Invisible Children

Invisible Children involves quite a bit more than just children.

Invisible Children is a non-profit organization that collects donations of school supplies and money to send to Uganda in Africa. Uganda is home to a child war that has been happening for over twenty years. Army men sneak into camps at night and steal children from their houses. Sometimes, this even occurs in broad day light. These children are then forced to fight against their own families, being taught to use a gun and how to kill as young as age seven.

Invisible Children raises funds in order to rebuild schools in Uganda so the children have a place to look forward to. The money also goes to efforts trying to put an end to the child war, and help negotiate peace terms between the people.

Zimmerman High School has been a proud supporter of Invisible Children for the past four years. They have done many community projects like collecting money donations, collecting childrens books and sponsoring local band shows to raise money to send to Invisible Children.

Look for the posters around town with information on the upcoming Invisible Children events.

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Story 7

The Harshest Teacher

There are 137* people named Michele Olson in the United states. However, there is only one Michele Olson teaching at Zimmerman High School.

Olson teaches twelfth grade government first semester, and ninth grade geography second semester. She is known to the students as one of the harshest teachers in the high school. Olson has heard many students complaining in the hallways about her classes being "too difficult, unfair and lame". Olson says, "To some degree the gossip bothers me, but changing my teaching style for them is out of my comfort zone. Frankly, it frightens me."

Olson stated, "I would like to think that the gossip is only from the students that are failing, and that’s why they complain." Olson believes that she has fair grading levels, because she follows the school rules as closely as possible. She said, "I give all the students ample time to hand in the assignments but somehow I always end up with a basket full of late work at the end of the semester. Sometimes I think I give some students too much leeway." Comparing how other staff in the building handle grades, students commonly think that Olson is unfair. However, "I am teaching the students responsibility and to learn how to deal with the consequences of their actions," Olson explained, "Having to deal with all the stress of rumors or an unwanted busy day at work can be tough, but having a husband to vent to is wonderful."

Olson’s husband Rob is also a ninth and twelfth grade teacher. Thus he has dealt with a lot of the same problems that she has. "I love being married to a teacher. We have a better understanding of each other, and can give advice after a bad day at work," she expressed. Before they were married, they had talked about how they would raise future children. Both of the Olson’s agreed they would be the ones to raise the kids, and not a babysitter. They took turns staying home with their two children for seven years. "Don‘t get me wrong, I love my kids, but being home 24/7/365 was tiring also. It was nice to go back to work and be around adults again," Michele stated.

Michele also stated, "Teaching the senior class is my favorite. I get a kick out of it when they come in to talk to me about personal life." Most of the seniors are 18 and have jobs after school. "The kids are always busy, but they still like to come and talk. Its nice that they see me as a human being too, not just the rumored ‘mean teacher’," Michele commented. Michele is also involved with the seniors because of graduation, and having a more personal relationship normally helps teachers to help students in the long run. She helps coordinate the ceremony and making sure the students are passing classes in order to graduate. "I don’t want students to fail, but I can’t force them to participate in my class if they don’t want too," Michele noted, "I have had some rough days, especially before my current job, but I get through it with the help of my husband and advice from some students that know me a bit more personally."


In every high school, and every class, teachers are always said to have "teachers pets". Michele believes that, "Its hard to treat every student equally. I try not to show favoritism, but it inevitably happens."

Life as a teacher is known for its rough days, long hours of grading, and the occasional break-down of a teacher. Michele has experienced all of these qualities personally. "My most interesting memory of teaching is also my worst. I was just a substitute teacher at this point, and I was in Big Lake for the day," Michele explained, "I was teaching a class of seventh graders, and they were quite an unruly bunch. Every hour I taught, I had to send three to five students out to the hallway. When the principal came in to talk to me at the end of the day, I broke down crying. It was a terrible experience, I never wanted to go back." Being a substitute, and needing the money that working provided, Michele did go back to Big Lake the following week. "I was teaching a different grade that day, but a number of the seventh graders came up to me in the hallway and apologized. I also received hand-made apology cards from every student in the seventh grade class."


*According to www.howmanyofme.com

Story 6

Rock Star Professor or Loving Mother

Alejandra Estrin Dashe has worked for Anoka Ramsey Community College for about a year. She is a professor of Anthropology; teaching online, classroom and hybrid classes. Yet, amiss all the chaos of her career, she gave birth to a baby girl earlier this summer.

Dashe says, "Nothing wakes you up and puts you in a better mood than Gabriella; my daughter. Gabby is a ray of sunshine for this anti-morning person (me)." Dashe now has to learn how to balance her career with her daughter, along with rest of her family. Dashe said, "I’ve learned to be more organized and efficient at working." Even though the new addition to her family takes a great amount of time and has quite a few learning curves, "She means the world to me and everything I do is for her now," Dashe stated.

Dashe knew that she had to choose to have a career and have kids later, or to try and handle kids while finishing her schooling. "Many women have to choose and I chose to wait to have kids…. It was HARD," Dashe said, "I love being academic, but it was a huge trade-off for me. I also had to choose what kind of academic I wanted to be; A rock star professor…or just a teacher?" Having chose to wait for kids, Dashe put her career first and became a successful professor. Having a career already in place meant that she wouldn’t have to be searching for a job while trying to raise a new baby. It would be worth the wait to have everything in place for her future kids.

"Don’t have kids with some random person, because you are connected to that person forever if you have a kid with them," Dashe stated. Choosing her career first was a hard enough decision, but Dashe also had a rough time finding prince charming. Dashes’ prince charming would have to meet a few requirements, but before she met him "went through a lot of idiots" to find the right guy. "Falling in love with someone should be about personality not just beauty, because you don’t have your beauty when you’re 70 years old," Dashe acknowledged. When Dashe met the man who would become her husband, he had all the right qualities; "A Jewish man that had similar thinking and conversational style, political views and academic credentials," declared Dashe. Having a man that was alike her in many ways was important, she wanted to be good parents when the time eventually came. "It was hard to find the right person because of the alphabet soup I have after my name, because of my degrees. It freaks men out," laughed Dashe.

Having a daughter and being able to also teach as a professor means that Dashe is quite content with life. Smiling Dashe said, "When Gabby sees you, she smiles this big smile… and all you can do is just laugh along with her."

Story 5

Seussical the Musical COMING SOON

This fall, at Zimmerman High School, drama veterans Cassie Heyer, Sylvia Michaels, and Jessica Parnow will be performing in Seussical the Musical.
 Heyer, a senior at Zimmerman High School, just started acting in the spring of 2010. She scored a major role in The Wizard of Oz playing the wicked witch and in Seussical the Musical, playing a smart-alecky bird. Michaels, a Sophomore at Zimmerman High School and acting since seventh grade, has been in many plays, acquiring more vigorous roles each year. Describing her current role as a monkey in Seussical the Musical, she said, "It’s pretty crazy!" Parnow, also a Senior at Zimmerman High School, has been cast in many roles, but she most often finds herself working with the technical crew, an area she really enjoys.

All three girls stated that they take part in drama because of peer pressure. Parnow said, " ‘Shewski wanted me to be a techie for the three act because I didn’t make it into the play, so I did and I liked it." Heyer said that " Señor ‘Shewski had wanted her to try out" and Michaels talked about her friends that were trying out, so she audition too.

Play director and Spanish teacher Mr. (Señor) Palashewski makes sure the rehearsal times are fun yet beneficial for the students. Having a rather long last name, most students have taken to calling him ‘Shewski, or Señor if they are in his Spanish class. The atmosphere during rehearsal time is relaxed and playful yet informational, thanks, in part, to their director. Some of the cast members lovingly described him as nice, different and unique.

"All techies, stage hands and the cast attend rehearsals for more than two hours after school every day to prepare for opening night," Heyer noted. During rehearsals, cast members start by using the play books to read lines, figure out where to stand and what movements to make. By the second or third week however, they are expected to have their lines memorized and be able to work with the rest of the cast in a rough estimate of the scenes. The set is arranged by stage hands, technical crew, and cast members that aren’t on stage for each scene. The stage props are usually brought in from home by different cast members and ‘Shewski. "Whoever has furniture or decorations that might help with the musical brings it in… it is like a huge family helping each other out in a small community," said a new cast member.

Drama is a huge part of Zimmerman High School because it gives the Arts a rare moment to shine. Although Zimmerman doesn’t have a fancy theatre to perform in, it doesn’t stop the drama students from being proud of their performances in the cafetorium; making good use of the little space they have.

This fall, Seussical the Musical will be performed on November 19^{th and 20th at 7:00 p.m, and November 21st at 2:00 p.m.," stated Heyer.}

Story 4

Music as a Passion

Nine years old and already involved in music. Alexis Cantwell had started to play the violin, soon to switch to a trumpet. She became immersed with a passion that would continue throughout her life.

Cantwell said, "I started [music] because it intrigued me so much. There is life in music that grows and dies by the notes. All music is likable… ".

She switched schools in 5^{th grade, and her only choice was a recorder. Cantwell said, "That was agonizing to say the least, but 6th grade I started middle school and got to play trumpet again." By the next year, she was asked if she wanted to switch to a "less popular" instrument to help balance out the band, she agreed and switched to baritone.}

Interview Transcript

Is this what it is suppose to look like??

This was an interview done via e-mail with Alex Cantwell on 10/8/10
Q. What is something interesting about you? (Do you have a favorite hobby or sport that you are involved in?)A. My Hobbie, that will last me my lifetime, is music.

Q. (about the above mentioned ^ ) How long have you been involved with this? A. In music classes and such I've been doing music since 3rd grade at my music magnet school but listening and playing random instruments was since I was born

Q. Why did you start this activity? A. I started this activity because music intrigued me so much. There is life in music that grows and dies by the notes. All music is likable by someone which makes it amazing even if by small numbers. Playing and listening to all kinds of music can really help if you need to start up a conversation.

Q. Are you close with someone else involved in this? Have any relationships or other oportunities arisen because of your involvement? A. My mother is very much in love with music as well but not as me I don't think haha. When she was in high school, she joined the marching band. Later on someone heard her voice and she was to sing in front of the entire school for the mb. That event started her into many different things with music and all that. After all that she had been in 2 different bands that went on tour. She was lead singer for both of them, they would redo famous songs at that time, nothing too big, but she met a whole lot of awesome people (including my father ;) ). I think I have a voice for singing well but I would not sing in front anyone other than close friends. In my band classes in the years you get really good friendships with those who stay in the band for longer than middle school and freshmen year. My high school takes the music classes for trips around the state and country for things from big bucks fundraisers just to play to New York City to visit for a week. New York costs money to be get there and be there but still hell of a time. This year it's florida for just the band class. Music, but band especially, is awesome!

Q. What if you ever had to stop doing this? Would you miss it? A. If I ever had to stop playing music I would die a little inside every day. Sure, there's always things to listen to but unless you get to play it, the music loses its flavor. Some definitely don't have a musical intelligence but most of them don't mind not having to play the music they hear. Every chance I get, I sit on a piano or trumpet and try to just get all the notes right from trial and error.

Q. Why did you start this activity in the first place? A. This question sort of seems redundant 0.0

Q. Has it been expensive and/or time consuming?A. Joining band itself has some big fees attached like if you play a school-owned instrument or a trip wherever money. Marching band is a whole other matter. To be in the band of mb you must be in band. To do the frontline or pit, the marimbas and xylophones, a music class. Colorguard, you don't even have to know what a trombone is but knowing tempo and where to get it from should be known. MB has fees that are much larger than regular band. Going on a weekend trip to St. Louis or even Marshall, MN takes a lot of money. Coach buses, instruments, uniforms, and all that jazz is a bunch of mula.


Q. What do you get from this activity?A. I got a lot of friendships, experience, jokes, laughs, amazing memories, and a lot of general knowledge that most usually teachers wouldn't say. Music is so versatile that it can conform like water but won't move like a solid and also can't be kept like gas. Music, if you let it, can be that one thing to keep you going. I can not, and choose not, to live without music.

Story 3

Major Setback Doesn’t Stop Cyclist

Without meaning to, Marsha L. Taylor became involved in cycling. Her passion, however, was put on hold when she was injured in a motor-vehicle/cyclist accident after the U.S. cyclist Tour.

Taylor said, "I must have ridden at least maybe 3,500 miles because… I rode in the annual Governors Bicycle Tour… and a tour across the United states this year."

Shortly after she came home to Zimmerman after the U.S. Tour, she was hit from behind while on a short ride and went flying off her bike. "A lot of it is hazy" to her, but once in the hospital, she was told she had was lucky that she hadn‘t been paralyzed. After a couple weeks and the beginning of therapy, she was informed that more complications had developed. Her recovery would now take at least four months instead of the original two.

Despite all of this, she would "be out there right now, but its hard to ride when you have to use crutches". She says, despite her accident, "if you use precautions and wear a helmet, cycling can be pretty safe."

Taylor started cycling while in college as a way of keeping fit. Eventually, she became involved in rides and races. Taylor said, "Since then, it’s been a major part of my life." She has been living in Zimmerman for 15 years, since she took a manager position at McDonalds.


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