If art is so subjective, why do so many people judge art and categorize pieces? What makes any specific artist one of the greats?
‘April showers bring May flowers’
They say
Gardens filled with majestic beauties
Endless fields of glory
Roses, Tulips, Morning Glories and Lillies
Go to the following link below to vote for the best "Your Picture with a Nite Crier Pen" submission. The top 3 vote getters will win a gift card from the Rookery. Please remember only one vote per person and please vote for only one submission. Voting will be take place until 3pm on Friday, April 17th
Good luck and thank you for all the submissions to our contest!
Voting Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScbjE0RPSriM5zj5ee3E9YJoaf2k7G19InWRYZuOJQ9euNn5g/viewform?usp=dialog
Catrina Fox is taking the world by storm, specifically teenage girls and young adults. From health advice to victim mentality, Catrina Fox is the world's new Messiah. The newest celebrity wellness fad demands sweat, tears, and a face that resembles a squashed tomato. Inspired by Hollywood’s elite, the Ugly Cry Method is changing lives one emotional meltdown at a time.
The Nite Crier is holding the "Your Picture with a Nite Crier Pen" Contest starting today and running until April 11th. Pick up a Nite Crier pen from a Nite Crier staff member. Snap a unique or creative picture of you using the famous Nite Crier pen and send the picture and a caption to nitecrier@slingerschools.org for a chance to win a $30, $20, or $10 gift card from the Rookery. Didn't get a pen today? Stop by room 129 to pick up a pen from Mr. Wolf.
A great fog appears in the individual's mind who has never questioned what is learned. One spirals into nihilism and apathy, or turns to a structure to follow so they don’t have to challenge themselves. In order for this fog to rise, one must take in as much knowledge as possible. Books, videos, lectures, poems, music, and everything in between to flood the mind with even more fog. This is a necessary confusion, because when one's beliefs are built on that of another’s, what happens when that weak foundation is questioned?
Woodland ventures
Built by youth
The world was smaller
Hidden from truth
Summer days
Burn bright in memory
Echoing laughter
Softly sung
Those possible days
Someone once said,
“Perhaps there is nothing more beautiful in the world than finding someone in whose soul we can lay the secrets of our hearts, someone we trust, someone whose face is dear, who chases away our sorrow, and whose mere presence makes us joyful and so very happy.”
I suppose this reflects on admiration
The wreaths hung on the door
Relatives on their way
Food cooking from corner to corner
The smells wafting from room to room of the house
Children running, giddy with happiness
Decked out in fuzzy socks and Christmas pajamas
Not a care in the world
For its Christmas Eve
Last Friday our Slinger Owls took on the Rice Lake Warriors in the 2024 Division 2 State Championship football game at Camp Randall. I’m sure we are all very proud to say we returned home from that game with the 2024 D2 State Championship trophy. The ending score was Owls 31, Rice Lake 30. Here are some photos from the game.
In today’s fast-paced society, academic stress has become a pressing issue for many students. With increasing pressure to excel academically, be in extracurricular activities, and plan for their future, stress has become a big problem. Many teenagers, myself included, find that the weight of academic expectations often puts unnecessary stress on us but can also be harmful to our mental and physical well-being.
The turkey fresh out the oven
The smell wafts through the house
Mashed potato and gravy volcanoes created around the table
Cranberry sauce slipping off forks
The sound of laughter dancing through the house
Pre-christmas spirit sprinkled in the air
This weekend my family and I took a trip to Cedarburg Creek Farm. Cedarburg Creek Farm is located at 649 State Road 60, in Cedarburg Wisconsin. This farm offers many different experiences, ranging from pumpkin picking in fall to cutting christmas trees in winter.
It was a dream come true, the Patterson’s finally moved into their new house. It was a decent sized house, it had an open layout and a basement, perfect for all of Mrs. Patterson’s sewing supplies. Upon entering the house, their daughter, Andrea, felt a weird presence, they thought maybe it was the nerves and excitement mixed together.
When the man heard his son crying, he went into his room and asked what was wrong, “Daddy there’s a monster under my bed.” As the man bent down and lifted up the sheets, he saw his son shaking with fear, “Daddy, there’s a monster on my bed.”
Over the summer, I traveled to a large range of vacation sites, from the historic Barnes in Nappanee, Indiana, to whale watching in Massachusetts, to visiting Times Square in New York City. It was such a fun experience and I got to meet a lot of new people and try many new things.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Happy You are,
Cheering with Glee
But jumped in your car,
In life, there are many ways to be injured. At any time you could fall down the stairs, stub your toe, or pull a muscle playing soccer. While not all injuries can be prevented, such as hitting your humerous (funny bone), injury prevention is still incredibly important.
Singapura, known as Singapore, is a beautiful port city located at the southern tip of Malaysia. It is one of the largest port cities in the world and probably one of the busiest. This summer, I took a journey over 9,000 miles from home to visit my family. It was amazing.
When you think of a serial killer, you most likely picture an older white man, like Ted Bundy or John Wayne Gacy. It would make sense since serial murder is a male dominated industry, with 85% of serial killers being male. On the much smaller scale of female serial killers, Aeleen Wuornos stands out for being the type to hunt. For some strange reason women on TikTok seem to think Wuornos was justified in her crimes.
One of the most interesting rap beefs of the modern age is the conflict between Kendrick Lamar (K Dot) and Audrey Graham (Drake). Everyone wants to know what started the beef, what some of the rap lyrics mean, and where other artists have their loyalties. This feud includes female rapper Megan Thee Stallion, her ex boyfriend Tory Lanez, along with rappers Future, Kendirck Lamar, J. cole, and of course Drake. Metro Boomin, a prominent producer, is also involved in this rap controversy.
On April 29th, the Human Body Systems Biomedical Class embarked on an astonishing journey to Marquette University to discover and learn about the human body hands-on. HBS is the second class of the PLTW, Project Lead the Way, a biomedical program here at Slinger High School. In the class, as the name suggests, students learn about the body systems and perform lots of dissections to gain a better understanding of human anatomy.
Jojo Siwa first came into public notice when she was 9 years old on the reality tv show Abby’s Ultimate Dance Competition (AUDC), season 2. She was the youngest dancer in the group, but also the loudest. She shared how she bleached her hair constantly and made snide comments about other performers. Many on the show did not like her or her mom, and this was only the beginning of her controversy.
Discipline is one of the most important aspects to success; whether it is school, work, or exercise, without discipline, you can never truly grow as a person. Discipline allows people to accomplish more things in one day than we typically would in multiple. Discipline will not only increase productivity in all areas, but it will challenge your mind every day.
Have you ever wanted to invest or learn about investing? Were you ever too busy to learn about finance? Well finance can be a very intimidating topic to dive into, but what if there was an easier way to learn about investing that is both educational and entertaining. Lucky for you, I am about to dive into the art of finance board games and how they can help you learn the basics of financial decision making.
West Bend Ice Creations were created between January 19th and January 21st as part of the City of West Bend's Winter Warm Up Festival.
The Grace Year by Kim Ligget is an exceptional novel. The plot is amazing, touching on double standards and expectations of women compared to men. In the novel, 16-year-old Tierney James and the other girls of Garner County are sent to spend what is known as their "grace year"...
Enchantment in the Park is something that is best viewed at night, but is still cool during the day. I would encourage anyone interested to go and take a walk through the park, and look at the uncountable number of lights that light up the park all day and all night.
On the 11th day of the 11th month at the 11th hour and the 11th minute sirens were heard throughout America. These sirens were to honor Armistice day, the ending of WWI. However, in 1954 Armistice day was renamed to Veterans day, the day where we honor those who have fought for our country's freedoms, equality, and rights. There are many organizations who raise awareness for Veterans day and one of those organizations is Wreaths Across America. WAA is a nonprofit organization that raises awareness for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice by placing wreaths on veteran graves. Wreaths Across America functions on a national level; however, with the help of Vince Strupp WAA was brought to our own community, Slinger WI.
Taylor Swift makes the news every other day, but now it is for the release of her version of 1989, her 5th studio album. Swift has been re-releasing her first six albums because the rights were sold away to another man even though she expressed being wanting to buy them and was willing to. So far she has re-released Fearless, Red, Speak Now, and, as of October 27, 1989. With the release of her albums, vault tracks are added on. You may be wondering what vault tracks are. Vault tracks are songs that were written for the album or during that era that never made it onto the final album.
In recent weeks, Israel and Palestine have made international headlines in what many western media outlets have most commonly referred to as a “conflict.” According to the United Nations, around 1,400 Israelis were killed in a Hamas attack on October 7th, and since, more than 10,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces according to the Gazan health ministry, a number that continues to go up. In the last four weeks, more than 1.4 million Palestinians in the Gaza strip have been displaced from their homes, their water, food, and electricity cut off by the Israeli Occupation forces (known as the IOF or IDF). Yet, even in the wake of relentless nights of deadly bombing, a total collapse of the healthcare system, and the IOF’s near complete suspension of aid going into Gaza, much of the western media has propagated misinformation surrounding the horrors faced in occupied Palestine succeeding October 7th, framing this month’s events as existing within a vacuum — a mere “conflict” or “war” that trivializes the terrors Palestinians have faced for the last 75 years and implies an equal stature of power between sides.
Have you ever wanted to travel to Duloc? What about scale a tower to rescue a princess from a fire-breathing dragon? Travel across the lands with an annoying talking donkey? You will be able to experience all this and so much more from Nov. 2nd - Nov 5th. This year, the Slinger High School theater department proudly presents Shrek: The Musical!
Long Island has gotten more coverage over the last few months than it ever has in the years it has been an island. The reason that is happening is because of the arrest of Rex Heuermann.
On Friday, November 3rd, there will be a board game club meeting in room 129 with Mr. Wolf. In the club, you get the chance to play new games you may have never heard of, or classic games you've been playing since childhood. A current member says, ¨Mr. Wolf has quite a few unique games that I haven't seen or played anywhere else.¨ Mr. Wolf will help you learn about these new games, and you could find a new game to play with friends or your family later. All grades are welcome to join this fun and engaging club.
The Washington DC trip was an exploration of the capital that everyone should do at least once in their lifetime. The monuments there are stunning. The coolest thing I saw there was the National Mall, which is huge, and stunning at night.
You're 6 years old and you get to pick a movie for family night, you pick your favorite Disney movie. As the movie goes on you sing the words to your favorite catchy tunes, and you even see your mom and dad humming along to it. You see your favorite characters embark on amazing journeys, and when you go to bed you dream of your own adventures. Fast forward about 10 years, you see they are coming out with a remake of your favorite movie, but this time it’s not the same. Your favorite character is now a different race, and they don’t find their true love because it's “overrated”. This is what Disney is doing nowadays, they are taking the beloved classics and completely changing them to validate people. The question may arise, “What happened? ” you might ask. Here's what happened: Disney.
As George Santayana once said, “Only the dead have truly seen the end of war.” This quote still holds true today as we arrive at the 19-month anniversary of the conflict in Ukraine. Politically, the governments of Ukraine and Russia have not changed their positions on this conflict since it began.
When hearing the date July 4th, 1776 you should instantly know that was the founding of independence in our nation; but to some people this date means nothing. This is one of the examples of indoctrination: the teaching of a group or individual to accept certain beliefs regardless if they are true or false. In short, indoctrination is the act of brainwashing with no factual evidence or an opinion. This is just one of the ways some schools, political leaders, and celebrities are oppressing and lying to the youth of this country. The 1619 project and critical race theory are the prime examples of how some schools indoctrinate the youth of America.
Last Thursday, May 25th, and Friday, May 26th, Mr. Carey’s Entrepreneurship students truly embraced the pop up shop model as they lined up during lunch to sell their team’s chosen consumer goods. Earlier in the semester, some teams sent out surveys to assess the interests of their peers and teachers, the target markets of the event. Other teams began accepting preorders and Venmo payments prior to the selling days since many booths operated on a cash-only basis during the two-day event.
While rummaging through their older siblings' clothes (as younger siblings love to do), Slinger High School students have surely seen a Clash of the Classes T-shirt somewhere in the mix. This end-of-the-year event has long served as both a beloved tradition and a right of passage for Slinger High School students; however, due to a number of unforeseen circumstances including the COVID-19 pandemic, even Slinger seniors are yet to experience the Clash of the Classes for themselves.
Drag is defined as the performance of exaggerated masculinity, femininity, or other forms of gender expression. Famous TV shows like Drag Race have exposed the world to the art form that is drag. Across the United States, countless areas are feeling the impact of the new political agenda to ban drag. States such as Tennessee and Florida have enacted several bills and actions to stop drag. These bills are wordered in an ambiguous way that could cause the bills to go outside of just drag performers. Now what exactly are these bills, and what are they intended to do?
Think of all the times you have unknowingly appreciated art and all its forms in your life. Even the simple action of driving involves art in many aspects. For example, as you merge onto a highway you see countless billboards illuminating a variety of concepts, illustrated and created by graphic designers. Or you may decide to turn on the radio where enumerated artists have their music playing. Many people may overlook art and the deeper value it has, but could you imagine the world if art did not exist?
Is the pen mightier than the sword? The Nite Crier is holding the Your Picture with a Nite Crier Pen Contest starting Monday, April 10th and running until April 21st. Starting Monday the Nite Crier staff will be distributing the famous Nite Crier pens to students and faculty. Snap a unique or creative picture of you using the famous Nite Crier pen and send the picture and a caption to nitecrier@slingerschools.org for a chance to win a $50, $30, or $20 gift card from the Rookery. Didn't get a pen yet? Stop by room 129 to pick up a pen from Mr. Wolf.
Image provided by CNN.com
The idea that the U.S. should ban assault weapons has long been grounds for controversy. Some believe that tighter regulations on assault weapons would save lives and make this country a safer place to live, while others believe that these tighter regulations would not solve the issue of gun violence in this country. School shootings, homicides, and other issues have only heightened the controversy surrounding this argument. Although there are some that may disagree, banning assault style weapons is not an effective solution to gun violence in America.
Many times I’ve tried and failed
to keep record of my thoughts.
The constant stream of lines,
phrases, quotes and quips
Photo provided by Dado Ruvic/Reuters.
It’s no secret that the United States is in an interesting situation with the collapse of the Silicon Valley bank. But what does that actually mean for the people? There are all kinds of concerns that this is going to be like 2008, but there is no need to panic.
If you ask a young child to explain the concept of voting, they will likely begin by telling you that it is “something adults do.” Children grow up understanding voting as an adult responsibility, likely one that they rarely consider until they approach adulthood themselves. On the evening of March 8, 2023, however, the Slinger High School Student Council flipped the script on the concept of elections as many students know them. Student Council members--both those of voting age and those shy of it--became leaders of the Slinger School Board Forum as they asked questions to the candidates and kept time for the responses.
The picturesque Alaskan landscape is a sight that people all over the world travel to see. Polar bears, wildflowers, killer whales, and the northern lights are just a handful of the natural attractions that Alaska holds. However, its beauty is at stake. Rolling hills and natural habitats could soon be replaced with miles of metal and drills. The clear blue air will be replaced with pollution. Indigenous lands will no longer be held sacred. The force that threatens Alaska’s landscape is something known as the Willow Project.
High school is the time for students to explore their different interests and talents to help guide them towards their future path. Slinger High School is lucky to have various different clubs, sports, and organizations for students to join and learn from. One of the more unique opportunities that Slinger offers is the Aviation club.
Junior and senior years of high school are arguably some of the most stressful times of our high school career. With extensive homework, the ACT, extracurriculars, and a seemingly infinite list of due dates, the entire process of preparing for college and a life outside of high school is incredibly stressful, without even taking into consideration finances! As most high schoolers are aware, many colleges and other organizations offer scholarships to reward accomplishments such as athletic or academic achievements. However, most scholarships are frequently cramped with competition, making it significantly harder to become a successful applicant. Nonetheless, UWM is offering a bountiful and attainable amount of opportunities throughout their variety of scholarships, fulfilling their goal to make continued education more accessible.
Neurofibromatosis Type 1(NF1) is a genetic condition in which tumors can grow along a person's nerves. There are fewer than 200,000 US cases per year, and it can be diagnosed before birth. Neurofibromatosis Type 1 will cause an individual to grow tumors anywhere in the nervous system. The picture to the left is of a human nervous system. Tumors grow anywhere in that system. The tumors are usually benign, meaning that they are non-cancerous, but sometimes they can be malignant. Even though the tumors are benign, they can cause a series of complications.
Nearly 3 years ago, the world was taken aback by the sudden surge of infections due to COVID-19. Hospitals were flooded and streets remained empty as countries around the world were locked into quarantine. Presently, many countries are presently on edge due to the state of COVID-19 in China, with 90% of the population in Central China's Henan province currently being infected. Since mid December, political tension in China has been high, with many citizens protesting the Chinese government’s regulations and law regarding Covid. Consequently, this has raised questions about the Chinese citizen’s demands and the government’s receptivity.
Early on the morning of Saturday, January 7, Slinger High School DECA Members boarded the bus “ready to DECA” at the 2023 District 5 Career Development Conference and DECA they did. Thirty-two Slinger members earned themselves a shining moment on stage during which they received one or more medals in their test and/or role-plays. Seventeen of these students placed within the top five competitors in their category, and the ten who placed within the top three will be automatically advancing to the State Career Development Conference at the end of February. For those who did not qualify automatically, Slinger DECA is allotted a number of additional spots for which competitors can apply. Ultimately, Saturday the 7th was an incredibly successful day of “DECA-ing” as our Slinger chapter placed fourth overall out of eighteen highly competitive chapters.
On November 13th, four students at the University of Idaho were found stabbed to death in their home in Moscow, Idaho. At 11:58 AM, the Moscow Police Department was responding to a report of an unconscious student when they found the victims dead on the second and third floors of the home. The media has been consumed by this case, raising many questions and theories as to who could be at fault, why they committed the crime, and how.
Gregory House is a maverick, genius, pain medication-dependent doctor who manages cases at the prestigious Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching Hospital. He is like Sherlock Holmes; he solves medical cases that no other doctor can.
In a world of chaos, a man’s testament would act as the voice for millions, detailing his loss of identity, dehumanization, and surreal trauma. Elie Wiesel is just one of the few featured authors, (and survivors), in many Holocaust memorials across the world. Informational posters were created by a variety of students here at Slinger in English classes, detailing the flow of Wiesel’s life and experiences as an individual.
It is often the question of whether life contains any sort of definite meaning, expressed plainly in sight to an individual, or whether it remains to be a puzzle of perplexity; in any case, shrouded in mystery and a faux understanding of our universe. Viktor E. Frankl is one of many individuals that dares to answer this question, utilizing his vocation in psychology, as well as his harrowing experience in surviving Auschwitz and Theresienstadt. As a survivor of the holocaust, Frankl lives to tell his tale in his personal narrative, Man’s Search for Meaning.
The Christmas season used to be the most wonderful time of the year, just as wonderful as Andy Williams explained it in 1963.
Falling asleep on the night of Christmas Eve would be practically impossible, knowing that Santa would reach your chimney sometime within the night. You’d secretly wish you had the guts to stay up until midnight, listening to the sound of reindeer hooves landing on the roof, and the sound of jingle bells reverberating for every step Santa took. However, you never committed to it due to the fear of Santa revoking your present privileges like your mother had warned just hours before.
The winter months can be cold, dark, and boring to some individuals, but I personally love the snow and everything about winter. "If you didn't know, I used to live up north where there is snow in the middle of October, and it lasts forever." It's perfect, but when the city people come up, they seem to miss out on the best things to do up north during the winter. As a former Hodag, I’ll be telling you what you should do next time you find yourself in the northwoods.
The world of college applications is difficult to navigate, and that’s an understatement. In fact, whilst applying to colleges, it feels as if you need a master’s degree just to correctly fill out the applications (or maybe a doctorate… I asked a couple people with master’s degrees for help, and they were confused too). Assuming that you, like me, do not have a doctorate in “The Art and Science of Completing the Common App,” I will attempt to lay out everything that I wish I would have known much earlier in my college application experience.
From a young age, kids are told the importance of voting. The voting process is one of the first things you learn in elementary school. Children are taught that they will pick their favorite candidate, and the person with the most votes wins. Looking back on these elementary lessons now as a senior in high school, the oversimplified concept is nothing compared to the intricacy of the US government system. Once a person turns eighteen, the right to vote is an honor. After going through the process myself, I now have a deeper understanding of voting’s importance, and the in-depth process one goes through to cast their vote.
Salao is the worst kind of unlucky, especially when you’re a weathered fisherman toiling at the endless sea for 84 days to no avail. The novel, The Old Man and the Sea, written by Ernest Hemingway, features a protagonist named Santiago whose extraordinary tenacity is mirrored in his wrinkled, scarred hands, created from endless work off of the stern of his boat. Santiago is accompanied by a younger boy named Manolin. Manolin acts as a youthful vessel whom Santiago can teach yet also learn from. Day by day, Santiago’s strength depletes, yet his spirit is kept alive by the cloying opportunism in his heart. The story sets stage in Cuba, where Santiago resides in a rundown shack beside the sea, with its condition perhaps mirroring his enervated energy after a listless several months. Santiago refuses to back down, facing his trial head on. The challenge? To catch a fish.
Anyone who has recently stepped foot in a store can attest to the fact that, in the retail world, Christmas time begins as soon as Halloween ends. Similarly, this could also be said for the Rookery where the managers, marketing students, and DECA members have kept busy decorating the tree, painting the windows, and promoting the holiday Item of the Week sale. However, just because Slinger DECA decked out their School Based Enterprise doesn’t mean that anyone is ready to skip Thanksgiving. Instead, the Rookery managers have a variety of Thanksgiving traditions that they cannot wait to partake in to kick off the holiday season.
Photo provided by Cook Political Report
Every two years, a congressional, midterm election takes place in the United States of America. These election positions can vary from presidential to almost any government official, such as state governor or senator. Our last presidential election took place in 2020, where President Joe Biden took office alongside his VP, Kamala Harris, the first female vice president in the history of the US. The last election for the Wisconsin governor was in November 2018, when Tony Evers took on the position. Alongside this election, was the ballot for US Senate. This year, on November 8th, these same elections took place within the state.
Imagine if you could take a class that didn’t require any textbooks or tests, and the instructor was on their deathbed. Would you take that course? Would you skip it? Tuesdays with Morrie is a novel by Mitch Albom. It’s the kind of book that makes you appreciate life and realize how important and precious life can be.
Photo provided by NBC News.
With the midterms less than a week away we are starting to see more and more publicity going their way. There are a lot of different aspects to the midterms. You have a more specific Wisconsin view as well as a more National view. All that being said, here’s what you need to know.
When the stakes are high and gamblers roam the streets, pestered by a persistent mission group, what events will ensue? This fall, the Slinger High School theater department is proud to present Guys and Dolls, a classic broadway show that takes place in New York in the 1950s. The show contains exciting twists and turns, along with catchy tunes, and a heartwarming story, this show has it all.
The sky is dark; I am tired. I have had many days such as this, and I know what will follow if I sleep. It will leave me empty, hollowed out like the shell I left behind when I fell to Earth. I have seen all there was to see of the world and so now it remains to make something more of myself. And so I saunter along the shoreline, scrounging to find a new place to be born, a new path to take.
While I detest the taste of coffee, the very idea of coffee shop culture provides me insurmountable joy. A café--featuring scents of freshly roasted coffee beans and baked goods, a cozy atmosphere, and fresh, light lunch fare--is my favorite place to grab a meal or hot drink, prepare for a test, celebrate the end of a long hike, or catch up with friends.
Distraught and companionless, I ventured through the somber woods,
the crunching of sticks beneath my feet; a simple sign of life.
Image provided by Digit Binge
Halloween, the night of October 31st and the eve of All Saints' Day, is commonly celebrated by millions around the world. When thinking of Halloween, words such as mummies, ghosts, and sweets come to mind. However, Halloween is more than just tricks and treats, Halloween is a day of fear, frights, and furor. There are many ways to spend your day of horrors; however, there is a certain way to “Experience Halloween like never before.”
Image provided by Digit Binge
This summer I watched the series “Monk” on Prime Video. Monk is a 2002 series about a defective detective who goes by the name of Adrian Monk. Adrian is the best detective in San Francisco who is diagnosed with OCD and multiple phobias- 312 to be exact.
Honor. Service. Dedication. Bravery.
These are all words used to describe the work of America’s veterans. The word of those who have served for the country does not go unappreciated. The United States is a unique country in the way that all US citizens come together to share in their love for their country. The patriotism that is evident in America is like no other, and through that patriotism, citizens rally behind the men and women who served to ensure that the freedom they know today remains intact for the future.
On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous is a story of craters -- of the distant, gaping holes in time that memories churn in. It is the story of a mother and a son and of all of the generations that came before, of a single distilled portrait: the sun slipping over the horizon, time fading into years. Vuong begins his novel with the sentence, “Let me begin again,” because beginnings are fraught and messy, and where is there to start when there is so much to say?
Can you imagine being without our abundant access to clean water and power in the midst of a pernicious storm? Ever since the middle of September, a cyclone of damage has been fabricated by a hurricane ravaging the Caribbean and surrounding areas.
At the end of a memorable 2021 cross country season, the Slinger Girls Cross Country team said farewell to four beloved senior runners, all of whom helped make the season special. While, by this time, the team knew who the next group of senior leaders would be, another question remained: “Where would they get the new underclassmen?”
What is homecoming? Homecoming is a celebration that happens at the beginning of the school year. It usually occurs at the end of September. It’s a tradition that brings the community together. Homecoming includes a lot of enjoyable activities, including themes, the powderpuff game, homecoming game, a dance, and spirit week. This year, the theme is “Lets go to the beach!”
Annually, for a few blissful months,
Autumn returns to visit once more.
My feelings for Autumn have cemented in my heart with a flutter,
For I admit, I long for every detail about her.
2018 Slinger High School Snowball Court.
Winter, the coldest, darkest, and harshest time of the year. The season of dry skin, short days, icy car windows, 3 feet of snow to wake up to in the morning, etc. You’d be crazy to love anything about the season (aside from the natural beauty that lasts about a week). What we need is something to bring light to our dark, unwanted snow season. What we need is strictly this: a winter, school-wide, formal dance. The Snowball dance, formally known as the Sadie Hawkins dance, was introduced on November 15, 1937. It originated in North America within the countries of the United States and Canada. Slinger was also quite familiar with this dance up until 2018, when they suddenly removed the idea of it for a reason I am unknown of. Our high school should bring back the annual winter dance because it not only encourages more class-wide, school involvement, but gives students an event to look forward to as well.
Some of the new Slinger School District teachers. Photo provided by the Slinger School District Website.
As you wander around the school these first few weeks, you may notice some unfamiliar faces. With the new school year comes new additions to the Slinger High School faculty. This school year there is a wide range of new teachers to the building. In total, there are 9 new teachers this year. The teachers come from all parts of the building and teach a variety of subjects from foreign language to business education. Although it is sad to part with the teachers students know and love, it is time we welcome the new staff.
Photo provided by www.thepointng.com.
On September 8th, the death of Queen Elizabeth II took the world by storm. She is survived by King Charles III, Prince Andrew, Prince Edward, and Princess Anne, with the heir to the throne being Prince William. Queen Elizabeth II first rose to the throne on February 6th, 1952, at the youthful age of 25, being formally crowned on June 2nd of 1953 in the following year. Throughout her lifetime, Queen Elizabeth reigned over 32 sovereign states and only 15 by the time of her death. Queen Elizabeth is also the second longest reigning monarch in British history, surpassing the age of Queen Victoria, who was her great-great-grandmother. The French King Louis XIV, who took over the throne at the age of 4 and served more than 72 years, remains the longest ruling monarch in history.Ultimately, Queen Elizabeth will be greatly remembered for her grace, humor, and charm.
Hope is a midnight songbird,
making itself known
Have you ever been told that you should get off your phone more often and participate in some family time? Well the answer is a game night! In this list are 12 of the best games to play with kids to adults and for families of 3-6 people! These aren't your normal Life or Monopoly. This list will introduce you to a new realm of gaming, that you and your family will all enjoy, while still being simple and easy to learn for all age groups!
Tensions are rising across the country due to the unexpected release of a supreme court draft. On the evening of May 2, 2022, Politico, a political journalism company that brings information on politics and policy into the public eye, released an article containing the 98 page draft, written by Supreme Court Justice Alito, explaining the courts opinion to change the right of determining abortion laws to a state right rather than a federal protection. The leak of this information is putting stress on people of both sides of the political spectrum throughout the United States. Many wonder what this decision will mean for the future of abortion laws in America.
The College Board is a dreaded, dirty word shared among high schoolers. As an organization that develops and administers standardized tests in order to test individual college readiness for students, it's no surprise that the College Board is almost as popular with the students as the standardized and Advanced Placement tests it creates. But as students prepared for AP testing this year, and AP season dawned once again this May, it's important to look at some of the past and more serious misgivings of this organization.
When I heard that my next track meet would be at UW-Madison, I fantasized about a beautiful facility with ample light and an admiring audience. After all, I’d embarked on a tour of the campus only a week before, and my tour guide had pointed us to the Nicholas Recreation Center, a building that accommodates not only an indoor track, but also two olympic swimming pools. While I had not expected the same level of grandeur for a high school track meet, I hoped The Shell was the training facility equivalent of the Nic’s older, slightly less cool cousin. My track coaches further bolstered my high hopes when they promised a “well-run meet” as the Madison West Relays meet is an annual tradition of more than 80 years.
They say you, the pen, are mightier than the sharpest sword.
That is to say you bring calm and peace, never destruction nor war.
I prefer you, still, as a translator, speaking through my hand.
“I prefer to type:” an expression of fear, not efficiency.
We dread the style in which our own clumsy hand puts pen to paper.
But backspace is no match for the inked beauty of a scribble.
Writing about writing: cyclic and counterproductive
or praising the finest art in its precious native tongue?
Pen to paper is never wasted, for every stroke celebrates.
You are more than an accomplice in the classroom cacophony
of incessant chair screeches, pencil taps, and keyboard clacks.
Your click marks a surging idea breaking the surface.
You say you hate to write, but have you ever tried to feel
the graceful cycle of brain to page, thoughts tripping over words,
racing out before the edges smooth in wondrous revision.
It was a beautiful day. The sun was shining, and the birds were chirping; everything was perfect. I was aboard Flying Scotsman, to which Molly was coupled behind. In Molly’s cab was Maisie. Trailing Molly was an extensive line of extremely expensive royal coaches. Gordon was alongside us with his express coaches and the one and only Flash Gordon. The Hogwarts Express kept pace behind us with its coaches, along with Ron and Hermione in the seventh car. Proceeding the Hogwarts Express came the Polar Express and its passenger cars. Spencer trundled along behind Gordon with the Duke and Duchess of Boxford in their royal coach behind Gordon. To our other side were Hiro and Sam, who were coupled up to an extraordinarily long freight train, which included boxcars, flatbeds, tankers, gondolas, and coal cars, both open and closed; Henry was the back engine.
The Slinger Forensics Team, a dedicated team of students in all grade levels, is gearing up for some major things in the coming months. Competitors work in creating performances in many different categories, becoming skilled public speakers in the process. Students perform poetry, give radio-styled reports, speak in an impromptu fashion, and create interpretations of literature with their friends. I personally compete in Duo Interpretation with my partner, Sophia Gray. This past year, we were national qualifiers, and it has been a formative experience for us throughout high school.
Photo provided by letgrow.org
I will always be first to testify toward the timeless and truly undeniable power of literature throughout the history of human existence. Pieces of religious text such as the Bible and Quran are the more obvious traces of this, but we see this in a much more niche sense as well. One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich is a piece of Russian fiction, but written by Solzhenitsyn who had first-hand experience in the Gulag system. It was revolutionary in that it was able to depict the horrors of incarceration in the camps, the people, and the situations under Stalinist Russia that was not previously allowed to be published. The new theories of nature and society that stewed in Karl Marx’s mind were finally put to paper in 1848 when The Communist Manifesto was published, a tiny pamphlet that sparked revolutionary revolts and calls to change around France and the rest of Europe, and soon, the world. And in William Lloyd Garrisons' publication, The Liberator, Garrison condemned the slave South and helped unite the North and its abolitionists in a call to an end to slavery in the United States, contributing to the rise of the Civil War. There is absolutely no end to what literature written from one’s inner truth can inspire, and that is exactly what scares the individuals contributing to the increasing efforts of banning books today.
Photo provided by the Los Angeles Times
I first learned of the countries of Russia and Ukraine and their tumultuously tangled history sitting in my AP World History class just a few months ago. I learned of the immense losses that are experienced by the Russian people, spanning the entirety of that country’s history, at the hands of their careless and egocentric leaders—a trait that seems to run in the very veins of the Russian government. But as the recent events of this Russian and Ukrainian friction continue to develop today, and as Russia continues to infiltrate and target major Ukrainian cities, I have learned that there is much more to understand about this incredibly relevant and truly terrifying moment in history.
Photo provided by UCLA Newsroom
A new strain of COVID-19 has been traced across the United States, and scientists have been seeing far more rapid spreads this past few months as a result. Schools across our nation have been forced into lockdown because of teacher shortages and convention after convention has been canceled. Staying on top of new information as this new Variant, Variant B.1.1.529, is more important than ever when it comes to risk management and understanding what state the pandemic is in right now.
The Slinger High School Lady Owls basketball team has consistently been one of the most successful teams in our school. This year's varsity basketball team is led by head coach Tony Dobson. The players on the team this year include freshmen Sarah Rothenhoefer and Taylor Longdin, sophomore Ava Farenholz, juniors Ellie Zagel, Emily Cleary, Jamie Rhodes, Mallory Hoitink, and Gwen Groeschel, and seniors Sam Gueller, Ava Feilbach, Kacey Ott, Paige Schmallenberg, and Callie Ziebell.
“The Conjuring” is a 2013 horror movie directed by James Wan, written by Chad Hayes and Carey W. Hayes. The movie itself is so blood-chilling that it seems purely fictional, however this story was inspired based on one of Ed and Lorraine Warren’s worst ghost hunting cases of their career. Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga took the roles of the paranormal investigators in this film.
After COVID and a snowstorm called for the cancellation of the last two in-person District 5 Career Development Conferences, Slinger DECA members and advisors relished the opportunity to join District 5 in getting back in action on Saturday, January 8th at Kettle Moraine High School in Wales. Although the district didn’t hire a hypnotist this year, seventeen local chapters created their own competition fun during their first opportunity in nearly two years to interact with a judge face-to-face.
On November 6, 2021, Congress passed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal, also known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Throughout the past years, the US infrastructure has been noticeably weak. Many past Presidents have stated that they would work to rebuild the US infrastructure, but never executed any plans or policies to do so. That is until now.
The name Kyle Rittenhouse brings dozens of emotions to the forefront—how could it not? The framework of the story-a 17-year-old fatally shooting two men and wounding another during a Black Lives Matter demonstration in Kenosha, Wisconsin and acquitted in court on self defense-was bound to find traction from the very beginning. There are plenty of details in between each fact in this case and thousands of conversations to be had, but for now, when I hear the name Kyle Rittenhouse, I can’t help but think, “How did we let this happen?”
While your Christmas gifts may be on backorder, DECA the Halls is right on time. This week, Slinger DECA members decked the business wing with boughs of package tracking and store logos in order to commemorate the most chaotic time of the year: Christmas shopping.
The culture shock that waved throughout our country upon the election of Joseph R. Biden in contrast to the former president was no secret to any citizen. Policy change was enacted almost immediately and the United States changed direction. Democratic ideas that had no chance previously were now works in progress. For many, there was a new sense of hope. But beyond politics, for the future of our earth, a president who was willing to acknowledge and take issue in regards to climate change had taken the stage. Biden’s Climate Plan is new, promising territory.
SkillsUSA is a nation-wide organization that prepares and trains the current youth of America to ensure a skilled workforce for the future. This area of workforce is concentrated in specifically Engineering-related careers, such as marine engineering or architecture.
Between the increasing pressure to perform well in school, the number of tests piling up in every class with holiday breaks on the horizon, and the fact that the teenage body doesn’t truly slow down until between 10:00 and 11:00PM, it’s no surprise that teens and caffeine are practically synonymous in our school and society. While a teengager requires about 9 hours and 15 minutes of sleep every night, most teens regularly receive about 2 hours less than that (Nationwide Children’s Hospital). Thus, caffeinated beverages, tablets, and chewing gum flood the shelves of American grocery and convenience stores, and coffee shops are a prime place to meet a friend or have a weekend work day. With all the buzz around caffeine, our culture has become largely dependent on it, so much so that energy drinks have made their way into our schools.
I convinced my parents to allow me to create my first Instagram account when I was 12, joining a rather large group of 6th grade peers as we crossed the bridge to the world of the Internet and social media. Unbeknownst to me, I would soon enough find myself in internal battles with my own self-image and personal confidence, fueled by Instagram and social media—an experience that I know many can relate to. It is absolutely no surprise to anyone that social media can have drastic and detrimental effects on teenage mental health—many have sung this tune for a number of years. What has brought this issue once again to the forefront of current events is the recent unveiling of research conducted under the company of Facebook that has found that Instagram harms the well-being of teenage girls—and Facebook’s defense since has been to downplay and diminish its own findings.
From before its birth, America has been a land of upward progress. In 1775, two lanterns lit atop Boston’s Old North Church tower sent Paul Revere on his ride. When Chicago, a grand American city, grew short of space a century later, we looked upward, erecting the Home Insurance Building, America’s first skyscraper, in 1885. Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin literally shot for the moon in 1969, skyrocketing the significance of “upward” beyond our country and our earthly atmosphere. Americans have never shied away from up, reminding ourselves that we can be stronger, braver, more successful if we don’t look down. However, after a challenging year and a half, we must return to ground level, even beneath the surface, for nothing can grow to fruition if its roots don’t settle deep into the earth. America, from here, we dig for food, for connections, and for a return to normalcy.
Growing up I was taught in folk songs, videos, and history that America was an amazing land, the best country to live in. I’m older now, and more aware of our country’s real state. Every day you hear about a new shooting, jumping, or kidnapping. Nowhere feels safe anymore, not even school or my own home.
Image provide by wreathsacrossamerica.org
Veterans Day is a cardinal day in the United States to honor those who have served, and especially those who died serving in the United States military. This federal holiday is observed on November 11th. Several activities are done in tribute to our veterans on this day. The U.S. flag is lowered to half mast. Many participate in parades or services through schools and churches. Some spend time with veterans in their life.
“Cruella Devil, if she doesn’t scare you, no evil thing will,” Many people know of the classic Disney villian that these words refer to. Cruella Devil is one of the most iconic Disney villains. Her whole story revolves around the idea that she wants to steal dalmatian puppies to make them into a coat. A truly terrifying concept for young children. The original 1960s cartoon, 101 dalmatians, paints Cruella to be a crazy and truly evil old woman. However, all evil has its roots. How did Cruella come to be the villain she became?
There is no doubt that everyone is familiar with the idea of Halloween. The carving of pumpkins and trick-or-treating is definitely something to remember. However there is more to Halloween than just candies and costumes.
This October, the Slinger High Choir program put on their first concert of the year, with a theme of Sounds of Home. The choirs were so grateful to have a real live audience without restrictions after last year's live streamed performances.
It is no secret that when combined with true crime and current events, social media can be incredibly impactful. The internet is fascinated with true crime, and it often leads to a whirlwind of theories, posts, and interactions online. Yet when a 22-year-old blogger named Gabbie Petito vanished into the woods of Wyoming one month ago, absolutely no one could have predicted what would sweep through the internet.
Taylor Swift has been called the artist of the generation, and one of the greatest songwriters of all time. Yet she does not own the songs that earned her that acclaim? Her confrontation of this music industry norm has caused quite the stir and has led to the dawning of what is called, ‘Taylor’s Version.’
I’m not superstitious.
I don’t squirm at the sight
of black cats
or broken mirrors.
Image provided by Netflix
For all those who are wondering, DECA is an acronym that stands for Distributive Education Clubs of America, but that definition likely leaves people more confused than the made-up sounding organization name itself. After all, few people today refer to marketing programs and professional development as distributive education. While the organization’s name is a bit dated, three upcoming events in October alone prove that Slinger High School’s DECA chapter is anything but behind the times.
Homecoming is an age-old tradition of football and dance. Representing a timeless memorial to the past; beginning in the year 1914, the first homecoming game in Wisconsin was against our very own Badgers.
It's homecoming week, time to start dressing up and celebrating all the homecoming festivities upon us! A survey was sent out to the Slinger High School students about homecoming and here were their responses!
Image provided by msnbc.com.
A topic of political and medical debate, abortion regulation, faced a major development on September 1st when Texas put into place the most restrictive abortion laws in our nation. These restrictions keep women from their choice to abort after 6 weeks of pregnancy, when many women may not even know they are pregnant. Texas’s restrictions not only go against Constitution and precedent, but stop safe abortions and are far less “pro-life” and American than supporters of the bill claim to be.
It’s the beginning of the 2021-2022 school year, and you know what that means. Fall sports! The Slinger High School girls golf team has been hard at work since the beginning of August.
Image provided by the New York Times.
Some people say history doesn’t repeat itself, however natural disaster history in Mexico proves these people wrong. On September 7, 2017, a fatal earthquake struck the southern coast of Mexico. The impact hit the high magnitude of 8.1, the highest the country had seen in years, with many aftershocks following behind. Hundreds of buildings and businesses were left in piles of rubble on the ground, along with 98 casualties and hundreds of injuries in total.
Image provided by Reuters.
Over the last decade the Taliban has succeeded in their slow expansion of territory in Afghanistan. With each new piece of land conquered, the future of Afghan women and their place in society shook. On August 27th of this year the Taliban gained full control over Afghanistan, just two weeks before the U.S. was set to withdraw its troops. After a two-decade war, many watched in horror as Afghans fled, mainly to Kabul Airport, where pure chaos unfolded. For Afghan civilians, the Taliban is the worst possible nightmare一and for Afghan women, many fear the worst for the future.
“Seriously, Abby? We were just over there!” my teammate groaned as I proposed yet another trip to the restroom enclosure.
“Sorry! I’m nervous!” I replied.” I’d experienced nerves before plenty of previous athletic competitions, but, for once, it wasn’t for a 30-second 200 meter dash that I could forget about as soon as I crossed the finish line or a 3-set volleyball match where time and teammates could help me shake off my mistakes. Instead, I found myself a mere hour away from my first long-lasting individual test - in distance running, of all things.
Have you ever wondered about the water that runs in the rivers? Where does it go? How do we as people affect it?
It turns out you're not the only ones! Two Slinger High school seniors, Jamie Blando and Austin Junk, have taken it upon themselves to study rivers in Saukville, Thiensville, and Milwaukee. They’ve done this as an independent study with Slinger High School Biology teacher, Mr. Graff. Every two weeks since March they would visit different locations along the Milwaukee River and test the water for nitrates, phosphates, and macroinvertebrates. They even take the temperature of the water and air, and record the time of day.
The year 2021 certainly put traditions to the test, as we, as a school and a society, tried to cling to familiar formal dances and family holidays while also modifying and modernizing the status quo to fit the constraints of COVID-19. The same is true for this year’s Slinger High School graduation ceremony, which - in addition to being live streamed for viewing by an audience at home or in the SHS Performing Arts Center - will take place in the field house, honoring time and tradition.
Memorial Day is an American holiday, celebrated on the last Monday of May, honoring the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. In order to celebrate this holiday, many schools, restaurants, and offices take off to pay respect to the ones who fought for our country. This past Memorial Day weekend, a major outbreak broke out all over social media regarding Vice President Kamala Harris’ post for the holiday.
As you may have noticed while driving with your parents, your friends, or maybe even yourself, everytime you pass the gas station, complaints fill the car due to the frustration of the spiking gas prices. In the year 2020, the gas prices reached an all time low, more specifically the lowest annual average since 2016, of $0.44 per gallon. Now, in the year 2021, the gas prices have risen tremendously to about $2.85-$3.50 per gallon! This huge jump and range of the prices have only made the debated issue worse.
I, Cole Weber, will Isaiah Terrell the unspoken power of Trumpet-hood. Isaiah, you have been chosen as my successor in our trumpet section. This is a power that was passed down from unknown origins to Piper Bailey, then passed to Jonathan Loff, and then passed down to me.
You know that you don’t like cats, but now you want to buy one. Maybe you just had a change of heart towards our feline friends, or something more sinister is at work.
Picture this, the clock is too loud. Tick--tock--tick--tock . The girl’s leg bounces. Tap--tap--tap. When the bell starts to scream down the hallway, signaling the end of school, she stands. Covered in cat hair the girl runs to the bus, eager to get home, to hug her CAT. Disgusted, her parents let her keep the stray--an early birthday gift. They didn’t understand, they couldn’t, they were dog people.
When I mentioned competing in the DECA International Career Development Conference this year, my friends and family quickly replied “Cool! Where’d you go?”. I made sure to add a pause for dramatic effect after “Anaheim, California...” to make sure they were just as surprised as I was when I finally finished with “... From my high school conference room, of course!”
In these most recent months we have seen violence against the Asian American community skyrocket in frequency. These unprovoked and inexcusable acts of violence are completely baseless, brought on solely by an illusion of blame and an excuse to discriminate. Yet these senseless attacks and killings have not just recently come about--in fact, violence against the Asian American community has been a slow but sure process, etching deep marks in modern American history.
Entertain me, dirt dweller,
Artist of sidewalk smudges.
Regenerate your tail, oh ageless annelida.
As we all know, sleep is really important. Not just for school; but for our everyday lives. More than 73% of middle and high school students suffer from inadequate sleep and sleep deprivation. The loss of sleep is really common for kids, some love the thought of staying up late and chatting with friends. Some have to work or stay up late doing school homework, either way this can greatly affect your attitude towards school and, ect. This results in falling asleep in class and grades starting to slip. Parents are starting to get more and more worried about this topic.
Americans should expect that America will start to exempt the restrictions created by COVID-19. President Biden said that the government should act as swiftly and aggressively as it can to get as many vaccines out as possible. This is one major way that the government can help the people and the country be free of the virus and allow the people to be able to return to their normal lives.
During 2020’s solitary summer,
extended family extends a welcome.
Paddle boards provide safe serenity;
"Cynics don't hope - they see what's real.” That’s what Flora, a 10 year old comic devotee turned doubter tells herself as she attempts to accept the fact that no superhero is swooping in to hold her life together with super strength. With her father left physically and emotionally distant by his failed comic career and her mother, a romance novelist, unable to rekindle her own relationship, let alone write one into existence, Flora turns cynical, believing people can’t hurt her if she doesn’t trust them to begin with. However, when her neighbor’s robotic vacuum gives extraordinary powers to an unassuming backyard squirrel, Flora finds herself embraced by a much-needed adventure right in her backyard. With Ulysses the super squirrel by her side and the curious, temporarily blind boy next door running into walls closely behind, Flora begins to realize that heroes don’t only exist in stories.
On December 30th, 2020, a 19-year-old Asian teenager named Christian Hall was standing near a bridge with his hands aimed toward the sky when the police decided to shoot. He was described as under extreme duress and frantic, and the Pennsylvania State Police were called to assistance. They claim that Hall was cooperative with them at first, but then became agitated and approached the Troopers with his gun in hand. Video footage of this incident was made public, and commenters noted that nowhere did it show Hall walking toward the police--instead, it depicted a man standing with his hands in the air, absolutely entangled in a mental health crisis. The police-the ones that are meant to protect-decided that it was best to shoot. Hall was met with gunfire from police, and in an instant, this man’s mental health crisis became his death sentence.
You may have recently seen videos of our new President, Joe Biden, tripping on stairs up to a plane a total of three times - a priceless moment that made media coverage at a vast amount. This minor trip became a joke on many different platforms and was one of the biggest stories of his presidency that week. The mediatization of the presidency is no new trend. However after the year of 2020, news seems to be at a standstill to those who aren’t heavily in tune with the inner workings of the government, with less drama in the mix for people to consume. This small hiccup served as something to potentially pick at the age of the current president, but it also feeds into the American need for politics to be dramaticized, and is as much of a consumer based business than ever was previous, thanks to the effect of reality star, Donald Trump. Henceforth we must analyze our news media consumption, and specifically: why such an event received coverage.
Many people enjoy indulging in the activity of watching professional sports. Countless people turn on the television to watch different leagues such as the MLB, NBA, NFL, WNBA, and more. There are numerous different sports and players. You can watch just about anything from golf to football, and women to men. However, in recent years an issue has occurred. Many people debate whether or not transgender people should be able to compete in professional sports, and if they are able to, what team should they be placed on?
Despite the ever-complicated COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020-2021 Slinger/Hartford Ski Team’s season started off almost like any other. The boys’ varsity team started off strong, taking 1st place at their first meet of the season in early January. The varsity girls, JV boys, and JV girls claimed success with a 2nd-place victory. As the season progressed, all four teams continued to raise the bar for themselves, their teammates, and their competition both at home and away, earning a spectacular top-three place, often first or second, in nearly every meet. Many talented Slinger racers achieved impressive feats for themselves and their team as they repeatedly claimed a position atop the podium.
“No, no. Please, not that. Not her.”
I had just gotten an extremely unnerving call, in which someone had just threatened to kill Maisie. The recording specifically said, “You have 48 hours, or she dies.” I had to find this murderer; They must be put to justice. Maisie had been missing for at least 36 hours, now, I fretted as I paced anxiously around the room, attempting to identify any possibility of who had taken her, or to where they had been taken. I had to find her. I had to bring her home, safe and sound. I wouldn’t let her die now; not with everything that we had been through.
they buried her in the concrete and slapped
a grave between two chevys. city
girl made of brick made of mold made
of shattered bottles and cracked floors.
they buried her in the concrete because
she wanted to feel the cars thunder above
her. she wanted to feel them roar. and roll. and
Inhaling a measured breath, I walk with a good pace but not an energetic one. The street is full of gathering people: some groups small, others large, each one centered around a tabloid, the man’s death having caused a larger stir than wanted. So unconsolable is the audience that the authorities prowl the edges, the whispers of a mob on the tips of their mustaches. It is with a variety of confidences that they pull out their batons.
As I watched the horrific events unfold at the Capitol on my television screen on January 6th, all I could think of was this: we should have seen it coming. I realized that astonishment should not have been my primary emotion--but instead disappointment, as I watched what had been brewing and building for months finally bubble over.
Buzzing personalities, masked like our faces,
the once-rambunctious roomful now mimics a somber hive,
subdued by tranquil clouds of beekeeper smoke.
I Was The Spy: A look into Slinger’s JSA Club
Politics--the art of finding nuances in words that don’t exist.
Arguing--saying something that you do or don’t mean.
JSA meets all of these in a way that balances the scales more towards proactive than reactive. When I was given the mission, it was simply stated as the infiltration of a school club.
By: Abby Walter, Staff Writer
Posted: January 20, 2021
In the weeks before Christmas break, Slinger High School celebrated a successful “Decade of DECA the Halls” by adorning the business hallway with themed decor from ten holiday seasons past. Frosty the Snowman, Buddy the Elf, and Mr. Grinch himself joined forces to ring out the new DECA decade and usher in the new, and while these holiday favorites all served as sure crowd pleasers, a different decoration certainly caught attention this year. After all, nothing summarizes 2020 better than a giant foam cutout of the National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation quote, “Merry Christmas! Toilet was full.” Having finally flushed the 2020 toilet, SHS DECA is prepared for a fresh start with a new year on the calendar and a new decade of DECA (plus a clean storage room for the first time in a decade).
A strange frost has descended across Wisconsin. What is Rime Ice?
By: Ella Foster, Staff Writer
Posted: January 20th, 2021
Rime ice is a rare occurrence when water vapor freezes quickly, and we’re left with a crystal type structure. Rime Ice can form on almost any surface: tree branches, cars, houses, mailboxes, etc. Rime ice can only be formed, as well as stay, in certain temperatures in the range from -4 to 5 degrees fahrenheit.
The Climate Crisis and Green New Deal (Opinion)
By: Kalynn Willis, Staff Writer
Posted: January 20th, 2021
America’s two-party system deserves credit for its success in achieving its systemic purpose in this country and the current political climate: dividing our nation in a manner in which we have not seen in many decades. It is now more difficult than ever to find common ground with our own politicians, neighbors, and family members. And while natural discourse among society is beneficial and necessary for change, it also does an incredible job of overshadowing chief issues that need to be addressed. The climate crisis is a battle that we have been engaged in for nearly a century, and have been losing for just as long.
A nation plagued with a deadly pandemic of unprecedented impact since mid-March has recently received news of a vaccine that may just put our country back on track. So far two vaccines have been approved by the FDA; Pfizer and Moderna. However, Pfizer’s vaccine rolled out faster and is the one seen most often in current media. Understanding how this vaccine works to fight the virus and how it will be distributed to a nation in such distress is without a doubt necessary and on the forefront of many of our minds.
In the year of 1789, the young nation of the United States initiated the first presidential election of our country. Ever since this initial election, the US has continued the tradition of having the citizens of the United States take place in a presidential election every four years. A democratic election is a large part of the country’s history and future. Because this event is so essential to the making of America, the actual intent behind an election must not be forgotten. The definition of an election is a group process of formal decision making where the population elects one or more individuals to hold a position in public office. The United States wanted to have an equal government in which everyone had a say. In each election, there is typically a race between a Republican candidate and a Democratic candidate. The citizens then vote on the candidate they believe will run our country in the best way. The election was made with the intent to give the country a say in who should take care of America.
2020 was a year that posed many challenges for the public's life. Covid-19, also known as the coronavirus pandemic made an intense effect on the world. Due to the intensity of the virus, a stay at home order was passed throughout the United States to help keep people safe. The safer at home order has kept many people from seeing their loved ones and taking part in their usual holiday traditions. Even though quarantine has caused many holiday traditions and activities from occurring this year, many new traditions have come out of these times. The negativity of this pandemic has been hard, however there are many positive outcomes that have arised in this holiday season.
It was Christmas time and just like any other year the animals were ready to work. Every year the farmer, Kevin, would throw a huge party for him, his friends and his family. The kids could play with the animals and play games while the adults talked about what Christmas was like when they were kids. This year was different, however, the farmer's mom had sadly passed away and the farmer was too tired and sad to throw a party, so it was up to the animals.
Beginning on the night of November 3rd and progressing through many days, America bore witness to one of the greatest shows of democracy: a presidential election. Those of the legal voting age were given the opportunity to participate in a decision that would later prove to change the course of this country, as both Joe Biden and Kamala Harris secured their seats as the new president and vice president of the United States. Though neither strangers to controversy, it is Harris that is often tied to contention. But it is my belief that, despite her questionable past, Kamala Harris will prove to be a woman of her word that will be able to use her influence and passion for politics in a true, honest, and positive way.
The sound of victory hangs heavy in the air, casting out the dreariness brought on by the oppressive clouds-- the turkey’s lifeless bodies flutter to the ground as two twin gunshots ring out across the tree-line.
It was a warm summer night. All of the engines were fast asleep. Maisie and I were snuggled up in our bed together. But then, I heard a very strange sound. Being cautious, I grabbed my lightsaber, a flashlight, Backbiter, and Anaklusmos, or Riptide. I began my search to find out what or who made that noise.
“Long ago, the world was full of wonder. It was adventurous, it was exciting, and, most of all, there was magic.” Much like our present pandemic society, the suburban fantasy world in which Onward is set lacks its previous luster. However, in a year filled with uncertainty, Disney Pixar made one thing abundantly clear: adventure is always out there, even in the most unlikely circumstances.
Dust coated everything: the floor, the bed, the walls. A dying ember, a fiery hellish color, lay in the old wood stove. The window was slightly cracked, allowing the nearly translucent curtains to flutter ever so slightly. Ugly floral wallpaper was curling at the edges from the build up of mildew, and moisture. Amanda’s photo from summer vacation hung crooked on the wall. She reached out, ever so slightly, to daintily brush the dust off the photo. For Christmas that year she had gotten a guitar that she had never learned to play. Hours on end Amanda had sat in her room trying to twist and tighten the strings, but it only ever made sour sounds. So after a week Amanda had left it strewn against her rocking chair.
Every year, more than one billion people worldwide celebrate Diwali -- the Hindu festival of lights. Usually, Diwali is celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains, and it has recently garnered mainstream attention in the media, reflecting on an international level. But more importantly, Diwali is commemorated as a joyful celebration of new beginnings, observing the victory of “light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil.”
It was a beautiful day. Everything was shaping up perfectly. The sun was shining, the birds were chirping; everything was perfect.
On the 27th of October, 2020, the citizens of the United States bore witness to the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barret, and with it the 6-3 conservative majority of the highest court in the United States. Barrett is an American lawyer and jurist, who was nominated by President Donald Trump to serve as an associate justice of the Supreme Court. She has taken the seat of the recently deceased Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a feminist icon and pioneer for women’s rights in the 1970’s up until her death on September 18, 2020. With climate change quickly becoming a looming threat, the recent struggle for reproductive and voting rights for women still fresh in our minds, and the recent opposition to the Affordable Care Act, many sit and wonder in fear if there is any possible outcome worse than this one.
Everyone has that one show that all they wanna do is keep watching, and keep watching until you eventually fall asleep. For me and some others that show was The Office. The show luckily got to be aired up to nine seasons, which is most of what other shows get. People have reported being so obsessed with the comedy that they can't stop watching the show.
All good things must come to an end, as must all good television. The Good Place, created by Michael Schur, is no exception. The popular NBC series-a lighthearted yet sincere portrayal of the human experience in all its disaster and glory-aired its finale at the beginning of the year. The memorable farewell season is a recent and welcome addition to Netflix, having premiered on the service on September 26.
Friday night the Owls travelled to West Bend to face the WBE Suns. They lost 31-0 in an offensive struggle, entering the red zone 5 times but coming up empty. This week the Owls will be facing the New Berlin West Vikings at home in round one of their playoff bracket.
Check out the winners of the Nite Crier Spooky Story Contest 2020 here!
Your generous donations help honor soldiers with wreaths just like this one.
Community is the foundation of the Village of Slinger, and it has been since the establishment of Schleisingerville in the mid-19th Century. While everything from the name to the population changed dramatically throughout the years, the tight-knit atmosphere of the Slinger community continues to stand the test of time. Over the past 150 years, the Slinger community has proven itself to be incredibly supportive. It’s only appropriate that we, as a Slinger community, take the opportunity of this upcoming Veterans Day to show our support for those who have given everything to support us.
The Owls faced off last Friday night against the Homestead Highlanders for their last home game of the season. The Owls won 20-14 with an impressive performance from their linemen. Senior Mike Stroessner recorded two sacks in the game including one to seal the victory in the final minute. The Owls travel to West Bend to face the Suns this week for the last game of the regular season.
Tiny green tendrils coil around the bamboo,
clinging gratefully to their supportive stake
The Owls faced off against the Whitefish Bay Blue Dukes last week in a close game. The Owls fell 10-0, but put on a show on the defensive side of the ball against the conference leaders. This Friday the Owls will be facing Hartford at home for the 10th annual Coaches vs Cancer game.
The year 2020 has encapsulated many terrible events and changes. One of the main tragedies of 2020 is the coronavirus epidemic. The coronavirus is a widespread, global epidemic. It is an extremely contagious virus that attacks hollow organs in your body. Because of the contagiousness of this virus, the CDC, centers for disease and control prevention, insisted that a widespread quarantine is the necessary step to keeping people safe and healthy. Now that the heat of COVID-19 has died down, schools were allowed to reopen under certain guidelines.
While telling the events in this article, I struggled so much. I struggled with this because I really wanted to know why the people in this horrific event did what they did. I wanted to know why a woman died on the floor and no one took action. And I wanted to know what the motive was for the murder of Breonna Taylor. Was it accidental? Was it racism? Was it just bad cops? Or was it a mix of all?
“Present,” answered 15 year old Aurora. It was her first year here at Daring Falls High School in a small town outside of Salt Lake City, Utah. Her mom moved here for a job opportunity at Ryerson Scientific Experimental Facility. She felt the eyes of her peers on her like daggers, but strangely not a single one said a thing to Aurora. She thought to herself “These people didn’t seem very accepting”. She missed her old school more than anything. Her old house. Her old friends. Her old yard. Her old life. All those amazing memories. She never wanted to leave, but she wanted her to be happy more than anything. Her mother is passionate about science and she doesn't want to hold her back.
Ms. Sebald is a student-teacher here at SHS this fall. She hails from Phoenix, AZ, and she graduated from the Arizona Lutheran Academy. She is currently finishing up her degree in Wide Range Choral Education (Able to teach k-12) out of WI-Lutheran College in Milwaukee, which she will hopefully attain in January 2021.
There are over 11 million undocumented immigrants living in the U.S -- 11 million people standing with their feet firmly rooted in American soil, their futures a fluorescent beam of opportunity blooming toward them. As Barack Obama once depicted, “These are young people who study in our schools, they play in our neighborhoods, they’re friends with our kids, they pledge allegiance to our flag. They are Americans in their heart, in their minds, in every single way but one: on paper.”
Last Friday your Slinger Owls travelled to West Bend High School to face the West Spartans. The Owls dominated with a final score of 49-6, lead by Junior Drew Fehrmann, Senior John Klabicheck, and Senior Derek Weist at quarterback. Senior Aydan Dautermann had 3 receiving touchdowns, while Sophomore Avery Kurth had one on the ground and one as a pick six. Junior Blake Durbin also had an impressive performance with two interceptions. This Friday the Owls will be at home to face the conference leaders, Whitefish Bay.
This past week on September 29th, the Democratic and Republican candidates for the 2020 presidential election battled it out in the first 2020 presidential debate.
My mother was quaking in her shoes, his words seeming to hold the power of God. Yet the doctor’s diagnosis echoed through my head...
The University of Minnesota Gophers played their first homecoming game against the Wisconsin Badgers in 1911, and the school debuted its first homecoming dance three years later. Clearly, a lot has changed over the past century, seeing as ducks and cowboys no longer provide entertainment. Even so, traditions such as themed dances, parades, and homecoming royalty have stood the test of time.
Friday night was the Owl's season and home opener, doubling as senior night and homecoming. The Owls faced the Cedarburg Bulldogs and fell 49-13. The Owls were led by Junior Drew Fehrmann at QB. Sophomore Avery Kurth had a good night at running back in his first ever varsity game. Aydan Dautermann had the first score for the owls in the second quarter.
This year has been quite a year. The COVID-19 virus has taken a lot of things away, and unfortunately we won't get a homecoming dance this year, but we did still get the football game as well as spirit week.
Chocolate is something we’re all accustomed to. Chocolate bars, chocolate cake, chocolate ice cream -- the flavor is globally acclaimed, though the origins of it are less noted. Cocoa trees are at the base of the process that creates this well-known candy, and the yellow-green pods that dangle from their branches envelop beans called cocoa beans.
This past tuesday, the Slinger High School varsity golf team concluded their North Shore conference season. The team finished in 3rd place overall for their 2020 season. Senior captain, Samantha Pendowski, along with sophomore Emma Raimer were leading contributors to the team's success.