Alice in Urbanland

     The Messmer High Drama Club put on the play “Alice” November 19th and 20th. “Alice,” written by Whoopi Goldberg, is an inner-city version of “Alice in Wonderland.”  

     In this version, Alice has a dream of winning a sweepstakes worth millions of dollars. Her dream came true but before she even got the money she became greedy and betrayed her friends with her stuck-up ideas for the money.

     On her crazy journey through the city she meets all kinds of people and runs into several challenges. Through her experiences she ends up learning that money isn’t everything and her true riches are her friends.

The show was a great success due to the funny scenes, emotional changes, and the mystery of the plot. H’Vyn Jones, who played the role of Alice, did a tremendous job of displaying just the right emotion and energy.

     Jade Hendricks, as Alice’s loyal imaginary friend J de Rabbit, stood out because of her confidence and stage presence. Humor was provided by Neena Matthews and Ashley Jordan who performed a rap entitled “Pass the Hat” on the subway.

     Messmer Music Teacher Mr. Greg Flattery directed the production, which also included a great behind-the-scenes crew.

Cast:

Announcer: Anwuri Osademe

Alice: H’Vyn Jones

J de Rabbit: Jade Hendricks

Robin: Jasmine Kendrick

Mailperson: Jasmine Davis-Evans

Betty: Kianna Greene

Street Person #1: Amber Floyd

Sherman: Trenton Fields

Street Person #2: Giovanni Rodriguez

Mrs. Ima Rump: Claudijah Lever

Mr. William Lowdown: Samuel Briggs

Ronald: Jordan Taylor

Jaz: Ashley Jordan

Kooli Kool Bob: Neena Matthews

Subway Policeman: Jasmine Davis-Evans

The Fortune Teller: Olivia Knight

Street Person #3: Serina Jones

Carson Represents

     Messmer High Freshman Jonathan Carson was recently invited to try out for the USA Basketball team. Jonathan was one of only a few freshmen, and the only player from Messmer High School to participate in this wonderful opportunity. He traveled to Colorado Springs, Colorado this October for the try-out. During the 4 day camp his stay consisted of going to the Olympic Training Center every morning to train, stretch, and do some conditioning. Jonathan was one of 35 players from all parts of the country working for the same goal.

     Jonathan has been influenced by Lebron James of the Miami Heat and says, “Lebron inspires me because he’s a role model. He loves his job and doesn’t let people control him.” That’s a good person to look up to if you are trying to go into the same career. When asked if he felt he had a chance to make the USA team, Jonathan replied, “Yes, I worked my hardest and gave them all I had.” He will find out in April if he made the next cut. But in this case, considering there were only 35 students from the entire country invited to try out, it is truly an honor just to be nominated.

     Jonathan, a graduate of St. Rose and St. Leo Catholic School where he was valedictorian, will be playing for Messmer High this season, and is looking forward to it, “I’m overly excited because this is my first year of high school and I’m ready to show people what I can do as a freshman. During this [USA Team] experience I learned how to be a better leader on and off the court and how to be a talker on the court.” We’re rooting for you, Jonathan—you do Messmer proud!

Family Fun Night

   11/19/10. Last night Messmer Catholic Schools held a Family Fun Night at Messmer High School where families came to enjoy different activities such as face painting, cartoon drawing, bounce houses, Laser Tag, and Karaoke.  

     The families could enjoy refreshments and lounging in the cafeteria and use the pool. A lot of the Messmer students and their families had a great time at Family Fun Night. 

     Almost everyone ended up at some point in the night in the auditorium enjoying Karaoke. Every year students and families from all three Messmer schools participate in this event.

     Family Fun NIght is a great way to meet other families, and enjoy each other in a family friendly environment. 

Hear the Deer

     Messmer High students are fortunate to be participating in the ASSIST program with The Milwaukee Bucks. ASSIST stands for Active Seniors Supporting Influencing Students Transitioning. At the monthly meetings, students go to retirement homes where Bucks' players facilitate discussions on topics relevant to the students' future success. The players serve as role models and inspiration, and the seniors relate their practical advice and life experiences. Messmer Junior Mateo Martinez says, "The stories they tell us are amazing and we gain a lot of knowledge." 

     This month the topic was entrepreneurship led by Point Guard Keyon Dooling, who also discussed how life's path goes in many different directions. 

     Recently, the Messmer student participants met some seniors at the WTMJ studios to record a radio commercial to be aired during Bucks' games. Both the students and the seniors spoke in the radio spot about the ASSIST program and what they all gain from it. 

     The ASSIST program is facilitated by Messmer volunteer Mr. Bob Monday and Guidance Counselor Mr. Ken Klatkiewicz.

Thank You to Messmer Supporters

     The Messmer High School Choir performed a song thanking Messmer supporters at the annual Portraits in Leadership Dinner on November 4th at the Pfister Hotel. See video at left of the performance.
     Below are the lyrics customized for the occasion, inspired by this year's Spiritual Theme, "Build a Strong Foundation."

Defying Gravity (Thank you Supporters!)

Something has changed within me 
Somehow I'm not the same.

I'm part of something bigger,

Inside I feel a growing flame.

With solid ground beneath me

A foundation running deep,

Now I can trust my power,

I can close my eyes and leap!

You help me try defying gravity

Now I can fly, defying gravity--

Nothing can bring me down!

I'm not accepting limits

'Cause someone says they're so.

I won't hold back my spirit,

You've shown me how to let it go!

That solid ground beneath me,

A foundation made of love

Gives me the strength to flourish

With help from up above!

Because of you I'm defying gravity

With all you do I’m defying gravity--

No one can pull me down!

You give me wings for defying gravity

My spirit sings, I’m defying gravity--

Nothing can bring me down!

So if you care to find me

Look to the bluest sky

Because you live the credo:

“Everyone deserves the chance to fly!”

Now I’m not flying solo,

Now I’m just flying free

Because of those who ground me

And help me be a stronger me.

Because of you, I’m defying gravity

With what you do, I’m defying gravity

And soon I’ll reach a great renown.

And nothing, no one, not a cause

No challenge, that there is or was

Is ever gonna bring me down!  I can fly!

Law and Order: MHS

     "Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?"

     Mr. Jack Hauser, Messmer Administration, was sworn in by presiding judge Mr. Richard Anderson, Teacher and Messmer Attorney, as part of a mock trial conducted in the Intro to Law class. In Intro to Law, students study current and past statutes, learn the process and requirements to become an attorney as well as the strategies used to handle different kinds of cases. 

     In the mock trial, teachers acted as witnesses and the class was divided into the Defense and the Prosecution. The trial used a real case, State of Wisconsin v. Johnson, involving the kidnapping and murder of a seven-year-old girl. Each side researched the evidence and formulated their witness questions and trial strategies. 

     Trial procedures including objections, proper cross examination, and phrasing of witness questions were practiced by the class through the mock trial, and "Judge" Anderson rendered his verdict based on the effectiveness of the "attorneys." 

      The Intro to Law class is a great place for students to gain a keen understanding of the judicial system, whether or not they intend to pursue Law as a career. They learn the value of evidence for arguing a position, how to research and problem-solve, and the importance of effective writing and speaking to persuade and inform.

Pfister, Pfeast, and My Pfuture

by Tramaine Hardy

     I'm the one on the right above, getting ready to entertain at the annual Messmer "Portraits in Leadership" dinner. This dinner is a fundraiser for our schools, and a way to thank those who have helped us through contributions and scholarships.

     Janine Geske, Fr. Robert Wild, Lynn Sprangers, and Mike Gousha were honored for their leadership and unique contributions to education. Our alumnus of the year was Al Mattacotti from the class of '58.

     Before the dinner, Messmer students and faculty demonstrated some of the things that are going on in the schools. I walked around with an iPad showing off this blog. So did my Broadcast Media classmate Tiara Allen--she's the one on the right below. 

     I was grateful for the chance to show the world what I am made of. It was a great experience and a time to meet people who have made it in life. 

     At the end of the dinner, I performed with the choir. We sang a song with special lyrics thanking all those who support Messmer. You can't see me, but I am in the back row in the picture below. 

     After the dinner my mind was open to everything around me and it made me realize that anything is possible if you put your mind to it.

Retreating with Class

     Messmer High's annual retreats were a big hit again this year. Each class had a unique experience including bonding, reflection, and faith.

     The Freshmen stayed at school working on trestles for flowers in the Peace Garden, and painted paver stones for the garden as a permanent remembrance of their first year at MHS. Antoinette Davis' reaction to the day was: "It was a fun and exciting experience!" The freshmen learned the school song, performed skits, and watched a message-filled movie. Arianna Williams thought the day was a good way to "...unite us together as a class."

     The Sophomores took buses to the Tyme Out Center in Nashotah to discuss deep and relevant subjects.

     This retreat was based on building strong relationships with your friends and family.  As part of the lesson the word “LIFE” was used to explain the different types of relationships. The “L” stood for love and different words around it explained the meaning of love and how to know if you are really in love. The “I” stood for infatuation, the “F” for friendship, and the “E” for exploitation.  The facilitators used activities to help the sophomores understand how to figure out the different kinds of relationships and how to separate the good from the bad. The boys and the girls got a chance to ask each other about things they've always wanted to know. Kezia Thomas said she learned: "When you are in a relationship with someone you shouldn't be so quick to think you are in love...it might just be infatuation."

    The Juniors went to Camp Minikani in Hubertus in perfect weather. The goal was to build self-confidence and to come together as a class with trust and respect for each other.

     A 20-foot rock climbing wall and a 40-foot ropes course provided Juniors the opportunity to face and overcome their fears with the encouragement and support of their classmates. Team-building activities in the woods tested the students' problem-solving skills and proved how much they can depend on one another to achieve a common goal. Michaela Sanders learned the importance of communication and to think differently about some of her classmates. She discovered that she had made some wrong negative judgments about other Juniors and was happy to find out through the retreat that they are not who she thought they were.

     The Messmer High Class of 2011 also went to Camp Minikani, but their retreat was a 2-day experience.

     The Senior Retreat centered around this year's spiritual theme: Building a Strong Foundation. Through prayer services, a trust walk, crafts, and patting each other on the back, the Seniors reflected upon the foundation they have built through their years at Messmer with the help of the staff and each other. They also had a chance to spend time on the water rowing (sometimes in circles) under a beautiful fall sky.

     The highlight of the 2 days was "Pass the Candle" when the whole class sat together and one-by-one spoke of their lives, memories, regrets, and hopes in a 3 & 1/2 hour emotional, supportive, reflective, and moving Senior Retreat tradition.

     Serita Burchett said she left the Senior Retreat "...with openness and a better understanding of my classmates." Tiara Allen said the experience was a "spiritual relief" and she left feeling more connected with her peers having the chance to "see life from other students' eyes."