www.ehs-hub.info
Eureka, MO 63025 ehs_hub@rockwood.k12.mo.us
Issue 7, Volume 78 May 15, 2013 Eureka High School 4525 Highway 109
thebugle
Setting the stage Seniors share unique post-
photo courtesy of michaela wolz
mary tomlinson feature writer
graduation plans In three months, Michaela Wolz will make her way 1,210 miles to Boston Conservatory to study vocal performance with 700 other artists. Though Wolz always loved to sing, she didn’t find her niche until last summer. “Mrs. Donna Baker, choir director, sent me to an opera camp, and I fell in love,” Wolz said. “I really do have an operatic voice, and I enjoy it. So that’s why I decided to pursue it.” After Wolz graduates from Boston Conservatory and graduate school, which is necessary for pursuing a career in opera, the real excitement begins.
“When I graduate from grad school, hopefully I’ll do Metropolitan Opera auditions,” Wolz said. “It takes one break for your name to get out.” Her inherent love of opera draws Wolz to the spotlight. “My favorite part about performing is definitely the response from the audience,” Wolz said. “I get a ton of energy, and I feel great when I have an audience in front of me.” Wolz hopes that one day EHS will hear the name Michaela Wolz gracing the stage of the Metropolitan Opera in Lincoln Center Plaza in New York City.
Richter pours the first layer of a cookie dough fudge, April 12.
2
1
A young Ellerbeck (bottom right) with a family friend, mother Mrs. Maria Ellerbeck, father Mr. Ray Ellerbeck, and family friend, Alex, on vacation in Cebu, Philippines. photo courtesy of kate richter
Anyone familiar with the Food Network knows of the baking craze that has manifested into programs like “Ace of Cakes” and “Cupcake Wars.” Kate Richter wants to make the fantastic world of baking her reality. “I want to own a bakery and specialize in wedding cakes,” Richter said. Richter has known since a young age that she wanted to go into the culinary arts and finds the career a perfect fit. “I’m a very social person, so I decided that culinary, specifically baking, would be more creative but also an actual job that would get me money and have social influences,” Richter said. To make this dream career a reality, Richter will be studying at Sullivan University in Louisville, KY. When she graduates, she will have an associate’s degree in baking and pastry as well as a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management, which relates directly to restaurant and business management. In order to fulfill her dream, she must find ways to adapt to culinary school. “I’m nervous at how the grades will work,” Richter said. “I’m not sure if I’m being graded on whether it’s perfect or if it’s just going to be grading on techniques. But I’m also excited to not have to take classes in history and science and other stuff I’m not interested in. Instead of taking notes all the time, I’ll actually be doing what I like.”
photo courtesy of the ellerbeck family
3
With a former Lieutenant in the Navy for a father and his experience at Naval Academy Summer Seminar, Alex Branchfield decided to attend the Naval Academy. The Academy offers many opportunitities after graduation. “The four years are free, but you are required to do five years minimum of military service,” Branchfield said. “When you graduate from the academy, you’re an officer in your service branch, so you’re basically guaranteed a job.” Such benefits come with a price. “You’re not allowed to watch TV or listen to music,” Branchfield said. “Three times a week you have workouts at 5:30 a.m. Also, it is the military. There is a safety risk.” Despite the abrupt change in lifestyle, Branchfield knows he is becoming a part of an admired organization. “I look forward to being a part of the prestige of the military and dedicating my life to something,” Branchfield said.
4
Branchfield and his squad at the finish line of the endurance course at the Naval Academy Summer Seminar, June 6. photo courtesy of alex branchfield
Wolz performs at The Fox Theater for the St. Louis Teen Talent Competition, April 13. She sang Fair Robin I Love from the opera Tartuffe.
Unlike the majority of college students who are itching to become independent of their families, RJ Ellerbeck is using his college experience to get closer to his family at Cebu Doctor’s University in the Philippines, 8,400 miles away. “I haven’t been in the Philippines since I was young,” Ellerbeck said. “I want to meet all of my relatives over there and grow closer to them.” Leaving the U.S. for a prolonged period of time brings new challenges, especially with language, since Filipino is the native language of the Philippines. “I’ll be leaving everything here that I’ve known since I was born,” Ellerbeck said. “I am worried about the language barrier, but it will probably be faster to learn Filipino because I will be immersed into the culture and all of the family will help me.” After studying nursing at Cebu University, Ellerbeck plans to take his experience straight into the world. “After I graduate, I’ll probably work in the Philippines as a nurse to get experience,” Ellerbeck said. “But then I was hoping I would come back to the St. Louis area and get an internship or a get a part-time nursing job to get myself started.” Pahl (bottom center) signs, April 2. Assistant coach Kenny Louden and head coach Garry Mason stand behind Mrs. Linda and Mr. Larry Pahl, his parents.
courtesy of brianofpahl photo courtesy the Pahl family
5
Though bass fishing is a relaxing, enjoyable pastime for many outdoorsman, it is the future for Brian Pahl. Next year, Pahl will attend Bethel University in Mackenzie, Tennessee, the number one fishing school in the country. Pahl signed with the fishing team, which will bode well for his future if he succeeds on the team. “If I do well in the college fishing, I will go into marketing and business to become a professional fisherman,” Pahl said. A professional fisherman, beyond attending fishing competitions, helps businesses sell and promote fishing gear. Pahl has a long history in the sport of bass fishing; he has been in the competitive fishing world for seven years, and he has won the state fishing tournament five times. Thanks to his opportunity to fish at Bethel University, Pahl gets the chance to take his passion for fishing to the next level. “I don’t know anybody at Bethel and it’s pretty far away, but I’ll be doing something that I love,” Pahl said.