Decision Time - Andy Childs

As acceptance letters begin to roll in, the decisions of the seniors continue to get harder. Many think the struggle is deciding where to apply, while in reality it is just as hard to do things like choose a roommate, housing, and meal plan. Fortunately I have already chosen to be a roommate with Marco Carini, a gentleman and a scholar. As we are finalizing our housing location, we have argued over the best places to stay in Madison. After a visit to the city, we have both decided that Lakeshore is where we belong. I’ve been told that this next semester is going to be the slowest one of High School, I certainly hope not.

As it continues to get colder out, it begins time for my tennis partner Collin Brault and me to move inside and start practicing for next season. In past years, we have played at 7 in the morning on Saturdays, so hopefully we can start that practicing up soon. Because this is our senior year and our last season playing together, we are going to work as hard as possible to be prepared for the season. Also, hopefully as our team continues to shrink we can recruit some new freshmen this year to pick up some of the slack. It’s a great sport and a more fun time with the team, so make sure to come out this spring.

Also, with winter break coming up, all of my teachers have for some reason decided to cram as many test in as they possibly can. While I understand that it’s nice to start a new unit as soon as we come back from break, studying for hours on end is not exactly what we want to be doing right before a two-week break. I understand the purpose… I just don’t need to be happy about it. I’m sure that Mr. Wick would have some witty retort for me right now.

In other news, my 6^th hour, Mrs. Danay’s A+ class, has just destroyed everyone else in the penny war, totaling over ninety dollars worth of pennies.  To all other classes, it was a valiant effort; we just love animals more I guess.  In reality, thanks to everyone that donated money it really is making a difference. Plus, it was a lot of fun to make penny angels and slow-mo videos in class with our fat stacks of cash.

In my AP literature class, Mrs. Parker is having us start the poetry unit. I’m having a “wonderful” time decoding the many messages of 17^th century literature. It’s a safe bet most of the time to assume the subject is beauty, religion, or nature. With Parker’s help, I think I’m finally getting the hang of it. We’re also doing something in my AP calculus class, but I never know what. I thought that was a foreign language class until half way through second quarter. Oh well.

Ozzy's Cafe -- Aaron Nytes

The Birdhouse is open! Last Monday,  y'all best believe our new Birdhouse, now known as Ozzy's Cafe, had its grand opening.  It shall now be open before school, during resource and after school. And who can you catch their two days a week? Yours truly. (Plus a shout out to my coworkers Annah and Katelynn, keep it real.) How does one get such a sweet job you ask?  All that it took to get the position at Ozzy's Cafe -- the school apparel and snack store -- was to volunteer. Normally there is an interview process, but OBVIOUSLY they took one look at me and knew I was an apt salesman, which I am.

Lately tons of people have complained, me included, about the lack of variety of sweets due to federal restrictions. But we, the Cafe Crew, have done a good job to bring some items into the cafe that maybe will make up for missing some of your favorites.  Some new items that seem to be popular are our yogurt parfaits and our new ice cream bars.  Stop by to visit the best writer on this website, or to purchase a smoothie or coffee. Either way, I'll see ya there!

One Quarter Down -- Aysiah Jaeke

            So far, freshman year has still been going great. I have made a lot on new friends in golf, musical, student council, and my classes. It is great to get to know someone better and being involved is one of the best ways to do that.

Although my homework is still taking up most of my time, I am now better at managing my priorities and making sure that school work always comes first. I was a cast member of the musical “The Wizard of Oz”, which was really fun because it is a classic, and I grew up watching the movie. Also, it was so cool to see the  little kids who came to the show because they were all so excited. The best thing about the musical was probably the people involved. Everyone in the cast was so welcoming, and I couldn't have asked for better people to be beside me on stage. I hope that the friends that I have made through the musical will last throughout high school. Being in the musical also came with lots of commitment. We rehearsed almost every night from the first rehearsal, to opening night. We actually had an 8 hour rehearsal one Saturday, which was long, but still fun.   

Student Council has also been going well, and I was recently elected as the Freshman Representative! Freshmen Rep in student council is the freshmen who is part of the executive board and helps to make sure that the freshmen are being included and agree with everything happening in council. So far as freshmen rep, I have lead a meeting with the freshmen in council to make sure that they agree with everything going on in council, and that they feel involved in everything that we do. I also get to sit in the front of the room during large meetings every Monday which is fun.  I am looking forward to the reindeer games for the teacher's kids because I am working the cupcake walk and the leadership seminar that we will be having. I am also looking forward to the winter trip! It sounds like a lot of fun.

I am so happy that I ran for the rep position and glad that I now can be even more involved than I already  am. My sister is also on the Executive Board, and I am excited to be joining her and the other amazing members.

One thing that I am very grateful for in high school is the reassessment policy. Every test I try my hardest, but sometimes I still don’t get the grade that I want. I can fix this now with reassessing. Although it takes a lot of work to relearn the material and fill out the reassessment form, it is worth it.

Freshmen year is going great, and I am very happy that I become involved with everything that I have.