't there to learn them. We couldn't use those plays in the next game because I didn't know them."  School activities, while usually flexible when it comes to education, can leave students feeling somewhat stressed and cause conflict with the rest of the team if you are learning plays like Bowden was in basketball.

With extracurriculars and school work competing for students’ attention, it’s no wonder they’ve started to feel like they’re over-stretching. Recently Bowden brought to light a conflict between the April 17th state forensics date and a conference softball game. (Note that April 17th is later the same week music students will return from their Nashville trip.) This is the typical schedule for a highly involved student at PHS who finds sports taking over the scene. Bowden expresses her frustration, “I didn't offer not going to forensics or seeing if there was an alternative performance time because the [non-athletics] extracurricular activities always move aside. I think it is about time for that to change.”

The administration dealt with another double-booked event last month with a boys’ swim meet being scheduled on the same night that an orchestra concert was planned months in advance. Communication solved the issue with the athletes/musicians being able to catch their events at an earlier time before heading over to the concert.

Come to school early in the morning and you’ll see a lot of the same students working diligently to meet with forensics coaches, meeting for Key Club or Mock Trial, and rehearsing with extracurricular music groups like Blue Notes and Jazz Band. With all that’s going on in the non-athletic activity world, is it possible that students are being pressed for time even more in the mornings?

What’s an involved student to do besides make compromises? Madelyn White (‘15) says, “When I was in musical, balancing swimming with it could get kind of frustrating because it was a lot of running around. But since I had a ‘small-part’ in the play it worked out okay. If there’s ever a time where you really want to do something like musical and a sport just choose a smaller part or try to compromise and talk to your coach or director about it. They try to help you out as much as they can.”

If you ever feel over stressed and over worked just remember the key is to take out the things you can go without. By doing so you will become far less stressed and maybe even find something that peaks your interest more or just have more time to work on your assignments and focus solely on school.

PHS Music Department Preps for Nashville

by Anna Skubal

This spring the high school music students will be taking a trip to Nashville on April 9-13. On the trip the students will have a number opportunities unique to the “country music capital of the world.” They’ll get  the ins and outs of a recording studio, watch the operetta The Pirates of Penzance (the choirs are singing two pieces from this show later this month), tour the Country Music Hall of Fame. There’s even a chance for students to expand their musical knowledge by performing and getting some lessons at Belmont University.  

There have been four fundraisers over the past year: pasta sales last spring, Chip Shoppe sales at the beginning of this school year, Fiesta Fundraiser on November 4th, and cheesecake sales in November. The proceeds that each student raises in these fundraisers goes directly into his or her personal music fund account for him or her to use on either this Nashville trip or their senior class music trip. 

But even with Nashville preparation still on their minds, the music department has had a host of other events going on this winter. On December 11th there was an orchestra concert, and on December 23rd there was an in-school chamber group concert where the Woodwind Choir, Brass Choir, and Jazz Band, and Blue Notes performed holiday tunes for the student body and faculty. Staff members reported that this was the first in-school holiday concert in recent memory. 

If you missed those and still wanted to support the music students and their trip to Nashville, there was a choir and band concert on Tuesday, January 20th in the newly renovated auditorium.

Activity Profile: Mock Trial

by Kyle McWilliams   

    One of the resurrected clubs at Platteville High School is mock trial. Mr. Jones has been serving as unofficial adviser since the group is largely self-coached. Last year was the second year that mock trial has been back in action.

    Mock trial is exactly what it sounds like: twelve students prepare both the prosecution and defense sides for high-intensity courtroom competition. They compete with students from other schools who play the opposing sides. The twelve consist of six attorneys and six witnesses, broken down evenly (three and three) to make up the prosecution and defense. Sounds complicated, right? Team captain Saafia Masoom (‘16) says it’s really not.

    Preparing for this type of competition is like learning lines for a performance, but at the same time you must be able to think on your feet. “We look for good actors and actresses to play witnesses,” says Masoom. Attorneys are slightly more involved with the legal terminology and courtroom procedure.

    So why join mock trial? “Everyone who joins mock trial ends up really enjoying it,” Masoom states. “It helps so much with confidence and working in high pressure situations. Plus, you get to use real courtrooms and have real judges (or attorneys sitting in for judges) preside on competition day.”

    The regional contest is held on the same day around the state; this year it was February 14th. The PHS team traveled to LaCrosse and competed in 3 rounds. They came out 5th place after going up against River Valley, the regional champions, and two other teams. The team didn’t know which side they would play until about 30 minutes before each round.

    This year’s case was The State of Wisconsin v. Jamie Covington. It had to do with Jamie Covington, a 3rd year law student, and whether or not Covington shot the roommate out of self-defense when the roommate was climbing through the window of their apartment or whether it was planned first degree intentional homicide. The same case, written by lawyers around the state, is supposed to be written in such a way that it can be argued from both sides.

    The attorneys who tried their hand at direct examining and cross examining were Austin Smith (‘18), Lucy Tian (‘18), Elyssa Vondra (‘16), Tom Cramer (‘16), Emma Li (‘17), Eramis Momchilovich (‘15), and Saafia Masoom (‘16). Witnesses who were put to the test on the stand were James Etukudo (‘18), Rana Pluemer (‘16), Lexi Acierno (‘16), Ivan Acierno (‘16), Colin Thiele (‘16), and Jordan Brunette (‘16). The timer was Faye Bailie (‘16).

                   

               

           

       

To Vaccinate...Or Nah?

By Pauline Justal
  

    Vaccines. We all get them to be healthy but is it really necessary?

    Vaccination was referred as safe and one of the greatest health developments of the 20th century. Vaccines save lives everyday and adverse reactions to them are extremely rare.

    Others say that children have a natural immune system and that injecting questionable vaccine ingredients may cause little to serious harm. Most parents that think vaccines aren’t safe have that opinion because of the rumor that vaccines would be linked to autism. In 2014, children without vaccines for religious reason were kicked out of school during local outbreaks.  

    But the debate of this topic has become more vivid recently, mainly on the Internet. Celebrities and politicians alike are getting involved. The reason for this recent uprising of opinions is referred to as the Disneyland measles outbreak. Between December 15th and December 20th, 19 people reported falling ill after visiting Disney theme parks in California. Of the 16 people from California, two of them were fully vaccinated against the disease. Some were partially vaccinated, and two were too young to be vaccinated.

    Health experts say the best prevention against measles is vaccination. It isn’t fair that the “ bad light” is cast on the people who decide to go against what everybody does and follow their own beliefs. Some people have religious reasons, but it’s really a personal choice made by parents. The parents referred to as “anti-vaxxers” are just worried and should not be looked down upon.