De Pere High class of 2016 graduates (Hard News)

DE PERE, Wis.

            The De Pere High School senior class of 2016 walked for their diplomas on Wednesday, June 8. 

            288 graduating Redbirds took the stage at the ceremony to toss their caps for the 2,500 audience members.

            “Graduation is one of the best events of the year,” says guidance counselor, Carla Duevel. “It’s thrilling for us and for parents.” 

            High School secretary, Lea Ann Allen says it can be a bittersweet time. “You’re always happy to see the students move on, but you sometimes miss the familiar faces.”

            According to the De Pere Hi-Light, and counseling office, 90% of graduating seniors are enrolled in further education.

            Counselor Carla Duevel says this graduating class is unique in that more students than ever have opted to attend a technical college or trade school. “We encourage the students to find what works best for them, four-year college isn’t always the best,” says Duevel. 

            This year’s ceremony took place in the school’s very own gymnasium, the first time in three years. 

            Nick Joseph, Principal at De Pere High, says it was a challenging change. “We’ve had the ceremony at St. Norbert’s the past few years, but they are under construction so we had to so some rearranging. Thanks to our staff, it all ran very smoothly.”  

            Two senior class delegates spoke to their peers, and Principal Joseph delivered a commencement at the ceremony. 

“The ideas I wanted to instill in our graduates are to follow their dreams, do what they love, and to try their best to make a difference in the world,” says Joseph.

Following graduation, seniors were treated to a Grad Bash celebration of games and prizes until 4 am Thursday morning.

NEW Zoo keepers reeling from otter deaths (Feature)

SUAMICO, Wis.

            “When you care for them from birth, you can’t help but grow incredibly attached” says Carmen Murach on the recent deaths of two otter pups and their mother. 

            Carmen Murach, Curator of Animals at the NEW Zoo says the sudden deaths were “very difficult” for all of the keepers at the zoo. According to Murach, the North American River otter pups had just grown past 12-weeks of age, a very crucial time for survival. 

            The zoo put out a statement Wednesday morning, June 8, saying the two otter pups and their mother had fallen ill and died in the night.

            Murach went on to say that the keepers thought the worst was over. “We thought we were out of the woods with the pups, but all of a sudden they seemed to fall ill and were gone so quickly. It was very sad.”

            Bonnie, the three-year-old mother otter, will also be dearly missed, says Carmen. “I’ve worked hands on with her for a long time. She was such a good mother.”

            The keepers are not fully sure of what caused the deaths at this time. They do know the illness was gastrointestinal and that it progressed rapidly and violently. WBAY reports that necropsies were performed and tests are being run in order to determine the cause of death.

Staff veterinarians and keepers were able to save two of the pups, and are currently monitoring them before re-allowing contact with the remaining otters. 

            A NEW Zoo volunteer, who works as a giraffe-feeding instructor, echoed the feelings of attachment to the animals, “You grow really close to them. I’ve been working with these two (giraffes) for years.” 

            The volunteer, who chooses to remain anonymous, reflected on an incident where the 12-year-old female giraffe, Zuri, gave birth to a stillborn. 

“Zuri (Swahili for “beautiful”) had such a traumatic time as a mother, it was really heartbreaking to witness. When you work with the animals for a long time, their losses become yours’.” 

            Andrea Szcepanski, who works with the Animal Ambassadors program, says she feels the sadness as well. “It’s always emotional when we lose an animal, but when it’s so sudden like this, it’s really hard.”

            The Animal Ambassadors program is where NEW Zoo handlers, like Andrea, introduce some zoo animals like snakes, rabbits, and cockroaches, to kids and families. 

            “We work hands-on so we always have to be safe, but there is definitely a certain bond you develop when you get to work with them daily” says Andrea. 

            Zoo safety precautions have recently come under intense scrutiny following an incident at the Cincinnati Zoo where a three-year-old boy fell into the gorilla enclosure. The zoo ultimately decided to cull the silverback gorilla, and the boy suffered no serious injuries. 

            Staff at the NEW Zoo say an incident like that never goes unnoticed. 

            “There are unannounced practiced drills for the keepers, and they are played out as realistically as possible” explains Andrea. 

            Zoo Curator, Carmen Murach also reflects on the zoo’s safety drills saying, “Safety always has to be our number one priority. We’re well prepared for those situations, but we take precautions so that they never have to happen.” 

            Safety precautions unfortunately did not prevent the deaths of the three river otters. Fox11 reports that the cause of death may not be known for a further three weeks.

            Skokie, the adult father of the pups, is the only otter viewable to the public at this time. Keepers will continue to monitor him, but remain cautiously optimistic about his health, and about the two remaining pups.

Social Media Posts

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