February 2012
y t i l Rea TV INSIDE • Dead or Alive: Chapter 15 • Teacher to Know: Elizabeth Peterson • Author Spotlight - Suzanne Collins • Annual ski camp A product of the Stevens Point Journal & Boys & Girls Club
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February 2012
Opinions vary on reality TV programming
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By Kaylyn Kluck Our Voice Staff Pacelli High School Ninth-Grader
eality TV. What just came to your mind when you read that? Did your mind flash images of shaky “American Idol” contestants auditioning? The cast of “Jersey Shore” partying it up? People finding the supposed loves of their life on “The Bachelor”? Or perhaps game show contestants winning big? People can have pretty strong opinions on these types of shows. They may loyally turn on their TVs every week to catch “Dancing with the Stars,” and see no harm in following the stories of people featured on shows such as “Teen Mom 2.” Or they can be completely against it, criticizing the often foolish and greedy people who are contestants in reality competitions, and sneering whenever people like Paris Hilton have new shows when they don’t even possess a speck of talent. One thing is certain: Reality TV is extremely prominent in
self-centered today’s pop culwomen shown ture, and is most Editorial on “Bridezillas” likely going to be to the occasional here for quite a cocky and arrowhile. T h e s e n s a t i o n a l i s m gant competitor on “Fear of reality programming Factor,” people will feel occurred in the early 2000s, better about themselves when shows like “Survivor” when someone else is being and “Big Brother” made humiliated on-screen. It’s always a good time their mark. More and more competition-style shows when you make fun of were born, such as “The the people on “Extreme Apprentice” and “America’s Couponing,” or laugh at Next Top Model.” Later on, those featured on shows documentary-style shows that specialize in theatricalhad their own boom. The ly finding ghosts or trackfirst of these was MTV’s ing down sasquatches. And “The Real World,” which let’s face it, it’s good to know focused on people with no that anyone could make a particular skill or empha- relationship last longer than sized purpose; they just had Kim Kardashian’s over-theto be real. All in all, reality top, materialistic, for-show TV had a pretty innocent marriage. I don’t think I’m start, so how did it become alone when I say that the the dirty stereotype it is Kardashian family isn’t worth the constant media often seen as today? One thing I think people coverage they have. There’s get out of non-scripted even an online petition to shows like these is satisfac- boycott the infamous famtion. They might be happy ily with more than 200,000 knowing they are nothing signatures so far. There are also some highlike the people they see on screen. From the spoiled, ly-controversial programs
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What is your take on reality TV programming? Rebecca Hoerter, ninthgrader at Paceli High School: “I find it very interesting to watch and see how the people react to everything.”
Elise Jakusz, ninthgrader at Pacelli High School: “I think it shows how far people will go for the sake of entertainment.”
Katie Flees, ninth-grader at Pacelli High School: “I think some shows are dumb, like “Jersey Shore” or those “Housewive” shows. But I LOVE the Kardashians. I think it is cool because they are an actual family and it is realistic, unlike
Patrick Rath, ninthgrader at Pacelli High School: “It’s real and nothing is staged,” he said sarcastically.
the cast that was put together on “Jersey Shore.” I always watch the show and have Kardashian compact mirrors, water bottles ... I have been into two of their Dash clothing stores, in New York and Miami. I’m kind of obsessed.”
Wear.” When I was younger the highlight of my Sunday was watching “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.” It was enjoyable seeing a family in need get an amazing new house. I don’t think reality TV at its core is a bad thing at all. And watching the occasional episode of “trash television” isn’t a sin as long as you don’t start acting like these people. I don’t really watch these shows myself, but I don’t have to in order to know that these people don’t set good examples or have the best morals. So go ahead, get your popcorn, and endorse yourself in America’s guilty pleasure. Or better yet, start a television network called RTV (Reality Television) and play only music videos.
that have aired and continue to air today. Shows like “Sister Wives” have caused quite a stir. And what about “Toddlers and Tiaras,” the TLC program that covers the lives of little girls and boys who compete in beauty pageants, some of them whom are still infants? Or even “Shattered,” a United Kingdom show from 2004 where contestants competed to see who could go the longest without sleep? So yes, reality TV isn’t always the most positive media outlet. But I believe it has its good moments too. Like when contestants share their inspiring stories on “The Biggest Loser” or “The Amazing Race.” Or when a person who dresses irresponsibly gets a full wardrobe makeover on “What Not to
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February 2012
Dead or Alive
kling. “The only thing saving you right now is that By Hanna Burch you’re our blackmail.” Our Voice Staff Angela held back tears, Ben Franklin Junior High School but said nothing and kept Ninth-Grader her eyes blank. “There’s a problem, hat? What have Darlene. The girl’s dumb. you done? She doesn’t even speak Angela hurEnglish,” Hal said, nudging riedly wanted Angela with his foot in disto ask Darlene, concerned gust. Darlene paused. for her father. But, keep“What do you mean, she ing up the Spanish, innodoesn’t speak English? cent act, she kept quiet. Of course she does! She’s “So, the little brat’s playing you. Geez, how awakened. Good thing we gullible are you?” didn’t poison you, sweetie.” Insulted, Mark and Hal She laughed, her eyes twin- frowned. “Well, try for
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yourself then, your majesty,” Hal retorted. Darlene knelt down. “Now sweetie, I know you were able to get these two morons, but don’t play any games with me, miss,” she snarled in Angela’s face. Trying desperately to keep a blank expression, she fuddled with some words in her mind and finally said, “Lo siento, no sé lo que usted dijo. Yo estoy jugando tu, pero tu no lo saben. Amo a mi padre, y si le duele, que usted paga.” Darlene squinted in
Angela’s eyes. “What? What did she just say?” “I think she said she wants a banana and needs to go to a farm.” Hal laughed and punched Mark in the arm. “Now is not a time for jokes, gentlemen. I do not know whether to believe this or not, but don’t underestimate her. If she’s anything like her father, she’s sneaky. And she’s good.” At this indirect compliment, Angela smiled inside. So she was like her father, even if the lady holding her hostage right now had done
Editor’s note: This is the 15th chapter in a continuing series. The 16th installment will appear in the March issue.
some harm to him. Having never thought about her father before these events, this comforted Angela. “Well, I have to go back and check on the results. Guys, you’re in charge. Don’t let her go.” Mark nodded in reply and Darlene left. The men sat and talked about nothing in particular while Angela laid on the floor, thinking. She sincerely hoped nothing bad had happened to Carlos and wondered what they could’ve done to him. She honestly had no idea what was going on and unanswered questions muddled her mind.
Angela was dying to ask what was happening, what were they waiting for, but she faithfully kept quiet and thought of escape strategies when she heard footsteps in the hall. Sensing it was Darlene returning, Mark and Hal stood up and crossed their arms in a professional manner, looking as productive as they could in such a small room. The footsteps stopped outside the door. Angela noted the quiet way they hit the floor and the weird pattern at which the person walked. Mark and Hal waited See Dead or alive/Page 5
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February 2012
Teacher to Know: Elizabeth Peterson By Hanna Burch Our Voice Staff Ben Franklin Junior High School Ninth-Grader
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his month’s featured teacher is Elizabeth Peterson, a seventh- and eighth-grade teacher at St. Peter Middle School. She specifically teaches eighth-grade literature, writing and religious classes and seventh-grade writing classes. She lives in Plover with her husband, Neil, and her two children, Oliver, 3, and Isadora, 2. “I am very blessed and fortunate to have such a great family,� Peterson said. She grew up in Fond du Lac and attended the University of WisconsinStevens Point, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a minor in music. She felt subconsciously that becoming a teacher was always a possibility, but she never entertained the idea until her senior year of high school. She began her college career as a music education major, but later decided to become a general education teacher with a music background to help bring music and the arts into the everyday classroom. “I enjoy being a teacher for several reasons, but I think the most important reason to me is that I get to infinitely affect the future of a student as a teacher, returning the favor that school did for me,� Peterson said. “I get to pro-
vide a place that is safe and fun, and give opportunities to explore interests.� An added plus to being a teacher is having a work schedule that matches her children’s school schedule. Mrs. Peterson claims she gets the best of both worlds being a stay-at-home mother and having a rewarding, full-time career. She loves teaching at St. Peter’s because of the wonderful teachers, families and students she gets to work with, she said. Her advice for students who want to succeed is to not
procrastinate, especially on long-term assignments. Also, read for enjoyment daily. Finally, a successful student should always want to challenge themselves
and not settle for the easy way out. Mrs. Peterson loves the moments during class when everyone is laughing together, when a student has an “ah-ha!� moment and learns something new, and when a student shows or tells her something she never knew before. Her most memorable moment as a teacher is when her Destination Imagination improvisation team qualified for Global Finals in Knoxville. Tenn. She was so proud of them. Something students would be surprised to know about her is how much she loves to travel. She enjoys traveling in America and aboard, and enjoys sharing
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stories and pictures in the classroom. “I can’t wait for my kids to get older so we can start collecting stamps in our passport as a family,� Peterson said. On another note, she surprisingly doesn’t like coffee and is a night owl rather than a morning person. Being an English teacher, Mrs. Peterson loves to read. She enjoys reading all genres in literature. When she was young her favorite book was “Julie of the Wolves� by Jean
Craighead George, and other World War II historical fiction novels. Presently, her favorite fantasy novels are the Harry Potter books. Her favorite science books are the Hunger Games trilogy. Her favorite mystery/thriller reads are the Dan Brown novels, or at least most of them. She also enjoys Agatha Christie mysteries. Her other hobbies include singing, playing the piano, scrapbooking, swimming, fishing, spending time with family and anything artsy.
NOMINATE A TEACHER Do you know a local junior high or high school teacher who should be featured as our Teacher to Know in Our Voice? If so, contact Jamie Jung at 715-345-2256 or email jamie.jung@cwnews.net.
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February 2012
Author Spotlight: Suzanne Collins
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By Danielle Pederson Our Voice Staff Stevens Point Area Senior High 10th-Grader
his was probably the toughest week for me. That is because EVERYONE knows Suzanne Collins and her Hunger Games series, so you all have formed opinions about her and her work. So, in some way, shape or form I will probably offend someone who is reading this, and I am sorry ahead of time. OK, so on to this author. Most people have heard of the Hunger Games trilogy — either through the movie that is coming out in March, or through a friend, or by reading the books or, if you’re like every other teenage girl, found out Liam Hemsworth is play-
ing Gale in the movie. These books Collins writes, I can barely describe. They are funny, intimate, scary, suspenseful, sad and happy. They make you go through a range of emotions. Now since I don’t want to ruin it for those who didn’t read the books I won’t say what happens at the end,
but I was quite fond of the ending. I have heard people say that they didn’t like the ending and that the main female character, Katniss, ended up with the wrong guy (if you read it you will understand) or that it abruptly ended. I have to disagree with that. I think that in the end the right
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choice was made. OK, enough about the books, now about the author. Suzanne gives just the right amount of action. There isn’t so much action you want to stop reading and there isn’t that feeling of not enough to make you want to stop reading — it’s just the right amount. This author, unfortunately, I think will be a one-hit wonder. Collins’ Hunger Games series won’t be able to be topped. She had her 15 minutes of fame, but with the new movie coming out I think she will most likely have a little bit longer under the limelight. Coming in the next issue ... I will write about none other than J.K. Rowling.
Dead or alive From page 3
a moment, and then stared at each other. Had they imagined it? Was there not anything outside the door? Was Darlene eavesdropping? Was it a Plan 75 employee here to help Angela? “Well?” Mark whispered to Hal. “What should we do?” The overwhelming sense of a body outside the door swelled in the room. Angela was dying of curiosity. For some reason, she didn’t think it was Darlene. Hal nudged Mark and nodded toward the door, pushing him to open it. Just as Mark’s hand reached the knob, a sound pierced the air. It was a dog’s bark.
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February 2012
Young skiers get first taste of snow at annual camp
By Danielle Pederson Our Voice Staff Stevens Point Area Senior High 10th-Grader
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his year has been crappy for snow. Some of you are happy that this year there has been a serious lack of snow. I and a handful of youths from the Iola Cross-Country Ski Team are not. Unlike last year, this year we did not go to Houghton, Mich., for our annual Christmas
Ski Camp. This year we went to Minocqua but, unfortunately, Minocqua didn’t have much snow so we drove up to Ironwood, Mich. Here’s a look at what we did during our three-day ski camp: » Dec. 27, 6 p.m.: The ski team met Tuesday night for a potluck dinner. We had some chili, barbecue and meatballs. Yum! Some team building, eating and talking. I don’t know what the middle school skiers did on Tuesday, but the high school girls watched some movies. Good team bonding. » Dec. 28, 7 a.m.: Bright and early the skiers slowly moved from their warm beds to the breakfast downstairs. Oatmeal, waffles, cereal and eggs were
Classic is the easiest to get a grasp on when you learn it. After an hour of small group coaching, we broke into individual coaching or a ski by yourself. So after lunch, off the skiers go. » Dec. 28, 7 p.m.: Wednesday night, a gathering for the middle school skiers was in a room and had some pizza and extra subs from lunch. The high school skiers ate pizza and watched movies. Everyone was so sore from skiing. For most, that was the first Iola Cross-Country Ski Team members Seth Barns and time skiing all year. Most Stephanie Pederson pose for a photo in front of the ski turned it in early because lodge at ABR Trails in Ironwood, Mich., during the team’s we were all tired. annual Christmas Ski Camp. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO) » Dec. 29, 7 a.m.: Oh, what everyone was eat- the seven or so coaches. the dreaded second day ing that morning. An hour Classic was the name of of sore skiing. Slowly, the drive up to ABR, a very the game for today. Classic team came down the halls good ski place in Ironwood, is the more traditional way and stairs to breakfast. Mich. We split the 15 kids of skiing. It is like shuf- This morning we were all into small groups with fling but more advanced. definitely moving 10 times
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slower. We all mosey on over to ABR for another day of skiing. But today we did skating. Skating is the other way to ski. It is harder to learn, but it is a faster way to get around for most skiers. » Dec. 29, noon: Lunch time! Today it was a mix of food from everyone. A potluck lunch. After lunch it was a good hour ski until most turned in because there is so much weakness, including the tired arms and legs. Although, there is always the joy of the fresh snow all over, no one wants to stop skiing. On the last day we are sad it’s over but smiles all over the fact that we got a good seven hours of skiing in for the whole weekend. I can’t wait for next year’s Christmas Ski Camp.
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February 2012
Organizations find ‘home’ in Ben Franklin library Students For Our Voice
The Ben Franklin Junior High School Library is the “hot spot” in the school. A lot of activities happen between the Library Council and Anime Club. Both organizations take pride in having a place to help, study, hang out and have an artistic impression within their school. The Anime Club started during the 2010-11 school year with the young talents of a brother and sister — one as the artist, and the other as the author. This year, Bee Xiong (original member) and other students have decided to edit and update the Japanese-style animated story to eventually distribute within the school. Students such as Nathan Hunter, Kayla Rexnick and Chai Vang along with many others all have an input with the style, accessories, background and story line of the book, which will be a teen novel. The artistic capabilities and
passion expressed by the group lets you know that we are witnessing bright futures, wherever this experience takes them. They educated me on the style of anime, which originated in Japan. The characters generally have big doe eyes, and they provided their best example being the recently popular Pokemon animated cartoon series. Many of the same students also belong to the Library Council, which gives them another outlet to display their talents and be helpful at the same time. The students help make decisions such as decorating, bulletin boards and fundraisers. The students have had fundraisers to purchase sofas, chairs and a flatscreen television. They raised about $2,000 through cake raffles, T-shirt sales and Wuucki cookies. They are very active and know when and how best to assist the library staff. Their responsibilities can include book withdrawals for
learn from meteorologist Justin Loew For Our Voice
Members of the Anime Club meet in the library at Ben Franklin Junior High School. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO) students, organizing or creating come and be at home in school,” murals. They’re a very impressive said Ms. Helbach, librarian and group that adds to the diversity, media specialist. camaraderie and development of — Submitted by Jacqueline Rose, the school. volunteer communications liaison for “They have found a place to Ben Franklin Junior High School.
Students heard from a working professional when WAOW Channel 9 chief meteorologist Justin Loew visited the eighth-grade science classes of Dave Grabski and Kurt Freund at P.J. Jacobs Junior High School during their weather/atmosphere/climate unit. Loew explained a common point of confusion, the difference between climate and weather. He also described the tools used to forecast the regional weather, and the large amount of information meteorologists must sort. Initial data comes through the National Weather Service. See Loew/Page 8
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February 2012 the construction of clothing and the presentation of food. To have art means that one has an inspiration or passion and the aesthetics or skill technique to express the concept. Dailing shared his first sketches from eighth grade on through high school, demonstrating that he draws from his imagination. He also showed students his first piece of jewelry, designed in a metal jewelry class at Stevens Point Area Senior High. Then he shared the many awards he has won over the years and showed books and Local goldsmith Thomas Dailing, left, and P. J. Jacobs Junior magazines in which his High School student Haley Dudei discuss her designs for an work has been featured. art class jewelry project. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO) Dailing’s most recognized Dailing suggested that stu- life that require the skills of piece is his Nautilus design, dents get back to drawing art such as designing items now a permanent part of to put ideas on paper, to in our environments (like the Smithsonian Institute’s design and engineer. We chairs), to the elements of National Gem Collection. encounter many things in dance, the theory of music, Even with all these acco-
For Our Voice
Fledgling eighth-grade artists at P.J. Jacobs Junior High School recently had a unique mentoring experience. One of the world’s top innovative jewelry designers, local goldsmith Thomas Dailing, visited Shari Boehnlein’s third-period class to share his artistic journey from his own eighth-grade year to becoming recognized today as one of the world’s master artists in his field. Dailing gave his thoughts on the importance of drawing. He asked the students to think back to how young children begin drawing and expressing themselves with pencils and crayons before starting to write. As youngsters learn more and are introduced to math, reading and writing, they rely less and less on drawing skills.
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lades, Dailing enjoys being a local goldsmith who designs jewelry pieces based on customer requests. In his spare time he is intrigued by rare gems, creating innovative and mathematically engineered designs to house those gems. Dailing spent the remainder of the class interacting with the eighth-graders about their own jewelry designs. He asserted that when craft and expression come together you have art. He urged students to look within themselves for ideas. Next, the students will refine their sketches into designs that soon will be transformed into their first piece of metal jewelry done in the fabrication method. — Submitted by Rosemary Francsis, volunteer communications liaison for P.J. Jacobs Junior High School.
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Next, the forecasters filter current conditions based on local weather factors. Detailing job facts such as a workday that begins at 2 a.m., Loew advised students considering a meteorology career to look at a broad array of classes that would increase their employability. Though sciences play a major role, Loew shared that courses such as speech and communication also are vital for success in the broadcasting field. Following Loew’s presentation, students were able to ask questions about his job duties, television careers in general and some of the extremes of weather on which he has reported. — Contributed by Rosemary Francsis, volunteer communications liaison for P.J. Jacobs Junior High School.
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