Messwood Robotics

      Students from Messmer and Shorewood high schools have joined forces again this year in a Robotics team. Since October, the team have been working to create a robot for competitions against other high schools. The club first created a small version, and are now working to perfect the design for a full-scale model.

       This year's task is to create a robot that can place inflatable tubes onto pegs on the walls at either end of the field. Last year the competition was disappointing for the Messwood team, as the robot's motherboard failed. 

      Science Teacher and Robotics Club Advisor Ms. Katherine Phillips says she thinks, "...we will do better this year because we have learned from last year's mistakes." She feels, "Robotics is a lot of fun; students learn how to use different tools and get to [collaborate] with Shorewood [students]." 

      The members of Robotics Club from Messmer this year are: Markesha Harris, David Hollins, Daniel Hernandez, Thomas Lewis, Maurice McElrath, Jordan Taylor, Tracy Nelson and Char'lee King.

       The official regional competition is Thursday, March 10th - Saturday, March 12th.  It takes place at the U.S. Cellular Arena.  There are 51 teams registered for that competition.  (See http://www.wisconsinregional.com/ for more info) Nationally and internationally, over 2000 teams compete in regional competitions, with winners going to the national championship in St. Louis.

Variety Show Casting Off

            Messmer High School’s annual variety show the Show of Shows started off auditions last week with a bang. As one of the audition judges, English Teacher Ms. Elizabeth Flattery expected a lot of talent like poetry, singing, dancing and a lot of fun, and she was not disappointed. Mr. Kris Puddicombe, also a judge and an English teacher, stated, “There was a lot of singing, but we could have had more dancing and acting.” 

Senior Maggie Rosera, who auditioned to bring Spoken Word to the stage, stated, “Poetry is different from Spoken Word. In poetry there is more rhyming, and Spoken Word has a specific message that is trying to be portrayed with more emotions behind the words.”  Maggie will be emoting in this year’s show.

 During the audition process, many students felt nervous and didn’t know how to cope well with performing in front of others. Sophomore Kianna Greene, crew member for last year’s Show of Shows, is transitioning from behind the stage to an on-stage performer. Kianna auditioned playing the drums for the song “Umbrella” with student singers, rappers, and dancers. She says, “Being on stage, others get to see what I have, and being behind the stage you observe others.” Kianna’s group ended up making the cut.

 Sophomore Tajhai Wilson, the only female rapper to try out, stated, “It is an advantage to be the only [girl] because I don’t have to compare myself to other female rappers.”  Tajhai made the list, and will be incomparable in this year’s production.

Some of the other acts chosen for this year include piano solos from Sophomores Michaun Cobb and Freshman Alante Rome, vocal solos from Sophomore Theron Briley and Junior Serina Jones, and a group number from Seniors Chabeli Romero, Jade Hendricks, and Mariah Porter.

Show of Shows Director and Music Teacher Mr. Greg Flattery feels that last year’s show was one to remember. Will we be able to top that? 

Come find out Thursday March 24^th at 7:00pm. Tickets are $3 for adults and $2 for students. See you there!

School Snowed Out

2/1/11. Messmer schools are closing at 2:00 today, and will not be open tomorrow. See "This Week" at right for rescheduled basketball games.