Senior Spotlights

BY HANNAH MURRAY

Anna Spoden

Senior Anna Spoden, 17, is very heavily involved in art classes. She enjoys the freedom of independent studio, and is wonderful at painting pictures and drawing. She is very proud of her artistic and band accomplishments. She has attended the WAMAC Art Show every year, and she is also the horn section leader in band. Something she’d like to say to the younger classmen is “High school really does fly by. I didn’t believe it as a freshman, but really take it all in, and take advantage of every moment and every opportunity you can.”
 

Kyle John Naber

Kyle Naber, 17, loves math the most out of all of the core subjects. He enjoys it the most because it is concrete, not philosophical and opinionated. Two plus two will always equal four, just how he likes it. Outside of school, Kyle enjoys video games and making videos. Kyle likes video games because he gets to live the story rather than only watching them. Kyle knows that although it sounds nerdy, he is most proud of his GPA. Something Kyle would like everyone to know is he was “forced by a girl who knows karate to do this interview.” He did not do it willingly.

 

Student Film Reviews

Film review of “Silver Linings Playbook”

BY CHEYENNE PUETZ

When I first saw previews for “Silver Linings Playbook,” I knew I had to see it; there was no reason why I could miss seeing a movie with such an amazing cast. Starring Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawerence, Robert De Niro, Jacki Weaver and Julia Stiles, this film, directed by David O. Russell, is a dramatic comedy that shows the fundamentals of having family, as well as friends, that love you through the good times and the bad times. With amazing performances from every actor and a great script, “Silver Linings Playbook” had me smiling the whole time.

Set in Philadelphia in 2008, recently divorced Pat Solitano (Bradley Cooper) has just gotten out of a mental hospital after having eight months of treatment for his bipolar disorder. When Pat gets out, he is determined to get his life back to normal, and his first step is getting his wife back. The plan does not start off smoothly though, due to the stress from his parents (Robert De Niro and Jacki Weaver) and his odd meeting with a woman named Tiffany (Jennifer Lawerence), a young widow who uses dance as her therapy. The two begin to form a strange friendship and soon grow to enjoy each other’s craziness that seems to always be present in their lives.

“Silver Linings Playbook” is not the type of movie that everyone will enjoy, but it is going to be one of my favorites. Keeping me laughing and smiling throughout its entirety, the film definitely deserves its eight Oscar nominations, as well as all the praise it is currently getting.

“Les Misérables” film review

BY COLLEEN HOFFMANN

This musical, based on Victor Hugo’s novel, is about events taking place in France during the nineteenth century. It focuses around a man, Jean Valjean (Hugh Jackman), who was imprisoned for nineteen years for stealing a loaf of bread. When released from prison, he is chased down by Inspector Javert (Russell Crowe). As he is chased, he meets a bishop who convinces him to devote his life to God, thus leading him on the rest of his journey. The title is accurate to the story and shows a truthful portrayal of life in France during this time, which was far from perfect. There is plenty of hardship, some comic relief (provided by Helena Bonham Carter and Sacha Baron Cohen as the Thénardiers), and amazing music. This film features an all-star cast and true-to-times scenery and costuming. Even though some performances are lacking, the rest of the cast picks up the slack. If you are a fan of musicals or historical movies, this is the film for you. Oh, and remember to bring tissues; it’s a tearjerker.

Student Book Reviews

A review of “Shiver” by MaggieStiefvate

BY BRITTNEY FRIES

If you were to curl up with a copy of Maggie Stiefvater’s “Shiver,” you would have a difficult time putting it back down. Taking place in Mercy Falls, Minnesota, good-girl Grace falls for Sam, a boy with a wolfish curse that comes when cold weather strikes the town.

Stiefvater’s characters are in-depth and have excellent background stories to fit with them. Because of the characters’ distinctly separate personalities, Stiefvater has successfully been able to change the point of view from character to character when beginning a new chapter. However, because some chapters are rather short, it can seem that the point of view changes too often. Scenes are also occasionally dragged out a bit too long. The detailed description of the settings and characters, though, makes up for that. The reader can almost see what is going on in front of their eyes and hear the emotions in every word. After giving us “Lament: Faerie Queen’s Deception” and “Ballad: The Gathering of Faerie,” Stiefvater has pulled it off again with “Shiver.” The novel has won the 2010 Midwest Booksellers’ Choice Award for Children’s Literature, Amazon’s Top 10 Books for Teens, and Glamour’s Best Book to Curl Up With, as well as many others.

The story of Grace and Sam doesn’t stop with “Shiver,” though. It is only the first of the Wolves of Mercy Falls Trilogy; the other two books, the sequel, “Linger,” and the final book, “Forever,” are also wonderful books. So, if you’re in the mood for a story about werewolves and a relationship that is threatened to be lost, I would recommend picking up “Shiver” today.

“Beautiful Creatures” book review

BY COLLEEN HOFFMANN

At the midnight premiere of the wonderful movie “The Hobbit,” I watched a preview for a new film called “Beautiful Creatures.” Seeing that it was based on a book, I quickly bought a paperback copy. I was not disappointed. It all starts in Gatlin, South Carolina: a forgotten small town where nothing exceptional really happens. All of that changes when Lena Duchannes moves into town. Told from the main character Ethan Wate’s point of view, this book takes you through what happens when small-town life is interrupted by the supernatural. “Beautiful Creatures” is a stellar young adult story, covering love, loss, chaos, corruption and a little bit of everything else. I would highly recommend this book to any teenager who enjoys the supernatural.

Artist spotlight

BY ABBY GLOECKNER

Jenna Prier is a sophomore at Western Dubuque High School. Her hobbies and interests include cheerleading, playing soccer and hanging out and shopping with her friends. Although Jenna likes art, she doesn’t want to pursue a career in it.  She would like to attend college for athletic medicine. Jenna’s picture that she painted was made in the painting class offered here at WDHS. She used tempera  to paint this piece and named her masterpiece “Girl in Puddle.”

PHOTOGRAPH BY ABBY GLOECKNER

Jenna Prier  (10) is pictured here with her work “Girl in Puddle.” 

Bobcat basketball is something to cheer about

BY MOLLY BECKER

I remember the thrum of the crowd as we went to the locker room. The disappointment of a loss, but the satisfaction of state runner-up finish, hung over everyone’s head.

 
The ride home was quiet. All of our voices were gone.
 
As this boys’ basketball season at Western Dubuque rolls on, we all hope for state again, even though it won’t be the same without our senior players from last year. Cameron James, for example, I remember slam-dunking the ball in a game against Dubuque Wahlert during districts.

But with their departure opens doors for others. Spencer Haldeman, a sophomore, has joined the starting lineup. Cole Otting and Nolan Baumhover, also sophomores, have moved up and are playing in most varsity games.

Every layup and 3-pointer pushes us toward the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines and another state tournament. The crowds are growing bigger and louder, the excitement is starting to swell.

 

Every practice, every cheer, every game lessens the distance to state.

As a member of the cheer squad, I still remember the screaming crowd in Des Moines last year — and the burn in my throat as my voice goes. I remember looking up and seeing our sweating faces, along with our classmates’ on the big screen.

Every outstanding win pulls us closer. Undefeated so far this year, we’ve beaten Marion, 72-53; Center Point-Urbana, 74-36; Maquoketa, 55-34; Anamosa, 65-36; Mount Vernon, 63-32; Solon, 75-46; and Columbus, 68-37.

 

The crowd claps and stomps to “Awoogah” along with us all season, a cheer that signifies the pride we carry for our team and being Bobcats. Every fight song draws us closer. The excitement grows in the squad and in the crowd.

The idea of state is such an attractive idea, you just wish to possess it. This season we’re all looking toward state. We wait in anticipation for what the rest of the season will bring.

*This article was first featured in The Gazette and on the Iowa Prep Sports website. 

Broken but healing

BY NICOLE VALENTINE

Everyone in Western Dubuque, in Iowa, and in the United States has heard about the tragedy that happened on Dec. 14, 2012 in Newtown, Connecticut. A man went in to Sandy Hook Elementary School and shot 20 students, ages 6-7, and six adults.

It’s been over a month and people are starting to ask questions about gun control. With all of the shootings that have happened in the past year, people are continuing to get upset. People argue that with stricter gun control, these kinds of disasters wouldn’t happen. Others say that killers will find a gun with or without strict laws, and the government shouldn’t take the second amendment rights away from good, law-abiding citizens.

The people of Newtown are speaking up, too. They have formed a group called Sandy Hook Promise. This group wants to see change. They want the Sandy Hook Shooting to be a stepping stone to alterations; although, according to an article published by Associated Press on Jan. 14, 2013, they haven’t stated any specific changes they want. "We want the Sandy Hook school shootings to be recalled as the turning point where we brought our community and communities across the nation together and set a real course for change," says group co-founder Tom Bittman.

Newtown is healing. They have received so much support, according to CNN correspondents David Ariosto and Susan Candiotti.  They have received over 150,000 letters from around the country and around the world, telling of everyone’s support for the families and the community there. Yet, they are still hurting. The adults and the students who were there that day will not forget it, but they can move forward from this. Everyone can learn from this tragedy.

WDHS competes in the Winter Special Olympics

BY BRITTNI WENDLING

PHOTOGRAPH BY LAURIE FALLON

Pictured left to right: Caleb Ernzen, Brennen Koopmann, Stacy Kass (mentor), Rebecca Hoefler (mentor), Michelle Neumann, Emily Goedken (mentor), Lee Greenwood, Brandon Weber (mentor), Jeff Leibold, and Mark Zalaznik (mentor) at this year’s Winter Olympics.

The Western Dubuque Special Olympic athletes recently competed in the Winter Olympics. The Winter Olympics were held at Sundown on Jan. 14 and Jan. 15. The students competed in multiple cross country ski races. Caleb Ernzen (10) competed in the 100-meter cross country ski race and earned a second place silver medal. Lee Greenwood (10) competed in the 1K cross country race and earned a second place silver medal. Lee also competed in the 500-meter cross country race and won a first place gold medal. Brennen Koopmann (10) won gold in both of his races. He competed in the 500-meter and 100-meter cross country races. Jeff Leibold (11) won a first place gold medal in both the 1K and 500-meter race. Michelle Neumann (9) competed for her first time in the Winter Olympics and won two third place bronze medals in the 100 meter and 500 meter. The athletes were all successful and encouraged by their coaches, Laurie Fallon and Tom Andrews. Congratulations to the athletes who competed in the Winter Olympics!