SPORTS & CLUBS (& PROM)
The Multicultural
Performing Arts Faire
WRITTEN BY MADI LARSH
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On March 10th, Reagan’s cafeteria and auditorium were packed with individuals for Reagan’s first annual Multicultural Performing Arts Faire. Rather than the event being held during the school day like the events held in previous years, the Multicultural Performing Arts Faire, or MPAF, was held after school.
The performance began in the auditorium in the evening, when several groups performed various cultures through singing, dancing and playing different interests. When the performance was over, guests were invited to the cafeteria where there were several activities and food stations to go to. Many different cultures were displayed in this event, and students showed them off by making food, or providing games or activities that tied back to the culture celebrated. This event was directed by Reagan’s French teacher, Madame Knight, along with the IB Spanish teacher, Profe Kramer. Madame Knight used to be the French Club facilitator, but in this past year, she and Professor Kramer decided to create a new club that celebrated more than just the French culture. They called this the International Club. “We had this amazing group of dedicated and committed students who made the first year of the club and event a success.” Madame Knight stated. Celebrating different cultures is also very important to Madame Knight. “Celebrating other cultures is to acknowledge their value and worth. When we know and understand where other people come from and see their pride in their heritage, it helps eliminate prejudice and stereotypes that lead to misunderstanding and resentments. The more knowledge we have of each other and the closer we become to one another, the more the ‘other’ becomes us.'”
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Madame Knight also stated that although she and Profe Kramer were the directors of the club, most of the work of the MPAF was done by the students. They offered guidance and feedback, but all the stations and activities were solely created by the student participants. The two directors, (Madame Knight and Profe Kramer) pitched the ideas of a fair to the International Club board in January. The board then molded the ideas into one solid proposal, then presented the preposition to the rest of the club. The club then split into smaller groups who created different features of the fair, and would come back together as a whole to discuss the characteristics of their ideas. After months of hard work and dedication, the International Club finally presented the Multicultural Performing Arts Faire to the rest of Reagan, and many people appeared at the event.
Madame Knight and Profe Kramer plan to keep this a tradition, in hopes that even more students will sign up for the International Club in the future to make the event unique. “I don't think that it should be hard to motivate students to be involved in this. At Reagan we have respect for International Mindedness, and our culture is one of inclusion.” Madame Knight concludes. |
Joining a sport or a club can make your high school experience an even more rewarding one! Check out that tip as well as others from school staff and students below!
Survival Guide for those Elite
WRITTEN BY ALEXIS TORRES
Husky Howler here! Now listen- another year of high school is approaching. Many of you are going into your senior, junior, and sophomore year. So many of you (the viewers) are embarking on some wisdom of your own. Wisdom that can help those coming either to Reagan or high school in general. So many students and faculty explain what they wish they had known when they came to high school.
Here lies a survival guide for all high school students-students of the future-students big and tall, short and small-Come on down and have a big old ball
Now you may be wondering what the students and faculty have to say. Well, hold on - we are going to get to that!
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What Ms. Baker has to say:
Me: “What flaws and difficulties have you notice students have with the most?”
Baker: “I don't think of these as flaws, but here are some transitional roadblocks. I frequently see freshman facing:
a. difficulty using a locker b. confusing in switching from class to class (especially with the A/B schedule) c. difficulty organizing themselves (using an agenda, getting homework completed on time, submitting homework on time, etc), realizing that high school is way more fun when you participate in extracurricular activities. Tons of freshman shy away from participating in activities because they are worried about keeping their grades up, but studies show that students who participate in extracurricular activities have higher GPAs.” Me: “What year did you first attend high school? (i.e. freshman year)”
Baker: “I am old - my freshman year was 1987-1988.”
(She is so funny-”I am old”-Ms.Baker you are amazing and full of life.) Me: “How was life when you were a high school student?”
Baker: “Some things were the same - I came from a small Catholic K-8, so I had never used a locker and only knew about 35 of my 200+ classmates. Other things are really different, we didn't have social media or cell phones, so the issues that surround technology (both good and bad) were not part of my high school experience.”
Me: “What do you wish someone told you about high school when you first attended?”
Baker: “Participate in as many extra-curricular activities as you can freshman year. You will have way more fun in high school if you make friends quickly.”
(Every high school student (not just in Milwaukee) but all over the world could benefit from the main point of this small piece of advice: Participate in as many extra-curricular activities-you will have more way more fun and make more friends.) Me: “What’s your favorite and least favorite memory about attending high school?”
Baker: “My Favorite memories include all the shows I acted in - these are the best memories I have from high school. My least favorite is almost failing algebra as a freshman. I didn't get it and even with extra help from my teacher and my dad (who was a chemist and knew algebra well), I still struggled. My junior year, when I took algebra II something in my brain clicked and it made sense, but 9th grade was a nightmare because of algebra.”
(I honestly believe that 99% of high school freshman (here at Reagan) can relate. You aren’t alone when it comes to failing or even coming close to failing a particular course. Everyone has their weaknesses and sometimes in the long run they may make sense or you will never understand it. It just measures out to your effort.) Me: “What should students watch out for?”
Baker: “Falling behind with homework and grades. You need to learn how to manage your time as a freshman so that you can be successful at Reagan.”
(That is so true. If you don’t keep up then the house of cards around you may start to crumble. But there is always help so if you get knocked down you can always restart and pick up. For instance, Reagan staff explain a new semester as a “clean slate” allowing a fresh start so you can be successful.”) What an anonymous student has to say: |
What Mr. Miller has to say:
Me: “What flaws and difficulties have you notice students have with the most?”
Miller: “Students who fail to organize themselves fall behind their peers in high school. Success in high school requires a commitment to be willing to say "no" to your friends and put down the phone to get ready for your classes each day. It is impossible to learn the skills that will make you professionally successful if you don't make school your number one priority. It is not easy for anybody to have success. It takes hard work and sacrifices.”
(Preach😂! So many students are constantly distracted by their phones-with Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Youtube, Vine and so many more distracting and time consuming apps. I admit I am one of the many that falls off the rails once in awhile but I know my limits and stick to them.) Me: “What year did you first attend high school? (i.e. freshman year)”
Miller: “My freshman year was back in 1997.
Me: “How was it when you were a high school student?”
Miller: “In my high school there were a lot of opportunities for students of multiple grade levels to interact. That was a big change from middle school. I remember being cautious around the older kids because I didn't want to get on their bad side. There was a lot of harassment. As a teacher I try to speak up when I see things happen that I remember were not positive experiences for me or my friends in high school.”
(👏👏👏 Bravo Mr.Miller for standing up.) Me: “What do you wish someone told you about high school when you first attended? “
Miller: “The social scene is not the end of the world. Negativity or problems with friends will turn out much better if you just stay positive and treat people well no matter what. High school is hard for everyone. Everyone has problems to work through as they start to grow up. Do your best and forgive yourself or your peers when things don't go as well as you'd like them to.”
(Exactly….after every storm comes a rainbow.) Me:“What’s you favorite and least favorite memory about attending high school?”
Miller: “My favorite experiences were from when I was able to see that the work we did in class or in practice paid off in the tests I took or in the games I played in. I played varsity baseball and basketball. It was fun to have success athletically and academically. Hard work pays off.”
Me: “What should students watch out for?”
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Me: “What do you wish you would have known when you came to Reagan?”
Student: “I wish I knew all the time I would have to dedicate to doing homework and following up on extra curricular activities.”
(TRUE THAT!! Taking part in extracurricular activities is a big encouragement at Reagan followed by a lot of homework that decides your fate 🙈)
Me: “What have you struggled with most and what would you recommend to newcomers so they don’t have the same issues?”
Student: “Everyone has their own struggles when it comes to school. And at a school like Reagan, one has to work really hard to succeed. For me personally I would have to say that my biggest struggle is not freaking out about tests and exams. I would have to recommend others that tests are just tests. They do help you in the long run but you shouldn't be too worried because you can always retake to do better.”
Me: “What do you love most about Reagan?”
Student: “My favorite thing about Reagan are the programs the school offers. For example, I am in Gear Up which helps me pay for my college tuition and also allows me to have some college experience. “
Me: “What should newcomers watch out for?”
Student: “I would have to say being late for a class and handing in late work because doing both will eventually come to bite you in the butt.”
Now that you know the PERKS of what we call high school-watch yourself. Take on some these roles when you continue at or come to Reagan/any other high school.
-Husky Howler
Prom 2016
PHOTOGRAPHY BY SAM PERGOLSKI
