School News

2010 Graduation Edition

Volume 26 • Issue 1 www.isd544.org • 218-998-0544 • Fergus Falls ISD 544 School News • May 2010 • 1

Where has the time gone? Graduation

I’m sure many parents are asking that question as their children set for 7 p.m.
Friday, May 21
prepare to graduate on May 21. Once this spring arrived, the seniors
had a schedule filled with senior privileges, prom, the Dollars for
Scholars awards luncheon, concerts, baccalaureate and the culminat- This year's graduation ceremony will be at 7 p.m.
ing event, graduation. To most of us, it seems like yesterday when Friday, May 21, in the High School gymnasium. There
the first days of school brought pictures and bus rides; and now they will be a mandatory rehearsal at 10 a.m. May 21 in
are graduating and making plans for their future. the gymnasium. There are no tickets required for attend-
Students in the Class of 2010 have a world of opportunities ing the graduation ceremony, and seating is on a first-
awaiting them. We have graduates from our high school and the come, first-seated basis.
Area Learning Center, and we welcome the second graduating class Of the 206 students graduating this year, 124 have a
Jerry Ness,
from the iQ Academy online school. I have been impressed by their grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
superintendent
positive attitudes and their accomplishments. Please join District 544
of schools staff and me in wishing them the best.
Our district staff and students have much to look forward to next
year, as well. The big news, of course, is that we are moving into Kennedy Secondary School 2010 Top Students
over the summer. The building will house a grade 6-8 middle school and the 9-12 high school. The following 16 students have GPAs of 3.9 or higher:
Students will have a longer-than-usual summer vacation because we are getting out early to
begin the move and the first day of school isn’t until Tuesday, Sept. 7. The new school is Brandon Bergerud Stefanie Miller
something that the entire community can look forward to with a great sense of pride. Amanda Breen Joseph Moses
Already we are receiving truckloads of new furniture and, once school is out, the move will Eben Danielson William Rader
be in full force. It will be wonderful to have our auditorium back for our large events, along
with the new gym, and it is great to see windows in that building and the new additions being
Molly Ekren Rose Saul
completed. Nathan Johnson Haley Schroeder
Our elementary schools remain unchanged. McKinley School will house the kindergarten Benjamin Kugler Shelby Thomason
classes and the preschool programs. Adams School will continue to house grades 1 and 2. Cristina Masten Ethan Valentine
Students in grades 3-5 will attend Cleveland School, with about two-thirds of the students in Lauren McGovern Tayler Vatnsdal
grades 4 and 5 spending a portion of each school day at the Prairie Science Class.
Providing a top-quality education for our students is always our No. 1 priority. We will For a profile of these students, see pages 2-3.
be keeping you updated through newsletters, meetings and information on our Web site at A list of all 2010 graduating
www.isd544.org. students is on the back page.
There will be many opportunities to tour Kennedy Secondary School starting in August.
The United States Air Force Heartland of America Band, The Notables, will be performing in
the auditorium at 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 15. Tours are planned following the performance. Open
houses for students and parents are set for Thursday, Sept. 2, and we plan to offer tours before
many home football games and other sporting events. The first day of school for the
2010-2011 school year is:
Tuesday, Sept. 7..................................Grades 1-12
Check out District
544's Web site at: www.isd544.org Wednesday, Sept. 8........................... Kindergarten

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Independent School District 544
1519 Pebble Lake Road
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Fergus FAlls, MN 56537 Fergus Falls, MN 56537

2 • May 2010
Fergus Falls ISD 544 School News
218-998-0544 • www.isd544.org
Brandon Mark Bergerud
School activities: Junior Engineering
Technical Society, Tri-College Math
competition, PSEO student at M State,
Economics Challenge, baseball
Recognition, honors & awards: AP
Scholar with Distinction, National
Financial Literacy Challenge (top 1
percent), M State President’s List
College plans: University of Minnesota,
Twin Cities
Major or area of study: Astrophysics,
physics and mathematics
Parents: Mark and Sheila Bergerud of
Fergus Falls
Amanda Jo Breen
School activities: Tennis (captain), flag
squad (captain), basketball, band, choir
Community activities: Church youth
group, Humane Society volunteer,
Sunday school teacher, vacation Bible
school teacher, United Way volunteer
Recognition, honors & awards:
Academic All-State (tennis),
All‑Conference Honorable Mention
(tennis), Outstanding Otter (three times),
Superior Rating in choir solo/ensemble,
voted by senior class as most likely to
succeed
College plans: University of North
Dakota
Major or area of study: Physical therapy
Parents: Mike and Echo Breen of Fergus
Falls
Reminder to all Fergus Falls High School graduating seniors: Please notify the counseling
office where you would like your final transcript sent before graduation on May 21.
Congratulations to the
Eben Blake Danielson
School activities: Swimming and diving
(captain and state champion), Chamber
Choir, Wind Ensemble, orchestra,
National Honor Society
Community activities: Special Olympics
coach, church worship team, church
youth group, lifeguard, water safety
instructor
Recognition, honors & awards: Triple
A Award, Outstanding Otter (twice),
Del Norris Spirit & Integrity Award
(swimming), superior rating in band,
choir and orchestra solo/ensemble,
North Dakota State University
Presidential Scholarship
College plans: North Dakota State
University
Major or area of study: Psychology
Parents: Lee and Kirsten Danielson of
Fergus Falls
Molly Alyssa Ekren
School activities: Basketball, volleyball,
Wind Ensemble, Senior Mentorship,
student royalty
Community activities: Church activities,
volunteer at basketball and volleyball
camps, employed at Bello Cucina
Recognition, honors & awards:
Outstanding Otter, All-State Academic
teams (basketball and volleyball),
All-Conference for volleyball, Rotary
student guest
College plans: North Dakota State
University
Major or area of study: Accounting
Parents: Stan and Lisa Ekren of Fergus
Falls
Nathan Frederick Johnson
School activities: PSEO student at M
State, M State Jazz Band
Community activities: Church puppetry
worship team, community theater,
volunteer at A Center for the Arts
and Canadian Volunteer Bible School
instruction, church praise band
Recognition, honors & awards:
Outstanding Otter, Dollars for Scholars
scholarship recipient, 2nd place in
Blondeau Fine Arts Festival, one of
six representatives from Fergus Falls
chosen to advance in the Doodle for
Google regional competition
College plans: M State – Fergus Falls/
University of South Dakota
Major or area of study: Graphic design
and communications
Parents: Klint and Sharman Johnson of
Fergus Falls
Benjamin Phillip Kugler
School activities: Swimming and diving,
Knowledge Bowl, Junior Engineering
Technical Society, Tri-College Math
competition, Close Up Washington
Community activities: Special Olympics
swimming coach, Red Cross and Lion’s
Club volunteer, church activities,
employed at College Way Auto
Recognition, honors & awards:
Published poet, VFW Citizenship
award, M State Foundation Scholarship,
Outstanding Otter, Rotary Athlete
College plans: M State – Fergus Falls
Major or area of study: Undeclared
Parents: Phil and Lori Kugler of Erhard
Cristina Mae Masten
School activities: Hockey, softball, tennis,
Junior Engineering Technical Society,
Economics Challenge
Community activities: Youth softball and
hockey volunteer, Hoot Lake Triathlon
volunteer, certified SCUBA diver
Recognition, honors & awards:
Academic All-State (hockey and tennis),
Outstanding Otter, Champion Citizen,
Rotary Athlete
College plans: Bethel University
Major or area of study: Pre-medicine
Parents: Mark and Tammie Masten of
Fergus Falls
Lauren Ann McGovern
School activities: Volleyball, yearbook
editor, choir, student royalty, Close Up
Washington
Community activities: Young Life/
Campaigners, Wyld Life leader, Fergus
Falls School of Dance, Rotary Interact,
employed at LifeSmiles Dental
Recognition, honors & awards:
Academic All-State (volleyball),
All-Conference honorable mention
(volleyball), Rotary Athlete, Academic
Awards Banquet emcee, Outstanding
Otter
College plans: University of St. Thomas
Major or area of study: Biochemistry
Parents: Dr. Todd and Stacy McGovern
of Fergus Falls
Top Students of 2010!
Stefanie Michelle Miller
School activities: Music, hockey, soccer
(captain), Junior Engineering Technical
Society, Tri-College Math competition
Community activities: Community
theater, church activities, 4-H
Recognition, honors & awards: Triple
A Award, Louis Armstrong Jazz Award,
state participant in FFA Talent Contest,
Superior Ratings in band and choir solo/
ensembles, Concordia College Faculty
Scholarship
College plans: Concordia College
Major or area of study: Mathematics and
music
Parents: Wayne and Adrianne Miller of
Fergus Falls
Joseph Keith Moses
School activities: A Capella Choir, tennis,
swimming, PSEO student at M State,
Junior Engineering Technical Society
Community activities: Young Life,
church activities
Recognition, honors & awards:
Outstanding Otter
College plans: M State – Fergus Falls
Major or area of study: Engineering
Parents: Glenn and Brenda Moses of
Fergus Falls
Attention 2011 seniors! The deadline to submit senior photos (class of 2011) for the Fergus Falls High
School 2010‑2011 yearbook is Monday, Oct. 4, 2010.
Yearbook pictures will be in black and white, but color prints may be submitted. Parents will be contacted in the
fall about an opportunity to submit a baby picture and a message to the graduate.
William Michael Rader
School activities: Football (captain),
basketball, baseball, Senior Mentorship
Community activities: Church praise
band, Young Life, Veterans Home
volunteer, employed at Service Food
and family farm
Recognition, honors & awards: Central
Lakes Conference offensive player of
the week (football), CLC Academic All-
State (football and basketball), Rotary
Athlete, Outstanding Otter
College plans: Jamestown College
Major or area of study: Physical therapy
Parents: Myron and Laura Rader of
Fergus Falls
Rose Elizabeth Saul
School activities: Track, Junior
Engineering Technical Society, band,
Drama Club (president), theater
Community activities: Lake Region
Arts Council Artist Mentor program,
volunteer for Walk of Flags, A Center
for the Arts and the Republican Party,
employed at YMCA, McDonalds and
Lakes Radio
Recognition, honors & awards: All-
State Band, Phi Theta Kappa, Superior
Ratings in band solo/ensemble,
Outstanding Otter, graduating with AA
degree from M State
College plans: United States Military
Academy at West Point
Major or area of study: Chemistry
Parents: Jim and Ginny Saul of Fergus
Falls
Haley Anne Schroeder
School activities: PSEO student at M
State, Phi Theta Kappa honor society
(vice president of service), tennis
Community activities: Employed at
Minnesota Veterans Home
Recognition, honors & awards:
Outstanding Otter, graduating from
M State with AA degree, M State
President’s List
College plans: University of Minnesota,
Twin Cities
Major or area of study: Psychology
Parents: Gary Schroeder of Fergus Falls
and Paula Berge of Woodbury
Shelby Rose Thomason
School activities: Speech, Knowledge
Bowl, band, M State theater, M State
Jazz Band
Community activities: Volunteer at
the Humane Society, Salvation Army,
Kaddatz Gallery and Minnesota
Veterans Home, employed at Café 116
Recognition, honors & awards:
Graduating with AA degree from
M State, M State Phi Theta Kappa,
numerous volunteer awards
College plans: University of Minnesota,
Twin Cities
Major or area of study: English/
journalism
Parents: Leah Landwehr and James
Thomason of Fergus Falls
May 2010 • 3
Fergus Falls ISD 544 School News
www.isd544.org • 218-998-0544
Ethan Philip Valentine
School activities: Speech, Chamber
Singers, Knowledge Bowl, theater, Tri-
College Math competition
Community activities: A Center for
the Arts Youth Advisory Committee
and Center volunteer, peer tutor at M
State, Swan Lake Lutheran Church
Bible Camp volunteer, participant in
Department of Natural Resources frog
surveys
Recognition, honors & awards:
National Merit Scholar, Sunrise Rotary
Performing Artist of the Month, State
Speech Contest contestant, member
of Fergus Falls Presidential Inaugural
Band, William and Effa McMeans
Scholar
College plans: University of Iowa
Major or area of study: Biochemistry or
paleobiology
Parent: Dr. Ann Valentine of Fergus Falls
Tayler Anne Vatnsdal
School activities: Hockey, cross country
(captain), A Capella Choir, high school
student aide and PSEO student at
M State
Community activities: Church activities,
Senior Mentorship
Recognition, honors & awards: All-
Conference hockey, Outstanding Otter
College plans: Concordia College
Major or area of study: Pre-pharmacy
Parents: Brian Vatnsdal of Fergus Falls
and Jody and Leisha Coleman of Elbow
Lake
4 • May 2010 • Fergus Falls ISD 544 School News • 218-998-0544 • www.isd544.org
How to reach us
Phone 218-998-0544
Option 3: District Office
Option 4: Elementary Schools
Option 5: Eisenhower — Gr. 6
Option 6: High School — Gr. 7-12
Option 7: Area Learning Center
Option 8: Adult Basic Education and
Community Education
Option 9: ECFE and Preschool
Programs
Locations
Administration Office:
1519 Pebble Lake Road
Superintendents Office:
502 N. Friberg, in the vo-
cational wing at the north
end of the building
Adams School: 301 W. Bancroft
Cleveland School: 919 Northern
McKinley School: 724 W. Laurel
Eisenhower School:
805 E. Channing
Middle School and High School:
502 N. Friberg
Adult Basic Education:
117 W. Washington
Area Learning Center:
121 W. Washington
Community Education:
117 W. Washington
On the Web
www.isd544.org
Questions?
Answers to many frequently-
asked questions can be found
on our Web site. Visit it often
for school news and updates!
Fergus Falls
School Board
  The School Board conducts the busi-
ness of your schools. Regular meetings
are on the second and fourth Mondays
of each month in the City Hall Council
Chambers at 5 p.m. All meetings are
open to the public, and your attendance
is encouraged. Below is a list of your
school board representatives. Feel free
to contact them by phone or e-mail with
your comments, suggestions, concerns
and questions.
Tarma Carlson..............218-739-4076
tlc4u@prtel.com
Melanie Cole................218-736-7582
coleschoolboard@yahoo.com
Jeff Hohrman . .............218-205-8800
jhohrman@fergusfalls.k12.mn.us
Matt Lemke...................218-731-1385
matthew_lemke@yahoo.com
Steve Stenerson...........218-739-3544
stevevstenerson@gmail.com
Darrel Tungseth............218-736-5366
tungsethschoolboard@bradcowisp.com
(Home phone numbers are listed. E-mail is
the preferred method of contact.)
School News is published by the ISD
544 Administrative Offices.
Please direct your comments to:
ISD 544 Administration
1519 Pebble Lake Road
Fergus Falls, MN 56537
218-998-0544
Superintendent of Schools:
Gerald "Jerry" Ness
Admin. Asst.: Elaine Jahnke
Newsletter Editors:
Peg Kalar and Jane Geisinger
Printing and mailing costs
of the newsletter are covered
by the Community Education budget.
Class of 2010 graduates
Amy Faye Anderson Courtney Julia Diestler Nicholas Ian Kangas ** Cody Michael Odland * Kaitlyn Cecelia Stock
Caleb Ryan Anderson William George DuBord Kay Lynn Keegan ** Vincent Patrick Olmsted ** Rachel Marie Styve **
Daniel Guy Anderson II * Rebecca Ashly Keidel Emily Paige Olson ** Christina LaRae Sutton
Eric Donahue Anderson ** Sarah Inez Dutcher Spencer Stanley Kidder * Ryan Darrell Ott Katlyn Rose Swedberg **
Kalie Lynn Anderson * Karein Carol Ann Ehrich Derek Jean Kinder Tia Kari Pederson ** Jennifer Marie Swenson **
Meagan Christine Molly Alyssa Ekren *** Jesse Lee Kipp * Stephanie Michelle Hannah Elizabeth Grace
Anderson ** Liza Marie Enderson ** Tyler Kurt Koski * Perius * Synstelien *
Miranda LaRae Dylan Daniel Erickson Chloe Rae Kretchman * Susan Marie Peterson ** Shawn DeAngelo
Anderson ** James Julius Evenson Teresa Ann Kruk Joseph William Pettit ** Synstelien
Kate Arlena Angulski ** Natasha Nichole Evenson Benjamin Phillip Kugler *** Seth David Prazak * Rebecca Jeanette Thanel
Kelsey Lynne Appert ** Karly Jean Fogard JonPaul James Kurkowski Joshua Ethan Rachels * Shelby Rose
Gabrielle Sarah Danielle Anthony Douglas William Michael Rader *** Thomason ***
Michael Wayne Kuske
Backer Galasso * Mitchell Thomas Thorsen
Jay Joseph LaPorte Daniel James Revering *
Erin Angela Beck ** Siri Amanda Thorstad *
Jeremy David Ganoe ** Brienna Danielle Larson * Kayla Ann Riestenberg *
Diamond Dominique Bell Jenna Marie Garza Trevor James Larson Nicholas Christian Emily Jean Trout
Sebastien Marc David Lucas Glenn Gervais * Jesse John Laugen ** Risbrudt ** Cassidy Anna Tysdal
Benzi ** Austin Alloy Glas Kaelin Marissa Lautt * Devon Matthew Roerick Erica Kayleigh Ulschmid
Brandon Mark Daniel Harold Gorghuber Michael Paul Leabch II Hazen Ray Roller-Olson McKenzie Ann Umlauf
Bergerud *** Robert Lucky Hagberg Lars Madsen Ronnevik ** Elizabeth Mae
Boyden Hendrik Lee **
Janelle Rae Beske ** Steven Michael Haiby Joseph Thomas Rude ** Underwood **
Brandon Alan Leeman
Kyler Adam Jaymes Andrew Thomas Hanson Hattie Ruth Russell Ethan Philip Valentine ***
Brianna Nicole Leitch
Bethel Anthony Richard Hanson Zachary John Russell * Nancy Xiaorong
Sheyenne Marie Lien *
Jenna Christine Beyer ** Kaila Jamae Hanson Jared Jon Salwei Valentine *
Leisha Marie Lillemon *
Patrick Westin Billodeau ** Shane Michael Hanson Danielle Rae Saul ** Emma Marie
Brandi Kay Lilleskov
Jonathan Blaire Block Tyler Alexander Hatfield * Rose Elizabeth Saul *** VanValkenburg **
Kaitlyn Paige Lindberg
Emily Grace Bodin Cole Samuel Heacox Stephanie Lee Schimunek Jordan Lynne
John Martin Lindblom ** VanWechel *
Steven William Boese ** Noah Michael Heidorn Nicholas Joseph
Lindsey Kaye Boyd * Adam Robert Heifort
Sarah Elizabeth
Schizzano Tayler Anne Vatnsdal ***
Lindblom **
Amy Joy Bradford Jordan Benjamin Heikes * Victoria Shannon Lindley Nicole Dawn Schleske ** Matthew Alan Walls
Benjamin Jacob Brause ** Erin Rebecca Schmidt ** Kathryn Faye Walvatne *
Joshua Allen Helland Jason Michael Lofquist *
Amanda Jo Breen *** Matthew James Sarah Joy Walvatne *
Justin Daniel Helland Ashley Christine Long
Erice Jeva Brown Schneeberger ** Michael Floyd Wasvick
Shaylia Renee Helland Courton Joseph Loreno *
Heidi Lynn Buck * Haley Anne Schroeder *** Brett Frederick Weiss **
Dustin Leroy Helps Jason Robert Lorsung
Joseph Mervin Budke * Ariel Elena Schuelke- Erica Ann West *
Alexander Christopher Eva Marie Lyngby *
Kayla Anna Budke * Hensch Sanchez ** Jessica Marie White *
Crystal Rose Maanum
Katie Sue Bugbee Jacob Donald Herrick * Adam William Schueller * Jared Sidney Wick
Jeffrey Daniel Madsen
Jessica Lauren Burns * Ami Jean Johnson Danielle Michelle Schuett Berit Anne Williamschen **
Lisa Ann Mandelke *
Jordan Robin Burns
Emma Elise Childs **
Annelise Marguerite
Johnson *
Mindy Rae Martin ** Courtney Kay Schultz **
Joseph Fredreick
Melinda Ann Wolfsteller *
Cristina Mae Masten ***
Amanda Mae Eric Dean Johnson ** Schultz **
Jena Ellen Maxwell * Note: This is a list of
Christopherson ** Gretchen Marie Heather Joy Scott * graduates as of 5/5/10.
Kayla Marie McFadden
Ross Frederick Churchill Johnson ** Rebecca Anne Scott * Honor roll designations
Louise Ann McGee
Alyssa Ann Cote ** Heather Lee Johnson * Joren Jenness are as follows:
Lauren Ann McGovern ***
Seth Ryan Dahlseid Lauren Michelle Skillingstad * * 3.0 to 3.499
Andrew Walter McGuire * cumulative grade
Shayleen Ann Daley ** Johnson ** Andrew Jon Sletten *
Nickolas James Miller point average
Eben Blake Danielson *** Molly Jo Johnson Brian Roland Stamper
Stefanie Michelle Miller *** ** 3.5 to 3.899
Stephanie LeAnn Nathan Frederick Darin Jeffery cumulative grade
Danielson * Joseph Keith Moses *** Stanislawski *
Johnson *** point average
Leslie Nicole Defiel * Amber Jean Mrozek * Drew Michael Steven **
Sarah Pearl Johnson ** *** 3.9+ cumulative
Kaylar Shantal Neumann *
Rebecca Lynn Deterding Rebecca Leigh Kalar ** Arriana Irene Stigen * grade point average
Fergus Falls 544 Driver Education
Quality driver education can make a difference for the safety of your
544 Education teenage driver. District driving instructors have a four-year degree in edu-
Foundation cation plus 13-credit licensure in driver education that is issued by the
Alumni and friends of the Fergus Department of Education, are members of the Minnesota Driver and Traffic
Falls School District and parents of current stu- Safety Education Association and have been approved by the Department
dents can say “thanks for public education” of Public Safety. The cost covers the complete classroom and behind-the-
wheel program. Register by credit/debit card on-line at the School District
through a tax-deductible donation to the 544
Web site or at the Community Education office, 117 W. Washington Ave.,
Education Foundation. The Foundation was cre- Fergus Falls, 218-998-0544 ext. 1600.
ated to enhance the quality of public education
Summer classroom sessions are May 24-June 7, M-F, 8-11 a.m.; and
in School District 544. Its mission is to raise, Aug. 16-27, M-F, 12:30-3:30 p.m.
invest and grant money through a charitable Classes will be held at Fergus Falls High School.
foundation to support educational programs.
The Foundation also acts as an alumni asso-
ciation. Reunion information, pictures and other
Summer reading programs
class notes are posted on the Foundation’s Web at the Fergus Falls Public Library
site at www.544foundation.org. The Fergus Falls Public Library offers summer reading programs with
Donations can be sent to 518 Friberg a variety of events and activities for all ages starting June 7. For detailed
Ave. Questions or comments can be directed information, check the library’s Web site at www.fergusfalls.lib.mn.us or
to Mindy Fuder at 998-0544 ext. 2621 or call the library at 739-9387.
544foundation@fergusfalls.k12.mn.us. Thank These programs are a collaborative project between the Fergus Falls School
you for your support! District and the library, and are possible thanks to community businesses,
organizations, foundations, Community Education and private donors.