Trojan Tribune Staff

   West Central’s National Honor Society successfully carried out their “WC on the Move for Cystic Fibrosis” fundraiser May 12. High school students had a record amount of pledges, which totaled $2,230. Sophomore Dez Duggan was the student who raised the most money, and the freshmen class raised the most money out of all the classes. The money raised will be sent to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, an organization that is actively researching a cure for cystic fibrosis.

   During the fundraiser, students enjoyed participating in the various team competitions, such as dodge ball and kickball, while other students had fun watching a movie in the auditorium. The blue team, consisting of seniors, was the team who placed first during the competition. The second place team was the junior blue team.

Trojan Tribune Staff

Photo by Kari Lena

   If you tuned into Sioux Falls radio station Mix 97.3 on the morning of April 29, you might have heard a few familiar voices on air. After a visit to the station during a News Media class field trip the previous day, Justin Bergeson and Candice Lipscomb were invited to present their advice column Dear Justin and Candice on Ben and Patty’s morning show. At 7:20 Thursday morning, their first live column aired.  Lipscomb was excited about the show. “I thought it was really fun and Ben and Patty were really polite and nice to us.”  Since it went ‘really well,’ according to Lipscomb, they were invited back again. The team is now scheduled to present their show that same time every Thursday. Tune in to Mix 97.3 every Thursday morning to catch the live-on-air advice of these soon-to-be West Central graduates.

Trojan Tribune Staff

Photo Courtesy Marlina Renken

   On a beautiful day in Madison, SD, the West Central band participated in Large Group competition. As the band, led by director Danny Eye, headed into the DSU Prairie Playhouse, the group was apprehensive and excited for a performance that would surely be memorable.

   All of the band’s hard work ended up paying off as the band delivered a great show. When it was over with, the band posted three respectable scores of 36, 36 and 36. After the show, Eye commented “I thought the band performed well considering that they had never performed on that stage before and it was really dark onstage.” In order to improve on this year’s spectacular performance, Eye also said that the band needs to keep on working on rhythmic reading and sight reading, but that he was pretty happy with the performance for the most part.

   Unfortunately, with the completion of the Pops concert, the band’s concert season also comes to an end.  Make sure to look out for a band that returns many talented players for next year’s shows.

Trojan Tribune Staff

Graduation is a time for celebration and a time for reflection, to celebrate the beginning of a new chapter in your life and a time to think of days past. However, graduation week can also be a hectic time for seniors and their families. To help with some of the confusion, here is a schedule to help you navigate graduation.

Wednesday, May 19:

• Seniors practice for graduation.
• Senior picnic
• Seniors open their time capsule.

Saturday, May 22:

• Graduation will start at 2:00, with senior class president Sam Boerboom doing the welcome and National Honor Society president, Morgan Miles, announcing the NHS teacher of the year. Miles and Anna Bahnson will give the senior addresses.
• The senior band and choir students will perform during the ceremony.

• The teacher of the year, Joe Krizan (School Board President), Mr. Hofer and Dr. Danielson will hand out the diplomas
• Graduation will end at around 3:00.

All photos by Marlina Renken

Trojan Tribune Staff

Photo Courtesy of www.goduke.com

   The Duke Blue Devils have won their fourth championship in school history, all of these titles were won under head coach Mike Krzyzewski. Duke defeated the Butler Bulldogs with a final score of 71-69. The Bulldogs made a great run in the tournament as the number five seed to face and beat Michigan State in the Final Four. The Blue Devils made a somewhat expected trip to the championship by beating the West Virginia Mountaineers by 21 points. 

   Kyle Singler led the Blue Devils with 19 points and two blocked shots. Duke might have had a tough time winning the game if it wasn’t for Brian “Zoooo” Zoubek, pulling down ten rebounds for the game and having two blocked shots. This was a great victory for the Blue Devils to get back on top of NCAA basketball and get another championship in the school records.

    Coach Krzyzewski and the Devils will be returning three starters next season: Nolan Smith, Kyle Singler and Brian Zoubek. They are looking forward to defending their title against their rival, the North Carolina Tarheels. Fans say that the 2010-2011 season of college basketball will be another interesting one as the Blue Devils and Coach Krzyzewski hope to capture their 5th National Championship.

Trojan Tribune Staff

Photo by www.cchsnet.org

West Central offers students many opportunities to be involved. However, while most programs offer membership to every student, National Honor Society is made up of a select group of high achievers. To be eligible, students must be in their junior or senior year and have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5. They then are selected by their teachers based on leadership, community service and character. This spring, NHS was proud to accept many of West Central’s finest.
Junior Megan Shumaker says, “I believe that being a part of NHS is a really great honor, so when I was nominated I applied right away.” Senior Justin Bergeson was excited when he saw he was eligible and applied because “it was something I had always wanted to do.” Juniors Emily Krizan and Jake Buckmiller jumped at the opportunity because of “how great it looks on scholarships and college applications.” Junior Sami Galliger believes that “applying shows you are more dedicated to your future because teachers notice the fact that you put forth effort.”
Now don’t get the wrong idea about NHS members. Sure they work hard at their school work, but academics is not the only area where they excel. Senior Sam Boerboom is an accomplished musician who is a member of the South Dakota All State Band and Orchestra. Senior Seth Wolles was WC’s quarterback, basketball team captain and Prom Prince. Bergeson is part of the 4 x 800 team that holds the school record and was the male lead in last year’s musical Grease and this year’s musical The Wedding Singer. Other activities NHS students participate in include:  band, choir, fall play, one act, drumline, jazz band, student council, taekwondo, improv, quiz bowl, cross country, science bowl, prom committee, soccer, hockey, FFA, yearbook, newspaper and church youth groups (just to name a few.)
The new NHS members have advice for underclassmen who may be interested in joining. Buckmiller and Bergeson agree that they should “get good grades, get involved, and stand out!” Shumaker says, “If you’re nominated…APPLY! It’s a great honor!” Krizan encourages, “Respect the teachers (all of them)- you never know which ones will be looking at and rating your application.” Galliger says, “My advice would be to get involved in as many activities as possible. Later in life you’ll be glad you did because you make great friends and you stand out from the average student.”