Oshkosh North students launch podcast on teen issues as school unveils first new band uniforms in 30 years: What to know

From Staff Reports
·3 min read
Promo image for The Breakwater podcast series 'Be Courageous' in Oshkosh.
Promo image for The Breakwater podcast series 'Be Courageous' in Oshkosh.

OSHKOSH – Students in the Communities program at Oshkosh North High School are partnering with Breakwater and creating a podcast titled "Be Courageous" where the community can ask teens questions. Teens answer truthfully and give their own opinion on the topics at hand, including substance use, burnout, mental health and overall life.

The first two podcasts are published on Soundcloud and other streaming platforms.

The first podcast is hosts Evelyn Oehler and Jera Jennings introducing themselves and sharing what they will be partaking in. The second is the first topic, teens and substance use.

The goal of The Breakwater Podcast, according to a news release, is to get the community involved in teens’ lives and provide insight into teens’ lives. The podcast helps adults in the community understand teens and connect with them in a healthy way, it added.

Communities students are also creating an event to promote Breakwater’s message of “You can have fun without using substances.” The event will be from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. May 26 at the Downtown YMCA in Oshkosh, 324 Washington Ave. Teens will get to participate in games with prizes. Plus, there will be free food.

Communities is a community-based learning program at Oshkosh North that offers students a way to enhance their skills in literacy, leadership, digital citizenship and social studies while covering all required district standards. The Communities program collaborates with businesses, organizations and community members to provide an authentic learning experience while improving the community.

Oshkosh North unveils new, donor-supported band uniforms

Oshkosh North's new band uniforms
Oshkosh North's new band uniforms

The Oshkosh North High School marching band will debut its new uniforms at the 2023 Oshkosh Memorial Day Procession.

Getting the new uniforms has been a priority for North’s band director, Gloria Dorschner-Mackie, since she joined the Spartan teaching staff in 2020.

“The typical lifespan for band uniforms is 15 years," Dorschner-Mackie said in a news release. "Our previous uniforms were over 30 years old, heavy, and required extensive hemming and sewing in order to fit students each year. As our program continues to grow, these new uniforms bring a new contemporary look to the Spartan marching band, setting us apart from other programs and fostering a sense of school pride at North and in our community.”

The new uniforms feature a modern design that includes a jumpsuit, jacket and side-drape cape. They are made out of comfortable and flexible material, and include a built-in length alteration system that eliminates sewing needs. The new uniforms also incorporate Oshkosh North’s current school colors.

Donning the new uniforms signals the end of a $75,000 fundraising campaign that began in 2022. The band program was able to purchase 150 new uniforms to support its growing program with financial support from the Oshkosh Area School District, Oshkosh North and the OASD Education Foundation, as well as private donors and fundraising activities. Additionally, a fund was created at the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation to support the effort and expand its reach.

The Oshkosh North band program will be selling a small number of the old band uniforms ― those that have withstood the 30 years of use. Proceeds will be used to support the band’s ongoing department needs. To learn more about the uniform sale, contact Dorschner-Mackie at gloria.dorschner@oshkosh.k12.wi.us or 920-424-7000, ext. 2466.

Read more:

This article originally appeared on Oshkosh Northwestern: Oshkosh students start podcast on teen drug use, mental health