The Norse Star - February 2016 by The Norse Star

stoughton high school

the norse star february 2016

a techno-baptism

table of contents The Norse Star staff during the month of Febuary explores rave culture, features media stars, and reviews some of the latest movies of 2016. (Cover Photo Illustration by Ethan Genter and Jon Klingenberg )

TOC by Kira Fields Staff Writer

news

opinions

Talking about young mil-

Check up on all the

upcoming events in the music department.

in-depth

Diving deep into the

lennials’ involvement in

culture of electronic

politics and what it means

dance music, The Norse

for the future.

Star experiences the

features

Tired of boring mac and

rave life.

entertainment

cheese? Check out this

See The Norse Star’s top

month’s food review and the

picks for the best movies

insane creations at MAC’s.

of the past year.

sports

The girls’ varsity basketball team takes conference for the first time in 14 years, check out what has gotten them to this point.

Editorial Policy: The Norse Star strives to present the news in a fair and unbiased manner. Any column, editorial, or letter to the editor expresses the opinion of the author and not necessarily the entire staff. The staff editorial does not necessarily reflect the views of the entire staff. The Norse Star is a public forum written and produced by the students of Stoughton High School, and they are soley responsible for its content. Students, staff, faculty, and members of the community are welcome to submit letters to the editor of 300 words or less. Letters may be edited due to space limitation, obscenities, or libel concerns. Norse Star will verify the authenticity of any letters sent on the behalf of school organizations or groups. All letters must be signed and placed in the Norse Star mailbox, mailed to The Norse Star, 600 Lincoln Ave, Stoughton WI, 53589, or emailed to Laura.Streyle@stoughton.k12.wi.us. The Norse Star Staff: Editor-in-Chief: Jon Klingenberg Assistant Editor: Ethan Genter Graphics Editor: TJ Fedikovich

Head Artists: Seren Pellett, Joshua Bausch Opinions Editor: Rachel DelPizzo In-Depth Editor: Meredith Melland News Editor: Brandon Lamberty

Entertainment Editor: Connor Roisum Features Editor: Mallory Giesen Sports Editor: Julia Olson Business Manager: Gunnar Goetz

Staff Writers: Mikayla Frick, Kira Fields, Neiya Brown, Isabelle Genter, Garrett Kluever, Mya Lonnebotn, Bergen Gardner, Raya Kate Castronovo

the norse star, febuary 2016

norse notes By Bergen Gardner and Brandon Lamberty Staff Writer and News Editor

news

“Zootopia” and “The Choice” are coming to Stoughton Cinema Cafe on March 4.

For the first time in history, all three of Vincent Van Gogh’s “Bedroom in Arles” paintings will be in the same exhibit. Visit the Chicago Art Institute now until May 10.

Looking for something fun for the kids in your life? Check out the Kid’s Expo at the Alliant Energy Center on March 5-6 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Let the inner geek come out at the GeekCraft Expo at the Madison Masonic Center on March 19-20 from 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Take a day trip to the Henry Vilas Zoo and see the newly renovated Arctic Passage, featuring polar bears and other arctic animals.

Good luck to the Juniors who will be taking the ACT on March 1. Come support the SHS orchestra program on March 8 from 7 p.m. 9 p.m. at the Concerto Concert.

art by joshua bausch

the norse star, february 2016

news

koenecke invited to white house

By Isabelle Genter Staff Writer n Jan. 28, Lisa Koenecke, the ceremony, with 48 out of a school counselor at 50 states being represented by River Bluff Middle School, their state school counselor of travelled to the White House the year. in Washington, D.C. to During the four days she attend the School Counselor spent there, Koenecke got of the Year Ceremony. the chance to see not only Koenecke got this opportu- the First Lady, but also many nity due to her position as a other important political fignational board member of the ures. “In addition to going to American School Counselor the White House, I was very Association (ASCA). She was busy. Wednesday was spent on elected for a three-year term Capitol Hill. I met with staffers in this position in October of Senator Ron Johnson(R), of 2015. In total, there were Senator Tammy Baldwin(D), around 250 people invited to and Representative Mark

photos courtesy of lisa koenecke

Michelle Obama greets School Counselor of the Year, Katherine Pastor at the ceremony.

Pocan(D),” said Koenecke. This same week, Feb. 1-5, was also National School Counseling Week, a week to celebrate and show appreciation for all that school counselors do. This appreciation was seen most definitely from none other than the First Lady, herself. “Michelle Obama has an initiative called ‘Reach Higher’ where she wants students to go to college. In her research with this initiative, she realized how important school counselors are to opening the doors to college to all students,” said Koenecke. Being only one of two school counselors at River Bluff Middle School, Koenecke does not get to meet a whole lot of other people that do the same thing as she does. She said that, “The biggest thing I took away from the trip was seeing how amazing school counselors from around the country are advocating for students just like I do!” With so many fun and exciting highlights to the trip, it was hard for Koenecke to narrow it down. But, she

Koenecke poses outside the White House. decided, “My favorite part of the trip was being in the same room as the First Lady. It was also very cool being around so many historical buildings and meeting so many school counselors from around the country.” Being only the second year this ceremony has been held under the Obama administration, Koenecke felt honored to be invited. She looks forward to being able to travel back to D.C. in 2017, and awaits another experience that she will never forget.

playing ping pong for puppies By Rachel DelPizzo Opinions Editor n Feb. 22, a charity ping O pong tournament was held at Stoughton High School. The

tournament drew out many of the schools’ well-intentioned ping pong players, with hope to partake, help the community, and win. With a five dollar admission fee, participants registered at 5:30 p.m., and began to play and compete at 6 p.m. Both singles and doubles games were played, standard rules applying. Although competitors were playing for the glory of victory, there were other awards. The tournament winner(s) recieved a golden ping pong paddle. As with all charity events, the true goal was not winning, but of course bettering

the world, and helping the party in need. In this case, that party happened to be dogs. All of the event’s proceeds went to the Dane County Humane Society’s dogs, so that they could find forever homes. Students may have seen pictures of these furry little friends hanging up around the school. Five dogs of various breeds and sizes will benefit from the charity ping pong tournament: Tux, Bailey, Twix, Noelle, and Roxi. This event is run and brought to you by Stoughton High School’s very own Student Senate. The idea originates from an esteemed senate member, student, and community member, Julia Olson. Operating under the mantra “helping people help animals,” Dane County Humane Society

helps approximately 9,000 animals a year. For more information on this non-profit, or to get involved and help out, you can visit their website,

giveshelter.org. Also, be sure to be on the lookout for the next charity ping pong tournament.

Noelle is one of five dogs who benefited from the charity event. the norse star, february 2016

news

w n ll s u i f g n i g n i w the music S

toughton High School participated in Solo and Ensemble again this year, sending students to the hosting school, Janesville, on Saturday, Feb. 20. Solo and Ensemble is facilitated by the Wisconsin School Music Association which gives students a chance to prepare a piece to perform in front of a judge and, in return, receive

By Raya Kate Castronovo and Bergen Gardner Staff Writers a professional critique and a High school band teacher rating. Stoughton High School Dan Schmidt commented on requires band and orchestra stu- this year’s Solo and Ensemble, dents to participate, but choir saying, “We had a good students often take part, as number of entries this year. well. More of a review Some of these students have of their progress been working for months. It’s rather than a safe to say this was a successful competition, Solo event.” and Ensemble Many students spent extra helps the students time preparing for Solo and improve and Ensemble, choosing their pieces reflect on their as far back as Oct and Nov, technique. and a number of students also

study privately at studios with teachers. This was junior Bryan Wendt’s second year participating in Solo and Ensemble. He was one of the students who took the extra time to get outside help and attended private lessons at the Stoughton Center for the Performing Arts in the preceding months. “It’s hard work,” Wendt said, “but worth all the time and effort.”

actors, resulting in four performances, two for each cast. “Pride and Prejudice,” written by Jane Austen, is a romantic comedy where marriage is a necessity for the main daughters of the show in order to keep up their personal and family image. The show is under the direction of DeeDee Bouzek and student director Meredith Melland.

Thu McKenzie plays Elizabeth Bennet, the female lead, and Gabe Ross plays Mr. Darcy, her opposite. When asked what one should expect from the show, McKenzie said, “I think Pride and Prejudice is different from a modern rom com because it doesn’t hold the same overdone sappiness, but it still incorporates elements of sweetness and

laughter that makes the show timeless and relatable.”

Ensemble and jazz program. The jazz group had been practicing and preparing since Nov, and this was their first show of the year. Set up in a nightclub style with low lighting and decorations, complete with a jambalaya dinner and soda bar, the Stoughton Jazz Ensemble provided a variety of music including some swing tunes and ballads. The show included

a diverse collection of jazz tune pieces including “Hugh’s Blues,” “Whirly Bird,” “It’s Just You and Me,”and “Birdland.” For the second year in a row, the Madison College Jazz Ensemble joined to perform some pieces as well. The night also featured the Stoughton High School male a capella group, Dive In, for the first time. The group performed

“Superstition,” and a mashup of “Billie Jean” and “Poison.” The whole evening made for an enjoyable event. “It makes for a neat evening,” said Stoughton jazz ensemble director Dan Schmidt. “The whole night went very well.” A unique evening and fun performance, the Jazz Ensemble looks forward to many more classy performances to come.

will be learning four pieces as a whole group and two pieces for the men and women, respectively. A great deal of work has been, and will be, put in for this phenomenal opportunity. The choir will rehearse in New York City at the hotel with other performing groups. This music won’t just be performed in the prestigious hall, but will also be performed at the Sacred Concert which is performed in the spring at Covenant

Lutheran Church and is the final concert of the year for the SHS choirs. Other stops along the way include the opportunity to see the Broadway performance of “School of Rock,” touring

NBC studios, enjoy various foods of the city, and leisure time sightseeing. The students on the trip will have many moments for making great memories, none of which they will forget.

“

ride and Prejudice” takes over the Stoughton High School auditorium on March 3 at 7 p.m. and doesn’t leave until the last showing on March 6 at 2 p.m. Tickets will be sold online at showtix4u. com and at the door. Due to an unprecedented amount of auditionees, the show has been double casted, meaning certain roles are played by two different he tenth annual Jazz at the Red Slipper concert took place on Monday, Feb. 22 at Stoughton High School. This performance featured and benefited the high school Jazz

n March 24, the Stoughton High School Concert Choir leaves for its tour in New York City where they will perform at Carnegie Hall for the third time in the choir’s history. “Carnegie Hall is one of the most prestigious concert venues on the planet and anyone who’s anyone has performed there,” says choir director, Ryan Casey. The Concert Choir meets once a day for an hour, and they

the norse star, february 2016

art by joshua bausch

news

hospital ed receives renovation

By Gunnar Goetz Business Manager n 2012, there was a chemical explosion at Stoughton High School that required the setup of a Decontamination Tent by Stoughton Hospital Faculty. This process took a precious 45 minutes to complete before the students could be cleansed of possibly hazardous chemicals to which they could have been exposed. Today, those crucial 45 minutes for setting up a Decon Tent could be bypassed due to the incorporation of a Decon Shower into Stoughton Hospital’s Emergency Department (ED) Renovation that began in the fall of 2015. “We’re adding [the Decon Shower] so it’s a lot more private for patients if they were to be exposed to something,” said Tina Strandlie, an employee at the hospital for 20 years and the current Emergency Department Manager. Her husband, and Facilities Manager, Dwayne Strandlie, added, “We don’t want them to come into the building, because now the building is contaminated,

[and] the building is considered quarantined. This way, we can bring them in through the shower . . . and then they can be treated.” Tina Strandlie added, “This area was built in 1995, and it was only built to have about 9,000 patients [per year]. Right now we’re seeing upwards of about 18,000 patients [per year].” With the increased traffic of patients to the ED, a renovation will help expand the existing space to accommodate this increase. “For the Emergency Department, we wanted [to] have all private rooms. Right now, we don’t have that; we have curtains between rooms,” said Tina Strandlie. Dwayne Strandlie continued, “Each room will have a shared bathroom, which [we] don’t currently have. It’s going to make it more patient-friendly up there.” Tina Strandlie added, “Right now, they have 12 rooms with one bathroom.” The renovations will also make it much easier to make one’s way about the hospital, as well as making

it easier for a patient to be able to spot a doctor or nurse when they leave their room, instead of having a network of hallways to navigate. “Currently, our call system is basically a cord . . . The new call system we’re getting is [that] if you’re a patient, you’ll have something you hold in your hand, and if you want a drink of water, you push a thing that says ‘water’ on it so I know that’s what you want. I can bring it to you, without having to come and ask you what you want. [It’s the] same for pain medication. [And] you can turn [the] channel on the tv with them,” explained Tina

Strandlie. This implementation will increase efficiency of the hospital and the speed at which patients are helped. All the renovation is not yet causing a huge change in the flow of work for doctors and nurses, but that might not be so in the near future. As renovations continue, the total number of operational ED rooms will decrease from 14 to eight, but will increase to a total of 16 rooms when the renovation is completed in March 2017. Dr. Warren Tripp, the Medical Director of Emergency Sciences, made light of the renovation’s current effects on work flow, “It is true that there are a few, shall we say, ‘growing pains.’ We like to say the noise you hear is the sound of the future!”

photo by gunnar goetz

Dwayne Strandlie (right) looks in on the early stages of building of the new Decon Shower with Shane Swart (left), the Job Superintendant at JP Cullen.

stock teams find success in simulation By Julia Olson Sports Editor ll the teams from Stoughton High School economics classes finished competing in the Wisconsin Stock Market Simulation in December. One team from Pat Schneider’s economics class, and one team from Kelly Patel’s economics class finished in the top ten teams in Wisconsin. The students that were a part of the winning teams attended an awards banquet on Wednesday,

Feb. 17 to be rewarded for their success. The ninth place team from Patel’s class was made up of seniors Harrison Flesher, Clayton Custer, Kelly Tribune, and juniors Garrett Welsch and Bella Lenz. The 10th place team from Schneider’s class was made up of seniors Kyle Wilkinson, Allison Beebe, Rachel DelPizzo, and Jack Lonnebotn. The simulation took place from Oct. 12, 2015 through Dec. 18, 2015 under the supervision of the Wisconsin Council

on Economics Education. Over had two teams get into the the course of the 10-week top 10 in the state,” said Kyle simulation, Patel’s Wilkinson. team had a 19.14 percent return on their investments and Schneider’s class finished with a 18.68 percent return on their stocks. “I definitely encourage kids in the future to actually try and participate in this photo courtesy of kelly patel simulation because, as you can see, it’s A conglomeration of members from not that difficult both teams pose for a picture following the to do well as we stock market simulation banquet. the norse star, february 2016

winter formal at shs By Mallory Giesen Features Editor

tudent Senate organized a Winter Formal that took place on February 20, from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. in the Stoughton High School gym. All proceeds went to the MakeA-Wish foundation, though in the beginning it was unclear if the event would actually take

news place, since it was decided that it would not happen if less than 100 tickets were sold. Much like homecoming, the dance was semi-formal and had the same DJ. The theme was winter, and Student Senate sold tickets at lunchtime during the week before the dance. The goal was to build hype and get more students involved in the dance than they would’ve in the past, when not much accomodations were set in place for amusement, with only an iPod hooked up to a speaker. “[Student Senate] was looking to have an event that didn’t get as much hate from students,” said Sydney Johnson, a member of Student Senate and the head of the danceplanning. It was a valid goal for the event, considering the way winter dances have gotten

kettle park west phase II development update By Garrett Kluever Staff Writer

re-construction for Phase II of Kettle Park West has now begun as the city planning commission is reviewing the development plans for its construction. The plans for the 82 acre site include close to 500 residential plots, commercial buildings, and trails that would be scattered around the woodland areas of the development. The expansion plans presented to the commission by Forward Development Group, the managing overseers of the project, split the residential area of 494 residential plots into 123 plots of independent senior housing apartments, 311 multifamily residential units, and 60 single family units (42 singlefamily homes and 18 condos). A proposed park inside of the residential area would also include nearly 3,300 feet of trails. The exact size of the park and its dimensions are still to be determined by the common council. the norse star, february 2016

The remaining area that is not the two stormwater areas or wetland ponds will be dedicated to the commercial buildings of Phase II. This includes the possibility of a hotel and a small office building on the far left side of the area next to the planned senior housing. Overall, Phase II is divided into two areas: there is the upper half, a 58-acre plot that includes almost all of the residential area, commercial space, and the aforementioned park, and then there is 24 acre lower half, which includes two large retention ponds and the 18 condos that will be on the shore of the pond. Since Jackson Street is currently the only guaranteed entrance into Kettle Park West, there are two other options for entrances that are still being explored. A roundabout would possibly be placed on Hwy 138 going to Oregon past the Super Walmart entrance. “A connection to STH 138 in this area is anticipated as part of the city’s Comprehensive

many bad student reviews in the past. It’s always seemed that no one is ever satisfied by their experience when they walk out of any school dance. Luckily, the required number of tickets were sold by Feb. 10, and students were determined to

finally enjoy themselves at the dance. Preparations for the event included ordering some winter-themed decorations and meetings held by Student Senate.

art by joshua bausch

Plan. However, the approval, 13, 2016. The City Planning timing, and authorization for Commission will hold a public this is subject to the Wisconsin hearing Monday, March 16 at Department of Transportation,” 6 p.m. to discuss the prelimisaid Rodney Scheel, Stoughton nary plan with the residents Director of Planning and of Stoughton, allowing them Development. to voice their opinions and The other proposed entrance to begin finalizing the develis at the top of the upper half opment process. Full scale of Phase II that would con- construction of Kettle Park nect Roby Road. The problem West is scheduled to begin with the entrance at that cur- between mid-summer and fall. rent location is that it has the possibility of crossing 500 feet into the technical territory of the Town of Rutland which may cause zoning issues going forward. Currently no plans have been definitively finalized for the development. The final decisions for Phase II of Kettle Park West have to be submitted by the Council and photo illustration courtesy of forward development group Planning Commission Forward Development Group’s Phase II plot by April divided into two sections, the upper and lower half. 7

opinions - editor’s column

not all crackers taste the same By Ethan Genter Assistant Editor

e are privileged. We are white America. The color of our skin makes us less susceptible to discrimination in nearly every way, and yet we have become the societal punching bags for the microaggressions of every sullen somebody. The actions of our white forefathers, with ideals then borne out of ignorance, confusion, and hate, generations before us have contributed to every evil known to man. But the stigma associated with our doppelgängers of the past seems to be following us. This is unfortunate, for if a person is born in likeness to Hitler it does not make him the leader of mass genocide, and if a person is born in likeness to Princess Diana, it does not make her humanitarian. It is true that the abject poverty many minorities live in today was and is due to the venomous doings of white people years ago. It is true that there are still white people today that have been molded in the same ignorant, hateful, and confused air of their forefathers a thousand years ago, just as if compassionate, open-minded evolution passed them by. They speak with hate, without thought, and act with the same rancor. I believe in the good of people, and I believe that these white people are the few. For a scapegoat, we have turned more and more towards one’s skin as a sign of misunderstanding, as a sign of a lack of competence, as a sign that one’s skin is the source of wrongdoing, as a sign that their skin makes them false. Point to people’s ideals, point to their actions today. In the search for the black sheep, you will find white men and women, but charge them, know the source of the individual’s heinousness, not that of their skin color.

the norse star, february 2016

For years people have tried to eradicate the dogmatism of race that has plagued not only our nation, but our world. Why then, do we perpetuate the use of melanin-based distinguish-

just promote the African race, the Asian race, the Mexican race, or the Caucasian race, we have to promote the human race. The white person is easy to

ment, separation, blame. They are and identification? not oppressed, Just in our speech their troubles and in our percepare not those of tion of each other Chicago’s south it is obvious that side, or the develwe self-segregate. oping world. But Is that not counthey are not the terproductive? If enemy, this is not we attempt to class warfare, and wipe the crust of this is not racial warthe earth clean, fare. Because the wash every crevice, conduct of their scrub every ancestors gave them mountain of this a more culturally wickedness, then advantageous organ it has to be a conencasing their body certed effort by all does not make and for all. them the We can’t doormat point finof which gers and we can art by joshua bausch help people wipe our up at the same time. We only frustration. That frushave two hands, and that tration has to be channeled, would take forever. We can’t channeled into change, change

that I can’t cover in under 800 words, because name calling and blame gets us nowhere fast. Not all Muslims are radical jihadists, not all Jews are Bernie Madoff, not all Germans work for the SS, not all Black people are criminals, and not all white people belong to the KKK. We are people-normal, empathetic people. White people do not seek to regain supreme rule of the land through hatred. Most white people, that is. We are not our great grandfathers or their fathers. We are white America today and not everything that comes out of our mouths has an unconscious undertone of hatred. So does the ostracism and malicious nature with which we treat someone in the majority, or the majority as a whole, make it less severe, less callous than treating the minority in a bigoted way? Does a word become less vile, or does our blame for the action of radicalists become less erroneous when whom we alter the demographic of focus? It doesn’t. Do you remember who of your childhood friends were black, white, Asian, or Mexican? Did you know that they were when you were four, five, six? Probably not. You knew they were your friends. You like basketball, I eat mangos, you’re tall, and I can’t do a cartwheel. We are not and cannot be defined by our appearance. We have to transcend the perception that our phenotype should affect our perception of not just a few, but everyone, because the more we see each other only in the light that shines on our skin, the more we will become blind with bigotry. 9

opinions - staff editorial

don’t fix what isn’t broken

why planned parenthood shouldn’t be defunded

he infamous bill to defund Planned Parenthood has been voted on for its eighth time this year alone. The efforts to defund the clinic have been thwarted by President Obama who has said he will veto any effort to defund the health provider. It would be wrong to defund Planned Parenthood because the government would be taking the funding away from a place that provides basic health care for those in need. This basic health care is necessary in communities because it includes pregnancy prevention tactics and lifesaving exams, both of which are crucial to the future of a healthy American people. Because of the news and mainstream media, the health clinics at Planned Parenthood are perhaps most known for the fact that they perform abortions and they take a lot of heat from pro-lifers because of this. A pro-lifer is a person in favor of outlawing abortion because they believe it is taking human life. The main impetus behind the bill to defund Planned Parenthood is that the taxpayers whose money goes towards abortion or the selling of aborted embryos do not support these activities. However, this issue is invalid. Under federal law, tax dollars can’t pay for abortions unless the pregnancy was from rape or incest or the pregnancy threatens the mother’s life. Some people don’t like abortions, but that isn’t the only thing Planned Parenthood is about by a long shot. Instead, the organization’s aim is to provide health care to those who can’t afford it, as well as to provide sex education and unintended pregnancy prevention tactics. Only three percent of all of Planned Parenthood’s health services are abortion services. Defunding the clinic just because three percent of

what they do is abortions isn’t practical when the rest of what they do has nothing to do with it. If Planned Parenthood was defunded, then the 75 percent of people who go there to receive services to prevent unintended pregnancies could get pregnant when they can’t support a child. Planned Parenthood’s federal funding goes towards birth control, STD/STI (sexually transmitted diseases/ infections) exams and some treatments, breast exams, pap smears (a test for finding precancerous or cancerous cells in the cervix), prenatal services, sterilization procedures for both men and women, and adoption referrals to other agencies. The funding goes towards saving lives. If the bill is passed to defund Planned Parenthood, the people who receive health care there and can’t afford it otherwise would have nowhere to go. Even if the funding was given to other health care clinics where abortions are currently not performed, those providers don’t have the resources to support all those patients who are cared for at Planned Parenthood. If the bill is passed to defund Planned Parenthood, that doesn’t mean their clinics would shut down. Abortions wouldn’t change because, as

previously stated, the federal Parenthood isn’t about abordollars don’t even go towards tions, it is about the care of abortion in the first place. people in need. Defunding the clinics won’t Planned Parenthood progive the opposition heading vides sex education and this bill what they want. reproductive and sexual health It’s a fact that Planned services to 4,665,000 people Parenthood does perform a year. If Planned Parenthood abortions. However, Planned was defunded, all of those Parenthood existing only for people would have to find abortions is a misconception. a new health clinic provider. Planned Parenthood’s opposi- The percent of people Planned tion is using Parenthood abortion as Some people don’t like provides care the main to that are at reason to abortions, but that isn’t or below the shut down poverty level Planned the only thing Planned is 79 perParenthood centw. And because most Parenthood is about by a where would people don’t those people want to get go if they long shot. rid of the can’t afford basic health care that is pro- health care? Would those vided, but they do want to get federal dollars that are being rid of abortions, so they can get taken away from Planned people to sympathise with the Parenthood still go to the movement to defund the pro- people or would it go somegram. But the argument and where else, leaving millions in possible solution of defunding need? Planned Parenthood to get Defunding Planned rid of abortion isn’t a strong Parenthood isn’t going to get argument and it isn’t the solu- rid of the thing that people tion. Defunding Planned are really against. The opposiParenthood would only cause tion at the head of this bill is more unwanted pregnancies pushing to defund the health and the possibility of more clinic, but they are contraabortions and uncared for chil- dicting themselves at every dren in addition to decreased turn. The clinic has been prosex education and STD/I viding care and education for prevention and care. Planned 97 years. Those 97 years of education have helped keep the percentage of abortions at the low number of three percent. Maybe three percent isn’t enough for some, but the solution to have zero percent is not defunding Planned Parenthood. The solution is not taking away basic health care for those who can’t afford it. Defunding isn’t the solution to saving lives, but could be detrimental to many others.

art by seren pellett

For more information visit these sites: www.slate.com, www.plannedparenthood. org the norse star, february 2016

r-e-s-p-e-c-t By Raya Kate Castronovo Staff Writer

brought up to treat older and wiser figures with respect. To Ime,was respect is having the courtesy

to treat people in a polite manner, with etiquette in deference to who a person is. My mother, grandparents, bosses, and authority figures all fall under this category as you would expect they would. However, I was also brought up learning that custodians, store clerks, garbage men, and waitresses all deserve respect, as well. Basically, I was to treat anyone I encountered with respect. Every human deserves at least a little respect because they are people with feelings, and those feelings matter. However, in this age of self-sufficiency and independence, it has come to my attention that some adolescents no longer treat parental units, authority figures, or even each other with even a fundamental amount of respect.

Respectful behavior has been deemed traditional for as long as we can remember. Children looked to anyone older than them as elders, and they treated them in a respectful and mindful manner. People are often on their best behavior when in the presence of their grandparents or relatives. Parents hold the responsibility of being in charge of a family, and in turn, they receive respect. The same treatment is seen with bosses or authority figures who are in charge of our actions and can administer reprimands. These figures are held with high regard. They acquire their respect by working in a superior position. But, you treat your neighbor or a friend’s parent with respect, too. Common politeness, as well as decorum, is used when encountering a new acquaintance. This respect should fall upon any stranger you meet or anyone you know. As our generation experiences a time in our lives when we start to have our privileges and freedoms

breaking free of the assembly-line By Mallory Giesen Features Editor

ssembly-line learning is the norm in public education, A and some kids thrive on it. Others

drown in the overwhelming pace and workload. An alternative to factory-like schooling is homeschooling. We like to get one-on-one help when we need it, and it can be difficult to reach standards that are set up for us by the school system when the time for individual attention is so limited. I’m not the first one who’s said that we all learn and excel at different things, and I won’t be the last. But when will the time come when public school will be an institution that caters to students, and not to the state? Most of us have probably heard the saying, “Everyone is a genious. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing it is stupid.”

the norse star, february 2016

Sometimes the traditional path isn’t the way to go, and the sooner people begin to understand that, the more chances kids will get to succeed in their education. Problems with academics aren’t the only issues kids face when they show up at the school in the morning. Kids who are too petrified to speak in class come to mind when I think of people who may learn better when other kids their age aren’t present. They may benefit from homeschooling. An argument against this idea is that socially anxious kids need to stay in public school because they need to exercise their social skills, so that they know how to function in the real world. But, in actuality, it’s all too possible to go through the totality of your school years never engaging in much of a social life, and to experience more negativity than positivity when it comes to speaking to others. How is that

opinions expanded, we start to blur the lines between the leeway we are given with entitlement. Our parents have begun to treat us more like adults with the expectation that we will continue to be responsible and treat them with adequate respect. As we go out into the world, we are expected to act with a sense of maturity. But, in today’s expressive society we are surrounded by the urgency to constantly state our opinion and act in a more outgoing fashion. This is not to say rebellion and being expressive is bad, but sometimes it leads us to forget about acting civilized, and we, instead, act out. Our relationships with our parents or authority figures are so casual and relaxed nowadays. Is it the lack of decorum and demeanor towards each other in society, or the stage of teenage rebellion that causes us to no longer treat our fellow citizens in a cordial and affable regard? Among our peers and friends, a more easygoing attitude is expected and accepted, but that doesn’t condone sloppy and rude behavior towards each other. We have heard it since preschool, but manners matter. Simple

consideration for one another goes a long way. Impropriety between friends, peers, and acquaintances reflects poorly on how we treat our parents and people who deserve a little more respect. We tend to slide back into informal habits regardless of who we are with. Every person deserves to be treated with respect. It shouldn’t matter who you are interacting with, whether it be the president or a peer. But, each person should receive a dose of respect, whether it be taking the time to listen or even just a kind smile. Overall, respect towards our parents, friends, and strangers will allow more kindness and a better social environment. Being polite shouldn’t go out of fashion and being nice is something that should come naturally. Put a smile on your face, strive for sophistication and congeniality. Respect goes both ways between people, and it will only result in a more satisfying and gratifying way of life.

supposed to build confidence that helps us be on our own in the world? Does that make it easier to talk to the cashier at the grocery store, or a receptionist at the doctor’s office? If a kid is given the chance to step back and learn and succeed every day in a comfortable, solitary environment where they know they won’t be judged by teenagers, they may just become more secure in themselves. And as for this “real world,” it does actually refer to real experience, as opposed to a theoretical or abstract idea of real experience expressed in the classroom setting. Even though most of us high schoolers don’t pay our own rent, this doesn’t mean we can’t be a part of this “real world,” regardless of where our classroom is. To gain “real” experience, we get jobs. Isn’t that what adults really do in the “real world?” If it is, then it’s not necessary for so many kids to attend public schools when so many

of their social experiences are negative and disappointing. No longer would they be forced to be around people that discourage who they are, to whom they compare themselves. It would be easier to talk to strangers, and even acquaintances their own age, because they’d have gone a long enough time standing on their own. Isn’t that what really prepares us for the real world? To know that you’re okay with you is a personal security that is more important than constantly being around a bunch of other kids. Part of growing up is learning how to truly be yourself, both while you’re surrounded by other people and when you’re alone.

art by joshua bausch

opinions

you won’t ‘like’ this By Joshua Bausch Staff Writer

s a teenager in 2016, it can feel almost mandatory to be up-to-date on all things social media. If asked to find someone who doesn’t check any social media at least three times a day, most of us would be hard-pressed taking on such a task. However, many of us could (somewhat shamefully) admit to having developed a cycle of switching between the same three or four sites for hours. I encourage you to try to break away from this habit, and spend less time on social media altogether, as I believe social

a new age of politics By Seren Pellett Staff Writer

o one loves hearing about themselves as much as the Millennial generation. The narcissism of people born between 1981 and 2000 measures up to the egos of none so far in history. It’s also well known that these young people have been shaped by technology, coddled and protected more than any other recent generation. It is also the largest living generation in the U.S. workforce in a time where job competition is tough enough without the added weight of a failing economy. All of these components result in a very important impact that this generation will make when they get to voting age. Politics are of great interest to the Millennial generation, and they will have more of an 12

media has evolved into a catalyst for a more toxic lifestyle. “Happiness based on aesthetics will suffocate your potential here on Earth,” is one of the many truths Essena O’Neill, an Australian teen that quit instagram, along with other social media sites, despite having a coveted amount of over 28,000 followers. Thousands of likes could not make up for the amount of unnecessary effort O’Neill put into taking these idealistic photos, because the perfect lifestyle she was presenting herself with was not a reality she would reach. O’Neill has restarted some social media sites in hopes to spread the word of its toxicity. We all have seen those way-too-common photos of someone sitting in front of a scenic background, talking about how beautiful the world is and how ‘zen’ they are. More often than not, the whole situation was staged, and what was meant to be seen as a naturally beautiful moment is far from

it. As fun as it may be to live an adventurous life through the pictures of another, having real life experiences will make your life so much more enjoyable. Social media is not, and never will be, an accurate measure of self-worth. The amount of ‘likes’, ‘retweets’, or ‘reblogs’ you get on that picture or post does not devalue, nor praise you, as a person. A flick of someone’s finger will never be able to tell you your worth like that of a conversation with friends or family would. To depend on social media as a source of validation will only put you in a position that degrades the quality of the life you have off-screen. Watching a video of a fun summer vacation that a socalled friend had can be fun for you as well, and watching some lunatics jump off the roof of a Dubai skyscraper may exhilarate you. But imagine if you put your phone down, shut off your computer, then went out and did those same things.

Whatever you do may not be as wild as jumping off skyscrapers, but I promise the experiences you have and the relationships you build out in the real world will benefit you more than anything you see sitting on your couch. No muscle is gained by the weight of social media.

effect on the way our government evolves and changes in their lifetime than any other generation before them. Self-entitlement and childhood coddling are common among young people today, and it could be their parents’ faults. According to Live Science, Millennials are sometimes referred to as “trophy kids,” due to the social norm of automatic reward for participation that they have received from a very young age, often in sports or other extracurricular activities. The reward for little effort is what may lead to selfentitlement. This could, in part, contribute to their interest in politics because they genuinely believe that they are important and can make a difference in a group effort simply by participating. This is a group that has a particular fascination with itself, not only in the form of selfies, but also a surprising amount in politics. The narcissism of the Millennials, perhaps resulting from their self-entitlement and coddled childhoods, most likely adds to their interest in politics. Self-centered people tend to care about what happens to them, therefore, Millennials

take interest in the politics that will lead to the outcome of their future. Another issue that leads to youth involvement in politics is their involvement in technology. Social media has provided a connection between people that has never been seen before. All the news in the world is suddenly available at our fingertips and Millennials have used this incredible resource to be much more aware than previous generations. They know what’s happening in the world and in the U.S. faster and more accurately. They are able to keep up with both local and national politics with very little effort and use it to their advantage. This kind of social connection also leads to great group and team skills, which leads to compromising, reasoning, and debating skills that play huge parts in politics. Not only are they using this new technological world, but they are adding to it, as well. Grade points are rising as pressure for career success mounts and Millennials just keep achieving. While technology has undoubtedly given them an advantage in their academics, it has also helped

them to understand how difficult it is to work for a position of authority, they understand and respect the effort that politicians put into their campaigns. All of these factors lead to a more involved generation, but perhaps the most important of all is the economy that they are entering as young adults. A declining economy at a time when an entire generation is job hunting and coming up empty handed is the best stimulation by far for political interest. Normally, this would be only somewhat effective in actually changing the government, but Millennials are different. They are the largest living generation in the US workforce, according to Rice University, and therefore have a little more momentum. Especially in combination with their narcissism, entitlement, hard-working nature, and networked social structure. While Millennials have their character flaws, these same personality traits could be the cause of a huge change in U.S. politics. The effects of which could potentially change the country as we know it.

art by joshua bausch

the norse star, february 2016

opinions

through thick and thin, i choose to stay in my faith By Connor Roisum Entertainment Editor

ay after day, I feel as not believe in God. Religion though there is always a isn’t for everyone. Many of my conversation taking place that friends aren’t religious, and I brings my religion into it in still treat them the same way some way. I have found that as I do my other friends who over the years, as a Catholic, do have faith. But there were the teachings I have received others who decided to cast their have helped shape my life. faith aside solely because they These teachings have given me didn’t agree with a small set the ability to make close friends of teachings that the Catholic at a surprisingly fast pace, and Church passes on. That is when they have given me ways to the emotional follower of faith cope with anger and sadness. I inside of me surfaces. am these teachings, and that is If you don’t believe in God, why it’s upsetting to me to see it doesn’t mean I’m going to so many friends and acquain- treat you like you are the least tances disown the religion due important person in the world to certain discrepancies with a and completely ignore you. few of these lessons. No, I’m going to treat you Sophomore year was the with the same respect as every first I had heard of someone other person I’ve met. However, disowning Catholicism. The when people do believe in points they made were fair and God or in any religion for that understandable, but this was matter, and then tell themselves, the first time my morals had “I’m not going to believe in the ever been shaken so violently. faith and stop my religious It caused me to even think of education because of this and questioning my entire faith life. this only,” that’s when I start to Later that same year, I truly have a problem. noticed a change in others I’m going to be perfectly who were also questioning honest, there are certain aspects their beliefs. As most Catholic of Catholicism with which I students of SHS know, every don’t completely agree. In fact, Wednesday is religious educa- I can’t think of a single person tion. Since religion isn’t offered who follows all the teachings at public schools, it’s really of the the only place we can formally learn about our faith as stay? y we prepare for the sacrament h W of Confirmation, where our Bishop anoints us with oil as we become full-fledged members of the Catholic Church. While in this class, I noticed the numbers start to dwindle. At first I thought it was just people getting sick, as I had grown up in a Catholic school with the Blind faith majority of the class. But I later ... discovered that people had stopped coming entirely. It was then that I started to wonder, “What reasons could possibly drive someone from their faith?” I won? dered if they vative r e did s n o

Catholic Church to the letter. It is good to have these questions. Religion is a lot like marriage: no couple can possibly be perfect together, nor can they have zero doubts. Yet, many times it works. Religion works the same way; even though there are some clashes between the person and religion, the love is still there. Even as a confirmed Catholic, I still have questions of my faith, and I don’t expect to have them answered soon. I was once told that it is okay to have certain doubts about certain teachings. That way I can study why those teachings aren’t sitting well, and then I can find a reason, rather than straight doubt. Take the teachings of Pope Francis into consideration. His focus is on the love of the person rather than the teachings. This “Year of Mercy”--the year dubbed by the church as a time where we focus, as a community of Catholics, on the love of the person, and less on the Church--is a prime example of why those who have discrepancies with their faith stay in their faith. This is the first time in the entire

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hate

gays

history of Catholicism, that we have a Pope who has done this. Francis makes this very clear as he expresses his view on current issues of the excluded members of the church. He says, “We must restore hope to young people, help the old, be open to the future, spread love. Be poor among the poor. We need to include the excluded and preach peace.” This is why I stay. While doubts and uncertainties may exist in my faith life, I still choose to stay because the great morals and life changing lessons one learns infinitely outweigh the miniscule amount of doubts that I possess. That is why it upsets me so much when people decide to cast away their faith for reasons that are miniscule compared to the goodness of the religion. My advice, and what I do to stay anchored in my values or faith, is to learn and ask from my faith teachers. And if I’m still not satisfied with the answer, I keep in mind the fact that things change. Societies change, people change, religions change, and it is way too early to decide our entire faith life right now. This idea of change, and the fact that it can happen, is what sticks in my mind. It is why I stay, and it is what keeps me firmly planted in my faith.

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the norse star, february 2016

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art by connor roisum

in-depth

a techno-baptism By Ethan Genter Assistant Editor

photo by ethan genter

lives in a bubble, it annexes a thin veil by which a passerby, a classmate, a friend is hidden. By reading these words on this printed page, you are suspending barriers and judgment. You’re stepping into the world of weat relentlessly pools near rave culture. the summit of my forehead, “It felt amazing. Just the then traverses the crevices of bass coming from the speakers my skin and trickles down the seemed to hit me and stick to bridge of my nose like droplets my body. It was all around me, of rain in a mountain stream. pulsating and making me move Wisps of green hue curl and with the music,” SHS student dance their way ever higher, only Susan* describes the first time to assume their positions within she popped molly, or MDMA, the ranks of billowing clouds at a rave. above my head. Another wave First introduced in Europe of sound breaks and throws in the 1980s, the term “rave” me into disarray. It chews me was coined in relation to the to a pulp and spits me out like underground electronic and psysomeone’s tasteless gum. My chedelic music scene that offered head’s above water, but I’m still private parties in warehouses drowning in the untamed arms and undisclosed venues. As the and bobbing heads of my neigh- EDM (electronic dance music) bors. I almost grasp another scene grew, so too did the rave breath when the bass drops scene. By the 1990s, rave culagain. ture and everything that came There is a fifth dimension with it had hopped the pond beyond that which is known and impregnated American to the common man. It is a culture with the seed of technodimension as vast as space and psychedelic funk. Over the past as timeless as infinity. It is the few decades, what was once a middle ground between light secluded and nameless coalition and shadow, between science of muted ravers has grown into and the supernatural, between a hushed explosion of popular forever and yesterday. This is the sound. dimension of imagination and To break the silence, I’ve yawning freedom. This reality interviewed six Stoughton *Editor’s note: some names in

the story have been changed to protect anonymity. Additionally, The Norse Star does not reflect the views or actions of those expressed by all interviewees.

High School students, past and present, and they’ve brought their 350 watt amps with them. “I don’t like to call the things I go to raves,” said Jenna*, “I call them shows because I’m going more so for the event and concert. People that call them raves just tend to go for the drugs in my opinion. I think there are two different types of people: those that call them raves are just there to get f----d up, and those that call them shows and events are going more so for the music. So I think there are definitely two different and broad lines of people.” It’s apparent that today, raves are more integrated into the popular music scene than ever before. Most students, including Jonah*, Kevin*, Nora*, and Susan simply identified raves as another type of concert that highlights loud, in-your-face, and exciting music. “A rave is music, lights, bass, and it’s a place where people dance and get high, but can feel accepted. It’s like a really big, happy festival,” said Nora. Raves, as is true of other concerts, draw people of all walks of life, age, gender, nationality, ethnicity, and identification. They are music events, so they bring out fans of the music and the experience.

“I go for the music because I like dubstep over any other genre, but I also go for the people and environment. I have the same group of friends, and we all like to go to the shows together,” explained Jill*. This sentiment of friendship and music was shared by all interviewees. These people are going to raves because they genuinely enjoy and have a passion for the music. The environment may have gotten them hooked on rave culture at first, but it is the music that keeps these ravers coming back for more. Jenna explained this idea with a simple question. “Why would people spend $500 on a festival [a series of concerts in a single weekend], just to go and get f----d up? There has to be some type of underlying reason, and it’s that people like the music and the experience. People aren’t just going for the drugs.” But what about the drugs? “I’ve done molly, I’ve done LSD, I’ve done cocaine, I’ve smoked weed of course, I’ve taken Adderall at festivals just to wake up, and I’ve done ketamine a few times. That’s not fun. I take them because it’s fun. I don’t roll [take molly] anymore, I just take LSD when I go to events. I still feel sober the norse star, february 2016

in-depth enough to remember it, but it just enhances the experience. But I won’t go to everything f----d up, I will go to local events sober. Madison sober, Milwaukee sober, Chicago sober, I only really take them at festivals because there you don’t have to drive or do real life things the day after,” said Jenna. But not everyone was so cautious in their use. A number of students admitted to using party drugs, including molly [MDMA] and acid [LSD], on a regular basis at local events as often as every other weekend. Whether or not they used drugs at more local events or not, the overarching reason for their attendance was echoed in a fact that Jenna reiterated. “I go a lot, at least once a month, and normally more than a few times each month. I went to one last weekend, and I’m going to one this weekend, too. And it’s really easy to go to local events simply because they are so cheap. They’re almost always less than $20, and it’s just a really good deal to go see some good music with your friends, which is so much more exciting than an average night out.” Many ravers and lovers of EDM are looking for a good time for a cheap price, and it’s not hard to find. Most raves in the months of February and March cost somewhere between $13 and $25 at venues like the Majestic in Madison and The Rave: Eagles Club in Milwaukee. “You know, I’ve been to raves sober, I’ve been sober as f--k, but I’ve also been to raves trippin’ on acid. I take them [drugs] because it just puts you fully into the music. You get into the music anyways, but there are a lot of people around you. I just remember one of my first times I was at a rave. I was front row, and there were all these lights, and I just had these crazy visuals. Especially with all the lights, it really enhances things,” said Jill. It’s evident though that this is not the everyday lifestyle of rave-goers. Every night is not a euphoric dance party for the lovers of EDM. Every interviewee admitted to using drugs, mainly marijuana, outside of raves, but the party drugs associated with the events were nearly always of strict event use only. The nature of MDMA and LSD, according to the the norse star, february 2016

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), are relatively non-habit-forming in moderation but still provide the desired stimulant, though the desired stimulant depends on the tolerance of the user to the drug being used. “I smoke weed all the time. But it’s acceptable at raves to do drugs. I’m not trying to label raves as these places to do drugs, it’s just acceptable. People at raves are so caring, and I think it’s a safe environment to do drugs. I think part of rave culture is that it’s okay to do drugs there, just because everyone is looking out for you, and it’s a safe environment,” mentioned Jill. Of course drugs, at least MDMA, LSD, and the clandestine narcotics which are so popularly consumed at raves, are illicit. It is a felony, punishable by law, to be in possession of these substances, and, due to their very unregulated nature, many of these narcotics can be dangerous to consume. One “bad batch” or one unchecked pill down the hatch, and death is a very real possibility, maybe not after a few hours, or even a few days, but in a month, or in a year because of their immediate and post-experience side effects. It’s not the amount of the drug itself that people are taking, it’s what comes after that can be pernicious. According to the NIDA, hallucinogens like LSD are not causing “uncontrollable drug-seeking behavior,” but they will give the user increasing tolerance to the effects of drugs. Outside of the existing long and short term effects of these drugs, in gaining such tolerance, it makes it easy for a user to seek out other methods of stimulation, such as harder drugs, when LSD or MDMA don’t give them the same high. UW Health Therapist, Paula Witt, of the Adolescent Alcohol and Drug Assessment Intervention program has dealt with Dane County students dealing with these drugs and had this to say about teen use of MDMA and LSD: “I have a lot of teens come in that will talk about a friend they have that dropped acid only one time and never seemed the same. Research-wise, too, using acid a lot is going to change your functioning.”

Witt acknowledged the perceived appeal of using drugs that she’s seen in her patients as potentially very potent, but has this to say, as well, “Kids want to use and let loose in the music that they’re experiencing. A lot of kids come in here, even just with marijuana, and will say it really helps them get into the music and experience it in a different way when they’re high. Students need to know though, that there is so much damage that can be done on a developing brain, and by taking drugs you’re adding to that. Even though it may feel good in the moment, you’re definitely doing significant damage to your brain. Luckily the brain can be very healing like any part of your body, so if you stop using, there is positive impact that can come from that as well.” To see how these drugs were affecting area ravers, I reached out to a number of local venues and their management, including The Rave: Eagles Club, The Orpheum, and The Majestic to ask how these illegal substances continue to find their way into their concert halls, and if they realized the toll these substances could take on their customers. All ignored my inquiry. “A lot of people do get worried, but you can be smart about how you take your drugs,” said Jenna. “There’s a place called Dance Safe where you can test your drugs for free, and you should always test your drugs. No matter where you’re going or what you’re doing, you should always test your drugs because you don’t accidentally want to be taking a meth bomb if you think it’s molly. And that’s what I think is one of the really scary things; a lot of people are not informed about the drugs they are taking and they need to be safer. You need to know what you are putting in your body, because if you don’t know, a lot of bad things can happen.” It’s not just “adulterant screening” that the 501(c)(3) drug-testing and rave safety organization, Dance Safe, preaches; much like many ravers themselves, they see moderation and education as a key to assurance. According to Nora, MDMA is based on a point system that means as one takes a higher level point tablet, it

taste the bass

in-depth

the party drugs MDMA

Other names: Ecstasy, Molly, E, XTC, X, Adam, hug, beans, clarity, lover’s speed, and love drug. Side Effects: Outside of the feelings of love induced by MDMA, some users can experience negative effects such as greater anxiety and agitation. One may also become sweaty, get the chills, feel faint, or become dizzy. Negative effects can sometimes be felt days and even weeks later. Because the brain no longer has enough serotonin following the experienced surge, users can experience confusion, depression, sleep problems, drug craving, and anxiety.

LSD

Other names: Acid, battery acid, blotter, boomers, California sunshine, cid, doses, golden dragon, heavenly blue, hippie, loony toons, purple heart, superman, yellow sunshine, and zen. Effects: Sensations and feelings are greatly altered while under the influence of LSD. Not only is there a dilation of the pupils, increase in heart rate, profuse sweating, loss of appetite, dry mouth, and tremors, but a user can feel a number of emotions at once or swing rapidly between a few. LSD also produces delusions and visual hallucinations, an altered sense of self and time, and the crossover of many senses such as the perception of seeing sound and hearing colors. These sudden changes can cause feelings of terror, despair, loss of control, and panic. In addition to these sensations, flashbacks can occur without warning days or even weeks after use. A condition know as HPPD, or h allucinogen-induced persisting perception disorder, which causes significant distress or impairment in functioning socially and operationally, may also result from these side effects, though it largely depends on the amount taken. *Via The National Institute on Drug Abuse.

gains clout. However, drugs like LSD are harder to identify, so knowing one’s dealer is crucial. Students want to know that what they’re receiving is of the highest purity so they will not have any type of bad trip or experience while on drugs. To do this, many employ the resources of Dance Safe, such as drug testing kits, or they purchase their own. “When I first started I would just get them [drugs] at the rave all the time. But I’ve seen and heard of people that just get bad drugs at the rave. I’ve never had that experience, but I’ve seen it happen, so I stopped. Now I just have plugs [dealers] everywhere, and now if I’m going to a rave I can just filter out what’s bad. I don’t f--k with anything that’s dirty anymore, because it’s so easy to get messed up,” said Jill. It wasn’t solely the drugs themselves that interviewees blamed for a bad trip though. Outside of scientific explanation, it was the mindset of the user. It was echoed by all interviewees that if someone was open and ready to have a good time, then they would. They would let the drugs take over and enjoy the experience, but if they were at all worried, the effects of paranoia would take over and lead to an extremely poor and worried experience. Now that each of the interviewees has come to know the risk that is associated with at-rave purchase of narcotics, they’ve been forced to embrace yet another peril, security. “You can put them in your sock, you can fit them in your bra or underwear. I mean, I’ve even brought things by hiding

photo by ethan genter

A raver shows off his “kandi.”

them in my hair because they [security] don’t check your hair. There’s a really standard pattern that security uses to check you and once you know that pattern you know where you’re going to be touched and where you can hide things,” explained Jenna. Everyone held generally the same apprehension though, that despite a general pattern of checking by security, the severity of their search depended upon the venue. At some events, the only way it could be easier to sneak drugs in, is if security handed them to you themselves, although many mentioned not being checked at festivals or often local concert venues. “Security sucks, it’s funny really. They’ll pat just a small part of you and then you’re done. You could have a f----n’ gun in your pants and they wouldn’t care,” laughed Kevin. In stark contrast to these often larger-in-venue events there were more local and hyperlocal locations where security is said to be tighter than some airports. “The Rave in Milwaukee, the security is super tight, like it feels like you’re being violated,” recalled Jenna. Despite even security’s best efforts though, drugs get in these venues no matter what. Once the drugs are in, they are bought, sold, and used. Many of those interviewed said they take their drugs prior to attending events simply for the sake of convenience, but that they just as easily snuck things in on a regular basis. No student could even think of an event where at least half of the crowd wasn’t on drugs. Many said that normally, somewhere around three-quarters of rave populations will be under the influence at any given time. And once the thin sheet of acid or the small tablet of molly has graced your lips, there is no turning back, you’ve already missed the point of no return. “It’s pretty crazy awesome. On LSD it’s very visual; the colors around you are more vibrant, things are moving, and it just feels like the world around you is more alive. It’s like everything is here, it just looks completely different. For instance, if we were on LSD right now there would be a rainbow enhanced in that wall, swirling around, and the tree over there would

definitely look like it’s breathing because it would be moving and pulsating. And things just blow your mind much more easily on LSD,” described Jenna. Molly, on the other hand, is not so characterized by intense, organic visual effects that one receives with acid, but rather, as described by every interviewee, a quixotic feeling of foolish and intense happiness for everything and everyone. Jonah agreed and articulated this, “Molly will hit you in waves, it comes and goes but you’re always on it, so you’ll rise up and fall down with the music. The frequency of the snare, as in the build up of the music, will make your molly come back and you’ll really feel it right before the drop and that’s why people like it so much, because of that feeling. You’ll hear people that are all ‘oh the drop’ and it’s because they do ecstasy and the drop just feels like a huge moment and that’s when everyone will start dancing.” “Everyone” was a common piece of vocabulary used by each interviewee, and it was apparent through the interviewing process, and by just talking about EDM culture, that the rave community is tight-knit. Everyone had something good to say about their experiences in meeting and becoming friends with a large and diverse group of kind people at rave events. Many in the rave community live by the motto or belief of PLUR, which stands for peace, love, unity, and respect, and it was apparent in accounts of different interactions. While a mosh pit may not be the best place to find friends or find yourself jubilantly accepting the guy who’s bumped into you a hundred times, it’s been said to be easy to talk to everyone, even for those that aren’t feeling a bit of foolish happiness. Rave fans say, if someone falls down, there are ten people lending them a hand to stand back up. If someone needs water, as many do, there are five volunteers already close by to hand you a bottle. People are kind beyond belief, and maybe it’s the drugs, but it seems to be the love. A culture of acceptance, a rebirth of childhood, and giddy fun has become paramount in the life of the modern raver. People are looking to just be those kids at recess again, but do the norse star, february 2016

in-depth

Jenna’s six stereotypical ravers “Kandi Kids”

Covered in sleeves of “kandi,” or beaded braclets, these ravers “Heady Kids” will be giving out With hats on their heads plenty of hugs and and pins in their hats, living by the PLUR the “Headies” will be motto. wearing the most psychedelic clothing you’ve ever seen. art by joshua bausch

“The Kid Who’s “Average Joe”

He’s just hanging out, having a good time, and enjoying the music. He’s not bothering anyone or turning any heads. He’s your “Average Joe.”

“The Bro”

“Ecstasy Girls”

Never Been To A

Someone is pretty Is your buddy getting a little Rave Before” and plastered. She’s Standing near the obnoxious? Is the shirt he back and sporting a dancing queen was wearing now a soaking and taking too the forever-fist-pump, heap of cloth at his feet? How many drugs. She’s we’ve all been there, many high-fives is he giving an“Ecstasy Girl.” it’s the new guy. out? You may be with “The Bro.”

it in a controlled environ- the fact that they’ve become waiting for all week. People are reefer is strong, but the waves of ment of recognition. more abundant than ever before. still filing into the building, and, music I’m wading through are This sense of rave culture It’s more than that for these as the crowd grows, so too grows stronger. If it wasn’t difficult to doesn’t exist for all who peer ravers though, because the the number of eyes glued to my get through the densely packed through the psychedelic looking ostracisation of their culture is a back. I’ve managed to stick out crowd of ravers already, it was glass though, and in many ways constant reminder that not only in a crowd of complete dis-hege- next to impossible now. The justifiably so. The association is their drug use unwelcome, mony despite my best efforts, bass is loud enough to ripple and stigma surrounding rave but so is their mere attendance and it’s becoming apparent. My the skin on my face. A girl stops culture and those in attendance to a music event. Almost every ears are ringing to say the least, me to give a hug, and, like a are ones of worry and disap- interviewee acknowledged that but every time I stop someone to synchronized dancing of our proval. Drug safety is hard to they had experienced animosity ask a question or just to talk, I’m hands, we perform a handshake achieve in a vacuum filled with based on their going to raves, met with kind pleasantry and that ends in interlocking finillegal sale and unknown dealer- and many were apprehensive to altruism. It’s astounding, the gers and her giving me one of ship. Additionally, these drugs even begin talking about their sheer quality of people watching. her many beaded bracelets. It’s are illegal, and the troubles rave experiences out of fear that All walks of life can be seen; I odd though. In a moment of caused in subscribing to the people wouldn’t just know that can’t turn around without seeing intense lights running about use of such narcotics are often they used drugs, but that they a new hairstyle, fur coat, style of the room, ear-crippling dubstep, overlooked in the time that it would know that they went to dress, or… is that a man with a sweaty strangers, and a dense fog takes you to place a tablet on raves. rainbow-unicorn head? Yes, yes of cannabis smoke, one finds your tongue. Millions of dollars SHS student Jill agreed and it is. fortuitous bliss. I forget about are spent combating drug-use said that above all else, going A jolt galvanizes my spine. everything, time moves more in America, and hundreds, if to a rave and experiencing the The music just hit! Au5 had slowly, and with each breath not thousands, of people die culture first-hand is the first walked on stage and made quick there’s a new eternity of flailing every year in the illicit produc- step to understanding. “If you work to test the five-foot-tall arms and smiling faces. The tion, transportation, and sale of look down on rave culture, it’s amps on either side of the stage. main event, Liquid Stranger, has narcotics. While the short term because you haven’t been to one. I’m 50 feet back and can feel the been playing for 20 minutes, effects of LSD or MDMA can And if you have been to one, music in my chest. My rib cage and I haven’t noticed. People bring an eclectic insurgence of you will change your opinion on vibrates with each bass drop, don’t dance, they move; it had euphoria, the side of effects of it, I have no doubt.” and helpless to my own throb- been hours but the night felt intemperance can spell date rape, bing, I watch as my neighbors young, and, oddly enough, I injury, and death, even if those embrace the frequency moving wasn’t tired yet. The bass drops “Rave on, words on are not the norm. through them. It’s dark, but the again. I walk out into the cold, “Look, you just can’t stop it. vibrant, synced, and searching past a girl with her hair being printed page.” It’s 2016, drugs are prevalent, lights on stage shine on each held by a friend as she leans and people have different views moment. As the second opener, over the sidewalk, losing what-Van Morrison on the world. Somebody could Space Jesus, enters the stage to ever she had eaten earlier; sweat be doing drugs because they’re a deafening rouse of applause is plastered to my forehead, my just like ‘f--k it, this is an experiI took her advice. and cheers, I begin to abandon ears are pounding, and I have a ence and I only live once,’ and We got here too early. I my post on a nearby railing. smile on my face. It’s 1 a.m. people just judge those mind just walked through secu- Occasionally, someone bumps Out there, behind closed sets. There’s nothing you can do rity unchecked, and I’m not into me and whispers, “You doors, there is a vastness of about it, so if you see a kid who’s sure if they even took more looking for some doses?” or, space, filled with thousands of got gauges and is wearing rave than a glance at my hands to “Need any molly, man?” But it’s your neighbors, schoolmates, stuff, who are you, or who are stamp them. It’s 9 p.m. and never overwhelming, nor are and friends who, for even just we to tell him that he can’t like I’m standing in the middle dealers pressing when I decline. a few hours, live behind a veil, that culture?” said Jonah. of Majestic Madison on King As the holy, hip-hop techno- under psychedelic intoxication, It’s hard to argue the preva- St. waiting for openers Au5 psychedelic vibes run through and on top of the world. For lence of drugs, though many and Space Jesus to give me my veins, I make my way down now, let the veil be pulled back people choose to simply ignore the techno-baptism I’ve been to the mosh pit. The smell of once more. the norse star, february 2016

features - look of the lot

kotlowski’s key to success By TJ Fedikovich Graphics Editor

photos by tj fedikovich

What kind of car do you have? 2015 Dodge Charger.

Is there something you would want to tell people if they don’t know you? I mean yeah, don’t judge me until you’ve talked to me and know me as a person. Don’t judge me on what I have and what I do.

Does your car have a name? Yeah, her name is Beatrice. Any memorable stories so far? Over Christmas break, I drifted a lot in the snow. [I also did it] in the summer. I drifted a lot in parking lots [as well]. And in the summer, I raced some people.

Is your car sporting 4 Wheel Drive? It’s all wheel drive. Why do you think someone decided to key your car? Peanut butter & Jealous. When did you get your car? May of 2015, for my birthday. Are you grateful for your car? Do you appreciate it? Yeah, right when I got it, I was in disbelief, and I tell my parents all the time how grateful I am, and they know how grateful I am. And because of what I know, they know that I won’t make mistakes. How much does your car typically cost to fill? Around $40 when prices are high.

the norse star, feburary 2016

art by joshua bausch

features

mac attack By Mya Lonnebotn Staff Writer

arrett Kluever walked into G MAC’S as a Mac virgin and came out a Mac Daddy. It

was no easy feat. His stomach engulfed the Cheeseburger Mac from a six inch skillet of rich overflowing cheesiness, in which a glowing burger sat atop its throne. Kluever leaned against a booth for support after the endeavor, with an extremely bloated stomach full of expanding noodles. Nonetheless, he claimed, “I’ll be Mac!” MAC’S (macaroni and cheese shop) in Sun Prairie is like a five senses explosion. Immediately after walking through the restaurant entrance, the aroma of melted cheese lingers in the air. The restaurant is large enough to diffuse a comfortable vibe without extinguishing an aura of coziness. Industrial metal chairs surround square wooden tables, and pictures of youngsters shoving cheesy mac into their mouths adorn the walls. The interior of MAC’S bestows the familiar feeling of freshlycooked food made at home. An artsy mural etched with cheese, milk, and everything Wisconsin guides customers to the counter. The servers wait patiently as hungry people ogle over all the choices--oh so many delicious choices! Whether it’s the Hangover Mac, Memphis Mac, or Loaded Baked Potato Mac, anyone can find their true love here. Five minutes after ordering,

hot skillets were delivered to our table, art by joshua bausch steaming and whispering, “devour me.” The presentation of these hot bowls of heaven was exquisite. Out of every skillet poked two small crispy pieces of bread, almost like large croutons. Fresh and daring cheese oozed over the edges of each pan, slowly solidifying into a soft crunch. After what seemed like hours of contemplation, I decided to order the Memphis Mac. Underneath a thin layer of slow-cooked pulled pork, sweet bbq sauce, and some onion tanglers, elbow mac lay enveloped in generous dollops of fresh, steaming mozzarella and cheddar cheese. My first bite was exciting. As I plunged a fork into the cheesy underworld and extracted it, I observed that the cheese string that followed seemed to go on forever. My taste buds decided to throw a party in my mouth, and they continuously told my brain how utterly delighted they were with the food. With every taste, new flavors were unsifted from the cheesy entanglement, each more pleasing than the next. Lexie Fitzsimmons, junior, ordered the most popular dish, the Buffalo Chicken Mac. She noted that the bacon and chicken were cooked to perfection and were bursting with flavor. The cheese was extremely

Garrett Kluever’s mouth-watering cheeseburger mac. 20

photos by mya lonnebotn

Gianna Barberino smiles next to her Loaded Baked Potato Mac. rich, and the ranch was the obvious special ingredient. She was hard-pressed to share, and she announced, “The person who invented this is sitting next to God in Heaven.” Juniors Garrett Kluever and Gianna Barberino both ordered their mac ‘n’ cheese MacDaddy-sized, the largest serving offered. Remarkably, Kluever finished, earning his name as “The Mac Daddy,” but I cannot say the same for Barberino. Along with a feeling of accomplishment, Kluever experienced a feeling of utter crappiness. When both felt the challenge to finish, my Dad warned, “I don’t want anyone throwing up in the car.” Barberino ordered the Loaded Baked Potato Mac and noted the toasty yet fluffy bread that accompanied it. She also found the skillet extremely filling and cheesy. The potatoes were a nice touch and the bacon was crispy and soft. Kluever ordered the Cheeseburger Mac, which he decided was savory, hearty, and decadent. He is now set on using Thousand Island dressing in every mac ‘n’ cheese dish he consumes from here on out.

Sophomore Emily Fitzsimmons ordered the Chipotle Chicken Mac and was very impressed with the juicy, flavorful chicken and the slight kick to her Mac. She described her skillet as “Wisconsin in one bite.” With open minds and satisfied bellies, we gave MAC’S four out of five stars. The service is very quick and friendly, the food has a phenomenal and unique taste, and the cost is reasonable for what you receive, about $7 a skillet. The menu offers something for everyone, with 12 equally tempting choices. Unfortunately, if you’re not a cheese-lover, or if you’re lactose intolerant, you shouldn’t even step one foot into MAC’S. All skillets have a more than generous heap of your Wisconsin cheese. The food is also very rich and unhealthy, making it a once in awhile, ‘treat yo self ’ kind of deal. If you’re ever in Sun Prairie and are looking for a place to chow down, definitely consider MAC’S. I know, “I’ll be Mac.”

The chefs take a break and greet me from behind the counter. the norse star, february 2016

features

pops 2016 By Bergen Gardner Staff Writer

4 Featured Pops soloists 1. Divine 2. Alex Asleson, 12 3. Janelle Minter-Swapsy, 10 4. Bryan Wendt, 11 5. Paige Halverson, 10 6. Emalyn Bauer, 11

photos by brandon lamberty

the norse star, february 2016

7. Dive In

7 21

features

rob last If you had 24 hours to live, what’s the first thing you would do? I’d probably just go home and hang out with my wife and daughter. What is one thing you would take with you to the afterlife? [I would take] a flashdrive of photos. Even though I can’t use it for anything, just having it would be great. What would you not mind leaving behind in the human world? As much as I enjoy pointing out the fact that I have four

eyes and I’m superhuman for that, I would be fine leaving [my glasses] behind. What was the craziest thing you ever did? Well there’s college. . . but I always think mosh pits are some of the craziest things I’ve ever done. One year, one of the local radio stations of Madison, JJO, did a JJO band camp over on Willow Island out by the Colosseum, and it was raining all day. I was just in the muddy, muddy mosh pits all day long. It was awesome, but I just slept all the next day. How do you think you’ll go? The way I’ll go is I’ll probably still be working at Menards when I’m 75, and I won’t pay

attention and I’ll drive the forklift into a creek during the winter. That’s probably what’s going to happen. If given the option to be reincarnated, would you choose to? I could go through life again, if I got to keep my memories after the first life. Losing all the memories is the thing that bothers me about reincarnation, because I like the memories that I have. But that saying, I don’t know what other memories I could generate; I could generate even better memories, who knows. Who/what would you want to be reincarnated as? I’d say a rhinoceros, but then I’d probably just be poached to

death. That probably wouldn’t be great. Any last confessions? I don’t actually kill people. Any regrets? I try not to live with regrets, but if I had to pick something, I’d say not planning ahead to study abroad. I started to plan to study abroad some time during my senior year of college, and I realized that almost everybody does it during their sophomore year of college. But in general, things happen and I can’t change the way things happen. I just try to make up for it and if I can’t make up for it, I just move on. Any LAST words? Live the dream.

24 Hours to Live By Isabelle Genter Staff Writer

If you had 24 hours to live, what would you do? With whom would you want to spend it? What would your last words be? This month, I talked to math teacher, Rob Last, and educational library assistant, Barbara Lowe, to see what they would do with their final 24 hours.

barbara lowe

Besides family first of all, it would be coffee.

Being the only one on earth would be unique.

If you had 24 hours to live, what’s the first thing you would do? Quit my job. [Then] see all my family, especially my children, husband, grandchildren, and cat.

Who would you be most excited to see in the afterlife? My newborn niece who lived two days. . . I would love to see Gretel. If given the option to be reincarnated, would you choose to? No, they say heaven is wonderful, so I’ll decline.

What was the craziest thing you ever did? Signing up and paying for a one-day tour of Washington DC with a group of 16, including my husband, two daughters, and son-in-law. We flew out at 7 a.m. from Milwaukee, saw eight monuments, the National Art Museum Caillebotte Art display, appetizers at the Willard Hotel, and we were back in Milwaukee by 11 p.m.

What is one thing you would take with you? I’d take a really good long book with me. What would you miss most? 22

Not even if you were given the choice to become a dragon?

photos by isabelle genter

Any regrets? Not getting a four-year college degree. I do have a two-year associate degree from MATC in Medical Secretary though. What do you hope you’d be remembered for? At my job, for being very understanding and fair with the kids that I work with every single day. [I want to] be remembered for being a terrific grandma, parent, and wife. Any last words? Two to a table, not three, not four. the norse star, february 2016

the sparks of steel By Meredith Melland In-Depth Editor

eep in the backcountry of the Stoughton Business Park, there lies a business that is well-known throughout the Midwest, but not necessarily in Stoughton itself. That place is Zalk Josephs Fabricators. Zalk Josephs, a company in Stoughton that engineers and builds steel structures of buildings and infrastructure, has gained a reputation throughout the Midwest for being one of the best and most innovative steel fabrication companies in the market. Zalk Josephs has used a blend of cutting-edge technology, expertise from employees, and a strong labor force of welders, machine operators, project managers and others to create successful steel products for 40 years. David Sailing, Vice President of Operations at Zalk Josephs and 40 year employee, outlines the origin of the company. “We incorporated in 1976. Basically there was a Zalk Josephs out of Duluth, Minnesota. It was Mr. Zalk and Mr. Joseph . . . and then they saw a need to start a company elsewhere. And so we actually built this factory in ‘76 and started production,” Sailing said. As the new steel company was being formed, they looked for a location that had two things: an area that had

exploring zalk josephs fabricators

tax-increment financing and a rail line. The people at Midstate Steel, as Zalk Josephs was originally called, considered locating in Windsor or Deforest before settling in Stoughton. Since then, the business has changed somewhat. The company originally started off selling steel, but quickly got out of that business. Zalk Josephs has worked consistently in the structural steel industry but does not do work on steel bridges. They have developed relationships with customers in the Midwest region with success, especially in the greater Chicago area. “We don’t design the buildings, we go out and bid on projects, and they’re already designed. Our job is to sell them and then we will purchase the material from the steel mills. We draw each of the individual pieces, it all has to be approved by engineers. We bring the steel in from the mill . . . we take and make individual pieces by cutting them to length, by putting holes in them, by putting specialty cut-outs in them . . . so that it all can be bolted together in the field.” Zalk Josephs employs about 48 people currently in the plant, as well as an additional office staff. The people working back in the plant include welders, CNC machine operators, painters, and other

photos by brandon lamberty

It takes years for Zalk Josephs’ painters to learn how to coat steel with protective varnish layers in the paint room. the norse star, february 2016

features

specialty staffers. These workers all complete jobs that play a part in steel fabrication, from running the cutting machines to moving and painting beams. They work in the Zalk Josephs plant, a clean and spacious lair that looks like something out of Mad Max, and in the field with giant industrial cranes. In order to enter the work area, one has to wear protective glasses, ear plugs, and steel-toed boots. One of the biggest priorities at Zalk Josephs, besides quality, is safety. Sailing described the importance of preventing lost time injuries of the staff (where people have to take time off of work because they are injured). “[It’s] very critical to the success of running a business because if your employees get injured, they’re not going to be at work and they’re not going to be supporting their families and their lifestyles, and so it’s very critical. A very successful company gets its arms around safety.” Steel structures made by Zalk Josephs can be found locally, as a far west as Utah, as far east as New York, and in the Chicago city skyline. A sample of the local work done includes renovations on Camp Randall and buildings for the MATC and Epic campuses. In downtown Chicago, Zalk Josephs has built a 56-story high-rise building, worked on the Shedd Aquarium, and the Anne Lorry Children’s Hospital, the largest kids’ hospital in America. They have also done more architecturally-varying projects like skywalk bridges and even once created the parts for a floating casino. “We’re known to take on some of the more complex structures with a difficult geometry,” Sailing said. With this impressive track record, Zalk Josephs likely has a strong period of business ahead of them. The company has already won the bid for an eight-story double office

A ZJ welder works on a beam during a late shift. building for the Department of Transportation in Madison, and it is expecting more offers in spring. “We have recently sold some jobs. All of a sudden, the bidding is at the highest level that we’ve seen in maybe ten years,” Sailing remarked. Zalk Josephs is an impressive business, though many are not informed about it. As David Sailing mentioned, the trades are still a relevant form of industry, and welding can be a very rewarding and enriching choice for career. “Welding can turn into a career of much more than just burning wire out there and welding. I went to technical school in, get this, 1975 when I graduated high school . . . I had no clue that I’d go from welder to fabricator to lead man to supervisor to operations manager to Vice President of Operations in my career.” In the small community of Stoughton, Zalk Josephs is thriving and bringing jobs and intrigue back to the area. The company is extremely focused on the safety and happiness of people, both customers and workers. With devotion to quality and strong reputation, Zalk Josephs is imprinting themselves into the skylines of cities across the country, one steel building at a time. 23

entertainment

and reporters constantly pushing him for insider stories. Not having a clear plot or purpose, one of the movie’s main problems is that it lacks identity and direction. We are constantly being bounced back and forth between stories, which causes something to be desired in terms of seeing the highestbilled characters. Scarlett Johansson, Channing Tatum, and Jonah Hill, three of the headlined names for this film, probably total for less than 15 minutes of accumulated screen time. Instead, we are treated to fast-paced, confusing, era-heavy dialogue between previously unmentioned characters that you must concentrate on in order to understand the gist of the stories. The movie itself is very introspective. There are probably some hidden meanings and subtle hints buried beneath the running dialogue, but you wouldn’t understand them

hail, dullness! By Garrett Kluever Staff Writer

he Coen brothers are critically praised for making some of the most memorable, plot-developing, off-topic movies of the past two decades. This is not one of those movies. Coming from the directors of acclaimed films “Fargo,” “O Brother, Where Art Thou?,” and “The Big Lebowski,” “Hail, Caesar!” is Joel and Ethan Coen’s tribute to 1950’s Hollywood movie culture, and it would be fitting to call this more of a tribute and less of a movie. The movie centers around a day in the life of Capitol Picture’s physical production manager, or “fixer,” Eddie Mannix (Josh Brolin) and the happenings in the studio that surround him on that day, which include a ransom kidnapping, a pregnant movie star, a happy-go-lucky cowboy,

merc with a major motion mouth By Gunnar Goetz Business Manager

hat better way to introduce an R-rated superhero movie than with a chaotic and violent freeze frame of an airborne car, its passengers frozen in their efforts to stay alive. Of course, since it’s “Deadpool,” this scene is plastered by a roll of satirical opening credits and accompanied by a queue of hilarious scenes, wedgie included. Not only that, but the entire scene is contrasted by Juice Newton’s lighthearted song, “Angel of the Morning.” Even though they were dissed in the opening credits, the asshats that produced this film and the overpaid idiot that directed it had a stroke of brilliance. Although he’s named “God’s Perfect Idiot” in the opening credits, Ryan Reynolds deserves applause for his performance as Wade Wilson, the smug,

wise-crackin’ Deadpool. Even though his performance in the 2011 film “Green Lantern” made a mere cricket chirp in the sea of film entertainment, redemption was received as Reynolds delivered each line successively, yet perfectly, forcing a laugh during even the most morbid scenes. What “Deadpool” lacks in plotline is made up in its humor, both dirty as Deadpool’s mouth and sadistic as the ease with which he slices his enemies. The fact that “Deadpool” sports a beaten-to-death storyline--bad guy kidnaps girl; hero comes in, guns blazin’ to get the girl back--saps from its quality. This provides a pretty predictable plot, though it’s accompanied by a very unpredictable series of satirical antics. Who would’ve thought that Deadpool had a

without close analysis. This is one of those types of films that you’re going to need to watch twice to fully comprehend. You can tell this is a Coen Brothers work because of the attention paid to the wording, but without a visible understanding of the story being told, the cunning factor of interactions is put on the wayside. The major redeeming quality of this film is the stupendous acting that is present throughout. It takes a lot of scene-setting emotion to carry this visual, novel-like film through to its intended purpose. Hiring veteran actors like Josh Brolin and Tilda Swinton to carry interest along with the less featured, more recognizable cast kept the feature alive, whilst semi-decent twists and plot events held my attention throughout the one hour and 46 minute runtime, which actually felt longer. Overall, “Hail Caesar” follows the formation of a Coen brothers movie, being that it is heavily dialogue-based, but it strays from their format with the film’s lack of precise

directing and recognizable plot devices. This isn’t a mustsee movie. In fact, preferably, I would skip it if given the option for a re-watch. But, if you’re a die-hard Coen brothers fan, or in a film studies class, you might appreciate the acting and artistic value.

fetish for unicorns? Unicorn fetishes aside, the hilarity is also propelled by surprisingly creative . . . er-hem . . . gonad and copulation jokes, as well as Deadpool’s constant and clever taunting of his enemies. In addition to Deadpool’s use of vulgar yet astute humor from the comics, the movie also stays true to the destruction of the proverbial fourth wall, in which Deadpool drags his audience into the movie. In one scene, Reynolds seems to address a character in the film, but clarifies by saying “I was talking to them,” pointing to the audience. Reynolds also constantly references the directors and producers, alluding to a paucity of funding for

the film in the most hilarious ways possible. “Deadpool” breaks the fourth wall (the 16th wall at one point) at all the right moments, and actually, the movie wouldn’t be the same without this facet of the film. Bottomline, Deadpool wants you to come see his movie. Just one word of advice: with all the crass humor and the plethora of violence, this is one superhero movie not intended for the youngsters. But go see it, perhaps with your significant other; the red-suited prankster will even poke fun at your date.

art by seren pellett

the norse star, february 2016

entertainment

the 2nd annual labeouf awards for outstanding excellence in movie-ness By Jon Klingenberg Editor-in-Chief

soundtrack

script

mad max: fury road

visual

acting/performance

soundtrack

script

visual

the revenant

acting/performance

soundtrack

script

visual

room

acting/performance

art by connor roisum

Honorable Mentions American Ultra • Star Wars VII The Force Awakens Ex Machina • The Big Short The Martian • Spectre • The Hateful Eight the norse star, february 2016

eorge Miller’s revival of the brutal action saga about an ex-cop driven insane by the death of his family is, in short, a masterpiece. A beautifully silent coalition between Tom Hardy’s Max and Charlize Theron’s Furiosa is built in their quest to hijack a cult leader’s extremely valuable water supply. Despite the sensational story, the strongest aspects are actually tied between cinematography and soundtrack. From rumbling war drums to the wailing (and flame-throwing) guitar solos (both featured in the film), the soundtrack is invigorating and keeps you on edge and ready for the non-stop, but surprisingly varied action. The movie is largely a chaotic car chase with dialogue (aside from grunts, groans, and growls) as scarce as the water and gas are in this motorized desert wasteland. Miller keeps things clear, however, by subtly centering the main object of each scene in the middle of the shot. The genius in the production quality lies mostly within Miller’s fast-paced directing, which includes, but is not limited to, rapidly changing setting, silver-tongued one liners, and disturbingly attractive character design that leaves viewers with no room for wandering eyes or minds. This epic is a marvelous compilation of Murphy’s Law meets The Discovery Channel. DiCaprio’s character faces extreme obstacles in his fight for survival, and it makes viewers cringe when they see him wounded countless times, but continuing to move on. The story is heartwarming (possibly the only warm aspect about this film, which takes place mostly in tundra-like conditions that make even Wisconsinites shiver) with its emphasis on the connection between Hugh Glass and his half Native American son, Hawk. It’s Glass’ love for his family and his yearning for redemption (and later revenge, but I won’t say too much on that to avoid spoilers) that drives his broken body back towards civilization. For a movie about isolation, oodles of emotions run wild in this Western flick. The soundtrack keeps the natural setting beauty-ridden and majestic, but the action between Glass and local natives, or between Glass and French fur trappers, or between Glass and, well, everything that surrounds him (wolves, bears, snow, hills, water, etc.) keeps the momentum going with blood-soaked intensity. This is a film that reminds me that not all action movies have to have helicopters, tanks, hot chicks, or Vin Diesel. “Room” has a new layer of drama unseen before its debut. The movie watches in the style of a Hallmark or ABC Family feature, but it’s just a little bit darker (and has better production quality, acting, etc.) Furthermore, everything shown in this film is so painfully realistic in the sense that the events that happen to Joy and Jack are so dark and extreme, but it could all happen. Anyone can be abducted, taken from their homes, and violated in all the same manner as is depicted here. It is chilling, but the movie is done so charmingly that viewers are pulled into the confined space of Room and they don’t want to leave (unlike our protagonists), despite the appalling display of human corruption. We see Joy making a fulfilling life for innocent Jack inside Room, and we see Jack behaving as any other kid, in the sense of being undisturbed; everything is comfortable. Jack’s terror at the strange new world he escapes into is portrayed in a way that makes the audience feel his discomfort. Aside from the fantastic film/audience connection, the movie, much like the book of which it’s based off, shows the world through Jack’s eyes. It does so by having his thoughts narrate sections of the film and having certain scenes only showing his environment, even though the main plot points are elsewhere in the scene (for example, he hides in a wardrobe while “Old Nick” has unsolicited relations with Joy). Even with horrors people don’t want to think about, the display of reality and familial connection brings the movie into the winner’s circle. Abrahamson’s visual recreation of Donoghue’s hit novel is nothing short of spot-on. Fans of the book have praised its staying true to the book, and movie-lovers have praised its intricate production, all of the praise being well deserved by this audio-visual chef-d’oeuvre. 25

entertainment

twitter star of the month

turns out dylan gross’ tweets don’t suck that much By Julia Olson Sports Editor

Q: What does your Twitter bio mean? A: “It’s ‘my tweets suck’ because if people don’t like my tweets, they won’t get their hopes up too high because I tell them right away that they suck. But all my tweets are original thoughts so at least they’re my sucky tweets.” Q: What is one thing you’d like to say to your Twitter followers? A: “You guys are all super cool and you should all like and retweet my tweets because it makes me happy.” Q: Where do you get the ideas for your tweets? A: “All my tweets usually just come from me thinking about something and then I just tweet whatever it is right away. I never plan what I’m going to tweet because I think it makes them less exciting that way.”

survival: jrpg style

By Connor Roisum Entertainment Editor intendo’s Wii U has received some ridicule over the years as being a system with very little to offer and a waste of money. All seemed lost until I read up on a game changing RPG that would require hours of investment. “Xenoblade Chronicles X” is an obnoxiously beautiful game that utilizes the potential that the Wii U can still produce even as the system dies out and Nintendo moves on to the new NX. Xenoblade Chronicles X (XCX) takes place in the not-sodistant future in the year 2054 where we see the last of humanity escaping the dying planet of earth as it’s caught in a crossfire of two advanced alien races. Out of hundreds of ships that tried to escape, only one from the city of Los Angeles was able to escape with a fraction of humanity on board. Months later, the ship

is ambushed by one of the alien races and forced to crash-land on an unknown planet. Scientific improbability aside, you awaken in a life-pod in the wilds of planet Mira. Separated from the ship at first, it is your job to fight the indigens (animal inhabitants of the planet) and any other threats that may lead to the human race’s extinction. The game, as said before, is incredibly beautiful. The Wii U’s HD feature is what really brings this game to life as players traverse a giant open world filled with colossal creatures and creative alien species. What’s different about this game is that in order to advance the storyline at all, players must complete certain requirements, whether that’s exploring the vast open world, completing a wide variety of missions, or even reaching a certain level, all of which are daunting tasks in-andof themselves. While this game is a great one, there are a few things to gripe about, little though they may be. Combat, first of all, gets very repetitive and can be a major bummer if you don’t utilize your

classes in the right way. However, the main developer of the game, Monolith, was aware of this and included the idea of ‘soul voices,’ certain quick-time reaction fighting styles that can make the difference between a swift victory and a death so embarrassing you may get an achievement for screwing up for all to see. Another downer in the game was the style of the animation. The cutscenes are choreographed in a way that almost seems lazy. Animations are used over and over, some expressions are lost, and it just doesn’t really feel as though the characters you fight along with are really living, as if it’s a constant reminder that these characters are indeed computer code and nothing more. However, the gameplay and constant time commitment really make up for these faults, especially the multiplayer. If solo play isn’t your thing, don’t fret. This game has a nice slice of multiplayer that really showcases WiiU’s online features, which, unlike the PS4 and Xbox One, is free. It’s not just one type of multiplayer, but multiple factions of online goodness. If you

photo courtesy of @dgross331

Q: What would you attribute your success on twitter to? A: “A lot of my close friends tend to ‘like’ and ‘retweet’ my stuff, so a lot of people see it. Plus, I’m kinda dumb and goofy so that helps.”

Twitter Stats: @dgross331 Follower Count: 198 Following Count: 141 Number of Tweets: 141 wish to play solo, but still be connected to your 32 other squad members, the lifehold squad is just for you. If immersing yourself with other players is more your style, then conquest squads is your calling. And finally, if you and a friend want to brave the hazards of Mira, then friends squads is where you belong. After investing over 120 hours into this game since December and still being nowhere near the end, I assure you that Xenoblade Chronicles X is the brilliant game that can re-ignite your faith in Nintendo.

the norse star, february 2016

become a happy camper

By Rachel DelPizzo Opinions Editor

f the 400 albums that were released here in America in the month of February, “Happy Camper,” the sophomore studio album of Long Island rapper Hoodie Allen, will not disappoint. It may not dazzle you, it may not even impress you. In fact, “Happy Camper” is just what is to be expected of Hoodie. The frat-rapper delivers line after line of his lovable clever dictum, keeping with that classic Hoodie sound. But, the album is so much more than just a typical compilation of empty trivial words (granted there’s a fair bit of that on this album and in Hoodie Allen’s discography). In addition to rapping about women

entertainment

and success, “Happy Camper” has a lot to do with insecurities, memories, and dreams. In the album’s third track “Remind Me Of,” listeners get a sense of youth, carelessness, and blissful irresponsibility. But this isn’t the only retrospective throwback track. The last track on “Happy Camper” is called “King To Me.” The song begins with a warm reminiscence of Hoodie’s childhood days and of his father. It brings memories front and center, rendering in listeners’ past memories of their own fathers. It is nearly impossible to not think back to one’s childhood memories, feeling so small, your dad seeming like superman, someone who can do anything, invincible. Hoodie says, “the man who showed me how to fight, the same one who took the training wheels off of my bike.” This isn’t even the album’s only ‘dad reference.’ Before dropping

meticulous but meh

in the ‘80s before taking a turn for a more modernized sound in recent years, leading their fans astray. Their last album release, 2013’s “Super Collider,” failed miserably to even By Meredith “Megadeath” Melland make the slightest dent in the hearts of metal In-Depth Editor fans. Needless to say, egadeth’s fifteenth album anyone who was expecting “Dystopia” offers up a the release of this album was strong lineup of musicians bracing themselves to be let with a roster of face-melting down. Luckily for thrash fans, metal songs, but the album’s Mustaine was determined not concept and controversial to have another super collision lyrical content has been done of an album, and hired guitarist before and is not that impres- Kiko Loureiro and drummer sive outside the walls of thrash Chris Adler for the new record. metal. However, the variance of arrangements and song styles still allows for classic, hardcore energy in the album, producing an album that is worth a listen to anyone outside of the genre and an exceptional album for any metalhead. Throughout the realm of rock, Megadeth is famous for being the creation of original Metallica guitarist Dave Mustaine and for having an almost constantly evolving lineup of members. The band had a strong thrash metal start art by joshua bausch

the norse star, february 2016

those retrospective verses on us, Hoodie hits listeners with some future talk. It’s no surprise that much of the album is about typical rapper stuff, but in the track “So Close To Happiness,” we hear more dad raps, and we get a look into the future, his family, and his hopes. The song even has a bit of a “How I Met Your Mother” vibe to it. Primarily, it reveals nervousness and fear about the future. Not unlike the track “Intro To Anxiety,” listeners see that even self proclaimed “semifamous” rappers feel inadequate sometimes. If you’re just in this for some classic Hoodie Allen raps, the man has got you covered, as the first song released for this album was “Champagne And Pools,” featuring tour-mates, Blackbear and Kyle. Rapping and performing are no doubt Hoodie Allen’s forte, which leaves a listener

wondering, does he ever fall short? Sadly, yes. Listeners may find themselves grasping for substance in this album that simply doesn’t exist. The album feels like more of a mixtape than an album, collection of sorts, that is at some times, a bit disjointed. “Happy Camper” is a fun, easy listen with just 10 tracks. Best of all, Hoodie is giving it to the fans for free. You might as well go become one.

Just to clarify, I wouldn’t describe myself as a ‘headbanger.’ I know a little bit about metal and listen to it from time to time, but I’m not an avid fan. So when I first went to listen to “Dystopia,” I wasn’t sure what to expect. “The Threat is Real,” opens “Dystopia” and quickly descends into slashing guitars and pulsing bass drum. The polished technical ability of Megadeth is stunning, and Loureiro’s smooth guitar licks are great additions to the band’s sound. “Conquer or Die” is a fantastic instrumental reprise, while title track “Dystopia” and “Fatal Illusion” really showcase the band’s strong suit: driving, forceful songs that showcase the members. The intensity of the songs and articulated sweetness of the riffs made me want to headbang along. However, lyrics are not a strong point of the album. The whole album tells the story of a nation of people who are being restricted and led to peril by a corrupt society and its institutions, a narrative that is no stranger to Megadeth (they have albums called “United Abominations”

and “The System Has Failed”) or to metal music in general. The lyrics, sung through the scratchy voice of Mustaine, definitely have strong right-wing political undercurrents: lines include “The Messiah or mass murderer/No controlling who comes through the door” and “Why cower to all those/Who oppose the American world?” These messages can be off-putting, but definitely have anger behind them. As someone whose main reason for listening to heavy metal is to feel like I’m sauntering in slow motion away from a fiery mushroomed explosion in an ensemble action movie, I was very impressed by the instrumentation on “Dystopia,” but not so much by the overall tone. Megadeth’s fifthteenth album, “Dystopia,” is better than any Megadeth album from the last two decades, but it still feels like a little much. “Dystopia” is a great album if you just want to listen to instrumentally impressive thrash metal, but it gets worse on closer inspection and is lacking any sort of bigger draw. 27

sports

girls’ varsity basketball breaks conference drought By Julia Olson Sports Editor

he girls’ varsity basketball team has broken a 14 year conference drought this year in a memorable season so far, with a record of 10-1 in conference and 16-2 overall. This tightly knit team has had an eventful season, playing two tough games against conference rivals Edgewood, and another close game early in the season against Oregon. Otherwise, the team has dominated their other opponents in convincing fashion, and they have shown nothing but improvement as the season has started to come to an end. Senior guard Jenna Gardner has seen her fair share of seasons come and go during her four years of playing on the varsity team, and she attributes much of the team’s success this year to their dedication to the game. “I think that we’ve been so successful this season because we practice really hard every single day and take every practice seriously. We’ve been working all season at the goal of winning conference so every game was another step towards

working for that goal,” said Gardner. But the team’s success hasn’t come without some obstacles. The team has needed to hurdle over numerous drawbacks to get to the point where they are today, but becoming conference champions has been more than worth it. One of the biggest problems plaguing the team this season has been the sheer number of injuries that have come about during crucial moments in the season. Gardner recalls over five or more of her teammates who have battled some type of serious injury, which she said has only made them work harder on the court for all the wins that they have gotten, despite the circumstances. When asked to describe the hardest game that the team has played thus far in the season, Gardner was initially unsure of her answer before she quickly recovered and had a moment of clarity. “I think the hardest game that we’ve played this season was that first game we played against Edgewood this season at

home when it went into double overtime. But even during that intense of a game, we still felt confident that we were going to win and that helped us do what we set out to do, win.” With a record like theirs, it’s easy to understand the notion that other teams might be intimidated by the defensive powerhouse and offensive prowess that the team goes onto the court with every game. Gardner says that the team is proud of their defensive work on the court because it is something that they consistently work on day in and day out, and having other coaches and teams recognize that fact makes it that much more rewarding. Winning conference in and of itself is an extraordinary experience that can be regarded as a once in a lifetime opportunity, and after waiting for it for four years, Gardner is elated that she was able to accomplish this goal during her last year at Stoughton High School. “Winning conference was awesome, plain and simple. I know just from being on varsity since freshman year with

photos courtesy of hannah hobson and payton kahl

The girls’ varsity basketball team poses for a picture after returning home from their conference clinching game versus Milton on Feb. 9. the norse star, february 2015

The team celebrates their win in the locker room after their conference winning game against Milton on Feb. 9. Hannah Hobson that this has always been our goal for the last four years and finally getting to reach that goal has been a really cool and rewarding experience.” But Gardner doesn’t credit all of the team’s success to their work on the court. She can’t deny that without the help and support from Coach Pickett, they wouldn’t have been able to get where they are today. “Coach Pickett has been a big part of our success, no doubt about it. Since the beginning of the season, he has known that it is our goal to win conference, and he has been very determined to help us reach it.” Looking forward into the next half of this team’s journey, the exciting start of the postseason, Gardner is anything but pessimistic about the team’s future games. But it isn’t hard to be excited about the position that the team has found themselves in after months of hard work, which is being the number one-seed in the WIAA Division II tournament. “The postseason is going to be really fun. We got a oneseed for the tournament which means that the regional game will be at home. Which means that we want to see a lot of students and support come out to that game. But our ultimate goal is getting to the state tournament, so we’re going to do all that we can to make that goal a reality.”

sports

diamond dancers

also within the community. Every year the SHS Dance Team hosts the Junior Clinic. This is an event where young By Kira Fields kids who love to dance can Staff Writer spend the day with the SHS ighteen girls step into for- evolve from nothing.” Practicing Dance Team. They will practice mation as the music begins. a minimum of twice a week, stretches, fun activities, and even They leap into the air looking Maddie Falk, one of two junior learn a routine where they will weightless. Flashing smiles to team captains, shared that this have the opportunity to dance at the crowd to create the illusion year the team has been working an athletic event. In the past the of simplicity. Striking their final more on lyrical, a type of dance team has volunteered at the fire pose, a rush of satisfaction pours fusing jazz and ballet, in addi- station in Stoughton for “Food over them creating a lovely glow tion to trying out new stretches for Kidz”. This is a nationwhich can be seen from the and techniques. They have also wide program sponsored by the audience. Each one of them started to do more team work- Rotary Club in Stoughton, with knew that the intense workouts outs at the gym, with strength a goal of packaging meals for to replaying their routine, over training and running. Falk those in need across the globe. and over, finally paid off. said, “We worked more depth These girls are a team. The and I think we all got a lot “I like Dance Team Stoughton High School Dance better because of it.” With these Team. improvements the girls have because it brings in been more prepared than ever for competitions. dance and community This will be the second year that the Dance Team has been involvement which I performing at competitions. They have been to three com- like because I like being petitions this year already, and they don’t plan on stopping out there” anytime soon. The team has returned with fairly good results, -Maddie Falk, 11 including their fifth place win at Badger State Showdown in both In addition, the team has also Junior Varsity Jazz and Pom been involved with the “Viking divisions. Booster Trek,” a 5K run that As well as a plan to work helps raise money for Stoughton The SHS Dance team huddles on improvements, Julia Pope, athletics. The team has also prebefore the big performance. another member of the team, viously performed at the BMO says that her favorite activity Harris Madison Mini-Marathon, The Stoughton High School to do with the dance team is where they won 2,500 dollars Dance Team is here and they dancing at competitions because for the title of best enthusiastic mean business. she gets to watch “all of these stand. The team tries to help out Started in 2011 by a group other amazing dancers from the community as much as they of students and their coach, other schools that I didn’t even can, putting positive energy for Sarah Broske, an enthusiastic know existed”. The girls plan to others out into the community. dancer since the age of four, has return to many of the competiThe team holds auditions loved being able to coach such tions next year with new skills for the SHS Dance Team in a dedicated team. Five years and a fresh mindset. the spring. Members of the later, the SHS Dance Team has Not only has the Dance team have to try out along with been improving their abilities Team made an impact within anyone interested in joining and workouts. Broske said, “It the athletic department at the team. When asked about is very cool to see something Stoughton High School, but what she looks for in potential

art by seren pellet and kira fields

photos by sarah broske and jim mcnulty

The SHS Dance team smile for the camera after their performance at a competition.

members, Broske answered, “We want dancers who are going to work hard not only for themselves but for the team.” The process begins with small groups coming in to show off skills, and then they are taught a small routine which they perform repeatedly for the judges. The candidates are judged by the coaches, team captains, and other guest judges from McFarland. They are looking for people who seem like they would make a great addition to an exquisite team. Through thick and thin, this team is very committed. These girls joined the SHS Dance Team for many reasons, but one main reason is the love of dance. Falk says, “I like Dance Team because it brings in dance and community involvement which I like because I like being out there.” Broske comments that the team has to, “train like other athletes running and conditioning at the beginning of each practice, but the main difference is when they hit the dance floor, they can’t show they are working hard.” From entering competitions to volunteering in the community, the SHS Dance Team is truly a gem in the city of Stoughton.

The SHS Dance Team pose for a photo before a performance during an athletic event. the norse star, febuary 2016

sports

vikings from the sidelines By Mikayla Frick Staff Writer

They’re not quite the water fetchers, but they’re not the starters, either. Plenty of dedicated athletes at SHS work just as hard as their teams’ stars and receive barely any playing time. But, these players are crucial to the success of the team and do a great deal of behind the scene work. They have much bigger jobs than just “keeping the bench warm.” Now take a look into what it’s like to be a Viking from the sideline. photo illustration by ethan genter

Gabby Saunders plays Varsity Girls’ Basketball Q: How much playing time do you get each game? A: I would say about 3 minutes, but we have to be up by about 25 points. Q: What is the best part of being on the bench during the game? A: The best is when we are up by enough points and coach tells me to go in. Q: What is the worst part of being on the bench during the game? A: The worst part is the second half of the game because you get cold and hungry. Also, sometimes at practice it’s hard to stay motivated if we have a game coming up that I know I won’t play in. Q: What keeps you motivated? A: I stay motivated because I know that my practice will help the rest of the girls get better and when they get better I get more playing time. Q: How do you contribute to your team’s success? A: I contribute to the team in ways that go unnoticed by people. I do more than what some think, but most of the work I do is during practice and being a supporter from the bench for the rest of the team. Q:What is your favorite memory in basketball? A: My favorite basketball memory was when we beat Edgewood in double overtime. Also when we got rowdy on the bench and I had to pee and Carrie hit a three . . . I peed my pants a little. Q: What makes basketball a challenge? A: The biggest challenge I have is making sure I stay motivated and work hard everyday even if I don’t get in the game. It’s also hard to stay positive sometimes if the team isn’t doing well.

Ed Zeichert plays Varsity Boys’ Basketball Q: How much playing time do you get each game? A: Maybe 30 seconds, it depends on who we are playing. Q: How do you describe your time from the sidelines? A: It’s a lot of just keeping everyone standing and cheering for our teammates. Q: What is the best part of being on the bench during games? A: The best thing about being there is being around my teammates. Q: What is the worst part of being on the bench during games? A: The worst thing is when when we lose a tough game and everybody is kind of upset about it. Q: What keeps you motivated? A: I’m very competitive, and I hate to lose, so that makes me work harder. Q: What makes being a part of your team special? A: We are all really close and have a good team bond. Q: How do you contribute to your team’s success? A: I help to keep everybody from putting their heads down when something goes wrong. Q:What is your favorite memory in basketball? A: Winning JV state and scoring two points in our game against Milton this season. Q: What makes basketball a challenge? A: It’s unpredictable and you never know what is next. the norse star, february 2016

photos courtesy of bob christofferson

sports

varsity wrestling defeats milton and wins WIAA DI team sectionals By Julia Olson Sports Editor The varsity wrestling team pulled through once more with an intense 30-28 win over conference rival Milton in a duel that led to another team state berth, the third in three years for the team. The success of the team was due to a night full of dedication and teamwork and ultimately a seasonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s worth of anticipation leading up to a few hours on Tues., Feb. 16. The duel itself came down to the final moments in the 138-pound match, where junior Garrett Model fought hard and came back from a large defecit early in the match to end up helping clinch the win for his team. The team is looking forward to the Division I state team tournament March 3-5 at the Kohl Center.

photos by ethan genter and courtesy of bob christofferson

the norse star, february 2016