May 2016 Courier - Appleton East High School

May 2016
issue 6
the courier
East Forensics: 25 Years of Dominance... and Counting
By Erin Gretzinger
After a successful year, the East Forensic team
wrapped up its regular season last month at the State
Tournament with great success. East Forensic Coach Deb
Weiher-Traas spoke highly of every single student and
the whole team’s accomplishments throughout the year,
including State. “Out of our top 25, we had 16 advance to
the semi-finals, and seven students advanced to the finals,”
Weiher-Traas said. “The WFCA also presents six $1000
scholarships to deserving seniors, and Michaela Lemons
proudly received one of these awards. Out of 74 teams
in competition, East placed third in Division One.... As
a coach and director, I couldn’t be more proud of my
team.” As it was stated in the National Speech Magazine,
a lot of forensics teams have faded in and out throughout
the years, but East had remained a dominating team for
over 25 years. “We have a long standing reputation, and
I don’t want that to change anytime soon,” Weiher-Traas
said.
Although many trophies have been earned and
many tournaments have been won, East “Forensicators”
talk about the awards beyond the medals. This year’s team
was composed mostly of underclassmen, entirely new to
Forensics.
One of these new members was freshman Molly
Kubica, who greatly enjoyed her first year competing,
advancing to the semi-finals in Poetry at State out of over
100 competitors. “There is nothing like the excitement of
waiting to see how you did and not really knowing how
you did at the same time,” Kubica said.
Another freshman, Isaac Stumbris, talked
about how much Forensics has changed his life. “It has
impacted me as a person because I have made many great
friendships.” “Stumbris added, “I have gained a lot of
confidence and courage to speak out and be heard.”
Freshman Matt Moorhead agreed that Forensics
has a lasting influence. He recently extended his season
by achieving a spot in the National Tournament in June,
along with 11 other East students. “It has made me feel
more confident as a person, it has taught me speech skills
I will take with me for the rest of my life and has allowed
me to meet amazing people who I talk to on a day to day
basis. It has truly changed my life.”
Encourage those Forensicators advancing to
Nationals in Salt Lake City, and congratulate the team’s
participants on yet another amazing season.
Patriot Players: ‘Any Number Can Die’ To Die For
By Lauren Gilmeister
It is a stormy night in the 1920s, and ten people
gather on an abandoned island, in an old mansion where
their uncle has recently died. What do you think is going to
happen? It’s a murder mystery of course! Appleton East’s
most recent comedy/murder mystery, Any Number Can
Die, was a hit.
As one of East’s
smaller shows, this play
featured only twelve actors,
but all played their own unique
characters. The play begins in
the old mansion in present day,
with two people reminiscing
about what happened there
so long ago. Then, it switches
back to the past, where Zenia,
Edgars, Roger Masters, Celia Lathrop, T.J. Lathrop,
Ernestine Wintergreen, Sally VanViller, Carter Forstman,
Jack Regent, and Hannibal Hix come together to read
their recently deceased uncle’s will. Everyone is eager to
know who will receive his inheritance. Throughout the
night, four murders take place, and the characters begin
to question who they should trust. Two novice detectives
try to solve the case, but have a difficult time. This was
a thrilling murder mystery that had the audience on the
edge of its seat waiting to see what would happen next.
One of
the most
comedic characters, Hannibal
Hix, the detective, was played
by Liam Wood. His partner,
equally as humorous, Ernestine
Wintergreen, was played by
Michaela Lemons. These were the
only two seniors in the play, and it
was, unfortunately, their last show
with Appleton East. They have
both been in numerous East plays
and musicals, and this was a great way to end their high
school acting career.
If you missed Any Number Can Die, that is a
shame because it really was a show to die for.
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Appleton East High School
2016 Patriot Award Winner: Janet Planet
By Daria Van De Loo
Renowned jazz vocalist Janet Planet has performed around the
country, Europe, Russia, South Africa and Japan. Appleton East
High School is lucky to call her an alumna. With such a successful
career, it should not come as a shock that Planet is this year’s
Patriot Award Winner.
Planet said she was surprised when she found out she’d won the
award.
“I had no idea that my brother and my sister had nominated me.
It brought be back to who I was as a youngster, and frankly, I
would have never thought back then that my alma mater would
honor me like this,” Planet said.
In her acceptance speech, Planet explained how actions in life
should aim to help others and better the world around us.
“Wherever you are in life, if you can aim your pursuits to benefit
the whole, you will save yourself a lot of time and heartache and
in the process truly make a difference because it does come back
like a circle game,” Planet said in her acceptance speech at the
award ceremony.
During her high school years, Planet participated in a talent show
and sang Joni Mitchell’s song “Circle Game.”
Part of Planet’s life “circle” included standing on stage where she had once stood forty years previously. She admits
that coming back to East “reminded [her] of some of the angst [she] felt as a youngster,” but talking to staff and
seeing her family in the audience calmed her nerves.
“Certainly, standing on that stage brought back all kinds of nervous memories,” Planet said. “But then I looked down
to my right and saw my family. Ironically, my sister sat in the same place in the audience that she did 40 years ago!
This time, she didn’t heckle.”
Planet’s high school memories include more than just her sister heckling her during her talent show performance;
there are pleasant memories as well. She recalls a time when she was working with the choir teacher, Fran Bubolz, to
prepare for a competition. The prize was singing with the Fox Valley Symphony. Working to “sing from her toes,”
Planet belted out a high C and after she finished, the night janitor applauded from the doorway.
Planet’s career has earned plenty of applause, sending her around the country and the world. Currently she teaches
jazz vocal technique at Lawrence University. Planet continues to amaze with new recordings. She recently released a
new CD, Just Like a Woman: The Music of Bob Dylan, Vol. 2, in 2015. She also owns Steel Moon Recording Studio
in Oshkosh with her husband, saxophonist Tom Washatka.
High school is not an easy time, and Planet’s acceptance speech offered words of advice.
“Some need a little encouragement. And some need to be the encourager. Some of us stand in the light and some in
the shadows.”
The Courier Page 3
It’s the Climb: Remembering Christine Boskoff
By Jayna Pellett
Snow crunching under her boots, cold winds biting her face, and the
thrill of being 8,000 meters into the sky: This was Christine Boskoff ’s
passion.
From climbing the tallest peaks in the world, to owning a successful
business, to being fully involved with a charity to help the school
children in Nepal, Christine Boskoff is one of the most notable
Appleton East alumni.
Ms. Boskoff ’s passion for climbing began when she attended a twoday climbing course in 1993. She quit her job as an electrical engineer
and decided to pursue her interest in climbing. In no time, she was
navigating some of the highest summits.
Stephan Walker, the Appleton Area School District Adventure
Education Program Manager, said it was “unbelievable” how Ms.
Boskoff could fully immerse herself into mountaineering in such a
short amount of time.
From 1993 to 2006, Ms. Boskoff climbed multiple mountains in many
countries, including the United States, Bolivia, Ecuador, Nepal, Kenya,
Tanzania, and several more.
Of these expeditions, her most recognized journeys are the 8,000 meter
high peaks, as Ms. Boskoff was the only American woman to climb six
of them. She climbed Broad Peak, Lhotse, Shishapangma, Gasherbrum II, Cho Oyu, and the famous Mount Everest,
twice.
“She is such an inspiration,” Mr. Walker said. “And she was only about 5’2”. She wasn’t a very big girl, but she was as
tough as nails.”
Ms. Boskoff received attention for her climbing milestones in newspaper articles and magazines, but Ms. Boskoff did
not only navigate mountains. Along with her successful climbing career, Ms. Boskoff was actively involved in charities
and owned a very successful business.
She served on the board of directors for the charity Room to Read, an award-winning non-profit organization. Room
to Read’s goal is to improve the literacy and gender equality of elementary students in developing countries. Ms.
Boskoff was especially passionate about helping the children in Nepal.
In 1997, Ms. Boskoff became the owner of Mountain Madness, an adventure travel firm. She and her husband, Keith
Boskoff, worked together to make Mountain Madness rewarding and beneficial to new and returning climbers. The
organization is still considered one of the leading mountaineering schools and international guide services in America.
In 2004, Appleton East High School accepted nominations for the first Patriot Award, an award that is given to alumni
with honorable achievements. Her mom and her friends sent in nominations for Ms. Boskoff.
After receiving the nomination forms, Mr. Leschke said that it was a “no-brainer” to pick Ms. Boskoff for the Patriot
Award.
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Appleton East High School
“She was very much into giving back to that part of Mr. Walker decided dedicating the wall to Ms. Boskoff
the world,” said Mark Leschke, an Appleton East High would be the perfect way to remember her at Appleton
School teacher and the Patriot Award Chair when Ms. East.
Boskoff received the award.
Mr. Walker asked Joyce Feld, Ms. Boskoff ’s mother, for
She was living in Seattle when she was informed she won permission to dedicate the rock wall to Ms. Boskoff.
the Patriot Award. “We wanted her to come and spend
the day with us,” said Mr. Leschke. “Sometimes when “I go, ‘Would it be alright if we named the rock wall after
people get this award, especially when living outside the her?’ And she just started crying,” Mr. Walker said.
states, they just kind of say ‘yeah, thanks,’ but she wanted
Mr. Walker said that Ms. Feld happily gave permission
to be apart of the whole day. That was pretty cool.”
and she even gave a $1000 donation for building and
Ms. Boskoff continued on with her climbing career. In painting the new rock wall.
November 2006, Christine Boskoff and Charlie Fowler,
her climbing partner and boyfriend at the time, began a Additionally, a Room to Read memorial fund was created
new climb. Ms. Boskoff and Mr. Fowler were going to in Ms. Boskoff ’s name. All of the donations to the
take on Genyen Peak in China’s Sichuan Province. The memorial fund go directly towards building a school in
Nepal and assisting the school children.
peak has an elevation over 6,000 meters.
Ms. Boskoff and Mr. Fowler sent their last email on Nov.
8. No other communication was received from the pair.
They also missed a previously arranged meeting with
their driver on Nov. 24. These absences caused great
worry among family, friends, and the mountaineering
community.
Christine Boskoff will not only be remembered as a
great climber but also for her generous, passionate, and
dedicated personality. Ms. Boskoff will stay especially
close to the teachers and students of Appleton East High
School.
Hopefully, when people hear Ms. Boskoff ’s name or take
Ms. Boskoff and Mr. Fowler were officially reported a look at the rock wall, they will think, as Mr. Leschke put
missing on Dec. 4 in 2006. They failed to return to the it, “Yeah, you can go to school here and you can still do
United States as they had planned. Chinese and American some pretty incredible stuff.”
rescue teams were on the desperate search for the two
American climbers.
Charlie Fowler’s lifeless body was found on Dec. 27, 2006.
Unfortunately, Christine Boskoff was still missing.
On July 9, 2007, Ms. Boskoff ’s body was found, but could
not be immediately recovered due to the rock conditions.
After a month, her remains were recovered and cremated
in China. Ms. Boskoff and Mr. Fowler’s deaths were
believed to be the result of an avalanche.
Many people were grief stricken by the news of Ms.
Boskoff ’s death, from her friends and family to other
people involved in the climbing community. Mr. Leschke
explained that an article appeared in her hometown’s
paper.
“It was tough to read, absolutely,” Mr. Leschke said.
An idea to recognize the loss and accomplishments of
Ms. Boskoff was sparked during the construction of the
rock wall in the new gym at Appleton East.
The Courier Page 5
No Game: The Life and Lessons of Kyle McCarthy
By Morgan Blob
One game, one mistake, could end a life in one moment.
The McCarthy family learned this lesson the hard way.
Kyle McCarthy was a 13-year-old Madison Middle
School student who played the choking game on Oct.
9, 2005. He was pronounced dead at the hospital the
following morning.
“Kyle did not come up with this game on his own,”
said his mother, Mrs. Sue McCarthy. “Some older boys
taught him this game, and if Kyle would have known it
was wrong, he would not have done it.”
An organization known as G.A.S.P. (Games Adolescents
Shouldn’t Play) says the choking game is not a game at
all. Adolescents cut off the flow of blood to the brain in exchange for a few seconds of feeling lightheaded. Some
strangle themselves with a belt, a rope, or their bare hands. When they release the pressure, blood that was blocked
up floods the brain all at once. This sets off a warm and fuzzy feeling, which means the brain is dying, thousands of
cells at a time. There is a special knot used when playing this “game”. The knot is supposed to loosen up as a person
falls forward to keep them from passing out. Unfortunately for Kyle, the knot did not.
On Oct. 8, 2005, Kyle’s mother received a letter from the bus company that stated he was misbehaving on the bus.
“Kyle was normally a very well behaved boy and couldn’t imagine what had happened,” Mrs. McCarthy said.
On October 9, 2005 Kyle and his father Kelly returned home and saw the letter. Kyle explained that he was just trying
to retrieve his backpack from a boy who took it. He was very embarrassed and upset about the letter.
A while later, Kelly noticed that it was silent and his son was nowhere to be found. He called out for Kyle numerous
times, but there was no response. Kelly decided to go downstairs, and that is when he found his son. He released Kyle,
but there was no pulse. Kelly frantically started CPR and called 911.
As Kyle’s mom, sister, and brother returned home, “When I saw the paramedics outside, I immediately thought it was
my husband,” Mrs. McCarthy said.
“It’s Kyle!” Mr. McCarthy yelled. Meg and Don, Kyle’s sister and brother, were crying as the paramedics worked on
Kyle. After they found a heartbeat, the paramedics put him in the ambulance and rushed him to St. Elizabeth Hospital.
“When the paramedics were taking him out of the ambulance, I asked one of them if he was still alive, but he only
looked at me with a frightened look on his face,” Mrs. McCarthy explained.
At the hospital, his family got to hold his hand, kiss him, and tell him that they loved him as Kyle was breathing with
a respirator.
“It seemed like eternity before the helicopter came and took him to the Milwaukee Children’s Hospital,” Mrs. McCarthy
recalled.
Mrs. McCarthy remembered a crew member telling her that Kyle had been without oxygen for 25 minutes and there
was a strong possibility of brain damage. The doctors had a hard time controlling the fluid in his lungs.
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Appleton East High School
“I did the hardest thing a mom could do,” Mrs. McCarthy said. “I prayed to God that if our Kyle would never be the
same Kyle again, meaning to live without being able to function on his own, I prayed for God to take my sweet angel.”
Moments later, doctors came out and informed the family that his heart was not able to keep up anymore. With his
family surrounding him, Kyle passed away at 2:30 a.m. on Oct. 10, 2005.
The McCarthy family was devastated by Kyle’s tragic death. Meg McCarthy said Kyle was the family clown. He could
always make her smile and laugh if she was in a bad mood. As kids, they loved to have fun together while playing
outside, watching movies and building things. Kyle always enjoyed the outdoors and loved to fish and hunt.
“I miss everything about him,” Meg said. “He truly had the most caring and giving personality I have ever met.”
After Kyle’s death, his cousin, and godfather, helped set up G.A.S.P. This organization is a nationwide/global campaign
set up to fight the “choking game” with the most powerful weapon at their disposal: education.
Since 2007, with the help of science teacher Mrs. Denise Steiner, Mrs. McCarthy has delivered annual presentations
at Madison Middle School about the choking game. Mrs. McCarthy tells the stories of Kyle and other children who
have also died from the choking game. Mrs. McCarthy and her husband are trying to do everything they possibly can
to spread awareness of the choking game.
The most recent presentation in 2015, left such an impact on
the children that Mrs. McCarthy had to stop early. Many children
found it too difficult to handle, and they had to leave the room.
Not only does she spread awareness through her presentations,
but she helps stop kids who are thinking about taking their own
lives. Mrs. McCarthy’s presentation shows them how sad families
are when their child is taken away from them.
“After one of my presentations, a young girl approached me
and said, “I was thinking about killing myself until I saw this
presentation. I wouldn’t want my family to go through what you
guys are going through right now,” Mrs. McCarthy said. Any family
that loses a child or a sibling will forever feel pain because of it.
Meg McCarthy said, “He learned this stupid game from some of
his friends and an older boy who should have known better and
because of that, and the choices that were made, I now have to go
through life without my brother by my side. There is no reason
for someone to lose their life and have their families go through
so much pain, not even for a stupid game.” The choking game is
nothing to mess around with and should not be played. This game
is dangerous and not worth it, Kyle is just one example of that.
During the 2011 Appleton East graduation ceremony, Jamie Marx
brought a balloon up with him and put it on the chair right next to
him for Kyle. After the ceremony a tree that was planted by students
in memory of Kyle was presented to his family. “I have never felt
so close to falling to my knees and crying,” Mrs. McCarthy said.
The tree is a living memorial to Kyle’s loving and caring personality.
The tree is also a living reminder about the danger of the choking
game.
The Courier
Page 7
Mr. Jeanquart: Positive Teacher, Incredible Coach
By Aaron Esker
Whether he was on the football field, in the classroom, or in his garden,
Mr. Jeanquart always had a smile on his face.
Mr. Todd Jeanquart was a football coach at Appleton East for ten years
and a teacher at East for eight years. Mr. Jeanquart’s positive impact is
remembered throughout East not only with memorials but through
many events too. The football program and many of East’s teaching
philosophies stem from Mr. Jeanquart and his legacy.
His wife, Ms. Heidi Brooks, said Mr. Jeanquart had a great sense of
humor and a quirky way of teaching that made him a coach and teacher
who was relatable to both students and players alike.
Mr. Jeanquart began his career at Appleton East in 1995 when he
started coaching football, according to The Courier. At the time he
worked in advertising for Secura Insurance, said Mr. Ryan Marx, the
head freshman football coach and a good friend. His passion led him to volunteer as a coach for the East football
team.
His primary responsibilities were advising the freshmen and junior varsity teams. “He loved to work with the boys,”
Ms. Brooks said. He also worked specifically with varsity defensive ends,” reported The Courier.
Mr. Patrick Schwanke, head varsity coach said that Mr. Jeanquart was a very laid back and relaxed coach who could
connect easily with the players. Mr. Jeanquart was very player-centered. “It was not about him,” Mr. Schwanke said.
“He fit really well with the coaching staff.”
Mr. Jeanquart didn’t care about wins and losses, but he wanted to make the players better, said Mr. Schwanke.
While coaching, Mr. Jeanquart attended Lawrence University to get a teaching degree to pursue his true passion for
teaching, Ms. Brooks said.
After attending Lawrence, he started student teaching English at Einstein Middle School. After coaching at Appleton
East, Mr. Jeanquart student taught under Mr. Greg Tate at East.
He began teaching at East in 1998. Ms. Brooks said he was a tough and challenging teacher, yet was very relatable and
learned to work well with his students.
Mr. Jeanquart helped his students strive to do their best. “He loved working with people individually,” said Mr. Marx.
“He was really positive and made kids feel important.”
“Mr. Jeanquart taught an AP English class that was valued by both teachers and students alike,” said Ms. Brooks. In
his class and throughout his teaching, Mr. Jeanquart really stressed making his students better writers. Ms. Brooks also
said he was willing to work really hard for his students.
“He was really calm, but got the kids to engage and think about things really in depth,” Mr. Marx said. Mr. Jeanquart
made the classroom an intriguing place to learn as well. Students would learn poetry while getting up on desks to
answer questions.
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Appleton East High School
“Mr. Jeanquart told very good stories, and sometimes Mr. Schwanke explained that Mr. Jeanquart wouldn’t
he would even make up interesting stories to tell his have wanted a stone or line in his honor because of
his modesty. However, this is exactly why the football
students,” Ms. Brooks said.
program placed it in his honor. This memorial is a great
Mr. Jeanquart made a lasting impact showing amazing way to remember Mr. Jeanquart’s dedication to the team
kindness to everyone that he worked with. He took extra and his passion to make players better.
time out of his day to help students not only with school
but with struggles that they were facing outside of the Mr. Jeanquart’s influence became especially apparent on
Sept. 2, 2011 when Appleton East football players went
classroom as well.
out of their way to help Mr. Jeanquart’s wife, Ms. Heidi
When Mr. Jeanquart was not coaching or teaching, he Brooks. The players cleaned up tree branches from her
loved to be outside working on his amazing gardens and residence following a thunderstorm, reported Kathy
koi ponds. “He had the best yard around,” Mr. Marx said. Nufer in The Post-Crescent.
This passion of his led to the creation of the outdoor
“It’s a huge reflection on what the program is about,” Mr.
classroom at Appleton East in his honor.
Schwanke told the Post Crescent.
On Oct. 31, 2006, Mr. Jeanquart passed away from
Leukemia, at a young age of forty-one. His passing, After the passing of five coaches, including Mr. Jeanquart,
however, did not stop the amazing influence that he had the football program helped start the Appleton East
Tackles Cancer campaign. This annual event brings
on Appleton East High School.
awareness to cancer and honors past coaches and players,
The outdoor classroom is not the only memorial to Mr. alumni, and family members with cancer. “It’s a way to
Jeanquart. The Jeanquart Line is a routine of dedication give back,” Mr. Schwanke said.
and hustle that starts and ends every football practice
at Appleton East. Marked with a memorial stone and Appleton East Tackles Cancer provides a chance to
a thick red line painted on the pavement, the Jeanquart honor Jeanquart and remember his impact on East. “It
Line is the end of the path leading to the practice field. definitely makes you reflect on your life, and just really
Every practice starts with a huddle at the line, and once what is important in it,” Mr. Marx said.
it is crossed, 100% effort is expected by each teammate.
Appleton East continues to battle cancer in the name of Mr. Jeanquart and countless other Patriots whose lives
have been affected by the disease. Left: Team Jeanquart poses before the 2016 Sole Burner 5K. Right: Captains of
the Patriot football team prepare for the 2015 Appleton East Tackles Cancer game on Pickett Field.
The Courier Page 9
Procrastination: How to Master an Art
By Parker Hunstiger and Megan Jacob
Procrastination is one of many talents of high school students. With six or more classes a day with various
tests and quizzes, cramming becomes the light at the end of the tunnel. But as any student knows, cramming has
changed from being a “sometimes” educational tool to an “always” educational tool. Cramming makes school just a
little easier for us high schoolers, especially for juniors. Here’s how to Master the Art of Cramming:
1. Eat food first. Before you begin studying for a test the night before, you should grab a quick snack to fuel your
brain it for the giant spoonfuls of information you will be force feeding yourself.
2. Start with the hardest information. You should start studying the hardest information first and easiest
information last. You should do this because you can spend more time studying the hard info and you will be
more likely to remember it. Plus, if you run out of study time, you only have the easy information left to study.
This information can then be studied during a lunch hour or another period throughout the day.
3. Cramming is a sprint not a marathon. It’s important to remember that cramming is meant to be fast-paced.
The whole point is to learn as much information as possible in an incredibly short amount of time. Typically,
students cram the night before a big test. In fact, more than 85% of students study this way. Procrastination
at its finest.
4. Stay calm. One very important aspect of cramming is keeping yourself cool. Although it may seem stressful
and overwhelming, you must have faith in yourself. You can still get an A on a test by cramming. Just don’t
panic and learn to work under pressure and time restraints. The more calm, confident, and relaxed you are the
better you will do on a test or quiz and the more material you will be able to remember.
5. Cramming is a lifestyle. Cramming is an educational tool that is acceptable for students to utilize. Although
cramming is typically frowned upon by educators, it is still an effective mechanism to use. The more you use
it the better you become at efficiently mastering the art of cramming. Like anything, practice makes perfect.
Marx’s Pond: East’s Ol’ Fishing Hole
By Morgan Blob
Around 2003, a new sports
complex at Appleton East was
being built. But in order for the
new complex to be built, all of
the science areas had to be taken
away. Mr. Marx, a science teacher,
was extremely upset about this and
called the superintendent saying that
something had to be done. “You can
not have athletics over academics,”
says Mr. Marx.
After that, the pond was
built. About eight years ago, Mr.
Marx put six hundred fish including
bluegill, bass, perch, and two catfish
into the pond. It is now a place
where science classes can study
macroinvertebrates, water quality
and turbidity. Two years ago, a class
tagged seventy five fish and took
their height and weight and put it on
a spreadsheet. They did that so they
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could see the fish grow.
Not only is the pond used
for class, but it is also used for fishing
as well. The Boys and Girls Club go
fishing there all the time, along with
the Marx children. They catch the
fish and put them back right away so
new fish do not have to be bought.
The tough thing about
the pond is keeping it clean. Since
maintenance put too many fertilizers
in the fields, an excessive amount of
algae grows. Mr. Marx maintains the
pond by raking out the algae every
now and then and cleans out the
dead fish.
The pond is a great asset
to our school and community, and
would have never been possible
without Mr. Marx. “It’s nice to have
a place where students can go out
and do science,” says Mr. Marx.
Appleton East High