A Main Event summary

BY JACOB BARNWELL

PHOTOGRAPHS BY JACOB BARNWELL

Top photo, L to R:  Dylan McClain (10), Isaac Ehlers (11), Megan Koehn (12), Conner Mausser (10), Mary McAllister (12), Devin Watters (11), Dakota Tell (12), Bailey Benn (12), and Trevor Then (12) perform at the Main Event. 

Middle photo:  Kirsten Anderson (12) strikes a pose on stage.

Bottom photo:  Lilly Waterman, daughter of Judy Waterman, and Vincent Recker, son of Vicki Recker,  add to the performance. 

The Main Event is the premiere event for the WDHS Show Choirs and took place on Feb. 23. Western Dubuque becomes a hub of amazing singing, intricate dances and astonishing effects, including everything from props to a whole second stage. The talent that was brought in this year was one of the best in the six years that we have hosted. The event included groups from Cedar Rapids, West Delaware, Dubuque, Janesville and more. The music brought us from current hits to a coffee shop to music about war presented to us by Cedar Rapids Jefferson, who was the Grand Champion of the event. Kirsten Anderson has hosted Davenport West’s “West Connection” for three years, and the group made it to finals. She had this to say, “It is exciting to feel their excitement and standing on stage when their name was announced was a great feeling. Our event is always so much fun. When else can I decorate a room to a “Cat in the Hat” theme and have fish in the school and not get a weird look. I will miss this event next year!” When 5^th Avenue took the stage, Chance Ingles realized he had a tattoo he never knew about. When the Aristocats took the stage they had special guests with them, our very own “Ken and Barbie” with their pink Corvette. The day was filled with excitement like no other. It was amazing to hear so many positive comments, from the crews of others schools saying our behind-the-scenes students and staff were the best they have ever worked with at an event to another gentleman from Janesville saying it was the best food they have eaten at an event. Bravo Aristocats! Bravo 5^th Ave! Good luck to the rest of your season and continue to give Mrs. Tipple and Mrs. Waterman a reason to stand a little taller.

Prom: the biggest senior event besides graduation

BY GABI SCHANER

Since our last update, nothing has changed, but we do have a bit more information. This formal dance will be held on April 27, so dress to impress and dance the night away with your friends!

A special thanks is in order for some of the prom committee that helped make this all happen: Rachel M. Demmer, Rachel Hoeger and Regan Hoefler.

Thank you for putting things together to make this a special night. Tickets go on sale April 15.  The prices are as follows:   

$22—combo (prom & after prom)

In advance = $16—prom, $9—after prom

At the door = $20—prom, $10—after prom

After prom will include the hypnotist Bryan Imbus, and ice cream will be provided. Note: you do not have to attend prom to go to after prom! Want to know about the after prom prizes? They will be drawing winners for: Senior Banner, a 3’ x 2’ class picture, tickets to a concert at the fair this summer, cameras, kindles, a 32’’ Emerson television, printer, a DVD player and prizes from local businesses. “Everyone should go home with a generous gift,” said Mr. Danner, Student Council Advisor and Prom Committee Director.

Play the game!

BY BROOKE BOCKENSTEDT

This year, Western Dubuque High School will be presenting the musical “Clue.” Performances are Friday and Saturday, April 19 and 20 at 7 p.m. There is also a Sunday matinee at 4 p.m. “Clue” is being directed by Ms. Jennifer Maki, a Lawther Academy teacher. When asked why she chose “Clue,” Maki said, “It’s not done a lot around this area, and I thought it would attract an audience. There’s a cramped timeline, and I really want to make strong characters; we don’t really have time for a large chorus, so I want to focus on the main eight.” The eight characters are Mr. Boddy (Devin Watters, 11), Professor Plum (Trevor Then, 12), Mr. Green (Marcus Ingles, 11), Colonel Mustard (Chance Ingles, 12), Mrs. White (Ali Brown, 11), Miss Scarlet (Brooke Bockenstedt, 10), Detective (Kirsten Anderson, 12) and Mrs. Peacock (Brianna Kennedy, 12). The musical follows the board game; the audience and Detective must find out which of the six players killed Mr. Boddy. With its multiple endings, “Clue” is sure to keep the audience on their toes. For a night of passion as well as mystery, come play the game, and see if you have what it takes to find a murderer in Western Dubuque’s showing of “Clue.”

Boys and girls track hurdling their goals for 2013

BY MADELINE CLARK

After the start of track practices, Western Dubuque’s teams begin to fall back into the groove of running and field events. From sprinting the 100-meter dash and running the 4 X 800 meter run to leaping over the high jump bar, athletes are getting in shape and readying for this year’s round of meets. All of these events add training for the ultimate goals: the Drake Relays and State 2013. 

“These first weeks of practice the athletes have worked hard,” says boys track coach Ben Ressler, “We’re excited to put this hard work in the upcoming meets.” Ressler states that the outlook for the boys this year looks good, considering the numbers compared to other years. “Some talented seniors did leave us last year,” admits Ressler, “but the seniors, juniors, and sophomores, as of now, represented well at Drake and state last year, giving them the experience they will need.” Their goals this year are to win 5 meets, qualify two events for Drake and 12-15 events for state, place in the top three at the district meet and medal in three of those events.

“Just like anything, you want to put your athletes in the best spot for their success,” says girls track coach Mark Digmann. “This year we’re looking better all around, but there will be tougher competitors in the 4A division,” states Digman. “We won’t be as dominant as last year, especially in the field events, where we lost our top placers.” The girls’ goal this year is to improve their speed.  They would also like to win a conference title and qualify for state and Drake.

For the list of all the track meets or more information, please visit http://wdhs.wdbqschools.org/?PageName='Sports'&SportID=12751 

Bobcat tennis update

BY MARIAH BALMER

The 2013 Bobcat tennis season has started off a little chilly with both the girls and boys teams being forced to practice inside, but Coach Kurt, the girls tennis coach, and Coach Stubben, the boys tennis coach, are hopeful that the snowy weather will not interfere with the season.

Both coaches have high expectations for the season. Stubben is hoping to win the WaMaC title for the first time in school history. Both teams have many returning letter winners, including Stacy Kass, Nicki White, Nikki Neal, Sam Niemen, Chris Dempsey, Lucas Lenz and Jordan Thompson. The girls’ first meet is scheduled for April 4 at Maquoketa, and the boys’ first meet is scheduled for March 30 at Prairie. Both coaches are looking forward to the season, although they get smacked by flying tennis balls everyday. Coach Stubben is specifically looking forward to convincing opposing teams that Eagle Point Park, where the home tennis meets are held, is also a bear preserve. All in all, the 2013 tennis season should be a good show of fun!

Creative writing corner

 

Graduation Poem

BY TRISHA BLOCK

Your time has finally come.

We are ready to see what you become.

You’re standing high above the ground.

Don’t look back; don’t turn around.

Talking with your friends about the “remember when...”

You have grown; you’re not who you were then.

They call your name, and the nerves set in.

You realize this is it; you win.

This is what you have worked hard for.

It’s time to open that new door.

You stand in front of a crowd.

Parents, classmates, cameras are all around.

They give you the paper they call a diploma.

You shake teachers’ hands and hug your ma.

Your high school years are done.

You tackled this mountain and won.      

Good luck to you

in the things you will do!

 

Don’t Cry

 

BY GABI SCHANER

 

Please,

Don’t cry.

Because I’ll cry,

If you cry.

Your sorrow is mine,

So please don’t cry.

I’m here to listen.

I’m here to hear your every word.

Don’t let those tears fall

Because, then, so will mine.

If you really,

Honestly,

Need to,

Tell me,

Because I’ll cry with you

Until your tears subside.

So, please don’t cry

Unless you have to

Because you’ll have me here,

And you’re always safe with me.

 

Saving the Girl Scouts

BY NELLIE WELSH

The Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois are in an uproar. The four beloved camps: Camp Little Cloud, Camp Conestoga, Camp L-Kee-Ta and Camp Tahigwa, of this council are in danger of being sold. The camps are losing money, but that is not all that would be lost if they close the camps. At camp, girls learn independence and self-confidence that they can use in the real world. The council has been told that the camps do not fit the needs of the girls, but this is far from the truth. The camps exceed what the girls should need for a week at summer camp. They do not need air conditioning or flushable toilets, and not all the camps have that. Girls do not need these things; they are a want.

Girl Scouts learn a range of things. By the time girls are 10, they know how to start a fire and cook on that fire. Girls learn how to send letters and keep in touch with nature. The Camp Little Cloud in Dubuque County is used year round by troops, boy and girl, and by the Drexler Intermediate Middle School in Farley. Camp helps girls become family oriented because everything at camp is done in groups. By the end of the week, everyone is a family. Not to mention, Girl Scouts looks great on a college resume. The problem is, if the Girl Scout camps close, the closest Girl Scout camp in Iowa is at least three hours away.

On March 7, there was a Dubuque County meeting for girls and parents to plea their case to the council. Mariah Balmer was one of the girls in attendance.  Mariah, a camper of 11 years, was one of the girls who spoke at the meeting on her views of the sale. “[At the meeting,] we all sat around and answered four questions and then discussed the questions. One of the questions was ‘does the camp meet the needs of the girls?’” Mariah then went on to tell how it does meet the needs and more. “Girl Scouts helped me prepare for the real world,” Mariah said.

There are multiple petitions going on to save the camps. “There is a petition to change the bylaws to give the girls a vote on the council,” Mariah said. “The only requirements are to be a registered Girl Scout (cost is $12) and must be over 14.” There are many other petitions and ways to help the cause. Anyone can help by sending letters to the council, sending articles to the paper or just following the Facebook page. There is no limit to the things Girl Scouts can do because they are considerate, caring, courageous and strong.

WDHS blood drive: a success

BY REBECCA WEBER

 

The WDHS blood drive, organized by the FBLA, was held on March 13, 2013. This event was the event the club chose to sponsor as their community service project; it will also assist them in raising money for their state competition.  During the WDHS blood drive, there were 120 people signed up. The goal for the blood drive was to get about 100 units of blood, but WDHS was able to get 106 units. This year, the FBLA has a state leadership conference; 24 members of the group will be able to attend.  There is also another fundraiser in the works—similar to last year’s hypnotist event—but no dates have been set yet.  Contact your student FBLA members for more information in the near future.  

Academic and Artistic Excellence Award Night scheduled

BY MORGAN TOMAS

Epworth, Iowa—Home of the Western Dubuque Bobcats—will be hosting an evening celebration of students’ creative and academic achievements on May 8, 2013 at 6:00 p.m. at the high school. The night will begin with an art show and performance of the jazz band in the commons area; the awards program will start at 7:00 p.m. in the old gymnasium. A snack bar with refreshments will be available at the opening of the exhibit. Presentations of awards in all academic aspects will be featured. The evening’s agenda also includes a performance by the WDHS speech team and a vocal and instrumental piece by the music department of Western Dubuque. Awards will be given to students excelling in the following categories: special honors, departmental and activities. Keepsake programs will be offered at the conclusion of the evening for recipients of the awards and their families. Teachers and staff will make up the committee planning the program. Invitations will be mailed to students receiving awards and to their families. Extended family, other relatives and WDHS alumnus are encouraged to attend the assembly, which includes members of the current Western Dubuque student body.  RSVP is required with the number attending to the WDHS guidance office. We at Western Dubuque look forward to your attendance of this exhilarating night of academics and the arts.

All-State speech

BY JARRAKA ELSNER

Laila Sahir is the speech team’s All-State qualifier for this season. She performed a prose piece, “The Children’s Story.”  She had to stand still and perform with voices, gestures and facial expressions of her choosing while doing her piece. When asked how it felt to be qualified for All-State in her first year out, she said, “Pretty awesome feeling, totally unexpected. Shocking!” The All-State competition was held on Monday, March 25 at UNI. The best of luck to our only All-State speech qualifier!