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< Middle/High School Academics District Calendar Guidance Office Media Center New Enrollment September 2018 Student of the Month Jenna Carlson Jenna Carlson, daughter of Shelly and Dail Carlson, has been named the September Student of the Month at Royalton High School (RHS). Jenna has three siblings; Brianna and Zach who graduated from RHS, and Connor who is an 8th grader at Royalton. Jenna’s favorite class is Sociology and Psychology, which is an ITV class taught by Frank Weber. She also mentioned Spanish teacher Lindsey Gruber as one of her favorite teachers. “Jenna is a role model to her peers and underclassmen. She puts her best effort into everything she does, whether it be an assignment, a test, a practice, or a game. She is respectful to everyone, no matter who they are, and makes our school more positive place,” Gruber said. Social studies teacher and head girls basketball coach Brad Baumann said, "I believe Jenna is a truly exceptional student and individual. Jenna always has a smile on her face and is the type of person that will go out of her way to help anyway she can, whether it's in the classroom, in extracurriculars or outside of school. She is a great leader and works hard at everything she does, and doesn't settle for anything other than her best. I think we're extremely fortunate here at Royalton to have Jenna as one of our students and one of our student leaders. Her character and work ethic is a great example for younger students and as a parent myself I would love to see my child follow in her footsteps." Carlson is very involved in activities at school including volleyball, basketball, softball, National Honors Society, Student Council, Tech Club, YES club, Spanish Club, WE Day, and Knowledge Bowl. A favorite school memory for Jenna was all of homecoming week this year. Especially getting tackled by the preschool and kindergarten girls when royalty visited them at lunch, and also driving the golf cart around the field at the football game. Carlson plans to double major in Biology and Spanish with a focus on pre medicine. Then continue on to PA school. Jenna’s advice to freshmen is, “Challenge yourself, get involved, enjoy the little things, and SMILE! It makes a difference!”

< Middle/High School Academics District Calendar Guidance Office Media Center New Enrollment October 2020 Student of the Month Naomi Ferguson Royalton High School is proud to announce that Naomi Ferguson was selected as Student of the Month for October. Naomi says her family has played a large role in her life and has made her who she is, “My oldest sister Collette has taken care of me since I was little, without fail she woke me up every morning, brought me to school and taught me how to grow up, she is the best role model I could have asked for. My second oldest sister Emily, introduced me to most of the activities I’m in and my youngest sister Sofia, even though we have the worst fights, is someone I trust the most. Then my mother, the master of the house, seems to seems to be made of nothing but love, perseverance, and muscle. She is understanding and kind and has done everything from try to teach me math while I was crying at the table to braiding my then 3 feet of hair every morning before school, I will always appreciate our kitchen table talks”. At Royalton High School, Naomi is involved in many activities. She has been involved in Drama, Speech, Knowledge Bowl, Marching Band, Jazz Band, BPA, One Act Play, FFA, Prom Committee, Cross Country, Track & Field, Student Council, Royal Pride Club, Choir and Minnesota Honor Society. Naomi says all of these activities has helped her tremendously as she has grown, “Each one is very different, but they all have something in common: the camaraderie and relationships I have made with the people in them. I have also made significant improvement not only in the activities themselves, becoming a better speaker, musician, singer, actress, and trivia-buff, but also in life, becoming a more confident, dedicated, and all-around better person.” Royalton High School Choir teacher Cheri Ploof says that Naomi is an outstanding musician and is amazing at anything she puts her mind to. Royalton Art Teacher Cathy Tordsen agreed by saying that “Naomi is a very talented artist, with excellent rendering skills!” Social Studies Teacher Brad Baumann added “ If you ask any teacher at Royalton, I think they all would agree that Naomi is a great example for all of our students at RHS with all of her skills and great work in the classroom.” When it comes to her classes Naomi says her favorite class was probably English Composition. “My favorite class was probably comp. Even though it was harrowing, I liked the camaraderie we developed and the relationship between Ms. Menden and our class. I also learned quite a lot, which is always fun. In short, comp was like we were all in an emotionally exhausting book club in which we constantly slapped each other in the face with valuable information. I highly recommend it.” As for a favorite teacher in high school Naomi says it’s impossible to pick just one, “I cannot and will not choose a favorite teacher. Each of my teachers has helped me immeasurably; they have patiently taught and re-taught confusing topics, they have been my confidants, and they have made me a better person. I will be forever in their debt. While I am closer to some than others, they are all truly wonderful human beings who I deeply trust and care for and I could not have lived without.” Some of Naomi’s favorites memories in high school have been with friends and spending time with them in and out of school, “Almost all memories of working in the concession stands have been my favorites. I was always with my best friends and through the hundreds of hours peddling our vittles we became a well-oiled machine. I have so many good memories full of unadulterated happiness that I will never remember clearly: late night cast parties to Perkins, caked in stage makeup: placing at a speech meet: funny jokes, good music, and long nights. While I can’t always remember the events, the feelings I had and the time spent with those I care about are what I will look back on most fondly.” Because of an already busy schedule Naomi does not have a ton of free time outside of school. The time that she does have she spends working at her job, she will participate in 5Ks and likes to draw and ski. But most of her time is spent participating in school sponsored events. Next year Naomi plans to attend North Dakota State University and wants to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering. In ten years she hopes to have graduated from NDSU and found a productive career that she enjoys and says “Life, however, is full of goals, all of them stepping stones of improvement with no end; I only hope to choose the path of kindness and make the world a slightly better place.” Naomi’s advice to high school freshmen is, “Have confidence in yourself. Do not be afraid to be your true, unabashed self. Most of the time, my biggest problem in drama, knowledge bowl, math, or whatever I was doing, was that I did not believe I could do it. Once you are sure of yourself, you can do more than you thought you ever could.”

< Middle/High School Academics District Calendar Guidance Office Media Center New Enrollment September 2023 Student of the Month Nate Moga Royalton High School is delighted to announce Nate Moga as the Student of the Month for September. Nate has consistently demonstrated exceptional dedication to both academic excellence and community engagement during his time at Royalton High School. Nate is the son of Tracy Moga. Nate believes that his family has been a guiding light. “My mother's unwavering support and belief in me have taught me the power of a mother's love and the strength that comes from within. My sisters, Alli and Meagan, have been my role models, pushing me to work hard and become the person I am today. With their encouragement, I've learned that every challenge can be faced with a hug and a determined spirit.” In school one of Nate’s favorite classes was his 11th-grade physics class, taught by Heidi Noerenberg. When asked why he enjoyed the class, Nate had this to say, “The class was not just a learning experience; it was a journey through challenging yet engaging material. What made it memorable was the diverse group of classmates who, despite their differences, came together in an environment that allowed growth and camaraderie. I would recommend this class to others because it taught me that learning is not just about textbooks; it's about exploration, collaboration, and the joy of discovery.” When asked if he had any other classes or teachers that had an impact on him, one other teacher came to his mind. “Mr. Jeff Schoenrock, my math teacher, was more than an educator; he was a mentor. His classroom was a space where learning was intertwined with meaningful relationships. Mr. Schoenrock's ability to relate to his students and his effective teaching methods made every moment in class important. He inspired me not only academically but also to be a compassionate and understanding individual.” Nate has been involved in many activities at Royalton High School and believes they helped shaped who he is today, “Participating in the Royalton High School Drama club was transformative. Acting became a liberating experience, teaching me public speaking skills and resourcefulness. It also allowed me to form lifelong friendships and unite my community through the power of storytelling. Similarly, my involvement in the Competitive Speech team and Knowledge Bowl broadened my horizons, enhancing my speaking and critical thinking skills.” Outside of school Nate has had one experience that sticks out, “Being a part of The Little Falls Theater Company community theater organization provided unique experiences, especially during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic. It taught me resilience and the importance of adaptability. These experiences reinforced my love for theater and community engagement, shaping my identity beyond the classroom.” As for Nate’s favorite high school memory, he said it happened in gym class, “My favorite high school memory was the day my friend accidentally set off the fire alarm during our gym class volleyball game. The unexpected event, forcing us into the snowy outdoors, created a funny and unforgettable moment that bonded us as friends and reminded us of the joy in unexpected situations.” Nate also really enjoyed Speech competitions as well. “Competing in speech events, especially in the duo category with my partner Stella Hagen, stands out as one of my best experiences. It allowed me to combine my competitive spirit with my passion for speech, fostering friendships and skills that will stay with me for life.” When Nate was asked what he plans to do after he graduates and where he thinks he’ll be 10 years down the road, here is what he said, “After graduation, I am excited to attend the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities to pursue a degree in education and theater. My goal is to become a role model for young people, helping them embrace their true selves. I chose this path because I believe in the transformative power of education and the arts in shaping compassionate and confident individuals. Then in 10 years, I envision myself in the bustling city, holding a High School Administration position and, hopefully, with a corgi by my side. My long-term plan is to create a safe and inclusive environment for students, fostering creativity and acceptance. Being a role model for young people who might be afraid of being who they are is a dream I am determined to fulfill.” Lastly, Nate’s advice for current freshmen is, “Embrace your authenticity. High school is a journey of self-discovery, and the more genuine you are, the more successful and fulfilled you will be, not just in high school but in life. Embrace your uniqueness, be kind to yourself, and never shy away from exploring your passions. Remember, every step you take towards being your true self is a step towards success.”

< Middle/High School Academics District Calendar Guidance Office Media Center New Enrollment January 2019 Student of the Month Rebeka Daniel Rebeka Daniel, daughter of Brian and Melanie Daniel, has been named January Student of the Month at Royalton High School (RHS). She has two younger siblings, Lukus and Lilieana, who are also students at Royalton. Daniel listed her favorite class and teacher as Composition I with English teacher Ron Makela. “Mr. Makela pushes you to do and be your best, and no matter what is going on in your life he won't give up on you.” “In the classroom, Rebeka is a leader, sharing ideas in discussions and offering assistance to her peers,” Makela said of Daniel. “While she has a very serious side that is hard-working and goal-oriented, she also shares her warm, personal side with her peers and teachers. Math teacher Jeff Schoenrock said, “Rebeka is hard working, goal oriented, and determined. Rebeka will push herself to overcome any obstacle she faces. In my college Precalculus class Rebeka will work until she has figured out how things need to be done. She has always been very respectful and will help peers.” Daniel is involved in Business Professionals of America (BPA), Cross Country, and Track and Field. Rebeka says he favorite high school memory was the 2018 Pepe Fest for Homecoming where the juniors and seniors were throwing candy at each other. Future Plans for Daniel include attending St.Catherine University where she will major in Exercise Science and Nutrition, and Minor in Physical Fitness. Rebeka’s advice to freshmen is, “High school goes by quicker than you think, just relax, have fun, study hard, and love every bit of it.”

< Middle/High School Academics District Calendar Guidance Office Media Center New Enrollment April 2018 Student of the Month Adam Olson The faculty of Royalton High School (RHS) has named Adam Olson the April Student of the Month. Adam is the son of Gail and Troy Olson and he has one sister named Haley. Adam’s favorite class is Computer Integrated Manufacturing with Mr. Robert Skwira because the entire class dealt with programming and building with robotics and he really enjoys that. Adam’s favorite teacher is Mr. Jeff Schoenrock because he really understands the way he teaches and he makes math enjoyable. Adam’s teacher and Coach Mr. Randy Thielges states “Adam is a competitor both in the class room and on the athletic court. He strives to be the best.” Adam is involved in Basketball, Baseball, Student Council, National Honor Society, Knowledge Bowl, and BPA. His favorite high school memory is playing basketball with some of his best friends. Adam plans to attend the University of Minnesota Duluth to receive a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He sees himself hopefully having a career in Computer Aided Design, Robotics, or Computer Integrated Manufacturing. He also hopes to start a family. The advice Adam would give to any freshman is “Play every sport like it’s your last game because one day it will be.”

< Middle/High School Academics District Calendar Guidance Office Media Center New Enrollment November 2019 Student of the Month Allyson Waletski Royalton High School announces that Allyson Waletski has been selected as the November Student of the Month. Allyson is the daughter of Dave and Judy Waletski; she also has a younger sister, Amanda. Allyson’s family is important to her; she enjoys traveling to different parts of the United States with them and they encourage her to try her best in everything. Allyson mentions, “My family has encouraged me to go for my dreams because anything is possible if I work hard at it.” Allyson participates in many different activities at Royalton High School. She is active in Knowledge Bowl, WE Club, Spanish Club, Student Council, and MHS. Being involved in the activities allowed her to gain many friendships, but overall they have shown Allyson how to manage her time while being as involved as possible at school. Sports also take up a great deal of Allyson’s time. Her favorite high school memory comes from the basketball court. In playoffs as a junior, the Royalton girls’ team was seven-seed playing against the heavily favored two-seed Rush City. “Our team worked together to overcome a deficit and push the game into overtime,” leading to an eventual win by the Royals. “The best part of that game was celebrating together as a team at center court.” Allyson’s team is important to her since they have been playing together since 5th grade and many are her best best friends. In addition to basketball, Allyson also plays volleyball and softball. During the off season, she also played AAU basketball and Junior Volleyball. Brad Baumann, head girls’ basketball coach and social studies teacher, states that Allyson is one of the true treasures of Royalton High School. “She demonstrates exactly what you would like to see out of a senior student. She is an excellent student in the classroom and is at the top of her class. Allyson strives to do great work and is also willing to step in and help whenever needed. She is willing to accept difficult tasks and take them head on. As a teacher and coach, it has been a privilege to have Allyson in class and in basketball, and we're fortunate to have her as a student here at Royalton High School.” Randy Thielges, Science Teacher, also sees Allyson’s strengths in class as well as on the court. “Allyson is always a "go-getter" whether it’s her hustle on the courts or her efforts to be the best in her class. She always seems to find a way to give her best effort.” Based on this sentiment, it is no surprise that chemistry with Mr. Thielges is Allyson’s favorite class. She loved that the class was challenging and fun at the same time. She states that her favorite part of the class was doing labs and solving stoichiometry problems. Chemistry helped her realize that she wants to become a pharmacist. Allyson definitely suggests that anyone who is interested in the medical field should take chemistry; it is a lot of fun! Allyson’s favorite teacher in high school was Mr. Makela. She appreciates that he pushed her to become the writer she is today. Even though his class was the hardest class she took in high school, she really enjoyed it, “He put in so much extra time helping me write my essays and was always willing to stay after school to read through my work.” Mr. Makela inspired me to work hard and never give up. Next year, Allyson will be attending the Early Admissions Pharmacy Program at North Dakota State University. She chose to become a pharmacist because she wants to help people feel better and wants to work in the medical field. “Mr. Thielges showed me how much I love chemistry and encouraged me to go to a Pharmacy camp in Ohio this last summer,” which cemented her idea of becoming a pharmacist. In ten years, she sees herself practicing pharmacy at a hospital close to Royalton. She hopes to get married and travel in her free time. It is important to her to stay close to home because she wants to continue spending time with family. Allyson’s advice to high school freshmen is to be as involved as you can be throughout high school. Being in activities allows you to step out of your comfort zone and meet new people. It also allows you to see what things you enjoy that you otherwise would not have tried.

< Middle/High School Academics District Calendar Guidance Office Media Center New Enrollment < Back February 2018 Artist of the Month Marshall Meehl Marshall Meehl, the son of Robert and Cheryl Meehl was recently named February Artist of the month at Royalton High School. He has been a leader in the school's Yearbook class for the past three years where he broke the all time school record for most ad sales. These sales not only paid for computers and software to run programs, but helped to keep the yearbooks affordable for all students. "I have always enjoyed drawing when I was younger," said Meehl. "That kind of runs in my family. The yearbook ad sales record just seemed easy for me." "I started teaching more than a few years back, and actually remember teaching Bob Meehl, the father of these talented boys," stated Royalton High School Visual Art Instructor Carl Halverson. "It was no surprise when Marshall showed up as a seventh grader with these same kinds of superior visual art talents. It was an added bonus, and a very pleasant surprise to see him out sell any sophomore in school history in yearbook class. Marshall has taken most of the high school art electives, and while he excels in each area, his drawing skills have seen the most significant growth. Every student in the school searches to find these areas that interest them the most, and hopefully, may lead them somewhere as they graduate from high school. There is no doubt in my mind that Marshall will use his sales and marketing skills in his future. After all, every student must use these same skills to "sell themselves" as they apply to a post secondary school, or even to fill out a job application. I hope that he continues to work to develop his artistic talents as well in his future. We will most definitely miss the funds that he has generated over the years to improve our yearbooks. More than anything else though, I will personally miss his "off the wall" sense of humor and his genuine concern for his peers." "This being my senior year, makes everything that much more special," added Meehl. "I remember the very first time I walked in to my seventh grade art class and Halverson telling me that I had some of the same talents that my brothers had. After every project, I would go home and compare mine to my brother's work. Even though I never thought that mine measured up to their work, he would just keep encouraging me to focus on doing "My Best" and not to focus on what I couldn't control. In that way, he's helped me through all areas throughout the years. We've talked about not just improving as an artist, but focusing on just being a better person and looking out for others too. It's been a journey with Halverson and the Art Department that I do not take for granted, and one I will never forget."

< 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 2018 Student of the Month Jason Kasella Jason Kasella, son of Amy and Rob Kasella, was named the May Student of the Month by the faculty of Royalton High School (RHS). Jason’s siblings are Jacob, Megan, Katelyn, Krista and Matthew; Jason is the second youngest. Jason’s favorite class is Woods with Mr. Marty Bratsch as his teacher. He likes this class because he can be creative while working with his hands. His favorite teachers are Mr. Marty Bratsch, Mr. Robert Skwira, the Agriculture teacher and Mr. Carl Halverson, the Art teacher. His teachers had these comments about Jason. “When he walked into my room as a gangly seventh grader, he sported the kind of grin that makes you wonder what he's about to get away with. His work ethic was impeccable which brought him to success no matter what the assignment was. Although he's changed a lot since then, these two things haven't changed at all. He still has that big grin and that admirable "farm boy" work ethic. Add to this a quiet confidence and great sense of humor and you've got a young man who is destined to light up the world, in whatever career path that he chooses to pursue”. His Spanish teacher Ms. Lindsey Gruber states, “Jason is a leader among his peers and underclassmen. He is humble, determined, and a hard worker not only in the classroom, but on the mat, field, and in the hallways. These are valued characteristics in school, the workforce, and in today’s society. Jason is well-deserving of this recognition.” Mr. Robert Skwira states that “Jason is a very detailed individual who wants to do a good job and get it done right". Jason is actively involved in Football, Wrestling, and Tech/Yes Club. Jamie Morford, his football coach said, “Jason defines what it means to be a true team player and what we as a staff look for in our Royalton football leaders. He was asked his senior year to move from a position he had held for three years and take a less glorious position. In doing this he knew that this would make our team better and in turn give us a better odds at competing each week. Jason has always been a silent leader but has made huge impacts, not just on game night but every day at practice. He is always looking to push others to make themselves and the team better. Not only has he excelled on the field but does so in the classroom and with his peers. There have not been many like him but it is our hope that his legacy will pave the way for other future Royal Football players and emulate his leadership style and body of work”. His wrestling coach Terry Gorecki states, "Jason is a great leader on and off the wrestling mat. He has a great work ethic and is much disciplined in the classroom and on the mat. He is a great role model for all student athletes." Jason’s favorite memory is “Getting to the finals and being one win away in wrestling to go to state as a team”. After graduating, he plans on working for his father at Kasella Concrete, put up a chicken barn and continue farming. He sees himself in 10 years still working at KCI; possibly in the process of taking it over, owning a chicken barn and a hundred head of beef cattle and living locally with a wife and a few kids. The advice he would give to any freshman is “Try to enjoy school more than stressing about the work.”

< 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 December 2017 Student of the Month Amy Zabinski Amy Zabinski is the oldest daughter to Rich and Sharon Zabinski and she was named the December Student of the Month by the faculty of Royalton High School (RHS). Amy has two younger sisters, Kim and Carrie, and they are currently attending Royalton Middle and High School. Her parents are incredibly supportive of her, they always push her to be the best she can be, and they are always there for her supporting her decisions. Her parents have been very supportive of all of the various activities she has taken part in over the years, and they always encourage her to try new things and join different activities and clubs. Amy’s favorite class is SPANISH because Sra. Lindsey Gruber has been the greatest teacher! In her three years of Spanish classes, Sra. has always found a way to teach class in a fun way! Sra. Gruber comes to class each day with a positive attitude and eagerness to teach us another language. Thank you for making Spanish AMAZING! Sra. Lindsey Gruber states “Amy is a ray of sunshine that brightens my classroom every day. She continuously finds the positive in everything and is dedicated to succeeding in all areas. No matter the task, Amy always puts forth her best effort. This also includes helping others to succeed. Her kind and helpful spirit will take her many places, and I wish Amy all the best in her future endeavors! Amy honestly states, “There are too many AMAZING teachers to choose just ONE favorite”. All of the teachers she has interacted with have been incredibly supportive and pushed her to succeed and never settle for any less than her best. Mr. Jeremy Schaa, Amy’s NHS (National Honor Society) teacher states “Amy is a very positive, happy student who is often smiling which helps put others in the school at ease, and brightens their moods”. Amy’s FFA instructor Mr. Robert Skwira states “Amy is a kind hearted and hardworking individual who always has a smile on her face. Amy treats others the way everyone wants to be treated. She gets along with everyone and will help everyone out. She cares very much about her family and faith. Amy strives to do things the right way. Amy has a bright future ahead of herself!” Michael Marschel is her Cross Country coach states “There really isn't any one kinder than Amy Zabiniski. Her hard-working, positive attitude will bring her very far in life. Royalton is lucky to have her.” Amy is involved in quite a few activities; she was inducted into NHS in the beginning of her junior year. She took part in the “One Act” competitions her junior and senior year. She ran for the Royalton Cross Country team for 3 years and track for 2 years. She has been in four high school play productions including, “Persuasion, Pride and Prejudice”, “Give My Regards to Broadway”, and “Two Fronts”. She is a dedicated member of the Royalton FFA. She was in speech for one year and performed a duet for choir contest with her best friend, Emily Prokott. They dedicated almost every spare moment they had to their duet, and it paid off when they received a score of 49/50 at the competition. Amy has also taken part of large group choir and band contests where she received superior ratings for their performance pieces. She is also a dedicated member of her hometowns church choir and youth group. Her favorite High school memory actually consisted of a series of four days spent on a cruise ship. She had the opportunity to take a cruise with members of her school band in March of her junior year. Those four days were amazing! She spent time with her classmates and fellow band members on the cruise ship and had the time of her life. Amy plans to attend Winona State University and enter into the nursing program to receive her Registered Nurse license. In ten years she hopes to be helping people as a Registered Nurse. The advice Amy would give to freshmen is “Don’t let your years get away from you! When everyone says the years are going to fly by, BELIEVE THEM! Senior year catches up to you faster than you could ever imagine, and when it does, you are going to be left wondering where the time went. Cherish every moment you have before it all turns into a memory!”

< Middle/High School Academics District Calendar Guidance Office Media Center New Enrollment February 2018 Student of the Month Samantha Post Samantha Post, daughter of Molly and Brian Post, was named the February Student of the Month by the faculty of Royalton High School (RHS). Samantha has a brother David and he attends Royalton School also. Samantha’s favorite class and teacher is Painting which is Mr. Carl Halverson Art class. He states “Samantha has tried every area of our art department, from yearbook and photography to drawing and sculpture. While she amazes students with her artistic abilities, it is more about who she is than what she creates that impresses me. Sam accepts people for who they are, which most professionals would probably credit as a display of a higher level of intelligence. She doesn't exclude people based on their social status, group or "click". I believe that she would do well in any field that would lead her to a career that involved helping people up rather than knocking them down. I've seen her do just that with many different age groups of students in her years at Royalton High School. I believe she will make the world a better place for those around her. Her Spanish teacher, Mrs. Lindsey Gruber states that “Samantha is inquisitive, organized, and works hard. She is self-motivated and pushes herself to learn, no matter the subject area. It’s also evident that she is concerned with the well-being of others and stands up for what she believes in. Samantha is confident in whom she is, and I’m sure, she will do great things in her life! Samantha is active in Contest Choir and she likes volunteering at the Humane Society. Sam was also nominated to be Royalton’s January Artist of the Month; her paintings are hanging in the showcase by the media center. Samantha’s says that she has too many favorite school memories to list. After graduating, Samantha wants to work for a while, then go back to school for Environmental Science. She sees herself in ten years hopefully married, maybe a few kids and a nice stable job. If she had to give advice to freshmen students, it would be “a full night’s rest is important”.