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Hospital Closure

By Meg Hansen

Sacred Heart and St. Joseph’s Hospitals in the Chippewa Valley closed their doors at the end of March.

Many patients worry that something similar may happen to other local hospitals. Dr. Paul Horvath, a local ER doctor, for ​Mayo Clinic said that patients don’t need to worry about this, at least within the Mayo Healthcare System. There have been a ​lot of rural hospital closures in the last few years since the pandemic. 106 rural hospitals have closed across the nation since ​2005. It has been challenging to have patients who can’t pay bills and it is hard to hire staff to keep the doors open, said ​Horvath. Running a hospital is expensive and doesn't always pay well. Syren Elsner, a Mayo Clinic Nurse, said that Mayo has ​been extremely transparent with its staff since the closure, ensuring them that Mayo isn’t losing money. She said there is a ​lesser chance of closing now that more patients will be coming to other area hospitals because they still need those services.

Staff from the closed hospitals still had to find work, though. Dr. Horvath said that while he cannot speak for all staff affected ​by the closure, he knows that Mayo has hired over 100 staff from the closed hospitals. “They’re trying to hire in areas that ​make sense so that we can keep more healthcare professionals in the community.” Regarding the effects on neighboring ​hospitals and the staff who work there, he said, “As an ER worker, it’s a lot busier since the closures, which is hard. It makes ​days busier and work harder. Northwestern Wisconsin hospitals were full even before the closures so it is hard to get patients ​into the hospitals and find a place for them when they need it, so it’s added to the day-to-day stress of the job.” Syren Elsner ​said that from the patient’s perspective, this limits access throughout Northwestern Wisconsin. It will make it much harder to ​book appointments and it will force people to have to book appointments further in advance. “Patients will also have to find ​new providers and get their medical records transferred to their new provider. It’s important to be able to connect with your ​healthcare provider which is why finding a new one can be a struggle.” She said it isn’t all bad though, saying it may boost the ​popularity of virtual doctor visits, reducing the need for an in-person checkup. Horvath said that Mayo is doing what it can to ​make sure patients who have urgent and emergent needs get taken care of. They recognize patients with less acute and urgent ​needs may get delayed and some may need to go out of town to get care.

The good news, though, is that this doesn’t really limit the care you can get in the Chippewa Valley. Almost all other hospitals ​in the area offered most of the same types of care as the closed hospitals. There are two exceptions, though, according to ​Horvath. “Sacred Heart had the only child and adolescent psych unit in the area, which means there is less ability to receive ​mental health treatment. L.E. Phillips is the only center that does acute alcohol and drug detox and that was linked to St. ​Josephs. Those services are going to be very difficult to replace.”

This doesn’t mean that rural healthcare isn’t still at risk. “Rural healthcare is a tough business, and without some real support ​from the government and some real work from healthcare providers to manage care costs, rural healthcare is at risk of other ​potential closures. Fortunately, Mayo Clinic in Northwestern Wisconsin is doing well and is stable. Services may be shuffled to ​other locations and limitations may happen due to physician availability, but there aren’t any facilities at a big risk of closure at ​this time,” said Dr. Horvath. Syren added that this may even be good for area hospitals since they’ll have more patients who ​need to be cared for. Hospital closures aren’t just a problem locally, though. Rural healthcare has been struggling nationwide. ​Even bigger healthcare systems, such as the Billings Clinic in Montana, have been struggling financially, said Dr. Horvath, so it ​is a much larger problem than just the Chippewa Valley. Syren says that in general healthcare, this affects access, which in ​turn affects preventative care. Without being able to access the services they need, people aren’t able to receive preventative ​care and are at a greater risk of becoming ill and needing to be hospitalized for something that could’ve been managed ​sooner.

So what would happen on the off chance that another area hospital, such as Red Cedar Medical in Menomonie, closed? ​“Generally, ambulance transport times would be longer, since they’d have to go to the next appropriate hospital. Boyceville ​would probably go to Eau Claire or Bloomer, possibly even Barron. Basically, just the next closest hospital that is able to ​provide the care that the patient needs,” Dr. Horvath explained. Syren said that it would mean the difference between a 20-​minute (or less) ambulance ride and a 45-minute (or more) ambulance ride. It would mean longer wait times, more helicopter ​usage, and it can mean more risk for patients.

Special thanks to Dr. Paul Horvath and Syren Elsner for their valuable insight into this topic.

Forensics

By Grace Edenborg

Here at Menomonie High School, we have many different options for extracurricular activities so that everyone can find ​something that they like. One of those activities is the Forensics team. Forensics is a competitive speech team with events ​ranging from Poetry and Prose to Acting and Radio News Broadcasting. The students compete to earn points up to 25 with ​different point amounts corresponding to first, second, third, fourth, and fifth place. Our Forensics team at MHS did ​outstanding this year, making it all the way to state with a majority of their team placing first, second, or third. Now to hear ​from some of the team themselves, I reached out to three students that are on the team, two of whom are also writers for the ​newspaper, and here is what they had to say.

The first student is Miles Ogden, a sophomore who placed in both Oratory and Expository at the state competition this year.

What is your favorite thing about forensics?- My favorite thing is definitely the community; I've found a lot of friends at ​forensics--both from Menomonie and not--and I love getting to hang out with everyone.

What is your favorite event and why?- Even though I haven't done it, my favorite event is playacting. Compared to some of ​the other events it's really exciting and you get to see a wide variety. You literally just get to do a mini-play with friends!

What new thing have you learned or what experience have you gained from doing Forensics?- I've learned a lot of stuff ​related to public speaking in general. While I've done public speaking before forensics, it really helped refine it and make me a ​much better speaker.

The next student I reached out to was Eleanor Beck, a freshman who placed in Extemporaneous at the state competition this ​year.

What is your favorite thing about forensics?- My favorite thing about forensics is the people. Whether I do poorly in my piece ​or get first place, the people in forensics always have your back. I really enjoyed this season not just because of being with old ​friends but because I got to know so many more. Although, I will be sad to say goodbye to so many amazing seniors. They ​really organized a great team this year.

What is your favorite event and why?- My favorite event would probably be extemporaneous speaking, my event. Although I ​may be biased I really think this event is amazing in so many ways. In Exempt, competitors each get a prompt relating to a ​current event of some sort. This usually is politics, economics, war, or opinion; but there are many different questions and you ​never know what you will get. Then, competitors each get 30 min to put together a speech that usually lasts around 2-5 min. ​The trick is that you only get one index card to write on and you must have good sources, structure, opinions, and of course ​good speech skills like body language, tone, etc. This event is definitely very hard and I often want to give up after writing so ​much in a day, but it really is very satisfying to perform a great speech about something you knew way less about 30 min ago.

What new thing have you learned or what experience have you gained from doing Forensics?- I think this season really ​taught me how to excel at public speaking. I have been doing forensics since 7th grade, but I didn’t always do well. I have a ​tendency to stutter, and talk fast, as well as fidget or move. I definitely still struggle with these things but I have improved ​greatly from even the start of the season to now. When I first told a coach that I wanted to do exempt she was surprised ​because no one else wanted to the event at first. At first, my speeches were short averaging around 1-2 min and I struggled ​with eye contact and slowing down. Now, I average around 3-4 min and am scoring higher in my event even if I need some ​reminders sometimes. I really learned a ton about my event and how to be more confident this year thanks to our amazing ​coaches and seniors. I can’t wait for next year!

The last student I reached out to was Tehya Johnson, a sophomore who placed in Expository at the state competition this year.

What is your favorite thing about forensics?- My favorite thing about forensics is the team environment. This year was my ​first year in forensics, and I couldn’t ask for a better team. Everyone was so inclusive and encouraging. As soon as you got ​done with a round, you could count on someone asking you how you did and wishing you good luck on your next round. I also ​really enjoyed Sate this year. It was so fun getting to bond with the team and I had a lot of fun playing games with my ​teammates. Overall, everyone is so kind and it’s just a great atmosphere.

What is your favorite event and why?- This was only my first year in high school forensics, so everything was very new to me! ​I compete in the Expository category which is a 5 minute informative speech. In this category you write your own speech and ​are allowed a small index card to use while you perform, however, I find it easier to perform when the piece is memorized! I ​know we have a lot of members that perform poetry and acting pieces which are both very fun categories. Next year I plan on ​returning to Expository and hopefully have a Group Interpretation piece.

What new thing have you learned or what experience have you gained from doing Forensics?- When most people think of ​public speaking all they think of is fear. But there is nothing to be scared of! Forensics is such an amazing opportunity that I ​recommend to everyone! It strengthens your public speaking skills that you will use for the rest of your life. It also helps you ​connect with a diverse group of students like actors, athletes, students who participate in academic clubs, and everyone in ​between. It truly is something everyone should consider doing.

A Night of Color and Sounds

By Grace Edenborg

People from all over the community came to the Spring Swing and Art Show held on May 11th. On this day the Jazz Band ​hosted their yearly Spring Swing performances. The night was filled with music from genres such as pop, jazz, and more. ​Before the music started there was be dance lessons for those looking to improve their skills. The new edition to this night was ​the Art Show that will be held in the Gymnasium throughout the night starting at five and ending at 8. The art was a showcase ​of 400 pieces in total from anyone who had taken an art class during the 2023-2024 school year. Overall, the night was a wo​nderful showcase o​f​ all types of art filled with colors and sound.

Case Against Homework

By Mathew Vang

The topic of homework and its impact on academic success is a matter of ongoing discussion in the dynamic field of education. ​This section aims to highlight the disadvantages of assigning after-school tasks, advocating for a reevaluation of its importance ​in modern education. Given the desire of the new generation of young learners to flourish in a supportive environment with the ​right mindset, it’s essential to illuminate the effects of homework on today's learners.

The detrimental effects of excessive homework on students' mental well-being cannot be overstated. The pressure to manage ​multiple assignments and meet deadlines often leads to heightened stress levels. Therefore, it is critical to evaluate the ​educational benefits of such practices.

Family and friend interactions and participation in extracurricular activities are crucial to a student's holistic development. ​Many students are family oriented, and excessive homework diminishes opportunities to engage in personal life, impeding their ​ability to explore personal interests and meaningful activities with friends and family. It is essential to strike a balance between ​academic pursuit and personal satisfaction.

It’s necessary to reimagine the role of homework and integrate it seamlessly into schoolwork to better improve livelihood. This ​approach emphasizes the benefits of blurring the lines between traditional homework and classroom learning, creating a ​continuous educational experience. Integration such as this promotes a better comprehension of concepts that are taught ​within periods and classes and it reinforces learning beyond the classroom. Notably, completing assignments during dedicated ​school hours respects the boundary between home and school life, asserting that home life should be reserved for family, ​relaxation, and non-school related activities. A statement that shares the growing sentiment of students’ is, "Homelife is for ​home, not school."

In conclusion, the proposal to seamlessly integrate homework into schoolwork not only advocates for a more cohesive and ​effective learning experience but aligns with the belief that homelife should be a sanctuary for friend and familial ties, and ​personal pursuits of passion. If one were to embrace this perspective, we would create an educational environment that ​prioritizes both academic success and overall well-being.

Case For Homewor​k

By Lily Frahe​r

Homework has been a topic of debate in the education system for many years. While some argue that it is unnecessary and ​causes stress for students, others believe that it is an essential part of the learning process. There are several reasons why ​homework should be used in schools.

Firstly, homework helps students to reinforce what they have learned in class. By practicing the skills they have learned, ​students better understand the material and it to real-life situations. This leads to better academic performance and a deeper ​understanding of the subject matter.

Secondly, homework teaches students time management and responsibility. By assigning homework, teachers are helping ​students to develop good study habits and prepare them for college (and/or the workforce). Students learn to prioritize their ​tasks and manage their time effectively, which is a valuable skill that will benefit them throughout their lives, no matter the path ​they choose to take.

Thirdly, homework provides an opportunity for parents to be involved in their child's education. Parents can monitor their ​child's progress and provide support when needed. This involvement can lead to better communication between parents and ​teachers, which can ultimately benefit the student.

Last, but not least, homework can be used to differentiate instruction and meet the needs of all learners. By assigning ​homework that is tailored to each student's needs, teachers can provide additional support or challenge for students who need ​it.

All in all, homework is a valuable tool for enhancing student learning and should continue to be used in schools. While it may ​cause stress for some students, the benefits of homework far outweigh the negatives. By reinforcing what students have learned ​in class, teaching time management and responsibility, involving parents in the education process, and differentiating ​instruction, homework can help students to succeed academically and prepare them to make the most of their unique futures.