By Karli Dellar and Dakota Vernezze, staff writers
Communications Academy
Even though it’s only the second month of school, the Communications Academy is already busy with their work. From freshmen to seniors, everyone already is deep in their work.
“I have a COW (computers on wheels) of Mac Pros that are working wonderfully,” said Katie Sciarra. “The freshman class is doing really well with them, really responsible, respectful. My sophomore class is getting their work done on point with them, even though we don’t get to take them home.”
With the recent budget cuts, Communications’ freshmen and sophomores no longer are issued laptops, since money isn’t available to repair them again. But the students are adjusting well to the change. One of Sciarra’s goals is to learn more about typography.
“I’d really like to work on learning a little more about how typography and how the whole printing process came to be just push-print now,” said Sciarra. The upperclassmen in the academy are working on developing skills for future careers. Former Communications students are being contacted and brought in to talk to seniors.
“We’re trying to bring more relevance, try to make it so when you graduate you can actually have life skills,” said Sandra Bleser. “That’s really what’s important. Each of you are going to make a decision and go into a different direction but have skills to be able to apply to whatever field you decide to go into.”
Currently the academy is trying to work on recruiting freshmen for next year. According to Bleser, in some cases, students are coming into the academy expecting it to be one way, but then realizing that it’s different than what they thought. It is important in- coming students are clear what the academy all has to offer.
“In terms of getting our program in sync, we have a program that is very sequential now. We’re trying to really get the students familiar with what the program is in terms of making it meaningful to them.” said Bleser.
From middle school to graduate students, the Communications academy is refining on its communication.
Business Academy
Over on the business side of the school, the Business Academy is changing its leadership. With Bruce Bloedorn retiring in January, Heather Paulson will be taking over the duties of the school store and marketing.
“The academy is being led by a pretty young and new group of people,” said Bloedorn.
According to him, the academy has two new teachers to welcome to Indian Trail. The curriculum will be remaining the same, and the academy wants to create student organizations. These organizations will be participating in different conferences and events.
The Hawk Shop is up and running, offering drinks, food, and clothing. They are currently trying to set up an online store, as well as trying to get a debit card reader. The Hawk Shop is open mornings before school and during periods 5A, 5B, and 5C.
Medical Science Academy
“New for the Med Science Academy is that sophomores through seniors now are getting Chromebooks and the freshmen are the only ones that receive tablets,”said Med Science Academy leader Paul Fix.
Among the events that the academy is looking forward to this year is the freshman trip to the Milwaukee County Zoo for its animal survey course. Med Sci Academy also has a spaghetti dinner planned in November to fundraise for the Med Science Health Expo in early spring. So come out a help raise money and support the Med Science Health Expo, Spaghetti dinner date will be posted soon.
Kenosha Military Academy
The Kenosha Military Academy has some new leadership and volunteer activities planned this year. The new Battalion Commander for the Kenosha Military Academy is cadet first Lieutenant Colonel Pablo Lang who helps make decisions that need to be made to execute the KMA events that the academy have set up. The cadets in the academy have a volunteer project that they pick each year and events that they volunteer at during the summer or throughout the school year.
According to Colonel Randal Moffat, Battalion Commander Pablo Lang chose to work with the Veterans of Foreign Wars in providing support for the Shalom Center.
The cadets also volunteer for ‘P.O.W’ and ‘M.I.A’ day (Prisoners of War and Missing in Action). They also were road guards for the veterans during their march. Other upcoming KMA events are Color Guard competitions and many drill meets including a competition in Zion, Ill., on Oct. 31 and their Battalion formation on Oct. 28 at Indian Trail High School and Academy.