Wisconsin School for the Deaf - The Wisconsin Times Vol. 133 No. 1 Fall 2011 | Page 12

Huff Happenings

by Brian Lievens

What’s New in the FBC?
Did you know that our dorm has a Firebird Center located
on the 3rd floor in the dorm? It is situated between B-3
and G-3. The purpose of the Firebird Center is to give the
students a center where they can gather and socialize. This
offers them an hour in an unstructured venue in which to
converse with their peers and enjoy time together while
snacking, listening to music or enjoying some games. The
FBC (Firebird Center) was not always known as the FBC.
When the canteen was created in the mid-1970s, it was
called the Recreation Room. Around 1998, it was decided
by the middle school students to change the name from the
Recreation Room to Firebird Center, currently known as
the FBC.
The Happy FBC Crew at
your service!
Seniors: Taylor Koss and
Hannah Rees

Senior, Alvin Horton
calculates an order.

Roger Clausen oversees the FBC while Belinda Carroll
coordinates various tasks. Jeff Rawlings offers assistance
whenever it is needed. Together, they oversee an operation
that extends from the dorm to the Neesam Gym, Cordano
Field, and into the school building as well. Students also
work in the FBC which provides them with a real-world
job experience in dealing with customers, handling money,
and following their work schedules. The students are
required to fill out an application form in the spring and be
interviewed by Belinda Carroll and one of the Child Care
Counselors.
Students of all ages learn
the value of money.

Jeff guides and supports
a young consumer.
Fall 2011 - 12

Social time develops
life long skills.

Lucero says, “This is FUN!”

After carefully screening each prospect for the job, they are
hired for the entire school year starting in the fall. Everyone
on the FBC crew must have good citizenship, a high GPA,
and experience in the work study program. Most of the
crew that starts each fall continues to work in the FBC until
they graduate from WSD.
One very important skill is to learn how to cook many
pizzas in one night. Using the cash register and making
appropriate change for the vending machines are other
skills acquired. Firebird crew members enjoy meeting new
people during WSD’s home games at the gym and football
field, especially when the fans are from other state schools
for the deaf. FBC’s busiest times of the year are usually
Homecoming and events such as the Academic Bowl,
volleyball, and basketball tournaments. Most of all, the
students learn what responsibility is all about, what a job’s
requirements and demands are, and what sacrifices they
have to make in order to be a good employee of the FBC.
FBC has helped them to get ready for the “real world”
when they leave WSD.
When the FBC earns money, the profit usually goes back to
the student and dorm programs. In the past, FBC assisted in
purchasing game equipment for the FBC such as foosball
tables, a pool table, and dart boards. It also supplies
financial backing for transportation connected with dorm
reinforcement activities. Cooking equipment such as pizza
ovens, microwaves, coffee makers, nacho cheese machines,
and popcorn makers were purchased from its profits. In
addition, the FBC has purchased entertainment for the FBC
such as a new 60 inch LCD HDTV, a Blu-Ray disc player,
an iPod, and stereo equipment for the students to enjoy.
The FBC staff tries their best to make the FBC an enjoyable
experience for all. It’s a greeting place for visiting teams,
students, and visitors. It provides moments of unstructured
entertainment for all who use the facility and a place where
students can share their day and hopefully after they have
graduated, their memories as well.