by Saber Slate | Sep 28, 2018 | Athletics & Activities
Summer has come and gone, and now autumn has come to take its place. The changing of the seasons bring with them various seasonal tropes: Pumpkin Spice, flannel fashion, and of course: the intensity of marching band competitions. The marching band has been practicing and preparing for their competition season since the beginning of August, and what a season it has been. The band has already had their first competition performance at Mukwonago High School, where they made history by earning the highest score for any of their past opening weeks of competition. The Franklin Marching Band is in their fifth year of competing at the AAAA level of competition, and this season is poised to be their most successful yet. In the past two weeks alone, the band has had three rehearsals outside of class, not mention the work they put in during their ensemble’s class as well as weekly Gold Block rehearsals as well. They are all hardworking and dedicating so much time into these performances, and will continue to work hard throughout the rest of the season and in the coming seasons as well.
I recently got the chance to speak with Mrs. Umhoefer, the Band’s director, about the state of the marching band and how this year’s season compares to past seasons.
What is the theme of this year’s marching show?
“The 2018 marching show is ‘Written in the Stars,’ and it’s a really unique process and composition for us because we had it commissioned specifically for our school. We are working with an arranger named Alex Thode from the Milwaukee area, and he wrote this music specifically for our band. The concept itself is all things celestial and related to the Aurora Borealis and stars. The different components are When You Wish Upon a Star, our big impact opener. Then we have a contrast with a song called Hand of Fate: Part Two, from the movie signs, it’s more so just to change the character. The second movement is a medley of Moonlight Sonata, Clair de Lune, and a piece called Lux Aurumque, by Eric Whitacre, which means ‘Light and Gold.’ Then we close with a piece called Aurora Awakes, so all things looking up towards the sky.”
How has the competition season gone so far?
“We’ve had a fantastic start. At the Mukwonago Competition on September 15th, we took first in the AAAA division, we got our highest ever opening weekend score, and we took second overall in music and second overall in visual performance right behind the former state champions, so students are riding high after the opening weekend. We had a great homecoming week, and now we’re back into the competition season. We have three more shows at Greendale, Milton and State, and with how we’re looking, I think this could be our best season yet.”
Where and when is the next competition?
“Come join us this coming Saturday, September 29th! Our quote/unquote ‘home show’ is the closest show that we have. It is going to be at Greendale High School, we would love to have you join us in the stands! It’s a great evening, featuring 15+ marching bands from around the area, and it’s our third from last show.”
What can the rest of FHS do to support the marching band?
“A number of things. We love and appreciate so much the we’re a part of the fabric of FHS, and part of the culture. Whether it be at football games, appreciating our performance at halftime, listening attentively, cheering at the big moments that really move you, we’d love to have that support, to really be a part of that game day experience. Students are encouraged and welcome to join us at the ‘home show’ at Greendale on Saturday [September 29th] if they are able, just a few short miles North of where we are. And really just support and cheer on students throughout the competition season. We wrap up on October 13th, so wish your friends luck each weekend as we have a competition, And cheer us on as we have our best season yet!”
The marching band’s next performance will be at the Greenfield Marching Competition on Saturday, September 29th, at Greenfield High School. Come join the band for a night of music and fun and to help support your friends and fellow classmates as they march their hearts out on the field.
For further information about the marching band as well as many other school activities, look no further than the Saber Slate!
by Saber Slate | Sep 25, 2018 | Opinion & Reviews
It’s that time of year again. School has started, everyone’s tired and sad except the kid with the color-coded notebooks, and for some reason, people are already getting ready for Halloween. But Halloween ads aren’t the only thing you can’t escape from. You won’t be able to turn on a television, look at a magazine, or even drive by a Starbucks without hearing about the Pumpkin Spice Latte. Love it or hate it, everyone knows it. This latte single-handedly made Starbucks 1.4 billion dollars in 2017. It was such a success, that every company in existence decided to copy them and make their own version of the fall taste/sent. When I say every company, I mean every company. People have too much money and not enough common sense, which leads to soaps, shoes, water, everything with a pumpkin spice edition, and I’ve compiled the weirdest of them all. (With pictures, so you don’t actually have to read anything.)
First up we’ve got the Pumpkin Spice Shampoo, essential for anyone with money to burn. This beauty will run you about 20 dollars and is currently out of stock on Amazon. The company claims that you will like this product if “you want a calorie-free way to indulge in a pumpkin spice muffin.” I for one wholeheartedly agree. If you want to eat a pumpkin spice muffin, then using this shampoo is the way to do it. 9/10, 4 ½ stars.
Next on the list is the ever beautiful Pumpkin Spice shoe collection, the leading innovation in the fashion industry. Honestly, there is no reason these shoes should be called “Pumpkin Spice” besides the fact that, like pumpkins, they are orange. Now this company couldn’t stop at one pair, this idea was so good that they made an entire collection of them. I rate it 5 out of 5 style points.
On to number three, which is Pumpkin Spice flavored water! Why do we have pumpkin spice flavored water, you ask? What possible reason could there be for this, you ask? Well, it’s because (as you’ve probably noticed) water is just too boring. The thing that sustains all life everywhere just isn’t good enough, what better way give it the zing it needs than to make a pumpkin spice version? The problem I see with it, however, is that it’s just too good of an idea. I don’t understand why people even need to drink normal water anymore after this gift to humanity. However, perfection is imperfection, so this Pumpkin Spice Water gets 8/10.
Ladies and gentlemen, it’s time for the grand finale. It’s a simple Pumpkin Product™, but a bad idea all the same. I give you, Pumpkin Spice Deodorant, the very pinnacle of mankind’s ability, and frankly, I don’t think we can top it. Finally, you can start your day smelling like pumpkin spice and end it smelling like sweat and pumpkin spice. Honestly, I can personally assure you that if you were to buy and use this product, you will no longer fear death. 354 out of 10, would never buy ever.
And so our little journey comes to an end, our little walk through the world of poor marketing ideas spawned from a type of coffee. A journey about Pumpkin Spice, the mediocre flavor that for some reason is anywhere and everywhere. We learned that people have bizarre ideas and make things to show that. And at the end of the day, isn’t that what really matters?
by Saber Slate | Aug 29, 2018 | Advice, Opinion & Reviews
Transitioning into high school from middle school may seem like a strenuous task and may cause anxiety. However, there are a lot of ways to get through that first anxiety of the first year and become more confident in your abilities.
One tip is to get familiar with the layout of the school. The high school’s layout is different from the middle schools and easier to learn. The letter in front of the classroom number is where in the school the room is located: “A” being the north side of the school, near the gym; “B” is the middle of the school, near the main entrance; “C” classrooms are closest to the Saber Center. The classroom number denotes which level it is on: The 100’s are on the first floor; 200’s on the main floor; 300’s on the third floor. For example, classroom B300 is located in the middle of the school on the third floor. Of course, if you ever get confused, teachers are always there to help.
A super important tip is to DO. YOUR. HOMEWORK. Enough said; homework isn’t mainly for a completion grade now. If you skip out on homework, you may as well have missed a class, because these classes move forward very quickly and soon you’ll find yourself struggling to keep up. This also applies to summer homework if you take Honors and/or AP classes. It’s worth it to get it over with than putting it off. Don’t bring up that you tried to do your homework, there is no “try.” You either did or you didn’t do it– it doesn’t matter to most teachers. On a similar note, listen to the teacher and don’t talk back. This tells them a lot about your character and you may quickly get on their bad side.
Join a club! Seriously. You’ll regret it if you don’t. There’s plenty of clubs Franklin High School has to offer. There’s SAGE, Creative Writing Club, ASL Club, Anime Club, and the Service Club to name a few. The Saber Slate is also a club you can join– we’re always looking for new members. Clubs are a beneficial way to get you more active in the school community and the town community as a whole. You also make new friends so it’s pretty worth it. Of course, joining a club isn’t required, but it’s fun. It’s your choice if you stay dedicated to it.
And finally, the most important tip: GET SOME SLEEP! A good night’s sleep isn’t only important for staying focused in school, it’s also more beneficial for your health. You’ll wake up feeling more refreshed and ready for the day instead of more tired than you were when you went to sleep after midnight. You won’t have to pull an all-nighter if you get your homework over with, too. It may be a challenge to start going to bed at earlier times, but prioritize earlier sleep schedules. Soon it’ll be much easier to fall asleep earlier. Sleeping is very important, and it’s crucial that you don’t lose any of it, and start doing worse in school because of that.
Your freshman year is your most important: it’s how you get the overall tone for the next 3 years of your high school career. You choose what you want to get into, and what you want to get out of. Take it day by day, and soon enough, you’ll be a sophomore.
by Saber Slate | May 22, 2018 | Athletics & Activities
Have you ever wondered who comes up with the ideas for the spirit days we have throughout the year? Or who plans the various drives the school participates in helping the community? Look no further than the student senate. If you can name an event that the high school has held, the chances are that student senate orchestrated it.
But why am I telling you all of this, when I can say it through the words of someone who knows everything about the student senate? I recently had the opportunity to speak with Mrs. Adams, the advisor of student senate, to ask her all about what they have done for the school, and what they intend to do in the future:
“What is the main goal of student senate?”
Giving students the chance to be leaders, and running the events that they are going to.
“What are some of the events that Student Senate has done so far?”
We’ve had the Saber Spookfest, we’ve also had two different blood drives, Homecoming, Prom, Winterlude, teacher appreciation, and those are just some of them.
“What would someone need to do in order to join student senate?”
To join student senate they just need to come and see me, and then we can get them all signed up and start coming to meetings joining in student events.
“Where can people go to learn more about student senate?”
We have a student senate website, they can also talk to any of our representatives or officers. We have a student body president, vice president, secretary, as well as class presidents for every grade.
If you want to see what else student senate has helped do, you can find more information about them on their website, or you can follow them on twitter @FHS_SSenate to stay up to date on all of their events. If you are interested in joining student senate and helping to improve the FHS community, contact Mrs. Adams.
by Saber Slate | May 11, 2018 | Advice, Opinion & Reviews
You may be concerned if prom is all it is cracked up to be, but I can give you a reason to go for each dollar you spent on your ticket.
1: Because you asked someone
2: Because someone asked you
3: You want to go solo
4: Looking for a fun Saturday night
5: Feel that need to boogie
7: Food
8: Candy
9: More food
10: Now you have ten reasons
11: Dressing up fancy
12: Friends forced you to go
13: Prom Pictures
14: Grand March
15:The dinner
16: Post prom
17: Prizes at post prom
18: Bowling
19: A visit to the Italian Community Center
20: Feel like hearing some dance music
21: You happened to read this and decided to go
22: A ride in a Limo
23: A ride in your 2006 toyota Camry
24: Seeing your friends dress up fancy
25: A fun trip to Mens Warehouse
26: A fun trip to David’s Bridal
27: A swarm of parents trying to get the same picture as each other
28: Voting for Prom court
29: Prom court announcements
30: If you are not going by now I hope your saturday night is mildly boring
31: An included prom T-Shirt
32: The photographer’s candid pictures
33: Prom spirit week
34: Relief from AP Exams
35: Not sleeping
36: Slow songs
37: Fast songs
38: Going with a group
39: Seeing chaperoning teachers outside of school
40: Flowers
41: Prom pep rally
42: A fancy ticket
43: A paper wristband
44: Posting pictures on Snapchat or Instagram
45: Making that one person that doesn’t want to go go, but ends up having fun
46: Friends you had no idea could dance
47: Promposals
48: Getting to write articles like this
49: Conquering a dinner table
50: Hey look 10 more
51: The prom theme
52: You just feel like going
53: Want to try it out
54: Need to get your money’s worth out of that dress/tux
55: Someone already dancing before dinner even started
56: You want to live childhood dreams
57: Saber Slate told you so
58: Half day
59: Trying to get your friends on Prom Court
60: You will have an awesome time
