Mrs. Kemp "Top Notch Teacher"

Mrs. Kemp, a science teacher at Sparta High, was selected to be the News Channel 8 "Top Notch Teacher" for the month of January.

Mrs. Kemp was selected to be "Top Notch Teacher" out of many other nominee's in the News Channel 8 viewing area. She was nominated by her students in her first hour AP Biology class. "Receiving this award was the highlight of my career. It is the one thing I will remember most when I retire" said Kemp.

Being awarded "Top Notch Teacher" has more rewards than the satisfaction of a job well done. "I get to drive a hybrid vehicle for the whole month of January, and I will be featured on News Channel 8 on January 3," said Kemp.

When Mrs. Kemp found out about being chosen for the award, she didn't believe it and thought someone was playing a prank on her. "I thought someone was playing a trick on me," said Kemp. This is a huge honor and is something many teachers at Sparta High hope to accomplish. Keep up the good work Mrs. Kemp!

Should Guided Study Hall Stay or Go?

By: Kenzie Isensee

Snowmobile Trails Open

By:  Kala Lindley

Snowmobilers are gearing up for the trails to open on Friday, December 17 at 8am.



Snowmobiler taking a rest to pose for a picture!
Got snow?!



Monroe County groomer operators have been busy lately, especially since they have 271 miles of trails to get ready and maintain for another season. "We have seven groomers spread throughout Monroe County," adds avid snowmobiler and groomer operator Tim Schendel.

The trails are typically open from December 12th until March 1st. However, Schendel knows very well that, "It all depends on the weather and the trail conditions."

With trails opening today, groomers have been working a lot of hours. "We want to get all of the trails packed down and cleared before we open them up," explains Schendel.

Groomer operators have no set schedule as to when they groom. "We usually groom before weekends, and try not to groom on Saturdays and Sundays. However, temperatures tend to interfere, so if the weather is warm during the day, we try to groom at night."

If you need information on Monroe County trail conditions and closings, visit www.monroetrails.com

Milwaukee Art Trip

November 18th, 2010 fifty students departed Sparta High School at 7:00 am for Milwaukee Wisconsin. In Milwaukee the students visited the Milwaukee Art Museum. This trip was hosted by Sue Iverson and the Sparta High School Art Club.

This sculpture is one of the first things to catch your eye when you walk in and is completely made out of glass.

Above and Below is what the structure of the two main hallways looks like. Everyone was in awe by the structure of the whole building

This which is also found down the second main hall is sculptures made completely of recycled tires. Iverson added, " The recycled tire sculptures was my favorite part".

The pictures above are statues of a janitor that previously worked at the Milwaukee Art Museum. He was also a favorite of many people and caused double takes. He is as close to real as a statue can get.

A part of the optical illusion area.

Another part of the popular optical illusion are. If you look at these straight on it looks as if there are glass vases in a case with a mirror behind them that has no reflection. Then if you look at it from any other angle and you will find that it goes on forever.

This was the second biggest attraction in the museum. It is called the Infinity Room. When you walk in it feels as if you a going to fall and never going to land. This is made completely of glass so cloth booties are required to be worn in here. Zach Koger said, "Another part I liked was the Infinity Room". Desaree Isensee then added, "The Infinity room was my favorite because you felt like you were going to fall if you walked on the floor".

This may look like an ordinary suit case, well except for the storm drain in the center, but it is a complete mystery. "The suit case was really neat too", said Lori Bailey.

This is the inside of the suit case, there is actual running water below it and you can see adult feet and baby feet(not visible in picture). This piece of art had everyone confused and looking all over to find the bottom of this suit case!

Next stop was the Madison Zoo. The point of this stop was for photo opportunities and of course fun.

After the zoo everyone headed over to the Capital for more photo opportunities.

Then took a short walk down Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. to the Monona Terrace.

Milwaukee and Madison were chosen because Iverson wants to rotate museums so that within your four years of high school you get to see many different places, and to show people places where they can go to take in cultures.

 Arrival time back at Sparta High School was 7:00 pm.

Winter Break

Jake Denton looking for a book.

Tyler Reudy relaxing in the LMC.

Article

Sparta 2010 Holiday Parade

Sparta Rural Fire Department decorated in lights.

Sparta Rural Fire Department decorated in lights with firemen on top.

Piggly Wiggly festive pig walking for parade.

St. Patrick's school gets involved with holiday parade.

Girl Scouts handing out sweets for the holidays.

Girl Scout troops showing support for the holidays.

Warrens Cranberry Festival winners.

Warrens Cranberry Festival winners waving to the people of the parade.

H&R block showing public support for holiday parade.

Boy Scout troops enjoying the festive walk in the winter parade.

Black River Falls queen and runner ups waving to crowds during winter parade.

Cow 97 showing their support to the community in the winter parade.

Challenge Academy opening ceremony for the parade.

Sparta Butter Festival winners.

Markim realty advertising in the parade and showing holiday spirit.

The SHS Forensics Team

The SHS Forensics team is preparing for another season of competition. Every year, the Forensics team competes at three levels: sub-district, district, and state. Members of the team choose an area to compete in, from group acting to solo acting to radio broadcast, storytelling, and speeches. Those participating chose a category and a piece to perform. They then, depending on the requirements of their chosen category, memorize the piece and perform in a series of rounds.

The competition kicks off at Sub-District Forensics. Usually held sometime in February, those involved compete in a series of three rounds, each judged by a different person. Depending on how one does at sub-districts, the next competition is in March at UW-La Crosse. The district competition works a lot like the sub-districts, as each group performs in three rounds with a different judge each time. If one does well at districts, its off to the state competition! The state competition is held in April, and is on the UW-Madison campus. Those who make it to state perform only one time.

For no less than the past two years, the SHS Forensics team has had several groups go to state and return with scores of 25 - a perfect score.

"Forensics is a really good thing to be involved in," says Sarah Rodgers. "It's a lot of work, but it's really fun. You get to strengthen your public speaking abilities while having fun with your friends."

Defender News Alert

Madrigal Madness

By: Angela Leis-Roberts

Sparta High School prepared a Madrigal Feast for December 3rd and 4th. Madrigal Feast is an American form of a dinner theater often held by schools and church groups during the Christmas season. It is set in the Middle Ages and is generally comedic in nature. The meal is divided into courses, each of which is heralded with a traditional song. A play is performed between the courses and a concert of choral music concludes the festivities.

This year as like many before Sparta High School's Choir director, Janette Hanson is dedicating a lot of time. Hanson said "I've been involved in Madrigal here at Sparta for 18 years." Madrigal feasts have been performed for many years. They were first written and performed when all entertainment was live entertainment.

Hanson said " I was in one Madrigal in college and I liked it a lot. So i decided to start the tradition here at Sparta High" Many schools put together a Madrigal Feast.

"The food is awesome, the woodwinds choir and the recorders are also awesome, also it is unique. Most Spartans don't get to see a lot of these things, with it being a combination of a concert, a meal, and a comedy make it very unique that is why I like Madrigal," said Hanson

Hanson knows that a lot of preparation is needed. "The first part is letting students know what its all about, I tell the choirs what its all about so they can go out and tell their friends about it to get more people involved. I also have to get a good assistant director. For the physical stuff there is decorating, getting costumes put together, and also the set."

Emily Arens, a freshman at Sparta High School, is a rose seller in the play. A rose seller is considered to be a town's person. "To prepare myself I am listening to Justin the assistant director when he teaches us about Madrigal. I am also practicing my British accent," said Arens.

Another important aspect of Madrigal is choosing the correct actors and actresses. "Automatically Vocal Jazz and SHE are chosen for Royal Court. They are automatically chosen for the ensemble," said Hanson.

The Royal Court needs many rehearsals to get ready for Madrigal. Hanson said, "The Royal Court practices every day in class for about three weeks. There is also about ten evening rehearsals."

Arens said, "As a town's person I have to be at one rehearsal on either the 29th or the 30th of November. I am also required to be at the rehearsal on December 3rd." The Royal Court needs many rehearsals to get ready for Madrigal.

There is so much to do to get ready for Madrigal in such a short period of time. "I have to wear a costume more dressier than a wench but less dressier than someone who is in the Royal Court. There isn't a lot for me to do to get ready the day of Madrigal I have to put my dress on and curl my hair," Arens said

Hanson said, "To make it less stressful and to make it run more smoothly, I get prepared as early as I can. I chose a great assistant director this year which has been a huge help. Justin my assistant director has been doing a lot of behind the scene stuff to make it a even greater performance."

Preparing for Madrigal makes the ending product much more enjoyable for everyone. They put on a Madrigal Feast every year at Sparta High School. If you think this sounds fun next year try and go.

Cooking With Brianna and Kayla

Winter Wonderland

By Derek Tracy

December 3rd , in the town of Sparta, Wisconsin, the city was on the alert of becoming a winter wonderland, in the late evening of Friday night. Through out the days of Friday and Saturday, the city wide snowfall had began.

Children and even adults were overwhelmed from the snow that had fallen those days. During the weekend people gathered their gear and headed out to play in the snow. Kids in school were discussing plans and feelings about the start of the snow on Friday afternoon. Derrick Vian said "I was so excited to be able to snowboard, I wanted to just leave school."

This is only the first snowfall. Grab your shovel kids, this is only the beginning of winter. Their are many days of winter to come.

BCS Bowl Games

The NCAA Division 1 college football season has come to a conclusion and now we look forward to bowl games. Bowl Games will be held from December 18 until January 10. On January, 10 2011 the Tostitos BCS National Championship game will be played in Glendale, Arizona.

Championship week is exciting and very unpredictable with big opportunities for teams to move into contention and teams to break their opponents season hopes. With the Oregon Ducks and Auburn Tigers both winning on Saturday, the game is set as many experts have predicted, Oregon versus Auburn for the national championship.

Home state Wisconsin Badgers have also got the match up they predicted, The Badgers will face off with the TCU (Texas Christian University) Horned Frogs. This game will be played in Pasadena, California on January 1, 2011.

Every bowl game is promoted by a major sponsor. For example, the Badgers Rose Bowl is sponsored by VIZIO television company. Each bowl game has meaning behind why they are played and each game can change a universities future.

Senior Pictures

Choosing the perfect senior picture for the yearbook can be a hard decision for the graduating class. "I asked my family and friends which one they thought I should put in the yearbook." said Dana Geier, a current Sparta senior. Not only is choosing the right picture important, but so is the time and thought that goes into what you want your pose or setting in the picture to be.

The photographer you choose can also be crucial. "I got my senior pictures taken at Dammen's." said Lindsey Herr, another member of the graduating class. However, a lot of seniors got their pictures taken by family or friends.

"My older sister, Naomi took mine so I could save some money." added Geier. Nevertheless, senior pictures are still important and creates a special memory for the student later on in life.

"When you get them done it makes you feel accomplished because it's a big thing," says Geier. The majority of the senior population got their pictures taken and turned them in to the yearbook staff. Unfortunately, there will always be a few students who don't turn their pictures in.

"Not turning your picture into the yearbook means you'll get a Spartan head as your picture and that shows that you're not responsible." says Herr. As the year goes by, the junior class of 2012 also needs to start thinking about their senior pictures for the next coming year.

When asked what advice she would give to the juniors about senior pictures Geier says, "Pick where you want to get them done, if it's by a professional, family member, or friend. You should also always give your true opinion on what you think of the pictures so you can get the perfect ones you want."

"I would say to go wherever you want to go, get them done, and turn them in right away." added Herr. As the year gets further and further along, the Sparta High juniors should be taking this advice into account.

With the senior pictures turned in and the yearbooks ordered, the 2011 seniors can check that off of their to-do lists and move on to the next task at hand. Many of the graduating students are looking forward, and also feeling dread about seeing their last school picture in the yearbook.

Graduation is scheduled on May 28 at 8 pm. For the seniors this is a very important day. Their senior pictures only make their last year of high school more memorable and will represent who they were throughout high school; all the way until the class of 2011 Sparta High School seniors graduate that day in late May.

Badgers Going to the Rose Bowl

On January 1, 2011 the Wisconsin Badgers will be playing the TCU Horned Frogs at the Rose Bowl game in Pasadena, California.
 
The Wisconsin Badgers have a very good chance, and are expected to win at the Rose Bowl. "I expect the Badgers to win, they can beat anyone in the nation," said Garrett Geier. Many people feel the Wisconsin Badgers deserve a shot at the National Championship. "They can beat any team in the BCS, send them to the National Championship," said Geier.
 
The Badgers going to the Rose Bowl is good recognition for the school and means a lot to many Badger fans. "This means a lot to many people because when you think of the Rose Bowl and Badgers, you think of Ron Dayne or Barry Alveraz and now your going to think of new Badger legends like John Clay, Brett Bielema and J.J. Watt changing history," said Geier. This is a huge opportunity for the Badgers to make a bigger name for themselves.
 
Many people did not expect the Badgers to make it as far as they did. News reporters and even many fans expected the Badgers to finish third in the Big Ten, behind Iowa and Ohio State. "The Badgers were expected to lose to Iowa and Ohio State but they beat both of them in back-to-back weeks," said Geier. Mark May, a sports news reporter for ESPN News, was the only one giving the Badgers a shot, calling them the 'sleeper' team in the Big Ten. The Wisconsin Badgers proved many people wrong and put all they had into this season.

Student Council

The Sparta High School's Student Council is having Holidazzle Week from December 13 through December 18. Holidazzle is a week of school spirted activities just like Homecoming but in December for the Holidays. There will be dress up days for each day of the week such as Ugly Sweater Day on Tuesday the 14. "We will have a Peppermint Post Office," says Leah Wyland, the lead advisor of the High School's Student Council. Which you can buy different colored candy canes which have different meaning and send them to all your friends or your special someone. There will be a semi-formal dance on Saturday December 18 from 8PM to 10PM in the high school cafeteria. The cost is 5 dollars to get in or you could donate non-perishable food items or items for troops for seas and the cost would be 3 dollars to get in.

Holidazzle Week

The Sparta High School's Student Council is having Holidazzle Week from December 13 through December 18. Holidazzle is a week of school spirted activities just like Homecoming but in December for the Holidays. There will be dress up days for each day of the week such as Ugly Sweater Day on Tuesday the 14. "We will have a Peppermint Post Office," says Leah Wyland, the lead advisor of the High School's Student Council. Which you can buy different colored candy canes which have different meaning and send them to all your friends or your special someone. There will be a semi-formal dance on Saturday December 18 from 8PM to 10PM in the high school cafeteria. The cost is 5 dollars to get in or you could donate non-perishable food items or items for troops for seas and the cost would be 3 dollars to get in.

Intramural Basketball

The Sparta High Intramural Basketball season is starting next week. Intramural Basketball is for students that love basketball but do not want to go out for the regular team. The schedules are outside of Advisor Erik Forde's Room. There are currently 22 students signed up. "I would love for a few more students to join," said Forde. Usually they would have six teams, but due to the number of students that joined this year there will only be four. There will be six games in the season, then it will move to the playoffs, last would be the championship. They will play on nights Boy's and Girl's Basketball have games, so there will be an open gym to play in after school. If you are still interesting in joining talk to Forde.

Toys for Tots

The Sparta High School FCCLA recently sponsored a Grad Group charity drive for Toys for Tots. Toys for Tots is a program run by the United States Marine Corp Reserve which donates toys to children whose parents cannot afford to buy them gifts for Christmas. Toys for Tots was created in 1947 by Major William L. Hendricks. The Grad Groups got to pick one child or two children if they pleased. The toys for the children were due on Wednesday December 1. FCCLA and the High School sponsored approximately 85 children out of the 200 or more children in the Sparta Community in the Toys for Tots program.
 Some Grad Groups asked if they could have more time next year, as they thought they didn't have enough time to prepare since grad groups only meets on Wednesday of every week. "We can't start any earlier next year due to the Community has to collect applications for the program and prepare lists of the children. All the gifts needed to be wrapped so they can be collected on December 10th," says Mrs. Hoiness. The Fire Department and local churches around the area will deliver the presents to the families on Saturday, December 18. The advisor for Toys for Tots in the Sparta area is Michelle Frisk, if you have any questions about the program.

History Club

History Club at Sparta High School is ran by History teacher Erik Forde. History Club is always looking for new members to join. Last year they have gone on fields trips to Madison to see the Capital and other historic places, Veteran Museum and Cable Wisconsin Natural History Museum. History Club is selling their famous T-Shirts for $10 in a selection of colors which is still undecided. Flyers will be around the high school and on the announcements when they will be sold. They are currently looking for ideas and plans for the club. "We try to promote history in the school and promote history outside of the school." says Forde. Meetings are every Tuesday after school in Room 531. If you would like to join History Club just stop by at a meeting.

New Arrivals at the Library

Every year, the Sparta High School Library gets new books. Some are to replace old books that were either never returned or battered beyond belief, while others are continuations of series or completely new stories to our school's LMC. 

"Our graphic novels section has grown quite a bit," says Robin Reid, one of the dedicated librarians.

Anime and manga fans will be pleased to hear that the Fruits Basket manga in its entirety has made it to our school's bookshelves. Various other comics have arrived at our library as well. For our school's music fans, there are several books on the history of rock and roll, including books about Jim Morrison and histories on heavy metal.  

"We have a lot of books for young men," Reid said when asked about the new arrivals at the library.

The library has also acquired sequels and updated many of the series previously offered in the library, such as the "Tales of the Otori" by Lian Hearn. They have also taken in more works by James Patterson, author of the popular series "Maximum Ride".

For the nonfiction readers, there have been books arriving dealing with survivors of child abuse. Study guide materials have also become available, which is a good thing as students prepare to take their ACTs and SATs.  

The LMC has also increased the number of DVDs in its collection. This is good news for both teachers looking for visuals to use in class, as well as students looking for a vocal and visual reference for an upcoming report.

The LMC also continues to regularly receive various newspapers and magazines, both of which are also good references for reports.

All sorts of wonderfully interesting reads have taken their place in our school's library. From fantasy to historical, social problems to comic books, the Sparta High School library has something for everyone.