10 Broadcaster Press October 29, 2019 www.broadcasteronline.com October 2019 Vermillion High School’s Student Newspaper Vermillion.K12.SD.US Photo provided by Russ Stone BY ZADYA ABBOTT From bands to companies, many things find their start in a garage including the Haunted House that became the annual trademark of Vermillion HIgh School’s Drama Club. One time, before she was VHS’s Speech and Drama teacher, Ms. Begley had three hundred people line up to attend her haunted house. After she was hired to work at Vermillion High School, she knew that a haunted house would not only be a successful fundraiser for the Drama Boosters but it would also give kids a reason to get excited, dressed up, and put on an expression of their creativity. The Drama Club has put on a haunted house for the past nineteen years, however it no longer takes place in a garage. “I discovered the house that we use while taking a walk in lower Vermillion. It was abandoned and creepy so I did some digging, contacted the owners and got their permission. They said we could use it as long as we pay for event insurance. Interestingly, the person who used to own it, now deceased, was the VHS Speech and Drama teacher years ago,” explained Ms. Begley. This New Senior Class Advisors Pictured Elizabeth Bruemmer Photo by Zadya Abbott BY OLIVIA REGNERUS Mr. John Schloss, the chemistry teacher at Vermillion High School (VHS), and Ms. Elizabeth Bruemmer, the Spanish teacher at VHS, are our new Senior Class Advisors. They took the place of Ms. Billberg, a Social Science teacher at VHS. They already have great plans for this years’ seniors. They are helping guide the Seniors to make plans for their last year of high school. One of the exciting things for the senior class is going on the senior class trip. In the past, the popular choice has been Worlds of Fun in Kansas City. According to Mr. Schloss, he and Ms. Bruemmer “[...] are open to ideas for the seniors and have talked with several. [...] The time of year we go on the trip kind of limits their options as places like Valley Fair near the Twin Cities is closed until later in the spring. Some have suggested maybe going to Six Flags in Missouri, which sounds awesome, but is another 2 hours work of drive time.” The End of Year Senior Cookout has always been another great tradition. Mr. Schloss and Ms. Bruemmer agree that “if the Seniors are willing to put in the work to make it happen it will have [our] full support and should be a great time.” Pictured John Schloss Photo by Zadya Abbott The greatest obstacle for each graduating class is selecting class officers. Class officers will be responsible not only for this year but also every year after. “If graduating classes have weak leadership 5, 10, 15, 20, year reunions don't happen or aren't well attended. This year's senior class has a great amount of potential leaders and [we] look forward to seeing who steps up to the plate and runs for leadership and who gets selected,” states Mr. Schloss. Fundraising is a concern, but our new senior class advisers have great ideas in the works. Mr. Schloss commented, “Senorita and I have thrown around some ideas including selling hot chocolate to students and/or maybe snow cones once we make it through winter!” Both Mr. Schloss and Ms. Bruemmer are very excited to be senior class advisors. This group of seniors was the first group Schloss ever taught at Vermillion. “It’s bittersweet,” he explained. Three years ago was Mr. Schloss’ first year teaching here at Vermillion High School. Therefore, this year's senior class was the first group of students he got to teach. He is sad to see them go, but knows that they will do great things. year’s haunted house is based on a medical asylum theme, will take place on October 25th and 26th from 7-10 p.m., and costs 5 dollars per person. The Vermillionare congratulates the Drama Club on another year and encourages the community to go out in support of a truly terror-filled haunted house. Pictured Senior Band Members Photo Courtesy of REBECCA OLSON BY ASHLYN BICKETT, POV Drum Major Pride of Vermillion Marching Band 2019 Arts classes are an important part of Vermillion High School, but they are often overlooked. Vermillion High School’s Pride of Vermillion Marching Band (POV) has an admirable reputation, and it was not built overnight. After having the same director for decades, Mr. Olson, in his second year at VHS, has begun a new chapter for the band. Almost every day during the school week, POV can be seen outside running their show, “iBand,” and perfecting it. Last year, the band did not travel to many events, but that changed this year. POV has performed at the Vermillion Homecoming Parade, Norfolk’s Lions Club Parade, Dakota Days, and Yankton’s March to the Meridian. The parades in Vermillion do not get judged because the band cannot place in home parades. However, at Norfolk and Yankton, POV brought home first and second place trophies, respectively. This year is also the first year POV performed their full field show at more than one competition. In the past, POV had only performed their show at Quad State, but this year POV’s “iBand” graced the field in Yankton. The most important competition of the season took place on October 19th at the Quad State Field Marching Competition on the campus of the University of South Dakota There, they performed and competed against many other bands from South Dakota, Iowa, Minnesota, and Nebraska. In the, admittedly goofy, words of Mr. Olson, “Do it the most bestest that you can.” That is decidedly what POV did when they finished Quad State second place in their division being awarded “Best Visuals” and “Best Overall Effect.” In addition to POV’s rigorous marching schedule, they also play for pep band at many home sporting events. So far this year, Football and Volleyball have had many spectacular performances, and the crowds are always ready to have a good time. As much fun as band sounds, it is also a lot of work. POV would struggle to accomplish its goals if it did not have an amazing command staff of student leaders. With the help of the drum majors, guard captains, woodwind and brass captains, section leaders, and operations directors, the band strives to reach its maximum potential. POV hopes to continue to grow as a group and exceed expectations throughout the band season this year.