The Snapchat Snafu: Woe Be to Users Since the Update

by Max Frommelt

    Snapchat has become the major social media of today. The newest update, released in January, has upset so many people that its power as a “social media king” may start to plummet.

    Snapchat, originally, is a simple social media platform that enables you to take a picture, add a caption, and send it to a friend. That was all it was: simple, easy, and free.

    Now the new update has been made and has merged the beloved photo sending frenzy with a news network. While this seems like a simple thing, Snapchat changed majority of the user interface to do so. This has angered many people and has created a growing group of unhappy users of the system. Snapchat has always been known for its simplicity and ease of use as a social media. People now have doubts about the applications original use and simplicity of the software.

    Anna Greenhalgh (‘16) says that, “It is unnecessary; if I wanted a news application, I would have downloaded one.” This seems to be the main response from snappers or “snapchat users.”

    The issue that the mass majority of snappers are upset with is the removal of the “Best Friends” system. Snapchat used to be able to mark three people as “Best Friends” because they are the top three snappers you send snapchats to. This system has now been dropped, and for heavy snappers, this is a major problem.

    Here is the interesting part: after getting used to the update, some snappers have had a change of heart, but many never had a problem with the update at all. Hannah Connolly (‘18) states, “The update is easier, I actually like it!”

This Is How We Referendum

by Melanie Schaefer

     Many questions have come up concerning the proposals for the school district's referendum. The biggest one is, “What is $17.2 million going toward?”

     The key projects of this referendum include renovations to the science, technology, engineering, and math departments. The science classrooms will be favored for $2.5 million. For example, Mr. Heer’s room will gain windows, a lab section, and double doors, just to name a few renovations.  All of which are not currently part of his classroom. Storage space would also be increased for all of the science classrooms. Mr. Heer, Mr. Molle, and Ms. Kroncke recently went to Sun Prairie High School to see what has been done in science classrooms there.

     All four schools will have $4.6 million dollars distributed between them for projects concern safety, maintenance, and code compliance. Safer, more secure entrances will also be installed.     Chris Schaefer, a support staff substitute in the Platteville School District, occasionally works in the offices. She says, “These security modifications are a necessity to guarantee the safety of the students and teachers.”

     Due to first and fourth grade moving to Westview, the gymnasium will be expanded and a two-story addition will be added for $9.7 million. Meanwhile, the size of the kindergarten rooms will be expanded at Neal Wilkins for $300,000.

     The vote for this referendum will be approved or denied on April 7th. This is the same date that the school board election will be held.

Winter Sports Come to a Fantastic Finish

By Anna Skubal  

    “The winter sports seasons all exceeded expectations,” says athletic director Mr. Newton. Two sports had individual athletes qualify to go to state and one even qualified as a whole team.

    The boys’ swim team had a slow start to the season, placing last in their conference relays held at the beginning of the season. Things quickly improved, with the boys shaving off eight seconds from their 100 freestyle’s average time by the end of the season. (Eight seconds is a lot of time in the world of swimming.) They also had one swimmer go to the state swim meet. Sam Iselin (‘15) placed 13th for his 100 butterfly. A lot of the team’s best swimmers were seniors this year, but there are plenty of great athletes to take their places for next year.

    The girls’ basketball team had a good season. Having Jim Lawinger as a new coach this year certainly helped the girls gain some new skills. They were 4-6 in their conference. The boys’ basketball team placed 3rd in their conference with a record of 4-6. This year’s team consisted of mostly juniors, so next year they hope to come back even stronger.

    Platteville/Belmont Wrestling had a rather unfortunate season this year. It was looking pretty good at the beginning of the season; the team had a higher number of participants than in past years, including a foreign exchange student. However, a couple decided not to finish the season. For many, including Luke Fugate with a torn ligament in his shoulder, injuries shortened their seasons. The others on the team had to work even harder to try and compensate for the loss of their teammates. Isaac Wiegel, an wrestler from Belmont, qualified for state, ranking 9th in his division and weight class.

    Meanwhile, Platteville/Lancaster/Belmont Gymnastics had a fantastic season. The girls didn’t win the conference meet but went to state as a team, placing 8th overall. Grace Hammermeister (‘17) placed 2nd with her floor routine. There was only one graduating senior this year so the girls hope to come back even stronger in hopes of making it to state again and placing even higher next year.

ACT Mania: Juniors Take State-Mandated Tests

By Anna Greenhalgh

    This year, for the first time in Wisconsin, all high school juniors were required to take the ACT and the ACT WorkKeys tests. This is new to the Wisconsin SAS, which stands for the Wisconsin Student Assessment System. The Wisconsin Knowledge and Concepts Examination (WKCE test), for example, is from the Wisconsin SAS. Wisconsin finally jumped on the wagon with other states that have been requiring their students to take these tests for years already.

    Presently in Wisconsin, students in high school take tests to prepare for the ACT before being in junior year such as the Explore, Plan, and Aspire tests.

    All Wisconsin’s juniors took the two tests on March 3rd and 4th, respectively, with the exception of those who made up the tests on March 17th and 18th. Some of the preparations for the PHS juniors leading up to the testing days  took place in class. With English, Reading, and an essay to write on the ACT, Mrs. Kies stepped up to the plate and did daily preparation with her English classes well before the tests. Math classes also had specific preparation with Mr. Sponsler in Algebra II. Mrs. Finnigan even made an appearance in the classrooms as she taught juniors how to prepare academically and mentally to “attack” the tests. The ACT College and Careers Standards, which double as the standards for Wisconsin education, are what guide teachers’ curriculum up to the test. You are tested on everything you have learned from kindergarten to junior year. Unlike most tests, you are penalized for missing questions, so it’s to your advantage to get an answer down - and yes, you may guess - for all the questions.

    “The ACT,” explains Mrs. Finnigan, “is more of an academic assessment, whereas the ACT WorkKeys is for career and workplace.” You can obtain a National Career Certification with WorkKeys; students going to college, whether it be a four-year or two-year, can use their ACT score in their portfolio now because of another new aspect: all Wisconsin technical schools accept the ACT.

    While the juniors slaved over papers to study and prepare, the PHS staff made  sure everyone was in the system so they could be tested, guaranteed that all students were registered, filled out paperwork, and more! They also reserved Ullsvik Hall for juniors to test in. Testing for the ACT is taken extremely seriously; Cuba City had a delay on the statewide testing day, and weren’t able to complete any testing at all due to the setback.

    “The students were phenomenal; I was so proud to look out into the sea of students and notice that every person in the room was taking the test intensely seriously,” Mrs. Finnigan expresses. “This is a high stress, high stakes test and the environment was perfect. It allowed people to have room, while the acoustics are perfect for absorbing sound. I could see a student tapping his foot, but you couldn’t hear it. The students could focus on testing rather than distracting noises.”

    “My brain wasn’t just fried after testing, it was deep fried.” Student Ivan Acierno (‘16) joked about the ACT. Of all the juniors who took the test, only seven were required to come in over spring break to make up the test. Mrs. Finnigan commented on how none of the students batted an eye at sacrificing their break to take the tests. A plus is that spectacular turnout on test day will get PHS  a good grade on our district report card.

    Results should be in towards the end of April, five to eight weeks after the make-ups are taken. The results will be mailed to each students’ respective homes to see even before the district sees them.

Focus in On This New Crime Thriller

by Matt Schaefer

     Every so often when you go to the movies, it’s more fun to root for the people that do the dirty work. Whether it be going for a bit of the old ultra-violence with Alex and his droogs in A Clockwork Orange or trying to determine the rat in the pack in Reservoir Dogs, bad guys can be just as fun as the good guys. And when that bad guy happens to be the king of cool Will Smith, it just makes the cheers come easier. Such is the case in the new con-artist flick Focus.

    What’s interesting about Focus is that it doesn’t have a typical plot. Instead, the movie follows the life of Nicky (played by Smith) as he meets a younger and less experienced con named Jess (played by Margot Robbie). We go along as these two as they play the streets for everything they’re worth and break the rules of the game by falling for each other.

    The writing of Focus is definitely its strongest suit, ending up being a cross between The Sting and Now You See Me. We immediately are intrigued by the characters the writers establish in this world of thievery and end up enjoying every step of the criminal thrill ride the characters go on. The cinematography accompanies the script brilliantly. There are moments of the film that are blurry, often during emotional scenes, which regain focus when clarity is achieved. We follow each member of Nicky’s ring as he or she picks and nicks everything that strikes his or her fancy. It’s a cool touch being able to see how the lifestyle works, but it’s also a very frightening concept that it can be just that easy.

    However, the story isn’t 100 percent sound. The attempt to establish an antagonist in the final act of the film isn’t very interesting when the film has been so successful without having a typical good guy/bad guy story. And as much as I love Will Smith, I feel like he’s been playing the same character since he came to cinema (think Hitch as a professional thief).

    In the end, Focus was a very cool film to sit through. The artistic filming techniques and solid script kept me entertained the whole way through. Just don’t go in expecting anything earth shattering. It’s just Will Smith doing what he does best: being cool.

Thinking Spring: Fashion Tips For 2015

by Pauline Justal

     Spring is here. Even if you can’t see it or feel it, it is here. This year’s spring trends vary from dreamy, ’70s-style Bohemia to no-nonsense, military-inspired styles. Every year pastels are a spring favorite and this year is not an exception. As the Chilean poet-diplomat and politician who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1971 Pablo Neruda said “You can cut all the flowers, but you cannot keep spring from coming.”

     But this spring is special. Don’t you think it isnt fair that fashion is stereotypically for girls? This season is going to be different, though! Spring trends 2015 for MEN are here with a little advice from Ivan Acierno (‘16), “Light colors are always the way to go.” But to Hayley Strong (‘15) spring is just an in-between season to buy winter clothes on sale until it’s too warm and then you  move on to summer clothes.

     As one of the easiest patterns to pull off, stripes continue to hold their place in the modern gent’s wardrobe year after year. While the traditional Breton T-shirt is a typical spring/summer classic that hasn’t and will never fall out of fashion. This pattern has been re-imagined for the coming months.

     As said before, designers have been inspired by the ’70s this season . Many people will instantly think of the ’70s as one of the least stylish decades in recent memory. Perhaps it’s time for the skinny jean and slim-fit buttoned-up shirt to make room for something looser.

     But what do you think? Would you wear clothes that were popular in the ’70s? Or do you think flares, exaggerated collared shirts, and florals should remain in the past?

AP Literature Class Remakes Hamlet

by Melanie Schaefer  

     Everyone knows the normal route of an English class: read a book, take a test, move on. But instead, the Advanced Placement Literature and Composition class focuses more on projects along with writing an occasional paper. Hamlet was read individually with small assignments throughout the reading. Hamlet is a typical Shakespearean tragedy that takes place in olden day Denmark. Hamlet’s father had recently been killed and his ghost demands that Hamlet seeks avengance. Hamlet’s mother married his Uncle which set the story up for its’ fair share of dramatic scenes.

     Students were able to sign up individually for one of the five acts of the play upon completing the reading. Once the groups were formed, one person from each group drew a time period out of a hat. Modern day, the 1920s, 1950s, and the 1980s were all included.

     Now with this information, groups have to rewrite Hamlet in a way appropriate to their time periods and perform it. Spoiler alert: there were multiple “hey man”s in the 1950s group’s project. They then had to put together costumes and props to film their Hamlet act. Two weeks seems like plenty of time until the students started working. The project was assigned on March 2nd and was due on March 13th. But they buckled down and you can even watch some of the finished projects on YouTube.

To Dream of An Education: Schools For Haiti

by Beth Gardiner 

     Schools for Haiti is an organization supporting almost one thousand students in four schools, four principals, over thirty teachers, two cooks, several aids and helpers, security guards, and directors in Haiti. These numbers are only increasing as Schools for Haiti is making a bigger difference in the lives of Haitian people.

     Schools for Haiti has been working in the Mirabalais area of Haiti since 2004. It was started by a Cassville man named Len Demert who dedicated his life to the orphans and the people of Haiti. After seeing the conditions they were living in during his trip to Haiti, Demert decided it would be his mission to provide education to better the lives of the children there. Many children in Haiti cannot afford the tuition for school or only attend when they can pay for tuition. Schools for Haiti has had a mission of providing free education to the poorest children. Since Demert’s passing, his family has continued on his legacy of helping orphans receive education. These kids now have a better hope for the future.

     Last summer Schools for Haiti raised over $20,000 to provide school books for Haiti. This summer they have the same goal of raising $20,000. The goal this year isn’t just books, but includes playgrounds, bikes, a kitchen/cafeteria, dormitory doors, and library books. Schools for Haiti can’t do this on their own, and everyone has the opportunity to help!

     How can you help? Great question! With spring coming that will mean new shoes for your sports, the latest sandals, and a lot of old shoes just sitting in your closet. Don’t let them say there any longer! Schools for Haiti is collecting any type of gently worn footwear. Shoes will be collected during April, May, and June. The shoes will then be given to any organization that gives Schools for Haiti money for the shoes. The goal is to collect 400 bags of 25 pairs of schools. That’s 10,000 pairs of shoes! They need your help! Be listening for ways to donate shoes at PHS, and please contact Beth Gardiner if you have any questions.

Who Knew Scholarships Could Be Fun?

by Allie Serres

     College is a huge step in the lives of many people, and funding that huge step is often times a major set back. Not to worry, Platteville High School has a great scholarship program that has been a huge help to many students. However, at times this money earned still isn’t enough, and students need to look elsewhere for a source of funding. Lucky for them, there are many scholarships online that people of all different shapes, sizes, and talent levels can qualify for. It just takes a little digging to unearth the world of wacky scholarships, but once you’re there, the process of applying for some of these scholarships might be more fun than you think. Or maybe they’re just plain unexpected.

     Duck Tape products have been a recent trend. If you have some duct taping skills, then you might consider entering the “Stuck at Prom” scholarship contest. All you have to do is make an entire prom dress (accessories included) out of Duck brand duct tape and submit it for judging in between March 16-June 1. Judges will pick finalists for one of ten grand prizes, which includes a $10,000 scholarship, and $5,000 for your school. This scholarship isn’t just for girls, either. Guys can enter their prom attire, too, and in both cases you’ll be required to wear your duct tape masterpiece to prom and submit photos.

     For those who are tall, there is a scholarship for you. Girls 5’10” or taller and guys 6’2” or taller, have the opportunity to win a $1000 scholarship from the Tall Clubs International Scholarship association by simply writing a short essay about why they feel being tall is important.

     If height isn’t your strong suit but peanut butter and jelly sandwich making is, consider applying for the Jiff Most Creative PB&J making contest. All you have to do is make a PB&J as creatively as possible and send a picture of it in to the Jiff website. The winner is awarded $25,000, as well as a peanut butter gift basket filled with $50 worth of peanut butter.

     Duct tape, height, and sandwich making may not be your thing, but that’s okay because there are many more scholarships both conventional and quirky that you can find online.  For more interesting and fun scholarships go to a scholarship search engine or even Google search ‘unique scholarships.’ The solution to your college funding dilemmas might be a click away.

The Future at Our Fingertips

by Max Frommelt

      Our society is advancing at an incredible rate. One of the things that we seem to never notice is how far we have come. Cell phones have gone from the flip phones of yesterday to the smartphones that have more processing power than the International Space Station. Some of the technological evolution has gone so far that it has become impossible to stop. Some things, on the other hands, never change.

     One of these devices is the keyboard. We have always used this device to type in a traditional way, pushing real, solid, tangible buttons. This has begun to change.

     The laser keyboard brings light to a field of innovation some may not have thought possible. That’s right, it is a mobile, bluetooth keyboard that projects a keyboard onto any flat surface, allowing you to type virtually anywhere. While we’ve gotten used to flat keyboards on tablets and smartphones, the laser keyboard allows the freedom of a full size keyboard that’s really not even there. Turning on keyboard clicks makes it easier to tell when you’re hitting the keys.

     AGS, the company that created the keyboard, began operating in 1971 and is stationed in Suichi Ogawa, Japan. AGS is a core contributor for the banking and business industry in Japan. While they are strong for banking, they have created a section for pure innovation and creation.

     Now, while AGS has not a major advancement with the keyboard, it holds countless of possibilities. The keyboard can be connected to a mobile device or tablet. You now have a full keyboard that has the same dimensions as a small juicebox. This creates a pure mobile keyboard that you can bring with you everywhere. The gadget costs ballpark $40 to $50.

     All of our technology is trying to do this new things or something that it never has before, this device has recreated an old invention, and it works.

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.