NOCTILUCA June 2018

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Appleton, Wisconsin

June 2018

Vol. XXIII

Issue VI

SamWoo offers thanks to community and mom

By Olivia Molter Samuel Woo is one of the three Appleton North seniors who were chosen to be com- mencement speakers at this year’s graduation ceremony. He is a Yale-bound class valedictorian and AP scholar who says he feels truly hon- ored to be able to speak to and be a part of the graduat- ing class of 2018. He hopes that his speech will speak to the nature of the communi- ty and the people within it. “The most important mes- sage is that the people in Ap- pleton are some of the most genuine people that I have had the pleasure to meet, and that this genuineness is what will make a positive differ- ence in the world,” said Sam. His favorite part of the speech also regards our Yale-bound student inspired by genuineness

community: “My favorite part is definitely being able to thank the community of Appleton for bringing me up to who I am today. With their love and kindness, I wouldn't be the person I am today.” What motivated him to go through the process of be- coming a commencement speaker? His mom. “This sounds really cheesy, but my mom always wanted me to speak during graduation so I applied. My mom has made so many sacrifices for me, and the least I could do was to make one of her wishes come true. What more really is there in life than making your mom happy?” Sam is looking forward to study- ing biochemistry and po- litical science at Yale Uni- versity in the fall. He says he’s thankful for the valu- able friendships he’s been able to make at Appleton North and will definitely be missing Rodney most of all when he graduates.

Appleton North graduation commencement speakers, from left to right, Cece McDermott, Sam Woo, Lexi Killian. Photo by Olivia Molter.

Lexi Killian calls for kindness in commencement speech

Future nurse wants to inspire Class of ’18

“ Work hard. Be kind. Work hard at being kind. ” -Lexi Killian

many lessons that we will be able to carry with us for the rest of our lives.” Lexi loves to help people. In the future, she plans to at- tend the University of Wis- consin-Madison in pursuit of a future in nursing, with the goal of becoming a pediatric nurse. When asked to share a piece of advice, Lexi impart- ed the time-honored words she has shared time and time again as North Choir mom: “Work hard. Be kind. Work hard at being kind.”

By Carl Zuleger

Alexis Killian has “always wanted to give a speech that could inspire people,” a desire well-suited for a chosen commencement speaker. She has consistent- ly brought smiles and posi- tivity to the North student body. Lexi seeks to convey a message about the value of teachers and family, say- ing “[they] have taught us

16 named class valedictorians Congratulations to this year’s Best of the Class!

Cece McDermott hopes to impart unity in North graduates Commencement

ed to do the same for others. Ultimately, I had nothing to lose in applying, so I’m happy that I did. I’m also involved in a political debate organiza- tion that is heavily speaking- based, so my friends from there helped to give me the final push towards apply- ing; I just wanted to make them proud,” Cece explained when asked about what sparked her interest in being a commencement speaker. “I want students to walk out of graduation feeling unit- ed with their fellow gradu- ates. We’re not all too dif- ferent from one another, and it’s important to realize that we’ve grown together in our experiences here. I want the audience to realize they’re

speaker focuses on connection between students

Class of 2018 valedictorians include Kari Brekke, Samantha Carroll, Brytton Goymerac, Han- nah Graham, Srishti Gupta, Anika Hendricks, Ashley Harvey, Kalen Klitzke, Noah Koleske, Noah Kulas, Sydney Levy, Marissa Mullen, Parnika Shukla, Brooke Williamsen, Samuel Woo, and Carl Zuleger. Photo courtesy of Yvonne Mullen.

By Jake Zajkowski

all powerful individuals that can accomplish great things, and I believe that North has pushed us to become as such,” Cece continued. When asked of her thoughts on the ceremony, she said: “Graduation is one of the last memories my class will have together, and I’m hon- ored to be able to influence those final moments. My fellow speakers are incred- ibly eloquent and impactful students, and I can’t wait to speak alongside of them.”

The Noctiluca’s Next Big Step The Noctiluca is shifting next school year to a more digital focused media platform. While we will publish quarterly print is- sues, we will publish more content on our website NorthNoct.com and social media platforms. This allows us to have more consistent and timely content for our read- ers. Stay connected to the Noctiluca by following us on Twitter and Instagram @northnoct, Facebook at The Noctiluca, and Snapchat @northnoctiluca.

Cecelia McDermott, on the road to University of Wisconsin-Madison, is one of three commence- ment speakers of the North graduating class this year. “Watching the speakers at last year’s ceremony re- ally made me feel like I had a chance at being a speaker. It was great to see my peers doing something I always thought was out of reach, and it made me realize that I want-

Congrat

UW-Eau Claire Kylie Cunningham Elizabeth Elrod Jacqueline Ganser Austin Huggins Hannah Klunder Lily Nichols Jackson Prestley

FVTC Abeer Dar

Nathan Allen Jake Bennett Nancy Chang Xinran Chen Muhire Claude Luis Contreras Cortes Samuel Dahms Abby Edwards Noah Faber Jonathan Hang Hailey Hermanson Sarah Houlton Mary Kalamba Noah Kulas William Lewandowski John Lovesee Collin Mchale Cullen Mcninch Olivia Olson Frisa Omwere Camille Ostrom Jelah Overstreet Victor Palacios Alfred Patlan Litzy Perez Olivia Peterson Aurora Ray Fatima Robertson Jada Rushkofske Sergio Sandoval Ariana Seubert Elijah Sinclair Gwenyth Stevenson Erik Streck Emma Strick James Thao Xai Thao Sheena Thao Morgan Thiel Duncan Tjader Grace Umland Sara Vandeurzen-Rinaldi Autumn Vaughn Brianna Waite Carter Weyenberg Martin Wisniewski Destiny Lo Drake Lor

Anni Vitriago Maddie Waters Alayna Werner

University of Minnesota Twin Cities Leah Armstrong Nicole Bezella Lili Braatz Olivia Hackney Ashley Harvey James Kosharian Natalie Moran Claire Pelky Abby Popp Kira Rolf Brynn Tyczkowski Avery Wageman Benjamin Wespetal UW-Fox Valley Maria Aldana Diego Ballestros Armando Cruz Abby Daun Chandler Delikowski Austin Devecchio Paige Dey Stephen Dinkler

Carroll University Erik Hopp Katelyn Lamers Jordan Wolfe Jessica Wolfe Carthage College Darien Peniston Samantha Plankey Sam Stratton College of William and Mary Hannah Graham Yan Lee UW-Milwaukee Noah Brown Kaden Buck Spencer Crane Quindlyn Gerrits Madelyn Grabow Tava Gregory Hasib Husic Darby Hutchinson Libby Kapocius Bryce Kowalkowski Tripp Lauren Sydney Levy David Lor Allyssia Lowe Finnian Mcminimy Valerie Mendoza Olivia Molter Trinity Mueller Alexis Renier Grace Reynders Sarah Rohm Alexica Schultz Jack Shockey Jennifer Stanislawski Colorado State University Anna Lammers

Concordia University Wisconsin Katherine Newman Creighton University Alex Littleton DePaul University Ellie Santonato Edgewood College Hayley Nau Andi Salm Florida Southwestern

Benedictine University Sara Allison Arizona State University Katelyn Kohl Maximilian West Max Plantiko UW-Green Bay Jordan Annis Emily Fischer Aurora University Paul Barton Ethan Dercks Ave Maria University Joseph Tretinyak

State College Jade Jedwabny

Tommy Duerr Eduardo Duran Hayden Freeman Jetta Fuller Ashley Geller William Hansen Ryan Henning Samuel Holton Georgia Kellerman Nolan Lewis Carson Lonsway Leora Patzer Alok Ravel Jacob Ruppel Jordan Schillaci Eiley Schomisch Caleb Sites Alex Stieby Brenna Taylor Steven Thao Samantha Van Linn Katie Vang Layne Selin Joseph Serra Sierra Sherley

Florida State University Molly Brinkhoff Gabby Smith Hamline University Olivia Brosman Hope College Omega Schroeder Johnson and Wales University Lyndsie Zindman

Cornell University Helen Zhou

Barnard College Margaux Pisciotta Borough of Manhattan Community College Jack Rusch Bowling Green State University

Kong Xiong Teng Xiong Tristan Yang Mary Young Michaela Zuehlke

Marissa Mullen Brigham Young University-Provo Nathan Syring College of Lake County Anthony Krueger

Marquette University Ryan Anselment Joel Burkert Mildred Figueroa

Lawrence University Liliam Ocampos Ben Thomas Marian University Erik Horman

Mary Flood Ihab Khatib Carter O’brien

Tommy Vang Grace Wiesner Allissa Wyman

lations ppleton North class of 2018

University of Nebraska Omaha Taylor Sieg University of New Orleans Miles Saunders University of North Carolina

UW-Superior Samantha Grathen

University of New Hampshire Kari Brekke UW-Parkside Mai Her Viterbo University Tyler Tesch Winona State University Ariana Holzem Henry Meek UW-Oshkosh Alexandra Basham Safari Busnelli Brent Gypp Kyle Johnson Kameron Neumann Garrett Ostrom Julia Pengrazi Collin Rickert Harrison Tews Arienna Wright Titus Xiong Cassidy Xiong UW-River Falls Bryan Meyer Judson University Adam Zeratsky Yale University Samuel Woo Career Focused Megan Berge Ashley Carlson Isaac Dexter Vera Elias Callum Lewis Breanna Long Antoni Macias Elizabeth Meyer Austin Mccoy Amara Neitzke Jana Peterson Spencer Pierce Gabe Trevino Sam Van Boxtel Phatou Vang Austin Wenninger

Morgan Guest University of Tennessee Hannah Dugan Ripon College Zach Fischer Zachary Lee UW-Platteville Leo Wong

Milwaukee Institute Of Art and Design Victoria Mcmahon Lake Forest College Leo Koenig Lewis & Clark College Genevieve Frank

Northland College Liam Janson Milwaukee School of Engineering Isaac Lee Minnesota State University- Mankato Brynn Desens Missouri Valley College Christian Lieffring Northeast Wisconsin Technical College Raven Galindo Northern Michigan University Briana Arnold Adam Cole Abigayle Fortune Kyle Hoffenbecker Northwestern University Anika Hendricks University of Virginia Jake Price Milwaukee Area Technical College Theodore Larson San Diego State University Nicole Lorenzoni University of Alabama Samantha Berth Alexis Jones

University of Alaska Anchorage Katherine Hoeffner St. Norbert College Justin Carew Emma Mueller University of Dayton Mikaylah Van Lanen UW-Madison Sahil Baherawala Kylie Beecher Olivia Burdick Samantha Carroll Sam Crowley Brytton Goymerac Srishti Gupta Sidney Hestres Alaa Khatib Alexis Killian Noah Koleske Michael Krause Joshua Kritzer Elena Leiva Christian Matheus Greyson Maulick Cecelia Mcdermott Trinity Olson Jordyn Prince Joe Pynenberg Corbyn Renner Parnika Shukla Tyler Skenandore Lewis Sternig Karly Thoe Jake Tomassetti Emma Van Der Loop Deepak Vir Brooke Williamsen

Madison Berlowski Angeline Dannecker Luis Garcia

UW-Stevens Point Alexandra Beyer Jacob Chang Kaitlyn Janssen Julia Kaufman Jacqueline Kimball Michael Mejia Lydia Neuhaus Kendrick Sorem UW-La Crosse Katie Bogatitus Jacob Carpenter Grace Krueger Mckayla Mata Will Monroe Erik Nelson Mitchell Ringgold Wes Sommers Jack Van Ekeren Jacob Weber UW-Stout Emma Desens Tyler Grimmer Madelyn Tesch Zach Tesch Steve Thao

Loyola University Chicago Abigail Drews Madison Area Technical College Devin Kress Nathaneal Froeming Michigan State University Rachel Steinhorst Michigan Technological University James Behrens

Military Jaddin Cross Brock Danielski Kou Thao Noah Zering University of Arizona Olivia Crane Iowa State University Marcus Van Domelen

UW-Whitewater Jacob Bailey Gabe Koenig Kaleb Lueck Mitchell Minges

Mallory Wolfer Nicole Wydeven Carl Zuleger

Paige Siebers Cole Tremble

Please note that colleges reported here were taken from surveys filled out by seniors earlier in the year and recently updated by the Guidance Office. College changes since then or omissions may not be accurately reflected. Please notify the Guidance Office if there are any updates.

GRADUATION Appleton, Wisconsin June 2018 Volume XXIII

Issue VI Page 4

Inspirational art teacher retiring Terri Westby leaves a legacy of inspiring art students

Seniors Reflect on High School The Noctiluca asked seniors what their favorite memory in high school was and how they have changed. Head to northnoct.com for more interviews! Nathan Syring: “Performing in the musicals has been my favorite thing here at North. Hunchback was easily my favorite. The end of each show was an incredibly emotional mo- ment for the entirety of the pit. We al- most had a hard time playing because so many of us were tearing up.” “I’ve definitely learned how to actually work hard. People in college right now might laugh, but up until this point, high school is the hardest thing I’ve ever done.” Madison Berlowski: “Let’s see….. Starting the ukulele club. It died in a year, but like still. It was really cool to see people who are very musi- cally talented but who aren’t in band or orchestra have an opportunity to share what they can do. So many people were so passionate and excited about it and that was really cool for me.” “I’ve definitely gotten past caring what people think of me. Freshman year I re- ally cared about what people thought of me. At this point you start becoming your own person and stop caring about other people judging you for being you. I know this sounds cliche, but you also discover who your true friends are and that’s re- ally important.”

By Silvia Knighten

Appleton North and Re- naissance teacher Terri Westby is retiring after this school year. She has spent 29 in the Appleton Area School District splitting her time between North and Re- naissance. She teaches a va- riety of students in a range of different art forms, main- ly drawing and painting, and other 2D visual art forms. During her time at North, Westby made an effort to engage students in Knitting Club as well as art projects around the school. Her stu- dents were involved in the depiction of multinational figures in the library and are currently working on con- structing a permanent mu- ral. Westby herself helped create the lightning mural within the entryway of the school. Through her time here, Mrs. Westby said she truly enjoyed watching stu- dents grow and evolve with their art. She has many trea- sured memories of students involved in art shows and competitions, where their art went on to be featured in gal- leries and on the electrical boxes on College Avenue. Although she was new to teaching in a high school when she first started, West-

Photo by Silvia Knighten .

by was optimistic and said her original goals were sim- ply to engage students in art, “I wanted to make the classes as successful as I could and connect with stu- dents through art as much as possible.” She wanted to create many different op- portunities that would allow students to connect with art and with themselves, and apply the art on a personal level. She wanted to ac- knowledge the different lev- el of students and how much they are willing and capable of putting into art, and have every student understand that talent does not mat- ter as much as effort does. After retiring, she has a whole host of activities planned. Her husband is also an artist, working in ceramics and sculptures, meaning their house is al-

ways full to the brim of different projects. Westby hopes to continue explor- ing art in forms of drawing, painting, fabrics, and jew- elry-making. She plans to remain active in the art com- munity. Westby hopes that the Appleton North com- munity remembers her as a teacher who helped motivate and inspire students to fol- low their artistic passions. She also hopes people will continue to value and en- courage artistic endeavors. Westby has thoroughly enjoyed her time teaching and working in the AASD. She is truly impressed and proud of the level of artis- tic maturity students have been able to achieve. West- by has found helping stu- dents with their art to be an incredibly rewarding career. Some of Milheiser’s major goals was to get all students reading books, successfully gathering in- formation for research, and correctly citing sources in order to gain a new level of understanding and appre- ciation for literature and education. ”When I ask a student what book they are reading, I always want them to have an answer. I want reading to have an impact on everyone’s life, and is something that stu- dents get used to doing,” said Milheiser. Milheiser also left a significant im- pact on the importance of spreading awareness on mental health. She, along with others, contribut- ed to the school’s new club called Sources Of Strength, an undertaking the school and community have taken to increase the support given to people

Book-champion librarian retiring

to further pursue her pas- sion. While in retirement, Milheiser will continue to be involved and offer support to the Appleton North theater, music, and arts programs. “The art programs at North are ex- cellent as they allow for talented students to grow and fulfil their passion,” Milheiser stated. Most im- portantly, Milheiser will continue reading books and volunteering at the Appleton Public Library. Milheiser hopes to have impacted the members at North through helping them attain their academic, artistic, musical, and liter- ary aspirations and contrib- uting to the wellbeing of the entire community. She thanks the wonderful, sup- portive and hardworking staff members and student body at making her time at North a wonderful one.

who are struggling with mental health. She pas- sionately talked about the importance of the club, saying “the club enables students to get the assis- tance they need to succeed in life. Everyone has their ups and downs, and we feel it is important to give stu- dents the opportunity and the support they deserve to fully express their poten- tial. We want everyone to reach a better mental and physical state of health.” Though her departure from North will be bitter- sweet, Milheiser is excited to embark on new adven- tures, discover newhobbies and passions, and spend more time with her loved ones. One of her favorite pastimes is gardening, and she maintains a vegetable and flower garden of her own. She is hoping to take a master gardening class

Photo by Sarah Fleming.

Appleton North librar- ian Mrs. Patricia Mil- heiser is retiring after seven outstanding years of working at North, and 27 years at Madison Mid- Mrs. Milheiser will miss working with dedicated staff and students By Adithi Reddy

dle School, for a total of 34 years in the AASD. Milheiser is very grateful for her time spent at North and the relationships she was able to build with oth- er staff members and dedi- cated students; their hard work and commitment to- wards making the school and community a better place is something she admires and endeavoured to accomplish herself.

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