Search Results

< Middle/High School Academics District Calendar Guidance Office Media Center New Enrollment ROYALTON HIGH SCHOOL artist of the month September 2019 Artist of the Month Matthew Kasella Read More October 2019 Artist of the Month Kelsie Norberg Read More November 2019 Artist of the Month Jordan Pesta Read More December 2019 Artist of the Month Autumn Larson Read More January 2020 Artist of the Month Logan Sullivan Read More February 2020 Artist of the Month Isaac Kasella Read More March 2020 Artist of the Month Madison Gutzkow Read More April 2020 Artist of the Month Jenna Anderson Read More September 2018 Artist of the Month Brooke Richards Read More October 2018 Artist of the Month Isaac Kasella Read More November 2018 Artist of the Month Jordan Pesta Read More December 2018 Artist of the Month Kylee Berg Read More January 2019 Artist of the Month Kendra Duevel Read More February 2019 Artist of the Month Alexandra Storkamp Read More March 2019 Artist of the Month Grace Gall Read More April 2019 Artist of the Month Gavin Sowada Read More September 2017 Artist of the Month Cole Scofield Read More October 2017 Artist of the Month Emily Ferguson Read More November 2017 Artist of the Month Jason Kasella Read More December 2017 Artist of the Month Adam Beam Read More

ROYALTON HIGH SCHOOL Student of the Month 1 2 3 4 5 1 ... 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 ... 9 December 2025 Student of the Month Cody Bieniek Read More October 2025 Student of the Month Abigail Roering Read More September 2025 Student of the Month Kimberlie Randt Read More May 2025 Student of the Month Nolan Gerads Read More April 2025 Student of the Month Sascha Duevel Read More March 2025 Student of the Month Marisa Solland Read More February 2025 Student of the Month Kayden Vannurden Read More January 2025 Student of the Month Wyatt Gerads Read More December 2024 Student of the Month Abby Kalis Read More 1 2 3 4 5 1 ... 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 ... 9

< Middle/High School Academics District Calendar Guidance Office Media Center New Enrollment < Back November 2019 Artist of the Month Jordan Pesta Jordan Pesta, the daughter of Neil Pesta and Brenda Weiss-Pesta, is Royalton High School's November Artist of the Month. She has explored many different electronic mediums besides the usual, traditional applications that are offered at the high school level. "I’ve always loved doing art, ever since I could pick up a pencil. Mr. Halverson has helped me further my career in art by offering instruction and support in classes like Drawing, Painting, and Graphic Illustration to develop my artistic ability and discover a love of different media. My personal favorite mediums are acrylic and watercolor along with drawing digitally on my phone or computer. Illustrating and painting have helped to take the worlds out of my head and onto paper and canvas. I want to share the pictures I visualize and the stories I create with the world as much as I can. Each subject has its own abstract way of being viewed, like my toucan painting or watercolor. They are both original paintings inspired by either things I see in life or just brought life in my head. Since middle school, I’ve been bringing characters to life and developing stories about their lives in my head. I one day hope to illustrate these stories in a graphic novel. Characters are, in a way, bits and pieces of their creator’s personality projected onto said characters. You create what you are, essentially." Pesta's favorite teacher at Royalton High School is visual arts instructor, Carl Halverson. Halverson thinks that Pesta is the most diversified of all of the talented art students he has ever seen. "Jordan excels to new levels in every medium that she picks up," said Halverson. "From traditional to nontraditional artforms; from creating original characters to applying computer generated animation; she transitions so seamlessly. Her original characters tell stories, that are as unique to the reader, as the characters are themselves. The best post secondary options for a student with Jordan's abilities can't be judged by where they are located, but rather, by what they are producing in the way of successful artists. Several artists with a degree earned from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, (Matthew Meyer, Dan Lund, and Justin Weber) for example, were members of the team of animators who created the Disney film Frozen, which won an Oscar. In Jordan's case, I truly believe that she has all of the ability in the world to pursue character development and illustration and as a career. I also believe that any school with a visual art program, in the area or the state for that matter, would welcome Jordan as a student. After all, they are businesses which profit from students attending and filling their programs. But unless they have a program with recent graduates who are extremely successful in their respective fields, they pretty much sound and resemble a "good, honest car salesman", (if one of these types of salesmen actually does exist.) Royalton High School's Visual Arts program has graduates who have become Art Teachers, Graphic Designers, Freelance Artists, Web Page Designers, and Illustrators to name a few of the many careers in the field. We are about to add a Famous Animator to this list in my opinion. All I can do as a high school art instructor, is try to point her in the direction of her strengths. Jordan Pesta has so many artistic strengths, that I believe she will be one of these students who will join the ranks of like the previously mentioned artists above. Artists, who don't sit around at a local pub talking about their glory days of high school. Instead, Artists who have actually held up an Oscar in their hands or published a book that they wrote as well as illustrated. She will be missed around here, but if I were a betting man, I would bet that she will return one day, extremely successful." After high school, Pesta hopes to attend a college centered around artistic careers or offering pathways to the art field. She has been looking into, and is in the process of applying to, the Academy of Art University, the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, and the Savannah College of Art and Design.

< Middle/High School Academics District Calendar Guidance Office Media Center New Enrollment October 2022 Student of the Month Ava Schoenrock Ava is the daughter of Jeff and Amy. When looking at how she has got to where she is today, Ava believes her family has had a big part in that, “I have a relatively big family with my three sisters and parents, and I feel that they are the reason I am where I am today. My parents have always been my biggest role models, always supporting me in everything I do. Having my dad as a teacher, parent, and coach, has had its ups and downs, but the positives have always outweighed the negatives. I have also always looked up to my older sister, Autumn, because she, along with my parents, encouraged me to get out of my comfort zone and join new activities. Having her by my side when I am scared to try new things, makes me feel like anything is possible.” When it comes to her classes Ava says her favorite class has been biology, “My favorite class I took was biology. This class was the first time I enjoyed learning about science, and I have loved learning about biology ever since. I have even considered studying biology in college. Since I liked the first biology class that I took in 10th grade so much, I decided to take College Human Biology this year and it has quickly become my favorite class. I really enjoy learning about the scientific makeup of organisms and learning about different aspects of the human body. The class is also college credit which makes it even better.” As for a favorite teacher in high school, Ava has a couple teachers that come to mind, “Most people would assume that my favorite teacher would be Mr. Schoenrock since he is my dad, but I decided to choose someone else for this category because even though he is a great teacher, there are other teachers I have had that really impacted me. Two of the teachers that have really left an impact on me are Mrs. Tordsen and Mr. Koenig. I only had Koenig as a teacher for one year when I was a sophomore, but he has been my advisor in Student Council for a couple of years now and one of my coaches in FCA, so he has helped me not only with my essays in English class but also with learning how to become a more confident leader. Mrs. Tordsen is one of the happiest teachers in our school, always smiling and encouraging me to do my best. I truly admire her carefree spirit and kind personality.” At Royalton High School Ava is involved with a number of different activities that keep her very busy, “In school, I am involved in multiple clubs and after-school activities including basketball, knowledge bowl, YES Club, student council, MHS, and FCA. I started playing basketball in elementary school and have loved it ever since. My favorite part of basketball is the rush you get after making a basket and the feeling of being a part of a team. I only recently joined knowledge bowl and YES Club, but I have found that I really enjoy being in both of these activities. Knowledge bowl gives me the opportunity to use all the information I have learned in school to compete against other schools, and YES Club allows me to learn about the environment and find ways to improve our school. I also really enjoy finding ways to help the community and volunteer which is the main reason I like being a part of MHS. In FCA, I get to spend time with other student-athletes who want to grow in their faith just like me. Student Council is probably my favorite activity to be a part of because I am able to help plan activities that go on in our school, but most importantly because Student Council has allowed me to develop leadership skills and make new friends. All of these activities have taught me the importance of teamwork and time management since juggling multiple activities as well as school and work can be quite a challenge.” When it comes to time outside of school, Ava likes to spend it doing a number different things, “Outside of school, I enjoy camping, fishing, and being a part of my church's Youth Group. As much as I love sitting inside watching movies and reading books, I also spend a lot of time outdoors camping and fishing with my family. Additionally, I enjoy being a part of youth group because I get to spend time each week playing games while deepening my faith alongside many of my friends.” Ava’s favorite high school memory came last year during the basketball season, “I would say that my favorite high school memory was when I got to play in a basketball game alongside all three of my sisters. My sisters and I were all born within 5 years, so we are relatively close in age but we never expected to all be on the court at the same time since my youngest sister would only be in 7th grade when my older sister was a senior. However, we did get the chance to play together if only for a few minutes, and even if I don’t get along with them all the time, it was pretty amazing having us all out there together.” As for next year, she had an idea but is still deciding what she wants to do, “At the moment, I am undecided about what I will be doing next year. I hope to attend a four-year college but haven’t decided where I will go, and I have yet to figure out what I want to eventually do for a living. I have considered studying biology and even animal science which are both topics I am interested in learning more about. When asked where she wants to be in 10 years, Ava had this to say. “Even though I haven’t figured out what I want to do for a career yet, I know that I want to find one that I truly enjoy and I hope that in 10 years I am happy with my decisions and where they led me. I also envision myself having multiple pets and hope to have traveled the world.” Ava’s advice to high school freshmen is this, “I know everyone says this but enjoy it while it lasts because these next four years of high school will be over before you know it. I found that the best way to truly enjoy high school was by joining a variety of clubs and activities. Even though it is scary and might be out of your comfort zone, you will make so many friendships and memories. Not to mention, being a part of multiple clubs makes you look better on college applications.

< Middle/High School Academics District Calendar Guidance Office Media Center New Enrollment October 2024 Student of the Month Addison Schoenrock Addison is the daughter of Jeff and Amy. As graduation looms, Addison takes a moment to reflect on her high school experience and the lessons learned from family, teachers, and extracurricular activities. Her story serves as an inspiring reminder to savor every moment and seize every opportunity. Addison credits her family for being her greatest cheerleaders. "My family is incredibly supportive, attending all my events and encouraging me every step of the way," Addison said. “Growing up as the third of four sisters, teamwork and perseverance were instilled at an early age. Together, the family enjoys playing games, camping, and participating in outdoor activities.” When Addison was asked about some of her favorite classes in school, she had this to say, “English class during sophomore year stands out as a highlight. With the engaging Mr. Koenig at the helm, the class began each day with a trivia game that energized students. I love reading and writing, so this class was naturally enjoyable, but Mr. Koenig made it exceptional," When it comes to favorite teachers, Mrs. Noerenberg holds a special place in Addison’s heart. "She recently completed her master’s degree while balancing her roles as a mom and teacher, which inspires me to work hard," Addison noted. “Mrs. Noerenberg’s approachable nature and hands-on teaching style made her Chemistry class a standout.” Addison’s high school experience has been enriched by active participation in basketball, volleyball, YES Club, Knowledge Bowl, Student Council, Minnesota Honor Society, and Spanish Club. "My favorite part of these activities is meeting new people," she said. “Each group brought unique opportunities for growth and connection.” Outside of school, Addison’s church youth group has been a significant source of joy and inspiration. “Initially joining because of my sisters, I stayed because of the friendships, games, and faith-building experiences it provided.” Addison said. When asked about her favorite memories from high school, Addison had this to say, “One cherished memory involves playing varsity basketball alongside my three sisters. Towards the end of a during my oldest sister Autumn’s senior year of varsity, Autumn, my second oldest sister Ava and my younger sister Alise and myself were all on the court at the same time. We made up four of the five players on the court. It’s a memory I’ll always be proud of," they said. Another favorite tradition of Addison is Christmas Week, where, as a member of the Student Council, she helped plan activities and dress-up days to spread holiday cheer. "There’s nothing better than spending the last day before break making cookies or enjoying festive activities”, she said. While still deciding on a college, Addison however is set on a major she would like to pursue and that is in communications with aspirations of becoming a social media manager. "In 10 years, I hope to work with a large account, like a sports team or beauty line, managing their social media behind the scenes," she shared. Looking back on her own journey, Addison’s advice to incoming freshmen is simple yet profound: "Savor each moment, the good and the bad. Time flies, so don’t take anything for granted." Addison’s story is a celebration of family, friendship, and determination, offering an inspiring blueprint for others to follow as they navigate their high school years and beyond.

< Middle/High School Academics District Calendar Guidance Office Media Center New Enrollment January 2024 Student of the Month Adonijah Ripple Adonijah believes his family has helped him learn to work hard, “My family has taught me to work hard in every area of my life. They let me choose what I dedicate my time to, so long as I do it to the best of my ability. They support me in these things by showing up to events, or helping me when they can. In addition to emotional support, I’m forever grateful that they’ve given me financial support in my education, and just plain old fun.” When it comes to activities outside of school Adonijah said this, “Outside of school I’m involved in our church’s worship team, playing guitar. I enjoy doing this both because I get to play guitar with other skilled people, but also because I get to develop relationships with other people while also sharing my faith. This has also given me opportunities like the worship team I got to be a part of through Minnesota AIM (Ambassadors in Mission). That trip in particular was one of the most important and memorable experiences I’ve ever had.” In school Adonijah has a few activities that he’s been really involved, “I mainly participate in our CTE club, Business Professionals of America (BPA). BPA gave me an excuse to both buy and wear a suit, at least it started that way. But, as my life started to point more towards business related activities, it became vital to my business education. It also gave me an opportunity to develop my leadership skills.” When Adonijah looks at what his favorite class has been during his high school career, he says art would be his pick, “Though I’m not super great at it, every art class I’ve taken has been among my favorite classes. Creating things of value (whether it be personal or for others) is one of the most important aspects of my life, and art class has given me a way to do that. Right now, ceramics is my favorite in particular, clay is an easy medium to work with because you can shape it into exactly what you see in your mind. Art would benefit others by giving them an outlet for creativity and expression, and an opportunity to do what they want, solving problems on their own.” As for his favorite teachers at Royalton, it’s not an easy pick for Adonijah, “This is a difficult question to answer because all of my teachers have shaped both my educational experience and my life. Mr. Silbernick was one of my favorite teachers because he approached teaching with such passion and genuine interest in his students. Though it was frustrating, he encouraged my class to solve problems on their own, with all of their effort, so that they might learn even more in the process. Whenever I get the opportunity to help someone understand something, this is the exact same approach I take because of how important it was for me in math. Other teachers like Mr. Koenig and Mrs. Tordsen both helped me foster my creativity, but were also sincere and dedicated to teaching me.” Adonijah’s favorite memories of high school have come during Royal Hour, “My favorite memory of high school is getting to hang out with my friends in the band practice rooms during Royal Hour (Study Hall). Especially before half of my friends graduated, this was the best place to get zero work done and have conversations about nothing in particular, and that was the best part, it was just enjoying each other's company and sharing in lots of laughs.” As for Adonijah’s favorite activity at high school, it came in BPA, “Getting to go to the national competition for BPA was one of my favorite events in high school. Once I had finally sorted out the funding for the trip to California, we got to hang out in the sun while the rest of my peers were still dealing with the cold in Minnesota. The actual competition part was horrific. I had a headache the whole way through the accounting test I did from staring at the screen so hard. Getting to stand on the podium for 3rd place in a national competition was surreal though. In my mind it took a while to register my accomplishment, because I only saw it as winning one competition, and I didn’t see all of the other people that didn’t even qualify.” When asked what his post high school plans were, Adonijah says he plans to head south to the great state of Iowa, “After high school I plan to move to Iowa with my dad and start a career in real estate. The main thing I want to do is get into real estate investing. After getting to meet one of the Quad Cities real estate moguls, he inspired me to pursue a life in real estate. I plan to also get licensed and become an agent. In addition, I plan to scale and eventually sell my pressure washing business.” In ten years, this is where Adonijah sees himself, “In 10 years, I want to create my own personal economy. By personal economy I mean I want to be bringing real value to the people I’ve surrounded myself with, both by providing them with jobs, but also opportunities to do the very same things that I’m doing. It is also vitally important to me that I build generational wealth for those that come after me.” Lastly Adonijah’s advice to freshman was, “I want to give freshmen the same advice my parents gave me, whatever you choose to do, do it with everything you have. Respect your elders, but also your peers. Studying to remember things is great, but truly learning things is the most important thing. The one thing people can’t take away from you is your education, you’ll still have it even if you hit rock bottom. Finally, take high school seriously, but not too seriously, remember that you're still a kid and will be an adult for the rest of your life.”

We develop lifelong learners ready for an ever changing world. Learn more about Royalton Public Schools today. New Enrollment We are pleased you are interested in enrolling your child in Royalton Public Schools! Give us a call at (320) 584-4000 or use the link below. Strategic Plan Royalton's strategic plan guides the work of staff, students, and community in achieving its goals. It helps align resources, set priorities and enhance overall student outcomes. Communication Plan Royalton's communication plan is to ensure all stakeholders receive timely and effective communication, so they have the best possible experience at Royalton Public Schools. Our Mission Create a welcoming and safe environment where all students and staff are empowered and challenged to achieve their personal best. Royalton's Voice Royalton's Voice is a forum for YOU to share your questions, concerns, compliments, and more. Each post is anonymous and will be reviewed by school personnel. If you'd like a response, include your email address. We hope this will be an avenue to have greater communication with you long-term. School Board Meetings Tuesday, February 17, 2026 Regular Board Meeting, 6:00PM IN-PERSON & ONLINE ( Zoom Link) 120 SOUTH HAWTHORN, ROYALTON MS/HS Media Center, Door #7 Good things are happening. #RoyaltonRoyals Morrison County Record Skyward Family Access District Calendar Menus & Nutrition Community Education Employment Opportunities Athletics Livestream Volunteer Application STaff QUICK LINKS Employee Resource Center Proliftic Employee Email Frontline Skyward SMART eR Help Desk Webstore superintendent wayne lepard Royalton Public Schools welcomes families and the community to be partners with us in providing an outstanding school experience for our students. Students are our number one priority whether it's in the classroom, clubs, sports, or enrichment activities. We strive to create a positive culture and climate to give students and staff the opportunity to reach their highest potential.

< Middle/High School Academics District Calendar Guidance Office Media Center New Enrollment March 2023 Student of the Month James Vannurden James is the son of Phil and Jill. James says his family has been a huge part of his life, “My family has been really influential in my life, they have pushed me very hard in everything. My parents have always made sure to push me to getting good grades and being active in sports and activities.” Whether it is in school or outside of school, James is involved in a variety of activities, “I am in Youth Group for my church. We do a lot of activities. I do enjoy being involved with my church; it feels very rewarding to do things to help my community. I’m in Football, Track, and YES Club. I have always loved football since I was very little, I would play it every day. Football has help me through life because of all of the memories and friends I’ve gained. I first joined track when I was in 7th grade. I joined track because I thought I was very fast in 7th grade; The first meet was very humbling for me. I moved around a lot in track, until I found out i was good at jumping. Track has been fun over the years because of the friendships I made. Im also in YES Club. I have done a ton of activities in YES club like building a retaining wall for the school, and doing fun activities with our group like snow tubing at Power Ridge. Overall YES Club has been a good experience for me.” When it comes to his classes James says his favorite class was welding and his favorite teacher is Mr. Robert Skwira. “My favorite class I have taken in high school is Welding. What I liked about Welding so much is that I got taught a whole new skill, Welding was one of the only classes that I couldn't wait to go to. It stood out because at first, I was a little bit scared of trying it but once I got comfortable, it was awesome. I would suggest it to other students because it’s a good skill to have with you, and not many know how to do it. My favorite teacher would have to be Mr. Skwira because of all the knowledge about the trades that I have learned. Skwira is a teacher that has always been very nice to me and really expected a lot out of me. I like how he teaches because he let me try to figure it out on my own, and if I was struggling, he would jump in.” James' favorite memory from school took place this fall, “My favorite high school memory is homecoming. Homecoming is such a fun time because of all the activities we did including the Olympics and dress up days. What made it the best memory was at the end of the day I played football with all of my buddies versus the Paynesville bulldogs. It was a brutal game, but it all made it worth it when we pulled ahead and won the game. After that everyone was pumped up and it was a good time.” James then said the best event he was part of was during his junior football season, “The best game I was involved in is my junior year of football, where in the second round of the playoffs. We played against the Paynesville Bulldogs, and we were going back and forth at each other. The nerves were hitting because there was a full crowd and we had to stay in the game, but when the clock struck zero, we managed to pull out the win. At the end it was so rewarding because even though my body felt like garbage, I was so excited we won.” After graduating and where he sees himself in the future James had this to say, “Next year I will be jumping right into working doing construction, I chose construction because I like to work with my hands and I like to moving around all of the time. The best thing that I like about construction is going through building and looking at the progress made on the building. In the next 10 years I plan to work hard and make some money, I hope to buy my own house and start to develop a family. It is important to me because I would like to have something to push me to work hard.” James’ advice to high school freshmen is, “One thing I would advise is to get your required classes done earlier so you can have fun classes that you will like when you’re an upperclassman and make sure to have fun.”

< Middle/High School Academics District Calendar Guidance Office Media Center New Enrollment May 2023 Student of the Month Nola Blais Nola is the daughter of Travis and Nadine. When it comes to family Nola says they have been very important to her, “My family has taught me that hard work can get you anywhere. My Mom and Dad are very hard workers and they influenced me to work hard for what I want. I really enjoy boating in the summertime with my family the most.” At Royalton High School, Nola participated in sports and activities, “Throughout high school I have taken part in Softball, Yes Club, and Knowledge Bowl. I have played Softball for a long period of my life. I enjoy the team, program, and being around my friends and making memories. YES Club is something I joined as a senior to and would definitely recommend to anyone thinking about joining. Being outside and seeing different aspects of nature and energy conservation is something I had no idea could be so intriguing. Last but not least is the Knowledge Bowl. I loved Knowledge Bowl. It was such a fun environment. I made a lot of new friends and a lot of wonderful memories at our meets!” When it comes to her classes Nola says her favorite classes are science classes, “My favorite classes are any science classes with Ms.Gerads. She has taught me a lot considering I have taken Biology, Ecology, Zoology, Forensics and Microbiology. As for a favorite teacher in high school, Nola says she has a couple her favorite, “One of my favorite teachers is definitely Ms. Menden. Not only because she is a great English teacher but also because she is so knowledgeable about life and is truly a wonderful advice giver. She is very influential to me because she has seen me at my worst years of school all the way into my best years because she is also my homeroom advisor. One of my other favorite teachers would have to be Ms. Tordsen because she is so wise beyond art. She makes the school environment so inclusive and welcoming.” Outside of school Nola spends a lot of time with family and friends, “Outside of school I love to spend time with my friends and family. I spend a lot of time with my grandparents every week. I set aside time to spend with them because they are pretty much my best friends, they have taught me so much and I really do not know where I would be without them. I also enjoy traveling. My favorite vacation was probably Tennessee which I recently took with my family. I also enjoy my job as a cashier at Coborns. I have been a cashier for almost 3 years and I really enjoy it.” When asked about her favorite memory and activity of high school, this was Nola’s response, “My favorite high school memory was winning the 2022 Homecoming Olympics. Why this is my favorite memory is because everyone was so excited including me and we were all just living in the moment. it was a great time for the class of 2023. Not to mention the football team won the big game that day against Paynesville. The best activity I was involved in was the Yes Club tubing trip this winter. I had such a blast with all my friends and it was a beautiful sunny day and it just was such a fun time. Believe it or not we got all almost 60 of us down the sledding hill at one time. It took a couple of tries but eventually we got it!” Nola’s plans for her future are these, “Next year I will be attending Central Lakes Brainerd for Dental Assisting. I enjoy working with people and I eventually hope continue my schooling to become a Dental Therapist. My long-term goal is to make enough money to do a lot of traveling with my significant other. I hope to buy a house and continue my education in the dental field.” Nola’s advice to high school freshmen was this “My advice to a freshman would be to never sell yourself short. Every person has different capabilities and not everyone is the same. I would say do not be afraid to be different. All throughout high school people want to blend in and be the same but I would say be weird and be different because you will not regret becoming the own version of yourself that you were meant to be. Make new friends and enjoy every moment because it sure does go by fast!

< Middle/High School Academics District Calendar Guidance Office Media Center New Enrollment May 2020 Student of the Month Mackenzie Beam Royalton Faculty and Staff would like to announce that Mackenzie Beam has been named the Student of the Month for May. Mackenzie notes that her family has helped her get to where she is today in more ways than she can think of. They have shaped her into the person she is by always being there for her when she needs them most, and push her to always do her best. She states that she is grateful for her five siblings because they have helped her find her way through life and allowed her to follow in their footsteps. Her family has taught her to always go after her dreams and if it doesn’t work out, she will always have their support and her faith to get her through it. Mackenzie’s favorite classes this past year were STATS and English. These were her favorite because the class atmosphere was always high and energetic. Ms. Menden and Mr. Silbernick made their classes enjoyable to be in, which made the hour go by fast. She notes that her favorite teacher is Ms. Menden. Although she has only had her for one year of English 12, she has made a big effort to really connect and get to know all of the students in Mackenzie’s class. One of her favorite things is that Ms. Menden was always smiling in class and made everyday fun, exciting and full of energy. At RHS, Mackenzie has been involved in Y.E.S. Club, Spanish Club, Minnesota Honor Society, and Student Council. She explains that she joined all of these organizations to try and get out of her comfort zone and be more involved. Her favorite High School activity was Student Council, especially in setting up for Homecoming. It was one of her favorites because seeing all of the other students having fun, smiling, and laughing was a great reward for all the hard work they all had put into that week. Mackenzie believes that she gained some leadership skills and more confidence by being involved in these various activities. Chris Coppicus, Royalton High School Band Director, would like to highlight that, “Mackenzie is a quiet leader in the band. She comes to class with a smile on her face everyday and puts in the work. Now that we are distance learning I am finding that Mackenzie is a stronger clarinet player than I first thought and she will be greatly missed next year.” Outside of school, she is involved in 4-H through Benton County. In the Spring, she gets pigs and raises them until August when they are taken to the Benton County Fair to show. She has a lot of fun making memories with her cousins at the fair, as well. Mackenzie’s favorite High School memory was when the power went out this past Fall and all the Seniors gathered in the Lion's Den in a circle sang songs and made memories. Next year she will be attending the University of Wisconsin, River Falls, majoring in Elementary Education. She is planning to teach either first or second grade. Tammy Shaughnessy, Kindergarten teacher at Royalton Elementary School states, “Mackenzie has been a student intern in my kindergarten class since the beginning of the school year. She has always been very reliable, showing up every day prepared and ready to jump into action with the students. She spent a lot of time reading with the kindergartners, playing learning games, assisting with small-group activities, helping with writing, and countless other activities. The students loved having Miss Mackenzie come into our classroom and they always hoped they were the next ones who got to read with her. She has an extremely kind heart and is so respectful of all students and their unique needs. Even in our unprecedented situation, where students may be feeling bombarded with distance learning, Mackenzie reached out to me and asked if she could join the Google Hangout with the kindergartners. The kids were very happy to see that Miss Mackenzie was able to join us.” Her advice for High School Freshman is, “soak it all in because the time really does go by fast!”

< Middle/High School Academics District Calendar Guidance Office Media Center New Enrollment November 2021 Student of the Month Callie Vannurden Royalton High School is proud to announce that Callie Vannurden was selected as Student of the Month for November. Callie is the daughter of Philip and Jill and sister of James and Max. Callie’s family has helped her grow and learn, “My family has taught me many things over my years in school, but the overall element that they have taught me is the importance of hard work. They have also encouraged me to try my best in all my activities and classes and no matter the outcome they will always be proud of me. My favorite activities to do with my family are watching movies and enjoying family dinners together. At Royalton High School Callie participates in many activities such as: volleyball and basketball and softball and serves as team captain in all 3. She is an officer for FFA and a member of Student Council and the Minnesota Honors Society. Callie believes all of her activities have taught her a lot “I have really learned what it takes to be a leader. Leadership has developed me into a more responsible and encouraging person. I have learned how every action I make (whether seen or not) can make a difference in someone's life.” “It has been a pleasure coaching, teaching and knowing Callie for the past 4 years. She is a fantastic student and teammate. She has a great work ethic in the classroom and when it comes to her athletics she’ll do whatever it takes to help her team and teammates out and doesn’t complain. She works hard and is a great leader and role model. It is not a shock as to why she has been voted a captain by her teammates. She has definitely had a major positive impact her at Royalton,” commented Social Studies teacher and Head Girls Basketball Coach Brad Baumann. Looking at her classes Callie says her favorite class has been Human Body Systems and her favorite teacher has been Ms. Gerads, “My favorite class in high school was Human Body Systems. This class is very memorable to me because I find it very enjoyable learning about the human body with fun labs and diagrams. I would suggest others to take this class if you are interested in the medical field. Ms. Gerads because she has always made my learning experience enjoyable. She inspires me with her organization and effort she puts into all of her classes to ensure that you understand what is going on and is always quick to answer my many questions.” Callie’s favorite high school memory was during this year’s homecoming week, “My favorite High School memory was having the opportunity of being my school's homecoming queen. This was my favorite because it makes me feel like I have been a good classmate over the years. My favorite activity of being homecoming queen was being able to read and visit the younger kids and explain to them how being kind to one another and helping out your classmates can go a long way.” Along with her favorite high school memory Callie also has a couple other memories and experiences that she will cherish. “The events that stand out above the others was the success of my Milk Quality team in the past years and Basketball team last year. One of the highlights of my FFA CDE Milk Quality was participating at the state convention and receiving 3rd place as a team in the state in 2019 and 2nd place in 2020. Another moment from my favorite activities was upsetting the Holdingford Huskers last year in basketball during the first round of playoffs. These events were both products of hard work and teamwork and I will forever remember them both.” As to what she plans to do next year and where she sees herself in 10 years, Callie had this to say, “I plan to attend college for nursing and eventually become a labor and delivery nurse. I am planning on attending Ridgewater in Willmar. I really wanted to go into the nursing field because I am very much a people person and learned how important it is to take care of people. Then in 10 years I see myself working at a hospital or birthing center as a labor and delivery nurse. I plan to live in the area of Royalton because I want to stay close to my family.” Callie’s advice to high school freshmen is this “Do not be afraid to try new activities. Although it may seem awkward or scary at first once you get into the swing of things, that's when you start to make memories and have fun! Also cherish the time that you have in high school because although four years seems like a long time it goes fast.”

< Middle/High School Academics District Calendar Guidance Office Media Center New Enrollment December 2024 Student of the Month Abby Kalis As Abby Kalis prepares to graduate, she reflects on the cherished moments, supportive relationships, and ambitions that have shaped her high school journey. From family game nights to competitive softball games, Abby's story is one of gratitude, determination, and joy. When asked how her family has played a role in her life and education, she credits them as her greatest source of encouragement and strength. "They always remind me to do my best and never fail to tell me how proud they are," she says. Whether it's through advice, love, or shared traditions like family camping trips, Abby's parents and siblings have provided a solid foundation for her success and happiness. Looking at the different classes and teachers Abby has had over the years at Royalton Schools, she discovered her passion for biology in Mrs. Gerads' college-level human biology class. She recalls the engaging dissections and creative memorization techniques that made the class both educational and fun. "It was laidback yet informative, and it helped me earn college credit while still in high school," Abby shares. As for Abby’s favorite teacher, she said Mrs. Noerenberg, left a lasting impression through her engaging teaching style and genuine care for students. "She puts on a strict face but is secretly friendly and always willing to help," As far as sports or activities go, softball has been the go-to sport for Abby. Abby has been a dedicated softball player since third grade and she describes her team as a "home away from home." She values the lessons in teamwork, accountability, and perseverance that the sport has taught her. From dancing in the dugout to rolling in the grass during practice, the camaraderie with her teammates has been a highlight of her high school experience. Outside of school, Abby enjoys spending time with friends, belting out favorite songs during car rides, and escaping into the pages of a good book. Reading offers her a magical retreat from the demands of daily life, allowing her to immerse herself in new worlds. Abby's favorite high school memory is Survivor Week, an event filled with challenges, dress-up days, and friendly competition between grades. "I'm super competitive, so this week was my jam," she laughs. Another standout event for her was the homecoming football game, where the energy and sense of community created unforgettable moments. Looking ahead, Abby plans to attend North Dakota State University to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). She dreams of becoming a trauma nurse at a level 1 trauma center, where she can make a difference by treating critical injuries and helping patients heal. To incoming high schoolers, Abby offers this wisdom: "Don’t worry if things don’t go as planned. I’m not the person I thought I’d be as a freshman, but everything worked out in the end." With her infectious enthusiasm and dedication to her goals, Abby Kalis is sure to leave a positive mark on the world as she embarks on her next chapter just as she has at Royalton Schools.