Lake Country This Month

By Lauren Anderson Freeman Staff WAUKESHA — Even when Anna Wolfs was in middle school, her teacher recognized that she would go on to do something big. "Anna was one who was so unique, you just knew she was going to do something influential in her life," John Flannery, now the Oconomowoc Area School District's director of curriculum, said. "I knew working with her in seventh and eighth grade that she would influence change in our world. She had that kind of attitude and that kind of energy ... and understand- ing and empathy toward all." Today, Wolfs is continuing to fos- ter understanding on a global scale. Wolfs, an Arrowhead High School graduate, is taking a gap year to study Russian in Estonia for nine months. A program of the U.S. Department of State, the National Security Lan- guage Initiative for Youth trains stu- dents in languages that are not often taught in school and build cultural skills. Wolfs began studying Russian in 2013 during a six-week summer course in Kirov, Russia through the same program. Her interest in studying the language, paired with her interest in national security issues, inspired her to apply. "I learned about the program from a family friend, whose daugh- ter was also applying and got in for a summer in Morocco to study Ara- bic," she said. "I started the applica- tion that night, and Russian just seemed like the right fit for me. I'm Polish and I've always been interest- ed in the relationships between Slavic-speaking countries and in the evolution of Slavic languages." Following graduation, Wolfs decided to continue her studies. Wolfs first spent several months liv- ing with a host family in Moldova, before arriving in Narva, Estonia in January. Located right on the Russian bor- der, Wolfs said, she passes border control every day on her walk to school and can see across the river into Ivangorod from the windows of her Tartu University dormitory. Wolfs spends four hours in class every day, and attends a weekly lec- ture on culture and history. "I most definitely have been enjoy- ing my time overseas," Wolfs reflect- ed. "It is stressful, it's a lot more work than I've experienced, because it doesn't end when the school day is over. You're expected to be able to communicate in Russian at all times." But, the payoff, she said, is being able to connect with other students and her professors. And she is beginning to see the fruit of building cross-cultural bridges. "One of my favorite things about being here is that while I see anti- American sentiment, more people are gracious and pleased that I have come to learn about their culture," she said. "I like being the first American a person sees or meets, because that means that I have influence over how they view our culture. It's a lot of responsibility, but it's something I love to be able to shed a positive light on." Wolfs will return to the U.S. in June, after which she plans to study international relations and Russian language and literature at George Washington University in Washing- ton, D.C. While that is as far as her plans currently extend, Flannery has high hopes for her beyond college. "I used to joke with her that I will work for her," he said. "I would be honored to work for her someday. She is someone who is not going to accept going through life with the status quo. " Email: landerson@conleynet.com Dogs From Page 1A their owners, with many stu- dents responding in smiles and collective "aws." Whether consciously de- stressing or not, students enjoy the canine visitors, Beckman said. "Some students just say 'I love dogs,'" she said. "Others say, 'I just really needed a break.'" Seniors Kathryn Makows- ki and Annie Benson made the journey from Arrow- head's North campus to its South one immediately after an exam to see the dogs. "We just took a chemistry test — it was stressful," Makowski. "We knew we would need this." Benson and Makowski agreed the dogs helped them decompress. They suggested the school expand the pro- gram by having dogs at both campuses during the next finals week. Sophomore Sam Evert also supported the effort. "I just like dogs," Evert said while petting PJ and Shaina, a pair of Bernese Mountain dogs. "And it's nice to not always be think- ing about exams instead of just sitting around going brain dead." While many students said they simply enjoy the respite from studying, Beckman noted that the dogs some- times serve more serious purposes. The canines pro- vided an intervention method as school staff responded to a student with high levels of anxiety and depression. "That student was ready to walk out the door and we were able to convince the stu- dent to come back and spend some time with the dogs and he went on to complete his exams," she said. Dawn Perry-Giersch, owner of PJ and Shaina, said her dogs have provided their services at Alzheimer's treat- ment facilities and hospice centers. To be certified through Therapy Dogs Inter- national, the dogs have to demonstrate that they will remain calm around loud noises, wheelchairs, walkers and in emergency situations, such as a patient falling, Perry-Giersch said. "I'll go anywhere anyone wants to see them," Perry- Giersch said. "It is very rewarding because the patients get some happiness, the dogs give unconditional love and it helps the staff." A particular favorite of her dogs is Read to Rover, a library program that allows children to develop their lit- eracy skills while reading to therapy dogs. "PJ loves story time," she said. "He's just a ham." Wherever they go, Perry- Giersch said, the dogs receive the same response. "I go to the hospice center, and you see it in the patients and staff — they bring happi- ness," she said. "You can see it now, they want the atten- tion. And I think that's true of all dogs. Any dog can light- en the mood in the room." Email: landerson@conleynet.com Page 6A • FREEMAN & ENTERPRISE LAKE COUNTRY FEBRUARY 2015 Little Swiss Clock Shop 270 W. Main Street • Downtown Waukesha 262-547-2111 www.LittleSwissClockShop.com 242555001 OPEN M-TH 9–5:30pm FRI. 9–8:00pm SAT. 9–5:00 Clever, Witty & Fun Clocks! Over a Dozen Different Designs Only $ 68 Come See them All in Action! Lake Country T H I S M O N T H TAKE CHARGE be healthy Make informative decisions about the health & well being of you and your family. Find reliable services and products by area businesses and medical practitioners inside our semi-annual "Health & Wellness Directory." Coming in your March 21st edition. Daily: Naga-Waukee public ice skating, noon to 2 p.m. weekdays, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. weekends, Naga-Waukee Park Ice Arena, 2699 Golf Road, Delafield. Admission $5 for children and seniors; $6.50 for adults. www.wauke- shacounty.gov, 262-646-7071. Wednesdays: Waukesha Kennel Club dog and puppy training class, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Waukesha County Expo Center, 1000 Northview Road, Waukesha. www.waukeshacounty.gov. Feb. 21: 1,000 Books Party for Children, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., Pewaukee Public Library, 210 Main St. Free. www.pewaukeelibrary.org, 262-691-5670, ext. 932. Feb. 21: Saturday Crafter- noons, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Pewaukee Public Library, 210 Main St. Free. www.pewau- keelibrary.org, 262-691-5670, ext. 932. Feb. 21: Waukesha Civic Theatre: "Funny Money," 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Feb. 21 and 2 p.m. Feb. 22, Margaret Brate Bryant Civic Theater Building, 264 W. Main St., Waukesha. Tickets range from $10 to $23. www.wauke- shacivictheatre.org, 547- 0708. Feb. 21: Kids' Night Out!: "Fantastic Beasts," 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., Waukesha County Museum, 101 W. Main St., Waukesha. $20 per child; includes pizza dinner. www.waukeshacountymuse- um.org, 262-521-2859, ext. 246, aswanson@wchsm.org. Feb. 24: Tuesday Movie: "The Theory of Everything," 1 p.m., Pewaukee Public Library, 210 Main St. Free. www.pewau- keelibrary.org, 262-691-5670, ext. 925. Feb. 27: 1950s Noir Movie Series: "A Kiss Before Dying," 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., Oconomowoc Public Library, 200 W. South St. Free. www.oconomowoc.lib.wi.us, 262-569-2193. Feb. 28: Read to Drake, 10 a.m. to noon, Delafield Public Library, 500 Genesee St. Free. www.delafieldlibrary.org, 262-646-6230. MARCH March 1: Badger Golden Retriever Dog Show, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Waukesha County Expo Center, 1000 Northview Road, Waukesha. Free. www.waukeshacounty.gov. March 4: Lego Club: Team Red, 4 p.m. to 4:45 p.m., Pewaukee Public Library, 210 Main St. Free. www.pewau- keelibrary.org, 262-691-5670, ext. 932. March 5: Monthly genealogy assistance, 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m., Oconomowoc Public Library, 200 W. South St. Free. www.oconomowoc.lib.wi.us, 262-569-2193. March 5: Book and Movie Club: "Freedom Writers Diary," 1 p.m., Oconomowoc Public Library, 200 W. South St. Free. www.oconomowoc.lib.wi.us, 262-569-2193. March 6: Bob and Rocco Gun Show, 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. March 6, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 7, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 8, Waukesha County Expo Center, 1000 Northview Road, Waukesha. Admission $7 for adults, free for children age 16 and under. www.waukeshacounty.gov. March 7: Read to Drake, 10 a.m. to noon, Delafield Public Library, 500 Genesee St. Free. www.delafieldlibrary.org, 262-646-6230. March 9: Book and Movie Club: "Milagro Beanfield War," 6:30 p.m., Oconomowoc Pub- lic Library, 200 W. South St. Free. www.oconomowoc.lib.wi.us, 262-569-2193. March 11: Lunch and Learn Program: "Easter Traditions," 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Wauke- sha County Museum, 101 W. Main St., Waukesha. $10 for members, $12 for nonmem- bers. www.waukeshacounty- museum.org, 262-521-2859, ext. 224, education@wchsm.org. March 13: 1950s Noir Movie Series: "Gilda," 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., Oconomowoc Public Library, 200 W. South St. Free. www.oconomowoc.lib.wi.us, 262-569-2193. March 13: "The Diary of Anne Frank," 7:30 p.m. March 13 and March 14, 2 p.m. March 15, 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. March 19; 7:30 p.m. March 20, Waukesha Civic Theatre Margaret Brate Bryant Theater, 264 W. Main St., Waukesha. Tickets range from $10 to $23. www.wauke- shacivictheatre.org, 547- 0708. March 14: Waukesha Expo Market Collectibles and Flea Style Market, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 14, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 15, Waukesha County Expo Center, 1000 Northview Road, Waukesha. Admission $5 or $3 with nonperishable food item. www.waukesha- county.gov. March 18: Lego Club: Team Blue, 4 p.m. to 4:45 p.m., Pewaukee Public Library, 210 Main St. Free. www.pewau- keelibrary.org, 262-691-5670, ext. 932. March 19: Discovery Club: "Neverland Adventure," 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., Waukesha County Museum, 101 W. Main St., Waukesha. $4 per child, $3 for nonmember adults, free for member adults. www.waukeshacounty- museum.org, 262-521-2859, ext. 224, education@wchsm.org. March 19: Dolly Madison: The Lady Who Saved Wash- ington, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Delafield Public Library, 500 Genesee St. Free. www.delafieldlibrary.org, 262- 646-6230. CALENDAR OF EVENTS 242743002 Charles Auer/Freeman Staff PJ and Shania, two Bernese Mountain Dogs who visited Arrow- head High School recently to help students reduce stress from exams. Abby, a Labrador therapy dog owned by Arrowhead guidance counselor Mike Ward, holds a sign. Abby works with students on a regular basis, but was not part of the exam day program. BUILDING INTERNATIONAL BRIDGES Arrowhead grad spends gap year studying Russian language, culture Submitted photo Anna Wolfs in Tallinn, the capital of Estonia.

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