Press Publications 4779 Bloom Avenue White Bear Lake, MN 55110
PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 9 CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED CIRCLE PINES, MN
7111 21st Avenue N • Centerville, MN
651.762.9440 Equal Housing Lender
TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2020
671496
MidWestOne.com
VOL. 38 NO. 38 www.quadcommunitypress.com $1.00
COUGAR ATHLETES: In summer workouts after go-ahead PAGE 2
Centennial youth organize peaceful protest BY SHANNON GRANHOLM LEAD EDITOR
SHANNON GRANHOLM | PRESS PUBLICATIONS
A parade unlike any other Instead of canceling the annual tradition of the 4th of July Extended School Year (ESY) Independence Day parade, students and staff decided the event must go on, just in a different way. This year, all of the students and their families drove by in cars, many with signs, while staff members cheered them on and presented them with a bag of goodies. See more photos on page 12.
A group of students from Centennial High School have organized Centennial Students for Change and plan to host a peaceful protest in the area Saturday, July 11. Juniors Amara Patel, Idil Guled, Britt Kjorlien and freshman Siri Kjorlien are four of the main founders of the group, which was started last month. Students for Change has grown to around 25 students and continues to expand. “After the tragic death of George Floyd and hearing more about so many more black lives lost because of racism in our country, I wanted to do something,” Patel said. “My friends and I saw a lot of kids our age making change so we thought we could do the same.” Siri said she wanted to be a part of the group because she has personally faced racism many times. “I feel very passionately about making my community aware of what is really happening to the students and people of color around them. While our school does SEE AWAKEN THE SUBURBS, PAGE 11
New principal excited to develop relationships CENTERVILLE — Centerville Elementary holds a special place in Michael Macken’s heart. Macken not only lives three blocks away from the school, but his daughters Emma, 19, and Libby, 20, both attended elementary school there. “I love that school. It is definitely a hometown, smalltown-kind-of-feel elementary. It is special.” Emma currently works for Kids Club there, too. The Centennial School Board approved the hire of Macken as the principal of Centerville Elementary in April. His fi rst day was July
1. Former principal Wayne Whitwam recently accepted the superintendent position in the Hermantown School District. Macken is originally from Wausau, Wisconsin. He has always loved being around children, whether as a camp counselor, lifeguard, religion teacher or nanny. “It was always more of a what-amI-going-to-teach than if I would teach,” he said. “I love learning and I want the kids to have that same love of learning.” He was also inspired to teach after he had “a phenomenal” fi fth-grade teacher named Mr. Peterson. “I learned to drive a pickup
truck from him. I used to cut wood for him and so did my buddies, and then he would take us to Brewers games in the summer. We are still good friends,” Macken said. Another teacher, Mr. Mann, inspired him to teach science. Macken holds a K-12 administration license from Saint Mary’s University, a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction and a bachelor’s degree from Saint John’s University. He did post-graduate work in mentoring and coaching at Northeast Metro Educators’ Institute, Minnesota. Prior to his new role at Centerville Elementary, Macken served as the
8121 Lake Drive, Lino Lakes Mon - Thurs 8am - 6pm | Fri 8am - 5:30pm
NEWS 651-407-1227 quadnews@presspubs.com
Michael Macken SEE NEW PRINCIPAL, PAGE 6
BENEFITS
LENFERAUTO.COM | (651) 784-6328
assistant principal at Centennial Middle School since 2014. His wife, Mary, is a school counselor there. They will celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary next month. Before coming to the Centennial School District, Macken held various teaching and staff positions at Independent School District #622 (North St. Paul, Maplewood, Oakdale) where he served as John Glenn Middle School’s dean of students and as an instructional coach, a leader in staff development, teacher mentor, science department chair and science
Randy Notto | OWNER ADVERTISING 651-407-1200 marketing@presspubs.com
• QUALITY • WARRANTY • CONVENIENCE • WORK DONE RIGHT • SAME DAY SERVICE • NO SURPRISES • 100% CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CIRCULATION 651-407-1234 circ@presspubs.com
SEASONAL SPECIAL
FULL SERVICE SYNTHETIC BLEND
OIL CHANGE $24.95 Includes seasonal check up. Up to 5qts motor oil.
SUMMER
SPECIAL $17 OFF REPAIRS or Mtn Service over $100
$47 OFF
REPAIRS
or Mtn Service over $300
Most cars and light trucks. Valid only with coupon. Cannot be combined with other offers
Most cars and light trucks. Valid only with coupon. Cannot be combined with other offers
Expires: 7/31/20
Expires: 7/31/20 672673
BY SHANNON GRANHOLM LEAD EDITOR
CLASSIFIED 651-407-1250 classified@presspubs.com
PRODUCTION 651-407-1239 artmanager@presspubs.com