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."