piecing together a family
stoughton high school
the norse star september 2016
table of contents The Norse Star staff delves into the lives and themes of families with fostered and adopted children. (Cover Photo Illustration by Seren Pellett, Ian Bormett) TOC by: Garrett Kluever, News Editor, Distribution Manager
news
entertainment
in-depth
Pg. 3
Pg. 6
Pg. 10
There are always people available to listen, talk, and help every day at Stoughton High School
Mr. Burke, Counselor 608-877-5609 Ms. Natzke, Counselor 608-877-5614 Ms. Cook, Counselor 608-877-5612
Suicide Prevention Emergency Services:
608-280-2600 You Are Never Alone
Ms. Ott, School Psychologist 608-877-5611 Ms. Hermanson, School Social Worker 608-877-5614
sports
opinions
features
Pg. 14
Pg. 17
Pg. 22
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: Isabelle Genter Assistant Editor: Seren Pellett Graphics Editor: Joshua Bausch
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Head Artists: Joshua Bausch, Sarah Hanson Opinions Editor: Kira Fields In-Depth Editor: Raya Kate Castronovo News Editor: Garrett Kluever
Entertainment Editor: Joshua Bausch Features Editor: Bergen Gardner Sports Editors: Isabelle Genter, Seren Pellett Freelance Writer: Mya Lonnebotn
Staff Writers: Collin Ace, Ian Bormett, Nadia Dedie, Sarah Hanson, Charrley Hudson, Quinn Link, Mitch Osterhaus, Julia Pope, Kirsten Sanford, Aubrey Schleppenbach, Aly Solberg, Natalie Zientek
the norse star, september 2016
news
Show your support by
The Halloween season is upon
running a 5k for someone
us. Start the celebration by
affected by sex trafficking
taking a walk through the
in the Aruna 5k. Located
Forest Hill Cemetery for their
at Vilas Park in Madison,
annual Talking Spirits XVII
WI on Oct. 1.
on Oct. 8 Admission $6. Tired of being human? Come see the “The Little Mermaid� Oct. 21-23. Student Admission $8.
norse notes By Kira Fields and Seren Pellett Opinions Editor and Assistant Editor-in-Chief
Want a couple scares Come hear about the paranormal activity near you. Stop by the Fitchburg Public Library on Oct. 2
before Halloween? Dare
If you love coffee just
to take a walk through
as much as you love
the Screaming Acres and
your dog, stop by
the Haunted Barn this
Underdog Pet Rescue
October.
Outreach Office for their monthly Coffee
from 2:00 p.m-6:00
and Canines on Oct. 1
p.m and talk with
from 9:00 a.m- 12:00
author and para-
p.m. in Madison.
normal investigator, Chad Lewis. Free Admission.
Forget the car or bus on Oct.5 and celebrate National Walk or Bike to school day. art by seren pellett
the norse star, september 2016
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news
under the sea at shs
By Nadia Dedie Staff Writer
T
he Stoughton High School theater department will be performing the musical “The Little Mermaid” Oct. 21, 22, and 23 in the SHS auditorium. The musical is based on the classic Disney movie “The Little Mermaid.” A childhood favorite of many, “The Little Mermaid” is an animated musical fantasy film, telling the story of Ariel, a mermaid princess who is dissatisfied with her underwater life and is immensely curious about the human world above. Since mermaids don’t exist, senior Ellie Trotter will be playing the role of Ariel. “I’m very excited because this has been my dream role since I was child”, states Trotter. Seen in countless other SHS productions, Trotter has been in “Shrek,” “The Wedding Singer,” and “Footloose.” Other lead roles include
Prince Eric, who will be played by senior Bryan Wendt, Sebastian, who will be played by junior Seth Charleston, and King Triton, who will be played by junior Broderick McCloskey. This musical will be directed by DeeDee Bouzek, who has directed numerous other SHS productions, such as “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, and “Pride and Prejudice.”
relentlessly learning various difficult dance numbers and songs since Aug.15 in preparation for the show. “The people you work with become your family,” adds Trotter, regarding the numerous hours practicing with her fellow cast mates. When asked what sets this musical apart from others, Trotter answered, “ I think what sets it apart from other musicals is it’s more straightforward,
there’s the aspect of not as many characters to keep track of.” The show will be at 7:00 p.m. on Oct 21 and 22, and at 2:00 p.m. on Oct 23. Tickets will be available on showtix4you.com and at the door, with adult tickets priced at $12, student tickets at $8, and a student section in the back for only $5.
“The people you work with become your family.” - Ellie Trotter (12) Also helping this production come to life is a 15 member stage crew, which consists of students putting in endless hours constructing the set used in the musical. A pit orchestra, directed by SHS orchestra teacher, Rachel Shields, will also be accompanying the musical. Students have been working
photo by nadia dedie
Kayley Novotony (left), Ellie Trotter (center), and Noah Kleitsch (right), rehearse a scene for “The Little Mermaid.”
‘mobile doc’ rolls into stoughton hospital
By Collin Ace Staff Writer
W
hen we think of robots, most of us think of the Terminator, WALL-E, or Transformers. What most of us don’t think of is a robot working in a hospital. While they may not be quite the same thing, that is what we now have here at Stoughton Hospital. As a part of a new telemedicine initiative at the Stoughton Hospital, nurses and hospitalists have been working with a Mobile Doc, a new robot that allows doctors from other clinics around the country to observe patients and give their expertise. Telemedicine uses video technology and electronic measurements to help patients and staff in treatment. This kind of technology allows doctors to assess a patient that they normally wouldn’t have access to. So how does the Mobile Doc work? “We have to accompany the 4
Mobile Doc to the room and explain and make sure it’s okay with them. Then the doctors can see them as they would in person,” stated Stephanie Hillis, nurse at Stoughton Hospital and “super-user” of the Mobile Doc. An electronic stethoscope allows the doctor, who’s viewing the patient through a camera on the Mobile Doc, to take statistics and measure the patient’s vitals. This means they can make a complete assessment of a patient. The main reason this Mobile Doc was put in place was to save money. “During the day we have a hospitalist here in person. It was found that it would save money to not have a hospitalist here at night, but to have him accessible by Mobile Doc,” explained Hillis. Essentially there are doctors and specialists that the hospital are in contact with and these doctors are trained in the use of a Mobile Doc and are capable of being called and respond when they are free.
photo printed with permission from stoughton hospital
Stephanie Hillis consults with Dr. Sarjoo Patel on the Mobile Doc. The biggest benefit of this Mobile Doc is the ability to keep patients local. “Hopefully in the long run we can get doctors from different hospitals, like different specialties like neurology, urology, stuff like that. Get them to consult on [the Mobile Doc] so they can see the patient instead of just looking at a chart,” says Hillis. This means less patients
would be sent off to other hospitals. People who would normally have to seek treatment at a bigger hospital would be able to come to Stoughton and get the proper diagnosis and treatment plan from a professional. “I totally think this would be worth it for other hospitals to use Mobile Doc,” says Hillis. She has hopes that these kinds of changes will make a major difference in the future. the norse star, september 2016
road work continues past deadlines By Ian Bormett Staff Writer
S
toughton has had a substantial amount of road construction since June, much of it in the vicinity of Stoughton High School. While it is necessary for utility maintenance and road replacement in worn sections, construction can be frustrating for traffic. With a large section of Van Buren Street closed for several months, going to and from SHS and surrounding areas became difficult. To complicate this, work went past the deadline of Sept. 1, and sections of Jackson, Wilson, and Clyde streets were also closed in the same residential area during the same period of time. Coinciding with the Kettle Park west development and Super Walmart construction, a section of Highway 138 was also closed for a roundabout traffic circle to be built. In some other areas, asphalt was re-paved to remove defective gravel beneath.
According to Stoughton’s Director of Planning and Development, Rodney Scheel, “This year’s reconstruction project replaced underground utilities as well as curb and gutter, sidewalk where needed and total street replacement including new asphalt.” As of Sept. 19, construction is not finished on Clyde and Wilson street. Mr. Scheel added that “Due to unexpected construction issues, the work will continue until completion. That is not expected by the end of September.” Traffic closures are expected through Sept., though much less than during August.
school security By Aubrey Schleppenbach Staff Writer
T
he Stoughton Area School district is taking new measures to protect our schools. Raptor Security Systems has been put into place this year to protect our students and staff from threats and harm. The Raptor Security system protects over 16,000 school districts in the nation. It provides instant scanning, custom databases, accurate records, efficient reporting, and trusted protection. Stoughton’s building and
photos by aubrey schleppenbach
A Raptor ID scanner sits in the main office. the norse star, september 2016
Calvin Merath, Stoughton’s Building and Grounds supervisor
grounds supervisor Calvin Merath stated, “This [Raptor Security System] will add another layer of security.” The Raptor Security System started as a web-based management system for K-12 schools. Raptor has identified and alerted the police to more than 50,000 sex offenders attempting to come into the schools. If a visitor wants to enter the school, they will have to present
news
art by seren pellett
graphic by ian bormett
A map of the road construction in the vacinity of SHS.
a current State ID, such as a driver’s license. That ID is then run through a scanner that will compare it to the nationwide sex offender list. This provides an electronic statement on who enters
the school. “This eliminates the paper pen method,” Merath added. If the visitor is on the sex offender list, staff has procedures put into place to handle the situation. . “We didn’t really have a security system before this” Merath stated. Previously visitors would be buzzed into the main office, sign into the visitor log and receive a visitor ID. With this new method, we know who is coming in and out of our schools because we know the background of the visitor. This new system will provide peace of mind that we are safer, better trained, and more prepared. 5
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entertainment n January 15, 2009, US O Airways Flight 1549, traveling from New York to
Charlotte, was hit by bird strike mere minutes into the flight, causing dual engine failure. This forced Captian Chelsey ‘Sully’ Sullenberger, a pilot with 42 years of flying experience to make an emergency landing by putting the damaged plane down in the Hudson River. All crew and passengers survived the water landing. These heroic actions are the kind of stuff you would see in movies...and now it is. Directed by Clint Eastwood, and based on the events surrounding ‘The Miracle On The Hudson’ as described above, ‘Sully’ is a bio-pic perspective thriller that follows Captain Sully played by Tom Hanks as he deals with the moral responsibility of the crash, his sudden publicity/hero-status, the relationship with his family and an investigation from the Federal Aviation Administration facing possible charges for landing in
here were high hopes for T “Morgan,” a science fiction movie directed by Luke Scott,
in which a human biological experiment is created using synthetic DNA. The scientists who created this being call it Morgan and have strong emotional connections with the synthetic life form, as they have raised it and cared for it for five years (due to an advanced growth rate). We enter the film with a corporate risk consultant from the company responsible for funding the Morgan Project. She is visiting to analyze the profit versus product gain, and the potential dangers of the new technology (especially after Morgan throws a tantrum and stabs one of the scientists in the eye). However, movie-goers, prepare yourself for disappointment. Right when Morgan has the potential to make the viewer reconsider the moral standpoints and values of synthetic versus natural life, it takes a flop. The movie becomes cheesy, predictable, uncompelling and unnecessarily violent. The characters have no depth, no
the norse star, september 2016
the river. This movie is very well executed. Clint Eastwood brings his very praised directing chops (“American Sniper,” “Invictus” “Gran Torino”) to “Sully” providing sharp timing and meticulous cut-aways to make the audience part of Sully’s actions during his ordeal. Sully himself is played extremely genuinely by Tom Hanks, his reserved personality and servility comes off realistically throughout the film and in moments of crisis. “Gripping” would be the best way to describe the action and plot of the movie. It’s a thriller dramatization with passion and undeniability. The scenes of Sully landing the plane in the Hudson during the engine failure is amazing and realistic because they are shot from many perspectives including Sully, flight attendants, passengers, and some rescue crew. It’s portrayed realism in its most pure form. There’s no last second heroic move or cliché save. It’s a humbled man landing a crashing plane into the Hudson River
and saving the lives of 155 people, and I was enthralled by every second of it. The scenery of this movie is shot beautifully. The lenses used and camera movement create a controlled-chaos vibe that ebbs and flows throughout the picture. My criticism of the film is that it jumps around a little too often. This movie doesn’t go in order. We start after the crash, then go to before the crash, then back after, then during the crash, etc. You have to watch very closely to understand what was going on, and once or twice I found myself lost on timing. Overall, I give Sully 4 stars out of 5. Eastwood’s tight directing makes this movie seem to unfold in front of the audience as you are thrust into the position of Sully. Tom Hanks delivers an excellent performance as Captain Sullenger with heart and passion across the movie. It’s a force of a film with very few flaws. If you appreciate excellent filmmaking, you will no doubt enjoy this movie.
background, and even catching the names of all but a few of them was a significant challenge, especially troubling considering the
size of the cast--eight total characters. Though classified as a thriller, there was only minor suspense. An excess of blood was the only reason for its ‘R’ rating, and, as previously stated, this was entirely unneeded. There were aspects of the film which were admirable, as well, though. It’s perfectly set up for a deeply thoughtprovoking and intellectually stimulating work, with fantastic cinematography and a beautiful set. That is to say, except during the fight scenes and the unfortunate lack of follow-through. The film brought about questions of the compatibility of nature and technology, as well as the morality of a synthetic life form, such as Morgan. The location, Iceland’s beautiful forests and an abandoned mansion in the wilderness, set the stage for juxtaposition of the contrast between Morgan’s cold metal technological aesthetic and the natural world. Credit must also be given to a surprising twist at the end of the movie, which was difficult to predict, at least, in comparison to the rest of the film.
art by seren pellett
cleared for takeoff
By Garrett Kluever News Editor, Distribution Manager
mediocre morgan By Seren Pellett Assistant Editor-in-Chief
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entertainment
top tweets
By Natalie Zientek Staff Writer
Slide your funny tweets into our DMs if you want a chance to be
art by sarah hanson
featured in next issue’s top tweets. 8
the norse star, september 2016
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in-depth
fostering the future By Aly Solberg and Nadia Dedie Staff Writers
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he doorbell rings and everything changes. As the foster child walks through the doorway and into their new home, the energy in the household shifts. The foster family greets the child with open arms, showing them their new room and introducing them to their new siblings. From the outside looking in, it seems as though only happiness and excitement fill the room. It is only in the slight hesitation of their first embrace that one can see the nervousness in both the family and the new child. The foster family knows full well that their journey together will be challenging. There will be ups and downs and everything in between, but it is the love that they will grow to share with this foster child that makes it all worthwhile. With the constant stream of children being taken from unstable environments, foster families provide havens of opportunity and support by opening their homes and their hearts to those in need. The life of a foster child is unpredictable, but foster families work tirelessly to create stable and loving homes for the children that they may come in contact with. In order to put in this amount of work, families must be sure that this is the lifestyle for them. Families begin fostering for a number of different reasons, however, often their goal is the same: they want to provide love and support to children who may not get it anywhere else. “We realized that foster care is really needed because there are kids who don’t have a family and are deserving of a family,” reflected Zander Harberg, SHS junior and brother to foster children. Foster families like Hartberg’s come face to face with humanity in desperation and find the strength to not only rise to the challenge, but to lift up those in their time of need. It takes a sincere love of children to take on the responsibility of caring for someone else’s child, and it is this sincerity that carries families
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through the journey of fostering. Simply being approved as a foster parent involves a long, arduous series of home studies. Krista Rasmussen, foster parent and Dane County social worker, stated the following about the requirements necessary to begin: “We had extensive criminal background checks, review of medical history for each family member, review of school history for each family member, [and] review of work history for the adults in the family. We had to provide references and contact information for many family, friends, coworkers and employers.”
“As time went on, it just became part of who we are. Adding extra kids, it’s no different. . .” -Melissa Johnson The requirements necessary to become a foster family are in preparation for the change that comes with adding foster children to a
art by joshua bausch
given family. Normally, parents and siblings gradually shift to meet the demands that come with each stage in a child’s life. With foster care, there is no way to predict the age and, in turn, demands of the children that come through their front doors. “It was a bit of a change for us at first because we had been out of the ‘baby phase’ for about four years. . . All of a sudden after a phone call, we were back in the baby phase,” stated Rasmussen. With time, this initial shock evolves into a normal aspect of a new placement. For Melissa Johnson, foster parent of 27 different children over a span of eight years, this process has become
photo by joe kashollek
The Johnson family poses for a picture. Pictured front left and right respectively are Jay and Joy, the Johnson’s former foster children whom they have since adopted.
second nature. “As time went on, it just became part of who we are. Adding extra kids, it’s no different. Add one, or two, or three, everybody just fits in and everybody just deals with what comes,” Johnson stated in regards to her family’s progression through fostering numerous children. The constant circulation of children in one’s home is an indisputable contrast between the household of a foster family versus that of an average family of four. However, a family is not confined to the home in which they live. It is when they venture beyond that the true differences can be seen. “People just don’t understand. People just expect all white people in a family or all African Americans, but when we go into public, there’s mixtures of races,” explained SHS junior and sister to foster children Olivia Johnson. Foster children come from a plethora of races and backgrounds and as such, can draw attention in communities where this is not widely seen or accepted. Despite this, foster families share a number of qualities that reflect a common household. “We get into our arguments and don’t get along all the time. . . We are just like a normal family [in] the way we treat each other,” added Olivia Johnson. As foster families undertake new challenges, they have to continually lean on each other for support. Each member of the family has a deep understanding of what the others are going through and as such become one another’s central support group. the norse star, september 2016
in-depth “I actually have to say that our family has become closer after becoming a foster family. It was so heartwarming to see our boys completely open their hearts to the little children who became part of our family – whether this was for a weekend, month or year,” explained Krista Rasmussen.
“We realized that foster care is really needed because there are kids who don’t have a family and are deserving of a family.” -Zander Hartberg When foster children first arrive to their new homes, the transition can be challenging. “Usually when they first come in, they’re like super shy, sometimes crying or upset, because when they come in, who knows their situation right away?” explained Nick Swenson, a sophomore at SHS and brother to numerous foster children over the years. Nick also admitted the strain of having to constantly make sure attention is being given to his foster siblings. “You just have to give them a lot more attention, so just being with them a lot more and taking your regular stuff and putting that out of the way, put them first,” added Swenson. Continual care is no easy task, and it is just as mentally straining as it is physically straining on foster siblings as well as foster parents. Throughout the duration of a foster child’s stay, parents must focus a large amount of attention on the new situation at hand: learning how to understand and organize the sojourn of a new child. The moment a foster child arrives is particularly intense due to the unpredictability of their stay. A family is meeting a child that could be out of their care in three days to two years. There’s definitely no easy way to reform a family, yet this is more than willingly done over and over again. The final step of the foster care process is the step foster families dread the most. Because foster children become such an integral piece of their foster family’s life and heart, the norse star, september 2016
it proves extremely difficult to say goodbye to them. According to SHS junior Zander Hartberg, “When you get attached, it’s really really hard.” In some cases, foster children will only know their foster parents a few short days, while others will be with their foster families for what feels like an eternity. In both cases, it is immensely difficult to say goodbye. How do you even begin to say goodbye when you’ve just recently said hello? “Something that has been difficult about being a foster family is worrying about the foster child when they are no longer with you” explains Rasmussen. The uncertainty of sending them into the next phase of their journey is the hardest. With questions of “Will they be okay wherever they go?” and “Will I see them again soon?” hovering in the air, foster families must detach themselves from a child they’ve grown to love. Regardless, countless families endure the separation from children they once cared for as their own, happily ready to help another child in need.
photo by krista rasmussen Zander Hartberg and former foster sister, Aubri, smile for a picture together. Despite the challenges foster families endure, it is the positive experiences that ultimately define their journey. Often times, foster children come from homes where they were not provided the most basic necessities of childhood. Families give children who have come from broken homes a chance to enjoy just being a kid. Once introduced to a foster family, children are exposed to a world of experiences they may never have had otherwise. These experiences go on to shape not only the way foster children view the world around them, but the very people
they will go on to become. Foster families are able to witness firsthand the growth of a child as they blossom into their fully intended potential-potential that may have otherwise been obstructed by their challenging beginnings. “Just to see how [after] a few weeks, once they are shown what love is, once they are shown how to be a part of a family, once they get settled in and they are able to be themselves and are able to show you love. . .that transformation is why we do this,”stated Melissa Johnson. To see a child go from a place where they struggle to perform simple tasks to a place where they are capable of loving those that care for them is an experience beyond words. According to the majority of foster families interviewed, it is this progression that makes all of their efforts worthwhile. Put simply by Rasmussen, “By far, the most rewarding part of being a foster family is being able to make a positive difference in the life of a child.” No matter where their foster children go, families take pride in the fact that they’ve made an impact that will remain with their foster children for a lifetime. Much like children’s lives are forever changed by their foster families, foster families’ lives are forever changed by the children they encounter throughout their journey. Foster children come from less than ideal environments and are often forced to deal with dangerous situations. These kids have dealt with hardships that most adults have never experienced and some go on to rise above it all. This makes a foster family reevaluate and appreciate all of the advantages and opportunities they truly possess. “You see what life can really be like for some kids. Most of us have pretty good lives; we don’t really understand what it’s like to live in poverty,” Zander Hartberg reflected on his experience as a brother to foster children. Similarly, Olivia Johnson expressed her thoughts on how she has changed throughout her journey. “ I’ve learned not to take stuff for granted. I’ve learned that I don’t have it rough...My life is actually pretty good.” Becoming a foster family is completely possible and extremely necessary to the thousands of foster children without stable homes. A child’s upbringing is crucial; it
shapes them into the person they become later in life. Foster families provide a basis upon which a child can grow and develop. Foster children need families with enough compassion to care for them in their time of need. There are many ways to become a foster family. “Get in touch with other families who are currently fostering or have fostered in the past,” Krista Rasmussen advises, “Go to the trainings offered through Dane County Human services to see if it’s something you might want to pursue,” Rasmussen adds. Fostering children requires an undeniable dedication and a substantial amount of work. However, knowing that a child in your care is making progress towards regaining their childhood, makes up for the hard work immediately.
“By far, the most rewarding part of being a foster family is being able to make a positive difference in the life of a child.” -Krista Rasmussen “I would say definitely go through with it. It’s a lot of work, but it’s fun too and it’s rewarding,” concludes Zander Hartberg. The impact foster families have on a child’s life is momentous, and with additional foster families come additional impacted lives. Foster families give children proof that there are beautiful people in this world, people that are willing to give what they have, whether it be a little or a lot, to help someone in need. These are the people that go on to shape not only the future of a single child, but an entire generation. Their influence is infectious. Spreading from child to child, family to family, community to community is the purest, most selfless form of love. A family’s love, so immense that it can extend to include someone else’s child, brother, or sister only to let them go just as they become a permanent piece of their heart. It is the loving in full awareness that they will have to let go that proves itself to be the sweetest of heartbreaks and a foster family’s undeniable reality. 11
in-depth
love makes a family By Isabelle Genter and Mitch Osterhaus Editor-in-Chief and Staff Writer
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t’s just after dawn in Pskov, Russia. From the edge of the horizon, the sun is just beginning its ascent into the morning sky, awakening the city as the golden rays pierce the still air. The streets are quiet and desolate, contrary to the unrelenting torrent of thoughts filling the mind of a young girl collapsed against the crumbling brick wall of the local orphanage. Today is her 16th birthday, but it will not be a day of celebration. Per Russian law, she has outgrown the orphanage, hence, this is the day where she will become an orphan of the streets like millions of Russian children before her. She is let out into the world with no money, no family, and no education. As a result of her circumstances, she is left with little hope for a way out. Luckily for some children caught in this vicious cycle of lackluster living conditions, there are people willing to provide the stability and love that everyone deserves. Two such people were Stoughton residents, Greg and Dina Duckert. They had been considering adoption for quite awhile, but regulations made it difficult for them to adopt on American soil. As a result of that, their search took a different direction. “We looked at China, we looked at South America, but [an] opportunity came up and it was actually ideal,” Greg explained. This opportunity was not one that they deliberately sought out, but one that fell in their laps instead. On a plane home from Singapore, Greg met a woman who was coordinating a trip called “The Journey of Hope,” which brought roughly 40 kids from Russian orphanages over to America to stay with sponsor families for a month. Vera and Andrey Duckert, SHS junior and graduate, respectively, were one pair of siblings on that trip. “What was nice about it was that you got the opportunity to see if this was really for you or not . . . once they came, they 12
stayed for a month, and we decided [that] this was what we wanted to do,” expounded Greg. After the month was up, Vera and Andrey returned to Russia in August of 2003. The court date was set for April of 2004, which was when Greg and Dina traveled to Russia to officially gain custody of the children through a series of legal actions. Greg also explained how they had to jump through legal hoops not only in Russia, but in America as well. “What we had to do is we had to go to the State of Wisconsin and get them something like a birth record. . .because in order for them to get a passport or anything like that, they have to have some kind of official record from the state,” he said. After the extensive legal procedures were over and done with, the Duckerts were finally able to take Vera and Andrey home to begin their lives together. At the time, Vera had mixed feelings about the prospect of relocating to Wisconsin and starting her family life from scratch. She had lived in Russia for the first four years of her life and she remembers that, “It was kind of scary, but also really exciting to see new people and learn a new language.” Although nerves are understandable around an event as life-changing as moving overseas, Vera’s transition was relatively hassle-free. Aside from learning English, she described that it didn’t take her that long to get used to the lifestyle of the United States. Greg echoed that sentiment, stating that, “They were both determined to become Americans.” The transition from a previous life to new life is no doubt a difficult one, but for many adopted children, it is something they don’t even remember. Take Miranda and Paige Heimsoth for example, SHS senior and sophomore. Although not biological siblings, they were both adopted from South Korea. Each of their adoptions transpired before
they hit the age of one, meaning Heimsoths, 2005 that they have no recollection of the experience whatsoever. Although she may not remember it, Miranda definitely still had some connection to her homeland. Her mother, Staci, recalls that the first couple months were a grievous time for young Miranda. “She would wake up every Duckerts (left and right), 2006 45 minutes, crying in her sleep. She’d be crying and crying and we’d have to soothe her,” Staci said. Miranda also had another slightly more comical difficulty that came in the form of biting Josh, one of her brothers. Brian, their father, weighed in on the subject. To combat this problem, he explained that the family said, “This is your brother Josh, not your chew toy.” As was the case with Miranda, Paige also had to deal with a slew of shifts in her daily routine. “They both had to get used to carseats and van doors. The Schultzes, 2006 slamming of the van doors shut, and Paige has they’d scream because it scared honed her talthem so,” Staci said. Once the ents as a piano girls overcame the initial shock player, and of their new home, they flour- Miranda has ished. As a result of their stable proved herself living situation in America, to be a gifted artist. they have each developed their All of this would not own set of skills and talents. have been possible if it the norse star, september 2016
in-depth weren’t for the nurturing home atmosphere they were brought into through adoption. While Paige and Miranda’s relocation was over 6,000 miles, for some the distance Heimsoths, 2016 is much smaller. In fact, for Selina and Ron Schultz (SHS senior and freshman), the only division between their past lives and their future lives was the Iowa-Wisconsin state line. photos printed with Cambodian refugees, permission from the Selina and Ron’s birth heimsoths, the duckerts, family had been living and the schultzes in America for several decades, but still weren’t totally accustomed to Iowan culture. They didn’t speak English, which made communication between the two families somewhat diffiDuckerts, 2013 cult. Selina and Ron’s mother, Brenda Schultz, remarked that, “It was like two different worlds.” Despite being so different, the Shultzes still made an effort to build a positive relationship with the birth family for the years to come. “We wanted to get over that first hurdle with that old stigma that something bad’s happening, so we didn’t start out with their family against our
ett ell n p n so ere han s by rah art d sa an
Schultzes, 2016 family,” Brenda said. After multiple visits, both sides of the equation decided that adoption was the best option for Selina and Ron. In Fall of 2005, the permanent transfer was made between the two families. The birth family
the norse star, september 2016
stayed in contact for a few years, but later opted to stop communication altogether. These back-and-forth exchanges are something that many parents and their children don’t want to deal with at all. For Greg Duckert, birth parents popping back into his children’s lives is not a worry. Apart from dealing with the geographic discrepancy between Wisconsin and Pskov, Russia has a unique regulation that builds a metaphorical wall between the birth parents and their biological children. “In Russia, after the court date, the judge awarded control to us, we went to city hall and they eliminate the birth parents’ names from their birth certificates and their birth records,” Greg explained. “If you looked up Pskov, Russia, Dina and I would be the birth parents. It was totally different from here. They just eliminate that.” This is a big reason why Greg favors adopting from outside of the country rather than within it. Not only are the children able to start anew without interference from their past lives, but they are also removed from the dangerous cycles they were born into. In places such as Russia, the trials and tribulations that orphans go through is unimaginable for people living in America. While no child deserves to be adopted over another, often times, children in other countries will likely face much more severe circumstances if they don’t get adopted than a child living in America would. However, no matter where a child is adopted from, the mere concept of adoption ensures that there will be hurdles that must be overcome. Besides the obvious struggles with getting accustomed to a new environment and building bonds with people who are practically strangers, there are also challenges that occur outside of the home. One such challenge for the Heimsoths has to do with Brian and Miranda when they go out in public together. “Sometimes when I go out with my Dad, now that I’m older, people look at it a little weird, especially if I’m dressed nice,” said Miranda. “They don’t naturally think we’re father and daughter,” added Brian.
Despite the challenges that often come with adoption, all three families agree that the pros greatly outweigh the cons. They all said that they would strongly suggest adopting to anyone who can’t have kids or to anyone who is just trying to give someone a renewed sense of belonging. “I think it’s a beautiful way to form a family,” remarked Brenda Schultz. Greg Duckert echoed this same idea, saying, “It’s actually a privilege. It’s a privilege to raise them.” This positive view of adoption is not just felt by the parents, but by their children as well. “I’m thinking if I weren’t adopted, nothing that I’ve done throughout my life would have been the way it is. I wouldn’t have turned out the way I am,” Selina said. Miranda also believes that growing up in an adoptive home has made her more likely to adopt when she is older. She expects that she will both have children of her own and adopt, similar to her parents. Staci and Brian, Miranda’s parents, have fostered an environment in which their adopted children are not seen as any different from their birth children. Staci wanted to make clear that, “I think a lot of people fear that they won’t love the [adopted] child the same as they would a birth child. . .we’ve given birth and we’ve adopted, and we can tell you that there is no difference. We love all our children just as much.” No matter the ethnic differences, love trumps the superficial variations that one may often think about when looking at an adoptive family. “Honestly, I forget they’re adopted. Obviously, the physical differences are there, but we just kind of forget,” Brenda informed us. Even though adoption has carried a stigma with it in the past, these three families are living proof of the wonders that it can foster. Each adoptive family has their own experience that is unique to them, but they all tend to exemplify one common idea. A family is not defined by the blood that runs through our veins or the pigment of our skin, but rather by the love that is in our hearts. 13
sports - column
athletic acceptance By Charrley Hudson Staff Writer
E
very four years, over twohundred nations gather to compete in the Olympics. The event had its roots in Ancient Greece, but became an international phenomenon after 1896. Since then, several things have changed: female athletes are now permitted to compete, more nations have been added to the brackets, and recently, transgender athletes were allowed to participate in the games. The new rules, introduced in the 2016 Olympics, no longer require transgender individuals to undergo gender reassignment surgery before competing. As one would expect, the decision was met with much controversy, both on social media and among the Olympians. One of the most famous quarrels was that over Caster Semenya, a South African athlete who recently won gold in the women’s 800 meter run. Despite popular belief, she isn’t confirmed to be a
14
transgender woman. In 2009, Semenya was subjected to a sex verification test due to controversy over her gender. The results were never officially announced for privacy reasons, but leaked medical records claim that Semenya’s testosterone levels were as much as three times higher than those of most cisgender women. These reports brought many to the conclusion that Caster was intersex, someone who is born with anatomy that doesn’t abide by the standard definitions of ‘male’ or ‘female’. Because of these leaked results, Semenya has tragically been met with harassment on websites such as Twitter and Facebook. She also faces aggression throughout her daily life. Violence towards transgender athletes doesn’t end with Semenya. During an interview with TMZ Sports, mixed martial artist, Ronda Rousey, spoke graphically on her opponent, Fallon Fox. “She can try hormones, chop her pecker off, but it’s still the
same bone structure a man has. It’s an advantage. I don’t think it’s fair,” Rousey stated. Anatomically speaking, it is foolish to claim that there isn’t a difference between males and females. For example, most males are taller and stronger than females, while females often sport more flexibility and a longer lifespan. The differences between bone structure are subtle. In general, men have slightly larger, more robust bones than women. The only noticeable difference between a male and female skeleton, however, can be found in the pelvis. According to many studies, such as one conducted at Tel Aviv University, human brains are very complex. Most brains don’t fit into categories of ‘male’ and ‘female.’ Only six percent of individuals in the study had minds that fit into clearlydefined categories of gender. These differences can lead some to believe that a transgender or genderqueer athlete has an unfair advantage over cisgendered competition. Others state the opposite: if someone has more testosterone, this is no more unfair than a runner like Usain Bolt being 6’ 5”. Hormone therapy also plays a factor. Studies suggest that after only one year of hormone therapy, a transgender woman will almost completely lose her athletic advantage over cisgender women.
Why does any of this matter? Around 1.4 million adults in the US identify as something other than their birth-assigned gender, as stated by the Williams Institute. According to the Human Rights Campaign, 2016 has already seen at least 17 transgender individuals harassed and ultimately killed in North America. With so many people facing the threat of death simply by being themselves, the issue isn’t exclusive to one community. The controversy surrounding sports and gender affects cisgender athletes, too. Sex is a spectrum. Humans are very complex and unique. Gender roles and stereotypes concerning both cisgender and transgender people are outdated. Despite how volatile gender is, boys are still often excluded from sports such as volleyball and softball while girls aren’t often permitted to play football and baseball. Great progress has been made within the last century to ensure rights for athletes of all genders. With the recent acceptance of transgender athletes by the Olympic Committee, progression seems to keep growing. Hopefully, respect and acceptance regarding these issues will continue to spread— perhaps starting with the Olympics.
the norse star, september 2016
athlete by instinct By Kirsten Sanford Staff Writer
N
ot many people can say they’ve earned five varsity letters amongst other awards before their junior year. However, Brady Schipper is one of the few who can. From a young age, Schipper recalls playing sports year round -- football, basketball, and baseball. He even remembers to this day when he hit his first homerun in fifth grade against Milton. Aside from the traditional Stoughton teams Schipper has played for, he spent several years playing baseball for GRB (Greg Reinhard Baseball) Rays and basketball for Wisconsin Academy. Although Schipper relished playing every minute of every sport growing up, basketball was always his favorite due to the sport being such an immense part of his dad’s life. Unlike many three-sport athletes, Schipper doesn’t have what you may consider to be a “main sport,” or a sport an athlete puts the most time and effort into. “I focus on all three of them pretty evenly,” he mentioned. It surely shows. Aside from the fact that Schipper has already lettered five times, he’s also achieved numerous other awards including second team all conference in both football and basketball his sophomore year, honorable mention in baseball freshman and sophomore year, and offensive MVP in a basketball game against Edgewood last season. This year the norse star, september 2016
will 12th
be
Schipper’s year in football, ninth year in basketball, and 11th year in baseball. Not only does Schipper have considerable talent, but he also has leadership skills which landed him a spot as captain in baseball during the 2015 season, and in football during the 2016 season. After tough games, he makes it a priority to build his team back up before focusing on himself. By doing so, Schipper is bringing individual athletes together into one unified force. Schipper claims his positivity comes from his dad, Rob Schipper, who always told him, “It’s not about how you do, as long as you gave all the effort you could.” By demonstrating dedication, Schipper is leading by example.
“I just try and keep my team positive so they can focus on the next game” -Brady Schipper Part of what makes Schipper such a great athlete is his hard work and dedication he puts in during the off-season. “During the summer I usually lift three or four times a week and then I hit and shoot everyday and just rest in the afternoon,” Schipper
sports said. By the time the season comes around, Schipper writes down goals he has as an individual and for his team and puts them next to his bed, so he’s sure to look at them every night. “Once they’re accomplished, I cross them off my list,” he explained, proving how committed he is to his goals. Staying conditioned while achieving his goals helps Schipper steer clear of any unwanted injuries, but unfortunately, it doesn’t always work. During baseball season his freshman year, he unexpectedly broke his hand while playing basketball and was out for the majority of the season. Although Schipper was unable to play, he went to all of the varsity practices and games and participated as much as he possibly could with one hand. By the time the last game of the season came around, he was able to partake in the competition. When it comes to improving himself as an athlete, Schipper says he focuses on strength and speed. His skills have helped earn the basketball team conference titles the past two years and he’s hoping the next two years will be the same, along with an appearance at state. While Schipper is grateful that he’s been able to help achieve these conference titles in basketball, he hopes to attain them in football and baseball the next two years as well. “I want to try to win conference in all my sports,” he mentioned. Something especially impressive about Schipper is how high his level of self motivation is during games. It’s especially tough when there are coaches watching him to recruit, but he claims that as long as you keep a positive
attitude, things will go just fine no matter the sport. In Schipper’s eyes, managing anxiety is huge when you’re on the field. Excellence is what he strives for, not perfection. With a demanding schedule like Schipper has, it can be hard to stay on top of grades and homework. “I always take a study hall and just do my homework right after practice,” he said. As an ambitious athlete, he understands what it takes to get satisfactory grades in order to remain eligible for competition and for getting into college. Although Schipper hasn’t received any offers from colleges yet, he has been in contact with some. “I’ve talked to St. Louis for baseball and Madison for football,” he said. As of now though, it is still undecided about which sport Schipper wants to play. By instinct, Schipper is a natural athlete. He realizes that his athleticism is part of a larger system which includes his teammates, coaches, and the community. Schipper has learned through his sports how to effectively deal with his emotions and has gotten a better understanding of what having goals and commitments require. It’s undeniable that Schipper could take his athleticism in any direction at this point. Whether Schipper ends up playing football, basketball, or baseball in the future, he’s sure to succeed given his hard work and leadership skills. art by joshua bausch
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sports
from the pool to the court By Ian Bormett and Quinn Link
art by sarah hanson
Staff Writers
W
hether we play volleyball, football, tennis, soccer, run cross country, or swim, we are all Vikings. With only three athletic seasons per year, players must make tough decisions regarding which sport they will dedicate hours of their time to. While separations between athletes are not very prominent, they still affect the athletic community. The majority of athletes do not know what goes on at contrasting sport practices. To combat this, we decided to conduct an athlete swap. For this fall sports season, a girls swimmer, (Junior) Maddie Kooima, volunteered to try Volleyball for a day.
Q. Have you ever been on a volleyball team before? A. I think it was summer of seventh grade, I tried volleyball for a summer, but it was just a camp thing. I was really bad. Q. Were you excited to try a volleyball practice? A. I actually really was. I was looking forward to trying a new sport, and seeing how it was different, or how they practiced. Q. What assumptions did you have about volleyball before trying it? A. I kinda just assumed that they did lots of running, and then scrimmages. Q. What kinds of drills did you do in the practice? A. We did lots of serving back and forth and arm warm-ups where you have to serve it, set it, and then hit it. I thought that was hard because you had to do eight in a row and I couldn’t do it. Q. What was the hardest part of the practice? A. I think the last thing that we did, [where] we had setters and servers. They made me a server, but I couldn’t get it over the net, so it was kinda bad. Q. Was it fun or embarrassing? A. Definitely embarrassing, but they were all like, “It’s okay you’re doing great!” and Tessa was like, “You did good,” and I could do a few things, but not very well.
photos by ian bormett
The team huddles in between warm up and drills for a pep talk. Q. Did you notice any differences in how your coaches handle situations? A. Not really, I mean, I think they both went at teaching the same ways, like noticing what was not so good and making drills to go around it. Q. Do you feel differently about volleyball after trying a practice? A. I mean, a little. I don’t think it was too hard, but it [wasn’t] their hardest practice. I can imagine how hard it gets, I think I kinda have the same idea of it. Q. Do you think other athletes would benefit from swapping sports? A. Definitely. I definitely felt like I still got a workout. I don’t think I need to make up the laps I missed, because it was still hard. [It was] lots of running and I sweated a lot. Q. Anything else you want to say? A. I just think it was fun and I wish more coaches would let their athletes switch practices, because it was just a fun experience and something I would do again.
Maddie participates in volleyball drills during practice. 16
the norse star, september 2016
opinions - editor’s column
we can’t all be doctors By Isabelle Genter Editor-in-Chief
O
ver the course of any kid’s childhood, the inescapable question of, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” presents itself more times than anyone could count. When we’re young, the answer is of course: doctor, lawyer, astronaut, or famous. However, as we get older and the question becomes ever more real and impending, our answers become more realistic: doctor, lawyer, astronaut, or neurosurgeon. Most of us have forgotten our dreams of becoming a famous pop star or athlete and have settled for just becoming filthy rich instead. And, don’t kid yourself, because money is most definitely the motive. If doctors made $30,000 per year, you sure as heck wouldn’t hear so many people talking about wanting to be one. But obviously, wanting to make a lot of money isn’t an uncommon thing. Everyone wants more money, whether it’s to buy a private jet, take a nice vacation, or buy a whole new wardrobe. However, there’s not enough money in the world for everyone to be rich, and if everyone was what is considered to be rich, then no one would be rich because we’d all be the same and be living in Communist Russia. Thankfully, this is not the case. Instead, we live in America where you can work hard and move up in the world. Although, similar to what was previously stated, there’s not enough room for everyone to be at the top, which is why I find it comical to hear every high school student and their sister say that they’re going to be a doctor or a lawyer or something that earns a crap ton of money. To give you an idea of how unlikely it is that hardly any of these dreams will come true, let me present you with a bit of information about doctors because that is probably the most popular aspiration. The current doctorto-patient ratio in the norse star, september 2016
the United States, according to The World Bank of Data, rests at about 1:400. That is, for every 400 citizens, there is one doctor. Now, if we translate this over to our Stoughton High School student body population of 1030 people, this would mean that about 2.58 of us are going to become doctors. Solely in my sixth hour Spanish class last year, there were at least five people aiming for the esteemed occupation, so either Stoughton High School is going to produce a transcendent amount of doctors, or there are going to be a lot of crushed dreams. And the funny part is that people seem to think that by simply stating, “I’m going to be a (insert six-figure-earning job),” that it will actually happen for them. Achieving such high goals isn’t easy; it requires time, dedication, and also a bit of luck. I say ‘luck’ in the sense that some people are advantaged by the socioeconomic situation they were born into which may allow them to focus on their studies more than other children. Also, some people are genetically predisposed to have a greater chance at success thanks to their intelligence and other inherent qualities that they were born with. One of these inherited traits very well may be work ethic, but this seems like one that has more to do with your character, something that can’t really be written out on paper like your genetics can. Great things are usually achieved by great people. The best, the brightest, the crème de la crème. However, just because you’re smart doesn’t mean that you will automatically become a successful millionaire. Everyone needs good work ethic if they
want to achieve anything, so don’t sit there with your unfinished vocab packet and tell me you’re going to be a doctor. It doesn’t matter if you’re the smartest person in the world. If you were really that smart, you would know that you still have to put in work to reach your goals. While good work ethic and a bit of luck won’t hurt, it must also be recognized that not all people have the same potential. Even though it has been pounded into our brains that we can be anything we want, in reality, it’s not really true. People have limitations, and that needs to be accepted. It’s fun and all to dream and imagine ourselves doing amazing things in the future, which we very well might, but the same way that a person who is 5’0” isn’t going to make it into the NBA, a person with an IQ of 75 isn’t going to become America’s next top neurosurgeon. While these descriptions may be a bit to the extreme, limitations are still present for each and every person. Some may be more restricting than others, but it should be understood that, due to our limitations, we aren’t necessarily capable of everything. So while this may sound like the most pessimistic thing you’ve ever heard, I encourage you to reevaluate your dreams and, knowing yourself, try to make them slightly more realistic and attainable. Take my advice or leave it, but just remember that when you shoot for the moon, if you miss, you’ll be sucked out into the never-ending space of the universe to drift until you run out of oxygen, with the closest star being nearly 93 million miles away. art by sarah hanson 17
opinions - staff editorial
eyes on the wrong prize T
he champion has been a glorified figure since biblical times, and is today still admired by the masses. This shining figure has more than likely worked tirelessly for the position they are now in. Michael Phelps did not win his record 28 medals by simply jumping into a pool whenever the feeling came. Therefore, champions are deserving of their victories. However, on the smaller scale of a high school sports season, we need to ask ourselves if becoming the champion is always the best thing for the players and the team. Have we, as a school, country, and society focused too much on the end result and not enough on the condition of the players throughout the journey? We at the Norse Star believe so. A major model to the winning-is-our-only-goal mentality is the Olympics. Countries come together, or rather are in the same place to compete, every two years. These events are always thrown at us via media, making it hard to go long without begging the question, “Did we win gold?” Don’t get me wrong, I love to envelop myself in the happenings of the games and the intensity of a race’s close finish for any of the coveted medals. I think the Olympics are also a good way to temporarily distract ourselves from the less-pretty parts of America at the time and boost our patriotism towards a collective wish to win. But that’s the Olympics, and this is high school. The teenage years of someone’s life are complicated as ever. With having to simultaneously deal with academics, activities, jobs, college, friends, relationships, etc., our schedules are full and our minds are stressed. Do we need to tack onto that list the stress of worrying if we are good enough to play in the game tonight? Having a 18
team’s only goal being to win will only add to the weight load given to our already busy lives. The high school years are about making worthwhile memories. Yes, winning a game, a tournament, or state is a memory, but what about the road to that point? Every step of the way, from the first practice to the last game, should have a positive effect on the players. It is the responsibility of the coaches and players to keep the atmosphere a positive one, with a collective goal to do well. And no, doing well does not mean always winning, it means performing as a team and working hard. If that results in winning, great,
but if not, we need to strive to not let that affect our character and get down on others. We need to stay equal on not only the field and at practices but also in life outside of the sports. School rules state that an athlete who has consumed drugs or alcohol will be reprimanded, so make sure you keep that in the back of your mind. With a championship match coming up, a player may feel it’s time to celebrate their victories thus far and make wrong decisions in doing so. The rules have been set for years, and we need to understand that they won’t change for us to be given the chance of getting something to go in the trophy case.
Most GaMes Won art by joshua bausch
More equal play time could be effective in keeping up morale and our eyes on the prize. By all means, each player does not have to be on the field for the exact same amount of time. Ideally, each player should get in the game for an amount of time worthwhile for how much they practiced that week. If the player is on the varsity team, the coaches are saying they are ready for the level of play, so they shouldn’t have to be benched the whole game. A sore butt is not a preferred memory of a sport over sore feet. For the advanced and ambitious athletes, there are other options if they desire to play more competitively. With many sports having higher-level club teams for athletes to be a part of in the off-season, there is always that option. Club teams offer a more competitive edge, so the high school season should not have to be just as competitive. Most of us, however begrudgingly we’d like to admit, aren’t the best athletes and don’t plan on doing much with sports, besides making it a hobby. So why not use the school season to concentrate on the character a sport can build instead of an empty metal cup? A perfect team is not achievable, because there is no such thing as perfect. But to strive for perfection is exactly what we need. And what would this perfect team entail? We think it would not have every game won, but transform the players leaving them better people than they were going into the season. They will be able to admit defeat and learn how to use that as a way to try harder and make the best out of all situations. Add on to this the good memories of bonding and having fun with the team, and that sounds like success to us. the norse star, september 2016
opinions - point counterpoint
panic! at the retake policy By Quinn Link Staff Writer
A
n initial panicked reaction, something all of us had when we found out that our beloved crutch had been taken away from us very abruptly. Our old retake policy, the perfect opportunity to go through school without a proper gauge of our abilities as students. I challenge you to set aside your initial reaction, as I had to, and think about the reasoning and benefits of the new policy. When given an inch, you should not take a mile. If the majority of our school had put this advice into practice, we
don’t let it B
By Isabelle Genter Editor-in-Chief
I
t was a glorious Tuesday afternoon in mid-August. I was scrolling through my Twitter feed as one usually does on lazy summer days, when I saw a tweet that made me do a double take. It went something like, “YOU’VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME ABOUT THIS NEW RETAKE POLICY!” Hoping it was all a big joke, I went to check my email to see if the rumors were true and, sure enough, right there in the E-News, amidst the jolliness of homecoming themes and sporting event dates, was the foreboding letter from Mr. Kruse explaining the new retake policy. Our fall-back cushion, our old friend, the retake policy, had been torn to pieces and strewn about the room, right the norse star, september 2016
wouldn’t have been faced with this new policy. Mr. Kruse, not only our school principal, but also a seasoned educational leader with 24 years of administrative experience, was aware of the fact that the retake system was being abused. “Everybody looks at things and utilizes systems the way that they want to utilize systems, and we felt that we needed to tighten that up.” Kruse stated. Students would walk into the review day and treat it as though it was a relaxation period. Then, the following day, they would treat the test as the review, and then finally, efforts were made to study for the retake. The greater pressure put on the first test gets rid of that unnecessary slack off day and encourages the utilization of the study days. Also, the previous form of studying was not beneficial to lifelong knowledge.
Kruse wasn’t the only one that knew about this. We, as students, could also tell when our classmates were stretching the policy to the limit. The abuse needed to stop, so changes were made. Though not all students exhibited the abuse of the system, it was prevalent enough to cause a problem that was noticed by teachers, parents, and students alike. Kruse was also aware of this. Feedback that he received from parents and teachers was that a lot of students didn’t respect the first test, which in turn lead to over 7,500 retakes in the 2015-2016 school year. While teachers are busy making and grading retakes, it makes it harder to progress through the year. The new retake policy encourages better preparation for the first test in hopes that the number of retakes will go down, as less are
photo by quinn link
Is the testing center a relic of the past?
along with our hopes and dreams. No matter how often we actually utilized this cushion, it was comforting to know that it was there. But, as of that terrible Tuesday, it was now gone. Well, at least for the most part. Retakes would still be allowed, but only for students who scored lower than an 80%, and the highest score you could get on the retake would be an 80%. Now the problem with this is that it only caters to students who average a B or below. With the new retake policy, they can still retake a test and get a low B, perhaps what they would usually shoot for on a test. But for students who expect A’s or high B’s from themselves, this new policy could mean a big blow to their GPAs. An 80% on one big test could mean dropping a letter grade, and while this may not be the end of the world, for
those who put a lot of work into their grades, it sure would feel like it. Grades are important, and as much as we wish this wasn’t the case, to some extent the configuration of lines that appears in that little box on your report card defines your level of intelligence and capacity for knowledge. And I know I’m not the only one who would rather give themselves a black eye than sacrifice a little “A” on their report card. So I say, if a student is willing to put in the time and effort to earn that higher grade, why not let them? While it would be ideal for everyone to do their best on the first try, that just isn’t realistic. The day-to-day life of a high schooler is a rollercoaster of constant ups and downs. Sometimes you just have a bad day. Sometimes you were
necessary because more studying is taking place. Thus, the new policy is promoting a more timely progression through the year and allowing students to excel at a greater pace. High School is here to prepare us for whatever we intend on doing in the future. In most things that we will face after high school, whether it be a form of further study, or joining the workforce straight out of high school, the amount of retakes and do-overs will decline, and this step that our high school is taking will better prepare us for those challenges. We, as a collective student body, have brought this upon ourselves. Feedback from experienced teachers and observations made by concerned parents further back up the implementation of this new policy. It isn’t bad for us to learn to stand on our own feet. The new policy fulfills a piece of the role that high school should play in our lives by better preparing us for the challenges that we will face.
up until three in the morning studying for four different tests and you fell asleep with your AP Bio textbook in your lap before you could get around to studying. It happens. High achievers shouldn’t be denied a second chance simply because the school’s idea of a reasonable redemption doesn’t coincide with the students’. As a solution, I propose that the retake policy not be entirely returned to the way it was, but at least modified to reach a compromise. Perhaps a student could retake and improve their score by one letter grade. Or for the first retake in a class, a student could get up to 100%, the second, up to 90%, and and from then on out, only up to 80%. This would give everyone the second chance they deserve to show that they can do better. After all, this is high school, a time and place where you can make mistakes, learn from them, and fix them. We’re in the land of trial and error, the land of second chances. . . so why not embrace it while we can? 19
opinions
words cost By Aubrey Schleppenbach Staff Writter
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ullying has made a catastrophic impact in schools all around the nation. 3.2 million students are victims of bullying each year, according to Dosomething.org. That is 3.2 million students too many. In Shawano, Wisconsin, police and schools are coming together to take a stand against bullying. They have passed a law that if you are a parent or guardian of a child that is caught bullying, then you will have to pay a fine. There are too many stories that have ended tragically because nothing was done or it was already too late to stop the affects of the harassment. Stand for the Silent, an organization that works to prevent bullying, states over 55,000 kids have taken their life in the last 7 years because of the torment they faced at schools day to day. This new act states parents
chasing time By Kira Fields Opinions Editor
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n average, one may hear the phrase, “ I don’t have time!” once to several times a day, whether someone is talking about an assignment or joining a new activity. You don’t know that person’s life schedule, therefore the phrase stating that one is simply too busy can be tiring to hear and sounds like a faulty excuse. However, there may be a lot of truth to what they say as trying to balance time can feel more like chasing it. I am guilty of claiming to be busy and then going home and doing absolutely nothing productive. I have also had to
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will first receive a written citation from the administration, which will give them 90 days to resolve the behavior of their child. If the child continues bullying within one year of the warning, a fine of $366 will be charged. If the child makes a second offense within the same year, another fine is added of $700, adding up to $1,066 altogether. This ordinance has caused divided opinions within the community. Parents argue whether or not it’s their fault that their child is a bully. However, what they don’t realize is that it’s both-- the kids and the parents are both
at fault. Bullies need to take responsibility for their actions. Parents need to help their kids understand why it is not okay. With this regulation, schools, parents, and kids will be forced to work together. Currently, there are countless cases where parents are not aware of the extent of their child’s negative behavior. As we have seen in current events, parents want to believe that their child can do no wrong, and if they ever do, it’s not the child’s fault. For example, in the Brock Turner case, his father spoke out in defense of his son. Before his son’s sentencing, Dan Turner said in a letter “a steep price
to pay for 20 minutes of action out of his 20 plus years of life.” Schools hope that this new program can be an eye opener for the parents, as well as children, before serious permanent damage is done. Parents need to be parents, and kids need to take responsibility for their actions. There needs to be a series of checks and balances. Parents need to teach their kids not to bully. If that doesn’t work, the school can help work with the parent and the kids to stop the behavior, and if all else fails, society needs to step in and pass laws like we see in the Shawano community. Stories show that bullying has grave consequences. It is clear that changes need to be made. This is just one of many ways we can end bullying. Schools can put bullying prevention into the curriculum and educate students, staff, and parents. Whether it’s with government, parenting, or better education, bullying needs to stop.
art by sarah hanson
decline offers because of previous commitments, as well. Prioritizing commitments in life is challenging, but not being able to participate can only get you so far, especially since you have a responsibility to these activities. It is always up to you to decline, but constantly refusing to show up is not only disrespectful but irresponsible, as well. Especially when it comes to school. School is not only crucial but a wonderful privilege that is given to us, therefore, we should be making the most of it, even when we don’t want to. Procrastinating on homework for a sport or other activity is sometimes understandable because these can go late into the night and teachers might understand this and try to compromise. However, we cannot always use it as an excuse. School should be up high on the list of importance when it comes to priorities. How you rank everything else you
are involved in is up to you. There is also a point where we should know where our limits are, as well. Two people can be in the same activities, but both people can also have different breaking points where their bodies need to recharge. Recharging, especially at this time in a high schooler’s life, is very important. Sometimes, going home and resting is acceptable because your body and mind need a chance to rest and prepare for your busy schedule in the days coming. According to the American Sleep Association, teens ages 13-18 need approximately 8-10 hours of sleep a night. How many are actually getting that amount? Only about eight percent. Therefore, no matter how eventful, or not, your life is, we all need rest, and no matter how much coffee and energy drinks we intake, we cannot get it back. Being a student who gets less than six hours on typical school nights,
I know the feeling of trying to keep myself awake for each class. Others may say the same, but at the end of the day, we all have to make choices on what we want to be involved in and what we don’t. We all have to find what we have time for and what we don’t. So, it’s all up to you. There are twenty-four hours in a day, take away hopefully eight for sleeping, which leaves sixteen. Of those sixteen precious hours, eight are spent at school. This leaves a measly eight hours for everything you need to accomplish. So the question must be asked, “In eight hours what can you do?” In eight hours, from sports to work to getting all of your school assignments done, time flies. We are all trying to chase the clock, and maybe it’s time find out where our priorities are before we all burn out trying.
the norse star, september 2016
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features
82+ years of wisdom By Julia Pope and Mya Lonnebotn Staff Writers
From deep within the heart of Harmony Senior Services, a local senior center, Stoughton’s wisest residents share a few of their most interesting life stories, advice, and experiences. They reveal that more goes on within a senior center than just bingo and losing dentures.
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laine Robertson, 82, recalled how she spent the weekends of her childhood getting dragged to bars with her alcoholic father, being used as a bar trick. “He taught me to drive a car when I was six or seven. . . Then he’d [. . .] go to the bar and then he’d say, ‘Well, [my] kid can drive that car’ and they’d all laugh and he’d throw me the keys and I’d go out and drive the car around the parking lot, park it, and come back in. He’d gather his money, they’d buy me candy bars, and that’s the way it went.” While these adventures may not be the fondest memories, they sure are memorable.
Karen Wendt
Florence (Flo) Folbrecht
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aren Wendt, 82, can easily be described as having a heart of gold. Her life advice to us was, “It takes a lot more energy to be mean and nasty than it does to be nice.” Wendt enjoys helping others and spent a large chunk of her free time volunteering in hospitals. She also became the stepmother to five children, who still keep in touch with her long after the passing of their father. “I must have done something right because I’ve heard terrible stepmother stories,” she added with a chuckle.
lorence (Flo) Folbrecht, 90, could not have imagined becoming a mother at age 12. When her mother passed away giving birth to her ninth sibling, Folbrecht, the oldest child, assumed the role as mother of the house. She baked eight loaves of bread daily to feed the hungry family, and devoted almost all her time to her siblings. Even though it forced Folbrecht to grow up too fast she says, “I was happy I could take over for my mother.”
Elaine Robertson
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hile Carrie Anderson, 92, may at first seem shy, don’t be fooled; she is about as lively as they come. From dancing around Harmony in a hula skirt to gambling, Anderson finds amusement everywhere she goes. Anderson is the proud parent of two children and shared with us her advice to her kids: “Stay out of trouble.” Just one minute with Carrie Anderson and her contagious giggle is enough to put a smile on your face for the rest of the day.
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hen David Stronach, 84, was asked what he liked to do for fun in high school, he replied with a smile, “Well... chase all the girls.” Stronach was a farm boy who milked cows by hand, and his daily trek to school was six miles. One day he cross-country skied through a treacherous snowstorm, just so he could play in his basketball game later that night. Stronach’s one piece of life advice to give is, “Have fun. And don’t argue and fight. . . because you know you’re going to lose anyways (laugh).”
photos by mya lonnebotn and julia pope
Carrie Anderson 22
David Stronach the norse star, september 2016
mccune’s sweet willemina By Raya Kate Castronovo In-Depth Editor
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he sun shines high against a clear, blue sky, and gleams down on row upon row of shiny, sports-bag-carrying, old-homework-filled, leather-seated cars that have the occasional fast food bag or wrappers strewn across the floor, mixed in with the extra pair of shoes or old cd’s. But among students’ high school means of transportation, one car stands apart. A treasure buried deep in a sea of cars, a piece of gold among rhinestones. Antique and unique, it is the rarest in all the land.
“I love it because [I] can put the windshield down and feel 50 mph winds in my face” -Adam McCune (12) What could this something be? Who could have such privilege to own it? Stoughton High school’s very own senior, Adam McCune. “She’s a 1958 Willys CJ3B,” says McCune. “We bought it from a guy that used it in a state park where he worked in Oklahoma back in 2008.” The McCune family is certainly not unfamiliar with their cars. They have a whole fleet, including a Honda, Acura, Station Wagon, and another Jeep. But Sweet Willemina, as McCune affectionately refers to the car, has some special characteristics that set her apart from the rest. “While it isn’t anywhere near as reliable as other cars and it can barely manage the highway -- though I recommend against [trying] it- I love it because you can put the windshield down and feel 50 mph winds blowing in my face,” states McCune. the norse star, september 2016
“The odometer doesn’t exactly work the best, but it’s traveled many, many miles.” Although it may not be the shiniest or newest, this car is no heap. As most cars do, Sweet Willemina holds both good and bad memories for McCune. Unlike the memories you might have of your own motor vehicle, Willemina is a bit more offroad. McCune explains that the best memory of his car is from the very first day his family acquired the elder car “Back when we first got it, we took it out to our family friend’s farm and went offroading in one of their fields. My dad was driving, and he found a small dirt speed bump and hit it over and over. It was super fun until my friend, Espi clipped one of the metal sides on the way down --what do you expect when you try to fit four people into a back meant for two? That, oddly enough, was the worst injury to ever come from a car with no anti-lock brakes, no airbags, no power steering, and a center of gravity higher than my brother’s view of himself.” Having an open top allows Adam to gaze at the beautiful sky, but at the same time reminds him of one of his worst memories with Willemina. “The worst memory the jeep has brought me was the time I had to drive two of my friends home from a rousing board game night at 10 o’clock after dew had already drenched the seats and in upper 40 degree 55 mph winds for 15 minutes in a t-shirt and shorts. No one was prepared for that hell.” Every great hero has its downfall. McCune also mentions that his car was the first vehicle he learned to drive stick shift in, and no one forgets their first time with a manual. As a hobby car, Sweet Willema needs upkeep and the occasional tune up or parts replacement. A constant
work in progress, the car only continues to improve the glory it obtains. Admittedly, Adam McCune isn’t the only one that keeps her up and running. “If I was the one working on Willemina she would still be sitting on the trailer she arrived on. My dad does the upkeep on her,
features and I contribute with adding oil, gas, and brake fluid on occasion. Sometimes my dad goes above and beyond keeping it running. This summer he added usb ports and a cigarette lighter socket,” he explained. Sweet Willemina has many great qualities about her, and when asked if she ever assists in picking up chicks, McCune offered “Sometimes I have to pick up my sister from swim practice if that counts.”
photos by Raya Kate Castronovo
(Top) Taking a look inside of ‘Willemina’ (Middle) A view from the outside of the jeep (Bottom) McCune posing on top of his ‘baby’ 23
features
china king lacks the zing
art by sarah hanson
By Bergen Gardner
Features Editor, Business Manager
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he Norse Staffers walked into the new American Chinese restaurant to be assaulted with pale pink walls, random cherry blossom stickers and what looked like the exact same menu as the notorious Grand China. The first thought that sprung to everyone’s minds was, “You spelt Grand China wrong.” Nonetheless we did set out to find some cheap, greasy food, and we successfully settled on the new restaurant that has graced Stoughton’s presence, China King. Now I use the word ‘graced’ very loosely because China King may not be such a positive addition to our tiny town’s fast food scene. If you are a fan of spongy beef, this is the place for you. For sugar cravers out there, for dessert you can have stale fortune cookies. Although they brought our food out to our table, they seemed to be taking a note from the tortoise’s playbook, not the hare’s. One of our restaurant-goers didn’t receive her food at all. The forgotten meal may
have made the experience less enjoyable, but it sure made it memorable. The most satisfying part of the food experience was the donuts. They brought me back to being a kid at the fair, they fill your stomach with that warm feeling that makes you just want to lay around and cuddle up. However, cuddling may be interrupted by a gut ache. No matter what, you are in for a gigantic portion. Unless you are the person to go to a restaurant just for one shrimp roll, then your portion will be small. China King has great seating for large groups. It could be the next go to place for Stoughton students after big games, because it’s open until 9:30 p.m. For a restuarant in general, China King only deserves a two out of five fortune cookie rating. With every new business comes a learning curve, so China King could most definitely make a more noteworthy appearance in the Norse Star, yet.
Beef Lo Mein: The fresh veggies made this dish fairly tasty, but the beef was too squishy. photos by bergen gardner
Beef and Broccoli: This classic American Chinese food dish was full of flavor, but like every other dish with beef, it was chewy and hard to swallow.
Fried Dumplings: Every bite of the dumplings was filled with juicy deliciousness. This was the best meat dish we tried.
2 out of 5 (stale) fortune cookies
Fried Donuts: These sugar covered vats of grease flew off the plates. In the words of one Staffer, “Delish.”
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China King is located right off Main Street at 2388 Jackson St, Stoughton, WI.
the norse star, september 2016