The Dream Team Bringing News to You

Being the Pete Petoniak and Rachel Manek of NHS, seniors Ben Stern and Mindara Krueger-Olson give an inside look on what it is like being Rocket News anchors.

During the second semester of his junior year, Stern became interested in the opening position as a Rocket News anchor. He believed he could take up the challenge of intertwining his humor and liveliness to the relevant news scattered within the high school.

Sooner rather than later, word got around to Principal Wunderlich about Stern’s interest in the position, and he formally asked if Stern would accept it. Stern accepted. Sequentially, Principal Wunderlich asked him another question, “Did you have any recommendations for another anchor, preferably a female?”

Before he even finished the question, a person already materialized in Stern’s mind — Mindara Krueger-Olson.

“I knew I wanted Mindara to do it because she’s been my best friend since middle school, and I knew she was qualified and would be committed,” Stern said.

In order to prepare themselves as anchors of Rocket News, they started planning ideas and strategies on how to tackle each and every occurrence that may come their way in the summer, which helped them focus on getting the facts to the people. The melting pot of Stern’s exuberance and Krueger-Olson’s positivity attract a school wide audience. Complimenting each other, this team  succeeds in hyping the Rocket community with the new, exciting, professional design.

That being said, they are not the only ones who helped to prepare them as anchors. Krueger-Olson and Stern are grateful for the people who work behind the scenes to make Rocket News: John Zwick, Brendan Grimes, Jarret Raides, Frank Slavinsky, Will Clark and Nathan Heywood.

Stern adds, “They really work well together and put in the hours, whereas we read off a script and talk to a few people. They’re honestly the ones who are the real heroes behind Rocket News.”

Both radiating with effective self confident, these two could not make a better pair. Along with Kreuger-Olson’s platinum hair and Stern’s wicked affro, their collaboration is truly inspiring.

The bond of friendship between Krueger-Olson and Stern show through the screen and being in the same room together. Leading with respect and endless encouragement, it is inevitable that they will not let the other fail. Accommodating their individual qualities, Krueger-Olson and Stern produce a well-rounded, diversity to the Rocket News.

Stern warns, “Be loud not for the sake of being loud.”

When both of them entered high school as freshman, they knew they wanted to get involved with different activities and the community. Both of them were in the Forensics Club, and currently, they are in the Drama Club together. Neither of them expected to impact the school as much as they have, but they took life one step at a time to where they are now.

“Being part of Rocket News is really cool because I get to make a difference in the school and that’s something I’ve always wanted to do,” Krueger-Olson expresses thoughtfully.