By: Sandra Vang

Will served as the head coach for both the boys and girls Nordic teams at Park, Woodbury, and East Ridge High Schools for the past two seasons.

“Will worked hard to build and develop teams at all three high schools. I appreciate all that he has done for our Nordic ski program. Joe comes in with an abundance of energy and enthusiasm, and as a proud alumnus of our Nordic ski program, will do whatever it takes to build the program throughout the district.”

– Phil Kuemmel, Activities Director

Mr. Wacker (pronounced Walker) is a 2007 graduate of Park High School and skied for the Wolfpack. He also skied competitively for the College of St. Scholastica for four years. Joe is currently a substitute teacher in District 833.

                “You guys should be very proud,” Coach Werner beamed on the bus ride home after the first meet, “Over twenty percent of our team made it to finals. Go Wolfpack!”

                The speech season will continue for another seven weeks, with hopefully many more awards to come to Park High School.  Trophies and ribbons are showcased in the Speech trophy case, located across the hall from the second staircase, next to room 112. With the help of the seven coaches, Park plans to fill the case by the end of the season.  

Eden Prairie Meet:

THIRD PLACE

Dorsey Sprouls and Brittany Affolter, Duo Interpretation (Novice)

FOURTH PLACE

Nicole Schank. Extemporaneous Reading (Varsity)

Navita Lakhram, Storytelling

Ariel Kleidschmidt, Great Speeches (Novice)

FIFTH PLACE

Rebecca Holland, Great Speeches (Novice)

Prior Lake Meet:

FIRST PLACE

Camira Houston, Drama

Gabrie Riley, Humor

SECOND PLACE

Elena Christensen, Disco

Emily Beaver, Poetry

THIRD PLACE

Frannie Sprouls, Poetry

Ariel Kleinschmidt, Great Speeches

Brittany Affolter & Dorsey Sprouls, Duo Interpretation

FOURTH PLACE

Kayla Green, Drama

Navita Lakhram, Storytelling

FIFTH PLACE

Jacob Hitchcock, Extemporaneous Speaking

Nicole Schank, Extemporaneous Reading

Emily Evans, Humorous Interpretation

SIXTH PLACE

Brittany Eckes, Storytelling

Forest Lake Meet:

 FOURTH PLACE

Navita Lakhram, Storytelling

SIXTH PLACE
Kayla Green, Drama
 
 TENTH PLACE
 Brittany Affolter, Duo Interpretation
 Dorsey Sprouls, Duo Interpretation

 ELEVENTH PLACE
 Emily Evans, Duo Interpretation
 Frannie Sprouls, Duo Interpretation
 Ariel Kleinschmidt, Great Speeches

COACHES

Liesl Werner Thomas
 Maria Tol
 Brandon Scholl
 Jim Schofield
 Dana Larson
 Nancy Bielski
 Laura Beard

Picture by: Rebecca Holland

“I think that the caroling went great,” she grins, “I believe that the residents really enjoyed hearing some of the kids from the community perform for them.”

As a group, the scholars were able to sing for three different groups of elders in various areas of the grand nursing home. Each audience, which included dementia residents, dinner guests, and visiting family members, was treated to five or six classic songs that alternated between each set. The seniors seemed to appreciate the music deeply as they smiled, sang along, or tapped their feet to the beat.  Before departing, the students would finish with “We Wish You A Merry Christmas” to finalize their endeavors to spread good cheer.

Unfortunately, because this was the first year that the National Honor Society went caroling at the Nursing Home, the members were a little confused on what to sing and where they were going at first. Although each student was provided with a packet of about twelve songs, there was not a set pace, which caused many of the songs to be sped up. Fortunately, the junior members learned many ways to improve the event if the activity were to become an annual tradition.

“I think that adding more songs, longer songs, or instruments, such as jingle bells or tambourines could greatly improve the caroling. It was just over very quickly and they didn’t get to hear much,” Schwen adds.

Generally, the night went very well for the students, and despite a bit of a hectic start, the students sang well together by the end of the hour.

“It would be sweet if it became a tradition!” Schwen exclaims, ”It was really fun, and as I said, the residents seemed to really enjoy it.

Photo by: Samantha Hartfiel

                 The Park girls volunteered on December 14 and 15 outside of the local Rainbow from 5 PM to 7 PM, so they encountered many people coming home from work. Even though it was bitter cold, the girls utilized many techniques to stay warm, including wearing numerous layers of clothing, using hand and feet warmers, and donning Santa hats. However, the most effective and entertaining way that the youth kept warm was singing Christmas carols as well as dancing for incoming customers. “It was really enjoyable to sing carols while we were volunteering. Not only did it help pass the time and distract us from the cold weather, but it also seemed to make people more apt to donate,” one of the young volunteers believed.

               The girls sang several holiday classics including “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”, “Frosty the Snowman”, and “Jingle Bells,” causing many consumers to smile or even sing along. Yet after two hours of singing holiday songs, the girls added variety to their musical repertoire and belted several Disney songs and Speech warm ups to passerby. Largely, the girls found the experience to be very enjoyable and gained a new appreciation for the Salvation Army volunteers.

                    “It’s not easy to stand outside in such cold weather,” the girls agreed “However, people seem to recognize the good cause and are openly willing to donate. It was really great to have that experience. ”

                The coordinators of the Friends in Need Food Shelf were very enthusiastic about the outcome, affirming that this was the utmost amount of food that the event has gathered in several years and the largest sum of money raised in all participating years. The facility even filled all of the banana boxes that were available to hold the food, which totaled to be approximately 300 cardboard containers.

                “There were a lot more checks than last year as well, which definitely goes a long way” stated Venture scout Brian Caswell, “Since the Food Shelf has the ability to get discounted food, money is a big help.”

                In regards to the food, approximately sixty to seventy members of the region volunteered their morning to help store the provisions in labeled boxes. These volunteers stood in an extremely organized assembly line, in which an individual was in charge of one of thirty five different food items, such as macaroni and cheese, beans, or spaghetti sauce, that would be placed in an individualized box.  Once a box was full, a volunteer would replace the package, and the assembly line would continue to move with ease.

                “The assembly line was pretty intense,” declared one volunteer, “I do not think I stopped moving the whole five hours we were there.”

                Several Park High School students volunteered to help out in this event as well, including members of the Boy scouts, Venture Scouts, Park dance team, and other scholars who read about the event in the paper.

                Alison Dahedl, a Park junior who was in charge of boxing Spaghetti-O’s and ravioli, came in order to aid people in the community.

                “I feel like such a good person,” Dahedl beams, “I believe we are actually making a difference in people’s lives.”

                After five hours of intense sifting, the volunteers discovered that the most commonly donated items were pasta, macaroni and cheese, and pasta sauce. Common inedible materials provided included soap, toothbrushes, and toothpaste, which are also very helpful to the indigent.

                Overall, the event was a remarkable triumph. It appears that with the economy turning around that people are able to give back to their communities again, which is very beneficial to all. The Friends in Need Food Shelf appreciates all the food donated and the help of the volunteers, for without them, the event would not have been a success.

             Park High School’s production of the play, directed by Tracy Caponigri, was a wonderful representation of Shakespeare’s classic comedy. The lead roles were played by senior Jasmine Branum as Hermia, junior Logan Greene as Lysander, junior Alex Dean as Demetrius, and senior Erica Ashelson as Helena. All the actors did a marvelous job of bringing their characters to life. Logan’s intensity and passionate acting made him a believable lover. Erica portrayed Helena’s unrequited love for Demetrius convincingly and in a comical way. Other actors that stood out for their exceptional performances were junior Brittany Affolter as Snug playing a cute, but rather absurd lion, and junior Sylvia Lowry as Puck, Oberon’s mischievous and clever servant. The last scene of the play, when Quince and his actors perform their “tragedy”, had the audience laughing hysterically in their seats with particularly amusing and entertaining performances from senior Sandra Yang as Bottom playing Pyramus and freshman Lucas Lindstrom as Flute playing Thisbe. Laughter erupted from the audience when Lucas appeared wearing a dress and squeaking out his lines.

            The actors left the audience with a better understanding of the play. It was clear which scenes Shakespeare intended to be humorous. Also, when the play ended, the audience was able to see the questions the play proposes about life. Through Oberon’s interference in Bottom’s and the young lover’s lives, the audience is left to wonder whether there is such thing as fate or destiny and ponder the idea of life itself being a play. Overall, the show was fantastic and the whole cast did an outstanding job.

The entire cast of A Midsummer Night's Dream

             “We got a lot more than I thought we would,” Holland grins, “It is nice to see such generous souls in our community.”

             On Friday afternoon, the students distributed about seventy informative flyers around their neighborhood and said that on Saturday night; nearly fifty percent of the residences had food ready for them. The majority of individuals donated a can or two, while some others had whole bags prepared. Surprisingly, the most common item donated was macaroni and cheese, with a total of forty boxes collected. Many of the residents were also very enthusiastic for the opportunity to donate, vocally thanking the teens.

The students collected about 179 items, filling the entire trunk of a Blazer.

             “It is really great that you guys are doing this,” one elderly woman beamed, “Thank you!”

              The teens also found the evening to be very enjoyable and unique.

               “It was awesome that our last Halloween before graduation was spent giving back to the community,” Hartfiel states “I really appreciate all those who donated.”

         On Monday afternoon, the students brought the trunk load of victuals to the Friends in Need Food Shelf, where families will be able to appreciate the generosity of their community.

 Some of the most common items found were cigarette boxes, plastic grocery bags, and beer cans.  However, each year the youth encounter some random objects, including car parts and shoes.

Juniors Amanda Och and Ashley Delosreyes stated “We found some weird stuff like a Harley Davidson floor mat and a muffler. It makes you wonder how some of that stuff got out there in the first place.  ”

The efforts of the members did not go unnoticed either, as many passing vehicles honked their horns in appreciation. One man even yelled out his window, “You guys are doing a great job! Keep up the good work!”

Overall, the day was a success and while the grass was a bit damp from the previous day’s rain, the sun was shining and the temperature was at a comfortable 40 degrees. Members of the National Honor Society will clean Highway 61 once more this school year, in late spring.

“It was really fun. The best thing I found was $10,” Och smiled, proving that volunteering actually does pay off.