Think Stewartville

Melissa Pastika, owner of the RAD Zoo, feeds her spur-thigh tortoise a banana at St. John's Lutheran Church last week.

Melissa Pastika holds a blue-tongued skink, otherwise known as an Australian lizard. "It doesn't take him long to get warm in the desert," she said.

Many Wee Care students were fascinated by the reptiles and amphibians from the Reptile & Amphibian Discovery (RAD) Zoo of Owatonna at St. John's Lutheran Church last Monday, Oct. 8. Melissa Pastika, owner of the RAD Zoo, below, displayed several interesting animals.

Avery Nelson, 1 1/2, of Stewartville, held by her father Zach, touches a snake held by Melissa Pastika of the RAD Zoo of Owatonna at St. John's Lutheran Church last Monday, Oct. 8.

Chris Dahle, owner of Identity Designs of Stewartville, second from right, presented a check for $966 to Carrie Anderson, president of BACPAC (Bonner and Central Parent Advisory Committee) last week. Identity Designs made homecoming T-shirts that were sold to students at Bonner, Central and Stewartville Middle School. One dollar from the sale of each shirt was donated to BACPAC, which typically uses donated money to pay for field trips or supplies for students. A number of local businesses donated money to help pay for the shirts. Ashley Jones of Identity Designs, far right, designed the T-shirts. Jennifer Hruska, treasurer of BACPAC, is at far left.

Girl Scouts, from left, Erin Ross, a seventh grader; Olivia Nicklay, a sixth grader; and Lauren Horstmann, a seventh grader, rake leaves at Florence Park to celebrate the Girl Scouts Centennial Day of Service on Saturday, Oct. 13.

Blake Turner, a student in Kallie Fitzloff's kindergarten class at Bonner Elementary School, gently touches a rabbit that visited the school for a special Kindergarten Ag Day last Wednesday, April 18. Other kindergartners waiting for their opportunity to touch the bunny include Andrew Mayer, far left, and Bella Vasoli. For more details about Kindergarten Ag Day, see Page 16.

Jim Parry, a sixth-grade teacher at Stewartville Middle School, accepts handshakes from students as he begins his "Mr. Parry's Endurance Challenge" along a Middle School hallway last Thursday, April 19. Running and walking in a cold rain, Parry completed 46 miles in 13 hours.

Mary Brouillard received the Community Education Advisory Council's Community Service Recognition Award for 2012 at a breakfast at Tarsilla's on Saturday, May 5. Here, Brouillard poses with her award with Hailey Johnson at left.

Anna Myhre, left, and Talia Podein, first-graders in Kathy Londowski's class at Bonner Elementary School, look with joy at the baby chicks in their classroom last Thursday, May 17. Bonner's teachers and administrators thanked All-American Co-op for donating feed for the school's chicks, ducks and turkeys.

Stewarville Early Childhood held its annual graduation at the Performing Arts Center last Thursday, May 31. Graduates who are singing to celebrate the occasion include, from left, Justice Deno, TeaSue Odegaard-Burzette, Cassidy Anderson and Lincoln Dube.

Four Stewartville Middle School eighth-graders will lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier when Stewartville's students and their chaperones visit Washington D.C. June 10-16. The four include Dylan Stofferahn, seated in front, and standing from left, Rachel Jones, Kirsten Rasmussen and KyAnne Hilger. The four were selected based on essays they wrote about patriotic themes such as, "Define the term, 'Some gave all, all gave some,' " or "How do you show patriotism?" or "How do you greet a veteran?" Members of the Stewartville American Legion Post 164 judged the student's essays.

Dave Nystuen, Bonner principal, drops a packaged egg from the school's roof.

Students at Bonner Elementary School celebrated a "Music and Movement Gala" on the last day of school for students last Thursday, June 7. Kathy Williamson and Nick Schrandt, physical education teachers, and Lara Smoley, music teacher, organized and assisted with the event. In the foreground, from left, second-graders Cassidy Thompson, Morgan Cosgrove and Brielle Smith dance to "Cotton-Eyed Joe." Kate Pedelty, a third-grader, is in back at left.

Riley Schild gives it his all as he clears a hurdle at the Bonner track meet.

Joe Jezierski resigned as the principal of Stewartville Middle School to accept a new position as the director of teaching and learning in the Red Wing Public Schools.

Shaun Uhlir (right), a student at Stewartville High School and Priscilla Rafdahl (left) were two of several speakers at an anti-bullying rally on Friday, June 8.

George Menshik, a long-time member of the Stewartville School Board, accepted a "Tiger Token" from Dr. David Thompson, superintendent of Stewartville schools, at the Stewartville School Board's regular meeting last week. Menshik has also been very active in the Stewartville Lions Club, chairing that group's annual "White Cane Days," and in Habitat for Humanity. Wilma Menshik, George's wife, also received a Tiger Token but did not attend last week's meeting.

Pat Leonard who was director of community education and curriculum and was in charge of district testing, has retired after serving Stewartville schools for 11 years. Betty Hanson, another retiree, was not present when the photo was taken.

Clockwise from front, are Gary Kadansky, SUE's Friend of Education; Heidi Howe, Teacher of the Year, grades K-5; Becky Holicky, Teacher of the Year, grades 6-12; and Julie Faulhaber, Support Staff Person of the Year.

For the seventh time in nine years, the Stewartville School District has earned the Minnesota Department of Education's School Finance Award. Dr. David Thompson, superintendent of Stewartville schools, right, thanked Dan Schroeder of School Management Services, the district's director of business services, left, for his work on the district's budget. The district's financial management team includes Schroeder, along with Stephanie Behrens, client services manager for School Management Services; Sheila Gossman, executive assistant and human resources technician; and Thompson. By earning the award, the district has shown that it has been fiscally accountable, Thompson said. "It tells the people of the district that we're organized, accountable and conservative with the taxpayers' money," he said.

Chris Dahle, owner of Identity Designs of Stewartville, second from right, presented a check for $966 to Carrie Anderson, president of BACPAC (Bonner and Central Parent Advisory Committee) last week. Identity Designs made homecoming T-shirts that were sold to students at Bonner, Central and Stewartville Middle School. One dollar from the sale of each shirt was donated to BACPAC, which typically uses donated money to pay for field trips or supplies for students. A number of local businesses donated money to help pay for the shirts. Ashley Jones of Identity Designs, far right, designed the T-shirts. Jennifer Hruska, treasurer of BACPAC, is at far left.

Stewartville United Educators (S.U.E.) honored four individuals at an end-of-the-year luncheon and awards program. Those honored include, from left, Amy Rinken, Support Staff Person of the Year; Patty Nelson, Central Intermediate School, Teacher of the Year; Bill Glomski, Stewartville Middle School, Teacher of the Year; and Jenny McHenry, Friend of Education Award.

Stewartville High School seniors graduating with highest honors (3.9 grade point average or higher) who were honored at the SHS Academic Awards Assembly on Tuesday, May 15 include, from left, Nicole Amos, Jackie Betcher, Sydney Flottum, Caitlyn Nienow, Jason Robey and Austin Rosenblad. Matt Welter, another highest honors student, was not available when the photo was taken.

The four sixth-graders honored for their essays about their favorite older persons include, front row, from left, Joe Bakken and Erik Sistad, whose favorite older persons did not attend a luncheon at the Stewartville Center for Active Adults last week. Middle row, from left, are Madison Ree, who wrote about Wayde Groh, her grandfather, standing at left; and Jenny Stageberg, who wrote about Mary Jane Beyer, her grandmother, standing at right.

Stephanie Schmidt, a sophomore at Stewartville High School, attended the Minnesota MILE (Motivating & Inspiring Leadership and Excellence) Leadership Seminar at St. John's University in Collegeville, Minn. June 22-24.

Stewartville High School students who earned a 4.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale for the third quarter of the 2011-12 school year include, front row, from left, Paul Trisko, Matt Welter and Melanie Bussan. Second row, from left, Jason Robey, Madeline Grimm, Raven Blahnik, Sam Edge, Paige Tapp, Sydney Flottum and Shannon Curtis. Back row, from left, Stephanie Schmidt, Eleni Solberg, Nathan Abbott, Jared Trisko, Gabrielle Steinhoff, Nicole Amos and Meghan Schmitz. Students who earned 4.0 grade point averages who are not pictured include Joel Venzke, Christine Vrieze, Abigail Bardwell, Elizabeth Bardwell, Lydia Bardwell, Whitney Lloyd and Audrey Steinman.

The Stewartville Kiwanis Club sponsors a Terrific Kids program to recognize sixth-graders at Stewartville Middle School who work hard and have a positive attitude at school. Terrific Kids for the 2011-12 school year include, front row, from left, Brandon Clarke, Shawn Husgen, Kailee Brower, Madison Ree, K.J. Riley, Tanner Olson and Hailey Scheevel. Second row, from left, Amy Lofgren, Jenny Stageberg, Sydney Nierman, Jo Jo Welter, Autumn Broadwater, Sydni Baugh, Ryan Voshart, Lori Bailey and Lauren Horstmann. Back row, from left, Ridley Mullenbach, Daniel McCollough, Kevin Christian, Nathan Sikkink, Bayli Henderson, Emma Welch, Bobbie Hart, Isaac Bussan and Erin Ross. Joe Bakken and Erik Sistad, two other Terrific Kids, were not present when the photo was taken.

Stewartville Middle School students who earned a 4.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale for the third quarter of the 2011-12 school year include, front row, from left, Lori Bailey, Shawn Husgen, Amy Lofgren, Kenneth Riley, Hailey Scheevel, Jennifer Stageberg and Emma Welch. Second row, from left, Tara Rogers, Zachary Rupprecht, Mariah Terhaar, Amelia Welter, Jenna Willenborg and Kara O'Byrne. Back row, from left, Haley Ahart, Kyra Boland, Heather Husgen, Melanie Lex and Alexandra Reiland. Paige Pettit, another 4.0 student, is not pictured.

From left, senior artists Sydney Flottum, Kate Barthelme, Tyrel Bleifus and April Westrum display the SHS class of 2012 senior mural at the Academic Awards Assembly last week.

Dave Nystuen, principal of Bonner Elementary School, reads Ladybug Girl and the Bug Squad to Morgan Haag's kindergarten class at Central Intermediate School last Thursday, Oct. 4. Nystuen's visit to Central was part of Read for the Record, an annual event during which educators in many countries read the same book to millions of children around the world. A story and another photo highlighting Read for the Record are on Page 16 of today's STAR.

Mrs. Claudia Dreyer's homeroom students designed "Fairytale" cardboard cutouts for children to have their picture taken during the Early Childhood Carnival on Friday, March 4. They also created the signs and posters designating special activity areas. Students from left, back row: Gabby Espinosa, Lauren Mikel, Caitlin Johnston, Sierra Flottum, Melanie Lex, Carly Wilde, Mitchell Bushman, Nick Lynch, and Sam Vandeloo. Middle: Brooke Bosshart, Crystal Piercey, Diana Humble, Hanne Jorgensen, Matthew Skifton, and Karissa Robinson. Front: Madisen Hart and Alice Chase. Not pictured: Jasmin Hamlin.

Three- and 4-year-old students in the school readiness program at the Early Childhood Learning Center participated in an end-of-the-year program at the Stewartville High School Performing Arts Center last week. Gulbranson, Hannah Martinson and Talia Podein. Students from the Early Childhood Learning Center participated in four different end-of-the-year programs last week.

Beth Schmidt accepts a Tiger Token for her service to Stewartville schools from Dr. David Thompson, superintendent.

Camryn Klar, 2, of Stewartville, dressed as a cheerleader, selects a prize from a bucket held by Kristen Conley, a senior and a member of the SHS Key Club

Bonnie Rindahl, a special education paraprofessional, wears a Green Bay Packer blanket and a Mexican hat.

Peggy Paulson of the Stewartville American Legion Auxiliary Unit 164, at left in the above photo, serves sloppy joes, hot dogs, chips and beverages at the Halloween Party at the Legion last Wednesday, Oct. 31.

Taylor Zea, a member of the Key Club, applies a Halloween tattoo to Shea Shoemaker, 5, a Bonner kindergartner

kindergartner Jamal Aden dresses as a gangster

Meghan Urban is a pirate

Dana Norby of Stewartville holds her son Ben, 2, who came to the party all decked out as a cowboy.

Hollie Phillips of Sparta, Wis., helps her daughter Sarah decorate a pumpkin cookie

a zombie holds the head of Ellie VanLent, a second grader

Brianna Ramaker, a third grader, is a nerd

Kylie Westrum, a first grader, dresses as a witch with her broomstick.

Stecher will take her poster to the next level of competition in Rochester on Dec. 16. A closeup of Stecher's poster appears below.

The Stewartville Lions Club sponsors an annual Peace Poster contest for sixth graders at Stewartville Middle School. Student winners at the local level include Ayla Stecher, seated in front, first place; Chrystal Mullenbach, standing at left, second place; and Shae Thomas, standing at right, third place. In all, 137 sixth graders took part in the contest.

Mayor Jimmie-John King, in foreground, addresses hundreds of students during the annual Veterans Day ceremony at the Stewartville High School gym last Thursday, Nov. 8. "Veterans Day is set aside to remember every man and woman who has taken up arms to defend the United States, " King said. "Twenty-six million military veterans walk among us, and on this day our nation salutes them all."

Laura Louks, a senior at Stewartville High School, plays taps during the annual Veterans Day ceremony at the SHS gym on Thursday, Nov. 8.

Members of the Stewartville American Legion Auxiliary Unit 164 celebrated American Education Week last week by delivering cupcakes to Bonner Elementary School, Stewartville High School, Stewartville Middle School and Central Intermediate School. Legion Auxiliary members include, standing in back, starting from second from left, Cheryl Roeder, Carole Kiehne, Carol Chihak, Sharon Moehnke and Judy Schroeder. Staff members at Bonner appreciated the visit.

Addelynn Haugen, a kindergartner at Bonner Elementary School, at right, plays the bongo drums to celebrate her birthday in music class at Bonner last week. Lara Smoley, Bonner's music teacher, is standing behind the piano in the background.

Tim and Kathy Griffin of Rock Dell and their sons, Christopher, 8, a second grader at Bonner Elementary School, and Adam, 10, a fourth grader at Central Intermediate School, review the silent auction items at the annual One-Stop Christmas Shop at St. John's Wee Care last week. Proceeds from the auction support Wee Care.

All decked out as pilgrims, Alvin Dong, left, and Ayan DeCook share smiles at the Thanksgiving Feast for first graders at Bonner Elementary School on Tuesday, Nov. 20. See another photo from the event on Page 16.

Kendan Grafe, a first grader in Kristine's Rose's class at Bonner Elementary School, right, marvels at what's inside a treat he just opened at the Thanksgiving Feast at Bonner Elementary School on Tuesday, Nov. 20. Kylie Westrum, another student in Rose's class, is at left.

The kindergarten class of Lindsay Dick made turkey hats as are part of their being "thankful" day. The entire school danced the Turkey Tango, they made edible cornucopias, and talked about what they were thankful for. The kids were thankful for their family, friends, pets, school, and world. Pictured front row from left, Harlie Kirtz, Olivia Nierman, Talan Fauver, Owen Buckmeier, Sophia Oftedahl and Chloe Regal; middle row from left, Isabella Schwichtenberg, Logan Curtis, Ella Stier, Brayden Suess, Logan Quam, Caden Boehm and Addison Emmons; back row from left, Essence Williams-Bell, Sydney Schmidt, William Jones, Cole Underwood, Brandon Terry, Emma Zahradnik, Alexis Petersen, Zachary Plenge and Grayson Paulson.

Stewartville High School students who earned a 4.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale for the first quarter on the 2012-13 school year include, front row, from left, Mariah Terhaar, Whitney Lloyd, Abigail Sistad, Brooke Bosshart, Meghan Schmitz, Paige Tapp, Nate Muller and Will Gisler. Second row, from left, Jenna Willenborg, Amelia Welter, Jessica Rosenblad, Anne Weston, Brooke Hilger, Nathan Abbott, Jared Trisko and Zach Rupprecht. Back row, from left, Heather Husgen, Ally Reiland, Kayla Schlechtinger, Diana Humble, Haley Ahart, Sam Edge, Gabrielle Steinhoff, Madeline Grimm, Jon Beach and Jamie Gehling. Students who earned a 4.0 grade point average who are missing from the photo include Abigail Bardwell, Elizabeth Bardwell, Lydia Bardwell, Gloria Mueller, Nicole Stanley, Madisen Hart, Olivia Oehlke, Katie Paschal, Slava Raygor and Karissa Kime.

Students at Stewartville Middle School who earned a 4.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale for the first quarter of the 2012-13 school year include, front row, from left, sixth-graders Emily Schlechtinger, Laura Pedelty, Marisa Goff, Ellie Fryer and Sydney Clausen. Second row, from left, seventh-graders Emma Welch, Nathan Swisher, Kenneth Riley, Shawn Husgen and Bobbie Hart. Back row, from left, eighth-graders Elizabeth Becker, Rachel Blomquist, Emma Dwire, Julie Lanzel, Kara O'Byrne, Jessica Pedelty, Rachel Schwalbach and Alex Vande Loo.

Sixth graders at Stewartville Middle School wrote essays about their experiences as DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) students this past fall. Students whose essays received special recognition include, front row, from left, Samantha Stockman, Trenedy Burzette, Audrey Miller, Mackenzie Walters and Connor Miller. Back row, from left, Madeline Birch, Kaija Yennie, Hudson Dyke, Madison Rediske, Lydia Thompson, Josh Howard and Carter Stenberg.

Stewartville Middle School sixth graders who were named winners in the DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) Poster contest include, front row, from left, Emma Probach, Sydney Clausen, Marie Rindahl, Parker Grotjohn and Nathan Johnson. Back row, from left, Autumn Feine, Isabella Gilk, Logan Faulhaber, Wyatt Bernard and Shane Byrne. Hunter Oviatt and Sam Gerber, two other contest winners, were unavailable when the photo was taken.

Tina Gordon, a coordinator of the BACPAC Santa Shop, helps Nick Dong, a second grader at Bonner Elementary School, look for gifts at the Santa Shop last Thursday, Dec. 6. After students, parents and others bring box tops and bottle caps to school, BACPAC members send the items to Kemps or Kwik Trip, which respond with reimbursement checks. The money pays for Santa Shop items, field trips and more.

Stephanie Svoboda, 3, of Stewartville, left, is part of a group of home-schooled children that decorated cookies with the residents of the Stewartville Care Center last week. Lois Terry, a resident of the Care Center, looks on at right.

Karley Meyer, 8, a second grader at Bonner Elementary School, gets help from Diane Gray, a parent volunteer, as Karley looks for a gift at the annual BACPAC Santa Shop at Bonner last week. Tina Gordon, a Santa Shop coordinator, said that BACPAC raised $13,700 from last year's Santa Shop. After students and parents bring box tops and bottle caps to school, BACPAC members send the items to Kemps or Kwik Trip, which respond with reimbursement checks. The money pays for Santa Shop items, field trips and more.

Roberta Lentz, a kindergarten teacher at Bonner Elementary School, helps student Jayda Ramaker build a gingerbread house on Friday, Dec. 14. With assistance from Lentz and a number of adult volunteers, students used icing to attach graham crackers and candies to milk cartons.

Caden Nagel, 3, of Stewartville, a student in a parent-child class with Stewartville Early Childhood Family Education (SECFE). celebrated the Holiday Fun Night at the Early Childhood Learning Center last Thursday, Dec. 13 by decorating a ice cream cone Christmas tree with help from his mother, Katie.

Parker Carrigan, 2 1/2, of Stewartville, focuses intently on placing beads on a string as he makes ornaments at the SECFE Holiday Fun Night at the Early Childhood Learning Center last Thursday evening, Dec. 13. Kelly Carrigan, Parker's mother, lends a hand. Parker is a student in a SECFE parent-child class.

PLAYING THEIR PARTS -- Tiger Time students presented the play "Half a King is Better than None," at Central Intermediate School on Wednesday, Aug. 1. Students who were part of the cast included, from left, Ashlyn Evans, Mali Wampach and Karina Baltes.

IN THE SWING OF THINGS -- Tiger Time students had plenty of fun during a visit to Florence Park last week. Elizabeth Hurley, 5, of Stewartville, displayed her delight while getting a push on the swings from Emily Dee, a Tiger Time assistant supervisor.

Karli Hohn, 5 1/2, of Stewartville, races to escape Emily Dee, a Tiger Time assistant supervisor, during "Duck, Duck, Gray Duck."

Gabi Hale, left, a Tiger Time volunteer, reaches to catch Maya Ramp, 4 1/2, of Stewartville, during a game of "Duck, Duck, Gray Duck."

Members of the SHS marching band honed their skills at band camp including, Jessica Lucas, in foreground and Tom Rouchka, background.

THE BAND PLAYS ON -- The Stewartville High School Band took part in its annual camp from Aug. 13-22, with members honing their skills to prepare for upcoming performances. Will Fredricksen, foreground, and Noah Nelson-Gross coordinate their music and movements.

Members of the drum line took part in SHS Band Camp last week, including, from left, Seth Huiras, Austin Mulleneaux, Ben Boyum, Dan Christie and Sam Hovda.

SCHOOL DAYS -- Karen Moen, center, and her Tiger Time Early Childhood students wait for the bus to take them from Bonner Elementary School to Central Intermediate School on the first day of school last week. Students include, from left, Abby Manthei, Tessa Lanzel and Bryce Rindels.

HEADED BACK TO SCHOOL -- Erin Olson, far left, and her Tiger Time Early Childhood students wait for the bus to take them from Bonner Elementary School to Central Intermediate School on the first day of school last week. Students include, from left, Ben Trenary, Kendall Clausen, Abby Manthei, Tessa Lanzel, Trent Einertson and Bryce Rindels.

Teachers greeted students outside when they arrived for the first day of school on Sept. 4.

Excited parents captured their children on video before they entered the Bonner building on the first day of school.

SHINING STAARS -- The STAARS (Students, Teachers and Adults Reaching Success) Middle School PTSA raises funds to pay for special programs to benefit middle school students, including speakers and an annual carnival in May. Proceeds from STAARS fund-raisers also pay for T-shirts given to each incoming middle school student. Members of the STAARS PTSA Board include, from left, Kristie Anderson, treasurer; Bonnie Krenke, president; and Beth Schmidt, secretary. Jean Marie Olson, vice president, is not pictured.

SCALING THE WALL -- Jon Weigel of the Army National Guard, foreground, supervises as two Stewartville High School freshmen climb the Army National Guard's 25-foot high wall.

A LONG WAY UP -- Gabe Langseth, a Stewartville High School freshman, searches for a peg on which to place his feet as he climbs the Army National Guard wall on Tuesday, Oct. 9.

TIGER TIME ARTWORK -- Rose Wendt, a Tiger Time group leader, left, helps students Isak Schleusner, center, and Sydney Clausen, right, make cat faces during a Tiger Time art project at Bonner Elementary School last Friday, Oct. 19.

AUTUMN LEAVES -- Seventh-graders from Stewartville Middle School raked leaves at Florence Park as part of a community service project last Tuesday, Oct. 23. Seventh-graders also raked the park a year ago.

AUTUMN LEAVES -- Becky Guy and many other seventh-graders from Stewartville Middle School raked leaves at Florence Park as part of a community service project last Tuesday, Oct. 23. Seventh-graders also raked the park a year ago.

Stewartville FFA members were excited about their service project packaging meals for people in need during their trip to Indianapolis. Pictured in no particular order are Kenny Dux, Kyle Sivesind, Tyler Schoenfelder, Troy Vetsh Eleni Solberg Grant Brass, Dillon Welter

The Pick-a-Little Ladies, including, not necessarily in order, Chelsea Lloyd, Rachel Mann, Molly Giehtbrock, Tiffany Titus and Ashley Titus, pick a little and talk a little more during a dress rehearsal for the Stewartville School District's production of "The Music Man."

TROUBLE IN RIVER CITY -- A cast of 54 students will present "The Music Man," the popular classic, at the Stewartville High School Performing Arts Center this Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Nov. 15, 16 and 17 at 7:30 p.m. each evening.

Professor Harold Hill (Noah Nelson-Gross) chats with two of the quartet.

Sara Zent will play Marian Paroo as a cast of 54 Stewartville students presents "The Music Man" at the SHS Performing Arts Center beginning this Thursday.

Derrick Fritz, a Central Intermediate School fifth-grader, cast as Winthrop Paroo, sings "Gary, Indiana" as Sara Zent (Marian Paroo) looks on.

YOU GOTTA KNOW THE TERRITORY -- Passengers aboard a train headed for River City, Iowa, sing enthusiastically in the opening scene from "The Music Man," the Stewartville School District production to be presented at the SHS Performing Arts Center this Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Nov. 15, 16 and 17 at 7:30 p.m. each evening. Cast in lead roles are Sara Zent as Marian Paroo and Noah Nelsen-Gross as Professor Harold Hill. Ken Mann, the director of the show, said that 54 students in grades four through 12 will be part of the production.

TROUBLE IN RIVER CITY -- A cast of 54 students will present "The Music Man," the popular classic, at the Stewartville High School Performing Arts Center this Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Nov. 15, 16 and 17 at 7:30 p.m. each evening. Here, Sara Zent, cast in the lead role as Marian Paroo, sings as Noah Nelsen-Gross, as Professor Harold Hill, listens in the background.

Noah Nelsen-Gross, seated on the table in the center of the photo, sings "Marian the Librarian" as Zent looks on inside the River City Library. Tickets for the show are available at the Stewartville High School office for $6 each.

THANKS TO THE EDUCATORS -- Members of the Stewartville American Legion Auxiliary celebrated American Education Week last week by delivering cupcakes to local schools, including Bonner Elementary School, Central Intermediate School, Stewartville High School and Stewartville Middle School. At Bonner, the visitors were welcomed by a number of educators, including, seated, from left, LaRae Bushman, a paraprofessional; Kellie Krueger, a third-grade teacher; and Christin Hale, a Title I paraprofessional. Standing, from left, are Legion Auxiliary members Cheryl Roeder and Viny Byrne, along with Maryan Gisler, Bonner secretary, and Carole Kiehne and Judy Schroeder of the Stewartville American Legion Auxiliary.

PACKAGES FOR THE POOR -- For the fifth consecutive year, Joyce Stacy's Stewartville High School community service learning class is taking part in Operation Christmas Child, an effort to send gifts to children in poverty-stricken or war-torn countries. Nashia Johnson, an SHS senior, left, and Tiffany Lee, also a senior, cut out tags to place on several of the more than 600 boxes that will be sent to poor children around the world. The boxes are filled with hygiene items, toys, school supplies, hard candy, toothpaste and toothbrushes. "These things are going to the neediest of the needy children in the world," Stacy said.

WORKING FOR THE POOR -- Amanda Eggert, a senior, above at left, and Erica Nelson, a junior, right, put tags on boxes filled with items such as hygiene enhancers, toys, school supplies and hard candy. Students have a goal of completing 622 boxes. In the photo at left, Coty Bredesen, a junior, prepares more boxes.

WORKING FOR THE POOR -- Coty Bredesen, a junior, put tags on boxes filled with items such as hygiene enhancers, toys, school supplies and hard candy. Students have a goal of completing 622 boxes.

Members of the SHS band perform during the Veterans Day ceremony on Nov. 12.

Troy Helget speaks to Stewartville students during Veterans Day ceremonies.

Sara Zent plays taps during the Veterans Day ceremonies at Stewartville High School on Nov. 12.

RIDING IN STYLE -- Seventy-three Central Intermediate School fourth- and fifth-graders, some of whom are pictured above, earned a limousine ride for selling 35 or more items each during a recent fund-raiser for the Bonner and Central Parent Advisory Committee (BACPAC.) In all, 216 students sold items such as frozen pizza, soup and gifts, earning a $20,208 profit for BACPAC. The money will be used to pay for the annual fifth-grade field trip to Eagle Bluff.

SAFETY FIRST -- Dave Hildebrandt of Hildebrandt Construction, kneeling in front, donated his time last week to help Stewartville High School Student Council members move a number of boulders to block drivers' access to grassy areas near the school parking lot. Drivers had been crossing the grassy areas, ruining grass and endangering students. Student Council members who helped with the project included, from left, John Gisler, Nate Ryan, Blake Honsey, Jacob Schwalbach, Rachel Waugh, Alexander Lewis, Emily Rainey and Kaela Koalska.

JUST TERRIFIC -- The Stewartville Kiwanis Club sponsors a Terrific Kids program to recognize Stewartville Middle School sixth-graders for making good citizenship decisions at school. "Terrific" is an acronym for thoughtful, enthusiastic, respectful, responsible, influential, friendly, impeccable and caring. Terrific Kids for the weeks of Nov. 5-8 and Nov. 12-16 include, front row, from left, Julia Lee, Erin Paulson and Miles Miller. Second row, from left, Beth Westfall, Jessica Twohey, Alex Sperber and Zac Drees. Back row, from left, Josh Nordine, Brandon Tjepkes, Jaqsen Meyer and Casey Swanton. Not pictured Jacob Goeldi.

DOING GOOD WORK -- Stewartville Middle School students who earned a 4.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale for the first quarter of the 2007-08 school year include, front row, from left, Sam Edge, Anne Weston, Ashley Campbell, Stephanie Schmidt and Natasha Meyer. Second row, from left, Audrey Steinman, Melanie Bussan, Kenny Dux and Paul Trisko. Back row, from left, Nicole Amos, Stephanie Bussan, Matt Welter, Matt Terhaar and Aaron Simmons.

A JOB WELL DONE -- Stewartville High School students who earned a 4.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale for the first quarter of the 2007-08 school year include, front row, from left, Erika Sahl, Andrea Venzke, Jessica Lucas, Ariel Ballew, Derek Robey and David Christian. Back row, from left, Kelly Trisko, Lindsay Block, Lindsay Blahnik, Christa Ballew, Hannah Christie, Noelle Adler, Josh Elliott and Alex Hain. Jared Lutteke, Eric Twohey and Kevin Welter, who also earned 4.0 grade point averages, were unavailable for the photo.

Central Intermediate School's fourth-graders had plenty of fun sledding down the steep hill near the school last Thursday, Dec. 6. Brenna Harvey, in front, closes her eyes and hangs on as Kari Johnson, in back, shouts for joy. A number of recent storms have provided ample snow.

Central Intermediate School's fourth-graders had plenty of fun sledding down the steep hill near the school last Thursday, Dec. 6. Tyler Reed smiles broadly as he heads down the hill thanks to a strong push from Dalton Miller.

Central Intermediate School's fourth-graders had plenty of fun sledding down the steep hill near the school last Thursday, Dec. 6. Derek Krenke, in front, and Dylan Stofferahn, in back, strive to remain upright as they make their way down the hill.

WORDS OF GRATITUDE -- When Bruce Hoff, Stewartville High School principal, suggested writing letters to wounded U.S. soldiers, Erika Sahl, left, Andrea Hogan and other SHS Student Council members responded by completing 80 letters.

LETTERS FROM THE STUDENT COUNCIL -- Stewartville High School Student Council members who recently wrote letters to wounded American soldiers include, seated in front, from left, Emily Rainey, Karyn Christian and Alexander Lewis. Second row, from left, Julie Rainey, Erika Sahl, Andrea Hogan, Abby Holst, Andrew Skuster, Kaela Koalska and Amy Wohlhuter. Back row, from left, Polly Kidwell, Jacob Schwalbach, Blake Honsey, John Gisler, Amber Sawyer, Kellie Norman, Rachel Waugh and Nate Ryan. Student Council members not pictured include Jonathan Preszler, 'Alex Arndorfer, Neal Abbott, Ben Van Ess and Alex Weston.

CHESS WINNERS -- Ten Stewartville students in grades K-6 took part in the third annual Byron Invitation chess tournament on Saturday, Dec. 8. Players included, front row, from left, Samantha Koenigs, Colin Willenborg, Andrew Beecher, Daniel Schimke and Adam Koenigs. Back row, from left, Lily Schimke, Jenna Willenborg, Ben Schimke, Morgan Wildeman and Josh Beecher.

Heidi Howe, who teaches sixth-grade science and math at Stewartville Middle School, has earned the Rochester Area Math Science Partnership's Outstanding Educator of the Year Award. "I was honored, but humbled," she said.

LEADING HER STUDENTS -- Heidi Howe, a sixth-grade science and math teacher at Stewartville Middle School, has earned the Outstanding Educator of the Year Award from the Rochester Area Math Science Partnership (RAMSP), an organization that includes 13 Rochester-area school districts. Above, Howe, at right holding a stopwatch, helps her students divide into groups so they can conduct an experiment involving motion and force. Students in the foreground include, from left, Beth Westfall, Jessica Larson, Nicholas Bauer and Amy Hintz. Howe, who is in her seventh year as a teacher at Stewartville Middle School, accepted the award at a dinner at the Plummer House in Rochester on Tuesday, Dec. 11.

Earlier in December, 148 seventh-grade students participated in the school's preliminary round, during which the competitors were narrowed down to 10 finalists, including, pictured below, front row, from left, Chloe Kidd, Jacob Narveson, Micah Ostegard and Dustin McHenry. Back row, from left, Nate Muller, Will Gisler, Sarah Bloomquist, Austin Krenke, Aaron Simmons and Nicole Stanley. Simmons will now advance to the next level of competition, which means he will take a written examination to determine who will compete at the state level. All school winners are eligible to win the national championship and the $25,000 college scholarship that goes along with it. The national competition will be held in Washington D.C. on May 20-21. Alex Trebek, host of "Jeopardy," will moderate the national finals, which will air on television.

Aaron Simmons, pictured at right, a seventh-grader at Stewartville Middle School, won the National Geography Bee's Stewartville school-level championship on Friday, Dec. 21. All school winners are eligible to win the national championship and the $25,000 college scholarship that goes along with it. The national competition will be held in Washington D.C. on May 20-21. Alex Trebek, host of "Jeopardy," will moderate the national finals, which will air on television.

CHRISTMAS SHOPPERS -- Lindsay Smith, a kindergarten teacher at Bonner Elementary School, left, helps kindergartner Annabelle Jorgensen search for gifts at the school's BACPAC Santa Shop on Thursday, Dec. 20. BACPAC volunteers use money raised from milk caps and box tops to purchase items for the Santa Shop. Students bring in more milk caps and box tops to purchase the items at the shop. BACPAC funds pay for school materials and activities such as field trips.

fourth-grader Grace Sveen pushes as Jeena Curry looks forward to her trek to the bottom of the hill.

Natalie Nelson, right, started working on a project about Yellowstone Park at the "History Day Hullabaloo" at Stewartville Middle School last week. Thalia Smith, left, helps Natalie with her research.

Mark Peterson spends time on the playground with Central kindergartners, including, from left, William Kundert, Jamal Aden, Kamora Jackson and Kayden Tix.

Thomas Meyer, seated in front, and Karsten Ernste, kindergartners in Jen Oelkers' class, smile as their sled begins to gain downward momentum.

Marshall Pietrzak, left, and Ella Quam, third graders at Bonner Elementary School, worked as School Patrol crossing guards near the school last Thursday morning, Jan. 10. Both said they enjoy their duties. "It's fun," Marshall said. "You get to help other people cross. I'm here once every five weeks and other people are here on different weeks." Ella, asked what she likes about the job, said, "(I like it) that we're helping other people cross the road."

Alashia McMurdo, a fourth grader, left; and Madelyn Timm, a fifth grader at Central Intermediate School, won bicycles last week in a drawing sponsored by the Stewartville Masonic Lodge and the Olmsted County Deputy Sheriff's Association. Students become eligible to enter their names in the drawing after they read a book. The more books they read, the more chances they have to win a bicycle. Masonic Lodge members include, from left, Len Griffith, treasurer; George Thompson, tyler(doorkeeper); Robert Lee, junior steward; Bill Hubbard, worshipful master; and George Menshik, chaplain. Zak Breitenbach, Stewartville's community oriented policing (COPS) deputy, is at far right. The Olmsted County Deputy Sheriff's Association donated $500 for Alashia's and Madelyn's bicycles, Breitenbach said.

The Stewartville Beginner Band, featuring fifth graders from Central Intermediate School, will present a concert at the Stewartville High School Performing Arts Center this Thursday, Jan. 24 at 7 p.m. The Band will play a number of popular tunes, including "Hot Cross Buns," "Go Tell Aunt Rhody," "Little Robin Redbreast" and "Merrily We Roll Along." Above, Andrew Hoffman, left, and Ireland Broadwater prepare for the concert at a practice session last Friday, Jan. 18. Carol Bressel is the director of the 63-member Beginner Band.

A GOOD TOSS -- Kathleen Cowden, a fourth-grader at Central Intermediate School, tosses a marshmallow in the direction of Eldon Anderson, the school's principal, who was duct-taped to a wall after losing a bet with the school's students.

Before Christmas, Eldon Anderson, principal of Central Intermediate School, bet the school's fourth- and fifth-grade students that they wouldn't bring in more than 1,000 items for the annual Christmas Anonymous gift drive. The students won the bet after donating more than 1,500 items. On Friday, Dec. 21, the last day before winter break, students and faculty members got their reward, duct-taping Anderson to a wall and attempting to throw marshmallows into his mouth. Here, Anderson smiles despite being duct-taped to the wall.

Before Christmas, Eldon Anderson, principal of Central Intermediate School, bet the school's fourth- and fifth-grade students that they wouldn't bring in more than 1,000 items for the annual Christmas Anonymous gift drive. The students won the bet after donating more than 1,500 items. On Friday, Dec. 21, the last day before winter break, students and faculty members got their reward, duct-taping Anderson to a wall and attempting to throw marshmallows into his mouth. As hundreds of students look on, Corrie Hildebrandt, a fourth-grader at Central, prepares to unleash a marshmallow as classmate Kari Johnson waits in line to do the same.

Before Christmas, Eldon Anderson, principal of Central Intermediate School, bet the school's fourth- and fifth-grade students that they wouldn't bring in more than 1,000 items for the annual Christmas Anonymous gift drive. The students won the bet after donating more than 1,500 items. On Friday, Dec. 21, the last day before winter break, students and faculty members got their reward, duct-taping Anderson to a wall and attempting to throw marshmallows into his mouth.

The Stewartville Kiwanis Club sponsors a Terrific Kids program to recognize Stewartville Middle School sixth-graders for making good citizenship decisions at school. "Terrific" is an acronym for thoughtful, enthusiastic, respectful, responsible, influential, friendly, impeccable and caring. Terrific Kids for the weeks of Nov. 26-30, Dec. 3-7 and Dec. 10-14 include, front row, from left, Kyleigh Reinartz, Emma Hale, Rochelle Tagatz and Allisa Deetz. Second row, from left, Kenna Wait, Jordan Lemanski, Karina Baltes and Jessica Rosenblad. Back row, from left, Andrew Tohm, Noah Probach, Clayton Vrieze, Justin Zabinski and Shelby Cox. Jessica Larson and Jerrianna Hansen, two other Terrific Kids, were missing when the photo was taken.

The Stewartville Beginner Band, featuring fifth graders from Central Intermediate School, will present a concert at the Stewartville High School Performing Arts Center this Thursday, Jan. 24 at 7 p.m. The Band will play a number of popular tunes, including "Hot Cross Buns," "Go Tell Aunt Rhody," "Little Robin Redbreast" and "Merrily We Roll Along." Above, Andrew Hoffman, left, and Ireland Broadwater prepare for the concert at a practice session last Friday, Jan. 18. Carol Bressel is the director of the 63-member Beginner Band.

Courtney Fakler, a social worker and elementary school counselor in Stewartville schools, and Dave Nystuen, principal of Bonner Elementary School, display the backpacks students are using for "The Backpack Program."

The Stewartville School Board is one of only eight school boards in the state that received the District Award of Distinction at the Minnesota School Boards Association (MSBA) Recognition Luncheon at the Minneapolis Convention Center on Thursday, Jan. 17. Members include, front row, from left, Angela Payton, Tara Stockman and Beth Lawson. Back row, from left, Mark Vaupel, Joe Waugh, Rob Mathias and Rod Morlock, along with Dr. David Thompson, superintendent of the Stewartville School District.

Mikayla Engel, a junior, right, is one of many Stewartville High School students who gave blood at the Mayo Clinic Blood Drive at SHS on Wednesday, Jan. 30. Deb Gerber, a phlebotomist with the Mayo Clinic, is at left. Mikayla explained why she gives blood. "I enjoy helping people, even if I don't know them," she said.

The townspeople of Hamelin look to the mayor (Nathan Onsgard), above far left, for a way to find the missing children during a rehearsal for Stewartville Middle School's upcoming production of The Pied Piper of Hamelin, to be presented at the Performing Arts Center this Friday and Saturday, Feb. 8 and 9 at 7 p.m. both evenings, and this Sunday, Feb. 10 at 2 p.m. Townspeople include, seated, from left, Emily Majerus and Candi Quandt; and standing, from left, Olivia Waltman and Jack Wood.

Stewartville Middle School's upcoming production of The Pied Piper of Hamelin, to be presented at the Performing Arts Center this Friday and Saturday, Feb. 8 and 9 at 7 p.m. both evenings, and this Sunday, Feb. 10 at 2 p.m. Here, the piper (CeCe Gray) encourages Kurt (Shawn Husgen) to keep working on his pipe.

Harlan and Karen Thompson received Tiger Tokens last week for their work as volunteers for the Stewartville School District.

Mayor Jimmie-John King put in a good workout during the annual Jump Rope for Heart event at Central Intermediate School on Wednesday, Feb. 6. King, center, jumps rope along with Central students Maia Peterson, second from right, and Kimmi Vrieze, far right. After he finished his workout, King spoke to the students about heart health, emphasizing the importance of exercising and eating plenty of fruits and vegetables.

Abigail Langseth, 5, points to the letter "H," which corresponds with the letter she sees on a chart as she gets her eyes tested during Early Childhood Screening at Grace Evangelical Free Church last Tuesday, Feb. 5. Roy Gisler of Stewartville reviews Abigail's progress. Children were tested for hearing and vision, speech and language, and motor skils and concepts.

Oliver Litrenta, 5, of Stewartville, listens for sounds from a machine operated by Roy Gisler at the Early Childhood Screening at Grace Evangelical Free Church on Tuesday, Feb. 5. Students heading for kindergarten were tested on hearing and vision, speech and language, and motor skills and concepts.

Jasmin Hamlin, a sophomore at Stewartville High School earned awards in the ZED Creative Writing Contest.

Emily Majerus, an eighth grader at Stewartville Middle School, earned awards in the ZED Creative Writing Contest.

102.5 The Fox Radio delivered pizza to Kim Whiting's second-grade students at Bonner Elementary School on Wednesday, Jan. 9. The radio station named Whiting its Teacher of the Month after Tanner Olson, one of Whiting's students, submitted a letter describing why Whiting is such a good teacher. Whiting stands with Tanner Olson, who nominated his teacher for the award.

102.5 The Fox Radio delivered pizza to Kim Whiting's second-grade students at Bonner Elementary School on Wednesday, Jan. 9. The radio station named Whiting its Teacher of the Month after Tanner Olson, one of Whiting's students, submitted a letter describing why Whiting is such a good teacher. Here, Whiting, standing at left, smiles as Bonner Principal Dave Nystuen, standing at right, and students Russell Lannier and Matthew Kuchera enjoy their pizza.

102.5 The Fox Radio delivered pizza to Kim Whiting's second-grade students at Bonner Elementary School on Wednesday, Jan. 9. The radio station named Whiting its Teacher of the Month after Tanner Olson, one of Whiting's students, submitted a letter describing why Whiting is such a good teacher. Here, student Tiffany Waugh displays a slice of pizza.

GENEROSITY -- Some of the many Bonner first-graders who contributed to a fund-raiser for a South African intermediate school include, front row, from left, Carter Jannsen, Nathan Johnson, Taylor Smith, Laura Pedelty, Lane Vaupel and Thomas Derr. Seated, from left, Caleb Milburn, Emily Schlechtinger, Justin Schlechtinger, Jacob Twohey and Justin Beach. Standing, from left, Chrystal Mullenbach, Kailyn Manthei, Kaylee Smidt, Paige Lehman, Olivia Boe, Cecilia Griffin, Megan Giordano, Madison Rediske, Audrey Miller, Joshua Howard, Hunter Voigt, Tyler Schandorff, Andrew Beecher, Adriahna Hatz and Morgan Holtan.

Students at Tsoseletso Intermediate School in Moshawane, South Africa sing on the playground near their school. The 450 students in grades one through nine have plain classrooms and no playground equipment. Bonner students, teachers, staff members, parents and friends raised $1,600 for the South African students. The money will be used for food, clothes, and more.

PUT UP YOUR DUKES -- Bekken Jagusch, (Luigi Lanconi), left, and Travis Jorde (Mr. Morlock) prepare to fight as Audra Mulleneaux (Mary Morlock), looks on in the background and Sara Zent (Jessica Morlock) right, also looks ready to fight during a dress rehearsal for Stewartville High School's upcoming presentation of "Rest Assured."

Noah Nelsen-Gross (Joe Lanconi), left, and Audra Mulleneaux (Mary Morlock) try to comfort Bekken Jagusch (Luigi Lanconi) during a dress rehearsal of the Stewartville High School production of "Rest Assured," which will be presented at the SHS PAC this Friday and Saturday.

A VISIT FROM LUCIFER -- Travis Jorde (Mr. Morlock), seated at left, and Bekken Jagusch (Luigi Lanconi) seated at right, question Lucifer (Jared Lutteke) as Catherine Mulleneaux (Mrs. Morlock), in background, comforts Sara Zent (Jessica Morlock) during a rehearsal for Stewartville High School's upcoming presentation of "Rest Assured."

Travis Jorde (Mr. Morlock), in the foreground at right, appears perturbed as Bekken Jagusch (Luigi Lanconi) and Rachel Mann (Luigi's wife) discuss the situation during a dress rehearsal for the Stewartville High School presentation of "Rest Assured."

THE RICH AND THE POOR -- Travis Jorde, second from right, plays Mr. Morlock, a rich business tycoon who refuses to allow his daughter to marry a poor man's son in "Rest Assured," Stewartville High School's one-act play to be presented at the SHS Performing Arts Center this Friday, Jan. 25 at 8 p.m. and this Saturday, Jan. 26 at 11:15 a.m. Other cast members who took part in a dress rehearsal last week include, from left, Sara Zent as Jessica Morlock, Catherine Mulleneaux as Mrs. Morlock and Audra Mulleneaux as Mary Morlock.

Noah Nelsen-Gross, left, who plays Joe Lanconi, son of Luigi Lanconi, makes a point to Travis Jorde (Mr. Morlock) as Audra Mulleneaux (Mary Morlock), center, and Catherine Mulleneaux (Mrs. Morlock) look on during a dress rehearsal for the Stewartville High School production of "Rest Assured," which will be held at the SHS Performing Arts Center this Friday.

The cast of the one act play Rest Assured.

ANTICIPATING THE TRIP -- Erin Hain, a junior clarinet player, left, and Deitra Hinck, a junior trumpet player, will be among the 60 Stewartville High School Symphonic and Marching Band members who travel to Williamsburg, Virginia this March.

BRRR -- With temperatures hovering near 0 degrees, third-graders Brandon Lange, left, and Mackenzie Van De Walker helped their classmates cross the street near Bonner Elementary School last Thursday, Jan. 24.

In keeping with the Stewartville School District's "Fish" philosophy, Nora Luskey's art students, including Kaylee Muller, foreground, and Meghan Schmitz, began painting an undersea world on Central Intermediate School's lower walls last week.

ARTISTS UNDER THE SEA -- In keeping with the Stewartville School District's "Fish" philosophy, Nora Luskey's art students, including fifth-graders Darian Kruegel, foreground, and Amanda Jaeger, began painting undersea scenes on Central Intermediate School's lower walls last week. The "Fish" philosophy encourages the district's teachers and staff members to "make their day," "be present," "choose your attitude" and "play."

AWARD WINNER -- Beth Lawson, chair of the Stewartville School Board, displays the President's Award she recently earned for putting in 300 hours of Minnesota School Board Association-sponsored training to improve her individual performance on the board.

THEY'RE TERRIFIC -- The Stewartville Kiwanis Club sponsors a Terrific Kids program to honor Stewartville Middle School sixth-graders for making good citizenship decisions at school. "Terrific" is an acronym for thoughtful, enthusiastic, respectful, responsible, influential, friendly, impeccable and caring. Terrific Kids for the weeks of Jan. 7-11 and Jan. 14-18 include, front row, from left, Cory Bartelt and Justin Zabinski. Second row, from left, Jerrianna Hansen, Mikayla Engel, Shane Parks and Whitney Erickson. Back row, from left, Katelin Root, Amy Hintz, Shanalyn Bird, Jeremiah Iverson and Jason Danielson.

The Stewartville School District's financial team includes, clockwise from lower left, Dr. David Thompson, Sheila Gossman, Stephanie Behrens and Todd Netzke.

Charlotte's Web is in danger as Emily Loux (Fern), left, and Josh Rupprecht (Avery) tussle. Gabe Hilger (Wilbur) and Kindra Syring (Charlotte) look on.

NO WAY OUT -- Wilbur's escape attempt is foiled during a recent rehearsal of Stewartville Middle School's upcoming presentation of "Charlotte's Web," which will be presented at the Stewartville High School Performing Arts Center this Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. each evening and this Sunday at 2 p.m. The characters, pictured in no particular order, include Audrey Wilke as the sheep, Alisa Deetz as the lamb, William Miller as Templeton, Gabe Hilger as Wilbur, Kindra Syring as Charlotte, Jerri Hansen as the goose and Brooke Hilger as the gander.

READY FOR THE SHOW -- A cast and crew of 38 sixth, seventh and eighth graders will present E.B. White's fantastic adaptation of "Charlotte's Web" at the Stewartville High School Performing Arts Center this Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

MAKING ANOTHER RUN -- Bill Kuisle addresses the Republican caucus audience at Stewartville High School last week, announcing that he again plans to run for the District 30B state representative seat currently held by DFLer Andy Welti.

MESSAGE OF KINDNESS -- Cody Burch, a speaker representing "Rachel's Challenge," a program that motivates students to exhibit kindness and compassion, spoke with a number of Stewartville Middle School students after his presentation at the SHS gym last week, including, from left, Amy Hintz, Tiffany Simmons and Alyssa Bartel.

THEY'RE TERRIFIC -- The Stewartville Kiwanis Club sponsors a Terrific Kids program to honor Stewartville Middle School sixth-graders for making good citizenship decisions at school. "Terrific" is an acronym for thoughtful, enthusiastic, respectful, responsible, influential, friendly, impeccable and caring. Terrific Kids for the weeks of Jan. 28-Feb. 1 and Feb. 4-8 include, front row, from left, Michael Stageberg, Aiyana Leftbear and Caitlin Van Tassel. Second row, from left, Jaquelyn Dodd, Cody Stanger and Colton Drake. Back row, from left, Alyssa Bartel, Brandon Sweet, Andrew Root and Nate Zahradnik.

Bonner Elementary School students enjoyed jumping on their sleds and heading down the hill near the school during recess last week. Here, Abegail Van De Walker, a first-grader, smiles brightly as she prepares to take a solo ride down the hill.

Bonner Elementary School students enjoyed jumping on their sleds and heading down the hill near the school during recess last week. Here, Blake Ellerbusch, seated, as his friend Nathan Johnson gives him a push.

Bonner Elementary School students enjoyed jumping on their sleds and heading down the hill near the school during recess last week. Here, first-graders Marisa Goff and Dylan Flink ride smoothly atop the snow. The snow was deep and sticky, preventing the students from picking up too much speed, but the kids had fun anyway.

BLANKETED IN FUN -- Students who made tie blankets during Stewartville Middle School's "cabin fever reliever" last week include, front row, from left, Kaitlyn Higgins, Emily Tompkins, Nia Gardner, Leah Onsgard and Sydney Quackenbush. Back row, from left, Rochelle Tagatz, Ashley Mietzner, Katie Scruggs, Katie Finley and Brigham Bethke.

A JOB WELL DONE -- Stewartville Middle School held its "cabin fever reliever" last Wednesday, Feb. 13, which offered students a variety of activities, including scrapbooking, sketching, sculpting, and making tie blankets and dream catchers. Students who completed art projects include, seated in front, from left, Jacqui Dodd and Jessica Twohey. In back from left, Kaylyn Hildebrandt, Allyson Dale (seated), Riley Paulson, Sam Vrieze, Jerrianna Hansen (seated), Ryan Beecher, Allisa Deetz and Jennifer Zabinski.

CATCHING DREAMS -- Seventh-graders who made dream catchers during Stewartville Middle School's "cabin fever reliever" last week include, from left, Brianna Buford, Autumn Kruse, Emily Nagel, Molly Lynch, Hannah Hohmeister, Jaidyn Boynton and Morgan Hettinger.

An FFA member shows a young observer a bunny rabbit at the FFA petting zoo.

NOURISHMENT FOR THE YOUNG -- Kayla Kafka of the Stewartville High School FFA, left, offers milk to a lamb at the annual ag fair at Stewartville High School last week. Kailyn Manthei, a student at Bonner Elementary School, right, leans down to meet the lamb.

Brody Erickson, 4, a SECFE student, enjoys an ice cream cone. Brody is the son of Shawn Erickson, Stewartville High School ag teacher and FFA advisor.

FEED MY SHEEP -- Carter Hutchinson, a Stewartville Early Childhood Family Education (SECFE) student, feeds a sheep at the annual Stewartville High School FFA ag fair last Wednesday, Feb. 20. Hundreds of children from Bonner Elementary School also attended the event, which also featured a calf, pigs, a goat and a donkey.

Theresa Twohey, vice president of the Stewartville High School FFA chapter, left, introduces a calf to three girls from Stewartville Early Childhood Family Education (SECFE), including, from left, Anette Guzman, Violet Nelson and Lydia Peterson, at the annual FFA ag fair at the high school last Wednesday, Feb. 20. Hundreds of children from Bonner Elementary School also attended the event, where they met Twohey's calf, along with sheep, pigs, a goat, a donkey, a rabbit and a puppy. Twohey said the event "teaches the kids all about the different aspects of agriculture."

DOWN ON THE FARM -- Kindergartner Kaileigh Weber, right, is one of hundreds of Bonner Elementary School students who met the animals at the annual Stewartville High School FFA ag fair last Wednesday, Feb. 20. Theresa Twohey, vice president of the Stewartville High School FFA, left, introduces Kaileigh to a week-old calf.

DOING GOOD WORK -- Stewartville High School students who earned a 4.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale for the second quarter of the 2007-08 school year include, front row, from left, Alex Weston, Eric Twohey, Catherine Mulleneaux, Andrea Venzke, Theresa Twohey and Michael Terhaar. Second row, from left, Lindsay Blahnik, Sam Blahnik, Jared Lutteke, Derek Robey, Seth Huiras, Michael Orte, John Gisler and Kevin Welter. Back row, from left, Rachel Holst, Josh Elliott, Jessica Zent, Christa Ballew, Kelly Trisko, Sam Jezeski, Ariel Ballew and Jessica Lucas. Erika Sahl and Bryce Oswald, two other 4.0 students, were unavailable when the photo was taken.

A JOB WELL DONE -- Stewartville Middle School students who earned a 4.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale for the second quarter of the 2007-08 school year include, front row, from left, Cassidy McCartan, Anne Weston, Emily Ahart, Ashley Campbell and Matthew Terhaar. Second row, from left, Paul Trisko, Hannah Giehtbrock, Abigail Bardwell, Melanie Bussan, Audrey Steinman and Stephanie Bussan. Back row, from left, Katelyn Hanf, Nicole Amos, Matthew Welter, Jason Robey and Aaron Simmons.

Stephanie Schmidt, a sixth-grader, presented a report on the Hormel strike that started on April 17, 1985, when about 1,200 union workers walked off the job.

Courtney McGill, a sixth-grader, researched the life of Harriet Bishop, Minnesota's first teacher. Bishop taught morals and ethics and started a temperance group that opposed drinking, Courtney learned.

Justin McHenry, a seventh-grader at Stewartville Middle School, completed a History Day project titled "Pearl Harbor: A Date Which Will Live in Infamy."

Stewartville High School students who earned a 4.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale for the second quarter of the 2012-13 school year include, front row, from left, Kayla Schlechtinger, Jenna Willenborg, Zach Rupprecht, Jon Beach, Jared Trisko, Nathan Abbott, Grace Menchaca and Paige Tapp. Second row, from left, Amelia Welter, Ally Reiland, Gabby Dale, Gabrielle Steinhoff, Madie Hart, Brooke Bosshart, Derrick Fritz and Laura Louks. Third row, from left, Heather Husgen, Karissa Kime, Abigail Sistad, Lauren Mikel, Kaylee Muller, Meghan Schmitz, Hannah Blomquist, Stephanie Bussan and Hannah Tapp. Back row, from left, Mariah Terhaar, Haley Ahart, Anne Weston, Sam Edge, Will Gisler, Matthew Terhaar, Stephanie Schmidt, Madeline Grimm and Olivia Oehlke. Other 4.0 students who aren't pictured include Emily Ahart, Taylor Zea, Kyra Boland, Melanie Lex, Elizabeth Bardwell, Lydia Bardwell and Katie Paschal.

A PRINCIPAL'S PUNISHMENT -- After Bonner Elementary School students surpassed a goal of reading for 200,000 minutes during February "I Love to Read" month, Dave Nystuen, the school's principal, visited all the school's classrooms in less-than-typical clothing last week. Nystuen had promised to wear a feather boa if the students read for more than 50,000 minutes, a wig if they surpassed 100,000 minutes, jewelry if they exceeded 150,000 minutes and a dress if they surpassed 200,000 minutes. In all, the students read for 207,580 minutes in February.

Stewartville Middle School students who earned a 4.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale for the second quarter of the 2012-13 school year include, front row, from left, Ellie Fryer, Marisa Goff, Ethan Olerich, Laura Pedelty, Zach Trenary. Second row, from left, Kailee Brower, Shawn Husgen, Mary Oehlke, Emily Rinken and Emma Welch. Third row, from left, Elizabeth Becker, Rachel Blomquist, Emma Dwire, Laura Eberle, CeCe Gray and Julia Lanzel. Back row, from left, Graham Mueller, Kara O'Byrne, Jessica Pedelty, Matthew Pierick, Rachel Schwalbach and Alex VandeLoo.

Reese Glynn, left, and Jayda Ramaker, students in Roberta Lentz's kindergarten class at Bonner Elementary School, work on their projects in Laura Moon's art class on Valentine's Day last Thursday, Feb. 14. Students used paper, crayons, scissors, glue and more to design their many unique valentines.

A WINTER CELEBRATION -- Abby Holst and Brandon Lecy, seated in front, were queen and king of Stewartville High School's winter ball on Saturday, Feb. 23. Other members of the court included, standing from left, Emily Rainey, Karyn Christian, Olivia Skic, Mackenzie Peterson, Derek Robey, David Fritsch and Tom Gisler. Zack Tuffley, another member of the court, is not pictured.

WINTER ROYALTY -- Abby Holst and Brandon Lecy, were queen and king of Stewartville High School's winter ball on Saturday, Feb. 23.

HAPPY MUSIC -- Le Vent du Nord, a group that presents traditional music from Quebec, Canada, played before a large audience of students at Central Intermediate School last Wednesday, March 5. Here, Central fourth-graders Mariah Terhaar, left, and Nora Betcher dance to the music.

HAPPY MUSIC -- Le Vent du Nord, a group that presents traditional music from Quebec, Canada, played before a large audience of students at Central Intermediate School last Wednesday, March 5. Members of the group include, from left, Nicolas Boulerice on the hurdy-gurdy (he also plays piano and accordion), Rejean Brunet, accordion and bass; and Simon Beaudry on guitar. Oliver Demors, another member of the group, is not pictured.

Accompanied by their parents, a total of 190 children attended the annual Stewartville Early Childhood Family Education (SECFE) carnival at the Stewartville High School-Middle School cafeteria on Friday, Feb. 29. Sara Zent, left, prepares a balloon cat for Megan Giordano, 6, a first-grader at Bonner Elementary School. Families that attended donated 408 pounds of food to the Channel One Food Shelf.

Accompanied by their parents, a total of 190 children attended the annual Stewartville Early Childhood Family Education (SECFE) carnival at the Stewartville High School-Middle School cafeteria on Friday, Feb. 29. Sophia Haglund, 6, of Rochester, displays her completed monkey project. Families that attended donated 408 pounds of food to the Channel One Food Shelf.

Accompanied by their parents, a total of 190 children attended the annual Stewartville Early Childhood Family Education (SECFE) carnival at the Stewartville High School-Middle School cafeteria on Friday, Feb. 29. Brendt Quandt, 3, a SECFE student from rural Grand Meadow, blows bubbles. Families that attended donated 408 pounds of food to the Channel One Food Shelf.

GIVING OF HIMSELF -- Matt Nielsen, a senior at Stewartville High School, is one of many high school students who gave blood during the Mayo Clinic blood drive at the school last week. Kris Borth, donors services technician at the Mayo Clinic, prepares Nielsen for the donation.

TEENYBOPPER -- Hannah Montana, otherwise known as Joe Jezierski, principal of Stewartville Middle School, performed for a large group of middle school students at the SHS Performing Arts Center on Thursday, March 20. By reading for a total of 138,000 minutes, middle school students won a bet with Jezierski, who paid the price by lip-synching a Hannah Montana song. Jezierski's performance drew a loud ovation and calls for an encore.

Lacy Jewson, 3, of High Forest, can't contain her glee after finding a number of colorful eggs at the Stewartville High School FFA Easter event on Saturday, March 22.

Catherine Mulleneaux earned a trophy and medal for outstanding musical accomplishment for her flute solos.

Director Jessica Van Tassel and drum majors Angela Carlson and Catherine Mulleneaux display the band's first-place trophies for concert and parade performance and its parade grand champion trophy from Williamsburg, Virginia.

WELCOME HOME -- Parents stood in the rain to welcome the Stewartville High School Band back to Stewartville last Monday, March 31. The band earned first-place awards in concert and parade competitions at a festival in Wiliamsburg, Virginia.

UP FOR GRABS -- Bobbie Hart, a second-grader at Bonner Elementary School, reaches for free money inside a wind machine at the school last week. Bobbie won the right to take part in the money grab by selling 12 items (magazine subscriptions, CDs or books) for a BACPAC fund-raiser.

Dr. David Thompson is an Administrator of Excellence. See related story.

Gladys Carroll is grateful for having earned a place on the Stewartville High School National Honor Society Wall of Honor.

Howard Sloneker is grateful for having earned a place on the Stewartville High School National Honor Society Wall of Honor.

A JOB WELL DONE -- Stewartville Middle School students who earned a 4.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale for the third quarter of the 2007-08 school year include, front row, from left, Sarah West, Taylor Severson, Nicole Skifton, Sam Edge, Stephanie Schmidt, Audrey Steinman and Melanie Bussan. Second row, from left, Lydia Bardwell, Abigail Bardwell, Ellen Emrich, Paul Trisko, Isaac Kidd and Matthew Welter. Back row, from left, Sarah West, Sarah Blomquist, Matthew Terhaar, Caitlyn Nienow, Nicole Amos and Aaron Simmons.

THEY EARNED IT -- The Stewartville Kiwanis Club sponsors a Terrific Kids program to honor Stewartville Middle School students for making good citizenship decisions at school. "Terrific" is an acronym for thoughtful, enthusiastic, respectful, responsible, influential, friendly, impeccable and caring. Terrific Kids for the weeks of March 17-20 and March 31-April 3 include, front row, from left, Nathan Lange, Anna Erath and Jordan Ly. Second row, from left, Alan Mouchet, Julian Lee, Jordan Hanf and Daniel Higgins. Back row, from left, Jessica Twohey, Jessica Larson, Breanna Smith and Dain Bauman.

onathan (Jared Lutteke) is seized by Officers Brophy and Klein (Christa and Ariel Ballew) during a dress rehearsal for Stewartville High School's upcoming performance of "Arsenic and Old Lace."

Teddy (Alex Weston) and Dr. Einstein (Megan Mueller) prepare to inspect the fresh grave during a dress rehearsal for Stewartville High School's upcoming presentation of "Arsenic and Old Lace."

Stewartville High School will present the classic comedy "Arsenic and Old Lace" at the SHS Performing Arts Center this Thursday, Friday and Saturday, May 1-3 at 7:30 p.m. each evening. Here, Elaine Harper (Abby Holst) seeks a kiss from her fiance (Brandon Lecy.)

Stewartville High School will present the classic comedy "Arsenic and Old Lace" at the SHS Performing Arts Center this Thursday, Friday and Saturday, May 1-3 at 7:30 p.m. each evening. Abby and Martha Brewster (Emily Wellen and Molly Giehtbrock) invite old men into the house, only to kill them. Their crazy nephew, convinced he's Teddy Roosevelt (Alex Weston), buries the bodies in the basement. All this becomes a problem when nephews Mortimer Brewster (Brandon Lecy) and Jonathan Brewster (Jared Lutteke) return to the family home. Here, Mortimer confronts Abby, left, and Martha about the dead body.

WHAT'S IN THERE? -- Mortimer Brewster (Brandon Lecy) discovers a dead body in the window seat during a dress rehearsal for "Arsenic and Old Lace," a Stewartville High School production to be presented at the SHS Performing Arts Center this Thursday, Friday and Saturday, May 1-3 at 7:30 p.m. each evening. Charlie Aitken is the director of the classic comedy.

The cast of Arsenic and Old Lace.

LINKED BY KINDNESS -- Accepting Rachel Scott's challenge to be kind and compassionate, students at Stewartville Middle School began decorating the school's halls with paper rings last week. Each ring represents one student's act of kindness toward another. Brittanie Hoerner, a sixth-grader on the ladder in the foreground, and Malia Parker, a seventh-grader on the ladder in the background, worked on the project last week. Craig Bell, school guidance counselor, said the school's goal is to link the rings throughout the entire school. Rachel Scott's family and friends started "Rachel's Challenge," an initiative to promote kindness, after Rachel was killed in the shootings at Columbine High School. Rachel had lived a life of kindness and compassion toward others.

GOOD ATTITUDES -- The STewartville Kiwanis Club sponsors a Terrific Kids program to honor Stewartville Middle School sixth-graders for making good citizenship decisions at school. "Terrific" is an acronym for thoughtful, enthusiastic, respectful, responsible, influential, friendly, impeccable and caring. Terrific Kids for the weeks of April 7-11, April 14-18 and April 21-25 include, front row, from left, Steve Sheely, Casey Swanton, Jacob Vetsch and Austin Atkinson. Seated, from left, Lukas Bleifus, Cody Stanger, Josh Nordine, Holly Gebel and Raven Blahnik. Back row, from left, Adam Waugh, Bailey Herman, Maurice Hawthorne, Krista Kenning, Josie Hoot and Taylor Zea.

A small group of Stewartville High School students, led by Andrew Langseth, associate pastor at Grace Evangelical Free Church, gathered around the school's flag pole to pray during the National Day of Prayer on Friday morning, May 1.

A NATIONAL HONOR -- Barb Hill, center, who has taught physical education in Stewartville schools for 27 years, has completed a number of challenging steps to achieve national certification in adapted physical education. Ruth Vining, a member of the district's steering committee and a seventh -grade English teacher, left, told a large audience of educators at last week's staff recognition event that HIll is one of only five nationally certified physical education teachers in Minnesota. Pat Leonard, right, is the Stewartville School District's curriculum coordinator and a leader of the district's steering committee.

Cody Manning, left, holds the award he won for writing a Father of the Year essay about his dad, Mark Manning, seated. Sam Edge, right, won a similar award for the essay he wrote about his dad, Roy Edge.

The Stewartville varsity boys basketball team made its annual visit to Bonner Elementary School K-3 grade classes on Feb. 15 to read to students as part of "I Love to Read Month." Here, Jacob Narveson reads to a group of students.

Eli Riggin, a student in Emily Johnson's kindergarten class at Bonner Elementary School, meets a young goat held by Brenna Harvey.

MacKenzie Rogers, a student in Emily Johnson's kindergarten class, reaches for a week-old goat held by Brenna Harvey, freshman FFA member.

Mason Holtan, a student in Kathy Pinke-Thorson's kindergarten class at Bonner Elementary School, says hello to a duck held by Eleni Solberg.

Nathan Johnson, left, and Braxton Ramaker worked on a project that focused on Curt Flood's role in bringing free agency to Major League Baseball.

Whitney Lloyd, a senior at Stewartville High School, has been named a recipient of the Subsection 2A girl Triple "A" Academics, Arts and Athletics Award that recognizes high school seniors who have excelled in the classroom, on the athletic field and in the fine arts. Bruce Hoff, principal of Stewartville High School, left, presented the award at halftime of the boys basketball game against Pine Island on Tuesday, Feb. 19. Whitney's dad, Farrell, and her mom, Robin, joined her at the SHS gym last week. To qualify for the award, students must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher, must participate in athletics and fine arts activities sponsored by the Minnesota State High School League, and must comply with the MSHSL's Student Code of Conduct. AAA sponsors the award.

Makayla Morgan, a freshman FFA member at Stewartville High School, left, serves guests at the Stewartville FFA Farmer's Share Breakfast at the Stewartville Civic Center on Saturday, Feb. 23.

Marilyn Nash, right, displays the Tiger Token she received for her volunteer efforts on behalf of Stewartville schools. Hailey Johnson, community education director, is at left.

On Feb. 15, the entire fourth grade completed an engineering project. They were supposed to build the highest free standing structure that they could using only dry spaghetti noodles and mini-marshmallows, along with a little bit of tape. The highest structure only reached about 28 inches, but many of the students were starting to figure out how to make their structures higher. If they had had more time, many structures probably would have been much higher. Above from left is Alashia McMurdo and Hunter Olson working on their project.

Bonner Elementary School students are using LEGOS to make levers in special classes after school on Thursdays. Here, Conner Lohmann, second from left, and Emma Rowen, second from right, work a LEGO catapult while Tyler Giordano, far left, and Riley Schild, far right, look on.

Bonner Elementary School students are using LEGOS to make levers in special classes after school on Thursdays. Here, Jake Schimek focuses on his LEGO device as Isabelle Lukes looks on in the background.

I LOVE TO READ. Each year, as part of I Love to Read Month, two second grade boys work together to read the skit "Who's on First" by Abbott & Costello. This year, Andy Teal and Owen Sikkink worked together and electrified the audience of the entire second grade and one third grade class. They did such an amazing job. They literally had the entire group laughing and engaged!

Alyssa Jones, a fourth grader at Central Intermediate School, displays her project at the school's annual Science Fair last week. Alyssa conducted an experiment to determine the best insulator among Styrofoam, paper, plastic and glass. She discovered that Styrofoam was best and glass was worst.

Haley Wangen, a fourth grader at Central Intermediate School, displays her project at the school's Science Fair last week. She learned that sunlight helped the plant at left to grow and that darkness stunted the growth of the plant at right. "Light is like a form of food for the plant," she said.

Stewartville's eighth-grade Academic Triathlon team qualified for the state meet by winning the regional meet at Byron on Friday, March 1. Team members include, front row, from left, Morgan Wildeman, Graham Mueller and Candi Quandt. Back row, from left, Todd Johnson, coach/advisor; Jessica Pedelty, Emily Majerus and Julia Lanzel.

Two Stewartville sixth-grade teams performed admirably at the Math Masters competition in Rochester on Friday, March 8. Members of the first-place team include, front row, from left, Ethan Humble, Daniel Schimke, Nathan Laures and Zack Gulbranson. The third-place team, in back, from left, includes Emily Schlechtinger, Laura Pedelty, Ellie Fryer and Shane Byrne.

Nikki Skifton, a member of the Stewartville High School National Honor Society, right, paints Hope Deetz's face at the NHS benefit to fight cancer at the Stewartville Sportsman's Club on Saturday, March 16.

The Stewartville High School National Honor Society hosted a benefit to fight cancer at the Stewartville Sportsman's Club on Saturday, March 16. Here, Mayor Jimmie-John King raises funds by auctioning off a number of items in a live auction.

Stewartville's presentation management team headed to the national competition includes, from left, Justin Thompson, Melanie Bussan, Matt Aldrich and Stephanie Bussan.

Students at the Stewartville Child Care Center displayed their Easter books and art projects last week. Children include, front row, from left, Kellen Prinzing, Elise Rester and Dane Cole. Back row, from left, Boden Skustad, Jack Steiger, Brecken Rester and Addison Prinzing. The Child Care Center is affiliated with Stewartville Christian Church.

House Chevrolet of Stewartville has donated $1,570 to Stewartville High School's supermileage class, which provides students with the opportunity to build fuel-efficient cars of their very own. Greg House of House Chevrolet presents the check to Bryan Boland, teacher of the class, last week. Students in the class include, in the cars, from left, Troy Vetsch, Jake Goeldi and Kenny Dux. In back, from left, Burton Wacholtz, Evan Doty, Chhay Ouk, Adam Waugh, Michael McClellan, Nate Zahradnik, Sean Engel, Dillon Welter and Erik Nosbisch. The students will bring their cars to the annual Supermileage Challenge in Brainerd this May. "It's a good program," House said. "It's a good experience for the kids."

Veterans were the guests of honor when three Stewartville High School choirs presented their spring concert at the Performing Arts Center on Sunday, March 24 and Monday, March 25. After the concerts, choir students shook hands with the many servicemen and women who attended. Nick Johnson, SHS choir director, said that guests at the concerts donated more than $2,000 to the Wounded Warrior Project, an effort to raise awareness and enlist the public's aid for the needs of injured service members. "A lot of veterans turned out," Johnson said. "That was the goal, to make them feel appreciated."

Arvilla Reichel, right, accepts a Tiger Token and a certificate of appreciation from Dr. David Thompson, superintendent of Stewartville schools.

Members of Stewartville High School's BPA presentation management team that qualified for the National BPA Conference in Orlando May 7-12 include, from left, Stephanie Bussan, Matt Aldrich, Melanie Bussan and Justin Thompson.

The Stewartville STAR donated $570 to the Bonner and Central Parent Advisory Committee (BACPAC) after students sold STAR subscriptions during a recent BACPAC fund raiser. The STAR also donated $150 for the end of year BACPAC party. Judy Schroeder, STAR publisher, second from left in back, presents the check to Carrie Anderson, president of BACPAC, at far left in back. Other BACPAC officers include Jen Miller, vice president, second from right in back; and Heather Horstmann, secretary. BACPAC uses donated funds to pay for field trips and equipment for students such as Eileen Weinhold's second graders at Bonner Elementary School, who include, front row, from left, Norah Miland, Alayna Sickle, Ben Hagen, Caleb Goff and Jacob Ramp. Second row, from left, Dante Deppa, Sophia Kruger, Emma Rowen, Kendyl Dawson, Nikko Yann and Alison Graff. Back row, from left, Ava Johnson, Hannah Martinson, Remington Bamlet, Chris Griffin, Zachary Schreiber, Ashley Anderson, Brandon McCrady and Tressa Smith.

John Diffley, right, long-time Stewartville teacher, earned his place on the Stewartville School District's Wall of Honor. Dr. David Thompson, superintendent of Stewartville schools, congratulates Diffley.

Steve Schwarz, right, long-time Stewartville teacher, earned his place on the Stewartville School District's Wall of Honor. Dr. David Thompson, superintendent of Stewartville schools, congratulates Schwarz.

Ashley Eberle, a junior at Stewartville High School, right, shakes hands with Ruth Hines at the Stewartville Care Center on Saturday, April 20. SHS students, dressed in their prom finery, met a large group of Care Center residents that day. In the background are Lucille Laughlin, a Care Center resident, and Ethan Yost, Eberle's date for the prom.

Stewartville High School students who earned a 4.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale for the third quarter of the 2012-13 school year include, front row, from left, Angela Schams, Derrick Fritz, Jared Trisko, Gabrielle Steinhoff, Abby Sistad, Amelia Welter and Heather Husgen. Second row, from left, Jenna Willenborg, Haley Ahart, Brooke Bosshart, Meghan Schmitz, Mariah Terhaar, Kyra Boland and Hannah Tapp. Back row, from left, Rabecca Bredesen, Sam Edge, Nathan Abbott, Paul Trisko, Lauren Mikel, Kayla Schlechtinger, Madie Hart and Whitney Lloyd. Sean Engel, another student who earned a 4.0 grade point average, wasn't available when the photo was taken.

Stewartville Middle School students who earned a 4.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale for the third quarter of the 2012-13 school year include, front row, from left, Amy Lofgren, JoJo Welter, Cecelia Gray, Sydney Clausen, Shane Byrne and Zack Gulbranson. Second row, from left, Lori Bailey, Hailey Hanf, Emma Dwire, Ellie Fryer, Rachel Blomquist and Emily Schlechtinger. Back row, from left, Mary Oehlke, Rachel Schwalbach, Kara O'Byrne, Jessica Pedelty, Ethan Peter and Alex VandeLoo.

The Stewartville Kiwanis Club sponsors a Terrific Kids program to honor Stewartville Middle School sixth-graders who work hard and have positive attitudes at school. Terrific Kids for March include, front row, from left, Nathan Vetsch, Nathan Johnson and Jacob Twohey. Back row, from left, Autumn Feine, Abby Van De Walker and Laura Pedelty.

Randy Juhl is one of two finalists to become the new principal at Bonner Elementary School.

Matt Phelps is one of two finalists to become the new principal at Bonner Elementary School.

Two of the hundreds of guests at the Stewartville Morning Lions Club's benefit for Cheryl Campbell and her family look over the silent auction items at the Riverview Greens Clubhouse on Saturday, April 27. Campbell is paralyzed from the chest down after she fell from her horse during a pole-racing competition.

FFA four-year members, back from left, Tyler Schoenfelder, Troy Vetsch, Tyler Collins, and Dillon Welter; front from left Kyle Sivesind and Kenny Dux.

The FFA officer team, back, from left, Olivia Oehlke, Eleni Solberg, Beau Nagel, Matt Louks, Mackinzie Brass. In fromt from left, Aly Hurley, Savanah Horstmann, Amelia Welter, and Makayla Morgan. Not pictured: Garret Nosbisch.

Adriana Nelsen-Gross (Keri), in foreground, along with Madelyn Miller (Kaitlin) seated at left, and Calli McCartan (Lena), seated at right, discuss ideas as Monika Anderson (Brooke) looks on in the background during a dress rehearsal for Stewartville High School's upcoming presentation of The Bold, the Young and the Murdered to be presented at the SHS Performing Arts Center beginning this Friday, May 10 at 7 p.m.

William Miller (Dr. William Bradley) pauses from his work at the hospital to propose to Adriana Nelsen-Gross (Keri) as Cassidy McCartan (Mona Jeffiers), left, is unaware of what's happening during a dress rehearsal for Stewartville High School's spring play, The Bold, the Young and the Murdered to be presented at the SHS Performing Arts Center this Friday, May 10 and Saturday, May 11 at 7 p.m. both evenings, and this Sunday, May 12 at 2 p.m. "It's funny," said Kristie Hauger, the show's director. "It's playful. It's definitely not a play that takes itself too seriously."

Micah Ostergard (Morris Nyborg) finds Calli McCartan (Lena), the director, dead as the other cast members look on during a dress rehearsal for the Stewartville High School production of The Bold, the Young and the Murdered. Other cast members include, from left, Adriana Nelsen-Gross, Monika Anderson, Madelyn Miller, William Miller, Kaitlyn Claeys, Vosco Diogo, Nathan Lange, Cassidy McCartan, Kaylyn Hildebrandt and Nikki Skifton.

Evie Hintz, center, displays the Tiger Token she earned for volunteering at Bonner Elementary School for 22 years. Hintz, a Sears retiree, began volunteering for teacher Louise Sorenson, left, in 1991. Dave Nystuen, principal at Bonner, right, presented the Tiger Token to Hintz at last week's School Board meeting.

Stewartville High School's highest honors graduates, all of whom have earned a cumulative grade point average of 3.9 or above on a 4.0 scale for four years, include, front row, from left, Audrey Steinman, Matthew Terhaar, Whitney Lloyd, Paul Trisko and Laura Louks. Back row, from left, Abby Bardwell, Sarah Blomquist, Ashley Campbell, Rosie Hermans, Elizabeth Bardwell, Lydia Bardwell, Hannah Tapp and Paige Tapp. (Stephanie Bussan, Melanie Bussan and Emily Ahart, three other highest honors students, were not present when the photo was taken.)

Zach Schwalbach presents the Stewartville High School class of 2013's senior mural at the annual Academic Awards Assembly at the Performing Arts Center last week.

The Stewartville High School Student Council honored SHS students with cash awards at an Academic Pepfest on Friday, April 19. Matthew Terhaar, president of the Student Council, handed out the money at the SHS library media center last week. Recipients include, from left, Matt Aldrich, Sam Edge, Brooke Hilger, Joe Hanscom, Josh Wilson and Jocelyn Helget. Paige Tapp, another recipient, wasn't available when the photo was taken. Edge, Tapp and Hilger received $300 each in a drawing among students with a 4.0 grade point average. Aldrich and Hanscom received $300 each in a drawing among "A" honor roll students. Wilson and Helget received $50 each in a drawing among "Most Improved" students.

$Three fifth-grade teams from Central Intermediate School finished among the top eight in team problem-solving at the Math Masters regional competition at Bethel Lutheran Church in Rochester on Friday, April 26. The eight rounds of competition included geometry, statistics and probability, decimals and fractions, pre-algebra, order of operations and more. Several Stewartville students earned ribbons and medals for their performances at the competition. "All of the students who participated in the Math Masters competition worked very hard throughout the year," said Tony Nelson, a fifth-grade teacher and Math Masters coach.$

Three fifth-grade teams from Central Intermediate School finished among the top eight in team problem-solving at the Math Masters regional competition at Bethel Lutheran Church in Rochester on Friday, April 26. The eight rounds of competition included geometry, statistics and probability, decimals and fractions, pre-algebra, order of operations and more. Several Stewartville students earned ribbons and medals for their performances at the competition. "All of the students who participated in the Math Masters competition worked very hard throughout the year," said Tony Nelson, a fifth-grade teacher and Math Masters coach.

Stewartville United Educators honored, from left, Cindy Berger, Teacher of the Year, grades 7-12; Jim Wellhaven of Wellhaven Music, Friend of Education; and Joy Mann, Teacher of the Year, grades pre-K-6. Jim and Ruby Jensen, Friends of Education, are not pictured.

Erin Lamb, left, a Central fourth grader, and Kayla Meyer, a fifth grader, have won bicycles courtesy of the Stewartville Masonic Lodge. Students who read books earn tickets to for a drawing. In back are Bob Lee, left, and Len Griffith of the Masonic Lodge.

Three sixth graders at Stewartville Middle School have been chosen as the winners in a contest that challenged the students to write essays about their favorite older person. Winners include Autumn Feine, seated at left, who wrote about her grandmother, Beverly Feine, standing at left; and Ellie Fryer, seated at write, who wrote about Lois Anderson, a family friend, standing at right. Student Madalyn Ostby and her favorite older person, Harriette "Grandma Bud" Bud, are not pictured.

Retiring educators include, from left, Karen Wagner, Bill Glomski (foreground) and Dave Nystuen. Bonnie Loftus, another retiree, wasn't available when the photo was taken.

Jim Parry, a sixth-grade teacher at Stewartville Middle School, slaps hands with students from Bonner Elementary School during the early stages of Mr. Parry's Endurance Challenge on Thursday morning, May 16. Parry, who attempted to run and walk for 24 consecutive hours from Thursday morning to Friday morning, discontinued his effort after completing 47 miles in 17 hours. Last Thursday's hot and humid weather took its toll. "I was zapped by about noon or 1 p.m.," he said. For details, see the story in next week's STAR.

Wane Souhrada, pastor of Stewartville United Methodist Church, focused on the class of 2013's class song, "Home," by Phillip Phillips during the annual baccalaureate service at the Performing Arts Center last week.

Members of the Stewartville High School class of 2013 will receive their diplomas at the annual commencement ceremony at the SHS gym this Friday, May 31 beginning at 7 p.m. Class speakers who will address their fellow graduates include, kneeling, from left, Paul Trisko and Aaron Simmons. Standing, from left, Laura Louks, Matthew Terhaar and Kyle Sivesind.

Five members of the Stewartville High School class of 2013 have each earned $300 college scholarships from the Stewartville Kiwanis Club. Recipients include, front row, from left, Taylor Severson and Ashley Campbell. Back row, from left, Kristin Conley, Matthew Terhaar and Emily Ahart.

Stewartville Early Childhood Family Education (SECFE) held its School Readiness graduation ceremony at the Stewartville High School Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, May 22. Here, Nancy Pedersen, an early childhood teacher, poses with graduate Katie Berge.

Deana Dontje's special education students at Central Intermediate School earned bears for their good behavior at school this year. Last week, the students donated the bears to the Stewartville Fire Department, which will give them to children who have endured emergency situations. Students include, front row, from left, Tristan Sieler, Christian Knipe, Emma Thomason, Emma Dolton and Joshua Conn. Second row, from left, Gideon Russel, Burkely Ravenhorst, David Black, Isaac Price, Michael Westfall and Dale Hulbert. Back row, from left, Jenny McHenry, special education paraprofessional, Mark Podein and Mike Podein of the Stewartville Fire Department, and Deana Dontje, special education teacher.

Paige Tapp, left, and her twin sister Hannah are almost mirror images of each other as they adjust their mortarboards before the members of the Stewartville High School class of 2013 marched into the SHS gym to the tune of Pomp and Circumstance last Friday evening, May 31. In all, 128 graduates received diplomas that evening.

Black Magic finished 14th among 41 cars in the Supermileage Challenge's stock class. Builders included, from left, Evan Doty, Michael McClellan, Jason Nelson, Josh Nordine, Nate Zahradnik, Jake Goeldi and Chhay Ouk.

Bonner Elementary School's students and teachers celebrated the end of the school year with music, movement and more last Wednesday, June 5. Above left, Cassie Himli, left, and Lemia TMF keep in step with the beat.

Bonner Elementary School's students and teachers celebrated the end of the school year with music, movement and more last Wednesday, June 5. Above right, Remda Erickson, left, and Camryn Hoth find joy in the music.

Bonner Elementary School's students and teachers celebrated the end of the school year with music, movement and more last Wednesday, June 5. Here, kindergartners bid farewell to Dave Nystuen, Bonner's retiring principal.

A group of fifth graders from Central Intermediate School celebrated moving on to middle school in style last week with a ride from Gold Crown Limousine. Students who took the ride on Wednesday, June 5 include, from left, Andrew Steiger, Aarianna Sikkink, Emma Johnston, Bradon Holschlag, Trevon Schaefer, Savannah Davis, Grace Waltman, Olivia Quam, Madelyn Timm and Domonique Thomley.

Dave Nystuen, who has announced his retirement after serving 14 years as principal at Bonner Elementary School, right, accepts a going-away present from Rob Mathias, chair of the Stewartville School Board.

Sharon Morlock, athletic director for the Stewartville School District, far left, presented Tiger Tokens to football chain gang members, from left, Matt Flynn, Frank Weber and Jim "Slim" Elton. Rick Elton, another member of the crew, is not pictured.

Gary Kadansky, right, accepts a Tiger Token from Bruce Hoff, principal of Stewartville High School.

The Colts Drum & Bugle Corps of Dubuque, Iowa, celebrating its 50th anniversary this summer, practiced at Schaefer Field in Stewartville on Sunday, June 30 to prepare for a competition in Rochester that evening. The group is taking part in competitions across the country this summer, traveling to places such as Muncie, Indiana; San Antonio, Texas; Hattiesburg, Mississippi; Atlanta, Georgia and Indianapolis, Indiana.

Emma Manley, left, looks especially captivated as she and her sister Addison build a rubber duck-launching device at Camp Invention at Bonner Elementary School last week. The Manley girls are from Stewartville.

Anya Raygor of the Stewartville High School Band's Color Guard practices her routine at SHS Band Camp last week.

A TUNE ON THE TRUMPET -- From left, trumpet players Josh Rupprecht, Josh Wilson and Shannon Onsgard work on their skills.

Stephanie Schmidt, drum major for the Stewartville High School Band, right, directs a line of flute players at the SHS Band Camp last week. Players in the background include, from left, Hannah James, Hannah Blomquist and Jessica Rosenblad.

Jessica Honsey, the director of the Stewartville High School Band, above right, works with the band's drummers at SHS Band Camp last week. Band Camp is always a challenge, Honsey said. "Band Camp is a great way to start learning about the correctedness we need to have as a performing ensemble," she said.

Jessica Rosenblad, left, plays the flute and Christine Deetz plays saxophone as the SHS Marching Band hit the streets of Stewartville last week.

Stewartville's new teachers prepared for the 2013-14 school year at an orientation session at Stewartville High School last Wednesday, Aug. 21. The teachers and their assignments include, front row, from left, Alisa Phelps, middle school art; Elizabeth Schroeder, third grade at Central Intermediate School; Kaysie Manion, high school science; Sarah Meier, middle school choir; Craig Braaten, middle school special ed; and Stephen Nelson, high school science. Back row, from left, Becca Combs-Cawley, middle school band; Andrea Tieskotter, special education at Central Intermediate School; Anne Billington, ELL (English Language Learners) at Central; Brittany Thue, school counselor, Bonner and Central; Brooke Haling, fifth grade, Central; Christin Hale, kindergarten; and Juliet Parlette, high school English.

Capt. Kevin Torgerson of the Olmsted County Sheriff's Office, left, speaks to school, community and fire officials about emergency preparedness at Stewartville High School last Tuesday, Aug. 20. The event was titled "Operation School Readiness II."

Sgt. Chad Dauffenbach of the Minnesota State Patrol reviewed safety procedures with 27 bus drivers from Grisim School Bus, Inc. last week. Drivers from Grisim Bus receive 20 to 25 hours of safety training per year, well beyond the mandatory eight hours of training, said Connie Grisim, co-owner of Grisim School Bus. Dauffenbach meets with Grisim's drivers before the start of the school year each year to refresh the drivers on the fundamentals.

Kristina Ramaker, a paraprofessional at Bonner Elementary School, points a group of students in the right direction on the first day of school last week. Students include, from left, Mason Holtan, Grace Nelson, Holly Sexton and Calista Younge.

Matt Phelps, the new principal at Bonner Elementary School, speaks to the school's students during a "Music and Movement" event in the school gym on the first day of school on Tuesday, Sept. 3. Phelps said that the first day went well. "It was exciting," he said. "The kids are great. They're very smiley."

Peter Lex, a 1987 graduate of Stewartville High School, right, has transformed a garage door at the Rochester Public Library into a painting of a finely detailed, vivid bookshelf.

The Stewartville High School Key Club, pictured above, with help from the SHS Student Council, worked on a campaign last week to encourage students not to text while driving. AT&T and the Minnesota Safety Council sponsored the It Can Wait campaign to highlight the dangers of texting and driving. Byron High School narrowly defeated SHS in the battle of the texts between the two schools last week. Stewartville and Byron students, staff members, and parents of students in grades K-12 texted 55317 to the number 464-329 as many times as they could for three days last week. Above, SHS Key Club members wear thumb bands to remind them not to text and drive. They include, in front, Steve Nelson, advisor; and in back, from left, Josh Rupprecht, treasurer; Jessica Rosenblad, public relations; Isaiah Grafe, president, who wears a clown costume to celebrate Circus Character Day for SHS's homecoming; Haley Ahart, secretary; and Kaitlyn Claeys, vice president.

About 460 students from 25 area school districts took part in the annual Stewartville Invitational on Wednesday, Sept. 25. Students judged pigs, beef cattle, sheep and goats at the Roeder farm, dairy cattle at the Twohey farm and horses at Ironwood Springs Christian Ranch.

Derek Stehr, a sophomore at Zumbrota-Mazeppa High School, tests the girth of a market lamb at the annual Stewartville Invitational at the Roeder farm on Wednesday, Sept. 25. More than 460 students from 25 area school districts traveled to Stewartville for the annual event.

Byron High School won the closely contested battle of the texts with Stewartville High School during the week leading up to SHS's homecoming football game on Friday, Sept. 20. The It Can Wait texting contest was held to encourage students from both schools not to text and drive. The SHS Key Club and Student Council promoted the event. Steve Nelson, Key Club advisor, at left above, speaks at halftime of the homecoming football game as Key Club members, from left, Jessica Rosenblad, Haley Ahart, Kaitlyn Claeys and Isaiah Grafe look on.

Mayor Jimmie-John King reads the children's book Otis, by Loren Long, to Brittany Olson's second graders at Bonner Elementary School last Thursday, Oct. 3. The mayor's presentation was part of Read for the Record, Jumpstart's national campaign to celebrate literacy and promote early childhood education. Last week, adults read Otis to children across the country. Since 2006, the Read for the Record campaign has engaged 9 million children, raised more than $8.8 million for early education programs and provided more than 1.2 million books for children in low-income neighborhoods. Last year, 2.3 million people took part in Read for the Record, when children listened to the story Ladybug Girl and the Bug Squad.

Clair Mrotek, owner of C&M Screen Printing of Stewartville, center, presented a check for $1,074 to BACPAC (the Bonner and Central Parent Advisory Committee) last week. Carrie Anderson, treasurer of BACPAC, left, and Heather Horstmann, vice president, accepted the check. C&M Screen Printing made homecoming T-shirts that were sold to students at Stewartville schools. One dollar from the sale of each shirt was donated to BACPAC, which typically uses donations to pay for field trips or supplies for students. A number of local businesses donated money to help pay for the T-shirts.

Volunteer Becky Case, left, works with Olivia Regal, 3, who arranges building blocks at the Early Childhood Screening at Grace Evangelical Free Church last week. More than 50 children attended the screening last Monday, Oct. 7 and Tuesday, Oct. 8.

Stewartville Middle School students who earned a 4.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale for the second quarter of the 2011-12 school year include, front row, from left, Kayla Schlechtinger, Karissa Kime, Mariah Terhaar, Jenna Willenborg, Jon Beach, Lori Bailey and Isaac Bussan. Back row, from left, Elizabeth Becker (inset photo) Heather Husgen, Kyra Boland, Emma Dwire, Kara O'Byrne, Cecelia Gray, Kailee Brower, Kenneth Riley and Jessica Pedelty (inset photo.)

Mayor Jimmie-John King celebrated his birthday by jumping rope with the fifth-graders at Central Intermediate School last Thursday, Feb. 2. Barb Hill, physical education teacher at Central, presented a heart-shaped cake to King before the mayor started his workout.

As Erin Jezierski, left, pushes, Olivia Nicklay, on bottom, and Ellie Fryer prepare for the trip down the snow-covered hill at Central Intermediate School last Tuesday, Jan. 24.

Stephanie Schmidt, at left in the foreground, prepares to serve scrambled eggs at the Stewartville High School Band's fund-raising French toast breakfast at the Stewartville American Legion Post 164 on Sunday, Jan. 22. Jessica Honsey, band director, said the band raised more than $1,000 from the breakfast. Other students who served food include, front to back, Cassidy McCartan, Kristina Westurn-Reed and Chrissy Dotterwick. The SHS Band will perform in concert at the SHS Performing Arts Center this Thursday, Feb. 2 at 7:30 p.m. The concert will feature the Jazz Band, Concert Band (ninth graders) and the Symphonic Band (10th through 12th graders.)

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE -- Four Stewartville High School seniors who earned seven academic letters each throughout middle school and high school were named recipients of the Perpetual Scholarship Trophy last week. Clockwise from front, Jared Lutteke, Erika Sahl, Michael Goeldi and Tyler Denny were honored at the annual Academic Awards Assembly on Wednesday, May 14. Each of the four earned an academic letter every year from sixth grade through 12th grade. Students earn an academic letter by maintaining a 3.5 grade point average or higher on a 4.0 scale for three of four quarters of a particular school year, and by remaining involved in at least one academic enrichment activity each year.

DESERVING OF THEIR HONOR -- The Stewartville Lions Club hosted a luncheon at Riverview Greens Country Club last week to honor the Stewartville High School seniors the club selected as its Students of the Month for 2007-08. Gordy Koehn, Lions Club member, introduced the students, each of whom spoke about their future plans. Honored students include, front row, from left, Jared Lutteke, Erin Ness, Carly Mercer and Andrea Hogan. Back row, from left, Amy Wohlhuter, Danielle Yeadon, Jackie DeGeus, Kaela Koalska and Erika Sahl.

PIGEON LESSON -- Glyndon West, a Rochester builder-remodeler, releases his pigeons for a flight back to his Rochester home. "It will take them about 15 to 20 minutes to fly back to my house," he said.

PIGEON LESSON -- Glyndon West, a Rochester builder-remodeler, displays a pigeon for Emily Chopp, 15, and Benjamin Chopp, 11, both of Stewartville.

HE'S A WINNER -- Rusty Hagan, a senior at Stewartville High School, has been named the winner of the Matt Smith Memorial Trophy, named in honor of Matt Smith, who played for the Rochester Raiders adaptive floor hockey team from 1991 to 1997. The trophy honors an adaptive athlete who loves to compete and unselfishly supports his teammates. To the left of the trophy is a written statement that describes why the trophy was named in Smith's honor.

Zak Breitenbach, Stewartville's community oriented policing (COPS) deputy, far right, discussed safety issues with drivers for Grisim School Bus Inc. last week. Breitenbach's presentation focused on what drivers should do if an intruder boards a school bus. Curt Grisim, co-owner of Grisim Bus, said that the company hosts safety sessions for its drivers on early-release days about once a month.

Sam Edge has been named the Stewartville Lions Club's Student of the Month for September at Stewartville High School.

Jimmie-John King, right, was honored as the recipient of the Stewartville School District's first Tiger Token for the 2013-14 school year at last week's School Board meeting. Sheila McNeill, curriculum director for the district, presented the honor.

Grace Menchaca, a junior and a member of the Stewartville High School Key Club, gives Aaron Anderson, 6, of Stewartville, dressed as Winnie the Pooh, a tattoo at the Kiwanis and Key Clubs' Trick-or-Treat Night at Stewartville High School on Saturday, Nov. 2.

Stewartville Middle School sixth graders who won awards in the annual Stewartville Lions Club Peace Poster contest include, front row, from left, Gabriel Jones, first place, $50; and Emilie Rupprecht, second place, $25. Back row, from left, Kayla Meyer, honorable mention; Bella Kruger, third place, $15; and Domonique Thomley, honorable mention. All the participants earned certificates for their efforts. Gabriel now advances to take part in the Lions District 5M1 regional contest to be held at the Clarion Hotel in Rochester on Sunday, Dec. 15. The first-place winner at the regional contest will win $500. For more information about the Peace Poster contest, see interviews with four contestants in "Street Beat" on today's Editorial Page.

Workers from La Crosse Sign Co. of Onalaska, Wis. installed a new digital sign along Main Street last Thursday, Nov. 7. The city of Stewartville, the Stewartville School District and the Stewartville Area Chamber of Commerce paid about $8,000 each for the sign. Loren Kiefer, director of technology for the Stewartville School District, stands at far left. Jim Kuisle, a member of the city's Economic Development Authority (EDA), led the effort to purchase the new sign.

Rapunzel (Cassidy McCartan), left, and the Wicked Witch (Adriana Nelsen-Gross) seem to be enjoying their relationship during a dress rehearsal for the Stewartville High School production of "Rapunzel," which will be presented at the SHS Performing Arts Center this Friday, Nov. 15 and Saturday, Nov. 16 at 7 p.m. both evenings, and this Sunday, Nov. 17 at 2 p.m.

Rapunzel (Cassidy McCartan), left, guides the blinded Prince Brian (Brandon Lange) during a dress rehearsal for Stewartville High School's upcoming performances of "Rapunzel", set to debut at the SHS Performing Arts Center this Friday, Nov. 15 at 7 p.m.

Stewartville High School will present "Rapunzel" at the SHS Performing Arts Center this Friday, Nov. 15 and Saturday, Nov. 16 at 7 p.m. both evenings, and this Sunday, Nov. 17 at 2 p.m. Above, the Wicked Witch (Adriana Nelsen-Gross), center, appears puzzled as, from left, Nathan Lange (Simon), Holly Gebel (the Queen), Cassidy McCartan (Rapunzel) and Brandon Lange (Prince Brian) look on during a dress rehearsal last week.

Mayor Jimmie-John King spoke to a large audience of students and teachers at the annual Veterans Day ceremony at Stewartville High School on Monday, Nov. 11. Veterans deserve our thanks because they have always been willing to defend America's rights and freedoms, the mayor said. "Because of our veterans who have always protected our freedoms and always will, our nation is the envy of every nation in the world," he said. King said he is always humbled when veterans organizations ask him to speak. "I feel very small in their presence," he said. "They are truly the great heroes of our community."

Members of the Stewartville American Legion Auxiliary Unit 164 celebrated American Education Week last week by delivering cupcakes to Central Intermediate School, above; Bonner Elementary School, Stewartville High School and Stewartville Middle School. Front row, from left, are Viny Byrne and Cheryl Roeder, Legion Auxiliary members. Standing in back are, from left, Carole Kiehne of the Legion Auxiliary, Zane McInroy, fourth-grade teacher; Judy Schroeder, Carol Chihak and Sharon Moehnke of the Legion Auxiliary; Tyne Winn, Central art teacher; along with Jeff Jacobsen and Brooke Haling, fifth-grade teachers.

The Stewartville School District and Grisim Schol Bus, Inc. are working together to encourage Stewartville students to "Ride with Pride." Students are encouraged to show the 5 R's: respect, responsibility, relationships, results, and readiness at all times on their buses. Each student who demonstrates those trates receives a "Ride with Pride" ticket from their bus driver that is turned into the student's school. The names of students who earn tickets are put together for a drawing to determine prize winners. Above, Matthew Kuchera, a student at Stewartville Middle School, and his bus driver Jerry Matzke are the Ride with Pride winners for October.

Five students were inducted into the Stewartville Middle School Chapter of the National Junior Honor Society last week. Inductees include, from left, Ellie Fryer, Emily Schlechtinger, JoJo Welter, Sydney Clausen and Kaylee Smidt. Students qualify for the group based on their scholarship, leadership, service, citizenship and character.

Noah Bussman, right, makes creme brulee, a French dessert, for students at Stewartville Middle School. Anna Bussman, Noah's grandmother, center, assists, as does Jill Hildebrandt, far left.

People's Energy Cooperative's Operation Round Up® Trust Board met in October and donated $1,500 to Stewartville Public Schools. The funds granted will be used for presentations by host "Bobby Petrocelli." Pictured from left: Ben Hain (ORU Board), Kathleen McFarland (ORU Board), Dr. David Thompson (Stewartville Public Schools), Judy Swenson (ORU Board) and Lloyd Lowrie (ORU Board).

Stewartville Middle School students who earned a 4.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale for the first quarter of the 2013-14 school year include, front row, from left, Anna Buckmeier, Savannah Davis, Isabel Field, Emily Kruger, Kaitlyn Prondzinski and Maya Ramp. Second row, from left, Noah VandeLoo, Lily Welch, Sydney Clausen, Ellie Fryer and Zachary Gulbranson. Back row, from left, Kailee Brower, Shawn Husgen, Kenneth Riley, Brenndan Walton and Ethan Olerich. Jennifer Stageberg, another 4.0 student, was not present when the photo was taken.

Sixth graders at Stewartville Middle School took part in a D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) culmination ceremony on Friday, Dec. 6. All the students wrote essays about what they learned from D.A.R.E. Those who were chosen to read their essays during the ceremony include, front row, from left, Isaac Harreld, Grace Waltman and Makayla Prokasky. Back row, from left, Olyvia Heaser and Bella Kruger. Annabell Jorgensen, who also read her essay during the program, is missing from the photo.

Sixth graders at Stewartville Middle School made posters highlighting a lesson they learned from the D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) class they took during the first quarter of the 2013-14 school year. Students who were honored for their posters at last week's D.A.R.E. culmination ceremony include, front row, from left, Gloria Nelson, Lily Welch and Anna Buckmeier. Back row, from left, Benjamin Phelps, Bennett Gross and Domonique Thomley.

Sam Edge, a senior at Stewartville High School and a page at the Stewartville Public Library, has brought three aluminum Christmas trees to the library. "It's something whimsical and different," he said.

Students at Central Intermediate School brought in more than 500 gifts for the Stewartville Lions Club's 2013 Christmas Anonymous gift and fund drive earlier this month. Lions Club members then distributed the gifts to the Rochester Area Distribution Center. Students displaying some of the many gifts include, front row, from left, Dyllon Lohmann, Mya Wangen, Khloee Zelinske, Hannah Swisher, Maddy Urban, Madigan Lawrence, Sarah Engel, Alashia McMurdo and Miles Hettinger. Back row, from left, Dylan Smith, Ella Waltman, Alexis Goetsch, Chloe Biever, Miah Mikel, Ben Hagen, Xavier Kassel, Elijah Wyant, Abbi Parry, Conner Lohmann and Isaac DeYoung.

Colton Mason, left, and Kurtis Keller, juniors at Stewartville High School, earned the top prize in the Winterfest life-sized Christmas card contest with their drawing, "A Charlie Brown Christmas."

Chris Floyd, center, accepted a Tiger Token from Eldon Anderson, principal of Central Intermediate School, left, last week. Floyd volunteers to help Ginny Hanson, a teacher at Central, right.

David and Cheryl Terhaar, at left and right, accepted Tiger Tokens from Sharon Morlock, athletic director for Stewartville schools, last week. The Terhaars volunteer to help with many athletic events.

Three students at Central Intermediate School have won bicycles courtesy of the Stewartville Masonic Lodge and the Olmsted County Deputy Sheriffs Association. Students include, front row, from left, Kadrian Scheevel, a third grader; Khloee Zelinske, a fifth grader; and Damon Rubin, a fourth grader. To be eligible to win a bicycle, a student must read a book, then enter his or her name for each book read in a drawing held each December and May. In back, from left, are Zak Breitenbach, Stewartville's community oriented policing (COPS) deputy; and George Menshik, George Thompson and Len Griffith of the Stewartville Masonic Lodge. Menshik spoke briefly to Central's students at an all-school assembly on Friday, Dec. 13, saying, "Reading is probably one of the most important things you'll learn at school. There's nothing that beats reading books. That's why the Masonic organization here in town is behind this program...We hope you'll read as many books as possible."

Students at Stewartville High School who earned a 4.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale for the first quarter of the 2013-14 school year include, front row, from left, Kayla Schlechtinger, Jenna Willenborg, Jared Trisko, Jacob West, Jon Beach, Nathan Abbott, Zach Rupprecht and Sam Edge. Second row, from left, Katie Root, Kari Johnson, Cecelia Gray, Abby Sistad, Karissa Kime, Mariah Terhaar, Ally Reiland, Heather Husgen and Diana Humble. Back row, from left, Julia Lanzel, Rachel Blomquist, Elizabeth Becker, Madie Hart, Lauren Mikel, Madeline Grimm and Gabrielle Steinhoff. Students who earned a 4.0 grade point average but are missing from the photo include Taylor Zea, Makayla Hansen, Meghan Schmitz and Gracellia Menchaca.

Kylee Hartson, left, and Remington Bamlet, third graders at Bonner Elementary School, worked as School Patrol crossing guards near the school last Thursday afternoon, Jan. 2. Both said they enjoy their work. "It's fun," Kylee said. "You get to keep kids safe. You get a lot of thank you's, and you really appreciate it." Remington agreed. "I like being out in the mornings," he said.

Citizens of Mexico remember their departed loved ones each Nov. 1 and 2, which they refer to as "The Day of the Dead." Tyne Wynn's fifth-grade art students at Central Intermediate School are learning more about the Mexican holiday by choosing someone they know who has died, perhaps a family member or even an unknown person, and placing that person into a diorama, a three-dimensional miniature scene against a painted background. Alashia McMurdo, left, and Evan Hruska painted their dioramas last Friday, Jan. 3. Alashia said she chose Kate, a character from a story she read in a book. "My painting is of Kate camping in the woods," she said. Evan chose his great-grandfather. "He seemed interesting because he was in World War I," he said. Evan's diorama is a World War I battlefield.

The Stewartville School Board held its annual organizational meeting last week. Members include, front row, from left, Tara Stockman, vice chair for 2014: Angela Payton, treasurer; and Beth Lawson, director. Back row, from left, Joe Waugh, clerk; Rob Mathias, chairman; Rod Morlock, director; and Mark Vaupel, director.

Addison Emmons, left, and Jaxson Evjen, first graders at Bonner Elementary School, raced to be the first to reach their sleds and then headed down the hill during afternoon recess on Friday, Jan. 10. Stewartville's students missed school on Monday, Jan. 6 and Tuesday, Jan. 7 after temperatures plunged to 23 below zero and wind chills reached about 50 below.

Isaiah Grafe, a senior at Stewartville High School, has been nominated for a Beat the Odds Scholarship, which honors students who have overcome challenging obstacles.

Bella Kruger, 12, a sixth grader at Stewartville Middle School, above, and her sister Ava, 9, have built a replica of Olaf the Snowman from the movie Frozen in front of their Lakeshore Drive home. It took the girls about 90 minutes to build the snowman, which has a carrot for a nose and stones for eyes and buttons.

Sheila McNeill of the Stewartville Kiwanis Club, right, helps Girl Scouts Emma Thomason, center, and Kaileigh Weber at the Food for Kidz food-packing event last April.

Ellie Fryer, left, placed first and Nathan Laures was second in the Stewartville School District's spelling bee on Wednesday, Jan. 22. The two seventh graders now advance to the Regional Spelling Bee at Southeast Service Cooperative (SSC), 210 Wood Lake Drive, Rochester, on Tuesday, Feb. 11. Ellie and Nathan were the only two spellers left when Ellie correctly spelled "boutique" to win the contest. Nathan missed on "autobahn." Nathan explained why he and Ellie are good spellers. "We both read a lot," he said.

Abbi Parry, a third grader at Central Intermediate School, seated at the top of the sled, shouts for joy as she and sledding partner Arianna Woitas, another third grader, head down the hill near Central during morning recess last Thursday, Jan. 30. Emma Rowen, another third grader, left, looks on after assisting Abbi and Arianna down the hill.

Mary Evanson Bleckwehl, an award-winning children's author, speaks to kindergartners at Bonner Elementary School on Monday, Feb. 3. She read from her book, Henry! You're Hungry Again? about a boy who eats too much junk food and doesn't feel big and strong afterward.

Mayor Jimmie-John King, left, prepares to jump rope with Ariaya Herman, a fifth grader, at Central Intermediate School on Monday, Feb. 3.

GEOGRAPHY IS THEIR THING. Sitting, Tom Derr, Shad Curtis, Shawn Husgen, Josh Beecher, and Ryan Voshart. Standing, Madison Ree, Nathan Swisher, Joey Krapf, Amy Lofgren, and Jake Swanson.

Willy Wonka (Jack Wood), left, welcomes Charlie (Shawn Husgen) to Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory with a cordial handshake as Grandpa Joe (George Gray) looks on during a rehearsal for the Stewartville Middle School performance of "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" to be presented at the Performing Arts Center this Friday, Feb. 14 and Saturday, Feb. 15 at 7 p.m. each evening, and this Sunday, Feb. 16 at 2 p.m. Gary Kadansky, director, said that the play is set to go just in time for Valentine's Day. "It's an honor to work with these kids and to see the joy in their hard work," he said.

The Stewartville High School Speech Team captured the first-place trophy at the Kasson Komet Invitational, the team's first competition of the year, on Saturday, Feb. 1. In all, 18 teams took part in the event. Individual place winners included, from left, Diana Humble, fourth place in creative expression; CeCe Gray, second in extemporaneous reading; Nathan Lange, third in humorous presentation; Derrick Fritz, third in storytelling; Gabby Steinhoff, fifth in poetry reading; and Calli McCartan, first in prose reading. Dave Honsey, Kelly Manley and Kristen Wingert are the coaches of the SHS Speech Team.

Kennedy Parker, a sixth grader at Stewartville Middle School, displays her award for her exemplary prose in the Zumbro Education District (ZED) Creative Writing Contest.

Zach Rupprecht, a sophomore at Stewartville High School, was honored for his story, The Time Travel Machine for the ZED Creative Writing Contest.

Derek Golliher, a sixth grader at Stewartville Middle School, displays his project "Korean War: The Forgotten War" at the school's History Day Fair last Thursday, Feb. 13. The war caused a lot of suffering, Derek said. "It was really bloody."

Alyssa Dwire, left, and Emily Sikkink display their group exhibit, "Varian Fry, Unsung Hero of the Holocaust" at the Stewartville Middle School History Day Fair last Thursday, Feb. 13. The girls were impressed with Fry, who saved about 2,000 Jews and others from the Holocaust. "It's amazing what you can do when you're brave," Alyssa said.

Mayor Jimmie-John King reads a valentine story to a group of children at Stewartville's Early Childhood Family Education building on Friday morning, Feb. 7. Emmit King, 3, the mayor's grandson, looks at the valentine book from his grandpa's lap. Other children include, in front, from left, Cora Johnson, 4, (partially hidden), Ava Syzdel, 3; and Hannah Loftus, 3. Brenna Olson, 3, is in back at right.

The Stewartville High School Science Olympiad team captured sixth place at the regional science competition at Century High School on Feb. 8. The team has now advanced to state competition at Bethel University in St. Paul on Saturday, March 8. The team also earned two first-place medals, a second-place medal and a third-place medal for individual events. Team members are, front row, from left, Heather Husgen, Amelia Welter, Kelsey Meyer and Lacey Ratajczyk. Back row, from left, David Rysted, Jared Trisko, Jacob West, Sam Vande Loo, and Michael Stageberg. David Sklenicka is the team's coach.

Jennifer Martin, left, who volunteers to help kindergartners at Bonner Elementary School, received a Tiger Token on Jan. 27. Matt Phelps, principal of Bonner, presented the award to Martin.

Students at Central Intermediate School tried out their new snowshoes from Cabela's of Owatonna last week. Here, Barb Hill, physical education teacher at Central, center, and Beckie Moreau of Cabela's, right, take a break with students Baylee Edwards, far left, and Nick Otto.

Brekken Horstmann, a kindergartner at Bonner Elementary School, reaches out to touch a lamb at the FFA Elementary Ag Fair at Stewartville High School on Wednesday morning, Feb. 26. Mitch Osterhus, a member of the SHS FFA, right, holds the lamb for Kyler as kindergartener Paige Drees, at right in the foreground, looks on.

Madelyn En, a kindergartner in Julie Rupprecht's class at Bonner Elementary School, says hello to a duck at the FFA's Elementary Ag Fair at Stewartville High School on Wednesday morning, Feb. 26. Matt Louks, a member of the SHS FFA, holds the duck for Madelyn.

Stewartville High School students who earned a 4.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale for the second quarter of the 2013-14 school year include, front row, from left, Sam Vande Loo, Kayla Schlechtinger, Madie Hart, Mariah Terhaar, Heather Husgen, Ally Reiland, Zach Rupprecht, Jon Beach, Sam Edge and Kathleen Cowden. Second row, from left, Jenna Willenborg, Rachel Schwalbach, Cecelia Gray, Hannah Blomquist, Alex Vande Loo, Chrissy Lofgren, Meghan Schmitz, Brooke Bosshart, Abigail Sistad and Paige Pettit. Back row, from left, Kari Johnson, Rachel Blomquist, Julia Lanzel, Gabrielle Steinhoff, Karissa Kime, Tara Rogers, Melanie Lex, Haley Ahart, Grace Menchaca, Diana Humble, Stephanie Zabinski and Jordan Johnson. Eight other students who earned a 4.0 grade point average are not pictured, including Stephanie Schmidt, Eleni Solberg, Katie Paschal, Jared Trisko, Rachel Jones, Calli McCartan, Elizabeth Becker and Allison Birch.

Stewartville Middle School students who earned a 4.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale for the second quarter of the 2013-14 school year include, front row, from left, Lori Bailey, Kailee Brower, Shawn Husgen, Amy Lofgren, Sydney Clausen and Ellie Fryer. Second row, from left, Zach Gulbranson, Ethan Humble, Emily Schlechtinger, Anna Buckmeier, Isabel Field and Madison Hagstrom. Back row, from left, Emma Johnston, Olivia Quam, Maya Ramp, Emily Sikkink, Haylee Weightman and Lily Welch. Emily Kruger, another 4.0 student, is missing from the photo.

Zak Breitenbach, Stewartville's community oriented policing (COPS) deputy, right, accepts a Tiger Token from Steve Gibbs, principal of Stewartville Middle School.

The Stewartville varsity boys basketball team made its annual visit to Bonner Elementary School's K-3 classes to read to students as part of "I Love to Read Month." Here, Dain Bauman and Conner Hanf read to a group of students.

Hundreds of children, including the three pictured above, attended the first-ever Read S'More Literacy Night at Bonner Elementary School on Friday, Feb. 28.

Bobby Petrocelli, left, meets with students after his motivational talk last week, including freshmen Cody Keefer, center, and Dylan Deetz.

Bobby Petrocelli, a motivational speaker with an inspiring message, right, spoke to three different groups at Stewartville High School last week, sharing his gripping personal story emphasizing that forgiveness is the key to overcoming painful tragedy. After his presentation to more than 500 SHS students on Tuesday, March 4, Petrocelli met with students in the SHS cafeteria, including smiling sophomores, from left, Hannah James, Jessica Tilson and Kyanne Hilger.

Stewartville Middle School's Academic Triathlon team will compete at the state meet at Cottage Grove this Saturday, March 22. Team members include, front row, from left, Madelyn Reiland and Autumn Broadwater. Back row, from left, Todd Johnson, coach and advisor; Madisen Patten, Olivia Boe and Sydney Nierman.

Jessica Twohey placed third for her advanced interview, and was part of a third-place global marketing team.

The global marketing team placed third at BPA State. Team members included, clockwise from lower left, Emma Hale, Jacqui Dodd, Lindsay Bergeson and Jessica Twohey.

Jon Beach earned a first-place trophy in parliamentary procedure concepts at the BPA State Spring Leadership Conference.

Members of Stewartville's third-place team at the Math Masters competition in Rochester include sixth graders, from left, Levi Patterson, Annabelle Jorgensen and Elijha Jordan. Team members not pictured include Cody Rassman and Isabelle DeCook.

Members of Stewartville's fourth-place team at the Math Masters competition in Rochester include sixth graders, front row, from left, Anna Buckmeier and Maya Ramp. Back row, Emily Kruger, Haylee Weightman and Grace Waltman.

Stewartville Middle School students who earned individual honors at the Math Masters competition in Rochester on Friday, March 7 include, front row, from left, Maya Ramp, 10th place in the individual round; Emily Kruger, 20th place, individual round; and Lily Welch, 16th place, fact round. Back row, from left, Levi Patterson, 13th place, individual round; Austin Quandt, 19th place, fact round; Brayden Henry, 13th place, fact round; and Adam Radtke, 12th place, individual round. Cody Rassman, who earned seventh place in both the fact round and individual round, is not pictured.

Jessica Honsey directs the Stewartville High School Symphonic Band at Melody Gardens at Innoventions West in EPCOT at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida last week. Josh Wilson, a senior trumpet player, enjoyed the band's trip. "I'll never forget it," he said.

More than 250 volunteers helped with Stewartville's 11th annual Food for Kidz effort this past Saturday, April 5.

Jake Goeldi, a senior at Stewartville High School, is one of four delegates from Minnesota at the National 4-H Conference in Washington D.C. April 5-10.

A rainbow arched across the sky above Stewartville Middle School on Monday, March 31. The dark spots are raindrops on the camera lens.

Thirteen members of the Stewartville High School Speech Team qualified for section competition at Byron, which was held this past Saturday, April 5. Team members include, front row, from left, Laura Pedelty, Hosanna Biffert, Gabrielle Steinhoff, Derrick Fritz, Nathan Onsgard, Diana Humble, Cassidy McCartan and Nathan Lange. In back, from left, Calli McCartan, Kyanne Hilger, Graham Mueller, Chase Quandt, Candi Quandt, Morgan Wildeman and George Skare. Stephanie Schmidt and Brandon Lange, two others who qualified for sections, are not pictured.

Members of the Stewartville High School Speech Team who qualified for state competition include, front row, from left, Nathan Lange and Derrick Fritz. Back row, from left, Calli McCartan and Diana Humble.

As a student, an athlete and a musician, Dain Bauman strives for academic and extracurricular excellence. That's a major reason why the Stewartville Lions Club has named Bauman its Student of the Month for May at Stewartville High School. At school, Bauman was the captain of Stewartville's boys varsity basketball team as a senior and received varsity letters in basketball as a sophomore, junior and senior. He also earned varsity letters for cross country as a freshman, sophomore and junior. As a member of the SHS Concert Choir and Chamber Choir, he received a choir letter as a sophomore, junior and senior and earned superior ratings at the Choir Ensemble Regional Contest as a sophomore and junior. He earned a band letter as a freshman member of the SHS Pep Band and Concert Band and played junior varsity basketball and ran varsity track as a freshman as well. In the community, he has supervised and coordinated activities for children at Tiger Time since he was a sophomore and has worked as a lifeguard and at the concession stand at the Stewartville pool. "I am trained in CPR, AED and First Aid," he wrote. "I enjoy working with Stewartville families that visit the Stewartville Aquatic Center." He has delivered Meals on Wheels as a member of the National Honor Society, participated in the JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) walk for three years, and has served as a mentor to younger classmates. His first-semester classes included anatomy and physiology, college prep English, Spanish 4, world history, lifetime fitness and college algebra/college trigonometry and Sp.Fun. After graduating from Stewartville High School later this year, he plans to attend the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse to major in chiropractic medicine and minor in business. Asked to identify one outstanding feature of the Stewartville School District or community, he said that local residents strongly support Stewartville's students. "Whether I am in church, at the grocery store, at a school event or out with family and friends, our community greets me with respect and encouragement for my future," he wrote. "There is always a smiling face and a kind conversation to greet me." He truly appreciates the support the community has given him. "With this backing, it is not hard to continue to be a positive role model and mentor for my younger classmates in Stewartville schools," he wrote. "Stewartville is an outstanding community and I am fortunate to be a Stewartville Tiger." Asked to identify one major world problem he would like to confront, he named poverty and lack of employment. To address the problem, the United States should reduce the amount of money it sends to foreign countries and invest those dollars back into the United States. "I would cut the deficit so that our country is not so debt-burdened," he wrote. "If the deficit is cut, we would not have to continue to raise taxes on our corporations and businesses, (which) would then have more money to hire employees, thus reducing unemployment and poverty." Workers with jobs are able to earn a living, provide for themselves and their families and put more money back into the U.S. economy, he wrote. "When the U.S. economy is strong, the world economy is strong," he wrote.

Joyce Stacy, right, accepts the Wall of Honor Award from Dr. David Thompson, superintendent.

Larry Stacy, right, accepts the Wall of Honor Award from Beth Lawson of the Stewartville School Board.

Hunter Oviatt, seated in foreground, and, standing from left, Isaac Schlager, Dylan Flink and Zack Lilly, all students at Stewartville Middle School, worked together to raise about $550 for the Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota. "I learned that when you help people, they really appreciate it," Hunter said.

The Stewartville Lions Club held its annual luncheon to honor Stewartville High School's Students of the Month for the 2013-14 school year at Riverview Greens Country Club last week. Gordy Koehn of the Lions Club was the master of ceremonies fpr a program to honor the senior students, who include, front row, from left, Anne Weston, Jessica Twohey, Dain Bauman and Sam Edge. Back row, from left, Michael Stageberg, Emma Hale, Jessica Rosenblad, Eleni Solberg and Isaiah Grafe.

Students in the Stewartville School District recently sold magazines and Stewartville STAR subscriptions to raise money for BACPAC (Bonner and Central Parent Advisory Committee). The STAR has donated $675, or 10 percent of the proceeds from the sales of the newspaper, back to BACPAC. Front row, from left, are students Carter Miller, Logan McCrady and Brandon McCrady. In back, Judy Schroeder, co-publisher of the STAR, second from right, joined by husband Bill Schroeder, STAR co-publisher, presents the check to Jen Miller, president of BACPAC. In back, from left, are Heather Horstmann, vice president of BACPAC; Carrie Anderson, treasurer; and Shelly McCrady, secretary.

Mr. Dunlap (Nathan Lange) looks on as Miss Pippet (Kaylyn Hildebrandt), in the checkered dress, whispers "secrets" about her boss Claudia McFadden to nosy gossip columnist Dora Del Rio (Adrianna Nelsen-Gross) in a dress rehearsal for the Stewartville High School production of Suite Surrender, a classic farce to be presented at the Performing Arts Center this Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Athena Sinclair (Kaitlyn Claeys), left, and Claudia McFadden (Cassidy McCartan) confront each other about who gets to stay in the presidential suite as Mr. Dunlap looks on in horror.

Mr. Osgood (Dylan Reiss) and Mrs. Osgood (Calli McCartan), in foreground, along with their spoiled daughter Dani Osgood (Diana Humble) at left in back, arrive at the Palm Beach Royale's presidential suite to inspect the renovations during a dress rehearsal for the Stewartville High School production of Suite Surrender. They are greeted by the hotel's bellhops, Francis (Brandon Lange), left, and Otis (Nathan Onsgard.)

Everyone's worst nightmare is realized when dueling divas Athena Sinclair (Kaitlyn Claeys), seated at left, and Claudia McFadden (Cassidy McCartan), seated at right, are accidentally booked into the same room before a USO benefit concert. Their assistants and the hotel staff have to scramble to keep these two from tearing the room (and themselves) to pieces. The cast of Stewartville High School's production of Suite Surrender includes, from left, Cecelia Gray, Kaitlyn Claeys, Brandon Lange, Dylan Reiss, Calli McCartan, Nathan Lange, Diana Humble, Adrianna Nelsen-Gross, Nathan Onsgard, Cassidy McCartan and Kaylyn Hildebrandt.

Bob and Marlene King, right, accepted Tiger Tokens from Dr. David Thompson, superintendent of Stewartville schools, left, last week. Thompson thanked the Kings for their willingness to assist the Stewartville School District in a variety of ways.

George Rosin accepts the Community Education Community Service Award from Hailey Liffrig.

Stewartville High School students who earned a 4.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale for the third quarter of the 2013-14 school year include, front row, from left, Alex Vande Loo, Jacob West, Jared Trisko, Melanie Lex, Haley Ahart, Jon Beach, Zach Rupprecht and Ethan Peter. Second row, from left, Jenna Willenborg, Tara Rogers, Karissa Kime, Kara O'Byrne, Allison Birch, Cecelia Gray, Meghan Schmitz, Brooke Bosshart, Jack Krapf and Matthew Skifton. Back row, from left, Kari Johnson, Julia Lanzel, Rachel Blomquist, Gabrielle Steinhoff, Ally Reiland, Mariah Terhaar, Madie Hart, Heather Husgen, Kathleen Cowden and Paige Pettit. Others who earned a 4.0 grade point average who are not pictured include Madeline Grimm, Stephanie Schmidt, Taylor Zea, Abigail Sistad, Kayla Schlechtinger and Jessica Pedelty.

Stewartville Middle School students who earned a 4.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale for the third quarter of the 2013-14 school year include, front row, from left, Madalyn Ostby, Annabelle Jorgensen, Ireland Broadwater, Emma Johnston, Nate Sikkink, Kailee Brower, Kaitlyn Prondzinski and Bobbie Hart. Second row, from left, Noah Vande Loo, Ryan Schimek, Bradon Holschlag, Maya Ramp, Emilie Rupprecht, Madison Hagstrom, Emily Kruger, Lily Welch and Montana Bakken. Back row, from left, Haylee Weightman, Ellie Fryer, Sydney Clausen, Emily Schlechtinger, Amy Lofgren, Emily Rinken, Isabel Field, Olivia Quam, Anna Buckmeier and Shawn Husgen.

The Stewartville Kiwanis Club sponsors a Terrific Kids program to honor Stewartville Middle School sixth graders for working hard and having a positive attitude at school. Terrific Kids for the 2013-14 school year include, front row, from left, Grace Ramaker, Anna Buckmeier, Zane Stier, Isaac Harreld and Konner Dodd. Second row, from left, Lily Welch, Maya Krapf, Bella Kruger, Ireland Broadwater, Kaileigh Weber and Elizabeth Hoefs. Third row, from left, Olivia Quam, Samantha Koenigs, Emma Johnston, Noah Vande Loo, Jack Parry, Victoria Nienow, Ryan Schimek and Ben Phelps. Back row, from left, Kylee Bro, Madison Hagstrom, Emilie Rupprecht, Carlie Hildebrandt, Annabelle Jorgensen, Charlie Winch, Cayden Hughes, Tyler Wojtkiewicz, Ian Ross, Patrick Miller and Sydney Becker.

With plenty of help from his friends, Jon Severson, head boys varsity basketball coach at Stewartville High School, center, has established the Stewartville Athletic Hall of Fame. Two members of the Hall of Fame Committee include Bill Glomski, left, and Darrel Jaeger.

Best-in-site award-winning soloists for the Stewartville High School Band for 2013-14 include, from left, Sam Edge, bass clarinet; Nathan Abbott, alto sax; and Nathan Lange, tuba.

Specialty award recipients for the Stewartville High School Band for the 2013-14 school year include, from left, Sam Edge, MVP; Stephanie Schmidt, Semper Fidelis Award; Michael Stageberg, Louis Armstrong Award; and Nathan Lange, John Philip Sousa Award.

Six students will graduate with highest honors when the Stewartville High School class of 2014 celebrates its commencement at the SHS gym on Friday, June 6. Highest honors graduates include, front row, from left, Sam Edge and Anne Weston. Back row, from left, Madeline Grimm, Stephanie Schmidt, Jessica Twohey and Eleni Solberg. To graduate with highest honors, a student must maintain at least a 3.90 cumulative grade point average throughout grades 9-12.

Stephanie Madsen was the featured speaker at last week's 50th annual Senior Appreciation Banquet.

Members of the Stewartville High School class of 2014 will receive their diplomas at the annual commencement ceremony at the SHS gym this Friday, June 6 beginning at 7 p.m. Class speakers who will address their fellow graduates include, from left, Nathan Lange, Riley Paulson, Stephanie Schmidt and Jason Danielson. Sharon Prunty, senior class advisor, is impressed with this year's seniors. "This is a talented group of individuals across a broad spectrum," she said.

The four sixth graders who were honored for their essays about their favorite older person include, standing from left, Ireland Broadwater, behind Sue Klein, her grandmother; Noah VandeLoo, behind Midge Block, his grandmother; Haylee Weightman, behind Les Thomann, her grandfather; and Savannah Davis, with Ruth Reese, her grandmother.

Stewartville School District retirees include, clockwise from front, Bruce Hoff, Susan Bartels and Bev Nelson. Cindy Berger and John Dzubay, other retirees, are not pictured.

Clockwise from front, Maryan Gisler, Support Staff Person of the Year; Dawn Clark, Friend of Education; and Kelly Manley, Teacher of the Year, grades 7-12. Krystal Peterson, Teacher of the Year for grades pre-K through 6, is not pictured.

About 112 members of the Stewartville High School class of 2014 received their diplomas at the annual commencement ceremony at the SHS gym last Friday evening, June 6. Here, Anna Erath, left, and Mikayla Engel, right, work to adjust Erath's mortarboard to prepare for the ceremony.

About 112 members of the Stewartville High School class of 2014 received their diplomas at the annual commencement ceremony at the SHS gym last Friday evening, June 6. Here, Karina Baltis, right, helps Austin Atkinson prepare for the ceremony.

YOUNG GRADUATES -- Nancy Pedersen, school readiness teacher, poses with graduate Aubrey Apland at the Stewartville School Readiness graduation program at the Performing Arts Center on Tuesday, June 3.

Brittany Vigesaa, left, and Matthew Skifton, sophomores at Stewartville High School, worked in Bea Wiinikka's garden for a Service Day project on Tuesday, June 3. "I like helping the elderly," Brittany said.

Jacob Vetsch, in the driver's seat, and standing from left, Evan Doty, Jacob Goeldi and Clayton Vrieze built the Mystery Machine. LeRoy Malone is missing from the photo.

Josh Nordine, left, and Nate Zahradnik, both seniors, earned the Quality of Craftsmanship Award for building the Black Lion.

Kurtis Keller, in the driver's seat, and, standing from left, Colton Mason, Jacob West, Darin Horstmann, Jared Trisko and Sam VandeLoo built Dynamo, which averaged 220 mpg.

Central Intermediate School students enjoyed their annual end-of-the-school year track and field day at the Stewartville High School track on Monday morning, June 9. Students took part in a wide variety of activities, including the long jump, shoe kicking, a unique assortment of running events, and a number of special activities at the Stewartville High School tennis courts. Above left, Garret Vrieze, a fourth grader, hits the ball with the yellow paddle end of his plastic toy and prepares to catch it with the basket end.

Central Intermediate School students enjoyed their annual end-of-the-school year track and field day at the Stewartville High School track on Monday morning, June 9. Students took part in a wide variety of activities, including the long jump, shoe kicking, a unique assortment of running events, and a number of special activities at the Stewartville High School tennis courts. Above, Jack Jorgensen, another fourth grader, prepares to clear a hurdle on the track infield.

Dan Simmons, special education teacher, far right, checks attendance as students gather at the Grisim School Bus Inc. property after a practice evacuation of Stewartville High School/Middle School on Friday, May 30.

Emma Thomason, a seventh grader at Stewartville Middle School, seated, holds an audiometer, a device health workers use to screen children for hearing problems. Jacquie Fricker, left, and Ellen Rollie work in health services for Stewartville schools.

Bruce Hoff, left, who retired as principal of Stewartville High School effective June 30, accepts a trophy from Rob Mathias, chair of the Stewartville School Board, after last week's School Board meeting. Hoff worked in Stewartville schools for 19 years, including many as principal of SHS. "Thank you for all you've done," Mathias told Hoff.

Eight-year-olds Riley Schild, left, and David Watters, both of Stewartville, work on their cars at Camp Invention last week.

Carrick Olswold, 9, of Stewartville, left, and Lucca Sween, 9, of Spring Valley work together to build cars of their own at Camp Invention at Bonner Elementary School last week. Thirty-two students going into grades one through six took part in the annual camp, designed to supplement the lessons students learn during the school year in science, technology, engineering and math, otherwise known by the acronym STEM. Dave Sklenicka, a science teacher at Stewartville High School and director of Camp Invention, said that the camp encourages inventiveness.

Eastwood Bank of Stewartville is once again taking part in Running Start for School, a program for students in need sponsored by the United Way of Olmsted County. Local and area residents are invited to donate school supplies at the bank from now until Wednesday, July 30. Supplies needed include backpacks, dry erase markers, scissors, markers, highlighters, colored pencils, glue bottles, block erasers, notebooks and folders. Donated supplies will be sorted and distributed to students in Stewartville, Byron and Rochester in August. Last year, 4,259 students received school supplies. Eastwood Bank employees include, front row, from left, Deb Zeimet and Nou Young. Back row, from left, Lori Buchholz, Jennifer Schimek, Haley Holt and Ann Lutteke.

Sharon Morlock, athletic director, displays a few samples of the Stewartville School District's new official logo, which will be used on the district's Web site and will be placed on varsity football players' helmets.

Maddie Grimm charges to volley a ball that just barely clears the net during Stewartville girls varsity tennis action last fall.

Patty Klennert and her son Gavin arrived in Doha, Qatar on Aug. 15, 2013 to begin a new adventure as an English and drama teacher at the American School of Doha.

Jessica Honsey, director of the Stewartville High School Marching Band, instructed her students during last week's SHS Band Camp to help the musicians prepare for performances at the State Fair on Aug. 24, at Waseca on Sept. 20, at Luverne on Sept. 27 and at Algona, Iowa on Oct. 4. Here, Christine Deetz, foreground, and Heather Husgen march together.

Jessica Honsey, director of the Stewartville High School Marching Band, instructed her students during last week's SHS Band Camp to help the musicians prepare for performances at the State Fair on Aug. 24, at Waseca on Sept. 20, at Luverne on Sept. 27 and at Algona, Iowa on Oct. 4. Here, Nathan Abbott plays the saxophone.

Connor Myhrvold, left, and Ella Quam, fifth graders at Central Intermediate School, practiced playing the trumpet as members of the school's Beginners Band last week. Carol Bressel, director, worked with musicians who play brass and percussion on Wednesday, Aug. 20 and with students who play woodwinds on Thursday, Aug. 21.

Kevin Heydt of the city of Stewartville's public works department added a new coat of paint to a crosswalk near Central Intermediate School last week. Students in the Stewartville School District will return to school on Tuesday, Sept. 2.

Local school administrators answered the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge near Stewartville High School last Tuesday morning, Aug. 26. From left, Sheila McNeill, principal of Central Intermediate School, and Matt Phelps, principal of Bonner Elementary School, wail in pain as the icy water hits their bodies. Tim Malone, associate principal of Stewartville Middle School; Darcy Lindquist, associate principal of Stewartville High School; and Steve Gibbs, principal of Stewartville High School and Middle School, all of whom are not pictured, also answered the Ice Bucket Challenge.

Local school administrators answered the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge near Stewartville High School last Tuesday morning, Aug. 26. Here, Dr. David Thompson, superintendent, wails in pain as the icy water hits his body while answering the Ice Bucket Challenge.

Members of Stewartville's Assembly of God Church hold hands in prayer before starting a prayer walk to Stewartville's schools on a hot and humid Sunday afternoon, Aug. 24. Despite the heat, church members stopped at each local school to pray that students, teachers, staff members and administrators have a good year in 2014-15.

Chad Dauffenbach, a sergeant with the Minnesota State Patrol, talked safety with about 25 drivers from Grisim School Bus, Inc. last Wednesday, Aug. 27. Dr. David Thompson, superintendent of Stewartville schools, and the district's principals also spoke with the drivers about how to properly handle bullying incidents on school buses.

Students returned to Stewartville schools last Tuesday morning, Sept. 2. Clockwise from above left, Janna Sistad, a paraprofessional, welcomes third graders Karter Wicklund, foreground, and Taylor Klement, stepping off the bus.

Students returned to Stewartville schools last Tuesday morning, Sept. 2. Here, Reed Neubauer, a third grader, right, keeps pedestrians safe as they cross a street near Bonner Elementary School.

Students returned to Stewartville schools last Tuesday morning, Sept. 2. Here, Rick VandeLoo, a second-grade teacher, takes information from student Matthew Watters.

Students returned to Stewartville schools last Tuesday morning, Sept. 2. Here, Lynn Langseth, a paraprofessional, points the way for first grader Grace Meyer.

As of late August, about 2,000 students were enrolled in Stewartville schools. All but the kindergartners returned to school for the start of the 2014-15 school year last Tuesday morning, Sept. 2. Above, the first, second and third-graders at Bonner Elementary School enjoy a 15-minute music and movement session at the school's gym. Kathy Williamson, a physical education teacher, and Lara Smoley, a music teacher, led the session.

Alison McGhee signs copies of her books as students from Bonner Elementary School look on on Thursday, Sept. 11. McGhee read from her book, Countdown to Kindergarten, and shared insights about the writing process.

Mayor Jimmie-John King, seated, signed a proclamation declaring Saturday, Sept. 27 "Peanut Day" in the city of Stewartville. Behind the mayor are Mary Brouillard, left, and Kim Brown of the Stewartville Kiwanis Club.

Four veterans and three members of the Stewartville Morning Lions Club shared patriotic lessons with the third graders at Bonner Elementary School on Constitution Day, last Wednesday, Sept. 17. The veterans, who demonstrated the proper way to fold an American flag, include, in front, from left, Roger Peterson, Wes Alrick and Tom Wacholtz. Dave Nystuen, another veteran in the background at left, describes to the students the meaning behind each fold. Nystuen, the former principal at Bonner, joined a medical unit in the Minnesota National Guard in 1967. Peterson, the commander of the Stewartville Prescher-Kumm VFW Post, served in Afghanistan nine years ago. Alrick was a military policeman for the U.S. Army during the Vietnam era, and Wacholtz was a paratrooper in Vietnam in 1968 and 1969. Del Jahns of the Morning Lions told the students that they should always respect the American flag. "It's important for us to know that the flag represents our freedom, and it represents all the men and women who fought for our freedom," she said. Jahns and fellow Morning Lions Sharon Moehnke and Sheila Majerus brought dictionaries for the third graders. Jahns said that the dictionaries include all kinds of interesting information, such as the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, maps of seven continents, information about the 50 states, weights and measures, and sign language.

Derek Fritz, above, left, and Gabby Steinhoff completed mentorships at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester this past summer. "I've gained a whole new perspective on the overall lab feel," Fritz said. Steinhoff was also grateful. "The lab experience was incredible," she said.

About 560 students from 27 southeastern Minnesota schools attended the annual Stewartville Invitational on a cloudy and sprinkly day last Wednesday, Sept. 24. The students judged a variety of farm animals at three different locations. Above, a group of students inspects the market hogs at the Roeder farm about eight miles west of Stewartville.

Callie McCartan, a junior at Stewartville High School, was a contestant in the first annual Minnesota Sings statewide vocal competition.

Scott Gulbranson of GulbransonPHOTO.com, kneeling at right, took the photos that adorn the trailer that carries equipment for the Stewartville High School football and band programs. Those who appreciate Gulbranson's work include Rick Gehling of the Stewartville Football Boosters Club, kneeling at left; Jessica Honsey, SHS band director, standing left, and Curt Grisim of Grisim School Bus, Inc.

Todd Uptagrafft of C&F Screen Printing, second from left, presents a check for $3,465 to Heather Horstmann, president of the Bonner and Central Parent Advisory Committee (BACPAC) last week. C&F Screen Printing made homecoming sweatshirts that were sold to local students. The business donated a portion of the proceeds from the sale to BACPAC, which typically uses donated money to pay for field trips or classroom expenses. Jen Miller, vice president and secretary for BACPAC, is second from right. Carrie Anderson, treasurer of BACPAC, is at far right. A number of local businesses donated money to help pay for the sweatshirts.

Courtney Fakler, a school counselor, above, talks to fourth graders Tyler Grim, left, and Haley Hyke, far right, at Central Intermediate School during an anti-bullying lesson last Wednesday, Oct. 22.

Central Intermediate School held an anti-bullying lesson on Oct. 22. Here, fourth grader Olivia Frenning struggles to get the toothpaste back into the tube as classmates, from left, Brady Hoult, Gabi Hameister, Alayna Sickle and Adam Kemp look on.

Jade Schmeling, left, a sophomore at Edina High School, and her cousin Gabe Nelson, an eighth grader at Stewartville Middle School, invited their friends to the third annual Spook City in the Woods near Racine on Friday and Saturday evenings, Oct. 17 and 18. A total of about 380 guests walked a sectioned-off path decorated with zombies, witches, skeletons, spiders and more. Proceeds from the event went to PACER, an anti-bullying organization.

Dawn Miller's health students at Stewartville Middle School celebrated National Red Ribbon Week Oct. 23-31 by running to and stopping at a number of downtown businesses to hand out ribbons and display posters declaring "Love Yourself, Be Drug-Free" last week. A few of the seventh graders include, from left, Alyssa Dwire, Sierra Robertson, Kylee Mullenbach, Gabbie Schei and Gracie Waltman.

Sheila Gossman, executive assistant and human resource technician for the Stewartville School District, has been named the Minnesota Association of Educational Office Professionals (MAEOP) Office Professional of the Year for 2014.

Kristal Hayes of Fareway of Stewartville, left, speaks to students from Jen Oelkers' class for Kindergarten Career Day on Thursday, Nov. 6. Kindergartners looking on include, from left, Tommy Lofgren, Katherine Olson, Gezelle Fakler and Grace Amy.

Vance Swisher, Stewartville fire chief, left, talks with kindergartners, from left, in front, Gavin Minor, Claire Bunne, Morgyn Manion and Peyton English. Lucas Peter, another kindergartner, can be seen in the background.

Jameson Hanson, a personal training manager, left, and Megan Mullenbach, a personal trainer, both with Anytime Fitness, supervise as three kindergartners, including, from left, Joel Dominguez, Hailey Hatz and Aidyn Voyna, work out with weights.

The Von Trapp family will sing for the Kaltzburg Festival in the upcoming Stewartville School District production of The Sound of Music. Actors and actresses include, front row, from left, Brandon Lange as Captain Von Trapp, Henry Gray as Kurt, Amelia Mascotti as Brigitta, Ellie Young as Marta and Haylie Strum as Gretle. Back row, from left, are KyAnne Hilger as Liesl, Brenndan Walton as Friedrich, Gloria Nelson as Lousia and Calli McCartan as Maria. The show will be presented at the Performing Arts Center this Friday, Nov. 21 and Saturday, Nov. 22 at 7 p.m. both evenings, and on Sunday, Nov. 23 at 2 p.m.

Thom Blade, the commander of the Stewartville American Legion Post 164, was the featured speaker at the annual Veterans Day ceremony at Stewartville High School on Tuesday, Nov. 11. Blade spoke of the American Legion family, which includes the American Legion Auxiliary, the Sons of the American Legion and the American Legion Riders.

Members of the Stewartville American Legion Post 164 and Auxiliary Unit 164 celebrated American Education Week (Nov. 16-22) last week by delivering cupcakes to educators at Stewartville High School and Middle School, above, along with the staffs at Bonner Elementary School and Central Intermediate School. Peggy Paulson of the Legion Auxiliary, far left, and Richard Paulson of the Legion, second from right in back, delivered the cupcakes to educators, from left, Mary Regenscheid, Sherry Thompson, Katie Young and Kaysie Manion

Children at the Stewartville Child Care Center re-enacted the first Thanksgiving with a simulated feast last week. From left are Keira Heiman, Juliana Perkins and Alex Miller. The Child Care Center is affiliated with the Stewartville Christian Church.

Dalton Barrie, 18, a senior at SHS, displays his humorous Christmas card. Speaking about the Art Gala and Silent Auction, he said, "It's a great way to make money and get art out there."

Makayla Morgan, 16, a junior at Stewartville High School, displays her bowl that will be sold at auction at the SHS Art Gala and Silent Auction on Dec. 5-7.

Sixth graders at Stewartville Middle School made posters highlighting the lessons they learned from the D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) class they attended during the first quarter of the 2014-15 school year. Students who were honored for their posters at last week's D.A.R.E. culmination ceremony include, front row, from left, Meghan Kosmala, Jaidyn Brower, Sarah Oeltjenbruns, Evelyn Van Ess, Mary Picket, Sydney Van Moer and Rachel Husgen. Rachel was also honored for her essay. Rory Scott, another student honored for her poster, is not pictured. Students who read their essays at the culmination ceremony include, back row, from left, Campbell Gunderson, Ben Trenary, Dawson Brinkman, Tessa Lanzel, Miah Mikel, Cydney Van Tassel and Elizabeth Willenborg.

Students at Central Intermediate School have donated many gifts to the Stewartville Lions Club's 2014 Christmas Anonymous gift and fund drive. Lions Club members packed the gifts into two vehicles for shipment to a distribution site in Rochester last week. Students posing with the gifts include, front row, from left, Brandon McCrady, Lyndsie Weber, Claire Olson, Lydia Fryer, Kadi Spratte, Bryttin Henderson, Kinsey Giordano, Meghan Urban and Megan Myhrvold. Back row, from left, Kylee Hartson, Alayna Sickle, Bailey Buckmeier, Titan Klunder and Landon DeCook.

Art students from Stewartville High School greeted bidders at one of the tables displaying SHS artwork during Winterfest activities at the Stewartville Civic Center on Saturday, Dec. 6. Proceeds from the Art Gala and Auction will pay for an art scholarship for a local student.

Stewartville High School students who earned a 4.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale for the first quarter of the 2014-15 school year include, front row, from left, Jacob West, Brenndan Walton, Nate Sikkink, Bobbie Hart and Kara O'Byrne. Back row, from left, Amelia Welter, Mariah Terhaar, Paige Pettit, Madisen Patten, Madelyn Reiland, Hailey Scheevel and Shawn Husgen. Other 4.0 students not pictured include Jared Trisko, Jon Beach, Heather Husgen and Kayla Schlechtinger.

Stewartville Middle School students who earned a 4.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale for the first quarter of the 2014-15 school year include, front row, from left, Madalyn Ostby, Jaidyn Brower, Meghan Kosmala, Will Tschetter, Ben Trenary, Shane Byrne and Dylan Elliott. Second row, from left, Maggie Beach, Alyssa Jones, Haley Wangen, Isabel DeCook, Sarah Oeltjenbruns, Mya Wangen, Kiley Ruffridge and Abby Teal. Third row, from left, Rachel Husgen, Emilee Otto, Tessa Lanzel, Gabriella Schei, Gabe Nelson, Noah VandeLoo and Ethan Humble. Back row, from left, Marisa Goff, Ellie Fryer, Emily Schlechtinger, Sydney Clausen, Nathan Laures, Ethan Olerich and Jeremy Lovstuen.

Lauren Mikel has been named the Stewartville Lions Club's Student of the Month for November at Stewartville High School.

Quinn Pribyl, a junior at Stewartville High School, used a mix of tempera and house paint to draw The North Pole, a work that includes a tree bending in the wind, a moose and a candy cane. Pribyl's drawing was one of many available at the SHS Art Gala and Silent Auction at the Stewartville Civic Center Dec. 5-7. For more information about the event, see the feature story on Page 12. Pribyl said he likes art because there are no limits as to what students can do. "Your mind can run however you want it to," he said.

State Sen. Carlson Nelson speaks to a group of seventh graders in Jim Parry's REACH for Success class at Stewartville Middle School on Monday afternoon, Dec. 15. Nelson told the students what it's like to be a senator and how the Senate works on passing a bill.

Jon Buckmeier, right, accepts a Tiger Token from Dr. David Thompson, superintendent of Stewartville schools and Buckmeier's former football coach.

With Lara Smoley, music teacher, looking on at left, students at Bonner Elementary School played Christmas music for the student body on Tuesday, Dec. 23, the last day of school before Christmas vacation.

Rod Morlock, left, and Mark Vaupel, outgoing members of the Stewartville School Board, were honored with "Let's All Pull Together" awards at the School Board's last meeting of the year on Monday, Dec. 15. Vaupel decided not to seek re-election this past fall after serving on the School Board for 13 years. Morlock, who served one four-year term, said he enjoyed working with his fellow School Board members and the district's administration.

Stewartville High School's Olympic Weightlifting team, including, from left, Coach Liz Becker, DeNea Dozier, Mack Van De Walker, Kaylee Smidt and Madison Rediske, recently competed at its first-ever meet in Cannon Falls. Mackenzie Van De Walker snatched 27 kilos (60 pounds) and clean-and-jerked 36 kilos (80 pounds) for a total of 63 kilos. She placed fifth overall in the 69-kilo weight class for junior varsity girls. Stewie's next meet is Jan. 17 at Northfield High School.

Winners of the Elk Hoop Shoot at Bonner Elementary School include, front row, from left, Reed Neubauer, first place, boys, 17 of 25 free throws; and Ayden Helder, second place, boys, 16 of 25 free throws. Back row, from left, Kayla Byrne, first place, girls, 11 of 25 free throws; and Ayan DeCook, second place, girls, 10 of 25 free throws.

Winners of the Elks Hoop Shoot at Central Intermediate School include, front row, from left, Caden Inglett, second place, boys ages 10-12; Katie Bennerotte, second place, girls ages 10-12; and Savannah Hedin, second place, girls ages 8-9. Back row, from left, Owen Sikkink, first place, boys 8-9; Mason Sickle, first place, boys 10-12 (Mason was the school's top shooter, making 19 of 25 free throws); Tristan Knight, second place, boys 8-9; and Katrina McCluskey, first place, girls 8-9. Brianna Ramaker, first place in girls 10-12, is not pictured. The winners qualified for the next round of competition at RCTC in Rochester on Sunday, Jan. 4.

Winners of the Elks Hoop Shoot at Stewartville Middle School include, front row, from left, Cade Looney, second place, age 12-13 boys, 19 of 25 free throws; and Evan Buri, first place, 12-13 boys, 21 of 25 free throws. Back row, from left, Lily Welch, first place, age 12-13 girls, 22 of 25 free throws; and Kaitlyn Prondzinski, second place, 12-13 girls, 17 of 25 free throws.

Winners of the Elks Hoop Shoot at Stewartville Middle School include, front row, from left, Josh Buri, second place, 10-11 boys; and Jules Smith, first place, 10-11 boys. Josh and Jules both made 13 of 25 free throws, with Jules winning first place in a tiebreaker. Back row, from left, Maia Peterson, second place, 10-11 girls; and Tessa Lanzel, first place, 10-11 girls. In all, 195 students between ages 10-13 took part in this year's free throw shooting contest during sixth- and seventh-grade P.E. classes.

Three students from Central Intermediate School have won bicycles courtesy of the Stewartville Masonic Lodge and the Olmsted County Deputy Sheriffs Association. Students who received the bicycles at an all-school assembly on Monday, Dec. 22 include, in front, from left, Henry Gray, a fourth grader; Bella Vasoli, a third grader; and Brenna Yeadon, a fifth grader. In back, from left, are George Thompson, William Hubbard and Leonard Griffith, all past masters of the Stewartville Masonic Lodge. To be eligible to win a bicycle, a student must read a book, then enter his or her name for each book read in a drawing held each December and May. Hubbard spoke briefly at the assembly, saying that the Masons give away the bikes as a way to motivate young students to read. "We really would like you to read," he told the students.

Jamie Gehling, left, and Madisen Hart, seniors at Stewartville High School, have earned the Triple "A" Academics, Arts and Athletics Award at SHS for the 2014-15 school year.

Senior Olivia Oehlke has been named the Stewartville Lions Club's Student of the Month for December at Stewartville High School.

Anthony Nelson, left, and McKenna O'Neill, third graders at Bonner Elementary School, dressed warmly for their jobs as School Patrol crossing guards near the school last Tuesday afternoon, Jan. 13. Both enjoy their duties. "It's awesome," Anthony said. "I get to protect people." McKenna agreed. "You get to help people so they don't get run over," she said.

Fourth graders at Central Intermediate School display their recently completed landscape paintings. Artists include, from left, Dylan Smith, Michelle Manning, Lauren Howe, Isaac Larson and Kaylie Doherty. Tyne Wynn, art teacher at Central, said that the students mixed all their own colors to complete their paintings.

Senior Madie Hart has been named the Stewartville Lions Club's Student of the Month for January at Stewartville High School.

With a map of the parking lots near Stewartville High School and Middle School nearby, Olivia Oehlke, a member of the Stewartville High School Student Council, right, and Darcy Lindquist, associate principal of SHS, discuss the district's parking problems with the Stewartville School Board last week.

From left, Renita Irvin, media specialist for the Stewartville School District, and students Jacob West and Lori Bailey talk with the Stewartville School Board about the Stewartville School District's 3-D printer, shown at center. Other student speakers not pictured included Jacob Edholm and Sam VandeLoo.

Top finishers in the annual Stewartville Middle School Spelling Bee include, seated, Noah Laures, a sixth grader, first place; and back row, from left, Grace Ramaker, a seventh grader, second place; and Grace Waltman, another seventh grader, third place. Noah correctly spelled "benefactor" in the final round to win the contest, which was held at the Performing Arts Center on Tuesday, Jan. 20.

Four Stewartville Middle School band students of Becca Combs-Cawley, far right, took part in the Minnesota Band Directors Association Southeast Region Honor Band concert on Saturday, Jan. 17. From left are Lauren Fryer and Ethan Humble, eighth graders; along with Domonique Thomley and Samantha Oehlke, seventh graders. Students from 34 school music programs from southeastern Minnesota and parts of the Twin Cities metro area took part. Students rehearsed throughout the day from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., then presented a concert at 4 p.m.

Diane Bergland, right, accepts a Tiger Token from Darcy Lindquist, associate principal of Stewartville High School. Bergland was honored for her work with a homebound student.

Mayor Jimmie-John King, second from left, jumps rope with fifth grader Jon Laures as fifth graders Elijah Wyant, far left, and Megan Parks twirl the rope at "Jump Rope for Heart" at Central Intermediate School on Feb. 2.

Mayor Jimmie-John King reads the book "Pete the Cat" to a group of smiling 4- and 5-year-olds at the Stewartville School District Community Education Early Childhood Learning Center on Monday, Feb. 2. The children got a kick out of King's rendition of the story, especially when he quoted Pete the Cat as saying, "I'm Rockin' in My School Shoes!" Children include, front row, from far left, Ava Szydel, Rory Swanson, Josie Bunne, A.J. Hubert and Owen Santjer. Second row, from center, Cora Johnson, William Vrieze and Amelia Peterson. Back row, from far left, Deacon Rich, Emma Hagen, Emmit King, the mayor's grandson, far back; along with Leah Hebl and Dylan Hoover. In back, from left, are Suzanne Decker, a paraprofessional; and Sara Ellerbusch, coordinator and teacher for the Stewartville School Readiness program.

Kaylei Haley, a fifth grader at Central Intermediate School, right, browses among the books at the Central library during Literacy Night at the school on Friday, Jan. 30. Lucy Martin, Kaylei's stepmother, looks on at left.

Jennifer Wilcox of Stewartville helps her daughter Keagan, 4, with a drawing project at Literacy Night at Central Intermediate School on Friday, Jan. 30. Special guests included an animator, two storytellers and two illustrators. Also, hundreds of children looked for books at a book fair and book exchange. Wilcox enjoyed Literacy NIght. "It's great," she said. "It (offers) lots of ways to get the kids involved and get them thinking about reading and art."

Fredrick Flink, 16, a junior at Stewartville High School, is one of many students who gave blood at the Mayo Clinic Blood Drive at SHS on Wednesday, Feb. 4. Sue Broich of Stewartville, an LPN, assists Flink.

Rabbit (Isabel Field) "organdise's" a plan to fix things by forming a committee during a rehearsal for upcoming Stewartville Middle School production of The House at Pooh Corner. Committee members in the front row, from left, include Kanga (Rachel Husgen), Pooh (Ellie Fryer), Christa Robin (Payton Maas), Piglet (Olivia Nicklay) Late (Maya Ramp), Owl (Cooper Reed) and Eeyore (Katelyn McClellan). The show's plot revolves around the fact that Winnie the Pooh, Piglet and others plan to build a house for their friend Eeyore. Gary Kadansky, the play's director, is looking forward to an excellent show. "All the lovable characters from the A.A. Milne book will be on display, though a few adaptations were needed," Kadansky said.

Eeyore (Katelyn McClellan) waits inside the house under construction as her friends, from left, forest animal Ethan Stone, Pooh (Ellie Fryer), Piglet (Olivia Nicklay), and forest animals Mckenna Pickett and Norah Dyke help build the house during a dress rehearsal for Stewartville Middle School's production of The House at Pooh Corner.

The Stewartville High School Speech Team placed sixth out of 16 teams at the recent Kasson Invitational. Team members, the speeches they gave and their placings include, from left, Melanie Lex, sixth place, informative speaking; Brenndan Walton, fourth place, extemporaneous reading; Derrick Fritz, fourth place, storytelling; Julia Lanzel, fourth place informative speaking; Graham Mueller, fifth place, discussion; and Chase Quandt, first place, discussion. Dave Honsey is the team's coach.

Isaiah Grafe, a 2014 graduate of Stewartville High School, has been named a recipient of the Cochlear Americas Graeme Clark Scholarship Award.

Sarah Oeltjenbruns, above, teamed with Hailey Lewis, not pictured, to complete their project, "Anne Frank, the Diary that Changed a World." "Anne Frank's diary is her legacy," Sarah said.

Alyssa Jones researched the life of Samuel Morse, who invented the telegraph. Morse was a unique inventor, Alyssa said. "He did things in a different way than most people would do stuff," she said.

From left, triplets Emilee Otto, Nicholas Otto and Olivia Otto worked together to research the life of Walt Disney. "I wanted to do it because I really like Mickey Mouse," Nicholas said.

Jared Trisko has been named the Stewartville Lions Club's Student of the Month for February at Stewartville High School.

Stewartville High School students who earned a 4.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale for the second quarter of the 2014-15 school year include, front row, from left, Bobbie Hart, Shawn Husgen, Rachel Blomquist, Emily Rinken and Mariah Terhaar. Second row, from left, Jared Trisko, Madisen Hart, Jenna Willenborg, Jacob West, Hailey Hanf, Kara O'Byrne and Nate Sikkink. Back row, from left, Brenndan Walton, Corrie Hildebrandt, Jon Beach, Allison Birch, Mitchell Severson, Julia Lanzel and Meghan Schmitz.

Stewartville Middle School students who earned a 4.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale for the second quarter of the 2014-15 school year include, front row, from left, Isabel Field, Savannah Davis, Jaidyn Brower, Emilie Rupprecht, Anna Buckmeier, Lily Welch, Emma Johnston and Emily Kruger. Second row, from left, Rachel Husgen, Maggie Beach, Sarah Oeltjenbruns, Maddy Hagstrom, Haley Wangen, Tessa Lanzel, Alyssa Jones and Noah VandeLoo. Back row, from left, Madalyn Ostby, Maria Goff, Ellie Fryer, Emily Schlechtinger, Sydney Clausen, Gabe Nelson, Ethan Humble, Zack Gulbranson and Ben Trenary. Also, Annabelle Jorgensen, another 4.0 student, is not pictured.

About 130 residents attended an open hearing last week to listen to allegations that Coach John Dzubay and his volleyball program violated a number of Minnesota State High School League bylaws. Here, Dzubay addresses the Stewartville School Board and administration.

About 130 residents attended an open hearing last week to listen to allegations that Coach John Dzubay and his volleyball program violated a number of Minnesota State High School League bylaws. Tara Rogers, the captain of Stewartville's current team, standing in the center above, said that she and her teammates stand behind Dzubay 100 percent. Players Libby Christenson, left, and Karissa Kime join Rogers at the podium.

Rylie Holst, a first grader in Kathy Londowski's class at Bonner Elementary School, says hello to a donkey at the SHS Ag Fair last week. Jessica Skare, a freshman FFA member, controls the donkey. Makayla Morgan, a junior FFA member, is seated in the background at right.

State Sen. Carla Nelson read the books "Two" and "Kid Sheriff and the Terrible Toads" to Kristine Rose's first-grade class at Bonner Elementary School on Friday afternoon, Feb. 20. Nelson stopped to read to a number of other first graders as well. She encouraged the students to continue reading. "The more you do it, the more you like it, and the more you know," she said.

Sam Vande Loo, a senior, has been named the Stewartville Lions Club's Student of the Month for March at Stewartville High School.

Kaysie Manion, a chemistry teacher at Stewartville High School, left, reads a Lego book, "Cops, Crocs and Crooks!" to her son Mason, 3, and daughter Morgyn, 6, at the second annual Read S'more Literacy Night at Bonner Elementary School on Friday evening, Feb. 27. In all, 672 Stewartville and area residents attended. Matt Phelps, Bonner's principal, said that the event is designed to help families celebrate a love of literacy. "More reading makes for better readers," he said.

Pam Iverson, left, and Amy Rinken have been honored by the Southeast Minnesota School Counselors Association (SEMSCA). Iverson was named Secondary School Counselor of the Year. Rinken is the Administrative Assistant of the Year.

Scott Gulbranson, right, accepts a Tiger Token from Steve Gibbs, principal of Stewartville High School and Middle School.

John Dzubay, far left, joins a large group of his supporters at the Central Intermediate School library media center at a March 9 meeting during which the School Board suspended Dzubay for five matches for the 2015 varsity volleyball season.

Varsity volleyball players, from left, Libby Christenson, Amanda O'Connell, Ally Schmitz, Laura Eberle, Emily Branstad, Charlie Bleifus, Tara Rogers, Karissa Kime and Jenna Willenborg show their support for John Dzubay before last week's School Board meeting.

Del Johnson, left, and Dick Johnson, two long-time drivers for Grisim School Bus, Inc., are stepping down from their driving duties. Del drove for 22 years, Dick for 15. Both enjoyed their relationships with the students who rode on their buses. "I think we both got along really well with the kids on our routes," Dick said. "That's what makes it enjoyable."

Stewartville High School's speech team placed second among 16 teams at the recent Chatfield Speech Invitational. Participants included, lying on floor in front, from left, Natalie Jaeger and Ethan Peter. Kneeling, from left, Diana Humble, Dylan Bauman, Noah Vande Loo, Annabelle Jorgensen, Kaileigh Weber, Paige Pettit, Hannah James and Kyanne Hilger. Standing in the back two rows, from left, Matthew Pierick, Haley Wojtkiewicz, Ahna Boe, Emily Majerus, Morgan Graff, Morgan Wildeman, Graham Mueller, Candi Quandt, Gabby Steinhoff, Derrick Fritz, Kayla Schlechtinger, Cecelia Gray, Jennifer Remling, Kaitlyn Claeys, James Beach, Brenndan Walton, Brandon Lange, Laura Pedelty, George Gray, Melanie Lex and Julia Lanzel. For details from the meet.

Students at Central Intermediate School raised a school record amount of funds for the American Heart Association during this year's Jump Rope for Heart event, held Feb. 2, 3 and 4. The top individual fund raisers, and the amounts each raised, include, front row, from left, Tressa Smith, $225; Alyssa Miller, $595; and Michael Anderson, $388. Back row, from left, Christopher Price, $213; Violet Nelson, $155; Gabby Torres, $225; and Tristan Knight, $225. As the top fund raiser, Alyssa is wearing the red cape earned by Central Intermediate students for going above and beyond for the American Heart Association.

Children from the Stewartville School District and Community Education Early Childhood Learning Center enjoyed "Daddy and Me Gym and Pizza Night" at Central Intermediate School last Thursday evening, March 19. Nathan Petersen, one of many dads who attended, helps his daughter, Amelia, bounce balls on a parachute as children, from left, Mattie Helwig, Zach Rich and Makayla Hysell assist.

Tyler Carrigan, one of many dads who attended the "Daddy and Me Gym and Pizza Night" at Central Interme-diate School, helps Ava Bowler go for a ride on a wheeled cart in the school's gym last Thursday, March 19. Graham Carrigan, Tyler's son, stands in the background.

Lauren Buckmeier discovered that her roses lasted longest in plant food water.

Brooke Bakken predicted that her family's three horses would choose their feed based on good taste and smell. Her hypothesis was correct.

Brandon McCrady conducted an experiment to see which fruits and vegetables made the best battery. A Red Delicious apple was the winner.

The pre-kindergarten 4- and 5-year-olds at Tiger Time Preschool ate green toast to celebrate St. Patrick's Day at Grace Evangelical Free Church last Tuesday, March 17. At left, Sydney Hedin, 5, of Rochester, applies the milk and green food coloring to her toast.

The seventh grade Academic Triathlon team from Stewartville Middle School finished fifth among 10 teams in its division at the state meet at Cottage Grove on Saturday, Feb. 28. Todd Johnson, the team's coach, sits in front. Team members include, from left, Noah Vande Loo, Gabe Jones, Ireland Broadwater and Emma Johnston. Isabel Field, a fifth team member, is not pictured.

Stewartville High School's speech team placed second among 10 teams at the recent Lake City Speech Invitational. Stewartville's top place winners at the meet included, in front, Candi Quandt, third place, extemporaneous speaking: seated from left, first-place winners Julia Lanzel, informative speaking; and Kaitlyn Claeys, dramatic interpretation. Back row, from left, are second-place winners Calli McCartan, dramatic interpretation; Ethan Peter, creative expression; Brenndan Walton, extemporaneous reading; Melanie Lex, informative speaking; and Derrick Fritz, storytelling.

Calli McCartan, a junior at Stewartville High School, earned a $300 scholarship and a third-place finish at this year's Rochester Music Guild Young Musicians Scholarship Competition. "Things are better with music," she said. "I love it with my whole heart."

The Stewartville High School Speech Team placed second at the subsection speech event on Saturday, March 28. Twenty-two students qualified for section competition.

Anna Bussman, right, has worked for Sodexo, the company that provides meals for Stewartville's students, for about four years. Students at Stewartville High School sang "Happy Birthday" to Bussman as she entered the High School-Middle School cafeteria last Tuesday, April 14. Barb Edwards, Bussman's co-worker, is at left.

Stewartville High School students who will compete at the BPA National Conference in Anaheim, Calif. include, from left, Zach Rupprecht, Jon Beach and Kayla Schlechtinger.

Students who competed at the 2015 Minnesota State Speech Tournament last week include, front row, from left, Melanie Lex and Calli McCartan. Back row, from left, Derrick Fritz and Brenndan Walton.

Bill Glomski, second from left, long-time geography teacher, driver's ed instructor and coach, accepts his Wall of Honor Award from, from left, Sheila McNeill, Cathy Conger and Sheila Gossman.

Mark Vaupel, right, who served on the Stewartville School Board for 13 years (2002 to 2014), accepts a place on the National Honor Society Wall of Honor from Dr. David Thompson, superintendent.

Lions Club Student of the Month Lacey Ratajczyk

PROM AT THE CARE CENTER -- Taylor DeGeus, a senior at Stewartville High School, standing at left, and Anthony Schoeppner of Oronoco stopped by the Stewartville Care Center before heading off to SHS's prom on Saturday, April 18. DeGeus and Schoeppner said hello to a number of Care Center residents, including Anneliese Laske, seated. DeGeus knows many of the residents because she works in the activities department at the Care Center.

Stewartville High School students who earned a 4.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale for the third quarter of the 2014-15 school year include, front row, from left, Melanie Lex, Zach Rupprecht, Alex VandeLoo, Nate Sikkink and Bobbie Hart. Second row, from left, Kara O'Byrne, Karissa Kime, Mariah Terhaar, Brenndan Walton and Corrie Hildebrandt. Back row, from left, Shawn Husgen, Julia Lanzel, Allison Birch, Rachel Blomquist, Jon Beach, Hailey Scheevel and Gretta Hohmeister. Students who earned a 4.0 grade point average but aren't pictured include Hannah Blomquist, Brooke Bosshart, Meghan Schmitz, Jared Trisko and Kayla Schlechtinger.

Stewartville Middle School students who earned a 4.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale for the third quarter of the 2014-15 school year include, front row, from left, Anna Buckmeier, Haley Wangen, Maggie Beach, Jaidyn Brower, Sarah Oeltjenbruns, Tessa Lanzel, Kiley Ruffridge, Evelyn Van Ess and Shailee Nagel. Second row, from left, Lily Welch, Isabel Field, Alyssa Jones, Kate Pedelty, Isabel DeCook, Emilee Otto, Rachel Husgen, Josh Olson, Will Tschetter and Meghan Kosmala. Back row, from left, Emily Kruger, Ethan Humble, Zack Gulbranson, Emilie Rupprecht, Sydney Clausen, Emily Schlechtinger, Ellie Fryer, Laura Pedelty, Haylee Weightman, Noah VandeLoo and Olivia Quam.

Paul Youngquist of Rego & Youngquist Architects of St. Louis Park, far right, spoke to School Board members and administrators about plans for Stewartville's new school last week. Youngquist taped 90 to 100 architectural drawings of the new school on the walls near the Stewartville High School board room.

Hannah James, a junior at Stewartville High School, took part in the Minnesota House of Representatives High School Page Program April 20 to 24. Here, Hannah poses with State Rep. Nels Pierson, who represents District 26B, including Stewartville, in the Minnesota House of Representatives.

TV Host Jenny Ringer (Bobbie Hart), right, interviews Othello (George Skare), second from right, about why he murdered his wife Desdemona (Emily Majerus), second from left, in a dress rehearsal for the upcoming Stewartville High School production of I Hate Shakespeare, to be presented at the Stewartville High School Performing Arts Center this Friday, May 8 and Saturday, May 9 at 7 p.m. each evening, and this Sunday, May 10 at 2 p.m. Desdemona pleads her case to Othello as the instigator Iago (Shawn Husgen), far left, looks on. Will the truth behind Desdemona's death be revealed to the audience? Find out by attending I Love Shakespeare at the PAC this Friday, Saturday or Sunday.

Louanne Gotch, right, accepts a Tiger Token from Matt Phelps, principal of Bonner Elementary School. Gotch reads to Bonner's students and is involved with an after-school tutoring program at St. John's Lutheran Church. "There are so many things she does," Phelps said.

Members of the Stewartville Kiwanis Club accepted Tiger Tokens at the Stewartville School Board's regular meeting last week. Club members include, front row, from left, Laura Wiles, Todd Weston, Jan Hagen and Iz Wilken. Administrators who presented the Tokens include, back row, from left, Dr. David Thompson, Tim Malone and Steve Gibbs. The Kiwanis Club helps Stewartville students in many ways, Gibbs said.

Jordan Ly, a 2014 graduate of Stewartville High School, played Cuong Tran in the recent ABC TV show "In An Instant," which aired this past March. The episode told the story of Cuong Tran and the three Nguyen brothers who held more than 40 people hostage at "The Good Guys" electronics store in Sacramento, Calif. on April 4, 1991. Although he doesn't think he wants to continue as an actor, Ly enjoyed the experience. "I had never been on an acting set with a director before," he said. "The way they do the special effects to make it look real is really cool."

The Stewartville Kiwanis Club sponsors a Terrific Kids program to honor sixth graders who work hard and have a good attitude at Stewartville Middle School. Terrific Kids for the 2014-15 school year include, front row, from left, Will Tschetter, Brynn Potts, Zoe Mathison, Mya Wangen, Mikenna Hettinger, Haley Wangen, Jaidyn Brower and Megan Nosbisch. Second row, from left, Nick Otto, Mckenna Pickett, Maggie Beach, Rachel Husgen, Alyssa Jones, Kate Pedalty, Hailey Brooks, Isabel DeCook, Dharma White, Kiley Ruffridge, Meghan Kosmala and Sarah Oeltjenbruns. Back row, from left, Maia Peterson, Noah Looney, Ben Trenary, Nicholas Vetsch, Katelyn McClellan, Katie Beagle, Makayla Kennedy, Evelyn VanEss, Noah Laures, Ethan Stone, Joey Phelps, Josh Olson and Cooper Reed. Also, David Black and Stafford Handlang, two other Terrific Kids, are not pictured.

The Stewartville Lions Club honored its 2014-15 Stewartville High School Students of the Month with a luncheon at Riverview Greens Country Club last Thursday, May 7. Students include, front row, from left, Jared Trisko, Sam VandeLoo, Caitlyn Hughes and Lauren Mikel. Back row, from left, Gabby Steinhoff, Olivia Oehlke, Lacey Ratajczyk, Derrick Fritz and Madisen Hart. Gordy Koehn of the Lions Club, the chairman of the Lions' Student of the Month program, was the master of ceremonies for the program that recognized the students.

Madisen Hart has been named a recipient of the Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizens Award.

Connor Stenberg, 17, a junior at Stewartville High School, gives blood at the Mayo Clinic Blood Drive at SHS last week. Marie Mack of the Mayo Clinic assists.

Pam Iverson, right, Stewartville High School Counselor and Amy Rinken, left, Stewartville High School Counseling Administrative Assistant were recently honored at the Minnesota School Counselors Association annual conference at Madden's Resort in Brainard. Pam was selected as the 2015 MN Secondary School Counselor of the year and Amy the 2015 MN Support Staff of the year. Amy and Pam were selected for top honors in the state after receiving awards at the SE region level in April.

The Stewartville STAR donated $629.50 to the Bonner and Central Parent Advisory Committee (BACPAC) after local students sold STAR subscriptions for a recent BACPAC fund raiser. Every year, the STAR donates a portion of the proceeds from the STAR sales to BACPAC, which uses the funds to pay for programs for students. Heather Horstmann, BACPAC president, displays the check. She is flanked by Carrie Anderson, treasurer, left; and Jen Miller, vice president and secretary.

Many students received awards at the annual Stewartville High School Band Awards Ceremony at Riverview Greens on Sunday, May 3. From left are Danika Dahle, Most Valuable Player; Nathan Abbott, Louis Armstrong Jazz Award and the John Philip Sousa Award; and Shannon Onsgard, Semper Fidelis Award.

Scott Gulbranson, seated, was named the Friend of Education. Teachers of the Year include Kristin Wingert Schnell, left, and Bert Lentz. Jennifer Martin, Support Staff Person of the Year, is not pictured.

Cassandra Drees, center, and Amanda Jaeger, second from right, seniors at Stewartville High School, were each recognized as a winner of a $500 scholarship from the Stewartville Area Chamber of Commerce at the Chamber's Senior Appreciation Banquet last week. Chamber representatives include, form left, Stacy Schimmel, Gwen Ravenhorst, Chamber administrator; and Melissa Sue Leuning, Chamber president.

Fifteen students will graduate with highest honors when the Stewartville High School class of 2015 celebrates its commencement at the SHS gym on Friday, May 29. Highest honors graduates include, front row, from left, Sam VandeLoo, Jacob West, Derrick Fritz and Nathan Abbott. Standing from left, Gabrielle Steinhoff, Brooke Bosshart, Kaylee Muller, Meghan Schmitz, Lily Schimke, Lauren Mikel, Madisen Hart, Abigail Sistad, Grace Menchaca and Hannah Blomquist. Jared Trisko, another highest honors graduate, is not pictured. To graduate with highest honors, a student must maintain a cumulative grade point average between 3.90 and 4.0 throughout grades nine through 12.

The Stewartville Kiwanis Club hosted its annual breakfast at Tarsilla's last week to thank the members of the Stewartville High School Key Club for all they do to serve their school and community. Olivia Oehlke and Madisen Hart, students at SHS, each accepted a $400 scholarship from the Kiwanis Club. Janice Hagen of the Kiwanis Club announced Oehlke and Hart as the scholarship recipients. After the breakfast, members of the Kiwanis and Key clubs gathered for a photo.

Olivia Oehlke, second from left, and Madisen Hart, third from left, seniors at Stewartville High School, have each earned a $400 college scholarship from the Stewartville Kiwanis Club. Kiwanis Club members with the students include, from left, Janice Hagen, Diane Bergland and Barb Howes.

Vicki Snyder was the guest speaker at this year's Senior Honor Banquet.

Teachers and staff members at Bonner Elementary School display some of the items they donated to the Channel One Food Bank during a recent food drive. Front row, from left, are Jeff Johnson, Courtney Fakler and Julie Rupprecht. In back, from left, are Lindsay Dick, Bert Lentz, Jenny Roberts, Kelly Norman, Kathy Pinke-Thorson, Jen Oelkers and Maryan Gisler. District teachers and staff members took part in the food drive from May 4 through May 8.

Fr. John Wilmot of St. Bernard's and St. Bridget's Catholic churches was the featured speaker at the annual SHS Baccalaureate Service last Wednesday, May 20. "The Shepherd is with us," Wilmot told this year's SHS graduates. "He's always with us. Turn to him to help make you happy."

Members of Mackenzie Higgins' family stand near the Buddy Bench dedicated in Mackenzie's memory near the playground at Central Intermediate School on Monday afternoon, May 18. Pam Higgins, Mackenzie's mother, standing fourth from left, thanked Stewartville school officials for honoring her daughter. "I'm just overwhelmed," she said.

About 124 Stewartville High School graduating seniors will receive their diplomas at the annual commencement ceremony at the SHS gym this Friday, May 29 at 7 p.m. Class speakers for the evening will be, from left, Meghan Schmitz, Gabrielle Steinhoff, Emily Scruggs and Olivia Oehlke. Schmitz and Scruggs will speak together, while Steinhoff and Oehlke will give separate speeches. Sharon Prunty, senior class advisor, is impressed with this year's seniors. "This is a unique group of individuals who bring their own gifts and talents that give the class of 2015 an interesting personality," Prunty said. "It is a class that will do great things, but enjoy life as well."

Members of the Stewartville High School class of 2015 unveiled the senior mural at the annual Academic Awards Assembly at the Performing Arts Center on Friday, May 1. The mural includes images that will remind this year's graduates of what happened locally and around the world the year they graduated from SHS.

The Stewartville Fire Department has awarded $1,000 college scholarships to each of 10 members of the Stewartville High School class of 2015. Jeff Olson of the Stewartville Fire Department, kneeling at far left in front, announced the names of the scholarship recipients at the SHS Academic Awards Assembly on Friday, May 1. Students who earned the scholarships include, front row, starting from second from left, Conner Hanf, Collin Fanton and Tom Lewis. Back row, from left, Katie Paschal, Ashley Black, Amanda Jaeger, Jordenne Huinker, Lauren Mikel and Madisen Hart. Also, Brady Keefe, another scholarship recipient, is not pictured.

Just as Cassandra Drees, left, and Megan Ellinghuysen adjusted each others' mortarboards before the commencement ceremony for the Stewartville High School class of 2015 last Friday, May 29, so the 120 graduates in this year's class will adjust to the new lives that await them after high school. Joe Waugh, the featured speaker at this year's ceremony, advised the graduates to laugh at and learn from any mistakes they may make along life's journey.

Fourth graders from Ed Kruger's and Kenna Kreidermacher's classes at Central Intermediate School have worked together to make a special American flag. After all 392 Central students traced one of their hands on either red or white paper, the paper hands were laid together to form the flag's stripes. Central staff members then glued on the stars, which represent Central's student "stars." U.S. veterans with school ties who gathered for a photo with the flag on Friday, May 22 include, from left, Ken Kruger, Ed Kruger's dad; Tom Moody, Zane McInroy and Eldon Anderson, along with Ed Kruger. Central's staff and students donated the flag to the Stewartville American Legion Post 164. The flag measures five feet by seven feet. "Make sure you let our veterans know how much you appreciate what they have done for us," Ed Kruger told his students.

Young children received their diplomas at the annual School Readiness Spring Program and Graduation at the Stewartville High School Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, May 27. Above, graduate Jessica Eden poses with Nancy Pedersen, School Readiness teacher, left; and Sara Ellerbusch, School Readiness coordinator and teacher.

Members of the Stewartville High School Trap Team, the school's first ever, include, front row, from left, Tyler Williams, Christian Riester, Philip McCollough, Daniel McCollough, Nick Bain and Brayden Rindels. Back row, from left, Amelia Welter, Makayla Morgan, Savanah Horstmann, Tom Lofgren, assistant coach; John Russell, head coach; Ronn Carlson, assistant coach; Mitch McGuire and Mitch Osterhus.

Central Intermediate School students enjoyed their annual end-of-the-school year track and field event at the Stewartville High School track on Monday morning, June 1. Students displayed their skills in a variety of activities, including sprinting, the long jump, shoe kicking, a unique assortment of running events and a number of special activities at the Stewartville High School tennis courts. Here, Madeline Urban, a fourth grader, joyfully clears a hurdle.

Three Central Intermediate School students have won bicycles courtesy of the Stewartville Masonic Lodge and the Olmsted County Deputy Sheriffs Association. The students, who received the bicycles on Monday, June 1 include, from left, Hiley Lauer, a fourth grader; William Onstad, a third grader; and Maddy Urban, a fifth grader. To be eligible to win a bicycle, a student must read at least one book, then enter his or her name for each book read in a drawing held each December and May.

A WINNING TEAM -- From left, Jared Trisko, Jacob West and Sam VandeLoo display the awards they won for placing third among 13 cars in the electric class at the Supermileage Challenge in Brainerd this past May. "Our car was very well-built," Trisko said. "It had a couple of minor issues, but we were able to fix it."

Sydney Clausen hustles to make a baseline return as volunteer coach Zach Yeadon looks on at the 2015 Stewartville Community Ed youth camp, June 8-11 at the SHS courts.

Tiger tennis camp coach Nick Johnson demonstrates a backhand drill as Victoria Nienow executes the proper motions at the 2015 Stewartville Community Ed youth tennis camp, June 8-11 at the SHS courts.

School, city and state officials broke ground for Stewartville's new school for third, fourth and fifth graders at a groundbreaking ceremony at the construction site north of Bear Cave Park on Tuesday afternoon, June 30. From left are Eldon Anderson, principal of special programs; state Sen. Carla Nelson; Steve Gibbs, principal of Stewartville High School and Middle School; Angela Payton, Todd Emanuel and Tara Stockman, School Board members: Dr. David Thompson, superintendent of Stewartville schools; Sheila McNeill, principal of Central Intermediate School; Beth Lawson and Joe Waugh, School Board members; Rob Mathias, chair of the School Board; Lori Miller Beach, School Board member; Darcy Lindquist, associate principal of Stewartville High School; Tim Malone, associate principal of Stewartville Middle School; and Matt Phelps, principal of Bonner Elementary School.

Sharon Morlock has stepped down as athletic director of the Stewartville School District.

Anyone who visits the Stewartville High School gym in the coming days, weeks and months will know that it is the home of the Stewartville Tigers. Rhonda Baldner, art teacher at Stewartville High School, center, and her students Sarena Lee, left, and Kelsey Meyer, 2015 graduates of Stewartville High School, worked for more than 60 hours each, or a combined 180 to 200 hours, to complete "Welcome to the Jungle," a mural on one of the walls of the SHS gym. "It was a lot of hours," said a smiling Baldner. "It was a lot of kissing that wall."

Workers have begun moving dirt to pave the way for a new school for third, fourth and fifth graders at a 30-acre site just north of Bear Cave Park. The Stewartville School Board, at a meeting in late June, approved hiring Edge Contracting, Inc. of Elgin, Minn. to complete utility and earthwork on the project for $1,167,000. At that same meeting, the School Board unanimously accepted bids from a number of companies that will build the $24.6 million, 95,000 square foot, two-story structure. Justin "J.J." Webster of Kraus-Anderson of Rochester, the construction manager for the project, has said that it will take about 13 months to build the school, which is scheduled to open in fall 2016.

Rebel shortstop Callie Fischer charges and scoops a Winhawk grounder to make the relay to Kait Augustin covering first base on the play. The Rebels lost both games hosting a doubleheader against Winona.

Kaydyn Strum, left, and Morgan Schild work on a coloring project at Tiger Time at Central Intermediate School last Thursday, July 23. Kaydyn and Morgan, 7-year-olds heading into second grade at Bonner Elementary School, both enjoy running and playing in the Central gym. "I'm faster than Morgan," Kaydyn said. "You don't know that," Morgan responded. "We haven't raced yet."

Stan Tordsen has stepped down as a girls basketball coach for Stewartville schools.

Jessica Honsey, director of the Stewartville High School Marching Band, above left, advises students Nate Sikkink, center right, and Melanie Lex, right, during a break from marching at SHS Band Camp.

The Stewartville High School Marching Band took to the streets to work on its skills during the annual SHS Band Camp on Thursday morning, Aug. 6. From left, in front, Kaitlyn Newcome and Kylie Zea, flute players, and in the second row, from center, Jennifer Remling and Julia Lanzel, clarinet players, march in unison on Sixth Avenue Southwest just south of Stewartville High School.

Stewartville's new teachers prepared for the 2015-16 school year at an orientation session on Monday, Aug. 10. The new teachers and their positions include, front row, from left, Melinda Kieffer, science teacher at Stewartville High School; Traci Fransen, special education teacher at Central Intermediate School; Kris Streightiff, second grade, Bonner Elementary School; Mitch Miller, seventh grade science, Stewartville Middle School; Alex Hain, English, Stewartville Middle School; and Craig Bell, counselor at the Middle School. Back row, from left, Beth Felten, physical education, Bonner; Kristin Wenum, kindergarten, Bonner; Kristin Remick, sixth grade science, Stewartville Middle School; Jen Schimek, reading, Central; Anna Button, fourth grade, Central; Rachel Loechler, fourth grade, Central; Emily Dierling, school counselor, Bonner and Central; Brianna Probach, fifth grade, Central; and Ryan Liffrig, physical education, Central.

Helping during the United Way of Olmsted County's Running Start for School at Bonner School were from left, seated, Sharon Haarstad, Janet Miles Mallan, April Schumann, Sherry Paynic, and Mary Jo Tittl, seated. Mary Jo works at United Way as a Community Impact Specialist, but was serving as a volunteer at distribution. She is a Stewartville resident.

Jordan Burgdorf, a first grader in Katharine Rislow's class, poses for his class picture on the first day of school at Bonner Elementary School last Thursday, Aug. 20. Gordy Klomps, a photographer for Life Touch, takes the picture.

Jay and Mollie Forstner and their daughter Maizey, of rural Rochester, met Maizey's new first-grade teacher, Jessyca Williams, left, at the "one-stop shop" at Bonner Elementary School on Thursday morning, Aug. 20. Students met their teachers, signed up for school lunch, posed for their class pictures and took a vision test.

Dr. David Thompson, superintendent of Stewartvile schools, stands near the new footings that have been put in place for the construction of the new school for students in grades three through five. The school is being built just north of Bear Cave Park.

Avery Spencer, a fifth grader at Central Intermediate School, gives the Stewartville Tiger a high five after an all-school assembly in the school's gym on Monday, Aug. 24.

Students in Ryan Liffrig's physical education classes at Central Intermediate School are taking part in a Frisbee unit, which includes Frisbee bowling and Frisbee football. Fifth graders demonstrating their throwing form include, from left, Ava Johnson, Dylan Smith, Mason Ristau and Keeley Steele.

Jenna Willenborg, a senior at Stewartville High School, was part of a team that completed some important cancer research at the Mayo Clinic this past summer. Here, Willenborg speaks about her mentorship to the Stewartville School Board two weeks ago.

Samantha Bush, a senior at Stewartville High School, gives blood at the Mayo Clinic Blood Drive at SHS on Tuesday, Sept. 1. Nghia Le, a blood donor lab tech for the Mayo Clinic, prepares Samantha for the donation.

Emma Thomason, an eighth grader at Stewartville Middle School, is ready for the Walk4Hearing, scheduled to be held at Lake Calhoun in Minneapolis on Saturday, Sept. 26. Members of "Team Emma" and other walkers will raise money for those with hearing loss.

Todd Emanuel, a member of the Stewartville School Board, right, has earned a Leadership Development Certificate from the Minnesota School Boards Association (MSBA). Dr. David Thompson, superintendent of the Stewartville School District, congratulates Emanuel. The Leadership Development Certificate is awarded to school board members who complete the first three installments of MSBA's school board training series. Completing the workshops is important because the sessions establish a strong foundation for school board members. "School board members like Todd play a vital role in improving student achievement," said Kirk Schneidawind, MSBA executive director. "MSBA honors board members who actively seek to improve their leadership skills, their understanding of education issues, and their ability to work effectively with their communities for better schools. This award represents Todd's outstanding dedication to Minnesota's students." The MSBA, based in St. Peter, is the leading advocate for public education by supporting, promoting and strengthening the work of public school boards.

Students from 32 school districts across southeastern Minnesota judged the animals at the Roeder and Twohey farms at the annual Stewartville Invitational on Wednesday, Sept. 23. Above, students take a close look at a group of market hogs.

Isabelle Drenckhahn, an eighth grader from the Zumbrota-Mazeppa School District, writes down information about the breeding ewe she's judging at the annual Stewartville Invitational on Wednesday, Sept. 23. The event was held at the Roeder and Twohey farms.

Members of the Stewartville High School 2015 Homecoming Court include, front row, from left, Hunter Miller, Queen Ally Schmitz, Mariah Terhaar, Mikya Amos and Karissa Kime. Back row, from left, Adam Gehling, Chye Stecher, King Jordan Johnson, Fred Flink and Zach Rupprecht.

The Stewartville cross country team made the long run from Plainview to deliver the game ball to the Tiger football team for the homecoming game against PEM.

Cody Mason, a sophomore at Stewartville High School, right, dressed as Mickey Mouse to win the Wednesday, Sept. 23 Disney Day Costume Contest for SHS's 2015 homecoming. Austen Hover, a junior, left, dressed as Flynn Rider from the movie "Tangled." "Night at the Movies" was the theme of this year's homecoming.

Junior receiver Olivia Waltman is wide open to make a great catch down field during the homecoming powder puff football game on Sept. 25.

Senior running back Mariah Terhaar eludes the pursuit of junior defenders Kallie Keller (left) and Olivia Waltman during the homecoming powder puff football game.

Jordan Johnson was named the king and Ally Schmitz the queen of Stewartville High School's 2015 homecoming.

Kay Tvedt of the Stewartville Morning Lions Club, far left, handed out dictionaries to third graders at Bonner Elementary School, above, and at Central Intermediate School on Thursday, Sept. 24. Members of the Stewartville American Legion Post 164 and the Prescher-Kumm VFW Post 8980 also took part in the ceremony, which included a demonstration of the proper way to fold an American flag. Standing in the background are Ron Piedmont of the Morning Lions, left, and Mayor Jimmie-John King, who praised American servicemen and women for their efforts to keep America free.

Heather Husgen completed a mentorship at the Mayo Clinic's Simulation (Sim) Center this past summer.

Workers continue to make good progress on the new school for third, fourth and fifth graders in northwest Stewartville. Shawn Lortscher, project manager for Kraus-Anderson Construction of Rochester, told the Stewartville School Board last week that the work is going well. "We're starting the above-grade block walls, and sanitary sewer and water mains are going in around the facility," Lortscher said. "Every other day you'll see something new in the air."

Jade Schmeling, left, and her cousin Gabe Nelson have hosted Spook City in the Woods, the annual fundraiser to fight bullying, for the past three years. This year's Spook City will be held at 27436 790th Ave., south of Racine, on Friday, Oct. 16 and Saturday, Oct. 17 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. each evening.

Students and teachers evacuated Stewartville High School and Middle School and walked to Grisim School Bus, Inc. during a fire drill on Wednesday morning, Oct. 14. Zak Breitenbach, Stewartville's community oriented policing (COPS) deputy, said the drill went well. "It was an orderly evacuation and was done in a timely fashion," he said. "The purpose...was to gauge our preparedness to handle an evacuation to Grisim and to account for all the students once there."

Chad Harlander, director of the REACH program at Hutchinson High School, right, shakes hands with Jack Parry, son of Jim Parry, coordinator of the REACH program at Stewartville Middle School.

The Stewartville High School Marching Band has completed another successful season, placing first at the Waseca Marching Classic, second at Algona Band Days and third at the Minnesota State Fair and the Luverne Tri-State Band Festival. The band also marched in its own homecoming parade. Jessica Honsey, director of the Marching Band, is proud of her students. "I encourage the kids to focus on the performance, not the place or trophy," she said. "If you do your best, it doesn't matter where you end up in the standings. Earning first place is always a great compliment to all the work they put in, and it means they had the best performance out of everyone else's 'best', and that is always a wonderful reward!"

Monica Hansen, a fitness trainer for the Rochester Athletic Club (RAC), talked about her profession with the kindergartners at Bonner Elementary School at the annual Kindergarten Career Day on Tuesday, Oct. 13. Kayla Hansen, Monica's daughter, is at left.

Gabe Nelson, a freshman at Stewartville High School, left, and his cousin Jade Schmeling, a junior at Edina High School, welcomed a total of 480 guests to the fourth annual Spook City in the Woods at 27436 790th Ave. in rural Racine on Friday and Saturday evenings, Oct. 16 and 17. The event brought in $1,635 for PACER, an organization dedicated to putting an end to bullying.

Jade Schmeling, a junior at Edina High School, left, and her cousin Gabe Nelson, a freshman at Stewartville High School, don't seem concerned that a spooky creature is hanging around behind their backs. Schmeling and Nelson hosted the fourth annual Spook City in the Woods in rural Racine on Oct. 17 and 18.

The Minnesota Volleyball Coaches Association recognized Stewartville senior student/athletes, from left, Karissa Kime, Jenna Willenborg and Tara Rogers, as recipeints of the Minnesota Academic All-State Award by earning a cumulative GPA of 3.80 or higher. Teams with an average cumulative GPA of 3.75-4.00 earn the Gold Academic Award.

Dylan Bauman (#420) and Dylan Deetz (#423) gain ground on a Pine Island runner at sections.

Stewartville boys soccer captains Gerardo Morales and Caleb Miller (above), presented a $1,000 check at the boys Parent Night games in September. Since 2013 the soccer program has been collecting cans and donations as a way to raise money to give back to the community. In 2015, the American Cancer Society was chosen for this cause and was represented by Jammie McGuire and Jenni Karau. The soccer program wants to thank all those who helped them provide such a large donation to help this cause.

Linebacker Travis Capelle wraps up and rips down the Marshall quarterback for a sack during Stewie's 35-7 quarterfinal win on Oct. 30.

Running back Jordan Johnson cuts back for a big ground gainer during Stewie's 35-7 state quarterfinal win over Marshall on Oct. 30.

Linebacker Tyler Smidt scores after catching a blocked punt and running it in the end zone.

D-back Nick Stahnke looks for blockers on this interception return that set up a Tiger second-quarter touchdown.

Kailee Malone (#124) placed 10th overall at sections and missed qualifying for state by just two seconds.

Dawn Miller, one of the most accomplished Stewartville athletes of all time, was a nine-time All-Conference athlete in tennis, basketball as well as track and field, will be honored at the second annual Stewartville Athletic Hall of Fame Banquet at the Stewartville American Legion Post 164 on Saturday, Nov. 21.

Stanley Kukuzke, a 1958 graduate of Stewartville High School, was one of the greatest all-around athletes in Stewartville history. He was the quarterback of Stewartville teams that won back-to-back Whitewater Conference championships and was co-captain of the 1957 team, was a member of the SHS varsity basketball team and was also one of the most accomplished track athletes in school history, will be honored at the second annual Stewartville Athletic Hall of Fame Banquet at the Stewartville American Legion Post 164 on Saturday, Nov. 21.

Marie Larson, a senior at Stewartville High School, is one of 18 high school students who read stories to the students at Bonner Elementary School on Tuesday, Oct. 27. The stories focused on what students can do to prevent bullying. Larson read The Recess Queen, a book about Mean Jean the Recess Queen. Larson told the students that it's difficult to play with people who are mean. "How can we be kind to someone?" she asked. "Ask them if they want to play," one student responded.

Dick Johnson, left, and Del Johnson, right, accepted Tiger Tokens and certificates from Dr. David Thompson, superintendent of the Stewartville School District, center.

Top players of the 2015 Stewartville girls tennis team were honored at the recent end-of-the-season banquet. Earning awards were, from left, Erin Fischer, Outstanding Leader Award, Sydney Becker, Sportsmanship Award, Kyra Boland, HVL All-Conference, Julia Lanzel, Will-to-Win Award, Mackayla Olsen, HVL All-Conference and Most Valuable Player, Sydney Clausen, Queen of the Court. Not pictured, Allison Birch, Most Improved Player award.

Emily Rinken lunges to dig a high hit during Stewie's 3-1 win over Byron at subsections.

Libby Christenson pounds a kill against Byron at subsections.

Isaiah Scruggs strides to a large lead as he winds the boys 5K course.

Workers continue to make good progress on Bear Cave Intermediate School, the new school for third, fourth and fifth graders in northwest Stewartville. Officials from Kraus-Anderson of Rochester, the construction manager for the project, have said it will take 13 months to build the $24.6 million, 95,000 square-foot, two-story structure. The new school is expected to open in fall 2016.

Three members of the Stewartville/Kingsland high school varsity bowling team were named to the Southeast West Division All-Conference team, including, from left, Ariel Engel, SWD All-Conference Honorable Mention; Derek Krenke, SWD All-Conference; and Justin Kime, SWD All-Conference and Most Outstanding Player Award.

The Stewartville/Kingsland high school varsity bowling team captured its third consecutive Southeast Conference West Division championship with an 13-1 regular-season record at Hayfield on Oct. 31. The Tigers edged Rochester Mayo 3-2 with a one-pin (185-184) win in the final game, then kept momentum rolling with a convincing 4-1 victory over Byron/Kasson-Mantorville/Trition (BKMT) to claim the championship title. Stewartville/ Kingsland also won its second straight Southeast Conference West Division Rolloff Tournament in Rochester on Nov. 7, beating Rochester John Marshall 3-1, sweeping Rochester Mayo 3-0 while rolling past Austin 3-1 in the championship match. By winning the league championship, Stewie/Kingsland received an automatic berth to the Minnesota State Qualifying Bowling Tournament on Dec. 5. The Tiger varsity bowling team members are, kneeling, from left, Ridley Mullenbach, Ariel Engel, Hunter Jorgensen. Standing, from left, Derek Krenke, Ethan Peter, Justin Kime, Coach Jared Bushman.

The Stewartville boys soccer team wrapped up its season with annual awards banquet on Oct. 29. Honored by Coach Rick VandeLoo (far right) at the event were top Tiger players, from left, Ben Schimke, Team MVP; Paul Betcher, Rookie of the Year; Caleb Miller, Team Leader.

Dylan Riess, a junior at Stewartville High School, has completed virtually all the requirements to earn the Eagle Award, the highest honor in Scouting. For his Eagle Scout Project, Riess built 10 handicapped-accessible picnic tables for guests at Ironwood Springs Christian Ranch.

D-lineman Dawson Grotjohn wraps up the Becker running back on this tackle-for-loss.

D-end Chance Jakobsen drills the Becker quarterback as he releases the ball.

Running back Jordan Johnson chops the arm of a Becker tackler to pop outside on a big ground gainer.

Garret Nosbisch hits high and Jordan Johnson (#30) low, forcing a fumble for Dawson Grotjohn (#51) to recover.

Chrissy Lofgren pulls away from one of the lead packs.

Paige Pettit, a senior at Stewartville High School, left, paints the face of Savannah Fay, 4, of Stewartville, who dressed like Rainbow Dash from My Little Pony at the SHS Key Club's Halloween Trick-or-Treat Night on Saturday, Oct. 31.

Stewartville Middle School sixth graders who were the top placewinners in the annual Lions Club Peace Poster Contest include, front row, from left, Aryana Baerthel, first place; and Jaida Emmons, second place. Back row, from left, Anushka Mishra, honorable mention; Lauren Buckmeier, third place; and Mesa Wibben, honorable mention. Aryana will move on to district competition, where she will compete against students from across southeastern Minnesota. Gordy Koehn of the Stewartville Lions Club, speaking at an assembly at Stewartville Middle School last week, encouraged the sixth graders to promote peace in their own lives. He reminded the students of the song, Let there be Peace on Earth, and Let it Begin with Me.

Emily Branstad squares her shoulders to make a pass during Stewie's win over KM in the subsection title match.

Jenna Willenborg lunges to dig a KoMet attack.

Karissa Kime dives to dig a Red Wing attack.

Libby Christenson blasts a kill off the arm of a KM blocker.

Libby Christenson blasts a kill during Stewie's section championship win over Red Wing.

The 2015 Stewartville volleyball team for winning the Co-HVL Conference, West 1AA Subsection and Class AA, Section One championships. GOOD LUCK at STATE! Tiger team member are, kneeling, from left, Kailee Brower, Tara Rogers, Emily Branstad, Laura Eberle, Charlie Bleifus. Middle row, from left, Carissa Smith, Karissa Kime, Angela Patterson, Kaitlyn Augustin, Emily RInken, mngr. Mack VanDeWalker. Back row, from left, Coach Scott Willenborg, Amanda O'Connell, Julianne Waugh, Libby Christenson, Jenna Willenborg, Kaitlyn Prondzinski, Coach Traci Fransen.

Isaiah Scruggs kicks the final hundred meters in full stride at the state meet.

Chrissy Lofgren eyes the finish-line chute, passing a runner at the state meet.

Belle (Calli McCartan), far left, is annoyed by Gaston's (Morgan Wildeman) seated in center, continual proposals while the Silly Girls, clockwise from left, Ellie Fryer, Amelia Welter, Jenny Stageberg, Gloria Nelson and Bobbie Hart, surround Gaston to try to win him for themselves during a dress rehearsal for Stewartville High School's upcoming production of the timeless classic Beauty and the Beast.

Belle (Calli McCartan), far left, and the Beast (George Skare), seated, face off in a battle of wills while Mrs. Potts (KyAnne Hilger) and Lumiere (Brenndan Walton), in background, think this might be the girl to break the spell during a dress rehearsal for Stewartville High School's Beauty and the Beast.

James Crawley, a Vietnam veteran and VFW member, was the featured speaker at the annual Veterans Day ceremony at the Stewartville High School gym on Wednesday, Nov. 11. Crawley advised the SHS and Stewartville Middle School students to find out what the military is like by talking with their parents, grandparents or other family members who have served. "You'll be amazed at the stories you hear," Crawley told the students.

After receiving bronze medals, the Stewartville volleyball team poses with the 2015 MSHSL Class AA Volleyball State tournament third-place championship trophy. Tiger team members are, kneeling, from left, Carissa Smith, Emily Rinken, Julianne Waugh, Angela Patterson, Laura Eberle, Kailee Brower, student manager Mack VanDeWalker. Standing, from left, Tara Rogers, Karissa Kime, Emily Branstad, Kaitlyn Prondzinski, Coach Scott Willenborg, Kaitlyn Augustin, Libby Christenson, Coach Traci Fransen, Jenna O'Connell, Charlie Bleifus, Jenna Willenborg.

Emily Branstad lunges to make a dig on a Rocori attack.

Libby Christenson beats two Rocori blockers for a kill.

Karissa Kime dives to pop up a dig against Rocori.

Tara Rogers dives to make one of her career-high 32 digs against Rocori.

After beating third-ranked Rocori 3-2 and receiving their bronze medals, the Tiger captains hoist the MSHSL Class AA Volleyball State tournament third-place trophy over their heads as the rest of the Stewartville team rushes on to the court to join in the celebration.

Jenna Willenborg hammers one of her career-high 21 kills during Stewie's 3-2 win over Rocori in the third-place championship match.

The 2015-16 Stewartville Tiger boys basketball team members are seated, from left, Carter Sveen, Jacob Hoerner, Bryce Fistler, Bailey Arneson, Sam Barnes. Kneeling, from left, Tyler Smidt, Andrew Quandt, Mitch Sawyer, Kaleb Hamlin, Isaac Bussan. Standing, from left, Coach Tanner Kramer, Coach Mitch Miller, Nick Stahnke, Nik Theil, Carter Groski, Tate Horgen, Nate Sikkink, Coach Kasey Morlock, Coach Jon Severson.

Members of the Stewartville American Legion Post 164 and Auxiliary Unit 164 celebrated American Education Week (Nov. 16-20) last week by delivering cupcakes to educators at Stewartville High School and Middle School, above, and to the staffs at Bonner Elementary School and Central Intermediate School. Richard Paulson of the Legion, fourth from left, and Peggy Paulson of the Legion Auxiliary, third from right, delivered the cupcakes to educators, from left, Jessica Honsey, Charlie Aitken, Jim Parry, Chelsey Johnson, Kristin Remick and Ramsey Miller.

The Stewartville cross country runners recently honored are, in front, Isaiah Scruggs (left) and Christopher Remling. In back, from left, Chrissy Lofgren, Kailee Malone and Abby Orvis. See related story at right.

Children prepare to board a school bus near the intersection of Sixth Street Northeast and 12th Avenue Northeast on Tuesday morning, Nov. 17. At a recent meeting, the Stewartville City Council agreed to place stop signs to control the traffic flowing from east to west at the intersection, which established a four-way stop to make the intersection safer for children who enter and exit their school bus there.

Rochester Community and Technical College recently accepted an invitation to play in the NJCAA Championship football game in Biloxi, Miss., on Dec. 6. The Yellowjackets, 11-0 and ranked No. 2 in the nation among junior college teams, will play No. 1 Northwest Mississippi (10-1) in the Mississippi Bowl for the championship. Three SHS grads and former Tiger football players, Cody Stanger, Lucas Jensen and Aaron Quandt, will be among the 80 players and coaches making the trip to the bowl game.

Kelly Schrandt teaches the newly required STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) curriculum for seventh and eighth graders at the Middle School, applied for the grant by posting a two-minute online video.

The Stewartville Lions Club named Amelia Welter its Student of the Month for October at Stewartville High School.

The 2015-16 Stewartville Tiger girls basketball team members are, kneeling, from left, Abby VanDeWalker, Janessa Malone, Kyliegh Wangen, Hunter Miller, Lori Bailey, Julianne Waugh. Standing, from left, Coach Beth Felten, Coach Ryan Liffrig, Kara O'Byrne, Kaitlyn Prondzinksi, Libby Christenson, Emma Welch, Makenna Theobald, Coach Tony Tuseth, Coach Evan Morris.

The 2015-16 Stewartville Tiger gymnastics letterwinners are, in front, Mariah Terhaar. Seated, from left, McKenna Wheeler, Paige Pettit and Jessica Tilson.

Three individuals and one team were inducted into the Stewartville Athletic Hall of Fame at a banquet at the Stewartville American Legion Post 164 on Saturday, Nov. 21. From left are inductee Chad Nelson, Charlene Kukuzke, widow of inductee Stanley Kukuzke; and inductee Dawn Miller. The 1977 SHS football team was also inducted.

Dan O'Hara, a former sportscaster for KTTC-TV, Rochester, was the featured speaker at the second annual Stewartville Athletic Hall of Fame Banquet.

Stewartville High School students who earned a 4.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale for the first quarter of the 2015-16 school year include, front row, from left, Emily Schlechtinger, Jeremy Lovestuen, Mariah Terhaar, Kayla Schlechtinger, Nate Sikkink and Shawn Husgen. Second row, from left, Sydney Clausen, Marisa Goff, Nathan Laures, Ethan Humble, Zack Gulbranson, Daniel Schimke and Bobbie Hart. Back row, from left, Abby Orvis, Rachel Blomquist, Paige Pettit, Gabe Nelson, Amy Lofgren, Laura Pedelty and Lori Bailey. Also, Jon Beach, Zach Rupprecht, Jack Krapf and Julia Lanzel, four other students who earned 4.0 grade point averages, were not present when the photo was taken.

Stewartville Middle School students who earned a 4.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale for the first quarter of the 2015-16 school year include, front row, from left, Gloria Nelson, Ireland Broadwater, Olivia Field, Cole Jannsen, Sarah Watters, Violet Nelson, Lauren Buckmeier, Brianna Ramaker, Lydia Fryer and Anushka Mishra. Second row, from left, Savannah Davis, Annabelle Jorgensen, Isabel Field, Lily Welch, Anna Buckmeier, Kailee Malone, Gabe Jones, Emily Kruger, Sierra Robertson and Elizabeth Willenborg. Back row, from left, Jaidyn Brower, Maggie Beach, Kylie Jakobson, Madelyn Timm, Maddy Hagstrom, Emilie Rupprecht, Kylee Bro, Maya Krapf, Sam Oehlke, Rachel Husgen, Alyssa Jones and Kate Pedelty. Also, Payton Maas and Grace Waltman, two other students who earned 4.0 grade point averages, were not present when the photo was taken.

Stewartville Middle School is among 20 semifinalists from across the country in the running to receive a grant worth up to $100,000 in the Northrop Grumman Foundation Fab School Labs Contest. Stewartville and the other semifinalists, chosen from among about 200 applicants, have posted online videos about their curriculums to enhance students' interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Kelly Schrandt, right, teaches the newly required STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) curriculum at the Middle School. Above, Schrandt works with seventh grader Kyler Payne. Mya Wangen, another seventh grader, is at left.

Byron Meline, pastor of Zion Lutheran Church, second from left, and Iz Wilken, a member of the church, accepted Tiger Tokens from Sheila McNeill, principal of Central Intermediate School, far left, at the Stewartville School Board's meeting last week. Meline, Wilken and other members of Zion Church have helped with the Stewartville School District's backpack program, which provides food for local residents in need. Courtney Fakler, a social worker at Bonner Elementary School and at Central, who also helps with the program, is at far right.

The 2015-16 Stewartville Tiger wrestling team returning letterwinners are, bottom row, from left, Joey Thompson, Mike Koloff, Troy Bailey, Shad Curtis, Kyle Lipkie, Erik Sistad. Middle row, from left, Shawn Curtis, Travis Capelle, Tanner Prochaska, Brody Olson. Top row, from left, Ryan Clark, Adam Gehling, Tyler Laures. Not pictured, Brody Herman.

Carter Groski battles under the iron for this put-back bucket against KW.

Nik Thiel is shoved from behind and fends off a KW shot block as he floats through the paint for two of his 11 points.

Nick Stahnke pops a floating 12-foot jumper against KW.

Anni Welch, at right in the foreground, smiles brightly as she and her fellow fifth graders Brody Seim, at left in the foreground, and Josie Kahoun, center, browse among the colorfully packaged items at the annual BACPAC Santa Shop at Central Intermediate School on Wednesday, Dec. 2. BACPAC organizes the Santa Shop to raise money to help students.

Hunter Miller eyes the hoop as she converts on this fast break bucket in Stewie's 27-point win over La Crescent.

Lori Bailey drives the lane, drawing defenders and a foul on this layup attempt against La Crescent.

Kara O'Byrne breaks baseline to beat a Lancer defender for this leaning lay-in.

Makayla Morgan, a senior at Stewartville High School, will put her snowman painting up for sale at the Silent Art Auction at SHS this Sunday, Dec. 13 at 4 p.m.

Samantha Bush, a senior at Stewartville High School, displays her burlap paintings which will be up for sale at the SHS Silent Art Auction this Sunday, Dec. 13 at 4 p.m.

Courtney Markwardt, a senior at Stewartville High School, left, gives blood at the Mayo Clinic Blood Drive at SHS on Tuesday, Dec. 1. Nghia Le, a phlebotomist for Mayo Clinic's blood donor services, is at right.

Stewartville volleyball players named to the 2015 HVL All-Conference team included, from left, Amanda O'Connell (honorable mention), Emily Branstad, Jenna Willenborg, Karissa Kime, Tara Rogers, Julianne Waugh (honorable mention) and Libby Christenson (honorable mention).

Stewartville High School artists sold 100 or more pieces of art, including those on the counter in the background, at the second annual Silent Art Auction near the SHS Performing Arts Center last Sunday, Dec. 13. Proceeds from the sale and auction will pay for an art scholarship for an SHS student and will also help a local family in need. Above, Hannah Kruger, a freshman at SHS, displays her Snoopy Christmas drawing. "I have loved Snoopy since I was a little girl," she said. She says art helps her express her feelings. "You get to draw what your emotions are," she said.

The Stewartville boys eighth grade traveling basketball team captured first place at the Eastview Tournament on Dec. 6. Team members are, kneeling, from left, Nick Lechtenberg, Austin Quandt, Cayden Hughes, Levi Patterson, Isaac Price, Justin Lewis, Elton Myhre. Standing, from left, Coach Todd Lechtenberg, Charles Winch, Derek Golliher, Cody Murray, Matt Muller, Bennette Gross, Bradon Holschlag, Coach Craig Holschlag.

Todd Uptagrafft of C&F Screen Printing, seated in front, prepares to present a check for $2,199 to members of the Bonner and Central Parent Advisory Committee (BACPAC) last week. C&F Screen Printing made Stewartville homecoming apparel, including T-shirts, long-sleeved shirts and sweatshirts, that were sold to local students and adults. The business donated a portion of the proceeds from the sale to BACPAC, which typically uses donated money to help pay for field trips for students at Bonner Elementary School and Central Intermediate School. In all, 38 local businesses donated money to help pay for the homecoming apparel. Advisory Committee members include, standing from left, Diane Johnson, treasurer; Lacie Tingesdal, secretary; Sara Root, secretary; and Jen Miller, president. "BACPAC is lucky to have C&M as a trusted partner and great supporter," Miller said. "We're lucky to have such a supportive community behind our schools."

Students at Central Intermediate School have donated many gifts to the Stewartville Lions Club's 2015 Christmas Anonymous gift and fund drive. Troy Knutson, in back at left, and Bill Schimmel Jr. of the Stewartville Lions visited Central on Friday, Dec. 4 to pack the presents into a vehicle and take them to a distribution site in Rochester, where they will be given to children who otherwise might not receive a Christmas present. Students posing with the gifts include, front row, from left, Titan Klunder, Emily Lamb, Ashley Anderson, Addison Eide, Emma Rowen and Chloe Biever. Back row, from left, Gabi Hameister, Braeden Hastings, Addison Manley, Trey Cast, Logan Skustad and Kjell Lunaas. Also, students Kiley Jones, left, and Zachary Hanson are in the inset photo at upper left.

The 2015 Stewartville football team top awards winners are, seated, from left, Brandon Hoth, Jordan Johnson, Lucas Scruggs, Connor Stenberg, Terrance Boyle. Kneeling, from left, Adam Gehling, Chance Jakobson, Travis Capelle, Dawson Grotjohn. Standing, from left, Andrew Quandt, Nick Stahnke, Isaiah Jacobsen, Garret Nosbisch, Chye Stecher. Not pictured, Dylan Stofferahn. See related story at left.

Hunter Miller breaks from the wing and blows by a Saints defender.

Kara O'Byrne stops and pops a mid-range jumper against the Saints.

Tiger 120-pounder Brody Olson lifts the leg of his Cannon Falls opponent to break him down and execute an armbar.

Tiger 170-pounder Shawn Curtis turns and attempts to wiggle free for a reversal.

Tiger 106-pounder Ty Smidt attempts a sit-out for an escape or reversal.

After two men took target practice on Sunday, Dec. 6, four bullets ended up in the siding of Jon Bernhardt's home at the 2200 block of Petersen Drive Northwest. "I'm hoping they give me a call to apologize," Bernhardt said.

he Stewartville SYBA 8th grade boys captured second in the MYAS basketball tournament at Coon Rapids on Dec. 19. Team members are, kneeling, from left, Nick Lechtenberg, Cayden Hughes, Levi Patterson, Isaac Price, Bennett Gross. Standing, from left, Coach Todd Lechtenberg, Charles Winch, Derek Golliher, Bradon Holschlag, Austin Quandt, Cody Murray, Matt Muller, Elton Myhre, Coach Craig Holschlag. Not pictured, Justin Lewis.

Sam Barnes draws two defenders while leaping in the lane for a layup.

ryce Fistler squares and shoots the open three from just outside the arc.

Pastor Lyle Fritsch, third from right, and members of St. John's Lutheran Church dropped off a large supply of socks and snacks for the students at Bonner Elementary School on Wednesday, Dec. 16. Courtney Fakler, school social worker at Bonner and at Central Intermediate School, far right in the front row, said several students at Bonner come to school without socks, and others can't afford to bring snacks. Members of St. John's Church recently deposited the items into a laundry basket in the church narthex. Church members thanked Thrivent Financial for a significant donation to help pay for the items. Church members include, from left, Kathy Tordsen, Nancy Henke, Mary Boettcher, Deb Sloneker and Pastor Fritsch. At far right are Courtney Fakler and Matt Phelps, principal of Bonner Elementary School.

Abi Manthei springs from the vault during action against PI.

Jessica Tilson swings out of a free hip into a kip on the bars against PI.

Paige Pettit swings up into an uprise to a free hip on the bars against the Panthers.

Mckenna Wheeler smiles and glances at the judges while balancing in the splits on the beam.

Sydney Van Moer executes a back walkover on the beam against PI.

Maya Ramp, left, and Isabel Field, eighth graders, work together to cut and tie a blanket for the children at the Ronald McDonald House in Rochester.

Builders Club members who tied blankets include, front row, from left, Grace Kittelson, Baylee Edwards, Maya Ramp, Isabel Field, Olyvia Heaser and Makayla Kennedy. Back row, from left, Bailee Bartel, Mya Sistad, Stafford Handlang, Miranda Anderson and Craig Bell, advisor.

As of Thursday, Dec. 17, students at Stewartville Middle School had donated 155 toys to the Middle School Student Council's Toys for Tots drive. Student Council members who helped with the effort include, front row, from left, Savannah Davis, Isaac Harreld, Cayden Hughes, Kaileigh Weber, Ireland Broadwater and Bryttin Henderson. Second row, from left, Victoria Nienow, Kennedy Parker, Anna Buckmeier, Lauren Buckmeier and Penelopea Gordon. Back row, from left, Haley Wangen, Meghan Kosmala, Kaitlyn Prondzinski, Haylee Weightman, Grace Ramaker, Maya Krapf, Haylee Felt and Joseph Rusciano.

Hannah Tapp, a 2013 SHS grad and junior middle blocker on the University of Minnesota volleyball team, earned All-America honors last week.

Paige Tapp, a 2013 SHS grad and junior outside hitter on the University of Minnesota volleyball team, earned All-America honors last week.

The Stewartville Youth Basketball Association 7th grade boys basketball team captured first place at the Faribault BA 8th grade tournament, beating the Byron 8th grade team 56-22 in the championship game. Team members are, kneeling, from left, Nolan Stier, Bryce Rindels, Ben Trenary, Kaleb Hellickson. Standing, from left, Josh Buri, Trent Einertson, Parker Theobald, Lane Sexton.

Carter Groski uses his height advantage to beat a KoMet defender with this turn-around hook shot.

AJ Quandt floats through the lane attacking the rim against KM.

Nick Stahnke just gets off this lane-driving layup against KM.

Nik Thiel is fouled twice, with a hip check and a hack on the hand as he squeezes between two KoMet defenders while driving through the lane on this layup attempt.

The Stewartville Youth Basketball Association 4th grade girls basketball team captured first place at the Triton Tournament on Dec. 19. The Tigers defeated Byron 27-21 in their first game, won 34-13 over Lake City in their second game and beat Austin 24-16 in the championship game. Team members are, kneeling, from left, Taylor Klement, Katrina McClusky, McKenna O'Neill. Standing from left, Asst. Coach Marie Rindahl, Lilly Beyer, Ayan DeCook, Caitlyn Fenske, Arbor Weinhold, Coach Scott Rindahl.

Looking back at a Year in Review- About 130 residents attended an open hearing in February to listen to allegations that Coach John Dzubay and his volleyball program violated a number of Minnesota State High School League bylaws. From left at left, volleyball players Libby Christensen, Tara Rogers and Karissa Kime show their support for Dzubay.

Hunter Miller breaks baseline, stops and pops a quick jumper.

Kara O'Byrne fights through a crowd attacking the rim.

Three Central Intermediate School students have won bicycles courtesy of the Books for Bikes program sponsored by the Stewartville Masonic Lodge and the Olmsted County Deputy Sheriffs Association. The winners include, front row, from left, fourth grader Logan Plenge, fifth grader Jayla Berrio and third grader Jamal Aden. Back row, from left, William Hubbard of the Stewartville Masonic Lodge, Deputy Michael Reese of the Olmsted County Sheriff's Office, Len Griffith of the Masonic Lodge and Renita Irvin, media specialist for Stewartville schools.

Carter Groski goes up and over a defender for a jumper in the paint.

Sam Barnes uses his speed to blow by a defender.

AJ Quandt beats a defender and attacks the rim by driving the lane.

The SYBA 7th grade girls maroon traveling basketball team captured second place at the Inver Grove Heights basketball tournament held at Simley High School on Dec. 12-13. In first-round action, the Tigers beat Lakeville North 41-38. In the semifinals Stewie beat Inver Grove Heights 36-33 in overtime. In the championship game, the Tigers lost 37-34 to Rochester Lourdes. Team members are, seated, Hailey Lewis (left) and Olivia Otto. Kneeling, from left, Emily Otto, Mya Wangen, Maia Peterson. Standing, from left, Emma DeYoung, Jolie Stecher, Erin Lamb.

Lori Bailey draws a crowd of defenders and is fouled driving the lane on this layup attempt.

Libby Christenson beats a trailing defender and goes up and over one fronting her on this short jumper.

The Stewartville JV girls basketball team captured first place at the Harry Brown's Holiday Classic Tournament in Faribault on Dec. 29-30. The Tigers crushed Faribault 63-47 in the opener and took care of the ball, winning 37-29 over WEM in the championship game. Team members are, kneeling, from left, Amy Lofgren, Abby Vandewalker, Kailee Malone, Jenny Stageberg, Lilly Welch, Maddie Lee. Standing, from left, Jordan Schindler, Kaitlyn Prondzinski, Emma Welch, Janessa Malone, Kenna Theobald, Bailey Henderson, Jada Hale, Coach Felten.

Kyleigh Wangen draws a blocking foul, driving from the wing.

The winners of the annual Elks Hoop Shoot competition at Stewartville Middle School include, age 10-11 second place winners, from left, Tyler Nagel, 11 baskets in 25 attempts, Eli Klavetter, 11 baskets in 25 attempts, Lauren Buckmeier, 11 baskets in 25 attempts and Bryn VanDyke, 11 baskets in 25 attempts.

The winners of the annual Elks Hoop Shoot competition at Stewartville Middle School include, age 12-13 first place winners, from left, Shailee Nagel, 16 baskets in 25 attempts, Erin Lamb, 15 baskets in 25 attempts and Nolan Stier, 23 baskets in 25 attempts. Not pictured Ben Trenary, 19 baskets in 25 attempts.

The winners of the annual Elks Hoop Shoot competition at Bonner Elementary School include, front row, from left, Kyle Carolan, second place for boys with 17 baskets in 25 attempts; and Nathan Nelson, first place, boys, 19 baskets in 25 attempts. Back row, from left, Haley Laures, first place for girls with 14 baskets in 25 attempts; and Kaylee Lehrman, second place, girls, 11 baskets in 25 attempts. The four will move on to regional competition, which will be held at the RCTC Field House on Sunday, Jan. 10 at 11 a.m. All the students are third graders.

The winners of the annual Elks Hoop Shoot competition at Central Intermediate School include, front row, from left, age 10-11 first-place winners, Parker Klaahsen, 19 baskets in 25 attempts and Josie Kahoun, 12 baskets in 25 attempts. First place winners, age 8-9, Karley Olson, 13 baskets in 25 attempts and Landon Easthouse, 19 baskets in 25 attempts. Back row are, from left, age 10-11 second-place winners, Chris Griffin, 18 baskets in 25 attempts and Alyssa Ruffridge 12 baskets in 25 attempts. Second-place winners, age 8-9, Savannah Hedin, 9 baskets in 25 attempts and Ayden Helder 19 baskets in 25 attempts.

Connor Stenberg has been named the Stewartville Lions Club's Student of the Month for December at Stewartville High School.

The Stewartville youth wrestling team poses with its trophy after capturing third place at the Caledonia Team Duals on Dec. 19.

Paige Pettit, a senior at SHS, left, paints the face of Savannah Fay, 4, of Stewartville, who dressed as Rainbow Dash from My Little Pony at the SHS Key Club's Halloween Trick-or-Treat Night on Saturday, Oct. 31.

Three Central Intermediate School students had fun snowboarding on the hill at Meadow Park North after a winter storm dumped about seven inches of snow on Stewartville and the area on Monday, Dec. 28 and Tuesday, Dec. 29. From left are Ben Hagen, 11, of Stewartville, a fifth grader; Tanner Elzen, 9, of Stewartville, a fourth grader, and Jake Halferty, 11, also of Stewartville, a fifth grader.

AJ Quandt crashes the cage for one of his run-out buckets against PI.

Ty Smidt gets hacked from behind as he attacks the rim on this driving layup in Stewie's 53-49 win over Pine Island.

Workers continue to make good progress on the construction of Bear Cave Intermediate School in northwest Stewartville. Dr. David Thompson, superintendent of Stewartville schools, said last week that he's pleased with the looks of the project. "People are saying that it's good to see that it's up," Thompson said. "Now that they see it's up, they're happy to drive by and see the structure." The school's gym and cafeteria are enclosed so crews can continue working through the winter, Thompson said.

T'ea Odegaard Burzette, a third grader, above center, contemplates the big drop-off at the top of the snow hill near Central Intermediate School as fellow third graders, from left, Kylie Minnich, Broc Mullenbach, Alexis Petersen, Syvannah Pugh and Nevaeh Mayer prepare to push on Thursday, Jan. 7.

Olivia Larson, a third grader at Central, kicks up some snow at the end of her downhill journey during recess on Jan. 7.

Katherine Jones, a third grader at Central Intermediate School, is aghast at the sudden drop-off as she prepares to head down the sledding hill near the school on Thursday, Jan. 7. Assisting Katherine are third graders Graysen Schneider, left, and Ray Laures, right.

Syvannah Pugh, a third grader, prepares for her descent down the hill with assistance from third graders, from left, Kiley Minnich, Te'a Odegaard Burzette and Neveah Mayer.

Karter Wicklund, a fourth grader, uses his arms to gain speed as he heads down the hill near Central Intermediate School. Ella Bly, another fourth grader, left, helps Karter get off to a good start.

After jumping into the saucer, Central third grader Luke Bernard, heads down the hill during recess.

Anneliese St. Martin, a fourth grader, flies through the air and prepares to land on a saucer and head down the hill. Looking on in the background, from left, are fourth graders Megan Myhrvold, Cami Hoth and Anna Cummins.

Dave "Bip" Graves, left, poses with his wife Becky and son Dillon after a recent Stewartville High School football game. Bip battled cancer for about 3 1/2 years before passing away on Tuesday, Jan. 5. The Stewartville Morning Lions Club will host a benefit for the Graves family at the Riverview Greens Clubhouse this Saturday, Jan. 16 beginning at 4 p.m.

Adam Gehling executes an arm bar to turn his 220-pound JM opponent.

Kyle Lipkie circles to get chest-to-chest and drives the shoulders of his 285-pound Caledonia opponent to the mat before pinning him.

Ethan Meyer bars an arm and breaks down his 152-pound GMLOKS opponent.

Tanner Prochaska cradles his 132-pound JM opponent before rocking him backward onto his shoulders and pinning him. Prochaska finished first in the 132-pound weight class.

Shad Curtis turns his 195-pound GMLOKS opponent.

Joey Thompson turns the hips, pulls back on the wrist and drives the shoulders of his 120-pound Mayo opponent to the mat before pinning him. Thompson finished first in the 120-pound weight class at the Stewie Invite.

Emma Zahradnik, left, and Addie Haugen, third graders at Bonner Elementary School, worked as School Patrol crossing guards near the school last Wednesday afternoon, Jan. 13. Both said they enjoy their jobs. "It's fun to stop cars," Emma said. Addie agreed. "I like helping the other children get across," she said.

Many Stewartville High School students have qualified to compete at the Business Professionals of America (BPA) State Leadership Conference at the Hyatt Regency in Minneapolis March 9-12. Students include, front row, from left, Madeline Reiland, Hannah Otto, Brock Erickson, Joey Thompson, Tanner Prochaska and CeCe Gray. Second row, from left, Diana Humble, Madeline Birch, Laura Pedelty, Abigayle Wilson, Jessica Pedelty, JoJo Welter, Amelia Welter, Maddie Lee and Gabe Nelson. Third row, from left, Olivia Boe, Julianne Waugh, Grace Myhre, Ahna Boe, Mariah Terhaar, Alexandra Reiland, Jack Krapf, Heather Husgen, Sydney Clausen and Emily Schlechtinger. Back row, from left, Jon Beach, Zach Rupprecht, Allie Birch, Morgan Graff, Haley Ahart, Ellie Fryer, Courtney DeCook, Layne Vaupel, Carter Jannsen, George Gray, Cody Bakken, Kayla Schlechtinger and James Beach.

Hunter Miller beats a Viking defender and drives the lane.

Kara O'Byrne goes strong to the iron against Hayfield.

Kyleigh Wangen eyes the hoop for a layup against Hayfield.

Maggie Beach executes a handspring on the vault with parallel legs and pointed toes.

Emilee Otto executes a cartwheel during her beam routine against Byron.

Abi Manthei executes the splits during her routine on the beam against Byron.

Mariah Terhaar executes a back hip circle during her bars routine against Byron.

Mariah Terhaar executes a backward handspring during her beam routine against Byron.

Cheryl Terhaar of Stewartville and her son Matthew made this smiling snowman at the Terhaar home at the 600 block of Fifth Avenue Southeast. They used wooden pieces for the eyes, nose, mouth and buttons. Eva Biffert, 7, left, and her sister Littia, 10, neighbors of the Terhaars, pose with the snowman.

The Stewie 14 Blue JO volleyball team captured first place at the Crossfire 14's tournament at Bethel University on Jan. 10. Team members are, kneeling, from left, Madison Hagstrom, Sierra Robertson, Jaidyn Brower, Lily Welch. Standing, from left, Samantha Koenigs, Maddy Timm, Jolie Stecher, Erin Lamb, Hannah Brogan.

The Stewie 15 Blue JO volleyball team captured first place at the NVC 16's tournament on Jan 9. Team members are, in front, Chrystal Mullenbach (left) and Mackenzie Walters. Kneeling, from left, Madison Inglet, Jordan Schindler, Cecilia Griffin. Standing, from left, Coach Jenna Willenborg, Paige Lehman, Teagan Tonjum, Brianna Blohm, Shae Thomas.

Nik Thiel converts on a transition bucket against Triton.

The Stewartville Kiwanis Club is co-sponsoring the 13th annual Food for Kidz food-packaging event for the poor at the Stewartville Civic Center on Saturday, April 9 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Robert Hruska, grocery manager at Fareway of Stewartville, second from left, invites Fareway shoppers to donate to Food for Kidz at Fareway through February. Some of the Kiwanis Club members helping with the event include co-chairs Mary Brouillard, far left; and Todd Weston, second from right; along with Carol Youdas, far right.

Libby Christenson drives from the wing for an easy layup against Goodhue.

Paige Pettit swings into a pullover on the uneven bars against Caledonia.

Mariah Terhaar executes a half-on, half-off vault against Caledonia.

Joey Thompson drives down the shoulders and lifts the head of his 126-pound Goodhue opponent, as the ref slaps the mat awarding Thompson the pin.

Pam Iverson, a counselor at Stewartville High School, will represent Minnesota at the American School Counselor Association's (ASCA) 2016 School Counselor of the Year program in the nation's capital.

Nick Stahnke fakes a shot to get the defender to commit and dishes inside for an assist.

The Stewartville Youth Basketball Association fourth grade girls basketball team captured second place at the SYBA tournament on Jan. 24, defeating KM-Blue 45-17 and KM-White 30-8 before falling 14-12 to Byron in the championship game. Team members are, kneeling, from left, Katrina McClusky, McKenna O'Neill, Caitlyn Fenske, Savannah Hedin. Standing, from left, Coach Marie Rindahl, Arbor Weinhold, Lilly Beyer, Taylor Klement, Ayen DeCook, Coach Scott Rindahl. Not pictured, Meghan Urban.

Libby Christenson hits a layup against Byron.

Kara O'Byrne goes strong to the rim in Stewie's 69-58 loss hosting Byron.

Adam Gehling hooks the left arm of his 220-pound opponent and drives him to his back.

Tanner Prochaska executes a cradle from the neutral position and uses his weight to drop his opponent to the mat before collecting back points.

Stewartville Cub Scout Pack 156 took part in the annual Pinewood Derby at Grace Evangelical Free Church on Saturday, Jan. 23. Above, members of Den 2 watch their cars cross the finish line. Scouts include, from left, William Kundert, Marcus Johnson (standing), Jacob Eden (seated), Jack Field, William Kitzmann, Orrin Sanders, Mason Holtan and Aiden Schaefer.

Noah Laures, a seventh grader, seated at left, placed first among 36 students in the Stewartville Middle School spelling bee at the Performing Arts Center last week. Noah correctly spelled "seltzer" in the 12th round to win the contest. Lydia Fryer, a sixth grader seated at right, placed second. Standing from left are Nicholas Bode, an eighth grader who placed fourth; and Mckenna Pickett, a seventh grader who placed third.

Angela Payton, the clerk of the Stewartville School Board, displays a HOKKI stool.

Rob Mathias, chairman of the Stewartville School Board, left, received the President's Award at the recent Minnesota School Boards Association (MSBA) State Conference for participating in more than 300 hours of school board training. Dr. David Thompson, superintendent of the Stewartville School District, right, congratulates Mathias.

The Stewie 16 Green JO volleyball team captured third place bronze medals at the Frostbite Tournament on January 23-24 at the NVC in Rochester. Team members are, in front, Lauren Swenson (left) and Kienna Marshall. Kneeling, from left, Megan Giordano, Sam Stockman, Sophie Scruggs, Adriahna Hatz. Standing, from left, Lexis Tello, Abbie Noltee, Kate Tomlin. Not pictured: Lauren Horstmann.

The SYBA seventh grade boys basketball team captured first place at the Braham tournament on Jan. 24 and captured first place in the "A" Division of the Lourdes tournament on Jan. 31. The recent tourney titles have earned the Tigers a record of 18-3 and a berth at the Border Battle tournament on Feb. 27. This is an invitation-only tournament with only elite teams from the upper Midwest competing. Team members are, front row, from left, Nolan Stier, Josh Buri, Kaleb Hellickson, Ben Trenary. Back row, from left, Trent Einertson, Parker Theobald, Bryce Rindels, Lane Sexton.

Sam Barnes eyes a teammate in the paint as he breaks baseline against the Bomber defense.

Andrew Quandt gets up and over on this fall-away jumper.

Nik Thiel draws a crowd of Bomber defenders, attacking the rim during Stewie's 48-44 loss.

Brandon Miller of Stewartville helps his son Brett, 6, a kindergartner at Bonner Elementary School, look over the books for sale at the Central Intermediate School library during the school's third annual Hot Reads for Cold Nights Literacy Night on Friday, Jan. 29.

School News

October 16, 2012 at 12:00 a.m.