The official student newspaper of University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire since 1923.

The Spectator
The official student newspaper of University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire since 1923.

The Spectator
The official student newspaper of University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire since 1923.

The Spectator
Lea Kopke

Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer

Lea Kopke is a fourth-year journalism and German student. This is her seventh semester on The Spectator staff. She plays the clarinet in the Blugold Marching Band and recently relearned how to ride a bike with no hands.

All content by Lea Kopke
Volunteers clean around the fire features outside the Pablo Center during the city’s 13th annual “The Amazing Eau Claire Clean-up” event on April 24. Groups took to parks and trails across the city of Eau Claire from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Warm weather brings spring cleaning to Eau Claire parks

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
April 26, 2021
An email sent to students on April 8 announced there would be two “wellness days” on April 16 and 29 in lieu of a spring break. Some Blugolds still have assignments due on those days, preventing them from fully stepping “away from the classroom,” as the email from the Chancellor’s Office indicated.

‘Students have been burned out already’

Story by Ta'Leah Van Sistine and Lea Kopke
April 21, 2021
Annie Schneider, the president of UW-Eau Claire’s TP USA chapter, said the comments in the memes page were “defamatory” and “false.”

‘Misinformation’ spread about Turning Point USA chapter

Story by Ta'Leah Van Sistine and Lea Kopke
February 12, 2021
Photos of a student’s private Snapchat stories, titled with racist language, surfaced on and exploded across social media on the evening of Feb. 6.

Campus calls for justice

Story by Lea Kopke and Ta'Leah Van Sistine
February 9, 2021
Lieske Giese, director of the Eau Claire City-County Health Department, gives a presentation to members of the Eau Claire City Council during its special meeting on Feb. 2, highlighting why a mask mandate is needed.

Mask mandates passed by both Eau Claire City Council and Eau Claire County Board

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
February 3, 2021
We should and do expect the UW-Eau Claire administration to address the issues of racism at an institutional level.

UW system roundup: Schools announce plans for Thanksgiving

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
November 12, 2020
Eau Claire is one of 12 counties in the state of Wisconsin which won the Democratic majority in the 2020 presidential election. The election was held on Nov. 3 and Wisconsin’s results were declared Nov. 4.

Wisconsin voters flip state blue

Story by Evelyn Nelson and Lea Kopke
November 5, 2020
Co-directors of the Student Senate’s Equity in Student Matters commission Iman Dikko, left, and Stephanie Hoeksema, right, said they believe the new EDI training programs are an important addition to UW-Eau Claire.

UW-Eau Claire releases EDI training programs

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
October 28, 2020
This image of a Snapchat group chat depicts a racist interaction between UW-Eau Claire football players that was released in November 2019.

‘Strong majority’ of Blugold football team opposed to university-ordered reinstatement of five suspended players

Story by Madeline Fuerstenberg, Lea Kopke, and Ta'Leah Van Sistine
September 22, 2020
Student Health Service can provide as many as 60 Polymerase Chain Reaction COVID-19 tests in one day, Patricia Kress, a physician and medical director at SHS, said. On weekends, she said they generally can do a little over 40 tests and possibly more depending on how comfortable the staffing is.

‘They’re in short supply and high demand’

Story by Ta'Leah Van Sistine and Lea Kopke
September 17, 2020
Demonstrators march in the Justice for Jacob Blake Solidarity Protest Aug. 29, which began in Randall Park and ended outside the Eau Claire County Government Center. Selika Ducksworth-Lawton, history professor at UW-Eau Claire, president of Uniting Bridges of Eau Claire and a speaker and organizer of the event, said she estimated around 2,000 people participated.

Eau Claire protestors demand reform within police department

Story by Ta'Leah Van Sistine, Lea Kopke, and Timothy Spierings
August 30, 2020
Greta Zwicker, who is pictured working at summer 2019 orientation, was one of the students to receive aid from the UW-Eau Claire Foundation’s COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund.

UWEC Foundation COVID-19 fund brings relief to financially stressed students

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
May 6, 2020
A mass of people filled the entrance to Terminal 5 on March 14 in the Chicago O’Hare International Airport.

Customs lines in O’Hare airport unacceptable

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
March 18, 2020
Across the pond

Across the pond

Story by Lea Kopke and Lauren Spierings
March 11, 2020
Across the pond

Across the pond

Story by Lea Kopke and Lauren Spierings
February 27, 2020
Across the pond

Across the pond

Story by Lea Kopke and Lauren Spierings
February 14, 2020
To prepare for an incident like a shooting, the police department takes part in training alongside members of the county police force.

UW-Eau Claire Police discuss campus safety

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
December 12, 2019
Protesters stood for an hour of silent protest, with members of Black Male Empowerment sitting in the middle circle.

“A force of solidarity”

Story by Lea Kopke and Ta'Leah Van Sistine
November 26, 2019
Students gathered outside Schofield on Monday following an organized classroom walk-out in order to protest the racist Snapchat conversation.

UW-Eau Claire students respond to racist Snapchat messages

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
November 25, 2019
The women’s rugby club will be hosting the first round of the USA Rugby Women’s DII Fall National Championship on Saturday versus the Minnesota State University, Mankato.

Rugby goes to nationals

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
November 14, 2019
In the summer of 2018 Megan Schleusner participated in a medical internship at Hue Medical College in Hue, Vietnam where she shadowed various health care professionals.

Finding the ‘Why?’ behind the work

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
October 30, 2019
Each student got a trash bag and pair of latex gloves for cleaning.

Clean neighborhood, happy community

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
October 16, 2019
The 3-2 conference win over the Falcons put the Blugolds at 9-6 in the season and 1-1 in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

Blugold volleyball takes down Falcons

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
October 2, 2019
From appetite suppressant lollipops to weight loss teas and smoothie detoxes, Instagram has seen a rise in these advertisements.

New Instagram policy not strict enough

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
September 25, 2019
Gerardo Licón walks in a parade with other members of El Centro de Conexión de Chippewa Valley during the International Fall Festival in 2018.

Latinx History Month: Gerardo Licón

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
September 18, 2019
Blugolds volleyball left the 2018 season as WIAC conference championships and competitors in the NCAA tournament final four.

Building community and looking ahead

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
September 12, 2019
Orange tape marks the outline of the land that would need to be purchased by the city of Eau Claire if plans for a roundabout at the intersection of State Street and Roosevelt Avenue were to move forward.

Roundabout roundup

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
May 14, 2019
Madeline Jagodzinski, a student in John Mann’s public history course, speaks about the Schlegelmilch guns during the tour inside the historic Schlegelmilch House.

‘Guns, Bikes and Women’ (Oh my!)

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
April 30, 2019
Adulting 101

Adulting 101

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
April 23, 2019
Around 100 volunteers participated in Global Youth Service Day on Saturday.

ECLIPSE students participate in day of service

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
April 17, 2019
Katharine Hayhoe, a Canadian, Christian climate scientist, discussed the importance of relating to others and thinking locally when it comes to climate change.

[Photo] Snow can’t stop this climate scientist

Story by Rebecca Mennecke
April 15, 2019
The UWEC Swim Club meets twice a week from 8:30-9:45 on Mondays and Wednesdays and is open to anyone.

Just keep swimming

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
April 9, 2019
David Kornack, national champion in shot put and national field athlete of the year, poses for a photo.

Throwing off the competition

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
April 3, 2019
Due to this month's record amounts of snow, the chance for the Chippewa River to meet major flood stage is 30 percent, up from a typical likelihood of just 5 percent.

Record snowfall could lead to severe flooding

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
March 12, 2019
In this photo from November, third-year forward Elizabeth Bauer battles against UW-River Falls.

Blugold women’s hockey two-time champions of WIAC Championship

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
March 6, 2019
Enhancements will be made to Simpson Field starting this summer.

Simpson Field enhancements approved

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
February 20, 2019
The State Theater, located in downtown Eau Claire, originally opened its doors in 1926.

Historic State Theatre enters its next chapter

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
February 13, 2019
The Blugolds stay determined despite their losing streak.

UWEC women’s basketball fights against losing streak

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
February 6, 2019
Police Blotter

Police Blotter

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
December 12, 2018
The crowd looks on as a Blugold wrestler takes on UW-Platteville. Next, the Blugolds will wrestle in a dual meet against UW-Stevens Point on Dec. 12.

Wrestling team remains optimistic after string of losses

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
December 11, 2018
Downtown Eau Claire has been in the process of a revitalization since the early 2000s and DECI played a large role in its transformation.

How Eau Claire’s downtown district came to be

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
December 10, 2018
Police Blotter

Police Blotter

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
December 6, 2018
Police Blotter

Police Blotter

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
December 1, 2018
At Pinehurst Park’s Winter After Hours, attendees can pick up a pair of ice skates to use the skating rink or full size hockey rink.

Winter festivities begin in Eau Claire

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
November 27, 2018
Local rock n’ roll group FMDown was the driving force behind the organization of the first annual Bad Art Music Festival.

‘Bad Art,’ good music

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
November 20, 2018
Police Blotter

Police Blotter

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
November 19, 2018
Police Blotter

Police Blotter

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
November 14, 2018
Police Blotter

Police Blotter

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
November 7, 2018
Police Blotter

Police Blotter

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
November 1, 2018
Police Blotter

Police Blotter

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
October 24, 2018
Nelson the Doodle showcased his “Prince Hairy” costume.

Happy Howl-O-Ween

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
October 22, 2018
Police Blotter

Police Blotter

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
October 17, 2018
Womens tennis dominated once again as they were on the home advantage in the John & Fay Menard YMCA Tennis Center.

Women’s tennis sweeps two teams during weekend tournaments

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
October 16, 2018
Police Blotter

Police Blotter

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
October 11, 2018
The ensemble musicians deliver a powerful performance on Sunday in Haas Fine Arts Center.

yMusic completes first visit of residency

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
October 9, 2018
Police Blotter

Police Blotter

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
October 3, 2018
Police Blotter

Police Blotter

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
September 26, 2018
Govin's farm boasts a variety of fall activities, but the main attraction is its corn maze.

Govin’s Farm: A Cornucopia of fun

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
September 24, 2018
Police Blotter

Police Blotter

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
September 19, 2018
Blugold runners competed in the Augsburg Invitational on Sept. 15, where the women’s team placed fifth overall. Individually, Samantha Slattery won the meet with a time of 23:32.7.

Blugold runners aim to keep improving through teamwork

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
September 18, 2018
Police Blotter

Police Blotter

Story by Lea Kopke, Freelance Writer
September 12, 2018
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Lea Kopke