Wadena-Deer Creek FCCLA members attending State FCCLA Conference, include, from left, Emma Mehl, Paige Barthel, Frannie Bakken, Hayley Maloney, Elliot Doyle, Caitlin Savage, Jordan Brink, Emma Taggart, Joslynn Judd, and Angela LeComte. 

Students from Wadena-Deer Creek FCCLA chapter learned skills and knowledge to become a better community member, wage earner and leaders by attending the Minnesota Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) State Conference, March 23-25 in Bloomington. 

More than 1100 middle and high school students attended from throughout the state.  This year’s theme was “Dare to Explore FCCLA.”  Chapters from schools across the state competed in STAR Events, participated in youth trainings, and took part in general sessions led by student officers.

Students competed in more than 58 different categories through STAR (Students Taking Action with Recognition) Events.  They gave presentations evaluated by business and industry professionals.  Projects covered a wide scope of current issues including fitness, health, traffic safety, violence prevention, and healthy relationships.

WDC FCCLA members were successful in their events.  Emma Taggart, Jordan Brink, Hayley Maloney, and Caitlin Savage were the 2nd place team in Senior Buzz.  Angela LeComte earned a silver medal in Chapter in Review, Emma Mehl received gold on her Sexual Violence project, Joslynn Judd and Elliot Doyle were gold medal winners on Cancer Awareness. 

Three members advanced to competition at the FCCLA National Leadership Conference in Nashville.  Frannie Bakken on her Career Investigation, Caitlin Savage on Life Event Planning, and Paige Barthel in the Teach and Train project.

Frannie Bakken, Caitlin Savage, and Elliot Doyle were selected as members of the MN FCCLA Central West Area Leadership Team.

FCCLA is a dynamic and effective national student organization that helps young mem and women become leaders and address important personal, family, work, and societal issues.

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WDC is proud and excited to announce that Dan Savoie, pictured, along with Cami Oakes, will be recognized at NJPA's Educators of Excellence Awards Banquet on May 1.

Wadena-Deer Creek third-grade teacher Dan Savoie will be honored at the National Joint Powers Alliance (NJPA) Educators of Excellence Awards Banquet, May 1 at Grand View Lodge in Nisswa.

Mr. Savoie will be recognized, along with WDC High School teacher Cami Oakes, and other educators from central Minnesota, for their commitment to excellence and demonstration of best practices and leadership in education, which has led to increased student learning.

Since 2007, Mr. Savoie has been a teacher at Wadena-Deer Creek Elementary, where he’s taught fourth grade, sixth grade and most recently, third grade. Mr. Savoie is known for his boundless energy, his enthusiasm for learning, and his love of hunting and fishing, which is evident in the photos posted around his classroom and the stories he shares with his students.

WDC Elementary Principal Louis Rutten credits Mr. Savoie as the catalyst for Wadena-Deer Creek’s application to become an ENVoY Demonstration site. Rutten said it began with his desire to get better at managing his students and provide them with the best possible learning environment.

“After his first ENVoY training, Dan’s excitement about what he learned spread like wildfire among his colleagues. He signed up for as many ENVoY coaching sessions as possible and continued his learning by becoming a certified ENVoY Coach for our building. Dan was also among the first teachers in Region 5 to become a Certified ENVoY Demonstration Teacher,” Rutten said, adding, “Dan's excitement for teaching is contagious.”

Mr. Savoie is very grateful to be a recipient of the NFPA Educators of Excellence Award, and is quick to credit his third-grade teaching team, which includes Jeff Mehl, Jodee Finn and Joan Goeden.  

“I was surprised to get this award because I’m just doing what I’m supposed to do as a teacher. But it does feel good to have that recognition and if you take a look at our third-grade team, with Jeff Mehl receiving the VFW Teacher of the Year Award this year and all the great work we do as a team with ENVoY, it just speaks volumes,” said Mr. Savoie.

Mr. Savoie and his wife, Lauri, have a two dogs, Sergeant and Bentley, and a cat named Walter. As mentioned, he is an avid fisherman and hunter, and he also enjoys cooking and is a loyal Minnesota Wild fan. In addition, he served in the U.S. Marines for six years where he rose to the rank of Sergeant. He is a native of Detroit Lakes.

NJPA is a service cooperative that provides support for schools, counties and cities in Todd, Wadena, Morrison, Cass and Crow Wing counties. It is located in Staples.

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Eighty WDC sixth-graders graduated from the DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program. April 5 with a special ceremony honoring their achievement.

Students participated in the nine-week program that not only teaches them the dangers of alcohol, drugs and tobacco use, but also ways to deal with a variety of situations they face at school and in everyday life, such as bullying and peer pressure.

Graduation speakers included Wadena Police Chief Naomi Plautz, DARE instructor/Police Officer Nick Grabe, WDC Middle/High School Principal Tyler Church, and WDC DARE coordinator/sixth-grade teacher Lori Grendahl.

Sixth-grade essay winners Kayla Meeks, Ally Pavek, Maggie Hegarty and Hailey Kircher read their essays on what they learned during their DARE classes.

Sixth-graders lined up and received their certificate from Officer Grabe and congratulatory handshakes from Chief Plautz, Principal Church and Wadena Elks Lodge secretary Linda Youngbauer.

The program ended with Wadena County Sheriff's Deputy Bryan Savaloja and his specially trained German Shepherd, Zeus, giving an "attack" demonstration (with Officer Grabe being the attack victim!), as well as answering questions from students and the audience about Zeus.

Students and families enjoyed cupcakes and pop to celebrate their graduation.

Special thanks to the Wadena Elks Lodge for their financial contributions to the DARE program. WDC is thankful the Elks Lodge makes the DARE program a priority, as well as Pepsi and Super One for providing refreshments for the graduation reception.

Wadena-Deer Creek High School will host the Subsection Solo & Ensemble Choir Contest, Friday, April 7.

According to Mike Ortmann, contest coordinator, 10 schools will be participating from 8:20am to 3:30pm.

They include Bertha-Hewitt, Menahga, New York Mills, Sebeka, Staples, Pequot Lakes, Pillager, Pine River-Backus, Verndale and Wadena-Deer Creek.

Good luck to all the students participating!

Seven Wadena-Deer Creek first- and second-year band students participated in the Northwest Minnesota Band Directors Association Honor Band Festival on Saturday, April 8 at Fergus Falls High School.  

Participating as first-year band students were fifth-graders Libby Hartman, percussion; Simon Kreklau, alto saxophone; Kelanie Oldakowski, flute; and Alycyn Swanson, trombone.

Second-year band students participating from sixth-grade included: Jade Benning, clarinet; Kayla Meeks, baritone; and Ally Pavek, alto saxophone. 

These seven students were nominated and chosen to participate in the festival. 

According to WDC band director Lisa Weniger, students receive five pieces of music to practice about two to three weeks prior to the festival. The day of the festival includes morning rehearsals and sectionals, as well as a concert at noon, where parents, relatives and friends attend. 

Guest conductor of the first-year band was Denise Pesola (retired band director from Horizon Middle School in Moorhead) and conductor of the second-year band was Nolan Hauta (band director at Eden Prairie Schools).

Weniger said students who participate in the band festival find it to be a rewarding, lifelong musical experience.

“These students get the opportunity to perform with band students from 34 schools from northwestern Minnesota. It certainly helps them grow musically,” said Weniger, who also serves on the Northwest MBDA Board. 

WDC fifth-grade band students performing at the band festival in Fergus Falls, from left: Kelanie Oldakowski, Simon Kreklau, Libby Hartman, and Alycyn Swanson. 

WDC sixth-grade band students who participated in the band festival, from left: Ally Pavek, Kayla Meeks and Jade Benning.

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Wadena-Deer Creek High School’s FIRST Robotics team finished a respectable 24th out of 63 teams at the 10,000 Lakes Regional Event, April 5-8 at Williams Arena in Minneapolis. 

WDC robotics coach, Shane Snyder, said he was very proud of the robotics team's performance at the regional contest.

"We ended the season 4-4-0 in Minneapolis. Our robot performed great, piloted by Isaac Ries. We were able to positively contribute to our team each match putting up points with both gears and climbing the rope for 50 points every match but one. This year was probably the best performance by a team that I've ever been a part of. I'm very proud of the team and how everyone came together to do great work this year and hope to see them all back next year," said Snyder, who's in his third year as head coach.

Team members included: Elissa Ikola, Bailey Kaufman, Nick Kine, Andrew McCullough, Derek Plautz, Isaac Ries, Leah Spilman, Konnor Stueve and McKenna Wangsness.

More than 450 children of all ages and families scooped up books at Wadena-Deer Creek Elementary's annual “Ice Cream for Books” April 6 at the school. This event encourages families with young children to read and recycle books.

"It was a great turnout and we had awesome help from Preschool, Headstart, K-4 teachers and paras. We also had help from our PTO committee members too," said Carol Tornquist, a WDC elementary teacher who coordinates Ice Cream for Books, which continues to grow in popularity each year.

This free, school-sponsored event features a book swap, book bingo, a free book-a-minute giveaway, and, of course, ice cream treats! The book swap is always a favorite as children donate books and collect tickets to receive a number of new or gently-used books in return.

Tyler with his sister, Rylie, who's love and devotion has turned her into an advocate for "Don't Drink and Drive." 

12-13-14 was the night everything changed for Rylie Langer.

WDC 2016 graduate, Rylie Langer, attends MSU-Moorhead, where she is studying social work and criminal justice. She comes home every weekend to Wadena to give her mom a break and take care of her disabled brother.

The 2016 Wadena-Deer Creek High School graduate poured her heart out on the Wadena Memorial Auditorium stage this afternoon in front of WDC high school students to make a personal and powerful point: Don't drink and drive.

Rylie Langer's brother, Tyler, was driving drunk when the car he was driving slammed into a semi-truck, killing his best friend and leaving him unable to move, speak or eat. He requires full-time help, which is given by his mother who had quit her job.

Tyler, now 25, was in the audience this afternoon watching his sister from the front in his wheelchair. Sometimes, during Rylie's talk, laughter escaped from his lips.

Sgt. Kostohryz from the Moorhead Police Department joined Rylie on stage to give the law enforcement's perspective of when they are the first to notify families a loved one has died due to drinking and driving -- "it's a horrible part of our jobs."

WDC students signed a pledge to not drink and drive after Langer's presentation.

Rylie's presentation kicked off with a powerful video Rylie produced about how the impact of the crash has affected her family, and especially her.

She also stressed how students should ask for help if they are depressed or having problems with drinking. She pleaded with students to talk to a counselor or a teacher. "I know they will help you because I had most of the same teachers that you do now. Go to them, talk to them."

Rylie concluded her talk by saying, "One time, one DWI, one death is one too many."

She then asked students to sign a pledge to not drink and drive. A long line of students paraded up on stage and signed the pledge board with Wadena City Police Chief Naomi Plautz there, as well as Rylie.

"My goal is to reach as many people as I can. I want to be an advocate for drinking and driving," said Rylie.

Thank you, Rylie, for sharing your bittersweet story with our students and bringing awareness to drinking and driving.

Wadena Police Chief Naomi Plautz was there for the presentation and for the pledge signing.

Rylie Langer and all the WDC students who signed the pledge to "Not Drink and Drive."

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From left, Zack Kelderman, Ryan Nelson and Kevin Tumberg graduated from Wadena-Deer Creek High School in 2010. Now, all three are coaching at their alma mater and sharing their love of sports with student-athletes.

As Zack Kelderman, Ryan Nelson and Kevin Tumberg page through their 2009-2010 Wadena-Deer Creek High School yearbook, they reminisce about their high school days — eating at the same lunch table every day, competing in sports, and going to movies at the Cozy Theatre.

These Wadena-Deer Creek High School graduates have a great deal in common, so it’s easy to see why they’re best friends yet today and why these three have now returned to coach at Wadena-Deer Creek High School. 

Like brothers
In high school, all three played baseball, while Tumberg and Nelson played basketball, and Kelderman, football. 

WDC High School physical education teacher Tom Van Erp coached all three in football and basketball. He said they were the kind of student-athletes a coach wants on the team.  

“These guys practiced hard, played hard, understood the game, played the game the right way, and were very coachable.  We had competitive teams, not great teams in terms of wins and losses, but I remember we were competitive, had a lot of fun, and we worked hard,” said Van Erp. 

“Ryan Nelson is the best 'short corner' player I ever coached in basketball. Kevin was like another coach on the basketball court, and it’s fitting he is now the Wolverines’ head coach. Zack was an under-sized linebacker who didn’t know the word quit.” 

After high school, the road would lead to Fergus Falls Community College, where all three attended and, yes, roomed together.

“Being together made for an easy transition to college,” said Tumberg. “We still would meet new people, but when you have the same friends to fall back on, always to be with, it’s like having family around.”

At Fergus, Kelderman played football for the Spartans, Tumberg was on the baseball team, and Nelson should have played basketball, according to Kelderman and Tumberg. Nelson decided not to participate in basketball; but instead, he cheered on his best friends at games. 

The good-natured ribbing is constant between them. But it’s the shared laughter that bonds these three like brothers. When asked to describe one another, Kelderman pipes up.

“If there’s a joker in the group, it’s definitely Tumberg,” said Kelderman. While Nelson, they said, is the more serious of the three, as well as the “best dressed.” 

“I feel like the old one,” laughed Kelderman. He and his wife, Avery (a 2012 WDC graduate), have a 1-year-old son, Tucker, and another baby on the way. Both Nelson and Tumberg were groomsmen in their wedding too. (Note: The Kelderman's second child, Parker Robert, was born on April 16, 2017.)

Love of sports, coaching
This past football season, Kelderman coached the WDC varsity linebackers and JV team. His dad, Darren, had served as a volunteer coach with the junior high football program for several years. Being a coach seemed like a logical step for the younger Kelderman.

Zack Kelderman grew up working at his parents’ restaurant business. He attended college at Fergus Falls where he studied marketing and returned to his hometown where he manages the Wadena Pizza Ranch.

“I really enjoyed it. It was the most fun I’d had in a long time,” said Kelderman. “Football is my favorite sport. I find a lot of value in it. Teaching kids how to win, that isn’t easy. But learning from Coach Kangas was great… He’s full of knowledge that not only pertains to football or sports or teaching, but basic life skills. That’s what I want to learn more about.” 

For Nelson, returning to the basketball court as an assistant varsity coach this season was a way of giving back to a program he truly loved in high school. Furthermore, it was an opportunity to coach alongside his best friend. 

“I wanted to give back to a program that benefited me. I find it pretty rewarding and thank Coach Tumberg for giving me the opportunity to do that. It’s been a blast being around the guys this year too,” said Nelson.

Tumberg just finished his second year as WDC’s head boys’ basketball coach, with the Wolverines making the playoffs for the first time in 13 years. He’s also an assistant football and baseball coach.

“It means something to us to be back here, wanting to help out and be a part of it because we were part of the same programs. Even though we’re not in the same gym because of the tornado, we’re at the same football field, baseball field, same school campus.”

Kelderman added, “It’s not all about what we can get out of coaching. It’s about what we can give back to the kids, what knowledge we can give.”

But what’s most remarkable about these young men is how they’ve returned to their hometown to work and get involved in their school.

After earning a business degree at Bemidji State, Ryan Nelson accepted a position at Ameriprise Financial in Wadena. He said coaching basketball is his way of giving back to the sport he enjoyed in high school.

Nelson said he was fortunate enough to find a job after graduating from Bemidji State University with a business degree. He is a financial planning assistant at Ameriprise Financial, where being a hometown boy means knowing a lot of people who come through the door.  “Yes, it’s been helpful, for sure. I really like what I’m doing,” he said.

For Kelderman, working in his family’s business, Pizza Ranch, was his plan after college. He now manages the Pizza Ranch in Wadena.

“I think it was fortunate for all of us [to be back in Wadena]. The chips fell down about perfect,” said Kelderman.

When Tumberg was student teaching at Sebeka while earning his elementary education degree from Bemidji State, his hope was to land a teaching job in Wadena. After graduating from BSU in 2014, he was offered a teaching job at WDC Elementary that fall. 

“Goal no. 1 for me was coming back here. Obviously, it worked out,” Tumberg said with a smile, adding, “It feels right because it’s home. People always say, ‘I can’t wait to get out of here, move as far away as possible.’ I have no desire to be in a big city. When you have family and friends here, it makes life easier.”

Van Erp said Kelderman, Nelson and Tumberg are wonderful examples of how young people can come back to their hometown and be successful.

“Our area needs more of our young professional people to move back and become the face of our community for the next generation,” he said.  

Kevin Tumberg with two of his second-grade students Zoie Ellingson and William Osberg at WDC Elementary. His biggest influence on becoming a teacher? His mom, Barb, who has been teaching kindergarten in the same classroom for 34 years at New York Mills.

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More than 1,000 ladybugs were released in the school's greenhouse recently and are ready to gobble up "bad bugs" feasting on plants.

According to Kathy Connell, WDC Greenhouse manager, the primary purpose of using ladybugs is they provide pest control. "They like to eat aphids," she said, which is a problem in the WDC Greenhouse right now. Aphids thrive in greenhouses because of the facility's warmth and humidity, which are ideal conditions for aphids.

Connell and students enjoyed watching as the swarm of ladybugs quickly moved from the box they were mailed in, to finding plants to feast on aphids. An adult ladybug can eat up to 5,000 aphids! 

Riley Kasperson watches ladybugs find their new home on Swiss chard and other plants in the WDC Greenhouse where they will eat aphids. 

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Wadena-Deer Creek National Honor Society members Sarah Moen, Gabi Ross, McKayla Woods, Kayla Peters and Taylor Dirks are coordinating the 2017 Day of Caring. This is a community-service project where WDC High School students will help Wadena, Deer Creek and Bluffton residents with yard work projects. Photo by Dana Pavek, WDC Schools. 

Wadena-Deer Creek High School’s ninth annual “Day of Caring” is slated for Wednesday, April 26 and WDC students are looking for individuals who need their help with outdoor yard projects.

Preston Warren cleans a flower garden for an elderly resident last year.

Organized by Wadena-Deer Creek’s National Honor Society (NHS), Day of Caring is a day set aside for WDC students to give back to their community by volunteering to help elderly, disabled, and others who need assistance with outdoor clean-up projects.   

Students will rake leaves, weed flower beds, wash windows, as well as other tasks around the yard in the immediate Wadena, Deer Creek and Bluffton areas.  This year, seniors Taylor Dirks, Sarah Moen, Kayla Peters, Gabi Ross, and McKayla Woods are the NHS students who are coordinating the Day of Caring project.

Student-volunteers in grades 9-12, along with school staff, will work on projects from 9 a.m. to early afternoon on April 26.  

If you have an outdoor project you would like assistance with, call the Day of Caring phone number at (218) 632-2444. Requests are on a first-come, first-serve basis. Those who put in a request can expect the student coordinators to contact them prior to the Day of Caring so they know what needs to be done and the time needed to complete the request. Deadline for calling in requests is Friday, April 7.

“There is no charge for this community service, so please give WDC a call. We are ready to lend a helping hand,” said Kayla Peters.

“This is a chance for Wadena-Deer Creek students to give back to the community and make a difference,” added McKayla Woods.

In case of severe weather, the back-up day is May 3. Dawn Hamelau, WDC special education teacher, serves as NHS advisor.

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Several Wadena-Deer Creek (WDC) High School music students earned superior and excellent ratings at Subsection Music Contests held at WDC and New York Mills. Those receiving superior ratings will be attending the Section/State Contest on Saturday, May 6 in Staples.  

Students earning superior ratings included: Cooper Folkestad, vocal; Thomas Quincer, snare drum; Tyler Wheeler, snare drum; Kongphop Phaipleard, tuba; and percussion ensemble: Thomas Quincer, Tyler Wheeler, Maggie Carlson, Nick Jones, Jayson Young, Jasmyn Wood, Gabi Ross, Noah Ross, MacKenzie Salge, Madi Phillips, and Nicole Miller

Students receiving excellent ratings were: Ryan Grendahl, Max Junker, Lucas Doyle, Ellie Miron and Casey Volkmann for vocal performances; Hanah Rohr, clarinet; Eva Baron, clarinet; Maggie Schmitz, bassoon; flute trio: Maggie Schmitz, Kloe Pettit-Sperling, and Karon Johnson; and Jazz Band: Maggie Carlson, Sean Carlson, Lucas Hinojos, Nick Jones, Grace Hinojos, Jasmyn Wood, Jayson Young, Ashley Adams, Eva Baron, Kylee Hopp, Sophia Kreklau, Hanah Rohr, MacKenzie Salge, Lucas Doyle, Mason Evans, Kirstan Finn, Matthew Goeden, Ryan Grendahl, Tiffany Meeks, Madi Phillips, Thomas Quincer, Noah Ross, Jezebel Snyder, Casey Volkmann, Abby Westrum, Karon Johnson, Nicole Miller, Kirsten Peterson, Kloe Pettit-Sperling, Gabi Ross, Maggie Schmitz, Tyler Wheeler, and Kongphop Phaipleard.

Band students are directed by Lisa Weniger and vocal students are directed by Mike Ortmann.

The following students performed at the Subsection Vocal Music Contest, from left Ryan Grendahl, Max Junker, Cooper Folkestad, Lucas Doyle, Ellie Miron and Casey Volkmann. Folkestad received a superior rating and will perform at the Section/State Contest. 

Students earning Superior ratings at the Solo and Ensemble Subsection Contest, sitting, from left: Noah Ross, Thomas Quincer, Tyler Wheeler, Nicole Miller and Gabi Ross; back, from left: Kongphop Phaipleard, Maggie Carlson, Jasmyn Wood, Nick Jones, Madi Phillips, MacKenzie Salge, and Jayson Young.

Students receiving excellent ratings at the Solo and Ensemble Subsection Contest, from left: Maggie Schmitz, Karon Johnson, Kloe Pettit-Sperling, Hanah Rohr and Eva Baron.

The Jazz Band earned an excellent rating at the Solo and Ensemble Subsection Contest, sitting, from left: Tiffany Meeks, Noah Ross, Lucas Doyle, Tyler Wheeler, Matthew Goeden, Ashley Adams, Casey Volkmann and Grace Hinojos; back, from left: Gabi Ross, Sean Carlson, Abby Westrum, Kirstan Finn, Thomas .Quincer, Jezebel Snyder, Ryan Grendahl, Kylee Hopp, Lucas Hinojos, Sophia Kreklau and Kirsten Peterson. Not pictured: Nick Jones, Mason Evans, Maggie Carlson, Eva Baron, Hanah Rohr, MacKenzie Salge, Madi Phillips, Karon Johnson, Nicole Miller, Kloe Pettit-Sperling, Maggie Schmitz, Jayson Young, Jasmyn Wood and Kongphop Phaipleard.

Wadena-Deer Creek FFA members, from left, Joshua Tabery, Ryan Grendahl, Bel Snyder and Emily Benson attended the 88th Minnesota FFA Convention at the University of Minnesota. Photo by Richard Muckala, WDC Schools.

Four members from the Wadena-Deer Creek FFA chapter recently attended the 88th Minnesota FFA Convention, April 23-25 at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. Ryan Grendahl, Bell Snyder, Emily Benson, and Joshua Tabery attended the convention with the Staples-Motley FFA chapter.

Speakers, awards, competitions, workshops and sessions were some of the highlights for the 3,603 FFA members from Minnesota attending the convention, celebrating the convention theme, “All In: Our Legacy Starts Now.”  

More than 30 Career Developments Events (CDE) covered job skills in everything from communications to mechanics. Some events, students compete as individuals, while others allow them to compete as teams. 

Wadena-Deer Creek FFA members Ryan Grendahl, Bel Snyder, and Joshua Tabery competed in the Fish and Wildlife CDE earning bronze ratings and a bronze rating as a team. Emily Benson performed in the State FFA Choir. 

FFA members listened to keynote speakers Al Franken, U.S. Senator;  Dave Frederickson MN Commissioner of Agriculture; and inspirational speaker Gain Paul Gonzalez, former pro basketball player.

The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. 

Wadena-Deer Creek clay-target shooting team members practice at the Knob Hill Sportsman Club. 

The Mid-State Conference will host the first-ever conference-sanctioned Clay Target Championship on May 17 at Knob Hill Sportsman Club in Wadena, Minn.

The tournament will start with practice rounds at 8 a.m. and scoring rounds at 10 a.m. Teams from Wadena-Deer Creek, Crosby-Ironton, Detroit Lakes, Pequot Lakes, Park Rapids and Staples-Motley will compete in both Varsity and Junior Varsity Divisions. The event is thought to be the first-ever conference-sponsored event in the state of Minnesota.

Each school will be represented by a five-member team at each level. The teams will shoot two rounds of 25 clay targets to determine conference supremacy. In the event of a tie, a shoot-off will determine a conference champion. Top male and female shooters will be recognized with a plaque in both the Varsity and Junior Varsity Divisions. Additionally, a Conference Champion will be determined in the Varsity Division with the top 10 shooters being named All-Conference and shooters 11-15 Honorable-Mention All-Conference.

Clay target shooting is the fastest-growing sport for high school athletes in the state of Minnesota. Last season, 11,040 students from 343 school participated in the sport. It is open to both male and female student-athletes in grades 6-12 who have completed a certified firearms safety course. The Minnesota High School Clay Target League sponsors a state championship, the “Largest Clay Target Event in the World,” on June 12-20 this year in Alexandria. The Minnesota State High School League also sponsors a state tournament at the Minneapolis Gun Club on June 24.

“We are very excited to host this first-of-its-kind event at the conference level,” said Wadena-Deer Creek Activities Director Norm Gallant. “We recognize the popularity and value of this activity and want to give our student-athletes a stage on which to perform and a chance to compete and earn recognition at the conference level. We think it will be a great event for our kids and our conference.”

Knob Hill Sportsman Club is located east of Wadena at 13334 Knobb Hill Road in Wadena, Minn. Spectators are encouraged to attend the event. Admission will not be charged and light concessions will be available. For more information, contact WDC Activities Director Norm Gallant at (218) 632-2310 or ngallant@wdc2155.k12.mn.us.

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Wadena-Deer Creek FFA members Makaylyn Sibert and Morgan Grangruth attended the 90th Minnesota State FFA Convention recently at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities.

Speakers, awards, competitions, workshops, and sessions were some of the highlights for the 3,696 members from Minnesota attending the convention, celebrating the convention theme, “Aspire To Be: Reach for the Horizon.”

Sibert and Grangruth served on the Courtesy Corp and acted as chapter delegates during the convention.

More than 30 Career Development Events (CDEs) covered job skills, from communications to mechanics. Some events allow students to compete in teams

Speaking to FFA members were three of the state’s top government officials: Mary Cathryn Ricker, Minnesota’s commissioner of education, participated in the signing of educational  commitments of 20 students who identified themselves as future agricultural educators. Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen visited participants addressing himself as an active FFA Supporter. Governor Tim Walz, an FFA alumus himself, spoke to members at 3M Arena at Mariucci in Minneapolis.

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By Supt. Lee Westrum

Phase II of the elementary building project is set to begin June 3rd and will be finished in time for the start of school, Sept. 3rd. Phase II will include remodeling the 3rd and 4th grade east wing, the lower level west wing and the upstairs and downstairs bathrooms in the west wing. HVAC upgrades will be completed in the library area and the area adjacent to the office.

In addition, the Auditorium will get a new roof and the condensation problem in the attic area of the auditorium will be remedied. Masonry restoration will be made on the school and auditorium and a new brick façade will be installed on the east wing below the windows.

The outside of WDC Elementary will be undergoing a major transformation during Phase II with the addition of a new bus pick-up and drop-off area where the east playground currently sits. The playground will be moved to the area where the “yellow house” and the “Bottemiller house” sat before they were moved last summer. The portion of Dayton Avenue from 2nd street to 3rd street will be closed off to facilitate these changes.

The new playground is going to be an exciting addition for the elementary students and the community. The playground will have a poured-in-place surface that is designed to cushion falls and allow access for students who use wheelchairs or have limited mobility. (SEE DESIGN BELOW.)

There will also be inclusive playground equipment that can be used by all children. The old “dirt field” will be replaced with a new open space for football, soccer, tag, etc. that is being constructed with field turf. We decided on field turf because there is no way to grow grass in an area that sees so much repetitive use.

We can’t wait to finish the project this summer and get settled into what will be an exceptional facility, inside and out, for the children of WDC and the community for many, many years.

In closing, I would like to thank the members of our community for supporting the referendum in the fall of 2017 that made this building project possible. The foundation of a good school is a community that values education and I can say without question that the citizens of District 2155 care deeply about education and the school system. It is with that solid foundation that we forge ahead to provide an outstanding education for the students of WDC Schools.

As always, please call or stop by if you have questions or concerns about any of our programs. I can be reached at 218-632-2176 or by email at lwestrum@wdc2155.k12.mn.us

Wadena-Deer Creek 2019 graduate Maxwell “Max” Phillips has signed to play junior-level hockey for the Connecticut Chiefs this fall. Junior hockey is the highest level of amateur hockey and is the last level players play before jumping to collegiate or pro hockey.

Chiefs Head Coach/General Manager Neil Breen said they are excited to have Phillips wear a Chiefs jersey this season.

“Max comes to us from a hockey hotbed in Minnesota and we feel lucky to have signed a player of his caliber. He brings a lot to the table for us, He’s a leader, a skilled player with a scoring touch, and a tremendous athlete. He’s a great student and even better kid. We do our best to add players who are wealthy in the character department. For us, Max covers all the bases, and we can’t wait to get started with him and the rest of his new teammates in the fall,” said Breen.

Wadena-Deer Creek Head Boys Hockey Coach Scott Woods said Phillips has shown the dedication, work ethic, and leadership to go to the next level.

“He is extremely coachable and expects nothing but the best from himself to make sure the team is successful,” said Woods.

A three-sport standout for the Wolverines in hockey, football and baseball, Phillips excelled in hockey throughout his high school career. As a junior, he made WDC’s elite 100-Point Club for the Wolverines. During his high school hockey career, Phillips was known for his speed and nose for the puck that set him apart from other players, said WDC Activities Director Norm Gallant.

“I enjoyed Max as a student and an athlete at WDC. I had the opportunity to work with him in football this season and the leadership he showed was second to none. It isn't hard to see the effort and enthusiasm whether he plays football, baseball or hockey. These qualities will no doubt lead to success at the next level,” said Gallant.

Phillips said he is looking forward to getting to know his new teammates.

“It’s going to be fun to go out and travel the East Coast and play hockey with other players who have the same dream as I do,” said Phillips, who will report for training camp Labor Day weekend.

Phillips is eligible to play at the junior level for two years. He will be enrolled in online classes during this time. His plan is to play collegiate hockey at the NCAA-level and finish his degree in elementary education with a minor in business.

Phillips is joining the Chiefs in their second official season in the Eastern Hockey League (EHL) under the new leadership of Coach Breen. The Eastern Hockey League has been the leader in North America for NCAA Division III-commitments for over five years. Last season in 2018-2019, the EHL had over 126 NCAA commitments.

BEST OF LUCK, Max! We are #WDCproud of you!

Wadena-Deer Creek Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) members attended the National Leadership Conference in Anaheim, Calif., June 30-July 4 with approximately 8,000 delegates from across the country.  

Wadena-Deer Creek students Casey Bounds, Morgan Grangruth, Elliot Doyle, and Angela LeComte attended to compete in their STAR (Students Taking Action with Recognition) events. 

The keynote speaker, Kyle Scheele, encouraged students to make the most of all opportunities to build a better world without fearing what others think.  This promoted the conference theme of “Believe in Yourself.”

Conference delegates participated in workshops on FCCLA programs, toured the Spotlight on FCCLA Expo, listened to national candidate speeches, presented their STAR Events, and attended the recognition session.  As MN State FCCLA President-Elect, Elliot Doyle was a voting delegate and attended state officer leadership trainings. 

Angela LeComte earned a gold medal on her STAR Event with a great score of 99.3/100 for her Nutrition & Wellness project, Elliot Doyle earned a gold medal on his Life Event Plan, and Casey Bounds & Morgan Grangruth received a silver medal on their Chapter in Review.  Morgan was also awarded a $100 Lois Hagel Scholarship from MN FCCLA.

WDC FCCLA Advisers Cindi Koll and LaDonna Norenberg also attended the conference and Caryl Stave and Stephanie Schiller participated as chaperones.

Family Career, and Community Leaders of America is a national career and technical student organization that provides personal growth, leadership development, and career preparation for its members.

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Today, WDC seventh-graders learned how hope is the key to suicide prevention, as well as how to cope when life stresses them out.

“Hope can save a life,” said Mary Marana, the executive director of the Crisis Line and Referral Services, as she spoke to the seventh-grade students this morning about suicide prevention in the Robertson Theatre.

While it’s normal for students to feel overwhelmed with school, family, relationships, there is a point when situations can make youth feel depressed.

“When several things trigger symptoms of depression, that’s when you need help,” she said.

Marana advised students to get plenty of sleep — to get off their devices at night and not drink caffeinated beverages late in the day. She said students need at least 9 hours of sleep to rest the brain and rejuvenate the body. She suggested doing something that makes them happy; find your strengths; a hobby; go for a walk and get outdoors; enjoy physical activity.

“I’m certain after a walk outdoors, you’ll lower the stress level in your life. The weight of the world will be a little less heavy,” she said.

Lastly, if suicidal thoughts or signs of depression are affecting your life or a friend, go find one or two trusted adults in your life.

“And remember,” Marana said, repeating one of the themes of the presentation, “It’s okay to ask for help.” 

Each student received a booklet from the Crisis Line and Referral Service that’s directory filled with issues affecting teens, such as abuse, addiction, cultural diversity, eating disorders, grief, harassment, peer pressure, pregnancy, stress and anxiety.

The book provides also information on the signs and symptoms of any of these issues and how to get help. The booklet was put together by the Crisis Line with input from school counselors and teachers, students and law enforcement agencies. 

In addition, students received a small handout with one side stating the warning signs of suicide and the other side outlining symptoms of depression. Students also received a bracelet with the Crisis Line phone and text number.  

After the presentation, students filled out a survey based on the “Suicide Prevention & Hope” presentation. Crisis Line members, WDC’s Kraska and social worker Laura Kiser, and Northern Pines’ Justine Jarmin were available to talk to any student privately who requested it. 

The Crisis Line and Referral Service provides suicide prevention to 16 school districts and covers Aitkin, Cass, Crow Wing, Morrison, Todd and Wadena counties. They’ve been in existence since 1988. Marana has been presenting to schools and communities since 2006.

In addition, during today’s Advisory at WDC Middle/High School, WDC teachers focused on suicide prevention and making sure students in grades 5-12 are comfortable coming to them if they are hurting or need someone to talk to. WDC social worker Laura Kiser shared a number of videos from the “Be The 1 To” campaign and talking points to help get those conversations started.

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Wadena-Deer Creek High School’s National Honor Society (NHS) held its induction ceremony recently where nine students were welcomed to the chapter.

Those new inductees included juniors Emma Bushinger, Elliot Doyle, Sara Goetze, Tony Kreklau, Aiden Larson, Emma Mehl, Nevada Schulz, Kira Sweeney and Kade Woods.

The ceremony featured a traditional candle-lighting and a formal program. NHS seniors Michael Schmidt, Lexi Pierce, Jasmyn Wood and Maggie Carlson spoke on the four pillars of NHS — scholarship, leadership, service and character.

This year’s ceremony featured guest speaker, Ryan Damlo, executive director of Tri-County Health Care Foundation and WDC School Board member, who talked about his own family’s dedication to giving back to the community through service organizations like Lions, PTO, Cub Scouts, Housing Authority, School board, as well as how important service work is to others in the community.

Damlo also stressed how important the four pillars of NHS (Academics, Service, Leadership, and Character) are during students’ time in NHS and beyond high school.

“They help you build a stronger community no matter what community you live in,” Damlo told students.

Damlo challenged NHS students to show the adults in their lives what it means to give back and to get involved in a group or organization.

“Be a positive influence at school, work, our community, your own house. Don’t just put NHS down as a resume builder. Lead through your school work, service, leadership and character. Be an active part of our community,” he said.

Principal Tyler Church also spoke to NHS students. His message focused on character.

“Having good character means you are a person who looks to do the right thing, even when it is not the easy thing to do. Good character means treating others with kindness and compassion and being a positive role model in the school. This group every year exemplifies that to the fullest,” said Principal Church.

Each NHS member received a NHS medallion. New NHS members received their medallion from family members while second-year NHS members received their medallions from Mr. Damlo, Principal Church and Mike Ortmann, NHS advisor.

In order to qualify for NHS membership, a student must be a junior or senior who embodies the qualities of character, leadership, scholarship and service. Students must have a GPA of 3.5 and demonstrate good attendance, involvement in co-curricular activities, and leadership experience.

Students must also average 50 or more verified hours of community service for each year of high school and submit three letters of recommendation. Applications for membership are reviewed by a panel of WDC teachers and administrators.

Returning senior members are Paige Barthel, Maggie Carlson, Sean Carlson, Mackenzie Carsten, Kennedy Gravelle, Mari Grendahl, Lucas Hinojos, Laura Krause, Bereket Loer, Zachary Meeks, Cole Pearson, Lleyten Pettit, Lexi Pierce, Michael Schmidt, Kamea Shreves, Courtny Warren, Hailey Wiederich, and Jasmyn Wood.

Yearly projects led and organized by NHS members include two blood drives, a charity phone-a-thon, and Day of Caring, just to name a few.

“I look forward to working with these students as they contribute their time and talents to our Wadena-Deer Creek community,” said Ortmann.

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