Your Weekly Oriole News

This is an academics & activities extravaganza hosted at HUHS once a year.

Consider it your open house to explore the exciting opportunities we offer our students, plus it's fun for all ages so bring the family!

At Showcase, you can:
Explore our AP class offerings

Talk to student-athletes and their coaches

Engage with all of our different departments

Check out our 35+ clubs and activities

Experience live demonstrations and experiments

Tour our greenhouse and pet animals

Sample delicious food from our World Languages and Culinary Arts departments

You may have to zoom in a bit to see the special messages from Holy Hill Area School District's Administrator Tim Onsager, Hartford Joint 1 District's Administrator Tara Villalobos, Erin School District's Administrator Joannie Kalina, and Hartford Union High School District's Superintendent Jeff Walters. This creative exercise was a way for the four to get together for the holidays, create a fun message to share with new hires in 2024, and ultimately focus on why a career in education is a true gift.

We are thrilled to announce this year's "Coaches vs. Cancer" event was a resounding success! Two communities, Hartford and Slinger, came together this past fall and managed to raise an incredible $18,560.31, marking the highest total since the event's inception in 2011.

Plus next year we will be giving the trophy a new name! We will be rededicating it as the Wilkinson-Redders-Jacklin Memorial Trophy.

The event started in 2011 by Kevin Wilkinson, a Slinger football coach who was fighting his own personal battle with cancer at the time. Kevin passed away two months after the first game, but it was his wish that we carry on. The “Coaches vs Cancer” game then became an annual event. The traveling trophy was created in Wilkinson's memory and in 2022, the traveling trophy was renamed the “Wilkinson/Redders” traveling trophy after Hartford Head John Redders lost his father to cancer the previous year. Now we are adding the name Jacklin to honor Brenda Jacklin, Slinger Head Coach Bill Jacklin's wife, who passed away after a long battle with brain cancer this past April.

The Slinger Owls came home with the trophy this year with a 31-14 win over the Hartford Orioles on Friday, October 6th. The real victory however, is seen in the generosity of both communities who support this event and give 100% of the profit to the American Cancer Society.

"I am incredibly moved by the unity and spirit of our community," says Scott Helms, Athletic and Activities Director at Hartford Union High School. "Seeing everyone come together to raise funds for cancer research shows the true strength and compassion of both the Hartford and Slinger communities. It's not just about the money we raise, but the message we send - we stand together against cancer."

We can't wait to share this moment of respect and remembrance with all of you next year as we continue to rally, fight, and triumph over cancer. So, get your game face on and mark your calendars for next year's event on September 6th.

The Hartford Union High School musical production, "Once Upon A Mattress," has been nominated for 17 Wisconsin Jerry Awards, including Outstanding Musical and Outstanding Ensemble for the entire production.

"We are grateful and awestruck to find out our production was nominated for a whopping 17 Jerry Awards in Wisconsin," says Production Co-Director Dani Kuepper.

HUHS Choral and Music Educator Ernie Brusubardis says, "This feels like the Super Bowl of high school musical theatre! Each nomination is a testament to the hard work, talent, and passion our students pour into every performance for our audience. This is a celebration for our entire community."

This is the first time, the HUHS Pit Orchestra has been nominated, contributing to the most nominations Hartford has ever received.

According to its website, "The Jerry Awards is one of Wisconsin’s High School Musical Awards Programs which recognizes and honors excellence in high school musical theater. Educators and industry professionals review productions at more than 85 high schools in 30 counties around the state providing valuable feedback. The program elevates the importance of musical theater within high schools."

The musical "Once Upon a Mattress" is a revitalized version of the timeless fairy tale, "The Princess and the Pea". The production played at the Schauer Art Center in Hartford from November 11th to the 18th.

The 17 Jerry Nominations for Hartford's production of "Once Upon A Mattress" encompass both production and individual categories and include:

• Production Nominations: Outstanding Musical, Outstanding Ensemble, Outstanding Orchestra

• Individual Nominations: Outstanding Lead Performances by Maddy Adams (Princess Winnifred), Brady Senkbeil (Prince Dauntless), Annie Nettesheim (Queen Aggravain), Lukas Lichtenwalner (The Minstrel), Gaby George (The Jester), Audra Schafer (Lady Larken) and Amiah Brakob for Outstanding Dance Performance (Jester Dance Solo)

• Outstanding Directions by Dani Kuepper & Mel Kaiser

• Outstanding Musical Direction by Ernest Brusubardis

• Outstanding Choreography by Dani Kuepper & Mel Kaiser

• Outstanding Scenic Design by Colleen & Rob Boelkow

• Outstanding Lighting Design by Dana Klieman

• Outstanding Costume, Wig/Hair, and Make-up Design by Mary Lou Stelter, Sandy Wallisch, & Sue Steldt

• Outstanding Sound Design by Zach Szalay

The Jerry Award winners will be announced in June.

Photo Credits: Dynamic Light Photography