February 2011 edition of the Purple Sage

1. The
PurPle Sage
Waunakee Community High School Volume 9, Issue 5
Presented by
The Wednesday Society
February 16, 2011
Waunakee, WI
Construction builds on
Opinion
Dance team
Lily Vanderbloemen
News Editor controversy
As the school community
is rightly aware, WHS has leads to
been undergoing construction
Is homework helpful?
To read the great
throughout the school year.
This construction includes
increased
Features
debate, see page 4. the addition of a new office,
a second stor y above the awareness
1200 wing, additional science
classrooms, as well as Olivia Knier
renovations to the commons. Editor in Chief
To n y R o t h s c h a d l , t h e The WHS girls’ dance team
project superintendent, said, placed first at the regional
Turn to page 8 to read on “There is usually quite a bit dance competition on January
the romance scene at WHS. of communication between Principal Brian Kersten stands in the construction zone of what will be 29, qualifying for the state
the architects and users of competition.
“
Entertainment the new front office. (Photo by Lily Vanderbloemen)
the space before it gets built.” At state, the girls placed
“The Social Network” Therefore, changes to the again once construction to that D u r i n g t h e w i n t e r, second, which is higher than
and “The King’s Speech” initial construction plans have addition resumes. Rothschadl approximately 10 construction the WHS dance team has
not been made. Principal Brian said, “At the end of March, workers have been working ever placed before at the
are joined by successful Kersten also said, “changes early part of April, when all that on the project, but by summer state competition. However,
competitors “Inception” cost money.” snow goes down, then we’ll Rothschadl estimated that a recent controversy emerged
”
and “Toy Story 3” in the Kersten meets every other go back to building that area as many as 100 men will be regarding the “Get Crazy ”
Monday for half an hour to an up on top.” working on the construction.
Best Picture Category. The completion date still lies
theme of their competition
hour with the project members In spite of the poor weather, routine.
– Senior Emily Drewry to address questions or other the new office area has made at the start of the 2011-2012
on Oscar nominees The controversy has sparked
situations that come up during great strides. Mud and water school year. some thought in the minds
For more on the Oscars, the construction process. cover the ground as tarps of Principal Brian Kersten
see page 11. The construction of the outline what will be the walls. and Activities Director Brian
second story addition has been Water drips from the ceiling Smith. In the minds of some
Sports halted due to the unfavorable as heat vents blast through spectators of the regional and
Gymnastics weather conditions, or as the room heating the workers state dance competitions, the
heads to Kersten said, “Mother Nature within. The outlines vaguely dance and costumes with a
the Badger won.” Classrooms had been resemble a front office, but “Get Crazy ” theme pushed
disrupted in November by within two to three weeks the envelope past the point of
Conference various construction sounds, a vast improvement will be The front office begins to take
making a bold statement. As a
meet. and noises can be expected apparent. shape in February.
For more, (Photo by Lily Vanderbloemen)  see DANCE page 3
Gr ding Our School
see page
15.
Sage Page
Lily Vanderbloemen giving them either a four or a
Turn your dollar into a News Editor five. In regards to friendliness
fabulous piece of art. and knowledge, the office
Turn to page 16 to learn As first semester came to a staff scored B’s. Comments
WHS students close, the staff of The Purple
d
from students included, “Mrs.
t Car
how now. Sage distributed a survey to
and staff give Harrison is awesome!” “Very
r
Repo
roughly 240 staff and students friendly,” “Always willing to
the high school at WHS. The survey consisted
WHS
help,” “I love them.” One staff
of nine areas to be graded with
its very own member wrote, “Friendly, most
ter 1
three criterion each. For each helpful staff that I have ever
s
Seme report card on criteria, those surveyed had met!”
TS the option of selecting a grade
MEN s the first
COM ith name of one through five, with one Administrators (including
ood w semester of being the lowest and five being
DE principal and assistant
GRA Very g the 2010-
the highest. The results of the principals):
SS B stic ld of survey are shown below.
Fanta get a ho
B • 4.16
C LA 2011 school
rs A/B to e With an average ranking
ini strato Hard extra mil h year.
Office Staff (including front of a 4 or 5, they received a
Adm ff C the unc and guidance office):
e Sta Go zed l
B. The survey asked about
Offic lors rgani
A/B • 4.48
B availability, friendliness and
se Diso The office staff received
Coun ial Staff
personal connection and
B lines taff the highest grade of an A/B, overall knowledge of the
d d
Custo and Foo ts
Grea ntered
which would be similar to school community in this
en a B+ or A- on our grading
Kitch er Staff ce section. Consistently across
B
id Self- ing room system, out of all subjects in the board, all three areas
Prov rs C us
Conf rs
question. The area the office scored a B. Comments from
he
Teac ts
staff scored the highest in was
e
B numb nough
students included, “Very good
availability and willingness to
n
Stude Building
with names,” and “Grabs and
tE
Stric
help, with 95 percent of people Mommo are the best!” One
ol
Scho N/A
WHS REPORT CARD GRADE SCALE
s
Rule  see REPORT CARD
Sc hool 4.5-5.0 A 3.5-4.0 C
page 2
4.0-4.5 B 3.0-3.5 D

2. NEWS
Lily Vanderbloemen, News Editor
Report Card
great!” Teachers commented, As one student put it, “Why do the categor y of teachers, another student said, “Cell
“Wide variety!” and “We have we run out of cookies by late comments were made phones are allowed to go off
 from Page 1 a great staff!” One student
said, “Love all my teachers,”
lunch?” regarding the differentiations
depending on the student.
without being taken,” and
“[I] always see people using
teacher noted that we have, and another wrote, “Awesome C o u n s e l o r s ( i n c l u d i n g One teacher said, “Not a good phones in class.” A common
“Amazing administrators.” teaching community.” guidance and Pathways): idea to classify all students theme among the comments
C • 3.96 into one category! It’s not fair was that the rules were not
School Building: Custodial Staff: The counselors had the to all.” Other comments from equally enforced. One teacher
B • 4.16 B • 4.09 second to lowest score of students included, “Mixed, as said, “Not all teachers are
The school building received The custodial staff had an a C. An area of particular kids tend to be rude, many on the same page and they
an overall ranking of a B. In average score of a B. The criteria weakness was accessibility, students are helpful and kind,” should be,” and another
regards to safety and set-up, that people were surveyed where counselors scored D/C, or “Average. There are ups commented, “Not consistently
it received A’s. The lowest on included: accessibility, which would be a D+ or C- on and downs for ever yone.” enforced.” One student made
scoring category was sense w i l l i n g n e s s t o h e l p a n d WHS’s grading scale. A student One student said, “In general, the comment, “Rules are not
of community, in which an knowledge of school building. comment regarding this said, okay, but some bad seeds. equally enforced. If the rule
average score of a C was In the area of accessibility, the “Guidance counselor is hard One faculty member made the is not enforced, then there is
“
received. One student made custodial staff scored comment regarding no point in the rule existing.”
the comment, “What sense of an average of a C and the students as, “self- However, one senior wrote,
”
community?” Other comments received B’s in both Why do we run out of centered, rules don’t “[School rules] have gotten
primarily dealt with the willingness to help and cookies by late lunch? apply, entitlement.” much better since when I was
confusing room numbers as knowledge of school
one faculty member said, building. One student
– From a Student Survey A n o t h“The p e r s o nwrote,
er
students
a freshman and less stringent.”
While these grades
“The room numbers should commented, “I have here are nice to one are subjective, the school
be consecutive.” In addition, yet to meet an unfriendly to get a hold of, and when another compared to other community can learn from
a student said, “Poor parking janitor.” One teacher said, she is available you have to schools. There could be more them. It should be noted that
arrangements after 8:15.” “[The custodians] have gone wait 10 students and miss sensitivity to people of lower one staff member made the
the extra mile for me at times part of class.” Another student income and to other cultures.” comment, “I think we have an
Teachers: – outstanding.” said, “My guidance counselor amazing school all around!”
B • 4.09 is never there.” In both the School Rules:
Te a c h e r s r e c e i v e d a n Kitchen & Food provider areas of friendliness and Strict Enough Editor’s Note:
overall grade of a B. Areas staff: knowledge, the counselors School rules include dress Grades were calculated
graded were knowledge of B • 4.04 scored an average of a B rating. code, cell phone/iPod use, based on results of a WHS
subject being taught, teaching T h e k i t c h e n a n d f o o d One student said, “I love my Pu r p l e Pa s s , e t c . T h o s e Semester One Report Card
style and friendliness and providers received an overall guidance counselor, she has sur veyed were given the survey given by The Purple
personal connection. Teachers grade of a B. In the areas of been super helpful to planning option of circling whether Sage. The survey was
scored the lowest in the area friendliness and knowledge of my classes.” they thought the rules were administered to approximately
of teaching style with a C kitchen and menu items, the ‘weak sauce strict,’ ‘somewhat 240 students and staff from
overall, while the other two staff received B’s. Regarding Students: strict,’ ‘strict enough,’ ‘very January 26 through February
categories’ average rankings this criteria, one student C • 3.62 strict’ or ‘hardcore strict.’ After 4, 2011. Those surveyed were
were B’s. As both faculty commented, “Very nice and Students scored the lowest averaging the data, ‘strict required to give their grade
and students pointed out, helpful.” Regarding efficiency, on the survey with an overall enough’ is how the school or staff position but remained
teachers vary greatly. As one the kitchen and food staff grade of a C. Students were ranked overall. Some students anonymous. The survey does
staff member said, “Depends received a C ranking, with the graded in three areas: respect made comments on how strict not reflect the views and or
on the person, some are not lowest rankings dealing with t o w a r d o t h e r s , b e h a v i o r the rules were such as, “Chill opinions of the staff of The
very approachable; others are the issue of few food choices. and attitude. Similarly, to out with the phone rule.” While Purple Sage.
New unit introduced in English 9 New brand at Koko
group’s personal utopia, then outside of their normal
Olivia Knier
volunteered to explain its classroom environment, and
Editor in Chief
features and name to the entire it gets students’ attention.
Freshmen groggily strolled group of students and teachers After the groups came up and
into the PAC not knowing what present. shared their personal utopias,
to expect from their English English Instructor Lisa which involved anything
teachers on a recent Friday Carothers led the activity. from realistic humanitarian
morning. As they sat down Regarding the presentation for goals to riding on elephants
for a multimedia presentation English 9’s Dystopia unit, she instead of cars, the groups
English 9’s new “Dystopia” unit said, “We thought we would swapped utopias and found
kicked off. do something a little different the flaws of their peers’ designs
A dystopia is the opposite and kick this unit off together.” before writing a summary of
of the term “utopia.” It can be She later commented that how utopias can go wrong.
a perfect world that has gone getting students together who As Carothers concluded
terribly wrong due to some do not see each other regularly this exercise, she said, “The Kokopelli Café staff (from left to right) Josh Christie, Courtney Buett-
apocalyptic event or just a in their English classes builds a problem with a utopia is that mann, Sarah Wirth, Hailey Fancher, Kayla Tarantino and Alison Malek
world that is only perfect for a sense of unity among the class they are usually not a utopia stand at the ready for their customers.
select group of people. and a more diverse exchange for everyone.” set up is an easier transition
Olivia Knier
This event took place for half of ideas than in class. In the upcoming unit, “to what the Kokopelli staff
Editor in Chief
of the freshman class on Friday, An idea like this to get students will be able to choose will experience when they
January 28 during first hour. students excited about a new from four novels, The Road Kokopelli Café has recently get a job in the community.”
The students were handed unit came about with a simple by Cormac McCarthy, The undergone changes to improve She said the set up of using
a worksheet to complete discussion between teachers. Hunger Games by Suzanne its products and efficiency. individual blenders and other
during a video presentation Carothers said, “The teachers Collins, Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Kokopelli Café changed their hand machines are not what
and were asked to write a were collaborating. Since it’s a Bradbury and Feed by M.T. machines, the brand of their most eating establishments in
definition of a utopia based new unit, we thought it would Anderson, with the theme of products, added new products our community use. The skills
on the images, sounds and be a good idea to get [students] dystopia to read during the unit. and eliminated old ones during of cleaning and using more
clips in the presentation. The working together to show them Meanwhile, English 9 students exam week. industrial type machines than
presentation included many that all ninth graders are doing will no longer read Fallen When asked about the were previously used should
positive images including this new unit with them.” Angels or write a research reason for the change, Special be useful in the future of the
warm vacation destinations. She also commented that it paper regarding the Vietnam Education Instr uctor and Kokopelli staff at various jobs.
After, the freshmen divided gave students a chance to see War as previously been done Kokopelli advisor Monica
into groups to design their another side of their teachers, in the class. Dedrick said that the new  see Koko page 3
Page 2 The Purple Sage February 16, 2011

3. NEWS
Dance

occurred to these individuals,
according to Kersten, there is
Smith. He also commented
on the pride he felt for the Koko
Company and right now is one
of a few coffee brands which
Pepsi owns. An employee of
from Page 1 still work to do. dance team when they were  from Page 2 the Pepsi Company visited
result, the administration plans While it is unsure exactly open to working with the O b v i o u s l y, t h e s w i t c h the school for a meeting with
to make some changes on the how the school plans to raise National Alliance on Mental could raise some concern Athletic Director Brian Smith
way sensitive issues such as awareness for some serious Illness Wisconsin. The group for the faithful regulars and and after seeing Berres Brothers
mental health are regarded in mental and emotional issues approached Kersten and Smith newcomers to Kokopelli, but cups all over the school, asked
the school. that can often be overlooked after the dance had been overall the change has been where they had came from.
The dance team performed in the high school setting, performed at the regional meet positive. Smith explained that the school
a routine at the regional Kersten confirmed that he to suggest writing an apology The regular iced cappuccino had a coffee shop and took the
meet that some fans deemed is planning to take some to be read before the state and iced chocolate drinkers Pepsi representative there. The
insensitive towards those who steps in order to increase performance. After Kersten a r e g e t t i n g u s e d t o t h e representative kept in contact
suffer mental health problems. the sensitivity towards these and Smith finished preparing r e p l a c e m e n t f o r t h e s e with the staff of Kokopelli after
“
In response, they altered their issues with the help of staff it, they showed it to the team, eliminated drinks: chocolate the visit and suggested they
costumes, eliminating and according to and caramel frappés. The think about changing their
”
t h e w o r d s “ Ps y c h We have to heighten aware- Smith, “They were new products also include brand to Roasted Bean.
Ward” from their strait ness about some issues. receptive to the caramel cappuccinos and After much sampling, testing
jacket-resembling ideas of changing French vanilla cappuccinos. and consideration of the new
tops and drafted an –Principal Brian Kersten the uniform [prior to Otherwise, all the products m a c h i n e s a n d p r o d u c t s ,
apology to those they the state meet] and are the same, just a different “[the vote] was pretty even,
offended which they read from the guidance department making amends. They got it.” brand. According to Dedrick, so we decided to go for the
before their state competition and school psychologist Craig In regards to a future system “people have said they like change,” said Dedrick. These
performance. Wille. Kersten also said that he of review before dances can the new hot chocolate better.” votes were casted by various
When asked about his has received countless emails be performed, Kersten said, The new brand, Roasted Kokopelli regulars including
thoughts on the situation, and phone calls from schools “It would be cumbersome Bean, is a division of the Pepsi Administrative Assistant Pat
K e r s t e n s a i d , “ I t ’ s v e r y and individuals all around the to schedule the review of Harrison,
unfortunate that the situation country regarding the issue. all dances before they go to Attendance
occurred, but now it’s Athletic Director Brian Smith performance, but I want to Secretary
happened. It can be a reminder echoed Kersten’s tone of make clear that we should use Deb Paulson,
to us to be sensitive about the learning from this experience. this as a learning moment to be Assistant
[difficult] issues some students “You have to learn something conscious of the many issues Trevor Evans
face on a daily basis.” from every situation, but it’s people in society face today.” and various
Dance team coach Erin just really just a matter of Kersten closed by saying, students.
Cotter, in an interview with awareness when anybody “ We d o n ’ t w a n t t o j u s t Tr y out the
the Capital Times, said, “The in the school comes up with apologize and hope it goes new Kokopelli
thought never crossed my something. They have to be a w a y, w e h a v e t o m o v e products during
mind or the school’s or the aware because of the visibility forward to heighten awareness its 8:30-10:15
parents’ or the kids’ that it was of this school. Because of about some issues.” New machines at Kokopelli produce caramel and a.m. hours.
about mental illness.” While our school’s success in many mocha frappés sold for $1.50 each.
the thought may have never things, people look at us,” said (Photo by Olivia Knier)
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February 16, 2011 The Purple Sage Page 3

4. OPINION
Jamie Warner, Opinion Editor
Homework: root of success or insomnia?
work we have to do can lead they are going to be the ones one third of all children (those
Lily Vanderbloemen Olivia Knier
News Editor to a decline in sleep, but do who have to grade them. Many under 18) suffer undue stress
Editor in Chief
you honestly believe you will assignments are superfluous, from exactly that, excess
America often prides itself on be getting anything more but there is still something you You get home from practice work. Many studies show that
being one of the best countries than six hours of sleep at can get out of them, whether around 6 p.m., eat some dinner people who relax, even for
for education. However, when college? If anything, we should it is learning to take better and shower, and now it is 7 only a short time, are more
examining the statistics, the be thanking our teachers for notes, using critical thinking p.m. Your time to relax, with productive when they return
United States has actually been preparing us for the workload or increasing your vocabulary. some reading or T.V. perhaps, to their workplace, or in our
falling behind. in college, where you are If you still find those stupid has vanished. Why? case, our studies. Students and
According to the Associated not assigned twenty pages of imperialism history questions Graded homework for teachers will work better with
Press, high school graduation reading and a worksheet but irrelevant, just think: some day the three classes on your each other if students have less
rates nationwide are 70 rather sixty pages of reading you will be a whiz on Jeopardy. schedule tomorrow is due in busy work and teachers have
percent but dipping below 50 and an essay. Staying up High school is ultimately a approximately 13 hours. In less homework to grade.
percent in some of our nation’s working on homework is not small stepping stone in our life short, too much homework Not only does too much
largest cities such as Detroit ideal, but it is our only option. preparing us for the avalanche increases student stress levels homework stress us out, it
and Indianapolis. If you are sleep deprived, you of adulthood, and homework to unhealthy amounts and can could lead to an unhealthy
Spending 8:15 a.m. to 3:25 will find time to make it up is a tool to help expand on our waste their valuable time. decline in the amount of sleep
p.m. in school from Monday somewhere, and maybe that knowledge. If you are serious With weekends filled with we get. Staying up late to finish
to Friday with free weekends, does mean dropping one of about getting a good education work schedules, potential busy work for a class makes
days and even weeks off, we your various extracurriculars. and learning more than ninety family activities and other you irritable and unfocused to
do not have it that bad when If you are finding homework “quality ” minutes provided various catch up items from learn the following school day.
compared to other developed completely bogging you down, every other day, you will do the week, there is little time Obviously, this is not healthy for
countries. Some students tr y not going on Facebook your homework. to relax. Working to increase any human being, especially
not only spend longer hours when you sit down to work on In six years when we are all our knowledge is important as growing teenagers.
in school each day but also your essay; you will be amazed out there looking for jobs, you students, but constantly being We all have 24 hours in
are in class half of Saturdays. at how much time you save. will thank your high school for loaded with extra work outside a d a y, c o m m i t m e n t s t o
Our federal government has Fi n a l l y, t h e h o m e w o r k the free education it provided the 7.5 hours we spend at extracur ricular activities
been striving for improvement assigned, is assigned for a – no matter what stress it school every day is unnecessary inside and outside of school,
in education systems in the reason. My math teacher, Mr. evoked. and unhealthy. According to a need to spend time with
United States, and cutting Millar, recently told us how we Parenting Magazine, almost our families and friends and
homework makes this harder. would never use trigonometric different circumstances that
Students are busy. With proofs in real life, require a lot of attention. Why
classes, sports, jobs, clubs, but we would use should our time be wasted
family and friends, everyone the critical thinking doing worksheets to cram
r uns short on time. The behind them. This is superfluous information
extra workload we bring an excellent point. into our overflowing young
on ourselves we do for our If you are finding minds? It should not. If there
personal enjoyment or for that all the work and is something crucial for us to
college application. Yes, it can topics in a class learn in order to live well, more
induce stress. However, in pointless, power to the teachers that are
the real world when we are a do not fostering our society by helping
little stressed out because we take the us learn valuable information,
have to drive our kids to soccer class; but are worksheets of graphing
practice, clean the house and for the translated trigonometric
manage the PTO meeting, and m o s t functions really going to help
our boss wants that proposal p a r t me get my first job? Absolutely
on his desk by Monday, we those not. These types of assignments
cannot simply sleep in first classes are unnecessary and a waste
hour. By learning at a young are not of time.
age how to manage stress, required. In closing, high school
we will learn to efficiently E v e r y teachers should reconsider
manage time and to prioritize, piece of what topics are worth giving
making us better citizens and homework homework on and are crucial
employees. Also, we have a teacher for the student to understand
been doing homework for assigns leaving high school without
years and now have it naturally is with a giving students or themselves
built into our schedules. purpose the stress of finishing busy
There is no doubt all the because work.
“School is a B “A. I’ve worked at another school “A-, we have a good
because it’s ballin’.” in the past. Students and staff here community.”
John Putnam are wonderful, very enjoyable.” Amanda Mathwig
Grade 12 Amy Neitzel Grade 11
Family and Consumer
Education Instructor
“ our school?
“B. Most teachers “B. It’s still school,
How would you
”
are fun, and most but there are good
students are good
people.”
Henry Lemcke
teachers.”
Morgan Parnell grade
Grade 10 (See News for more on results of student survey)
Grade 9
Photo poll by Lydia Dorn and Jamie Warner
Page 4 The Purple Sage February 16, 2011

5. OPINION
WEDNESDAY SOCIETY speaks
Q uotable
THE
UOTE
A Warfare of Words The disagreement goes beyond that of the original
“
misunderstanding, and the cycle of ill-feeling and counter
A barrage of bitter hostility is let loose at a new foe, ill-feeling will continue to run until someone decides to stop
and sharp retaliations fly back and forth within a harsh it. We urge those embroiled in a disagreement to do just that:
battlefield. Indignant retorts flare forward and crater to drop their weapon of words and save each other further I realized
the earth. Before more damage ensues, it is important to damage. After all, life is hard enough as it is. Why wage war
remember a point often lost in the chaos and heat of anger: when you could live in peace? that if I had
what started the disagreement in the first place. Every single human being makes many mistakes daily.
A spark of disagreement can come in a variety of forms: We do not think about everything that comes out of our to choose,
It can be an insensitive word, a poorly timed turn of a mouths. If we did, we would be spending the majority of
phrase, or just a simple misunderstanding. What all our time processing what to say instead of conversing and
reacting. Now, this does not mean to spout off whatever pops
I would
misunderstandings have in common, though, is that they are
rarely intentional. Few people are insensitive simply for the
sake of being insensitive. Instead, people perform careless
into your head at any given moment; instead, take in your
environment and react respectfully.
rather have
actions accidentally, without knowing who they will affect.
The response they can evoke, on the other hand, can be
Many situations we face each day could turn sour, but this
is not what makes us who we are. How we react to these
birds
”
fueled with the intention to hurt. People tend to be angry if
they find something to be angry about, and unfortunately
situations is what speaks volumes about our character. We
all have a different sets of morals, different words, phrases
than
they target the person instead of the controversial problem.
Then, rebuttals are the same, and soon, what started as
and situations that may be innocent to one and offensive to
another. In some situations, someone is going to be offended
airplanes.
an innocent but insensitive comment has escalated into a no matter what. The best thing we can do is to lay down our
malicious pointing of fingers. arms and stop anger from escalating. – Charles Lindbergh
Busting unions holds workers in contempt
and fatten their wallets at eight hour work days, Madison, among others, says representing Abbotsford. That
Glenn Will
the expense of employers, restrictions on child labor, the governor is union busting. statement alone is an insult.
Columnist
consumers and taxpayers, overtime pay, regulations In essence, Walker wants The upper crust is not sharing
Capitalizing on the public’s bleeding the state’s budget on health, employee safety, to make Wisconsin a right-to- the pain. These proposals
historically low support for dry. (Also, unions historically welfare and other issues that work state, meaning no one has are designed to help the rich
unions during hard economic donate large amounts of money have made working more to join a union for employment. maintain their wealth. Walker
times, Scott Walker dealt a to Democratic campaigns.) enjoyable for all Americans. Business owners would is suffocating the middle class
tremendous blow to public Walker keeps reminding us Are union members fat cats rejoice because unions would after he specifically said during
sector employees in the state “the state’s broke,” which for wanting better working be weakened, meaning all his campaign that he wanted
of Wisconsin on Friday. is why Wisconsin cannot conditions? Collective workers would lose a body that to help them. A statement
The plans to cut collective afford extravagances like bargaining is necessary and fights for better pay, reasonable from his campaign website
bargaining stem from Walker’s collective bargaining. This is union actions defend working hours and a multitude of other reads “Every decision must be
argument that unions leech the conservative party line people. positive things. Right to Work considered in the context of
taxpayer dollars and are regarding unions, and in S e n a t o r Fr e d states have a historic legacy of what it means for job creation
overcompensated. What a modern times like these it Risser, a Democrat ranking lower in their quality and economic recover y.”
great way to thank the people could not be more wrong. representing of living, as they have lower Does hurting one hundred
who work for you, right? Many of the overlooked wages, higher poverty, less and seventy five thousand state
Members of the state comforts that American access to health care union workers really reflect
employee unions, including families enjoy were and poorer education these values?
public school teachers, would won through for children, according Walker is walking a thin line,
lose their ability to argue for the sweat to data from the U.S. and he knows it. He already
pay, while also being required and blood o f Department of Labor put the National Guard on
to pay increasing amounts for u n i o n and the U.S. Census alert to fill in as prison workers
their pensions and healthcare. members. Bureau. Is this right in case of strikes. Hopefully
These steps will make a tough I t i s for Wisconsin? No. this is a sign that there will
economic time even harder for important to “We’re all going be a significant reaction to
many Wisconsin families. remember to have to share Governor Walker ’s union-
Conservatives validate their that union in the pain,” busting proposals because
arguments by pushing negative bargaining is said Assembly Wisconsin families deserve
stereotypes of union members. responsible Majority Leader strong advocates.
The Right says that workers for the Scott Suder, a
in unions are less efficient weekend, Republican
THE PURPLE SAGE
Editorial Staff
The Purple Sage
Waunakee Community High School
EDITORIAL
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February 16, 2011 The Purple Sage Page 5

6. OPINION
The cure for senioritis must learn in the workforce, of material. Throughout the
Eric Momou
with friends, punctuality and many lectures of teachers, it is
Columnist
such. Assessing time whilst most likely that your mind will
As the onslaught of the prioritizing recreational wander. As the last snowfall
coming ‘dog days’ of a fourth activities is a benefit to hits and all melts away, the
year to high school come to a your sanity. Analyze what inkling bit of sunshine will
close, it is interesting to note quadrants of your life demand impart you with malaise. You
the precautions teachers have
taken to prevent students from
the most; but differentiate
the imperative from the lax
will feel elated yet contrarily
entrapped. At no time in your
Thumbs up! Thumbs down...
contracting a pandemic we areas. In so doing order is high school career will paying
seniors know all too well. established, and unexpected attention be more rewarding. Dance Awkward
As I have already been events do not tend to pop up. Most of the information can be
subjected to this malady (as Time is an investment and the lost easily. Retaining such is a
team takes romantic
many of my teachers can best investors know how to difficult endeavor. So make it second at encounters.
attest) I believe I will give you make a profit. The profit being: a focus to submit your mind state.
five tips for what to do after success. to the lectern; you are almost
contracting it—because it will Learning is an incentive for done. Listen to a tee.
Celebrating
inevitably come. the future. Understand that Lastly, it is not wrong to
Wisconsin Saint
Do not strive to finish all the countless hours you invest entertain yourself with sports Valentine with
work to perfection as that in comprehending secular thoughts of summer and the teams. Our chocolates and
is a foolhardy endeavor. information do not go in vain. future. On a regular basis,
However, given deadlines and In short, learn with personal give yourself what you have football team flowers. The
the stresses of everyday life, purpose. Understandably, this earned. Studying, reading and apparently martyr’s sad
anxiety sets in. What one may is a simple idea; however, as conceptualizing come at a
deem perfect, to another might the senior days dwindle, it cost to your psychological
heard and story is aban-
well be comparably pathetic. becomes easier to lose sight wellbeing, so take a rest finding obeyed “Go doned for more
In a relative sense, perfection of this fact. Some will follow yourself in the process and do Pack Go” merry thoughts.
is an illusion. Reaped from self- their schedules religiously: something you love. Demands
discipline, it is possible to excel; they seem to adhere to the come often with fortitude, yelled at our
however, depression is likely to mundane with strict, dutiful but rewards are rare. Thus, televisions. The muddy
ensue if a standard is virtually acquiescence. take the remaining carefully
impossible to meet. Therefore L ear n to analyze what planned area of life to relax
February
it is wise to convince yourself fragments of your learning and indulge in association with Democratic slush: a sure
of future shortcomings. will benefit you in the field you others. revolutions sign of spring.
Deadlines are your friends. wish to pursue. Wasting your For the present, life seems
As laughable as that statement high school years on classes to remain in a neutral state. in Egypt and Also, the people
is, it is tr ue. While I am that do not benefit you will It is neither exciting, nor is it elsewhere, who leave a
hypocritical in this respect inevitably lead to senioritis. unbearably boring, but heed along with their layer of said
with my procrastination, I Doubtless, senioritis will come; the idea that senioritis is but
find this a vital issue that it is how that remaining energy the beginning of a future to coverage in the slush throughout
becomes increasingly is channeled that makes a come. media. school.
important as life progresses. difference in your future.
It is a rudimentar y skill all Do not feign comprehension
Vested interest in controlling Egypt blocks true democracy
the United States to the figure will have an overwhelming
Jamie Warner
for several years despite presence there whether or not
Opinion Editor
and has relied h a v i n g the revolution is successful.
As the people of Egypt grow on us for military complete If the revolution fails and
closer to a new government protection and control the Islamic Brotherhood is
and the strength of democratic aid. In return, over Egypt oppressed like they were
ideals escalates, media interest the United States for almost thirty before, then they will become
rises, too; it seems there has wins an enticing years. Instead, he embittered and more likely to
been little on the news not strategic point in has used police side with terrorist organizations
covering some aspect of the the Middle East, suppression of to gain representation or to
conflicts. especially useful in competing political strike at the United States.
One person who oddly the Iraq War. powers such as If violence is the only way a
has not seemed interested However, when the Islamic group can find freedom, then
in politicking or putting his making a decision Brotherhood we should not be surprised
opinions on the table is whether to interfere to gain more when they turn to violent
President Obama, who has with Egypt’s power for himself, terrorist organizations. If we
been decidedly on the fence revolution, we need to blaming faults and let people have free speech
throughout most of the ordeal. look beyond what is in it ineffectiveness on and representation, the result
However, Obama’s reluctance for us. We need to look his subordinates. will be peaceful.
to take a side does not reflect at what is morally right. There are fears that The United States is often
the situation’s unimportance. If Egypt has a an Islamic revolution accused of being hypocritical,
Instead, Obama is stuck successful revolution, will be a terrorist siding with dictators
between two competing forces: decades of oppression threat for the United running faux democracies
self-interest and morality. The will end. According States. However, the while extolling the virtue of
side of self-interest is backed t o t h e C I A Wo r l d Islamic Brotherhood democracy here. The situation
by the militar y advantages Factbook, 20 percent is actually fairly in Egypt is a chance for our
of keeping the status quo of Egypt’s population moderate. The country to take a clear side
government, and the side lives under the poverty p l a n n e d l e a d e r, against a harsh, oppressive
of morality argues for letting line. Former Egyptian Mubarak’s vice leader. We need to stand for
democratic processes go President Mubarak president, is democracy and human rights
unhindered. has not made any even more in Egypt, letting the revolution
Egypt has been a close ally of significant change so. Besides, they run unhindered.
Page 6 The Purple Sage February 16, 2011