Sweeter's Tiger Tracks

Student Excellence

Over the weekend a couple of GHS students once again strutted their stuff.

Morgan Schuring finished 2nd in the Pheasant Country 3 point shoot out.  She then went on to be named the All Star games MVP.  The game was played, Saturday, in Sisseton.  Way to cap off a great senior season!!!

Fab Freshman, Micahela Oleson,earned a superior speaker award at the East River Student Congress, held in Brookings, on Friday.  Way go go, and to think she is only a Freshman.  She is going to be fun to watch over the next three years. 

PS  If you haven't heard this weekend is the POPS Concert, and I am sure that it will be once again phenomenal.  I know my daughter and I are both looking forward to our annual date night.  I think that she is old enough now to appreciate the performances, and not just the pretty dresses.  At least I hope so.

3rd Quarter BUGs

Let me start by saying "WILL IT EVER STOP SNOWING!!!!!"

As you may recall for the past couple of years we have been providing incentives for our students who perform especially well in their academics.  The two main ways we do this are providing a meal deal at Subway for any student who gets a 4.0, and we provide incentives for any 7th or 8th grader who Brings Up their Grades or BUG.  Students that improvefrom one quarter to the next get a coupon to DQ, and students who have improved every quarter so far get a special lunch.

This quarters 4.0 students were:  Holly Carlson, Leah Davis, Bethany Hansmeier, Ryan Koehler, Hanna Larsen, Kyla Larsen, Nickolette Larson, Brooke Lesher, Gabrielle Lund, Kristopher Oleson, Morgan Schuring, Caitlin Seifkes, Samuel Smith, Katharina Tinglund, Stephanie Vedvei, Gavin Voss, Megan Weber, Erica Schuster, and Camille Sippel.  Congratulations!!!

Our first time 7th grade BUGs are:  Camille Sippel, Reilley Ell, Nicole Koehler, Mason Madsen, Kasey Kurtz, Braden Miller, Sydney Hanna, Austin Beiber, Trey Gates, Parker Rossow, Hayley Mayou, Allen klinger, Tyler Witchey, Blake Merkel, Elizabeth Murray, Morgan Bauer, Braden Crosby, and Amanda Seeyle

Two time 7th Grade Bug recipients:  Darac Harry (CO-MOST IMPROVED), Regan Lewandowski (CO-MOST IMPROVED), Halle Dohman, Joellen Gonsoir, Cheyenne Schaller, Sadie Hanna, Cassandra Luttrell, Madison Profetta, Riley Helmer, Tyra Leonhardt, Tonya Mayou, and Thomas Yarborough.

61% of our 7th grade students improved their grades 3rd quarter.  WAY TO GO!! Lets get 70% improvement 4th quarter.

Our first time 8th grade BUGs are:  Erica Schuster, Andee Geist, Kelsey Weiseler, Ashley Taylor, Abby Gibbs, Dalton Locke, Rylee WInburn, Jarret Adler, Jacob Donley, Darrion Poppen, Hailey Donovan, Tyelr Holm, NOEL LEREW (MOST IMPROVED), Lucas Merkel, Naomi McKiver, Allen Baker, and Matthew Hinman.

Two time 8th grade BUG recipients:  Kaitlyn Sattler, Stephen Simon, Jordyn Opsahl, and Grayson McCranie.

50% of our 8th grade students improved their grades 3rd quarter.  WAY TO GO!!  I say that but am shocked that you let the 7th graders beat them.  4th quarter you better redeem yourselves.

The good news is that we had 15% more students improve this quarter than we did last quarter.  KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!!

History in the Making

Today I had the privilege ofwitnessing two events that I think will go down in Groton lore from now until eternity.

1st:  Gabby Kramer is a 4th grader who scored a perfect score on last year's Dakota STEP.  WOW!!!  I have never heard of someone acing this test.  She must be one smart cookie, and is further proof that we have some of the best students.  In recognition of her event the elementary celebrated Gabby Kramer Day.  Way to GO!!!

 2nd:  The 2nd event was far less impressive, but as much as I regretted seeing it, I think it will be forever scarred into my brain.  Mr. Guthmiller and Mr. Hawkins played Kazoos.  Ouch. I shiver at the mere remembrance of the horror.  I wonder if the school's workmans comp covers hearing loss. I have included a couple videos from the event in case you are one of those people than cannot take your eye's off a train wreck.  (Be patient on the download.)

    Download Gabby Kramer Day 010

Download Gabby Kramer Day 011

Debate Follow-up

As you will recall the debate team did quite well this year at state.  Today I learned that Michela Oleson who placed 4th in oratory has a video web link of her award winning performance.  The link can be found at http://sports.sdpb.org/finearts/debate/a/oratory.htm. 

Student Recognition

We have had several students recently recognized for their accomplishments.

1) Gabe Kjellson was nominated for the 1st team All-Conference, in BBB.

2) Stephanie Fey made 3rd team All-Conference, in GBB.

3) Nikki Larson and Erin Sternhagen were selected to all state Jazz Band.  The event will be held at NSU, in Aberdeen, on May 7-9, 2009. 

 

On a side note- these girls may be the first horn players to make all state jazz in the last 10 years! Desiree Giedt was selected for piano and Justin Jensen was selected on guitar.

Way to go!!!!

Show Choir Domination

Holly cow!!!  Our Show Choir cleaned house in Adrian, MN.  Domination might be an understatement.  They literally won every award possible, People's Choice, Best Pit Crew, Outstanding Show Choir, Sweepstakes, and to wrap it all up Megan Knecht won the Outstanding Vocalist award.  WOW!!!  After we took all the hardware, I sure hope we get invited back.  

I cannot wait until the POPs concert.  You should probably get your tickets early, I am sure it will be a packed house.

More proof that we truly do have some of the best students.  Way to go we are all proud of the way you represent GHS.

Random News and Views

Today I heard something on the radio that made me take a step back and ponder our ever-changing climate.

Are we seeing the end of the newspaper?  Apparently the newspaper industry is in dire straights.  The Internet and mobile on the go messaging is beginning to replace good old fashion newsprint.  Who would have thought that the daily staple of sitting back with a cup of coffee and reading the newspaper would go the way of 8-track?  The first giants to fall were in Seattle and Denver, and it would appear that many others are losing money at incredible rates.  It is kind of scary to think that my little phone is becoming so important.  It is my calendar, my email, my contact list, my information, my life, etc.  The scary thing is that all of this is on such a small thing that if I put it in the wrong place my 2 year old might just send it down the toilet to find Nemo, and then I'm back in the dark ages.

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=90850

 

Another Great Performance

As you may recall last year was my first encounter with the Stratford Community play, and I was hooked.  This year I had the privilege of being able to watch it again, and once again it did not disappoint.  It is inspiring to think that a small rural community can come together and create such a wonderful production.  Not only do they create it, but they excel at doing so.  This is evident by the fact that they sell out 10 shows in less than 12 hours, and the fact that they keep expanding the facilities. 

This year's show was titled The Picture on the Barroom Floor, and it was especially hilarious.  It was also my first experience with a melodrama.  If you are not in the know, like I wasn't.  A melodrama requires audience participation.  We spent the night not only laughing but also cheering, jeering, and booing.  I also like the fact that they add a lot of local one-liners into the production.  It adds to the local experience.  For instance I didn't realize that the Milbrandts have quite the hay hauling business, and times must be tough in the Warner banking business.

If you ever have the oppurtunity to attend one of their shows, you need to go.  You will not be disappointed.

Another Great Performance

As you may recall last year was my first encounter with the Stratford Community play, and I was hooked.  This year I had the privilege of being able to watch it again, and once again it did not disappoint.  It is inspiring to think that a small rural community can come together and create such a wonderful production.  Not only do they create it, but they excel at doing so.  This is evident by the fact that they sell out 10 shows in less than 12 hours, and the fact that they keep expanding the facilities. 

This year's show was titled The Picture on the Barroom Floor, and it was especially hilarious.  It was also my first experience with a melodrama.  If you are not in the know, like I wasn't.  A melodrama requires audience participation.  We spent the night not only laughing but also cheering, jeering, and booing.  I also like the fact that they add a lot of local one-liners into the production.  It adds to the local experience.  For instance I didn't realize that the Milbrandts have quite the hay hauling business, and times must be tough in the Warner banking business.

If you ever have the oppurtunity to attend one of their shows, you need to go.  You will not be disappointed.

Debate

Our debate team finished their season with a great deal of success.  The following students are the ones you don't want to get in an argument with:

Nikki Larson- Reserve State Champion Domestic Extemp

Brie Lund and Nikki Larson- 3rd place Public Forum Debate

Michaela Oleson- 3rd Place LD Debate

Desiree Cyr- LD Debate Quarter Finalist

Michalea Oleson- 4th Place Original Oratory

Courtland McCranie- 6th Place International Extemp

Congratulations!!!!