WAVE CURRENT MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS | WESTSIDE CHRISTIAN
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MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS | DECEMBER 31, 2020
THURSDAY
WESTSIDE CHRISTIAN
THE
WAVE CURRENT
Why Should We Be Joyful?
MISS MARQUARDT
2 Corinthians 9:15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
Christmas is a time of giving and receiving gifts, of helping out our neighbors
and spreading cheer. We owe this idea of Christmas in part to Charles Dick-
en’s book A Christmas Carol, in which a greedy banker named Scrooge is
reminded of when he wasn’t so miserly--and what might happen to him if he
doesn’t change his ways. And yet, despite dozens of Christmas books and Inside this issue
movies defining the true “spirit of Christmas” as generosity and love for others, they never get
to the “why.” Why should we be joyful, and why do we give ourselves over to helping others? WAVE NEWS ............................... 2-3
Without a “why,” we will quickly go back to being grumpy Scrooges for the rest of the 364 days
of the year, even knowing, as he did, that we deserve hell for our self-indulgence. SPORTS ....................................... 4
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT ........... 4
Well, I’ll tell you why. This is the best-kept public secret, the key to everything. The very thing
that those books and movies tip-toe around but are too scared to accept as true: “The Word NATIONAL NEWS ........................ 5
became flesh and made his dwelling among us” (John 1:14). The same God that used his Word to
create the world and breathed life into clay to form mankind, came down to earth to live and die PERSONAL INTERESTS ................. 5
(and rise again, as we too will rise) under the same conditions as you and I. All this, so that we FOOD .......................................... 6-8
can be his own and be free of the shackles of sin. We don’t have to prove our worthiness to re-
ceive this forgiveness. It’s a gift! One that will still be there for us no matter what we do or how NATURE ...................................... 9
far we wander, as long as we don’t throw it away. That’s what fuels our love for others, every
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT………….10
day of the year. That’s why we can be glad, and grateful, whatever our circumstances.
God is no Scrooge, taking what he can and leaving everyone to their fate. Our Almighty Father
knew just what gift to give us to make us happy. Indescribably happy, happier than we ever will
be in this sin-tainted world. He has given us heaven.
Prayer: Dear Lord, you know what we truly need. Thank you for giving us your Son to die on
the cross in our place. Forgive us for times when we have acted out of selfishness instead of
selflessness. Help us to live lives of gratitude every day of the year, and to tell others about your
great gift to mankind. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
WAVE NEWS
Christmas Play Photo Gallery
Instead of having a live school Christmas program, each class was in charge of their own recorded Christmas play. Enjoy these photos from the productions!
1st grade: Evey (the angel) appears to Sarai and Maddie
1st grade: Gabby (the star), Rosie, Liam, Natalie (the three wise men), and Tristyn (the shepherds) to tell them that the Savior has been
(the gifts) read about worshiping the baby Jesus. born.
Above: Third grader Johanna reads Luke 2.
Left: 3rd grade sings “Joy to the World.”
Right: Fourth
grader Payton
reads Luke 2.
Far right: 4th
grade sings “Go
Tell It On the
Mountain.”
2
WAVE NEWS
5th grade: Angel Anna Clara tells
Mary and Joseph to escape to
Egypt.
5th grade: Celise, Elijah, and Anika present gifts to the 5th grade: Micah Huet poses as
baby Jesus while Gretchen as Mary treasures the moment King Herod.
in her heart.
Clara Krantz recites Isaiah 9:6
during the introduction to the
7th and 8th grade play.
4K sings “One Little Angel” while dressed up like a nativity scene.
Some of the 7th and 8th grade ladies sing “Angels We Have Heard On High.”
3
SPORTS
So You Think Sailing Is Boring?
Read this.
ANNIKA BATT
Right now, you might think sailboat racing is boring, but after reading
this article, you are sure to see differently. The Vendee Globe is an
around the world solo sailing race that is currently in progress. Only the
most fearless, experienced sailors dare to enter this race. The race starts
and ends in Les Sables d’Olonne, a town in the department of Vendee,
France. Sailors head south in the Atlantic and cross the equator on their
way to the southern ocean. They will circle the bottom of the globe on
their 60 foot IMOCA boats, and after circling south of Africa, Australia,
and South America, they will head back north to France. The race started
on November 8, and is still in progress with all the skippers currently
facing the Southern Ocean. They face swells of up to 25 feet in height!
The leader is currently 50% of the way done with the race. Being a
treacherous journey, the sailors are not guaranteed to finish the course. This is a picture of what these boats look like as they sail. Underneath
Six of the 33 racers have already had to drop out of the race for various the boat above, you can see the foil that supports the boat, and to the
reasons. The boats have cutting edge technology and special features right is the keel that acts as a counterweight to keep the boat from
designed for speed. Many of the boats have carbon fiber wings called capsizing.
foils. When they get enough speed, the boat is lifted out of the water,
relying on the foil to carry it. To check in on the racers and see interest-
ing maps and statistics about the race, visit vendeeglobe.org/en.
Gymnasts Stand Up to Emergency Order
MADISON KREMER
On Monday, November 23, 2020, a lawsuit was filed in Wisconsin’s Supreme
Court, looking to overturn the gathering ban and restrictions that were put in
place on November 18, 2020 by Dane County and Public Health Madison. It
was filed by the Wisconsin Institute for Law, for the sake of Gymfinity Ltd.
They are arguing that Emergency Order #10 violates constitutional rights and
other statutes because it “prohibits private gatherings in homes and shuts
down sports-related businesses.” Emergency Order #10 bans gatherings of any
size for people who don’t live together. Outdoor gatherings are only permitted
with social distancing and 10 people or less. Jason Orkowski, the owner of
Gymfinity Ltd., states that the closure of the gym has “prevented these young
women from continuing their training regime which, in turn, jeopardizes their
participation in the 2020-21 gymnastics season and threatens their college
recruitment and scholarship opportunities."
Without a way to practice, the nation might miss out on the next
Simone Biles.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Top Innovators of 2020 Awarded by Wall Street Journal
CLARA GROW
The 2020 Wall Street Journal Innovator Awards with the music innovator award were the K-Pop
were hosted virtually and released on March 24. band, BTS. One of the members named RM said
Usually the ceremony is hosted in a museum in that he could barely believe that just some kids
New York. The 2020 WSJ Innovator Awards are like him and his band won the award. He says that
awards that the Wall Street Journal newspaper he and his band “are just seven normal kids who
gives to people who aren’t afraid to break social love music and performance.” Jin, another mem-
barriers in order to reach their goals. This year, ber of BTS, said, “When I was a student, I didn’t
the nominees of all of the innovator awards were love myself. When I started this profession, I re-
Ava DuVernay, BTS, Darren Walker, Ethan Hawke, ceived so much love from a lot of people. So I start-
Hank Willis Thomas, James Corden, Jennifer ed to give myself some love.” They all said it was
Lopez, Maluma, MASS Design Group, Michaela an honor to have been awarded this.
Coel, Patti Smith, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Swizz
Beatz, Taraji P. Henson, Titus Kaphar, and Tyler
Perry. The lucky musicians who were honored
BTS, also known as the Bangtan Boys, is a
4 seven-member South Korean boy band.
NATIONAL NEWS
COVID-19 Vaccines
EVELYN MUSGRAVE & CARLOTTA CALIENDO
The first people have begun to be vaccinated against COVID-19, starting with a
nurse in New York. Similar vaccinations are being given to doctors and nurses
throughout the country. After the first vaccination in Vermont, Dr. John Brumsted,
president of the UVM Health Network, said, "The women and men who received
these first doses represent thousands of health care heroes in every corner of Ver-
mont.”
By the end of December, about 20 million people are projected to have been vac-
cinated. As of Christmas, over 1 million have been vaccinated in the United States.
We’ve been making progress slowly but surely. The vaccine is sure to lift the coun-
try’s spirits, but until this vaccine is 100% reliable and safe, experts say we should
continue to wear masks and avoid crowded indoor spaces.
Pfizer and Moderna are the two vaccine brands that have gotten
Source: the green light to be distributed to health care workers and
https://madison.com/lifestyles/health-med-fit/as-the-us-prepares-to-green-light-a- people who are high-risk.
second-covid-19-vaccine-officials-issue-warning/article_97b8916b-0338-5556-b267-
d7e87c6427bd.html
PERSONAL INTERESTS
Making Money for Charities
JONAS HILL
Earning money for charity can be fun and helpful at the same time. It can save lives both spiritually and physically. While it sounds boring, it can be
fun and when it's boring, remember that your duty as Christians is to serve God.
You can earn money for charity in so many different ways, whether you're a child or an adult you can earn money. If you're a child then you can
earn money by doing extra chores, or by giving some of your allowance instead of saving up for a cool toy or video game. If you're an adult then you
can do extra work or make better income choices. There are many other ways to get money for charities but these are the simplest ones.
If you are a kid, ask your parents if you can do chores for charity money. Chances are they will have some chores you could do, and if you're even
luckier, then you can do your favorite chores!
You can also help by working extra on your job, if you have one. Even as little as 15 extra minutes is very helpful. You shouldn't do a lot of extra
work if you have a big family to take care of or you're poor, but it’s your choice.
If you have an allowance or a paycheck you can give part to God. Give what you want, but a suggested amount is 10% of your allowance/paycheck.
You can give more or less but you should give cheerfully.
The most important charities are the ones that can save lives physically and spiritually. Some ideal charities are church and school fundraisers (if
you have them), but remember that it is your choice. Also instead of giving to a charity very frequently, you can save up the money for fundraisers
that seem very important to you.
Overall, remember that making money for charity can be helpful and fun. Also that it is your decision and you should give from your heart.
5
FOOD
Candy Cane Cheesecake
KATE THIELE & SHELBY EHLKE
This recipe is found on Delish.com.
Ingredients
For the cheesecake
3 8-oz. bars cream cheese, softened
1 c. sugar
3 large eggs
1/4 c. sour cream
1 tsp. peppermint extract
2 tbsp. all-purpose flour
1 tsp. kosher salt
1/2 c. crushed candy canes
For the crust
1 sleeve graham crackers, finely crushed
5 tbsp. melted butter
1/4 c. sugar
a pinch of kosher salt
For the topping
whipped cream, for dolloping
crushed candy canes, for garnish
Directions
Preheat the oven to 325º and grease an 8" or 9" springform pan with cooking spray. Wrap bottom of pan with aluminum foil and
place on a baking sheet. Make cheesecake filling: In a large bowl using a hand mixer or in a stand mixer using the paddle attachment,
beat cream cheese and sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, then sour cream, flour, peppermint extract, and salt. Gently fold in crushed
candy canes.
Make crust: In a large bowl, mix together graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, sugar, and salt. Press mixture into prepared pan.
Pour filling over the crust. Bake until the center of the cheesecake only slightly jiggles, about 1 hour 30 minutes. (If you want to bake
the cheesecake in a water bath, wrap the bottom of the pan and place in a deep baking pan. Pour in enough boiling water to come up
halfway in the baking pan.) Turn off heat, prop open oven door, and let cheesecake cool in oven, 1 hour, then remove aluminum foil
and refrigerate cheesecake in pan until firm, at least 5 hours and up to overnight.
Add whipped cream along the border of cheesecake and sprinkle with crushed candy cane.
Mac and Cheese Recipe
WILLA WIPPERFURTH
Here is a recipe that was handed down to our family. It is one we have
really enjoyed on special occasions.
Ingredients
1lb of uncooked pasta
3 cups of milk
2 cups of heavy whipping cream
12 oz of shredded Colby Jack cheese
12 oz of shredded sharp cheddar
½ stick of melted butter
salt and pepper to taste
Directions
This can all be done in a throw away aluminum baking pan. In whatever pan or dish you use, just dump it all in, stir and bake. You
should cover it up with foil as the top could get a little well done. Bake it at 375 degrees for one hour.
6
FOOD
Curious About Chinese Food? Try these 5 Tasty Dishes
MATTHEW MARCH
You might be wondering if you should try Chinese food or not. Experiment with these dishes, and you’ll fall in love
with Chinese cuisine.
1. Wantons
Start off with Shang-Hia’s Wong Tong, or wanton. Wonton is a Shanghainese food kind of
like dumplings. My family also makes this yummy food too. Wonton is cooked by using
boiled water and you can eat it out of a boil with some soup or just take it out and eat it
with a fork.
2. Dim Sum
Next, try out Dim sum. Dim sum is a large range of small dishes, including scallion,
salt, ginger, soy sauce, sesame oil, and ground meat.
3. Baozi
Another great dish is Baozi. Baozi is just like wonton except it is bigger and is served in
various Chinese cuisines. It often has vegetables in it and sometimes tofu.
4. Xiaolongbao
Now you have to give Xiaolongbao a chance. This dish is one of my favorite dishes
because of its juice and yummy meat. Xiaolongbao is either filled with pork or crab
brain.
5. Egg Rolls
Finally, eat some authentic egg rolls. I love how Chinese egg rolls are crunchy on the inside
and outside. I don’t really like the American egg rolls. They are just juice on the inside. Chinese
egg rolls are made of eggs and sometimes cabbage. I don’t like the ones with cabbage inside
because of the juice.
What is, scientifically, the best kind of French fry to get?
GRIFFIN BAUMAN
Before we start, let’s set some rules: These is But why are the McDonald’s small the best? I
country-wide restaurants, so no In-N-Out Burg- can’t really give you my receipts, but McDon-
er or White Castle. ald’s was the most cost-effective. McDonald’s
uses paper for their small fries and paper is
Prepare to be surprised. extremely flexible so it can bend and move
freely, allowing for more fries.
So first, let’s guess what we might think is the
answer, narrowed down to McDonald’s, Arby’s, Now as to why Arby’s large curly fries were the
and Wendy’s. Have your guess yet? If you don’t, worst: well, it’s simple. Something that is small
too bad! and circular doesn’t fit very efficiently into
something that is large and circular, and leaves
You are all wondering which large fry I’m going too much space.
to say, but really the best is McDonald’s small!
Really--Arby’s large curly fries were some of So we have learned is that McDonald’s small is
the worst. Wendy’s waffle fries were alright, good. Arby’s large curly fries are bad.
the best were the medium.
7
FOOD
Bizarre Desserts
LILAH BAUMGARTEN
Desserts. Some people call it the best part of a meal. Others, a one way ticket to cavity
lane. There are so many different desserts. Classics, like a chocolate chip cookie, or more
complicated desserts, like almond lace tuiles. There are many different ways to make
them, but the most popular is using almond flour, sugar, and milk, with a few other ingre-
dients. Almond lace tuiles aren’t very common among the dessert world. They come in
many different forms. Cookies, bowl shaped, cream filled tube, even a taco shell shape. My
favorite way is to make almond lace is to form it into a bowl and fill it with ice cream. It is
deliciously sweet with salty nuts.
A dessert you probably have
never heard of before is Tavuk
gogsu. It is a very interesting
pudding from Turkey made out
of sweetened milk, rice flour and, surprisingly, chicken breast. Now, don’t get freaked
out. You won’t be chewing on chicken bones while eating this. They take the chicken
and boil it, softening it and separating it into fibers. It has, as most people say it, a silky,
slightly chewy, and creamy texture. You can add other toppings to it as well. The most
popular is a slight sprinkle of cinnamon.
There are so many odd flavors of
ice cream throughout the world.
From sweet potato, to wasabi, to
soy sauce, to cicada flavor! There is even GLOWING ICE CREAM. The glowing ice cream is
made of the proteins in jellyfish that make it glow. Most people would probably cringe
away from bugs in their ice cream. This crazy ice cream has chocolate covered cicadas
whipped into brown sugar and butter flavored ice cream. This flavor is very rare and only
available every 13 years when a new generation of bugs emerge from the ground. Even a
goat cheese and beer ice cream exists in Colorado.
Miracle berries truly are a miracle. Some
might even call it magic. Though it techni-
cally wouldn’t count as a dessert, this crazy berry has the power to temporarily change your
taste buds. Tart and bitter foods are changed to taste completely sweet. It makes vinegar taste
like sugar water, lemons like sweet oranges, and many others. You can experience this magical
sensation yourself. They are fairly easy to find online in tablet form. You just let it dissolve on
your tongue and let it coat your mouth. The effect could last from 15 minutes to 2 hours de-
pending on the foods and liquids you eat and/or drink.
8
NATURE
Goose Hunting in Wisconsin
ALEX BINDL & NOLAN OBERLOH
This year, goose hunting starts on September 15 and ends January 5. Canadian geese often migrate, but some don’t. Canadian geese are
the biggest type of geese in the world. When they migrate they have some stopping points. They also have basically a pattern where
they fly when migrating. When the weather is clear they fly around 1500 miles while migrating. When they fly, they fly in a V formation.
Each bird is higher than the one in front so they can keep their energy, fly farther, and have wind resistance. They usually migrate from
September to October and they fly to where they were born. Not all Canadian Geese migrate, and some even stay in the same place
because geese can live almost anywhere. If it is warm enough geese will not migrate. If it is 10 degrees and above, and if the geese can
find open water, they stay warm and don’t migrate. They migrate North to find open water and a place to dive for food. Geese fly
around 40 mph but if they are migrating they fly up to 70 mph.
Sandbox Tree
ALANA BROWNE
We’ve all seen different kinds of trees in our shaped capsules (dry fruit that bursts open goes in your eye, that is) and therefore has
lives like maple trees and pine trees. So, when ripe) that contain poisonous seeds. been used to make poison darts. Also, if you
what makes this tree different? Well, it’s And since the fruit explodes when it is fully eat the fruit it can cause vomiting, diarrhea,
just a bit more explosive. You see, the sand- mature, the seeds inside get launched at and cramps.
box tree (hura crepitans), also known as the speeds of 150 miles per hour (70 meters
monkey’s pistol, is a tree you don’t want to per second) and have been said to sound So, in conclusion, the tree is a toxic weapon
get close to because its fruit blows up. like gunshots. That’s fast enough to injure that is very dangerous to us humans.
or even kill a person or an animal. Not only
This tree can be found in tropical America does this tree have fruit grenades with
and belongs to the spurge family. It can poisonous shrapnel, it also has poisonous
grow taller than 100 feet and its trunk is bark, leaves, and sap. The sap, if touched,
covered with spikes. It produces pumpkin- can cause a red rash and blindness (if it
9
CREDITS & MORE
Editors: Justin Albrecht & Madison
Kremer
Authors: 7th and 8th grade students at
Thank You, Readers!
Westside Christian School (both in-
person and virtual)
JUSTIN ALBRECHT & MADISON KREMER
Thank you so much for reading this year’s second edition of the Wave Current! We hope you
enjoyed it, and we hope to see you all in the next edition. Merry Christmas and Happy New
Year!You can also read
