A goodbye for now
December 21 By ken forbeck
Right now I am the Chief Editor for this newspaper, but I will be leaving soon, so it’s t that I explain why.
In high school many students look for opportunities to pursue their pas- sions, and while some and it, others may not.
One way to pursue interest away from home or regular school is to attend a semester school.
A semester school is a school a student attends for a semester that is focused intensely on a topic or skill like entrepreneurship, the environment, international studies, or music.
I have found that my passion is in the outdoors. Because of the ominous threats and hardships our natural world faces on a regular basis, I want to learn
more and eventually help protect our Earth. Conserve School is a semester school that allows a Junior or Sophomore in high school that shows an interest in environmental studies to intensely learn about the environment through hands on activities.
The school is located at Land O’ Lakes, WI and host about 60 students a semester.
The application process is a bit competitive as the applicant has to submit written essays, a graded paper, get two letters of recommendation, and more to be reviewed by the ad- missions staff.
And there are only about one out of every three female applicants that get in because of more female applications and about two out of every three male applicants that get in.
Though one of the reasons that this school stands out is that every accepted student gets a Lowenstine Honors Scholarship which until the 2018-19 school year mostly covers the cost of a whole semester that $25,000 cost of attending except for a small $200 fee. Yet, for students that plan to attend after the spring 2017 semester they will only be guaranteed $10,000 in their Lowenstine Honors Scholarship and could pay more based on their family income.
And, while the school has much of what students need, there are cost of buy- ing gear and transporting the student to and from school that families have to pay for.
I ended up getting through the application process, got interviewed, and then got accepted to attend the spring semester in 2018, I was ecstatic.
So after first semester I am leaving to go to Conserve School whose mission, posted on its website, is “to inspire young people to environmental stewardship through academics and engagement with the forests, lakes, and wildlife of Lowenwood.”
In high school many students look for opportunities to pursue their pas- sions, and while some and it, others may not.
One way to pursue interest away from home or regular school is to attend a semester school.
A semester school is a school a student attends for a semester that is focused intensely on a topic or skill like entrepreneurship, the environment, international studies, or music.
I have found that my passion is in the outdoors. Because of the ominous threats and hardships our natural world faces on a regular basis, I want to learn
more and eventually help protect our Earth. Conserve School is a semester school that allows a Junior or Sophomore in high school that shows an interest in environmental studies to intensely learn about the environment through hands on activities.
The school is located at Land O’ Lakes, WI and host about 60 students a semester.
The application process is a bit competitive as the applicant has to submit written essays, a graded paper, get two letters of recommendation, and more to be reviewed by the ad- missions staff.
And there are only about one out of every three female applicants that get in because of more female applications and about two out of every three male applicants that get in.
Though one of the reasons that this school stands out is that every accepted student gets a Lowenstine Honors Scholarship which until the 2018-19 school year mostly covers the cost of a whole semester that $25,000 cost of attending except for a small $200 fee. Yet, for students that plan to attend after the spring 2017 semester they will only be guaranteed $10,000 in their Lowenstine Honors Scholarship and could pay more based on their family income.
And, while the school has much of what students need, there are cost of buy- ing gear and transporting the student to and from school that families have to pay for.
I ended up getting through the application process, got interviewed, and then got accepted to attend the spring semester in 2018, I was ecstatic.
So after first semester I am leaving to go to Conserve School whose mission, posted on its website, is “to inspire young people to environmental stewardship through academics and engagement with the forests, lakes, and wildlife of Lowenwood.”
A Message of ThankfulNess
December 1 By Ken Forbeck
Thanksgiving recently passed, and I just want to remind everyone to still be thankful for the people around them.
And if you aren’t at the best of terms with somebody, the holiday season could be a great time to try to resolve it by remembering the great things that have happened with them instead of holding a small grudge.
This is a time to bring food and presents, expecting nothing in return but the company of your friends and family.
And one thing that we all should work on is being thankful for what we are given because there are people right next to us and around the world that have it worse than we do.
So while sitting around eating or opening presents, let’s not complain but rather chat about the good things in life.
Yet if you and yourself sharing something that you want to complain about, then may be talk about what can be done to x it.
Y o u do, after all, have a lot more brains in the room than usual during the holiday season.
While I usually talk about issues that are bothering me and give voice to my personal values that many of you may share, I do want to say thanks.
Since this issue is out after Thanksgiving this is a bit late but still relevant.
I want to say thank you to all my classmates that have made my high school experience so amazing.
I want to thank all the teachers that have helped me out especially after I was sick early in the school year.
I want like to thank all the people that make the Criterion possible whether you just make time to get me some information or whether you have written a story or sent in information.
I want to thank my family that may be annoying at times but makes it possible for me to do what I do.
Finally, I want to thank all the people that have made me smile over the years, whether I met you a day ago or when I was little. Every moment of happiness is some- thing to be thankful for.
And if you aren’t at the best of terms with somebody, the holiday season could be a great time to try to resolve it by remembering the great things that have happened with them instead of holding a small grudge.
This is a time to bring food and presents, expecting nothing in return but the company of your friends and family.
And one thing that we all should work on is being thankful for what we are given because there are people right next to us and around the world that have it worse than we do.
So while sitting around eating or opening presents, let’s not complain but rather chat about the good things in life.
Yet if you and yourself sharing something that you want to complain about, then may be talk about what can be done to x it.
Y o u do, after all, have a lot more brains in the room than usual during the holiday season.
While I usually talk about issues that are bothering me and give voice to my personal values that many of you may share, I do want to say thanks.
Since this issue is out after Thanksgiving this is a bit late but still relevant.
I want to say thank you to all my classmates that have made my high school experience so amazing.
I want to thank all the teachers that have helped me out especially after I was sick early in the school year.
I want like to thank all the people that make the Criterion possible whether you just make time to get me some information or whether you have written a story or sent in information.
I want to thank my family that may be annoying at times but makes it possible for me to do what I do.
Finally, I want to thank all the people that have made me smile over the years, whether I met you a day ago or when I was little. Every moment of happiness is some- thing to be thankful for.
Stand for what is right
November 2 By Ken Forbeck
There are lots of challenges everybody has to go through in life, and sometimes they need some support.
We have a norm I have noticed in our society that when somebody does something that is kind of wrong that if possible we ignore it, shake our heads, and move on without a word.
If you see somebody getting picked on or treated unfairly say something and stop it.
And excuses like “joking around” shouldn’t be accepted. Not everybody can or will stand up for themselves, and while you shouldn’t get yourself into dangerous situations, you should take a stand for what is right.
We should all stand for equality and caring in our communities whether it is just shown through our daily actions or if we make friends with and support a fellow student that is going through a rough time.
We all should stand for what we know is right and help others.
I hope all of you make these words into actions and say “I will” instead of “somebody else will.”
None of us can be neutral to the wrongs of society in this modern era. If we do, then we unknowingly aid the wrong side.
We have a norm I have noticed in our society that when somebody does something that is kind of wrong that if possible we ignore it, shake our heads, and move on without a word.
If you see somebody getting picked on or treated unfairly say something and stop it.
And excuses like “joking around” shouldn’t be accepted. Not everybody can or will stand up for themselves, and while you shouldn’t get yourself into dangerous situations, you should take a stand for what is right.
We should all stand for equality and caring in our communities whether it is just shown through our daily actions or if we make friends with and support a fellow student that is going through a rough time.
We all should stand for what we know is right and help others.
I hope all of you make these words into actions and say “I will” instead of “somebody else will.”
None of us can be neutral to the wrongs of society in this modern era. If we do, then we unknowingly aid the wrong side.
Take a Chance this homecoming
September 29 By Ken Forbeck
During high school and most of life, opportunities don’t come around too often. Sometimes, we only get only one chance to take one
when we see it.
With Homecoming coming up, you only have one chance to ask that crush out. Don’t let the chances of rejection or failure scare you away from a great Homecoming.
In the words of hockey great Wayne Gretzky, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take,” and you only have the one chance a year to enjoy Homecoming with your friends.
In the midst of homework and test which are so important to the future, you have to remember that we are students that need to balance work and fun.
So live in the now and let some of the stress go.
So, taking my own advice, I want to ask Gabby Petruzzello: Will you go to Homecoming with me?
As we prepare for Homecoming, make sure to share these brave and one-time moments with the Criterion so that everyone can see!
when we see it.
With Homecoming coming up, you only have one chance to ask that crush out. Don’t let the chances of rejection or failure scare you away from a great Homecoming.
In the words of hockey great Wayne Gretzky, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take,” and you only have the one chance a year to enjoy Homecoming with your friends.
In the midst of homework and test which are so important to the future, you have to remember that we are students that need to balance work and fun.
So live in the now and let some of the stress go.
So, taking my own advice, I want to ask Gabby Petruzzello: Will you go to Homecoming with me?
As we prepare for Homecoming, make sure to share these brave and one-time moments with the Criterion so that everyone can see!