Summer Mash-Up enrolls 102 students in opening week
By Jason Arndt
Staff Writer
Opening week of the inaugural Summer Mash-Up program held at Wilmot Union High School has brought more than summer enrichment, according to Co-Principal Julie Strasser, who hopes to build on the success next year.
Summer Mash-Up, attended by 102 students from Wilmot feeder schools, offered classes in art, baking, band, drama, leadership and a combined program of science, technology, engineering and math commonly known as STEM in the five-week program.
The Mash-Up’s goal is to give students an opportunity to broaden their horizons and continue to learn through the summer.
“This is more of an enrichment program offered to provide opportunities for students to learn new things and have new experiences not normally found in the regular curriculum,” Strasser said. “It is something intended to keep them engaged and learning over the summer.”
The program includes busing at each of the feeder schools, including Wheatland Center School, Lakewood School, Randall Consolidated School and Riverview in Silver Lake.
Additionally, eight teachers from Lakewood, Randall and Riverview are involved in instruction.
Art teacher Marie Orszula of Riverview is one teacher that has seen excitement from all involved.
“Students are enjoying getting to know kids from different schools,” Orszula stated. “It is a chance to be creative and to learn more about things they are interested in.”
Strasser agreed, saying the program builds new friendships.
“It is actually amazing to see the kids interacting not only with students from other schools, but also those in different grade levels,” Strasser said. “Watching them share, laugh, and enjoy the experience together is building camaraderie and that is awesome.”
When Strasser is not at the principal’s desk, she teaches the baking class, which reportedly exceeded her expectations.
The class, capped at 25, had 42 students interested in the course.
“Being such a hands-on class with so much direction needed, it would have been impossible to have so many students in the class,” she explained. “Definitely adding more sessions of baking for next year.”
While Strasser is teaching, Neil Daniels serves as the co-principal of the program and also instructs the leadership games class.
“Since I am teaching baking and Neil is teaching leadership games, we switch off on supervising and administrative duties while the other is teaching class,” she said.
During the regular school year, Daniels serves as a physical education teacher at Riverview School.
Leadership games feature activities that bolster student leadership qualities in the classroom and community while participating in games that improve communication skills, Strasser said, creating a positive learning environment.
While in its infancy, Strasser hopes students find inspiration and use skills from the enrichment program, by making cookies, building marble coasters and nurtures their creative side with painting.
“They can take what they are learning here and go home and continue to explore and learn,” she stated.
Dependent on parental and student feedback, she hopes to add more classes and expand selection next year.
