Nite Crier's 2022-2023 NEWSPA Award Winning Articles
By: Abby Walter, Staff Writer
Posted: May 16th, 2022
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.
By: Mariah Kiefer, Staff Writer
Posted: May 20th, 2022
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.
By: Kaitlyn Dunn, Staff Writer
Posted: September, 20th, 2022
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.
By: Addie Rahmlow, Staff Writer
Posted: October 11th, 2022
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?
By: Mariah Kiefer, Staff Writer
Published: October 17th, 2022
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.
By: Abby Walter, Staff Writer
Posted: October 27th, 2022
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.
By: Mariah Kiefer, Staff Writer
Posted: December 1st, 2022
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.
By: Mariah Kiefer, Staff Writer
Posted: January 10th, 2023
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.
By: Mia Beck, Staff Writer
Posted: February 15th, 2023
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.