Spring Break Plans Excite Students and Teachers

By Paige Gelling

The weeks between Christmas and Spring Break seem to be the longest weeks of the school year. Every month during the first semester has some sort of a break in it, but after Christmas the days seem to drag on. This year, Spring Break runs from March 26th through April 3rd. Many Newman Catholic High School students and teachers look forward to break because, for a vast majority, it means sun, surf, and sand. For others who are staying in the Wausau area, it means some much needed rest and relaxation.

Junior Erin Gassner is really looking forward to Spring Break. Although she is staying in frigid cold Wausau, she still thinks the week will be a lot of fun. “I plan to spend my time shopping, hanging out with friends, and possibly visiting a few colleges.”

Senior Melissa Vesel plans to head down to Sanibel Island, Florida. “My family and I have flown down the past several years, but this time we decided to drive so we can stop along the way and visit more sites. We are going with the Menzner family, which has been a tradition for many years. I plan to sit on the beach, read books, and simply enjoy some much needed relaxation.”

Computer teacher Mrs. Klein has some very exciting plans for this year’s Spring Break. “My family and I are “road-tripping” to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. We’re leaving right after work on Friday, driving through the night, and arriving by mid-day on Saturday. We’re renting a condo on the beach. It’s so beautiful there. We plan to take long walks on the beach, search for shells, hang out on the beach, eat the local seafood, and just relax! The weather in that part of the state is usually 70 to 80 degrees. My favorite part is hearing the ocean outside the window when I go to bed at night. It’s the best!” 

From the looks of it, Spring Break is bound to be a great week for NCHS students and teachers alike. We hope they all travel safely to and from their destinations, and come back rested and re-energized to push through the rest of the school year.

Key Club Students Participate in Chocolate Bar Sale

By Erin Gassner

Do you crave delicious, homemade, melt-in-your-mouth chocolate bars? You don't have to look far to purchase them; the Key Clubbers of Newman Catholic High School are participating in their annual Seroogy's chocolate bar sale.

Seroogy's is a candy company located in northeast Wisconsin. They have been dedicated to making high quality confections since 1899. Not only do they make chocolate bars, but they also make handmade caramels, toffees, fudge, and other delicious treats.

The candy bars come in well-loved flavors such as Mocha, Mint, Peanut Butter Crisp, Chocolate Crisp, and Milk Chocolate. Each bar costs $1.50. The proceeds will go to fund a pediatric med-kit for first responders who care for infants.  The kit will be donated to one of the local medical care facilities by the Newman Catholic Key Club.

If you know any Newman Catholic High School students who are involved in Key Club, please consider purchasing some delicious chocolate bars from them!

Key Clubbers Head to DCON

By Gaonou Lo

Every March, Wisconsin and Upper Michigan (WI-UM) Key Club members have the opportunity to attend the Key Club District Convention in Green Bay, WI.  The District Convention (DCON) provides multiple workshops that will help many students strengthen their leadership and volunteer skills and learn more about what Key Club is all about.  Some of the workshops this year include Going Green, UNICEF, Key Club 101, and many more.  There are so many workshops to choose from, there is even a workshop that will teach you how to salsa dance! 

This is Nicole Cornell’s fourth year going to DCON and she finds it fascinating how every year is a different experience and she learns something new every year.

Each year, DCON has a different theme and each district has the opportunity to be creative and decorate their hotel hallway using their theme.  This year the theme is superheroes and Newman Catholic was given the theme Fantastic Four.  This is a convention, so business or professional outfits are required.  However, there is always a dance at DCON that allows students to dance and relax! 

Solo and Ensemble Contestants Move On to State

By Brianna Bratland

Solo and Ensemble competition is when students get to show off their musical talents by singing or playing a musical instrument in front of judges who will evaluate them on how they did.    

There are many different music pieces to choose from whether they are singing or playing an instrument.  They can choose to go solo, or they can sing with a group of people.  Once they have their piece they work with their accompanist to perfect their piece for the judges. 

Solo and Ensemble has no set place that it is held; the school changes each year.  On February 18, Newman Catholic traveled to Marshfield Columbus to perform their pieces.  When they perform, they have to introduce their piece and their accompanist, and then they do what they do best; sing or play.  This year Mrs. Ahles, Mrs. Mootz, and Mrs. Losinski are the main accompanists and they are doing a fantastic job instructing the students, and helping them do well in front of the judges.  The scores include a starred first, a one, two, three, or four with starred first being the best.  If the student or group gets a starred first on their piece, they go on to state. The other ratings get a job well done!

           

This year Newman Catholic had a successful Solo Ensemble.  Newman had many students that got starred firsts on their performances and they will be going to state competition in May.  Not everyone went to state, but everyone did an excellent job!  Participants that made it to state are Juta Pranuayte, Erin Kast, Erin Gassner, Blair Raschke, Anne Zieglmeier, Marshall DeLonay, Andrew Dushek, Brogan Resch, Lily Ward, and the Newman Catholic High Jazz Band. Everyone worked hard and did their best, and their hard worked paid off.

Heeg, Newman Catholic Roll On Senior Night

By Adam Rutz

After a season of rebuilding, Newman Catholic finally started to show some life on Senior Night on Saturday, February 12. Justin Heeg, who has been one of the team’s “go-to-guy’s” all season long, in his last home game of the season dropped 21 points on a struggling Athens team. The 5’9” point guard connected on five of his three-point attempts and led the Newman Catholic squad to a 66-47 win over their non-conference opponent Athens High School.

Newman Catholic also had key contributions from junior Brad Knoblock and freshman Marcus Gabriel who both finished with 11 points. The Cardinals improved their record on the year to 7-12, but unfortunately dropped a tough game on the road to Edgar on Thursday, February 17, 66-45. The team is currently sixth in the Marawood South conference with a record of 7-13, and wrapped up their season on Friday with a road match-up at Assumption.

Following the regular season finale, Newman Catholic will try to turn things around entering the playoffs. They hope to get back to sectionals or even further after last year’s team won their first regional title under Coach Jeff Gress.

Forensics Season Rolls Around

By Gaonou Lo

Forensics is defined as the art and study of argumentation and formal debate, and it is a club that participating Newman Catholic students enjoy a lot.  They are given the opportunity to be themselves while adding creativity to their performance pieces.  Julie Buttzlaff joined forensics last year and is currently at work with her group to practice for the upcoming competition.  She joined forensics because she gets to have a good time with her friends and it’s a fun and enjoyable club.



2010 Newman Catholic forensics team at State



Last year the Forensics students had a great start, and the majority of them went on to state and won first place.  Mrs. Kurtzweil was the forensics advisor last year and cannot be with us this season, but the new advisor, Mr. Fry, will help us reach the status of first place in state again.  “This club is a more ‘on your own’ type of club; we do not do things like put up signs around the school, but it is there to have fun, kind of like a sport,” said Julie.  The first Forensics competition was on Thursday, February 17, 2011 at D.C. Everest.  

Wish the forensics team good luck as they prepare for district competition on March 12!

Campus Ministry Does Service Works

By Stephanie Thomson

This year’s Campus Ministry class is doing many more things than setting up the weekly Mass and doing everyday classroom activities.  They have the great opportunity to go out into the community and give back in different ways.

           

One way that Campus Ministry is giving back is by volunteering at the Salvation Army.  While there, they get to help sort and stock the pantry shelves.  These items are used in a program that gives food to family households.  It is important that the workers make sure that the item has not expired and that it is still good for people to eat.  The Salvation Army receives many donations that go to a good cause, but they are always in need of more non-perishable food items.  Another opportunity the students have while there is to serve the food and clean up afterward.  During this time they have the opportunity to help out in the kitchen and have one-on-one interaction with the people who come to eat the meals there.  After the students helped serve, Captain Brian Goodwill wanted the Campus Ministry team to see what the Salvation Army has to offer.  He gave them a tour and explained the history and current services that the Salvation Army helps with.  This really helped students see what they were doing to help, and other ways they could help in the future. 

           

Another opportunity they will have this semester is giving Communion to the elderly in nursing homes.  It is important for them as a class to get out into the community and share their faith with others.  Not only do they share their faith with other Catholics, but they bring a little joy and happiness to the lives of the people in the nursing homes by spending some time with them.  Campus Ministry is excited to have this opportunity and loves the fact that they can share their faith with others in the community in many different ways.

Newman Catholic Students Participate in 'Phantom'

By Erin Gassner

Central Wisconsin Educational Theatre Alliance has done it again! This biyearly theatre project, which incorporates students and staff from Wausau West, Northland Lutheran, Wausau East, D.C. Everest, Merrill, and Newman Catholic, is putting on Andrew Lloyd Weber's most famous musical, The Phantom of the Opera. This musical tells the story of a deformed musical genius, who lives in the cellars below the Paris Opera House, and who falls in love with a beautiful young soprano, Christine. He devotes himself to creating a new star for the Paris Opera, and meanwhile terrorizes all those who disagree or attempt to stop him. This show has been a smash musical hit since its London premiere in 1986.

In CWETA’s production, there are 57 members in the cast, 20 orchestra members, and countless others who work on set, props, costumes, lighting, and other elements.  The show includes five students from Newman Catholic: Maggie Ward plays Christine, the young soprano who is the subject of the Phantom's obsession, as well as Juta Pranulyte, Brogan Resch, Paige Gelling, and Erin Gassner, who all participate in the Opera Corp ensemble.

So what is it about The Phantom of the Opera that makes it so much more special than any other musical? Senior Maggie Ward says, "The Phantom of the Opera is such a beautiful and truly exceptional musical. Several different styles of music, from contemporary to opera, all intertwine to make a blend of sound that is delightful for the audience and challenging for the performer. The plot of this musical is incredibly suspenseful and the complexity of characters goes beyond what is found in many musicals. This is why The Phantom of the Opera has been performed for years in more than 20 countries and in 14 different languages. It is a true treasure."

The Phantom of the Opera will be performed at Wausau West High School from February 17 through February 20. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. For tickets, go to www.showtix4u.com or call 715-261-0899. Don't miss this incredible performance of the most popular musical of all time!

Womens' Winter Fashions

By Erin Gasser

Fashion lovers of Newman Catholic, listen up! Winter is well upon us, and there are lots of opportunities for looking good and staying warm.  There are quite a few odd trends amongst the girls at Newman that are not appropriate for school, such as leggings worn as pants, too-big graphics, and tiny miniskirts. Though the ladies who sported these trends look lovely, these articles of clothing are not dress code compliant.

The Newman Catholic Schools Parent-Student Handbook states many rules, and sadly, there are two and a half pages devoted to rules of the dress code. One rule states that skirts and dresses must be no shorter than three inches above the knee. So ladies – that means that those adorable yet incredibly miniature miniskirts you love to sport are not

allowed. I know – sad. Save them for weekend parties, where you are less likely to get reprimanded.

Another trend I have noticed in the halls of Newman Catholic is many girls wearing leggings as pants with a tunic style top. The Handbook says that this is a no-no. Why, you ask? First of all, leggings are not pants. They are mean to go under skirts to keep your legs warm.  Wearing them as pants is not appropriate. If you are absolutely addicted to leggings, pick up a pair of cute patterned ones (TJ Maxx and Rue 21!) to put under skirts, add a pair of pretty ballet flats, and you are good to go!

Yet another dress code rule states that any graphics have to be three inches by three inches. I know that this is a problem amongst Newman students – it seems that everywhere you turn in a store there are only t-shirts with big graphics. Do not despair totally: college and Newman Catholic spirit wear with larger graphics are okay to wear to school. However, if you are not sure whether or not your graphic is too big, just spare yourself a headache and wear it on the weekend.

Though we are one of the few schools in the area with a stricter dress code, do not fret: there are lots of stores in the Wausau area that have lots of school-appropriate clothing for girls. There are many located within our own mall such as Maurice's, Buckle, and Rue 21. There are also several in the Rib Mountain are like Kohl's, Old Navy, and Gordman's. There are plenty of school-appropriate clothing stores in the Wausau area. In short, ladies, just because we have a dress code does not mean that we cannot look great at school! Finding clothes that are school-appropriate, cute, and comfortable is easy in Wausau because of our great amount of clothing stores.

Key Club Elects New Officers

By Gaonou Lo

Every January, Key Club members elect new club officers that will carry on officer duties to continue to make Key Club a successful and fun club.  The Key Club officers include President Nicole Cornell, Vice President Maria Legenza, Secretary Maggie Ward, Treasurer Gaonou Lo, and Bulletin Editor Erin Gassner, and have currently done a splendid job throughout the year.  They now will hand over their duties as officers to the new club officers.  There are four positions that students could have run for: President, Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer, and Bulletin Editor. 

Nominations were held on January 18, 2011, and the following students are running for office: for president, Maria Legenza and Erin Gassner; for vice president, Daley Rupar, Patrick Maves, and Anne Zieglmeier, for secretary/treasurer: Melissa Panetta and Emily Coates; and for bulletin editor there was only one nominee, Merriam Mistlebauer.  The elections were held on January 25^th and 26^th during lunch.  The new club officers will be announced at the next Key Club meeting, February 1^st.