"Violet On the Runway"

Book review: “Violet On The Runway” by Melissa Walker

Reviewed by Kisha Birmingham (senior)

Living in our society today, lots of money and gorgeous looks are the new power. It seems as if every little girl wants to be the next Brittany Spears, Paris Hilton, or Tyra Banks. When it comes down to being a rich and famous supermodel, not too many people know the hardships that go into these glamorous careers.

Violet Greenfield, a plain-Jane high school senior, has always wanted something new in her life. In the book “Violet On The Runway”, she has the weirdest experience while working at their local movie theater. A very exotic and fabulous woman enters with designer frames, a tremendously huge purse, skinny jeans, and a very expensive phone, comes whisking through the lobby. As Violet admires the aura of this lady, she slips into a trance and acts as if she is a runway model. Acting silly in front of her friends is all that she intended to be doing. But when the “Glam Lady” sees her, she shrieks.

Forgetting about the complaint she was going to make about them needing more multiple shows, she just looks Violet up and down. Then she scrambles out all these questions like “Are you signed?” “Who’s your manager?” “Can you walk like that again?” With all of the dull answers she received, out came a business card for Tyrst Modeling Agency in New York City. “I think you are our new ‘it’ girl.” With them establishing the fact that her parents need to get involved, the “Glam Lady” leaves Violet speechless.

As you read, you will get a glimpse of how the real modeling world is operated, and if Violet Greenfield will succeed at a dream of a lifetime.

One thing that adds to the nature of this book is Walker kept every aspect of the details modernized. The objects went from stores like Forever 21 and H&M, to vintage clothing like flats, skinny jeans, and huge designer bags and shades.

This book is for any age, especially for girls, and anyone who wants to get a sense of what the whirlwind of modeling is like. I give this book an “A” because of its specific choices of words, thoughts, hopes and dreams of anyone who starts to live their life I the fast lane. The descriptions stayed focus on the behind the scenes outlook and the ups and downs that can come from any modeling experience. Jealousy and self-perfection are common themes in the different chapters. If I were you, I would read this book and impatiently wait for the sequel.

Leadership dinner

The Portraits in Leadership Dinner held on October 11th highlighted friends of Messmer: students, teachers, and donors. Senior Justine shorter spoke about her experiences at Messmer and brought everyone to their feet!



By Justine Shorter (senior)

“Lord, bless me with the words to say and I will deliver your message.”

These were the words that rang throughout my mind as I prepared to give a speech for donors, supporters, volunteers and the Messmer community at the Portraits and Leadership Dinner.

A few years ago I promised God that if he healed my spirit and granted me some sort of emotional solace that I would tell my story to anyone who needed inspiration or proof of his grace. As a result, I was asked to present the Christen Faith and Leadership award to two of Messmer’s most generous donors. Unfortunately, they were unable to attend so I spoke about the love, warmth and support that make Messmer such an esteemed institution.

Confidence and calmness ideally ease the mind when speaking in front of more then 500 people if the subject you’re addressing is wrapped in passion. For instance my speech concluded with these remarks, which highlights elements pivotal to my connection with Messmer.

“When I think of Messmer I recognize the countless hours teachers devoted reading material to me. I acknowledge the students who walked me to my bus stop so I wouldn’t have to determine the distance of oncoming traffic by listening. And I appreciate the presence of God throughout the building, which continues to calm my soul whenever my life becomes submerged in chaos.”

If I can affect just one person with my words, then my purpose on earth will be fulfilled. Due to the gratifying reaction of those in the audience after the ceremony was over, I am confident that what I had to say impacted the life of someone in some small way - which makes the entire event sentimentally satisfying.

Madagascar culture makes a quick visit to Messmer's classrooms

By Justine Shorter (senior)

Exquisite culture and memorizing wildlife are just a few of the distinctive indulgences that define Madagascar and the Madagascan people. The colors, land, traditions, animals and natives all appear to be composed of a rare substance that neither scientists nor sociologists can effectively explain.

Courtney Martin, 24, a Peace Core volunteer working in rural Madagascar, has embarked on a quest to educate locals on pivotal matters such as environmental preservation and nutrition.

“It’s such a wonderful opportunity! I love the people, they’re so nice and they treat me like a daughter,” explained Martin.

From leaping Lemurs to astonishing aquatic life, Madagascar is undeniably draped with extraordinary elements. Due to this, observers, teachers, tourists, scientists, students, volunteers and environmentalists worldwide travel to this exceptional African country in hopes of conserving a piece history.

‘The most difficult aspect of what I do is trying to come up with new and creative ideas to preserve the rain forest and such a beautiful country while also finding ways to nutritiously feed the people that live there without destroying the land,” said Martin.

Martin went on to mention that there were certainly some cultural differences she had to become adjusted with. “The people are very outspoken. Many times they call me fat which represents wealth or if I’m walking through the village someone might just say ‘Hey white girl‘”.

Martin, Green Bay, WI, has lived in Madagascar for over a year and highly anticipates the remainders of her two tears stay before returning to Wisconsin to complete grad school at Marquette University. “I would definitely consider staying in Madagascar if I was offered a good position but I want to finish school and continue other things in my life,” concluded Martin.

Who has the most class spirit?

Freshmen
Sophomore
Juniors
Senior Guidance Counselor

Soccer

By Tyler English (junior)
Do you know about our soccer team this year?

There are about 25 players on this year’s soccer team, plus me, the goalie. Our two captains for the year are Melvin Coulter (junior) and junior Gerardo Saaveda (Heras).

We have a new look this year because the team got new Adidas uniforms thanks to our great coach, Mr. Reiss, who is one of the best coaches you can have. He gives great advice and tries to help out when ever he can. We have won 3 games and lost 7, which is great considering this is our first year playing all varsity teams.

There is a game today at 4:30 and at our home field, but unfortunately it is cancelled. You can still support us in post-season games, though!

Mr. P!

By Terrance Hankins

Those who have his English 1 or English 4 know that he has only been here for only a short time, but Mr. Puddicombe is showing his love and dedication to Messmer already! He arrived on the 10th of September and started teaching two days later.

While teaching English is not everyone’s passion, Puddicombe finds that, “Literature connects with people and helps you learn more about them.” His passion is to work with other people, mainly children, which is evident when he found that being a stockbroker was not what he wanted to do. You do not find many children in that business!

Originally born in Waukesha, Mr. P now lives only two miles away from school in Glendale. He says that Milwaukee and Waukesha are different in terms of diversity. Waukesha is more of a suburban area, but being here allows him to be around more diverse people and allows him to see the world as it is.

Puddicombe may not have been in our school for very long, but he likes what he sees here. “It seems very affectionate here, and the teachers are very compassionate about their students’ success,” says Puddicombe. He fits in just fine with the other teachers; his love for children has given him many experiences, especially when he was a counselor at a summer camp in Minneapolis. There he worked with and alongside high school and college students.

So what is Mr. P interested in outside of school? Well, he believes that more money should be invested into education and healthcare. If the government spent more time bettering and taking care of its own, it wouldn’t have the time to worry about what other countries are doing. He also believes that investments in foreign aid would help bind the world. This shows that he believes education comes first and wants a world of peace to do so.

Ever since he started biking to work, Puddicombe has found it to be enjoyable. He has even participated in races. He also enjoys playing the acoustic guitar. A friend of his taught him how to play, and he took it from there, although he doesn’t play much now.
For fun, he once dressed up as a leprechaun on St. Patrick’s Day, but he never did it again.

Puddicombe says that there is nothing he finds discouraging about another person. “I do my best to find something good in anyone,” he said. After a little more elaboration he stated, “I think it bugs me when people quit”.

Puddicombe ended by saying, “I’m exited to be here”, and the Messmer family is proud to have him here.

2007 Foursquare Staff

Oct. 8 - 12 is spirit week!

By Gloria Brookens (senior)

For the week of Oct. 8th, every day had a theme that helped students share the spirit of appreication for Fall sports and activities:

Monday= the student show their love for Messmer and wear anything that rep Messmer. Blue and white all the way; Messmer Bishops are on their way!

Tuesday= Students from extra circurricular and sports show off their pride while sporting a team or group shirt. Lots of red for student council!


Wednesday= Calling all nurses and doctors to the ER! Students show off their furture as they dress
to express their carerers of the furtu. Everything from doctors to choreographers were in the building
because they all "build one another up."



Frday = students and teaches re they colors. BLACK, WHITE, ORANGE, BLUE, and RED roam Messmer High building with each grade dressing in their own color. Go BISHOPS GO and head to the pep rally at the end of the school day!

From Costa Rica to Milwaukee - Mrs. Cristina Edgar

By Shaina Dupar (senior)

Mrs. Cristina Edgar is a new Spanish teacher here at Messmer. She was born in Costa Rica and moved here to Milwaukee about 20 years ago.

Costa Rica is in Central America, located North of Panama and South of Nicaragua. She has visited five places outside the United States including Panama, Guatemala, Mexico, Columbia, and San Andres Island. She somewhat stumbled upon the ad for a teaching position at Messemer High School with intentions to inquire about the job. Unfortunately, she lost the ad and did not find it for another five days! Lucky for us called and scheduled interview, and the next day after the interview she got the job. She says that she believes God landed her this job for reasoning beyond just teaching.

Mrs. Edgar has been teaching for over five years now and has had experience-teaching students with special needs and at risk students in Wauwatosa. She has also taught Spanish to college students and was a teacher for Milwaukee public Schools.

“I love Messmer. I feel welcomed here, and the staff and students are great. My job is not only teaching, it’s about life skills, and I learn from my students as they learn from me.”

Edgar has two children: Albert who is a seventeen-year-old junior in high school and David who is just eleven. Mrs. Edgar chose Milwaukee over any other city because her husband’s family lives here, and she feels that it is a great place for her children to live.

A Man of many journies: Mr. Ketterhagen

By Ashley Sartin

Mark Ketterhagen grew up just outside of Milwaukee in Brookfield where he went to Catholic Memorial High School in Waukesha.

“I have six brothers and sisters,” said Ketterhagen, “Out of all of us, my mother, sister and myself are all teachers.”

Ketterhagen attended college at Ohio State University, where he earned his teaching degree in English, and begin student teaching. Soon after that he traveled to Japan, where he also taught. I know many wonder; what made him became a teacher?

“My high school English teachers changed my life as did just being a senior,” says Ketterhagen. Since then, he has been teaching for two years. At Messmer, Ketterhagen teaches; English 4, Writer’s Workshop, and Advanced Oral Communications to students in all grades.

Throughout high school and college, Ketterhagen has played a numerous of extracurricular activities. He has played hockey, soccer, and was on the ski team, and fencing team. He is not only smart, but he is an athlete. If needed, Ketterhagen stated that he will coach any sport.

For fun, “Mr. K” likes to play the guitar, hockey, football, and go out to dinner. He also likes to watch his favorite football team, The Greenbay Packers, and his favorite hockey team: The Toronto Maple Leafs. Ketterhagen likes to listen to Jazz, Rock, and Classical. “Basically everything except for Rap and Country music”, responded Ketterhagen.

In about two and a half weeks, Mark Ketterhagen will be getting married to his fiancée Sarah. Ketterhagen and Sarah have traveled to twenty-six countries throughout the world. I guess you can say they like to travel.

“I love Messmer so far, the faculty is great, and the students are unbelievably smart. And Messmer has such a lively environment,” says Ketterhagen. Ketterhagen is truly a wonderful and talented man, with big hopes and dreams. If you have not met him be sure you do.

Got the skills for the newspaper?

By Justine Shorter (senior) and Gloria Brookens (senior)


Faithful readers often overlook the time, effort, and dedication it takes to produce newspapers and magazines.

Senior Amanda Sheaffer, editor-in-chief of Marquette Tribune, describes her position as a 24/7 job.

“Working at the Tribune is a crash course in time management,” the chief exclaims.

Sheaffer also mentioned the devotion it takes to maintain her grades and run such an esteem paper as the Tribune, which prints about 10,000 copies twice weekly.

She admitted that running paper is very time consuming but it is all about finding the balance.

Phil Caruso, assistant campus editor of the Tribune, declares that although working at a paper can be tedious staff member certainly gain reek beneficial rewards.

“I have learned more working at the Trib then I ever have at any journalism course,” explains Caruso.

Caruso, Junior, has been an activate member with the Tribune since his freshmen year. The savvy campus editor acknowledges the difficulties of maintaining deadlines among all writers.

Even though there are two newspapers at Marquette the Tribune feels no threat that students will not stop and read their writing.

To follow their motto ,“A student first and Tribune second”, is no problem for no one there. All nights and days but there are guarantees that both are going to get done.

Students visit Marquette School of Communication

By Kisha Birmingham (senior)

During the first week of October, Marquette undergraduates, Amanda Sheaffer and Phil Caruso, spoke with Messmer High School students about he work and dedication they put in the Marquette Tribune.

Sheaffer is a senior this year and the Editor and Chief of the Tribune. She takes 18 credits while still being able to manage her duties of the newspaper. Caruso’s job at the Tribune is the Assistant Campus News Editor.

The Marquette Tribune has a rotation of about 10,000 copies. It is available every Tuesday and Thursdays around numerous sites in and surrounding the campus. The main topics are the students, Milwaukee issue, and the university itself.

The Tribune includes entries that are inspiring stories, profiles, crime news, athletics, and feature stories. This paper may be the main student paper on campus, but it does have competition. The Marquee is a newspaper that focuses on art and entertainment in the university. The Marquette Warrior is a paper that goes towards a different audience in terms of interests and education.

When it comes to completing the Tribune, deadlines are extremely important, according to Caruso. If article are not completed by the deadline, “A phone call is their reminder if they’re late.” Shaeffer said. The deadline for the entries is at 3:00 p.m. on Mondays. 25 cents an hour is a consequence that the writers have to pay if they do not meet the deadlines.

When it comes down to bringing the whole paper together, all of the editors go over the stories two to three times. There is a thing called “late nights” when everyone stays in the office to put everything in place. The articles are digitally put on a newspaper layout, printed, edited another three times, and finally put into Adobe when the finals are completed. They are then electronically sent to a printing service in West Allis.

There are many jobs available if you want to be apart of a newspaper crew in Marquette University.

“Just continue to write and get internships,” Sheaffer states as inspiring advice for new and upcoming writers.

Marquette has a great educational advantage for their students, including informational resources for their safety and greater good as students.