018AUGUST

Buckets filled with ice-cold water, millions of dollars raised, and amplified awareness of ALS were all attributed to one fad; the ‘Ice Bucket Challenge’.

The worldwide phenomenon was all for the cause of Amyotrphic Lateral Sclerosis, or ALS. This deadly disease is the progressive breakdown of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Because this was not well known, the challenge developed awareness and funds for a cure. To help the cause, students, teachers, teams, and the administration accepted the challenge.

“I’m glad that they started the ‘Ice Bucket Challenge’ to raise awareness for this good cause,” junior Nicole Carnazzo said. “My great grandpa died from ALS, so it’s very close to my heart.”

The idea of dumping ice water on heads stemmed from the feelings that ALS patients experience. The challenge was also a new and entertaining way to bring attention to the disease.

“The purpose of the challenge is to represent the feeling of the disease,” junior Cassidy Loberg said. “You get to experience what it feels like for a couple of seconds when you dump the water on yourself. I wanted to participate in the challenge to spread awareness and use it as a bonding activity for the volleyball program.”

From virtually unknown to a social media sensation, the ‘Ice Bucket Challenge’ and ALS gained considerable attention from the entire population. Not only did it provide a unique activity to let poeple know about ALS, but it also heightened funds substantially.

“Considering the attention brought to the cause by celebrities, the results were outstanding,” principal Dr. Gregory Tiemann said. “The funds for ALS have raised from two million to 87 million dollars so far.”

Because ALS affected around 30,000 Americans, it was important enough to educate people about. As a result of the funds and awareness being raised so quickly, the challenge was a factor to becoming closer to finding a cure.

ENDLESS FOR ALS

Students and teachers helpraise awareness for disease

photo by Mark Hilburn

photo by Haley Dahlgaardphoto by Jillian Obregon

byHANNAPLEISS

Students gather to witness Dr. Tiemann take on the ALS ‘Ice Bucket Challenge’. After school, Tiemann accepted the challenge with the help of seniors Benjamin Kositzke and Kaci German who had the honor of dumping. “I wanted to do it in front of the school so everyone could see,” Tiemann said. “The challenge is an outstanding way to bring attention to the cause.”

Benjamin Kositzke ‘15, Gregory Tiemann, Kaci German’ 15

Nicole Carnazzo ‘16Varsity Volleyball Team

TYLER KLEIN‘18

“Before the first day of school I go to Walgreens. At the store I always buy a large bag of Smarties to get me through the first day of the new school year.”

EMMAWALKER‘17

“Every year on the first day, I have a sleepover with my friends, then we go to Panera the next morning. I always get a cinnamon crunch bagel there.”

JENNARICE‘16

“I always have a sleepover before the first day with my best friend. The next morning, we wake up, get ready, and go eat at Village Inn for breakfast.”

KENDALLSCHMIDT‘16

“On each first day I go to the school’s pool and throw a chair in the water. It’s really funny until I have to jump in to get it. My swim coach is never very happy about it.”

ANASTASIYAPASHEYEVA‘15

“Every year my friends and I all take the same car and go to Starbucks together in the morning. I always order an Americano and then we relax for a little bit.”

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WHERE ART THOU?

As the students in her English 10 class acted out the famous Shakspeare play, Romeo and Juliet, English teacher Kara Kirk leaned back and laughed at the fun way to explain a challenging text.

Kirk was a new teacher this year, but she had been a student teacher and a long-term substitute for Family and Consumer

Science teacher Kelsey Chittenden. Because of this experience, her shift into the classroom was much more comfortable.

“It has been a great transition and I love the English department here,” Kirk said. “Other teachers have taught me everything I know-- from survivial skills to discipline to content. I felt very welcomed by all.”

Student teacher and long-term substitute tries it on her own

Leading the color guard for the first time, junior Amanda Parker marches and twirls in front of her teammates. Being a color guard leader was different and more stressful than marching in the background. “When being a leader, you can’t show weakness,” Parker said. “I have to be the strong one, but I get to watch people grow so it’s fun.”

photos by Katherine Gilroy

MARCHIN’ ON

After finishing their number, junior Rachel Bailor and senior Grace Mueller strike a pose together. Bailor and Mueller had been performing togther for years and became close friends through band. “The march was over six miles,” Bailor said. “The weather wasn’t that great, but we still goofed around and had a good time.”

FLUTING AROUND

Focusing on perfecting the notes, sophomore Dylan Hermann shows off his euphonium skills while creating a memorable performance. Hermann enjoyed all of the random dance calls during the march. “My favorite part was in between the actual marching,” Hermann said. “There were fun activities we made up in between the songs, like a rain dance.”

IN TUNE

photo by Kamrin Baker

photo by Hanna Pleiss

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Foreigners experience life in the states

JENNIFER

GERMANY

“My favorite part of this experience is the activities after school. I miss my family, but I enjoy football games, German club, and I run cross-country.”

UYGAR

TURKEY

“I like this opportunity because it’s a whole new lifestyle for me. I miss my friends in Istanbul, but the people here are really friendly.”

MARIA SAENZ

MEXICO

“I’m going to study here for a year then go back to Mexico for college. I’m in this program to meet people, but it’s hard because my English isn’t very good.”

FRI “I had a great experience at my last Back to School Dance,” senior Zoe Zimmer said. “I dressed up as Pope Francis and my friends went as Mary and the wisemen. A lot of people know me as The Pope so it was pretty spicy dressing in my full garb at school.”

ZOEZIMMER’15

“My first day this year was a lot easier than last year because I knew what was happening and I wasn’t really worried,” sophomore Dawson Wills said. “Since I didn’t have to come on ‘Freshmen Day’ I stayed home and slept all day.”

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Clapping along with her new classmates, freshman Elizabeth Dahlgaard learns of the school she will attend for the next four years. As tradition, all of the freshmen gathered in the gym for an introduction on ‘Freshmen Day’. “Even though I got lost on my way to Biology, having a day to ourselves was really helpful to me so I could get to know the school better,” Dahlgaard said. “I was more nervous for the next day when everyone came.”

“FRESH” START

photo by Katherine Gilroy

photo by Zoe Zimmer

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Making her way to safety, junior Mikaela Pechar slides into third base. Pechar was looking forward to catching for the softball team at Districts and State from the beginning of the season. “I love how unified our team is and how our coaches push us to be the best players possible,” Pechar said. “We’re a strong team and we have a really good shot at taking state if we play to our full potential.”

SAFE AND SOUNDphoto by Emily Cvitanov

Mikaela Pechar’ 16

photo by Elizabeth Hemenway

photo by Taylor Walenz

photo by Keegan Holmes

FUHRER ‘15 TAZE ‘15 VILLALOBOS ‘15

byABIGAILDURBIN

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Assisting a student with a building project, Industrial Technology teacher Trev Fiedler, finally gets to show off his teaching skills in the classroom. Fiedler was very experienced in teaching because he had been around it for most of his life. “I was born into a family of educators, and my dad inspired me to become an IT teacher,” Fiedler said. “This is my first year teaching and so far I have really enjoyed my year and all of the students.”

BUILDING BLOCKSphoto by Elizabeth Hemenway

Trev Fiedler ‘IT Teacher, Zaher Nabulsi ‘18, Mitchell Koch ‘18

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Emily Cvitanov Millard West High School