GREAT things happen in our school district every day! Students and staff often go above-and-beyond and reach milestones and accomplishments that not everyone is aware of. Consequently, we started a recognition program titled "Tiger Pride". Tiger Pride is a dedicated section on each month's School Board Meeting Agenda where students and staff are formally recognized by the School Board for what they have done. Anyone can nominate a student or staff member for recognition, and this nomination can come in the form of a personal visit with an administrator, an e-mail sent to an administrator, or a letter sent to an administrator. In turn, each administrator will pass this information along to the superintendent who will compile it for the month's Board Meeting Agenda. Each student or staff member recognized in Tiger Pride receives a letter from the School Board. For more information, please contact a principal, supervisor, director, or the superintendent. Go Tigers!
January 2012
Krista Matthews-Saugstad and Thomas Roberts
Morris Area Triple “A” (Academics, Arts, and Athletics) award winners. They will represent MAHS at the sub-section 21A level.
Elizabeth Schneider and Michael Anderson
ExCEL (Excellence in Community, Education, and Leadership) award winners. They will represent MAHS at the State Class A Level.
National Honor Society Inductees
James Aronson, Tierney Holl, Julia Sauder, Michael Anderson, Darcy Aronson, Kaylee Brandt, James Burke, Marcus Cannon, Michael Cotter, Dylan Curfman, Thomas Holland, Katie Holzheimer, Tahni Jungst, Shauna Kill, Hailey Kotts, Laura Kuhn, Amber Recker, Caleb Sanderson, Elizabeth Schneider, MaKenzie Smith, Hannah Stewart, Jacob Torgerson, Megan Wagner, and Brooke Wente.
Elementary Geography Bee participants
Ezekiah James, Amber Uphoff, Judah Malek, Jordan DeLeeuw, Anna Mahoney, Jenna Larsen, Sydney Sperr, Carter Nieland, Joseph Kleinwolterink, and Lucy Deane. Lucy Deane took top honors followed by Joseph Kleinwolterink in second place.
Paraeducator Recognition Week
January 16-20
School Bus Driver Recognition Week
February 13-17
December 2011
Mary Walker
Selected by staff members as the Support Staff Member of the Year for 2011-2012.
MBA Storm boy’s hockey team and coaches
Received an e-mail from Willmar Activities Director regarding how clean the locker room was after a game, as well as how classy they played the game.
Natasha Mortenson
Approved travel training request from LCSC.
MAHS Students of the Quarter
| Extra Mile | Most Improved | Citizenship | |
| 7th | Anna Grove | Cole Kannegiesser | Holli Christians |
| 8th | Mitchell Torgerson | Garner Swenson | Lindsey Dierks |
| 9th | Tracy Meichsner | Carlie Zimmel | Riley Biesterfeld |
| 10th | Natalia Batchenkova | Adrienne Gardner | Kaitlin Vogel |
| 11th | Michael Michaelson | Miranda Donner | Rachel Gray |
| 12th | Thomas McPhee | Andrew Jarvis | Kaitlin VanHorn |
November 2011
Aaron Goulet and Makenzie Smith
Qualified for the State Cross Country Meet and performed well.
John Kleinwolterink
Chosen by his peers as the Morris Teacher of the Year.
Vicky Brandt, Deniese Erp, Claire Exner, Kathy Feuchtenberger, Deann Recker, Bonnie Schmidt, Mary Walker, and Nancy Zimmerman
Chosen by staff for consideration as the 2011-2012 Support Staff Member of the Year.
Natasha Mortenson
A
finalist for the National Community Service Award through the Association for Career and Technical Education.
Peg Rinkenberger, Natasha Mortenson, Joan Donovan, Barb Wilts, Stacy Erdal, Wanda Dagen, and John Kleinwolterink
Organizing and presenting the Veteran’s Day Program that took place on November 8.
October 2011
Kaia Anderson
Winner in her age group n the UMM Wind Turbine Dedication Poster Contest.
Thomas McPhee and Thomas Roberts
Recognized as a Commended Student in the 2011 National Merit Scholarship Program.
Jenny Maras
Awarded four (4) Kodad EasyShare M200 digital cameras from the Lakes Country Perkins Consortium.
Cheryl Kuhn
Chosen to present at the Minnesota Community Education Association’s fall conference on October 26.
Lyle Rambow, Jerry Witt, and Mark Torgerson
Received an e-mail from a parent thanking them for doing a great job officiating at one of the 5th and 6th grade boys.
September 2011
Jan Kieffer and Bonnie Schmidt
For participating in the Great Trays workshop.
August 2011
Mark Ekren, Lyle Rambow, & Mark Torgerson
Being a part of the interview committee for the .5 Math Teacher position at the high school.
Jeannie Maanum, Mary Walker, Mike Coquyt, Deann Recker, Darcy Winkelman, Sharon Martin, Mark Ekren, Natalie Ketterling, Liz Lundrebek, Kayla Erdahl, Diane Strobel, Dick Metzger, Kurt Gartland, Natasha Mortenson, Nancy Mohrman, Angie Schwartz, Bonnie Schmidt, Sue Hauger, Peg Rinkenberger, Deb Peterson, Deb Swezey, Lenora Waddell, Wanda Dagen, Mary Holmberg, Scott Monson, John Kleinwolterink, Sue Hill, Caleb Greene, Heidi Hoffmann, Austen Miller, Lory Lemke, Brad Korn, and Cork Loge
Staff members who volunteered at the Stevens County Fair booth.
July 2011
Dani Schultz and MacKenzie Weatherly
Named to the 2011 West Central Tribune All-Area Softball Team
Ryan Beyer, Tyler Hansen, Alex Erickson, and Eric Riley
Named to the 2011 West Central Tribune All-Area Baseball Team
Troy Ostby, Jenny Maras, Rita Rose, Mary Holmberg, John Kleinwolterink, Jim Gillis, & Mary Asche
volunteered to participate in interviews for the Activities Director position
Mary Huebner, Heidi Suess, Lori Boettcher, Abbey Johnson, Amy Millard, & Deb Peterson - volunteered to participate in interviews for elementary positions
Tim Cannon, Dylan Viss, and Kevin Pope
Volunteered to participate in interviews for the science position
Dani Schultz
Named the female outstanding prep athlete in the area in the 51st annual Hengstler-Ranweiler Award
June 2011
MACA Tiger Softball Team and coaches
Finished their regular season as undefeated West Central Conference Champs
MACA Tiger Baseball Team and coaches
Finished their regular season as West Central Conference Champs
MACA Tiger Boys’ Track Team and coaches
Won the True Team Section Meet
MACA Tiger Girls’ Track Team and coaches
Chosen as a ―wild card‖ for the True Team Section Meet
Rachel Moser, Tristan Michaelson, and Cody Cannon
Qualified for the State Track Meet and each placed in at least one event. Rachel and Cody were State Champions in the pole vault and 110 meter hurdles. Tristan placed fifth in the 110 meter hurdles and Cody placed fourth in the 300 meter hurdles.
Natasha Mortenson and Jenny Maras
Volunteered to assist with interviews for the agriculture/industrial technology teaching position.
Wanda Dagen, John Kleinwolterink, and Barb Wilts
Volunteered to assist with interviews for the long-term substitute music teaching position.
Evelyn Griffith, Christine Gibson, Heather Schneider, and Deb Peterson
Volunteered to assist with interviews for the special education teaching position.
Kyle Berget and Deb Felstul
Volunteered to assist with interviews for the third grade teaching position.
Heidi Hoffmann and Abbey Johnson
Received a letter from parents of a student in each of their classrooms commending them on a great year.
Marilyn Beyer, Joan Donovan, Lori Boettcher, Abbey Johnson, Muriel Linkback, Caleb Greene, Deb Peterson, Amy Fossum, Shelley Messner, and Melissa Wiese
Participated on the NWEA Pilot Program team and provided much appreciated input and insight during the process.
Morris Science & Math Challenge Top Ten students, Grades 4-6
GRADE 4 -- Jaret Johnson, Julia Ladner, Annika Spors, Teresa Boyd, Trevor Dorn, Lindsey Moser, Joseph Kleinwolterink, Mackenzie Petersen, Nathan Grunklee, Benjamin Giese, Elizabeth Abler; GRADE 5—Brock Anderson, Judah Malek, Sofia Sparby, Andy Miller, Amber Uphoff, Kali Berlinger, Eli Nordquist, Josh Wagner, Damon Disselkamp, Jenna Larsen, Anna Mahoney; GRADE 6 – Denner Dougherty, Ira Hoffman, Jacob Grunklee, Anna Grove, Jacob Hanson, Marty Koehl, Midori Soderberg, Austin Millard, Emma Spors, Tim Travis, Annie Brandt, Holli Christians. Fifth Grade Math Masters (Brock Anderson, Eli Nordquist, Mitch Wehking, Judah Malek, and Amber Uphoff) and Muriel Lindback – competed at the Regional Math Competition in late April. Sixth Grade Math Masters (Midori Soderberg, Anna Grove, Marty Koehl, Jacob Hanson, and Ira Hoffman) and Nancy Huot – placed 7th out of 39 teams.
Elizabeth Schneider and Shaylynn Johnson
Jazz award winners.
Kendra Buro, Tayvin Viratyosin, Caleb Sanderson, Thomas Roberts, and Kelsey Schreifels
Band award winners.
Cork Loge
Completing/graduating from Leadership Morris this year.
MAHS Solo and Ensemble students and Wanda Dagen
receiving many ratings at the 2011 Solo and Ensemble Contest.
May 2011
Jenny Maras
Approved training award from Lakes Country Service Cooperative to attend the National BPA Conference.
Holly Bjorklund
Approved instructional materials award from Lakes Country Service Cooperative for a camera, case, and memory card.
Jane Lesmeister, Amy Millard, and Jerry Witt
For a well-planned, organized, and educational 6th grade class trip.
Thom Howden
For an organized, fun-organized “game night” for the 7th and 8th grade students.
Sue Hauger & Dave Johnson
For volunteering and participating in the interview process for the full-time English-drama position.
Spanish Club Students and Jody Snow
For a well organized and fun-filled day for students on Cinco de Mayo.
MAHS Visual Arts Festival students and Deb Swezey
For receiving several Superior and Excellent ratings at the recent Visual Arts Festival. Amber Recker received a Merit award and Braden Luthi received two Superiors along with the Best in Category Awards.
FFA, Natasha Mortenson, and Matt Wulf
For the many Gold, Silver, and Bronze placings at State Convention.
Students of the Quarter
Extra Mile – Joanna Moser, Leah Glimsdal, Tori Fuhrman, Darcey Aronson, Kristina Johnson, Kayla Evink
Most Improved – Patrick Franklin, Sophie Pilarski, Brianna Abril, Miranda Donner, Brody Bahr, Matt Lembcke
Citizenship – Andrew Mahoney, Peter Schneider, Gage Backman, Sara Stallman, Sydney Beyer, Dani Schultz
April 2011
Austin Miller & Michelle Stewart
For their work on the “famous people” project with their students.
Jim Kennedy, Lanna Stahman, and Darcy Winkelman
Hosting an “Obstacle Course Open House” for students and parents.
Jenny Maras
MAHS business classes are now approved for the Career and Technical Education Levy system as Jenny completed the program review process.
Sydney Beyer
Won the 2011 “Ambassador of the Year” award through the Torch Awards program with BPA.
Tayvin Viratyosin and Shaylynn Johnson
Selected for membership in the Minnesota Band Directors Association (MBDA) 9-10 Grade Honor Band for the 2010-2011 school year.
Thomas Roberts
Auditioned and made the Concordia Honor Band in Moorhead.
Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, and Wanda Dagen
Earned superior ratings at large group contest.
Natasha Mortenson and Agriculture In the Classroom students
Visiting two Minneapolis elementary schools to talk about agriculture.
James Aronson, Krista Matthews-Saugstad, Thomas McPhee, Dylan Curfman, Amy Fossum, and Dave Johnson
Competing and placing at the Section 8 Speech Meet.
Tamy Reese, Diane Stroble, Teresa Kruger, Karin Anderson, Lorie Hansen, Julie Koehl and Susan Enzminger
For their hard work and organization in making Kingergarten registration a success on April 1.
Morris Area High School Student Council and Peg Rinkenberger
Being selected Student Council of the Year. Thomas Roberts – campaigned to become the President of the State Student Council, unfortunately he was not selected.
Travis Rinkenberger
Received both the Ardyce Kyker Scholarship and the Outstanding Office of the Year Award.
Steve Jungst
Awarded the opportunity to “intern” at the National BPA Competition.
March 2011
Natasha Mortenson
Named Minnesota’s Outstanding Teacher in Community Service for the 2010-11 school year.
Linda Retzlaff
Organizing an assembly about whales for our third and fourth grade students.
Becky Hennen, Mary Huebner, Austen Miller, Barb Wilts, Tammy Roth, Donna Ascheman, Amy Millard, Lisa Lorenz, Jody Snow, and Cheryl Kuhn
Formed a counseling task force to help address student needs at the elementary and addressing bullying.
Amy Fossum and Speech Students
For their many placings at the Campbell-Tintah meet in early March.
Travis Rinkenberger
Honored for his exemplary volunteer service with a President’s Volunteer Service Award.
Martha Koehl, Tony Pelowski, and Zach Mithun
Martha placed first in the Core Values Essay Competition and Tony and Zach placed second in the Core Value Artwork.
Thomas McPhee
Positive impressions and remarks from a theatre teacher regarding his reciting in St. Paul.
Math League Team and Shelley Messner
For their participation and amazing showing at the State meet and placing fourth.
January 2011
Natasha Mortenson
Approved training request from LCSC.
Cheryl Kuhn and Student Leaders who volunteered on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Steve Jungst, Matt Cotter, Alex McIntosh, Krista Matthews-Saugstad, Laura Kuhn, Tristan Michaelson, Jenny Hennen and Mickey Cotter
Holly Bjorklund
Approved instructional materials from LCSC.
Barb Wilts, Tammy Roth, Thomas, Roberts, Tristan Michealson, Mickey Cotter, Krista Matthews-Saugstad, Marcus Cannon, Tahni Jungst, Laura Kuhn, and Sarah Kuhn
P
lanned and wrote a bullying skit for the elementary school Anti Bullying Kickoff Event.
MAHS
Bronze medal recognition as one of Minnesota’s and America’s best public high school for the fourth consecutive year!
Morris Area Business Professionals of America and Jenny Maras
Region completion held at Alexandria Technical Community College, as well as the recipient of the January Chapter of the Month from the Minnesota BPA state executive.
Morris Area’s MSHSL “AAA” recipients, Matt Cotter and Shadow Olson
They were the MAHS nominees for the Minnesota State High School League Region 6A Triple A recognition. Matt was chosen as the Sub Section 21 winner, advanced to compete against boys from three other regions, and was chosen as the Section 6A winner.
Morris Area’s MSHSL “ExCEL” recipients, Thomas Roberts and Courtney Ehleringer
Thomas and Courtney were the MAHS nominees for the MSHSL ExCEL Award. Thomas was selected as a statewide winner to receive the Award.
District Spelling Bee participants
Amber Uphoff, Jenna Larsen, Emily Hadler, Ezekiah James, Morgan Kirwin, Eli Nordquist, Denner Dougherty, Mitchell Dufault, Noel Schieler, Morgan Biesterfeld, Lydia Sauder, Anna Grove, Colten Schaefer, Alyna Kleinwolterink, Bo Gullickson, Jade Vipond, John Huebner, CHAMPION Peter Schnedier, 1st RUNNER-UP – Gabriel Sparby, 2nd RUNNER-UP – Austin Hills, and 3rd RUNNER-UP – Nick Boots.
District Spelling Bee Volunteers
Francie Turner and Melissa Larking. Lisa Lorenz – with appreciation for her years of service as the Head Judge and Bee Coordinator.
MBA Storm Girls’ Hockey and Jeff Mahoney
Southwest Conference Champions
MAHS One-Act Play and David Johnson
Competing in the Sub Section 21 contest and Section contest. They were the Sub Section 21 runner-ups.
MAHS Student Council and Peg Rinkenberger
Organizing three activities they are working on.
Mark Torgerson
Earning his 400th boys’ basketball coaching victory in late January and becoming a member of an elite group of coaches.
Mitch Kill and Jake Moser
Commended for their Teaching Assistant duties in the kitchen.
January 2011
Geography Bee students who represented their grade levels:
Nick Smith, Jacob Hanson, Correy Hickman, Jacob Grunklee, Anna Grove, Sofia Sparby, Trevor Dorn, Kali Berlinger, Judah Malek, and Joseph Kleinwolterink.
Geography Bee place winners:
Champion – Joseph Kleinwolterink, 2nd Place – Anna Grove, 3rd Place – Kali Berlinger, 4th Place – Jacob Grunklee
Shadow Olson and Matthew Cotter
Representing Morris Area in the AAA competition for the MSHSL.
Riley Arndt and Erin Schieler
Were honored for athletes of the week back in December from the West Central Conference.
National Honor Society Inductees
Seniors: Kayla Evink, Kelsey Loew, Tristan Michealson, Martha Koehl, Kelly Mahoney, and Samantha Schneider. Juniors: Holly Amundson, Sydney Beyer, Courtney Ehleringer, Amy Goette, Thomas McPhee, Jacob Moser, Larissa Schmidgall, Jaimie Bergerson, Jackson Boever, Mitchell Finzel, Krista Matthews-Saugstad, Marlee Morton, Thomas Roberts, and Kaitlin VanHorn.
Heather Montonye
F
or organizing the Elementary Book Fair.
Natasha Mortenson
Awarded the Minnesota Teacher in Community Service award for the 2010-2011 school year.
December 2010
Holly Bjorklund
Awarded $4,162.20 for instructional equipment and materials from Lakes Country Perkins Consortium.
Natasha Mortenson
Awarded $4,506.32 for instructional equipment and materials from the Lakes Country Perkins Consortium.
Sue Hauger
Nominated for the University of Chicago’s Outstanding Educator Award.
Amy Fossum & National Honor Society
Providing child care services during parent-teacher conferences.
Alex McIntosh
2010 Individual Academic All-State Class AA, Minnesota High School Football Coaches Association
James Burke
Achieving the rank of Eagle Scout.
MAHS Students of the Quarter
EXTRA MILE – Gabriel Sparby, Jonathan Jerke, Youa Thao, Elizabeth Schneider, Shelby Krueger-Woller, Kelly Mahoney – MOST IMPROVED – Madison Hennen, Matthew Ohren, Angelica Botello, Blaine Hills, Andrew Jarvis, Madelyn Day, CITIZENSHIP – Eric Staebler, Kindra Cannon, Paige Loew, Nicholas Vipond, Riley Arndt, Mitchell Kill
Jenny Maras & Business Professionals of America
Sponsored a food drive to benefit the Stevens County Food Shelf.
Cody Beyer
Advancing to State with the Benson Bowling Team.
Natasha Mortenson
Article about the FFA chapters across the state signing on to be Ag Ambassadors for our state in the Upper Midwest Management Newsletter.
November 2010
Muriel Eggebraaten
MTA Teacher of the Year
Becky Hennen
Support Staff Member of the Year
Vicki Cannon, Deniese Erp, Claire Exner, Kathy Feuchtenberger, Betty Kill, Deann Recker, and Bonnie Schmidt
Support Staff Member of the Year Nominees
Heidi Suess
Worked with the Education Minnesota Student Program at UMM to offer a Book Swap event for students.
Morris Area Ag Program
Being selected as a 2010 Minnesota Outstanding Middle/Secondary School Agricultural Education Program by the National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE).
FFA Participants
Recent accomplishments in competitions and at the National Convention.
Morris Area students, staff, and parents
E-mail received from a ticket taker at a volleyball event at an area school complimenting the students, staff, and parents for their politeness and friendliness.
2009-2010 Morris Area Softball Team
Received Gold Status in regards to team academics for 2010 by the MN State Softball Coaches Assn.
2010 Morris Area Football Team
Academic All-State Football Teams Class 2A – Gold
Joan Donovan & Natasha Mortenson
Enhancing learning by implementing the Ag in the Classroom program in each of their classrooms.
Mary Asche & Darcy Winkelman
Enhancing the “Brain Gym” concept through physical activity and education in the classrooms.
October 2010
Alex McIntosh
Recognized as a Commended Student in the 2010 National Merit Scholarship Program.
Morris Area Community Education Spanish Bilingual Pre-School
Won an Outstanding Project Award for 2010 with the Minnesota Community Education Association.
Peg Rinkenberger and Jill VanKempen
Are to be commended on a great Homecoming week including coronation and the parade.
Power Puff Volunteers
Mary Holmberg, Mark Ekren, Tim Cannon, Jerry Witt, Dale Henrich, Mary Asche, Jim Greenwaldt, Mark Torgerson, Mike Coquyt, Sharon Martin, Lyle Rambow, Rita Rose, Caleb Greene, and Dean Meichsner – for volunteering their time to make the Power Puff football game go so well.
Stan Wulf
For successfully attending the Phase I, II, and III Orientation workshops and completing the MSBA Leadership Development Program.
September 2010
Bonnie Schmidt
Received her Teaching License for a Certified Serve Safe Instructor and Proctor on August 30. She also recently attended the Premier Culinary Clinic at Mitchell Tech in SD. She expanded her knowledge by learning from six international chefs.
Tiger Volleyball and Football team and Coaches
Volunteered and helped pack meals during the Feed My Starving Children event.
August 2010
Morris Area FFA & Natasha Mortenson
The MAHS Agriculture was chosen as the Outstanding Middle/Secondary School Ag Ed Program for Region III.
Stevens County Fair Booth Volunteers
Jeannie Maanum, Mary Walker, Brad Korn, Darcy Winkelman, Jane Lesmeister, Muriel Eggebraaten, Mary Asche, Mary Holmberg, Rita Rose, Liz Lundebrek, Mike Coquyt, Bonnie Schmidt, Kay Curfman, Jenny Maras, Caleb Greene, Cork Loge, Amy Millard, Deb Swezey, Evelyn Griffith, Sharon Martin, Sheri McKeever, Linda Retzlaff, Tina Nelson, Chris VanKempen, and John Kleinwolterink - These individuals donated their time to staff the booth at the Fair which is appreciated.
Jeannie Maanum, Mary Walker, and Natalie Ketterling
their work preparing for the booth at the Stevens County Fair is greatly appreciated.
Sheila Anderson, Donna Ascheman, Lori Boettcher, Caleb Greene, Deb Peterson, and Michelle Stewart
Participated in a Response to Intervention two-day training.
Lori Boettcher, Gretchen Gillis, and Shana Ulrich
Spearheaded the efforts of the group of staff members who met and organized the Collaborative In-Service the second consecutive year.
National Honor Society, FFA, and Student Council students
Helped out during the Collaborative In-Service, as well as Peg Rinkenberger, who supervised these students.
July 2010
Natalie Ketterling
Natalie completed the Leadership Morris program through the Morris Area Chamber of Commerce and was recently recognized as a Class of 2010 graduate. Please see the enclosed information.
Kyle Berget, Lori Boettcher, Joan Donovan, Ken Gagner, Amy Millard, Heidi Suess, Chris VanKempen
These individuals all donated their time to assist with interviews for the elementary teaching position that was approved last month.
Ken Gagner, Mary Huebner, Abbey Johnson, Amy Millard, Heidi Suess
These individuals all donated their time to assist with interviews for the kindergarten teaching position that was approved earlier this month.
June 2010
Spanish II Bilingual Pre-School Program
The Spanish II students and Ms. Snow recently won a Service Learning Award from the MDE.
Natasha Mortenson
Natasha recently submitted an instructional materials request that was approved in the amount of $2,368.97.
MAHS Boys Track Team and Coaches, State True Team Track Runners Up
The Boys Track and Field Team were the State True Team Runners-Up.
MAHS boys Track Team and Coaches, Section 6A Champions
The Boys Track and Field Team were the Section 6A Champions and beat runner-up Perham by 30 points.
Rachel Moser, State Girls Track Qualifier
Rachel qualified for the State Girls Track Meet.
Mary Rentz, Second Team All State Softball
Mary was chosen as 2nd Team All-State Softball this year.
Mary Rentz, MN Softball Coaches All-Star Game Player
Mary was chosen to play in the All-Star game this year.
Dale Henrich, Section 6A Track Coach of the Year
Dale was chosen as the Section 6A Track Coach of the Year recently.
Mary Holmberg, MN Softball Coaches Association All Star Game Coach
Mary has been selected to coach in the All Star Game this summer. This is an exciting honor for her.