WAES Urban-Rural Exchange Program: Second Leg

The Milwaukee high school exchange students arrived in White Lake ready for some North Woods adventures, but they were still caught by a few surprises. The Milwaukee delegation got a quick tour of White Lake School before heading off to a dairy farm. The school has one hallway for grades 7-12 and a short arm for elementary school. "I expected it to be like my elementary school," said Milwaukee student ShaRhaina Brown, "but its extremely small."

Milwaukee student Joshua Hargrove was "flabbergasted" when he saw White Lake School's gym, built in 1938. The oldest gym in Wisconsin, it holds 200 people. The court cannot be expanded any further to meet regulation size and quality without redoing the entire gym. "Some kids practice until 9:30 at night because there's not enough room for all the kids and sports," said White Lake athletic director George Maule, who also head coaches two sports, teaches all high school math and chemisty I, and advises the freshman class.

Both Milwaukee and White Lake students learned a lot about where their milk and cheese come from, as they listened to White Lake school board president Andy Kostelny. Kostelny is a third generation owner of the local family dairy farm. Kostelny explained the full production process and talked to students about Wisconsin's dairy history that is being threatened as the number of such farms decline.

Both Milwaukee and White Lake students learned a lot about where their milk and cheese come from, as they listened to White Lake school board president Andy Kostelny. Kostelny is a third generation owner of the local family dairy farm. Kostelny explained the full production process and talked to students about Wisconsin's dairy history that is being threatened as the number of such farms decline.

"Do I have to do this?" asked one Milwaukee student. Wearing plastic boots and gloves, Milwaukee and White Lake students entered the barn at the dairy farm. They learned how to milk a cow and deal with the stench of manure. After the tour, students drank milk and got a taste of some local cheese and, unknowingly to Milwaukee students, venison (deer) sausage. Milwaukee students soon learned to their surprise that they were eating something they'd never had before.

Milwaukee students and White Lake hosts gathered at a "game feed" for dinner, which included elk, venison (deer), grouse, and peasant. Around the table, left to right: Monica Harris, ShaRhaina Brown (hidden), Serena Williams, Martha McCarthy, Kim Bodoh (standing), Joshua Hargrove (standing), Ashley Blawat, Kelsea Gallagher, Rachel Schneider, Matt Wahleithner, Kelly Eisenman, Mai Chee Xiong, Bow Xiong, LaToya Davis, and Kalise Bussiere.