Photo by kandyjaxx, Flickr

For many high school students, summer means air conditioning, pool-side fun and family summer vacations. For a lot of summer activities, a teenager is going to need some spending money. Although a lot of students will ask their parents for money, many have to work to get the funds for the things they want to do, especially if they have a car. To get the money needed, they must have a summer job.

During the summer, certain jobs are available that aren’t open any other time of the year, such as the Hoffman Aquatic Park. The most popular job at the Hoffman Aquatic Park is the lifeguard position. Many students apply to be a lifeguard at the Hoffman Aquatic Center because they get to be out in the sun and be where a lot of their friends might be.

Another summer season job is working at the Dairyway in Brockway. The hot summer weather always brings in plenty of customers for their frozen deserts and other foods.

Junior Cassie Olson has been working at Dairyway for three summers now and loves her summer job.

“Dairyway is a lot of fun and I have good co-workers,” said Olson. “I get flexible hours and a quarter raise every year I come back. Plus, it works around my busy summer schedule.”

But not everyone wants to work for a company. Many students prefer to work less advertised jobs, like babysitting for the neighborhood kids.

Sophomore Ali Meek has been baby-sitting for years now and usually baby-sits for a new family every summer.

“It’s a good job,” said Meek. “The hours are usually flexible and it leaves weekends open. Also, it lets you go outside and play with the kids. It’s a lot of fun.”

Meek’s summer babysitting job only asks for three or four days in the week, giving her plenty of free time for her other summer activities.

Not only does she get to have fun in the sun with energy-filled kids, she also gets a decent amount of pay.

“My job pays pretty well. And, it’s un taxed. You get to keep every cent you earn. For me, that’s fifty dollars a day,” admits Meek.

So no matter what the money is needed for, whether it’s gasoline or a movie ticket, there are always opportunities for teenagers to make a little cash to fund their summer agendas.

It’s full of singing, dancing and drama, all based in the fictional William McKinley High School in Ohio. It’s on every Tuesday and is on the same channel as American Idol. Give up yet? The show is Glee.

Glee is a tv show about a wide variety of students who join together in a “glee club,” singing and dancing and competing against other schools. They sing many cover songs from popular artists like Rihanna, Kiss, Kelly Clarkson and Lady Gaga.

“I love musicals,” said junior Emily Rios. “And the singers on the show are amazing at singing.”

Rios considers herself a Gleek, or a person who ‘geeks out’ for Glee. Many Gleeks have memorbelia such as DVDs and t-shirts. Senior Levi Miles even has a Glee key chain that he carries on his person.

Some students, like junior Gleek Caitlin Nelson, watch Glee religiously.

“I watch it [Glee] every week. Sometimes even more because I have the first season on DVD, so I can watch it whenever I want,” said Nelson. “I’m a huge fan. I own all of the music and I’m really addicted to it.”

Among the glee club members, there are jocks, geeks, bad boys, cheerleaders and everything in between. They all have their own style and personalities, but they come together to do what they love: sing.

“I like that this group of kids from the show are totally different,” said sophomore gleek Breanna Amborn. “But they work together, stand up for each other and eventually become friends.”

Despite Glee‘s die-hard fans, there are those who can’t stand Glee.

Junior Robert Gerzsik is one of those students. Gerzsik seethes at even the mention of the show. Although he admits to never watching Glee, the things he has heard from other students has made him sour towards the show.

“It’s too drama-filled and boring,” said Gerzsik. “It’s just a pointless show with singing and lots of drama.”

Gerzsik can honestly say that he hates Glee and likes to make that fact apparent to others.

“I think Glee should be added to a list of shows that aren’t legal to air anymore,” said Gerzsik.

Junior Adam Arneson is another student who isn’t a fan of Glee. Arneson has watched an episode or two, but vows to never watch another minute of Glee again.

“I just don’t like Glee,” said Arneson. “There’s too much singing, not enough action.”

Everyone has their own opinions and preferences and the only way to know what you like is to watch Glee for yourself. But people will always express their opinions, like Rios.

“I think everyone should watch this show,” said Rios. “It’s brilliant.”

This year alone there were around 40 seniors who graduated early. That is the highest number of early graduates BRFHS has ever seen. Saari researched surrounding schools and each school only had about 5 early graduates. Saari is very concerned with the sudden rise in early graduates and wanted to get opinions from the Senators as to why they think seniors are leaving high school so early.

As they discussed the different reasons as to why seniors might want to leave, Saari listed different ideas that could encourage seniors to stay in high school for the whole year. Options such as school spirit and more required classes were compared and discussed, but no action will be carried out until next year at the latest.

The current and past students of this school year took a field trip to the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse to explore cadavers.

Cadavers are the corpses of people who have donated their bodies for science and study. Most of the cadavers the students got to see were around the age of 80 when they died, some from natural causes, others from diseases. UW-L has several cadavers on campus, all on loan from Madison.

“It was a good way to put everything we have learned to use,” said junior Betsy Torkelson. “It was a good learning experience.”

Seeing the insides of dead people isn’t the top priority on everybody’s lists of things to do, but these students took advantage of this special opportunity.

“I thought it was pretty extensive…”said sophomore Brittany Gacek. “It wasn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be.”

For many people, even the thought of dead people can make them feel sick or queasy. But these students got up close and personal with the cadavers and were able to see the intricate design of the human body.

In order for the cadavers to stay fresh, all of the cadavers were soaked in preservatives, which didn’t exactly smell like a basket of roses. At times, when the fumes were really strong, it was difficult for the students to keep down their breakfasts. But for the most part, they stayed strong.

“The smell was the worst…The only time I came close [to being sick] would have been right away when the smell hits you,” said Torkelson.

But cadavers weren’t the only things they saw. Many organs were placed on tables for the students to get closer looks and compare to other organs. Among these organs were hearts, lungs, livers and even a couple of brains. Of course, everyone was required to wear gloves when interacting with the organs and cadavers so as not to get sick or hurt the subjects.

If the cadaver field trip had to be summarized in one word, most of the students would agree that the word would be ‘interesting.’

“I knew it was going to be interesting and I kind of wanted to get out of school…” said junior Boye Ladd. “I really enjoyed the trip…It was really interesting.”

“It’s interesting to see what’s actually inside us,” said junior Nick Korn. “Especially when you compare the healthy organs to the diseased ones.”

“[My favorite part was] getting to look at and touch the organs on the tables. It was interesting to see what everything looks like and how they felt. And to see the difference between healthy and unhealthy organs,” said Torkelson.

“I learned a lot during the trip and I had a lot of fun,”said Gacek. “It was very interesting.”

Jacob Perner stands by the Black River Tiger by the weight room, the mascot that he proudly plays for.

There’s a pop-fly out to center field and as the runner nears home base, the outfielder has to throw the ball home. But somebody has to be there to catch the ball and that somebody is none other than junior Jacob Perner.

Perner has had a love for sports ever since he was a little kid. Throughout high school he has been active in football, basketball and baseball. Football is his favorite of the three, “but baseball is a close second.” He admits that his love of baseball always rivals his love of football.

“I think I’m all set. I have three sports that I love and I’ve been pretty successful with them,” said Perner.

Ever since his freshman year, Perner has had a spot on the Varsity baseball team. Even though his current position is catcher, he has played multiple positions over the years.

And although the baseball team has had a rough start, Perner stays optimistic.

“Our team is young, but we’re getting better everyday,” said Perner. “Since I’m a third year starter, I have experience to spread to the younger teammates…I guess you could say they can look up to me.”

In order for a student to participate in this event, the student must raise a minimum of ten dollars. If a student raises at least 25 dollars, they will receive a Viva Haiti t-shirt. Talk to Gym teachers Tom Leadholm or Mary Rykken for a donation log sheet. All log sheets must returned to them by May 18. Any student who turns in a log sheet late is able to participate, but will not receive a t-shirt.

Also, on May 7, DECA sold Viva Haiti t-shirts for ten dollars each during the lunch shifts. Multiple teachers have been seen wearing these t-shirts around school.

Black River Falls High School has offered several AP classes over the years; U.S. History (APUSH), Biology (AP Bio), Spanish, English, Psychology (AP Psych), Chemistry (AP Chem) and Calculus (AP Calc). BRFHS has also equipped us with the teachers to teach AP classes, including Paul Rykken, James Klos, Marc Rukavina, Karl Wallin, Anthony Boerger, Donna Wojciechowski and Tim Young.

AP classes put students to the test, trying to see if they can handle the stress and work associated with higher level classes like those experienced in college.

“They are definitely more challenging classes,” said senior Sierra Johnson. “They require a lot more time, homework, projects, etc.” Johnson has already completed multiple AP classes, including Calculus, Psychology and English.

Senior Dustin Dittner has also completed AP classes, including U.S. History, English and Psychology.

“They can be hard. Some subjects like History and Psychology make you do a lot of work. You spend a lot of time reading, studying or memorizing names or dates,” said Dittner.

But seniors aren’t the only ones taking AP classes. Some juniors and even a few sophomores take AP classes every year.

Junior Betsy Torkelson remarks that AP classes “are good classes, you just have to study more.”

Every student who plans on taking an AP class should know that more effort is expected in AP classes. They can be harder and more trying. So if that is the case, what is the reward for the extra effort? Why would someone purposely put themselves in a situation like that?

“Students should take AP classes,” said Dittner. “If you do well on the National Exam, you get college credit. You also learn how college level classes work and what to expect.”

Johnson agrees, stating that taking AP classes are “definitly worth it.” And she would know, since Johnson has virtually completed a semester in college so far.

Getting a head start on college credit isn’t the only reward. Many readings, notes and study habits can be taken from AP classrooms and be put to use in future college classes. According to Dittner, “some techniques the teachers teach you, you just can’t forget.”

AP classes can have huge benefits for now and the future, but the work can be very challenging. Between quizzes and tests, note taking and just knowing the information, there has to be an easier way to pass the class and get the grade. Luckily, students who have completed the class are willing to give a few tips on AP classes. Dittner had this tidbit to give:

“Be prepared to memorize a lot of information and do a lot of reading and writing. Make sure you study too. And definitely prepare well for the tests.”

Johnson also had some good advice to give to future AP students.

“Have a giant notebook! Write notes you can actually read and study them.”

Baseball has made its way back to BRF for another season, and many people are excited for its appearance. But a controversy occurs for our high school ball players: should they play on the school team in the spring or wait for the summer and play in the Legion team?

“I think Legion ball is more fun,” said junior Adam Arneson, who has played baseball since middle school. “It’s in the summer, so you don’t have to worry about school work or anything like that.”

Last year was Arneson’s first year playing on the Legion team and he took a liking to it right away. Arneson has been all over the field when it comes to the positions he plays, but in addition to baseball Arneson has joined the Tiger golf team for the ’10 spring season. It is reasons like this that many BRF students have chosen to join the Legion baseball team.

There are multiple spring sports available for high school boys (like boys tennis, track and golf) and sometimes they have trouble deciding which sport they want to participate in. An opportunity like summer baseball could help athletes with this decision.

While some people prefer to be in Legion baseball, other students have stuck with school baseball teams. Sophomore Devin Casper, who started playing T-ball when he was in kindergarten, is one of those students. Casper wanted to be on a team with more of his fellow classmates, but he also needed to find the right season to play.

“I haven’t had a chance to play in Legion,” admitted Casper. “I’ve been too busy during the summer.”

Which may be the case for many other students. Activities like summer jobs and family vacations can take up a lot of a teenager’s time. Others simply want to enjoy their time off of school without having to worry about practices and games.

Casper currently plays pitcher, center field and third base for the Tigers Varsity baseball team. Casper plans to continue his baseball career after he has finished high school and feels that being a part of the Tiger baseball team has helped him become “more of a team player.” He also thinks that the practices everyday after school help unify the team in a way that having practice once a week like Legion ball cannot achieve.

But whether you’re staying after school or enjoying a summer afternoon, it’s all about the love of the game. Although they differ on their team choices, both Casper and Arneson agreed on their favorite moments in baseball; a diving catch. They don’t come around very often and when they do, it’s a moment that won’t be forgotten.

Several BRFHS came together after school to be a part of this photo, showing their support for their booby bracelets. A few students almost missed the bus, but that was a price they were willing to pay for their beliefs.

If you walk down the hallway between passing time, you will probably see inside out white, pink, almost any color bracelets on the wrists of many students. If you have seen these, you already know what they say; “i <3 boobies.” BRFHS students have taken a liking to these breast cancer-supporting literal fashion ‘statements,’ but the teachers have not.

Boys are the primary wearers of these unique bracelets, but a few girls have joined in as well. These bracelets were a huge hit when they first arrived and they quickly exploded into a fad. Everyone wanted one and stores that had them in stock, like Zumiez and Spencers, were swamped with teenagers trying to get their own. Their variety of colors made them even more desirable, including baby blue, bright green, black, white and pink. There were even limited edition red bracelets at Spencers during the week of February 8. They were also available online at the site that started it all, keep-a-breast.org.

At first they harmlessly blended into the fabric of the high school hallways, but soon teachers started to notice them in their classrooms. The bracelets could be considered vulgar and teachers did not want that kind of nonsense in their classrooms. From then on, students were told to turn them inside out, or turn them in. A few students even had their bracelets cut. A particular student, who shall remain nameless, said that if they were seen with another breast cancer bracelet, they could be suspended.

Students immediately protested against this new “no booby bracelets” policy. Many felt squandered, like their rights were being taken away. Where is the freedom of speech? Freedom of expression? Can these be diminished all because of a bracelet?

I am a supporter of these bracelets. I own one myself and I wear it proudly. Although multiple students wear these bracelets so they can rebel against teachers, many students wear them because they actually support breast cancer awareness. I am one of those many. I have had several family members who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, some even re-occurring. I know the effects of breast cancer and how damaging it can be to the patient’s health and life in general. I believe it is crucial for teenagers to be aware of harmful diseases such as breast cancer. Awareness is the first step in beating a disease. These bracelets aid in spreading awareness, even if they are humorous.

The battle goes on, but I believe that students will stay strong. Teenagers can be fickle, but they are also very passionate and will do whatever it takes for their voices to be heard.