Walking into Black River Falls High School, you see crowded halls full of strong bonds, pure enjoyment, and laughter between the staff. For over 20 years, BRFHS staff have been creating unique traditions, such as the key toss run by Wayne Wenthold and past key holder Bradley Lobenstein, and so many more traditions, creating bonds and laughter.

“What makes it unique to our school is that I think we’re the only ones that do it. We have other staff that come over from middle school, and that come from Red Creek or Forest Street while we’re doing the key toss. They’ve never heard of the key toss or anything like that or so. That’s what makes it unique to us,” said Wenthold.

Traditions play an important role in everyone’s everyday life, especially for BRFHS staff throughout the week. Lobenstein, who was the former key holder for the key toss as well, constantly reflects on the importance of traditions.

“The reason that traditions are good for building community among the staff is because it gives us a chance to laugh and joke around sometimes. And, we get to see a different side of each other than what we see passing through the hallways or in the classrooms when we’re working together,” Lobenstein said. “Things like the key toss always have a bunch of laughter and a bunch of goofing around, and it’s, it’s great to build those relationships, which are really important in the classroom and in the school.” 

With the constant laughter and fun that come from such traditions and activities, it’s great to get involved with one another.

“These traditions strengthen the bonds between the staff. Without a doubt, you know, it’s, you know, laughter is really good. That’s why people like comedians, because they feel good after laughing. And so, you know, even when it’s something as simple as one of the teachers throwing their keys into the ceiling tiles, everybody laughs after that. And, it kind of stinks if you’re the person that hit the ceiling. But I’ve been that person before. And so, it doesn’t always go the way we want it to, but we always have fun,” Lobenstein said.

Overall, here at Black River Falls High School, the weekly traditions that have been created show great importance in the workplace and environment to the staff, as they continue, so will the laughter-filled halls full of many bonds between the staff.