Trojan Tribune Staff

Photo by Shannon Miller

One of the characteristics of winter break that makes it so thrilling is the restless build-up to Christmas. For weeks people find ways to busy themselves until the big day that’s circled on the calendar, while families prepare their homes to celebrate faith, friendship and the gift of being together. The only problem with the elation of the day is the inevitable deflation that follows when we realize there’s nothing to look forward to for quite some time.

A needy family from the West Central community, however, is still enjoying the surprises that the generosity of the National Honor Society brought them on Christmas. An NHS fundraiser started in December raised $210 to purchase presents for children who would otherwise wake up to find nothing under the tree. Additional solicitation secured a $100 donation from WalMart, bringing the total amount raised to $310. Central Valley Community Church did their part to help the family by providing their Christmas Day meal.

NHS advisor Sherry Knutson was pleased with the results of the project. “The NHS put together a really fun fundraiser for our December service project, and I know students really enjoyed pieing their teachers,” she said. NHS President Shannon Miller was also grateful for the effort of the group, adding, “Everyone’s hard work paid off. People were happy to get out of SRB for a great cause.”

“The difference West Central students made in the lives of strangers cannot be understated,” Miller continued. “They truly did make the season a little brighter, perhaps giving the days that follow some meaning after all.”

Trojan Tribune Staff

Photo courtesy of Alex Qualm

This past weekend three members of the West Central oral interpretation team made their way up to Pierre for the state competitions. On Friday, bright and early, Alex Qualm alongside Joe Schartz left the school at 6 a.m. for Alex’s show time, which was 10 a.m. Then, after awards took place at around 1 p.m., they headed back for their madrigal performance. They didn’t get to enjoy being back for long though, because right after their madrigal performance was done, they headed back to Pierre once again, leaving the school around 9:15 p.m. This time they were accompanied by Madison Monahan and state alternate qualifier, Riley Riepma.

The next morning at 9 a.m. Joe performed his individual oratory speech where he received a superior rating. Joe also performed his duet with Madison at around noon. Although they didn’t get a superior rating for this, they did receive an excellent rating and had the crowd laughing.

The overall wrap-up is that Alex Qualm received a superior rating, Joe Schartz received a superior rating, and Madison Monahan and Joe Schartz’s duet received an excellent rating. It was a very good state competition and a great way to end two senior oral interpretation members’ careers.

Trojan Tribune Staff

The fourth quarter raps up as the referee blows his whistle. We had just beaten Jackson County 47-7, an upset that no one was expecting. Just like any other home game, everyone leaves and goes on their way and that’s that. What people don’t know is what happens when everyone has gone home, or what happens that next day.

The garbage won’t pick up itself to be sure, but luckily for West Central, a special community member comes in to help. Ron Sechser, a long-time member of the Hartford community, said in an interview with WCNN, “I saw things that had to be done and somebody had to do it.” Fortunately for us, Ron was energetic enough to do it. Those things that Ron was talking about was the garbage he picks up after every home football game. He doesn’t do it for pay or for any reward, but for the love of his community. Ron said he just wanted to do something for the community and give back in some way. He enjoys it, and it’s something he’s able to do.

Ron has been doing this volunteer work for about six to seven years now. He not only picks up trash after football games, though. He also picks up trash or twigs around town. If he sees something lying around, he will go over and pick it up. “Otherwise if they aren’t picked up, they will land in someone’s yard,” Ron stated.

Ron’s high spirits and love for his community should be an example for everyone. Jayde Sechser, his granddaughter, said, “He is always out helping people and taking pride in his community.” To that comment, Ron replied, “If more people take interest in their community, it will be a better and nicer place to live.”

As we wrapped up our chat, Ron said, “I like to be more behind the scenes than to be in the front and get the glory.” This just shows how modest and thoughtful Ron is. So the next time you see Ron Sechser around Hartford or even at the next football game, show your appreciation for his hard work and use his pride for our community as a model. Like Ron said, if we all take interest in our community, and we all help keep it clean, it will be a better and nicer place to live.

Trojan Tribune Staff

Photo by Mike Smith

“The marching band season has been one to remember,” says senior Dustin Ortman. The band has been to five competitions this year: the King Turkey Days Parade in Worthington, Tri-State Band Festival in Luverne, Big Sioux Review in Brandon, Festival of Bands in Sioux Falls and the River City Band Festival in Chamberlain.

At the first competition, the King Turkey Days Parade, they received first place in the parade, outstanding color guard and outstanding drumline. At the Tri-State Band Festival they received third place in the parade and in field, both class 2A. In Brandon at the Big Sioux Review, the band got second place in field class A and also outstanding percussion. At the Festival of Bands, their biggest competition of the year, the band placed fourth place in parade class 2A and seventh place in field class 2A. Finally, at the last competition of the year, the Trojan marchers wrapped up the season with a good one, receiving first place in parade class 4A, outstanding drum majors in parade, first place field class 4A and outstanding colorguard in field.

Director Daniel Eye said, “We were a young and inexperienced band this year, but we grew as a whole a lot better than any other year.” This is definitely a true statement as the band finished their season on top.

Trojan Tribune Staff

Photo courtesy of bu.edu.com

Turning 18 entails receiving the rights and responsibilities of adulthood, including that to vote, serve on juries, get married, sign contracts, join the military and to be prosecuted as an adult. Since you are, by law, considered an adult, then you should be trusted to make your own grown-up decisions about drinking.

If I’m 18 and I can make the decision that I want to ruin my lungs and smoke, then I should also be allowed to ruin my liver and drink. This would most definitely have to come with a stronger drinking and driving policy though, too. I think that if you can have medical marijuana, pain medication and nerve medication (in other words you can legally smoke weed, take Oxycontin and Xanax) when you’re 18, then why can’t you drink? If people oppose lowering the drinking age, then they should also oppose voting at 18 and all of the things I named in the first line.

If 18 year olds aren’t responsible enough to drink, then they shouldn’t be responsible enough to choose who runs this country.

Trojan Tribune Staff

Photo courtesy of Alex Qualm

As many of you know, the auditorium has been in need of restoration for quite some time. The numerous things that needed repairing and replacing ranged from the paint on the stage all the way to expensive things such as the lights and sound equipment.

This year posed a surprise for drama members. Not only did the auditorium get a fresh coat of blue paint, but it also received the much-needed renovation it has been waiting for. For starters, new sound and light systems were purchased. These replaced the outdated ones that often caused problems during the productions and events during which they were used. The auditorium also received an extension that was put on the back light room. The expansion of this room will allow the drama department to not only operate lights from the back room but also sound as well. This way the chairs can remain in the front few rows, and it won’t be necessary to remove them before every show for the sake of space. Even though the back room isn’t completed quite yet, it is expected to be done before the fall play.

In addition, the whole front of the stage was torn off and replaced with paneling. This paneling gives the auditorium’s stage a whole new, clean look. Lastly, the final touch was added to complete the new look: carpet. Like many classrooms, the auditorium and side hallways received new carpet. With this $25,000 much-needed restoration, the auditorium is looking in tiptop shape. The auditorium and its actors are ready to begin a new year with a great start and a great new look.