The Signal - Issue 8 - 2008-2009

Opinion

FAHS needs to stand up for patriotism during pledge

Vol. 61

The

Sports

Senior Spread

Seniors recall past memo- New weight program helps ries before moving on all types of athletes

May 27, 2009

Signal

Issue 8

The Student Voice of Fort Atkinson High School

Yoder honored as 2009 Teacher of the Year Chosen for his dedication, perseverance, and genuine care for teaching students

by Ryan Smith Signal Editor-in-Chief Each year, The Signal staff is honored with the task of choosing and announcing the Teacher of the Year recipient. Chosen from a solid list of nominees, The Signal is pleased to recognize Social Studies Teacher Jaysen Yoder as the 2009 Teacher of the Year.

Yoder has served as an icon to excellence for students at FAHS, due to his unwavering optimistic attitude which consistently overcomes any notion of doubt or negativity that comes his way. “[Yoder] is truly a big teddy bear and has a heart of gold. There is his side with the students, and his side with us as a staff, and he is funny, funny, funny,” Government Teacher Tony Swantz said.

That optimism was clearly seen last year when he contracted Encephalitis in August, just before the school year began. The rare virus, which was thought to be only the common flu, inhibited Yoder from walking after a matter of only two days. However, it is not only the recovery that amazed the Signal Staff, but the fact that Yoder looked most forward to his return to the classroom to teach.

“He has always had a unique ability to make a topic that most would consider old news or boring, and turn it into something that all students can relate to in their present life. That skill, in practice, makes all of his classes enjoyable,” Senior Joe Mepham said.

Yoder’s enthusiasm for his job is something rare in this day and age.

He truly cares for his students’ well being and their knowledge of the subject matter. He constantly attempts to make his lesson plans contemporary. He strives to make lessons relatable, which is easier said than done when it comes to history and career pathways.

“He is constantly reinventing the wheel because he wants something good for his kids. He will strive to make a good lesson plan better -- to get something else to make it better for his kids,” Swantz said.

His creativity and innovation allow him to be a skilled teacher, but his willingness to truly care about his students’ well-being is what makes him the Teacher of the Year.

Yoder always attempts to remember a name and face, and he is constantly willing to lend a helping hand, regardless of his work load..

“I needed a letter of recommendation in a pretty short amount of time. Yoder came through and crafted me a brilliant letter before the scholarship deadline,” Mepham said.

Swantz’s words ring true: Yoder is essentially “a big teddy bear.”

Even as head of the intramural basketball league, he managed to lead with the same loveable attitude that he has come to be known for.

While his optimism was missed at the beginning of last year during his struggle with Encephalitis, his ability to recover and return to teaching is just one example of his perseverance.

“The recovery process was really long. He had to be in the hospital for about a month and then lived with his parents so he could

do physical therapy. It was a long process -- a lot of physical therapy.

They would have a car set up so he could practice getting in and out of a car. It is a lot more time consuming and frustrating to come back from a major injury, especially when, before, he was athletic, and then having that part of him taken away,” Swantz said.

Yet, even after losing 26 pounds of weight, most of which was muscle, and spending countless hours in physical therapy, the most important quality that stood out about Yoder during the award selection process came from a quote he gave The Signal in a story written about him last year.

“I’ve realized, even with my current condition, many people in the world have it much worse than

not picky,” Lincoln Memorial University Graduate John McDaniel said.

The unemployment rate in Wisconsin is just over nine percent.

With many people out of work, jobs are becoming hard to find.

“I’ll probably try and work at a local YMCA if I can’t find a job,” Paulson said.

After studying for four years and spending thousands of dollars on a good education, most people expect to get a job that can use the knowledge learned in college. If a job opportunity does not come up, graduates may move back home.

“A lot of students are having to move back home with parents after finishing school, yet at the same time the student loan payments start to come due. This can put financial stress on the household,” Social Studies Teacher Tony Swantz said.

The town of Fort Atkinson has MATC, a tech school which enables students to live at home and go to school,reducing the cost of college by a substantial amount.

In traditional four-year schools, campus housing can range from 5,500 to 12,500 dollars, depending on if one lives on or off campus, according to http://www. stateuniversity.com. By going to MATC or by living at home, the student in question saves a lot of

money in the long run.

Around 42 percent of the graduating seniors this year from FAHS will be attending some type of four year college, according to pupil services. If one includes the students going to school at a vocational or technical college, FAHS has around 72 percent of students who will be continuing their education in some way.

When these students graduate, if the economy holds its current status, approximately 26 percent of students graduating college will receive jobs right away. The rest will be forced to find alternatives, or to find a job in an unrelated field to their major.

23 percent of seniors are going into the work force immediately. They will have two to four extra years of working before the college-bound students graduate.

This gives these people time to advance their career Of course, due to job cuts and the recession, these students are competing with a well-trained field of applicants who are often over-qualified.

“There is a strong correlation between level of education and lifelong earning potential. I believe, especially in these times, that in order to get ahead and stay ahead in society, you must have some type of formal training after high school,” Swantz said.

Job market affects grads

by Leah Weston Signal Reporter

The economic recession makes it hard for anyone to get a job.

New college graduates are having an exceptionally hard time finding jobs. Across the country, just 19.7 percent of this year’s college graduating class having applied for a job have one, according to http://www.hirediversity.com.

This leaves some questioning whether college is a good option.

“Going to college was definitely the right choice for me. I got my degree in kinesiology which is the study of exercise and muscles.

There will always be a lot of jobs open because health care is a growing field. We are always going to need it,” Lincoln Memorial University graduate Mark Paulson said.

The health care industry is one of the few that is not suffering as bad from the economic downturn. The baby boomer population is aging, which is putting a greater stress on the medical field, which in turn makes for a healthy industry across the board. Other industries are not as lucky. Some students will take any job opportunity they can get.

“Right now I’ll be happy to find a job. Something that relates to my major would be nice, but I’m

I do. I’d also like the teaching staff to know how grateful I am for their help, visits, and encouragement. It’s been overwhelming. I miss my classroom and interacting with kids,” Yoder said.

That alone simply shows who he is, not just as a teacher, but as a whole person. He took the curveball that life threw at him and he hit it out of the ballpark. He came back to the activity that he enjoys more than anything in this world: teaching kids.

“That guy logs more hours [at

this school] than anybody I know.

I will tell you, if you were sending a hit team to get him, he would be at home or at school, at sunset or even on a Sunday,” Swantz said.

Yoder’s dedication is clearly seen in the lesson plans he provides for his kids. Some days it may involve ice cream. On other days it may involve an inspirational movie, such as Remember the Titans. He constantly stirs the pot to involve not just holding his students’ attentions, but to get them to think, act and learn to solve a prob-

lem on their own. In doing so, he prepares them for the future.

Yoder genuinely cares for his students’ well being -- today and well into the future. Therefore, Yoder teaching Career Pathways comes as no surprise. A class that aims to get students ready for their future is most assuredly in good hands with Yoder.

The Signal can assuredly say there are no other candidates more qualified for this award. We proudly recognize Jaysen Yoder as Teacher of the Year.

first weeks of a new school year.

“I think letting the freshmen get to know us will really help them out,” Link Leader Applicant and Junior Kara Klubertanz said.

This program has been used in many other schools with positive results. It has been shown that freshmen who go through the Link program do better in school, feel more connected to the school setting around them, and like school better in general. It also has caused fewer dropouts down the road, according to program coordinators.

The Link Leaders must apply for, and then be chosen for, the position. Teachers had an opportunity to nominate current sophomores or juniors for the position of Link Leader at a staff meeting on May 4th. 167 students were nominated as a result of teacher input.

Out of all students who apply to be a Link Leader, only 55 to 60 will be selected for the position.

Although not all of the 167 applicants are required to attend, it was strongly encouraged by administrators and the informational meeting in the early parts of May. “I think the Link program is a good way to let freshmen get around the school before everyone is there and get used to the environment and have fun,” Klubertanz said.

Once selected through the application process, the Leaders will be required to attend various events and informational meetings, such as a one-day training session in June while school is still in session, and then a two-day training session in August to prepare them

for their duties, so they know what they need to do to lead the freshmen.

They also have to go to school on the first day, unlike the rest of their classmates, so that they can show the incoming freshman around and perform the freshman orientation proceedings.

Leaders will also wear bright green T-shirts to identify themselves so that they can be more helpful to freshmen in the beginning weeks of school. These Link Leaders will take their groups of freshmen and engage them in a variety of “getting-to-know-you” activities throughout the day.

They will also help lead the freshmen around the school to help familiarize them with their new building.

“I think its a really good idea.

It would have helped me out a lot and made my first week much easier,” current Freshman Martin Moguel said.

The Link program also provides room for follow-up activities throughout the remaining 20092010 school year. This will allow the connection formed between Link Leaders and students to be sustained and reinforced, enabling inter-class unity to become a lasting tradition at FAHS. While the Links Leader program is a largely experimental one (regarding its use at FAHS), administrators hope that the presence of helpful upperclassmen in the school for incoming freshman will be a helpful experience, creating a better school for all who attend here next school year.

Link Crew helps freshmen

New student coalition aspires to construct welcoming environment for freshmen

by Kim LeRoy Signal Reporter

Freshmen will have an unusually warm welcome on the first day of school this upcoming school year. Due to the institution of the Link Crew program, the first day of school in the 2009-2010 school year will be for freshmen only, along with a group of upper class leaders picked by the school administration.

This new program is being used for the first time in the Fort Atkinson School District, and with high expectations.

In this program, two upper class Link Leaders take a group of ten freshmen on the first day and introduce them to each other and the school through various fun activities in hopes of helping the freshman acclimate to the high school environment more smoothly.

The Link program is designed to create unity between the classes and to help freshmen feel more welcome, rather than unwanted, as has a tendency to happen in the

2

The Signal

Horror sequels tarnish originals

by Jacob Byrnes Signal Reporter

There is a terrible curse that is plaguing our horror genre movie classics: remakes. These poor excuses for movies are a waste of money, time, and tarnish the reputation of horror classics.

If one was to look at the list of the worst movies made in this decade, one genre keeps reappearing: horror. Hollywood just cannot stop shooting horror remakes and sequels. Since 1998, twelve Asian horror movies, such as The Grudge 2, and thirty-six remakes of American horror movies have been made. Every year directors bring back several recycled movie plots for critics to pan and audiences to be bored to tears watching.

That brings up the question: why ruin a successful horror icon in the first place? Some of these classics, such as Poltergeist and Nightmare on Elm Street, have gained cult status; remaking them

would be considered blasphemy to the fans. People love a good scare and they will pay full admission price to get it, but no one wants to leave the theater disappointed.

When it comes to horror remakes, there have been far more misses than hits.

Psycho is listed as one of the most memorable movies of all time. When Gus van Sant set out to direct a remake, the expectations were high. While the original Psycho is the perfect horror movie, the remake was just the opposite. They copied the camera movement exactly and casted Vince Vaughn as Norman Bates.

The remake was essentially the same movie, but in color. It had a budget of fifty million dollars and only brought in thirty-seven million dollars.

The reason Hollywood keeps doing this is to earn money. A couple of weeks with a slightly positive turnout at the box office means the producers are in business.

At least, that is the case with New Line Cinema’s Friday the 13th remake, which, according to IMDB, set the highest record for an R-rated horror film on the day it opened. It topped the box office for the first weekend, making over $43 million, then plummeted.

According to Screenrant.com, if a movie is a slight hit at the box-office, it will usually get the all clear sign for a sequel.

The Good and The Bad

Of classic horror remake films House Of Wax (2005) Sure, this is not the greatest film, the beginning is pretty boring, but it is worth watching. The movie was extremely violent and mean spirited. The set designs were great and we got to watch Paris Hilton die. What more could one ask for?

The Amityville Horror (2005) Platinum Dunes’ remake of the Lutz’s supposed terrible tragedy was extremely creepy and twisted. Ryan Reynolds and Melissa George were amazing in the film.

This is one remake that defies the normal reputation remakes get in this era where remakes come from every direction.

Pardon the interruption: Early morning announcements interrupted by impolite students

by Chris Scherer Signal Reporter Every morning at 8:40 the same thing happens at FAHS. A voice comes on over the P.A. system and reads the morning announcements. Every morning, unfortunately, it seems to be the same struggle; students simply will not be quiet enough for others to hear what is being said.

These announcements are to honor students that have won something, tell other students about scholarship opportunities, remind sports teams of what time they should leave, announce club meetings, and deliver general messages and news.

Many mornings one feels unsatisfied after the announcements because they simply haven't heard any of them. It's not the end of the day, but it makes it harder to stay informed with any changes that may have occurred. Is it really that hard to sit still and be quiet for, at most, five minutes?

The announcements are read to keep people informed. It's hard for people to stay informed when classmates are so loud that if one is standing next to the speaker they

Opinion

May 27, 2009

Presence of FEA causes confusion

by Ramsey Statz Signal Reporter

On Friday May 1 and Wednesday May 13, a large number of teachers arrived at school wearing black t-shirts with ‘FEA’ written in large lettering on the back of the shirt and ‘Fort Atkinson Education Association’ written in small lettering on the back.

These shirts, predictably, caused confusion among students who wanted to know what the shirts were about and why the teachers chose to wear them.

"The purpose of wearing the shirts was to recognize teachers for their accomplishments. Teachers do not get enough recognition for all that they do," Fort Atkinson Education Association President Bill Simon said.

While Simon was willing to give a direct response when approached formally in an interview setting, what many students felt unjust was the fact that teachers in the classroom tiptoed around the question when asked directly what the shirts were about on the days they were worn.

Students received unsatisfactory answers such as “It’s a union thing,” and “I’m in a gang and this is our symbol."

While students may feel angered over the fact that teachers would not directly tell them the statement that they were trying to make by wearing the shirts, there

Photo by Ramsey Statz Many students felt it was an unjust gesture for the FAHS staff to wear matching shirts but not explain the meaning of them to students. is a larger issue at stake here.

While the stated reason for wearing the shirts is to raise awareness for teachers' accomplishments and all they do, there is no reason that things such as teachers' organizations and other political issues

should be manifested in the classroom.

Simon was unwilling to give any response whatsoever to any underlying reasons for wearing the shirts. This leads to a bigger question.

If a symbol of any sorts is being brought into an area of learning, shouldn't a teacher be open about the reason for wearing the symbol?

If one really thinks about it, it only makes sense for political issues to be separate from learning.

If a teacher or student were to wear a shirt, hang a poster, or perform another public action that stated religious beliefs in school, there would be many who would say that this violates the principle of separation of church and state.

The same rules can be applied to the use of politics in the classroom.

Schools are supposed to be places where students can be free of influences and being told what to think.

While some would argue that the teachers did not attempt to get the students involved in the situation, it is the mere image of the teachers’ union that disrupts the learning environment.

It disrupts the learning environment with unnecessary political issues which teachers are not even willing to talk about the issues which they are bringing into the classroom.

As the image of the teacher’s union comes into prominence at FAHS, one must take the time to consider whether the politics of teacher’s unions have any place in the classroom or if they should happen outside of it.

The Ring 2 (2005) Besides a hilariously bad deer attack scene, all of the actors looked like they were deer themselves staring into headlights.

Naomi Watts looked like she had no clue what was going on. This has to be one of worst movies ever made in the history.

Black Christmas (2005) Sure it’s super violent, but that is the only thing going for it. A yellow skinned killer and his sister/ daughter who cannot die. There is no holiday treat here folks, just some soy milk and oatmeal cookies. If one thinks about it, that is far scarier than the movie still can't hear the announcements.

It's frustrating, because those announcements are put on for a reason. People are no longer listening because they do not feel connected to their own student body.

Think about it: if the announcement does not concern someone, they are not apt to listen. People like to hear their own names and as soon as their name has been read they are back into the same viscous pattern that has developed over the course of a school year.

Maybe this is the point where someone has to step in. It's happened countless times where teachers have asked students to be quiet, but the same disregard to authority happens nearly every time.

Students continue to be loud and disrespectful. The immediate thing, one would think, is that the administration should take care of this problem. But is it really the administration or even the staff's problem?

The main theme that Dr. Zaspel has been pushing for years is respect 24/7. Respect, it's something one can give and something one can get.

So during the announcements give a little respect and be quiet.

Students need to consider the news that affects more than them.

This is, first and foremost, a place of education and learning.

The news that concerns students’ education and learning atmosphere is often the very news on the announcements.

Next time in class when announcements come on, one should just take five minutes and not say anything. One may actually hear something they wouldn't have known about otherwise.

Photo by Signal Staff

Juniors Olivia Hartwick, Ben Braun, and Dustin Stelse stand during the Pledge of Allegiance to show their patriotism. Students should look past the words and stand up for the meaning of the pledge and all it stands for. Laziness is not an excuse to be disrespectful.

FAHS students lack patriotism during announcements Student body too lazy to stand in order to honor American tradition

by Jake Gerard Signal Reporter In this time in the United States of America, being patriotic is extremely important. With a new president in office, an on-going war, and the economy in the dump, everyone should do what they can to support the U.S.A. The Pledge of Allegiance is one of the many small, but important, things that show appreciation for America on a daily basis. Unfortunately, more and more people are ignoring standing and saying the pledge in their morning classes. The question is why.

It seems like for many students, they have forgotten, or never learned, why the pledge is important. It's more than just a required daily routine that must be performed every day in class. It's a way of honoring and showing respect for those who have fought to

preserve the numerous freedoms Americans enjoy.

There seems to be one very obvious reason for the amount of kids ignoring the pledge: Laziness in its purest form. This should never be a valid reason to not do something, especially if it is something as honorable as standing to show your respect/gratitude for the country. Besides, is it really that hard to stand up for 15 seconds? Another way to look at it is like this. If someone at a baseball game is unable to stop talking during the Star Spangled Banner, the rest of the crowd would probably view that person as rude and disrespectful. The same holds true for those students who choose to sit while their classmates stand to say those important words.

One specific argument that has been brought up as to why the Pledge of Allegiance should be rejected has to do with the reli-

gious aspect of the pledge. The line, "one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all," has caused conflict with non-Christian individuals. This argument is completely understandable, if a person feels that the Pledge of Allegiance contradicts what their personal beliefs are.

Then, by all means, don't stand. It is, in a way, an equal celebration of your rights -- rights which are granted to you by the same people being honored by saying the pledge. At least these conscious dissenters have a legitimate reason for doing so.

However, think about what the pledge is really about. Looking beyond the religious aspect of the pledge reveals that it represents all the fantastic opportunities and freedoms America has to offer.

Everyone should consider how lucky they are to live in the U.S.A. Still feel like the pledge is a

waste of time? Then think about this. America's economy is in the worst place it has been in in decades, and yet, when most Americans go home at the end of the day, they've got food in the refrigerator, a television set, and a bed to sleep in (and chances are these things are a bare minimum to the average person).

Although most Americans take it for granted, living this kind of lifestyle is a lot more fortunate then many people realize. It's because of our country, and those that fought to protect our rights, that we are able to live this kind of lifestyle.

So, from now on, when we are asked to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance during the morning announcements, think about all the things this country has given us, and take a couple moments out of your day to give thanks for those things.

REACH THE STUDENTS OF FORT ATKINSON HIGH SCHOOL BY ADVERTISING IN THE SIGNAL

CALL 563-7811 EXT. 2011 FOR MORE INFORMATION

3 Seniors share their wisdom and memories Senior Spread

The Signal

May 27, 2009

Seniors’words of advice for the future classes of FAHS...

“Jesus loves you.” -Ethan Floerke

“Become friends with the lunch ladies.” -Justin Casey

“Go abroad and be an exhange student.” -Rafn Erlingsson

“Enjoy it. You hate it now, but you will look back and laugh.”

-Mallory Multhauf

“Do mess up.” -Jake Keeser “Accept people that are different than you and try to be nice to everyone.” -Elizabeth Mepham

“Don’t pee in the the girls’ bathroom.

It is not okay even if the boys’ bathroom is at the end of the hall.”

-Justin Casey

“Try your best. Only you can write your future, so try hard. Don’t give up and give Mr. Zaspel a hard time.”

-Dane Floerke

“Get a room. No one likes to watch two people going at it in the halls.”

-Devin Nelson

“Put ranch dressing on everything... it will taste better.” -Heather Brown photo courtesy of Devin Nelson

“Live your life to the fullest and the way you want.”-Angel Finn “Soak in every day of high school, whether good or bad, because it goes way too fast.” -Wes Frankiewicz

“Don’t put off until tommorow what you can put off until the day after tommorow.” -Mark Twain

“Snooch to the nooch.” -Kyle Koch “If you build it they will come.”

-Blaine Johnson “Don’t mess up.” -Seth Kleinschmidt

“Eat the chicken when you can...it’s rare.” -Micaela Magsamen

Seniors’ fondest memories at FAHS...

“The last time I have to hear the bell that lets me leave high school, I will be a very happy person.”

-Katie Gundlach “I will always remember Dr. Zaspel and Mr. Torrenga making fun of students.” -Rafn Erlingsson photo courtesy of Angel Finn

“Mr. Swantz’s classes and his classroom.” -Ashley Burhans

“Mr. Torrenga dressed up as Napoleon Dynamite and being taped to a wall.” -Mike Dudzek

“Swine Flu.” -Lisa Humes

“Teed shooting pencils in the ceilings.” -Nathanael Hillenbrand

photo courtesy of Megan Leatherberry

“The amazing chocolate chip cookies...best 50 cent investment.”

-X’Devorus Lyons “Smell of the football locker room after a couple of two-a-days.”

-Jarred Gonzalez “The girls.” -Dane Floerke

“Mrs. Dowgwillo and her college stories.” -Emily Lenz “Kleenex Wars.” -Entire Senior Class “The wrestling room.” -Tyler Floerke “The history of warfare battle outside.” -Dan Rowley

Attention Seniors

The Signal

Be sure to mark your calendars for Wednesday, May 27 for the Senior Breakfast, serving from 6:30-7:30 a.m. in the commons.

Bagels Donuts

Muffins Fruit

Join us for fresh fruit, muffins, bagels, donuts, juice, milk and coffee.

Door prizes will be given out.

Ryan Smith Editor-in-Chief

“Putting Kafrine Gee. on top of a table while she was in her desk, freshman year.” -Kyle Koch “Mr. Carter convincing a reporter that the ‘Holiday/Christmas’ Tree really came in through the dome in the commons.”

-Entire Signal Staff

2008-2009 Staff Kathrine Gailloreto Feature Editor Brian Yearling Signal Adviser

David Meyer Sports Editor

Anton Hansen Rafn Erlingsson Seth Kleinschmidt Chris Scherer

Micaela Magsamen Opinion Editor

Paxton Harman Jacob Byrnes Sarah Paske Dalton Scolman

Marta Kotz Marc Erickson Kim LeRoy Chad Hoof

Tyler Jorstad News Editor Lisa Humes Photo Editor Leah Weston Kyle Koch Krystal Pence Jacob Gerard Ramsey Statz

925 Lexington Blvd., Suite G225-Fort Atkinson, WI 53538 920-563-7811 ext. 2012 yearlingb@fortschools.org

Editorial Policy: The Signal is the student publication of the Fort Atkinson High School. Opinions expressed in The Signal are those of the individual writers, the staff, or both, and do not necessarily represent those of the administration, the student body, the advisor, or the advertisers. Letters to the Editor are encouraged from anyone associated with FHS or its surrounding community. All submitted material must be signed, but names will be withheld upon request. Submitted material is subject to restriction against libel, obscenity and profanity, and may be edited by The Signal staff.

925 Lexington Blvd., Suite G225-Fort Atkinson, WI 53538 920-563-7811 ext. 2012 yearlingb@fortschools.org

4

The Signal

May 27, 2009

Senior Spread

2009 Fort Atkinson graduates accelerate Spencer Agnew Marquette University Physician Assistant

Jacob Agnew University of Wisconsin Platteville Agriculture Education Chelsey Alvarado MATC Nursing Brynn Barrow University of Wisconsin Whitewater International Business/Accounting

Nick Dredsow University of Wisconsin Whitewater High School Education

Kathrine Gailloreto Ferris State University Graphic Design

Michael Dudzek Air Force Medical

Megan Gang University of Wisconsin Milwaukee Kinesiology

Anna Ebben University of Wisconsin Madison Business/Accounting Nolan Ells University of Wisconsin Whitewater Business/Finance

Kyle Becker Other Landscape Architecture

Jacob Enslin Valpariaiso University(IN) Meteorology

Amy Belz College Graphic Design/Advertising

Rafn Erlingsson Commercial College of Iceland Social Studies

Mercedes Bernard Depaul University Undecided Jacob Bohn Carroll University Athletic Training Shawn Bowar Universal Technical Institute Automotive/Diesel Kaitlynn Boyce Tech School Nursing Brianne Brandenburg University of Wisconsin Whitewater Accounting Zabrina Brock MATC Massage Therapy Heather Brown MATC Dental Assistant/Dental Hygenist Amanda Brus University of Wisconsin Stevens Point Accounting/Spanish Ashley Burhans MATC Finance Brittney Carroll University of Wisconsin Whitewater Elementary Education Justin Casey MATC/University of Wisconsin Whitewater Undecided Brittany Clark University of Wisconsin Whitewater Management Computer Systems Nora Dehari MATC Registered Nursing Allison Deichl University of Wisconsin Stevens Point Undecided Natalie Derry University of Wisconsin Platteville/Air Force Veterinarian

Hannah Filipiak University of Wisconsin Whitewater Instrumental Music Education Angel Finn MATC Madison Photography/Journalism Kevin Fleck Tech School Tyler Floerke MATC Madison/University of Wisconsin Madison Landscape Architecture/ Design Dane Floerke University of Wisconsin Whitewater Business Ethan Florke University of Wisconsin Whitewater Elementary Education Tyler Foster Airforce Medical

Katie Golich Employment/Tech Schoool Health Care Jarred Gonzalez Univeristy of Dubuque(IA) Computer Graphics Nick Grischow Iowa State University Biology Jenna Gundlach Tech School Undecided Katie Gundlach Universty of Wisconsin Milwaukee Mechanical Engineering Nate Hack Undecided Kinesiology Kendell Hack University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Nursing Anton Hansen Denmark Navy Gretchen Haraldson University of Minnesota International Business Paxton Harman Santa Barbara City College(CA) Advertising Dana Hartwig University of Wisconsin Milwaukee Kinesiology Carley Hayes Carroll University Actuarial Science

photo courtesy of Kathy Ihde

Lauren Heyer University of Wisconsin Milwaukee Pre-med Nathanael Hillenbrand MATC Mechanical Engineering Lisa Humes Freed Hardeman University History Education Alikcey Jastreb Universidade de Fei do Estado de Sao Paulo Undecided ChasaDee Jay MATC Culinary/Baking+Pastry Michael Johnson Tech School Welding Blaine Johnson MATC Nursing Rebekah Johnson Northwestern (MN) Music Education/Spanish

The class of 2009 voted them “Most likely to...”

Succeed Seth Kleinschmidt Be on a Wheaties Box Spencer Agnew Become President Nolan Meihak Win a Nobel Peace Prize Becky Johnson Write a children’s book Natalie Mepham Be a super villain Jacob Teed

Wesley Frankiewicz University of Wisconsin Whitewater Undecided

Guest star on “The Be featured on “Dirty Jobs” Simpsons” Jacob Agnew Vincent Root and Joe Loof (Tie) Teach at FAHS X’devorous Lyons Stay in Fort Kyle Ludwig Be ID’d when stil 30 Be on American Idol Katherine Gailleretto Emma van Ommeren Get married to an Elvis impersonator Be high school while in Vegas sweethearts forever Angel Finn Spencer Agnew and Megan Gang Name their kid after a Start a multi-billion video game character Dan Rowley dollar company Jacob Enslin Save the World Josh Lemke Be late for graduation Gretchen Haraldson Heather Hecht MATC Liberal Arts Transfer

Steven Jung Madison Media Institute Recording Engineer

Seth Kleinschmidt Brown University(RI) English/Political Science

Joe Loof University of Minnesota Chemical Engineering

Sarah Knox MATC Veterinary Tech (A.H.T)

X’Devorus Lyons University of Wisconsin Parkside Elementary Education

Katie Koch MATC Madison Radiography Kyle Koch Other Graphic Design/Video Game Design Ryan Koebs United States Marine Corps Nicole Koontz MATC Madison Dental Hygiene Paul Kutz Fox Valley Tech Fire Science Kim Laughman MATC Madison/University of Wisconsin Madison Counselor Samantha Leary MATC/Fort Hospital Medical Record Tech/Therapuetic Massage Kelly Lee Cornell University(NY) Animal Science Josh Lemke Employment Emily Lenz University of Wisconsin Whitewater Elementary Education

Jordan Majewski University of Minnesota Undecided Morgann Martinson McNally Smith College of Music Vocal Performance Talia Mcallister MATC Nursing Alyssa McClain University of Wisconsin Whitewater Business Spencer McCombs Concordia College (MN) Music Zach McGowan MATC Madison Culinary Arts Eric Mehring University of Wisconsin Platteville Electrical Engineering Nolan Meihak Carroll University Nursing Elizabeth Mepham Carthage College Undecided Natalie Mepham Carthage College English

Kim LeRoy Marquette University Biochemistry/Molecular Biology

David Meyer Mission Year Philadelphia

Amber Liechty MATC Nursing

Dani Meyerhofer Viterbo University Nursing

Ilse Lococo MATC Nursing

Magsamen Micaela University of Minnesota Psychology

Zoey Long MATC Finance

Laura Miller Art School/Employment Tattooing/Art

5 towards new lives and greater challenges Senior Spread

Haley Mosurinjohn Other

Dwight Mueller University of Wisconsin Parkside Sport Management Mallory Multhauf MATC Childcare Grace Musgrove University of Wisconsin Milwaukee Computer Science/Engineering Casey Musgrove University of Wisconsin Parkside Sports Management Devin Nelson MATC Undecided Anthony Nelson Navy Operations Specialist Jarrod Neujahr Air Force Gary Neuman Army National Guard/ MATC Undecided

Chelsey Northey University of Wisconsin Whitewater Finance/Business Law Sinead Oakley MATC Madison Liberal Arts Jessica Overton University of Wisconsin Whitewater Medical Sales Morgan Paris Employment

Sarah Paske Ferris State University Music Industry Management Mitchell Patterson Univeristy of Wisconsin Stevens Point Woman Dan Peterson University of Wisconsin River Falls Phe-Pharmacy Paul Petrosik Air Force/MATC Undecided Krystal Piepenbrunk College Business/Law

The Signal

May 27, 2006

Kayli Porter University of Wisconsin Whitewater Human Services Brad Renz University of Wisconsin Whitewater Management Computer Systems Holly Robinson University of Wisconsin Whitewater Undecided Kim Robson Employment

Cory Schoenherr MATC Graphic Communications

Vincent Root University of Wisconsin Whitewater Undecided

T.J. Shilts MATC Madison Auto Technician

Dan Rowley University of Wisconsin Whitewater Computer Management Joe Rupprecht Black Hawk Technical College Law Enforcement/Criminal Justice Terisa Schmidt University of Wisconsin Parkside Criminal Justice

Perham Skyler MATC Teaching Alyssa Sleaver DeVry University (CA) Health Information Management Ryan Smith University of Wisconsin Stevens Point Athletic Training

Bobbie Stiemke Marshall Town Community College Social Work Kylene Stiemke Santa Barbara City College(CA) Business Management

photo courtesy of Devin Nelson

John VandeHey Employment Agriculture Chris Vogelsberg Army Reserves Military Police

Alli Thompson Air Force

Hans Wagenpfeil Fox Valley Tech Powerplant Mechanics/ Aviation

Jessica Truman MATC Photography

Courtney Walling MATC Dentistry

Emma Van Ommeren North Central College(IL) Musical Theater

Troy Zaspel Univeristy of Wisconsin Platteville Construction Management

The class of 2009 receives $776,479 in scholarships Local Money: Grand Total of $284,100 Alfred & Wilma Martin Memorial Tanner Bradley, $500 American Legion-Medical Danielle Meyerhofer, $500 American Legion- Music Rebekah Johnson, $500 Arthur Regelein Memorial Kelly Lee, $500

Erdman Effort Award Zachary McGowan, $1,000

Jean Karges Lisa Humes, $500

FA Alumni Foundation Micaela Magsamen, $4,800

Jenny May Knox Memorial Gretchen Haraldson, $500 Danielle Meyerhofer, $500

FA Auto Supply Hans Wagenpfeil, $200 FA Education Association Brittany Carroll, $1,000 FA Professional Police Association Micaela Magsamen,$ 500 Joseph Rupprecht, $500

Beta Sigma Phi-Deanna Haraldson Memorial Brittany Pattermann, $1,000

FA Thrift Shop & Jean Reich Memorial Brittany Clark, $2,000

Ben & Ada Hake Agriculture Kelly Lee, $5,000

FA Youth Wrestling Club, Inc. Ryan Smith, $500

Blackhawk Senior ResidenceSharon Logan Nolan Meihak, $1,500 Butch Hiscox Memorial Heather Brown, $1,000 Jordan Majewski, $1,000 Calvillo Memorial Megan Gang, $1,500 Carol Jean Rowley Memorial Grace Musgrove, $1,000 Cary Burkhalter Memorial Amy Belz, $300 Daniel Deutsch Memorial Rebekah Johnson, $1,000 Dr. James Russell Megan Gang, $2,000 Spencer Agnew, $2,000 Dr. Weidemann Memorial Gretchen Haraldson, $4,000

FFA Alumni/FFA Jacob Agnew, $1,000 Zabrina Bock, $200 Tanner Bradley, $1,000 Tyler Floerke, $500 Daniel Froelich, $550 Kelley Lee, $1,000 Chelsey Northey, $250 Daniel Peterson, $1,000 Joseph Rupprecht, $250 Florence Hake Education Hannah Filipiak, $2,500 Rebekah Johnson, $1,000 Frances & James LutherMemorial Ryan Smith, $2,500 Francis F. Carnes Jordan Majewski, $3,000 Chelsey Northey, $2,000 French Club Max Ames, $250 Amy Belz, $250

Edward G. Wolff Memorial Rebekah Johnson, $1,500 Eric Mehring, $1,500

Isabelle MatthewsEducational Ethan Floerke, $2,500

Edward Hager Memorial Megan Gang, $1,500 Joseph Loof, $1,500

Jane Theno Thies Memorial Nolan Meihak, $1,000

Jerome Hake Engineering Eric Mehring, $5,000 Joe Davies Memorial Anna Ebben, $20,000 John Claude Kraus Memorial Amy Belz, $500 John Philip Sousa Joseph Loof, $100 Juanita Schreiner Memorial Nolan Meihak, $3,300 Karl Schlender Memorial Daniel Rowley, $1,000 Kiwanis Carley Hayes, $1,000 Lueder Financial Group Brynn Barrow, $2,000 Make a Difference Daniel Peterson, $5,000 Mary Sackmaster Memorial Carley Hayes, $200 Masonic Foundation Jordan Majewski, $1,000 Maurice & Clara Staller Memorial Megan Gang, $7,000 Pat Rader Memorial- FFA Star Farmer Award Tanner Bradley, $200 Richard Noel Bingham Spencer Agnew, $4,000 Brittany Clark, $4,000 Carley Hayes, $4,000 Seth Kleinschmidt, $4,000 Robert Ward Memorial Tanner Bradley, $750 Kelley Lee, $750

Stella Heth MemorialVocational Nora Dehari, $2,000 Natalie Derry, $2,000 Dane Floerke, $400 Joseph Mepham, $400 Jordan Schmitz, $500 Hans Wagenpfeil, $400

Wisconservation ClubLeonard Brosig Danielle Meyerhofer, $1,500

Tanner Bradley, $400 Kelley Lee, $450 Natalie Derry, $400

Non-Local: Grand Total of $435,376

Kwik Trip Dwight Mueller, $500

Academic Excellence Award Hillary Hancy, $9,000 Elizabeth Mepham, $9,000

St. Josephs Catholic SchoolHelen Wilde Memorial Kelly Lee, $2,000

Brown University-National Scholar Seth Kleinschmidt, $153,920

University of Minnesota-Twin Cities-Bentson Family Joseph Loof, $20,000

Carroll University-Charles Carroll Nolan Meihak, $40,000

University of Minnesota-Twin Cities-Minn. Gold Joseph Loof, $26,000

Stuart C. & Gladys Anhalt Memorial Hannah Filipiak, $8,000 Rebekah Johnson, $8,000

Carroll University-Hilgar Tradition Carley Hayes, $2,000 Nolan Meihak, $2,000

Unversity of Minnesota- Twin Cities-Presidential Joseph Loof, $20,00

Summit Credit Union Alyssa McClain, $500

Carroll University-Leadership Carley Hayes, $2,000

University of Minnesota-Twin Cities-Institute of Technology Joseph Loof, $2,500

Terra Staffing Services Cayla Welch, $200

Carroll University- Voorhees Carley Hayes, $44,000

U.S. Army Ryan Hughes, $57,000

Theordore W. Batterman Family Foundation Amy Belz, $12,000 Eric Mehring, $12,000 Elizabeth Mepham, $12,000 Natalie Mepham, $12,000 Daniel Peterson, $12,000

Concordia College Spencer McCombs, $4,006

UW-Whitewater-Gaylon Greenhill Excellence in Arts Hannah Filipiak, $4,800

Stella Heth MemorialUniversity Amanda Brus, $2,000 Gretchen Haraldson, $2,000 Lauren Heyer, $2,000 Kimberly LeRoy, $3,000 Nicholas Martin, $2,000 Alyssa McClain, $2,000 Ryan Smith, $2,000

UW-Health- Fort Atkinson Health Care Career Kimberly LeRoy, $500 UW-Madison Wendell A. Smith Kelly Lee, $1,000 Victor & Ruth Johnson Memorial Brynn Barrow, $850 Walter & Louise K. BuellHonors Jacob Enslin, $1,500 Walter & Louise K. BuellMerit Mercedes Bernard, $23,000 Seth Kleinschmidt, $23,000

Concordia College-Excellence Spencer McCombs, $9,000 Fox Valley Technical CollegeAir Wisconsin Hans Wagenpfeil, $1,000 Fort Health Care- Education of the Future Kendall Hack, $400 Fort Health Care- Scott W. Hulstein Alyssa Sleaver, $1,000 Garland Bastin Memorial Kelly Lee, $500 Jefferson County 4-H Leaders Association Kelly Lee, $500 Jefferson County Agribusiness Club Jacob Agnew, $400

UW-Platteville-American Transmission Company Eric Mehring, $2,000 UW-Platteville-Fort Atkinson Community Daniel Froelich, $100 UW-Platteville-License Plate Eric Mehring, $500 UW-Platteville-Wisconsin Rural Opportunities Daniel Froelich, $1,000 UW-Whitewater-Chancellor’s Brittany Clark, $4,000 Hannah Filipiak, $4,000 UW-Whitewater-Music Department Hannah Filipiak, $2,500

6

The Signal

Feature

May 27, 2009

Cyber warfare becomes a national crisis

by Anton Hansen Signal Reporter On April 21, 2009, the Pentagon discovered that Internet hackers have had access to stolen confidential information about the military’s new F-35 Joint Striker fighter plane for more than two years.

The F-35 Joint Striker is designed to become an aircraft used by all military branches.

The fighter jet uses a highly advanced stealth system to make the plane almost invisible to radar.

There have been no reports confirming if the hackers got into all of the highly-sensitive data, but if the hackers had access to such information, all of the planes and technology would have to be remodified.

Even thought it is not certain who hacked into the Pentagon’s sensitive information, many sources point towards China.

According to http://cnn.com, an annual report conducted by the Pentagon to Congress last month about China’s military power, said that China has been making continued progress in developing cyber-warfare techniques.

This is just one of the latest “important” cyber attacks on the US government. According to a report from the Department of Homeland Security, released on September 30, 2008, more than 18,000 cybersecurity breaches were reported

by the federal government in 2008 alone.

There are many options for military officials to respond to such cyber attacks, and a relaunch of the Air Force Cyber Command (AFCYBER).

The AFCYBER is sort of a branch inside the Air Force that, by using cyber space, would be able to assist with missions.

The AFCYBER still has yet to be fully organized but is actually working now, though many government officials are willing to go even further to protect the electronic files and security of the American government.

Some of these furthered steps point toward the development of a whole new military branch.

Cyber warfare and terrorism are things that one may find in various science fiction novels and highly over-exaggerated action movies. Of course, that is not a true representation of real-world cyber warfare.

For instance, the plot of the movie Live Free Or Die Hard, cyber terrorists attack the United States infrastructure. The method the hackers use is called a “fire sale,” which is a fictional hacker term. A “fire sale” is based upon three steps: first, take down all the

transportation network; second, take down all the banks and the stock market; and third, take down the military.

Obviously, this is not possible in the real world. Due to infrastructural realities,

However, cyber warfare and terrorism happens -- maybe not in the same way as in Die Hard -- but, cyber attacks exist.

In a nation where more of the economy, communication, military, and

there is no way that cyber-terrorists would be able to infect and bring down all of America’s infrastructure and military in such a short period of time as it does in the movies.

government is being controlled through the use of the Internet, the nation is far more vulnerable to cyber attacks. This warrants the development of a new cyber military branch to limit and

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combat critical cyber attacks that could impact day-to-day American life and security.

Cyber espionage is a way to obtain sensitive secrets from individuals, companies, governments, groups, enemies etc. using the Internet.

The most recent big example of cyber espionage is the hacking attack on The Pentagon where information on the military’s newest aircraft, the F-35 Joint Striker fighter plane, may have been obtained by traffic tracked back to another country -- some sources believe it was China.

Cyber espionage happens all the time and in America it is considered as the same criminal action as if a person broke into another persons house!

But if the target is something government owned or funded, it is considered cyber warfare! Which legally would be equivalent of a foreign combatant physically breaking into Pentagon and stealing confidential documents.

A Distributed Denial-of-Service is a way of using the cyber space to put down a desired target for a long time. The way a DDoS at-

tack works is by having a “Master Computer” to infect numerous computers called “Handlers” with vira.

The Handlers then infect even more computers that are called “Zombies” with vira that gives the Master Computer full control over all the infected computers (Handlers and Zombies).

When the Master Computer then decides to attack the “Target” all of the infected computers begin to hit the target over and over again so that the target breaks down.

When the target is out of order all the infected computers keep on hitting the target so that the target is down for a really long time.

The most recent big case happened in the beginning of May 2007, when Russia attacked Estonia’s government and infrastructure with huge waves of DDoS attacks.

This led to banks shutting down, public transportation being limited, and jobs and schools being shut down for almost a month.

Estonia had to shut down all their main servers and basically isolate themselves from the rest of the cyber space before they could restart their servers.

This attack was described as “the first war in cyberspace.” This sort of attack is definitely considered cyber warfare if the target is the government. As a result, governments will need to plan for action.

How to become an exchange student:

FAHS Exchange Student Rafn Erlingsson notes pros and cons of studying abroad

by Rafn Erlingsson Signal Reporter

“Gator wrestling in Australia.”

“I am going to Cambodia to track down my BFF: Angelina Jolie.”

-TJ Voss (Sophomore)

- Tay Brittain (Junior)

AODA group educates middle school

by Seth Kleinschmidt Signal Reporter On Tuesday, May 5, and Thursday, May 7, six FAHS students brought their maturity and experience to the Fort Atkinson Middle School to discuss the nature of drugs and alcohol at FAHS. The Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse (AODA) panel was comprised of Seniors Max Ames, Seth

“Pursuing my life-long aspiration of becoming an ultimate frisbee champ.”

-Max Ames (Senior)

“I’m taking a ten-day road trip with my husband. I hope we both make it back alive.”

-Sarah Lastusky (FAHS Queen)

Kleinschmidt, Paxton Harman, and Holly Robinson, and Juniors Emilie Bakken and Matt Lawver.

Together they gave the 7th- and 8th-graders a picture of what they can expect when they get to high school, with regards to aspects of drug culture such as availability and peer pressure.

Topics covered included realistic ways to say no to drugs, how use of drugs affects friendship, and whether or not it’s social suicide to say no to drugs in high school.

“This sort of thing is important, because I’ve had a lot of regrets in high school, and I wish someone had been here to talk to me about these sorts of things while I was in Middle School,” Robinson said.

Giving middle schoolers a heads-up on high school substance use is a way to take away some of the stress of moving to a brandnew place. Brand-new freshmen should be worrying about classes

and sports, not whether they’re going to be offered drugs, and the AODA panel was designed to answer some of those questions in a no-pressure format.

Truth and honesty was the order of the day, as the panel members explained their own experiences with drugs and alcohol.

“I’ve made mistakes, but what matters is that you learn from them. I don’t do that stuff any more. I’m a better person because of it,” Lawver said.

All SDFA students learn about the dangers of drugs and alcohol many times during health classes, but having student representatives helps drive home the point.

“The middle school kids really listened to us. We aren’t principals or teachers, we’re students like them, and you could see how that affected how much they paid attention to us,” Ames said.

While questions that the FAMS

students asked ranged from the general (“Can you get seconds at lunch in high school?”) to the serious (“What is your personal drug history?”), the main point was that FAMS students were listening and interested in getting a head start on acclimating to high school.

“We were sitting in middle school just like you guys are, and we had the same questions. We know where you’re coming from,” Harman said.

It’s honesty like this that makes a difference with a serious topic like AODA. “It was really our hope that the high school students would be able to convey to our middle school students that it is possible to say no and find social and academic success by doing so. I believe that the particular group of students selected truly did a great job sending this positive message,” Associate Principal Brent Torrenga said.

“[In my first band] we considered ourselves to be Christian, so we wanted our music to be positive. The other members were all into partying and stuff so there were some conflicts because they would come to shows drunk, and not put as much commitment into [the band],” Former Dance Made Easy Member Matt Andrus said.

Just like those that are not involved in a musical group, differences in opinion and beliefs can play a huge role in whether or not people get along. Though, this is not the only problem plaguing those in the music industry.

Many bands that tend to tour excessively, end up homesick, as anyone would, which, according to Disturbed Bassist John Moyer, is one of the hardest parts of mak-

ing it big.

“In real friendships, you have to be there for people and people need to be there for you, and unfortunately in our line of work we can’t always be there for people,” Moyer said.

A full-time band member must repetitively deal with the fact that they will not be able to be in constant contact with their family and friends.

“You’ve come back and people change, they move, they’ve gotten married, and you missed out on a lot of events in other people’s lives,” Moyer said.

Not only do bands have to deal with things such as this, but they must also try to find a source of security. Those who discriminate are one thing, but physical threats

and murder attempts are another.

For example, in December of 2004, well-known guitarist of Damageplan and former guitarist of Pantera, “Dimebag” Darrell Lance Abbott, was shot while performing on stage with his band.

Oddly enough, by a former fan.

Band members must deal with constant stress. While some bands deal with it just for the fame and fortune, others really do want to make a difference and change the world. Music can be a powerful weapon if used correctly. It impacts a mood, can bring people together, and at times change someone’s life. For those who hope for the bright lights of fame to shine upon them, one must remember why they started to become interested in music in the first place.

Bands face many unrealized hardships

by Krystal Pence Signal Reporter People that make their way into stardom tend to be envied greatly by the public. Walk by any newsstand and one is bound to find some sort of ‘juicy’ story about whomever is currently residing in the limelight.

While band scandals do not tend to show up around every turn in a common tabloid like the average celebrity, they still face problems like any other person that is making their way into stardom.

If one does pay close attention to the lives of band members, they would find out that no matter how picture-perfect a band may seem on the outside, there can still be problems.

If you have ever thought about going abroad as an exchange student, but it seemed unrealistic, think again. One does not have to be rich or have the best grades to go abroad. All that’s needed is to be willing and open-minded.

“An exchange experience is the best thing one could ever do. It is just very important to remember that one must be very willing, optimistic, and ready for a challenge,” Current Americans Abroad AFS Consultant Taylor Selsback said.

You will always have a family and friends in other countries, and you’ll get to know yourself better.

“The challenge is one of the most amazing adventures, teaching one all about themselves and the world around them,” Selsback said.

One thing that’s keeping kids from going abroad is that they don’t know any other language.

However, if one goes somewhere where s/he doesn’t have the chance to speak their native language, the local language will kick in. Students won’t even have to take lessons. After a while, speaking the native language will become natural and will come without any thought, you’ll just have to put your own effort in it.

For most exchange programs, prior study of the host language is not even required, especially with less widespread languages.

“There were no requirements as to whether I knew the language or not.” Selsback said.

Understanding the culture and the language isn’t all one gains throughout the exchange process.

You will get a family and friendships that last forever. However, you can’t go abroad and act like you’re in a hotel.

You’ll become a part of a family and like any other family member, you might have to mow the lawn, do the chores or baby sit. Every family isn’t the same. One could end up with a traditional nuclear family, families with no children, or even end up with single persons.

“I got really lucky here in Fort.

They all opened their arms for me and I’m really grateful for the attention,” Former FAHS Exchange Student Pierre Noë said.

There are many different pro-

grams out there for kids that are curious about going abroad.

“I contacted AFS, which is an organization many of the past exchange students have used here at the High School,” Junior Ana Platukis said.

Other programs that FAHS has used in the past besides AFS include the Aspect Foundation and Rotary. Going abroad can be fairly expensive, but the knowledge, experience, and friendships one gains are priceless.

“Being an exchange student does cost money, but once you consider that you have the opportunity to live abroad for one year, live with a host family, make amazing friends from all over the world, and learn life lessons that could not otherwise be taught to you, the price is fairly reasonable and worthwhile,” Selsback said.

If one goes abroad, s/he will of course miss out on school events, and a lot of good times with their friends. However, those things exist in other countries as well.

“Don’t ever worry about missing your senior year of high school, prom, and those types of things.

I can guarantee that an exchange year is far more exciting and worth while,” Selsback said.

Even though going abroad can cost thousands of dollars, there are many scholarships available.

They’re just like college scholarships; to receive them, one must look for them and apply. The exchange programs can even help find scholarships and provide information about them.

“They [AFS] sent my information to many local companies in my area and some helped me to pay for my exchange year,” Selsback said.

Living in another country for a year isn’t necessarily an easy task though. Culture shock and many other emotions come and go, and people handle those things differently. But if you like to be challenged, go abroad. It’s something you won’t regret.

“Living in such a small community as Fort, it’s easy to have tunnel vision and it becomes easy to forget that there is life beyond what we are used to. I think the more young people express interest in other people in other parts of the world, the better our future will be,” Platukis said.

Sports

May 27, 2009

Lifting all expectations

by Marta Kotz Signal Reporter

After a year of facing stiff competition within the Badger-South, the Blackhawk athletic program looks to retain a solid tradition of off-season programs.

This includes a variety of activities; anything from open gyms to an idea taken up by most other competitive schools: weight lifting.

It started out as after school weights, and has grown to a strength, speed and conditioning class during the school year, summer, and also an after school program called Twelfth Hour.

“Strength, speed, and conditioning was actually originated by Mr. Sykes in 1989, so that’s been evolving ever since. We’ve kind a switched a few things around, but it’s been going on for quite some time,” Physical Education Teacher and Head Football Coach Steve Mahoney said.

The latest concern, however, has been expanding it eventually into all high school sports as a part of their training in season.

What certain athletic teams do not see is how many benefits a weight program has to offer.

“A benefit would definitely be that athletes are going to be stronger and better prepared for their season, and when they are better prepared for their season, you see a lot less of the ‘getting into shape injuries,’ because athletes are more ready for the start of the season,” Athletic Trainer Sara Detweiler said.

Though the benefits are evident, it has been frowned upon by many sports because of its possibility of injury.

“If the athletes are not knowledgeable or educated on what their doing, then yes, there is a chance of injury. They have to know what their doing, that’s why we have instructors with them. If they learn the proper technique, then there is little to no chance of injury,” Detweiler said.

Another common misconception is the affect weight lifting will have on girls.

It has been proven that certain core lifts only tone a female body, not morph them into a stronger, more muscular person.

“It would definitely benefit girls’ teams. I think they have, in general, a misunderstanding about the affects of weight lifting. They think it will make them big and

bulky, and slow them down, but biologically, that’s not going to happen,” Detweiler said.

To be introduced on how to work on basic core lifts for certain sports, there are several opportunities available.

Twelfth Hour is an after-school program that works with both middle school and high school age kids on proper weight lifting technique.

It is a unique opportunity becausethe program is open to any person who wants to get in shape, and it is also extended to seventh and eighth graders to begin improving their strength before they get to the high school.

“Twelfth Hour started last year.

We had kids coming in and out of the weight room, but last year is when we made it into a productive class, to have it receive more energy and attention,” Mahoney said.

Taking strength, speed and conditioning has benefits of staying in shape during a sport season, and also staying toned out of season.

It consists of working on basic core lifts in a weight room, running sprints, and working on pro agility, a way of improving your overall quickness and of course all of the other essentials.

Brewers control lead in Central

by Marc Erickson Signal Reporter

It is still early in the baseball year. I understand that. There is a different buzz around this year’s Brewers team, and for good reason. This year is the year Milwaukee will finally take the N.L. Central crown.

The Milwaukee Brewers have the most complete team from top to bottom in the division. The stars are shining, and the long awaited unproven prospects are starting to prove themselves.

Switching over to the pitching staff, there is another player who doesn’t get all the recognition he deserves. Todd Coffey is sporting a 3.63 ERA with 12 strikeouts’ and only one home run allowed in 17 innings pitched. What the stats don’t tell you is that he is no normal reliever. When the bullpen doors open it’s Coffey time, which is a dead sprint from the outfield to the mound. This excites the fans and creates a more intense atmosphere every time he pitches. Until one has experienced a 6’4” 240 pound pitcher barrel across the field, they haven’t experienced the full effect of the Brewers.

The key addition of the year is the ageless Trevor Hoffman. The 41 year-old closer is 8-8 in save

photo courtesy of MTC Campus

Rickie Weeks, second baseman for the Milwaukee Brewers is out four to six months after suffering a major injury. opportunities. There is not a more electric stadium in the league when hells bells are ringing and Hoffman comes in for the win. For the all time saves leader in MLB it is disgusting that he still shuts opponents down at the age of 41.

The biggest improvement on the team this year is second basemen Rickie Weeks. Weeks’ has been a heralded prospect his whole career but never had a breakout big league season, until now. Weeks was tearing the cover off the ball, but can’t seem to catch a break.

Weeks recently injured his wrist during an at-bat against the Cardinals, and is out for the season. To overcome this huge loss the Brewers are going to use a steady dose of Craig Counsel. The veteran is batting .324 and balances out the lineup nicely with his left-handed bat. Rookie Matt Gamel has a chance to prove himself as well.

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In his first career start in the Major Leagues, Gamel went yard, showing some early promise and a possible replacement for the power that will be missed from Weeks.

Another big shift in the Brewers organization during the offseason is the managerial staff.

The additions of Ken Macha and Willie Randolph are paying off.

Macha has brought a patience to the team that has never been there before. The Brewers are second in the National League in walks, and also have the second best overall record.

This team has power in Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder. This team has speed with Corey Hart and Mike Cameron. This team has an ace in Yovani Gallardo. This team has the best closer ever in MLB. This team, is the team that will bring a division title home to Milwaukee.

photo by Marta Kotz

Freshman Ryne Rowley aggresively pushes the sled forward as part of a training exercise that the athletes regularly participate in.

Signal Sports Editorial:

New basketball hire examined

by David Meyer Signal Sports Editor The interview committee had an opportunity to make a statement.

They could go low risk, low reward, or high risk, high reward.

Athletic Director Mark Pollex and others selected to chair a committee to hire a new boys basketball head coach, made the decision to call upon former Stoughton Boys Basketball Head Coach Mike Hintz, the new Blackhawk head coach. Hintz will also teach physical education at FAHS. Being able to resume teaching the only reaseon Hintz left Stoughton -- where he was not a teacher -- for Fort Atkinson. For the past few years he has been Director of Operations for Stoughton’s Impact Sports Enhancement Academy “We had a Physical Education position that we needed to fill with a first class teacher, [who] could help us with multiple sports,” Pollex said.

Coach Hintz served as head coach of the Vikings -- also in the Badger-South Conference -- for the past three season. Under his guidance the Vikings compiled a 32-34 record and finished 9-12 last season. He also was head coach in Kaukauna for the girls basketball team, where he began his head coaching career and turned around their situation.

Before Hintz arrived, Stoughton had been in a basketball dry spell with records of 6-16 in 2005 and 4-17 in 2004.

“I do know that every program I left was in a better place than when I arrived, maybe it is just [a] coincidence—guess we will never know,” Hintz said.

However, when watching Stoughton play last year, one could reasonably say that they underachieved.

They blew out Fort Atkinson 6429 and 62-47 and were led by Jake Thiermann, and the Gerber brothers (Eric and Sean). To the naked eye they looked like a very talented team, yet they faltered down the stretch, losing six of their last seven games.

“I wasn’t happy at first either [about the end of the season], but you have no clue [about] the things behind the scenes we had

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to deal with throughout the year— injuries, family issues, etc….Lost on two buzzer beaters to conference co-champion Monroe and by three points to co-conference Edgewood...Sometimes teams that are coming from nowhere have to lose close games to learn what it takes in the summer to reach the next level,” Hintz said.

I’m not here to say that Hintz is not a good coach. He has already proven to the area that he can rebuild a program. .500 is the troubling watermark.

With his past record of 32-34 in mind, it seems like Coach Hintz can dive in and save us by improving our team’s hideous record.

However, we will have to tread water together until someone else comes along to finish the job of moving the team to a championship caliber.

That’s not what we need. Before Voss arrived, each of the last three coaches led Fort to a state tournament. It seems like we made a quick fix, low risk hire. Another applicant, Matt Siverling would have been able to dive in, save us, and deliver us to the promised land.

The main competition for Coach Hintz was Siverling. Siverling currently serves as the Program Specialist and Video Coordinator for the University of Arkansas men’s basketball team. While he has never been a head coach, he has a very impressive basketball background. He played for one of the top basketball coaches in Wisconsin, at Ladysmith, where he and his team reached the state championship in 1996 under the guidance of Forrest Larson. He has also spent some time with Larson aiding in the “Take it to the Rim” camps that Larson instructs.

While attending the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Siverling served as an assistant coach on the staff of Eau Claire North High School. He then took his career to the University of Florida where he attained his master’s degree in exercise and sports sciences. He also became a graduate assistant on the Gators’ basketball team. Most sports fans know the name of the head coach Billy Donovan.

One could say that by being mentored by Larson (one of the top Wisconsin prep coaches) and Donovan (one of the top college basketball coaches), Siverling is a protege of epic standards.

Siverling then returned as an assistant for the Blugolds. Coach John Pelphrey, at the University of Arkansas, liked what he saw in Siverling and awarded him the roll he currently occupies. Siverling has done everything. His previous responsibilities have included: recruiting, scouting, video editing, budget management, and camps.

If the administration was adamant about turning around the boys basketball program, they would have taken a larger gamble.

They chose an average coach, who has shown no ability to be anything more than that, based on his resume. They bypassed a chance to bring in someone who might look at things differently. -someone who could offer a wider array of coaching experiences to our sputtering program.

Now, let’s hope that Coach Hintz and the returning letter-winners prove me wrong.

7

UWW softball led by FAHS alumni

by Chad Hoof Signal Reporter

The University of WisconsinWhitewater (UWW) softball team made a run this year at competing for the Division Three National Championship, but fell a little short, losing in the Division Three World Series, coming up short against Illinois Wesleyan.

The Warhawks ended their regular season with a record of 34-3 earning an automatic bid into the NCAA Division Three playoffs with a number one seed.

In the NCAA tournament regionals, the Warhawks lost their first game to WIAC rival Eau Claire, 5-1. With the tournament being a double elimination tournament, the Warhawks had a second chance.

The Warhawks then defeated Coe College (IA) 1-0. Next, the Warhawks beat Eau Claire 7-2 sending their rival home.

The Warhawks next game was against the number two seed, Illinois Wesleyan. Wesleyan beat the Warhawks 4-1, in a home game, sending Whitewater home for the season.

UWW has one FAHS alumni playing on the team: Senior Nicole Bothun.

Bothun holds the record for most stolen bases at FAHS. In 2005 at FAHS Bothun had 38 hits and five home runs. In the same season Bothun also participated in the State All-Star game.

This season at UWW Bothun batted .329, scored 15 runs, and hit two home runs. This season Bothun also swiped two bases.

“I feel our coach is pretty good about stealing bases, I read the signs and did as I was told because I trusted the coaches. We could have had some more aggressive leadoffs, but overall we were pretty aggressive,” Bothun said.

The Warhawks has many talented players in their arsenal including Sophomore Jessica Stang, a pitcher from Minnetonka, Minnesota.

Stang finished the season with a record of 21-3 with a miniscule ERA of 0.84.

Stang has only given up 36 runs in a stunning 167.1 innings. In those 167.1 innings, Stang struck out 199 batters. She is looking forward to further improve her skills in the off-season.

“I am going to try to add a pitch.

There is always a new pitch to try.

I am also going to try to become a better fielder. I feel I need to become a better fielder,” Stang said.

A power hitter for the Warhawks is senior Liz Yucuis. Yucuis hit nine home runs and had 33 RBI’s.

The surprising statistic for Yucuis is that she finished the season with an average of .274.

Another player for the Warhawks is Junior Lauren Cruz who finished the season with a batting average of .313. Cruz had nine home runs and 47 RBI’s. She is just one of the many players who have improved since last year.

Cruz has also been hit six times this season, which also leads the team.

“The team has improved in all parts of the game. The team has upped its attitude and intensity.

At the same time there are lots of similarities to last year’s team,” Stang said.

A senior leader for the Warhawks is right-fielder Suzanne Gersich. Gersich batted .492 and hit seven home runs. This resulted in 39 RBI’s this season.

8

The Signal

Science department grows

by Kim LeRoy Signal Reporter

Photo courtesy of Shannon Farrell Team members Tanner Bradley, Kelly Lee, Jacob Agnew, and Seth Elsner pose with their awards after winning the statewide FFA dairy judging competition, clinching a spot at the National FFA Convention. The team placed in the top five of almost every event competed in.

Dairy Judging team suceeds

by Jacob Byrnes Signal Reporter The Fort Atkinson FFA made local history when their dairy team won the State Dairy Judging Competition and qualified for the FFA National Dairy Judging Competition.

The team, which consisted of Seniors Kelly Lee, Jacob Agnew, Tanner Bradley and Junior Seth Elsner, has been training for years with former FAHS Student and Dairy Judging Team Member, Mark Lundy and Agriculture Teacher, Jeff Agnew as their coaches. The four students have been judging together as a team for at almost three years.

The Fort Atkinson FFA has had a long history with dairy judging achievements. Last year, the Dairy Team placed second at the state competition and in 2007 finished in the top 10 in the state.

Also, for the past five years, the Fort Atkinson FFA has won or placed second in the Hoard Dairyman’s cow judging contest, a national competition. From 2005 to 2007, they won the contest and

they have placed second for the last two years.

As a practice competition for the State Dairy judging competition, the dairy team uses the Hoard Dairyman’s challenge, which they did very well in. All teammates scored on average about 450. The highest score one can get in the competition is 500.

Being a member of the dairy judging team is a huge time commitment. Practices are held every week on Wednesday and are about an hour long, depending on the material being covered.

The practices take place at area dairy farms.

“The team practiced pretty hard every week on local dairy farms such as Telfer farms and Ehrke farms, me and Mark Lundy were the coaches and we worked them pretty hard.” Agriculture Teacher Jeff Agnew said.

The team will advance to compete at the nationwide level at the National FFA Convention, which will be taking place in Indianapolis this October. However, for Seniors Lee, Bradley and Agnew, the national competition will be their final performance as the competi-

tion rules state that once one wins the state competition that person can never be on a judging team again. Elsner, who plans on graduate after the first semester next year, can also no longer participate in any judging events.

Throughout the 2009 judging season, the team has scored in the top five of nearly every competition it has entered.

The Fort Atkinson FFA entered the contests at the Rock County Fairgrounds in Janesville and at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville.

The Fort Atkinson team won the Janesville competition, and qualified for state at the UW-Platteville competition, were they earned fifth place. A total of 51 teams participated in the statewide competition. Fort Atkinson’s group was one of more than 200 teams that attempted to reach the state competition.

“It’s amazing how none of our sports teams have gone on to a national competition, but we went up against almost 270 schools.

Its means a lot coming from Wisconsin which is the dairy state,” Agnew said.

who were allergic to peanuts were given small doses of peanuts or peanut oils over a several month period in order to see if injection of the allergen could help to decrease to severity of the allergy.

In the beginning, the children only received the equivalency of 1/1000 of a peanut, always either in liquid or powder form.

Slowly, pediatricians increased the amounts that the children were receiving, which proved to have numerous positive effects on the children.

Some children’s food allergies ended up going away all together, while others’ allergies decreased to a level where it would not be fatal where it would not be fatal for the child to ingest small amounts of peanuts.

While many parents may be currently considering this method of treatment for their children, there are some children who may not be able to receive this new treatment due to extreme allergic reactions to peanuts and peanut products.

“I think it depends on the severity of the allergy. [My daughter’s] allergy is so severe, even minor, minor amounts would cause a

very, very severe reaction,” Luther Elementary School Teacher Martha MacWilliams said.

As said previously, one downside of the treatment is that children that have extremely intense peanut intolerance are at a greater risk to this new method of treatment.

Because this new treatment takes the allergen and injects the person with it, people that have a reaction to even the smallest doses of their allergy should not have this treatment because it could kill them.

The United States has many people suffering with nut allergies, making some schools take extra precautions so no one will have a reaction, such as having students with peanut allergies sit at a separate table from the rest of the students at their school.

Some believe this is too drastic.

If more children get treatment like this, schools and other public places may not have to be quite as vigilant about the kinds of food they serve. “[At schools where children with allergies have to sit at different tables] I think it depends on

Fort Atkinson High School has the fortune to be introducing a new science teacher in the upcoming school year. This new teacher will not be replacing any current teachers but will actually be an additional teacher.

Due to a tight budget, the district is not simply buying a new teacher. Rather, a few current teachers whose services are not in as great of demand in the upcoming year are being slightly reduced to make room for the incoming teacher.

For the past several years the district has maintained a “zero full time equivalent (FTE) assumption,” meaning staffing must stay at the same level. Administration must examine closely which teaching positions should be kept or created based on the needs of the students.

“Looking at the numbers from course registration, there’s a big demand for science classes from students,” Science Teacher Justin Frey said.

Once all the numbers were

by Leah Weston Signal Reporter

There are around 3.3 million people in the United States who are suffering from nut allergies on a daily basis, while many more are suffering from other types of food allergies.

To help make living with these life-threatening allergies more bearable, there are new methods of treating allergies that have been tested and proven to have the power to help boost tolerance levels or even, in some cases, to completely cure these allergies.

In a recent study conducted at Duke University and Arkansas Children’s Hospital, 33 children

counted, it was determined that, due to the large enrollment in science classes, class sizes would be larger than in previous years.

“In the case of the addition of the high school science teacher being added, this was possible only because of a drop of enrollment in Driver Education due to small freshmen and sophomore class sizes, fewer students taking higher level German classes resulting in a reduction from an 80% German teacher contract to 60%, and then the reduction of a half time Technology Education position due to low enrollments,” Superintendent James Fitzpatrick said.

The savings from reducing these positions and expenses was the equivalent sum of allowing us to add a much needed Science teacher.

In the case of Technology Education, Mr. Kohl who had retired last year, came back to teach half time because we needed classes covered. This was not the case for next year,” School District of Fort Atkinson Superintendent James Fitzpatrick said.

However, the science depart-

ment saw another reason to necessitate this increase.

“Classes were getting to sizes that we were uncomfortable with, especially in a lab setting,” Frey said.

To avoid such large classes, the department was left with two options: cut classes, or hire a new teacher. Fortunately, it was decided that a new teacher would be hired.

“This was a creative way Dr. Zaspel was able to relieve the pressure he had from not having enough science faculty while not increasing the FTE, consistent with the Board of Education’s efforts to hold the line on spending and fund courses where enrollment and need dictates the reallocation of our Human Resources,” Fitzpatrick said.

The hiring of the new teacher will allow presently large classes to return to a more manageable size.

This should also allow for more personal attention to students, with the goal of making the learning experience more customizable to a student’s preferences and ca-

February 28th through April 5th, 2009, were down more than fifteen percent from 2008, reaching roughly the same price points as spring break travel in 2007 according to http://travel.com Major airlines, like Delta and American, are cutting fares and simplifying their price structures to compete against other carriers whom they traditionally have not had to compete with, like Southwest and Jet Blue.

A wave of fare sales has spread across the airline industry in the early days of the new year as the weak economy continues to put pressure on carriers to fill seats.

The big airlines have become much more competitive in markets where they’ve been challenged by low cost airlines.

“With all the turbulence in the financial markets, travel suppliers need to get back their customers and they’re doing it with lower airfare and lower hotel rates. This spring will be the least expensive we’ve seen in years, and even those on tight budgets can save about two hundred dollars per ticket this year,” Travel Agent An-

gie Garred said.

Last year, airlines had cut jobs, made reductions in capacity, raised the fares and added on new fees for checked baggage and other oncefree amenities to make sure they do not lose what was expected to.

By one estimate, to total $4 billion for 2008, excluding one-time items according to http://usatoday.com.

If oil prices remain low and the economy doesn’t become worse, some say they expect the air industry to be great in 2009.

A possible reason for the decline in airfares and in turn, the boom of the industry is many people who just want to take a break from the stresses caused by the current recession and be able to relax for once.

The cheapest coach fares on many routes are half the price of what it was a few months ago.

Some flights for round trip tickets from one coast to another are less than three hundred dollars. On more than half of the routes, nonstop coach tickets were available for travel on December tenth of last year for less than two hundred and twenty dollars for round trip.

Airfares fall in recession

Amidst an economic downturn, travel remains cheap

by Paxton Harman Signal Reporter

In this weak economy, it may be bringing sky high airfares down to earth. Passengers have demanded flights to drop, so in the recent weeks many airlines for spring break and competitors have matched lower prices.

Fares for spring break travel,

New allergy treatments succeed

New method of injecting patient with allergen shown to be effective

News

May 27, 2009

the severity of the allergy. Most people have to ingest the food for the reaction. Most kids that have food allergies either need to eat or come in contact with it,” MacWilliams said.

“What we do with nut bans is actually making the problem worse. We increase anxiety, we decrease exposure to nuts, which might increase the actual epidemic that we’re trying to fight,” Harvard medical sociology professor Dr. Nicholas Christakis said, according to http://abcnews.go.com.

If more students receive this form of treatment, schools and public places will not be as vigilant about these allergies and their possible dangers.

If decreasing exposure to nuts really is making people’s allergies worse, then public places might consider in the near future being more open about what foods they sell and what those foods contain in order to help the people that are not able to receive the new treatment available for peanut allergies.

The new treatment could prove extremely beneficial in the near future.

S l l w a i b m l t W l o a m o r b est ing F ket l B lin l s a a a seb g B leyb S o a l f l t l o r b V cce all So Now Moving To Channels 96 and 98

Epipens To someone with a severe allergy, an epipen is a lifeline. One must carry it around at all times so that if one has a life-threatening allergic reaction, a bystander can inject them using the epipen, an intentionally easyto-use device. The pen carries a dose of epinephrine, a medicine designed to treat anaphylactic shock. As many as 40.9 million people in the United States suffer from a life-threatening allergy.