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Senior Wisdom Retreat /pp. 2-3
Volume 53 Number 9
Teachers receive recognition By Amy Vardsveen Staff Writer Instructors Tammy Bailey, Leah Lockner and Deb Rothenberger were three of the nine teachers nominated for the Brandon Valley Teacher of the Year Award. “It is an honor to be nominated for Teacher of the Year,” Bailey said. “Working with my students is the best part of my job, and for a student/parent to take the time to nominate me for this honor really means a lot to me.” Instructors and staff who received the Years of Service Award Tuesday at the Retirement/ Recognition Banquet were Stacy Fiegen, 15 years; Justin Lovrien, 15; Steven Boint, 20; Gary Griesse, 20; and Merlyn Bosch, 35. The Teacher of the Year was also announced at the banquet. Results were unavailable at press time. “I am truly honored. I am thankful to be able to do what I feel like I am intended to do and enjoy it,” Lockner said. “My students reaffirming me in my efforts, abilities and hopes towards and for them is icing on the cake.” Three teachers have resigned. Business instructor Lana Main will teach at West Central and language arts instructor Katie Price, at Aurora Public School District in Colorado. Science instructor Louisa Otto will take a year off to raise her two children.
Students attend trips, donate money By Shelby Simpson Staff Writer After placing second in the Celebrate My Drive Contest, the high school students were allotted $40 to go on a trip or to do other activities of their choice. The trips included the Art Club consisting of about 40 students going to Minneapolis to the Walker Art Center and to the Minneapolis Institute of Arts in March. Students attended a Twins game last Saturday. “I thought the trip was a ton of fun,” senior Katie Erickson said, “It was a good way to spend a Saturday with my friends and to cheer on my favorite baseball team.” The Valleyfair trip will be May 22. Students could also donate their money to the Dave Smith or Steve Ackerman families.
Brandon Valley High School - Brandon, SD 57005
Friday, May 8, 2015
Eitreim, Hoffmann, Koch
named National Merit finalists By Eli Suchowacky Update Editor Seniors Danny Eitreim, Sally Hoffmann and Umaima Koch have been named National Merit Scholarship finalists. The process for becoming a National Merit Scholarship finalist included scoring above certain cutoffs on the PSAT/ NMSQT and the SAT, as well as writing an essay. “It’s a pretty exciting thing,” Eitreim said of being named a finalist. “It’s an affirmation of your academic achievements.” Throughout his high school career, Eitreim has enjoyed wrestling for four years. He especially likes the individual aspects of the sport. “I enjoy competing one-onone,” he said. “It’s all on you when you’re out there, and you know if you’re getting better or not, and you know if you worked the hardest, and you know if you were the better wrestler.” Eitreim also participated in Quiz Bowl for three years. He notes a variety of things he enjoys about Quiz Bowl. “If you’ve ever watched Jeopardy!, you understand the sense of satisfaction when you know the right answer to a question,” he said, “and it gives you the chance to apply stuff you’ve learned in the classroom. My teammates have been really fun people to hang around, too.” Eitreim’s Quiz Bowl team had the opportunity to compete at the National Academic Quiz Tournament in Rosemont, Illinois,
National Merit Scholarship finalists are seniors Umaima Koch, Danny Eitreim and Sally Hoffmann. but the team declined to attend, citing a conflict with the state track meet as an issue. Eitreim will continue his studies at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, where he plans to major in chemical engineering. “I liked taking AP chemistry this year,” he said, “and chemical engineering is a broad field with a lot of opportunities. I want to take the opportunity to challenge
myself, and I like the problemsolving aspect of engineering.” Hoffmann has been in Art Club since her sophomore year. “I love the art and the people in Art Club,” she said. She has also volunteered her time for SALSA for four years. “I enjoy giving my time to help others,” she said. Hoffmann will attend the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in the fall. She plans to major
in global studies with minors in Spanish and humanities and medicine. She hopes to eventually go to medical school. Koch has participated in a wide variety of extracurricular activities. She worked tech in Grease and A Year with Frog and Toad. She was also a three-year member of Art Club and edited the Echo and Lynxonian for three years. “I had a lot of fun just being involved in the productions,” she said. Joining Art Club is something she has been encouraged to do since eighth grade. “In eighth grade, I had (Marta) Sewell for art class,” she said. “She told me I should try out for Art Club once I got to high school. It’s been really fun and I’m going to miss it.” Koch enjoys writing for the Echo because of her passion for creative writing, a passion she has held since middle school. “I remember liking the poetry units we had in seventh grade English,” she said. “Then one night in December, I was sitting in my living room and it was like a lightning bolt hit me. I got this great idea for a story, and I just knew that I wanted to write.” Come August, Koch plans to study design at South Dakota State University. She also hopes to put her writing skills to good use in the future. “Since I was 12 years old, one of my life goals has been to write an incredible novel. It is a light that is never put out, a fire that forever burns.”
Rothenberger retires after 38 years By Jacob Boomsma Photo Editor Journalism and English 11 instructor Deb Rothenberger, a Master Journalism Educator, will retire at the end of this school year after 38 years of teaching, 31 at Brandon Valley. “Mrs. Rothenberger leaves a legacy that impacted literally thousands of students during her 30 plus years at BVHS,” Principal Gregg Talcott said. “She is the consummate professional educator. She is one of the best writing teachers I have ever worked with and is always working to improve her craft. She is a long-time Brandon resident and has made a great contribution to the Brandon Historical Society. She is passionate about her subject matter, the quality of her work and that of her students, and truly cares about her students in and out of the classroom.” As a journalism instructor,
Photo by Jacob Boomsma
Publications adviser Deb Rothenberger submits yearbook pages to the publisher. She advised seven award-winning yearbooks and 36 consecutive award-winning newspapers. Rothenberger and her students produced 36 years of awardwinning newspapers. “She always believed in me and supported me whenever I needed it,” said senior Umaima Koch,
one of only two Journalism III students at BVHS. “I admire her dedication and hard work for all she does.” As a publications adviser, Rothenberger received the
Founder’s Award in 1996 from the South Dakota High School Press Association; the Distinguished Service Award in 2011 and the Outstanding Service Award last month from the South Dakota High School Activities Association; and the Pioneer Award from the National Scholastic Press Association in 2011. ‘‘I may be retiring, but I will never retire from teaching,’’ she said. “I love to teach.” Rothenberger plans to continue teaching as a substitute or as a volunteer in her grandchildren’s classrooms. She will also enjoy spending time with her family. “Her work with our publications got her, and our school, state and national recognition,” Talcott said. “We will not be able to replace her, but we will have someone teaching her classes. I will miss her professionalism and the example she set every day.”
Brandon Valley Echo
Seniors say their good-byes By Macy Murren Voices Editor Seniors began their goodbye process at the Wisdom Retreat. “I thought the day was fun,” senior Jake Donahoe said. “It was much better than a day of testing.” Three Youth Frontier members led the retreat. The leaders hyped the seniors up by introducing games such as giant, elf and wizard and bird on the perch. “I feel like the leaders really helped us realize that the end is near,” senior Jamie Mitzel said. “We really need to appreciate each other and everything we have done to help each other throughout high school.” The Wisdom Retreat gave seniors the opportunity to give shout outs to one another by recognizing them for their hard work. Seniors conversed with their classmates, reminisced about their high school experiences and thanked the people who pushed them through high school. “It was a great day to get away from school,” senior Mackenzie Nelson said. “It was good to be able to have a day with the entire Class of 2015.”
Senior Jessica Higgins sings “Love Story” to her classmates. Higgins’ team won the American Idol challenge at the Wisdom Higgins, acting as if she was on a horse carriage, and then they sat on the floor encircling her while snapping to the beat.
Class of 2015 announce South Dakota State University Emily Anderson, nursing Shannon Backer, undecided Emma Baier, bioinformatics Tonner Bowman, agronomy Andrew Breitzman, undecided Alicia Dewit, nursing Isabelle Elrod, elementary education Carter Erickson, mechanical engineering Eric Flanigan, wildlife and fishery sciences Reid Grode, biology/pre-med Emily Harris, nursing Austin Harvey, engineering/computer science Logan Hawkins, nursing Vanessa Heinrichs, athletic training Haley Hoeke, nursing Shyanne Johnson, undecided Umaima Koch, graphic design Kaila Kuehn, pharmacy Jacob Larson, electrical engineering Ryan Larson, political science/economics Sarah McKellar, nursing Macy Murren, dairy science/agriculture business Jacob Nachreiner, electrical engineering/computer science Stephanie Podhradsky, nursing/anesthesiology Maggie Roe, nursing Mitchell Selken, aviation Sam Sperlich, dentistry Alex Wilde, undecided
Katelyn Kendall, secondary education Maddy Klamm, business/marketing Tanner Koster, business Jessi Lorenzen, occupational therapy/kinesiology Jamie Mitzel, dental hygiene Emina Musinovic, pre-med Kelsey Nimick, pre-law Mykayla Palmer, physics Kody Petersen, criminal justice/Spanish Tristin Pliska, pre-law Alick Sazonov, business Isaac Sissoko, undecided Brad Taylor, chemistry/biology Ezra Voigt, business Josh White, business Madisen White, psychiatry Amber Wickstrom, health science/occupational therapy Evan Wieser, English Kjerstin Williams, medical biology
Augustana College Robert Berndt, undecided Abby Castle, undecided Tate Green, art Robert Haggar, economics/political science Sarah House, elementary and special education Dylan Kipp, biochemistry/biology Emily Oyos, biology/Spanish Drew Reinschmidt, biology/Spanish Lizzie Waller, biology/pre-med
University of South Dakota
University of Sioux Falls
Haley Andrews, biology/pre-med Josh Andrews, undecided Jeanna Brandsrud, music education Clayton Ebright, business management Tyler Erck, kinesiology Brendan Gayken, undecided Ashley Guthmiller, undecided Adam Halter, accounting Calli Hensley, nursing Alex Hillestad, nursing/biology Kayla Houtsma, health science Chase Huntimer, history
Shawna Coyle, radiologic technology Kaity Dybdahl, nursing Weston Meyer, media studies/business Sammie Peterson, nursing
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Lucas Chmela, civil engineering Daniel Eitreim, chemical engineering Brock Hanson, mechanical engineering Summer Rogers, mechanical engineering Bill Trevillyan, chemical engineering
Southeast Technical Institute Riley Bennett, computer science
Morgen Burkman, law enforcement Cassie Dean, cardiovascular sonography Brielle Hogue, business administration Linsey Jones, surgical technology Amy Kramer, agriculture Mackenzie Nelson, graphic design Kristen Paulsen, criminal justice Mikayla Ploen, business Keith Schreurs, HVAC Shelby Simpson, vascular ultrasound technology Zach Thomas, sales Taia Tupy, early childhood support Meikayla Wojciechowski, business
Other South Dakota Schools Denton Bose, Dakota State University, physical education Jeremiah Burkman, Dakota State University, computer game design Jake Comeaux, Northern State University, undecided Matthew Fickbohm, Dakota State University, computer science Riley Frantzen, Northern State University, biology/nursing Patrick Gallo, Dakota State University, computer science/ cyber security Molly Howard, Black Hills State University, history education Lydia Huntington, Cornerstone Bible Institute, Bible study Kendall Jessip, Black Hills Beauty College, cosmetology Shaylee Juhnke, Lake Area Technical Institute, dentistry Vanessa Kaler, Lake Area Technical Institute, dentistry Carley Kueter, Northern State University, elementary education Garrett Lambert, Dakota State University, computer science Austin Meinerts, Dakota Wesleyan University, wildlife management Riley Petersen, Dakota State University, computer science Samantha Peterson, Globe University, veterinary technology Braydon Reindl, Dakota State University, computer science Rylie Schuldt, Stewart School, cosmetology Cora Spees, Stewart School, cosmetology Danny Vongkaenchan, Dakota State University, computer science
Friday, May 8, 2015
m Retreat. Senior classmates carried
Instructors Louisa Otto, Terry Gullickson and Kraig Presler (not pictured) act as American Idol judges.
Seniors Estel Niyotwizera, Kallie Folk and Shelby Simpson play spoon on a string. The boys (top) sing “What is Love?�
e post-graduation plans Wyatt Winter, Mitchell Technical Institute, power wire construction
Minnesota Schools Michaela Beckman, Minnesota State University, Mankato, sports management Meghan Beldin, Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts, baking/culinary arts Sydney Blair, Minnesota State University, Mankato, prelaw Jacob Boomsma, University of Minnesota-Duluth, marketing/photography Peter Choudek, University of St. Thomas, mechanical engineering Mollie Drexler, St. Cloud State University, nursing Riley Duncanson, St. Cloud State University, undecided Lydia Eichelberg, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, undecided Keenan Ernste, St. Olaf College, biology/pre-med Marina Gillespie, St. Cloud State University, undecided Alex Hamer, St. Cloud State University, business Bethany Headrick, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, communications/cinema studies Kevin Huizenga, Southwest Minnesota State University, theater/vocal performance Greg Koehn, St. Cloud State University, business Greg Lundberg, Augsburg College, undecided Anthony Meyerink, Minnesota West Community and Technical College, fluid power Kjersti Nitz, Gustavus Adolphus College, nursing Nicole Petersen, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, psychology Cole Ripperda, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, business/sports administration and management Caitlynn Schumacher, St. Cloud State University, political science Maci Smykle, Aveda Institute, cosmetology Courtney Stegenga, St. Cloud State University, undecided Brandon West, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, nursing
Nebraska Schools Dylan Bludorn, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, broadcast journalism
Alex Darrington, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, civil engineering Becca Goth, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, pre-law/ marketing John Hedman, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, microbiology Sally Hoffmann, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, global studies/pre-med Chandler McGrath, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, biology Levi McKercher, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, water sciences/Spanish Karly Neuberger, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, biological sciences Eli Suchowacky, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, undecided Austin Trevino, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, biology Cassidy Wethor, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, chemistry/Spanish
Iowa Schools Nate Bennett, Northwestern College, agriculture/business Eden Burch, Northwestern College, nursing Paige Drenth, Northwestern College, exercise science Hunter Duncan, Iowa Lakes Community College, welding Jessica Higgins, Morningside College, undecided Tyler Limmer, Northwestern College, sports management Hailey Murray, University of Iowa, chemical engineering Chelsey Schmeling, Luther College, music education
North Dakota Schools Shayna Berberich, University of North Dakota, business Katelynn Erickson, University of North Dakota, biology Savannah Garrow, North Dakota State University, interior design Lilli Jasper, University of North Dakota, criminal justice Makenzie Marso, North Dakota State University, social work Kendra Riley, University of North Dakota, dietetics Brianna Waltner, North Dakota State University, exercise science/athletic training
Other Out-of-State Schools Mickelle Ahlers, Colorado State University, veterinary science
Ted Dohrman, Arizona State University, information technology Jacob Donahoe, University of Colorado-Boulder, molecular cellular developmental biology Allison Fatone, Reed College, biology Shane Gacke, George Mason University, cyber security engineering Jake Garner, Tulsa Welding School, welding Casey Koutstaal, University of Montana Western, sociology/anthropology Alissa Kuhn, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, dance Ashley Schobert, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, political science/Spanish Thomas Siemonsma, University of Wyoming-Casper, fire science Ashley Westcott, San Diego State University, kinesiology Mariah Zell, Mitchell College, criminal justice Emilie Schroeder Armed Forces Austin Sorenson Ethan Clow, Navy Brittany Tofteland Nate Holm, Air Force Jeremy Unzen Randall Howard, Navy Caleb VanHemert Jacob Leonard, Army Dylan Widmann Sean McEachran, Army National Guard Undecided Connor Smith, Air Kevin Bai National Guard Gideon Crapser Zach Frantz Working Dylan Gustafson Andrew Alexander Matthew Jensen Jessica Andreasen Seth Lauseng Caleb Andree Estel Niyotwizera Devin Berndt Jaeden Spurling Chris Bly Megan Swets Josh Bradley Jordan Wagley Halle Doe Cody Welsh Taborr Ellenbecker Cassie Wise Alisha Elznic Kallie Folk Other Matthew Gorsuch Cody Dutson, two-year Dani Hoeke mission trip Joe Irvine Amy Vardsveen, Avera EMS Brianna Koch program Brian Melvin
Brandon Valley Echo
Orchestra tours schools Orchestra members toured the four elementary schools last Friday to preview the Spring Concert they performed Thursday. “I thought it was a good experience to play for the younger kids,” said junior Jacob Meyer, a first violinist. “The students in orchestra have passion for what we do and enjoy the process of performing music.” The orchestra played for the third graders to introduce instruments and music style to them before they play violin as fourth graders. The musicians played at Fred Assam, Brandon Elementary, Robert Bennis and Valley Springs before returning to the high school to rehearse for their joint concert with the middle school orchestra.
FFAers in parade FFAers participated in the Loyalty Day Parade for the 15th year last Sunday. The ag students and FFA members decorated the float, which was pulled behind a tractor. “The parade is a great way to end the FFA year,” sophomore Sam Loney said, “because we all get to meet up again for the last time.” FFAers also had a Drive Your Tractor to School Day last Friday. They ate breakfast at the Sunshine Deli. “It’s a good experience for FFA kids,” senior Amy Kramer said. “It’s something fun for us to do as a group, and it’s a good way to bond.” Kramer and sophomore David Ballie drove a 7810 John Deere tractor. “It lets people at school know about what we do in FFA when they see tractors parked in the parking lot,” Ballie said. The FFA banquet is at Pizza Ranch next Tuesday at 6 p.m. for all members who participated in the Career Development Events.
Did you know...? n Girls golf Eastern South Dakota Conference meet is today at 10 a.m. in Aberdeen. n Track Metro Conference meet is today at 3 p.m. at O’Gorman. n Boys tennis Metro Conference meet is Saturday at 9 a.m. in Sioux Falls. n Board of Education meeting is Monday at 6:30 p.m. n Girls golf awards dinner is Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. n Boys tennis triangular is Tuesday at 1 p.m. at Yankton. n Girls golf Lynx Invite is Tuesday at noon. n Boys tennis Eastern South Dakota Conference meet is next Friday at 9 a.m. in Watertown. n Track Eastern South Dakota Conference meet is next Saturday at 11:30 a.m. in Brookings. n Graduation commencement is May 17 at 2 p.m. in the activities center. n Girls golf state meet will be May 18-19 at 9 a.m. in Rapid City. n Semester tests are May 18-20. n Boys tennis awards dinner is May 19 at 6:30 p.m. n Last day of school is May 20. n Teacher workshop is May 21.
Friday, May 8, 2015
Wilde continues career at SDSU By Dylan Bludorn Sports Editor Senior Alex Wilde, a standout football receiver, will continue his career at South Dakota State University. “I felt at home with the family atmosphere,” Wilde said. “I knew I’d have a great opportunity at being successful early and wanted to pursue that. Also, the scholarship was perfect with what I wanted.” Wilde hopes to contribute to the Jackrabbit team that ended its season in the second round of the Football Championship Subdivision Tournament. “My goals are sky high,” he said. “I want to be the best receiver in the conference, statistically, as well as blocking. I’ve always set my goals as high as they can reach.” Other schools the Lynx receiver had considered were Bowling Green University and North Dakota State University. “Bowling Green was a top contender for me,” Wilde said. “I also was very interested in the NDSU program, yet SDSU amazed me on my visit, which ultimately led to that decision.” At SDSU, Wilde will be part of a
Photo courtesy of Alex Wilde
Senior Alex Wilde checks out the South Dakota State University football locker room where he will be suiting up next season to play for the Jackrabbits as a receiver. freshman class that includes Sioux Falls Roosevelt quarterback stars Taryn Christion and Chase Vinatieri. “I’ve always had an extremely close relationship with my quarterback,” he said, “so I’m very excited to see what Taryn
Christion and I will be able to accomplish together.” At Brandon Valley, Wilde, against archrival Sioux Falls Roosevelt, set a state record in receptions in a single game with 17. He also had 254 yards receiving in the game with four touchdowns, which is fourth all-time for yards in a game. “Alex did a great job of preparing himself,” coach Chad Garrow said, “and in the offseason he got stronger and worked on his speed and his route running. He deserved what he got during the season because he worked hard for it in the offseason.” Wilde was named to the Argus Leader Elite 45 and All-Conference in both the Eastern South Dakota Conference and the Metro Conference. His quarterback, senior Jake Comeaux, who signed to play at Northern State University for the 2016 season, played a big part in Wilde’s success. “Jake Comeaux will always be that person that pushed me to where I am today,” Wilde said. “I wasn’t going to play sophomore year; a large part of me going out was due to Jake.”
Kueter to play at Northern State By Haley Hoeke Sports Editor Basketball standout senior Carley Kueter will continue her career in college at Northern State Unversity. Kueter, a Lynx captain, scored around 500 points and 350 rebounds in her high school career. “I am excited to continue on my basketball career and work towards my career,” she said. Before deciding on Northern, where she will major in elementary education, she received interest from other schools, but in the end she decided Northern was best for her basketball career and academics. “Northern State is a very good school, which fits my major as well,” she said. Kueter has been playing basketball since the second grade and her position is center. Going to state her freshman year was one
of the best experiences in her life, she said. “It is hard to get to state, and to be able to go my freshman year was awesome.” From her freshman through her senior year, Kueter developed physically, mentally and skill-wise. She will find she will grow much, much more as a college player, coach Mark Stadem said. “Carley is a neat person. Some days it was a challenge, but that is the case with every athlete,” Stadem said. “Carley understood that we were pushing her to be the best she could be.” Stadem said he hopes she works hard and makes a positive contribution to the team. Kueter was named to the Eastern South Dakota All-Conference First Team and the Metro All-Conference First Team. “My goal is to work hard and give my best effort on both the basketball court and in the classroom to prepare myself for the real world,” she said.
Photo courtesy of Carley Kueter
Senior Carley Kueter plans to attend Northern State University to play basketball. She will major in elementary education.
Brandsrud excells in fine arts By Samantha Peterson Staff Writer For senior Jeanna Brandsrud, eight years of band, two years of theater and one year of choir are the top of her extracurricular list. Brandsrud realized she had a love for music when she was about five years old. She remembers listening to the choir at church and seeing all the instruments and wanting to sing and play with them. That later led to her band career in which she started at age 10. “I enjoy music,” Brandsrud said. “I feel like teaching the next generation is the best way for me to make a difference in the world.” Brandsrud will be attending the University of South Dakota and majoring in music education. She is excited to preform with more professional-esque groups, to learn more and to develop more skills. “I am sure she will be a terrific music teacher, either instrumental or vocal,” choir director Terry Gullickson said. “She is a wonderful musician and has a big, beautiful voice.” Choir has become Brandsrud’s favorite this year. She has always liked singing and her teachers have been supportive and have given her opportunities. “When I’m singing, I think about how what I’m doing can and is affecting people,” she said. Senior Jeanna Brandsrud holds her trumpet while she poses for a senior portrait. She plans to attend the University of South Dakota to major in music education. She has been in band for eight years, theater for two years and choir for one year.