“Rumors, innuendo and half truths have been rampant along with anonymous letters and inappropriate calls,” Corey said. “Dealing with such behavior only takes energy and time away from making this school district the best it can be.”

Although Corey faced some tough times in the board, many of her years of service were filled with fellowship and cooperation. Fellow board member Mary Jo Rozmenoski thought of Corey as a productive member who always took her role on the board seriously.

“I will remember Lois as a member who was prepared and took her position seriously, always remembering the board code of ethics,” Rozemenoski said. “She always could see the ‘big picture’ with board decisions and had a commitment to board teamwork.”

Board President Ramie Bakken also pointed to Corey’s strong dedication to student success.

“Lois has been consistent in advocating for clear educational objectives, and for the opportunity for all students to have a high quality education,” said Bakken.

Bakken and Rozmenoski both point out how Corey’s creative mindset will be something missed on the board. However, they each look at Corey’s resignation as a sort of opportunity.

“When new members join the board, there is change within our team. I, personally, always view change as an opportunity for improvement,” said Rozmenoski. “I believe we cannot be fixers of the past but together we are creators of the future.”

Bakken looks forward to the change. The Board hasn’t seen three new faces since 2000, so this is a new experience for most members of the school board.

“I am looking forward to working with those newly elected and appointed as well as continuing to work with the other veteran board members. I am confident that we can learn from one another in order to serve the needs of our students,” said Bakken. “Education is always changing, always evolving, always striving for both improvement and innovation, and so I welcome new thoughts and ideas that will benefit students.”

Corey has high hopes for the board’s future. She is sure whoever is appointed will do an excellent job and wishes them the best of luck. She also has a few words of advice for them.

“Do your homework and be informed about matters on the agenda,” said Corey. “Be fair and balance in deliberations with a large dose of common sense.”

The board announced that it would be holding interviews of interested individuals on May 9. The interviews will be open to the public and held in the High School LMC beginning at 4:00.

When there is a weather emergency, Weddig gets the school organized and ready with a plan that he and the teachers know.

“We have [a] plan that encompasses the entire school where every student should go from every classroom to to be safe,” said Weddig

The plan is simple but has a set schedule.

“The plan is reviewed before the school year starts and then we do a drill for the tornadoes in April,” said Weddig

Weddig is the only one that actually works on the plan. He gives the plan to teachers to look over what they think about the plan. If they have a problem with the plan, they discuss possible changes.

In case of an emergency, there are signs around the school that inform students and staff where to go.

“It is a copy of the whole school and where all of the classrooms should go in case of a  weather emergency. There is also a sign given to each teacher and it tells where that class is to go. This is put there so if the teachers forget, or there is a substitute, or the students don’t know
where to go,  they can then look at the sign on the way out,” said Weddig.

Besides severe weather emergencies, fire drills are also an important part of the school.

“One time this year the fire marshal came in [when] we had a fire drill. To make sure that the teachers were taking headcount, he took four or five students from the halls when the drill was going on. We also blocked doors to see how the teachers would react if there was a fire behind that door,” said Weddig.

Weddig works with the National Weather Service. They send the information out to him about the storm or whatever is happening. Next week they will be calling him about the tornado drill that has to be done by every school in the state.

Congressman Kind speaks with high school students about foreign policy.

Some 21st Century World students were visited by United States Congressman Ron Kind on April 11. Kind was in the area for a listening session in the Lunda Theatre and after the listening session, Kind stopped by the high school and spoke to students about foreign policy.

“There’s a lot of different approaches to the issues that we face as citizens of this global planet,” said Kind. “If you have a chance to get abroad, do it–because the other thing you’ll realize when you come back home is you’ll have a greater appreciation for what America is all about.”

Kind informed the class about current global issues and fielded questions regarding American policy. History teacher Paul Rykken sees Kind’s visits as extremely beneficial for the students and points out this isn’t the first visit Kind has made to the high school.

“We’ve been lucky this year because he’s been here twice. I think for the time he’s been in office– he first ran in ‘96– I’m sure we’ve had him here more than 20 times,” said Rykken.

Senior Garrett Aleckson understands the importance and impact of bringing in a person who directly impacts the United States’ foreign affairs. Aleckson recalled Kind’s call to study abroad.

“I feel it has an impact because he represents our district, and it’s good to hear from our own congressman. It really helped because he gave some advice to travel around the world and learn [about]  other cultures,” said Aleckson.

Some of the other parts of the world Congressman Kind talked to the class about included Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Brazil and North Korea.

“Right now on foreign policy grounds, we’re obviously keeping a very close eye on the Arab Spring,” said Kind, “We’ve also got a very difficult situation with Iran that we’re dealing with.”

Kind reiterated the importance of being an accessible figure, especially to younger students who may not be fully involved in politics yet. He also pointed out the importance of education to America’s youth, and what that education means to America’s future.

“It’s important for me to understand what’s going on in the schools- what type of help and resources they need to be successful so that the students can be successful in the classroom. That’s going to be important for our nation’s future so that we can remain to be competitive with the rest of the world,” said Kind. “It’s also the most fun I have with the job, coming into the schools and meeting and talking with the students.”

Not only do Kind’s visit help him learn about the issues affecting students day-to-day lives, Kind’s visits can bring about new desires for those students. Aleckson had some dim interests fully renewed.

“He reinforced my interest in politics, and I may decide to major or minor in politics because of his visit,” said Aleckson.

That passion for politics and democracy is something Kind knows needs to start early and carry on throughout a person’s life. He believes getting into a classroom can only help that– which is why he visits students and teachers across the third Congressional District as often as he can.

“You’ve got teachers who are very dedicated professionals who work incredibly hard to make sure that students can be as successful as they can be, but, it’s a two-way street,” said Kind. “Students need to bring that type of motivation and work ethic to help themselves be successful. It’s important that when a student becomes eligible to vote, that they exercise that right to participate in our democracy.”

Students set down their notebooks as they learn to design rather than just calculate.

Science teacher Donna Wojciechowski created a new science project in which students must plan out, design and test a boat that can carry three tootsie rolls across a water trough.

“The goal, first of all, is to have kids actually design,” said Wojciechowski. “To work and design a boat that can make it across an eight-foot trough. Part of the difficulty is, especially in a class like Physics, is kids are really good at figuring out problems on paper, but I wanted them to figure out problems in a real world sense. The minute you actually put your boat in the trough, it makes you think of things in a more…open-ended way.”

Many students ealizing it was much harder than expected. Though senior Danie Duffy knew it wasn’t going to be easy, she didn’t realize how difficult it really would be.

“I knew it wasn’t going to be easy, but I didn’t realize it would take five prototypes to get it right,” said Duffy. “So it was harder than I thought, yeah.”

Seniors Lindsey Fox and Emily Rodenburg felt Duffy’s pain. For them, getting the boat to float was the hardest part of the experiment.

“We had a lot of struggles,” said Fox. “We had to make three different boats just to make it sturdy enough to float.”

In the end, all groups had a boat they could run with. Though the project was meant to be a friendly competition between the groups, most students were happy with a successful run, even if it didn’t have the greatest acceleration.

“It went really well once we finally got it,” said Fox. “It wasn’t the slowest time, so we were happy with that. We basically just wanted to get across the trough without it falling over. So once that happened, we were very happy.”

Wojciechowski believes the students did well, and that the project was a worthwhile experience. She was glad they were all successful in the end.

“I would say for some of the groups it was more difficult than they anticipated, but I was pleased they all rose to the challenge,” said Wojciechowski.

As of now, Wojciechowski isn’t sure if she will bring back the experiment next year, but if she does, she has one piece of advice.

“If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.”

“The skit I’m doing is Middle School Neighbors. I have to do a skit on the lockers, [how to open them] finding a seat during lunch, getting to class on time and bullying. I play a bully, a teacher, and a student. I have more lines than most,” said Ward.

The skit is designed to teach students how to solve an argument and how to deal with bullying.

“I’m in my classroom grading papers when one of my students come up to me, reporting that they have just been called names and pushed into the lockers. At the end, my job is to bring both kids together, have them sit down and talk to each other, so the situation can be resolved,” said sophomore Shawnna Clark.

Newcomers have a tendency to become nervous during their first performance, but for those like Ward, performing is nothing new.

“Since I was in Peer Educators freshman year, I don’t get as nervous. I’ll get little butterflies before going in front of all the kids, just because there’s so many, but I’m just so happy and excited to be doing it,” said Ward.

For Emily, she enjoys performing for the kids; their excitement is what makes her perform stronger.

“Yeah [I enjoy acting for kids]. They get really excited when we’re getting ready to start, their smiles and applause make me do my absolute best. They’re so happy at the end, because we came and did that for them,” said Ward.

Clark feels the same way about performing.

“I love performing for the elementary school kids,” said Clark. ‘When we come out to start our play they clap, smile and cheer. It just makes me feel like I’m back in Cheer, and Dance Team. They want to be educated and entertained, so I make sure I do my best, to give them what I practiced for.”

Senior Dan Anderson tries something knew and learns how to knit with Foreign Language teacher Jennifer Rukavina.

Though school was cancelled Wednesday, February 29, the Leap Day activities were rescheduled for the following day Thursday. The idea for the health and wellness mini-courses stemmed from an email Principal Tom Chambers received regarding a Fuel Up to Play 60 grant.

“I had received an email for the Fuel Up to Play 60 grant, and looked at it and it was connected to the NFL, and [it] talked about health and wellness, nutrition, fitness in schools,” said Chambers. “The grant was a $1,000 grant to the school to help initiate fitness or supporting fitness in nutrition programs.”

From there, Chambers sent the grant to At-Risk Coordinator Alan Barczak, who then formed a committee, got permission from Superintendent Ron Saari, applied and eventually received the grant.

“We then started to plan this day to kick off the program,” said Chambers. The check will be used for the purchase of new equipment in the Physical Education department. Besides attempting to improve the Physical Education program, the Leap Day was inspired by the grant.

“We started talking to the teachers, and the teachers were all very creative and came up with ideas for the sessions that had to do with fitness and nutrition,” said Chambers.

Activities that tookplace were of wide variety, varying from chess to kick-boxing, and swing dancing to snowboarding. English and Social Studies teacher Brad Lobenstein took part in the Bruce Mound trip with Art and Design teacher Laura Duvall. He was able to try something new.

“I was one of the chaperones that went out to Bruce Mound. [I] watched the people snowboard, ski and tube,” said Lobenstein. “I also got to try doing that myself. I am not much of a snowboarder. I tried it once and rode my board down the hill. On my butt.”

Alike Lobenstein’s snowboarding attempt, the mini-course-like day was a trial and error. Chambers hopes the students and staff enjoyed the day.

“I’m anxious to hear from all the groups and all the teachers and kids to see how they enjoyed the day,” said Chambers. “Overall, I think it was a success.”

Though the day was considered a relaxing one, allowing students and staff to take a break from their normal schedules, the day also placed an emphasis on health and wellness.

“It think it [health and wellness] is important because if you look at the statistics, there’s a very large number of children…who are overweight and obese and it’s an epidemic that creates health problems throughout their lives,” said Chambers. “So, it’s something that’s really important for students to think about, and to think about how to lead a healthy life, how to be physically fit and how to be nutritionally healthy in the way they eat. I thought it was important to use this as a way to help get the message out to the kids and start build some strong habits in that area.”

“We’re just hoping that it’s a sign to the students that nutrition is important for good health,” said Chambers, “it’s important for learning.”

TABO members place posters on lockers around the school to inform the student body about the dangers of violence.

Teens against bullying others, otherwise known as TABO, is one of the newer clubs at BRFHS. TABO gives participants a chance to make a change, against bullying.

TABO has been putting up posters, trying to get the message around the school to stop bullying and dating abuse. Each poster tells about a different kind of abuse, how it can affect you and how you can stop it. Members are in progress of making a video. One member of TABO, sophomore Merrissa Spurling, is excited about starting.

“Right now we are shooting a video for YouTube. I’m very excited to be working on it, and being apart of it, it’s going to be really cool, and informative,” said Spurling.

TABO is also getting ready to talk to the middle school about bullying.

“Right now we are finding activities, then we will be getting trained to go talk to the middle school kids. We will be talking to them about bullying and dating abuse, and what they should do if it happens, or if they see it happening,” said Spurling.

Sophomore Allison Sweeney also tells what will be taught to the middle school kids.

“We will be going over and teaching the middle school levels about self esteem, social awareness and anti bullying tactics,” said sophomore Allison Sweeney.

TABO is also in the process of coming up with more activities to do throughout the school.

“We are brainstorming ideas for campaigns, posters, training, videos, etc. We already made some posters, which are up around the school,” said Sweeney.

In TABO, they focus on member equality. There is not one single leader that runs it all, but instead, everyone gets a chance to share their ideas.

“We don’t have specific roles. We basically have each other as supporters. We share ‘roles’,” said Spurling. “We just want to help younger kids and our classmates.”

Though many find it difficult, TABO members feel as if they are making a change within the school.

“In a way yes [I feel like I am making a change], especially to those who are being bullied. It shows that they are cared about,” said Spurling.

Sweeney agrees.

“I definitely think we are doing a great job,” said Sweeney. “I love hearing people walk through the hallways talking about them because then we know that people are actually seeing them and paying attention.”

Sweeney would recommend the club to anyone, TABO is welcoming any new members.

“I love TABO, it’s a lot of fun,” said Sweeney. “ It’s a great club to get involved in.”

Holocaust survivor Henry Golde visited the Black River High School Thursday February 9. Golde discussed his life growing up in Poland, when his life drastically changed at the beginning of the war. He went into depth his experience in numerous concentration camps and the impact discrimination and prejudice had on his life. After the presentation, students asked questions and Golde then followed with the signing of his book, Ragdolls.

For Schjeldahl, the drive to become an EMT wasn’t something she just woke up with one morning.

“I want to be in the army… and I want to be able to save somebody’s life. So I kind of went in there [EMT Class] thinking, it’s no big deal–it won’t really matter,” said Schjeldahl.

But after Schjeldahl experienced her first call, she was hooked.

“My first call wasn’t that big of a deal, but when my pager went off my heart started beating, I started shaking, and I flew down to the station,” said Schjeldahl, “and from then on I, was hooked.”

Not only does Schjeldahl show a strong passion for her work, she is willing to constantly strive for more knowledge.

“She always stepped in and did what she needed to do, or asked. She asked a lot of questions both prior to going to the patient’s house and after the call,” said Appel.

Schjeldahl is also one to make sure everything is done right.

“She was real willing to analyze how the call went as far as if we did everything right, if we forgot anything, anything like that,” said Appel.

The work of an EMT is tough, and Schjeldahl will be facing many challenges.

“There’s two big areas of challenge, one is physical and one is mental. Despite being in really good shape, it’s hard work–it’s physically demanding,” said Appel. “It is also very emotionally demanding, and it’s one of the top reasons people stop, so her challenge will be to remain strong, physically and mentally.”

Schjeldahls’s drive doesn’t end at the process of becoming an EMT. This year, Appel and Schjeldahl worked to make local hospitalized veterans’ holiday seasons brighter.

“This year, I did the Christmas drive for hospitalized veterans. That was awesome. Basically, what we did is gather Christmas presents. We brought them to the VA [Veterans Affairs], and they are going to be getting them on Friday for Christmas,” said Schjeldahl.

Appel recognizes the work Schjeldahl put into the Christmas drive and notes the persistence Schjeldahl so often displays.

“She displayed that go-getter attitude. She did a lot of work, [and] she raised a lot of money for the cause. And if it wasn’t for her, we would not have nearly as much of a donation as we were able to deliver,” said Appel.

Realizing Schjeldahl will be leaving eventually, Appel is happy to have gotten the chance to work with her.

“I’m real proud to have gotten the chance to meet Audra and gotten the chance to work with her, even if she’s leaving and going on bigger adventures,” said Appel. “I’m glad I got the chance to work with her.”

Every year at the high school, FCCLA students and staff help out to organize a blood drive for those who are at loss without a donation.

“We’ve held a blood drive here for eight years plus. We start a year in advance to give Red Cross time to get ready to come to our school,” said Tina Gilbertson.

Many students at the high school are willing to help out during the drive. For many it may be their first time giving, and although nerves build up, they are still ready to give.  Many staff members are grateful enough to donate every year.

“I think it’s fantastic that the students do it although they get nervous at first, they come to find out that it’s fast and not that bad. We have a real great loyal staff that donates every year,” said Gilbertson.

Gilbertson once also needed blood. She is willing to help anyone that is in need.

“I give every year. I think giving blood is a very simple thing, doesn’t cost anything, and it can save three lives. I enjoy helping out.  If It was for me or a family member, I would hope someone would help me, too,” said Gilbertson.

This year the high school gave 53 units.

“It was really successful this year. It makes me proud, and it feels great,” said Gilbertson.

Jeff Bradson, a former Black River Falls resident, was one that also needed blood, and dealt with many complications.

“ I  was actually having problems over the summer of 2010. The problems I  was having were always on and off. One day it would hurt the next not so much. When I started to have problems I was not eating as much as I was, I didn’t like to go out anywhere. I got massive headaches. I was just not fun to be around,” said Bradson. “I had a loss of blood, discolored blood, I was puking blood, and going to the bathroom and would find blood.I was always dizzy. Getting up and moving around was something I just couldn’t do without help. I could be up for seconds then start to tip. I was always feeling weak. I made sure to drink lots of water, eat healthy.”

Bradson’s feelings towards what he was going through wasn’t as hard as the reactions his family was giving. He went through quite the same experience to the people close to him.

“My father, cousin, and an old friend of mine are the only close people to me that I’m aware of. I’ve seen them in a bad condition. I was really sad how they would ask for help but, nothing I could personally do. I been through the sadness and just take it. Through my time,  I wouldn’t dare cry, I didn’t want to worry my family anymore then they already were,” said Bradson.

Even though Bradson didn’t show as much emotion, he believed if it was his time he’d be fine with dying.

“Sitting in the hospital, having doctors and my family surrounding me, I started to give up hope, and thought there was nothing that could be done. I didn’t want to leave my family. But I have a great family, met everyone, even had three grandchildren. My life seemed complete, that I was okay to die,” Bradson.

Luckily Bradson is doing much better, and is making up for the things he missed out on.

“I’m doing so much better than I was. Each day I get and feel stronger than I was. I’m able to be up doing things, going places. Things that I wasn’t able to do a year ago. It makes it easier for my family to be around not seeing me in the condition I was in,” said Bradson.

Although he went through a tough time, he is thankful that people are so generous to help out those in need. Especially the students.

“I’m very grateful that the students are taking a role in helping in their community, they’re not being selfish thinking ‘well I don’t know the person so why should I?’ or ‘I just don’t care, so, no.’ But I’m glad that there were many willing to help those in need. The staff at the high school has always been so kind and willing to do anything they could to help out others within the community. I’m just blessed and grateful that there are such great people in the community.”
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