Clubs

Pit Crew

By Evan Ferminach

Pit Crew is a student lead club that has done amazing things this year for our students.

With the assistance of Mrs. Klein and Mr. Fern, it has taken big leaps in improving the school days of the students. The members of Pit Crew had organized, late into the school year, a visit from Jeff Olson to share his story about his son who had passed away due to suicide. Mr. Olson shared his side of his son’s suicide and made an accessible documentary showcasing how well off somebody can be but still suffer deep down. He shared this documentary to the high school students because he wanted to share the message that people need others to lean on, and it is okay to ask for help about dealing with depression and long time sadness.

Mr. Olson left with gratitude to the school for letting him share his story with them and wanted to let them know that they are not alone when it comes to life struggles.

From myself, and all of the rest of the people at St. Croix Central, thank you Jeff Olson and Pit Crew for your time and selflessness.

Forensics

By Emma Knospe

As with many extra-curriculars, St. Croix Central has yet again had another successful season public speaking on the Forensics team.

Participants

The Forensics team had a wonderful group of 12 members that performed very well throughout the course of the season. The team consisted of the following:

Freshmen: Katie Wieser (Demo)

Sophomores: Emma Knospe (Solo Acting), Ellie Fraser (Poetry), and Stephanie Yarington (Demo)

Juniors: Emily Davenport (Solo Acting), and Nicole Hetletved (Public Address)

Seniors: JD Larson (Poetry), Joey Sauer (4-minute), Evan Tredal (Impromptu), and Annika Zehm (Farrago)

Senior Captains: Robyn Pheifer (Solo Acting), and Jillian Turbeville (Farrago)

“I feel like throughout my years of being in forensics, this season has been especially fun to experience with our team.” says captain Robyn Pheifer. “Our team has grown so much, and I feel like we bonded very well together. I couldn’t have asked for a better end of my experience of high school forensics!”

The Forensics team’s coach, Heather Jourdeans, has made such a positive impact on all members of the team throughout the season. “[It was] An awesome, awesome season this year; it is clear to see that there is a lot of natural talent on this team and also a lot of growth and improvement seen in every student,” Jourdeans said.

State

The outcome of the season was very positive, having 10 of the 12 members make it to the state competition at UW-Madison on April 20th.

Earning gold medals (perfect scores) were: Annika Zehm, Ellie Fraser, JD Larson, Nicole Hetletved, Emily Davenport, and Robyn Pfeifer.

Earning silver medals were: Joey Sauer and Jillian Turbeville.

Earning bronze medals were: Emma Knospe and Evan Tredal.

This year, there were 4,300 students that competed at UW-Madison during the 123rd year of competition. State was an immense highlight for qualifiers on the team. It was a great bonding experience, an opportunity for exploring State Street, and of course, their performing very well. With high energy, and the great weather, students had a great time over the course of their weekend.

Looking Forward

Unfortunately, next year the team will be missing six beloved seniors that had really been the glue that held the team together.

“It was also a special year this year because so many of the seniors have been part of the team since freshmen," said Coach Jourdeans. "To see them grow as people and as speakers has been a lot of fun. They have an increased confidence and have been inspiring to underclassmen, so it will be sad to see a lot of them go. However, I am excited to see what next year has in store as for building our team goes. Hopefully, we will be able to recruit more members and have our fabulous team grow.”

Recruiting new freshmen, and even upperclassmen, will be a crucial element for next year’s season, and Forensics can be really beneficial for participants.

“Forensics is really an experience for everyone. You don’t need to be an actor or performer to be in forensics, just be yourself,” says team captain Jillian Turbeville. “Not only has this experience been really fun throughout the years, but it has really expanded my skills as far as public speaking goes. I highly recommend Forensics for anyone that would be willing to join; it’s a great experience.”

Student Senate

By Brooklyn Mishler

A new creation by the St Croix Central Staff this year was Student Senate, a group that possesses all of the qualities of the United States Senate and gives the students a voice. The elections began early in the school year, trying to decide which two students would represent each class. The representatives for the 2017-2018 school year were as follows

Freshman- Tadan Holzer and Hannah Kempen

Sophomores- Brooklyn Mishler and Lauren Leen

Juniors- Hank Berger and Michael Lefeber

Seniors- Evan Tredal and Josie Armagost

After the first meeting with Student Senate advisors, Jessica Wolf and Chris Buckel, the group decided on a President- Evan Tredal, and a Vice President- Hank Berger.

Beginning the year with the largest task of all, the students began composing the new Technology Policy. After researching other schools policies, state laws, the old policy, and surveying both the teachers and students multiple times, the members had drafted their first policy. They sent it to Jason Koele who brought it to all of the applicable school groups and the principal. After a few collaborative meetings, the students and staff compromised on a couple controversial issues and were ready to present it to the student body and the rest of the staff.

The student senate board hopes that the technology policy is being followed to its original intent and hopes for other tasks like this in the future.

Science Olympiad

National Honors Society

(NHS)

NHS Holds Induction Banquet

By Olivia Cleary

On Sunday May 6th, The National Honor Society held an induction banquet at St. Croix Central High School for all of its new members. The banquet consisted of a variety of foods for inductees, friends, and family members. It also required that the students read through a paragraph of an essay that they previously wrote.

The National Honor Society is headed by Logan Kimberly and made up of qualified students who maintain high standards in scholarship, leadership, service, and character. To get accepted, the inductees had to write an essay explaining how they possessed the four pillars of NHS: scholarship, leadership, service, and character. A committee comprised of teachers determined if the students were eligible to become full members.

All NHS students had a cumulative GPA of 3.6 or higher. They also needed to provide a number of service hours. Some primary projects were: helping out with the Red Cross Bloodmobile, tutoring middle school students, helping with events at the American Heritage Center, and serving at the St. Croix Electric Breakfast Meeting.

National FFA Organization

(FFA)

By Logan Shackleton

FFA has had some great success this year at SCC.

They have had many new members join this year and raised five hundred dollars during FFA week. The money raised was donated to the St. Croix Friends of Animals.

During FFA week, they hosted events such as kiss the cow, Mr. Koele was fortunate enough to win the competition and kiss the cow, Pull the Tractor, won by the staff, a stake pounding competition, won by Nathan Davis who beat Mr. Buckle, the reigning post pounding champion, dress up days, and the ability to wear a hat during the week.

FFA week was a great time to learn more about FFA, the farming industry, and the students involved who are not afraid to get their hands dirty.

Future Business Leaders of America

(FBLA)

By Zac Holme

The Future Business Leaders of America, or FBLA for short, is a nationwide program that possesses over 250,000 members. FBLA is a program that allows students to express and utilize skills to increase their leadership and business skills. This program exposes members to many different aspects of leadership and business through exciting competitions and events. It also gives students the opportunity to earn scholarships and travel around the United States.

This year in SCC FBLA, there were 32 paid participating members. Out of these 32 members, 28 competed in an event at regionals, which was hosted at St. Croix Central High School for the second year in a row. Regionals were a success. Out of the 28 members who competed, 12 qualified for state. Out of these 12 qualifiers, ten ended up going to state. These members had to place in the top three of their events to be able to go to state. State was held in Lacrosse, Wisconsin on April 9th and 10th. These ten members had to compete once against against other qualifiers throughout the state. Out of these ten people, five qualified for nationals. Nationals will be held in Baltimore, Maryland from June 28th through July 1st.

Family, Career and Community Leaders of America

(FCCLA)

FCCLA RUNS DISTRACTED DRIVING WEEK

By Hannah Koerper

FCCLA stands for Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America. Ms. Hawkins is the head of FCCLA for St. Croix Central, where they focus on supporting families.

During the school year, FCCLA runs many events throughout the year including Distracted Driving Awareness, You Matter Campaign, National Teen Driver Safety Week, and Trunk Junk Campaign. Ms. Hawkins also wants to participate in STAR, Students Taking Action with Recognition, a competitive event. In STAR, students apart of FCCLA have a chance to show achievement in leadership skills, individual projects, and career preparation in activities involving cooperative, individualized, and competitive activities.

Recently, FCCLA ran a week dedicated to preventing distracted driving. They had posters up around the school explaining the dangers of distracted driving. The posters included facts about different common deaths people think occur often, like shark attacks or natural disasters, but in reality, distracted driving related deaths had the highest number. During lunch periods, they ran games outside where students could earn prizes. Along with other events this group runs, students are able to win prizes including ice scrapers, phone protectors, car magnets, school supplies, flashlights, t-shirts, gas cards, and Subway gift cards.

FCCLA helps families and the community by becoming leaders, and helps teen practice safe driving as well as being prepared.

SCC Trap

Mason Diaz

The SCC Trap team has had a successful year. Today, I interviewed Mitchel Clark to get a background of the team itself. To start, the Trap team consists of thirty members from grades six through twelve with two teams, competitive and non-competitive. But in order to join you must have completed a hunter’s safety class. The trap team shoots twice a year, in the spring and in the fall. The spring season starts in April and ends in May. And this year they have one meet that takes place in May where most, if not all of the SCC Trap team will be participating.